Neighbours and residents gathered in Budleigh Salterton to unveil a blue plaque next to the street sign that bears the name of Ethel Frewin Mathieson. This incredible lady was an early Suffragist and benefactor - building these houses for the local community and campaigning tirelessly for women's rights.

After the unveiling took place, Beth Parr, local resident of Frewins, said a few words about Ethel and why this is so important. Dee Woods from the Otter Valley Association then gave a speech about the life and times of this amazing lady.

Refreshments were shared by the neighbours and it was a wonderful and fitting ceremony to celebrate Ethel Mathieson.

So next time you are in the vicinity, why not pop-over to Frewins and pause for a few moments to celebrate the life of one of Budleighs' past.  (Further pictures of the unveiling ceremony are included at the end of this article).

SO WHO WAS ETHEL FREWIN MATHIESON?

(This article was written by Carole Walker, with reference to the Fairlynch Museum and Arts Centre). 

Friends may recall the article in the Fairlynch Magazine of Spring 2024 on “The hotels of Budleigh Salterton Part 2” that noted in the 1911 census Otterbourne (the name of the house before it became Otterbourne Hotel) had become the private residence of Mrs Bessie Mathieson. When she died at Otterbourne in 1921 she left the property to her daughter, Ethel Frewin Mathieson.

Following her mother’s death, Ethel Mathieson moved from Budleigh and in 1944 she was living in Stroud, Gloucester. By 1947 she was again resident in Budleigh at Hale Lodge, Westfield Close. (At interesting aside, Hale Lodge was commandeered as the local HQ of the American Forces during WW2. They apparently wrecked the interior). Ethel Mathieson lived with her mother, Mrs Bessie Mathieson at Otterbourne House in Coastguards Road, until her mother died in 1921. She was actively involved with many aspects of community life, and was especially active in the NUSS (The National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies), a non-militant organisation led by Millicent Gareth-Fawcett, which campaigned for women’s enfranchisement. Ethel Mathieson was Honourable Secretary of the Budleigh Salterton woman’s suffrage society (affiliated to the NUSS). She resigned in February 1914 to become Honourable Secretary of the south-west federation of the NUSS, and was also on the National Executive of the NUSS.

Through her sister, Mrs Wales, Ethel Mathieson also had a connection to the Arts and Crafts Movement. She purchased several items of furniture by Edward Barnsley. In 1947, several of these items were donated by her to the Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum.

She was Influenced by the Letchworth “Cheap Cottage Exhibition” of 1905, and in 1911 purchased a field at Bedlands Lane in order to build a group of seven blocks of terraced cottages incorporating garden city principals and generous allotments. The houses were for local working people and the rent was to be no more than two shillings and six pence a week. Miss Mathieson employed the architect Cecil Hignett of Letchworth, who had worked for Parker and Unwin during their “Garden City” time, to design Frewins. However, during the course of construction, Ethel Mathieson ran short of money and the houses were left in an unfinished stage. The walls and ceiling had no plaster on them, and the rest of the interior was very sparse.

As the first residents moved into the cottages, they gradually did what they could to finish the interiors of their homes. Although the walls and ceilings needed finishing, the cottages themselves were beautifully built and were of a most unusual design. Built of red brick with red tiled roofs, they were wonderful examples of the Arts and Crafts style. The external walls were/are enlivened with diaper work. Internally, the floors consisted of 4’6” beams which took thick tongued and grooved boards without intermediate joists, to act as both floor and ceiling. The stairs to serve all the three floors were built into a cupboard-styled space. The doors and cupboards were constructed out of pine and fitted with ledged farmhouse doors.

Following her mother’s death, Ethel Mathieson moved from Budleigh Salterton. In 1944, she was living at Moor Court, Stroud, Gloucestershire. By 1947, she was again resident in Budleigh Salterton at Hale Lodge, Westfield Close. She died on 11th June, 1954 at the Cottage Hospital, Budleigh Salterton and bequeathed many items to the Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum.

Pictures of the original features within the buildings

The Fairlynch files in the Local History Room at the Museum are a wonderful source of information. No less so with the Frewins Estate. In July 2000 Yvonne Erickson undertook detailed research of the estate to enhance her educational studies. At that time, she interviewed many of the local inhabitants. Most of the information in this article stems from Yvonne Erickson’s comprehensive documentation held at the Museum. Other details are mentioned on the Devon History Society website and further information from newspaper cuttings and family history sites.

The Unveiling Ceremony: