Watchet Conservation Matters Promoting, Conserving & Improving Our Physical & Natural Environment Issue 58 May/June 2018 From the Chairman we will be announcing the erection of the interpretation board shortly. The planting of the wild flowers at the West Street car park has been going ahead for some time and if you’re passing do please check on the progress, particularly in a few months time. We will shortly undertake the cleaning of the tidal pool at West Beach and whist we are there, seriously think about construction of the fish weir, we are intending to repair and preserve the notice on the wall outside the old Council office in Swain Street. The Society was asked to back the planning application for the East Quay Hello Members, development and this we did without When I accepted the Chair of the reservation, it’s important for the future of Conservation society, I have to say that I Watchet and its regeneration. thought that most of my duties, would be a walk in the park. Pressing the flesh, making This will be Jan Simpson Scott’s last the odd speech, helping to organise, being newsletter, make the most of it. As things encouraging, a little bit of negotiation, stand I will be doing the next one. I would running the occasional meeting, it should like to thank her again for all her work for the be relatively easy and enjoyable. However, society over many years. not everything runs according to plan. It can be just a little frustrating at times. Lastly I am delighted to announce that Molly However, I think we are making progress. Quint is re-joining the committee and we are also to be joined by Beryl Haden-Guest, who The Mineral Line booklet is progressing has agreed to take and produce our minutes slowly but hopefully within the month will in future. They are both most welcome. be published. We are, however having to make a few tweaks to the Turner Enjoy the fine spring weather. interpretation board, but still hope it will be up on Splash Point this Summer. Party for West Street children at The The developer at Stoates Mill has made London Inn to celebrate The Coronation a wonderful effort in renovating and in 1953. painting the Turbine (see rear cover) and Bob Cramp How Watchet Celebrated The Queen’s Coronation How Watchet Celebrated The Queen’s Coronation How Watchet Celebrated The Queen’s at Her Majesty’s Coronation, for which he Coronation - Maurice Chidgey received an official acknowledgement. Amidst the celebrations of Queen On the preceding Sunday afternoon in the Elizabeth II’s 65th Anniversary of her Methodist Church a service primarily for Coronation this June, I thought it might children was arranged, but several adults be appropriate to stir the memories of were among the large congregation. The older Watchet folk as to how the town leader was Mr. A. E. Morgan (headmaster celebrated Her Majesty’s Coronation of St. Decuman’s Primary School), who on Tuesday, 2nd June, 1953. This was had cleverly improvised replicas of the achieved with the considerable help of Royal regalia which mark the service at the archives of the West Somerset Free Westminster Abbey. Co-operating with him Press. The weather that day was not was his son Bryan and Joyce Bryan, Pam very summery, but threatening clouds Clausen, John Rudd, Rodney Wells and and wintry showers of rain could not David Jones, bearers of the replica Royal dampen the enthusiasm of Her Majesty’s symbols. Mr. T. Young (headmaster of the loyal subjects. County School) was at the organ. With religious observances and parties for An hour later a united service was held schoolchildren, the Watchet celebrations at St. Decuman’s Church, with the Vicar covered a period of five days. Thanks (the Rev. Alan Symon) officiating. He to a lead by the Urban District Council, was assisted by the Rev. William Green One of the many Watchet street parties Unfortunately, a spiteful storm broke when bunting, flags and other decorations (Methodist), Pastor J. Sidwick (Baptist) celebrating the Coronation of Queen an assembly took place on the Esplanade transformed the streets and terraces and Mr. Wilfred Bale (Salvation Army). The Elizabeth II in 1953. This shows the top in the afternoon of Coronation Day but, that was a fitting preliminary to mark so musical portion of the service, with Miss of Liddymore Road and among those under the direction of Mr. F. B. Penny, a memorable an occasion. Business houses Ivy Stephenson at the organ and the Town pictured are Hugh Amery, Len Blackmore, parade quickly moved off to the Memorial everywhere co-operated in reminding Band (bandmaster T. W. Bulpin), made Harold Binding, Anthony Short, Peter Ground. It was headed by Assistant the public of this very special occasion, acceptable contributions. Members of the Binding, Gillian Binding, Stuart Strong, Scoutmaster Michael Axon, and in a gaily distinctive