Local author Terry Darrant this week launches a second edition of his highly successful book on the history of Honiton street names.
When ‘The Honiton A to Z: A Street by Street History’ was originally published in the midst of the pre-Christmas shopping frenzy, it sold out in a matter of days. So many people were disappointed not to be able to obtain a copy, that Terry has now produced a second edition of the book.
Terry explained: “When all the copies were gone within two weeks, I was shocked and delighted at how popular it was. I guess the vast majority of Honiton stockings must have a had a copy in them on Christmas morning. After such a horrible year, the novelty must have appealed to people.”
The book shows how many of Honiton’s street names reflect its former citizens, including previous mayors and town clerks. And appropriately for the year we have all just lived through, several streets were named after Honiton’s notable doctors, including John Jerrard, whose generous bequest in 1942 was used to build the Jerrard Wing of the hospital, and Terry Glanvill, who was not only a very popular GP but also held the office of mayor four times.
Also appearing in the book is Lord Louis Mountbatten, whose memory has been much in our minds recently, following the death of his nephew, Prince Philip.
As well as the same rich vein of stories about the origins of Honiton’s streets, lanes and alleys, and a range of photographs of the town in days gone by, the author has taken the chance to include new information that has become available since the book first came out in December.
Reflecting on the success of the book so far, Terry Darrant added: “Since December I've received so many requests for more copies of the book. Several shops said they could have sold dozens more.”
The revised and updated edition of ‘The Honiton A to Z: A Street by Street History’ goes on sale on June 1st for £6.95. It is available from Allhallows Museum, The Little Shop of Seasons, Leesons and Planet Sal in Honiton, The Curious Otter in Ottery St. Mary, Paragon Books in Sidmouth and from Archway Books in Axminster.