In the dim and distant nineteen seventies, that lost era of flares, dodgy moustaches and The Brotherhood Of Man, The pubs closed at ten thirty PM in the week and Ten o clock on sundays, Closing times were usually strictlt enforced and most of us from the council estate end of the village left at the same time. Given that we were mainly male and young and had consumed a few pints of Lager or Whitbread Trophy, once we got outside the pub there was always the temptation to burst into song,Given that this was the era of Rod Stewert we had those anongst us who fancied themselves as the tartan clad one asthey made tthier way down School Road with the appropriate comfort stop at the urinal that was then located behind Brady's Garage, Unless diverted into the output of The Wurzels first LP, as one person ofren strangely was, 'Rod The Mod was first choice.
Sadly, however, one of the Stewert enthusiasts eventually came unstuck when he carried his passion beyond the post pub singsong. After several pints at a dance in the New Hall he pursuaded the band that was playing that night that he could perform the Jimi Hendrix and Rod Stewert classic 'Angel' ' on stage, As it turned out, when his moment came, he could remember nothing of the song beyond the title.
Abd so ended another promising musical career.
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Beware Of Old Men With Sticks.
Back in the day, mid seventies or so, by a sort of unspoken, but amicable arrangement, the youth of the village would occupy the bus shelter ny night and the uld men of the parish would occupi the public seat, at that time situated on the Londis side of the bus shelter during the day. The old blokes would spend their days, until the grim reaper came to call, watching the comings and goings on the Square and Fore Street and comparing notes about their gardens, I have been told however by a woman who was young at the time that another of their forms of entertainment was to flick up the skirts of girls who got off the school bus with their walkingsticks, if the girls were unwise enough to get too close to them.
Such behaviour today would have almost certainly got them an entry on the sex offenders register and quite rightly so, but it goes to Show that all anti social behaviour is not the preserve of the young.
Beware old men with sticks.
Such behaviour today would have almost certainly got them an entry on the sex offenders register and quite rightly so, but it goes to Show that all anti social behaviour is not the preserve of the young.
Beware old men with sticks.
Goung To The Dogs.
Lying awake at about twenty to four this morning, I turned on the radio and chanced upon an item about the thirty three thousand year old skull of a sog that has been fouind in a cave on the continent. Given the difference in head shape and teeth distribution it is certain that this is rhe skull of what we night recognise as a dog rather then a wolf.
It would seem from this discovery that our hunter-gatherer ancestors were breeding dogs long nefore previously thought, in this case at the peak of the last ice age, It is odd to think that hunters and theit dogs may once have tracked their prey across the icy wastes that would have covered what now is Silverton.
It must have been a happier time for dog owners though. No need to carry a poop scoop and no £500 fines for those who failed to clean up after their furry pals and if your dog disappeared there would have been no dog warden or dog pound where you could locate them, it would be more likrely that they would have ended up asa snack for a passing bear, so no £100 charges for overnight stays. .
It would seem from this discovery that our hunter-gatherer ancestors were breeding dogs long nefore previously thought, in this case at the peak of the last ice age, It is odd to think that hunters and theit dogs may once have tracked their prey across the icy wastes that would have covered what now is Silverton.
It must have been a happier time for dog owners though. No need to carry a poop scoop and no £500 fines for those who failed to clean up after their furry pals and if your dog disappeared there would have been no dog warden or dog pound where you could locate them, it would be more likrely that they would have ended up asa snack for a passing bear, so no £100 charges for overnight stays. .
Get A Grip.
There has been, quite rightly, concern in the village about some incudents of anti social behaviour that have taken place in recent months, unfortunately it would seem that with a few people concern seems to be turning to something lije near hysteria with some considering leaving the village,
People need to keep a sense of proportion. Silverton does not exist in some sort of bubble cut off from the rest of the world, People here are subject tom exactly the same sort of pressures and problems that affect the rest of the country, or for that matter, the rest of western society. Every other community of a similar size has the same problems from here to Lands End and John O Groats Additionally, because of its geographical position between Exeter and Tiverton and its closeness to Cullompton, Silverton has always been ibfluenced by urban areas rather then have some more rural locations. Rven if you view Silverton as a rural location people involved in law enforcenent will often tell you that rural areas often have more entrenched problems regarding anti social problems bevause of lack of facilities for ypoung people and less access to funding from local and national government.