among the displays being a Urban District Council, headed by their Pat Baker, Helen and Janet Amery, Mrs. decorated lorry driven by Mr. Howard collection in Mr. V. E. Danby’s antique shop chairman (Mr. H. S. Allen) and officers, Betty Binding. Note the prefabricated Strong were the Watchet Coronation window of plates, mugs, etc., souvenirs were among the congregation. buildings (prefabs), now demolished, Princess (Miss Diane Lodge) and her of Coronations and Silver and Golden which were built as temporary homes maids of honour, Misses June Bulger, Mary Jubilees and one Diamond Jubilee of The feature of Coronation Day for a host after the Second World War. Mason, Marlene Webber and Ruth Norman. earlier successive monarchs. of folk was the television display in the Suitably attired, they made a colourful Community Centre, made possible by study that won general applause. Also on Mr. G. N. Hinton, president of the Court the public-spirited enterprise of Mr. W. A. wheels were a Civil Defence rescue party Leet, the most ancient of local bodies, had Peppin, of the Radio Shop in Swain Street. in charge of Mr. R. J. H. Werren and a full forwarded to Buckingham Palace a scroll, All the main features of the Coronation crew of the local fire brigade under neatly inscribed by Mr. R. J. H. Werren (town procession and ceremony were enjoyed by Sub-Officer Lauris Sully. surveyor), bearing the Leet’s loyal greetings a captivated audience. How Watchet Celebrated The Queen’s Coronation How Watchet Celebrated The Queen’s Coronation Sylvia Bulley, Barbara Morse, Jean Eveleigh, Chave, Dorothy Dane, Roy Date, Pamela Rona Lewis, Jennifer Hunt, Violet James, Willicombe, Ann Date, Sheila Jones, Diane Josephine Guest, Geraldine Conway, Pamela McMillan, Raymond Sully, etc. Before leaving Baker, Marianne Guest, Gay Bulpin, Janet for home to tea, upwards of 100 children Lewis, Rosalie House and Christine Moseley. received Coronation mugs from Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Allen. Patriotic, national and sporting topics with characters from fiction provided an entry of During the five days of celebration in about 50 in a fancy dress competition. Dr. Watchet many street parties were held, and Mrs. Myles Tonks and Miss Jose Collins including one at the Community Centre for were judges and awarded prizes as follows: residents of Almyr and Portland Terraces 1 Barrow Boy (Robert Gunter), 2 Three when over 150 people attended. Trumpeters (Jimmy Neal, Keith Norman and Michael Webber), 3 Pirate (Graham Watts), The town’s Coronation celebrations 4 Drummer Boy (Arthur Webber), 5 Straw reached a fitting conclusion on the Umbrella (Raymond Eveleigh). Consolation Thursday with a friendly “get-together” awards were made to Susanne Gunter, Hilary for the old folks, the proceedings Darby, Michael Binding, Barbara Webber, consisting of a grand tea and Barbara Morse and John Trunks. Mrs. Keith entertainment in the Community Centre. Burnell won the adults’ class. Some 250 invitations had been sent out to residents over the age of 60 and there Watchet Home Guard Club outing to Organisations represented on foot included A full programme of sports, under the were few vacant places. After a splendid commemorate the Coronation of Queen members of the UDC, the British Legion with direction of Messrs. A. E. Morgan and tea prepared by Mrs. A. Groves, Mrs. J. Elizabeth II in 1953. People in the bus Mr. T. Pearce as standard-bearer, the Women’s T. Young, followed. Messrs. H. W. Norris, Owens and assisted by other ladies, Mr. include; Priscilla Bulpin, Peter Bale, Section of the British Legion with Mrs. Axon M. W. Tennant and F. J. Lockyer acted as J. Denman mentioned that all old folk Rosemary Bruford, Shirley Webber, as standard-bearer, Sea Scouts and Cubs with judges, with Messrs. T. D. Meaden and W. unable to attend had been forwarded a Elizabeth Binding, Mrs. Bindon, Nesta Patrol Leader Nicholas Axon and David Jones, E. Groves as starters. Among the children souvenir parcel. Following appropriate Taylor, Hilda Bale, Diane McMillan, Gertie and Mrs. C. Western from the W.I. By far the competing were: Michael Sherlock, Susan entertainment the National Anthem Allen, Judy McMillan, Florrie Clausen, largest contingent in the parade was made Gunter, Barbara Webber, Philip Tipper, John terminated a delightful programme. Clara Knight, Della Bulpin (holding up by youthful competitors in fancy dress, all Nicholas, Ann Roberts, Graham Somerville, daughter Shirley), Kathleen Bulpin being given a musical lead by the Town Band. Brian Stevens, Ann Chamberlain, Frances Footnote: Built as a British Restaurant in 1943, (holding son Adrian), Minnie and Henry Morse, John Eslick, Michael Binding, David the building became Watchet Community Bulpin, Brian and Philip Taylor, Stuart On arrival at the Memorial Ground, Mr. H. S.