Two stone pillars and beautiful iron gate to Combe Down allotments

In March 1895, in response to demand from villagers, Monkton Combe Parish Council rented several acres of land at the eastern end of Church Road, Combe Down for use as allotments.

In August 1895 the Parish Council paid Mr George Fisher the sum of £2 8s for building two stone pillars and fixing an iron gate at the entrance.

If you walk along the public footpath that runs past the allotments from Church Road towards Mount Pleasant today, you will notice these lovely, traditional stone pillars.

The original gate is still in position, in what is believed to be the earliest remaining dry stone wall in Combe Down on the ancient route from Bath Abbey to Hinton Priory.

Two stone pillars and an iron gate
Two stone pillars and an iron gate
George Fisher, Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 22 August 1895
George Fisher, Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette – Thursday 22 August 1895

In 1895, a George Fisher (carpenter and builder) was living just along the road at 1 Oxford Place in Combe Down, while another George Fisher (slate mason) was living nearby at 9 Tyning Place, Combe Down.

Did one of these gentlemen build the beautiful entrance to our allotments?

Jacqueline Burrows