July 2018—Vol 33 No 7
FOCUS IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT www.focusonilfracombe.co.uk
Cover: Grant Stringer Photography, Weddings-Portraits-Family Photo-shoots - Events 07835026749 Design and IT Derek Woodcock and
ILFRACOMBE MUSEUM Last month we covered the opening of the first pier in Ilfracombe and this month we are looking at another landmark of the town – Capstone Parade.
Our photo shows a group of children gathered on the Parade in January 1919. What has captured their interest is a large landslip that happened on the early hours of Monday 6th January, covering the Parade with earth and rock. In the background you can make out the bandstand, so the photo was taken by someone standing at Windy Corner. Although it looks dramatic, the landslip was quickly cleared away by being shovelled over the cliffs! By this time, Capstone Parade had been in use for over 70 years, and had proved itself to be a popular asset to the town. It began life as a ‘job creation scheme’ for the unemployed men of Ilfracombe, many of whom were unable to find work at a particularly difficult time in the British economy. Since 1815, the government had imposed high tariffs on the importation of foreign grain, -the Corn Laws- in order to keep the price of domestic grain high and so protect the business classes from loss of income – a direct parallel today with President Trump’s steel tariffs. Years of poor weather and disastrous harvests in the 1820s-40s led to suffering and starvation amongst the working classes and poor, as food prices were pushed up and up. Political unrest began to break out in the larger towns and cities, and a general feeling that the government needed to be reformed to represent working people led to the rise of the Chartist movement which campaigned for a vote for every man over 21. The Anti-Corn Law League was formed and held rallies in many towns, and in our museum we have one of the many tokens circulated by the League in the 1840s. Against this background of hardship we can see that Ilfracombe was suffering too, and the town’s response was both practical and clever – to give work to men who couldn’t find any, by adding a new attraction that would benefit Ilfracombe’s appeal to visitors. Work on the Parade began in the winter of 1842 and was overseen by a Mr Toms. When he died some years later, his headstone at Holy Trinity was placed so that from it you could see Capstone Parade. Another key figure in the scheme was William Turner, who was a distant relative of the artist JMW Turner. The daily wage for cutting the path was a loaf of bread and a shilling. The entire project was financed by local benefactors, some even lending tools and equipment for the project. Work continued into the spring and summer of 1843, until finally an opening date was set at September 14 th 1843. The eve of the opening was accompanied by a volley of fireworks from the top of Capstone, and then two days of festivities followed – Ilfracombe liked to ‘party hard’ in those days! The first day consisted of a Regatta watched by the great and the good of the town, from the spectacular new vantage point of the Parade. A band played during the races, and then everyone went down to a large marquee for afternoon tea and speeches. A special song, praising the Parade and Ilfracombe’s prosperity, was sung by the composer Mr Allen. Then there was a dinner at the Assembly Rooms followed by dancing til 4am. For anyone who had the energy, the second day consisted of sports and donkey rides, and then more tea, with a dinner of roast beef for the workmen, finishing with more fireworks from Capstone. Capstone Hill was leased by the Local Board or council, for £20 a year until, in 1877, the Board paid £2,500 to the landowners to buy it for the town. To maintain the Parade, a donations box was installed. Further improvements were added, such as gas lighting, and in 1894 parts were widened at the same time as a new bandstand was built, at the bottom of the Parade next to the glass Pavilion. By this time Ilfracombe was at its zenith in terms of the wonderful array of facilities and attractions it could offer visitors, and as a holiday destination it had few rivals except perhaps Torquay. The addition of the Parade in 1843 created a space that quickly became much admired by visitors and loved by locals, and this writer to the Worcester Herald in 1870 sums it up: ‘On the sea front of Capstone Hill, situate between the town and the sea, is one of the finest marine walks in England, cut out of the solid rock at an enormous expense; and this alone, crowded as it now is nightly with a throng of youth and beauty from all parts of England, would be sufficient to recommend the place to the notice of the tourist.’ Sara Hodson, Museum Manager
Ilfracombe Museum is open 10am until 5pm Monday to Saturday throughout the summer, come in and explore our wonderful collections and archive. 2
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Games Galore
is expanding to running an evening group. This is a weekly group for gamers, meeting at The Naked Cake, 13-14 The Promenade, Ilfracombe EX34 9BD from 5.30pm until 9pm. It will focus on more modern table top games but traditional ones are available. ÂŁ1 per head. Starting Thursday 29th June Contact Irene 07588 359 834
