Budleigh - 2021 Exhibitions - Fairlynch Museum

current exhibitions | 2025

A small flock of widgeon photographed in the Otter estuary by David White

BIRDS OF THE LOWER OTTER RESTORATION PROJECT (LORP)

Major landscaping works that began in 2020 in the Lower Otter Valley culminated in November 2023 with the breaching of the old embankment, allowing seawater to inundate the floodplain at high tide and creating a new salt-marsh habitat, which is still evolving. Local naturalist David White has been observing the birdlife in our valley for many years and this exhibition of his photographs will delight nature lovers and serious birders alike.

GEORGIAN GLAMOUR

The glorious silk gown above (rear view seen here) was sewn in about 1775 and is one of the earliest gems in our costume collection. This year we are showing six gowns made in the eighteenth century, including Spitalfields woven silk designs and sack-back fashions with accessories. The exhibition is upstairs in the Joy Gawne Room, named for our late founder whose enthusiasm for costume was an inspiration and who died last year.

Detail of a Georgian gentlemen's hand-embroidered waistcoat

THE JOY GAWNE LACE COLLECTION and MACHINE-made lace

Beautiful examples of the 19th century lacemaker's art, these hand-worked collars are included in our exhibition this year. On the left a Point de Gaze, needle lace from Brussels and on the right a collar of Maltese silk lace.

Budleigh Salterton's first Post Office in Fore Street

A history of The old shops
OF FORe Street

This year the exhibition in Fairlynch's Local History Room highlights the shops that opened in Fore Street as Budleigh Salterton became a popular holiday resort in the nineteenth century.

Fore Street emerged as a retail area from the days of the market stalls that that sold their wares in ‘Market Square’, now called Mackerel Square at the foot of Fore Street Hill – the main road out of the village. The old Exeter Inn and coaching station stood overlooking the square.

There used to be shop fronts on the seaside of Fore Street all the way up to the Rolle Hotel, supplying the growing population with whatever they needed, in the days when the High Street was primarily houses and cottages.

A butcher's shop stood in Mackerel Square in the early 20th century

BRENDA THOMAS

'Mousehole - no cats!' by Brenda Thomas

Budleigh Salterton textile artist Brenda Thomas describes herself as a late starter, because she didn’t begin making her pictures until several years into her retirement from a long career in Children’s Social Services.

After making some patchwork quilts she decided to try making a picture from some furnishing fabric samples she’d been given. Some of the resulting work is on show in the Exhibition Room upstairs at Fairlynch this year.

Her pictures are usually created on a felt background and built-up collage style, starting from the top and working down. She uses a range of fabrics, very often recycled clothing and scraps. The detail is added after the basic background is in place and the stitching brings it all to life, as well as securing the fabric pieces.

Colourful textile art by Brenda Thomas

'Moondog' by Brenda Thomas