On This Day — 27 August 1853
A Wembury woodland for the Victorian sportsman
On Saturday 27 August 1853, the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette advertised a small Wembury estate described as:
“Desirable Property for a Sportsman.”
Hollowcombe Wood comprised about twelve acres of well-established woodland, “well stocked with fine oak and other trees,” beside the River Yealm. A boat could be kept there, and the sale also included several acres of arable land and the royalty—or sporting rights—over a further hundred acres said to be “well stocked with game.”
The advertisement made much of the location. Although only about four miles from Plymouth, the property commanded:
“A splendid view over a fine country, and plenty of the best water.”
The successful purchaser might also be accommodated with additional sporting land nearby. Anyone interested was directed to Mr William Antony at Train, Wembury.
The property was offered “in fee simple,” meaning that the buyer would own it outright rather than merely taking a lease.
The advertisement in full
WEMBURY.—DEVON.
DESIRABLE PROPERTY FOR A SPORTSMAN.
To be sold, the Fee Simple of Hollowcombe Wood, about Twelve Acres of excellent Wood Land, well stocked with fine Oak and other Trees, adjoining the River Yealm, where a boat can be kept, and a few Acres of Arable Land, together with the royalty of One Hundred Acres of good Sporting Land adjoining, well stocked with Game; about Four Miles from Plymouth; with a splendid view over a fine country, and plenty of the best Water; and the purchaser can be accommodated with a range of Sporting Land in the immediate neighbourhood.
For viewing and particulars, apply to Mr William Antony, at Train, Wembury.
Dated August, 1853.
A reflection
The notice offers a glimpse of a Wembury very different from the village we know today. Woodland, river access, boating and extensive shooting rights were packaged together as the ideal rural retreat for a prosperous Victorian gentleman. Yet the things that made the property attractive in 1853—the oak woods, the Yealm, clean water and views across the countryside—are much the same qualities that still make this corner of Wembury special.
Source: Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 27 August 1853.
On this day in Wembury, 27 August 1992
The Western Evening Herald reported an unusual rescue off Wembury when two yachtsmen sailing near the Mewstone heard voices calling up from the water. Looking over the side, they were startled to see three divers bobbing below them, one of whom called out, “Excuse me, we have lost our boat, can you help us?”
The divers explained that their boat, called Gaffer, had drifted away while they were underwater. They had surfaced to find themselves stranded and appealed to the passing yacht for assistance. The yacht’s crew radioed the coastguard while trying to keep sight of the divers as the sea carried them steadily along the coast.
A Brixham Coastguard spokesman confirmed that the crew on Gaffer were themselves struggling with their engine and had to keep manoeuvring so they did not lose sight of the divers again. Within minutes another call arrived from a second vessel, the Viking Dawn. Its crew reported that they too had “lost three of our divers” and needed help finding them.
Coastguards soon coordinated the situation and confirmed that all three men were located, treading water, and safely reunited with their vessel. The report stands out for its peculiar double coincidence and the relief that all involved were recovered without injury.
Source, Western Evening Herald, 27 August 1992.
Entries are summaries and interpretations of historical newspaper reports.