The Cage

 The Cage

On the occasions when we visited back in the 1980s, there was a wonderful shop in the High Street in Dunster, called The Cage, which sold imaginative gifts and ornaments, including various David Winter Cottages. 

David Winter was born in Catterick, Yorkshire, in 1958, and was inspired by his mother, the sculptress Faith Winter. David Winter's creations are wonderfully detailed, and his cottages are loved and appreciated by many collectors from all over the world. Each one is different: perhaps a mill, or a house set in a garden, with maybe a cat at the front door, or beautiful flowers leading up the garden path. We had never seen anything like them before! and each time we were in Dunster, we bought another David Winter cottage, enjoying having them all on display: each one delightful, with always something new to discover whenever we looked at them.

The Cage also sold blown glass models of ships, and on one trip we chose a sailing ship, displayed in a transparent plastic box. After all these years, and many moves, it is (so far!) still in one piece, and still sailing in its original box - it needs a good dusting, now!

Forty years on, during this visit to Dunster, we asked about The Cage: it was well-remembered, but sadly the shop is no longer part of the High Street. The lady we spoke to said the owner had retired many years ago, and we think it is possible he may have died. Whatever has happened, the memory of The Cage - and the owner - remains alive and well in our memory! and we have the sailing ship and David Winter Cottages to enjoy in our present, and in the future. 

After we got home, I contacted a really helpful lady who helps to run an art gallery in Dunster, and she said she would make enquiries for us, and ask older residents if they remembered The Cage, and its owner. 

True to her word, she has made many investigations on our behalf, and recently got back in touch with me. The consensus of opinion is that the owner of The Cage retired more that 20 years ago, and had plans to move abroad - possibly to Spain; at any rate, he - and the delightful shop - is no longer in Dunster.

I am so grateful for all her efforts - even though it means The Cage is now truly gone from Dunster, at least we have some idea of what happened. Whether they stayed in England, or went out abroad to warmer climes, we hope everyone connected with it has enjoyed - or is still enjoying! - a happy retirement.

When we are back at the West Somerset Railway (we have plans for another book signing in the summer holidays!) we'll go back to Dunster, and visit the art gallery, and hope to meet the very helpful lady. We also have plans for another delicious cream tea at Lock's Victorian Tea Rooms!