Focus on ilfracombe community news magazine january 2018 pub

January 2018—Vol 33 No 1

Three cheers for Cllr Steve Trebble, Charmain Lovett and the Combe Christmas team and volunteers especially the many electricians and other trades who gave their time and skill.

Thank you also to everyone who donated money to boost our High Street and community spirit this Christmas.

Cover: Grant Stringer Photography, Weddings-Portraits-Family Photo-shoots Events 07835026749 Design and IT Derek Woodcock and Erica C.

PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ADVERTISERS

ILFRACOMBE MUSEUM An enquiry into our wonderful archives has led to the choice of this month’s topic.

In November I was contacted by a couple interested in the history of clockmaker Elias Hobbs, and was fortunately able to send them a little information plus this photograph, which shows a tumbledown little workshop on the quay, just before it was knocked down. Inspite of its ramshackle appearance, this premises housed the business of a craftsman of great skill and precision, a clockmaker.

However, by the time the photo had been taken, Elias had been dead over 50 years and his workshop looks as though it has been standing empty for a long time. Major improvements to this side of the harbour, including rebuilding the harbour wall, and demolition of all the old buildings here in 1911, means this area of Ilfracombe has changed a great deal, in fact, a lot of it is now the Cove car park!

Elias Hobbs came to Ilfracombe around 1800 with his wife Margaret, after having worked as a clockmaker, with his father Samuel, in Dulverton for some years. Here he had met and married Margaret in 1786 and in 1804 they had a daughter, Jane, baptised at Holy Trinity church.

Clock and watchmaking in rural communities such as Ilfracombe was a vital and respected trade in the 18th and 19th centuries. Without access to the facilities of larger towns, a country clockmaker often made every component from scratch, even engraving the clock faces himself in a simple rustic style. Access to time pieces was also very limited in more remote towns before the mid-19th century. Ilfracombe had its first town clock built in 1853, but before this residents had to ask the time in the clockmakers shops, as the church clock had been broken for years! Only the better-off could afford a timepiece, and they were highly prized as examples of precision craftsmanship and also, as technology improved, as accurate scientific instruments.

Elias Hobbs was renowned as a very fine clockmaker, but once also used his skills to help repair the metal rudder part of a boat belonging to His Majesty’s Revenue Men. These cutters were stationed in Ilfracombe to patrol the coast for the rampant smuggling activities that went on in this area, and rather than wait for a new part to be sent here and therefore leaving the smuggling trade unpoliced, Elias cast a new part for them. An article in Moore’s Ilfracombe Almanac for 1912 tells us more about Elias’ character. Apparently he was renowned for liking a drink and could often be found in an inn, regaling everyone with a story, but of course his tales were prone to exaggeration. One story that circulated about Elias was that his neighbour had a pet monkey who loved to watch Elias work. One day the monkey stole a pocket watch, ran off with it and smashed it to pieces!

By 1841, Elias was living with his daughter Anne in the Strand area of Ilfracombe, not far from his little workshop. He was 75 years old, and had probably retired from active clock-making. By this time there was another clock and watchmaker in Ilfracombe, Henry Webber, who was in turn succeeded by his son Augustus Webber. Elias died in 1845 at the respectable age of 82 years, and was buried in Holy Trinity churchyard. His clocks are still highly sought after today.

Sara Hodson, Manager

Ilfracombe Museum wishes you all a very happy New Year.

We are open from the 2nd January every Tuesday-Friday 10am until 1pm Coming up 6th Feb 2018 7.30pm – talk by Pamela Vass on suffragettes in North Devon, tickets available at the museum, £4.

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The Focus

Focus is available from the beginning of the month and can be obtained FREE from Kingsley Printers and many shops and outlets in Ilfracombe, West Down, Woolacombe, Berrynarbor and Combe Martin. See full list page 18.

Deadline: 10TH OF THE PRECEDING MONTH email kingsleyprinters@xlninternet.co.uk or take or send to Kingsley Printers, 52 High Street, Ilfracombe EX34 8LU 01271 863131 Accounts: Cheques should be made payable to FOCUS and sent or taken to Kingsley Printers.

Editor: Dave Lane Proof Reader: Don Lawson Distribution: Pete Marnell Advertising and Content: Phone Erica Castle for advertising rates 07984 282 442

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EVENTS 4 ILFRACOMBE Lighting of the Lights…Combe Christmas….what a weekend. We are all still collapsed just thinking about it. Even your old and jaded Events 4 Ilfracombe correspondent has never seen so many of the local community turn up to our lights event before. This is now our largest community event by far. Well done all of you for supporting it. Well done to all of the people who made it happen. We think you will agree that the lights were brilliant, there was something for everyone over the weekend and all involved had a really good time. There were 31 different stalls over the weekend (21 commercial and 10 community/charity) and 13 different food vendors. Also bouncy castles, children’s entertainment, music from local musicians, even a magician. Santa and his merry band of elves (& Dancer) turned up in their sleigh for Lighting of the Lights then took up residence in a specially built grotto made by The Joshua Tree Project. As usual local businesses stayed open late and many dressed up their stores – there was plenty of goodwill in terms of wine and mince pies!

Ilfracombe Town Councilor Steve Trebble who is chair of the Combe Christmas committee (and has been from day one) said “When we started this journey 2 years ago it was just a tiny vision to make things a little bit brighter and a little bit better at Christmas in Ilfracombe and the Lighting of Lights night. I never envisaged the community taking on board the project in the way that has happened over the last 2 years. The number of people at Lighting of Lights this year was absolutely amazing. I am so, so proud to be part of Combe Christmas, this community and this magical event.”

