Published by the Combe Martin Village History Project

This Website and Content is Copyright © 2023-2026 All rights reserved 

Your gateway to the history of Combe Martin, North Devon
The Little Village with a Big History
Deep dive into our heritage and living traditions.

Admin Notice | June 11, 2025 | This page is undergoing small revisions 

About Us | Terms and Conditions of Use

Last modified on June 11, 2025  | First published on March 29, 2023 |

Combe Martin Village History Project is Licensed under CC By-NC-SA-4.0 

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Our content can be freely used to supplement statutory education including classrooms,
for non-commercial purposes
with appropriate attribution.


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About This History Project and Website

See also: Our Mission Statement˃Privacy Policy˃ | Footer Menu |

Welcome to the Combe Martin Village History Project (CMVHP), a non-profit, non-commercial community initiative dedicated to the scenic, historic village on the North Devon coast of England. 

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, Content and Copyright Policies, and to respect the rights of this site and its contributors in accordance with UK and international law.

Why can businesses and individuals not use this non-profit website's content for profit? These guidelines are in place to encourage educational use, community engagement, and preservation of local history.

Preservation of Integrity: By prohibiting any commercial use, the website aims to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the historical information. Our terms and license conditions are designed to prevent misuse, and ensure that the stories and heritage we share, are respected.

We support the use of our content to supplement statutory education or mandatory systems of public education. Since our materials are a blend of researched information and community stories, educators can use it alongside fully academic resources in order to fully meet curriculum standards.

We do not permit any use of this website’s content for unauthorised broadcast or for any similar commercial purpose. Also prohibited is any use intended to promote individual projects, brands, podcasts, online channels or personal profiles.

This unofficial, community-led digital archive features fifty researched articles including original compositions, dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich heritage of the civil parish of Combe Martin, North Devon, for Combe Martin residents and visitors, and for future generations.

This website's content is created for educational and informational purposes, synthesising historical research and referenced sources. It remains free from commercial influence or external control, and the views expressed in our articles are solely those of the authors.

This website and all its original content are subject to and protected by applicable copyright law, with enforcement options. All rights, including but not limited to reproduction, distribution, and display, are reserved by 'Combe Martin Village History Project', on the website Combemartinvillage.co.uk.

Any content not originated by us is presented with due acknowledgement of its ownership, and remains the copyrighted material of its respective holder(s).

First launched in late March 2023 and continuously updated, this platform is a non-profit, non-commercial social project, focusing on local history.

Designed for a broad audience, the project caters for casual visitors, local residents, students, and researchers. Our more significant history articles are accompanied by bibliographies and references. 

Curated by local historians, this independent project has no connection or affiliation to any other organisation. We do not organise any local events. 

Using Our Content Responsibly

Our terms of use are changing, with the majority of our content made available under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.

Unless otherwise stated*, our content may be used under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). 

Under this license, in any use of our content, credit must be given in every instance to the Combe Martin Village History Project, with a live link to the source/page/article.

ShareAlike (SA): If you adapt or build upon our material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license (CC BY‑NC‑SA 4.0).

*Some of our articles are licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 (Non-Commercial, No Derivatives). Terms for use are displayed on our articles. 

NonCommercial means that we will not permit our work to be used for monetary gain or commercial advantage. 

NoDerivatives means that if the user remixes, transforms or builds upon our work (including translations), then they may not distribute the modified material without our prior permission.

Preserving Transparency and Traceability

Appropriate credit with a live link to the source helps people trace the content back to the original website, maintaining historical accuracy and integrity. It prevents misrepresentation, especially if the content is adapted.

A clear, mandatory link back to the original source(s) makes misuse or unauthorised commercial republishing more visible. It acts as a deterrent against misuse, misrepresentation, or exploitation.

Content Licensing and Reuse Policy

Unless otherwise stated, all content on this website — including text, images, documents, and media — is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).

Under these terms You are free to:

Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.

Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material.

Under the following terms:

Attribution — You must give appropriate credit to Combe Martin Village History and Project (CMVHP), provide a link to this license, and indicate if changes were made.

NonCommercial — You may not use any of our content or materials for commercial purposes.

ShareAlike — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license.

This license encourages educational and community use, while ensuring that the content remains free, is not used for commercial gain, and is properly credited to the Combe Martin Village History Project.

🔗 View full license details CC BY-NC-SA 4.0  

This Website in Essence

The website under its terms should benefit people by serving as a freely accessible, quality educational resource. This project supports non-commercial use in statutory educational environments, while also encouraging community participation and academic research without copying or reproductions.

