I have never been inspired to research my family tree, although I am aware that the surname Moulding was particularly prevalent in Preston and Blackburn (Lancashire) in the 18th century.

It seems likely that as Thomas Whitty's carpet manufacturing business emerged, a number of tradesman from Lancashire, working in the textile mills, may have been encouraged to practice their weaving skills in Axminster. The introduction of the Moulding name in Axminster, may therefore have emanated from the relocation of weavers from Preston and Blackburn in the 18th century.

As time went by, there were only a few strains of Moulding families remaining in Axminster and although I knew other "Mouldings" whilst at school, as far as I was aware, we were only distantly related. These "Mouldings" would probably have been traced back to my great -grandfather, Robert Moulding – and may have been descendants of his brothers.

ROBERT MOULDING Snr

I believe my great-grandfather was born in 1861 and died in 1954, aged 93. I really don't remember him, as I was only about eight years old when he died. Neither do I remember my great-grandmother, who pre-deceased him.

However, the recollections of my great-grandfather, Robert Moulding are the stories of folklore! These have mostly been handed down to me by my father, Tim, who spent countless hours with his grandfather, Robert. They would walk the lanes and fields of the Axe Valley and my father learnt how to find birds' nests, understand the sounds of the countryside and identify the flora and fauna which abounded.

Robert would see a rabbit moving behind a clump of grass. He would stop dead still – take of his cap and fling it to within a few feet of the rabbit. The animal was transfixed by the cap, which enabled Robert to stealthily walk up behind the rabbit, pick it up by its ears and wring its neck – that was the evening's supper!

Great-grandfather Bob was a serious drinker. Apparently, he would regularly visit all the towns in the immediate area, which had market days, where the pubs would be open all day. This would often happen on consecutive days and my great-grandfather would be missing from home for days-on-end, often finding a bed at whichever market-town pub he frequented.

However, this didn't appear to affect his procreation abilities, as great-grandmother gave birth to 11 children – ten boys and a girl. The boys used to amaze their acquaintances by stating that "there are ten of us and we each have a sister". Listeners to this anecdote, would immediately think that there were 20 children, but of course there were ten brothers - and they did each have a sister!

This leads me to the "Legend of Robert Moulding" which many of you will have seen, depicted on the large mural, which is sited in the Old Courthouse complex in Church Street, on the wall of the alley leading to the Arts Café.

The story revolves around great-grandfather Robert's amazing skill as a poacher. He would go down to the River Axe, usually at dusk. He would strip naked and glide into the river which in those days teemed with trout and salmon.

He would soon "tickle" a salmon and flip it out onto the river bank. However, on this particular occasion, he was caught by the local bobby and sentenced before the local magistrate on a charge of poaching. There was no defence (other than that he needed to feed his hungry tribe of children) and he was fined ten shillings, to be paid within a week.

How could his fine be paid? This was not a problem for Robert!. The next evening, he chose an alternative stretch of the river and tickled out another salmon, which he tucked down his trousers, for he knew where he could find a buyer.

A regular "customer" was the head cook of an elegant home in the local vicinity where salmon was often on the menu. Robert passed the salmon over to the cook and was paid the princely sum of ten shillings, which of course, paid his fine... and, who was the owner of the stately home, who would feast on the salmon? You've guessed it – it was the magistrate who had levied the sentence.

Another story which relates to poaching by my great-grandfather in the River Axe was told to me by my father. On this occasion, Robert had chosen to flip out some salmon near the white bridge, below Cloakham House, on an evening when the river ran fast, following one of our regular floods. He already had two or three salmon in his bag, but he was then disturbed by the startling event before him.

A lady appeared from Cloakham House, dressed in flimsy attire. She rushed down across the meadow and threw herself into the fast-flowing river below the white bridge. The river was too fast for Robert to save her and she was carried away – presumably to her death. Robert kept this to himself for many, many years as it would have been evident that his reason for being in the locality was for his nefarious poaching activity.

Unbelievably, great-grandfather and great-grandmother brought up their 11 children at No 19 Hillhead Terrace, on Musbury Road – 13 people in one small terraced house. This probably wasn't precisely the case as by the time the youngest of the 11 children were born, the eldest children had left for pastures new – or probably the Great War.

As I mentioned previously, great-grandfather Robert, enjoyed a cider or two, (or three) and in "Mouldings Memories Early Years" I related the story of father and great-grandfather, both rather the worse for wear, together with baby Andrew, falling down the stairs of the Drill Hall, when they decided to "wet the baby's head". Bob would have been about 85 years-old at the time.

