Mysteries of a Gloucestershire Village | Village Wanders

[@JonathanColes-ib7tq]

Another interesting video on part of the West Country that I know nothing about! You must do a lot of research on these obscure locations Paul, certainly worth it as we find out about these fascinating locations. Hearing the story about the Typhoon crash reminds me of a similar story closer to home. On 28th May 1944, a Typhoon aircraft crashed in Yelverton, in Dartmoor. It had taken off from RAF Harrowbeer and unfortunately clipped the Church in Yelverton and span out of control and crashed. Both stories remind us all of the debt we owe to that generation. 😔

[@westcountrywanderings]

Ah, I know the RAF Harrowbeer tea rooms (Knightstone) on the old airfield by Roborough Rock well - I used to live in Mainstone, and I got married at Bickleigh Church. I think they were the old watch office. I seem to remember the story about that tragedy there too. I think it was orignially going to be the site of Plymouth's airport, but it was deemed to be too foggy. It was originally going to be RAF Yelverton, but it sounds similar to Yeovilton, nr Yeovil. Yes, indeed; we certainly do owe a lot of debt to those airmen who braved so much and some paid the ultimate price. Thank you! Paul

[@derrickcuff9817]

I was told that plane hit the church in Yelverton as the tower is smaller I noticed. Lots of remains of buildings up there.

[@faithg9766]

That was such an super video, what interesting history the village has, wonderfully investigated & narrated.

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Faith! Yes, it really is a forgotten corner of Gloucestershire this area - much more of interest I think, hereabouts too. Glad you enjoyed it. Take care, Paul

[@derrickcuff9817]

Nice video Paul😊

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Derek! Merry Christmas to you. Paul

[@DarylW426]

Wow! Very very interesting and historical area Paul. Perhaps your video exposure of the area might lead to more interest and a possible long overdue archaeological dig. Also, Thank you for all the wonderful video libraries. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.👍

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Daryl! Glad you enjoyed it. Yes, maybe it might lead to a more detailed archaeological dig. Merry Christmas to you too!

[@1pdg]

Lovely to see May Hill, looking forward to seeing that video. Great video, what a fascinating place and no idea there was so much history

[@westcountrywanderings]

Yes, I am doing the Geo Park Way (which goes over May Hill) from Bridgnorth to Gloucester, but I have only done the first leg to Highley so far, due to poor weather, flooding and other projects. I hope to start again early in the springtime, if not before. Glad you enjoyed the video! Cheers, Paul

[@kneerack6768]

Thank you Paul. I enjoyed this posting. I too haven't seen a metal grave marker before. You would think it would deteriorate. I did a little digging and I found 18 burials for 1869 in Taynton, in the Gloucestershire records. Ellen Dorney aged 15 on 27th Feb 1869, baptised as Frances Ellen. Then in 1870 Fanny Dorner, her sister, was buried on 12th May. Their Parents were John born c1819 in Newent and Elizabeth Brooks born c 1819 in Highnam, married at Wotton in 1840 and they had 8 children that I could find. John was a thatcher. Could the name Rain be Fanny. Does any of this tie up with what YOU SAW at the grave. Thank you and "Happy Christmas!"

[@westcountrywanderings]

Yes, that's brilliant! Sorry, I didn't have time to do much research after I had filmed this, so I really appreciate you taking the time and trouble to do it. Yes, I think that is exactly right. Apart from Ellen Dorney, a lot of the rest of the writing was hard to make out - so I think what you have found is on the money. Brilliant! Merry Christmas to you too! Paul

[@AliceGoss]

Churches are just a fascinating window into our past. The date of 1694 on the large stone outside against the wall was a good find and rare that it's still readable. I've not seen a metal grave stone before, very unusual and another great find. It's possible that the deceased might have been a blacksmith, and possible that it was made for them. The parish records might hold the answer. Interesting earthworks and those two air crashes.

