A busy end of June
This last week of June was a busy week for FoBL. On Wednesday evening they met at The Guardhouse Café on Berry Head for an evening with local duo Chris & Paul Woodhouse otherwise known as ‘Folk Inspired’.
Once again, some fantastic food was provided by Alex Foley and his crew. This popular event has become a firm favourite in the FoBL calendar and now in its third year, expectations were well and truly satisfied. As the evening finished the sunset over Berry Head and the surrounding sea was another reminder of the beauty of the area we all call home.
St Mary’s Church Project
Last Friday evening over 50 people gathered together at St Mary’s Church to find out more about the history of the churchyard and some of its inhabitants, the flora and fauna and then went for a guided walk around the inner parish. With insights into the history of the ‘Gillard’ family and the changes around the church of St Mary’s, it was a reminder that evidence of the past is still very much to be seen in our lovely buildings. These really do have their roots or should I say foundations in Saxon times and reflect the changes and gentrification over the years.
Over the last year, every Wednesday and Saturday morning a growing number of volunteers have been researching the gravestones in the churchyard of St Mary’ Church, Higher Brixham. The Friends of Brixham Library through a lottery grant entitled ‘Cow Town, St Mary’s Churchyard Project 1850 – 1900’ have been busy identifying names and dates on over 7,000 headstones, the details of which were lost were lost in the Exeter Blitz during World War II. The results of all this activity is to provide a new record which when completed will be available in due course in St Marys’ Church, Brixham Museum and in Brixham Library along with a free accessible record on the internet. As information and photographs are collated this will provide detailed records of those names identified and about the lives that they lead rather than just a list of names.
The project still has a further year to go. So, if you have an interest in finding out more and wish to help whether it be that you have an interest in your own family history; a general interest in the history of the parish of Higher Brixham or just in the work being undertaken please contact Brixham Library, Market Street, Brixham, TQ5 8EU, tel: 01803 853870 or checkout the projects Facebook page.
A June tradition – Afternoon tea
On Saturday afternoon and two FoBL members kindly offered to provide an afternoon tea in their garden overlooking the town. Set in the heart of Brixham, this oasis of calm and peaceful is hidden from the hustle and bustle below.
Once again, FoBL members turned out for this fund-raising event to help provide some comfortable chairs for library events.
Coming Soon
Forthcoming events in July include an evening bird watch on Ideford Common with local ornithologist Mike Langman; a morning trip on the Brixham Trawler ‘Vigilance’ and at the FoBL AGM, a talk by local historian John Risdon on his recollections of the north of Mull. If you would like to know more about becoming a member of FoBL or about their events please contact Brixham Library, Market Street, Brixham, TQ5 8EU or tel: 01803 853870.
Alasdair Anderson
Chairman, The Friends of Brixham Library