I don't remember all of the 11 brothers and sister, but I can recall several of them, with tales to tell. Strangely, I believe that as their working lives emerged six of the brothers were builders and four of them and the sister were bakers. As time went on, their careers changed and some of them moved away from brick-laying and bakery.

It appears to me that the eldest son was born in 1885 and the youngest in 1908. My grandfather was George Moulding who was born in 1896.

BOB MOULDING Jnr, born approximately 1885

Uncle Bob was one of the eldest of the Moulding boys and was the founder of the building firm of R Moulding and Sons, together with his brother, Fred and my great-grandfather Robert. The firm was established in 1919. Uncle Bob was the businessman of the company and enabled the company to flourish and grow during those lean years after the First World War.

Uncle Bob's daughter was Beryl Moulding, who became Beryl Stuart, when she married Lionel Stuart just after the Second World War. Lionel and Beryl had three children – my second cousins – Diana, William and Sarah. William joined the family butchery business with his father, until the late 1980's when "Complete Meats" took over the lease. William then made a complete career change, establishing the successful "Axminster Tidy Skip Hire" business.

FRED MOULDING, born approximately 1889

I remember Uncle Fred quite clearly, particularly as I went to Sunday School at the Congregational Church in Chard Street where he was the Sunday School leader. Like his father, Uncle Fred also enjoyed a glass of cider and even during Sunday School, I was aware of an aroma of cider apples hovering around.

Fred was a most amiable man, with a generous smile. He was another of the Moulding brothers to follow great-grandfather into the family building business.

I remember Fred's children, Ron and Freda. Ron Moulding became head gardener of Parnham House, the 16th Century stately home, near Beaminster in Dorset. Ron was at Parnham during the time of John Makepeace, the British furniture maker and designer.

One of Makepeace's pupils at Parnham House during that time was David Armstrong Jones, (Viscount Lindley – now Earl of Snowdon) son of Princess Margaret. Readers of Moulding's Memories will be aware that Parnham House burned down in 2017. This was the subject of an arson attack by Michael Treichi, the owner at that time, who then committed suicide.

Freda Moulding's daughter, Penelope, would be my second cousin. She married Robert Trott, an estate agent who I believe was in partnership at Gribble Booth & Taylor (GBT), with my good friend Chris Bolton. Robert Trott worked for GBT from their offices at Chard.

JOHN 'JACK' MOULDING, born approximately 1894

Uncle Jack was another lovely man, who wasn't involved with the family firm, although I believe he trained as a builder. At quite an early age, Uncle Jack moved to Torquay where he married and brought up a family, with a son Roger and daughter Margaret. I met Jack a few times at family anniversaries, etc. and remember that his son Roger was also in the construction industry, working as a surveyor in the Bristol area.

I experienced an extraordinary coincidence, whilst working for the Somerset Cricket Board. The Cricket Board supported a large number of cricket projects throughout the county, including South Bristol, which as it was south of the River Avon, came within the cricketing county of Somerset. Therefore, suburbs of Bristol, such as Bedminster, Knowle, Brislington, etc were in the cricketing county of Somerset.

In about 2005 there was a major project to develop a South Bristol Sports Centre, fairly near to Knowle Cricket Club, on land which I believe belonged to the old Imperial Tobacco consortium. Included in the project, which included rugby and football pitches, was the provision of cricket nets, which was supported by the Somerset Cricket Board.

In order to underpin the venture a substantial two-story pavilion was built, which included changing rooms on the ground floor and a social centre on the first floor. I had been invited to represent the Cricket Board and Somerset County Cricket Club at the opening of this building.

The opening ceremony, with refreshments provided, was held in the first floor social club, which included a bar. At the prescribed time for guests to arrive, there was a queue at the top of the stairs, where the promoter of the scheme was being introduced to the hundred or so guests.

The gentleman in front of me shook the chairman's hand and said "I'm Roger Moulding – the surveyor and coordinator of this project". I followed Roger, by saying "and I'm Andrew Moulding - and I believe the man you have just been introduced to is my cousin, who I haven't seen for about 30 years".

WHAT A COINCIDENCE! If I hadn't been immediately behind Roger on the staircase, we would have been in the same room – and not realised it. As it was, we spent two brilliant hours together, recollecting tales of the old Moulding family – and we have kept in touch since then.

GEORGE MOULDING, born 1896

George was my grandfather – a quiet man, who walked with short strides, which my wife tells me, I have inherited!

