Andrew Knutt
Mr Hughes Reply
Thank you for taking the time to reply to my email so
promptly regarding my question on the oldest building in
Taunton, my daughter and I are eagerly awaiting for the
answer to our question and hoping that your committee can
give us the answer.
On the question if we have any
subject matter that you could use on your web site I will
certainly give it some thought.
We live on the site that used to be
the old concrete works off of Prioswood Road, next to the
Gardeners Arms public house and have been here since the
houses were new some five years ago prior to that we lived
in the Blackbrook area. I found your web site by going
through the Ask Jeeves search engine, I just asked for the
history of Taunton.
I'm sorry to say that I never knew
that there was a Taunton & District Civic Society and I
must say that I am quite interested in finding out more
about the Society, once again thank you for your time.
Martin Hughes
Our 2nd Reply
Thank you
for your informative response and it will help the
society in many ways . I am pleased to send you an
answer to your question, which is provided below:
'In the book
'Somerset: The Complete Guide' by Robin Bush described
the town of Taunton. He states that most of the town's
medieval and Tudor buildings were destroyed during the
Civil War siege of 1645. He also states that south of
the Market House are the town's oldest surviving houses,
a half-timbered range centred on the Tudor Tavern. The
rear of this building dates from c.1350, with a later
façade dating from 1578. Thus the Tudor Tavern appears
to be the oldest building still standing. The
foundations of the castle were laid in 1138 by the
Bishop of Winchester but the actual building was
remodelled in 1786 and 1816. The church of St Mary
Magdalene contains a 13th century arcade between the two
north aisles and the original tower was constructed
between 1488 and 1514, but again the building was
renovated and rebuilt during the 19th century. Other
buildings, such as the almshouses and St Margaret's
Leper Hospital all stand on sites of older buildings
dating from the 16th century but again have been
remodelled in later times'.
I do hope
that we have been of assistance and I hope that you will
consider joining the Civic Society in the future. If
there is anything else that you require assistance on
please do not hesitate in contacting me.
Andrew Knutt
Mr Hughes 2nd Reply
Thank you very much for
your latest email. I had to eat rather a lot of humble
pie once my daughter had read your email, she even
printed it off and took it to school as her teacher
had said that there was a older building in the
cricket ground, so she not only got one up on me and
her teacher also.
Once again may I take
this opportunity to thank you and your committee for
helping us to resolve this question.
Martin Hughes
Our Final Reply
I'm glad we could
help and as for the teacher she is partly right as
Priory Barn at the cricket ground now used as
the Cricket Museum is probably the oldest
complete building still standing in
Taunton dating to c1500 .
Andrew
