The Running Man
Farewell Quantock House
The running man window is the second window from the right hand end of the building and the second level up that is visible over the security fence
Monday, 23 October 2017
Escape from Quantock House, Taunton
One of my colleagues spotted this shape in one of the broken windows of the former office block called Quantock House in Paul Street, Taunton. It looks remarkably like the shape of a running man. As the building is in the process of being demolished, I presume that he was running away from the big crane that is being used for the demolition. He got away just in time, as 24 hours after I took this photo on 18th September 2017 his part of the building was gone forever. The building is apparently going to be replaced by a care home.
Friday, 6 October 2017
St Mary's Church, Nettlecombe
There is no village of Nettlecombe today, just a cluster of buildings around Nettlecombe Court. The parish church of St Mary the Virgin is situated adjacent to Nettlecombe Court and both lie in a beautiful tranquil valley in the Brendon Hills. Nettlecombe Court will always have a special place in my heart, as it was where I fell in love with the county of Somerset when I stayed there for a week on a geography field trip in early spring 1984.
Nettlecombe Court was originally a medieval manor house. It was enlarged and altered in Tudor, Elizabethan and Georgian times. It was used by two schools from 1945 until 1965. In 1967 it was leased to the Field Studies Council who converted to its present use as a field centre.
Nettlecombe is mentioned in the Domesday Book. In 1160 the estate was granted by the king to Hugh de Ralegh. In 1440 Simon de Ralegh died childless and the estate passed to his nephew, Thomas Whalesborough. It was then inherited by Thomas's daughter Elizabeth who was married to John Trevelyan.
In the late 1700s the village of Nettlecombe, which had been located close to the court and church, was removed when the parkland was landscaped. Some people moved to the nearby villages of Torre and Yarde and the hamlet of Woodford, half a mile to the north east of the court was built in the 19th century to house estate workers.
Nettlecombe Court stayed in the Trevelyan family until 1931 when Sir Walter Trevelyan died and left Nettlecombe to his daughter Joan who was married to Garnet Wolsey, a noted artist. Much of the estate was sold off after 1945 but Nettlecombe Court has never been bought or sold.
Nettlecombe Church dates back to the 13th century and in 1440 the church was dedicated to St Mary the Virgin. It was restored c1820 and again in 1858 and 1870.
The interior of St Mary's Church contains some very interesting tombs and memorials, a fine pulpit and a beautifully carved rare seven sacrament font.
The Church of England observes two sacraments (baptism and communion) but the Catholic church recognises seven:
Sculpture of a dog on a tomb
Nettlecombe Court was originally a medieval manor house. It was enlarged and altered in Tudor, Elizabethan and Georgian times. It was used by two schools from 1945 until 1965. In 1967 it was leased to the Field Studies Council who converted to its present use as a field centre.
Nettlecombe is mentioned in the Domesday Book. In 1160 the estate was granted by the king to Hugh de Ralegh. In 1440 Simon de Ralegh died childless and the estate passed to his nephew, Thomas Whalesborough. It was then inherited by Thomas's daughter Elizabeth who was married to John Trevelyan.
In the late 1700s the village of Nettlecombe, which had been located close to the court and church, was removed when the parkland was landscaped. Some people moved to the nearby villages of Torre and Yarde and the hamlet of Woodford, half a mile to the north east of the court was built in the 19th century to house estate workers.
Nettlecombe Court stayed in the Trevelyan family until 1931 when Sir Walter Trevelyan died and left Nettlecombe to his daughter Joan who was married to Garnet Wolsey, a noted artist. Much of the estate was sold off after 1945 but Nettlecombe Court has never been bought or sold.
Nettlecombe Court
Nettlecombe Church dates back to the 13th century and in 1440 the church was dedicated to St Mary the Virgin. It was restored c1820 and again in 1858 and 1870.
The interior of St Mary's Church contains some very interesting tombs and memorials, a fine pulpit and a beautifully carved rare seven sacrament font.
