Written by curator of Honiton Museum - Margaret Lewis.

Who would have thought that the town council would appoint a Bathing Committee. In August 1896 their remit was to make enquiries for a public bathing place in Honiton. They reported that Mr Seth Durbin had agreed that during his tenancy of Cowley Farm he would let out the right of bathing in a field at the bottom of Cowley Lane which was next to the Allhallows School bathing ground.

For the sum of £5 per year he also offered the right to erect a dressing shed on condition that no bathing was permitted to take place on week days between two and six o clock, except during the Allhallows School holidays or on Sundays after 10am. The term was to commence immediately with six months’ notice to terminate the tenancy. The council estimated that the cost of the shed and other conveniences would not exceed £5 so after a long discussion it was agreed. In October Mr Durbin had to withdraw his offer because it was against the wishes of his landlord. The matter was referred back to the Bathing Committee with power to act.

One Saturday morning William Harris was passing by the bathing place on his way home to breakfast when he noticed a pile of clothes folded up on the river bank and then he saw the body of a man lying on the river bed where the water was eight feet deep. The deceased was George Western, a Honiton born man who was the landlord of the Ticket Porter Inn in London. He was on a short holiday and visiting relatives living in New Street. An inquest was held at the Police Station where the verdict of the jury was accidentally drowned while bathing. It was noted that there were no lifesaving appliances available.

One Wednesday evening in 1915 several North Devon Hussars were bathing when one of their number got into difficulty. Two of his comrades went to his assistance, but they were unable get him out of the water. Charles Tucker, one of the Honiton Troop of Boy Scouts, went to the rescue, and brought him out. The Hussars nominated Charles for a lifesaving award which was presented to him by the Mayor at an evening concert.

Urgent repairs were needed to the bathing lace in 1934. The ladder into the stream was worn out, the stakes close to the bank were dangerous, and the river needed dredging. It was also decided to fix a notice board the entrance to the bathing field with list of bye-laws and regulations. The matter was referred to the Public Health Committee, with power to spend five pounds.

Twenty years later the Army Cadet Force headquarters wrote to the council stating that both military and civil medical authorities had said that the bathing ground in Honiton was unfit for bathing. The Council decided to refute their statement.