In May 2014, The Pilton Story was an important stopping point on the UK journey of Anne Bishop and Jan Morrell from Nova Scotia, Canada, who are on the trail of their English ancestors.

Anne is descended from the Hartnoll family, residents of Pilton since at least 1773, when John Hartnoll of Braunton married Elizabeth Facey.  In 1845, Mary Ann Hartnoll (their grand-daughter) married Edward Turner Bishop of Exmouth (Anne’s great-great grandparents) and, after the birth of six sons, emigrated from Plymouth to Ontario, Canada in 1855. But that was only the start of the Hartnoll/Bishop story.  For much more about them,  particularly relating to Pilton, please visit The Pilton Story archive – Descendants of John Hartnoll and Elizabeth Facey.

And that is only a very small part of an even more fascinating family story which has yet to be told in full.  We are pleased to have contributed a small part.  Thanks to Anne and Jan for their visit and their donation to The Pilton Story.

The Fourth Big Pilton Quiz in the Church Hall on Saturday 10th May was won by ‘Hunter Gatherers’ (Ross & Jan Hunter, Keith & Carolyn Devine and Kev & Debbie Turner, below).  They won by just ½ a mark in a very close competition which saw the top seven teams, of the twenty teams of six who took part, separated by only 6½ points.  ‘Hunter Gatherers’ won the beautiful wooden question mark and a box of rather nice food.  With the help of the raffle, with some really good prizes, the evening raised about £650 for further improvements to the Hall and The Pilton Story – among other Pilton stuff.

Hunter Gatherers 2014 Big Pilton Quiz Champions

Particularly involved in making the evening a success were Quiz Setter Carol Haddrill, Master of Ceremonies Tom Prideaux, Question Master Hamish Patrick, Techie Martin Haddrill, Marker Pip Cartmell and Raffle Ticket Seller Susan O’Grady.