The village had a very active scout troop and cub pack, 1st Bishopsteignton. Scouty (Fred Pawlett) was a dedicated scout leader and gave all his spare time to ensure the scouting movement succeeded in the village. It had a good following from both the scouts and the...
Colin William Back reminiscences 1944 – 1962
Colin Back relates his memories from growing up in Bishopsteignton in the mid-20th century illustrated with images from the writer and the Bishopsteignton Archive collection. With details of family history, poignant moments and unique memories from a true Bishopsteigntonian, Born and Raised is a valuable record of our special Devon village.
Colin Back: Part 7 – Leisure Times
The meeting of the hounds; was quite a sight. The horses, riders and dogs met outside the ‘Ring of Bells’. When Farmer Isaac from Cockhaven Farm rode up, the pack of hounds were released from the lorry. It was quite a sight with all the dogs running around yet...
Colin Back Part 6: Village Hall and Vicarage
In the cottage on the opposite side of Dove's (grocery shop) lived Mr and Mrs Northam. Mrs Northam was well known for her ‘Devonshire Readings’ (stories spoken in old Devon dialect). The village hall would be full when she was appearing. As a child, I remember the...
Colin Back Part 5: Friends and Businesses
Next door to us was (grandad) Nilson; he had a grinding stone in the form of a wheel for sharpening tools and knives. It had a handle to turn the wheel with the stone going through a reservoir of water. If I did exactly as I was told i.e. fast or slow, I could turn...
Colin Back Part 4: Scars and other aides-mémoires
I still have two physical scars from my time at Bishopsteignton School. One from a burn when I put my arm over the rail that surrounded the ‘tortoise’ coke stove next to Miss Hawkins desk, the stove was for heating the infants classroom; the other is a scar under the...
Colin Back Part 3: Education and Environment
Most of the men in the village grew produce for their families. If they did not have a garden then a corner of a field would do or like my father, many had an allotment in Forder Lane. As well as vegetables for every season, many of the men also grew rows of Sweet...
Colin Back Part 2: visitors, neighbours and games
Fore Street was always the hub of the village with mum’s walking their children to and from school then joining grans, aunties and other ladies, shopping and generally chatting and catching up on the latest family news. It was so relaxed and friendly, everyone knew...
Colin Back Part 1: family and childhood
Being born and brought up in Bishopsteignton was a unique experience, I suppose partly because in those days there was nothing else to compare it with. I am Colin William Back. Son of William (Bill) Back (1913 - 1985) who was born at 9 Radway Hill, Bishopsteignton and...