The Town Surgery
The Gables, the house with the porch supported on spiral columns, is another very old timber-framed and plastered building which originally had a jetty along its entire length. The four gables, which give the house its modem name, were added later when the jetty was under-built. Its porch is relatively modem, added certainly after around 1860. Notice how it partially obscures one of the upper windows. In 1994 it became part of the Doctor's surgery next door.
Next door is Fern House, 129 Newland Street, it has been a doctor's surgery for over 100 years. It is another early timber-framed house with a Georgian front. Look carefully at the brickwork; it is a good example of 'tuck pointing'. Brick-coloured mortar is used with a thin strip of light-coloured material set in to give the illusion of very fine joints. On the elegant doorway you will see a brass speaking tube and above the door an attractive fanlight. This building is listed Grade II*.
