Every banner tells a story

This summer Colyton bursts into a riot of colour as it tells the story of its amazing history.

For many of the town’s historic buildings and businesses are flying a distinctive and colourful banner, each of which carries a coat of arms to represent the people and families involved in shaping centuries of history in the parish.

Known as heraldic banners, they are the brainchild of the Promote Colyton Group, who were inspired by a similar project in Tewkesbury in 2015. The 38 banners were produced by Colyton curtain supplier Needlesharp, with painting sessions held over a number of months at St John’s Hall.

The results are a fascinating glimpse into the past and a fun way for visitors to learn about Colyton when the town welcomes tourists in the summer.

Those commemorated include Commander George Powell, who was in charge of HMS Victory when it acted as headquarters of Portsmouth Dockyard in 1840. He lived in Colyton Cottage from 1826 and played an active role in the town’s affairs. His family arms are illustrated in a banner fluttering above The Old Bakehouse.

Then there is Prince Maurice, a supporter of Charles I during the English Civil War in 1642 and who once lay siege to Lyme Regis. He was headquartered at the Colcombe Castle in Colyton until it was raised to the ground by fire.

Also featured are the famous Yonge Family, whose founder John Yonge built The Great House in Colyton in the late 1500s and whose second son Walter became a renowned diarist, providing a valuable historical record of the times.

And no collection of banners would be complete without one to commemorate the Duke of Monmouth, who helped make Colyton the most rebellious town in Devon (you can find out more about this in my recent post on the Monmouth Rebellion).

But it’s not only people who get the banner treatment. Swan Cycles, whose handmade bikes were produced at the Soanes Cycles shop in Colyton during the early 20th century, is celebrated with a blue swan motif. The shop continues to thrive today.

And then there is a banner for the Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights, which celebrates Master Wheelwrights including the Rowland Family, who have crafted horse-drawn carriage wheels in Colyton since the 14th century. Mike Rowland & Son previously refurbished one of the wheels on the state gun carriage that carried the Queen’s coffin at her funeral last year.

You can find out everything about the banners in a new pamphlet titled Heraldic Banners of Colyton, produced by the Promote Colyton Group and sold at the Colyton Heritage Centre at its headquarters in Colyton Market Place. Check it out online at www.Colytonheritagecentre.org