(JK) states "Belmont" was an old brewery

(WC) recalls that apart from the five pubs, there were at one time, several other places "registered as cider houses" including Belmont. Mrs W. Churchill's family name was Reed and she was born in the Hare and Hounds (Proprietor W. Reed). She remembers that in the old days, each pub brewed its own beer. Many travelling salesmen, Avon Tyres, Anglo American Oil Co. used to stay there; they provided more business than local drinkers.

(ET) Old Mrs Ford and Bill Davey always had their own seat in the Angel and people used to get up for them. "They used to put the poker in the fire and mull their ale."

(AB) said his father used to tell how how the Black Dog of three men were drinking each round was a jug with two quarts of cider each. "Ephraim Clark kept the Black Dog."

(AB) Baker was a smart landlord (of the Angel). He was a short, thickset man but if there was trouble, he'd be out over the counter and have the man out the door.

(FC) Charles Gunn of the "Hare and Hounds" (mentioned in Kelley's Directory of 1902 as the landlord) used to drive the mail cart. Each evening at 6.45 he drove the mail cart to Morchard Road, where the letters and parcels went on by train; he stabled the horse, stayed with his son at the pub there, and returned early next morning with the mail. (Kelley's Directory of 1902 states "letters received from Morchard Bishop RSO. North Devon at 6.47 p.m. dispatched at 6.45 p.m. week days only")

(FC) has been many times into the Black Dog (closed by 1919) but recalls no details

Two men, Henry Lewis was one, came out of the Angel to go to Drayford on foot. They said "goodnight, shan't see you again" to each other, nor did they, so deep were the ruts. (Tale emphasising road condition up to the 1920's)

(WC) remembers Black Dog as a pub and its landlord, Ephraim Clark. "It was low inside and dark as a dungeon." Apart from the five pubs, there were at one time, several other places "registered as cider houses" including Belmont. Mrs W. Churchill's family name was Reed and she was born in the Hare and Hounds (Proprietor W. Reed). She remembers that in the old days, each pub brewed its own beer. Many travelling salesmen, Avon Tyres, Anglo American Oil Co. used to stay there; they provided more business than local drinkers. William Reed was Proprietor from about 1906-1936. Mrs Reed was very proud of the lime ash floor in the Hare and Hounds, and scalded milk was used to wash it every day to make it shine.

(CG) There were three pubs in operation. The Angel was "the tip top one," Black Dog was "beer and cider, where working men went" and the Hare and Hounds was a "bit of both and a skittle alley".

(FR) Bill Buchanan put a petrol tank and pump in The Angel yard to catch the bar trade after the Garage had closed for the day.

(EW) recalls "Black Dog" still operating, but not the "Bell." (EW) mother's father kept the "Commercial" in West Street (next to the Brewery). He was also a mason. The horse drawn mail cart was based there. It took the mail to Morchard Road Station. Morchard Bishop was the postal district for Witheridge then. The Mail Cart was "a square red box and the driver sat on top to drive the horses." Once, the bells of Worlington Church were stolen and thrown into the river. Two detectives came and stayed at the "Commercial" and used to go out in different disguises to do their detecting, often roughly dressed as navvies with red handkerchiefs round their necks.

Mrs Ford (mother of Mrs Bristow, see Memories of Mrs Bristow) used to come to the Angel every day for a week at a time and was marvellous at stewing; she used to be given three meals a day. Mrs Baker used to give Mrs Ford old clothes to make things for the Ford children.

(OV) The pub called The Black Dog was always below the Angel in style and it smelt.

(OV) 1914-1918: The Angel closed for 2 or 3 days at a time when the beer ran out.

The London Gazette: March 19th 1708 - The Commissioners intend to meet on Thursday the 8th of this instant at the Sign of the White Heart in Witheridge