Hartland visitors are intrigued

For visitors to Hartland who are intrigued by the verses on the imposing-looking and inscribed pillars at the entrance to some fields along the main road, the following information from Mr Pearse Chope, B.A., will be interesting.

Called the Alpha and Omega Gates, they were erected by the late Mr J. Berriman to mark the beginning and end of his property in Hartland, i.e. Highford (Alpha) and Higher Velly (Omega) Farms. On one of the pillars of each gate is a portrait plaque, one representing Charlemagne and the other Charles Martel.

Midway between the two gates the farmhouse of Highford, the entrance to which has two pillars, each surmounted by a group of statuary showing a lion and a lamb lying down tother in amity and each pillar bearing the inscription ‘Oh: How Peaceful Art Thou O Highford. J.B. 1896.'

Gazette article 4 April 1948