Back to - 1990's

Click on a picture to enlarge - last update 4th March 2008

Exeter in the 21st Century - interesting events, oddities and street life - A photo essay

---

For a couple of weeks at the beginning of February, the sluice gate at Trews Weir was opened to drain the river between Blackaller and Trews Weir. the banks of the river were exposed for the first time for almost forty years revealing shopping trolleys, bicycles and other rubbish. The outlet from the Chutebrook at the bottom of Colleton Hill was seen for the first time for many years. Flocks of gulls took advantage of the mud flats to feed. 1st February 2008

On the 60th Anniversary of the dedication of the HMS Exeter window at Exeter Cathedral, and the 66th Anniversary of the sinking of the ship off Sunda Straight, ten surviving members of the crew were welcomed to the Guildhall by the Lord Mayor, followed by a service at the Cathedral. Here, this veteran sits by a painting of the modern HMS Exeter.1st March 2008

The shock news in December 2007 that the Northcott Theatre would lose its funding from the Arts Council and would be forced to close, initiated a program of protest, petitions and letters to the Express and Echo and the Arts Council. A large protest on the 5th January was surpassed on the next Saturday as the citizens of Exeter turned out to support our theatre. With songs from the shows, young and old entertained the passing crowd to gain their signatures on the petition. 12th January 2008

This is the first time that I have seen the City of Exeter Pipes and Drums performing in public. Formed in the late 1970's they wear the Robertson tartan, and carry the city Coat of Arms. I wouldn't know a good pipe band if it hit me in the face, but I did find this one quite stirring and colourful. It attracted a lively crowd by the now closed, Debenhams store in Sidwell Street.
See the City of Exeter Pipes and Drums website 3rd November 2007

These two gents thought it was jolly boating weather for a punt up Princesshay West on the opening day. There were other entertainments through the day as the crowds filled the newly completed 'streetscape' and queued to enter some shops. See the new Princesshay for photos of the opening. 20th September 2007

One little blue boy welcomes another Blue Boy back to the new Princesshay. They have also returned Hope and Despair and the Hughes Garage Phoenix, to the 'streetscape'. Mind you, Henry VII seems to be missing, although I have to admit, he is not of the same calibre as the restored pieces. 22th September 2007

Cricklepit Mill, the new headquarters of the Devon Wildlife Trust will be opening in the Autumn of 2007. Here is a preview of the almost completely restored main water wheel. A second inside the building has also been restored and is ready for turning. This side of the mill is superb, but the new building work on the other side is, let's say, different - that means it had top architects and will win awards. Mind you, the roof of the new building is planted with moss and grass which does look nice from Cricklepit Lane and is splendidly, ecologically sound, which is good. 11th September 2007

Now that it has gone, I thought a photograph of the model of Princesshay that Land Securities used to sell their £230 million scheme to the citizens of Exeter would be appropriate. I wonder if it will be displayed in the museum like the Hedgeland model of Exeter made in the early 1800s. 11th September 2007

Exeter had promotion fever in the lead up to the Conference final at the new Wembley Stadium on 20th May. The High Street had several traders selling flags, scarves and other red and white regalia, to help Exonians get behind the team.......... late Sunday, and the dream  is over as the team lost 2-1 to Morecambe. Still, they will get back into the league next year, this was just a practice run. See St James Park.
18 May 2007

Poltimore House had an open day to raise funds for restoration. The Wardour Garrison, who act out 17th century life and give displays in musketry were the attraction. These four fellows represented an irregular militia formed to fight Cromwell's Parliamentary forces at Exeter. They put on a pretty impressive display of disciplined firing - well most of the time. Also see the Civil War at Exeter. 18th May 2007

The new Vue Cinema opened on 22nd December at 10 am. The cinema has cost £4.2 million and has seating for 1,073. The films shown on the first day were March of the Penguins and Night at the Museum. It is planned that there will be an official opening at 5pm on Friday 12th January 2007, with the Lord Mayor in attendance. See History of Cinema in Exeter.
22nd December 2006.

Exeter's coolest winter attraction, in the Cheeke Street carpark, is an outdoor ice rink that was well attended on a cold frosty morning. Some spent time cooling their behind, while the smallest showed how it should be done. 20th December 2006

Mr Richard Roberts, 95 years young was the guest of honour at St Sidwell's School in York Road. Mr Roberts attended the school between 1915 and 1923. The school had an open day for past pupils, before it moves into a new building, and the old is demolished over the summer. 23rd June 2006
Mr Roberts sadly passed away at the end of 2006.