We integrate historical analysis and primary-source examination to reconstruct local heritage, offering an original contribution to the local historical discourse.

We do not claim or promote this platform to be a definitive resource for the history of Combe Martin. Our content is purely intended to complement similar projects and to foster collaborative research.

Our website content includes original compositions and evidence-based research which is not intended to substitute independent research, statutory information or diverse perspectives, on any subject matter.

What We Do

We write all of our own articles and include referenced material. Neither this website nor any of the team are involved in any commercial activities through this website or for this project. We are not purchasing goods or services, selling merchandise, or processing payments. 

While we promote Combe Martin and North Devon, we are not a tourism website. While local businesses and tourism-related items may appear in our maps and pages, this is often necessary for contextual purposes and is purely incidental.

To a limited extent we may include some hearsay and local folklore, and AI generated graphics alongside our own original photographs and artwork.

We welcome contributors from everywhere, including residents of Combe Martin and the local area. 

While our articles prioritise accessible narrative, and unique local insights over formal academic structure, they are meticulously researched and provide original, valuable contributions to local history.

Our Content and License for Use

This website offers a broad range of materials—including narrative histories, local traditions, oral accounts, descriptive articles, and archival resources—crafted to engage diverse audiences and support inclusive heritage and local history initiatives.

Our non profit project and digital content reflects years of dedicated research and effort. We permit its use strictly for non-commercial purposes, statutory education, and private research.

You are welcome to share links to our website or specific pages. Reproduction, copying, or republication of the content itself—whether online or in print—is not permitted without our explicit permission.

We especially welcome and encourage the use of our materials in formal educational settings within statutory schools and regulated private institutions that meet official education requirements. Such use must be non-derivative, non-profit, and include proper attribution.

This policy ensures our work supports official, regulated education while safeguarding our rights and maintaining the integrity of our content.

Private Research Use

Our materials may be used and shared for private, non-commercial research purposes such as personal study or academic projects. You are welcome to share links to our website content, with appropriate attribution.

Use of our content for any form of public publication including blogs, podcasts, distribution, or sharing beyond the scope of private research, is prohibited without our explicit prior permission.

Our materials must remain unaltered (no derivatives), and proper attribution to the source is required. Commercial use or public posting of the content is not allowed.

Usage Rights for Formal and Recognised Educational Entities

Excluded from use are unregulated educational initiatives specifically programs or courses offered by individuals or organisations that do not meet statutory recognition or accreditation standards.

Under the Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 worldwide, our original content/materials may be used freely to supplement formal educational activities (as specified) within a statutory school classroom or an accredited learning environment. 

This means that educators and institutions can incorporate its content into lesson plans, research projects, or presentations without worrying about licensing issues.

Here's What We Ask

  • No Commercial Use: Our content may not be sold or used for any commercial gain.
  • Attribution Required: In any use of this website's content, please cite 'Combe Martin Village History Project [Combemartinvillage.co.uk]'. Use the appropriate citation format set by your institution.

  • For any use of our content outside of these terms, please email our Admin for prior permission.

Changes to Our Website Licensing

Our License terms have been relaxed. Under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, users can now use our content for derivative works – e.g., translations, remixes, edits, mashups, or modified versions of our content. 

Open Access

Find a list of common local themes and traditions at our Combe Martin history glossary >

This website is open access, in the sense that anyone can freely access its content for non-commercial purposes. From Combe Martin's mining and maritime past to cultural traditions and local landmarks, we aim to capture the full depth of the story.

Qualitative Research and Content

Our content centres on narrative histories, local traditions, oral accounts, descriptive articles, and archival materials documenting the social, industrial, and cultural heritage of Combe Martin.

While our articles are not intended to meet stringent academic standards, they are original and unique to the site. 

While the website mentions some historical facts and dates, these are used to support broader qualitative descriptions rather than to conduct quantitative analysis.

Our focus is on exploring and interpreting Combe Martin's history, culture, and identity through text, images, and archival sources, rather than measuring or statistically analysing data.

We include historical documents, maps, photographs, local records, and published works.

Our Grass Roots Project

Although this is a community project, we aim to meet high standards in historical accuracy and presentation. The site reflects a grassroots approach to local history that also holds academic value.

We hope this website serves as a useful resource for researchers, students, educators, and interested visitors. Most of all, we hope it encourages deeper appreciation for Combe Martin’s historical and cultural landscape.

How to Navigate Our Website

Terms of Use

Our Terms and Conditions of Use are a set of rules and guidelines that govern the use of our website by its users. They outline the rights and responsibilities of both the website owner and the website user.

