Hatherleigh the Town that keeps
Tradition alive
|
| |
|
Carnival |
|
auctions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
History of Hatherleigh here
Spring 2006
Spring has hit Hatherleigh at last! Suddenly the countryside is alive with colour, lambs are frisking in the fields, the swallows have arrived and competing for nest building materials. The only drawback is the morning chorus waking us up too early, a small price to pay.
Summer is on its way!
More images here. |
|
|
Hatherleigh Market
Every Tuesday the town comes to life with its flourishing market consisting of a small mammels and poultry auction, good local produce, homemade cakes, and a household auction for all your bargins and much more.
contact the market direct for details at vicks@hathmart.fsbusiness.co.uk
|
The Tarka Trail
Tarka Country is situated in the heart of northern Devon. This area of the south west of England embraces a stunning variety of countryside, including rolling farmland, rugged coast and wild moors. Henry Williamson based his classic novel 'Tarka the Otter' on actual locations in northern Devon. The Tarka theme has now been taken as the inspiration for the promotion of the area. Here is your invitation to explore this beautiful and varied countryside with the help of those who live and work in Tarka Country. Sustran's lead artist, Katy Hallett, worked with Marland School and Dolton and Clinton Primary Schools on a series of mosaic benches which are sited between Petrockstowe and the highest point of the Trail near East Yarde. |
 |
 |
Thomas Roberts
Hatherleigh's Handy man
To paraphrase Wilde 'to lose one hand is unfortunate, to lose both is carelessness' - yet this is exactly what happened to one Thomas Roberts who, though handless, lead a full active life as schoolmaster of Hatherleigh for nearly 50 years. Born at Tor Point, Cornwall in 1771 he had for his godfather Lord Graves then in charge of Plymouth Dock who, when Thomas was only 4 days old entered him in the Royal Navy as a midshipman! This wasn't as bizarre as it seems as promotion then depended on length of service and clearly if one's 'service' began as a baby you had a great advantage over later entrants.
|
| Hatherleigh Carnival
is one of the most important annual events in Devon
because it includes traditions that have long been forgotten elsewhere. The
flaming Tar Barrel runs are the best example: they start and finish Carnival
day, with the first run at 5am so you have to get up early to watch! Crepe
paper covered floats are a tradition that seems to have been invented in
Hatherleigh - the amount of work that goes into these is vast because strips
are hand cut into 'grass' and then stuck onto surfaces one at a time to
create a massive tableau - for example 'Winnie the Pooh'. Someone calculated
recently that over 600 sheets of crepe paper and 1 million cuts are needed
for each float! Other attractions include a meeting of the Hunt and a Town
Criers' contest. The Queen is crowned at 3pm but it's the evening
procession that really strikes home, with over 30 floats and countless
walking 'guisers'. Another tradition marks out this procession - 52 huge
flaming torches (one for each week of the year, and made to a secret design)
accompany it, with a frame carrying 12 torches (one for each month) leading.
A second flaming Tar Barrel run concludes the event later. Hatherleigh
Carnival takes place on the second Saturday in November. See you next year? Further details here
|
 |
 |
The Festival
The Festival is held during the second weekend in July. The Festival consists of four days of quality art, involving theatre, street entertainment, bands, classical music exhibitions and workshops. A weekend not to be missed! The objectives of the festival are to provide a wide variety of diverse artistic expression at affordable prices, with many events free. Showing off local talent and bringing in artists from around the world.
More details at www.hatherleighfestival.co.uk
|
The Manor and the Lord
Now The Court operates today as both a vehicle for
the continuation of an ancient Hatherleigh tradition and as a
modern and alternative forum for the community; a blend of the
traditional and the contemporary. Members of the Court include
officers and a jury, most having a modern as well as historic
role. Recently the court has become a more proactive community
group, voluntarily working to keep the town clean, writing to
local authorities on behalf of the Court in response to concerns
raised by members of the community, and providing stocks into
which miscreants can be put for correction! Traditionally the
Court meets once a year either on Ladyday (25 th march) or Michaelmas
(29 th September) but the Court may be held at other times in
the year depending on the circumstances. Everyone is welcome to
attend the proceedings. 2007 pictures
here
|
|
|
|
Hatherleigh's Town Crier
Any proper town has a Town Crier and Hatherleigh is no exception. For literally hundreds of years the ringing of a bell and the shout of “Oyez, Oyez!” has brought news to local residents. The news may be more parochial with the coming of mass media but the Crier still fulfils an important role by patrolling the streets announcing local functions, by representing the Lord of the Manor and upholding the historical traditions of Hatherleigh.
