The building in the background of this photograph was formerly Abbotsleigh House, now Apartments 8, 9,17 and 18. The church tower can be seen beyond the roof. Everyone, including the donkey, is standing perfectly still for the camera. The nun in the donkey cart has a violin: did she play as she rode around the grounds on this lovely summer afternoon? Why is the seated nun holding the violin bow? What a pity that we can’t see this scene in colour: the nun’s bright red scapulars set against summer greenery and the colour of the roses.

In the contemporary picture the verandahs, greenhouse and rose pergolas have all gone, and balconies have been added to the first floor apartments.

I am grateful to Mr David Smith of Abbotskerswell for the black and white photographs on this and the next page. Mr Smith found the old and badly damaged glass/gelatine negatives in a box of photographic miscellanea at a car boot sale, and recognised them as a valuable contribution to the social history of the Priory. The donkey photograph has been digitally enhanced by Alan Cooper Colour Labs of Kingsteignton.