Val Hoare set a very challenging task with the Parish Quiz and you can find all the questions and answers here. A question that stumped many asked what could be found in the Parkhill wall on the Broadhempston Road – the answer was a cunningly concealed blocked up doorway, pictured here. And have you ever noticed the slate sundial high up on the south aisle wall of our church, which is 300 years old this year?
One question that derailed a lot of people was the meaning of the letters MLN which can be found on the railway bridges. It’s the Engineers Line Reference (ELR) for the Main Line (Paddington to Penzance via Bath). Here’s Val pointing one out on the Hardup Bridge, which is 219 miles and 60.5 chains from Paddington. So now you know!
The Butterwell question was withdrawn to avoid confrontations. Obviously more work needs to be done on locating these early local fridges – small stone structures, usually at a spring or bog, in which dairy products were kept cool on slate shelves.
Ali Taylor and Mike Thomas got the most questions right with Jill and John Todd a very close second. The winners will get together at the Tally to spend the prize money!