Various Buildings, Axminster, Devon.

 

I recently came across some of these photos from my stash and decided to do something about them. I didn't know it at the time but my then camera was leaking light slightly, hence the pale mauve stripe across some of them and why I haven't used them before, but I reckon they might do until or unless I can take some new ones.

On the right side is the old carpet factory where Axminster carpets were made. On the left side is a building that isn't on the Listed Buildings register so I wasn't able to discover anything about it. It does have an intriguing medallion on the top of the gable end, but I can't tell what's on it just from the photo. 

However, I had a look at the other side on Streetview and it's a rather charming cottage of two storeys - the first floor containing two modern dormer windows in the roof and on the ground floor is a left hand door with a slate portico and a round window to the right. There's also a small garden inside a wall and fence.

In the listed register the old carpet factory is referenced as The Thomas Whitty House & Conservative Club building. Thomas Whitty was the owner of the carpet factory - Axminster Carpets that are famous across the world. It's now the Axminster Heritage Centre, which I haven't managed to visit yet, and these photos were taken before they inhabited it.

A Grade II Listed Building, it was built circa 18th century. The carpet factory was established in 1755, closing in 1835, then manufacturing began again in 1937 in another larger factory and still making carpets to this day.

The right hand doorway was specifically a carriageway for carts and carriages, seen above. That and the single doorway to the left are said to retain original
flush panel doors. That was in the listing but may have changed since then as the first listing date was in August 1950, then subsequently altered in August 1983.

The building curves around at the end and, interestingly, joins onto the  old Registry Office building, seen below. The end part of the building still houses the Conservative Club.

Although it's also seen in the Odds & Ends Part Four article, it's worth including the Registry Office here as part of the townscape so that I can add more information and hopefully add more photos at a later date if I manage to get to Axminster again.

A Grade II listed building, it was built circa 1850-60 in a lovely Early English Gothic style, with a lancet tripartite window on the first floor and single lancet windows flanking the central door on the ground floor. The windows contain leaded panes. I think they are just plain glass but the way they catch the light makes them look subtly colourful and very attractive.

A narrow building, it sits between the curved end of the Thomas Whitty House and a gorgeous Georgian/Regency building on the left. I don't know why but that one isn't a listed building. I had a look on streetview and  it consists of two forward bays, each with pointed gables and narrow pretty bargeboards. In the central position there is what looks to be an original lead drainpipe with decorated strapwork. The edge of it can be seen in the photo below, with its fabulous first floor window.

Now belonging to Milford & Dormer - a bunch of solicitors* - it'll be well worth a visit to see and photograph.

*A reference to the film Lara Croft when her technical friend picks up a letter addressed to her, reads who it's from, and says 'it sounds like a bunch of solicitors', to which Lara Croft replies 'It is a bunch of solicitors', lol.

In the centre of Axminster is Trinity Square, where this rather fine drinking fountain is situated. Called the Jubilee Fountain, it was erected to celebrate the 1887 Jubilee of Queen Victoria. 

I recently read a blog on the Historic England website about Temperance buildings and apparently, as well as coffee houses and places to meet without alcohol, the movement also attracted benefactors, including Charles P Melly who instigated the use of drinking fountains for Liverpuddlian dock workers. This encouraged them not to slake their thirst at the local pub. Other donors of drinking fountains followed suit in towns across the country.

Consisting of three stages, firstly the base, then the middle stage with four-centre arch niches and colonettes at the corners. The top stage contains panels with cusped heads and an ogee shaped cap topped with wrought iron lamps.

Below can be seen the plaque between the colonettes on one side. 

The middle stage is where the fountain is (no longer in use now). On two sides are these fantastic stone heads above the fountain basins. 

I love this face. It reminds me of the Bocca della Verita - the mouth of truth statue in Rome which, according to a mediaeval legend, will bite off the hand of any liar who places their hand in its mouth- although it's not quite so sinister looking or as dangerous to liars!

And finally, I'm adding this small building next to the railway crossing. Another one from the Odds & Ends Part Four article and, like the Registry Office, it's also one I can add photos to if I make it to Axminster again.

The crossing point, called Axminster Gates, used to have a signal box, which eventually fell out of use and was demolished. Instead the railway erected this little building called a crossing box, where two crossing keepers worked the gates to allow road traffic through. That one is no longer needed either, as signals and gates are now remote controlled, so it would be interesting to see if it's a privately owned house or if it has any other function now.    

