RESIDENTS in Winkleigh attended their very own “Pop-Up” Museum on September 17 where they were able to look at and share stories.

An experiment, hosted by The Winkleigh Society, to bring local history to life, the event sparked enthusiastic participation and attendance throughout the day.

The displays, maps, documents, photographs and artefacts brought back memories and prompted questions, conversations and reminiscences.

The story-tellers chair (courtesy of Winkleigh Pine) set the stage for stories in the Dairy Corner attended by milkmaid, Margaret Miller and agricultural worker Derek Miller.

Visitors to the event were able to see a 75 year old corn binder in the yard (courtesy of local farmer John Cowle).

Displays featured Winkleigh Football Club, Hollocombe parish, the airfield, ACE and North Devon Archaeology, Winkleigh Morris, Family History, Winkleigh Fair, The WI, All Saints Church, Sams Cider, local authors, oral History and House Scouts.

Children in the recreated Victorian schoolroom scratched out their sums on slates, keeping a wary eye on the cane, hanging on the blackboard.

Later, with luggage labels attached, as evacuees, they walked the village retracing the life and times of a London evacuee who had his life transformed by his five-year stay in Winkleigh.

ACE Archaeology advised residents who brought in artefacts they had found to be identified.

With such a rich history, there is still much to be discovered.

Andrew Ware and John Bradbeer also led walks around the village.

A rolling film archive (some never seen before) stopped people in their tracks as they recognised their young selves.

District Councillor Betty Boundy, attended the event which was opened by a traditional full peal of bells from All Saints Church.

Penny Griffiths, Chair

The Winkleigh Society