Christmas Fayre Cancelled

We've reluctantly had to cancel the Christmas Fayre for this Saturday (12th December) mainly due to the number of reports we're trying to finish before the Christmas break. Also some of the demonstrators were worried about our recent very bad weather so we've made the decision to cancel and we hope to put something similar on in the Spring. Many apologies.

So, at last Amy has persuaded me to put fingers to the keyboard and tell you our latest exploits....my first chance to blog!

Last week, Win Scutt kept around 30 of us well entertained on the subject of Devon Place Names in our lovely lecture room here at Shilstone. The water and wind of the dark nights didn't deter our stalwart supporters, but we also welcomed new folk from Blackawton, Plymouth and.......

Win gave us a few 'warm-up' place names to get the ball rolling (leigh and burh, ton and salt ....)and then played excerts of ancient languages to get our ears tuned into the origins of current words. the hour flew by and there were enough keen students local history to keep Win busy with questions.

From the point of view of those of us who work in the Archive, it was wonderful to have people enjoying the Archive room, the current display of Dartmoor Century photographs and a chat over a welcoming hot drink to make it feel that our work is of value.

A talk with Win Scutt

Open Evening a Grand Success!

On Thursday 29th October,we welcomed more than 100 invited guests to the Devon Rural Archive. There was a fine atmosphere and it was really exciting for us to see the DRA so busy.

Guests included representatives from South Hams AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), The Dartmoor Society and The University of Plymouth. Also members of a number of local history and archaeological societies who enjoyed browsing our resources and making contact with their neighbouring societies and like minded researchers of history, archaeology and genealogy.

Our Autumn programme continues with a talk by local archaeologist and broadcaster Mr Win Scutt. Please email amy@dra.uk.net for tickets.

A hive of activity...

The archive is a hive of activity at the moment with normal work proceeding amidst the preparation for the Open Evening on Thursday night. In collaboration with the Dartmoor Archive, Diana has created a photographic exhibition for the event with images of Dartmoor past and present. Amy and Abi have also put together a series of displays and slideshow presentations about the work of the DRA. We look forward to welcoming you to the archive for the Open Evening.

Meanwhile, Abi took some time out for a site visit this week to Ebford Barton just east of Exeter. She spent three hours on site piecing together historical map evidence with visible landscape features. The day was extremely interesting and Abi hopes to return to some nearby properties in the coming weeks to form a comprehensive historical survey for the area.

If you have a property you feel we might be interested in please let us know and we would be happy to consider a preliminary survey.

The beginning of October, and Autumn has well and truly set in. Having recovered from the organising of the SPAB conference we are now busy ensuring that everything is in order for our Open Evening on Thursday 29th October (please contact the DRA if you have not received your invitation yet!).

We've just been donated a number of interesting items from members of the Kingsbridge History Society, in addition to a full set of the Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society (1977-2008) from another devoted admirer of the DRA!

Abi, Robert and Sarah all have site visits over the next month, and new visits are continually being set up. Amy and Diana have their work cut out with the Open Day organisation in addition to our other forthcoming events (watch this space for news of these) - we can't wait for The Chritmas Fayre!

Lastly, more press coverage!! Last week we appeared in both the Western Morning News

and the Kingsbridge and Salcombe Gazette

......and we've already had contact from people as a result, a great way to raise our profile!