Harford Special Spaces 2025

In 2025 our Special Spaces theme is ‘Grave Matters’, based principally around the Harford churchyard. We are digitally remapping and creating a database of the St Petroc’s graveyard this year and need help to tidy up and research this fascinating place, where memorials and headstones chronicle the lives of people with a Harford connection from Mediaeval times to the present day.

 The current church building dates from the fifteenth century, although there was probably a wooden church here from much earlier: the church has a Saxon font and the list of rectors starts in 1262 with Robert de Kyllebiri.  Why was a church built here, where there was no village?  Possibly because it was on the main route between Plymouth and London before the turnpike road was built through Ivybridge in the 1750’s. Travellers would have forded the River Erme at the present Harford Bridge, then continued up Harford Moor Lane, past the church and over the moor, via Spurrells Cross, to South Brent – a route we will be retracing on our South Brent to Harford St Petroc’s Walk on 21^st June.

There are many ancient graves in the church and churchyard, including the chest tomb and brass of Thomas Williams of Harford, Speaker of the House of Commons in the reign of Elizabeth I, who died in 1566. This important tomb is in need of renovation, which we are currently seeking funds to undertake.  The tombstones of the family of Speaker Williams are also preserved in the church.

Speaker William’s Tomb and Brass

Another famous son of Harford, was John Prideaux, born in 1578, one of 12 children of a poor tenant farmer.  He was a bright lad, who set his sights on going to Oxford, walking there on foot and starting work in the scullery of Exeter College. After a meteoric rise, he eventually became Vice Chancellor of Oxford University and Bishop of Worcester, where he is buried.  He put up a memorial plaque to his parents and siblings inside St Petroc’s.

Williams and Prideaux and many others, including owners of Stowford, Lukesland and the Paper Mill, are remembered in the street names along Cole Lane, which used to be in Harford Parish: Speakers Road, Prideaux Road, Savery Close, Dunsterville Road, Rivers Close, MacAndrew’s Walk and Allen’s Road. Most of these families have graves in the St Petroc’s Churchyard, many of which need ‘uncovering’. 

If you live in one of these streets perhaps you would be interested to come and help with some ‘grave archaeology’ on our ‘Come and Clean a Grave Day’ from 10am to 1pm on Saturday 26^th April.  Likewise, if you have relatives or friends buried in the graveyard or would just like to help clean up this beautiful spot please do come along on 26^th April. If you can, please bring a tape measure with you.

You are welcome to enjoy the regular 4^th Saturday Harford breakfast in the church beforehand from 8.30 – 10am (a small donation is requested).  Or just come at 10am for the clean-up.  Refreshments will be available throughout this event.

Full Harford Special Spaces Calendar 2025

A Harford Special Spaces event will take place on Saturdays at the end of each month between Easter and All Soul’s Day 2^nd November, as follows:

Sat 26 April:  Come and Clear a Grave Day, St Petroc’s Harford 10am – 1pm

Sat 24 May:  10am – 1pm. A fairly easy guided walk round ‘war archeology’ on Harford Moor, following on from Ivybridge VE anniversary on 8^th May and linking in with graves of war dead in the Harford churchyard, including Captain Michael Farr of Colditz. 

Sat 21 June: 2 – 5pm. Starting with a tour of the most interesting graves at St Petroc’s, South Brent, then walking to St Petroc’s, Harford across the moor, via Spurrells Cross.  Finishing with tea and cake and a tour of the most significant graves at Harford.

Sat 26 July: 10am – 2pm. A moderately easy walk to Piles Copse from Harford Church, looking at the ancient burial kistvaens  en route.  Lunch and an optional swim at Piles Copse.

Sat 30 August:  6pm. Fundraising Barn Dance and BBQ at Bullaven Barn, Harford. 

Sat 27 September: 10am – 5pm.  A strenuous but lovely walk, beating the Northern Bounds of the Manor of East Harford

Sat 25 October: 6pm.  All Souls Torchlight procession round the Harford graveyard and Harvest Supper in the church. Presentation of the new map of the graveyard by Nicholas Courtman and of the most interesting graves and stories uncovered.

At 6pm on the 4^th Sunday of each month, there is a Celtic-style service at St Petroc’s, to which all are welcome.