The Christmas lights and the permanent string lights on the High Street are part of a joint project that saw many of our Ilfracombe trades and other volunteers give up their time for free to get the work done. The Christmas lights will stay up until the New Year and the permanent string lights will remain to be used for occasions throughout the year.

Anyone wishing to be part of the 2018 Ilfracombe Christmas celebrations can make contact using the details below.

There are still a few 2017 Official Ilfracombe Calendars left at The Tourist Information Centre. When they are gone, they are gone. All proceeds to Events 4 Ilfracombe. We are also raising funds in conjunction with Ilfracombe in Bloom and the Ilfracombe & District Tourism Association by holding a series of quizzes at The George & Dragon on Fore Street – 9th January, 13th February and 13th March. Why not bring a team? Call the pub direct to book a table on 01271 863851.

More details on Ilfracombe and North Devon events can be found at www.visitilfracombe.co.uk - follow the links to ‘What’s On’ then ‘Ilfracombe Events’ or ‘More Events’ for North Devon. Smaller events can be found on the Ilfracombe Diaries, also accessed via visitilfracombe.co.uk and up to date information can be found on the Visit Ilfracombe Facebook page. If you have an event that you are putting on in 2018 then why not get in touch. We may be able to provide support, equipment etc.

To contact Events 4 Ilfracombe email events@visitilfracombe.co.uk or call 01271 863001. You can also leave a message for us at Ilfracombe Tourist Information Centre at the Landmark on The Seafront. Why not join us?

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FOCUS YOUR TRULY LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE PRODUCED IN ILFRACOMBE

Information taken from a BAM newsletter November 27th 2017 which aims to keep us up to date with what is happening on their site.

About BAM BAM Construction is part of BAM Construct UK which is one of the country’s largest construction service organisations with a turnover of more than £900 million. They operate throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Their European parent company is Royal BAM Group which employs of 25,000 people worldwide and has a turnover of 7 billion euros. BAM has recently completed the construction of two new school facilities South Molton Community College and South Molton Junior School.

What they are building BAM are constructing new facilities for Ilfracombe Academy in a contract that started on March 14 th 2016 and is due for completion in November 2018. The works are being carried out in four phases, the first of which was the new sports block which was completed on time and handed over on March 27th 2017.

Phase 2 of the new teaching block and assembly hall was completed 16 weeks early. They have now started phase 3. Phases 3 and 4 will see the existing dining hall and kitchen converted into the design technology department, demolition of the redundant buildings followed by the forming of a new MUGA (Multi Use Games Area), landscaping and upgrading of the existing arts block.

Recent progress – in the last few weeks BAM has  Completed the teaching block and assembly hall.  Completed the teaching block external landscaping.  Completed decant of furniture and equipment from the existing school to the new school.  Installed new site hoarding.  Decommissioned existing building services.  Carried out fully intrusive asbestos surveys.

What’s happening in the next few weeks  Continue to soft strip all building materials inside the existing school.  Start controlled licensed and non-licensed asbestos removal.  Demolition of internal walls to the old dining hall and art block for refurbishment.  Remove external cladding from the dining hall to have a new carrier system and re-installed.  Start demolition of the existing school.  Start installation of new drainage in and around the dining hall.

Environment and Community BAM is committed to helping the environment and community. This includes reducing carbon emissions, recycling and wherever possible diverting waste from landfill. Green credentials of the project include:  BAM attended the Next Steps career day for the school in November.  Recycling of 90% of materials removed within the demolition works.  Taking no demolished hardcore material off site.  Continuing to support apprentices and graduates through their supply chain throughout the contract.

Considerate Constructors BAM is a partner member of the Considerate Constructors Scheme and all BAM sites register. This means they are committed being a good neighbour and to being clean, respectful, safe, environmentally conscious, responsible and accountable. The site is independently inspected to make sure they live up the these aims.

They try to work in a way that causes as little inconvenience as possible to neighbours. They apologise for any unavoidable nuisance that may be caused during the work and thank us for our co-operation and understanding so far. Feedback is welcomed on performance 01271 864777 or email Ilfracombe_mail@bam.co.uk

www.bam.co.uk 5

FOCUS YOUR TRULY LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE PRODUCED IN ILFRACOMBE

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FOCUS YOUR TRULY LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE PRODUCED IN ILFRACOMBE

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PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ADVERTISERS ILFRACOMBE BOWLING CLUB Highfield Road, Ilfracombe EX34 9LH ‘The Victorians’ were firm believers in the ‘self help’ ethos, self improvement in both work and play as a means to improve character and resilience, so it’s not a great surprise to find long established sports clubs in Ilfracombe. Ilfracombe Rugby Club founded in 1877 and Ilfracombe Golf Club in 1892, celebrated significant anniversaries in 2017 and in 2018 it’s the turn of Ilfracombe Bowling Club established in 1893.

At the November AGM one of the last couple of duties for the retiring President Brian James was to announce a raft of extra fixtures and events celebrating the 125th year. After the Treasurer's Report confirmed the Club was in a sound position, with over the year, a significant increase in total membership and steady financial improvement, he declared the year to be a success both with the playing results and administratively.

The strong position was later reaffirmed by the election of a full set of officers with, most importantly, a blend of well established and new generation officers, a much sought after combination, details as follows: Club Captain Shirley Hesman, Vice Captain Nick Boothway, Secretary Beryl Gilham, Treasurer Ron Wintergill, Match Secretary Derek Carter, Green Convenor Gerald Kerswell, main Committee members Neil Bucknall, Pat Brunger, Diana Wintergill, Nick Boothway, Christine Lerwill, Don James, Jim Harris and President Neil Holloway.

