Sanctuary at Smeatharpe School


Lady Sidmouth at Upottery Manor wanted villagers at Smeatharpe to attend a local CofE service so converted the school chapel into a proper CofE facility with the inscription on the beam of One God, “One Church and One Baptism.”

James Knight 1826 – 1906 gardener

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James Knight was gardener for Rev Taylor at Churchstanton. When he was in Bristol he saw Isambard Kingdom Brunel supervising the building of the Bristol Suspension Bridge

Cload’s Railway Hotel

This invoice to Mr Cload was from the Blacksmith for shoeing etc, presumably Mr Cload sent a horse and carriage down to the station to collect passengers arriving and staying at his hotel which became the Catherine Wheel much later. He may have operated a taxi service. The hotel was separate from the Pub which was called the Star, until 1928 when it was burned down.

Cload’s Railway Hotel

Receipt for goods supplied. The Catherine Wheel was called the Cload’s Railway Hotel up until part of the premises called the Star Inn was burnt down in 1928 when a traction engine passed by and a spark set the thatch on fire. Alfred Wide was the shop at the bottom of the High Street. This receipt is from 1896 signed by Alfred Wide who served in World War 1 throughout, sending letters back to his daughter who lives in Hemyock called Joan Cooper. He fought in the Battle of the Somme and survived, although injured. He then went back to the front line later, returning to Hemyock to work in the shop and play bowls. He was a stalwart of the Bowls Club.

Hemyock High Street

Vera Gwendoline Griffin and Reginald James at Station Rd Shop

Original Hemyock Pump

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The original Hemyock Pump back in 1890

Clayhidon Bellringers

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Clayhidon Bellringers

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The Clayhidon bellringing team.