Dr Helen Wilson

All things Devon & Cornwall, especially Dartmoor. Self-published and award-winning biographer of the Pinwill sisters, Arts & Crafts woodcarvers of Devon and Cornwall. Previous life as a field botanist. BSc and PhD in Environmental Science, then University lecturer. Now retired.

#PinwillSisters #ArtsAndCrafts #WomenInHistory #Devon #Dartmoor #Cornwall #Woodcarving #Churches #StandingStoneSunday #Archaeology #Succulents #Lithops #SheepOfMastodon #Frogs #Fungi #Birds #Bugs #Insects #Entomology

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Last Notes

2026-10-11 09:56:39 UTC

#SilentSunday #Plymouth #Devon
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2026-10-07 18:38:52 UTC

Today in the greenhouse...
another gem, Lithops geyeri, from a small area in the eastern Richtersveld in South Africa, growing in quartzite. Described as normally being in shades of grey, buff or beige but mine is this lovely green. Bought in 2012 as a small plant and doing really well.
#Succulents #Lithops #BloomScrolling
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2026-10-04 15:30:55 UTC

A slightly dystopian and certainly surreal entrance* into National Trust Saltram (up the ramp on the right). The A38 flyover crosses the busy Marsh Mills roundabout, the River Plym and the mainline railway, and provides a canvas for graffiti artists.
*there are other, more salubrious, entrances
#Plymouth #Devon #Graffiti #NationalTrust
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2026-09-28 13:59:32 UTC

Today in the greenhouse...
Lithops karasmontana, one of the white-flowered species, with lovely markings. I bought it as a young plant in 2003 when it had only two heads - now it has 17! Doing well far from its home in Namibia.
#Succulents #BloomScrolling
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2026-09-21 18:26:30 UTC

In the greenhouse today...
the Lithops flowering season is starting, as is Spring in their native Namibia and South Africa!
This is Lithops aucampiae euniceae 'Bellaketty', a green-bodied cultivar, with one plant in bud and another in flower.
#Succulents #BloomScrolling
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2026-08-26 13:13:45 UTC

On a trip to South Africa in 2007, a visit to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa, had to be on the itinerary. While others looked out to sea and marveled at the idea that this was the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, I was entranced by seeing succulents in their native habitat, growing in a harsh environment to which they had adapted.
#Succulents #WildflowerWednesday #BloomScrolling
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2026-08-25 19:31:50 UTC

In the greenhouse today...
Huernia hystrix. This doesn't really look like a flower. It's more like an anemone. But a flower it is, designed to entice flies to pollinate it, drawn by the aroma of carrion! Amazing plant, one of several species of Stapeliads (Carrion Flowers) in my collection.
#Succulents #BloomScrolling
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/117/157/782/347/237/642/original/228e9ae6e31e8562.jpeg

2026-08-24 15:34:54 UTC

Sharpham, Devon, wall of outbuilding
#MagicInTheMundane
📸 @nprofile…dzje
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2026-08-23 10:05:56 UTC

#SilentSunday #CottageOrné #Architecture #Devon
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2026-08-21 15:04:26 UTC

Today in the greenhouse...
Lophophora williamsii, known as peyote, native to southern North America, particularly the Chihuahuan Desert. So unusual for three flowers to appear at once and this is the smallest of my peyote plants. The flowers will probably be followed by pink seedpods and black seeds, though I've never tried growing this species from seed.
#Cacti #Succulents #BloomScrolling
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2026-08-16 10:12:09 UTC

#SilentSunday #Geology #Cornwall #BudeFormation #Rocks #Sandstone
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2026-08-04 17:56:11 UTC

In the greenhouse today...
Notocactus magnificus looking great. The flowers at this stage of opening almost look like roses and the colour is sublime.
#Cacti #Succulent #BloomScrolling
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2026-07-19 13:00:36 UTC

#SilentSunday #Cornwall #Cheesewring
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2026-07-18 11:16:11 UTC

- reply

@nprofile…emk6 This got me excited until I got to the end and found it's not the original Tamar Valley between Cornwall and Devon where I live in the UK.
Hope you sell lots of books though!

