Littleham & Landcross Historical Society
Upcoming events
ON THE TERRA NOVA
At our next meeting on Thursday 23rd February, Littleham resident Mari Galvin will be telling us about her great uncle, Harry Pennell, who was one of the naval officers on board the Terra Nova for Scott's last expedition. He was born in Devon and educated at Exeter School. He died aged only 34when the Queen Mary went down in the battle of Jutland in May 1916.
Mari knew that her aunt had left letters belonging to him to the Royal Geographic Society so during 2009 she did some research in the archive and also at the Scott Polar Institute to produce a document for her family.
She wanted to find out what was happening during the expedition from the point of view of the Terra Nova, so she researched the ship rather than Scott and the polar party and used Scott's diary and other published books as well as the letters. She found these letters particularly interesting as they reveal tensions that must have existed between the men and she also found it incredibly moving to handle them, particularly one from Bowers who died in the tent with Scott.
We look forward to hearing about Mari’s discoveries. Everyone is welcome to come along to Littleham Village Hall at 7.30. Entry £2 to include tea and biscuits.
Recent events
At our November meeting Ian Atkinson shared with us his research into the Crealock family of Littleham. Many people are familiar with the grand tomb of General Henry Hope Crealock in Littleham Church and some may have wondered about his identity and the connection with the Crealock Arms. Ian told us about the army careers of General Crealock and his brother, and of their fame as talented war artists. A large audience turned out to hear this fascinating story.
On Thursday 22nd September our speaker was the eminent local historian Peter Christie whose books on the history of Bideford and collections of old photographs have greatly added to knowledge of the area. He is an accomplished and amusing speaker and gave a very interesting talk on the Folklore of North Devon. We heard about the strange beliefs of our predecessors, the folk remedies that were used and customs that were engaged in until comparatively recently.
On Thursday June 16th we were delighted to invite Littleham author Pamela Vass to launch her new book ‘Seeds of Doubt’. Littleham is now becoming well known as a source of historical books; there cannot be many small villages which can boast two publishing companies! Pamela and her husband David Hogan have visited the Historical Society before, to give a very interesting presentation on Torrington mathematician and inventor, Thomas Fowler.‘Seeds of Doubt’ is a novel set against the background of actual events.
Strange cloud formations, vivid colours, a smell of sulphur in the air – all led to suspicions that government experiments might have been responsible for the floods that devastated Lynmouth in 1952. Suspicions that provide a gripping background for this novel.
The main character, Ingrid Clarke, follows in the author’s footsteps, discovering previously classified documents that detail these covert experiments. Driven on by her own guilty secret, the search becomes an obsession. Ingrid risks her marriage, her health, her entire future in a quest to discover the truth.
However, others are determined the truth will never be told and go to extreme lengths to conceal their manipulation of one of the greatest powers on earth.
'Seeds of Doubt' is available from local bookshops and from www.boundstonebooks.co.uk
On Thursday May 5th we visited the site of the Rolle Canal at Annery, by kind invitation of Adrian and Hilary Wills, who gave us a guided tour of this scenic site alongside the River Torridge at Weare Giffard. Adrian explained the social context which led to the construction of the canal in the 1820’s, around the same time as building of the turnpike road from Bideford to Torrington, and told us about the industries in the area which included pottery, lime-burning and ship-building.
We saw the sea lock that Adrian and Hilary discovered on their land, and subsequently excavated and renovated with the support of the Rolle Canal Society. We were amazed at the extent of the work that has been carried out, and at the now peaceful location of what was once a busy industrial area. Thanks to Adrian and Hilary for such an interesting evening.
On February 24th, Dr Janet Few presented a talk entitled 'Who Lived in Cottages Like These? Tracing the History and Previous Occupants of Your Home'. She provided us with a wealth of information during her lively and amusing talk.
In November Chris Hassall told us about the fascinating history of Packhorse Trails and Turnpikes, concentrating on the old routes through Littleham and Landcross. He had followed the routes carefully and took photographs to illustrate his journey for us.
On 23rd September there was a talk and book launch for Liz Shakespeare's new book, 'The Turning of the Tide.' This novel draws on nineteenth century documents to tell the intertwined stories of a young Clovelly mother confined in Bideford Workhouse and Dr Ackland, philanthropist and friend of Charles Kingsley. Liz Shakespeare is the author of Fever: A Story from a Devon Churchyard and The Memory Be Green: An Oral History of a Devon Village.
On Thursday June 24th Peter Christie led an evening walk at East the Water, Bideford. This area is often over-looked as the 'poor relation' of Bideford but it has a long industrial history and we were all very interested to hear of its development over the centuries. We were lucky to have a beautiful sunny evening and the views across the river to Bideford town were stunning.
Quite a large group attended our previous meeting at Annery, near Monkleigh. This was to visit the site of Annery House which was built – or rebuilt - in 1800 and sadly demolished in 1958. Toni Smyth who now lives on the site has researched the long and interesting history of Annery and kindly invited us to visit and view her display of photographs and articles concerning the house. We were all most impressed by the wonderful outlook over the Torridge valley.
Missing descendants
Can anybody help find any relatives for John Batton? Following received from him
"My Great Grandmother Caroline/Connie Moyse (Formally Caroline Batten/Nee Furze) lived in Littleham from approximately 1900 until her death on the 25th November 1947 at Mount Pleasant. Aged 93 Yrs. Her eldest son William - Born 9.2.1874. - registered the death. William came from Launceston in Cornwall to make the registration, I have the certificate. Richard her 2nd eldest son, Born 26.12.1875. Lived in Bude with his wife Emily and ran a Fish shop near the beach front. Charles Batten her youngest son (Born 6.9.1889/Died 1968) apparently lived with her all or most of his life. Carolines 3rd son Frank (Born 1.4.1878/Died 19.1.1959 in Tottenham, London, was my Grandfather. Frank left Devon and walked up to London when he was 15 yrs old in approximately 1893/94. I have traced my family tree back to the mid 1700s, and have most of the birth, marriage, and death certificates, plus census and World War 1 military records to confirm this. But there is a large gap between 1881 and 1901 when Carolines husband - Matthew Batten - disapears from his wife and childrens lives. I cannot find Parish, Census, or shipping records of him leaving the country, nor a death record or any other certificate for Matthew. Matthew was born 11.12 1850. I have two photographs of Caroline taken in the mid 1940s at Mount Pleasant, Littleham, given to me by my fathers youngest brother, Richard Batten, who is still alive aged 90 Yrs. Richard visited Littleham in the mid to late 1940s. Are there any descendants of the Batten or Moyse family still living in Littleham or the surrounding area that can help me?"
1st Photo is of Caroline holding baby Vinny
2nd photois of Caroline with members of her family. I believe these to be from left to right, Charles Batten, Charles's daughter or daughter in law (don't know name), Charles's wife (don't know name), Caroline with granddaughter in arms, and Charles's son or son in law (don't know name).
Both photos taken mid 1940s at Mount Pleasant. If anyone can help John, can you use the Genealogy contact on the Contacts page and I will put you in touch.
