Almost 1,000 entries
28 July 1961
'A real monument'8 October 1954
Spring QuinsA Closewool sheep belonging to Mr P Jenkinson of Alscott Farm, Shebbear, had quins on
1975 and the boulder is turnedMore than fireworks and bonfires
Shebbear Turns The BoulderHundreds of onlookers gathered around Shebbear Square on Saturday and witnessed the village's ancient
Shebbear College Society of Change-ringers are hosts16 November 1962
Appeal refused4 May 1973
Lives at Battle Down5 January 1973
Variations of spelling8 February 1974
'We will remember'1 October 1954
Pastor Capener led the gathering in prayer4 July 1958
21 years old23 October 1959
'A real monument'8 October 1954
Celebration pageant beneath the great oak
Standing “as a real monument of what can be accomplished by the co-operation and loyal working together of a few ordinary village folk” – in the words of the Vicar, the Rev. H.A. Robins – Shebbear’s new £2,500 village hall was officially opened on Saturday.
Work on the erection of the hall started fourteen months ago and the money has been raised by the villagers organising various social events supplemented by a grant of over £900 from the Ministry of Education and a number of interest-free loans from local well-wishers. The opening ceremony was performed by Mr. J.C. Hilton of Clovelly, who is President of the Devon Association of Parish Councils.
Although they were conscious of great social changes taking place in the countryside, the inadequacy of recreational and social facilities was still apparent in many villages today, said Mr Hilton. “I hope the low tide of rural apathy is at last on the turn,” he continued, “but the number of
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Spring QuinsA Closewool sheep belonging to Mr P Jenkinson of Alscott Farm, Shebbear, had quins on
Spring Quins - 19th March 1965
A Closewool sheep belonging to Mr P Jenkinson of Alscott Farm, Shebbear, had quins on March 9th, and this week Mr Jenkinson told the Gazette that all were doing well, though necessitating artificial feeding every two hours. Mrs Jenkinson, Nigel and Sarah, are pictured keeping the proud mother company with her five children.
1975 and the boulder is turnedMore than fireworks and bonfires
November 5 means more than bonfires and fireworks for the people of Shebbear.
Every years 'since the mind of man runneth not to the contrary' the village bellringers have ensured that the Devil is driven from the district.
They ring discordant peals on the bells and then move outside the Church to turn the 'Devil's Stone'. This is a massive boulder weighing more than a ton, which, with the aid of crowbards, they turn over, a task that must be symbolic of wrestling with the prince of darkness and it ensures that he is kept away for another year.
Geologists are interested in the origin of the stone. Some Shebbear people have no doubt. They swear that it was dropped by the Devil when he was descending from heaven to hell.
And even during the war the villagers took no chances. They managed to keep the stone on the turn.
Shebbear Turns The BoulderHundreds of onlookers gathered around Shebbear Square on Saturday and witnessed the village's ancient
Shebbear Turns The Boulder - 11th November 1960
Hundreds of onlookers gathered around Shebbear Square on Saturday and witnessed the village's ancient tradition of turning over the "Devil's Boulder", a giant stone weighing about 5-cwt and lying beneath a 700-year-old oak near the entrance to the Parish Church.
The ceremony was performed by six stalward bell-ringers. First, five local ringers, brothers Will and George Ackland, cousin Walter, Will Haine, the captain, and Robert Mill. They were reinforced by a visiting ringer, Mr Lake, of Torrington. A discordant jangle on the bells was sounded in order to exorcise the Devil. The stone turning took two minutes to accomplish amid "heave-ho's" and cheers from the crowd. Mr Mill, the 73-year-old senior ringer, pleaded for more recruits so that the village could again have a team of its own. Mr Mills has been a ringer for over 50 years.
A beef barbeque, organised by Shebbear A.F.C, concluded the occasion.
Shebbear College Society of Change-ringers are hosts16 November 1962
For the first time Shebbear College Society of Change-ringers was host on Saturday to the annual meeting of the North-West branch of the Guild of Devonshire Ringers.
The school society started the afternoon’s ringing in the parish church. Later, guild members took their turn on the ropes.
