Page 8 - The Constructor A5V24 V1

The Master’s Year

the upstairs room at the Cote Brasserie, facing on to the Cathedral Green. A very good time was had
by all, and some of our number then even ventured to try the night-life of Exeter.
After a good night’s rest and an
ample breakfast we boarded a coach
to visit Castle Drogo, an early 20th
century residence now owned by the
National Trust and located on the
edge of Dartmoor. The building has
been undergoing significant
fundamental restoration over recent
years, and the works are expected to
be complete in 2017. For those of us
who were interested, the National
Trust arranged for their project
manager to take us around the construction site – he explained how the Trust had concluded that
earlier preservative work was not now considered to be appropriate and how they were making the
building waterproof for the years to come. It was clearly a very complicated and expensive
operation and, being Constructors, we all found the trip up the impressive scaffolding most
interesting. For those of us who were less inclined to climb the scaffolding (or perhaps more inclined
to visit the beautifully maintained gardens) the National Trust had also organised a guided tour of
the gardens, and that too was enjoyed by many of our party.
Leaving Castle Drogo we took the scenic route (however did the coach driver manage it, given the
very narrow roads in the area?) to Tedburn St Mary where we enjoyed a magnificent lunch at the
King’s Arms, with the group assembling for the obligatory “Group Photograph” on leaving.

Then it was back to the Hotel for either some rest and recuperation (or even some retail therapy)
prior to changing into our finery for the “official” black-tie dinner that was held in the ancient Exeter
Guildhall.

Exeter Guildhall is most impressive and is the oldest municipal building in the United Kingdom still in
regular use. The Lord Mayor graciously allowed us to use the hall for our formal dinner.

8 | Autumn 2015 | The Journal of the Worshipful Company of Constructors