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Stoke Fleming

Stoke Fleming photos (14 available)

Old photo of Stoke Fleming

Stoke Fleming maps (2 available)

Old map of Stoke Fleming

Stoke Fleming books (12 available)

Stoke Fleming memories

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You can also read memories of nearby places in Devon below.

Devon memories

Past Schoolmaster

My Gt grandfather, William James Hawken was a certified schoolmaster at Galmpton between 1875-1880. His youngest child, Frances Marian, was born there on 10th October 1875. She went on to marry William Henry Birch, who was a son of the iconic Betsy Birch who founded the London omnibus transport system, after the early demise of her husband William in 1846.
A memory of Galmpton contributed by David Hawken

Dartington Morris with Heather & Gorse Clog Morris at The Church House Inn

Stoke Gabriel, the Church House Inn c1955


This view is EXACTLY the spot where the dancers and musicians of Dartington Morris and their guests Heather and Gorse Clog Morris performed in August 2008.

It was a lovely warm August evening and a crowd of villagers and holidaymakers gathered for the dance performance at 8pm. I recall there is now a plaque on the front wall of the Inn inviting people to try the village stocks but that doesn't appear in this photo.

I brought my piano accordian along and played in the band for Heather and Gorse and also enjoyed a pint of lovely Flowers Best Bitter! There were probably a hundred folks gathered around the front of the Inn and also standing ...read more here
A memory of Stoke Gabriel contributed by John Howard Norfolk

A village entertainment at The Church House Inn

Stoke Gabriel, the Church House Inn 1918

This is the spot where the dancers and musicians of Dartington Morris and their guests Heather and Gorse Clog Morris performed in August 2008. The view shows some villge women sitting on a low terrace where a crowd had gathered for the dance performance just recently!

I recall there is now a plaque on the front wall of the Inn inviting people to try the village stocks although that doesn't appear in this Francis Frith view.

I brought my piano accordian along and played in the band for Heather and Gorse and also enjoyed a pint of lovely Flowers Best Bitter! There were probably a hundred folks gathered around the front of the Inn and also standing ...read more here
A memory of Stoke Gabriel contributed by John Howard Norfolk

Dancing at the Brixham Heritage Festival 2008

Brixham, the Harbour c1965


One of the week long programme of events for the Brixham Heritage Festival is morris dancing on the old Fish Quay.

Grimspound Border Morris entertained the crowds first. They "blacked up" in the traditional way and then danced to the hypnotic rhythms of their large band under the canopy of the old Fish Market. It was something of a surreal experience as a replica of The Golden Hind as shown in this view was right beside us!

Following on were the dancers and musicians of Heather and Gorse Clog Morris - described in the Festival programme as "our favourites" ! The two teams of dancers put on a display of dancing for more than an hour ...read more here
A memory of Brixham contributed by John Howard Norfolk

Extracts From Stoke Fleming & Devon books

Exmouth, the Esplanade 1898

This view was taken from the building at the very end of Morton Crescent. To the immediate left is the Imperial Hotel, seen in its original architectural design, changed now after the fire in the 1970s.
An extract from from"Exmouth Photographic Memories".

Exmouth, the Esplanade c1955

By the middle of the 20th century we see something resembling the modern scene. There is the more familiar red telephone box on the traffic island, a modern post box, and Belisha beacons to aid pedestrians wishing to cross the road. In the centre of the photograph is the white tower of the Pavilion Theatre. Much of the street furniture was removed by the start of the 21st century, leaving a more traffic-dominated Esplanade.
An extract from from"Exmouth Photographic Memories".

Exmouth, from the Pier 1906

The construction of a substantial sea wall, seen here in section to the right, led to Exmouth’s prosperity as a seaside resort. Before the wall was built, much of the sea front was marshland and sand dunes, and subjected to constant flooding. The first section of the wall was completed in 1842, paid for by the local landowner John Rolle. It was 1,900 feet long and constructed from Devon limestone. The designer was John Smeaton, a veteran engineer and the designer of London Bridge.
An extract from from"Exmouth Photographic Memories".

Exmouth, from the Beacon 1922

This fine view looks across the clock tower and Morton Crescent to the estuary of the River Exe, with Starcross and the Haldon Hills in the distance.
An extract from from"Exmouth Photographic Memories".

Exmouth, the Esplanade c1955

The wall was designed to deflect the waves that so often come up the English Channel from the south-west on stormy days. This scene has changed little in fifty years, though now a shelter from the wind stands on the position of the nearest bench in the photograph. It was donated by local resident William Frederick Stokes in 1964.
An extract from from"Exmouth Photographic Memories".