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. :)
