
Who are we?
We are an enthusiastic group of volunteers
caring about Whimple's past, archiving today's information for historians
of the future and committed to researching, recording and making available
to anyone, information relating to the history of the village of Whimple,
its people, customs, traditions, skills and trades. The Society opened
its Heritage Centre in May 2003 where it has many thousands of photographs
and artefacts connected with village life over the past 150 years
How did it all start?
There were two items that probably precipitated
the formation of the Whimple History Society:-
1. In the summer of 1989. Mr. Radford, from Exeter, visited the village
and brought with him a child's needlework sampler. The sampler had
been worked by Mary Arm Pollard Harris in 1806when she was 12 years
old. Mr. Radford believed that it originated from Whimple and wanted
to donate it to any organisation in the village so that it might be
displayed for all to see. The sampler was allegedly made at E. Lillycrap's
School in the year 1806.
At this time there was an Art Shop in the village where the sampler
remained until an organisation could be found to satisfy the wishes
of Mr. Radford.
2. Earlier in 1978, the Whimple Parish Chest was instigated. A large
metal chest into which photographs and documents were placed that
related to the village. By 1989 the contents of the chest had increased
almost beyond its capacity.
Around this time two like minded people Mrs. Daphne Rastall, who was
one of the custodians of the village chest, and Mr. John Shepherd
joined forces to formulate the idea of a History Society. The first
meeting of interested parties, ten people, took place at Straightway
Head House on 27th September 1989. The meeting agreed in principle
to form the Whimple History Society. The object of the Society was
'to obtain and retain information relating to any aspect of the village
history for the benefit of anyone interested'. Consequently, Mr. Radford"s
gift was the first one given to the Society. Within a very short space
of time numerous documents, photographs, artefacts etc came flooding
in, when the formation of the Society became public knowledge. By
1993 the membership of the Society had grown to 40 and it had risen
to 60 by 1996. Today the membership stands at almost 200.
In 1995 it was decided that the Society should commence looking for
suitable premises to house all the Society's records etc. Fund raising
for a Heritage Centre began in earnest. A separate Building Fund was
set up, so that the annual programme delivered to our members was
not curtailed. A wide range of activities such as Son et Lumiere shows,
Auctions, Exhibitions, raffles etc were employed coupled with generous
donations swelled the funds. In 1996. the Society realised that to
qualify for grants etc. it would need to become a Registered Charity,
so we duly became a Registered Charity (no.1051725) After many disappointments
and many years of fund raising, the Society was offered the Linhay
adjacent to the New Fountain Inn as well as a piece of land at the
rear. The membership was in favour and the property was purchased
in December 2000. Sadly the purchase coincided with the untimely death
of Mr. John Shepherd, who was the Chairman, founder member and leading
light of the Society.
Nevertheless, the Society continued undaunted with its fund raising
efforts and in May 2003 the Heritage Centre was opened. Further fund
raising and generous donations allowed the Whiteway Wing of the Centre
to be opened in April 2005. More recently, the old outside asbestos
store has been replaced by a new three room workshop / store.
'What' is Whimple?
It is a church, two pubs, a village shop and Post Office, a hairdresser,
and B&B accommodation. It has men of letters, numerous artisans,
and people of varied callings -- but sadly no longer a butcher,
baker or candlestick maker. It has some notables and even more characters
but most importantly it possesses a fine community spirit. For more
about Whimple visit the village web site at www.whimple.net
The Parish of Whimple
In Saxon times, around 600 A.D, Whimple
was set up as three units. At the time of Domesday around the
Church, at Cobden and at Strete Raleigh with 235 residents.
Origins of the name Whimple are believed to be from the Celtic
- Gwyn = White, Pwll = pool or stream. Spelling has changed
many times e.g. Wimple in Domesday Book (1085) and Whymple (1391).
The population grew to 483 by 1801, to 775 by 1951 and then
doubled in the next 50 years.
The 11th century Norman stone church had a tower added in the
15th century. Except for the tower it was rebuilt in 1848. From
1708 school lessons were held in the church and later in a cottage
in The Square, until "Whimple National School" was
built in 1848.
Coaching Inns were established in the 17th century but declined
in the 1860's when the railway arrived.
For many centuries farming provided the main employment. The
soil and water are ideal for apple growing and commercial cyder
production started in the 19th century. Public Houses were always
plentiful - in 1788 there were 9 Ale Houses!
Other major employers, until the 1980's, have been builders,
farm merchants, butchers, bakers and the railway.
Where is Whimple?
It is situated in east Devon nine miles to the north-east of Exeter
in south west England and lies on the Exeter - London(Waterloo)
railway. For more details on the location please visit the contact
page
Heritage Centre Opening Times
The Heritage Centre will reopen on Saturday 1st April. It will be open
every Saturday from 10.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. and every Wednesday from1.00
p.m. to 3.00 p.m. until Saturday 30th September
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OPENING TIMES
Saturdays 10.30 – 16.00
Wednesdays 13.00 – 15.00
30TH mARCH 2019 - 28th sept. 2019





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