MysticDevon.com

MD Ashburton Devon

Heading west from Exeter, the old stannary town of Ashurton, lies just off the A38 Devon Expressway. It is said that the town dates back to Saxon times and still has a variety of old period buildings, that would be the envy of many towns.

It’s central position in the county, makes it an ideal base for touring around to see Devon’s beautiful scenery. The mystical graniteeTors of Dartmoor, are within easy reach. It has been speculated, that the surrounding area was the setting for Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes novel, The Hound of the Baskervilles.

A few miles west along the A38, is the Dart Valley Steam Railway, which operates services to Totnes.

Link www.ashburton.org.







Richard the Gasman

Ashburton town, may spring a surprise.
For this is the home of Richard the wise.
Be on the lookout, for a strange van,
Painted green, he is a true Argyle fan.

Through the lanes of Devon, he is around,
Looking for gas, where none can be found,
Torbay to Salcome, he’s there in a flash,
Over the ferry at Dartmouth, avoiding a splash.

Gasman’s elbow a problem, for all those who lean
On the van all day, if you know what I mean.
In the old Bay Horse Inn, he tells a good tale,
Jack Daniels and coke, and too much real ale.

Among pipes and meters, he plies his trade,
Surveys supply’s with chalk marks he made.
Life ‘aint too bad, for a gasman down ‘ere,
For when Richard arrives, there’s nothing to fear.

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It has been said, that in 1603, Tudor hero and explorer, Sir Walter Raleigh, was arrested in the Exeter Inn in Ashburton. He was subsiqently moved to the Tower of London, where he was imprisoned for several years.

With this story in mind, a local resident, has engaged an artist, to paint a picture of Sir Walter, leaning out of a window, on the side of his house nearby.

It is refreshing to see, that in these days of rules and regulations,that someone has come up with something different, that will be, no doubt, be an attraction to locals and tourists alike.

Sir Walter, would surely be amuzed, that after 500 years, he is still remembered in the history of Ashburton.

This news item, was reported on BBC Radio Devon, 21sth July 2012.

A question has been asked. "WHO IS rICHARD" ?

All we can say is tht Richard lives in Ashburton, and works for Wales and West Utilities.