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Alice. Indeed so - I usually head to the church when I am in a village or town. Yes, that stone by the wall of the church was amazing. I was wondering that about the person buried there, but it looks like it was two younger sisters, from what one of my commentators has discovered, and their father was a thatcher, I think. Fascinating area, and judging by the OS Map, this is just the tip of the iceberg of what is in this 'forgotten' corner of Gloucestershire. Merry Christmas to you! Paul

[@leeclift4666]

Interesting cheers for posting Paul.Thank you for all your posts this year have a great Christmas 👍👍👍🎄

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Lee! Glad you have enjoyed my posts this year. I hope to be filming again on both Boxing Day and (very early on) New Year's Day all being well. Cheers, Paul

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

What a mysterious place - much of which seems to have been destroyed or buried underground. There are some details, including a 19C map and archive photographs in British History Online, but as you say, the rich finds of metal detectorists, suggest there might also be much more of archaeological interest beneath those rough pastures. Thank you for a very informative and enjoyable video.

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you for that British History Online website Malcolm - what an amazing resource that is - great article on Taynton there too! Thank you for your comments throughout the year. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Paul

[@royedwards8713]

Hi Paul nice video looked a nice sunny day , and have a good weekend 👌

[@westcountrywanderings]

Hi Roy - and a very Merry Christmas to you too! Hope you had a good weekend. The weather was rubbish here, so no filming this weekend - although I am hoping to film today. Hope all is good with you. Take care, Paul

[@Somersetmanwalking]

Really interesting Paul, have a great Christmas, Best wishes Darren👍👍👍

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Darren! Glad you found it interesting. A very merry Christmas to you too. Paul

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Paul, I have driven through this area lots of times and never given it a thought. It needs someone like you with the patience and ability to do the research to show us what is on our door step. Thanks as always. Ron

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Ron! Glad you enjoyed it. There is a lot more in that area I think to explore. The complete opposite to the Cotswold 'Honeypots'! Lovely, quiet and unspoilt area. Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas. Take care, Paul.

[@JanetWilson-f2f]

History is all around you just have to make an effort to search for it. Sad about all the airmen who lost their lives.

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Jan. Yes, there was another plane crash not too far away which involved my maternal grand-father's brother; I told the story about that in another video a while ago now. It is heart wrenching what they gave for our freedom. There is so much history around - and still, often, evidence of it on the ground. Take care, Paul

[@michaelpilling9659]

Superb video Paul. What surprises me is that no archlogical dig has taken place around the two sites you showed us. Surely someorgsnisation like Time Team or a univercity should investigate. Maybe liar might provide more information. Your research into this village must be commended. Very interesting.

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you so much Michael! Glad you enjoyed it. It is amazing that there has been no full dig around there. The cheapest LIDAR I can find is £5,000 for a basic survey! There are some free sites online that have rudimentary LIDAR maps, and, although some cover part of Taynton, they don't cover Swan Tump. I love to find places like this in the Westcountry which are largerly unknown, even to other people who live in the same county. For every St. Ives and Castle Coombe there is a Taynton! Another commentator on here, who volunteers at Newent Museum, said that many of the metal deterorists who have dug here, have put the finds in the Mueseum - I will have to try and have a look at that. Thanks again Michael. Paul

[@linbourne8731]

As soon as i saw the opening shot of the Parish Room I knew exactly where you were visiting today 😊. Was going to tell you about the metal detectorists finds when you beat me to it. Many of these can be seen in the displays in the Market House in Newent although this is only open on weekend afternoons during the Summer months as it is manned by volunteers (like me!). Learnt more about the history of Taynton, which is virtually my doorstep, from your vlog than from living in the area. As you say this is a forgotten corner of Gloucestershire despite being famous for the Dymock Poets and the wild daffodils.

