IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Richardson Walk, TORQUAY, TQ1 4FF

This crescent of "8 Countess housetypes" (www.barratthomes.co.uk/ViewDevelopment.aspx?d=6a9b86c6-a03c-4851-96a7-0bac94673c4a ) is roughly on the site of Torquay Boys' Grammar School, which later became the Pugh building of South Devon College when the school moved to its current Shiphay premises in 1983.

Another view of the gently-curving crescent shown in Image, and seen from the other end in Image

A child's tricycle left outside on a horrendous day of continual rain. This is on Richardson Walk, Torre Marine.

This terrace at Torre Marine was named after Leslie Richardson, for many years chair of governors at South Devon College, which occupied the same site. In the foreground is a children's playground.

Barratt Homes is building a large and contemporary housing development at Torre. Once complete the development will feature 258 homes. The Magnolia Square phase of the development will reinforce the area's links to well known local author Eden Phillpotts. He once lived on the site of Torre Marine and the well known English novelist, poet and dramatist had extensive orchards at his home. He also planted a magnolia tree which now provides a centrepiece to open space at Torre Marine. (Sorry - the tree is not in my photograph...)

I think these new properties are on Richardson Walk, named after a long-standing chair of governors of South Devon College, on the site of which the development has been built.

The development appears to be at a standstill at present, caused by a downturn in the property market. This area is where the old Torquay Boys' Grammar School used to stand. These old, sound buildings were destroyed in a wave of new building mania that hit the Further Education College sector in the 1990s. Millions were wasted as the new buildings that were erected have now been destroyed again. In my opinion, this is a public scandal of wasted financial resources that will never be investigated.

This view of and from the balcony on the fourth floor of the McKay Building was taken in early summer. The building no longer exists as the College has moved to Paignton and the site has been turned over to a housing development. In the early years of the building, the College Principal's office was directly behind this window. It was said that the then Principal, Mr Arthur Ebdon, who expanded the College greatly during his years at the College, decided to have the floor raised in his office to enable him to see across Torbay from his seat at his desk, whether this is an apochryphal tale or not, one can understand why anyone might wish to enjoy the splendid view.

Construction is just underway here, of 73 care assisted private apartments for the elderly. The entrance to the building will eventually be from Barton Road.

The grounded bell tower from the Pugh Building (former Torquay Boys' Grammar School) was brought down intact by the demolition company. It is not known if this was sold intact. Perhaps it was copper. The bell itself, which had summoned generations of Torquay boys to their lessons, allegedly disappeared.