George left school at the age of 12 to learn his trade as a baker, but in 1914 volunteered for the Army, joining the Seventh Devon Regiment to fight in the Great War.

He was transferred to the Worcesters in 1916 and fought in the battle of the Somme at Passchendaele. He returned in 1917 suffering from frost-bite and was in hospital for 11 months. He returned to the regiment in Yorkshire and then trained for a commission. It was then back to France as a subaltern and then onto Germany.

In line with many of his era, George would never talk about the war, in which he obviously suffered, and saw countless of his friends and colleagues die for the good of his country.

After the war, he joined his brothers in the family building business, where he earned his living for the rest of his working life. He was called up with the Territorials in the Second World War, serving with the 8th Devons and was promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major.

In 1920, George married Hilda Welch from Lyme Regis. Hilda came from a large family, who I remember lived in Corporation Terrace (now Lym Close). I remember Jack Welch from Bridport, Percy Welch, Ted and Fred Welch (both victims of polio – but lived to a good age) and Queenie. Queen Welch married Ted King – so she became Queen King! They lived in Seaton and their son, Peter, kept goal for Seaton Football Club.

George was President of the Axminster Conservative Club and took an active part in Axminster Carnival, where he led the parade as Chief Marshal for many years. In his younger years he was a useful footballer and played for Lyme Rovers and Axminster Town.

For some time, George and Hilda lived above the Drill Hall, as George was the Sergeant Major of the Home Guard. They then moved to the house alongside the builders' yard in South Street and then to a bungalow they built in Wide Post Lane. George and Hilda had an extremely happy marriage and celebrated both their Golden and Diamond Wedding Anniversaries whilst living at Wide Post Lane.

They had just the only son – my father Timothy. There will be further reminisces of Tim later in Moulding's Memories. However, my endearing memory of George and Tim together was the amazing family sing-songs we had at the Tucker's Arms, Dalwood, with landlord and landlady, Jim and Doris Heard. The singing and drinking went on into the small hours (no breathalyser testing in those days). The later we stayed, the more bawdy the songs, recalled from George's army years and Tim's air-force times. They were great evenings.

EDGAR MOULDING, born 1898

Edgar looked quite similar to George – slightly slimmer, but with the same Moulding nose and lack of hair - which we all have!

Edgar worked in the bakery at Punckowle for several years, but ultimately joined the family building firm, running the accounts. The accounts office was situated on the opposite side of the premises, separate from the main office – so Edgar had a little workplace to himself.

This was ideal for Edgar, as he appeared to dedicate a great deal of his time to studying the horse racing pages of the newspaper and placing his bets with Percy Stuart, the local bookie. Occasionally, Edgar would tell you when he had a good winner, but you didn't hear about the losers.

Surprisingly, he was once overheard on the telephone to the bookie, asking him what he fancied for the 3.30 at Newmarket? If he was asking the bookie for his advice – no wonder he lost.

Edgar was happily married to Trix. His time in the summer was very much taken up with playing bowls at either Kilmington or Seaton. Edgar and Trix had a daughter Jean, who married Jack Askew, who worked at Webster's Garage. Jean and Jack had a son Brian, who lives away from the area and who I haven't heard about for many years.

Edgar and Trix lived in King Edward Road for many years, although in retirement they lived at Poplar Mount. I think Auntie Trix died before Uncle Edgar, who lived to a good age and was always smart and dapper. If he wasn't playing bowls, he was nearly always dressed in a suit or jacket and trousers.

He used to walk a fair bit and one day complained to my father about his aching feet. This was in the 1980s when trainers were coming into vogue and my father said that he should give them a try. Edgar loved his trainers – he said that it was like "walking on air". However, the trainers didn't look quite right with the jacket and trousers.

CIS LAVER nee Moulding, born approximately 1900

I never know what her real Christian name was – but she was the sister to the ten brothers, so maybe she should be Sis Moulding. However, I have always seen her name written down as Cis.

I only just remember Cis and always recollect her as being fairly tall, compared with the Moulding boys. Cis trained in the bakery profession and married a man called Laver fro Puncknowle, about five miles east of Bridport, where they continued baking for a number of years.

ALAN MOULDING, born approximately 1905

Uncle Alan was lean and taller than the rest. He was another very amiable man, who worked for most of his life for Axe Vale Laundry as a delivery driver. He always had a laugh and joke if you saw him in the street.

