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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Devon => Topic started by: Newt on Sunday 23 April 06 00:08 BST (UK)
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Does anybody have any knowledge of the village of Woodbury Salterton (near Exeter?) and particularly the school. I have recently discovered a former schoolmaster is part of our family. (Frederick G Turner).
Are there any inscriptions of note in the churchyard?
Is there a Turner Close/Drive/Road close by?
Does anyone have any publications about the village?
At the moment Woodbury Salterton is a long way to travel for me to check these things out.
Hopefully there is a member who has some knowledge of these things.
Best regards,
Neal T :D
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Hi
Try the following link,may be of interest to you.
www.woodburydevon.co.uk/salterton.htm
;D
Bryan.
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Hi Bryan,
We had already come across that site - great photos from yesteryear.
Thank you very much for looking it up for us...any assistance is greatly appreciated.
kind regards
Neal T :)
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Hi.
I'm guessing you've already seen these, but just incase you haven't - these pages have references to Mr. Turner.
http://genuki.cs.ncl.ac.uk/DEV/Woodbury/WoodburyBook.html
http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/DEVON/2001-10/1003748752
Regards.
Ryan.
:)
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Many years ago I wrote to the head teacher at Woodbury Salterton school requesting a lookup in the school log book (1860's). He kindly went through the book and sent me a great deal of information concerning the family I was searching. It might be worth writing to the head teacher in the hope that the log book is still held at the school and that he or she will be able to provide as much help as I received.
Best wishes.
Robin
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Thanks for the links Ryan.
Thanks for the idea Robin.
I shall let you know of any success.
Regards, Neal :D
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Hello Neal
I have unearthed my copy of Woodbury- A View From The Beacon - Ursula W Brighouse (A Woodbury News Publication 1981). It contains the following references to the Turner family.
Page 162 (re. Woodbury Salterton School)
Yet, despite all difficulties, some did well and went on to become teachers themselves; Bertha Kaine was one, Maggie Turner another.
Maggie's father, Mr Frederick Turner, took over the headship in 1877. He came straight from training college and stayed until 1920. He is still remembered - not least for the way he used the cane on the back of the wrist at the exact spot where it hurt most. Strict he certainly was, but a good teacher and a good musician, which brought the children both pleasure and prizes at Music Festivals.
Page 201 (re. outbreak of 1914/18 war)
The First World War seemed to come from nowhere. August 4th was the day chosen for Salterton's annual choir-outing and Maggie Turner put on her best ankle-length frilly skirt and went with the rest in an open charabanc to Haytor. It was a brilliant, happy day and from the top of the tor they could see a tiny Woodbury Beacon standing up on the distant horizon. Passing through Exeter on the way home they were astonished to see a large crowd gathered in Bedford Circus. On making enquiries they were told war had been declared.
"I shall always remember the awful shock" wrote Maggie fifty years later, "it was as if my innocent carefree childhood ended on that day." (The author was quoting from Woodbury Fifty Years Ago - M.I. Turner, Woodbury News, Oct 1964, page 15).
I hope this is of interest.
Robin
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Thanks Robin,
It is of great interest. I do not have much in the way of family stories. My G Grandad and Frederick Turner (brothers) split up in London when their father died quite young and they obviousley lost touch because my Dad's Dad never ever mentioned an uncle in Devon. But to suddenly see things in print is really impressive. :o
Cheers, Neal