Medieval Bridge over Exe
Medieval Bridge over Exe

 

ELAND BOOKS

Talk by Richard Holladay on 17 November 2021

at Jurys Inn

 Many society members will remember the wonderful Elands the book store located in Cathedral Close until its demise in 2016.  It had existed for 107 years, dating from 1909 when HENRY SEPTIMUS ELAND bought an existing bookselling business and renamed it “Henry S Eland”.

 In the following years he would extend and rebuild the premises with an internal gallery above the shop, and an exhibition art gallery, where original paintings would be exhibited, at the rear.  He also introduced a lending library and continued to be a principal agent for religious books.  He was known to “maintain cordial relationships with Roman Catholics, the Cathedral and others!” 

Sadly the premises were destroyed in the bombing of Exeter and after a while the business relocated to the Temporary Shops in Southernhay and then to premises opposite the Post Office in Bedford Street in 1961.   In 1997 they moved to Cathedral Close but closed for business around late 2006.

Richard  Holladay, the great grandson of Henry Septimus, will tell us all sorts of tales about Elands on 17 November.  It promises to be a fascinating evening.  Richard is well known to the Society particularly through his talks about Dr Lovely (10 August 2018) and Industrial Life in Pre-War Exeter (10 December 2015).  Full details of those talks are on www.exeterlocalhistorysociety.co.uk.

 

To book your place, please click on the green "MyButton" below:

Non-members are most welcome but there is a £3 entry fee.  To book your place, please click on the grey "MyButton" below:

Most talks are now on the second Thursday of a month. All meetings start at 7 pm and are held at LEONARDO Hotel Exeter, Western Way, Exeter EX1 2DB.                                              The nearest car parks are the Triangle Car Park (at the rear of Leonardo Hotel) and the Summerland Gate Car Park (next to Vue Cinema). Parking at the Triangle Car Park is, unfortunately, no longer free in the evenings.

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