Devon Rural Archive closed due to coronavirus

Important information from the Archive

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https://mailchi.mp/a3499064c65d/pandemic_update_latest_news_archive_devon?e=3ea8f87718
Important Information


The DRA Response to Coronavirus COVID-19

Following yesterday's announcement by the Prime Minister, concerning self-isolation and avoiding non-essential contact and travel, we have taken the decision to close the Archive for the remainder of March and all of April 2020. As a result all events planned for this period will be cancelled or postponed.

During our closed period there will be a skeleton staff in the office each day to respond to enquiries, carry out essential maintenance and general housekeeping tasks.

We will review the situation in early April, and will keep you updated on developments at the Archive.

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Cancelled Events
Thursday 2nd April 2020 - Plymouth in 1620.

Monday 20th April 2020 - Unlock the secrets of your home

Tuesday 21st April 2020 - Tour of Shilstone House and Garden

Tuesday 28th April 2020 - Picture Scanning Day

It is our intention to reschedule as many of these events as possible, once normal service has been resumed.

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Ticket holders
Please note that if you have purchased a ticket for any of the events listed above, we will happily transfer your booking to a future event of equal value or give you a credit towards an alternative booking.

If you have any queries please feel free to contact us on 01548 830832 or email office@dra.uk.net.

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Things to do whilst in self-isolation

If you are looking for something to occupy your time whilst you self-isolate, why not sort through your own archives and see what items you might like to donate to the DRA!

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Archive Opening Times

The Archive is now closed until further notice.

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Data Protection
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Copyright © 2020 Devon Rural Archive.
All rights reserved.
Devon Rural Archive, Shilstone, Modbury, Devon PL21 0TW.
01548 830832
Part of The Fenwick Charitable Trust, Registered Charity Number 1007957

Devon Rural Archive . Devon Rural Archive . Shilstone . Modbury, Devon PL21 0TW . 

Starcross Drill Hall

Was there a drill hall in Starcross? Whereabouts?

19/01060/FUL – Land Rear of Old Post Office, Bonhay Road, Starcross - Dwelling with associated parking, landscaping and associated works. Planning Inspectorate Reference: 3235779

Teignbridge District Council have decided to refuse permission to build this house which would interfere with the privacy of other houses because of its close proximity to them. Although Teignbridge District Council have refused permission, there's  a further appeal to the Planning Inspectorate
The thrust of the argument will be the former existence of a Drill Hall, which would make this site brownfield and therefore it would be encouraged to build on it. The idea of unlocking brownfield sites for development is for communities to identify brownfield sites for themselves; to encourage development on them for the good of the community. Here's the link which explains the thinking 

The Department for Communities and Local Government is no more.
It has morphed into the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Governments.
here's the link to what they do  which is to support communities with the provision of housing. Could they help to determine this decision?

Meanwhile, it would be interesting to find out about this Drill Hall. Did it exist or? Was it a hut used by our Home Guard? or was it a more substantial building?
The planning appeal document talks about a map of the 1880s which shows The Assembly Rooms which later became known as The Drill Hall.
but
The Starcross building which was The Assembly Rooms is the former Newclay factory, on Courtenay Corner. Newclay Products have moved to Heathfield.

Ordnance Survey maps of Starcross are held in the Devon Rural Archive at Shilstone  They  have complete Ordnance Survey coverage for 1887 and 1905.

The Devon Archives and Local Studies Centre at Sowton can be visited by catching an Exmouth train from Starcross.

They hold documents and maps about Starcross too. 

Perhaps someone with local knowledge can help with information about The Starcross Drill Hall please?

The Story of Greenway - historic estate of the Dart; talk by John Risdon

Thursday, 5th May 2016 @ 7pm in the DRA

Greenway on the banks of the River Dart near Galmpton is best known for being the holiday home of famed mystery author Agatha Christie and her family. Unknown to many however, is the fact the Greenway estate and those that have been associated with it since the reign of King Henry VIII, have played an integral part in the ever developing story of Britain and its relationship with the world. For example during the 16th century the estate was owned by Sir John Gilbert the coloniser of Newfoundland. The current house, listed grade II* by Historic England, was built in the 18th century and today is a popular National Trust property. In this illustrated talk John Risdon will reveal aspects of Greenway's forgotten story.

Local historian John Risdon, born and bred a man of Devon, has spent his life working with and observing contemporary men & women who have shaped the 20th century county that is the home of many of us today. John's main personal involvement has been through education and local publishing, across the South West. With his home close by Greenway he has become intimately involved in all aspects of the estate and is delighted to share his knowledge with us in this illustrated talk.

Tickets are £5 each.
The price includes refreshments available from 6.30pm when doors open.

Tickets can be booked in person at the DRA, over the phone or by email and paid for on arrival at the lecture. If tickets are paid for in advance a seat will be reserved for you near the front of the lecture room. Booking is recommended.

If you have booked a ticket for a DRA lecture and are unable to attend please let us know as soon as possible as tickets are in high demand.
For directions please visit the DRA website 

The DRA is open every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 11am to 3pm (excluding Bank Holidays); there is no need to book and entry is free. If you are visiting us please do remember to enter the site with caution and note the speed limit within the grounds is 5 miles per hour.

