Photographs from Lewis Bates
Contributed by Lewis Bates, Merriott resident. Thank you Lewis!
Lewis Writes: (May 2004)Tail Mill is unused at present, Merriott plastics are using some adjoining buildings. There are plans to convert it into living accommodation but these have not yet come to fruition. I believe they made sailcloth here many years ago. I attach a photo of The Mitchell House which passed out of the family some two years ago on the death of Arthur? The present owners appear to removed the porch over the front door but to all intents it appears the same as ever. I have taken a shot of the house in Lower Street once owned by the Osborne family and where as I recall Leslie Osborne used to live. He never married as far as I am aware. The house was sold and divided into two dwellings as is shown. For all that it is an impressive building.
The barn opposite has been converted into dwellings and my late wife used to tell me stories of what went on in the loft. It still has the old water pump at the side in situ.
The village lock up has always fascinated me having no windows except the grill and a solid oak door. Not a nice place to spend any time. I think maybe our forbears had it right, quite a deterrent.
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