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EVENTS 4 ILFRACOMBE Sunday 10th June dawned bright and sunny and then got hotter and hotter. The Big Lunch has never had a bad weather day and 2018 was no exception. If anything it was almost too hot if there can be such a thing in this country. The harbour community came out in force to eat, drink and be merry. Good Company, Rakes Adrift, Ilfracombe Youth and many other fabulous Ilfracombe musicians (too many to mention here) gave their time and music for free to entertain their neighbours and community. We were even joined by the good ladies of the Suffragette movement 100 years on. The George & Dragon and Prince of Wales pubs helped out with the food. A good time was had by all. The Big Lunch is an annual community get-together held on the first or second Sunday in June each year. It is a national event created by the Eden Project. The weather wasn’t quite so kind for the Ilfracombe Victorian and Steampunk Festival but in the main stayed dry and plenty of people turned out to dress up and participate and also to watch the general goings on. The Mayor’s Tea Party was a particular success and the fireworks on the Saturday night were brilliant. The Steampunks in particular brought outside visitors into the town and The Grand Parade brought out the crowds as usual. This event is one of the mainstays of the Ilfracombe event portfolio and Events 4 Ilfracombe hope it remains for many years to come. Do you want to participate in or help with this event in 2019? Make contact with us (details below) and we will put you in touch with the event committee. How time flies and we are already talking about July and August events. All Things Morris takes place over the weekend of 7th and 8th July. All over the weekend there will be Morris dancing around the seafront and harbour, also on Fore Street on the Sunday (Fore Street will be closed for the day). On Saturday on the Seafront it will be the North Devon Street Food Festival sponsored by Marsdens Cottage Holidays. This popular event will see stalls, crafts and street food vendors on the Seafront along with the dancers. They will be joined once again in 2018 by the Combe Christmas cocktail bar! ‘Combe’ along and vote for your favourite food vendor. On Sunday it is the Morris & Friends vehicle show – vintage and classic cars, bikes and other vehicles – all on the Seafront. All through July and August there will be bands playing on the bandstand in Runnymede Gardens. Weather permitting the bands will play 2pm to 4pm on Sundays. Check Visit Ilfracombe website for specific band information. South West Birdman is run by Ilfracombe Round Table and this year will be on Saturday 11th August. Check out the Ilfracombe Round Table Birdman Facebook page for details of how to enter. Carnival, run by Ilfracombe Lions will be on Sunday 26th August. There is still plenty of time to join in the parade ad you could win a cash prize. Entry forms are available at Ashton Accounting on Northfield Road or on the Ilfracombe Lions website (contact Events 4 Ilfracombe for the link). 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’ for Ilfracombe or ‘More Events’ for North Devon. Smaller events can be found on the ‘Ilfracombe Diaries’ also accessed via visitilfracombe.co.uk and up to the day information can be found on the Visit Ilfracombe Facebook page. If you have an event that you are putting on in 2018 or 2019 then why not get in touch. We may be able to provide support, equipment etc. and tell the Ilfracombe community about it here. 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 Environment and community BAM is committed to helping the environment and community. This includes reducing carbon emissions, recycling and wherever possible What is BAM building? diverting waste from landfill. Green BAM is constructing new facilities for credentials of the project will include Ilfracombe Arts Academy in a contract Recycling of 90% of materials that started on March 14th 2016 and is removed within the demolition works. due for completion in November 2018. Taking no demolished hardcore The works are being carried out in 4 material off site. Using the old tarmac phases, the first of which was the new roads for recycled road base. sports block completed on time and Continuing to support apprentices and handed over on March 27th 2017. graduates through their Supply chain Phase 2 is the new teaching block and throughout the contract. assembly hall which was handed over on October 27th 2017, 16 weeks early. Phase 3 saw the existing dining hall and kitchen converted into the design technology department and this was handed over on April 11th 2018. Demolition of the redundant buildings, followed by the formation of new multi use games areas (MUGA) will be carried out throughout Phases 3 and 4. What progress has been made in the last few weeks? Panorama of the South Elevation of Completed demolition of the old main the Project New Main Building (left), building. Levelled off the crushed Link Bridge (centre), Art Block (right) concrete formed from the demolition The site team: works ready to form the new MUGAs. Project Manager: Greg Browne Completed the art and DT Site Manager: Mike Tipton refurbishment works. Completed the Senior Project Surveyor: Chris Malone new external wall to the art block. Site Admin: Ann Malone Partners: Client: Education and Skills Funding Agency Architect: Stride Treglown Quantity Surveyor: Arcadis Structural Engineer: Hydrock M&E Consultant: FP.Hurley Landscape Architect: Stride Treglown Building Control: North Devon DC
Demolition of F Block What’s happening in the next few weeks? Continued demolition of F Block (Northern Boundary of the site), including the use of a hydraulic hammer to break out the foundations. This is currently planned to commence in the later part of the week commencing 4th June and should take no more than five days. Install new road between existing entrances. Complete the link bridge between the new main building and art block. Commence landscaping works and placing topsoil.
