FOLLOWING an article in the Crediton Country Courier a few weeks ago, a great deal of interest has been shown in the forthcoming "Zeal Monachorum Exhibition".

Several people have contacted Erica Eden, the organiser of the historical exhibition, with offers of photographs and, perhaps most interestingly, their memories of growing up in the village. Erica told the Courier: "It was fascinating, for example, to hear that, not so long ago, many people used to have to get water from taps installed in just three or four places in the village or, if they were lucky, from their own well.

"At the time, that was seen as progress. How times have changed!"

The exhibition is now coming together, ready for its launch on Friday, October 23, between 7.30pm and 9pm; and continuing on Saturday and Sunday, October 24 and 25 between 10am and 4pm in Zeal Monachorum Village Hall.

The building, appropriately, used to be the village school. There will be many photographs on display of pupils at the school, dating back to the early part of the last century.

There will also be aerial photographs taken by the RAF in 1947, which Erica says are fascinating to compare both with more recent aerial photographs and the large scale Ordnance Survey map from the 1880s.

She added: "A lot of fun can be had in spotting the differences over the years.

"Other special features will include showings of a video of residents talking about their life in Zeal; the chance to search the database for people and places in the photographs on show and copies of the original census returns from 1841 to 1901."

Entry to the exhibition will be free, although donations to the Zeal Monachorum Village Hall Restoration Fund would be very welcome. Light refreshments will be available.

Erica continues to welcome contributions to the exhibition, be they photographs, documents or memories. Please do not hesitate to contact her on 01363 82606 or email [email protected]">[email protected] .