How well do you really know the streets you walk every day? Behind the familiar stone facades and bustling shopfronts of Newton Abbot lies a wealth of human history, architectural triumphs, and shared memories. This summer, an extraordinary new community art project titled ‘Our Town’ is set to bring those hidden stories to life in a wonderfully creative and evocative showcase.
Hosted in the beautifully restored historic interior of Newton Abbot Museum, the exhibition is a celebration of the town's built heritage. At its core is a fantastic collaboration between a diverse network of local community groups and heritage artist Fliss Shillingford. Together, they have lovingly created ten unique, detailed miniature models of Newton Abbot's most iconic structures, with each piece reflecting the unique skills, creativity, and voices of the people who call this town home.
Kate Green, Community Officer at Newton Abbot Museum, says "Our Town is designed as a community art showcase and interactive trail for all ages. Museum visitors can collect a trail leaflet from reception before heading on a model-spotting adventure. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn fascinating historical details, such as Bibbings the Chemist’s infamously foul-tasting herbal cure, Flubane.”
The journey of creating the Our Town models has been a collective effort, weaving together the creativity of different generations and backgrounds.
Members of the Newton Abbot Women’s Institute bring to life the rich social history of The Globe—the historic coaching inn that evolved into today's beloved Austins Department Store. Its tiny, elegant dancers are meticulously hand-crafted, evoking the spirit of the building's nineteenth-century ballroom.
The Passmore Edwards Centre, originally completed in 1904 as a ‘gift of knowledge’ and designed by the renowned Cornish architect Silvanus Trevail, has been beautifully recreated as a striking matchstick model by the men from Channings Wood Prison.
Perhaps the most poignant are 14 miniature representations of Victory from Newton Abbot War Memorial, lovingly modelled by the primary children of All Saints Marsh Primary School. The school children have put their hearts into sculpting the miniature figures to create a sense of freedom that the town’s sculpture depicts.
Fliss Shillingford, community artist says "When we launched this project we wanted to open it a broad range of community groups and we’ve been overwhelmed by the deep sense of community ownership that shines through every piece. The museum's own dedicated volunteers rolled up their sleeves to design and build the intricate, colourful stained-glass windows for the model of St Leonard's Church, the very building that houses the museum today.”
Other beloved landmarks complete this miniature landscape, including the 800-year-old St Leonard's Tower, the bustling railway station with its iconic clock, and the historic Bibbings Chemist, famed for its stunning mahogany interior. Even the town's ancient roots are honoured, with the attendees of the Museum’s Twilight Sketching workshops crafting a beautiful model of Old Forde House, the grand Jacobean manor built in the shape of an "E" in honour of Queen Elizabeth I.
Admission to the Museum is free and from July you can follow the "Our Town" trail – just pick up the trail sheet at the front desk and get model spotting. During August we launch The Golden Age of Filmmaking exhibition, showcasing the life of local BBC Wildlife filmmaker Andrew Cooper. To find out more about this and our wider summer programme, including exciting activities such as Meet the Invertebrates or Reptiles days, Crafty Thursdays, St Leonard’s Tower open days, Young Curator Club & family trails, follow us on social or visit our website.
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