News

At the end of November, adverts were beginning to appear to tempt shoppers in the lead up to Christmas.   There was obviously competition between shops which sold ingredients for seasonal recipes!   Some Exeter businesses advertised in the surrounding, local...

The Tiverton Gazette, at the beginning of November 1924, devoted two whole pages to the local and regional results of the General Election which was held on October 29th. Villages also celebrated the victory. In 1924 the turnout was a massive 90%. In this year’s...

For the fourth time in two years, Mid Devon prepared for a General Election. The election of November 1922 was followed by two during 1923. The result in December 1923 was a majority of just 3 for the Liberals after a recount of the 24,600 votes cast. The Tiverton...

This year the Devon County Library Service is celebrating it’s centenary. In October 1924, the Tiverton Gazette had a small piece on the Rural Library centres which were to be established. Services were to be offered, amongst others, in Lapford, Morchard Bishop, Bow,...

Who would think that Lazenby Road could trace its name back to a Fish Sauce recipe donated to Elizabeth Lazenby in London in 1793? Through at least four generations of the family, the sauce and pickle company they formed became highly profitable and was eventually...

In 1921, Mabel Bessie Ellerton was living with her parents at 4 Ailsa Terrace. She was born on the 8th April 1876 and baptised at St Peter’s. Her father, John Francis was also born in the town and had been a grocer in Fore Street and very active in the local...

It is reassuring that four of the books advertised in the Gazette of late August 1924 are among the Museum’s archive collection. We also have several dialect stories by ‘Jan Stewer’. As well as one of the well known people going to Widdicombe Fair, it was the pen name...

Number 7 on our Photographic Tiverton Trail is based at 2 Bridge Street, now home to Unite Carers in Mid Devon. The image shows the building when it was occupied by Henson’s tailors and outfitters. We know that Henry Henson’s business was in operation by 1880 as we...

Over the past few months in the Gazettes of 1924, there have been reports of the active swimming club which held regular competitions and galas in the baths in St Andrew Street. The Gazette reflected the excitement surrounding the opening, in July 1924, of the new...

An article appeared in the Gazette in early July 1924 that claimed to be of interest to ‘all concerned with education in the southwest’. Exeter University traces its roots back to mid-19th century with St Lukes College and the Exeter Schools of Art and Science. The...

Tiverton Museum is pleased to announce today that it has been recognised in Tripadivsor’s® Travelers’ Choice® Awards for 2024. The award honours businesses that consistently earn great reviews, placing them among the top 10% of listings around the world on...

This was the start of the installation of electricity in the town but it would be a long time before all homes had power at their fingertips. In 1919 6% of homes had electricity, by the end of the 1930s it was 65%. There were still a lot of homes dependent on other...