About Bam BAM Construction is part of BAM Construct UK which is one of the country’s largest construction services 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 over 25,000 people worldwide and has a turnover of €7billion. BAM completed the construction of two new School facilities in South Molton; namely, South Molton Community College and South Molton Junior School in 2017. Considerate Constructors BAM is an associate member of the Considerate Constructors Scheme and all BAM sites register. This means they are committed to being a good
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neighbour and to being clean, respectful, safe, environmentally conscious, responsible and accountable. The site is independently inspected to make sure they live up to these aims.
BAM try to work in a way that causes as little inconvenience as possible to neighbours. They would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any unavoidable nuisance that may be caused during the work and wish to thank immediate neighbours for being tolerant during the demolition works. BAM is aware that some of the demolition plant they have to use, especially the hydraulic hammer, has caused a noise and vibration nuisance to neighbours that they have been unable to prevent. BAM’s only available mitigation has been to selfimpose a 9am start time for the equipment in question that they hope has been of some benefit. Please note the details of the next planned use of this equipment in the ‘What’s happening in the next few weeks’ paragraph and accept apologies in advance for any inconvenience this may cause. Please help with safety Construction sites can be dangerous. BAM’s top priority is the health and safety of everyone who works on their sites, the public and the local community affected by their work. If you need to contact them, please ring them or call the site office but do not enter the site. Please make any children in your care aware that our building site is not a playground and that they must not enter the site. BAM thank you for your co-operation. Contacting the site team: If you have any questions or concerns about what’s happening at the site, please call us or email Tel: 01271 864777 Email: Ilfracombe_Mail@bam.co.uk For more details about BAM visit: www.bam.co.uk
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ILFRACOMBE ROTARY CHARITY SPINATHON SUNDAY 13TH OCTOBER 2018 AT STUDIO 20 ILFRACOMBE HIGH STREET Ilfracombe Rotary Club invites you to take part in our latest new fundraiser the Charity Spinathon Aware of the financial pressures on our good causes, we, The Ilfracombe Rotary Club are launching our new fund raising Charity event to raise funds for our local Tyrrell Hospital (for new equipment), Children’s hospice SW and other Rotary good causes. Teams of 4 are asked to ride a total of 50 minutes to achieve the furthest distance in their category. Teams are in categories and the team in each category that cycles the furthest will win their category prize. Individuals and none categorised teams can take part as long as they are sponsored for a minimum of £100 but may not eligible to win any prizes. Each team entry requires a minimum sponsorship/ payment of £100. Register in advance through the website http:// www.spinathon-rotaryilfracombe.org.uk/ Full details are on the downloadable application and sponsor forms. The Rotary Club of Ilfracombe is a great supporter of the community, if you are such a person and wish to learn more about us with the view of joining please contact us. For further enquiries phone Rotarian John Stainer 01271 862236,
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PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ADVERTISERS SMALL POND RETURNS TO THE LANDMARK
EVANS BODYSHOP
After a lot of negotiating and arranging with Parkwood Theatres, who now run the town’s venue, we are very excited to announce we are going to be presenting
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THE SOUND OF MUSIC by Rodgers and Hammerstein If you would like to be involved why not come along to our general meeting on WEDNESDAY 4TH JULY 6.30pm for children (6 to16 years) and 7.30pm for adults (16 years plus) at The SPACE, Wilder Road, Ilfracombe Our auditions will take place in the following week.
Insurance repairs MOT and rust repairs
Sunday 8th July at The SPACE from 12 noon until 2.30pm children’s workshop. 2.30pm adults’ audition prep.
