Archive Update

3 months ago


Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full time

**Extract from The 1873-77 Remodelling Of Hestercombe House**:
**Written by Kim Legate, Head Archivist**:
In January 1873, London based architect, Henry Hall (1829-1909), who had established ‘a large and comfortable’ country practice, primarily in Somerset and Dorset, was contracted by Lord Portman to make designs ‘for a first class mansion’.

A practicing architect of thirty years, Hall appeared eminently qualified, having compiled a varied portfolio of completed works that included municipal buildings, churches, schools, mansions and houses, banks and even hospitals.

According to the Taunton Courier (22 August 1877, p. 6), Lord Portman instructed Hall ‘that the external appearance of the house was to be kept as far as possible and the old hall, with the minstrels’ gallery, dining room, morning-room and business-room, were to be preserved’.

For reasons unknown, Henry Hall was dismissed after only a few months and his designs set aside in favour of new schemes by architect, surveyor and civil engineer, James Baker Green of Salisbury Street, Blandford Forum, Dorset. Little is known about James Green. Dorset born (Spetisbury) and a staff sergeant in the Dorset battalion, he seems to have worked mainly in the West Country and was currently being considered for the county surveyor position.

Regrettably, his changes to Hestercombe House ‘destroyed many of those interesting features which his predecessor had thought it desirable to retain’, leaving only the kitchen, dining room and morning room unaltered. To further complicate matters James Green died unexpectedly in March 1874, only a few months after works began, aged 43, from complications arising from pleurisy.

Henry Hall was eventually persuaded to return to Hestercombe but finding it impossible to recover the original profile and character of the House decided to prepare new designs for its completion. However, by 14 August 1877 - and the opening of the House on the occasion of Teddy Portman’s 21st birthday celebration - these had only been partially carried out.

Read more from our Achives



  • Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full time

    **Philip White shares thoughts on the evolution of the members' newsletters found in the archive.**: **Today is a Red Letter day as the first time in nearly thirty years that our Hestercombe Newsletter has gone completely digital.**: I took the opportunity to delve into our archive where I was delighted to discover that we appear to have all, or nearly all,...


  • Taunton, United Kingdom Hawk 3 Talent Solutions Full time

    **BUSINESS SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR / TAUNTON OR GLASTONBURY** **Location**: Taunton or Glastonbury **Job type**: Maternity cover **Reports to**: Administration Manager **Hours**: Monday to Friday 09:00am - 17:00pm **Salary**: Up to £24,000 per annum Hawk 3 Talent Solutions, operating as an employment agency, are currently recruiting for a Business Service...


  • Taunton, United Kingdom TN United Kingdom Remote Work Freelance Full time

    Permanent, full time Conveyancing Assistant required for a solicitor’s firm based in Taunton, TA1 Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm 1 hour lunch break (unpaid) £23,000 per annum About the role Audio typing Opening new files and managing the file throughout the transaction with the fee earner Updating client databases – meeting with them to collect ID...


  • Taunton, Somerset, United Kingdom TN United Kingdom Full time

    Permanent, full time Conveyancing Assistant required for a solicitor's firm based in Taunton, TA1 Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm 1 hour lunch break (unpaid) £23,000 per annum About the role Audio typing Opening new files and managing the file throughout the transaction with the fee earner Updating client databases – meeting with them to collect ID...

  • Regional Administrator

    3 months ago


    Taunton, United Kingdom Medequip Assistive Technology Ltd Full time

    **Regional Administrator - Somerset** **Location**:Taunton based, with travel to other depots in region **Hours**: Full time, 37.5 hours per week This is an incredible opportunity to work for a forward-thinking community equipment services provider, who’ll support you to be the best you can be in your chosen field! Join us as our Regional Administrator...

  • Regional Administrator

    3 months ago


    Taunton, United Kingdom Medequip Assistive Technology Ltd Full time

    **Regional Administrator - Somerset** **Location**:Taunton based, with travel to other depots in region **Salary**:£11.50 per hour **Hours**: Full time, 37.5 hours per week This is an incredible opportunity to work for a forward-thinking community equipment services provider, who’ll support you to be the best you can be in your chosen field! Join us as...


