Somerset town’s last thatched roof building, once owned by famous composer, is honored by heritage chiefs

A restaurant in Weston-super-Mare – which is the town’s only surviving thatched property – has been recognized for its historical significance. A blue English Heritage plaque has been installed in the old thatched cottage to celebrate notable people of the past and the buildings in which they lived and worked.

The old thatched roof Cottage was built in 1791 originally as a holiday home for the soldier and composer Reverend William Leeves. Rev Leeves was a lieutenant in the London Foot Guards who, at the age of 31, took holy orders and became rector of Wrington – traveling on horseback each day to his congregation in the rural parish.

The artistically gifted priest spent many days writing from his home, overlooking the canal and along the dike and the causeway, at this time ostensibly named The Strand. As a composer, the talented Reverend set to music the famous Scottish ballad Auld Robin Gray which became a big hit at the 1904 Proms.

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He is married musician Anne Wathen and they had five children, one of whom was a hero of the Greek War of Independence (1821-29), chaplain of the new British embassy and builder of St. Paul’s Church in Athens, the oldest Anglican Church of Greece. He is also renowned for translating the Bible into modern Greek.

Although Rev Leeves died in 1828, the cottage – then known as Leeves Cottage – remained in family occupation for another decade. Over the years, the building had a number of uses, becoming known as White Cross Dairy, Ye Auld Robin Gray Tea House, Promenade Café and in 1954 as The Old Thatched Cottage.

In 1959, the café was acquired by cousins ​​Adam and Axentis Michael and Jimmy Solomon. Axentis and the family of Nitsa Michael remain the current owners and operators of the historical Grade II listed building.

In 2003, after the death of Axentis Michael, ownership of the restaurant passed to his daughter, Maria Michael. Since then, she has continued the family tradition of managing the establishment.

In 2019, La Chaumière marked the milestone of 60 years of ownership and operation by the Michael family. On the occasion of this anniversary, a complete renovation of the building was carried out, including the reinstatement of a private dining room which had been closed for three decades, as well as substantial improvements to the outdoor sea-facing terrace.

Andie Jeffries, daughter of restaurant owner Maria Michael and the driving force behind the application and installation of the Blue Plaque, said: “The installation of the plaque not only ensures that the chalet and restaurant remains firmly on the map, but it will hopefully encourage more visitors to the city as part of the English Heritage Blue Plaque trail.

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“This is not only good for us, but it will also lead to more trade with other businesses, which could in turn lead to further investment and also encourage people to view Weston as more than just a hub commercial. seaside summer destination but a place to visit all year round. We are delighted and immensely proud to be the custodians of such an important building and look forward to sharing its history with future visitors.

The Blue Plaque was officially unveiled by Weston Deputy Mayor, Councilor John Crockford-Hawley, who said: “I would like to thank the Michael family for continuing to invest in Weston-super-Mare for over 60 years. The family are passionate about the town and play a central role in its regeneration.

Historian Graham Birrell, who was privately commissioned by the Michael family to delve deeper into the history of the building and its occupants, said the revelations relating to the history of the chalet were well beyond his expectations.

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He said: “This is an incredible landmark in the city, having housed inspiring people from the past and surviving several fires and storms. Reconnecting with history and heritage is so important and this blue plaque recognizes the importance of the old cottage to the history of Weston-super-Mare.”