Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2011 9:14:59 GMT
A new thread for odd facts and stories about South Devon - and the place to pose the occasional question.
Starting with:
Where in South Devon will you see this rather radical inscription?
"Created by public generosity. Destroyed by corporate intrigue"
It was only last week that I discovered the plaque that carries these words. There may be some on this forum who live nearby and pass it everyday.
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Jan 3, 2011 10:29:20 GMT
I'm going to give your question a lot of thought NIck, but a small clue IE is it in Torbay might help.
We talked some time ago on here about riots that took place in Devon in the 1800's. They also occurred in Torquay and for my first contribution to this thread I will add an account of the Torquay Bread Riots.
In 1847 rising prices caused real distress to the working class and Bread Riots broke out across Devon.
Dawlish, Okehampton, Cullompton, Crediton and Tiverton all saw disturbances, and on May 17 a Torquay mob ransacked bakers’ shops in lower Union Street, ‘the contents of which were carried off by the women in their aprons’.
Several thousand rioters then raided shops in Fleet St and Torre, and fought with local traders. A number were arrested, but the rioters demanded their release – 60 navvies from the railway works at Torre armed themselves with ‘pick axes, crow bars and shovels, with the avowed purpose of pulling down the Town Hall’.
To restore order, a revenue cutter, The Adelaide, and a government steamer The Vulcan brought a detachment of coastguards. Forty troops arrived from Exeter while 300 special constables were sworn in. Eventually, 27 rioters were jailed, though these prisoners had to be sent to Exeter by sea, instead of by road, as a plot to rescue them had been discovered.
Torquay also saw a Bread Riot in 1867. Men rolled tar barrels and attacked shops till 5am, and an attempt was made to sabotage gas supplies. It seems as if this was well-organised: ‘Much brutality was exhibited by the mob, the women bringing supplies of heavy stones from Ellacombe; these were aimed at the constables, and many were severely wounded’.
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Jan 3, 2011 10:56:27 GMT
I have posted this once before on another thread, but have added it again to this one as it fits in nicely with your opening post  The Story of 'Station Jim' at Kingswear Station. In January 1901 Jim, a handsome collie dog, was found abandoned and dejected in a railway carriage in Kingswear Station’s Waterhead Creek Sidings, so the station master Mr T Abrahams took him onto his 'Staff'. His duties were to collect, in a small brass box fastened to his collar, contributions from passengers for the GWR’s Widows and Orphans Fund, which he did with great success. He became a general favourite with everyone, and was soon living the high life. Jim quickly learnt to distinguish the dining car from the ordinary passenger coach, the close proximity of the Royal Dart Hotel kitchens, the galleys of the steamships, and the jetties; all provided rich hunting grounds. However, in 1906 there was consternation at the terminus when, in spite of a wide search, Jim could not be found. A telegram from Captain Smith, of a Renwick, Wilton & Co Ltd collier, reported they had a stowaway aboard; Jim had boarded at Kingswear and after a good meal from the galley had curled up asleep. He was wakened by the rough waters outside the castle and was very seasick, and after a voyage to Newcastle was greatly relieved to be returned to a joyous welcome by all the railway staff back home. His adventure did not stop Jim, a gallant Lothario, from occasionally crossing to Dartmouth on either the Lower or Railway Ferry to do a little courting, after which he plied his trade collecting contributions for GWR widows and orphans, before returning to Kingswear. His greatest moment was in 1908 when King Edward VII, on arriving at Kingswear Station on a visit to the Naval College, broke with protocol and strode over to Jim and his minder, gave him a stroke, and placed a golden guinea in his collecting box. Sadly during 1909, Jim was struck by one of the new-fangled motor cars, and died shortly afterwards. There was great sorrow among both staff and villagers, and he was buried with due ceremony in the railway embankment below Fore Street, Kingswear. Today his simple grave is there for all to see. Jim  Kingswear Station  |
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keyberrygull
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Post by keyberrygull on Jan 3, 2011 11:01:22 GMT
A new thread for odd facts and stories about South Devon - and the place to pose the occasional question. Starting with: Where in South Devon will you see this rather radical inscription? "Created by public generosity. Destroyed by corporate intrigue" It was only last week that I discovered the plaque that carries these words. There may be some on this forum who live nearby and pass it everyday. Barton, It's been there for more than 20 years, sometime during the 80's I believe. Do you want me to go and check for you  |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Jan 3, 2011 11:07:12 GMT
Well Brian after reading your post I would take a guess its at Penn Inn. maybe to do with the out door swimming pool, paddling pool and open park area, all being lost under a supermarket?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2011 20:19:59 GMT
Well Brian after reading your post I would take a guess its at Penn Inn. maybe to do with the out door swimming pool, paddling pool and open park area, all being lost under a supermarket? That's the deal. Deep in Keyberry territory! Full inscription suggests it's been there for the best part of twenty-five years: Opposite this spot was Penn Inn Park 1935-1985. Created by public generosity. Destroyed by corporate intrigue. |
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