November meet. Wednesday 9th in St Paul's Church 7:30pm

On Wednesday, 9th November 2016, members were asked if they would think about helping with the search for the lost Stairs Cross. If it was destroyed by Henry VIIIth's men during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, it could have been knocked into the river and could have lain there ever since. It may have then been removed to build a wall. Or, as some locals believe,  there might never have been a stone cross to mark the Pratteshide (Exmouth) ferry crossing at Woolcomb's Island and so that is not the origin of the name Starcross.
Geophys technology would not work in the waterlogged estuary, so the only way to ascertain whether or not there is a Stairs Cross in the estuary in the vicinity of the ferry crossing, is to DIG.  A grid would be made of the likely area, and lots of folk with spades and wellies could splash about at low tide and explore each square of the grid. This will be a summertime project.
Ashes Quay is thought to be the location of the Stairs Cross. Here a picture of Starcross Fishing and Cruising Club's new pontoon next to Ashes Quay 

Members pointed out the necessity of getting permission from Natural England before any excavation can take place in the Exe Estuary which is a RAMSAR and an SSSI


The railway camping carriages  at Dawlish Warren have been sold with the site for £261,000. It is believed that the new owner would like to continue the railway camping carriage tradition on this site.
Plymouth Herald report
Herald Express report
The Sun report
BBC report
Discussion on Rail UK forums
Facebook Group "Save the Dawlish Warren Railway Camping Carriages"


Kate Green from Villages in Action introduced Project Unearth in which Starcross will take part. Kate will chair another meeting about this on Wednesday 23rd November in St Paul's Church at 7:30pm. She hopes that a core group of enthusiasts will take this project on.