22. Sidmouth Day 2

Today’s photo says it all - when in Devon one simply must have a Devonshire Cream Tea - and so we did!

We started today looking at the outdoor photography exhibition where a photographer captured the people of Sidmouth in extraordinary locations but consistent with their interest groups. This is one of the photos showing the group who are involved in the WHAT group (wellbeing, health action team) looking after youth mental health awareness - one of whom is Norm’s cousin. Other groups include the life boats, life guards, the schools, the photography group, care homes and the quilting group just to name a few.

Sidmouth is famous for its folk festival which has been held in the town for the last 70 years. 20 years ago a statue was given to the community of The Fidler, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the festival. Each year’s memorabilia since then of the folk festival includes the Fidler, in one form or another and apparently EVERYONE has to have their photo taken next to him!

We also visited Connaught Gardens which sits atop Sidmouth from where there are amazing views down on the village and out to sea.

Another place to visit was the Parish church where Norm’s family have worshipped over the decades and beyond. Like most Parish churches the church grounds were strewn with headstones of those who have gone before - sadly time has worn away many of the inscriptions and so all that is left is the stone itself with a few indents where characters once described who had been buried beneath. There is a map of the stones and who was buried but it only gives the name and date of death, not the family information, etc.

In addition we were delighted to see a little squirrel who scurried between walkers hoping for a treat or two. He was disappointed in us coz our hands and pockets were empty!

At night Norm and Judith spent hours looking at the old photos and trying to piece them back into the family tree of who was who.