If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 622

 

 

 

 

Old Cottages at Dunster, Somerset, England

 

A photograph of quaint old cottages at Dunster in the Somerset region of England is featured on this unused postcard printed by J. Salmon Ltd with the number 16617 visible at the lower right corner.  The card does not have an information blurb on the reverse.

 

Dunster is a village with a population of a little over 800 people.  It is located within the north-eastern boundary of Exmoor National Park on the Bristol Channel.  Iron Age habitation is evidenced by hillforts.  There is a castle called Dunster Castle that was built shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066 by William I de Moyon.  The village grew up around the castle and became a center for wool and cloth production in the 13^th century.  “The Shambles” where the wool market was held was demolished in 1825 but the old Yarn Market from the 1600s still remains.  The River Avill, just a half mile from the village, and its harbor, Dunster Haven, were used to aid in exporting wool during the Saxon times but this was discontinued during the 17^th century when the dykes, meadows, and marshes had new land added near the shore. 

 

Today there are a variety of different shops for both local people and tourists.  Some fun trivia:  On the evening of May 1 each year the Minehead Hobby Horse visits Dunster accompanied by the beating of a loud drum.  The hobby horse dances its way about the town on up to Dunster Castle.  On the 3^rd Friday in August the village hosts the Dunster Show where local businesses and producers showcase their work and livestock, including horses, cattle and sheep.  Also, a more recent tradition is “Dunster by Candlelight” held on the first Friday and Saturday of December when this “remarkably preserved medieval village turns its back on the present and lights its streets with candles.”  There is a candle lighting activity with a procession of children and their families accompanied by stilt-walkers in colorful costumes who put up the lanterns.

 

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunster

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunster_Castle

 

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 631

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dunster, High Street and Yarn Market, Somerset, England

 

This unused black & white photo postcard features High Street and the Yarn Market in Dunster, Somerset, England.  On 31 August 2023 the Thursday postcard #622 featured some old cottages that I think are at the end of the road in this picture.  The Yarn Market is the octagonal building at the right center on this card.  The card is a F. Frith & Co. publication with the number 88719 at the lower left corn of the photo.  This card was among several others in an old shoebox in a local antique pavilion. 

 

Dunster had become a center for woollen and clothing production as early as 1222.  At the time the Yarn Market was built trade, particularly in wool and cloth, was the major economy for the community.  The building has an overhanging tiled roof that provides shelter from the rain.  The Yarn Market was built probably around 1609 by the Luttrell family, local lords of the manor, and was designated a scheduled monument in 1925, then also listed as a Grade 1 building in 1969. 

During the first English Civil War, 1642-1646, the building was damaged by cannon fire that can still be seen to this day.  

 

Dunster Castle, home of the Luttrells, can be seen atop the hillside at the center of the card.  Originally there was a timber castle on this site built by William Mohun just after the Norman conquest in the 11^th century.  The stone motte was built in the 12^th century.  In the 14^th century the de Mohuns sold the castle to the Luttrell family. 

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://bewareoftherug.blogspot.com/search?q=Dunster

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yarn_Market_Dunster

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunster_Castle