Heathercombe Brake

Heathercombe Brake, Manaton, is situated in the Dartmoor National Park, 15 miles from the coastal resort of Teignmouth with the rest of the south Devon coast beyond.

The Heathercombe ooriginal bungalow was built in the 1920s as a fox farm.

In 1956, Miss Quantick of the Plymouth Brethren (non-conformist, non-denominational Christian movement), to establish an educational trust to provide accommodation and activities for deprived children. Children were primarily sent to Heathercombe by inner city local authorities.

The building was sold in 2000.

Memories

"I was at Heathercoombe brake in 1972 for three weeks with my sister, I was 9 at that time and my sister 11. We stayed for about three weeks although it seemed much longer. Our parents had divorced and clearly it affected us both greatly. We were told that we could go on holiday to Devon? This was our first ever holiday, with the exception of some day trips to Walton on the Naze ,which the local church organised. We got to the station and were picked up in a Morris Minor traveller I believe. It struggled up the steep hill and around the hairpin bend at the top was Heathercoombe.

"I remember plenty of outdoor playing and bible readings, not forgetting the trips to the coast at Torbay and Paignton. It took us out of the miserable time at home and some of the other kids were a little boisterous to say the least, although now I know just why we were sent there, it makes much more sense. I`ll not forget the great time I had away from home, and when I got back I wished I had stayed there.. I was lucky enough to get a place at a fantastic boarding school in 1975 and spent 5 happy years there. Another memory of the trips to the coast was packed lunch usually consisting of peanut butter sandwiches and Bowyers sausage roll washed down with a tub of squash and an apple for afters.

"Halcyon days when I think back. The sense of freedom was immense and the kindness of the staff refreshing. Along with the mists, bracken and rain (often) was a calm and happiness that I have sort at every opportunity ever since. The trips to the school at the foot of the hill on a Sunday was a little scary, it was a school for what was then termed a handicapped school. But on reflection through the years I suspect they were just as frightened of being invaded by strangers too.

"My memories are strong and positive of my time there and I wonder if anyone remembers me? I remember a strapping and very vocal guy called Malcolm, I was only about 4ft then and he towered above all of us. I`ve caught up now!"

Donald

"I went to a home on Dartmoor several times in the 50s and early 60s called Heathercombe Brake, as did a lot of Dagenham children , it was really lovely. I also travelled with a member from Devon home, with a little label on my coat. The home is no longer there it is a car park now."

Sheila

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