Past Times

These thatched houses in Sidmouth (East Devon) date from the early 19th century. After taking this picture today, I walked down the road on the other side and noticed that there are now blue plaques on the buildings, that commemorate either the buildings or the former notable residents of the town who lived in them. The thatched houses were originally known as Heffers Row, but the name was later changed to Clifton Place. What was interesting to me was that as a young boy I remember visiting one of these houses. It was occupied by a lady known as Miss Lamb. It was a surprise today to learn that she is mentioned on one of the plaques. It states that her name was Miss Sabina Lamb, that she was brought up in Constantinople and that her father was the Chief Dragoman at the embassy. It also states that she was an authority on the English Parish Church and claimed to have visited every one!

p.s. A dragoman was an interpreter, translator, and official guide between Turkish, Arabic, and Persian-speaking countries and polities of the Middle East and European embassies, consulates, vice-consulates and trading posts. A dragoman had to have a knowledge of Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and European languages.