Over the last few years, the Bowling Club with help of Fullabrook Windfarm Trust and Geoff Fowler’s County Councillor discretion budget, has invested large sums of money in capital projects such as a new roof and central heating with club fundraising providing an upgrade of the full sized snooker table and better kitchen equipment.

The improvements continue in 2018 with the most comprensive upgrade of the playing area for over a hundred years.

It’s a good time to be involved with a very positive organisation be it on a social, snooker, short mat, skittles or grass bowling basis or indeed all five. Each section has a co-ordinator but your first port of call could be either Beryl Gilham 01271 870202 or Neil Holloway 01271 864251. http://www.ilfracombebowlingclub.uk

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PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ADVERTISERS JOHN WADE (SHIP BROKER, BUILDER AND MARINER) 1811 - 1884 also MARGARET WADE (a remarkable woman)

John Wade was born in 1811 in Ilfracombe, the son of Thomas Wade a sea captain and grandson of John Wade, also a Mariner. He was educated in Ilfracombe, went to sea and became a captain. In the 1840’s John Wade was skippering sailing vessels to China and carrying tea.

In 1837 he married Margaret Norris from Lancashire and in 1838 their first daughter was born in Constantinople. Their daughter was called Ziba meaning ‘beautiful’. In 1844 Margaret had a son John who lived less than one day. In January 1846 Margaret gave birth to their third child, a son called Henling Thomas. He was the first British child to be born in Shanghai. Two years later in 1848 their fourth child Eme was born.

John and Margaret returned to England to live in London where they had another son in 1850 called Lancelot John who died in Combe Martin, a bachelor in 1876.

Margaret was a remarkable woman. Shortly after the birth of her first child she undertook a 120 day voyage round the Cape of Good Hope in a cramped sailing vessel to create a home in a fishing village in China, where Henling Thomas and Eme were born. Having established good connections in Shanghai and Foochow John Wade returned home ambitious to become the owner of his own ships. His first ship built in Aberdeen was a barque tea clipper launched in 1858 and named after his first child Ziba.

In 1865 he built his second vessel named Ada. By the end of the 1860 John Wade had built and launched his third vessel which he named after his second daughter Eme. There was much rivalry between the ship owners and each entered a race to get back from China in the best possible time. None of John Wade’s vessels won, but in 1874 Ada made it back in second place, losing to the Cutty Sark.

By the mid 1870s the competition from steamships had become serious. John Wade sold Eme to her skipper in 1875.

Later John sold Ziba to his captain who continued to trade with her until she was lost in 1884 at Samana Bay in the Bahamas.

John and Margaret left London and retired to St Brannocks Road in Ilfracombe. Margaret died in August 1883. In January 1884 the news came of the loss of his first vessel Ziba and John died on April 14 th that same year. Ziba died a spinster in 1897 here in Ilfracombe and is interred with her parents.

In 1983, John’s son Henling Wade wrote. He had been the most successful mariner of all his line and a notable shipowner during one of the greatest and most romantic chapters in British maritime history. Sue Garwood, Chair Ilfracombe Museum

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Community Announcements North Devon Relate Barnstaple by appointment Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday daytime and evenings. Contact 0300 7729 681 or via the website www.relate-ed.org.uk Spiritualist Meetings at the spiritualist centre of The Lemurian Temple, St Peter’s Mews, High Street, Combe Martin. Open, quiet space readings every day 12-3pm.

Open circle (limited spaces) every Wednesday 2-3pm and 7.30-8.30pm. Meditation with the Fairies (limited spaces) Every Thursday 7.30-8.30pm. Contact 07766 723 090.

Ilfracombe Bridge Club meets twice a week at Cook Island, Mullacott Cross, Ilfracombe. Monday 2pm-5pm and Thursday 10am-1pm. Contact Allan 01271 855810 or Jim 01271 882928.

MONDAY Befriender Coffee Mornings 10.30am-12noon for over 65s at Encounter Church. Drop in for tea, coffee and homemade cake.

TORRS LADIES CLUB Our final meeting of 2017 was our annual Christmas lunch at the Golf Club. Thirty eight members and guests attended. The superb festive lunch was followed by a seasonal singsong and a super raffle thoroughly enjoyed by one and all. Many thanks to Dean and his staff.

January 8th sees us back at Brookdale for our first meeting of 2018. Our annual subscriptions are due only £6-00, please bring the right money if you can. £1-50 at the door for tea, biscuits and a raffle ticket.

Tom Bartlett is our guest speaker, he will be showing us “Postcards of Old Ilfracombe”. The meeting starts at 2-00pm, visitors are always welcome, you don’t have to join at your first meeting.

ILFRACOMBE FLOWER CLUB

St John Ambulance Badgers aged 7-10 years meet Mondays in the Trinity Rooms 6.30-7.30pm. Contact Elizabeth Dymond 01271 864346 or Chrissie 07932 441 602 for details.

Ilfracombe Chess Club meets at the Wellington Arms in Ilfracombe High Street from 7pm. All welcome. Contact Bob Lock 01271 862662 for details.

TUESDAY Ilfracombe History Group meets at Ilfracombe Museum for coffee and a chat about local history 10.30am-12.30.

January meetings are Tuesdays 9th and 23rd. Cost is a yearly ticket for the Museum giving you free entry to the Museum all day, every day plus £2 for coffee and biscuits.

Games Galore Is a social group for people who enjoy playing board games. Meet Tuesdays in the Lantern Centre Club Room 1.30-3.30pm. Cost £2 per session. Call Irene 07588 359 834 for more details or just pop in. We are holding a second anniversary celebratory afternoon tea on January 30th. All welcome.