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Wed 11th July at The SPACE 7.30pm Principal auditions. Sunday 15th July at Pip & Jim’s Church hall 2pm until 2.30pm children’s audition. 2.30pm adult chorus audition. If you can’t make the general meeting / auditions please get in touch. FUNDRAISING At a rough estimate the production will cost us somewhere in the region of £15,000, so we need to raise money to help us put the show on. We have lots of fundraisers planned over the next few months - so do support where you can. Our big fundraiser is our 2018 Summer Season Show ‘A NIGHT AT THE MUSICALS’ to be performed at the Space Wednesday 1st until Friday 3rd August at 7.45pm. Many people have worked really hard to ensure theatre continues in Ilfracombe so please support any live theatre you can. For more information or to register an interest please find us on Facebook, call 07403 227 357 or visit our website www.smallpondproductions.weebly.com
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Community Announcements ILFRACOMBE & DISTRICT COMMUNITY MINIBUSES have been busy taking people out and about. We've had lunch out at Durrant House Hotel, at The Black Horse Inn, Torrington, at The Village Inn, Westward Ho! and the Cedars, Barnstaple. We've also been to St John's Garden Centre and had a day trip to Taunton. The lunch out trips are suitable for people with mobility problems as no walking around is required. in July we hope to go to Chulmleigh for afternoon tea at Rosie's and to Appledore for a fish and chip lunch. In the school holidays we have day trips planned, to Sidmouth, Plymouth and Exmouth. If you would like to join us, contact Shirley Jones on 01271 863630 for a list of trips for the year Shirley Jones
TORRS LADIES Rachel Holmes was our guest at our June meeting. She had come to tell us about the Regen Link Befrienders. Ilfracombe's group is based at the Encounter Church. They provide a variety of community support services for the over 65’s. The services are run by volunteers from various churches who are trained and police checked. The main aim is to reduce social isolation, the service is supported by voluntary donation. Rachel gave a very interesting talk about the services available. There is no meeting at Brookdale in July instead we are going out for afternoon tea in the old vicarage gardens .I hope you have your tickets if not contact Vida. We will meet at the Vicarage in St Brannock’s Road on our usual meeting day at 2pm. Seating indoors if the weather isn’t kind. Our guest for August, (back at Brookdale) is Steve Fisher from Devon Fire and Rescue . The meeting starts at 2pm on Monday 13th August. Visitors are always welcome. Jenny Hodson
ILFRACOMBE FLOWER CLUB I would like to remind members there is a fund raising quiz at the George & Dragon, Fore Street at 8pm on Tuesday 3rd July. All welcome to help raise funds for the Club. To book a table ring 01271 863851. The Club, along with four other N Devon Clubs has been invited to take part in RHS Rosemoor’s Summer flower show—the theme is Beatrix Potter. Each Club will decorate one of the garden shelters, depicting one of the famous books. We are doing The Tale of Jeremy Fisher in the Amdega Shelter. There will also be ‘cameo flower demonstrations’ by myself, Sandie Huxtable (Chairman of Atlantic Club) and also Jonathan Mosely, National Demonstrator. He was a judge in The Great Allotment Challenge on the BBC a couple of years ago! The Festival is running from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th August. The Club is also helping at Arlington Church Flower Festival 24th to 26th August. Best wishes to all our flower arranging friends. For further details ring 01271 883893. Sue Neale 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 Ilfracombe Bridge Club meets twice a week at West Down Village Hall. Monday 2pm-5pm and Thursday 10am1pm. Contact Allan 01271 855810 or Jim 01271 329623 for details of location.
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Community Announcements MONDAY Befriender Coffee Mornings 10.30am-12noon for over 65s at Encounter Church. Drop in for tea, coffee and homemade cake.
Ilfracombe Food Network Weekly Pop-up Store intervening goods and products which would otherwise be disposed of every Saturday 9-10am at Belle’s 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. All welcome.
St John Ambulance Badgers aged 7-10 years meet Mondays in the Trinity Rooms 6pm -7.30pm. Contact Chrissie Morrison 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.
Waste Not Café every 2nd Saturday of the month at Belle’s Place 11.30-1.30pm. Pay as you can. Food is donated from local supermarkets and shops which would otherwise go to waste.
Second Monday of every month Sunflowers Book Reading Group meet at Grass Roots Café, Ilfracombe High Street from 10.30-11.30am. Collect your book then talk about it the following month and pick up a new title.
BAPTIST CHURCH Morning service at 10.30am Sunday1st July speaker Keith Burrows, 8th Tony Lovering, 15th Andrew Twitchen, 22nd Rev Philip Young, 29th Pastor John
TUESDAY 361 Energy CIC Clinic 10am-1pm Transform4Work, Unit 1 The Candar, Ilfracombe 01271 599361.
Evening service of prayer & praise 6.30pm each week except 1st which will be a joint meeting at St. Philips & St. James also at 6.30pm.
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. Musical Memories is a social singing group for people with Alzheimer's, 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 join us for a singsong and some fun. Ample parking. Contact Hazel 01271 863944 or Margaret 882927. St John Ambulance Cadets aged 10-18 years meet Tuesdays in the Parish Church Trinity Rooms, 7-8.30pm. Contact Sue Ayre 07980 182 317.
You are also invited to join us every Wednesday from 10.30-12noon for a drink and a chat. Friday 6th July Royal British Legion Ilfracombe Branch monthly meeting at the Sandpiper Inn, The Quay, lfracombe 7.30-8pm. All old and new members welcome. Ex service and non-service personnel very welcome. Saturday 7th July Ilfracombe Farmers Market at The Lantern Centre, High Street. 10am-12.30 Fresh, local and organic produce and craft. Refreshments. New traders welcome. 01271 864621 for information.
Ilfracombe Male Voice Choir for gentlemen who enjoy singing, meet every Tuesday at 7.15pm in the Guild Room Emmanuel Church on the seafront. Contact Jan Cross 01271 866215.
League of Friends of the Tyrrell Hospital Open Day to Celebrate 70 years of the NHS and 45 years of the League
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.
