Programme


Tuesday 6th January 2-30pm in the Manor House, Dawlish.	The growth of Dawlish as a holiday destination. Brunel's legacy. by David Force David is a well known local historian and has published a number of books including "Dawlish through the ages". In a previous life he was owner of Force and Sons the local estate agent and during Covid gave us a zoom talk "One brick short of a full house".
Tuesday 3rd February 2-30pm in the Manor House, Dawlish.	Devon Dead and Buried by Hugh Meller Hugh has visited 700 or more religious buildings and burial sites in Devon where a cross section of society lies. These include aristocrats and artists, paupers and politicians, merchants and missionaries, sailors and suicides. Their often-neglected stories form the the basis of the talk and are recounted in the book Devon Dead and Buried by Hugh Meller.
Monday February 16th 10-00am in the Manor House, Dawlish.	The Dawlish Probus Club invites you to a morning with Jimmy Hill This has been added to our programme as it is of interest to DLHG members. Due to a change in the Dawlish Probus Club programme Jimmy Hill has offered to to step in at short notice and talk about Dawlish recent history at the Probus Club meeting on Monday February 16th at 10-00am for a 10-30am talk.
Tuesday 3rd March 2-30pm in the Manor House, Dawlish.	The Lieutenancy of Devon by Rear Admiral Chris Snow CBE DL, Vice Lord-Lieutenant. What is The Office of the Lord Lieutenant. The Lieutenancy was created during the reign of Henry VIII (1509 to 1547), taking over the military duties of the Sheriffs and control of the military forces of the Crown. From 1569 there was provision for the appointment of Deputy Lieutenants, and in 1662 the Lord-Lieutenant was given entire control of the militia. The Regulation of the Forces Act 1871 transferred this function back to the Crown, and in 1921, the office lost its power to call upon men of the county to fight in case of need. Since 1711 all the Lord Lieutenants have also been Custos Rotulorum of Devon. In 2026 The Lieutenancy helps to promote Devon communities, culture, services, heritage, business and charitable success while drawing attention to those addressing challenges and problems in the County. It also has a role in supporting the three Services and, in particular, the Reserve forces and cadets.
Tuesday 17th March 2-30pm in the Manor House, Dawlish.	A Devonshire Association event in Dawlish The Early History of Dawlish by Derek Gore. A talk for the Devonshire Association will be held in the Manor House, Dawlish, at 2-30pm on Tuesday 17th March 2026, hosted by the Dawlish Local History Group. In 1881 a paper "On the Early History of Dawlish" was read at a meeting of the Devonshire Association in Dawlish. Since then, there have been a number of Archaeological finds and excavations in the Dawlish area, not least the discovery of the Dawlish Hoard (which is on display at the RAMM) and a possible Romano/British defended farmstead discovered by ground radar prior to the new housing development in the Gatehouse area. Derek Gore has been a Teaching Fellow at Exeter University and a part-time lecturer in archaeology and will present an updated view of the Early History of Dawlish. The admission charge for this event is £3 for members of the Devon Association and Dawlish Local History Group and £5 for visitors. We do not have card facilities at this venue so please bring cash, ideally the correct amount, thank you. A link to the 1881 report can be found below. Website link to the Internet archive copy of the Transactions Of The Devonshire Association Vol 13 1881 in Dawlish
Tuesday 7th April 2-30pm in the Manor House, Dawlish.	AGM followed by a talk about the works on the Lawn for SW Water. Provisionally the Project Manager, Carl Wyne, will give us an overview of the work on the Lawn and Sandy Lane to date and what this should mean for Dawlish. It is anticipated thay any changes have been agreed for the look of the Lawn following completion of the work.
Tuesday May 5th 2-30pm in the Manor House, Dawlish.	Preliminary title: Mamhead Prisoner of War Camp for Germans, the Starcross timber railway and the Canadian Army near Starcross in WW1 by Peter Wade The talk looks at the Prisoner of War Camp on the hills above Starcross and the "railway" constructed by the Canadian army to bring timber from the Mamhead / Black Forest area down to Starcross for onward transport.
Tuesday June 2nd 2-30pm in the Manor House, Dawlish.	Exmouth Docks by Alan Humphries You may remember when Exmouth Docks was a fully working dock with ships delivering and collecting goods. The dock was surronded by the holiday chalets known as shanty town. Alan has been researching Exmouth docks and will tells us about the history of the docks.
Tuesday July 7th 2-00pm at Totnes VISIT	A guided history walk around Totnes led by Bill Ward. Starting point to be advised. This is a members only event. A walk around the town relating the current layout to its Anglo Saxon and Norman roots (the streets marking the boundaries of the fortifications and the town walls still in existence today), ending up at St Mary's for a tour of the Church. The idea is to cover the strategic nature of the location, how Totnes got its name, the legend of Brutus and the Brutus Stone, the Elizabethan Museum, East and North Gates, Guildhall (Priory), Castle, and Leechwells.
Tuesday August 4th Topsham VISIT	A guided history walk around Topsham starting 2-00pm or 2-30pm at Topsham. Start location and time to be confirmed. This is a members only event. A guided history walk around Topsham led by members if the Topsham Museum. Starting point to be advised. There will be a change of £4 per person to be paid in advance at the June meeting or later by arrangement which will be donated to the Topsham Museum. There is a limit of about 20 people which will be (arranged as two groups of 10) for the tour. Click the picture below for a link to Topsham Museum.
Tuesday September 1st 2-30pm in the Manor House, Dawlish.	Battle of Britain by Chris Wiseman The Battle of Britain Memorial date is on the 15th of September each year. As we approach that date we are pleased to welcome back Chris Wiseman who will take us through the events and the involvement of RAF Exeter.
Tuesday October 6th 2-30pm in the Manor House, Dawlish.	Pictures and memories of Dawlish led by Jimmy Hill and Bob Baker. Once or twice a year the Dawlish Local History Group will present a series of pictures of Dawlish with anecdotes and recollections. We hope you will join in and add your memories or information to that of Jimmy and Bob.
Tuesday November 3rd 2-30pm in the Manor House, Dawlish.	Devonshire Land Girls by Rebekah Pearson The talk will give us an insight into the Land Girls or Womens Land Army and their experiances and contribution during War.
Tuesday December 1st 2-30pm in the Manor House, Dawlish.	Members only festive event including a talk, refreshments and a quiz. There will be a short talk about the development of the road network to and from Dawlish followed by refreshments and a quiz.

	Details of talks in 2027 will appear below once confirmed
Tuesday 2nd March 2027 2-30pm in the Manor House, Dawlish.	The Roman Army in Devon by John Allen John Allen, as the Archaeologist at Exeter Cathedral, is well placed to tell us about the Roman Army in Devon including what was discovered and now lies burried just outside of the front of the Cathedral.
Tuesday 6th April 2027 2-30pm in the Manor House, Dawlish.	AGM followed by a talk. Details to be advised.