August 2018—Vol 33 No 8
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
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ILFRACOMBE ROTARY CHARITY SPINATHON SUNDAY 13TH OCTOBER 2018 AT STUDIO 20 ILFRACOMBE HIGH STREET We invite you to take part in our latest new fundraiser, the Charity Spinathon. Aware of the financial pressures on our good causes, we are launching our new fundraising charity event to raise funds for our local Tyrrell Hospital (for new equipment), Children’s Hospice SW and other Rotary good causes. Individuals or teams of up to four 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 be 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 Rotarian John Stainer 01271 862236.
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EVENTS 4 ILFRACOMBE All Things Morris went ahead on the 7th and 8th July as planned despite blistering heat. It’s not that easy to perform an energetic dance in heavy costume in the heat but by shortening the dance schedules and drinking lots of water everything turned out ok. A certain football match on the Saturday cut things short as the town turned into a ghost town but everyone returned refreshed for Sunday and were joined by classic vehicles on the Seafront. Thanks to Marsdens Devon Cottages for their support and sponsorship. All Things Morris will return in July 2019 and we are hoping to add traditional music to the festivities. Do you play in a band or are you a musician who plays traditional music – folk, sea shanties etc. If so and you would like to be involved in Morris 2019 please get in touch. South West Birdman is run by Ilfracombe Round Table and this year will be on Saturday 11th August. Ilfracombe RT are billing this Birdman as the biggest yet! In addition to the usual ‘aviators’ and other foolhardy folk in fancy dress ‘flying’ into the harbour there will be stalls, food outlets, beer tents, rides and children’s entertainment. The big stage will have music throughout the day and into the evening. RT are appealing to teams and individuals who want to jump to contact them as soon as possible as numbers will be restricted due to tide times. Are you brave enough? There is a £500 prize up for grabs plus trophies and smaller cash prizes! All entries must be in by a week before the event at the latest and no entries will be accepted on the day. Registration and more information at www.nrtbirdman.eventbrite.co.uk but be quick! That same weekend check out the Devon Street Food Festival on The Seafront. Carnival, run by Ilfracombe Lions will be on Sunday 26th August. There is still plenty of time to join in the parade and 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). The parade will take the usual route from Brimlands Car Park (by the Rugby Club) via Hillsborough Road, Portland Street, High Street, Wilder Road to the Harbour (Ropery Road Car Park) via The Seafront. Don’t forget the minis on August Bank Holiday Monday 27th August. Known as ‘Mini Madness’ in Ilfracombe it is more properly ‘The Legendary Grand Tour’. Hundreds of minis cruise in tandem around North Devon for the whole BH weekend finally ending in Ilfracombe horns blaring along the High Street and Wilder Road to park for the end of the tour (Seafront and Landmark). The schedule shows the minis arriving at 3pm with prize-giving at 3.30pm. Past experience says this is more likely to be 4pm and 4.30pm but expect them any time after 3pm. August Bank Holiday weekend sees the very welcome return of the Ilfracombe Beer, Food and Music Festival at The Landmark. Beer, cider, street food and music with children’s entertainment and fancy dress – a prize for the best 1970’s outfit. Remember to bring your sun cream! 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 each Sunday. Check Visit Ilfracombe website for specific band information. 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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SHAMMICK ACOUSTIC No Open Night this month as the 2nd Saturday is during Combe Martin’s Carnival Week, when the village is otherwise engaged! But we’ll make up for it with a great concert on 25th August with a return visit from the outstanding duo that is Quicksilver. Probably one of the most eclectic acts ever to perform at Shammick Acoustic, and it’s been far too long since they did!
