The Commodore, Instow, provided its usual warm and elegant welcome to 50 members and spouses for a delicious lunch and after lunch entertainment.  It also contributed 2 very generous hampers to the popular raffle.

After enjoying lunch we moved to the lounge overlooking the beautiful view and for our introduction to David Smale and his koto, an ancient (from China originally) and extraordinary instrument.  Dave went to Japan to fetch the koto he had been given and for instruction.

It is a large log of Pollonia wood split lengthwise (hollowed out, a soundboard beneath) with 8 or 9 strings, tensioned equally, running lengthwise, varied by positioning bridges along the curved top of the board/log.  He tunes it and positions and re-positions the bridges for each piece and plays kneeling on the ground over the koto, each finger on the right hand tipped with a plectrum, plucking the strings, the left hand depressing or adjusting them.

We had 2 tunes...first a love-song, and the last a welcome to the cherry blossom of spring...all quite lengthy and played from memory.  The sounds varied, sometimes like the sound of a piano, a zither or a guitar, haunting, lyrical and sometimes the notes were sharp.  Despite the peacefulness no one dozed off and we could see and hear the musicianship and great skill.  Dave's easy manner, his explanations, responses to questions and the quality of his playing such music were an amazing end to our afternoon.

We enjoyed a visit to Castle Hill Gardens, Filleigh, on a beautiful May Day and were welcomed by Lady Arran who introduced us to the estate.  We explored the grounds, admired the wonderful views or just sat and enjoyed the peace and beauty of the surroundings.  We had lunch in the outdoor cafe and agreed that it had been a perfect way to get familiar with this delightful gem on our doorstep.

A visit to Pencarrow House has been arranged on Wednesday 27th April for all members, friends and family.

Pencarrow is a beautiful unique Cornish Georgian House with 50 acres of lovely Grade 2 listed gardens, both formal and wild, sited between Bodmin and Wadebridge.  The current family and their ancestors have lived at Pencarrow for 500 years, and the house is still very much a family home.

The tour of the House is tailored to suit our interests.  The building and gardens have wheelchair access (two can be provided) and allows travel to all but the upper floor.  A film of that part of the house covers all that might otherwise be missed.  On site the Peacock Cafe sources its food locally, also the plant shop which relies on a local nursery for its supplies.

After the Covid enforced gap our trip was well subscribed and every seat on the coach filled. We had good weather and a very enjoyable and sociable day!

A Virtual Visit via Zoom

Walk in the footsteps of the most famous English king, through his only surviving pleasure palace and find out how Henry created an image of himself as a magnificent monarch.  We will step back in time to get a sense of being alive in 16th century England and discover the food, dress, tapestries and art collection of the Tudor Court.

Our Guide, Siobhan Clarke BA (Hons), has worked for Historic Royal Palaces for 20 years  delivering tours and lectures.  She is an author and historian who has featured on BBC Radio and Television’s ‘Secrets of Henry V111’s Place.  Her latest book, ’King and Collector: Henry V111 and the Arts of Kingship was published in April 2021.

N.B. There is no charge for this Tour.  We ask only that you join us in support, also to share the link with all your friends, relatives and groups to which you belong and enjoy the tour together.  Members will be emailed the link and timings closer to the event.

CANCELLED

A visit has been planned to include a tour of the Cathedral and the evening Carol Concert. Members and their Guests will be picked up from Kingsley stop Bideford at 9am and Tesco stop Rose Lane Barnstaple at 9.30am.  The tour of the Cathedral will commence at 11.00am and last until approximately noon.  Thereafter people are free to visit the Exeter Christmas Fair in the Cathedral precincts, have lunch and partake of the many other delights that Exeter offers.  

At 4pm a cream tea will be served in the Chapter House.

The Carol Concert will start at 7pm and last approximately two hours. Those attending are advised to take their seats at least 15 minutes before the performance begins.

The coach is expected to return to Barstaple/Bideford at around 11/11.30pm

The cost of the outing is £48.50

With the box office opening on 1st Septemeber and given the great demand for tickets to the Carol Concert, the deadline for applications and the receipt of full payment is Friday 30th August.  For further information and an application form please contact The Group Visits Secretary, Caroline Renshaw on 01237 471992 or 0752 1778011

This combined visit also includes a refreshment stop on arrival at the Fox Tor Cafe and a three course lunch at Hotel Endsleigh, a Grade 1 listed building designed by Sir Humphrey Wyatwille with gardens designed by Sir Henry Repton. After lunch the group will proceed to St Eustachius' Church in Tavistock to meet 'The Three Hares' and the 'Ivory Mouse' followed by a brief tea stop and then home. The ticket price is £45 but excludes morning refreshments and afternoon tea. Those interested, whether members or guests should contact Caroline Renshaw either by calling 01237 471992 or via email to: caroren.write@gmail.com

The coach pickup points are at Kingsley Statue Bideford at 9.a.m. or Barnstaple Tesco, Rose Lane at 9.15.a.m

Maunsel House and Surrounding Churches

Engage with Geoffrey Chaucer and the Canterbury tales, Madelaine Slade who was Mirabehn the faithful disciple of Ghandi, General Sir John "Black Jack" Slade 1st Baronet of the Battle of Corunna fame in the Peninsular War and possible the odd ghost ot two by visiting the ancestral home of Sir Benjamin Slade 7th Baronet of Maunsel House at North Petherton ( a member of the Historic Houses Association) and the estate church of St Michael's Chapel. The trip also includes entry to the nearby Church of St Peter's and time permitting, a meeting with the "Hunky Punks" at St Mary's Church at North Petherton, which collectively are known as the "Alfred Jewel" churches.

