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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 23h

🔗 www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-engl...
Attended interesting 'Explore Exeter Cathedral in the 1920s' event in the Cathedral Library & Archives Reading Room yesterday. In hall there's this fabulous model mock-up of the construction of a Roman Baths with cut-through showing hypocaust.

Model mock-up of the construction of a Roman Baths with cut-through showing hypocaust
By: E. West Haddon
Sidmouth - 1975

Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 1d

Yes, I think that's right, coloured bathroom suites arrived in the 1930s and I think this (📷1) would be close to the 'eau de nil' colour you refer to. I always seek out bathrooms in #NationalTrust/#EnglishHeritage properties. (📷2): Lanhydrock (NT), Cornwall, hints at future colours.

Décoration moderne dans l'intérieur.
Paris, ca. 1930.

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 1d

Here's a nerdy question from me: when did coloured bathroom suites first appear? I'm guessing many might be prone to say 70s. I would too if it were not for my 'primrose yellow' (stronger than chart) suite in my 1959 house (apparently common then). Bath is definitely not acrylic. What do you say AI?

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 4d

Delighted that a toy ride-on horse had been gifted to me only to discover years later a photo of Mum riding that very same horse. It proved a lot of fun for me, as I suppose it had for Mum.

What a terrific toy horse I'd been given.

Just a minute Mum! Isn't that my toy horse?!

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 6d

Ah, yes, reflecting the days of the corner shop which was 'open all hours'. There were at least ten within walking distance for us, one survives today as a convenience store.

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 7d

The exterior is charming. It seems much of the original patterned glass has survived. Apparently the interior is also a period gem. I hope it's planned reuse is sympathetic and not too exclusive.

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 8d

🔗 www.bbc.com/news/article...
Pleased to see plans are in motion to improve route and junction heavily used by pedestrians and cyclists in #Exeter An important connection to the City centre that is currently hazardous.

Gets my ✔️

Views sought on revamp to Exeter city centre entrance

The scheme aims to make the Exeter gateway "more accessible, attractive and safe".

www.bbc.com

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 9d

🔗 www.exetermemories.co.uk/em/_art/stpe...
The full story of the movements of St Peter & the Devil.

The Woolworth's window, to the right of Hepworth's, looks empty, which would suggest a photo date of 1976, the date of Woolworth's demise.

Exeter Memories - St Peter figure

A history of the St Peter figure that once stood over the corner of North Street and High Street.

www.exetermemories.co.uk

Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 9d

🔗 www.exetermemories.co.uk/em/_scrapboo...
Interesting photo showing post-war rebuild of South Street that began in 1955 at top of which St Peter & the Devil can be seen.

This is in fact the third position for this statue, the fourth and current being RAMM.

Rebuilding South Street did not start until 1955 when work commenced on the west side – photo right courtesy Express & Echo [Exeter Memories]

St Peter and the Devil - The Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) - Exeter

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 15d

You could see the satisfaction on Dad's face as he trundled down the garden with fork and bucket in hand and returned with his produce. Just one more thing we've lost, never (by most) to be experienced again. Early crops usually boiled and served with a heaping of butter.

Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 27d

🔗 www.heritageopendays.org.uk
Yesterday a 🚲 to Killerton. The Columbjohn chapel was open (1pm-3pm) for Heritage Open Days with experts available to talk history & about recent archaeological dig.
Access to Killerton House (NT) free to all today.
Walk route (follow Tudor rose):
🔗 tinyurl.com/2s3eepyp

[Heritage Open Days - 2005]: Killerton House & Columbjohn. Follow the Tudor rose signs for walk route to Columbjohn.

[Heritage Open Days - 2005]: Killerton House & Columbjohn. Follow the Tudor rose signs for walk route to Columbjohn. This stone arch of the gatehouse is all that remains of the late C16th former manor.

[Heritage Open Days - 2005]: Killerton House & Columbjohn. Follow the Tudor rose signs for walk route to Columbjohn. This is the interior of the chapel at Columbjohn. Very austere. Church services were once held here.

[Heritage Open Days - 2005]: Killerton House & Columbjohn. Follow the Tudor rose signs for walk route to Columbjohn. The chapel at Columbjohn.

Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 29d

Coincidence! (daughter, having played host, 1 hr ago):
💬 '*All* the girls came in princess dresses. It was quite a sight. We had Sleeping Beauty, Elsa, Cinderella and a purple princess.'

