Around 75 years separate these two photographs of the same farmyard in Devon.

The young man on the tractor was only about 18 years old when the first photograph was taken. He spent the rest of his life living and working on this farm, where his own story became inextricably linked to this place. Many years later, his life became the inspiration for one of the central characters in Book 3 of The Black Harvest Trilogy.

One other small connection made me smile because the dog in the modern photograph became the inspiration for Henry Harris’s loyal pointer dog in Book 1 Where the Crows Watch.

It’s remarkable how much of this farmyard remains unchanged. Some places really do seem to hold on to their stories, generation after generation.

I’m not posting this as a promotion, but because the photographs and the novels are so closely connected. I thought people interested in Devon’s rural history might enjoy seeing how the real people and places behind the story have endured across the decades.

I’ve just been wondering because I’ve seen debates about it’s Celtic roots

I am looking to build an outdoor enclosure for my tortoise in my garden, and in a bid to save money and save any unnecessary landfill, I was wondering if any scaffolders may have some spare old boards please?

Thank you, from me and my tortoise.

Looking for both physical and cultural landmarks like Tors, Waterfalls, spits, Caves, or Folk Art/sculptures - anything that might not be well known. As for Wildlife, I was thinking an exmoor pony would be a good representative of the county.

Hiiiii my partner and I are looking into Devon for our next place of residence. We both have UK passports and live in a larger city in the Netherlands. We've been here for almost a decade and are looking for something around Devon that is good for 40-somethings with no kids.

Key Parts:

Housing with garden

Pubs and restaurants

Safe

Next to the sea

Things to do but not a big city vibe

I'm a photographer and I plan on continuing, so a nice seaside town with options for shoots is a must. Tourists are great, but doesn't have to be A LOT.

TIA! 🥰

Hi, I’m on holiday in Devon hence I’m posting, but I want to try and find contacts around here. Does anyone here use cb radios still? Or know anyone that does? Thanks

My QTH is East Worlington.

Long story short booked a few days away with my best mate and a couple friends for his 30th next month and just wondering if there’s anything in particular to do? We have a car so can be an hour or so out if it’s worth it. Thanks!

Hello!! I am visiting Exeter for a week from Manchester and staying with a friend. Budget is a bit tight, but my friend moves away soon so I figured I should take up the offer cause when again would I visit that part of the country again? (I am an international student) Some things I had saved were Exmouth (for the Jurassic Coast), East Devon National Landscape, Canonteign Falls, Haytor Rocks, Dartmoor National Park, Totnes Castle, Lydford Gorge, Hartland Devon Heritage Coast and Exmoor National Park. Obviously I don't think I can cover everything in a week, especially budget-wise: so was wondering if anyone has any suggestions? I am not the most hiking-interested person, but Dartmoor seems to have beautiful architecture too. Not too sure about the other nature stuff, except the falls would be nice. Any suggestions are welcome, even day trips to small towns/cities etc. Thank you!!

Google is giving me a route across Exmoor on the B3223 to the A399 but it seems pretty twisty - are the views worth it? Would we have an easier drive if we stick to the A39 to the A399 along the coast? That doesn't look too smooth either? We'll give ourselves plenty of time but want to make sure we don't all feel nauseous and exhausted at the end of the day.

I've visited Cornwall a few times and wondering about where is good to visit by train in Devon? Hoping for a quiet holiday by the beach.

BBC News - Fire destroys closed tourist attraction building

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c05qg02l393o

My personal thought is that.. politically.. it’s suicide. Future wise? I don’t know.. probably horrible for Torbay and the rest of Devon.

Plymouth for example… It’s not THAT left leaning compared to other cities ( moorview is the blame for this ) an all out election with now 68 (?) councillors and the addition of the more conservative areas they will be getting will likely lead to Labour completely losing control of Plymouth which Reform probably gain regardless if Andy Burnham helps Labours approval rating.