Alan and Flo had two daughters, Eileen and Helen. I remember Eileen from her days working as a receptionist for Mr Prescott, my dentist. Helen married Cyril Hellier, who trained at Shands and became head of one of the breakaway organisations, when Staveley's asset-stripped the company. Cyril's company became Nu-Type, based on Weycroft Avenue and specialising in the manufacture of metal type for credit card embossing and identification equipment used in the food and pharmaceutical Industries.

As far as I am aware, Helen and Cyril still live in Seaton, where for many years they both played golf to a high standard at Axe Cliff.

CECIL NELSON MOULDING, born 1908

Cecil was the "baby" of the family and joined the family business from school. Cecil had suffered a spinal injury before the Second World War, which kept him out of the forces. However, his experience in the construction industry led to him being involved in the building of aerodromes throughout the country. He also took a consignment of 150 craftsmen to Kent, to carry out repair work to buildings and infrastructure damaged by doodlebugs and rockets during the war.

At one time, the Mouldings had two businesses, with Cecil and George running one firm, whilst Fred and Bob ran the other. However, the four brothers came together to form the company of R Moulding & Sons Limited and carried out a number of major projects in Axminster, including Axminster Carpets and J H Shand Ltd.

Cecil met Elsie Goff when she was working for Dr Langran in Axminster. However, she was one of 15 children born to Henry Goff, who lived at Bewley Down. Cecil and Elsie were married in 1929 and ultimately lived in West Ridge in Alexandra Road, built by the family firm.

Uncle Cecil was a director of R Moulding & Sons Limited when I joined the firm in 1970. I learnt a tremendous amount from Cecil, although he and my father didn't get on well! According to Tim, this stemmed from his school days when he called on Cecil and Elsie at their home. He was reprimanded for resting his feet on the "stretchers" of the chair, which span across the legs. Tim didn't forgot that and never entered their house again.

Cecil was an active member of the South West Federation of Building Trades Employers and became their President in 1965.

Cecil and Elsie didn't have any children and led very private lives, celebrating their Golden Wedding anniversary in 1979.

OTHER ODDITIES

R MOULDING & CO

During my work with R Moulding and Sons Ltd in Axminster, I became very much aware that there was another Moulding construction company in the South West. This became apparent when our company received invoices for goods we hadn't ordered! It transpired that in the Salisbury area there was the firm of R Moulding & Co. of South Newton, established in 1908 and involved with "new build, restoration, refurbishments and maintenance projects of all sizes".

I decided to make contact with them regarding the misdirecting of paperwork, etc., and it became evident that the firm of R Moulding & Co was very much the same as R Moulding & Sons Ltd – a family firm of about the same size and carrying out the same type of work. No relation to us – but quite a coincidence.

ROGER MOULDING – cricketer (no relation)

During my work with the Somerset Cricket Board, the country was divided into four regions. Somerset was within a wide western area which stretched as far as Oxfordshire, where I became aware that a certain Roger Moulding was involved with Oxfordshire cricket. He was a former first-class cricketer who played for Middlesex and Oxford University and was educated at Haberdashers School.

BARNSTAPLE COINCIDENCE

Whilst I was chairman of Devon County Council, I was invited to attend a range of events across the county. On one particular occasion, Mary and I accepted an invitation to attend a concert in Barnstaple, as a celebration of local talent in that area.

During the interval, I joined in a queue for a coffee. The lady in front of me noticed my "Chain of Office" and asked where I had travelled from. When I mentioned Axminster, she said that she came from Axminster. I told her that I had lived in and around Axminster for most of my life and enquired after her maiden name. She said "Moulding" and it transpired that the lady in front of me in the queue was my third cousin, who I had never met before.

MOULDINGS SETTLE OUT OF COURT!

This was the headline in the Sunday newspapers a couple of weeks ago. It refers to online retail billionaire Matthew Moulding, who had complained about the performance of his £360,000 Lamborghini. The article states that Mr Moulding is worth an estimated £2.2 billion, which certainly hasn't rubbed off on me. This is the first I had ever heard of him.

MOULDING FAMILY TREE

Working through the Moulding archives, it appears that from the ten Moulding sons of great-grandfather Robert Moulding and passing through the generations of this strain of Mouldings, they were either childless or had produced girls. It therefore becomes apparent that my son Edward, who has two sons is perpetuating this strain of Mouldings and is keeping the name going – even if they are living in Canada.

My career in the building industry will be in the next edition of 'Moulding's Memories'...

Characters of Axminster - Part I

Characters of Axminster - Part III

Characters of Axminster - Part V