News
watchet conservation society
next meeting:
No. 41 Swain Street refurbishment blog
The Conservation Society is both delighted and indebted to Paul Upton who has agreed to post this online blog. It will follow the progress of the renovation and restoration of one of the most important and fascinating old buildings in Watchet.
It has been my privilege to have known Paul for some years, during which time we have been able to share a passion for vernacular buildings particularly in Watchet. In my opinion there could be no-one more suitable to explore the potential of this invaluable piece of Watchet's heritage.
41 Swain Street, remembered by many as 'The Old Coffee House' was the home of my parents for nearly fifty years. As a family we moved from Gloucestershire in the 1960's when I was a young boy and I grew up in the house which holds many fond memories.
The excitement I have experienced in seeing the old building reveal its many secrets has set my tail wagging. It is proving to be a rare insight into the past and a wonderful opportunity to speculate about the numerous generations who have lived in the house. As each layer is peeled away so it reveals evidence of the individual occupants and how the passage of time changed their lives. There is much fun in interpreting the evidence, some of which inevitably must be conjective. This blog will hopefully be of interest to those who have an interest in this type of project or have an interest in Watchet's past.
We welcome questions and enquiries about this project, or perhaps you have some information about the building and its history that may help us in uncovering its past.
The blog can be found on this link : http://watchetconservationsociety.blogspot.com/
Nick Cotton
Notice of AGM 18th January 2010
Watchet Phoenix Centre, The Esplande 7.30 pm
This provides formal notification of the upcoming AGM to all members whom we encourage to attend. All members who have a current paid‐up subscription are entitled to vote for members of committee and officers, and on any resolutions tabled at the AGM.
Anyone wishing to be considered for committee is required to return to the WCS Secretary the attached nomination form at least 1 week in advance, or any resolution 2 weeks in advance.
Nominations need to be signed by a proposer and seconder and the nominee confirming their willingness to stand for election, all of whom need to be paid‐up members. Any resolutions need to be signed by the proposer and by 5 other paid up members.
So far we have the following confirmed people standing for election/re‐election.
Molly Quint Chairman
John Irven Treasurer & Membership Sec
Jan Simpson‐Scott Secretary
Mike Whetlor, Eric Robinson, Tim Prior, Edward Frewin, Theresa Harper for committee.
Any others please complete the nomination form and return to me by the deadline.
Since the AGM in January, we have trebled our memberships, which now stand at 83, and with family groups this means that we have more than 100 members.
Anyone wishing to join or renew, please send your subscription cheques to John Irven, 3 St Decuman’s
Heights, Watchet TA23 0FL. Renewal forms will be available at next meeting, or on the about page.
So far we have currently received 19 renewals for 2011, and would ask that your renwal subscription is paid to the treasurer by/or at the AGM.
On Tuesday 23rd November author ROBERT FOWKE will give an illustrated lecture based on his book at the Methodist Hall in Harbour Road, Watchet at 7.30 pm.
This remarkable book traces the nautical life of one Simon Hatley, born in Oxfordshire in 1685, who was duly apprenticed in Bristol as a ship's pilot. On one voyage he did a senseless thing - he shot the albatross which Samuel Taylor Coleridge used as the central incident of his famous poem, the Rime of the Ancyent Marinere, based on a subtle mix of fact, fiction and poetic licence. Romantic tradition has it that Coleridge's poem was begun while visiting Watchet and inspired by its harbour.
Robert Fowke has painstakingly gathered evidence from archives of the Inquisition in Madrid, parish records in England and salt‐caked documents in the National Archives in London, to produce a compelling narrative which helps us understand how the finished poem came to life. To learn more about 'The Real Ancient Mariner' and his adventurous life and strange immortality, come to this fascinating talk. Admission free, all welcome.
Report on the meeting and talk on 28th September 2010
Stephen gave us a fascinating talk on 28th September which ranged from the challenges of maintaining and preserving the fabric of the historical National Trust castle and estate at Dunster, modernising by installing solar panel generators for energy saving on the rooftops and conserving the several species of bats who reside in the roof spaces. In addition he told us of the initiatives at Coleridge Cottage at Nether Stowey, where amongst their renewal plans they intend to establish a lime tree bower, as in the poem Coleridge wrote when in Thomas Poole's garden.
Watchet Conservation Society and the Pool Fun Day, August 30th 2010
Oh what a wonderful afternoon was had by everyone present. Watchet's west beach was bathed in sunshine on Bank Holiday Monday for the Pool Fun Day, the first of what is hoped to be an annual event celebrating the clearing and re-opening of the tidal pool.
The idea was conceived by Molly Quint, Chair of WCS and John Irven, Membership Secretary and Treasurer and with a team of supporters they created a day that the people of Watchet will not forget. The harbour Community Book Shop kindly gave a grant and Friends of Watchet Station (FOWS) also supported, both of which helped hugely with the purchase of boats, kits and prizes. WCS would like to express their thanks to both parties and the many local traders and individuals who gave their time and help.
