Axmouth, Harbour Entrance c.1955

Photo ref: A83019

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 ...see more

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 ...see more

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 ...see more

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 ...see more