Lady Chichester’s Clothing Club – Mortehoe
Thursday 8th October 1868 The annual distribution of clothing by the benevolent lady founder of this Club, took place on Wednesday week in the beautiful room built for the purpose by…
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The Ministers Home at Morthoe – The Grange
Thursday 19th September 1884 It ought to be easy for a man who has stayed for a few weeks in this beautiful home, to give some account of it and…
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Mortehoe as visited by a rambler in 1886
Monday 9th August 1886 Bristol Mercury The claims made at this season by and on behalf of the numerous watering-places on our lovely coasts are sufficiently bewildering to the heads of…
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The Woolacombe & Mortehoe Voice Logo
HI I wanted to tell you a little bit more about the Woolacombe & Mortehoe Voice logo. When I set out to write a magazine, the whole process was very…
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Wedding at Morte-Hoe – Baker & Trute
The marriage was solemnised St. Mary’s Church, Morte-Hoe, on Thursday, the Rev. W. F. Coppard officiating, of Mr. William George Baker, third son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Baker, of West View Bungalow, Seymour,…
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Woolacombe as written in Wardlock’s Guide
Woolacombe is a seaside resort of rapidly-growing importance, reached by way of Mortehoe station 1 ½ miles distant, with which, as with Ilfracombe, it is connected by motor-bus. An excellent…
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Dog Rescue – Barricane Beach
North Devon Journal Thursday 25th March 1943 A courageous act recognised Ilfracombe Evacuee Boy receives R.S.P.C.A’s Silver medal The story of an evacuee boy’s courageous act at night during November gale…
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A Barricane Beach poem from 1911
A poem written by Josephine Crawford and published in the North Devon Journal in February 1911 Oh! Come with me to Barricane Beach Down this little path one is sure…
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I call it magic. I have myself been under the spell. I thought it was merely idiotic at first
Thursday 14th September 1882 Morte-Hoe On the whole I consider Devonshire (not to say Cornwall) undeveloped, from the watering-place point of view. Ilfracombe and Torquay are always to the fore, but…
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Mortehoe Scarecrow Festival 2022 – All at Sea
The first scarecrow festival for a few years made a very welcome return to Mortehoe on Saturday 6th-Sunday 67th August. The theme this year was All at Sea …. we…
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Monkfish and Mortehoe – 1998
This week Friends Restaurant continues its stay in North Devon. You will remember that last week I had been visiting the Cleeve House Hotel in Mortehoe. Seek out a traditional…
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Private Frutoso Chavez
Frutoso Ramos Chaves was born January 21, 1922 in Pecos, Reeves county, Texas, the oldest son of Urbano Franco Chaves and Isabel Ramos. He had five brothers and two sisters.…
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Private Ellis Swanzy
Private Ellis Swanzy known by his friends as “Bo” was KIA on Omaha Beach Pvt. Ellis Swanzy “Bo” Abney (ASN 34635336) was born on April 10, 1924 in Toccopola, Pontotoc,…
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Dynamic Dunescapes Painted Cows
Ten painted cow sculptures can be found on Woolacombe’s sand dunes, starting on the 25th June to celebrate the first World Sand Dune Day these beautiful cows will be making…
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North Devon Hospice Marathon & Half Marathon
Well done to everyone who took part in the North Devon Hospice’s 12 Marathon and Half Marathon. This is known as one of the toughest events, with the most beautiful…
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Unveiling of Mortehoe War Memorial – 13th May 1920
Erected in a prominent position in the Parish Churchyard, the memorial to the fallen from the parish, subscribed for by the parishioners and friends, was unveiled and dedicated on Sunday…
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H.M.S Weazle
H.M.S WEAZLE The coast of North Devon is well known for its history of shipwrecks, however the one that took place on the 11th February 1799 had a massive impact…
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Eliza Yeo 1840-1917
Eliza has often been described as ‘a real character of Mortehoe’. For those of you who have visited the Mortehoe Heritage Museum you will have seen her wax work figurine…
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Woolacombe & Mortehoe 1899 – A visitors review
