Author Archives: thehistoryinterpreter

#100daysofbfotc Day 8: Rose Cottage, Bucks Mills

by thehistoryinterpreter

Rose CottageIn the novel, Rose Cottage is the home of William and Mary and their two adult sons. We encounter the Cottage and its inhabitants in the first chapter of Barefoot on the Cobbles. The name is used anachronistically; this small fisherman’s cottage at the top of the village of Bucks Mills was given the name Rosie’s Cottage in the mid-twentieth century. It is now known as Rose Cottage and in the absence of a contemporary name, it seemed appropriate to refer to William’s home by its current appellation. In the summer of 1890, when Eadie comes to join the family, Rose Cottage was a four roomed, thatched, cob cottage, typical of others in the village of Bucks Mills. It is set back from the road, next to the former ale house, The Coffin Arms and a small terrace of cottages known as Forest Gardens. Rose Cottage was to remain in the family for another seventy years.

More information about Bucks Mills can be found here.

‘The pervading scent of fried fish reached them as they approached the bend in the road and turned towards the path that led to Rose Cottage, near the top of the street.’

Barefoot on the Cobbles will be published on 17 November 2018. More information about the novel can be found here. Copies will be available at various events in the weeks following the launch or can be pre-ordered from Blue Poppy Publishing or the author.

#100daysofbfotc Day 7: Captain William Pengilly

by thehistoryinterpreter

William PengellyCaptain William Pengilly has long since met with an unfortunate end by the time he is mentioned in Chapter 7 of Barefoot on the Cobbles. In the book, his granddaughter, Annie, outlines the story of his demise. A Clovelly mariner, with eight children, his wife ran a tea-shop in the village whilst Captain William was away at sea. Captain Pengilly is also believed to have been the superintendent of the Methodist Sunday School in Clovelly, as Sunday School prizes survive that are inscribed with his name. His vessel, Queen of the South, was delivering coal to the cement mills at Dodnor, near Newport, Isle of Wight, when a tragic incident led to William’s death, at the age of 43. To find out about the manner of his passing, you will need to turn to Chapter 7.

‘ ‘They say he was drunk,’ she whispered. Now Leonard was genuinely astonished, surely Captain Pengilly had been a Methodist.’ ’

Barefoot on the Cobbles will be published on 17 November 2018. More information about the novel can be found here. Copies will be available at various events in the weeks following the launch or can be pre-ordered from Blue Poppy Publishing or the author.

#100daysofbfotc Day 6: The Rechabites

by thehistoryinterpreter

RechabitesThe Independent Order of Rechabites is a friendly society, founded in 1835. These societies provided a form of health insurance and death benefits to members in the era before the welfare state. The village inn was often the focus for friendly societies, who might have a dedicated Club Room in the local hostelry. By contrast, the Rechabites upheld the values of the Temperance Movement. It does seem however that the Clovelly branch did have an association with the New Inn.

In Chapter 14 of Barefoot on the Cobbles, the Rechabites are on parade through the streets of Clovelly to the parish church, for the annual New Year’s Day Club Service. This was always followed by a meal. In an effort to fulfill their vow to abstain from alcohol, many of the Rechabites ate in the local tea rooms. In order to accommodate all the members however, they were also hosted by the New Inn, who were happy to serve non-drinkers.

‘Leonard, his father and brothers were to march with the Rechabites from the New Inn, up the back road through the Court gardens to the church. As they assembled in the street outside the inn, persistent drizzle curtailed conviviality and the men were keen to be on their way before their best clothes were spoiled. The heavy cloth flag of the Rechabites, proudly borne by young Billy Harding, was becoming sodden.’

Barefoot on the Cobbles will be published on 17 November 2018. More information about the novel can be found here. Copies will be available at various events in the weeks following the launch or can be pre-ordered from Blue Poppy Publishing or the author.

#100daysofbfotc Day 5: ‘Crumplefoot Tommy’

by thehistoryinterpreter

Crumplefoot Tommy‘Crumplefoot’ Tommy is referred to in the first chapter of Barefoot on the Cobbles. Although we do not actually get to meet him, we form an impression of his character through his wife and daughter. The ‘Crumplefoot’ nickname is supposed to refer to an injury to his foot, that he sustained whilst at sea. I have probably used this nickname anachronistically, as I suspect he was not injured until later in life but it was too evocative to ignore. Thomas is in his late thirties at the point at which he appears in the story. His wife, who was also his first cousin, has just given birth to the eighth of their nine children. Tommy was in the merchant service and also worked a fishing boat from Bucks Mills. His injury was obviously not life-limiting, as he lived to the age of eighty nine.

‘ ‘Why tears maid?’ asked Albert, moved by the plight of one of Crumplefoot Tommy’s ever-increasing brood.