The incumbent of the post for the past five years is a formidable sight. In feather trimmed top hat, velvet coat, ruffs of lace at collar and cuffs, breeches and large traditional riding boots Ros Charlton Chard stands upright and foursquare to the world as she cries the news with perfect diction in a stentorian bellow. Her Jack Russell Millie, wearing a coat matching that of her mistress and raising her muzzle to howl in duet to the “Oyez!” accompanies Ros on all official functions including leading the procession at Carnival.
This year Ros [unfortunately without Millie] competed in the World Town Crying Championships held at Maryborough in Queensland and achieved a triumphant second place in a field of over sixty Criers from four Continents. She was also proclaimed The Loudest Woman in the World, a title with which only the deafest local residents would disagree.
|
|
William Morris and The Monument
William Morris was brought up at Fishleigh House.
He joined the 16th Lancers before transferring to the 17th
Lancers in 1847, now incorporated in the Queen's Royal Lancers.
In 1854, on the outbreak of the Crimean War he took over as
Commanding Officer.
William Morris led the 17th Lancers in the first line of the
Charge of the Light Brigade, his horse was shot from under
him and he received a severe head wound. He remounted a loose
horse and retired towards the British Line, but again his
horse was killed and on falling he lost consciousness.
Surgeon James Mowat ran out and dressed his wounds for which
he was awarded the Victoria Cross. After being nursed by Florence
Nightingale he returned to England. William Morris died of
sunstroke at Poona, India, in 1858 at the age of 38.
In 1860, the County of Devon, by subscription, erected an
obelisk to him on Hatherleigh Moor.
Michael Whiteley
|
|
Ruby Run Link Here The 2006 Ruby Run Half Marathon will take place on Sunday June 11th, starting in Holsworthy and finishing in Hatherleigh
|
The Ruby Run
The idea behind the Colours
of the Culm festival, part of which is the Ruby Run, half
marathon, between Hatherleigh and Holsworthy, is to celebrate
the distinctive landscape that is known as Culm at a time
when it is in full flower. The festival aims to promote crafts,
produce and wildlife interest of the Culm area with a series
of events to entice families from far and wide. Culm grassland
is the traditional pasture of the area and is home to some
very rare species including the marsh fritillary butterfly.
Wendy Hannaford, Ruby Project administrator
said: "We have music at each end of the race by the town bands
of Holsworthy and Hatherleigh and are looking forward to the
upbeat jazz band along route to build up the runner's pace.
This year's run is raising funds for Devon Air Ambulance and
Holsworthy and Hatherleigh Town Bands so we hope it will be
a great day for all." .
|
|
Hatherleigh the Auction Centre
Hatherleigh is rapidly become the independent auction centre of the South West, with two active auction houses. Vicks Market holds household auctions every Tuesday and regular live stock and equine throughout the year.
While Mr. Philip Pyle holds a household auction every other Tuesday and regular Fine Arts, Sporting and agricultural auctions throughout the year. (01837 810756)
more details to come |
 |
 |
Hatherleigh Moor and the Potboilers
I, John of Gaunt
Do give and grant
Hatherleigh Moor
to Hatherleigh poor
for evermore.
Take any of the easterly roads out of the town and you will find yourself on the edge of some 500 acres of moor land. These acres were gifted to the people of Hatherleigh during the fourteenth century when the Borough's householders, or 'potboilers' as they were known, were given the right to graze stock and gather gorse for fuel - a right which continues to the present day. click for more information
|
Beating the Bounds
info to come |
 |
|
|
The Belvedere Tower
This folly was erected in 1879 and has 360 degree panaramic views across the local countryside. It is said that you can see twelve church spires from this wonderful vantage point. See if you can spot them!
The Tower was built to celebrate the shooting prowess of Col. Pearse who at the age of 22 won the Queen's Prize for rifle shooting in 1875, (in effect the world champion, see the NRA UK site).
During the second world war it was used as a lookout point by the Royal Observer Corps, whose call sign was November 3rd. Our very own local councillor remembers being up their on many a cold night as a child! |
| |
|
|
Links to local attractions
within reasonable distance of Hatherleigh.
Rosemoor
RHS gardens(20 mins drive)
The Famous Eden Project
(45 mins drive)
Dartmoor (20
mins drive)
Exmoor
(40mins drive)
North Devon Coast
(45 mins drive)
The Big Sheep (45 mins drive)
|
Links to public transport
services to Hatherleigh
National
Express
The
train line
Exeter Airport
|
|
Walks around Hatherleigh
|
