The Market House, Taunton

A long day out today, visting lots of different churches in obscure and out of the way places Out of them all, just three were locked! For the record I went to Beercrowcombe, Hatch Beauchamp, West Hatch, Thurlbear, Orchard Portman, Taunton (St James), Thornfalcon, Fivehead, Isle Brewers and Curry Mallet where I am staying. As well as this, I found what's left of a portion of the Chard Canal and spent three hours in Taunton and took 794 pictures!

This is the Market House in the middle of Taunton and it was built in 1772. (Just a few years before author Jane Austen - to put it into context). This building is traditionally thought by Taunton residents to be the centre of the town. During road improvements, the remains of no less than 11 public houses were found in the vicinity! This area was once densely packed with pubs, houses and shops. Taunton is the busy Administrative and County Town of Somerset. It's also the home of the UK Hydrographic Office, a Government Department that issues guidance for Mariners and the creation of Maritime Charts.

Taunton also happens to be where Rachel Dibble, teacher of history in my story was born at the big hospital there. Before going to University, Rachel grew up in the little village of Holford in the lea of the Quantock Hills. Rachel's middle name will not be revealed until the story reaches the point where she is married.