Alabaster
One of the most distinctive geological features of the cliffs at West Street are the seams of alabaster.
Alabaster is a translucent form of gypsum (see 'Watchet Geology' Eric Robinson). It is a soft material and can be carved easily and an impression can be made with a thumbnail. It is generally considered unsuitable as an exterior building material, it was however used by the ancient Egyptians as a decorative facing to the pyramids near Cairo. A little closer to home in Swain Street it has been used as a decorative keystone above the doors and windows of 'Boy o boy'.
Its particular qualities make it an ideal material for carving and it is often found in churches in tomb decoration. The font in St. Peters church, Williton is made of Watchet alabaster. It has a date of 1666 and has two sets initials carved into it - R.W. and R.P and appear to be contemporary with the font. It was a superstition that alabaster had certain healing qualities and these were enhanced if removed from a religious site which is why alabaster effigies often have small pieces missing.
The Watchet Museum has a model carved from alabaster of St. Decumans Church.
In the latter half of the Nineteenth and into the early Twentieth Century a small cottage industry was established selling models of lighthouses, ashtrays and bowls which were sold as souvenirs for visitors to the town.
Of greater importance was its export to Bristol for the manufacture of plaster of paris. It seems likely that along with alabaster seaweed found its way to Bristol to the glassworks.
Alabaster is a fluxing agent in the production of glass, it also acts as a retarder in Portland cement.
'Female Form' - Alabaster sculpture by David Milton of Watchet.
The seams of alabaster are easily identifiable in the cliffs on Long Sands accessed from the slipway at West Street beach.
N.B. It is illegal to remove the alabaster from the cliffs but can easily be picked up on the beach.