Seaton memories
Here are memories of Seaton and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Seaton or a Seaton photo.
Warners
As a young child I can remember several holidays taken at the Warners holiday camp at Seaton. The serious business of 'motoring down to Devon' was never taken lightly, lunch was prepared the night before to be eaten at Stonehenge, where one was free to sit upon the stones then, the Consul Mk2 was serviced or at least washed and polished, suitcases on the roof were wrapped in plastic, which made a noise all the way down! and off we would go. Arriving on Saturday morning, the mass exodus of new arrivals queuing for keys stretched around the huge white-fronted building, my brother and I would be keen to explore and visit the swimming pool (whatever the weather). Upon receiving the keys, home for the next week would be a wooden chalet with a sink, basic tea-making equipment etc, meals would be served in the restaurant, this formed the basis of the holiday camp regime, where the hall would be split into 2 halves, the 'cads' and the 'colleges', points... Read more
Memories of Devon
Yank Worked At Harbour Inn 1965
As an 18 year old boy from Atlanta, Georgia (USA), I worked at the Harbour Inn during the summer of 1965. That's among my fondest memories, and one of the most enjoyable times in my life. I have fond memories of the Rodmores (who owned the Inn), Henry (head bar tender), Old Herbie, and the many fine people who visited the pub and lived there and in Seaton. I revisited Axmouth and Seaton in 1972 while enroute home from an 18 month tour in Thailand. I shall never forget the warm welcome I received as a "left-tenant" in the US Air Force ... I could not pay for a drink, or even my hotel room, becasue you wanted to say "thanks" for what America did to help you in World War II. I still get teary when I think of that. Thank you for being such wonderful people and friends.
My House - my Home
This is Southcombe Terrace, Axmouth. 6-13 Southcombe Terrace was designed by the architect Frederick Kett and built by Bert Warren around 1937/8 for the Stedcombe Estate. My parents, Rock and Olive Real, then in their mid twenties, moved into what must have been, their dream home, No. 10, Southcombe Terrace. My parents would have preferred an end terrace house - and could have had one - but the extra 6d per week rent was more than they could afford. At first my parents rented the house from the estate, but after the death of Miss Stephens, the estate owner, they later had the opportunity to buy it, which they did in 1966 for 1,200. My sister Anne was born in the house in 1938 and the fir tree, shown in the photograph, was Anne's first Christmas tree, which my parents planted on the verge after Christmas. Dad, a lorry driver, for Bradford's of Seaton, had rescued the little tree just before Christmas, after it had... Read more
Quieter, Carefree Days.
I am Pauline Morgan (nee Real) and I am the little girl standing by the boat, whilst my brother Cliff is wading through the water. The cabin cruiser on the opposite side of the river is 'Silver Swan' owned by Gilbert Hazel of Castle Cary and looked after by my father, Rock Real. Our family spent so many happy hours on and in our beloved river Axe, as did the Sea Rangers to whom I belonged. Now in my mid 60's I still love to row or outboard up the river and enjoy the solitude still on offer there - with just the birds for company and the river, gently slapping the hull of my boat.
This wonderful photograph brings back so many happy memories of growing up in Axmouth with the river being one of our many playgrounds. It reminds me of a time when the pace of life was much slower and carefree.
Most of the children of Axmouth learned to swim in... Read more
The Ship Inn at Axmouth.
The Ship Inn can be seen to the left of the photograph; just beyond the wall.
My great-great-grandparents, John and Mary Real (born in Axmouth in 1821 and 1824 respectively) were licensees of The Ship Inn, Axmouth, at the time the 1851 census was taken. They had five children, with my great-grandfather, William George Real being their youngest. John Real was a shoemaker, like his father and grandfather before him, so it is no surprise that two of his sons, John (born 1843) and William George (born 1851) later followed in the family tradition. Mary Real (born 1824) was a lacemaker, as later, were John's and William George's wives, Fanny (born 1843) and Sarah (born 1852). John Real (born 1843) was also the Postmaster at the Post Office in Chapel Street, Axmouth, whilst his brother William George Real (born 1851) lived and worked as a shoemaker at 22, Chapel Street, the property next door. There were many shoemakers and lacemakers in succeeding generations of the Real family.
In the... Read more
THE REAL FAMILY OF AXMOUTH DEVON UK
My Grandmother ELLEN REAL was born in Axmouth 1875. Her grandmother was a Lace Maker and one of a few lace makers who contributed to making Queen Victoria's Wedding Veil. My father (William Tom Sparkes) told me all the lace makers who helped make the veil received an image of Queen Victoria wearing her wedding veil. This image was sent by Queen Victoria soon after the 1840 Royal Wedding to all the lace makers who helped make it. This image was taken on the Queen's wedding day. The lace makers lived in Axmouth, Beer, and possibly Branscombe. He remembers seeing this picture hanging up in his grandparents' home.
His lace making great-grandmother eventually went blind. Her own story was that she was Spanish and had been washed up after falling overboard. She was about 14 years old and was attempting to smuggle lace into the Beer area, and couldn't get back to her own country. According to people's memory, she had beautiful long black hair at one time. The... Read more
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