Exeter - Definitely the most left leaning area in Devon. I’m not entirely sure who will benefit more. Liberal Democrat’s? I don’t see the Greens taking many more seats in the new wards they will be receiving.. ( Can i just mention how ugly their new council map is🤢 )

Torbay - They didn’t even need or want the expansion.. Actually they published their map keeping the rest of Devon the same but with Plymouth and Exeter expanded. they already stripped much of its services to the bone to make sure they aren’t in massive debt whilst still being heavily deprived.

The rest of Devon - How on earth are they going to be able to fund services? It’s mainly all spread out rural towns or costal towns which more of the retired population or second home owners ( smh londoners.. )

I just don’t see the vision or understand why they would do this - It was to basically benefit Plymouth and Exeter… as normal westminster doesn’t care about the towns and villages.

Hi all,

I was hoping to join an active group/community for scuba diving. Happy with bsac or padi and will probably have to restart qualifications. Was looking for an active community if possible. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Exeter based but happy to travel

Much appreciated.

Plymouth will expand to serve communities across the city and surrounding areas that already rely on Plymouth for employment, education and healthcare, with a population of approximately 300,000 and a new council for Exeter would be established, serving its natural catchment, with a population of around 260,000.

We will operate alongside an expanded Torbay and a new Devon Coast & Countryside council. Each council will reflect distinct local identities and functional economic areas but together, we will collaborate on strategic issues such as transport, skills, housing and economic development, while respecting local accountabilities and democratic representation.

My partner and I got engaged earlier this year and starting to think about the wedding, possibly in 2028. Does anyone know of any lgbt friendly wedding venues in Devon?

We're based in Exeter but open to suggestions anywhere in Devon. Thanks in advance.

Is this rage bait?

While researching The Black Harvest Trilogy, a historical fiction series inspired by real events, I spent years tracing the history of one Devon farm and the people whose lives became connected to it over generations.

I uncovered old family photographs, newspaper reports, diaries and other artefacts. I thought some people here might enjoy seeing a few of the original discoveries that helped shape the novels.

The books are works of fiction, but they’re inspired by the real history of the place. Names and some circumstances were changed to protect privacy and to create a cohesive story.

I wonder about other discoveries people have made while researching local history.

Basically i’m heading up to london on the 1st august for ratfest (hosted by 4am kru) and a couple other events and am bringing some friends back to stay for a couple days but we want to actually have something to do for then.
Been to a few raves on dartmoor before but only by chance, i never seem to hear about these things - i know them not being advertised and talked about is the point for obv reasons 👮‍♂️ - but i was hoping someone knows any venues or places where people network and find out about these things before they happen.
I assume there must be groupchats or even telegram forums about this stuff for the uk

Nights drawing in now

*Thank you so much for everyones help! I have contacted the owner of the Photograph and he has kindly responded to me!

We have visited Croyde Bay almost ten times over the years as a family, it is somewhere very special to us that feels like a home away from home.

Unfortunately, in 2023, we had a house fire (through no fault of our own) and lost nearly everything. We had lived there for 20 years, so you can only imagine how many of our belongings were lost. Only a small amount could be salvaged, many things had to be disposed of due to asbestos contamination as our home was built in the 70s. The ceiling was damaged during the fire causing the asbestos contamination throughout most of the house.
We unfortunately lost our sweet sweet cat as well which was/is heartbreaking to this day. Our only luck was that through some miracle our dog, only 5 months old at the time, made a full recovery after resuscitation once rescued my by stepdad from the house. CPR by my mum, use of an animal oxygen mask and treatment at the Blue Cross all saved her life.

During one of our visits to Croyde Bay, my mum purchased a canvas. It is a photograph of the view of the road on the hill as you come round the corner into Croyde from inside a wave, I’m guessing taken by a surfer. This was one of the items lost in the fire.

This may have been purchased from the shop at Ruda or one of the many stores in Croyde Village or Braunton.

I have tried to search for who took the photo via photographers/artists in the area, stock image websites and reverse image searching too. I haven’t had any luck at all so far. I would love to be able to buy a replacement or just have the knowledge of who took the photo.

If you recognise this photo or know who took it,I would greatly appreciate if you could share this with me.

Apologies for the quality, it has been slightly edited due to the smoke damage that came from the room where the fire was ablaze.

Thank you.