• BUSTLING: Honiton has been a centre of trade for more than seven centuries.

• IT was once common to see livestock in Honiton High Street on market days - even performing circus animals.

A celebration of Honiton

By Belinda Bennett (belinda.bennett@archant.co.uk)

HONITON has always been an important trading centre. It was given ‘borough’ status in 1300 and, between the 17th and 19th centuries, sent not one but two Members of Parliament to the City of London. Its street market is even older.

As the town gears up to mark the 750th anniversary of its market charter being granted, the Herald can reveal that a market has been present in High Street since at least 1199 - during the reign of King John.

According to the Calendar of Charter Rolls (Volume II), a document held in the Public Records Office, Honiton was officially granted a market charter by Kin g Henry III on December 28, 1257.

Up until the 1900s, cattle and sheep were still sold in the town centre.

Market days, traditionally Tuesdays and Saturdays, were the highlight of the week.
People from miles around would descend on the town to trade and buy. For many years, lacemakers were patrons of the twice-weekly events.

It was only due to the invention of the motor car that things started to change.
It became apparent that livestock and cars did not mix - hence a purpose-built livestock market was developed in Silver Street.

In the beginning, the street market, now a feature of a wide berth of the town centre, was limited to a small section, known as Market Place.

The venue provided a busy scene, with all manner of goods on offer.

Cottage industries, mostly lace, from the villages were penalised for their lack of being ‘central’. Producers were paid by a truck system and their goods often perceived as ‘inferior’.

However, lacemakers in Honiton benefited from the system.

In 1863, a Mrs Godolphin is reported to have said: “In Honiton the work is brought in when it is done, very often on Fridays, and then paid for in ready money.

“The people are, thus, able to buy their food and goods in the market on Saturday.”

Before lace, Honiton was famous for its role in the woollen trade.

Honiton Lace flourished in the 17th Century and was crafted over a wide area of Devon.

It has been a favourite with royals and the elite ever since.

Even crime writer Agatha Christie was a fan. A lace collar, owned by the famous writer, was recently purchased by modern day lacemakers for the town’s Allhallows Museum.

Today, lace Christening gowns owned by the museum are still used by local families.

Pottery took over from where lace left off, but the industry died out.

The street market is still a great event in Honiton - and still on its traditional days.
Many stallholders have gone on to set up shops in the town.

Coastline Jewellery is the latest example.

The history of Honiton Market will be celebrated in July, starting with Honiton’s traditional hot pennies ceremony.

A medieval pageant, street entertainers and even an open air screening of James Bond film Casino Royale are planned.

Tickets for the open-air film night, taking place on the old Honiton Show site, will be on sale soon from Power Shoes, Dimonds and Honiton Tourist Information Centre.

Watch this space for further information.

THE modern day Honiton Market is owned and operated by East Devon District Council, but Honiton Town Council is considering its chances as a future operator. Every coach company operating in the South West has been issued with a complete history of the market, in a bid to encourage more coach parties to the town. Further information about the market, and stall pitches, is available from market supervisor Terry Farebrother on (01404) 43280.

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