Pavement Project
Society members Eric Robinson and Helen Chave are currently exploring the pavements of Watchet.
An Early photograph of Swain Street c.1860 looking south towards Anchor Street. Apart from the policeman in the stovepipe hat note the left hand side pavings or 'stepping stones' and the unsurfaced road. On the right hand side there is sound paving in front of the shops.
There is clear evidence of 19th century pavement construction identified by Eric and Helen. Cobbled areas would have been commonplace as the availability of the necessary materials were close to hand. An excellent surviving example may be seen at the entrance to the yard at No. 54 Swain Street complete with cobbles, kerb and flag. It is not difficult to imagine the clatter of hooves and cart wheels as it passed over the uneven surface.
On the same side of the road a little further on the entrance to the side of Harbour News is a second example if a cobbled entrance. Note the 'Carriage Arch' to allow access. These cobbles suggest a similar date.
Continuing down Swain Street you come to the Town Museum (Old Market House). Here is a sympathetic reconstruction of cobbling constructed during the conversion to the museum.
A short distance on into Market Street Pier Cottage has a cobbled paved area in different coloured river pebbles forming a geometric pattern. There must have been many such examples in Victorian Watchet.
Leaving Market Street and a short distance into West Street just past the Basin of the left is a charming example of decorative cobbles. This area quite clearly laid by a previous owner of the imposing Severn House as the initials SH area included in the design. It is for the most part in original condition. It would seem vital that these unique features to Watchet are preserved and if possible restored.
A variation of Staffordshire Blue Bricks designed for Industrial sites. Non slip surfaces they survive well in Esplanade Lane and also just past the Anchor Inn in Anchor Street.
'Evergreen Florist' corner.
Side entrance to Alberts' 'ardware Esplanade Lane illustrating Welsh Stable Tiles.
Tarmac is an unattractive material, is there potential to improve the pavements of Watchet?