I can write about the history of anti social behaviour in Silverton from the point of view of someone who has seen a good deal of it for over half a century along with some close quarters observations of the consequences if social breakdown elsewhere in another part of the UK>
My earliest memories of vandalism and damage in the village go back to the 1950s when yje local Teddy Boys hung out in the bus shelter and every public seat in the village was vandalised along with most of the play equipment on the rec. I can remember, and took part in, the stone tgrowing battles that took place between the hids from the villagr proper and 'Lily Lake', ( now Coach Road, Livingshayes Roadm Oak Close and Hillcrest) that took p[lace in the Square and The Bury in the late 50s with some unlucky rnopugh to be captured by the other side, ending up tied to Gravestones in the Churchyard, I can remember railway detonators being exploded in the Square and, in the mid 60s, dances and discos being banned from the New Hall because of the recurrent fights and damage. We had then, as now, our notorious hooligans nost of whom are now respecyable grandparents. in the late 60s and 70s the Square was occupied by the Bikers who probablt annoyed half the village by roaring about the place on their machines night and day, and of course, there was always vandalism of one sort or another, Additionally, when some of the kids got older and mobed into the pubs there was still a degree of trouble and I can remember one unfortunate tenant of The New Inn( mow The Silverton Inn) lasting a fortnight before the pub was smashed up and he found it advisable to move on. That was in 1968.
I moved out of Silverton at the end of 1985 afyer the car park was built and I remember at that time, there weere reports of people being harrassed by youths that hung out on the seat that used to be opposite the public toilets which is why, I have heard, the seat was removed. I was not here a decade back when we had a wave of serious anti social and criminal activity when people were regularly abused in the Square, cars were stolen and burnt out and tyhere wrre a number of housebreakings, Nost people are aware of recent devolopements and I dont see the need to deal further with them here.
I think that the difference between the 1960s and now is in the changed nature and mahe up of the village. Half a century ago most people in the vullage worked in the paper mills or on the land and life was tougher and expectations lower. People may not have liked a lot of what went on but in a funnt sort of way, it was more accepted. Most of tyhe kids lived on the council estate and a good many were related so there was a sense that it was all in the family and, pf course, there was no easy access to alcohol and illegal drugs. Although there was a limited circulation of amphetemines on the Exeter club circuit by the mid 1960s, Cannabis did not appear in Silverton until the late 60s when Silverton became a popular area for students from Exeter University to rent property.
The real difference now though, is in the class makeup of yje village, The closure of the paper mill and the changed nature of employment generally has destroyed the cohesive working class base that underpinned much of village life, This has been accentuated by the sale of most of the council housing stock and the growth of the owner occupied estates, notably, most of Wyndham Road. Further, of course, you have the colonisation of much of the villabe by middle class professionals or by upwardly mobile sections of the Working class who have higher expectations of what the village should be then those who webt before them.
So, looking, as I was this morming, at the vandalism on the fence around the play area on the 'big rec' I was remiknde that, where this sort of activity is concerbed, rgere is indeed, nothing new under the sun. Whats is new in nthe past half century I think, neyond what I have akready detailed is the blurring of distinctions between the generations which means that respect has to be earned rather then be automativally expected due to age difference, Aksom you have the easy availability of drugs and alcohol which often contributes to anti social behaviour being more extreme then in the past.
The good news is that whilst people are less prepared to tolerate anti social behaviour in the village there are more people prepared to make positive changes to allieviate it. Rather then throwing up there hands in horror and moving on people can join the efforts to change behaviours for the better.
People need to keep a sense of proportion. Silverton does not exist in some sort of bubble cut off from the rest of the world, People here are subject tom exactly the same sort of pressures and problems that affect the rest of the country, or for that matter, the rest of western society. Every other community of a similar size has the same problems from here to Lands End and John O Groats Additionally, because of its geographical position between Exeter and Tiverton and its closeness to Cullompton, Silverton has always been ibfluenced by urban areas rather then have some more rural locations. Rven if you view Silverton as a rural location people involved in law enforcenent will often tell you that rural areas often have more entrenched problems regarding anti social problems bevause of lack of facilities for ypoung people and less access to funding from local and national government.
I can write about the history of anti social behaviour in Silverton from the point of view of someone who has seen a good deal of it for over half a century along with some close quarters observations of the consequences if social breakdown elsewhere in another part of the UK>
My earliest memories of vandalism and damage in the village go back to the 1950s when yje local Teddy Boys hung out in the bus shelter and every public seat in the village was vandalised along with most of the play equipment on the rec. I can remember, and took part in, the stone tgrowing battles that took place between the hids from the villagr proper and 'Lily Lake', ( now Coach Road, Livingshayes Roadm Oak Close and Hillcrest) that took p[lace in the Square and The Bury in the late 50s with some unlucky rnopugh to be captured by the other side, ending up tied to Gravestones in the Churchyard, I can remember railway detonators being exploded in the Square and, in the mid 60s, dances and discos being banned from the New Hall because of the recurrent fights and damage. We had then, as now, our notorious hooligans nost of whom are now respecyable grandparents. in the late 60s and 70s the Square was occupied by the Bikers who probablt annoyed half the village by roaring about the place on their machines night and day, and of course, there was always vandalism of one sort or another, Additionally, when some of the kids got older and mobed into the pubs there was still a degree of trouble and I can remember one unfortunate tenant of The New Inn( mow The Silverton Inn) lasting a fortnight before the pub was smashed up and he found it advisable to move on. That was in 1968.
