St Lawrence Green, outside QE Academy in Crediton, is a pleasant spot to sit or a place for students to gather after school. But it was once the site of fairs, public events and even hangings. It was also the source of an ancient stream, the Litterburn.

A Facebook group for sharing old photos and memories of the Crediton area, set up in January this year, has proved so popular that it already has 3,500 members. Local history enthusiast Mike Hole, who helps run the new group, shares a rare photo which reveals a clue to one of Crediton’s great mysteries