Kersbrook worldwide export harbour; OVA delves into past
The first of a series of articles, Nick Speare, vice chairman
of the Otter Valley Association, launches a quarterly photography
competition in conjunction with the Exmouth and Budleigh Journal
An estate agent at the end of the last ice age (if there had been
any then) would have described the Lower Otter Valley as a "desirable
location".
The ice sheets had not reached us and, despite it being a bit cold,
the area might have been described as “ripe for development"
and "a good investment opportunity". And so it has stayed.
We have seen comings and goings and changes over the centuries but
as a place to live our valley has always been well favoured. The
OVA (Otter Valley Association) is intent in maintaining that desirability.
The OVA originally started as a protest organisation. In 1979, after
a protest about the closure of the Church Institute in Budleigh
Salterton, the Exmouth Journal reported our formation. We were "to
act as a watchdog for the amenities of the lower reaches of the
River Otter and its associated villages .... and to stimulate interest
in all facets of the area" and 27 years on we are still doing
just that. From that original group of militants we have grown and
now have over a thousand members.
As part of our role of stimulating interest in the valley we publish
a number of books.
One of these in particular is nearly as old as the OVA itself. First
published in 1984 the Historical Guide to the Lower Otter Valley
is a fascinating compilation of sketches on our local history.
The booklet is already in its second edition but, because of demand,
we have now had to reprint it. For anyone resident in the valley
interested in their village or the history of the valley, this booklet
provides an absorbing insight into bygone days. The book is a mine
of information.
One example that I found personally interesting is that in the 13th
century a small port developed at Bodelie Haven in the Manor of
Lower Budley on the west bank of the River Otter where the Kersbrook
stream now flows into the valley.
I used to live there and it is very hard to imagine that fishermen
used to sail from Kersbrook (then Bodelie Haven).
A fishing boat would be hard pressed to even get afloat nowadays
but that was not the only surprise. It seems Bodlelie Haven’s
most important business was wool exporting.
Probably most of the wool produced in the Otter valley was brought
here on packhorses to be loaded onto ships sailing to Spain and
ports in the Mediterranean.
What is now the hamlet of Kersbrook was once a thriving port with
ocean-going ships sailing long distances.
At the other end of the valley, I learnt that in Harpford, Augustus
Toplady was incumbent at the church in 1706. Who was Augustus Toplady?
His name was familiar. I was impressed to find that he was none
other than the author of that famous hymn Rock of Ages. However,
he was also a man who had a very human side.
It seems that while he was negotiating his resignation from his
post in Harpford, the Vicarage burnt down and, amid pious references
in his diary, Toplady expressed great relief that the costs incurred
would be down to his successor.
The book also contains some delightful illustrations by local artists,
such as those shown here, as well as maps and population data.
Anyone interested can obtain a copy via our website www.ova.org.uk
or from local bookshops (ISBN number 0 9507534 1 6) Price £3.50.
As well as publishing books and leaflets about the valley, the OVA
also organises a programme of talks, events and walks. The walks
are free and there is a small charge for the talks but both are
open to non-members as well as our members.
For example: at 7.30pm on Thursday, October 19, we have organised
a talk on the Met Office in Peter Hall, Budleigh Salterton.
If you prefer something more energetic, on Saturday, October 21,
at 10am, we have a five mile moderate walk exploring Woodbury Castle
and Common and Hawkerland Cross.
In line with our theme of stimulating interest in the area, together
with the Journal, we are sponsoring a photo competition to capture
the essence of our valley through the seasons.
We will run the competition once a quarter to find the best photograph
of the valley during that season.
The first competition is Autumn in the Lower Otter Valley and, to
help, we have organised a couple of photo opportunities.
A Colours of Autumn walk led by local artist and councillor Jed
Falby on Wednesday, Oct 25, and a fungi walk with field mycologist,
Marion Nalder on Tuesday, Nov 7.
Full details of these and all talks, walks and events can be found
on our website www.ova.org.uk
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