Morte Point, with its stern beauty, and the slanting spur of rocks which is covered when the tide is full, then the suggestiveness of the name is seen, and dwellers here about…
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A look back at Woolacombe Weddings
With the wedding season in full swing, we take a look at some of the weddings that Woolacombe & Mortehoe have over the years. All were reported in the local newspapers, and…
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Pte Herbert Dyer
Herbert was born on the 23rd August 1912 in North Devon. His parents were James and Mary Dyer, following their marriage they went on to have a large family, living…
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Rockham Bay Hotel, Mortehoe
The Rockham Bay Hotel, previously started its life as a smaller hotel, run by William and Andrea Charlesworth. In 1946 the the hotel was descried in a local newspaper article…
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Hall 70 Woolacombe
Woolacombe’s village hall can be found on Beach Road, and is available to hire by calling 01271 870247. The hall is the hub of the village used for many social and…
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Elizabeth Berry – Notorious Wrecker
The North Devon coast was often named “The Sailors Grave” it was said that sailors would rather drown at sea than come intothe shore’s of Mortehoe. There are many unknown…
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Mortehoe Post Office
The Royal Mail can date it’s history as far back as 1516, however it would not be until 1635 that the postal service would be opened up to the public…
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Hotel Pandora
Pandora House Hotel was built in the 1930’s and is believed to have been the first purpose built boarding house in Woolacombe. It was built in the newly cut out…
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Richard James Trebble (1926-1945)
Richard James Trebble was born in 1926 to Arthur and Minnie of Woolacombe. The family lived at WaveCrest. Richard along with his friends, Ray Easterbrook, Alf Yeo, Jeff Skinner and…
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Olin Dows A United States Army artist who served during World War II in Woolacombe
“Images are my language” Olin Dows 1963 Olin Dows was born in 1904 in New York, educated at Harvard’s Department of Fine Arts and later at Yale’s Students League. By…
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The lifeboat for Mortehoe, 1871
Morthoe Bay, Morte Point, Rockham Bay, and Bull Point, have an evil repute in the sailors’s log. It has been buoyed with such warning as might serve to caution ships…
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Sub-Lieut Derek Worth
The Worth family lived in Woolacombe, Frederick, Derek’s father, worked at the Woolacombe Bay Hotel during the second world war, as their own house had been taken over by the…
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Strange proceedings at Mortehoe
In 1887 an event took place in Mortehoe that would be later reported in the press as ‘The Strange Proceedings at Mortehoe’, it would be a case that would end…
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Woolacombe, Mortehoe and The Chichester Family
The Chichester family had a strong and important connection with Woolacombe and Mortehoe. The family owned much of the North Devon Coastline including their home at Arlington Estate. Woolacombe beach…
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The Woolacombe Bay Hotel
The Woolacombe Bay Hotel was constructed in 1887, and was initially called the “Shakespeare Hotel”, before it was renamed the Woolacombe Bay. Photographs of the Hotel under construction show, at…
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Woolacombe Weavers (1938)
The girl weavers of Woolacombe find their craft slimming. “Weaving exercises so many muscles,” explained grey-eyed brunette Miss R. Woollan. “You are always moving legs and arms. Glade here almost…
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Dodge, Dunkeswell and Disaster
On May 8th 1945 Nazi Germany surrendered and the Second World War in Europe came to an end. With the fighting over, there was no longer a requirement for hundreds…
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The Grange, Mortehoe
Mr Thomas founded the Grange as a Ministers Seaside Home, he would be the first warden of the home, visiting The Grange whenever he could, but leaving the day to…
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The Watersmeet Hotel
The Watersmeet Hotel by Sue Hill, Barricane Books Find this lovely, gracious hotel at the far end of Woolacombe’s Esplanade, facing due south, with its grounds running down to Combesgate…
