'CRIME and punishment' is the intriguing subject of a talk at the next meeting of the Okehampton branch of the Devonshire Association to be held at the Okehampton Conservative Club on Thursday, April 19 at 7pm.

Guest speaker will be local historian Mike Wreford, whose subject will be 'Crime and Punishment in  Okehampton and the area over the centuries.'

This will include the grusome story of Mary Woodman, who murdered her husband in a most painful way and achieved national notariety as 'The Okehampton Poisoner.' 

Mary Woodman was probably the last woman hanged at Exeter Prison.  There will also be the tale of the local blacksmith, a popular man, who was the last man in Devon to be hanged at the 'scene of the crime.'   

Hatherleigh will not escape attention — there will be the story of lawlessness and uproar at Hatherleigh during the building of the railway line, and the apparant accidental death that turned into a murder mystery and a subsequent suicide.

Mike said: 'There will be many other murder and crime mysteries of the past that may hitherto be uknown to residents of the day but provided much interest in years goneby. There will also be the sensational story of the jewel robbery of Mr W Cornish in Fore Street, one of the biggest robberies ever in Devon.

This promises to be an interesting evening and The association invite everyone interested local history to attend. 

Admission is free.