This was the scene of a terrible thunderstorm, a record of which is preserved in the church. Mr. Blackmore has worked it into his novel of _Christowel_. The tower is very fine, but the church does not come up to one's expectations. Widecombe is walled up to heaven on the west by Hameldon, and the morning sun is excluded by a bold chain of tors on the east. It was for the purpose of going to Widecombe Fair that Tom Pearse was induced to lend his old mare, which is the topic of the most popular of Devonshire songs.
"Tom Pearse, Tom Pearse, lend me your grey mare, All along, down along, out along, lee. For I want for to go to Widecombe Fair, Wi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk, old Uncle Tom Cobbleigh and all."
_Chorus._--Old Uncle Tom Cobbleigh and all.
"And when shall I see again my grey mare?" All along, etc. "By Friday soon, or Saturday noon, Wi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer," etc.
Then Friday came, and Saturday noon, All along, etc. But Tom Pearse's old mare hath not trotted home, Wi' Bill Brewer, etc.
So Tom Pearse he got up to the top o' the hill, All along, etc. And he seed his old mare down a making her will Wi' Bill Brewer, etc.
So Tom Pearse's old mare, her took sick and died, All along, etc. And Tom he sat down on a stone, and he cried Wi' Bill Brewer, etc.
But this isn't the end o' this shocking affair, All along, etc. Nor, though they be dead, of the horrid career Of Bill Brewer, etc.
When the wind whistles cold on the moor of a night, All along, etc. Tom Pearse's old mare doth appear, gashly white, Wi' Bill Brewer, etc.
And all the long night be heard skirling and groans, All along, etc. From Tom Pearse's old mare in her rattling bones, And from Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk, old Uncle Tom Cobbleigh and all.
_Chorus._--Old Uncle Tom Cobbleigh and all.
Ashburton manors--The Ashburn--The cloth-workers--The tucking-mills--County families sprung from the woollen trade--Introduction of machinery--John Dunning--Created Baron Ashburton--Wood-carving in Ashburton--The Oldham owl--Screen destroyed--Ilsington--The Pomeroys--Holne--Dean Prior and Herrick--Abbey of Buckfast--A foundation of S. Petrock--Staverton Church--Screens in Devon--Dr. Blackall's Drive--Holne Chase--Bovey Tracey--William de Tracy--Chudleigh.