At the Tyrrell Hospital, Ilfracombe
WEDNESDAY 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. Ilfracombe Church Bellingers Holy Trinity Church ringing practice 7-8.15pm Wednesdays. Contact Tony Watts Tower Captain 01271 867350. New members welcome. 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. Table Tennis Friendly Group for the slightly more mature meet Thursdays 2pm-4pm at Ilfracombe Table Tennis Club, Fore Street. Bats etc provided. Ladies who enjoy singing meet Thursdays in the Guild Room beneath Emmanuel Church 2-3pm. Contact Beryl for details 01271 866582. 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
Free Admission Saturday 7th July from 11am until 4pm Stalls, raffles, tours of the Hospital, blood pressure checks, equipment demos and much more! Refreshments and lunches available Tuesday 10th July Ilfracombe History Group meets at Ilfracombe Museum for coffee and a chat about local history 10.30am-12.30. 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. Wednesday 11th July Ilfracombe Pensioners meet at The Osborne Hotel 2-4pm. Members will talk about ‘My Holiday to Remember’. Entrance is £2 to include refreshments and raffle. All welcome. The Community minibus is available door to door for £2.50 return. Contact Shirley Jones on 01271 863630 to book it. Saturday 14th July Shammick Acoustic Open Night w. Martin & Shan Graebe, Pack o’ Cards, High Street, Combe Martin 8pm.
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Community Announcements Saturday 21st July “From Sketch To Canvas” two day painting courses with Nigel Mason at the Landmark from 21st until 22nd July and 25th and 26th August. £280. Contact Fleek Gallery on 07711 803 811 or dan@fleekgallery.com Wednesday 25th July Ilfracombe Pensioners meet at The Osborne Hotel 2-4 pm. We welcome back professional entertainer Martin Fowler. Entrance is £2 to include refreshments and raffle. All welcome. The Community minibus is available door to door for £2.50 return. Contact Shirley Jones on 01271 863630 to book it. Saturday 28th July Ilfracombe Vegan Fair 12 noon until 7pm at The Lantern EX34 9QB Saturday 28th July Shammick Acoustic Tim Edey in concert, Pack o’ Cards, High Street, Combe Martin 8pm. Sunday 29th July Pilgrimage for Animals, Trees and the Mother Earth. Meet Midday on top of Holdstone Down,
2018 monthly Sunday Car Boot Sales Now on the seafront Sellers from 9am Buyers from 10am Open until 4pm Future dates: July 22nd, August 26th September 9th and 23rd Cost £8 per car—no charge for buyers Any other info contact
The Sea Watch Foundation is a national charity working
to improve the conservation and protection of whales, dolphins and porpoises in British and Irish waters. Every year it organises a national watch week to raise awareness and understanding of marine mammals and the threats they face. If you would like to learn about the local harbour porpoise population and other sea life that you can see in the Bristol Channel, then come along and join local members Chris and Sharron Blackmore at Windy Corner 1st to 5th August from 1pm until 3pm weather permitting.
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PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ADVERTISERS What does a Mayoress do? Diary bv Mayoress of Ilfracombe Amanda Gartshore. When Val was elected Mayor, I had a choice of title, ‘Mayor’s Consort’ or ‘Mayoress’. I rather liked the title Mayoress. Like Manageress and Stewardess, it’s a gender-defining, old-fashioned title which belongs to an earlier age. The venerable Wikipedia tells us (so it must be true) that the term was in it’s heyday in 1716 but by 1949 was on the decline. So from a sense of solidarity with sister Mayoresses of old, I became a Mayoress of Ilfracombe. What is less clear to me is the actual role and what is expected of me. What does a Mayoress do? There is no job description for Mayoress, little guidance, some contradictory advice from previous holders of the title but largely, you have to learn on the job. So I have been learning by doing and probably making a few mistakes along the way. My intentions, however, are honourable and I want to make a good job of it. My first assignment with the Mayor was to attend the Lee Spring Fair, along with the Roy Goodwin Ilfracombe’s Town Cryer and his wife Bee. What a splendid sight we made in the sunshine, dressed up in our finery and regalia on the hottest day of the year so far. It really was a lovely afternoon spent in good company having fun. I was intent on doing what was required of me, whatever that was. So I bought raffle tickets, ate home-made cake, wanged some wellies and generally got stuck into the event. It was a lovely afternoon. Unfortunately though I was always in the wrong place at the wrong time. When we were being thanked for attending, I was stuffing my face with cake or had my nose in a book on the book stall. So my first lesson is to be at the Mayor’s side constantly so that in formal moments, the Mayoress doesn’t have a mouth full of cake in the photographs. My second lesson during the Fair helped me define the Mayor’s role. A small boy, probably about seven but I can’t be sure, accosted me and confidently questioned me. It went like this: Boy: “Where did you get that?” (Pointing at the Consort’s chain) Mayoress: “From the Mayor” Boy: “What’s a Mayor?” Mayoress: “The Mayor is an elected member of Ilfracombe council (blank face from boy) ……hang on. It’s like having a head teacher at school. Do you have a head teacher at your school?” Boy: “Yes” Mayoress: “Well the Mayor is like the head teacher of the town” Boy: “So she can boss everyone around?” Mayoress: “Exactly!”
