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Bygones Museum: A Marvellous Expedition Through the Annals of Time in Fair Torquay

During a recent renovation at Torquay's postal sorting office, an envelope containing this letter was unearthed from below the floorboards extolling the virtues and delights of one of Torquay's most interesting Museums. Remarkably, the letter was eligible and intact - much more than the Museum was at that time, as it wouldn't exist until a few generations later. 

The letter never arrived at its intended destination, the offices of The Torquay Times and South Devon Advertiser. We take the utmost pleasure in publishing it for the first time and hope that its purpose is to extol visitors to spend a few happy hours at the Bygones Museum, which is still welcoming members of the public today.

For visitors planning an itinerary for holidays in Torquay It makes for delightful reading is a HEARTFELT APPRECIATION of the Museum and its artefacts, which are the Victorian equivalent of an iPhone, fashionable clothing, fast food, and microwaves. It is produced here in full.

It is a remarkable testament to the foresight of the VISIONARY NATURE of the Victorian era.

I mean, you couldn't make this up, could you?

Enjoy,  

NB: Replies may be sent on a postcard to

The Curator, Bygones, Fore Street, St Marychurch, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 4PR

Where-upon they will be most gratefully received.

Dear Reader

I implore you to embark upon a most extraordinary journey to a realm where the sands of time have ceased their relentless flow. By this. I mean, Torquay. It is the most welcoming of all seaside resorts in Torbay, if not the whole of the South Devon Coast.

I speak, of course, of the wondrous BYGONES MUSEUM, a veritable treasure within the bosom of our beloved Torbay. This enchanting establishment welcomes both the young and the old to embark upon a nostalgic sojourn through the rich tapestry of British Victorian history, offering an experience so immersive that one might fancy oneself truly transported to days long past.

As you cross the threshold of this remarkable institution, prepare yourself, dear friend, for a most astonishing transformation. You shall find yourself whisked away to an era bygone, as surely as if you had stepped into Mr Wells' Time Machine itself.

The CROWNING GLORY of this establishment, if I may be so bold as to declare, is undoubtedly its life-size Victorian street. This meticulously crafted recreation brings the 19th century roaring back to life with such vividity that one might be forgiven for believing oneself truly a denizen of that grand era. Cobblestone paths, lovingly laid by skilled hands, wind their way betwixt authentic shopfronts while gas lamps cast their warm, welcoming glow upon the scene. I entreat you to keep your eyes sharp for the costumed figures that populate this CAPTIVATING TABLEAU, their attire so true to the period that one half expects them to spring to life at any moment!

But hold, dear reader, for our journey through the mists of time does not conclude there! I bid you wander forth into the shopping arcade of the 1950s, where you shall feel the VERY SPIRIT OF POST-WAR OPTIMISM suffuse your being. From the cheerful advertisements that adorn the walls to the gleaming wares proudly displayed, every minute detail has been painstakingly curated to evoke the essence of that transformative decade. 

It is, I assure you, a rare and precious opportunity to experience the quotidian existence of your forebears, offering a tangible connection to the past that no mere tome could hope to replicate.

With a collection numbering over 2,000 authentic artefacts spread across its myriad of exhibits, Bygones Museum presents a veritable CORNUCOPIA OF HISTORIC DELIGHTS. Each item, from the most diminutive trinket to the grandest piece of machinery, whispers its own unique tale to those who would listen. It is a place where devotees of history may lose themselves for hours on end and where even those with but a passing interest in the annals of time shall find themselves utterly ENTHRALLED!

Particulars for the Discerning Visitor:

  • Means of Electronic Communication: https://bygones.co.uk/
  • Hours of Operation: The establishment welcomes patrons daily from 10 o'clock ante meridiem until 5 o'clock post meridiem (with final admittance at 4 o'clock post meridiem)
  • Facilities for the Physically Impaired: Lavatories suitable for those with infirmities are available
  • Provisions for Infant Care: Indeed, facilities for the changing of infants' linens are provided for the convenience of our patrons
  • Accessibility for the Infirm: The museum has made provisions to ensure all visitors may partake in its wonders
  • Refreshment Facilities: Sustenance may be procured on the premises
  • Conveyance Storage: A designated area for the parking of horseless carriages is available to visitors
  • Admission: Entry is granted upon payment of a modest fee
    • General Admission: 11 shillings and 9 pence
    • Young Persons (aged 3 to 14 years): 9 shillings and 6 pence
    • Babes in arms (under 3 years): Gratis
    • Family Ticket (2 adults and 2 children): 42 shillings
    • Additional children: 7 shillings and 6 pence each
  • Concessions: Reduced rates are available for children and those of advanced years (proof of age may be required).

I say this to you and all your readers: whether you count yourself among the ranks of history enthusiasts, are a family in search of an edifying day's outing, or simply one who delights in a hearty dose of nostalgia, I assure you that Bygones Museum offers an experience that shall leave an indelible mark upon your memory. I implore you, dear reader, to seize this opportunity to step back through the mists of time and uncover the myriad treasures that await within this jewel of Torquay!

I beg to remain your FAITHFUL and utterly OBEDIENT Servant.

 

Mrs W E Gladstone 

January 1995

Where to Stay in Torbay

Merely press the little arrow on your reading device on this phrase to reveal a treasure trove of desirable seaside holiday villas for your delight and delectation: View Holiday Cottages in Torquay.