Nostalgia: A look at Paignton’s childhood memories

Paignton Heritage Society are delighted that our next speaker will be well known local historian Kevin Dixon.

His subject ‘A light-hearted look at public conveniences’ is certainly different and will, I’m sure, be brilliant. Locally, there were many public conveniences which have long since disappeared.

One situated in Victoria Park opposite the playground, now replaced by a picnic bench, is a reminder of childhood for me. Quite a mysterious place and not somewhere I would have entered on my own, although I’m not quite sure why.

Reminders of childhood are not always what you might expect. Many of those reminders are now gone, buildings have been knocked down and in the case of the amazing umbrella roundabout in Victoria Park deemed too dangerous for children. 

Certainly children fell off the umbrella and obtained cuts and bruises which no one wants to see. However, the dangers posed to children today are different and its interesting to compare the two and the measures taken to combat these dangers

Looking at reminders of childhood inevitably takes us to schools.  There was more emphasis on learning the basics and of course the 11+.

Today the curriculum is wider, children are allowed to ask questions, and their opinions are listened to and valued. Attending a private school meant that the 11+ had to be taken at one of the local council schools.  The biggest shock for me was seeing the desks had been written on and had names scratched into them, something that would never have happened at my school.

An early picture of a Marist Convent classroom, not a scratched desk in sight.

Who can forget the Paignton Festival in the 50s. Schools entered children into individual and group events. A particular favourite was the percussion band. Triangles, tambourines, cymbals and drums were the instruments included and competition was fierce.

Preparing for the Paignton Festival. The Marist Convent percussion band

Those of us lucky enough to live in the town we grew up in are reminded daily of our childhood. The local sweet shop, the newsagent where comics were bought and the library.  The library has long since moved from its original site but the building is still there.  Today we have an excellent library with so many facilities including our own Heritage Centre.

Popular comics from 50s and 60s

The Heritage centre is staffed by volunteers and welcomes visitors. The extensive archive contains old photos, books, pictures and maps among so many other things.  The centre opens on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 11am to 3pm.  

Volunteers and committee members discussing the design and layout of the archive centre

Paignton Heritage Society Plans are now making plans for the spring and summer, Paignton’s medieval gem Kirkham House will re-open at Easter, guided tours will again be offered together with visits to the Clink and the Bible Tower.  A new walking tour covering Victorian Paignton will be available this year and more details will be available shortly.

Our website is being re-designed and is well worth a look. The website holds a wealth of information on subjects of local interest, together will details of forthcoming events.

Our next meeting which will incorporate our AGM is on the 19th February at Gerston Chapel Torquay Road 7pm.  Our speaker, as mentioned earlier, is Kevin Dixon.  Always one of our most popular speakers, Kevin’s knowledge of local history is unrivalled and his talks fascinating. We await with bated breath his talk entitled

A light hearted look at public conveniences

Entry £5 (£4 to members of PHS) includes tea/coffee