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Eating, Drinking & Dancing – The Chichester Arms (1841)
North Devon Journal – Thursday 07 January 1841 Offence against Ale House Licence – Rev. J. D. Ness, rector of Mortehoe, exhibited a complaint against George Irwin Keeper of the “Chichester Arms”…
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Barricane House
Barricane House in Mortehoe is believed to have been given it’s name as it was the closest a horse drawn carriage could get to Barricane Shell Beach before there was…
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William John Cousins
William John Cousins was the eldest son of William and Charlotte Cousins, born in Mortehoe in 1884. William’s parents married in Lee on Christmas Eve 1878, they would only spent…
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Thomas Randall (1879-1916)
Thomas Randal was born on the 5th February 1879 to Richard and Jane Randall (nee Rose). Thomas was one of seven children, when he was born the family were living…
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Victoria Tay
Chasing a kite across Woolacombe Beach is a childhood memory that is as clear as day to me. I had a Garfield kite, and my dad let go of the…
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Mortehoe & Woolacombe As Seen by A Rambler (1886)
A wonderful depiction of Woolacombe & Mortehoe, as seen by a rambler travelling to the area in 1886. Arriving at Mortehoe Station, he tells of his journey down the hills…
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Herbert Perryman (1885-1915)
Herbert Perryman was born in 1885 to Alfred and Mary Perryman. He would marry Ella Moule in 1908, where following their marriage they would live in Georgeham. Prior to his…
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Kelly Moss
We fell in love in Mortehoe. Our first real date involved a road trip to Mortehoe in 2009 (my now husband was a drinks delivery driver and had delivered to…
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Mortehoe & Woolacombe Station
The London and South Western railway line was extended from Barnstaple to Ilfracombe in July 1874, when the Mortehoe railway station was opened. On Tuesday 9th January 1894 the station…
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Kenneth Vernon Dodgson (1891-1915)
Kenneth Vernon Dodgson was born in Harrow on the 25th June 1891 to Reverend Francis Vivian and Constance Mary Dodgson. His father, Reverend Francis Vivian, had previously been the Chaplain…
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Parade House, Woolacombe
Once the home of Rosalie Chichester, Parade House has been turned into luxury self catering holiday lets, John and Briony who have a deep affinity with Woolacombe and all it…
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Sam Kruger
My love affair with Woolacombe and Mortehoe began 40 years ago when my Grandad moved from London to Lapford, some way down the A377. Many holidays were spent at Grandad’s…
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Thomas Henry Nicholls (1892-1917)
Thomas Henry Nicholls was born in 1892 in Worcestershire to Samuel and Eva (nee Butler) Nicholls. Samuel and Eva married on the 25th March 1886 in the Parish Church at…
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Woolacombe Housing Estate – Arlington Place (1948)
1st January 1948 WOOLACOMBE HOUSING ESTATE Mrs. J. E. Pile Performs Opening Ceremony An interesting Christmastide ceremony was the formal opening of Woolacombe’s new housing estate. The ceremony was performed…
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Mortehoe visit (1861)
17th January 1861 MORTHOE. Lady Bruce Chichester has paid her accustomed New Year visit to this place, and was gladly welcomed by the poor of the parish, who were supplied…
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Mortehoe (1859)
Mortehoe – North Devon Journal – 14th July 1859 The native beaches of this delightful spot are attracting numerous and daily visitors from Ilfracombe and the places adjacent. The matchless…
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Eustace Edward Faull
Eustace Edward Faull was born in Glamorgan, Wales his was the son of Joseph and Eleanor Faull. Eustace’s father Joseph would die when Eustace was just six years old, he…
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Ulysses & James Harris Mortehoe Brothers
The People behind the Names – Ulysses & James Harris Mortehoe Brothers Private James Harris and his brother, Sapper Ulysses Marfleet Harris, were from Mortehoe and both lost their lives in…
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Caroline Delin
I’m not alone in my infatuation and fascination with Woolacombe, after all you wouldn’t be reading this if you didn’t feel the same. It’s a very special place to many…
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Pam Bodimeade