‘Me da fetched me one.’ The tone was philosophical but she scarcely stifled a rising sob. ‘He said I woke the bebby but I niver.’ ’

Barefoot on the Cobbles will be published on 17 November 2018. More information about the novel can be found here. Copies will be available at various events in the weeks following the launch or can be pre-ordered from Blue Poppy Publishing or the author.

#100daysofbfotc Day 4: East-the-Water, Bideford

by thehistoryinterpreter
DSCF0566

Looking across the River to East-the-Water

As the name suggests, East-the-Water refers to the part of Bideford that lies on the eastern bank of the River Torridge. One of the principal characters of Barefoot on the Cobbles arrives in East-the-Water in Chapter 2 and the following Chapter is centred on this part of the town. Although East-the-Water has never been the principal part of the town, at the time of the novel, the riverside’s wharves swarmed with activity. Higher up the hill were the prestigious villas of the Chudleigh Estate, built in the lee of the seventeenth century Chudleigh Fort. The Way of the Wharves, community history project explores the history of this area in more detail. There is also an account of East-the-Water’s history on the community website.

Books – quite a lot of them! Oh and narrow roads and sheep

by thehistoryinterpreter

DSCF0613I am an inveterate reader. Despite an unavoidable serious cull when I drastically downsized, I still have 11 six foot high bookcases full of books in my bedrooms. I now have more than 1000 books in my living room as well. The only snag is that they are all the same one and I have read it numerous times! This week saw the arrival of THE novel. In an attempt to ensure that copies were ready for the 17 November launch, various contingencies were allowed for. Rather too many contingencies as it turns out. Now I have to find house room for 54 boxes for three months, before I can start selling. Obviously, I will be pleased to think that anyone might want to read it but I am really hoping that not all purchasers will go for digital copies or Amazon orders, as this will not deplete my stash. Currently, when I sit on the settee my knees are in the fireplace, as the boxes are piled behind said settee.

Delivery of the pallet load of books was a challenge. Would you think that a delivery company with a thirty foot lorry might have invested in one of those handy sat-navs that allows you to input the dimensions of your vehicle, to prevent you becoming inextricably stuck? It seems this is an unreasonable expectation. When the delivery driver first rang for directions (it seems he did not have any form of sat-nav or indeed a map but was relying on signposts) he was already a long way down the ‘I really wouldn’t go that way’ route. Despite this, he did eventually arrive in my not very wide road, via some even less wide roads. Book delivery is never straightforward as I do not have a drive but I borrowed the church path temporarily and 54 boxes later, the pallet was empty. Fortunately, I had enlisted the help of a pallet loving fisherman of my acquaintance. The conversation began, ‘Would you like a free pallet?’ I didn’t get to the ‘you have to move 54 boxes first,’ bit.

All I can say is, it is a good job I don’t live in East Portlemouth. We travelled to the south coast to recruit troops for the Siege of Salcombe this week. They were a lovely mixed age audience and it was wonderful to be able to perform to those from 5-85 years old. The journey was ‘interesting’ and yes we do have a sat-nav that takes account of our width. We are used to narrow roads. We are used to very narrow roads. These were debateably not roads at all. Coming in the opposite direction were the ‘I am in a hurry to get home from work’ brigade, who were clearly not expecting anyone to have the audacity to go the other way along the seven foot wide tracks. Then there were the sheep who were wandering along the road for some considerable way. Fortunately, I was not behind the wheel on this occasion, although give me that kind of driving over motorways anytime. I know how to find reverse!

#100daysofbfotc Day 3: Herbert Henry Asquith

by thehistoryinterpreter
H H Asquith Prime Minister via Wikipedia This work is from the George Grantham Bain collection at the Library of Congress.

Image from the George Grantham Bain collection at the Library of Congress, in the public domain.

The Asquith family were closely associated with Clovelly Court and the current owner of Clovelly is Asquith’s great-grandson. At the time of his appearance in Chapter 5 of Barefoot on the Cobbles, Herbert Henry Asquith was the Prime Minister. A staunch Liberal, he was a barrister by profession. He is hailed as the founder of the modern welfare state; a number of significant reforms were introduced under his leadership. He was however a noted adversary of the woman’s suffrage movement and it is in this context that he crosses the pages of Barefoot. His inclusion in the novel relates to a well-known local incident and almost all the words that he uses in the book are taken directly from newspaper reports.

‘Instead of closing his eyes in prayer, the Prime Minister was scanning the note. He looked towards the pew a couple of rows in front of him, where the three young women were seated and then to the side door of the church. His jaw-line, with its cleft chin, was set firm and hastily he put the scrap of paper into his pocket.’

Barefoot on the Cobbles will be published on 17 November 2018. More information about the novel can be found here. Copies will be available at various events in the weeks following the launch or can be pre-ordered from Blue Poppy Publishing or the author.

