Shebbear facts for kids

Shebbear (SHEB-eer) is a charming village located in the Torridge district in Devon, England. It's a place with a rich history and some very unique traditions, like the annual turning of the Devil's Stone! This village is a great example of how old stories and community spirit keep a place special.

Discovering Shebbear: A Historic Devon Village

Shebbear's Ancient Roots: A Look Back in Time

In the year 1086, Shebbear was an important place in North Devon. The Domesday Book, a famous survey from that time, recorded 76 households here. Some of these households included people who worked for others without being fully free. Unusually, the village was owned directly by the King, not by a local lord.

Its old Saxon name, Sceftbeara, means 'Spear-shaft Wood.' This tells us that the area was once known for its trees, which were probably used to make spear shafts. Shebbear was also the center of the Shebbear Hundred. A 'hundred' was an old administrative area, like a district, that helped manage land and people in medieval England. This particular hundred was surrounded by the River Torridge on three sides.

Today, Shebbear is part of an electoral ward called Shebbear & Langtree. In 2021, the village and its surrounding area had a population of 1,021 people. The village shares its name with the Shebbeare family, who owned land here long ago. A famous member of this family was John Shebbeare, who lived in the 1700s. He was known as a political satirist, meaning he used humor and wit to comment on political issues of his time.

Faith and Community: Churches in Shebbear

The village is home to the beautiful St Michael and All Angels Church. This Church of England parish church stands right in the middle of Shebbear. Parts of the church, like the main hall (called the nave) and the area around the altar (called the chancel), are very old, dating back to the 12th century. The south doorway, built around 1180, shows a special Norman design, similar to other old churches nearby.

In 1815, a man named William O’Bryan started a new religious group in Shebbear called the Bible Christian Church. The first chapel for this group, Lake Chapel, was built in the village in 1817. The Bible Christians also founded Shebbear College, a well-known school. For nearly 200 years, there was a religious split in the community because of this new church. However, in 2009, a special event took place to bring the Methodist and Anglican communities closer together, showing a spirit of friendship and understanding.

According to the 2021 census, most residents in Shebbear identify as Christian (53.4%). Many others (45%) say they follow no religion. A small number of residents are Muslim (0.3%) or Buddhist (0.4%).

The Mysterious Devil's Stone: A Village Legend

Villagers turning the Devil's Stone in 2005.

One of the most fascinating features of Shebbear is the Devil's Stone. This huge rock sits on the village green, right outside St Michael's Church. Every year on November 5th, at 8 PM, something extraordinary happens. Instead of traditional bonfire night celebrations, the village bellringers gather to turn the Devil's Stone! It's a unique tradition that has been passed down through generations.

The Stone's Strange History

Local legends tell us that the stone was dropped by the Archangel Michael during a battle with the Devil. The story says the stone landed on the Devil, trapping him underneath. The folklore explains that the Devil spends a whole year digging his way out from under the rock. Just as he's about to escape, the villagers turn the stone over, trapping him again for another year! If the stone isn't turned, the legend warns that disaster will strike the village.

There's even a story from the Second World War. One year, the stone wasn't turned on November 5th, perhaps because of wartime blackouts or because many men were away fighting. After a few days of bad news in the village, people decided to turn the stone anyway, just in case! Other versions of the legend exist too. Some say the Devil dropped the stone while on his way to the nearby village of Northlew. Others believe it was a foundation stone for another church that moved to Shebbear by magic. The village pub, 'The Devil's Stone Inn,' is named after this famous rock. It's even rumored to be haunted!

What is the Devil's Stone Made Of?

Scientists say the Devil's Stone is a type of rock called a conglomerate boulder. It's not from the local area. Some think it might be a glacial erratic, a rock carried far from its original home by a glacier. However, this area wasn't covered by glaciers during the last Ice Age, making its journey even more mysterious!

Learning in Shebbear: Schools and Education

Shebbear is a great place for learning, with several schools for different age groups. Shebbear Community School is a state primary school for children aged 4 to 11 years old. For younger children, there's Little Bears preschool, located within the community school grounds. Shebbear College is a private school that welcomes students from 3 to 18 years of age, offering education from early years right through to college.

Famous Faces from Shebbear

Many interesting people have connections to Shebbear:

• Ernest Walter Martin: A writer and historian who was born in Shebbear in 1912.
• John D. Prior: A trade unionist, born in Shebbear on March 10, 1840.
• William Strong Hore: A clergyman and botanist who served as the vicar of Shebbear from 1855 to 1882.
• James Thorne: A key leader of the Bible Christian Church, born in Shebbear in 1795.
• Graeme Ackland: A physicist who attended both Shebbear primary school and Shebbear College.

See also

In Spanish: Shebbear para niños