60+ years on and just the same. Kind of comforting to know children today live in fantasy much as always.

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · Sep 10

⚡ A real-life Back to the Future moment. Perhaps?

The Bulwark @thebulwark.com · Sep 10

Rep. Moskowitz: "So you're telling me someone 22 years ago went back to the future and forged his signature when he was a Democrat, and somehow this person knew he would become a Republican and become president 22 years later?...We should immediately open up an investigation!"

Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · Sep 10

Scheme's traffic calming aims seem sound.

The Exminster/city centre cycle route is mostly high-grade. Stretch from (& including) point of 📷 & along Sannerville Way/Bridge Road is poor in that multiple crossings of fast-moving/high-volume roads is required + numerous service access points to cross.

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · Sep 5

My mother sewed me a PE kit bag from some old flower patterned curtains. I thought it quite nice. Cool hadn't been invented back then.

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · Sep 4

🔗 www.mysteryguides.co.uk/products/exe...
I'm not able to vouch from personal experience but can say I've seen 3 family groups doing this about #Exeter in the last week, something I'd not seen before. I spoke with one couple & they thought it great & would recommend as a novel way to explore a place

Exeter Treasure Hunt | Mystery of Drake's Last Orders | Treasure Trail

Exeter Treasure Hunt: For years, the iconic bell has been hidden somewhere in Exeter... through this clever history walking tour, now it's your chance to find it! Follow the Treasure Trails, solve the...

www.mysteryguides.co.uk

Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · Sep 2

Dryden Road is the only direct cycling route connecting the city centre & hospital with the eastern suburbs of Digby, Middlemoor & Broadfields vastly improved by new Rifford Road cycle lane. Re-opening the Dryden Road to traffic devalues this investment. There is no other viable safe cycling route.

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Reposted by Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲

Durotriges Dig @durotrigesdig.bsky.social · Aug 22

Sometime between AD 55 and 65 a man named Lucius Julius Hipponicus scratched his named into a Samian Ware drinking cup

Because of this simple act, he is one of the first residents of Exeter (ISCA) for whom we have a name

📷 May 2025

@rammuseum.bsky.social #FindsFriday #Roman #Archaeology #Devon

A sherd of red-slip pottery scratched with the name of its last owner: L IVLI IPPONI

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · Aug 22

🔗 www.classicandsportscar.com/features/gui...
I'm no vintage car expert (just vintage perhaps) but I felt I recognised this car (visor a big clue). Here we see it in identical livery. The car actually dates to a decade earlier than the book. FYI (if interested).

Guilty pleasures: Ford Consul, Zephyr and Zodiac | Classic & Sports Car

Guilty pleasures: Ford Consul, Zephyr and Zodiac

www.classicandsportscar.com

Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · Aug 19

bsky.app/profile/lbfl...
Demonstrates why straight-line harvesting won't get you a rabbit but circular harvesting might.

Helen Day @lbflyawayhome.bsky.social · Aug 14

Other work by the Ladybird artists

‘Summer Lane’ (1950s)
Artist: Ronald Lampitt

An idyllic scene of a lane passing a field of ripe wheat and a couple of farmsteads.
A couple ride by on horseback and a tiny red combine harvester begins the harvest

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · Aug 18

Amazing prescience of what sadly lay ahead.

There's a book entitled 'Life to the City - Aspects of Exeter's History' about the bringing of clean water to my home city over time. How easy it is to take for granted. The author once ran our regional water authority.

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · Aug 14

My maternal grandmother would tell of the wheat being harvested in ever tightening circles, as seen here, but rarely done today. Villagers would encircle the harvester as eventually rabbits would have to make a dart for freedom and there was a chance of rabbit stew for supper.

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · Aug 8

Bedpan on the wall. I guess that was Gran's. Rather incongruous in this setting.

Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · Aug 7

🔗 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Good to see the old Gaumont/Odeon cinema in Plymouth receiving funds to protect this 'heritage at risk' property. Planned to repurpose as shop units.

Historic images @:
🔗 historicengland.org.uk/images-books...

Medieval harbour and historic cinema among sites to be restored

Four historic building and sites in Devon and Cornwall will be saved for future generations.

www.bbc.co.uk

Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · Aug 1

Trump doesn't like the fact that Switzerland has a near monopoly in cuckoo clock production.

My thanks to Graham Greene for his historical reference to Switzerland.