Ottery St Mary Friends of Phyllis Baxter Action Group

Phyllis Baxter’s biggest passion was photography. Thanks to that passion we now have a well documented photographic legacy from Ottery, its hidden treasures, its events, its people and above all the way Phyllis captured her love for the town through the lenses of her camera. For many years Phyllis also collaborated with the Council, the Chamber of Commerce and the volunteers organising the events of the Late Night Christmas Shopping in town. The highlight of the event for many in Ottery was to see what costume Phyllis would be wearing for the most important evening of the festive season. We still can see her dressed as a Christmas tree which after a few too many visits to the shops and tasting the drinks offered, looked more like a tree gently swaying in the breeze and what prompted a then Councillor to shout “timber” every time he saw her happily going through the town.

Phyllis Baxter’s biggest passion was photography. Thanks to that passion we now have a well documented photographic legacy from Ottery, its hidden treasures, its events, its people and above all the way Phyllis captured her love for the town through the lenses of her camera. For many years Phyllis also collaborated with the Council, the Chamber of Commerce and the volunteers organising the events of the Late Night Christmas Shopping in town. The highlight of the event for many in Ottery was to see what costume Phyllis would be wearing for the most important evening of the festive season. We still can see her dressed as a Christmas tree which after a few too many visits to the shops and tasting the drinks offered, looked more like a tree gently swaying in the breeze and what prompted a then Councillor to shout “timber” every time he saw her happily going through the town.

We at the Phyllis Baxter Action Group were delighted to hear that the Pixie Day, Tar Barrels and Carnival Committees are once again planning to hold these events in 2021, subject to any Covid-19 restrictions.