Stories and Articles

Ghosts you passed by on your way ...

by Clare Gibbons

From the north to the south
Whitstone to Launceston
treading in the footsteps of ghosts

North Petherwin
just off your route
the Alsace-Lorraine
of the area
one year in Devon
the next in Cornwall
the Dukes of Bedford
owning most of the parish
as it is prettier than Bedford
second home it seems

to the left of your route
Boyton of Saxon times
a Domesday book entry
Robert de Montain(conquerer's half brother) was landlord
half brother of William (who was the conquerer that is)
evacuees from Deptford and Battersea,
prisoner of war camp
for Italians then Germans
hospitable village it seems

round the corner
here is Werrington
a school here since October 2nd 1848
owner Duke of Northumberland
boys only
education cost 1d old penny to 6d pence a week
clever boys it seems

next Yeolmbridge
bridge over the River Ottery
since 1350
the original medieval one still stands
Nicholas Pevsner
said “Cornwall's most ambitious bridge”
great builders it seems

Newport comes next
cross the Kensey river
where manganese was sought in the valley
Prior's bridge over the river
tanneries in days of old
great artisans it seems

atop the hill
we find Lawnson, is it Lanson?
Saxon name Dunheved once county town
making money
Cornish mint was here until 1160
there is the castle
in 1548 28 Cornishmen were hung, drawn and quartered here
some Prayer Book Rebellion or other
the castle became known as Castle Terrible
George Fox Quaker founder (not oats) confined for eight months 1656
probably a free holiday
built by Robert de Mortain – here again
in circa 1070 of wood to begin with
or perhaps built even by
Brian of Brittany !!

Come again to hear more of the ghosts you have passed by further on your route from there to here.