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TALKS/SLIDE SHOWS ABOUT DEVON’S HISTORY OFFERED
BY ROBERT HESKETH
Contact: rhesketh@tiscali.co.uk
Web: www.roberthesketh.co.uk
Phone: 01626 833887
Address: 52 Priory, Bovey Tracey, Devon TQ13 9HU.
I am a freelance writer and photographer with a strong interest in local
history (my first degree subject). To date, I have published 40 Devon,
Dorset and Somerset titles (see www.bossineybooks.com) and written
numerous illustrated articles for Devon Life, Dartmoor Magazine,
Country Walking and other publications. I also contribute West Country
landscape and people photographs to a photographic library, see
www.imageclick.co.uk. Since 2002, I have been giving talks to local
history clubs, Women’s Institutes, societies, U3A and Probus Clubs on
Devon themes and give brief details below of my talks on:
 Devon Place Names**
 Devon Inns**
 Devon Ghosts**
 Haunted Pubs in Devon
 Devon’s Churches**
 Smuggling in Devon**
 Devon Photoquizzes (3)**
 Devon’s Geology**
 Armageddon 1914: How Some Devon Newspapers Reported the
Outbreak of the First World War**
 1918, The Last Hundred Days: How Some Devon Newspapers
Reported the Final Phases of the First World War**
 Devon Castles**
 Surnames in Devon and Beyond**
 Devon’s Railway Heritage**
Please contact me if you would like further details or to offer me a
booking. All the talks are illustrated with high quality colour slides
(except Armageddon and 1918 The Last Hundred Days which are in
black and white) and last between 45 minutes and an hour, depending on
what the audience wants. Questions from the audience are always
welcome. I can supply the projector, projection stand and projection
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screen. To see my profile please visit www.linkedin.com and
www.dianemannering.co.uk (speakers page).
Charges: £45 plus 30p per mile travel each way from Bovey Tracey.
*I also act as a tour guide for local coach tours, adapting my extensive
local knowledge to the needs of the party and tour.
1. Devon Place Names: This talk is offered as an introduction to the
subject and focuses on the key aspects of place name study and
specifically place names in Devon. I will outline the origin and
evolution of Devon place names and give an explanation of
common place name elements such as ton, ford, leah and ham. The
slides are intended to show how place names relate to the
landscape. I will bring a selection of books on the subject for the
audience to look at, including my own, plus back issues of the
Journal of the English Place Name Society.
2. Surnames in Devon and Beyond Like place names, surnames are
an integral part of our county’s and nation’s heritage. Indeed many,
Combes and Hext for instance, are local place names too. There are
also occupational names some, such as Tucker, with a strong local
flavour; family names like Bennett and Hicks and many nicknames
(some quite outrageous!) from Brock and Fox to Fairweather and
Wellbeloved.
3. Devon Inns: This talk delves into the story behind the names of
Devon’s inns. Many of Britain’s most historic buildings are inns (this
certainly applies to Devon) – and many of them are also listed
buildings with long and often varied histories. The 80 slides illustrate
this point and show the sign painter’s art is very much alive in this
richly varied county. I will bring a selection of books on the subject
for the audience to look at. These include my own pub walks books;
collections of inn sign photographs and back issues of the Inn Sign
Society Journal.
4. Devon Ghosts: This talk is an illustrated tour of some of Devon’s
most haunted places and their stories, focussing on those that can
be visited by (living members of) the public. Devon has many
ghosts and supernatural phenomena. Haunted houses, castles and
churches are spread liberally around the county. Roads and lonely
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places are also often associated with the supernatural, especially on
Dartmoor.
5. Haunted Pubs in Devon Many believe that behind the painted veil
of the present lies a richly populated supernatural world . Based on
interviews with landlords, landladies and bar staff recounting their
personal encounters with spirits, this talk includes twelve of
Devon’s most haunted inns from around the county.
6. A Curious Look at Devon’s Churches In most Devon
communities the parish church is the oldest extant building, rich in
architectural beauty and historic interest. There’s a wealth of
artistic and historic treasures to discover, especially if you look
carefully. The talk ranges from the splendid wrought iron door at
Dartmouth to the quarter jacks at St Mary Steps in Exeter, taking in
green men, “tinners’ rabbits”, humorous monuments, a murder,
some impish gargoyles and a lot more on the way.
7. Smuggling in Devon: the Truth Behind the Fiction Between
1700 and 1850 smuggling became a huge industry in Devon, with
the majority of Devonians active in it, profiting from it, or at least
colluding in it. All social classes were involved. Clergymen and
aristocrats were among the backers. None thought cheating the
government of exorbitant taxes was wrong and smugglers brought
to trail were usually acquitted by sympathetic Devon juries and
magistrates. Smugglers were particularly active in Devon because
there were so many sailors and fishermen who could assist. There
was also easy access to France and the Channel Islands. In reality,
“Free Trade” was far from romantic. Smugglers could be violent
and ruthless. This talk attempts a balanced view of an illegal trade
which long flourished in Devon despite the government’s best
efforts to stamp it out – and was eventually defeated by the simple
expedient of cutting duties on imported goods.