Other dates for your diary:
Please note, due to unforeseen circumstances the previously scheduled talk, 'In Pursuit of Liquid Gold', has been postponed until May 2017.

17th May 2016, at 2pm: Guided tour of Shilstone House and gardens with resident archaeologist Abi Gray. Tickets £15 - booking essential.

24th May 2016, 11am - 3pm: The DRA's 7th Annual Devon Picture Scanning Day. Help preserve Devon's heritage by bringing your photos of its buildings and landscapes to be scanned into our Image Bank. All items will be scanned while you wait and refreshments will be available.

2nd June 2016 at 7pm: Devon's Cob Building Tradition. An illustrated talk by architect Linda Watson. Tickets £5.

Our latest exhibition 'Modbury Memories' celebrating the unique heritage of this town and parish is open to view and entry is free.

The DRA also offers group visits to Local History Societies and other community organisations. If you would like to bring your group for a day at the archive with optional guided tour of Shilstone please contact Abi on 01548 830832.


Devon Rural Archive, Shilstone, Modbury PL21 0TW
01548 830832

Starcross Records in the Devon Rural Archive

When we visit the  Devon Rural Archive at Shilstone, we can warn them that we are coming and they'll make sure the Starcross records are ready for us: Here's a list of what they already have in their collection:

Historic maps
A number of maps covering the whole county such as the 1765 map by Benjamin Donn

image from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Donn

 and the 1827 map of the county by Greenwood and Greenwood.

Thankyou Devon County for this image of the Greenwood map

They also have complete Ordnance Survey coverage for 1887 and 1905.


Images
A handful of old black and white photographs showing Starcross. 



Local Information
A small publication about The Royal Western Counties Hospital.
References within more general texts relating to the area.


Articles

A couple of articles from the Devon and Cornwall Notes and Queries / Devonshire Association Transactions

The Quest for the Three Hares: from Devon myth to medieval China and back

Transport can be arranged. Please get in touch if you're also fascinated by these iconic 3 hares with 2 ears each, but only 3 ears between them - as seen in Buddhist caves at the edge of the Gobi Desert AND in 17 Devon churches...


DEVON RURAL ARCHIVE, SHILSTONE, MODBURY, DEVON PL21 0TW 01548 830832 OFFICE@DRA.UK.NET

 In seventeen Devon churches there are medieval roof bosses showing the intriguing and paradoxical image of three hares sharing only three ears between them, yet each creature having two ears. Amazingly, in seventeen Buddhist caves in China, on the edge of the Gobi desert, the same symbol occurs but dating perhaps 500 - 800 years earlier than the Devon examples. This richly illustrated talk outlines the quest to unravel the origins of this iconic symbol used in all the major religions of the Old World. With colleagues Sue Andrew and Chris Chapman, Tom Greeves has travelled widely across Europe and beyond, collecting information on a design that has intrigued him personally since the 1960s, and which has been responsible for an interesting, enduring but baseless myth in Devon itself.

Dr Tom Greeves is a cultural environmentalist exploring and interpreting the landscape through highly trained eyes. Studying as a prehistorian at Edinburgh University, he obtained a doctorate in history and archaeology at Exeter University, studying the Devon tin industry. Dr Greeves was the first Sites & Monuments Officer for Devon, establishing the county archive of archaeology. He was subsequently the first Archaeologist to Dartmoor National Park Authority, and then worked in London with the environmental arts group Common Ground; having responsibility for the national Parish Maps project before becoming freelance.

Tickets are £5 each.
The price includes tea / coffee and biscuits available from 6.30pm when doors open.

Tickets can be booked in person at the DRA, over the phone or by email and paid for on arrival at the lecture. If tickets are paid for in advance a seat will be reserved for you near the front of the lecture room. Booking is recommended.

If you have booked a ticket for a DRA lecture and are unable to attend please let us know as soon as possible as tickets are in high demand.

For directions please visit the DRA website at
http://www.devonruralarchive.com/Directions.html
 

The DRA is open every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 11am to 3pm (excluding Bank Holidays); there is no need to book and entry is free. If you are visiting us please do remember to enter the site with caution and note the speed limit within the grounds is 5 miles per hour.

Other dates for your diary:
4th February 2016: Devon's Torre Abbey, its rescue and significance - an illustrated talk by Dr Michael Rhodes, former Curator of Torre Abbey.

2016 programme coming soon!

The DRA offers group visits to Local History Societies and other community organisations. If you would like to bring your group for a day at the archive in 2016 with optional guided tour of Shilstone please contact Abi on 01548 830832.

Devon Rural Archive

The resident archaeologist at the Devon Rural Archive, Abi Gray, has invited Starcross History to visit the archive, for a workshop, or to explore the collection.
Opening Times: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 11:00am to 3:00pm
Devon Rural Archive is in Shilstone, near Modbury, Plymouth PL21 0TW
Please get in touch if you're interested.
Thanks

The Devon Rural Archive is open every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between 11am and 3pm. Entry is free and there is no need to book.

Find out more on   The website for the Devon Rural Archive