2026-07-10 16:10:34 UTC

In the greenhouse today...
it's been 97°F, which is so not good for many of my plants. Had to fix up an old sheet to give some shade to help prevent scorch.
In full bloom in partial shade is this beauty Parodia herzogii, native to the eastern slopes of the Andes in northwestern Argentina and southwestern Bolivia.
#BloomScrolling #Cacti #Succulents
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2026-07-09 10:40:24 UTC

#Butterflies #Insects #Devon
Great walk yesterday afternoon under the shade of trees along the River Yealm from Puslinch Bridge (great name!) to the estuary. Managed to take my best-ever photograph of a butterfly, the Comma (Polygonia c-album). Not perfect but if I'd stepped any further to the right I'd have fallen in the river but in compensation the shadow of the left wing appears on the leaf.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/889/542/370/040/860/original/f1c7faf67b5b7711.jpeg

2026-07-08 10:36:12 UTC

#WindowWednesday #Cornwall #Churches #Architecture
St Eval, Cornwall
Original window in C15 south aisle with new glazing designed by John Dando Sedding for the restoration of 1889. Beautiful 'cobweb' pattern, signature of the Sedding architectural dynasty who mastered the graphic art of leadwork. Brothers Edmund and John Dando, followed by son/nephew Edmund H, worked on restoring churches across Devon and Cornwall and were renowned for their sensitive and inspired work.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/883/735/261/948/906/original/6e2ff83e724930a3.jpeg

2026-07-05 10:08:15 UTC

#SilentSunday #Dartmoor #Devon
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2026-06-26 13:27:12 UTC

Talland, Cornwall
Carved pieces of slate makes for cheap, effective and rather attractive ventilation. Dated 1834.
#FensterFreitag #Cornwall #Churches
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2026-06-20 11:34:04 UTC

Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera)
Viper's Bugloss (Echium vulgare) and
Poplar Leaf Beetle (Chrysomela populi)
at Braunton Burrows sand dune system, part of the North Devon Biosphere Reserve, designated for the rarity of the plant and insect life that inhabits it.
#BloomScrolling #Wildflower #Nature #Insects #InsectSaturday #Environment #WildlifePhotography #Devon
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2026-06-08 18:12:08 UTC

In the greenhouse today...
Notocactus magnificus
Rebutia vallegrandensis
and others in flower too
#BloomScrolling #Cacti #Succulents
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2026-06-06 15:36:11 UTC

As there's lots of gorse in Devon, there's also a fair amount of this parasitic climber Common Dodder (Cuscuta epithymum). It has no green chlorophyll, only these threadlike red stems, leaves reduced to small scales and small pink flowers in late summer. Quite a sight when first encountered.
Not exactly #BloomScrolling #ParasiticPlants #Devon #Gorse
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2026-05-31 13:19:09 UTC

#SilentSunday
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2026-05-18 19:20:03 UTC

Luxulyan Valley, Cornwall
A deep valley full of industrial archaeology, now partially reclaimed by nature: mining, stone quarrying and china clay production that required a robust transport system of tramways, inclines and leats. It includes Treffry Viaduct over the river that ran a tramway on the top and transported water underneath the track.
Superb place. And great weather when we went a week or so ago.
#Cornwall #IndustrialArchaeology
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2026-05-15 15:25:12 UTC

In the greenhouse today...
Mammillaria surculosa: the colour of the flowers matches their wonderful scent of lemons.
Mammillaria cobrensis: like many in this genus it produces a ring of flowers that continues in succession for many weeks.
#Cacti #Cactus #BloomScrolling
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2026-05-10 07:51:42 UTC

#SilentSunday
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2026-04-19 08:40:21 UTC

#SilentSunday
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2026-04-17 15:23:28 UTC

#FensterFreitag #Hampshire
Ruins of Netley Abbey, Hampshire
A room at the south end of the east range with amazing stone vaulting, built during mid C13. It may have been an infirmary or dormitory.
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2026-04-05 08:41:35 UTC

#SilentSunday #HappyEaster #SheepOfMastodon
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2026-03-29 10:28:10 UTC

#SilentSunday
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2026-02-22 10:59:12 UTC

#SilentSunday #Dartmoor #Devon
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2026-02-19 09:01:02 UTC

- reply

@nprofile…gydw Fantastic!

2026-02-17 16:43:39 UTC

Launcells, Cornwall
From C16 Barnstaple in north Devon produced lead-glazed relief floor tiles for local churches as well as ones in north Cornwall. At least 64 known designs, including fleur-de-lys, swans, heads, lions, and many flower designs.
#TilesOnTuesday #Devon #Cornwall
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2026-02-15 09:41:20 UTC

#SilentSunday
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2026-02-08 08:11:09 UTC

#SilentSunday #MagicInTheMundane
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2026-02-06 20:26:29 UTC

Germoe, Cornwall
14th century window and some beautiful winter sun
#FensterFreitag #Cornwall
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2026-02-03 16:22:57 UTC