The Church of England observes two sacraments (baptism and communion) but the Catholic church recognises seven:
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Penance
- Communion
- Ordination
- Matrimony
- Extreme Unction (last rites)
St Mary's Church, Nettlecombe
Font
Ordination and Matrimony
Font
Penance and Communion
Extreme Unction and Christ in Glory
Baptism and Confirmation
Carved Bench End
Effigy of Sir John Ralegh and his first wife Maud
Maud died c1360 but Sir John remarried and died in 1372
Effigy of Sir Simon de Ralegh, who died c1284-1288
Wineglass Pulpit
This is made of oak and dates from the 18th century
East window
- in the bottom right and left hand corners are images of St Mary's Church and Nettlecombe Court respectively
St Mary's Church depicted in stained glass
Nettlecombe Court depicted in stained glass
Memorial to Joan Alys Wolseley (nee Trevelyan) 1904-1943
Embroidered altar front
Elaborate memorial to Urith, Lady Trevelyan
Brass memorial in memory of Harriet Louise Trevelyan
Horse on Gatepost
Thursday, 5 October 2017
Wellington's Trio of Water Towers
Wellington has three water towers. Two are side by side in Rockwell Green and the third is located down Dark Lane off Wellesley Park.
In the 19th century poor quality water was the cause of many outbreaks of diseases in British towns and cities, such as cholera. The Public Health Act of 1848 required Local Boards of Health to be set up in places in England and Wales where the death rate was greater than 23 per 1,000 population. They were given the powers to provide clean water supplies, clean the streets, regulate environmental health risks, such as slaughterhouses and manage sewers. Wellington suffered an epidemic of enteric fever in 1872 and the Wellington Local Board of Health was set up in 1873. It was replaced in 1894 by Wellington Urban District.
In 1885 a water tower was built, using locally made red bricks, in Rockwell Green as a response to a government inspectors' enquiry into the quality of Wellington's water supply. The architect was Edward Pritchard of Birmingham and London and his initials can still be seen on the cockerel weathervane on the top of the building.
The water was pumped from local springs near Westford and stored in a 44,000 gallon tank. The pumping station, which was built in 1885, can still be seen in Payton Road at Westford. It replaced 286 wells, many of which were polluted. The pumps were originally steam ones but they were replaced with diesel pumps in 1935.
Demand for mains water increased and in 1896 a square brick water tower with a 40,000 gallon tank was constructed in Dark Lane. The bricks were made by William Thomas of Poole (a village just outside Wellington) and the ironwork was made in Wellington by Ford Brothers. This water tower became redundant in 1991 and was converted into a house.
In 1934-5 a 4 storey circular reinforced concrete water tower was built by Rolfe and Raffety in Rockwell Green next to the 1885 tower, as the demand for mains water increased still further.
At some point the water towers passed from the control of the Local Board of Health to West Somerset Water Board and then on to Wessex Water. Both Rockwell Green towers were refurbished by Wessex Water in 2009-10 and sold at auction in 2013 because they were no longer needed. They were bought by a developer who was planning on turning at least one of them into a house. However when I visited in September 2017 there was no sign of any development. Both Rockwell Green water towers and the Westford Pumping Station are Grade II listed buildings. The Dark Lane Water Tower was not and is not listed. When I visited Westford in March 2018 the pumping station looked empty but not derelict.
Dark Lane, former water tower, December 2021
In the 19th century poor quality water was the cause of many outbreaks of diseases in British towns and cities, such as cholera. The Public Health Act of 1848 required Local Boards of Health to be set up in places in England and Wales where the death rate was greater than 23 per 1,000 population. They were given the powers to provide clean water supplies, clean the streets, regulate environmental health risks, such as slaughterhouses and manage sewers. Wellington suffered an epidemic of enteric fever in 1872 and the Wellington Local Board of Health was set up in 1873. It was replaced in 1894 by Wellington Urban District.
In 1885 a water tower was built, using locally made red bricks, in Rockwell Green as a response to a government inspectors' enquiry into the quality of Wellington's water supply. The architect was Edward Pritchard of Birmingham and London and his initials can still be seen on the cockerel weathervane on the top of the building.
The water was pumped from local springs near Westford and stored in a 44,000 gallon tank. The pumping station, which was built in 1885, can still be seen in Payton Road at Westford. It replaced 286 wells, many of which were polluted. The pumps were originally steam ones but they were replaced with diesel pumps in 1935.
Demand for mains water increased and in 1896 a square brick water tower with a 40,000 gallon tank was constructed in Dark Lane. The bricks were made by William Thomas of Poole (a village just outside Wellington) and the ironwork was made in Wellington by Ford Brothers. This water tower became redundant in 1991 and was converted into a house.
In 1934-5 a 4 storey circular reinforced concrete water tower was built by Rolfe and Raffety in Rockwell Green next to the 1885 tower, as the demand for mains water increased still further.
