Julian & April Westcott, along with their daughters, Abbie and Robyn, are Exmoor farmers; their family were founder members of the Exmoor Pony Society and have been breeding Exmoor ponies for generations.. They are very fortunate to have inherited 'The Doctor's Bag'; a very old leather bag originally belonging to Richard Saunders Westcott, that contains a wealth of old photographs, newspaper clippings, articles and postcards dating back decades. I was very fortunate that Julian & April allowed me to take photographs of all these wonderful pieces of their family's history and better still, they have allowed us to share them on here!
Where possible, I have included any notes with the pictures (apologies if I have misread any of the handwriting).
"Owned by Miss Lumb. Heatherglow. Mother of Heatherman & Heather Minstrel"
"Heatherman"
"Heather Minstrel. Pure Bred Exmoor Stallion. 3 years. 1955 3rd prize, National Pony Show."
"Bramble, 10/84 Sold to Adrian Smith. Bred on Tippacott."
"Mrs M.G. Etherington show Exmoor Pony pictures etc to Pony Club members and schoolchildren at Hawkridge Village Hall"
"The National Pony Society's Annual Show at the Roehampton Club, Roehampton. Exmoor Pony Stallion "Heatherman" (326) SJ Westcott. Challenge for the best animal in classes 38 to 41. 2/8/57."
"Heatherman"
"Moorhen II"
"Heatherman (Westcott)"
"Heatherman"
"Tom Faggus, Minnow and Capercallie"
"Miss Lumb. Bracken"
"SJ Westcott. Sherryman." Note: It is actually TR Westcott pictured, also known as 'Uncle Bob.
"Moorhen II"
"Skylark"
"Mr P Dean driving a home bred pair of Exmoor mares, Dumwallought and Sceughmire, to a continental built waggonette, coming up Winsford Hill. Because of the uniformity of type within the breed it is easy to find a pair of Exmoors to match in size, colour and stride, and they have the courage to do well in driving competitions."
April says "I knew it was destiny that I should now be organising the EPS Young Judges Competition!"
"The late Sidney Westcott of Hawkridge, whose knowledge, determination and faith in the pure bred pony, have done so much to preserve the breed."
"Bampton Fair. Westcott."
"Heather Minstrel. 1st Prize, ?? Stallion Show."
"Tawny Pipit, 1st & reserve champion. Heather Minstrel, 2nd. National Pony Society Show, Roehampton. 1957."
"Aclands Ponies Gathering" Note from Julian: "Uncle Syd bringing in the Anchor Ponies."
"Alfold Curlew II. (herd 1, no. 15) sire. Rodeo (herd 1. no 15) dam. Alfold Moorhen (herd 1, no 33) Owner: JA Howick. Breeder: CM Westcott"
"Crackshot II"
"Miss Toff 10/82. Adrian Smith. Born on Tippacott."
"...with his stallion, Sherryland, which won the Exmoor pony championship... yesterday. With him is Mr R. H. Nancekivell one of the two Exmoor pony judges, who handed him the rosette."
"The National Pony Society and British Show Pony Society's Show at the Roehampton Club, Roehampton. London. Class 35, Exmoor mares "Moorhen II" (249) CM Westcott. Challenge cup for the Best animal exhibited in classes 32, 33, 36. 6/8/53."
"(Westcott) An Exmoor stallion on the Pentlands. Every mare in foal. Never hand fed. Westcott bred. Crackshot II. Photo 1954".
"This is a photo of Justin, a registered first cross Exmoor, with his owner, Miss Anne Gardener in the saddle. Justin is a thoroughbred out of Myth 12/61..."
Note from April: "Uncle Sid on the cob and Grandad (the late, great Charlie Westcott) on the mealie, Jeremy Fisher"
Note from April: "Uncle Bob and some of our own Herd 1 and 10 ponies at Tippacott"