From Chris Dearle,- August 2009

My mother and father (Joan & Bill Dearle) ran a village grocery shop in Winsham between summer 1969 and spring 1971. My memories are sketchy as I was only 3 and a half years old when we relocated back to North Devon but a couple of things I do recall. One of the two winters we were there was bitterly cold, with thick snow covering the ground. My mum and dad took our old sledge out with provisions on to deliver to local houses and businesses. The sledge made heavier to pull with me sitting on it also! It was hard work for them but a wondrous adventure for me.
I also remember that my late Father would spend parts of the week loading our van with groceries to deliver around the area. I would travel with him in the front of the van, tied in with a scarf (imagine the Health & Safety implications of that now). When he had to brake suddenly his arm would shoot across in front of me to protect me. I also remember that my favourite days were when we had to deliver to Cricket St Thomas as we got to see the animals, which was very exciting for a 3 year old lad.
I am also told (rather embarrassingly) by my mother that I had a great admiration for two of the local characters at the time and there were days when I would ignore anyone who spoke to me, unless they addressed me as Ray Ashford or Mrs Doherty!!
Another memory is of a lady walking into our shop and approaching the counter, before she had chance to make her request, my 12 year old brother appeared from behind the counter and exclaimed "Try Rolos madam, soft creamy toffee in a milk chocolate cup".

Luckily, she saw the funny side. The shop was located at what is now Number 7 Church Street (it was, bizarrely, one of three Number 1's in Church Street at the time) but ceased to be a shop a couple of years after we moved on. I returned recently for the first time in nearly 40 years. It is still a beautiful, little village.

Chris Dearle (Resident in 1969-1971)