Village Views:  Shebbear                 

 

Shebbear is about 12 miles south of Bideford, is set in a principally farming area and is mentioned in the Doomsday book as Sepesberia, a royal manor belonging to Earl Harold, the last of the Saxon Kings.  There are about 400 houses and a population of around 1,000.  It boasts a haunted inn, thriving post office/stores, village primary school, a pottery, a daily bus service, two churches, and is home to Shebbear College. 

St Michael’s Church stands at the western end of the village and is believed to be of Saxon origin.  The oldest part still visible is the south doorway, which is Norman.  Just outside the church, underneath the old oak tree is the famous Devil’s Stone.  On the 5th November each year, while the rest of the country celebrates Guy Fawkes and the gun-powder plot, the villagers of Shebbear (well the bell ringers actually) prepare to turn the stone.  This is said to be one of the oldest customs in Europe and there are many explanations of its origin. One is that the stone was dropped by the devil himself, when he was cast out of heaven by St Michael; hence the clamour of discordant bells rung out by the bell ringers prior to turning the stone, to frighten him away.  The evening is usually accompanied by Morris dancers, a hog-roast/bar-b-q put on by the Devil’s Stone Inn, a fine display from the Bikers of North Devon, and if you’re lucky, a few fireworks.  Celebrations are in full flow by 7pm if you would like to come and join us.

Shebbear is a very friendly and close knit society and hosts several thriving social groups, such  as the Women’s Institute.  At this time of year we are preparing for the annual Senior Citizens’ lunch which is provided for the older residents of the parish.   The hall is decorated by the Village Hall Committee, and starts Christmas off with a bang.

 

There are many interesting things going on in Shebbear through the year.  As I write this, we have the Two Parishes Festival (Shebbear and its neighbour Buckland Filleigh) which sees the village and surrounding area decorated with beautifully painted pennants, and this year many residents have made scarecrows which are to be found all over the place.  Very innovative models have been made – there is a foxy man up a tree, a biker on his motorbike, and mechanic looking under the bonnet of a car  and a pilot in his aeroplane …… the list goes on.

 

Some of the residents of Shebbear have just produced a book of personal recipes, collected from local people, including one donated by Rick Stein.  These are being sold in aid of Macmillan Nurses.  They can be obtained by email to the Shebbear and Buckland Filleigh website: www.shebbearvillage.co.uk, by writing to Jenny Morrit, Mulberry, North Furze, Shebbear, EX21 5RB, or from Bideford Library, price £5.  They make an excellent  Christmas Present!

If you would like to find our more about this lovely village, visit the website, or look in the library for the Book “Shebbear 2000: a millennium celebration”.    Marilyn Pearce