  • Taunton, United Kingdom National Grid Electricity Distribution Full time

    Job Introduction Accountable to the Team Manager the Team Admin Assistant provides administrative assistance and co-ordination to a Network Services team. You will be an effective team player who is able and willing to support all team members on a daily basis with office support and general administration. If you are offered a position, you will be...

  • Team Admin Assistant

    3 months ago


    Taunton, United Kingdom Western Power Distribution Full time

    Job Introduction Accountable to the Team Manager the Team Admin Assistant provides administrative assistance and co-ordination to a Network Services team. You will be an effective team player who is able and willing to support all team members on a daily basis with office support and general administration. If you are offered a position, you will be...


  • Taunton, United Kingdom UK Hydrographic Office Full time

    **Details**: **Reference number**: - 327646**Salary**: - £24,559- Rising to £29,539 upon development into EO grade (further information in short summary). Further pay information can be found in the attached Document “Additional Pay Information”.- A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%**Job grade**: - Administrative...


  • Taunton, Somerset, United Kingdom Public Sector Full time

    Ocean Environment Specialist - MeteorologicalContract PositionHybrid Work ArrangementGenerate precise, clear, and comprehensive meteorological and climatic data, primarily for Sailing Directions and Routing Charts intended for maritime professionals.Provide meteorological and climatological insights to various teams within the organization.Serve as the...


  • Taunton, United Kingdom HM Prison & Probation Service Full time

    **Details**: **Reference number**: - 347318**Salary**: - £20,126 - £24,225- A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%**Job grade**: - Other- NPS Pay Band 2 National**Contract type**: - Permanent**Type of role**: - Administration / Corporate Support**Working pattern**: - Full-time**Number of jobs available**: -...


  • Taunton, Somerset, United Kingdom Public Sector Full time

    Marine Environmental Analyst - MeteorologicalContract PositionHybrid Work ArrangementInside IR35Responsible for generating precise, clear, and comprehensive meteorological and climatic data, primarily for Sailing Directions and Routing Charts utilized by Mariners.Provide meteorological and climatological insights to various teams within the organization.Act...


  • Taunton, Somerset, United Kingdom Public Sector Full time

    Marine Environmental Analyst - Meteorological Contract Role Hybrid Work Arrangement Inside IR35Responsible for generating precise, clear, and comprehensive meteorological and climate data, primarily for Sailing Directions and Routing Charts utilized by Mariners.Provide meteorological and climatological information to various teams within the organization,...


  • Taunton, Somerset, United Kingdom Public Sector Full time

    Marine Environmental Analyst - MeteorologicalContract PositionHybrid Work Model: 2 days in-office, 3 days remoteInside IR35Generate precise, clear, and comprehensive meteorological and climatic data, primarily for Sailing Directions and Routing Charts utilized by Mariners.Provide meteorological and climatological information to various teams within the...


  • Taunton, Somerset, United Kingdom Public Sector Full time

    Ocean Environment Specialist - MeteorologicalContract RoleHybrid Work ArrangementResponsible for generating precise, clear, and comprehensive meteorological and climatic data, primarily for Sailing Directions and Routing Charts utilized by Mariners.Provide meteorological and climatological insights to various teams within the organization.Act as the in-house...


  • Taunton, Somerset, United Kingdom Public Sector Full time

    Marine Environmental Consultant - Meteorological Contract Role Hybrid Work Arrangement Inside IR35Responsible for generating precise, clear, and comprehensive meteorological and climatic data, primarily for Sailing Directions and Routing Charts utilized by Mariners.Provide meteorological and climatological insights to various teams within the organization,...

  • Receptionist

    3 months ago


    Taunton, United Kingdom Ministry of Justice Full time

    Salary 1 - £20,126 - £24,225 Number of jobs available 1 - 1 Detail of reserve list 1 - 12 Months Region 1 - South West City/Town 1 - Taunton Building/Site 1 - NMS Deane House, TA1 1HE Grade 1 - Other Organisation Grade for HMPPS 1 - NPS Pay Band 2 National Post Type 1 - Permanent Working Pattern 1 - Full Time Role Type 1 - Administration /...