Monday 16 June saw the unveiling of a new display in the waiting room at Honiton Station, highlighting the town’s rich, multicultural history.
The exhibition is part of ‘Telling our Stories, Finding our Roots’, a community heritage and oral history project coordinated by Devon Development Education and supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Funded by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership and supported by South Western Railway, the display has a special focus on four narratives that centre around the railway that has served Honiton since July 1860, part of the station’s celebrations for Railway 200.
The project in Honiton was coordinated by Jess Huffman and supported by a team of local volunteers and features the voices and contributions of many local people. A self-guided Heritage Trail is also now available which starts at Honiton Station, and visits locations around the town linked to the 16 stories collected during the project.
To discover more about the project, to read the stories collected and listen to some of the interviews, visit the project webpage where you can also download a copy of the self-guided Heritage Trail.
Martin Long, chair of the Friends of Honiton Station, said: “We were delighted to work with the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership and South Western Railway to help bring this new display to the station.
“We have enjoyed hearing about some of the lesser-known aspects of the town’s history and are pleased to have had the opportunity to share these more widely. We hope that visitors and locals alike will collect a copy of the heritage trail and enjoy a walk around our beautiful town.”
Project coordinator Jess Huffman said: “We could never have anticipated the sheer number of stories waiting to be uncovered. The depth and richness of Honiton’s history, with its remarkable cultural diversity, have truly been a revelation. Each story has added a unique thread to our community’s vibrant heritage, highlighting the incredible journeys and contributions of individuals from all walks of life.
“As we reach the latest stage of this project, we are excited to present a final exhibition at the local railway station. Featuring four stories connected to the station, this showcase highlights its central role in our community’s history. It’s a fantastic opportunity to share these stories with a wider audience and promote our heritage trail map, encouraging visitors to explore Honiton’s rich historical tapestry.”
As well as the station, copies of the trail map can be collected from the Allhallows Museum, the Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Honiton Library and from a number of shops and businesses in the town.
Learn more about South Western Railway’s work in the community here.
Keep up to date with future news, projects and events from the Friends of Honiton Station via their website and the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership via their website.