Copyright automatically grants authors and other creators the right to control the copying and redistribution of their work.

This enables them to protect their intellectual property and have authority over how their original content is used. See the article Copyright and Plagiarism at Imperial College.

We welcome items of historic interest but, to avoid security vulnerabilities and risks, we do not process spam or unrequested business proposals. Nor do we allow users to upload files to our website. 

Why This Site Uses a Text-Rich Format

This website presents Combe Martin’s local history in a detailed, text-based format to ensure accuracy and depth of information.

Some of our articles of historical significance are given more scholarly treatment, incorporating both primary and secondary sources. Bibliographies are provided for further reference.

Many topics such as mining, folklore, and Early-English histories are complex, and benefit from careful explanation supported by authoritative sources.

While the content may feel more in-depth than typical tourism sites, it is designed to inform curious visitors, and serve as a reference for students, researchers, and heritage enthusiasts alike.

Copyright Ownership

All original content on this website is Copyright © Combe Martin Village History Project 2023–2026. All rights reserved. Website design is by North Devon Pictures.

Use of Third-Party Materials
Some materials (e.g. images, documents) may come from third parties or be in the public domain.

These items remain the property of their respective copyright holders.

Unless otherwise stated, our original content is licensed under: 

How to Credit Us Properly

When using our content under this license:

  • Include the title, author, source, and license link.
  • Make sure the credit fits the format and context of your use.
  • Do not imply the Combe Martin Village History Project endorses your work or use.

Permissions Beyond This License

Please contact the site administrator for written permission via email if you wish to:

  • Use content commercially
  • Modify, adapt, or build upon the material
  • Use content not covered by the Creative Commons license

Ongoing Updates, Expert Contributions, and Historical Material Donations

We continually update this website to include new findings and revisions. To enrich our research and the collective understanding of Combe Martin's unique history, we welcome expert advice pertaining to factual historical and scientific accuracy.

We welcome donations of relevant historical materials for inclusion in our articles.

Non-Commercial Operations

This project website is not presently involved in commercial operations. To preserve our integrity, concentrate on our core objectives, and safeguard security, we must exclude unsolicited offers of services and contracts. Our systems are configured to exclude unrequested business proposals.

Translations

Most modern browsers either have built-in translation features or allow users to add extensions for easy page translation. Naturally, the content displayed in the preferred language won’t be perfect.

Content Restrictions

If any material is truly in the public domain, you do not need permission to use it, but you should acknowledge the source.

For press or commercial use of our Content and materials, please contact the Webmaster.

Commitment to Inclusivity, Security, and Privacy

The site actively fosters an inclusive environment where all individuals are valued and respected.

It encourages a shared appreciation of the village’s rich history and heritage, inspiring others to share the knowledge.

We don’t show advertisements or sell your data. We are completely self-funded. To avoid significant security and legal risks, we do not allow third parties to directly upload any material to our website.

We scan and assess all donated materials before including them on our website. This policy helps ensure the safety, reliability, and legal compliance of our website for all users by preventing the introduction of malicious software, inappropriate content, or copyrighted material without proper review.

We will utilise a reputable web-hosting service with a secure connection. We will publish and periodically review our Privacy Policy with a Cookie Policy, and perform regular modifications and updates to the website. Additionally, we will monitor our site’s security with regular audits.

Non-Profit

As a community non-profit project, we are dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Combe Martin.

Our website does not engage in commercial activities or conduct business transactions. We are not affiliated with, and have no connection to, any other organisation.

Our primary goal is to serve the community by providing valuable resources and information, rather than generating profit.

Our Website Policies

Sharing Our Website
Users are encouraged to share links to our content for non-commercial purposes, including to social media. When sharing, please credit Combe Martin Village History Project as the source. 

Project Management
This platform was first published in March 2023 with a secure connection. The adnin team's primary focus is on Combe Martin's local history and heritage.

Preservation Goals
Combe Martin faces the important challenge of preserving its social and industrial legacy, while safeguarding the physical reminders of its storied past for future generations. 

Community Engagement
We welcome user involvement and we are open to exchanging reciprocal links on mutually agreeable terms. For inquiries related to permissions or collaborations, please contact our Site Admin.

Our Mission and Inclusivity
Our goals are to preserve local history, inform the public, and foster community engagement. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone is valued and respected.

Ongoing Development
This project serves as a starting point for learning about the story of Combe Martin and will continue to grow and evolve over time with future additions and improvements.

Links to External Websites
This Combe Martin History website includes links to external websites. We are not responsible for and have no control over external content.