The ‘Festive Season’ is over, the pounds have been spent and the pounds have been gained but hope you all had a good Christmas! We are looking forward to the New Year in the Flower Club. On January 9th we are having a social evening with a bring and share supper and a mini demonstration, quiz and raffle etc. All welcome to join us for a pleasant evening. The competition for the evening to be judged by popular vote is A Winter’s Tale, any size and your interpretation of the title. Workshop for January 23rd is Five Flowers (plus foliage and a container) is an easy design for new members so come along and have a go.

A few forward dates for your diary: February 13th an impromptu demonstration by the Committee. All welcome.

April 10th a special workshop by Jenny Dellow Rustic Spheres. April 24th ND Club’s luncheon at the Barnstaple Hotel 12 for 12.30. Demonstrator is Coral Gardiners.

All meetings Brookdale Avenue Church Hall 7.30pm.

Wishing all members a very Happy and Healthy New year.

Further details ring Sue Neale 01271 883893.

Musical Memories is a social singing group for people with altzheimers, dementia and memory difficulties plus their carer/companion. We meet every 1st and 3rd Tuesday in the month at the Vision Centre, Slade from 2-4pm.

Come and joint us for a singsong and some fun. Ample parking. Contact Hazel 01271 863944 or Margaret 01271 882927.

St John Ambulance Cadets aged 10-18 years meet Tuesdays in the Trinity Rooms, 7-8.30pm. Contact Sue Ayre 07980 182 317.

Songwriter’s Workshop at The White Room Tuesdays 7 -9pm. An evening exploring the method and proceeds of original songwriting, varying themes each week. Contact Dan 07711 803 811.

ILFRACOMBE & DISTRICT COMMUNITY MINIBUSES hopes all passengers and supporters had a very pleasant Christmas and wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year. Our minibuses will be out and about as usual every day except for Bank Holidays. We are also available for community group hire on days and times to suit you. Please keep using our Town Services to Slade and Lee, Berrynarbor, The Shields and Fernway to avoid us losing them. Our 2018 Trips list will be out soon. Contact Shirley Jones on 01271 863630 if you would like one.

Follow, like and share us on Facebook as Ilfracombe Community Minibuses.

Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes Capstone Lodge 4027 (Buffs) meet in the Lodge Room at 7.45pm.

Lapsed members especially welcomed back. Contact Brian (Secretary) 01271 373137.

WEDNESDAY Life Drawing at The White Room Wednesdays 7-9pm.

Easels and charcoal available. All welcome. Contact Dan 07711 803 811 or just come along.

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Community Announcements Cairn Road, Ilfracombe. Clearing and cutting back etc on the Cairn. Tools provided. All welcome. Contact Ley Holloway 01271 865889.

ILFRACOMBE ALLOTMENT ASSOCIATION. Would you like an allotment?

If so please contact Brenda Edwards 01271 862305.

The Vision Community Centre, Slade, Ilfracombe is looking for Committee Members Please contact Cllr Rod Donovan 01271 862200 if you can spare a couple of hours a month to support your local community centre.

Watercolour Workshop every 2nd Wednesday of the month at Lee Memorial Hall, Lee EX34 8LN. Refreshments provided. Bring your own lunch. Contact Brenda Keeble 01271 267583 for details.

Thursday 11th January See Hear on Wheels at the Ilfracombe Landmark Theatre 2-4pm. Details The See Hear Centre 01271 373236.

Ilfracombe Church Bellringers meet at Holy Trinity Church for ringing practice 7-8.15pm every Wednesday.

Contact Tony Watts Tower Captain 01271 867350. New members welcome.

Saturday 13th January Waste Not Café at Belle’s Place 12-1.30pm. Pay as you can. Food is donated from local supermarkets and shops which would otherwise go to waste.

Shammick Acoustic AGM 7.30pm and Open Night 8pm at the Pack ‘o Cards, Combe Martin.

THURSDAY Befrienders Activity Afternoon for the over 65s meet Thursdays at the Tyrrell Hospital 2.30-4pm. Teacakes and tea to finish. Contact Rachel for a programme 07818 650 566.

Monday 15th January Ilfracombe Baptist Church Women’s Fellowship 2.30pm Study ‘Sing a New Song’. Contact 01271 864052

Table Tennis Friendly Group for the slightly more mature meet Thursdays 2pm-4pm at Ilfracombe Table Tennis Club, Fore Street. Bats etc provided.

Thursday 18th January Hearing Loss Support Group at the Ilfracombe Centre, 44 High Street 10.30am-12. Details The See Hear Centre 01271 373236.

Ladies who enjoy singing meet Thursdays in the Guild Room beneath Emmanuel Church 2-3pm. Contact Beryl for details 01271 866582.

Monday 22nd January Ilfracombe Baptist Church Women’s Fellowship 2.30pm Crafts Contact 01271 864052

Ilfracombe and District Youth Band ‘Blazing Sounds’ meet Thursday evenings at Ilfracombe Academy. New members welcome. Contact Bandmaster Emma 01271 867713 www.blazingsounds.org.uk

Saturday 27th January Shammick Acoustic 8pm Zoe Mulford and Tom Kitching in concert. Pack o’ Cards, Combe Martin.

SATURDAY Ilfracombe Food Network Weekly Pop-up Store intervening goods and products which would otherwise be disposed of every Saturday 9-10am at Belles Place, Lee Place, Ilfracombe. Bring a carrier bag and pay as you choose. Volunteer your time, skills or pop a monetary donation in the bucket to Belle’s Place. Everyone welcome.

Monday 29th January Ilfracombe Baptist Church Women’s Fellowship 2.30pm Study ‘Take Your Stand’. Contact 01271 864052.

