Arrived in Taunton today before joining the Winter's Tales Storytelling Course at Halsway Manor outside Taunton. The course starts on Sunday, giving me a day to see Taunton.
Taunton Museum
I was very impressed with Taunton Museum. Usually local museums cannot compete with big city museums but Taunton museum really excels in the design of the building and its exhibits. This museum doesn't appear to have won only an award for the building but not for its exhibits. I would happily nominate this museum for 'Museum of the Year'
At the entrance to Taunton Museum. I have to admit that the above is not one of my photos. My exterior shots didn't work out so I borrowed this one from the museum's website.
Just before the museum entrance is this reconstructed almhouse
This is the sight that first greets you as you enter the museum. Quite a spooky tree sculpture and would be a good venue for storytelling!
A floor mosaic from a Roman villa near Taunton. It features the tragic story of Dido and Aeneas in five graphic panels. On the screen you can see an actress playing Dido and telling her story.
Above two photos show the lovely upper floor of the museum.
A Roman treasure trove of silver coins found in Somerset
Very eerie display in the 'Making Somerset' display
Beautiful statue in the same display
Very interesting room with local inscriptions and quotes decorating the walls
Statue and poster illustrating John Speke who discovered the source of the River Nile
No visit to a Somerset museum would be complete without a display of cider drinking tankards
Even this small display of Victorian bicycles is so well lit as to give great credit to the museum's designer
These two photos show the 'Bloody Assizes' where more than a thousand people were sentenced to death by Judge Jeffreys also known as the 'Hanging Judge'
Last glimpse of the Museum as you leave
Taunton Vivary Park
Amongst other attractions Taunton has a beautiful well laid out park
Impressive adventure centre including a climbing wall in the park
Fountain erected in memory of Queen Victoria
Saw this grey squirrel with what I assumed to be someone's lost scarf.
Close up of this handsome squirrel
After following the squirrel around the tree I saw this label attached to the scarf which reads:
What a lovely idea and as you will see in the next post this wasn't the only scarf I came across in Taunton
I doubt if the squirrel needed the scarf unless this winter gets REALLY cold!
Impressive adventure centre including a climbing wall in the park
Fountain erected in memory of Queen Victoria
Saw this grey squirrel with what I assumed to be someone's lost scarf.
Close up of this handsome squirrel
After following the squirrel around the tree I saw this label attached to the scarf which reads:
'I am not lost
If you are stuck out in the cold, please take this to keep warm'
What a lovely idea and as you will see in the next post this wasn't the only scarf I came across in Taunton
I doubt if the squirrel needed the scarf unless this winter gets REALLY cold!
In And Around Taunton
Another of Taunton's famous 'keep yourself warm' scarves
Even this local restaurant looks very appealing
The above two photos are of St George's Roman Catholic Church
Another of Taunton's beautiful churches
Halsway Manor
Halsway Manor is where I stayed with a wonderful group of people on the 'Winter's Tales' storytelling course led by the excellent tutor Sharon Jacksties. Halsway Manor is a beautiful 15th century Tudor manor outside Taunton. There is more information at this link:
Click on any of the photos for an enlarged view
The above four photos show some of the interior of Halsway Manor's entrance hall and staircase
In the back garden you can see some of the carved animals dotted around
...and around the front you have a magical cottage with dancing figures
Close-up of one of the carved figures at the top of the house
In the above two photos some of the group members are heading back after an early morning stroll
Walking up the hill beside Hallsway this is the sight that greets you. A great reward after ascending a steep hill.
..and at the top of the hill one of the Quantock ponies is also admiring the view
And finally, this is where we storytellers stood, warming our backs on a warm log fire as we told our stories to the group
Final night in Bristol
I stayed overnight in Bristol before flying back to Inverness the following day feeling very satisfied with the course, the group members and the course tutor.
Below are some of the photos I took in Bristol at the Christmas Market and the harbour area
Below are some of the photos I took in Bristol at the Christmas Market and the harbour area
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