Members of the Ridgeway Local History Group who gathered at Manorbier Church on Wednesday evening were fortunate to have the best weather in an otherwise stormy week.

We met up with Robert Scourfield who kindly showed us round the church and later led us to look at other buildings from a similar date.

Robert is buildings conservation officer with the National Park and his relaxed and sometimes humerous talk was extremely interesting.

Some mystery surrounds the ruins at the top edge of the churchyard, but it is known that at one time, they were owned by Monkton Priory.

Schute Cottage, just below the church, is of a similar age and, given that a stream runs through the garden, Robert wonders if this was an early water mill. The remains of the mill nearer the beach are of a much later date.

We climbed up to, and some of us ventured into, the dove cote. This showed the status of the De Barri family as only high ranking families were allowed to keep doves. A few hardy souls followed Robert up the coffin path to the top of village, the vicar always justified the climb.

Our next meeting takes the form of a boat trip on the river. We meet at the Jolly Sailor in Burton, at 3 pm, on July 2. We have a river cruise on the Two Brothers followed by supper at the Jolly Sailor.