One of the best-known attractions in Saltash, Elliott's Store in Lower Fore Street, has added an exhibition based around the Elliott family and their premises to the much-loved ‘time-warp’ grocery shop. Featured as 'amongst the top ten alternative tourist attractions in Cornwall' by a leading local magazine last summer, it is hoped the exhibition will make 2007 another successful year.

The Tamar Protection Society (TPS), who own the building, have included many local and social history items and local photographs within the exhibition to help build an insight into life for the Elliott family. Kevin Procter of the TPS said: “It was always Frank Elliott’s intention that the building should remain as a museum, and we feel that he would have approved of the work so far. He left a vast number of personal items behind, and we were especially pleased to find some photographs of the rear of the property before, and during, the building of the Tamar Road Bridge. These images are especially powerful as the exhibition room looks out onto the busy A38, which used to be the Elliott back garden!” Alongside a potted history of the building and it’s inhabitants, Mr. Elliott’s accounts of his experiences in the Great War and photos of the shop dating back to the 1930’s provide a fascinating snapshot of history for the young and old visitor alike.

The TPS Volunteers have been researching the project for over a year and have had assistance from a number of sources. Mr. Procter added: The grant from the Saltash Town Council 'Community Chest' fund in March 2006 was the launch-pad for the project, and input from Plymouth City Museum’s Social History and Graphic Design teams input was of massive importance. Assistance and support from the South East Cornwall Museums Forum, Colin Squires of the Saltash Heritage Centre, and the Royal Cornwall Museum were also much appreciated”.

The research into the Elliott family tree has put the TPS in touch with both sides of the family, with some of the late Mrs. Elliott's relatives coming from London and the United States to visit the store in November of last year. Mr. Procter added: “Assistance from relatives in this country and America has proved invaluable in providing pictures and details of family members, and with their help we have traced the Elliott’s ancestors to Ohio and California in the West, and Shanghai in the East.

Elliott’s Store is open from 10am to 3pm on Saturday May 5th as part of the town’s May Fair celebrations. Despite the hard work in creating the exhibition a current shortage of volunteer help means that the opening times are usually restricted to Wednesday afternoons from 2.00pm - 4.00pm and Saturday’s from 10.00am to mid-day.  Anyone interested in more information on how to volunteer as a steward can contact 07767 444816 or visit the TPS website at www.tamarprotectionsociety.org.uk.

Saturday, May 5th 2007

Elliott's Stores
27 Lower Fore Street
Saltash

Time: 10am to 3pm

07767 44481

www.tamarprotectionsociety.org.uk

Story Added - 22nd April 2007