I moved out of Silverton at the end of 1985 afyer the car park was built and I remember at that time, there weere reports of people being harrassed by youths that hung out on the seat that used to be opposite the public toilets which is why, I have heard, the seat was removed. I was not here a decade back when we had a wave of serious anti social and criminal activity when people were regularly abused in the Square, cars were stolen and burnt out and tyhere wrre a number of housebreakings, Nost people are aware of recent devolopements and I dont see the need to deal further with them here.
I think that the difference between the 1960s and now is in the changed nature and mahe up of the village. Half a century ago most people in the vullage worked in the paper mills or on the land and life was tougher and expectations lower. People may not have liked a lot of what went on but in a funnt sort of way, it was more accepted. Most of tyhe kids lived on the council estate and a good many were related so there was a sense that it was all in the family and, pf course, there was no easy access to alcohol and illegal drugs. Although there was a limited circulation of amphetemines on the Exeter club circuit by the mid 1960s, Cannabis did not appear in Silverton until the late 60s when Silverton became a popular area for students from Exeter University to rent property.
The real difference now though, is in the class makeup of yje village, The closure of the paper mill and the changed nature of employment generally has destroyed the cohesive working class base that underpinned much of village life, This has been accentuated by the sale of most of the council housing stock and the growth of the owner occupied estates, notably, most of Wyndham Road. Further, of course, you have the colonisation of much of the villabe by middle class professionals or by upwardly mobile sections of the Working class who have higher expectations of what the village should be then those who webt before them.
So, looking, as I was this morming, at the vandalism on the fence around the play area on the 'big rec' I was remiknde that, where this sort of activity is concerbed, rgere is indeed, nothing new under the sun. Whats is new in nthe past half century I think, neyond what I have akready detailed is the blurring of distinctions between the generations which means that respect has to be earned rather then be automativally expected due to age difference, Aksom you have the easy availability of drugs and alcohol which often contributes to anti social behaviour being more extreme then in the past.
The good news is that whilst people are less prepared to tolerate anti social behaviour in the village there are more people prepared to make positive changes to allieviate it. Rather then throwing up there hands in horror and moving on people can join the efforts to change behaviours for the better.
Saturday, 28 January 2012
Silverton Silly Sex Olympics.
As most will know, the theme for this years street market is to be 'Silly Olympics'. Whilst thinking about this I was reminded that there was, back in the 1960s a famous and controversial television play, written as I remember by the late Nigel Kneale of 'Quatermass and The Pit' fame, The thought came to me that combining the themes of silliness and sex in terms of the street market could produce some interesting results.
We could have The Community Band performing a medly of rugby songs on a variety of specially adapted sex toys in the square, the Silverton Miss Whiplash contest in the little rec and Lesbian mud wrestling on the old Hall site, Meanwhile there would be gay leapfrogging in the big rec and a tarts international team would take on all comers in a marathon in The Millenium Hall. Those who like bigger partners could be accomodated at The Three Tuns (Three Tuns ?. geddit ?.) And I am sure that visiting Welsh teams would feel quite at home at The Lamb Inn. Exe Valley Breweries would of course, be providing a special beer for the occasion called 'Viagra Falls'.
Undoubtedly a good day would be had by all, especially when rounded off by naked Tug O War..
We could have The Community Band performing a medly of rugby songs on a variety of specially adapted sex toys in the square, the Silverton Miss Whiplash contest in the little rec and Lesbian mud wrestling on the old Hall site, Meanwhile there would be gay leapfrogging in the big rec and a tarts international team would take on all comers in a marathon in The Millenium Hall. Those who like bigger partners could be accomodated at The Three Tuns (Three Tuns ?. geddit ?.) And I am sure that visiting Welsh teams would feel quite at home at The Lamb Inn. Exe Valley Breweries would of course, be providing a special beer for the occasion called 'Viagra Falls'.
Undoubtedly a good day would be had by all, especially when rounded off by naked Tug O War..
Friday, 27 January 2012
The Londis Building.
Plans have now been submitted to change the use of the old Londis store from a possible retail outlet to housing. If the plans are approved it will mean the end any possibility of retaining one of Silverton's most historic shops.
Okder residents will remember the Londisbuilding when it was Perrats, a general store of the 'Open All Hours' variety. At perrats you could get anything from paraffin to bacon to wallpaper, often next door to each other, and some people will remember when it was staffed by characters such asMr Dibsdale and Mark Skinner. When the Perrat family gave up the business, the shop went through a number of franchises including Vivo, SPAR and finally Londis before closing some four years ago.
