BRINGING Holsworthy’s past back to life, The Devon History Society’s ‘Summer Meeting’ was held in the Memorial Hall on Saturday, June 18 — hosted by the Holsworthy History Society.

The Holsworthy History Society welcomed the Devon History Society to the Memorial Hall for an interesting day of information, talks and walks, along with a buffet lunch and tea with scones, jam and cream

Upon entry to the event, Holsworthy History Society’s secretary and vice-chairman Christine Williams and the Devon History Society’s programme secretary Paul Auchlerlonie greeted visitors before showing them into the main hall where the many displays were set up.

There was much to see in the Memorial Hall’s main room, with opportunity throughout the day to visit one of a number of excellently set out displays.

The displays included: The Holsworthy Gravestone Project, with details of cemeteries in Holsworthy that have been photographed and indexed; Old postcards of Holsworthy 1900 to 1965; The Devonshire Association; World War 1 Project; HMS Tetcott; Wide range of books on every aspect of Holsworthy’s history; The Bude Canal Trust; The Bude Canal and Harbour Trust; The Devon Family History Society; Buckland Brewer History Society; Swords and Spindles Living History, with those manning the display being dressed in traditional clothing.

One of the displays depicted the Bude Canal and its links with Holsworthy. Mike Moore, membership secretary for the Bude Canal and Harbour Society, showed the Post a number of images of the work done to the canal.

He also told of the history of the canal and its origins including the, then disused, Bude aqueduct being bought by The Bude Canal Trust Ltd in 1996 from North Cornwall District Council.

Once everyone was inside and had a chance to look at all the informative displays, Lynda Vickery, organiser of the event, stood up and introduced everyone to the day, giving a brief outline of the programe of events on offer.

She said during her speech that ‘the visit to the parish church may not go ahead because, whether unfortunately or fortunately, there is a wedding taking place today’.

She then led everyone into the Manor Suite for three, informative talks on varying subjects relating to Holsworthy’s past.

First up was Holsworthy Portreeve John Addicott with his talk entitled The Court Leet. He gave an interesting and detailed speech on the Court Leet and its Portreeve along with his officers, including everyone’s favourite and ‘most sought after role’, the Ale Taster.

It was discovered that Holsworthy’s Court Leet is believed to be the oldest form of governance recorded in Holsworthy.

Next up Shawn Dymond, local historian and volunteer at Holsworthy Museum, gave an informative talk on the ongoing work of The Holsworthy World War I Project.

He gave details of some of the information they have been able to ascertain through various research methods including newspaper cuttings, birth and death certificates — they have also been able to use medical documents to prove some of the men previously documented as dying at war in actually fact died upon their return home from accident or illness.

Through the project they have been able to find out information about many names that have been lost through time and they are working to create biographies for each one, which will be included in a published book they are creating.

Shawn said: “Finding the missing individuals has really made this project worthwhile for us.”

There was a short five-minute break before a talk was given on the history of the Holsworthy Cattle Market.

This was initially programmed to be given by James Morrish, auctioneer at the cattle market, however at the last moment he had to be replaced by Mark Bromell, of Kivells, who instead gave the history of Holsworthy’s livestock markets.

After the talks everyone broke for a buffet lunch before hearing the town crier Roger Dunstan, at 2pm, invite them to set off on guided walks around the town.

People were divided into two groups, one led by Shawn and the other by Clive Barriball.

The visits included a look around the museum at some of the exhibits and a tour of the parish church — once the previously mentioned wedding had finished.

The day ended with tea and scones with jam and cream.

The Rev Doctor Andrew Jones, chairman of Devon History Society, thanked Holsworthy History Society for their welcome and for organising such a successful event.

Thanks were given to Lynda Vickery for her hard work as main organiser.

After a long period of preparation the committee and particularly Lynda, said they were very pleased with the way the event turned out.