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If you are touring the area take the opportunity to explore the real North
Devon countryside. There are many picturesque villages off the main A39
Atlantic Highway. If you have just been to the beach at Bucks Mills go straight
across the A39 at Bucks Cross and make your way to Woolfardisworthy or Woolsery.
as it is known locally. The village with two names lies inland approximately
600 feet above sea level. The country lanes are narrow and wind upwards
and onwards through steep banked hedgerows. As you come down into Woolsery
you can see the medieval tower of All Hallows Church on the skyline. Although
the actual village of Woolsery itself is quite small, Woolsery Parish covers
a wide area including the hamlets of Ashmansworthy, Leworthy and Alminstone
and is surrounded by unspoilt countryside with remote farms and areas of
moorland, marsh, forest and woodland stretching out across the A39 to more
than a mile of the Heritage Coast including the area to the west of the
stream at Bucks Mills on the shores of Bideford Bay. To the south a natural
border line is formed by the River Torridge. It is said the source of the
Tamar can be found in the highlands about one hundred yards from the old
boundary stone marked "Bradworthy-Moorwinstow" and after seeping
through swamp, sedge and rushes, the waters drift in opposite directions
to form the Rivers Tamar and the Torridge. The infant Torridge trickles
down a shallow valley and by the time it reaches the first Bridge at Brimford
has become a stream. Beyond Horton Bridge it is joined by Clifford Water
and continues on through the countryside with Woolsery Parish on one bank
and the northern border of Bradworthy Parish on the other. The landscape
changed from earlier times when the Forestry Commission planted conifers
on land that was once moorland rough grass, gorse and heather. The Commission
was established in 1919 to replenish woodlands depleted in the 1st World
War and by 1927 began to buy land around the village. This land, when worked
in earlier times with horses was used to produce wheat not only for grain
but straw for thatching and although workable with horses was too wet for
modern agricultural machinery. The Sitka Spruce planted in the 1930's were
harvested in the 1970's and used for commercial purposes for mine pit-props
and agricultural fencing. The village with two names has two inns, The Manor
House and the Farmers Arms. It is reputed that the Farmers Arms was originally
built to house the builders of the church and in 1857 the local magistrates
court was held in an upper room. Up until the 1950's the highlight of the
village calendar was the Woolsery Market which was held on the 4th Thursday
of each month. The indigenous North Devon Cattle, "Ruby Reds",
were once sold at this market, along with sheep, lambs and pigs, as well
as corn and seed, merchants and farmers settled their accounts in a private
room at the Farmers Arms. In 1892 the first Woolfardisworthy "Colt
Show", now the Woolsery Show, was
held and apart from the war and foot and mouth it continues to be a draw
for locals and visitors. It is currently held annually on the last Monday
in July at Downland Farm, home of the Milky Way Adventure Park on the A39
between Bideford and Clovelly. Woolsery itself has a reputation for being
"The Friendly Village" and this small local show works on the
same principle. Don't miss the unique "Woolsery Weekend" which
is held in June each year, when visitors are invited to look around the
village and surrounding countryside. There is much to see and do with many
of the villagers' gardens open to the public. Don't leave without sampling
the delicious cream teas and lunches made with locally produced cream, butter,
cheese, milk and ice cream. This is an ideal opportunity to view the award
winning Village Hall where local arts and crafts are on display. Another
popular event in the village calendar is a "Street
Fayre" held in July when the road is closed for the afternoon.
Woolfardisworthy 2005 definitely has the best of both worlds, new housing
development goes side by side with the old village cottages and the community
marked the Millennium with a new Village Hall. The building, which opened
in December 2000, is one of the most energy efficient, low maintenance,
environmentally friendly buildings in the country! Woolsery has its own
Football and Tennis Clubs and the tennis courts are open to visitors. The
foundation stone of the present village school was laid in 1878, the school
opened with January 1879 and in his book "If only the Walls could Speak"
published in 1970, Mr. C. B. Griffiths recorded - "There were eight
pupils but no books! Woolsery County Primary School today has 100 pupils
and although it retains its Victorian frontage it is now well equipped with
many modern resources. The church of "All Hallows" is believed
to have been built in the 12th century, but was mostly rebuilt in 1845,
the south door is of Norman design with the Chancel retaining a restored
medieval wagon roof . All Hallows was dedicated by the Bishop of Exeter,
Walter Branescombe on 26th July 1261. Richard Cole, who built the old Quay
at Bucks Mills is buried here, his effigy can be found at the North Door.
Woolsery Chapel in Chapel street was built in 1857 but although refurbished
1993 still retains the original oak panelling around the pulpit. A formal
Covenant links the Chapel and the Church - a "Covenant Candle"
is used when joint services are held in both the church and the chapel.
The candle has two colours intertwined to represent the two congregations
worshipping together. At the heart of the village is the local Post Office
Stores, a vital service for all rural communities. If you decide to stay,
a "friendly" Woolsery welcome awaits you at nearby inns, hotels,
restaurants or bed and breakfast establishments. In addition there is an
excellent garden centre with tea rooms nearby. Golfers can make their way
to the local course near Hartland Forest or if you prefer something a little
less stressful, walkers can enjoy pleasant woodland trails or join the more
demanding Coast Path at Bucks Mills. For those who prefer to explore the
countryside on horseback there is a riding stables in the vicinity. Check
out Woolsery's own community web site at www.woolsery.org
for information on the Village Hall and community events.
Historical Information - J.T. Downes, ISO,
Woolfardisworthy (Woolsery) The Village with Two Names, Cecil Collacott,
The River Torridge - From its Source to Torrington available from
Bideford Library
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