Members and guests are invited to a guided tour of this historic house, its bedrooms and garden and the local churches. The cost, to include a light lunch, is £40. Early booking is advisable to avoid disappointment.

The coach will pick up by the Kingsley Statue, Bideford at 9 a.m. and at Tesco, Rose Lane, Barnstaple EX32 8PG at approximately 9.20 a.m. Would all those wishing to go on the visit please contact Caroline Renshaw, The Visits Secretary on 01237 471992.

A not to be missed visit on 26th April to Britain's first cruise liner, an ironclad vessel of national historic importance and affection, which has been magnificently resored at Bristol Docks.

Included in the ticket price of £45 is the return coach trip and lunch in a private room including soup choice, sandwiches, cake-puddings and tea or coffee, your entrance fee, and a one hour guided tour plus guide book. There will also be free time to spend in the museum, library archives, displays, and the shop.

The coach leaves Bideford by the Kingsley Statue at 9.00 a.m. and picks up at 9.20 a.m. in Barnstaple at the Tesco Bus Stop. Departure from Bristol will be at 4.p.m.

Please contact Caroline Renshaw on 01237 471992 on her mobile 0752 1778011 for further details or to make a reservation

Lukesland is a fanciful Victoria Gothic house situated on the southern slopes of Dartmoor. The property was originally built as a hunting lodge in 1862 and has been occupied by the Howell family since 1931. Special feature include a mock hammer-beam roof and impressive ceiling vaulting. The gardens are home to Britain's largest magnolia and groves of camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas.

The visit includes coffee and biscuits on arrival, a tour of the house and garden and a simple lunch at a total cost of £41 per person. The coach will leave for home at approximately 3.00p.m.

Cheques should be made payable to NDDFAS and sent along with your request slip to Lornie Yewdall at Little Webbery, Webbery, Bideford EX39 4PS.

Don't forget to select your pick-up point - Bideford Kingsley Statue at 9.00a.m. or Barnstaple at 9.20a.m.at the Old Tesco Bus Stop - and should you require any further information please contact Lornie on 01271 858206 or e-mail lornielyewdall@gmail.com

Listed by Country Life as ‘one of the top ten manor houses in the country’, Cadhay is a splendid manor built in 1550. The present owner, Rupert Thistlethwayte, has spent the better part of a decade restoring Cadhay to its previous splendour. The result is an understated, pleasing mix of the historic and the modern, and a lived-in comfort that makes a stay at Cadhay a true delight.

Cadhay is constructed around its central Court of the Sovereigns, overlooked by four carved images of the Tudor monarchs. There are three receptions rooms on the East side of the house. Adjoining these is the Georgian dining room which was created in 1739 by inserting a lower ceiling in the Great Hall. The dining room can accommodate up to 22 for formal or informal meals in splendour. Upstairs, the Long Gallery, added in the reign of Elizabeth 1, is a notable feature, serving today as something of a family museum.

This Grade 1 listed building has a wealth of period and contemporary features, such as stone fireplaces, leaded windows, stone mullions, stucco ceilings, oak floors, designer curtains, beautiful antique and contemporary furniture, paintings and portraits and other artwork and antiques.

Cadhay's garden is beautiful but it is not a formal show garden. Nonetheless gardening enthusiasts will enjoy its informal and natural design and relaxing beauty.  After farm buildings on the south side were demolished in 1910, a border was established and a lawn was laid out and planted with Irish yews leading to the mediaeval fish ponds. Plants of note include an avenue of limes, Gunnera manicata, Cotinus coggygnia, Cosmea bipinnatus, Magnolia grandiflora, Dahlia hybrids and Echinacea purpure.

Sir Simon Jenkins in his book England's Thousand Best Homes described the house thus: "The courtyard...with statues of Henry VIII and his three monarch offspring, Edward, Mary and Elizabeth...is one of the treasures of Devon."

Powderham Castle has been the home of the Courtenay family since 1391. It withstood the ravages of the English Civil War of the 17th Century and had its interior embellished in the following century. Learn about a fascinating 600 hundred years of family history, be engaged by the magnificent architecture and succumb to the allure of the fine interior decor of byegone ages. 

Coffee and biscuits will be offerd on arrival followed by a tractor/trailer Deer Park Safari and the opportunity to take in the burgeoning of Spring in the grounds and gardens. After the lunch break enjoy a guided tour of the Castle with an expected coach departure time around 3.30p.m.

The cost of the visit is £29 excluding lunch. For those not bringing a picnic, there is a cafeteria serving a good choice of food.

To book or learn more details of the visit contact Lornie Yewdall on 01271 858206

Photograph courtesy of Roger Cornfoot

Delamore Estate has remained in the same family since 1688, and the imposing house, the fourth to be built on the estate, was commissioned by Admiral Parker in 1859. The property was originally purchased from the Balmains by Sir George Treby of Plympton. The present house and grounds which are not normally open to the public, were designed by St. Aubyn an established church architect of the time. The garden still has some very old Rhododendrons believed to have been brought to the estate by Sir William Parker, who was one of Nelson’s captains at the battle of Trafalgar, and who later became ADC to Queen Victoria. Each summer the Delamore Arts Exhibition takes place at this still traditional agricultural estate in its idyllic setting on the fringes of Dartmoor.

The property is a grade 1 listed large country house dating from 1724-39. Built in the English baroque style by Thomas Parker for Thomas Carew, the house has amber coloured bricks complemented by bath stone pilasters and front-piece. The interior includes plaster work by Grinling Gibbons.  The new owners of the house, David and Kate Kenyon, purchased the property in 2011. Kate is a direct descendent of William Morrison. Standing proudly in its own vale on the edge of the Quantock Hills, Crowcombe Court offers a taste of Edwardian luxury you will never forget.