Willshire Monument On Traffic Island

The Willshire Monument, located on a traffic island in Barnstaple, is a memorial bust dating from the late 19th century. It was created by WL Baron of Barnstaple. The monument features a bronze bust mounted on a column made of polished red granite, with a pedestal and capital crafted from polished grey granite. The shaft of the column is inscribed with the name "CHARLES SWEET WILLSHIRE. 1837-89." The pedestal bears the inscription "ERECTED BY FRIENDS AND FELLOW TOWNSMEN IN RECOGNITION OF HIS EMINENT AND UNSELFISH SERVICES AS A LIBERAL POLITICIAN AND MUNICIPAL REPRESENTATIVE." Willshire was noted in 1897 as one of the most influential political leaders in the Western Counties. WL Baron was a prominent decorator at Brannam's pottery in Litchdon Street and established his own pottery at Rolle Quay around 1895.