Grenofen Wood, Lower Walkham Valley, West #Devon
Though undoubtedly wooded for centuries, many trees there today are not ancient. From early C19th to 1880s, area was heavily mined for tin and copper, with wood for various purposes in great demand. End of mining meant regrowth of trees amongst lumps and bumps and derelict buildings. Yet it's the kind of moist sheltered habitat that creates temperate rainforest, full of almost luminous moss at this time of year.
#Mosstodon #TemperateRainforest
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2026-01-30 17:35:43 UTC

#Cornwall #Poundstock #FensterFreitag
Poundstock Gildhouse, Cornwall
Highly picturesque with timber mullioned windows. Early C16 but mostly repaired 1919 in a meticulous restoration by Edmund H. Sedding.
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2026-01-25 10:04:46 UTC

#SilentSunday #Devon #Mosstodon
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2025-12-21 08:27:38 UTC

#SilentSunday
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2025-11-22 14:32:00 UTC

Lower West Coombe Farmhouse, North Bovey, Devon
GV II* Dartmoor Longhouse
Early C16 with C17 and C18 alterations, constructed of granite (of course). Shippon shown here (photos 1 & 2), where animals were housed on the lower side of a through passageway dividing it from the living area. Plus one of a range of associated agricultural buildings (3). The roofs are now covered in corrugated iron but would originally have been thatched.
#Dartmoor #Devon #medieval #granite
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2025-11-17 20:03:43 UTC

Clapper Bridge at Postbridge, Dartmoor
One of the finest in the country and believed to date back to medieval times. It would probably have replaced stepping stones to help packhorses cross the river. The bridge has two central piers spanned by three large granite slabs, or clappers.
#Dartmoor #Devon
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2025-10-26 11:10:57 UTC

#SilentSunday
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2025-10-07 18:39:09 UTC

My Lithops collection has flowered so well this year, probably the best ever. After 45 years of collecting, it's the variety of colours and patterns that continue to fascinate. Notice how the buds vary with the colour of the bodies from which they emerge.
Here's some examples:
Lithops julii fulleri
Lithops salicola 'Malachite'
Lithops villettii deboeri
Lithops karasmontana Signalberg
#Lithops #Succulents #BloomScrolling
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2025-10-05 08:00:33 UTC

#SilentSunday
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2025-10-04 09:09:03 UTC

In the greenhouse...
Conophyum longum
A particularly lovely flowerer at this time of year, with pink tinges to the white petals.
This plant was named Ophthalmophyllum herrei when I bought it, and now Conophytum longum. Names change as more is known about the relationships between species, increasingly through DNA analysis.
#Succulents #Conophytum #BloomScrolling
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2025-06-15 08:53:22 UTC

#SilentSunday
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2025-06-08 08:03:01 UTC

#SilentSunday
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2025-06-06 07:46:09 UTC

The first bright and sunny morning in a while (here in Devon, anyway) deserves some bright and sunny flowers.
Parodia microsperma var. mutabilis from my greenhouse in August 2015 with gorgeous hoverfly, though I can't name that.
#BloomScrolling #Cactus #Parodia
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2025-06-04 10:49:30 UTC

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@nprofile…y5kn
It's in the north transept. Here it is on the inside, resplendent with inappropriately placed fire extinguishers. This is an oldish photo (2018). These days it has a stuffed cat in the cat flap but the fire extinguishers are still there.
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2025-06-01 08:21:20 UTC

Merrivale Ceremonial Centre, Dartmoor
One of the two double stone rows running east to west, with its double terminal stones on this Neolithic site, one of the finest on the moor.
#Devon #Dartmoor #StandingStoneSunday
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2025-06-01 07:59:26 UTC

#SilentSunday
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2025-05-27 19:57:35 UTC

Tintagel Castle from the summit
During the C5 to C7, the fortress was the stronghold of post-Roman Cornish rulers. In the centre is the recently-constructed (2019) bridge joining the island to the mainland. It recreates the narrow medieval land bridge.
Image from 2023. Fab place to visit.
#Cornwall #Medieval
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2025-05-25 10:57:00 UTC

In the summer of 1976 I went north to the Isle of Lewis. I saw some superb photos in a pharmacy window that were not for sale. I told my mother-in-law, who I was staying with, about them. She proceeded to 'persuade' the pharmacist, the photographer A.M. MacDonald ARPS, to part with them. They are the most precious things I brought home, though I still feel sorry for MacDonald. They are now with Am Baile, the repository for the crofting counties of Scotland.
#Scotland #IsleOfLewis #Crofting
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2025-05-25 07:57:25 UTC