8. Devon Photoquiz One: Test your knowledge of the county and
its history by identifying the slides. Clues and competitors sheets
are provided and a small prize is offered to the person with the
highest score. In case of two competitors achieving the same score
there is a tie breaker of six extra questions.
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9. Devon Photoquiz Two: As the first Photoquiz proved popular, I
have produced another on the same lines.
10.Devon Photoquiz Three: Photoquiz Two proved popular as well,
so I’ve produced a third!
11.Introduction to Devon’s Geology: From the saw-toothed reefs of
Hartland to the chalk landslip of Hooken Undercliffs near Beer by
way of bright red rocks, dramatic sea cliffs and Dartmoor’s
imposing tors; Devon’s geology provides constant drama. Every
geological period but the most ancient is found in Devon and
knowing more about these fascinating and varied formations adds
another dimension to exploring the county.
12. Armageddon 1914: How Some Devon Newspapers Reported
the Outbreak of the First World War This talk is based on a
close study of some Devon newspapers –
principally the Western Times and the Express and Echo – from
late June to late August 1914. It shows how the fateful events that
lead from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June
29 to the outbreak of war and the battles of August were reported.
News of the Home Front – especially key issues such as recruiting,
food hoarding and the requisition of horses – are contrasted with
the (heavily censored) news from the Fronts. Editorials and
readers’ letters give a strong flavour of a crucial moment when the
course of European history was altered forever.
13. 1918, The Last Hundred Days: How Some Devon Newspapers
Reported the Final Phases of the First World War Like
Armageddon 1914, this talk is based on a close study of Devon
newspapers – mainly the Devon and Exeter Daily Gazette and the
Western Times. Beginning with the massive Allied attack on
August 8th, 1918, it shows how the fortunes of war turned against
the Central Powers and especially against Germany, which had
made impressive gains on the Western Front during the spring with
reinforcements released from the Eastern Front in a last desperate
gamble to win the war before the mass arrival of American troops.
Through the use of new tactics and the “All Arms Battle” the
Allies won an unparalleled series of victories in only a hundred
days to force the Armistice of November 11th – but at a terrible
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cost. Battle reports and editorials reveal the dramatic unfolding of
events in what historians later called the Last Hundred Days.
14. Devon Castles Devon has a fascinating array of castles and
historic fortifications. In this talk, I explain how they were
developed and altered over the centuries to meet the changing
military, political and domestic needs of the people who used them.
Whilst I have concentrated on true castles - medieval strongholds
that doubled as homes – I have included examples from every
major period from the Iron Age to England’s newest castle, Castle
Drogo.
15. Devon’s Railway Heritage Railways have profoundly altered
Devon, leaving a rich and varied heritage. This talk explores that
heritage; including our two mainlines and four branch lines, as well
as our excellent preserved railways, two cliff railways and the
cycleways/walkways established on former track. Illustrated with
over 130 images.
FOUR MUSICAL PRESENTATIONS OFFERED BY ADRIENNE
HESKETH
Contact: rhesketh@tiscali.co.uk
Web: www.adriennehesketh.co.uk also www.dianemannering.co.uk
(speakers page).
Phone: 01626 833887
Address: 52 Priory, Bovey Tracey, Devon TQ13 9HU.
Devon Land and Sea Piano Presentation I’ve been writing my own
compositions ever since I learnt to play the piano as a little girl. This
presentation includes sixteen of my best piano pieces. Devon’s land and
seascapes have been the inspiration for most of them, as I explain in
during the presentations, which last around 45 minutes. The style is my
own, but best described as modern classical. My Devon collection is
available on CD, price £10. The talk can be given with a piano in situ
or by CD.
Devon Composers I also offer a Devon Composers Presentation, with
CDs, mainly featuring the Rev. Sabine Baring Gould and his collection of
lost Devon and Cornwall folk songs.
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My new Christmas Themed Presentation describes the history of the
Christmas carol, Christmas music and poetry with CD. I can give a live
performance of some carols on piano by request with this presentation.
My new Halloween Themed Presentation describes the origins and
aspects of Halloween, illustrated with music on CD and a poem.
St. George’s Day/Shakespeare Themed evening is a celebration of
English music, poetry and a short talk on the life of Shakespeare.
Currently working on A Devon Themed evening, Scottish Themed
evening, Valentine evening. Please ask about these if you are interested.
Please contact me if you would like further details or to offer me a
booking.
Charges: £45 plus 30p per mile travel from Bovey Tracey.
Charity Concerts for churches in which I play a medley of classical
music are free.
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