Colin William Back reminiscences 1944 – 1962

The village had a very active scout troop and cub pack, 1st Bishopsteignton. Scouty (Fred Pawlett) was a dedicated scout leader and gave all his spare time to ensure the scouting movement succeeded in the village. It had a good following from both the scouts and the...

The meeting of the hounds; was quite a sight. The horses, riders and dogs met outside the ‘Ring of Bells’. When Farmer Isaac from Cockhaven Farm rode up, the pack of hounds were released from the lorry. It was quite a sight with all the dogs running around yet...

In the cottage on the opposite side of Dove's (grocery shop) lived Mr and Mrs Northam. Mrs Northam was well known for her ‘Devonshire Readings’ (stories spoken in old Devon dialect). The village hall would be full when she was appearing. As a child, I remember the...

Next door to us was (grandad) Nilson; he had a grinding stone in the form of a wheel for sharpening tools and knives. It had a handle to turn the wheel with the stone going through a reservoir of water. If I did exactly as I was told i.e. fast or slow, I could turn...