Family History Researcher North Devon

20/12/2025

07/12/2025

This unassuming gravestone sits quietly in Brendon churchyard on Exmoor. As we can see, when Dan Gregory died in March 1933, barely two weeks after his wife Lucy, he was living at Coombe Farm, Brendon.
Whilst reading the first volume of ‘Unforgotten Exmoor’ by David Ramsey, I came across the following interesting recollection of the funeral of ‘Farmer Dan’ (as he was known locally) by his granddaughter:
‘His was one of the last funerals in Brendon where he was buried from his own house and it took eight sets of six men in relays i.e. 48 men to carry the coffin all the way up to the church!’
I could not quite believe this and so decided to investigate further. I found the attached newspaper articles, the first announcing his death and arrangements for the funeral and then the subsequent one giving details of the funeral itself. Sure enough, Dan had been carried the 1.5 miles to the church by friends and neighbours, but it had actually taken nine sets of six men, so 54 in total to get him there!

12/11/2025

I will be giving this talk to Age Concern North Devon on Wednesday 19th November at 2pm at Barnstaple Library. Please come along if you are interested (and aged 60+!).

If you would like to book this or any of my other talks for your history or social group, please do get in touch:

lisa_chanter@hotmail.com

08/11/2025

A beautiful, but poignant altar cloth honouring those from North Molton and Twitchen parishes who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Great War.

Lest we forget......

01/11/2025

NEW TALK AVAILABLE

I now have this new talk available. If you would like to book it, or any of my other talks (please see my FB page for full details) for your social group, history group or event, please get in touch

lisa_chanter@hotmail.com

15/10/2025

I will be giving this talk to Filleigh History Group on Wednesday 22nd October at 7.30pm at the village hall. Please come along if you are interested.

If you would like to book this or any of my other talks for your history or social group, please do get in touch:

lisa_chanter@hotmail.com

13/10/2025

As the stage production of 'Exe Men', the story of the rise and success of Exeter Chiefs is currently showing at the Northcott Theatre in Exeter, I thought I would share a few pictures which I took when I visited the fascinating 150th anniversary commemorative exhibition of the club at Exeter's RAMM museum back in 2022. Was it really that long ago!?
North Devon supporters will notice some programmes from matches against Barnstaple, under floodlights no less! Great to see the impressive silverware! Let's hope there is plenty more to come!

COYC!!!

13/10/2025

Are you looking for a speaker for your remembrance event? If so, I have the following war-themed talks available. If you are interested please contact

lisa_chanter@hotmail.com

30/09/2025

I will be giving this talk to Harracott WI on Tuesday 7th October.
If you would like to book this or any of my other talks for your history group, social group or event, please do get in touch.

lisa_chanter@hotmail.com

05/09/2025

I came across this lovely and very old chest during a visit to the church at Brompton Regis on Exmoor. Someone has very helpfully taken the time to detail its history, which is much appreciated 😀.

29/08/2025

August 29th 1882: The England cricket team lost to Australia in England for the first time. An 'obituary' printed in the Sporting Times, talked of 'the Ashes' of English Cricket being taken back to Australia. The term stuck, and the subsequent 1882–83 series in Australia saw the England vow to "regain those ashes". After England's victory, a small, burnt cricket bail was presented in a small terracotta urn, becoming the symbolic "Ashes".
(Ian A Biddell)

credit Sporting Times, Lords.