Shire Hall Pageant
by Joan Cope 

I joined the staff of the County Council in 1936, the year it moved from Weston-super-Mare to the Crescent in Taunton. This move was, of course, responsible for a great change in this town’s growth and prosperity. I travelled daily to Taunton from Chard – in those days we all worked on a Saturday morning. The bus fare was, I think, 9d return.

There was a very attractive old cottage in the grounds of County Hall and opposite the Police station, but that disappeared long ago. In the early days I seem to recall a slaughterhouse on the site where the new buildings were erected. It was the cause of great irritation to everyone especially to Harold King, then clerk to the County Council. At one time there was a very old cottage and garden next to the former TDBC Offices, on the site now occupied by Debenham’s Office (Bedford House).

I must include the wonderful pageant held in the grounds of the Shire Hall, before County Hall arrived – I was around ten years old, which would place it in the early 30s. There was a marvellous array of people dressed up in historical costumes and I particularly remember buses arriving, bringing people from towns and villages everywhere.

The Odeon was previously known as the Lyceum and was the venue for the very successful Operatic Society. Pleasant and enjoyable tea dances and ballroom dances were held at Dellars, with a string quartet in the background. One of the oldest shops was Brakes – its variable goods being offered at very competitive prices. It has long since ceased to exist, as have other popular stores, such as Collards Groceries (Corporation Street), Love’s furniture shop, Dunn’s garage, the old Woolworth’s (nothing over sixpence).

In the 1950s, the Convent in South road was occupied and operated as a school. The Closed Order of St Joseph ran it. The teaching was excellent and the atmosphere happy and relaxed. Students were taught French from the age of 4! With the buildings of Musgrove Park hospital we gained excellent health facilities but lost some playing fields. I have many painful memories of mixed hockey matches, often with only three ladies on each side.

In view of my previous connection with local government, I am, of course, prejudiced, but I frequently compare “the good old days” with the changes that have taken place since. 

Joan Cope