Hilary Spencer trained at the Royal Northern College of Music, and has one of the most staggering voices ever to be heard on the British acoustic scene, with a breath-taking range of tone and mood. Previously known as ‘the voice’ of award-winning a capella trio Artisan, she also works with the Mrs Ackroyd Trio, performing the musical works of the renowned comedy poet Les Barker. Grant Baynham became a household name with his five years as resident performer on the ‘That’s Life!’ TV programme with Esther Rantzen. A formidable songwriter and guitarist, his energy and enthusiasm create a high-powered performance in virtually every genre imaginable, from Django Reinhardt to Bach. With the pair’s supreme sense of the ridiculous, and their polished musical skill, their partnership creates entertainment which is second to none. As Ned Sherrin said, it’s ‘comic song touched with gold’! A number of local or maybe not-so-local performers will, as usual, be there as support artists, as well as audience. Shammick Acoustic takes place at The Pack o’ Cards from 8pm. Tickets for the concert are £7 in advance from Shammick Acoustic, from the Pack o’ Cards or Pets’ Pantry, High Street, Combe Martin, or online via www.wegottickets.com/ ShammickAcoustic, or £8 at the door. More information about Shammick Acoustic can be found on our website at www.shammickacoustic.org.uk or contact Tom or Barbara Brown 01271 882366 or by e-mail at contact@shammickacoustic.org.uk
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FOCUS YOUR TRULY LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE PRODUCED IN ILFRACOMBE ILFRACOMBE MUSEUM Open 10am-5pm Monday to Saturday throughout the Summer
This month we have a photo of the Ilfracombe Bowling Club, taken in 1909 and showing the presentation of a prize to the winner of the Auckland cup, Mr F Jones. Our bowling club is still going strong and this July celebrated its long history in Ilfracombe with special events and a presentation by the Mayor. So we thought we would look back a little at the story of bowling and Ilfracombe’s Club. Before the Ilfracombe Bowling Club was established in the 1890s and its ground opened in Highfield Road, there had been a space allotted for bowling in grounds next to the Holy Trinity parish church. An engraving of around 1867 shows a smaller churchyard bounded by a wall, the other side of which was a level area not used for burials. This ground had traditionally been kept for ‘revels’, seasonal fairs that date back to the middle ages, and it was also used for wrestling and bowling. In the 1841 tithe survey map it is named the ‘bowling green’. We shouldn’t imagine it was as perfect and level as a modern bowling green however – the lawn mower wasn’t invented until 1830, by Edwin Budding. Prior to that it was the scythe that kept grass short, and only a very skilled operator could cut grass short with this method! There was much criticism in Ilfracombe in the 1850s by the more ‘respectable‘ residents that this bowling ground was used for riotous pastimes and that its position next to the Church was scandalous. But in the middle ages it was perfectly acceptable for the Church to host sports and games on its land, and make a bit of money out of them. The wrestling matches of these days used to be held on the Monday after Trinity Sunday (the first Sunday after Whitsun). One of the contestants would parade through the town with six silver spoons tied to his hat, followed by a crowd. Barrels of beer were provided at the ground for the wrestlers, and seating for spectators. After fortifying themselves with ale, two wrestlers would go at it, and kicking shins hard to cause maximum pain was allowed. The first man to land three men on their backs would win a prize – one of the silver spoons. In 1865 an attempt to revive the wrestling on the bowling green led to disorder, and the police had to break up the match. After this the ground was consecrated and made use of for burials. Bowling is said to have been first mentioned as a pastime in England in the 13 th century, and the existence in central Southampton of a bowling green first used in 1299 bears this out. Compared to the genteel image of more modern clubs, medieval bowling had something of a bad reputation as it was associated with alehouses and taverns. So much so that by the 16th century, servants and apprentices were forbidden to play bowls, except at Christmas. There were no formal rules laid down until a Scotsman – William Mitchell – wrote a ‘Manual of Bowls Playing’ in 1864. Eventually this became the national standard, but in 1932, Mr Dunn, the 90 year old president of Ilfracombe Bowling Club, recalled that they used to play ‘the good old Devon game’ in his younger days. This involved playing nine ‘ends’ on each of their three greens, rather than the whole game on the same green. Other changes involved expanding membership to women photos of the club in the early 20th century make it clear that it was a male-only sport, although women were at this time permitted to provide the teas! Over that last 50 years however, nearly all clubs have allowed ladies to join, although there are several that are holding out, even in 2017 Chesterfield Bowling Club voted against allowing female players. Sarah Hodson, Museum Manager 01271 863541
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Community Announcements ILFRACOMBE & DISTRICT COMMUNITY MINIBUSES Local group leaders may be interested to know that during the school holidays, the Community Minibuses have capacity to take your members out on trips on dates, at times and to places decided by you. Contact Shirley Jones on 01271 863630 with your requirements and she will get you a quote. The Ilfracombe ‘Out and About’ minibus group have day trips on Wednesdays 15th August to Plymouth and 29th August to Exmouth. If sufficient demand, other days and destinations can be arranged. Phone Shirley 01271 863630.
