CHARLIE Palmer from Devon Dowsers gave a talk to members of Lapford Over 60’s and began by telling them that he grew up at Bridestowe, went to school in Okehampton, and got into Dowsing some 20 years ago.

After going to WEA workshops in Exeter, he later also became very interested in tracking the Michael and Mary Ley lines, which pick up buried foundations of buildings long gone, and is also interested in old and unusual trees.

He told members that he thinks a ley line is a naturally occurring line of energy in the earth. He said that the Mary Ley Line in Lapford goes through the Ark, into the Church and then through Orchard Cross, to the converted Chapel across the road.

He added that he thought there were foundations of something which came after, maybe cottages, up until just before 1900, and also thought there had been a dwelling on the grassy area near the War Memorial, around 1600, saying that it was like going back into the past, by using two divining rods.

He said that the Michael and Mary Ley lines take him to places he would not otherwise have gone. He added that he had found buried foundations near the War Memorial, which may have been a dwelling house, in 1600.

He was thanked by Chairman Ron Kercher who said it had been a very enlightening and historical talk.