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What's the name of that inaccessible Devon village with legends of inbreeding?

95 replies

Buckets · 06/07/2008 17:42

Years ago my Devonshire aunt told me about a village (Dartmoor I think) that in olden days was so inaccessible that people had odd genetic mutations. Just popped into my head today, can anyone expand on the legend (or disprove it?)

OP posts:
Buckets · 07/07/2008 20:44

LOL. I slipped in the bottom of the waterfall at Lydford when I was little.

'Civilized city dwellers' like the Windsors .

OP posts:
jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 07/07/2008 20:54

God there are parts of Lydford Gorge which are terrifying!

Pavlovthecat · 07/07/2008 21:10

Milton Combe is quite remote though. You have to go down to pretty narrow windy roads to get to it. Its near ish to crapstone, off a very narrow downward dirt track.

But, it is close enough to civilisation to have a sign post to it!

There is a reason why Tiverton has a reputation such as it does, its factual and evidence based rather than legend based....should anyone care to know...

OrmIrian · 07/07/2008 21:14

Does it involved sheep pavlow

OrmIrian · 07/07/2008 21:14

Does it involved sheep pavlow

jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 07/07/2008 21:17

go on pavlov, go on...... explain about Tiverton.... It's all those Blundells boys.

PMSL a 'dirtrack' to Milton Combe. That is such bollocks!

jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 07/07/2008 21:19

BTW pavlov are you in an area beginning with L or did I dream that? I might be able to see your house from my kitchen window.....

Pavlovthecat · 07/07/2008 21:35

is it? It looks like a dirt track to me when I drive past it! Or perhaps thats cause I am city folk is it?!!!

I am not in a place called L...you must be be dreaming about me jimjam! (btw I am staying in a yurt in cornwall in sept!!!).

So, Tiverton...does not involve sheep.

It is an overspill of local authority estates from Exeter. There was a lot of crime in some areas of intense population of LA familes in Exeter, so the council moved some families to the outskirts of Exeter, to a village environment called Tiverton. Families, and extensions of families where moved there, in order not to break the family environment up. So large groups of the same families moved there. Transport was limited and they were excluded to an extent from the main city of Exeter, people did not move there, and people did not have much reason to leave - there were schools and shops.

Familes became close to each other, had relationships with other families, and then cousins, brothers, sisters, had relationships with cousins, half brothers, half sisters, and relatively soon, lots of people where related to others.

The area was kept relatively unchecked, to an extent, so certain practices became, 'normal' and interbreeding was usual.

In time Tiverton grew, and became a large town that spread and became linked with Exeter and commuting was more possible, and for the most part the population became more transient.

But an element of inter-breeding was still there, certain immoral (for want of a better word) practices continued, although no longer accepted.

jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 07/07/2008 21:50

Are you not in an area of a city that begins with L? Hmmm who is that then?

Is the yurt on Bodmin moor? If so, have stayed there and it is lovely! I'll upload some photos for you if you are and if you want....

jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 07/07/2008 21:51

Oh city does not begin with L; area of city does.

I'm confusing myself now!

Pavlovthecat · 07/07/2008 21:55

Yes thats the one Jimjam! The one on Bodmin - its not confirmed yet, awaiting them to come back and confirm.

It is our first wedding anniversary, and when we got married we had noooo space due to family over from USA and from London, so although we will have DD with us, we will be far away from everything, no tele, no computer, just us, nature, and backgammon!

Would love some piccies! Did you stay in 16ft or 20ft yurt? I love the look of the bathroom!

I am in an area of city which begins with C. You near me then?

Pavlovthecat · 07/07/2008 21:56

...as in the area begins with C, not the city!

jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 07/07/2008 21:57

OOOh it is lovely. The 16ft one. Will upload some photos. We took ds2 and ds3. DS1 visited, shut the door and sat on the table looking really peaceful.

Oh yes if you begin Ca. I am in Ma (up the road from Mu)

Pavlovthecat · 07/07/2008 22:00

Oh yes, I know where you are. Very nice ! I think I know the L you were referring to, near the FF park? lol! Not sure who lives there though?

jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 07/07/2008 22:08

Someone does.... Am trying to upload photos, but could take a while (maybe until tomorrow). Click on my name when the symbol thingy shows though and it will be some yurt pictures.

It;s a lovely lovely place.

Pavlovthecat · 07/07/2008 22:09

I am very pleased to have a recommendation. It looks fab from the website, so good to have it confirmed.

Any tips on what we need to take (apart from duvet, pillows)?

pooka · 07/07/2008 22:13

My father's first job after university was working for National Opinion Polls. He visited a village in Norfolk where about 75% of the inhabitants had the same surname. Nurse, IIRC.

TheHedgeWitch · 07/07/2008 22:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

bonkerz · 08/07/2008 07:46

LMAo pavlov! I lived in Tiverton for years infact DSs sperm donor was born and bred in tiverton and i would agree there is still some interbreeding! My brother still lives there along with his wife and 3 DCs and 3 GC!

JessicaChicago · 14/02/2020 20:37

Chagford hands down!

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