TORRS LADIES
We met at the old vicarage for our annual tea party. It was a glorious day in fact tea was laid up indoors as it was too hot to sit in the garden. After a stroll round the garden we all sat down to a superb afternoon tea arranged by Lawrence Butler and his helpers. We managed to do the quiz but were too full up with scones cake etc. to do anything else but sit and gossip. Many thanks to Lawrence for a lovely afternoon The club sent flowers to June White on the occasion of her eightieth birthday she asked me to pass on her thanks to you all. A reminder:- Our Christmas lunch will now be on December 17th, a week later than usual more details nearer the time. The meeting in August will be back at Brookdale on Monday 13th starting at 2pm. Our guest for the afternoon is Steve Fisher from Devon Fire and Rescue. We are a friendly group of ladies who are always pleased to see new faces at our meetings. You don’t have to join at your first visit, £1.50 buys you tea biscuits and a raffle ticket, a bargain!! Jenny Hodson
ILFRACOMBE FLOWER CLUB
It is with great sadness that I have to report the death of Val Trevarthen, a member of the Flower Club for several years. Val was also a valued member of the Committee until she moved back to Hertfordshire to be near her family. Our thoughts are with her husband Alan and family. The fund raising quiz at the George & Dragon was postponed because of the football until July 31st so I’m unable to report on this event. We are looking forward to staging the event at Rosemoor, The Amdega Shelter as part of the RHS Summer Flower Show with the Beatrix Potter theme. It is open to the public from August 17th until 19th. The following week some Club members will be involved in the Arlington Church Flower Festival, August 24th until 27th, entitled Our Green and Pleasant Land, depicting lines from Jerusalem. Open 10am to 5pm each day with songs of Praise on Sunday at 11.30am. As I write this we are still experiencing this spell of glorious weather but a nice gentle rain through the night wouldn’t come amiss. So many pots to water! 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.
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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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Community Announcements MONDAY Befriender Coffee Mornings 10.30am-12noon for over 65s at Encounter Church. Drop in for tea, coffee and homemade cake. 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. 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. TUESDAY 361 Energy CIC Clinic 10am-1pm Transform4Work, Unit 1 The Candar, Ilfracombe 01271 599361.
EVANS BODYSHOP
Games Galore Is a social group for people who enjoy playing board games. Meet Tuesdays in the Lantern Centre Club Room 1.30pm until 3.30pm. Cost £2 per session. Call Irene 07588 359 834 for more details or just pop in.
Car Body Repairs est.1949
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.
6a Northfield Road Ilfracombe 01271 862889 Insurance repairs MOT and rust repairs Low bake oven facilities—No VAT
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. 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 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. Games Galore the expansion! Table top games, Thursdays 5.30-9.30pm at the Naked Cake Café, The Promenade, Ilfracombe. £1 per head. Contact Irene 07588 359 834.
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Community Announcements 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
TLC COMMUNITY SHOP
3 Portland Street, Ilfracombe. Donations of furniture, household goods, books, clothes, bric-a-brac etc needed. Please drop into the shop 10am-2pm Monday to Friday or phone to arrange collection 01271 866315.
SATURDAY HOLY TRINITY GRAVEYARD GROUP meet in the graveyard from 10am for gardening. Contact Erica 07984 282 442. 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. 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. Wednesday 1st August Ilfracombe Pensioners meet at the Osborne for a programme on a ‘Flowers’ theme. We meet 2-4pm, entrance is £2 to cover raffle and refreshment and the Community minibus is available door to door for those with mobility difficulties. Contact Shirley Jones 01271 863630. Wednesday 1st August 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. Friday 3rd August 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 4th August Ilfracombe Farmers Market The Lantern Centre, High Street. 10am -12.30 Fresh, local and organic produce and craft. Refreshments. New traders welcome. 01271 864621 for information.
