Killerton Update - November 2021

Well, as Halloween and November the 5th pass I guess we start the slow run-up to Christmas.

I’m starting to get the Christmas lights ready for the front of the house. Getting ready means digging them out from the garage and seeing what is still working. In a couple of weeks my neighbour and I will spend a day putting them up ready for switch-on on the first of December.

Chris and I are planning to go to Berlin at the end of the month for a few days to catch up with my son and his partner, and possibly to experience a glühwein or two!

Things have been quiet on the Killerton front though I have had a few messages a while back to report on some Killerton catch-ups.

I heard from Jeremy Snow who met up with David and Dervogilla Howard whilst holidaying in Suffolk. They’d not seen one another since leaving Luke’s in 1974 (Jeremy and David that is, not David and his wife). David is another Killertonion who met his future wife whilst at college.

Murray Kitson and his wife Janet called in to see Peter and Sue Cloke on their way back to London from holidaying in Cornwall. Once again, a long term break in the friendship having both left Luke’s in 1970.

I received a note from Kerry Brimecombe who had found our website and my email address. She passed on her husband’s contact details, Chris Brimecombe who was one of the founder members of the Killerton community residing there from ’63 to ’66. They'd be happy to hear from anyone who's like to contact them.

Another website discovery, this time from a past student who had found Barry Howell’s name and asked me to pass on his details which I duly did. Barry responded immediately and was more than pleased to be able to contact the “lad”.

Finally, a rather late request for information. Denise Melluish and Rosemary Hopper from the National Trust at Killerton who were preparing their fortnightly newsletter for NT volunteers at Killerton. Rosemary had been a student at Exeter University from ’68 to ’71 and recalls stories of the Bonfire Night parties at Killerton. Whilst she had never attended one (no transport) she had heard “tales of how brilliant the evenings were, however, and felt mightily cheated!“ She and Denise wondered if anyone had any memories of the events that they would like to share. I explained that two days’ notice was a little short to get any replies in advance of the 5th November newsletter, but that I would ask and possibly any tales might hold over ready for next year.

It did occur to me that perhaps she might be interested in any tales of our Christmas concerts for “the locals” at “The Big House”. If you have any publishable stories you ‘d like to share please let me have them. I’m, as ever, happy to embellish!

I mentioned the email to Taff who did get back to me and recalled “I remember the first one as we’d only been at Killerton about 6 weeks and all these girls appeared. I thought then that this was something special and I do remember drinking too much - surprise surprise. Like so many good things, I’ve forgotten lots but recall sitting on large logs trying to impress young females. Where did the girls come from Steve?”

Well, about all for now. Happy to receive and pass on any news or memories.