Wednesday 31st January Pensioners Club starts back again at the Lantern 2 –4 pm, entrance is £2 to cover refreshments and raffle. Come and Join us. The Community Minibus will come to your door and return you home for £2.50 return. Book minibus with Shirley Jones on 01271 863630. Subscription for the year is £10 for 24 meetings. You may 'try us out' for two occasions first. We wish all members past and present a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Next Farmers Market Saturday 3rd March 10am-12.30 Lantern Centre, Ilfracombe. Contact 01271 864621.

SUNDAY Cairn Conservation Carers meet fortnightly on Sundays by the Cairn Walks notice board below the Round House,

RAG RUGGING WORKSHOPS

by Lizzie Howard £16 per 2 hour session (times arranged to suit) Bring any colourful bits of fabrics you may have Tools and Backings Supplied Create a beautiful work of art in a warm, cosy environment (my home in Ilfracombe) For further details: Email liz.howard@hotmail.co.uk or 07794 515 076 11

PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ADVERTISERS

Dog mess, fly tipping, litter and graffiti can all be reported direct to the One Ilfracombe Town Team

Call 01271 855300 Text 07719 213 001

JEFFREY’S NEWSAGENT Open Monday to Saturday 6am until 8pm Sunday 6am until 1pm          

Newspapers and Magazines Cards and Stationery Lotto and Scratchcards Confectionery, Crisps and Drinks Cigarettes and Loose Tobacco Pipes and Lighters Stamps and Batteries Paypoint Collect Plus Home Deliveries

82 High Street Ilfracombe EX34 9NQ 01271 862006 12

PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ADVERTISERS JANUARY UPDATE FROM NDC NEIGHBOURHOOD OFFICER RAY JONES

Lost dogs seem to generate a great deal of emotion. The concern and anxiety felt by the owner is shared by people far and wide and the empathic connection is often clear in the endless energy shown by those trying to help reunite the dog with the owner.

Attempts to bring about the happy ending are routinely conducted using social media, and there is no doubt there are a variety of platforms that are effective tools to share and gather information. North Devon Council Dog Warden Services utilise this powerful medium to support their own statutory duties and responsibilities, particularly when trying to identify an owner of a dog. We always highlight the importance of contacting us to report lost or found dogs, as we may then be able to resolve matters promptly but it is also important to consider the measures than can be taken before the ‘stray dog’ becomes an issue.

Since the 1st of April 2016 it has been a legal requirement for people to have their dog microchipped and on a daily basis we get to see the benefits of this. However, there are still problems which can result in hardship or putting oneself on the wrong side of the law so we thought it might be helpful to flag them up.

Some people can’t be bothered: Getting your dog chipped is more than compliance with the law; owners can quickly be reunited if the dog strays or if someone else says it belongs to them. It can turn out to be very cost effective, and there are agencies that can provide support or even do it free in some cases. The fines, fees and charges very quickly mount up and can be avoided with some simple steps.

We do have the power to enter land and seize dogs which are not microchipped and arrange for them to be chipped at the owners/keepers cost.

The legislation has now been in place for over a year requires dogs older than eight weeks to be chipped but for a few exemptions. The Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015 can be found in full here. http:// www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/108/contents/made It is an offence, but that is not the main reason not to do so!

Some people forget to update their details: Dog owners are also committing an offence if they fail to keep the details accurate. It is therefore important to remember to update the database when you move house, or change your telephone number.

The following link will provide more information about the details to be recorded and maintained. http:// www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/108/regulation/5/made Some people think their dog is chipped and in order but don’t check: This has become more of an issue recently, and can create lots of difficulty. It is essential for dog owners to know the chip number, know who it is chipped with, how to access the online database and how to amend any details that are inaccurate. Often we get strays that are still registered to the breeder, because the subsequent owner has not confirmed the transfer with the database holder. Please check, and check regularly to ensure the system is up to date as the error may not be one of your own making.

Some people think because their dog is chipped they don’t need anything else: It is worth pointing out that the Control of Dogs Order 1992 mandates that dogs in public places must wear a collar, or collar and tag, which has the name and address of the owner on it. We advocate tags that have a postcode and telephone number and not the name of the dog.

This simple and very cheap measure can help get your dog returned to you by any finder, rather than having to await someone who has a reader to scan the dog for a chip.

Tel: 01271 388870

www.northdevon.gov.uk/environmentalhealth

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FILERS TAXIS ILFRACOMBE (01271)

862575

Taxis and Airport Transfers in Ilfracombe, Barnstaple and Bideford 4 and 6 seater cars Drivers are CRB checked, council trained and Public Liability insured

Prompt & Reliable Service

Free phones at Ilfracombe Tesco, Lidl, the CoOp and the Medical Centre

Ilfracombe & District Lions Club Swimarathon 2018 Sunday 4th February Contact Lion Tony Denby For further information