Alec Danby, Town Crier, got the proceedings off to a prompt start and Molly Quint officially opened the event.
A variety of boat races followed: matchbox-boats, nail-boats and small sailing boats - whilst Molly ran a workshop making paper boats which were also raced in the failing wind, but brilliant sunshine. The enthusiasm of the youngsters was a delight to watch and there emerged a keen competitive spirit together with a lot of shouting and splashing. The highlight of the boat races was the final yacht race in which the winners of the previous races competed for The Jim Barry Prize, a model yacht donated by Jim. The winner was Caprice, with Rosa and Stewart runners up, all excellent competitors.
Other activities included a radio-controlled boats' demo, helicopter demo, ball-bouncing, pebble painting, seaside pastiches, windmill-making, egg and spoon races, musical items and kayak rides. There was also a free bottle of water and a Kit-Kat for everyone. Haribos were give to participants and winners - and anyone else who came along and politely asked for one - especially the adults!
John Irvin, project manager, said, "To see and hear the pleasure expressed by the children and their families made all the efforts worthwhile".
Molly Quint, Chair of WCS said "Where else could the children of Watchet have gone with their parents on Bank Holiday Monday for an afternoon of entertainment, fun and refreshments - all free. Even the weather joined in the fun and gave us a magnificent afternoon. Put the date in your diary for next year and kids start to make your boats ready for the big sail. Thanks to everyone for coming along,joining in the fun, getting wet, shouting and really making it a great afternoon. It could only be in Watchet.
Most people know that the Ancient Mariner was written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge when walking in the Quantock Hills from his home in Nether Stowey with William and Dorothy Wordsworth, in the Spring of 1798.
What not everyone will know is that the author Robert Fowke has recently undertaken very painstaking research into the history and origins of the character, traveling extensively and inspecting the original records of the time in England, Spain and the new world, publishing via Travelbrief ‘The Real Ancient Mariner’ (ISBN 9780954835149).
His discoveries have shown who the Real Ancient Mariner was, where he came from, his sailing adventures and on whom Coleridge based his famous poem. This is of great interest to all of us in Watchet and our history!
Following the AGM held on the 19th January 2010 the following members were elected to the committee of the Society:-
- Molly Quint – Chairman
- John Irven – Treasurer and Membership Secretary
- Christopher Danby – Secretary
- Neville Gosling
- Eric Robinson
- Tim Taylor
- Sam Westmacott
- Mike Whetlor
The new committee looks forward to your renewed support to enable the good work of the Society to continue.
During the last year the Society held 5 successful lecture evenings which were attended by an average of 45 people. We are grateful to John Gilman, Paul Upton, Martin Snell, David Ireson and Vernon Stone and the Shammick Players, who all gave their time and in doing so delighted us with fascinating evenings which were much enjoyed.
Paul Upton in 2007-8 and David Simpson Scott in 2008-9 reviewed all planning applications. Of particular importance was the proposed development at Stoates Mill. We supported the application and our Case Officer, David Simpson Scott, represented us at the Planning Committee. We were delighted when planning permission was granted as the site is of great importance in the development of Watchet and we felt that it would be far better for the buildings to be renovated as much as possible and kept in use than the fabric should continue to be left to moulder and decay. The turbine will be kept on the site and given a lick of paint so that it will look more cared for than it does at the moment.
Nick Cotton and Paul Upton have continued to take note of houses in Watchet, and are maintaining a written and visual record of what is there.
More recently the Society's efforts have been focused on how to impact the way the town looks through the continuation of the pavement project, improving the signage in the town, looking at the way lighting is used in Swain Street and other areas, and whether any of these things could be improved to enhance the town’s tourist appeal. In this regard we also discussed traffic calming and other issues. Dr Eric Robinson became a familiar sight, trotting around with brushes cleaning up cobbles. Others also became involved and various areas in Swain Street and Market Street were improved. A working party was formed on signage and a report was submitted to Watchet Town Council identifying 10 signs requiring removal, 11 needing repair or restoration, and 6 requiring replacement with a new sign or signs. A list was attached with pictures of seven signs which we suggested could be removed immediately because they are redundant.
The new committee are looking forward to representing you and working on your behalf to ensure that the Watchet Conservation Society can continue its good work keeping Watchet a special place for us to live in and for others to visit. So, if you have not already done so, please renew your subscription without delay by completing the attached renewal form and returning it to the Membership Secretary.
We will be sending out regular newsletters throughout the year to keep you fully informed of the work the Society is doing, and to notify you of all the forthcoming lectures, activities, and events that we are planning for 2010 and which we hope you will enjoy attending.
Chris Danby
Secretary – Watchet Conservation Society
The WCS Constitution can be viewed here - WCS Constitution
WCS East Wharf planning application - East Wharf Planning Application