That's it for now. I'm going to try for Axminster. Although it's some 5 or 6 miles further away than Beer village, it's much easier to get to as the bus stop is at the top of my short road, whereas the Beer bus starts and ends at the sea front, which means a long walk uphill to my home on the way back, which is quite difficult to do now. Poor old lady, lol!

Anyway, I'll do my best. I had a birthday last week and went out with my camera taking a decent amount of photos for new articles, which was wonderful. As for Beer, I'll get the second article of Fore Street finished and if I manage to get there again I'll add the photos to the third part. There are also several other articles started so there's plenty to be getting on with.

Cheers everyone. :)

 

Useful Books: Railway History

 

As always, these are books that I've personally found very useful and also enjoyable to read. I've only got five books for this category; three which are useful sources for local branch lines here in East Devon and the other two  general railway history ones. 

Unfortunately I chose the wrong day to photograph these as the sun was in and out intermittently. I could have waited for a better day but the weather can't be guaranteed and I also tend to be somewhat impatient once I set my mind to something! Apologies for them being so bad. When I've got a moment I might replace them for better ones.

Main Line To The West

The Southern Railway Route between Basingstoke & Exeter - Part Three

Yeovil to Exeter by John Nicholas and George Reeve

Irwell Press Limited 2019. ISBN: 978-1-906919-03-0

This first one is rather large, extremely heavy and chocfull of the most amazing information. It also has a very long title! I haven't read it all - just the parts concerning my nearest local branch lines and stations along this route as well as dipping into interesting bits of research.

Incredibly useful, it contains so much information all in one place together with many photos, illustrations, maps and diagrams showing the line formation along each station as well as the buildings and where they're situated.  

THE BRANCH LINES Of DEVON

Exeter, South, Central & East Devon by Colin G Maggs

Amberley Publishing 2011. ISBN: 978-1-84868-350-1

A much thinner book but with particular emphasis on the specific branch lines in these areas. This is Part One. Part Two covers Plymouth, West and North Devon, which I don't have. Checking it out I see that Mr Maggs has covered a lot of counties in other branch lines books, so it's something to look out for if anyone wants info for their own area.

The branch lines covered in my East Devon area are Axminster to Lyme Regis in Dorset, Seaton Junction to Seaton, Sidmouth, Exmouth, Exeter and the others in Central and South Devon. There are stacks of B&W photos from when they were in operation, which is lovely to see, as well as all the information.

Three of them have been preserved and repurposed, including our Seaton to Colyton line, which is now a working tramway.

It's particularly interesting to see how the ones I've explored looked back then. Below can be seen a photo of Cannington Viaduct when it was being built in 1902 and I'm so chuffed I managed to walk along it when disused and overgrown. The blog article can be seen here.

The Sidmouth, Seaton & Lyme Regis Branches by Colin Maggs & Peter Paye

The Oakwood Press 1977. No ISBN in this book.

Also by Colin Maggs along with Peter Paye, this contains a lot of written information, including interesting and useful snippets about local history and landmarks. It's a decent small quarto size and light for carrying in a map pocket or backpack.

The central pages contain black and white photos. I was particularly delighted with the top right one seen below. A picture of Axminster railway station, the chimney stacks shown here are huge, tall things. However, they were pared down to the smaller base later on. The article about the station can be seen here. 

Apart from that there are the branch line maps, as seen below.

Victorian Railway Stations by Trevor Yorke

Countryside Books 2021. ISBN: 978-1-84674-335-1

This is fabulous for anyone who's interested in the architecture of stations built during Victorian times, many of which are still in situ, and with loads of photos, illustrations and diagrams throughout.

The first chapter deals with the history and style, followed by chapters concentrating on separate timelines, from the 1820s up to 1890s and 1900s, and culminating in stations of the 20th century, preserved heritage railways and Victorian stations to visit.

As well as the history there is also emphasis on the architecture and details, which is just my thing! About the author, Trevor Yorke has written dozens of books about buildings and other edifices throughout Britain. I now have 23 of his books and have read all but two. I'd thought about doing a write-up about the ones I have but it would be far too long! I might do something though as I can't praise his books too much.

Britain's Railway Architecture & Heritage by Trevor Yorke

Countryside Books 2013. ISBN: 978-1-84674-309-2

Similar to the previous book, and by the same author, this also encompasses the history of the railway and those buildings built since its conception.

It also includes some great chapters on bridges, viaducts and tunnels, with section drawings of how they were built. Many photos and illustrations are also liberally sprinkled throughout.

