Devonshire September October 2018

•
CERTIFICATE of
•
•
the
What's On: September & October 18
interview
hubcast
This is Laura’s story - one of love,
intrigue and tragedy
The Dolls House is an exquisite replica of the interior
of Oldstone, a mansion house at Blackawton near
Dartmouth. Sadly it is now a ruin but as with many old
houses it can give up a story from the past.
01803 840387
www.totnesrarebreeds.co.uk
Celebrating
of family fun ! 1978 - 2018
years
Laura Dimes
at 24 was the
youngest of
four. All her siblings
had married leaving
Laura rather lonely
and she spent much
of her time riding the
grounds and walking
her collie in the
woods. One morning
in 1884 she rode out
and though usually accompanied
by the groom, on this day was
alone when she encountered the
dashing Hugh Rutherford Shortland,
son of a doctor. He was related to
the Governor of New Zealand and
notorious for several local business
interests.
Laura fell head over heels in love
but Laura’s mother and father
disapproved of the association
and any engagement. Despite this
they obtained a special licence and
were married on 8th April 1884 at
Kingsbridge Registry office. Hugh
and Laura parted immediately, Hugh
on a pre-planned trip to New Zealand,
Laura to Oldstone to present a fait
accompli to her parents.
Hugh had been gone three weeks,
when on 25th April Laura, after her
morning ride changed into a dress,
hat and gloves, and set out for her
usual walk in the woods - but this
time did not return!
A Mrs Luckcroft made the grisly
discovery and found
Laura fully clothed
standing upright in
the pond with her
hands outstretched,
a few inches of
water covering her
head. At the inquest
evidence suggested
that it appeared
there had been no struggle or attempt
to get out of the pond as the depth
was only 6ft 3 inches. Sergeant
Mills reported he did not suspect
foul play. The Jury returned an
‘Open’ Verdict and the Blackawton
mystery was forgotten.
However there still remain to this day
unanswered questions and theories:
Why did Mrs Dimes later say, most
curiously, she thought Hugh had
deferred his visit to New Zealand?
Laura was supposed to have received
a letter from Hugh in New Zealand
on the morning of her death.
Was there a faded bruise on Laura’s
temple? Was it a quarrel over money
that went wrong? The Dimes were
a wealthy family - could this be a
motive?
Finally the case collapsed and
Hugh departed to New Zealand
immediately.
Why not come and learn the full story
at Dartmouth Museum and make
up your own mind? dartmouth.org
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