At some point the water towers passed from the control of the Local Board of Health to West Somerset Water Board and then on to Wessex Water. Both Rockwell Green towers were refurbished by Wessex Water in 2009-10 and sold at auction in 2013 because they were no longer needed. They were bought by a developer who was planning on turning at least one of them into a house. However when I visited in September 2017 there was no sign of any development. Both Rockwell Green water towers and the Westford Pumping Station are Grade II listed buildings. The Dark Lane Water Tower was not and is not listed. When I visited Westford in March 2018 the pumping station looked empty but not derelict.
1885 Water Tower, Rockwell Green
1934 Water Tower, Rockwell Green
Rockwell Green's Twin Towers
Dark Lane Water Tower in 1986 before conversion
My thanks to Stan for allowing me to use this photograph
Dark Lane, former water tower in 2017
Pumping Station, Payton Road, Westford
Pumping Station, Payton Road, Westford
Friday, 22 September 2017
Beautiful Birds
On my travels around Somerset I have come across many artistic representations of birds: made from wire, topiary, brass, iron, stone, straw, plastic, wood and glass. As I come across others, I will add them to this blogpost.
Is this a crane? Pitney
Is this a peacock? Stembridge
Pheasant, Croydon Hill near Dunster
Woodpecker, Broadwood Plantation near Dunster
Kingfisher, Lopen Church
A spoonbill with an eel in its beak
Benchend in Stogursey Church
Rodney Stoke Church
The Blackbird Pub, Bradford-on-Tone
This sign used to be a 3 dimensional model but it is currently just a photo of that model. The original sign was made c1937 by West Somerset artist Rachel Reckitt (1908-1995). I don't know what has happened to the original sign, which is apparently Grade 2 listed.
Swan, Bishop's Palace, Wells
Swan, Wells Police Station
A tribute to Hot Fuzz, which was filmed in Wells
Eagle Lectern in St John the Baptist Church, Glastonbury
Lecterns in Anglican churches and cathedrals are often in the shape of eagles on whose outstretched wings a copy of the Bible rests. This is because an eagle is the symbol of St John the Apostle and writer of one of the four Gospels. Eagles are strong birds, who can soar high and carry God's word throughout the whole church and into the world beyond. The sphere the eagle is standing on represents the earth.
Eagle lectern, All Saints Church, Monksilver
Wooden eagle lectern at St Barnabas Church, Queen Camel
I'm not sure why the eagle is clutching a very large crystal in its claws!
Starling sculpture at Westhay Nature Reserve
Starlings
Close up the starlings are very simple but from a distance they are very eye-catching
Stork bench end, St Michael's Church, North Cadbury
Swan, Horse Pond, Castle Cary
This sculpture is titled The Return and was made by Perry Jansen Chapman.
Pelican bench end
St Michael's Church, North Cadbury
Pelican? feeding its young
Bench end in St George's Church, Dunster
Two birds on a bench end in St George's Church, Dunster
Swan Fountain, Dunster Castle Garden
Slightly spooky owl chainsaw sculpture, Webbers Post
Iron bird sculpture on the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal near Huntworth
Ducks Puddle - house sign at East Quantoxhead
Back of the Ducks Puddle house sign, East Quantoxhead
Marsh Harrier? Willow Sculpture at Steart Marshes
Peacock close to Taunton Castle
Bird on a bench end, All Saints' Church, Alford
Bench end, St Mary's Church, East Quantoxhead
A pair of birds on a bench end in St Mary's Church, East Quantoxhead
Wire peacock in Old Town Quarry, Weston-super-Mare
Robin, Old Town Quarry, Weston-super-Mare
Blackbird at Old Town Quarry, Weston-super-Mare
Iron pheasant on a garden fence in Ashill
Buzzard on the West Bagborough village sign
Martlet sculpture in an alcove above the front door of Townsend House, Townsend Road, Minehead
Kingfisher, owl, buzzard, robin and woodpecker sculptures in the playground of Kingston St Mary Church of England Primary School
The classes in the school are called Owl, Buzzard, Robin and Woodpecker. The After School Club is called Kingfishers.
Topiary peacock in the garden at Lytes Cary
(National Trust)
Peacock sculpture in the Cloisters of Wells Cathedral
This is a memorial to those whose ashes are buried in the Palm Churchyard. It was made from mild steel by Charles Hopkins of Frome
Flight of Six Acres Phoenix
This colourful sculpture, which was made by artists Becky Shaw and Tad & Brenda Mendziej, was donated by Taunton and District Mencap Society and the Friends of Six Acres. It is located in the sensory garden in Vivary Park, Taunton and was unveiled in October 2019.
