Drewsteignton gets a delivery from 100 years ago

Villagers on Dartmoor have received a postcard from the past, and an invitation inspired by First World War gift parcels.

Wearing period costume, National Trust staff and volunteers from Castle Drogo made the deliveries to homes in the neighbouring village of Drewsteignton. The team has been researching the impact of the First World War on the house and village as part of the Devon Remembers Heritage Project, an initiative exploring the county’s unique First World War history.

The team were struck by the story of a small group of Drewsteignton volunteers who formed a ‘Christmas Gifts Committee’ and raised money to send gift parcels to local men fighting abroad. Months were spent investigating the archives at Castle Drogo and the Devon Heritage Centre in Exeter, where the team found letters, newspaper articles and postcards of thanks sent back from the front.

National Trust House and Collections Manager Bryher Mason, and research volunteer Erica Williamson, will share their findings with the public at an event at the Drewe Arms in Drewsteignton on Monday 29 January at 7.00pm. Anyone wishing to attend the talk and exhibition in the Long Room, should contact Castle Drogo by calling 01647 434130 or emailing paula.clarke@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Residents of Drewsteignton were the first to be given news of the event. They were also given reproductions of some of the original postcards sent back to the village by soldiers who had received Christmas parcels. Paula Clarke, Community Engagement Officer, and Ros Leveridge, research volunteer, went from door to door chatting with residents and sharing the words of soldiers who had been touched by the kindness shown to them.

‘This project has been a wonderful way for us to recognise the impact the war had on the village and Castle Drogo. We have had such a warm welcome from people when we delivered their invitation to come to the talk,’ said Paula Clarke.

The Devon Remembers Heritage Project, which is managed by the South West Heritage Trust, is running a programme of research, talks, events and exhibitions across Devon during the First World War centenary period.  Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, the project has received a grant of £267,400 from the Heritage Lottery Fund with additional support from the South West Heritage Trust, Devon County Council, Torbay Council and the University of Exeter.