Launcelot Andrews (1555-1626)

The Hemyock History and Archiving Association members welcomed the May ‘Speaker of the Month’, Mr James Bradnock.Given its original purpose, the Church Rooms seemed an ever more fitting place for the topic of Mr Bradnock’s talk – The King James Bible.

The informal gathering was entertained with an excellent presentation on how and why the King James Version came in to being. Often, comparisons were made to earlier fore-runners.

The history [of the work] developed alongside the increasing enthusiasm for the Bible to be accessible to the wider population – and in spite of shock and horror from some quarters, this included women too!

The process was very much steered by the ‘King’s Men’, most notable of which was the Dean of Westminster, Lancelot Andrews – fluent speaker of 15 languages.

During this extremely well researched and presented talk, the group learnt the origin of the phrase ‘to drop off to sleep’ and that an estimated 257 similar sayings, now in modern use, can be found in the King James Bible.

Popular local historian, Chris Dracott, quietly informed a few of the gathering that occasionally, there were misprints in some versions – and that he has a copy without the word ‘not’ in the commandment instructing on adultery!

A collection raised

Do you have old photographs that have been damaged over the years? Would you like them restored? Would you like a digital copy of your old photo collection for safe-keeping or sharing with your family? Or, perhaps you have found a box of old negatives and would like them brought to life.

The Blackdown Archives offer a photo repair and restoration service.

Photo Restoration

Cracked, scratched and stained photos can often be brought back to life using modern, digital technology.

Our prices vary according to the level of work involved. Your photo may need some minor enhancement work or just a small area needs to be repaired. More often, an old photo has cracked or been folded.

We’ll be able to give you a free, no obligation quote when we see your photo.

Digital copies for you and your family

Most modern DVD players are able to play a slideshow of digital photographs, copied to a CD. Pop your CD in to the player and sit back and enjoy the photos as they fill your TV or computer screen.

Share copies with your family and friends or just save a copy to keep your memories safe.

We can create copies of your valued photographs and save them to a CD for you. We can even transform old negatives and digitally develop them for you.

From this

The original image with scratches, staines and in two halfs

To this

Restored photograph with damage removed

Or even this

Repaired photo recoloured to Black and White

Contact us to find out how we can save your collection.

The Blackdown Archives project is opening its doors this weekend to capture peoples memories and display its collection of more than 2300 local family photographs.

During the second weekend of every month, from April to August, locals and visitors alike will be welcomed by members of the Hemyock History and Archiving Association voluntary keepers of the historic records.

One by one, the fragile photographs have been scanned and added to the collection. Many have been digitally enhanced to capture interesting detail, often missed until now.

Now, these images are being added to the Blackdown Archives website a programme part-funded by the Blackdown Hills AONB Sustainable Development Fund and Making It Local.

Already, the pictures have locals recalling people, places and memories of yesteryear. By opening the doors to the public, the team hope to capture many more of these fascinating stories and add them to the website, for the Blackdown Hills community to share.

Pictures and documents that anyone would like added to the archive are most welcome all will be scanned and the originals returned while you wait.

Enhanced photo quality print will be available to order and make ideal framed pictures.

The Open Days run from 12:00 – 3:00 at the Blackdown Healthy Living Centre, Sat 14 & Sun 15 May, Sat 11 & Sun 12 June, Sat 9 & Sun 10 July and Sat 13 & Sun 14 August.

Free entrance, donations very welcome. All proceed to the Hemyock History and Archiving Association.

The centre is located at Riverside in Hemyock, Devon, on the site of the old Social Club for St Ivel milk factory employees.

Parking, modern disabled facilities and light refreshments available.

Frontispiece to the King James’ Bible, 1611, shows the Twelve Apostles at the top. Moses and Aaron flank the central text. In the four corners sit Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, authors of the four gospels, with their symbolic animals. At the top, over the holy spirit in a form of a dove, is the Tetragrammaton.

After his last entertaining talk (which ended in song!), the Hemyock History and Archiving Association