South Petherton, Somerset

B. J. Saunders

My father was born in South Petherton. I think his father's name was Charlie Potts, they lived in Compton Road as far as I can remember. I used to love visiting Somerset as my uncle and aunties had farms where I could help (or hinder) my uncles on my summer holidays. One was called Ron and Doris Rowswell who had Hill... [more]

South Petherton Family

I was born at Harp Road Garage, the eldest of 4 boys. I was educated at boarding schools and played cricket for South Petherton. My grandparents and great grandparents owned the original Wheatsheaf Inn opposite the Blake Hall.
My grandmother left the Wheatsheaf to live in The Little Thatch, St James Street. My father, Ernie Giles, was born in 1901 and... [more]

Somerset Living Memories

This war memorial, built in 1921, stands in the corner of the parish churchyard. Across the road is Monks Corner, a reminder that the church once belonged to the priory at Bruton. Adjoining this is Crown Lane, named after the Crown Inn, which was demolished in 1984. Its old fives wall (fives is a ball game played in a walled court)... [more]

Somerset Photographic Memories

Turning south, the tour reaches South Petherton, a small market town in the Lias limestone foothills. Its graceful parish church, dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, is dominated, as is the town, by its octagonal crossing tower. Most houses are two-storey, and the archway on the left leads into St James Mews, a shopping centre. The cupola in the distance belongs to Blake Hall,... [more]

Taunton Photographic Memories

Taunton is a town surrounded by water, with the Tone passing through its heart and the marshes not far away. It is still possible to walk along the banks of the local waterways, just as these Edwardian children did nearly a century ago. A canal to Tiverton once started from near French Weir.