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you! I must take a visit to Newent Museum sometime to look at those finds. I think those church rooms used to be a school before they were parish rooms, although I am not sure if they are used now - looks like the newer combined Tibberton and Taynton village hall is more used. Thank you for volunteering at the museum and keeping history alive. Merry Christmas to you. Paul

[@linbourne8731]

@@westcountrywanderings it was certainly a Sunday school built in 1908. Info from a photograph in Tim Ward's book Around Newent one of the Old Photograph Series, published by Alan Sutton Ltd, Bath - don't know if it's still available but a very interesting book. The new Village Hall is well used as you say. Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing your travels in 2025

[@westcountrywanderings]

@linbourne8731 merry Christmas to you too! Thank you for the information - I will try and track down a copy. I have many other Alan Sutton books. My auntie worked with Alan, before he left for America. It is now effectively Tempus Publishing.

[@dianarolph1770]

Such sad tales in this area- it looks like your theory of Taynton being destroyed during the Civil War War is correct as on your map there are hardly any buildings marked but it was mentioned in the Domesday Book and earlier. The only thing you can say re the planes coming down is at least the area was remote with hardly any habitation- so sorry that you lost a relative in similar circumstances nearby. Thanks Paul!

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Diana! Yes, that British History Online website gives some amazing history about this area. I didn't realise too that there are at least a couple of other churches in this parish too. Huge area! I think there was a big battle nearby at Hignham and I think that Taynton got caught up in that. A very Merry Christmas to you and your family - thank you for your lovely comments throughout the year. Paul

[@davidberlanny3308]

Mornin' Paul, What this one lacked in Swans more than made up for it in mysteries!! Good decision to go and have a look more closely, the OS map almost invites you to do so. Well worth doing and I'm glad you could gain access. I think a lidar image might give a little more visibility to what was there. I'm really not sure where or how you obtain these. By the looks of things the metal detector club are piecing together some of its history, maybe one day this will be more easily available on other platforms. Some interesting stories relating to the area all excellently narrated. You couldn't have had a better backdrop than that tree growing out of the bank of that ditch. I'll wish you a very merry Christmas here Paul. Have a great time. All the best!! PS: Just been browsing the metal detector site, a real mine of information or a detector of information!!

[@westcountrywanderings]

Hi David, Yes, I was amazed when I saw that on the OS Map. This website is brilliant - a gold mine of information! kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3mpd3empciHeLcsi=pcemsDoDgU7kSGoM Lidar works out at £5000 for a new survey, so a little outside of Westcountry Wanderings budget! I have no idea what I'd be looking at (When I see lidar maps on other YT channels they just look like a load of grey spaghetti in a grey dish to me! I can't see what I am supposed to be looking at) and there is no existing Lidar survey of this area according to three websites I looked at. Looking at the map more closely, there is much, much more to explore around this area too! Merry Christmas! Paul

[@DavidGraham-gp7qh]

I have seen metal grave markers before in Southampton common cemetery, the city where I grew up. From memory there were 20 or so dating from Victorian times. Regarding the lost settlement, this is quite often due to abandonment during the Black Death when up to 50% of the population due of plague.

[@westcountrywanderings]

Ooh, interesting David, thank you! Wow, I wonder why they are so common around Southampton? I did do a video a while ago now looking at three lost villages in the Cotswolds, and there two of them were abandoned due to the Black Death. This one though was definietly still around at the time of the English Civil War. There was a battle near Huntley, a little further to the south. I think Huntley was originally a royalist stronghold, but was overcome by protestant forces. I think it was an offshot of that battle here at Taynton. Cheers, Paul

[@DavidGraham-gp7qh]

@@westcountrywanderings it seems that paupers were buried with metal grave markers, they must have been much cheaper. There are 116,000 people buried in Southampton common cemetery hence the larger number of them.

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you David. Yes, I think cost would be a factor, definitely. Thanks again, Paul

[@shaunspencer6437]

I thought you was going to say the reason Taynton disappeared was going to be down to the plague .Which is so often is the reason why villages suddenly disappear . So Civil war was a a slight surprise . Always love a mystery .😂

[@westcountrywanderings]

Yes, there was a big battle down the road in Huntley, and a skirmish here spilled over to the destruction of this village. So much to see, and loads of moats and motte & baileys dotted around this area on the borders of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire & Worcestershire. I think there is much more to uncover here.... Thanks Shaun!