The Mayor making a noise at the Lee Spring Fayre
LEE SPRING FAIR 2018 We would like to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who supported us on Monday 28th May when we raised AN AMAZING £2804.79 The proceeds will be divided between Lee Memorial Hall and St Matthew’s Church – a fantastic result which we could not have achieved without you!
LEE ANNUAL VILLAGE FLOWER SHOW Thursday 26th July in the Memorial Hall from 2pm with trophies being presented at 4.30pm. After the presentation of trophies there will be a sale of produce at 5pm. There are classes for floral art, cookery, produce, cut flowers, pot plants and handicrafts as well as children’s classes so something for everyone. We are looking forward to a record breaking show so please come along and enjoy all the lovely entries – everyone very welcome. LEE ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR From Saturday July 28 to Sunday 12th August in the Memorial Hall, EX34 8LW. Open daily from 11am to 5pm. In addition to our regular exhibitors we have some exciting new crafts this year so why not come along and see all of the beautiful local arts and crafts for sale and try your luck to win a lovely handmade quilt as first prize in the grand draw. Delicious refreshments including homemade cakes and cream teas served throughout. Free admission. Parking available next to the hall with disabled access if required. A popular annual event raising funds to help maintain our lovely village hall in the beautiful Fuchsia Valley – we look forward to seeing you there!
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TWO OWLS FLEE THE NEST!
New diabetes support and advice group launched in Ilfracombe A new support group to help people with diabetes in Ilfracombe has launched and they are inviting people to come along to their next meeting. The diabetes support and advice group meets monthly and is open to anyone with diabetes and their families. It aims to be a friendly, informal space where people can share practical advice and tips on managing diabetes. The get-togethers are facilitated by Pam Cox and Carol Young, two Ilfracombe Rotarians who are former diabetes specialist nurses. Pam said: “We set up the group in Ilfracombe after chatting to people with diabetes and their families at a wellbeing event organised by the North Devon Integrated Diabetes Service project. They felt that more opportunities for peer support, motivational support and support for their family would help them better manage their condition. “Our first get-together was in May and was really well received. We had some interesting conversations with people with diabetes, and in future sessions we will be inviting healthcare professionals to come and share some of their useful insights with the group. “Please do pop along to our next session – we’d love to have you along for a chat and a cuppa.” The diabetes support and advice group in Ilfracombe is one of several groups that are being set up across northern Devon to give people with diabetes the opportunity to meet with peers, healthcare professionals and share their experiences.
Liz Toogood & Margaret Baddick are leaving 1st Ilfracombe Brownies after over 44 years between them. Many memories were had but now they feel that it is time to move on and make new memories in a new direction.
now looking for a new leader/s. All that is required is that you have plenty of The girls from their unit ideas, enthusiasm and a have said that they will miss free evening. It can be both leaders very much and daunting taking on a unit but are very thankful for all the there will be plenty of help, opportunities that they have support and training given given to them over the along the way. years. If you can help or have any Leaders from the Ilfracombe questions, please see the District (some of whom were contact Ros Lugsden via Brownies of the two email themselves) are very sad rosalyn.lugsden@yahoo.co that they will be leaving but m wish them all the best for the future with a knowing Picture: Margaret and ‘you know where we are’. Lizzie enjoying some Due to their departure painting with their girls Ilfracombe Brownies are
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FOCUS YOUR TRULY LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE PRODUCED IN ILFRACOMBE Christy Moore, Sharon Shannon, Natalie MacMaster, Stockton’s Wing, Dougie MacLean and Mary Black, to name just a few! He’s now a name on the world stage in his own right, and is rated by many to be one of the world’s finest ever melodeon and guitar players, with a personality to match.
