SHILLINGFORD LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY
Our Local History Society was formed in 1998 and began in February 1999 with an inaugural meeting held in Shillingford Village Hall. Founder member the late Reverend Christopher Pidsley was the first Chairman, holding the position until 2017, when Jan Wood took over as Chairperson. One of the society’s initial aims was to further interest in the local history of the parish of Shillingford St. George and its village, together with that of neighbouring Shillingford Abbot. In past years, members have participated in several research projects which produced booklets on aspects of Shillingford’s history. A list of these appears below.
We have a small committee which meets several times a year to plan future meetings. Meetings are held four times a year – in February, May, July and October – on Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m. in Shillingford Village Hall. At most meetings, there is a talk by a visiting speaker, followed by coffee, tea and biscuits, when members enjoy socialising with the speaker and each other. Our members also come from surrounding parishes, and in recent years we have not only had talks on the history of our own parish, but also of other places in Devon, particularly Exeter, Dartmoor and Topsham, We’ve enjoyed presentations on Devon-based topics such as country houses, inns, church furnishings and carvings, education and railways, and on prominent Devon families like the Courtenays of Powderham and the Cliffords of Ugbrooke.
Occasionally we have a memorabilia-based meeting on a particular theme, where members bring along items of historic interest as well as their memories and stories of past events, and there is usually a related exhibition on display. We have had meetings of this type to commemorate the end of World War I, the beginning of World War II, and to talk about the history of farms in Shillingford. Reports of our meetings and articles on the local history of our area are regularly published in “Country News”, the monthly parish magazine for Shillingford and Dunchideock.
Membership and Guest Fees
The membership year is from May to April. The current annual fee is £8 and is payable in May for 2025 to 2026. This includes free entry to the four meetings and talks for the year, and for the buffet at the February meeting. New members are always welcome.
Guests/non-members are usually charged £4.00 per meeting, but the February meeting, which includes a buffet, costs £6.
For more information, contact:
Ms. J. Wood, Chairperson – 01392 832505 – jwood227@btinternet.com
Booklets produced by Shillingford Local History Society
-
Opening The Door: local history contributions and personal reminiscences (July 2001)
-
What’s in a name? the memorials in Shillingford St. George Church (2010)
-
The Ancient farms of Shillingford Saint George and Shillingford Abbot (October 2011)
SHILLINGFORD LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY PROGRAMME FOR 2026
The following meetings will be held in Shillingford St George Village Hall. Both members and visitors are welcome to attend.
Monday February 23 at 7.30 pm.
The Two Doctor Pages: Medical Officers of Health, by Professor David Radstone, describing the career of Dr Page senior from chemist at a gunpowder factory to the new Public Health service in the mid-19th century, and the route that his son later took to join his father in this vital work – in Exeter.
Professor Radstone will bring some historical items from the Devon & Exeter Medical Heritage Trust (DEMHT) collection.
The talk will be followed by our annual Buffet Supper.
Saturday March 21 at 2.30 pm.
An Afternoon with Jim Causley, Devon folk singer, songwriter, and musician.
Music and refreshments provided. Everyone is welcome to come along. Tickets: £10.
Monday May 18 at 7:30 pm.
From Topsham to the Poles. The Tale of H.M.S. Terror, by John Davidson.
H.M.S. Terror was built in Topsham during the Napoleonic Wars, for the Royal Navy. After active service she went to both the Arctic and Antarctic on voyages of exploration. The Annual General Meeting will precede the talk.
Monday July 20 at 7:30 pm.
The Georgian Improvers of Dartmoor, by Simon Dell, Dartmoor National Park guide, police historian, Quaker records custodian and author. This talk describes the ambitious attempts 200 years ago to turn the moorlands of Dartmoor into productive agricultural land. The so-called ‘improvers’ had limited success, but their efforts made an impact on the landscape that can still be seen today. His talk will cover the changes to life and industry on Dartmoor from the 18 th century onwards and the improvements in mechanisation and agriculture during that time.
Monday October 5 at 7:30 pm.
My Devonshire Darlings – The Women’s Land Army in Devon, by Rebekah Pearson.
Becks, as she likes to be known, is an ex-Royal Naval Officer who lives locally in Lympstone. She brings some authentic Land Army uniforms with her.