Noel Edmonds turns on the Christmas lights in the High Street - he brought his 'Deal, No Deal' phone with him. Fireworks were let off over Debenhams for the crowd.

The Duke of Kent takes the salute at the Guildhall for the last parade of the Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry. They were to be merged, with other regiments to become The Rifles. See the Last Parade of the Devon and Dorsets for more photos of the event. Photo kindly supplied by Douglas Sims
27th January 2007

The Officers and Crew of HMS Exeter were given the Freedom of the City. With a Royal Marine band they marched past, with fixed bayonets, the Guildhall for the salute from Captain Brown and the Lord Mayor, Cllr Norman Shiel. 7th October 2006

The Last (but one) Parade of the Devon and Dorset Regiment 4.8 MB WMV Video (filmed in June 2006)

This ceramic Chevalier is to be placed on the roof of the Hogs Head pub to remember the original, that was lost along with the building in the 1942 bombing. It was paid for by subscription, organised by local historian Dr Todd Gray. June 2006

The partly demolished Red Cow Inn, near St David's station. Built in 1810, there was a Red Cow on this site from at least the 17th century. The building had become unstable due to fires set by squatters and it was ordered to be demolished. May 2006.

The Henry VII statue that was on the side of Eastgate House was removed during August 2005. Here it lies, in the council yard down at Belle Isle, like a carved effigy on a packing case sarcophagus. We will have to wait to see if Land Securities resurrect him. The statue was made by Sonia Newton in the early 1950's. See East Gate Henry VII Statue October 2005

Traders in Fore Street are promoting the West Quarter. These posters are in the empty Bill Greenhalgh store, Adams Home Hardware. and the Flying Post window. Once poverty stricken, the West Quarter is now becoming a trendy area to live. October 2005

The fancy dress shop Indoor Pursuits in Fore Street is gearing up for Halloween with this young man. Behind is a generic poster to promote traders in Fore Street. October 2005.

Even in the 21st century, on a cold day in January 2004, this homeless person was sheltering in the doorway of Cathedral Close and Yard. January 2004

A busker entertaining Christmas shoppers at the High Street, Castle Street, junction. He is a well known face in Exeter. December 2003.

This photo was contributed by Dr Martin King. It shows a bomb crater just below the Washington Singer Laboratories. Dr King remembers as a boy, the 500lb bomb dropping on the 4th May 1942 at 02.30, leaving a crater 40x15 ft. It was listed in the official report at the time: Prince of Wales Rd. Fell in open field 200yds. from the bend of road. Near to Washington Singer Laboratories.  March 2007

A jazz band on the Quayside - every Sunday through the summer the Prospect Inn laid on different bands to entertain the crowds. This band played the 'blues', my favourite style of jazz. July 2005.

The post-chaise of Lt Lapenotiere with news of Admiral Nelsons victory at Trafalgar, travels down the High Street. A ceremony handing over the Trafalgar Way proclamation was held on the steps of the Guildhall. Also see Lt Lapenotiere at Exeter August 2005

A production company moved into Cathedral Yard in August 2001 to film some sequences for the BBC series, Down to Earth. The cameraman is setting up his equipment for the next shot. August 2001. Photo contributed by Sean Creech

The Exeter coat of arms on the side of the Mayor's limousine that was parked outside the Guildhall. He never seems to get a parking ticket! July 2005

More free street music. This band was on the corner of the High Street and Queens Street, entertaining the summer shoppers and Tesco lunch break brigade. July 2005.

A 1950's American car parked on the Quayside. Someone has spent a lot of time and money in restoring this little motor! July 2005

A detail from the new Marking Time artwork in St Catherine's Almshouses. A cheeky coke can is included as an archeological find in one of the glass panels. The most interesting artwork to appear in Exeter during the last 20 years. October 2005

The lawnmower as museum exhibit, or is it art? A home made display by former councillor Chris Gale in Exwick brightens the morning walk to the post-office at Foxhayes. The museum started when Gale placed a single mower on a newly gravelled front garden. A friend jokingly offered his old mower for the garden and within a short time it had grown to a collection of eighteen mowers and grass trimming machines.

Top of Page