The end of Londis is a reminder of the loss of retail outlets and businesses that have taken place during my lifetime. We have lostm as far as I can remember, French's general store and Brooks the baker in the High Street, Silverton Dairy and its shop and the butchers that was opposite. Henry Lewis, builders and undertakers, Thr coalyard that was behind 'Emmas Cottage'. Westerns (later James) butchers wgere the Post Office now is, Mrs Bowermans fruit and veg outlet which was in the rebricj house in the row opposite the post office at the Silverton Inn end. Ayshfords Garage and what came after next to the Silverton Inn, Bill and Pens flower shop and Images health club, Frankpitts Butchers and the butchers who succeeded them in the shop which is now incorperated into SPAR, as was Stradling's the Bakers and Goodwins Newsagents that succeeded it. Archie Tremletts Blacksmiths shop in Tiverton Road and its near neighbour, George Carpenters Barbers Shop and Btady's Garage which was in School Road, Mot to mention the various buisnessess that went through the barbers shop which was previously Cabbages and Kings. In addition, of course, we lost the British Legion Club. I expect that others could ass to the list.
All this, pf course, is related to the changed ways that we shop with supermarkets and the internet. what it reminds us is that we have to use what we have as much as possible be it the Post Office, SPAR the various hairdressers or the three pubs. particularly in these recessionary times the message really is 'Use it. or lose it'.
Okder residents will remember the Londisbuilding when it was Perrats, a general store of the 'Open All Hours' variety. At perrats you could get anything from paraffin to bacon to wallpaper, often next door to each other, and some people will remember when it was staffed by characters such asMr Dibsdale and Mark Skinner. When the Perrat family gave up the business, the shop went through a number of franchises including Vivo, SPAR and finally Londis before closing some four years ago.
The end of Londis is a reminder of the loss of retail outlets and businesses that have taken place during my lifetime. We have lostm as far as I can remember, French's general store and Brooks the baker in the High Street, Silverton Dairy and its shop and the butchers that was opposite. Henry Lewis, builders and undertakers, Thr coalyard that was behind 'Emmas Cottage'. Westerns (later James) butchers wgere the Post Office now is, Mrs Bowermans fruit and veg outlet which was in the rebricj house in the row opposite the post office at the Silverton Inn end. Ayshfords Garage and what came after next to the Silverton Inn, Bill and Pens flower shop and Images health club, Frankpitts Butchers and the butchers who succeeded them in the shop which is now incorperated into SPAR, as was Stradling's the Bakers and Goodwins Newsagents that succeeded it. Archie Tremletts Blacksmiths shop in Tiverton Road and its near neighbour, George Carpenters Barbers Shop and Btady's Garage which was in School Road, Mot to mention the various buisnessess that went through the barbers shop which was previously Cabbages and Kings. In addition, of course, we lost the British Legion Club. I expect that others could ass to the list.
All this, pf course, is related to the changed ways that we shop with supermarkets and the internet. what it reminds us is that we have to use what we have as much as possible be it the Post Office, SPAR the various hairdressers or the three pubs. particularly in these recessionary times the message really is 'Use it. or lose it'.
Thursday, 26 January 2012
This Blog
As readers will note irs a long time since this blog was updated. Partly. the laziness of this blogger is to blame,nut largelt, its purpose for existence,
Like its predecessor 'Silvertonia', its purpose was to commemt on life in Silverton and to provide a forum for the people of Silverton, and others with an interest in events in Silverton to express their views. Its now cliar that much of what this blog set out to achieve is now being carried on more effectivelt by the 'WHATS ON IN SILVERTON' Facebook page , Facebook having a greater reach, especially amongst younger generations. This blogger now regularly contributes to 'WHATS ON IN SILVERTON'.
This blog will not ne scrapped bur will instead be used where longer comments then the Facebook page allows. I would however urge those with a continuing interest in events in Silverton to regularly access the 'WHATS ON IN SILVERTON' page on Facebook
Like its predecessor 'Silvertonia', its purpose was to commemt on life in Silverton and to provide a forum for the people of Silverton, and others with an interest in events in Silverton to express their views. Its now cliar that much of what this blog set out to achieve is now being carried on more effectivelt by the 'WHATS ON IN SILVERTON' Facebook page , Facebook having a greater reach, especially amongst younger generations. This blogger now regularly contributes to 'WHATS ON IN SILVERTON'.
This blog will not ne scrapped bur will instead be used where longer comments then the Facebook page allows. I would however urge those with a continuing interest in events in Silverton to regularly access the 'WHATS ON IN SILVERTON' page on Facebook
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