#100daysofbfotc Day 2: William

by thehistoryinterpreter

William BraundYou will meet William in the pages of the first chapter. William is a taciturn fisherman, who is content, providing there is a meal on the table and no-one disturbs his afternoon doze. He has lived all his life in the fishing hamlet of Bucks Mills, where he fished alongside his father and grandfather and now runs a small Bucks Ledge Boat with his two sons. By the time the story opens, he has lived in Rose Cottage at the top of the village for about three years. He was born in 1837 at the now ruined cottage The Bluff but grew up in King’s Cottage overlooking the sea. When he married, he moved to John’s Cottage and spent a few years at Mark’s, before settling at Rose Cottage, where he died in 1906.

‘Hobnails clashed and sparked on the cobbles outside and the menfolk filled the small room with their bulk and the scent of the sea.

‘Good catch?’ asked Mary.

‘Plenty enough,’ replied William. ‘Takey’s off to Bideford with a cart load. We were late in, so he was already pretty full and we’ve some left he wouldn’t have, so they’ll need salting down.’ ’

Barefoot on the Cobbles will be published on 17 November 2018. More information about the novel can be found here. Copies will be available at various events in the weeks following the launch or can be pre-ordered from Blue Poppy Publishing or the author.

#100daysofbfotc Day 1: Clovelly Cobbles

by thehistoryinterpreter

New InnMuch of Barefoot on the Cobbles is set in the unique village of Clovelly. Clovelly is a privately-owned fishing village on the rugged North Devon coast and many of the cottages that are lived in by the novel’s characters are 400 years old. The steep, cobbled street, that is reflected in Barefoot’s title, means that motorised transport is prohibited. Modern-day residents walk up and down the main street just as Polly, Albert, Daisy and other inhabitants of Barefoot would have done. Although, in the early twentieth century, donkeys, as well as sledges, were used to transport goods, nowadays the donkeys are merely there to recreate the atmosphere of the past. In Barefoot’s time, tourism was secondary to the fishing fleet, whose small boats sought herring, lobster, prawns and mackerel on the uncertain waves. Now, the fishing fleet has dwindled to a handful of boats and Clovelly is dedicated to catering for visitors.

‘Daisy was a child of the season, delighting in the heat and the chance to discard her boots in favour of skipping over the cobbles in her bare feet. She loved the feel of the hard stones as she curled her toes round each pebble, like a bird poised for flight.’ (Chapter 4)

Barefoot on the Cobbles will be published on 17 November 2018. More information about the novel can be found here. Copies will be available at various events in the weeks following the launch or can be pre-ordered from Blue Poppy Publishing or the author.

Ok so the real post this time – I hope!

by thehistoryinterpreter

So what happened there? I blame the rubbish motel internet – I am too mean to pay for the upgrade. Thanks to the 200ish people who looked at a blank post yesterday let’s hope this works!

So it is officially the hottest week for decades and here I am stuck in a motel room in that northern industrial city once again. For the benefit of my overseas readers, these rooms are not equipped with air-con and the windows only open a couple of inches because they are afraid of being sued if guests jump out. Normally, the rooms are equipped with fans. I appreciate that all these do is move hot air round the room but it does give the illusion of slightly less heat. My travelling companion sweet-talking the receptionist, resulted in the provision of an industrial strength, floor-standing fan, which I think may have deprived the receptionists of a breeze. Even with this on all night, the temperature did not dip below 28 degrees. I know, I must have looked at the thermostat at least once an hour. Now it is 7.30pm and still 29.5 degrees, a good fifteen degrees above my ideal bedroom temperature.

In other adventures: in an effort to look vaguely respectable for ‘work’ I brought a suit to wear. As I went to put it on, I discovered that the trousers were missing. I have no idea at what stage they escaped from the dry cleaner’s polythene bag in which they were ensconced but they are not there now. That put paid to the professional image I was trying to create. Anyone seen a pair of trousers lying abandoned at some point between home and here?

A bit of a win win in the motel restaurant though. In the crowded dining room last night we patiently waited foodless for 45 minutes after ordering. When food arrived for a table who had ordered 25 minutes after us, we politely enquired as to the whereabouts of our dinners. We’ve been involved in the hospitality industry, we understand that these things happen. Cue grovelling apology, full refund of the price of our dinner, the appearance of our meals and the offer of a compensatory bottle of wine. Being virtual non-drinkers, I ask if we can have free breakfasts instead. Yes, is the reply. Today we descended for a our free breakfasts to be greeted with a bottle of wine as well! – that’s another for the book launch collection (permission for serving of alcohol permitting). It was 7.30am; we nonchalantly sauntered out of the restaurant looking like it was normal to be carrying a bottle of wine about at that hour.

Chris and Musket 1 DEPhotographyI have noticed that, as I struggle with all this marketing lark for Barefoot on the Cobbles, it seems that the way to get a reaction on social media is to post gratuitous pictures of the fisherman of my acquaintance. Forget images of cute animals, I have cracked the latest trend! So here is a random picture that has nothing to do with my post but which will get folks rushing to click on their like buttons – maybe.