My love affair with Woolacombe began one frosty morning in Spring 1981. My (now) husband Neale had spent many summers holidaying in Woolacombe in the 70s and had talked about…
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John Fielding
My love of North Devon goes back nearly as far as my love of flight. From the age of ten in 1971 until well after I had left school, my…
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William John Cowler (1897-1916)
William John Cowler was born in 1897 to John and Ellen Cowler (nee Hewitt). The family lived in Woolacombe at Holmesdale House, where they took in summer boarders and his…
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Frederick Howard Arnold Horsfall (1891-1916)
Frederick Howard Arnold Horsfall was born in Gravesend in 1891 to Frederick and Louisa Horsfall. His father, already a sailor travelled the world as part of his career, therefore it…
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Ellen Mooney
Hello everyone this is my story of wonderful North Devon, in particular, Woolacombe and Mortehoe. My mother was from Combe Martin and was one of two girls born into a…
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Woolacombe Girl Home from America (1947)
North Devon Journal Thursday 14th August 1947 6000 Miles for visit Woolacombe Girl home from America “I am glad to have the opportunity of speaking for those English girls who…
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Bungalow Cafe Restaurant – known today as the Red Barn (1906)
North Devon Journal – Thursday 31 May 1906 Bungalow Café Restaurant at Woolacombe Under this title a new refreshment room was opened at Woolacombe on Monday by Mr G. Southcombe…
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Woolacombe Soldier Killed in Action 1918. Pte James H Harris
Thursday 11th April 1918 Woolacombe Soldier killed in Action Sincere sympathy will be expressed with Mr. W. B. Harris, grocer, and Miss, Harris of Woolacombe in the tragic blow which…
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Ruth
My name is Ruth, I am now in my 20’s however, I have been coming to Woolacombe and Mortehoe since I was a child. It is the only holiday destination…
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Mortehoe Soldier in the Dardanelles Operations
Mr. A. H. Slee, Headmaster of Morte-Hoe School, has received an interesting letter from an “old boy” of the School – Sapper W. J. Cowler, Royal Engineers, who is…
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Alfred Henry Toms (1866-1918)
Alfred Henry Toms was born on the 28th January 1866, he was the son of Samuel and Sally Toms of Barnstaple. Samuel Toms married Sally Gribble on the 10th June…
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Gateway to Paradise Trickling stream that divides two world
Gateway to Paradise Trickling stream that divides two worlds Friday 25th Jan 1935 By S. P. B. Mains As I am for the greater part of the year moving rapidly…
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Homecoming of Woolacombe Soldier – Driver Richard Tossell (1943)
Grand to be Back Homecoming of Woolacombe Repatriated Soldier Ambulance Driver Richard G. Tossell, of Glen Villa, Woolacombe was one of the service men repatriated from Italy who reached England…
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Corpl Walter Brown of Resthaven, Woolacombe PoW (1943)
North Devon Journal – Thursday 21st January 1943 Corpl. Walter Brown, of Resthaven, Woolacombe formerly of Georgeham who is a prisoner of war in Germany. Corpl, Brown was captured during…
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Gunner A. F. Bidgood writes from Italy (1944)
Thursday 31st August 1944 – North Devon Journal Gunner A. F. Bidgood of Woolacombe, who is serving with the 8th Army in Italy has written in high praise of the…
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Inauguration of Woolacombe’s Water Scheme (1905)
4th August 1905 Red Letter Day Morte Hoe and Woolacombe, two of the most popular watering places in the North Devon coast, were Tuesday given over to a public holiday,…
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Herbert Bale (1848-1917)
Herbert’s father Richard Bale was born in 1848 in Berrynarbor, he was described as having a genial personality which won for him many friendships. He was a lifelong member of…
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Woolacombe School Celebrates 100 years
January 13th 1916 Woolacombe New School Opened by Miss Chichester, of Arlington. On Monday 11th January, the staff and children of Woolacombe School celebrated its centenary. 100 years previously, 11th…
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John Dyer, Mortehoe Coast-watcher (1852-1941)
