We started off in sunshine, but it soon clouded over, and was unexpectedly cold! I should have worn gloves, as by the time I got home, I had lost the feeling in my fingers, and could not turn the key in the lock to let myself in the front door! And then untying shoe laces proved difficult... Luckily we saw some lovely Spring flowers and we were both wearing red, which cheered up the photographs, which were looking very grey!
One of our first ports of call, was the Market Place, with the remains of the Shambles, (from the Anglo Saxon 'scamel' or 'little bench'), which can be seen in the picture above left. This is a piece of Shepton's history. When the market was granted its charter in 1219, the Shambles, which were all along the North and South side, were used to sell the high quality woollen cloth made from wool from the flocks of sheep which were grazed on fields overlooking the town. This industry led to the naming of the settlement - Sceap-Fold, Sheeptun, Shepton. The market was the commercial and social hub of the town and the surrounding villages.
In 1912, when the Shambles were being used by the butchers to sell freshly killed meat, the benches on the North side were taken down. What you can see now is all that is left standing. They are quite rickety, but still sometimes used on market days by a lady selling books for church funds...
We made the steep climb from the Meadows up to fields where we saw dogs being exercised, but noticed that their owners didn't seem to think that it was necessary to pick up their dog poo! They are probably more responsible in parks and more urban areas... However, it does spoil a walk when you are always having to be careful where you tread!
We passed one of our favourite houses - Old Bowlish House, whose front garden always looks good, whatever the season. Last year we had a delightful afternoon tea there, with a tour and history lesson of the area. For an account of that day follow the label below...
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