01271 862971

FOCUS YOUR TRULY LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE PRODUCED IN ILFRACOMBE

SHAMMICK ACOUSTIC

Hailing originally from Philadelphia, Zoe has lived in several areas of the United States, taking up guitar, The first Open Night of the banjo and songwriting in her progress, moving to the New Year is on Saturday 13th north of England in 2006. She charms her audiences January when we all think of with powerful, story-driven songs, an engaging stage new beginnings and often the presence and a laid-back vocal style. Tom plays songs and poems people fiddle and mandolin, but is particularly known for the choose reflect this but former, of which he is an absolute master. He has a material on any subject is unique, vibrant style full of exuberance, energy and more than welcome. Open wit, yet capable of expressing extraordinary emotional Nights are about whoever depth. According to Mike Harding, he is one of the comes along, with anyone best English fiddlers ever! and everyone having a chance to ‘sing, say or play’, Combine that accompanying ability with “a brilliant, and that ‘new beginning’ might be you plucking up the highly original songwriter who delivers her music with warmth, sincerity and a bit of a twinkle”, and you have courage to have a go! If you’re a musician and you don’t want to play solo, there’s often a chance during the recipe for a fantastic first concert of the year! the break for a bit of a jam session. Anyone is A number of local or visiting performers will, as usual, welcome to come along, and although encouraged to be there as support artists, as well as enjoying being participate, they won’t be pressurised to do so – you’ll part of the audience. be just as welcome if you just want to listen. There’s no admission fee, although the pot is passed around Shammick Acoustic takes place at The Pack o’ Cards, High Street, Combe Martin from 8pm, with for contributions to the club’s expenses. doors opening at 7.30. Tickets for the concert are £7 Our first concert of the year takes place on Saturday, in advance from Shammick Acoustic, from the Pack 27th January, when our guest artists will be Zoe o’ Cards, or Pets’ Pantry, High Street, Combe Martin, Mulford and Tom Kitching. Neither of these artists is online via www.wegottickets.com/ShammickAcoustic, a stranger to the club, Zoe having been an Open or £8 at the door.

Night featured artist, and Tom being the archetypal Shammick Acoustic is a not-for-profit organisation. musical tart, performing at Shammick Acoustic with More information can be found on the website at both Gren Bartley and Gavin Davenport. This, however, is a new collaboration, formed in the making www.shammickacoustic.org.uk or contact Tom or Barbara Brown on 01271 882366 or by e-mail at of Zoe’s fifth album, ‘Small Brown Birds’. contact@shammickacoustic.org.uk.

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FOCUS YOUR TRULY LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE PRODUCED IN ILFRACOMBE SIMMER FOR FIVE MINUTES – Dave Griffin FROM MY SECOND FLOOR STUDY WINDOW I can see Worm’s Head, on the Gower Peninsular. It’s right opposite Ilfracombe, twenty-four miles as the seagull flies but by road it’s closer to two hundred.

Through my binoculars are visible Port Eynon’s vast caravan sites, and there’s a row of shops boasting a beach café and chippie, both much praised on Trip Advisor. I know this because I was over there in Cymru recently as part of a filming session and pilgrimage to Dylan Thomas’s home town, Laugharne, where the poet worked and drank (and drank and worked) and wrote ‘Under Milk Wood’, describing life in Llareggub, (read that backwards).

In Swansea, all signs are obsessively bilingual, even for the flamin’ obvious, such as ‘diffoddwr tan’ over a fire extinguisher, or ‘bin sbwriel’ on litter bins. Pity the province’s schoolchildren, forced to learn Welsh as their first language and thus one day being unable to buy a cup of coffee in London, Cairo, Delhi or Shanghai. Similarly, in Truro, where I found myself last week, I noticed the futile struggle to promote Cornish continues apace. Wetherspoons has named its pub Tyr Daw (Three Rivers) and inside I eventually found its ‘privedhyow’, which, thank heavens, had a little man symbol on the loo door. Nothing divides nations and continents like differing accents and languages. If everyone on this planet spoke like a Cambridge librarian there would be very little hatred or conflict upon it. However, in dramatic contrast to the varying distances between Ilfracombe and Swansea, NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft, launched in 1977, is now entering interstellar space. It will drift through the Milky Way for millions of years until one day it lands and is picked up by a curious alien creature who will find among the spacecraft’s interior payload our greetings from Earth, including Chuck Berry’s hit record, ‘Johnny Be Good’, some of Shakespeare’s sonnets, and a handy book about we humans.

Nothing, though, in Cornish or Welsh. It’s all in English, la premier lingo!

ILFRACOMBE HAS HAD A BANK ROBBERY. Barclays has gone, to be followed soon by Natwest.

In rapid succession, Braunton, Combe Martin, Lynton and Woolacombe have all been robbed of their banks because we hardly ever use their branches and prefer to bank online. That’s natural progress. When did you last see a queue outside a phone box? We can now transfer money, pay bills, set up direct debits and check balances, all in seconds from our mobile phones, so who needs a physical building? In their absence, the banks have arranged for us instead to pay cash and cheques into post offices which have latterly struggled to survive but now face a renaissance, thanks to a growing demand for passport processing, currency exchange, parcel business and financial services.

Our own tiny Post Office in Ilfracombe, stuffed at the back of McColl’s newsagents, is now totally inadequate. What we need and want is for the former Crown Post Office to reopen as such and become Ilfracombe’s main parcel pick-up and dropoff centre. The sorting office behind it would relocate to Mullacott giving us the bonus that Royal Mail vans would no longer park right outside the former High Street GPO causing those routine daily gridlocks that hold everyone up, and raising to danger levels the blood pressures of bus, taxi and delivery drivers.

Happy New Year, Focus Folk. Accept no imitations!

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FOCUS YOUR TRULY LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE PRODUCED IN ILFRACOMBE

Calling all artists—the 2018 Art Trail has sprung into action. Registration forms are ready and waiting for you.

They can be downloaded on www.artilfracombe.co.uk or you can pick up a registration form from Portland Gallery, Portland Street Ilfracombe or the Great British Coffee House, High Street, Ilfracombe.

Don’t worry if you haven’t a house/studio/gallery to show your work, many artists are willing to share their space and we have received offers from hotels and other premises in town to display artists work. The closing date to register is February 16th. Each year the number of artists who register grows. The 2017 Art Trail had over 50 artists.