I didn’t know my great-great-Grandfather John Dyer (known as Granfer Dyer both inside and outside the family), but I’m very proud of him. He was born in Georgeham in 1852,…
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Robert Trebble (1899-1916)
Robert Hugh Trebble 1899 – 1916 Robert Hugh Trebble was born in 1899 to James and Ellen (nee Legassick) Trebble. Roberts’s Grandfather, John, a butcher by trade moved to Woolacombe…
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Nick Thatcher
Woolacombe has a special place in my heart and although I don’t feel I can visit again quite yet, it will be part of my future. Woolacombe has been a…
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Tourist Brochure – 4,000 guides to be printed in 1951
Thursday 2nd November 1950 North Devon Journal New Publicity Committee for Woolacombe 4,000 guides to be printed in 1951 A publicity and guide committee for Woolacombe was formed at a…
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Woolacombe Improvements (1946)
22 August 1946 Woolacombe Improvements No “Miniature Blackpool” The recent announcement in the “Journal-Herald” that Messrs, Parkin Amusements were embarking on a £50,000 scheme for Woolacombe was received with mixed…
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Woolacombe & World War 2
“I recall we could count nine rows of breaking surf, and would be lulled to sleep by the sound of that magnificent surf, the clouds would sweep up over Lundy…
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A Mortehoe Gospel, the recollection of a visitor to Mortehoe (1882)
Thursday 31st August 1882 North Devon Journal A Morte-Hoe Gospel The following sketch by a visitor to Morte-hoe appeared in a recent issue of the Echo. I can’t say the…
Keep readingPercy Robert Coles (1887-1916)
Percy Robert Coles was born on the 11th October 1887 to Charles and Charlotte Coles. Charles father came from a dairy farming background, however Charles took a different path, joining…
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Mike Hunter
Well into the festivities at a New Year’s Eve party about 7 years ago, it was drunkenly suggested we should all go for a dip in the sea the next…
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Harry Howard Karslake (1880 – 1917)
Harry Howard Karslake 1880 – 1917 Harry Howard Karslake was the eldest son of Michael and Prudence Emily Karslake. He was born on the 8th February 1880 in Axminister, Devon.…
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Debbie Finney
My Mortehoe, My Woolacombe By Debbie Finney It all started when my Mum and Dad came here for their honeymoon in the early 60’s. They fell in love with the…
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What is the link between Mortehoe and Thomas Beckets Murder?
Thomas Becket was born around 1120; he was the son of a prosperous London merchant. At the time of Thomas’s birth, Medieval England was ruled by the church and its…
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The Narracott – Steve Brown
Local estate agent, auctioneer and now writer Steve Brown is ‘Woolacombe born and bred’, representing the third generation of one of the oldest ‘boarding house’ families in the village. In…
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Shipwreck A.C.L (1894)
Heroic Conduct of a Coastguard – as reported in newspaper. Considerable excitement was caused at Ilfracombe about 9am yesterday to a signal being fired to launch the Ilfracombe boat. It…
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The Official Holiday Guide – Steve Brown
Local estate agent, auctioneer and now writer Steve Brown is ‘Woolacombe born and bred’, representing the third generation of one of the oldest ‘boarding house’ families in the village. In…
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SS Priestfield Shipwreck
The S.S.Priestfield May 10th 1912 Devon and Exeter Gazette The Priestfield Refloated Considerable excitement was caused in North Devon the day before yesterday, when the news spread that a steamship…
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The Hill Brothers
North Devon brothers William John and Thomas Henry Hill (pictured below) were two young volunteers who would sadly become victims of the first world war. Both are now commemorated on…
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It’s Been Too Long – Paddy Rice Moule’s beautiful song of her memories of the area
Paddy Rice Moule sings about her love of Woolacombe and Mortehoe before she moved to New Zealand in the very touching song “Its’s Been Too Long” . Paddy was born…
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Woolacombe – A short history, by Sarah Prankerd
An area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance which it is desirable to preserve or enhance Woolacombe is one of these. When you live in an…
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