Wednesday 15th August No meeting of the Pensioners at the Osborne, but a day trip by Community minibus to Sidmouth Folk Festival. Contact Shirley Jones 01271 863630
2018 monthly Sunday Car Boot Sales Now on the seafront Sellers from 9am Buyers from 10am Open until 4pm Future dates: August 26th September 9th and 23rd
Wednesday 22nd August Ilfracombe Pensioners meet at the Osborne for a Fun Quiz and Bring and Share afternoon tea. We meet 2-4pm, entrance is £2 to cover raffle and refreshment and the Community minibus is available door to door for those with mobility difficulties. Contact Shirley Jones 01271 863630. Saturday 25th to 26th August From Sketch To Canvas two day painting course with Nigel Mason at the Landmark, £280. Contact Fleek Gallery on 07711 803 811 or dan@fleekgallery.com
Cost £8 per car—no charge for buyers Any other info contact Julie 01271 867076
Saturday 28th August Shammick Acoustic Quicksilver in concert, Pack o’ Cards, High Street, Combe Martin 8pm.
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FOCUS YOUR TRULY LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE PRODUCED IN ILFRACOMBE The joys of Volunteering. Diary bv Mayoress of Ilfracombe Amanda Gartshore. The Mayor’s tea party took place a few weeks ago, as part of Ilfracombe’s Victorian week. This is an event of two parts. On the royal side, Queen Victoria was waited upon by her staff, took tea with her entourage and entertained visitors and locals in Runnymede Gardens. On the other side, the Mayor’s tea party was an altogether more egalitarian affair featuring homemade cake and sandwiches sold in aid of the Mayor’s charities, prepared served by a team of volunteers. I’m not sure what I think about celebrating a period in history that’s known for poverty and workhouses, social inequality, colonialism, empire and child labour. The Victorian era was 64 years, a small period in the history of our town that has existed since the Iron Age and was first mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086. However, whether royalist or not, the event brought out many visitors who enjoyed meeting Amanda and Mayor Val Gates the Queen and photographing the people who had dressed in Victorian costume so perhaps I’m being a bit mean spirited. even when funds are short, we are all in this together. Some of our volunteers have faced criticism which seems Working with a brilliant team of volunteers at the event brought home to me the amount of volunteer effort there is very unfair. It misses the point that whilst picking up in our town. All through the year and especially through the services that the council can’t currently provide, volunteers gain a huge sense of satisfaction and pride from the work summer months, volunteers help us put on town events they do. that keep our town vibrant and attractive to visitors. For example, eagle eyed Ilfracombe residents will have noticed Wouldn’t it be great if we could encourage more volunteers the hanging baskets and other floral displays that in Ilfracombe. There are formal opportunities to join appeared in the town overnight a few weeks ago, thanks to volunteer groups, but if joining groups isn’t your thing, Ilfracombe in Bloom and their volunteer gardeners. Those there are countless opportunities to volunteer time and who read social media may have noticed criticism of some effort by helping neighbours, friends and visitors. This town Councils who, having to make difficult decisions week we heard the very sad news about the sudden death about spending, have been obliged to prioritise their funds of Sue Garwood. She knew the importance of volunteering by grassing over flower beds and no longer supporting and galvanising others with her considerable energy and town events. In Ilfracombe we’re fortunate. We face the enthusiasm, for the benefit of our town. Instead of same financial restrictions as every other town, but we complaining about what the council cannot do for us, why have many willing volunteers who support local events and don’t we turn that around by acting positively to make our keep our town looking lovely. This helps us attract tourists town a better place? and raise money for local charities. It demonstrates that
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FOCUS YOUR TRULY LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE PRODUCED IN ILFRACOMBE ILFRACOMBE’S MECHANICAL ELEPHANT by Neil Holloway Every couple of decades an idea is floated to enhance the visitor experience in Ilfracombe. Charlie Disney’s promotion of a dry ski slope for Hillsborough springs to mind, the Dotto landtrain is a more recent example and the most recent a viability study for a zip wire scheme.
