Earlier this month we were contacted by the Courtenay Society regarding a tour they were planning, asking if we would like to be a part of it. A member of Lord Devon’s staff had picked up one of our leaflets at the village stores and, having checked out the The Courtenay Collection website and passed it by Lord Devon, asked if they could visit with some members.
On Thursday 20th October twenty members related to the Courtenays arrived at our village hall, accompanied by Lord Devon, Charles Courtenay of Powderham Castle (near Exeter), and his mother, Lady Devon.
Coincidentally, Brian O’Hara’s maternal grandmother was Kate Courtenay, born in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland in 1884.
Carrie and Martin Bell brought some copies of the book about Wootton Courtenay, and Bill Hodgson kindly showed a video of Exmoor he’d filmed from Eddie’s aeroplane. Sir Roger gave an amusing and informative speech to welcome our visitors, while Lady Hilary, Carrie, Martin and I served tea, coffee and biscuits.
Sarah Fox introduced the Courtenay Collection and invited them to look at the jewellery. The result was a very interesting and a enjoyable morning. Lady Devon has invited Sarah to present her jewellery at a future event at Powderham Castle.
Margaret O’Hara
Wootton Courtenay 