Childhood Memories - The village pub. . . . .

The Devon Dumpling, Shiphay, Torquay 2019

The Devon Dumpling 2014

Old signage was still there in this photo.

Although I left my home in England 58 years ago, one of the things I still miss is my 'local'. British people living in villages, towns, even cities, usually have a favorite pub (public house) within walking distance of their home. It's not just a place to have a drink, or even a meal, it's the social center of that particular community. The pub has been the heart and soul of British social life for centuries especially in villages. Nothing better than an hour or so spent with friends at the local pub as the drizzly rain fell, which was often the case!

When I was growing up, this particular old building was part of a dairy farm where they also raised angora rabbits. Later, the farmhouse became a 'school of dance' and I took ballet and tap classes there for a year or so when I must have been about six or seven. It then became our local pub while I was still a child. I recall walking there for a bag of Smith's Crisps (the best potato chips) now and then, just a 5 minute walk from home, and during a safer time in this crazy world. After reaching my late teens I had a drink there off and on (drinking age is lower in England than the US) and played a game of darts, before emigrating to the States. I have always stopped by on visits home, a familiar place I could never pass up. There's a 'Beer Garden', the outdoor area where you can take children as they are not permitted in pub bars, and 'The Dumpling' is well known for excellent pub food. Meals are served both in the bar and in an upstairs dining room - we always try to get the snug little table by the fireplace, especially during a winter visit.

Over the years I've enjoyed dozens of lunches and suppers there with family members and old friends during my visits home, and one very enjoyable reunion many years ago in the '80's for the 'children' of my village neighborhood. I met up with playmates and school friends, some I'd not seen since I was eight when we moved to another house also just a short walk from the pub. That was certainly a night to remember and I won the prize - a bottle of Champagne of course - for having traveled the farthest distance to reach our 'local'. It did feel a little strange as several people still lived within a stone's throw from the pub, whereas I had traveled close to 4,000 miles!

Shiphay Village thatched cottages and the Devon Dumpling pub.

Trip home to Torquay with granddaughter Jasmin in

2015 to celebrate her 18th Birthday.

Sadly, our trip scheduled for last year didn't happen due to the

 pandemic travel restrictions. Reservations are 

made for this spring and hopefully we can go - if not we will

try for autumn. The Devon Dumpling will wait for us I'm certain.

Cockington Village History . . . . .

 Continuing our recent afternoon walk through Cockington Village - known now as 

Cockington Country Park. . . . . . . . .

Granddaughter Jasmin and Bob 

 . . . . . . . we visited The Drum Inn, the local pub/restaurant in the village. 
Designed by Edwin Lutyens, perhaps the greatest British architect of the 20th 
century, it opened in 1936 to replace the old village ale house.

One of my aunts was married at Cockington Church and the reception was held 
here, and I recall attending, I must have been about six.

Cockington Court and the cricket pitch where, as a child, I spent many a Sunday 
afternoon picnicking and watch friends of our family play a match - the cricket 
was boring, the picnic food good!
The manor house, focal point of the estate, was built in the 16th century. 
Later, when owned by the Mallocks, friends of Agatha Christie's 

family, she would overcome her usual crippling shyness and perform in 
amateur theatrical productions staged at the mansion.

Cockington Church of St. George & St. Mary.

The 66 foot tower, circa 1210-1230 is the oldest part of the building.

The entry and porch is built into the tower.

The interior of the church today.

The exquisite carved rood screen separating the chancel from the nave.

Stained Glass Windows.

Amazing how a country walk in fresh air and sunshine can make one hungry.

Who would have thought we'd be ready for a real Devon Cream Tea after that 

huge brunch earlier - but we were, and the Weaver's Cottage Tea Shoppe was 
offering the best in the village. The outdoor tables were filled - we waited a short 
while and then were able to grab one and enjoy a good pot of tea, fresh baked 
scones, strawberry jam and real Devon clotted cream - delicious!

Cockington is a special place holding many wonderful memories from 
my long ago childhood years - I will never tire of returning and hope for more
 visits in the future.

Devon childhood. . . . . . . . . . . .

I know I've shown you my village in other posts from other visits home - but this 

most recent visit was special as I shared part of my childhood with 

granddaughter Jasmin. Even those rusty railings are special to me - the same ones

my friends and I did 'gymnastics' on as kids. It's amazing that they've stood there for 

so many years!

In the village is the 'local'. The Devon Dumpling pub.

Go to this earlier post for more history of my childhood days where, even 

back then, this former farmhouse played a big part.

http://abreathoffreshair-mary.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-neighborhood-local.html

Still a social gathering place for a pint or a great meal. We had lunch here and 

I was so pleased to find the quality of the food was still excellent and, although the 

pub had been through a rehab since my last visit, all was for the better - modern 

facilities and a nicer outdoor 'beer garden' area, but most of the actual historic 

inside remains as before.

I did miss the older signage - but apparently the owners thought they needed

to move on with the times and the 'buxom wench' has been put in storage!