Trailer’s were complaining they couldn’t fit seeing every For a registration fee of £40 your work will be seen by the artist into two days which is why the 2018 Art Trail will be thousands of people that view our website and the held over three days. If next years trail reaches 60 we may countless art trailer’s that look at your work on the map and have to limit the registrations. So don’t hesitate, you may follow the trail to where you are exhibiting. be disappointed.

Our Lady Star of the Sea Church is collecting stamps for the third world. Please save your stamps and drop them off at the Carlton Hotel, Runnacleave Road, Ilfracombe.

The Church and the Indoor Market in Ilfracombe High Street are also collecting used Christmas cards suitable for making into recycled cards.

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FOCUS YOUR TRULY LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE PRODUCED IN ILFRACOMBE For Those That Come After Us You might remember that this was the title of the book that was published in 2014 to commemorate the outbreak of the First World War. As the years have passed, so we have had centenaries of the landmarks of that war: Ypres, Jutland, Loos, The Somme, Passchendaele, to name just a few.

Now, as 2018 dawns and with it the centenary of the Armistice, our thoughts turn to the legacy of the war. With this in mind, we at the Museum would like to relate this to our town. Who were the men who returned from the Great War? We are hoping for information about the Combe Lads and Lasses who came back to the town. How did they settle back into civilian life? Where did they live, what did they do? Did they ever tell any anecdotes about the war?

Do they have relatives living in the town today? We are hoping to put together an exhibition about this, and a booklet for all to see.

If you have any information to help us we would love to hear from you, either by email to the Museum or drop it in to us, and if you have a photo of the person that we could copy that would be brilliant. Please make sure you include contact details if things need to be returned, and mark anything “For the attention of Jane Dendle”. Thank you – we hope to do these people proud!

Copies available at the Museum £2.50.

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FOCUS YOUR TRULY LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE PRODUCED IN ILFRACOMBE Clinics and services currently running at the

WELCOME TO THE ARTS SOCIETY NORTH DEVON!

TYRRELL HOSPITAL

www.theartssocietysw.org.uk

St Brannock’s Park Road, Ilfracombe EX34 8JF 01271 863448 Minor Injury Unit opens everyday from 8am-6pm

Audiology—Adult and Paediatrics Adult Continence Amputee Clinic Cardiology—Consultant Clinic Cardiac Rehab Nurses Care Homes Team Care of the Elderly—Consultant Clinic Chiropody Community in Reach Service Community Paediatrician Day Treatment—Transfusions, Infusions Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Exercise Clinic Family Planning Gynaecology—Consultant Clinic General Surgery— Consultant Clinic Genito-urinary Medicine Heart Failure MS Nurse Occupational Health Paediatric Diabetes Paediatric Bladder and Bowel Paediatric Orthoptist Physiotherapy Rheumatology Social Care Speech and Language Therapist Strength and Balance Class Ultrasound Urology—Consultant Clinic X-Ray

Devon Partnership Trust Depression and Anxiety Service (DAS) Devon County Council Visual Impairment Rehabilitation Voluntary Services Regen

The Arts Society is an international charity whose main objective is Education and Conservation in the arts.

Most people know us for the 380 societies in the UK and more around the world, each providing an annual programme of stimulating monthly lectures by brilliant lecturers from the best of Britain’s galleries, museums, universities and the media.

The price of annual membership for up to ten lectures is less than half the price of some single theatre tickets.

First lecture of 2018 is on Tuesday 9th January at Durrants House, Bideford ‘Votes for Women’ – Suffragettes and Female Politicians. Lecturer is Caroline Shenton.

For more information about joining or our programmes contact: Pamela Selman 01271 866661 or Lornie Yewdall 01271 858206

FOCUS IS AVAILABLE FROM

1 Alan Jackson Shoe Repairs 2 Berrynarbor Community Shop 3 Big Apple Art, Fore Street, Ilfracombe 4 Bond Oxborough Estate Agents, Ilfracombe 5 Charity Book Shop, Ilfracombe 6 Combe Martin Library 7 Dickens Stationers, High Street, Ilfracombe 8 Hairport, High Street, Ilfracombe 9 Handyman’s Supplier, Church Street, Ilfracombe 10 Ilfracombe Book Shop 11 Ilfracombe Centre, Northfield Road 12 Ilfracombe Golf Club 13 Ilfracombe Holiday Park, Marlborough Road 14 Ilfracombe Library 15 Ilfracombe Tourist Information Office, Landmark 16 Indoor Market, High Street, Ilfracombe 17 Jack’s Diary, Wilder Road, Ilfracombe 18 Jeffrey’s Newsagents, High Street, Ilfracombe 19 King Street Store, Combe Martin 20 Lantern Court, Hillsborough Road, Ilfracombe 21 Lynton Cross Garage 22 Melian Pet Supplies, High Street, Ilfracombe 23 Mortehoe Post Office, Station Road 24 Mullacott Caravan Park 25 Murco Garage, High Street, Ilfracombe 26 Nana Sue’s Sunfoods, High Street, Ilfracombe 27 Premier Express, Sandy Lane, Woolacombe 28 Richardson’s Newsagent, High Street, Ilf 29 Shirley’s Newsagents, Woolacombe 30 Spar Garage, Woolacombe 31 St James Diary, St James Place, Ilfracombe 32 Stowford Farm Meadows, Berry Down 33 Sue’s of Combe Martin 34 Tesco Store, Old Barnstaple Road, Ilfracombe 35 Tyrrell Hospital, St Brannock’s Park Road, Ilf 36 Watermouth Lodges, Berrynarbor 37 West Down Community Shop 38 Wilson’s Newsagent, High Street, Ilfracombe.

Picked up by people who REALLY want to read it!