An earlier transport based idea turned to be short lived due to a number of logistical hitches but along the way added some inadvertent excitement. ‘The Mechanical Elephant’ was based around a Ford motor vehicle with the driver operating controls by extended levers. Council operated and stored at the Wilder Road Council yard, it mainly took passengers across the Ilfracombe Hotel promenade and across to the ‘Cucumber Frames’ and Pavilion. The choice of driver caused a fair bit of banter between Council maintenance staff who saw a summer stint in the sun as a welcome diversion from normal activities. There was a fair bit of lobbying before the position was filled. One of the front runners was Vic Knowles known as ‘Sapper’ for his wartime service as an engineer. Father of Alan and Pat, he was put forward as an ideal candidate, sociable, funny and with a skill set that could fix most engineering problems. One of the strongest lobbyists was Jock Campbell a fellow Council maintenance worker. Jock’s son Jim, now Councillor Campbell, put his father’s support in written form. Somehow Sapper’s daughter Pat obtained a copy of the letter of support and a glowing letter it was with all Sapper’s strengths highlighted, building to the finale that his wartime experiences with elephants used to haul building materials in the Far East gave him a unique lever of suitability. All to no avail. Sapper didn’t get the job, it went to Ernie Redmore who also had a fairly good skill set, he was the crane driver when the 1870’s Pier was extended in the early fifties. A ‘Jack of all Trades’, man he combined night porter, cellar man and driving roles and embraced his role as driver of the elephant with a certain panache, hat and all, due to his elevated driving position and stylish dress local wags started to refer to him as ‘The Maharajah’ whilst the Mechanical Elephant’s activities were short lived due to the combination of small passenger numbers and a worrying mechanical twitch of the articulated limbs which caught a number of holidaymakers by surprise. The clincher was a major incident at the Wilder Road Yard which saw the elephant take out a mains water hydrant causing the site to be flooded stopping all work for the day. Whilst the elephant didn’t last long, Ernie Redmore was known for the rest of his life as ‘Rajah Redmore’. Not linguistically correct, an elephant handler in the sub-continent was known as a mahoot but a wonderfully alliterative nickname.
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FOCUS YOUR TRULY LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE PRODUCED IN ILFRACOMBE News from the Exmoor Pony Centre, Ashwick, Dulverton TA22 9QE Tel: 01398 323093 From one extreme to another! Only a couple of months ago I was writing about pulling sleds of supplies through deep snow and now we are gasping with heat, swatting flies and facing water shortages. Extremes of weather can create real problems for ponies kept in open fields. Exmoor ponies are hardy and well equipped to cope with the harshest winter or summer conditions and, while living free in their natural environment, instinctively find shelter. However, when kept in a field this is not always possible. Not being able to dry out during periods of heavy and prolonged rainfall can bring the misery of rain scald, and in hot weather they need protection from heat and flies. At the Pony Centre we keep our ponies in the cool of the barn during the hottest part of the day and only let them out in the cool of the evening and we are currently applying for grants to enable us to buy more field shelters so they are able to spend more time outside.
on Sunday 5th August from 7pm to 10pm for teams of up to 6 people. Vegetarian options will be available and you don’t need to be a pony expert to take part. Tickets are £5 per person and booking is essential. On 9th August, following our cream tea afternoon, Vanessa Bee (Positive Horsemanship) and Julie Garbutt (BHS) will give a talk and demonstration on handling Exmoor ponies and Road Safety and there will be a tack sale. Tickets are £5 to include refreshments and there’s no need to book - just turn up. Details of other events taking place can be found at www.exmoorponyfestival.com We have been lucky enough to have been chosen by Minehead Tesco to be one of the participants in their blue token scheme through July and August so we are keeping our fingers crossed for a good result. As a final plea - summer brings an increase in visitors and traffic so, if you are driving across the Moor, please be extra aware of our Exmoor ponies and their foals, and drive carefully. You never know when one might suddenly appear in front of you!
