Events

Devon's Last Slave Owners: emancipation & compensation in 1834An illustrated talk by Dr. Todd Gray on Thursday, 3rd February, 2022 at 7pm in The Devon Rural Archive. How many Devonians owned slaves on 1 August 1834? This illustrated talk will begin asking this...

A rare opportunity to explore the historic landscape at Shilstone with our resident archaeologist, Abi Gray, on Monday 21st February 2022 at 2pm. Shilstone House occupies a truly exceptional site, at the head of a steep sided valley containing evidence of occupation...

Some Local Myths and LegendsAn illustrated talk by Dr. Kevin Dixon on Thursday, 3rd March, 2022 at 7pm in The Devon Rural Archive. Pixies, ghosts, giants, sea serpents, Greek heroes, and the Devil: all have made appearances in our county. Are they simply traditional...

From 'Lady Woodcarvers' to Professionals: the remarkable Pinwill sisters. An illustrated talk by Dr. Helen Wilson on Thursday, 7th April, 2022 at 7pm in The Devon Rural Archive. The emergence of Mary, Ethel and Violet Pinwill as professional woodcarvers in the late...

A Thousand Year History of Thorn House & Garden in Wembury. An illustrated talk by John and Eva Gibson on Thursday, 5th May, 2022 at 7pm in The Devon Rural Archive. Thorn, or the Manor of South Wembury as it was previously known, is located on the banks of the...

Footprints in the Sand: the story of the Carews of Devon, 1086 - 1945 An illustrated talk by Sir Rivers Carew on Thursday, 9th June, 2022 at 7pm in The Devon Rural Archive. This story begins 30 generations back from the present, when the first ancestor associated with...

Marine Heritage on the Torridge Estuary. An illustrated talk by Dr. Michael Teare on Thursday, 9th June, 2022 at 7pm in The Devon Rural Archive. The Torridge Estuary and Bideford have a long and fascinating maritime history with boat building documented back to...

The Hole Family of Parke, Bovey Tracey: five Generations of mixed fortunes, & a final loss which was really a gain.An illustrated talk by Dr. Frances Billinge on Thursday, 4th August, 2022 at 7pm in The Devon Rural Archive. The Hole family were one of the most...

The Icelandic Adventures of Pike Ward of Teignmouth. An illustrated talk by Katherine Findlay on Thursday, 1st September, 2022 at 7pm in The Devon Rural Archive. Pike Ward, a fish merchant from Teignmouth, became one of the most important people in Iceland in the late...