#SilentSunday
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2025-05-15 20:02:51 UTC

St Edmund's, Kingsbridge, Devon
Memorial to 'Bone' Phillip died 1793 fixed over the chancel door.
#Devon #Memorial #Churches
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2025-05-13 08:05:16 UTC

V&A ~ Tiles for Duke of Buckingham 1500-21
Made for Thornbury Castle, Gloucs, built by Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, who was executed by Henry VIII on Tower Hill on 17 May 1521 for 'treasonous actions'.
#TilesOnTuesday
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2025-05-11 08:00:24 UTC

#SilentSunday
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2025-04-19 19:25:11 UTC

Swimbridge, Devon
#ScreenSaturday
Love the angel corbels on the magnificent c.1500 chancel screen and the way numerous careful repairs over the centuries has produced an array of tones in the wood.
#Devon #Woodcarving #Medieval
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2025-04-06 11:27:11 UTC

Merrivale Ceremonial Centre, Dartmoor
Menhir of 3.1m, part of a wonderfully preserved complex including two double stone rows, stone circles and burial cairns. The menhir stands apart from most of the site in a small group consisting of a 3-stone row (once 5), two cairns and a stone circle. A medieval road runs between the ceremonial centre and a prehistoric village downhill.
#Devon #Dartmoor #StandingStoneSunday
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2025-03-18 07:08:12 UTC

From C16, the Barnstaple (north Devon) tile industry produced lead-glazed relief tiles for local churches as well as ones in Cornwall. At least 64 designs defined by Keen (1969). These, found in Launcells, Cornwall, include fleur-de-lys, swan, heads, lion, as well as several flower designs.
#TilesOnTuesday #Devon #Cornwall #Churches #Swan #Lion
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2025-03-17 19:00:14 UTC

Launceston St Mary, Cornwall
Built 1511-24, wholly of granite, the hardest of stones. Exterior almost entirely decorated with carvings. This is probably the best example of how beautifully carved granite can be.
#Cornwall #Granite #Churches #Stonecarving
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2025-03-12 20:09:22 UTC

Cob is a natural building material made from subsoil, water, organic fibrous material such as straw, and sometimes lime. A masonry plinth is normally built first to raise the cob off the ground. Ideally, the earth for the cob is dug on site or nearby.
Cob building is currently practiced predominantly in Devon, as well as in Cornwall. These examples are in the south-eastern part of Devon, where the New Red Sandstone gives rise to rich red soils.
#Devon #Cornwall #Cob #Architecture
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2025-03-10 22:10:50 UTC

East Titchbury Farm, Hartland, Devon
Former granary C18 mainly cob walls and thatched roof. First floor with external access via stone steps. Ground floor doorway in end wall and dovecote above. One of only a few examples of this combination of granary and dovecote.
#Devon #Architecture #Granary #Dovecote #Cob #Thatch
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2025-02-20 16:08:34 UTC

A breathtaking place: Kit Hill, Cornwall
At 334m you can see Dartmoor (East) Bodmin Moor (West) and the River Tamar running to the sea (South).
Archaeology galore: Neolithic, Bronze Age, medieval and C19 & C20 mining & quarrying. So much to explore and somewhere that brings back happy memories of my dear sister.
#Cornwall #Archaeology #Dartmoor BodminMoor #RiverTamar #Mining
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2025-02-08 20:59:56 UTC

Ash houses used as store for hot wood ash from domestic fires before being applied to arable land as a supply of potash fertilizer. Type of building almost entirely restricted to SE Dartmoor.
Usually round and made of granite with conical turfed roof. The door usually made of metal. The hatch on the opposite wall used to deposit the ash.
#Architecture #Dartmoor #Devon
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2025-02-06 10:44:59 UTC

Combeinteignhead, Devon
Moulded oak doorframe with carved spandrels and plank & stud door with large strap hinges. Good example of intact high quality C16 carpentry. Set within Church House of New Red Sandstone built c.1530, almshouse 1620, later school.
#Woodcarving #Devon #Architecture
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2025-01-26 16:36:13 UTC

Hello to Mastodon!
I was born and brought up in Plymouth, Devon, and studied for a BSc and PhD in Environmental Science at the University of Plymouth, teaching there for a number of years. Since retiring, I have developed interests in local history and architecture.
I have studied the life and work of the Pinwill sisters, ecclesiastical woodcarvers, for about 14 years, and given numerous talks about them. In 2021 I published my book entitled ‘The Remarkable Pinwill Sisters’.
#PinwillSisters
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