Website: www.exmoorponycentre.org.uk July and August are busy months with lots of events. On th Sunday 29th July we celebrate summer and the 12 year Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheExmoorPonyCentre of the Pony Centre with activities, riding and refreshments from 11am to 3pm. Then every Thursday afternoon through August we are open for our popular cream tea and activity afternoons from 12 noon to 3 pm. August is also the month of the annual Exmoor Pony Festival when we celebrate our wonderful rare-breed Exmoor Ponies and this year is the 200th anniversary of the foundation herds. We will be hosting some of the events at the Pony Centre. We open the festival with a Quiz & Barbeque at the Centre
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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 Chronical/Gazette was published, copies of which are available to research by appointment at Ilfracombe Museum. 15th December 1853. Get A Cemetery.—An act was passed last session prohibiting, under certain circumstances, intramural burials. Certain documents were received on Tuesday, from the Home Office, by the Trustees and Managers of the non-conformist places of worship in this town having burying grounds attached, requiring them to answer sundry questions therein contained. This looks like a general move towards closing the burial within the town and contiguous with other building. A cemetery is the natural remedy; some few years ago a spirited offer or two was made in that direction, now let them move again, “better late than never.” 29th December 1853. The Sailing of the Channel Fleet.—There was a gay and stirring sight on the morning on holiday Monday to attract the attention of the leisurely public. All but four or five of the three score sail or more that bundled in here for shelter the week before, took their departure from this harbour. Glad to come in, but more glad to go out, they were off—if you could forget the season—cheerfully as on a May morning. Considering the number of rough fellow that have been here, the rows with them have been less than ordinary on such occasions. There have been some slight brushes, but those who have been accustomed for years past to notice Jack’s doings ashore, report a decided improvement. The Shops.—The men of this trade, and those who exercise the confectioner’s art, vie with each other in High-street, and have produced such a show as to attract general attention. On Christmas-eve their windows were decorated in a very splendid manner; Messrs Warren and Jones taking the lead in the competition. The leading article in the windows of each appears to be twelfth cakes; which were executed in a variety of devices, wrought into a filigree work like the patterns of rich lace, and surmounted by artificial flowers, fruit, and foliage; while holly and mistletoe, not artificial, aided the gorgeous combination. This exhibition will show the most critical in these matters, that neither on twelfth-day or wedding-day will they have any need to trouble the cooks of other countries, as they may see that the most recherché articles in this line can be produced by our home artists. It will be a good rule for the dwellers in Ilfracombe to follow— particularly the wealthy, who have the greatest power of benefiting the place—ever to go out of the town for the purchase of any article until they are quite sure it is not to be found within it. 15th January 1854. The New Year.—On Saturday night here, as everywhere, the thoughtful heard the great clock of the universe strike the last hour of the accomplished year, 1853. For us it leaves behind no very great recollections, nor does its young successor offer us any very brilliant hopes. If, this town has not retrograded during the year, it can scarcely be said to have advanced. The visiting season, upon which so many depend, was of short continuance, and though for a short while the town was full, like the harvest in the field, it failed in the “yield.” The long and continued rains in June and July greatly abridged the duration of the season, while the railway accommodation in the south continues to act against us with increasing power. The opening of the Taw Vale Railway, to which all North Devon looks, with so much expectation, will have an interest to us inferior to none. The weather has arrested the labourer in his employment and occasioned considerable distress with some of them, for as soon as earning stops, eating had need to stop also. It will be well if those benevolent persons, who have exerted themselves in so praiseworthy a manner already, would come forward again in the keener extremity of the present, to replenish the empty cupboard as well as the empty grate. 12th January 1854. “The Widows and Aged Persons’ Bread Fund,” established here in November last having been found through our actuary, Mr. Toms, to answer its purposes so beneficially as to give complete satisfaction to the subscribers at large, (more than 1,500 sixpenny loaves having been distributed within that short period), it is suggested that under the extreme pressure of the present inclement season, when so many industrious labourers cannot earn their daily bread, however willing so to do, a fund for their temporary relief be also raised, extending its benefits to married men of good character, having families of one or more children to maintain, the relief (in bread loaves of 9d each) to be confined to persons out of regular employ, and not to exceed three loaves per week to any family, and to be under the control of the Actuary, who has good knowledge of the number in family of several applicants. Such is the appeal to the well-to-do part of the public lying in every shop window and found in every house. Our Emigrants.—Whatever of complaint there may be at home, nothing but good news reaches us from those who have set up their tents in other lands. About 18 months ago two sailors of this town, William Berry and Thomas Maclan, went out from Liverpool to Australia, as passengers, that is, worked their passage out. When they got on shore, they had some dozen or fourteen pounds in their pocket wherewith to begin life in the new world. Acting with more wisdom than a good many wiser people, they did not go to the diggings, but meeting there with a Pembrokeshire man of some influence; they were enabled, through his interest, to hire a small vessel, upon what terms we are not informed, but with what success will appear from the fact, that in the course of this week a draft upon the Australian Bank was sent home by them to their friends in this town for £750 and upwards. When we consider the time it took them to go out, and the time required for the transmission of the money home, the period for gaining it must have been less than twelve month!
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