IN their recent letter (June 9) Scott Russell and Pat Bates draw attention to the handsome regency house in Church Lane, often attributed to Foulston. There is no evidence for this.

Indeed, it is the opinion of someone who has studied the work of Foulston in Plymouth that the building is not typical of his work in the area. Instead it is likely to be the work of a local builder, inspired by what he saw in Plymouth or in various books of classical designs.

One such man, James Colling, was responsible for the short-lived fore-runner of Tavistock Subscription Library, with pillars, pediment and dome, in a classical style inspired by Foulston’s Athenaeum but not identical.

Opened in 1822 and soon nicknamed ‘The Propylaeum’, it was not universally admired. Many (including the vicar) would have preferred a gothic style, though his wife (the redoubtable Eliza Bray) championed the new. It was demolished nine years later to make way for the 6th Duke’s plans for the area.

It is sad that while much attention is paid to the architects of our historical buildings, little credit is given to the men who actually built them.

Here at Kingdon House we are pleased to have unearthed not only a great deal of information on our own architect, Arthur Southcombe Parker, who was involved in the design of most of the buildings on the north side of Bedford Square and up Drake Road in the Duchy’s last major project for the town from 1895 but have recently identified our likely builder — William Henry Higman.

William was born in 1838, the son of a Crowndale farm worker. After stints of farm and mine labour, he set up as a carpenter and cabinet maker at the foot of what is now Madge Lane and by 1891 was operating as a builder out of premises in Lower Back Street (now King Street).

Custom-designed in 1904 as printing works and offices for the original Tavistock Gazette, construction on what is now Kingdon House was carried out between 1906 and 1909. William Higman died two days later. We would be delighted to hear from any relatives alive today or people with any further information.

Brian A Fyfield-Shayler

Trustee, Kingdon House Community Association