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Researched in 2010 by the late John Woodcock from the North Devon Journal up to 1870 when the Ilfracombe Chronicle/Gazette was published, copies of which are available to research by appointment at Ilfracombe Museum.

15th September 1853.—Police.—One of the duties which our vigilant policeman executes with praiseworthy promptitude is clearing and keeping the town clear of “cadgers.” Nothing is more offensive in our streets and promenades, where rank and fashion most “do congregate” than professional mendicants. On Thursday last, one of this tribe called George Taylor, aged 54, from the Parish of Millbrook, Hampshire, was taken before Nathaniel Vye, Esq., and committed for 14 days, as a “rogue and vagabond.” He is an old hand, and well able to act “the old soldier”—very penitent before the justice, but as soon as sentence was pronounced, cursing and swearing like a trooper.

The 17th annual autumn exhibition of The Cottage Garden Society.

Best cottage and garden: Sir James Meek’s prize of a guinea to the cottager whose cottage and garden were kept in the best order was divided between the three parishes. Ilfracombe, J. Lewis, W. Huxtable; Berrynarbor, W. Collins, W. Perrin: Combmartin, J. Rook, Elizabeth Willis.

22nd September 1853.—How Far a Word.—We were standing one evening by Mr. Rice’s shop-door, and a farmer in a small way, came up with a tool on his shoulder, and began to tell how his harvest operations were proceeding—how he had “cut, harried, thrashed; and sold at a certain price his entire tilth of wheat.” It went as an article of news into the ‘North Devon Journal,’ from whence, in a few days, it was transferred verbatim to the columns of the ‘Times’—the leading journal of the world. A man may look upon his words, who may think to have them carried throughout the civilised world, and to the farthest verge of the British Empire.

Fancy Dress Ball:--A ball of this kind—not a very common occurrence in this town, was held on Monday night, at the Public Rooms. Having been announced under distinguished patronage, it drew together a select company from the fashionable circles of the town and neighbourhood, numbering between seventy and eighty. As a number of the party were expected to appear “in character,” very great curiosity was excited—especially among the feminine population of the town, to gain a peep at their splendid array. The company began to arrive about eight o’clock, and continued until nine, when dancing commenced, which was kept up with spirit until late or rather an early hour.

The musical part of the entertainment was served by the able German band, which has been delighting during the season, the promenaders on Capstone Hill. The surplus, which is expected to be considerable, will be applied to the “Labour Fund” as originally announced. The beauty and variety of the “full” dresses, the splendour and elegance of many of the “characters,” with the antique or the outlandish costumes of others presented a tout ensemble as brilliant as it was strange.

The whole affair, as the phrase is, went off well, and is the theme of the highest praise. We give the following list of names of the ladies and gentlemen present, and the characters in which they appeared: Sir James and Lady Meek, court dress; Mr. Vye, a cavalry officer; Miss Vye, full dress; Miss Munro, full dress; Lieutenant Munro, Indian Army; Miss Von Schoultz, full dress; Colonel Pattison, field officer; Miss Pattison, water lily, the hair flowing in loose tresses down the back, adorned with that beautiful flower, and the dress trimmed with that lily leaf, and an elegant veil depending from the back of the head; Mrs Admiral Down, full dress; Mrs. Cook, full dress; Miss Down, Night, another conspicuous dress, black, studded with silver spangles, to represent stars with a zone exhibiting the 12 signs of the Zodiac; Miss Keale, a Spanish lady; Mr. Smith, full dress; Miss Smith, full dress; Mrs. Horatio Smith, as Lady Eleanora Hogg; this character was cleverly represented throughout the evening—the ancient dame appearing in a rich dark dress, and a large crowned mob hat, with her body bent, and leaning on the arm of her liege lord; Mr. Duncan, Sir Willoughby Hogg, who was attired in a costume of the last century, powdered wig, collarless coat, old fashioned smalls, and large buckled shoes, “spectacles on nose;” Mrs. H. Smith, full dress; Mr. A. Cook, full dress; Mr. Clapcott, court dress; Mrs. Clapcott, full dress; Miss Clapcott, Indian lady; the Misses Thirtzell, flower girls, head profusely decorated with flowers, wreaths depending from their shoulders, and flowers in their hands; Miss S. Bowen, Mr. T.V. Bowen, the Misses Bowen, full dress; Mr. Bailey, Miss Bailey, Mr and Mrs Michell, full dress’ Mr. Roget, barrister, with wig and gown, mistaken by some people for a bishop; Mr. Maule, Spanish muleteer; Miss Norman, Miss Maule, full dress; Mr and Mrs Stabb, Miss Stabb, Mr. Wm. Stabb, Mr R.L. Traer, full dress; Mr and Miss Gully, full dress; Miss Elvington, Miss Duncan, full dress; Captain Draper, East India navy; Mr. Baumgarton, cricketer, with his flannel trousers, with a blue stripe down the side, and an upper garment of blue, and with white satin and white kid boots; the Misses Hinds, full dress; Mr Bridges, North Devon Yeomanry; Mrs Bridges, full dress; Mr Place, Naval uniform; Mrs Place, full dress; Mr and Mrs Downe, full dress; Miss Lucy Wren, Morning; the Misses Hill, Persian ladies; Mr. Stoneham, full dress; Mr A. Wren, North Devon Yeomanry; Mr Richard Wren, Bombay cavalry; Captain Buckle, ditto; Mr. Charles C. Drake, North Devon Yeomanry; Mr and Mrs Watt, the Misses Watt, full dress; Mrs Chanter, full dress; Mr Angelo, full dress; Mr and Mrs Goodland, full dress, &c, &c.