A BOYS' school that was evacuated to Chagford during the second world war is appealing for information on the wartime years.

The request comes from All Hallows School, now based at Cranmore Manor, in Somerset, and celebrating its 70th birthday.

Chris Bird, who was headmaster from 1995 to 2005, said: 'I have found the history of the school quite fascinating and I was fortunate to visit its previous home with the then chairman of governors who attended the school in Devon as a boy.'

The Roman Catholic preparatory school was founded by its first headmaster, Francis Dix, in 1938 and opened in Bonor Regis as an all-boys' establishment. When the war broke out it was decided to evacuate to Chagford.

Some parents were reluctant to have their sons moved and when All Hallows re-opened at Scorhill, there were only nine pupils.

Mr Bird said: 'Scorhill is about five miles from Chagford and is now, I believe, a private residence once more. The River Teign runs through its grounds and this became the "swimming pool" for the pupils.'

He said that by 1943, with the numbers increasing to 37 pupils, it was clear an additional property was needed and as a result the school rented an extra house, on the edge of the Scorhill estate, known as After.

'In those early days the boys would attend mass at a chapel at Major Mayne's house, Gidleigh Park, two or three miles from the school on the way to Chagford and the monks of Buckfast Abbey became firm friends, creating many fine wooden icons for the school.

'Many of the boys rode and when the Mid Devon Hunt used to pass close to the school the senior boys were given permission to leave their lessons and follow the hunt on their ponies or on foot.

'The Bishop of Plymouth gave permission for an old garage within the grounds to be converted into the school chapel and I know it was still standing up to a few years ago because I visited it with the chairman and it has now reverted to a garage/storeroom.'

Mr Bird also said the parish priests at Totnes and Okehampton were very helpful and he believed there was some regular contact with the girls of St Monica's at Chagford, and that Col Tillard was a local dignitary who came over to the school to give lectures and to coach the boys at cricket.

Local features remembered include the Sacred Circle of Scorhill, Grey Wethers, Sittaford Tor, Teignhead Farm, Fingle Bridge and the Mill End Hotel. Some of the locals known to the boys for their Devon kindness and hospitality included Mrs Endacott, Mrs Rowe, Mrs Hill, Mr Vallance and a sometime groundsman who was revered for his strength and country lore by the name of Nash.

All Hallows has grown considerably since those wartime days and, with girl pupils as well as boys, is recognised as one of the leading schools of its type in the West Country.

Anyone who remembers being bowled out by Col Tillard or hearing one of the country stories told by groundsman Nash can phone Mr Bird on 01749 880227 or email [email protected]">[email protected]