Budleigh Past and Present

Serious contenders in the costume competition  Fairlynch's Smugglers and Pirates-themed Family Fun Day was a hit with the crowds on last Saturday 18 July when the museum welcomed visitors young and old.  Attractions included games, stalls, 'Smugglers in the Stocks', and a costume competition judged by the Mayor of Budleigh Salterton, as well as cream teas. "It was great to have parents and children from the local schools and pre-school groups join us for the Fun Day," said organiser Christine Bailey.  "The museum is a resource for all the families in this area and we want them to recognise us as a source of entertainment as well as information." Museum Chairman Trevor Waddington  congratulated the volunteers for having worked so hard to make the Fun Day event the huge success that it undoubtedly was. Smiles and sunshine for the Smugglers and Pirates Day A fun outing for the family in Fa...

But where's his eye-patch?   Image credit: David Ball We hear that there’s been a run on eye-patches, but we’re not expecting people to dress up as elaborately as this would-be pirate Blackbeard. It’s just over a week to go until Fairlynch Museum’s Family Fun Day on Saturday 18 July.   The Smugglers and Pirates-themed event could draw some fairly scary characters into the town Entertainments will include tales of Devon smugglers and games and stalls on the lawns. Freshly baked homemade scones will be served with cream teas in the marquee.     If you’re feeling energetic there’s a chance to throw wet socks at our ‘Smuggler in the Stocks.’ The highlight of the afternoon will be the judging of the Smugglers and Pirates costume competition by Mayor Courtney Richards and his pirate helper at 3.00 pm. Age categories are 1-4 years, 5-7 years, 8-10 years, 11-14 years and adults, with a prize for each category. “We look forw...

A Revenue Cutter apprehends the smuggler Jack Rattenbury off Budleigh Salterton.  Oil painting by Peter Goodhall Fairlynch Museum’s Fun Day on Saturday 18 July will have Pirates and Smugglers as one of its themes. Games, stalls, smugglers' stories, village stocks and cream teas will be among the attractions at the Budleigh Salterton museum. Some visitors to the museum find the model of Jack Rattenbury in the spooky surroundings of the Smugglers’ Cellar a little bit scary, especially when they hear him recounting his stories.  The early 19 th century East Devon smuggler had many narrow escapes in his violent confrontations with customs officers. He was clearly a tough and wily character judging by his memoirs where he wrote about his exploits, including one incident which took place in Budleigh Bay.   The scene was evoked in local artist Peter Goodhall's painting, specially commissioned and acquired by the Museum in 1983. He...