We reserve the right to exclude or remove any links to external websites that do not comply with our guidelines, or that may be deemed inappropriate.

Heritage and Social History 

Heritage and social history are crucial for communities and shared experiences. They provide learning opportunities, support local economies, promote environmental sustainability, and sustain the collective memory.

Lessons drawn from heritage and social history can meaningfully shape contemporary decision-making, public policy, and long-term planning.

Heritage and social history are not just local or regional concerns. They hold broad-ranging value; preserving cultural diversity, advancing scholarly pursuits, promoting human rights, and shaping a more informed and just future. 

Contributions

We do welcome your comments and donated materials (not business or service related) by email.

Contact Us if you have personal memories of Combe Martin or relevant historical materials, for inclusion on our website. To protect your privacy we will anonymise every contribution we use.

Please do not submit personal details, photographs or videos that you do not want to be publicly accessible. 

Personal histories, family stories, photos or other primary sources can only enhance this platform, and foster community engagement. Contributors are free to remain anonymous unless required by law.

User Submission Agreement

By submitting your photographs, texts, communications or other media ("Contributions") to us, you agree to the following terms:

  • Grant of Rights: You grant us the perpetual, royalty-free right to edit and post your Contributions on this website.

  • No Compensation: You understand and agree that you will not receive any payment or compensation for your Contributions.
  • Attributions:  Unless You wish to remain anonymous, we will credit your material(s) to you.
  • Data Retention: We will retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, comply with legal obligations, and resolve disputes. After a period of three calendar months, your personal details will be securely deleted.
  • Acceptance of Terms: Please do not submit your Contributions unless you accept these terms.

Our Photographs

Displayed photographs may feature identifiable individuals; however, they are captured in public spaces where there is a reasonable expectation of being photographed.

Or they may be freely available in the public domain to the best of our knowledge.

We are not a commercial website; we own the copyright and all rights to our own photographs, and we do not sell them to anyone. Our photographs may not be altered in any way or used for any commercial purposes.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

We strive to ensure that every individual feels welcomed, included, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and capabilities. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is not just a moral responsibility; it is an imperative that drives innovation, creativity, and success.

General Conduct and Abuse Policy

At Combemartinvillage.co.uk, we strive to foster a welcoming, respectful and inclusive community for all of our users. However, we do not tolerate abusive, harassing, or otherwise harmful behavior.

Users and our website team must adhere to the Terms and Conditions. Attempts to circumvent these rules are prohibited. We do not tolerate illegal or offensive emails, messages, or behaviour.

Any such activities will be reported to the appropriate authorities, and necessary actions will be taken to ensure a safe and respectful environment for everyone.

An Overarching Narrative

To allow the reader to gain an understanding of such a broad historical metanarrative: our pages comprise standalone articles, each one exploring aspects of Combe Martin's long and varied story.

Our original articles can all be read in isolation but they also form an overarching narrative.

By sharing our research publicly, our work becomes accessible to a broader audience, including fellow researchers, students, and professionals. We permit the printing and redistribution of our content in its original form, provided you adhere to our terms and conditions (refer to "Re-Use").

Re-Use of Our Content

Our content and intellectual property are Copyright. You may not plagiarise any of our original content/materials in any form. Unauthorised copying or reproduction of our content would constitute copyright infringement. You must not commercially exploit or reproduce our website content.

In any use of our content You must give credit to this website including citations and a direct link to the content/ article(s). Any changes You make, only in a reasonable manner, must be clearly indicated but not in any way that suggests we endorse You or Your use.

Disclaimers

Other than research funding, we do not ask for financial donations. Other donations or gains (exclusively historical materials and photographs) are reinvested solely into this website. 

While our website may interest and be useful to a wide audience, it is not specifically a tourist or travel website. We maintain no affiliations with local tourism or businesses, and we are independent of any other websites or organizations.

Policy Statement for External Websites

  • The Combe Martin History website may contain links to external websites for the convenience of our visitors. However, it is important to note the following:
  • No Endorsement: The inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement or approval of the linked site or its content by the Combe Martin History website.
  • Content Responsibility: The Combe Martin History website does not control the content of external sites and is not responsible for any information, products, or services provided by these sites.
  • Visitors are encouraged to review the terms and conditions and privacy policies of any external sites they visit.
  • Visitor Discretion: Users should exercise discretion when accessing external links and are advised to contact the operators of those sites directly with any questions regarding their content, accuracy, or legality.

