Does it feel challenging to talk about re-emerging into community life; stepping outside our doors again to meet with neighbours and share some fun events?

Or perhaps you’re already doing that and can’t wait to do some more.

The fact is, it will be some while before we understand all the social effects of lockdown and how it has differed for people.  In the meantime, we’ve been working on some gentle ideas to help a re-emergence into the light.



​
​
“DID YOU KNOW? STROLLS" AND THE GOLDEN HOUR
This is about taking a walk down your street in the hour before sunset.  That’s when the light is at its best so you might want to take your camera.​
​
Here are some suggested subjects for your eye, mind and camera in different streets in the West Quarter area.
 
DID YOU KNOW?
South Street - know that there are two Roman bath-houses just off of South Street, one military and one civil.  One was in the Deanery Garden’s just behind Premier Express. The other was discovered beneath Cathedral Green in the 1970s, was re-covered to preserve it and remains there to this day.

Coombe Street – “..  a stream, which rose in a spring where the cathedral now stands, flowed down a valley (now filled up and called Coombe Street) and entered the river near the present Quay. This meant that goods landed on the natural quay formed by a ledge of red sandstone could be carried into the city without climbing a steep hill, by simply following the little stream upwards from the river-bank until the level plateau was reached” Hoskins 2000 years in Exeter p5.

Quay Hill  – Exeter has been a port from Roman Times.  At the bottom of Quay Hill at Quay House you can the original dock wall.

Rack Street - It was in 1844 that ragged schools were first founded in London to 'elevate the condition of the poor and ignored children'. Exeter introduced its first ragged school in 1846 in Rack Street, for 25 boys and 25 girls. By 1860, the school only catered for girls, as the boys went to Mary Arches Street. White's Directory of 1878 suggests the school was still running. http://www.exetermemories.co.uk/em/_streets/rackstreet.php

Mermaid Yard -  Mermaid Yard was named after the Mermaid Inn that once stood there from about the 14th century to the beginning of the 19th century. 

---

​If you're nervous about meeting with others, for whatever reason, then you can take your DID YOU KNOW stroll at the times when you feel safest of course.

Enjoy your walks and why not share your photos on the West Quarter Squilometre facebook group.  We’d love to see them!