WEEK 1

DAY 2

Dartmoor

Woken early by the sun and not yet fully adjusted to local time we set out early to explore Dartmoor. We took the B3387 from Bovey Tracey to Haytor, catching our first views of the rugged, exposed hills of Dartmoor topped with granite tors. Beyond Haytor we found the road to Widecombe in the Moor was blocked - today was the annual Dartmoor Country Festival and thousands of people were expected in the village. Although stopping us from visiting this famous village, it did force us to take alternative roads and lanes and gave us a tour of isolated and remote areas: Ponsworthy, Holne, Bench Tor; Hexworthy. We then circled back across the moor to Tavistock.

Haytor	Dartmoor sheep	Dartmoor ponies
Hexworthy Bridge	Bench Tor	View from Bench Tor towards Hexworthy
Holne	Lydford Castle	The information board at Lydford Castle

Lydford Castle

At Tavistock we turned north intending to visit the Lydford Gorge and walk to the White Lady Waterfall, but time was passing, and the entry price (akin to a ransom when converted to New Zealand dollars) decided us against it, so we settled for a picnic lunch beside the car park at the entrance to the NT walkway. Driving north we rather suddenly came upon Lydford Castle and were pleased to look at this "notorious medieval prison" built about 1195 as a prison. Again I was to marvel that a free standing stone structure with crumbling mortar could last over 900 years. They definitely don't have real earthquakes in this country.

Okehampton

At Okehampton we visited the Museum of Dartmoor Life, an excellent collection of material on the history of Dartmoor. Working models, old photographs, and helpful volunteers.

From Okehampton we took the A30 east back towards Exeter, intersected the M5 without undue problem and continued east then south on the A376. A few miles south we found the side road to Clyst St George adn there we were in this samll rural village.

Clyst St George

The village seemed to consist of a pub close to the A376, a few houses and a school attached to what would once have been a church. The churchyard was now full of flowers and children's play equipment, and across the lane was the village green. No sign of graves or headstones. We concluded that the church that we had been seeking had long been converted into a school and all records removed. Then I spied a small hand-painted sign nailed high up on a  power pole "Parish Church 1/2 mile". A quick drive in the car and we arrived at this old brick church complete with bell tower, wrought iron fence and plenty of headstones. We had found the parish church of Clyst St George, and it did not take long to discover several headstones bearing the Goldsworthy name. 

The Goldsworthy family was obviously a staunch supporter of the church, as there is a vault, the only one in  the church yard, positioned just to the right of the main door where the occupants have a close view of all who enter the church, with another headstone adjacent and almost leaning on the church wall for mutual support .

SACRED To the Memory of ROBERT GOLDSWORTHY of this Parish who departed this life August 20th A.D. 1840 Aged 64. The sweet remembrance of the just shall flourish when he sleeps in dust. Also of SARAH his widow who departed this life April 20th A.D. 1843 Aged 47 For her price is far above riches and she shall rejoice in time to come.
In Memory of JANE GOLDSWORTHY Widow of the late THOMAS GOLDSWORTHY whose remains are interred in a vault near this grave She departed this life December the 11th 1844 Aged 79 years

Around the corner from the vault, but next to the path is a third Goldsworthy grave:

SACRED To the memory of THOMAS GOLDSWORTHY who died the 12th of June 1808 Aged 68 Also of MARY his wife who died 29th March 1817 Aged 76 Also of THOMAS Eldest son of the above who died the 5th of June 1814 Aged 35 ____ Forbear to mourn to providence submit: GOD called us hence who best knows what is fit Twas GOD who gave us his to take away: Supreme his power unbounded is his sway

The Parish Church at Clyst St George

Interior of church

The Goldsworthy vault at Clyst St George. The headstone of Jane Goldsworthy is behind and to the left of the vault, near the dark coloured drainpipe. The third Goldsworthy grave can be seen behind the vault alongside the path.