Exmouth's famous Rusty Pole, which was erected in 1909 on The Maer and stood majestically there for 114 years was removed by South West Water on Thursday (13 April).

It was a famous landmark on The Maer and much venerated by locals and visitors alike.

The Maer looks a sadder place without it and it remains a mystery why it was removed, without any consultation, particularly as moves were afoot to have it listed as an item of historical interest.

A spokesman for the Rusty Pole Society of Exmouth said: "It is a very sad day for Exmouth with such a landmark being removed.

"Many people walked past it every day, some laying stones, pebbles or flowers there and their dogs loved it too!

"We do not understand why such a monument had to be removed. It was quite safe, hurt no one and provided a much loved focal point for many people.

"South West Water have provided no such explanation as to why they took such action without consulting the townspeople. We would welcome a response from them.

"The future of the society is now unknown as the committee and members are still in shock – but 13 April will forever be known as Rusty Pole Day."

Why not pay a visit to Exmouth Museum? You can also e-mail your historian at [email protected].  

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Ed: This article is from Mike Menhenitt's Walking Through Exmouth History series. Use the links below to read previous articles:

Part One: The beginnings of Exmouth, from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age

Part Two: Exmouth in the Iron Age - and the arrival of the Celts

Part Three: Roman coins and Viking raids

Part Four: The impact of the Norman conquest, and how places in Exmouth got their names

Part Five: How Exmouth became a fashionable seaside resort in the 18th century

Part Six: How the docks brought prosperity to Exmouth - and then became the marina

Part Seven: The coming of the railway

Part Eight: Turnpikes, toll houses and inns in Exmouth

Part Nine: Jobs your ancestors had in the town through the ages

Part 10: The town's first museums - and the museum as it is today

Part 11: A horse-drawn fire engine and the history of Exmouth Museum

Part 12: The Rolle family

Part 13: Exmouth's cost-of-living crisis in the 19th century

Part 14: Clapp's Cafe and the development of the town centre

Part 15: The Exmouth woman who fought Napoleon

Part 16: Exmouth's connection to the wife of Lord Nelson

Part 17: Exmouth's connection to the wife of Lord Byron

Part 18: Exmouth's connection to Mary Anne Clarke, mistress of the Duke of York

Part 19: Going postal in Exmouth

Part 20: When The Maer was a golf course

Part 21: Clapp's Café

Part 22: Littleham Village

Part 23: A guide to Exmouth's churches

Part 24: Remembering Rolle College

Part 25: An open-air swimming pool, zoo and boating lake: How Exmouth's Esplanade used to look

Part 26: Historical buildings on Exmouth seafront