Today’s the day I sit at 1646 in the Castle Hill Building (by the library) in Torrington, selling and signing copies of ‘Coffers, Clysters, Comfrey and Coifs: the lives of our seventeenth century ancestors.’  Price reduced to £10 (from £12.95) if purchased at the launch + bring a child and they can enter the Torrington 1646 experience free if accompanied by a full paying adult.

Thanks to North Devon Journal for the mention – even if I only live in Torrington 3 days a week!

An afternoon in Buckland Brewer yesterday, showing round a lovely lady from New Zealand, whose ancestors lived in the house next to mine in 1841. A lovely example for my emigrants’  study too.

Another potential emigrant for the list from a new enquirer – very elusive in the UK records though.

Now to prepare for tomorrow’s book launch.

Not seen it yet but I hear Western Morning News have reported that I will be launching  ‘Coffers, Clysters, Comfrey and Coifs’ at 1646 (Torrington Library Building) on Monday 7th May 10-2. Hoping for a good turn out.

3 days in the seventeenth century now. Today, leading 13 year olds round the streets of Torrington during the civil war battle @ 1646 Then 2 days of ‘what not to wear’ in the C17th, along with a little Jacobean ‘master chef’ and what to look for in a good suit of armour. Oh and then I have a job as a drummer ‘boy’ to the king’s army – they couldn’t get the staff.

The latest Braund Society publication, about the very earliest references to the name, has just arrived on my doorstep.

Professor Robert Tombs claiming children find history ‘repetitive and boring’ on BBC this morning and in the Daily Mail yesterday. Good teachers are prevented from providing good history by the nature of the disjointed curriculum. I am with him when he says the school history curriculum lacks chronology and the vox pop lack of knowledge was dire. What did come over was that those who loved history had enthusiastic teachers – as one lady said ‘who lived it’. So well done Mrs Goodrich – who was my own inspirational teacher.

We can do this – help inspire the next generation.

Posted my first copy of ‘Coffers, Clysters, Comfrey and Coifs’ to Australia.

Some work on the website – thanks to those who’ve commented.

New research client whose ancestor looks most intriguing.

The new Braund book ‘Before Braundsworthy: the Braund family history 1000-1550’ is on its way back from the printers.

History of Medicine session today. Helping a group of year 11s revise.

Day course on ‘Writing up your Family History’ arranged for October in Bideford.

Today 1000 copies of Coffers, Clysters, Comfrey and Coifs arrived in my drive. Exciting though this is, I am wondering where to store 27 boxes in my very small C17th cottage!

Just been loaned some lovely old photographs of my home village.

Also been out photographing gravestones.