Other sections include hotels, which were built specifically for rail travellers, seen above, and the interesting and oftentimes lovely embellishments and small details, seen below.

Again, apologies for the photos. The little digi point and shoot camera I use for this is self focussing but it doesn't always work. I may have been too close but I also couldn't see very well with the constant shifting of the light, plus I'm also partially sighted now - which isn't very good for a photographer!

Well that's all for this one. I have lots more categories for the Useful Books section, which will be coming throughout 2026.

And finally, I'd like to wish a happy New Year / Hogmanay to everyone who celebrates it and all the very best wishes to you all. :)

Phew, just about managed to finish that while it's still New years Eve, lol. The fireworks have started already. Time to get the sherry out! ;) 
 

 

 

Christmas Greetings!

 

A very merry Christmas to everyone. I hope you have a lovely, joyful time, and a fabulous new year.

I was going to add some updates but I've left it rather late! I was too busy to get another article finished unfortunately, but I should manage at least one or two before the end of the year.

Cheers! Have a great day. :)

Gandy Street, Exeter, Devon

 

Exeter must be one of the most unsung and delightful of English cities, and Gandy Street one of its most magical features. It's my favourite part of the city and brings back lots of happy memories.

 

My photos are quite old, the black & white ones taken some 30 plus years ago and the colour ones around 15 years later. I don't have very many photos, and I'd really love to go and take more, but can no longer travel for the hour plus it takes, so I'm going to manage with what I have for now.

Situated at right angles from the top of Upper Paul Street at the side of the Royal Albert Memorial Museum - seen above and below - and parallel to the main Queen Street, it dates back to Alfred the Great's time in the Saxon era.

Named Gandy Street after Henry Gandy, who was the Mayor of Exeter in 1661 and 1672, its previous names were St Lucie's Lane in 1669 and Correstrete in 1265. Correstrete is the Middle English for Currying Street - currying being the curing of leather.

This attractive cobbled street is only short but it's full of independent shops, pubs and cafes. Looking at my black and white photos, it looks a little bland but more recent photos online show it full of bunting, flower baskets in the summer and magical trees and lights at Christmas time. One photo has a string of large lanterns above the street, which looks fabulous.

Most of my photos were taken at the end of Gandy Street near to Upper Paul Street. The ones above and below are of the top of Paul Street, showing the side of the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (called RAMM for short). On the right side is a building with the name City Chambers on. I haven't been able to discover anything historic about it but it appears to be used for rented business offices now.

The strange chinese dragon like objects on the left, below, were quite popular canopies above shop windows in the 1990s, made from a stiff plastic instead of the usual canvass. Oddly enough, I think the shop was a chinese restaurant at the time, lol.   

The photo below is of the side opposite the City Chambers, with Ramm behind it. Interestingly, the wall has been shaved off from just below the street sign, making a curve which was either to give clearer sight going around the corner, prevent accidental bashing from vehicles or because of one having happened! One of my favourite photos. :)

As well as the main Gandy Street there are two alleyways leading off it. One is Queen's Walk, which connects to Queen Street and can be seen below.

On the left of the above photo is the entrance to an underground pub and music venture called the Cavern Club. Some of us from our University building on Queen Street went in there occasionally for coffee during the daytime.

The other one is the delightful New Buildings, which was added circa 19th century (new at the time!). I don't remember the exact date, but it was mentioned during an Exeter Red Coat tour I once went on. Sadly, I can't find it anywhere online so I contacted RAMM to see if they can help. I'll add it here if they do.

Inside the entrance to New Buildings is a wall which was built using Dutch bricks brought back from the Netherlands in a trading ship as ballast.

The alleyway itself is totally charming with lots of interesting independent shops and colourful bunting.

To finish off, one taken from Bradninch Place, just above the top of Upper Paul street, where the Phoenix building is situated.

Just for interest here are a few more photos of the RAMM buildings around that end.

And finally, one showing the Phoenix building peeping over the top end of RAMM.

I hope you found that interesting. I started this a while ago then after my break I went all out to finish it and get something published at last. It was really enjoyable to do, especially seeing and organising my photos, along with the memories they gave. During my break I also worked a little bit on two other articles. 

I'm still finding myself somewhat short of time but I'm more than ready to get back into the swing of keeping up with my blog. Fresh start, new ideas coming up and hopefully I'll be able to get out and take some more photos soon, weather permitting! 

Cheers everyone! Have a great weekend. :)