SHAMMICK ACOUSTIC
Our Open Nights are always interesting and fun, but our July one of Saturday 14th is particularly so, as we have two featured performers that night - Martin & Shan Graebe (pronounced Greyba). Mostly traditional, mostly unaccompanied, songs from this couple based in Gloucestershire, but with a deep interest in the songs of Devon and Cornwall gained through the song collecting of Sabine Baring-Gould, the polymath squarson of Lew Trenchard on Dartmoor. However, Open Nights are mainly about whoever comes along, with anyone and everyone having a chance to ‘sing, say or play’ whatever takes their fancy. If you’re a musician and you don’t want to play solo, there’s often a chance during the break for a bit of a jam session. Anyone is welcome to come along, and although encouraged to participate, they won’t be pressurised to do so – you’ll be just as welcome if you just want to join in with choruses and/or just listen. It’s held in the 'museum' of the pub, so there's no need to compete with bar noise. There’s no admission fee, although the pot is passed around for contributions to the club’s expenses. July’s concert on Saturday 28th is a
An evening with Tim is a stunning mix of world music-inspired instrumental brilliance and passion with a strong Celtic theme, plus chorus songs for an audience to partake in, and above all, a highly entertaining night of musical genius.
real treat anyone who appreciates superb musicianship. How can one man be a virtuoso musician on two such different instruments? Tim Edey is – on both guitar and melodeon he is quite exceptional.
A number of local or visiting performers will, as usual, be there as support artists, as well as enjoying being part of the audience.
Shammick Acoustic takes place at The Pack o’ Cards, High Street, Combe Martin from 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7.30. Tickets for the concert are £7 in advance from Shammick Acoustic, Originally from Kent but of Irish from the Pack o’ Cards, or Pets’ descent, Tim honed his style of playing Pantry, High Street, Combe Martin, by shutting himself away in his online via www.wegottickets.com/ bedroom, listening to his musical ShammickAcoustic, or £8 at the door. heroes, and practicing until he could Shammick Acoustic is a not-for-profit make the same sounds as they did – organisation. More information can be and then exceeded them! found on the website at He has toured the world and recorded www.shammickacoustic.org.uk, or with most of the major names in Celtic/ contact Tom or Barbara Brown on contemporary roots music, including 882366, or by e-mail at The Chieftains,
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FOCUS YOUR TRULY LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE PRODUCED IN ILFRACOMBE
MARY ANN DEACON GRAVE NO W05 Holy Trinity Church Reserarched by Sue Garwood of Ilfracombe Museum
a poor person away from her door and there were many aged people in the town who relied on her for their weekly allowance. She was a supporter of the Benevolent Society and appears regularly on the church subscription lists. It is said about her that she only ever wanted to make people happy. Inside the church the handsome brass lectern was a gift from Mary Ann Deacon. She was also the largest subscriber to the fund that built the Lych Gate to the church which was erected in Memory of her friend Rev. Chanter. She was a great friend of Ann Tyrrell who had died in 1875 who was founder of the Tyrrell Hospital and was one of the oldest subscribers to Ilfracombe Hospital. She was also one of the guarantors to the University of Exeter Lecture Fund. A truly generous person in many ways. Despite great efforts from Dr Toller, himself a doctor at the Tyrrell Hospital she died of acute bronchitis on Christmas Day 1893.
Mary Ann Deacon was born in 1809 in St Pancras, Middlesex daughter of James Justice Deacon and named after her mother Mary Ann. She was the 6th born of 8 children. At the time of her death on Christmas Day 1893 she was living at Florence Villa, Torrs Park (which can be seen from the graveyard). A spinster, she lived the last forty years of her life in Ilfracombe and was a great friend of the Rev Chanter and supporter of Holy Trinity Church. It was said when she died that the poor had lost a true friend. She never turned
It is reported in the Ilfracombe Gazette 1894 that she was almost 90 when she died but she was in fact 84. Her funeral, it is said was a simple affair, much as she had lived her life. The coffin was of polished oak with, what were described as ‘massive fittings’ a Latin cross lay it’s length. It was conveyed along the Torrs to the graveyard by 18 coffin bearers and she was laid to rest with her sister Clara Sophia. The newspaper reports of the day list the mourners and those that sent wreaths. Many of those people were well-known in the town at that time, but there is no mention of any family members being present or sending wreaths.
