Fred Espin
Stick Maker
Bartwood, Lear Park
Plymtree. Devon. EX 15 2JS

Just a few memories of Old Barton. I recall when we had a fire on Beacon Hill and do believe fires were lit all along the coast, it could have been King George's Jubilee

On Carnival Day there was a 'Push Ball' competition between Hopper's and the Ropeworks, wonder what happened to the Ball as it was about five foot high. Also recall Emily climbing the greasy pole for a suckling pig.

I recall when the Fire Buzzer went outside our house, Number 50 High Street ( now demolished, I believe), my Father David Espin used to get on his bike and cycle to Football Field in Marsh Lane. There, he would catch two horses in the dark, bring them back to council yard, harness them up then drive out to a farm sometimes several miles away to put out the fire. They usually had to stop the next day to damp down. I recall taking out food to one farm where there were fourteen horses, this would be in the early thirties.

I would be pleased to hear from anyone who recalls those far off days

Fred Espin.