Combe Martin, Devon 1970s John Hinde postcard

• Postcard

   

• Picture / Image:  Combe Martin, Devon
• Publisher:  John Hinde Ltd. 2 DC 873 (Photo D. Noble)
• Postally used:  no
• Stamp:  n/a
• Postmark(s):  n/a
• Sent to:  n/a
• Notes & Key words: 

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Text from the free encyclopedia WIKIPEDIA may appear below to give a little background information:

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Combe Martin is a village in Devon, England.

The village is a small seaside resort with a sheltered cove on the edge of the Exmoor national park. Due to the narrowness of the valley, it is composed principally of one single long street which runs two miles from the valley head to the sea. The population is over 2500, with many Domesday Book families still in the area.

The name is derived from Combe, which derives in turn from Old English cumb meaning "wooded valley". The name was recorded as Comer in 1128. The 'Martin' affix on the place name is from the name of the FitzMartin who held the land from c.1100 to 1326.

It is believed that the street is the longest village street in England, but this is actually a myth. It was recently measured at around a mile and a half long. The myth has several possible origins:

1. Combe Martin has the Guinness world record for the world's longest street party, this can easily be confused as longest village street (or, indeed, the longest high street).
2. Many people measure Combe Martin from one "you are entering Combe Martin" sign to the other. One of the signs is placed an unusually long way from the village (approx 1 mile and one half) which can lead to confusion.
3. Human error. On a hot summer day when you walk uphill from one end of the village to the other it can seem that you have walked further than you expected. So people, to save pride will exaggerate the distance walked.
4. Combe Martin has several very active pubs. There is a saying in Combe Martin that "At the George and Dragon they talk about my sprained thumb, at the Dolphin they talk about my broken leg." Basically saying is that at the pubs at Combe Martin stories really have a chance to be exaggerated and maybe such is the case here.

At one time there were nine pubs (The London Inn, Top George, Lion Inn, George and Dragon, The Castle, Pack O' Cards, The Marine, The Dolphin and the Fo'c'stle). As part of the annual Carnival celebrations, there was a wheelbarrow race over the length of the village, competitors having to stop at each pub and consume a glass of beer before continuing. From 2008 onwards the wheelbarrow race has been replaced by a Fun Run and alcohol free wheelbarrow parade.

Several disused Silver mines are located on the eastern ridge and evidence of tunnels can still be seen, as well as the remains of a wheelhouse used to lift ore from the mine. There are items in the Crown Jewels made from Combe Martin silver.