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FOCUS YOUR TRULY LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE PRODUCED IN ILFRACOMBE
BARNSTAPLE MALE VOICE CHOIR Saturday 21st July at 7.30pm FULL CONCERT AT ILFRACOMBE HOLY TRINITY CHURCH Admission £6 in advance or £7 on the door Tickets available from: Hairport, Alan Jackson Shoe Repairs and Turton’s Butchers all Ilfracombe High Street Also Bob Newman at St Peters Church and David Beagley at Holy Trinity Church
St John Ambulance Badgers Bingo Night Monday 16th July Trinity Rooms, Church Road, Ilfracombe (by the War Memorial) Evening starts at 6pm with bingo being called at 6.15pm 17
PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ADVERTISERS
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FOCUS YOUR TRULY LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE PRODUCED IN ILFRACOMBE 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. 17th November 1853. Mormon Delusions.—Mr.Tobias Dalling, many years a master sailmaker on the quay, embraced Mormonism after his removal to Newport, and proceeded from thence some while ago with his family to the Salt Lake. A communication from a convert of his, belonging to Cornwall, and who also proceeded to the Salt Lake, gives so dismal an account of the state of things there, and that we deem it a duty to our neighbours to put it on record, that they may not come into the same place of peril and pollution. The man who sends the communication was master of a Cornish coaster, he abandoned, as many another fool has done, his home, family, and means of living to go this wild goose chase to the Salt Lake. There he found everything the exact reverse of the description given beforehand. Society in a wretched state of immorality and disorder, and no one allowed to send any unfavourable, that is to say, true account of their state, every letter being examined by the rulers before they are permitted to be sent off. He himself had made his escape to some part of the United States, from whence these communications have reached his brother in Cornwall. He describes Brigham Young, the Governor, as a complete savage, living under the dominion of the most depraved appetites. He represents him coming into their assembly and seeking the counsel of the “Holy Brethren” as to what is to be done to certain of his wives, who are of doubtful fidelity. The unanimous cry of the assembly was “Cut their throats from ear to ear!” The same punishment was decreed for those false brethren, who had sent home unfavourable accounts of the community. Polygamy is unrestrained; any man may have as many wives as he can maintain. Words entirely fail, he tells his brother, to describe or convey any idea, of the brutal state in which they are living. He, with some others, contrived to make their escape, but, as a last memento of their morality, when starting, he asked one of the most respectable of the community to hold his horse a short while until he returned, but when he came he found his brother Mormon had vanished with his steed. There are many that would be glad to get away if they had the means of the power, and among the rest our poor deluded tradesman, whose spirits he describes as entirely broken down. Births. 17th inst., at Ilfracombe, the wife or Mr. John Scamp, crier, of a daughter. Deaths. 21st inst., at Ilfracombe, at the house of her relative, Mr. Jas. Camp,of the ‘Clarence Hotel,’ Miss Susan Nott Scamp. 1st December 1853. Sad News.—The melancholy news has arrived by this morning’s mail of the ship Meridian from London to Sydney in the ‘Shipping Gazette’ magazine, Oct., 18th. The ‘Meridian’ of London for Sydney was wrecked on the island of Amsterdam, during a gale and high weather, August 24th. Crew (except the master and one mate) and passengers, except one, saved, and taken off the island—biding there eleven days in a state of starvation. The master’s name appears not to have been known to the correspondent of the ‘Shipping Gazette,’ but we are very sorry to know that it is Captain Hernaman of this town, a man esteemed by all who knew him. Mrs Hernaman is a person of by no means strong nerves, and the sufferings of such a person, in such a place, and under such a loss, can hardly be conceived, much less expressed. Amsterdam Island, a small island in the Indian Ocean, and lies about midway between the Cape of Good Hope and Australia. It is about four miles long from east to west, but so much of its area is occupied by a basin or harbour, that its surface does not contain more than seven or eight miles of land. The island is volcanic, and the harbour once the crater. 8th December 1853. Mrs. Hernaman. By this day’s post a letter has been received from her to the great joy of her friends. They are gratified to find, from the manner of her writing, although fully corroborating all the particulars of the other accounts, that she is in a better state than their fears had led them to anticipate. She states, that when she left the wreck she had nothing on but her night clothes, without either shoes or stockings, and was glad to wrap herself and her dear child, in some of the flannel that washed ashore. She speaks in the highest terms of the people at Mauritius, immediately on their arrival, everything was done that humanity could do, to relieve their wants, and it was moreover done with such delicacy, as to make them all feel quite at home. Mrs. Hernaman and her child are much better than could be expected and are coming home as stated in Vickery’s letter: “Mrs Hernaman is coming home in the same ship, so I suppose we shall be home by Christmas.” This young man has shipped on board a vessel called the ‘Roehampton,’ bound for London, and supposed to be in England about three weeks after the arrival of his letter. The account furnished of this extraordinary casualty deserves to take a place among those “Narrative of Shipwrecks,” which forms one of the most effecting books in the language. Our Letter Carrier.—There is a committee, commission, or something, at this time sitting for the purpose of overhauling the general affairs of the post office, and making such improvements as may be deemed necessary, and especially as touching the pay of their employee. If we could get at the elbow of some one of them we should give it a gentle nudge by way of calling attention to the case of our letter carrier, Mr. Henry Harding, who has to deliver twice a day in this town of 3000 inhabitants for the pitiful sum of 7s a week. To be sure there is the Christmas box, and a good turn there is—the good time, too, is coming fast, and a good time may he have of it—but surely it is not justice to pay him no more than that. Let them think of it, and increase his pay 100 per cent and we shall like them all the better for it. Marriages. 1st inst., by the Rev. J. Cecil Wynter, Rector of Gatton, Robert Oneby Walker, assistant chaplain, H.E.I.C.S. to Anne Emmaline, eldest daughter of the Rev. S.T. Gully, rector of Berrynarbor.