Linking Policy

Links to external websites will be included at the sole discretion of the Combe Martin History website, based on the relevance and appropriateness of the content. Generally, links will be provided to reputable organisations.

Content Guidelines

External content linked from the Combe Martin History website should not contain or promote:

  • Controversial political, environmental, or social issues.

  • Disparagement of individuals or groups.

  • Inappropriate content for all ages.

  • Illegal activities or substances.

  • Adult or sexually explicit materials.

  • Promotion of gambling or weapons.

  • Religious viewpoints or claims that infringe on intellectual property rights.

Right to Remove Links: The Combe Martin History website reserves the right to remove any links to external websites that do not comply with these guidelines or that may be deemed inappropriate.

By using the Combe Martin History website, You the User acknowledges and agrees to this policy regarding external links.

No Warranty / Limitation of Liability

The information on this website is provided “as is” and for general informational and historical purposes only. While we make reasonable efforts to ensure accuracy, we do not guarantee the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or suitability of any content.

We make no warranties, express or implied, about:

  • The correctness or reliability of historical data
  • The performance or availability of the website
  • Content linked to from external sources
  • To the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim all liability for any loss or damage arising from your use of this website, including reliance on its content.

Terms and Rules

See also: Our Mission Statement

Copyright

This website and its textual, oral and visual materials (Content) - including all images and intellectual property except where expressly stated otherwise - is copyright to Combemartinvillage.co.uk and its site owners 2023-2026, all rights reserved.

If you use our original materials: you must give credit to this website.

All Rights Reserved

We may remove or modify any of Our Content or Terms at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Requests for Content to be removed or modified will be undertaken only at our discretion.

We may terminate your access to all or any part of this Website at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice.

The facility to download our assets including photographs does not mean it is legal nor that you -at any time- have rights to use, distribute or assume ownership of any of our content including our intellectual property.

We reserve the right to make changes to any part of our website including terms and conditions, at any time and at our discretion. 

You may not republish any of our Content without first asking permission from us; email info@combemartinvillage.co.uk. Our Content is protected from plagiarism by various means and by applicable laws. 

This Section Tells You About:

  • Cookies and our Site Policy including Privacy

  • Spam and Unsolicited Business Enquiries

  • Our Terms and Conditions outlining Rules 

  • Use of Our Assets and Intellectual Property (Restrictions)

  • Your Use of Our Information and Your Use of Our Website (Warranties)

About Cookies

Our website uses cookies which are strictly necessary for our website to properly function, and therefore cannot be disabled. Our web hosting service may place the following cookies on our website:

  • Google Analytics - set up in such a way that IP addresses are anonymised and we don't permit Google to use the data for other services. This means no traceable data is processed.

  • A function cookie - simply to verify that we are the website owner. This doesn't affect our users' or customers' privacy.

  • If our content includes external elements, such as YouTube videos, a cookie notification is shown.

Web cookies can be disabled on this website and also in your browser. You can update your Cookie preferences on our Home Page at any time.

However, some cookies are strictly necessary for our website to work and disabling some cookies may restrict functionality.

Analytical cookies -if collected- collect information that is used to help us understand how our website is being used, how effective our marketing campaigns are, and to help us customise our website for users.

For more information, go to The Ultimate Guide to Cookies (html.com).

Spam and Unsolicited Business Enquiries

  • In order to guard against malicious content or intent we do not read or respond to spam 

  • We are not a business and we are not currently responding to commercial business enquiries

Any Redistribution or Reproduction of Part or All of the Contents of this Website in Any Form is Prohibited Other Than the Following:

  • You may print or download to a local hard disk extracts for your personal and non-commercial use only

  • You may copy the content to individual third parties for their personal use, excluding commercial or press use, but only if you acknowledge the website as the source of the material

  • For press or commercial use of materials, please contact the Webmaster at info@combemartinvillage.co.uk

You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content. Nor may you transmit it or store it in any other website or other form of electronic retrieval system.

Links to Third Party Websites

We are not responsible for third party websites and we do not endorse or accept responsibility over the contents, opinions expressed or use of any external websites.

Use Of Our Information and Website (Warranties) Errors and Omissions Excepted (E&OE)

Whilst we continually strive for accuracy, we sometimes get it wrong. The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and without prejudice.

The information is provided by us and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose.

Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. 

In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.

Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under our control. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites.

The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly.

However, we  take no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.

We do not intentionally infringe copyright or intellectual rights. If you believe we have breached copyright or intellectual property rights, please contact the Webmaster for assistance (no business enquiries), at info@combemartinvillage.co.uk (no spam). We aim to respond within seven working days.