Flight of Six Acres Phoenix from the back
Wire goose sculpture in the garden of Coleridge Cottage at Nether Stowey
Painting of swallows on a paving slab by the side of the towpath of the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal at Firepool, Taunton
Chough and anchor on the sign of the Hood Arms at Kilve
This was the crest of the Acland-Hood family of St Audries.
Straw birds on a thatched cottage in Dunster
These blackbirds are part of the Goddess Hall mural, Glastonbury
Heron on the Goddess Hall Mural, Glastonbury
Magpie's Nest shop, Benedict Street, Glastonbury
Magpie on the shutters of The Magpie's Nest shop, Benedict Street, Glastonbury
Eye of an owl
This is part of the Wildwood mural in an alleyway off Glastonbury High Street
Barn Owl reflected in the eye of another owl
This is part of the Wildwood mural located in an alleyway just off Glastonbury High Street
Plaque on the former Swan Inn, 2 Silver Street, Wiveliscombe
Stained glass pied wagtail in Winsford Church
Stained glass robin in Winsford Church
Heron in Dulverton
Owl at Malmsmead Tea Room
Heron on a kneeler in North Curry Church
Cockerel weathervane in Lydeard St Lawrence Church
It has recently been restored and is awaiting re-erection on the top of the church tower.
Memorial to Derek the Goose in Watchet
She arrived in Watchet Harbour in a storm in 2010 and liked it so much that she stayed until her death in October 2021
Swallows painted on the back of a gravestone in Chipstable Churchyard
Dove of peace above the font in Exford Church
Birds on a kneeler in Exford Church
Ruffles the Parrot in a cage, East Quay Watchet
This was one of the exhibits in the 2023 Somerset Trash Trail and was painted by Kelly Durdan
Fernando, Timpsons, Taunton
This was painted by Renee Durdan for the 2023 Somerset Trash Trail.
Quakers the Duck
He was painted by Phil Dudman for the 2023 Somerset Trash Trail
Large owl sculpture at Torre Cider Farm
Herons at Swell Wood
This cob wall sculpture was created by pupils from Curry Mallet Primary School in October 2016. It is on display outside the bird hide at RSPB Swell Wood near Fivehead. Swell Wood has a large heronry.
Flamingo by Sian Storey, Oxford Corner Cafe, Weston-super-Mare
Four assorted birds at the entrance to some flats close to the Priorswood Shopping Centre, Taunton
Swans and a barn owl with Glastonbury Tor in the distance
This mural at the bus stop in Higher Road, Woolavington was designed and painted by Karon Woodward in 2020.
Metal swans near Bawdrip on the cycle path on the route of the Bridgwater Branch of the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway
Curlew on Jane Maria Spencer's (1872-1946) memorial window in St Peter's Church, Williton
Great tit and robin on memorial window in St Peter's Church, Williton
Bench end, Church of St James the Less, Halse
This bench end was carved by villager Herbert Ernest Cross c1900.
Bench end, Church of St James the Less, Halse
This bench end was carved c1900 by villager Richard Sealy. It depicts the pelican of piety feeding her young with her own blood. Two owls have been carved in the top corners and two rabbits at the bottom.
Bird with blackberries, Church of St John the Baptist, Axbridge
Kingfisher mural, Midsomer Norton
This was painted by Andy Council in 2025.
Kingfisher mural on a bus shelter in Stoke St Gregory
Geese mural in a bus shelter in Congresbury
Buzzard, tawny owl and pheasant on a mural in the bus shelter in Lamyatt
Gulls eating chips
This was painted on the side of Howards Fish and Chips shop, St James Street, Taunton by Sam of Aerosol Art in October 2025.
Long-eared owl sculpture, Jubilee Garden,
Norton-sub-Hamdon
These were carved in situ from a dead tree by a chainsaw artist called Dave in 2025.
Robin glass collage, Jubilee Garden,
Norton-sub-Hamdon
This was painted by Aerosol Art in July 2025.
Three owls on a bench, Victoria Park, Frome
This animal themed bench, which features three owls, was carved from a 140 year old Norway maple, which had to be felled in 2025 because it was diseased. The bench was carved by Graham Derham.
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