Veteran journalist John Ware who hung up his pen in 2020, recounts some of the more memorable stories he covered during 60 years on the Teignbridge beat for locals and nationals.

A TEIGNMOUTH mystery from nearly 40 years ago has still not been solved.

Back in 1982 it was reported that a ‘who dug that hole?’ puzzle had gripped a group of residents.

‘A man-made hole, 20 feet deep and over three feet wide has just appeared outside the home of the Kennedy family in Yannon Terrace.

‘The problem is that nobody seems to know how it got there. The hole is obviously man-made because it is perfectly circular.

‘The first Mr Bob Kennedy, a teacher at Teignmouth High School, and his wife Mary knew about the cavern was when a small hole appeared in the unadopted road outside their home.

‘It was probably opened up by heavy vehicles bringing in materials for a house extension in the cul-de-sac just off the Exeter Road.

‘Gradually the hole widened and eventually the full extent of the drop became apparent.

‘Scaffold was erected around the top to prevent anybody falling in, and a ladder lowered to enable the family to explore the bottom.

‘The floor is completely dry and Mr Kennedy found two tunnels running parallel with Yannon Terrace at the bottom. But both are blocked with rubble.

‘We have asked all sorts of people what they think it is, but so far we have drawn a blank, explained Mr Kennedy.

‘Nobody seems to have realised it was here. Suggestions so far include a well, a mineshaft and drainage of some sort, but none of them really seems to fit this hole which has obviously been dug out with great care and precision, almost as if it had bored out with a machine.

‘The houses along here are about 100 years old and we are wondering if there are any more uncovered holes in the area.

‘The hole is situated in a very inconvenient spot and will obviously have to be filled in before long. Before it is done, however, Mr Kennedy would like to hear from anybody who thinks they can solve the mystery.’

Paul Kennedy, now a teacher, said they had asked several experts for their opinions, and various theories had been given.

One local historian believed it was a sink hole lined with a sandstone filter to purify polluted water coming down from Haldon, and under the cemetery, before it reached a large house further

down the hill, and probably dug out in the mid-19th century.

The hole has now been covered over, but there is still no definitive answer as to exactly what it was for.