It was the first time the guild has met at Shebbear. The college has about 30 boys in its Change-Ringing Society. The youngest of these is 11 year old Peter Denton, of Dolton, who took an active part in Saturday’s ringing. Following the afternoon’s ringing a short service was held in the church, conducted by the Vicar of Shebbear, the Rev H A Robins. There was further ringing during the evening.
Appeal refused4 May 1973
There would seem to be ample land for housing available within the village of Shebbear to meet general needs, say Department of the Environment inspector Mr W R Arnold.
And he has dismissed an appeal by Mr M J Moast against the refusal of the local planning authority to permit the erection of four houses at Bottledown Cross there. Their provision, he adds, would constitute an undesirable and unacceptable intensification of sporadic development in the countryside outside the reasonable limits of the village. The appeal site, the inspector points out, is about three quarters of a mile from the village and 400ft north of a small group of buildings around Bottledown Cross, west of the site on the other side of the class III road are the grounds of Shebbear College. But says the inspector, he cannot agree with the contention that the college and the appeal site should properly be regarded as within the reasonable limits of the village.
Gazette article dated 4 May 1973
Lives at Battle Down5 January 1973
A 31-year-old Shebbear mother learned from the Gazette this week that the Royal Humane Society is to present her with an award.
Mrs Jennifer Moast, of Battle Down, Shebbear, had not heard officially of the award when the Gazette telephoned her with the news.
Capt S Gorrell, of Northam, who brought to the notice of the authorities Mrs Moast’s action, was given news of the award in a letter from the Royal Humane Society.
The full Gazette article is dated 5 January 1973
Variations of spelling8 February 1974
Known as Sceaft Beara in 1050 and Sepesberia in the Domesday Book, Shebbear has had its name spelt in at least seven different ways over the centuries.
Devon County Council have found yet another variation for 1974!
Article published in the Gazette 8 February 1974
'We will remember'1 October 1954
Pageant of rural history to be presented
Towards dusk tomorrow (Saturday) evening in Shebbear Square, almost under the Great Tree itself, scenes from the rural life and history of the parish will be told in pageant form as the culminating feature of celebrations associated with the opening of the new village hall.
With years of endeavour behind them, the villagers are celebrating a notable achievement in having themselves built the new hall which will meet a long-felt want.
As long ago as 1937 the site for the hall was purchased but then came the war and the need to concentrate on more immediate matters. In 1949 the Parish Hall Committee was re-formed and enthusiasm for the project was kindled anew. Gradually the money needed began to come in from whist drives, dances and other social functions and in the form of interest-free loans from the parishioners themselves and then thoughts began to turn to the building itself. A grant was also received from the Ministry of Education.
Pastor Capener led the gathering in prayer4 July 1958
Shebbear Rejoicing and Generosity
Completion of an improvement scheme estimated to cost nearly £14,000 at Lake Methodist Chapel, Shebbear, was marked on Tuesday with a full day of celebrations, commencing with re-opening and dedication.
Proceeds of the day's celebrations, together with previous gifts, grants and promised gifts, amounted to £12,423 6s. 8d.
Work on the scheme, which was required to meet present day demands, began last October. While it has been in progress Sunday morning services have been held in Shebbear Parish Church and evening meetings in the Village Hall.
The full Gazette article is dated 4 July 1958
21 years old23 October 1959
Mrs Nankivell, wife of Mr John Nankivell, President of Shebbear Young Farmers’ Club, cut a cake decorated with 21 candles at a dinner held in Buckleigh Filleigh Parish Hall to mark the ‘coming-of-age’ of the club.
Mr John Nankivell proposed the loyal toast at the dinner, which was attended by about 150 members and friends. Mr Charles Bellew proposed the toast ‘Shebbear YFC’ which was responded to by Mr Jack Quance. ‘The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs’ was proposed by Mr Alan Bewes, and was acknowledged by Mr John Yelland. Among those present at the dinner was Mr W Wilson, County Organiser.
Afterwards a ball was held at Shebbear Village Hall.
