May 2018—Vol 33 No 5
ILFRACOMBE MAY DAY/ JACK IN THE GREEN CELEBRATION SUNDAY 6TH MAY FOCUS IS 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 This month we’re looking at the surprisingly eventful history of Ilfracombe during the Second World War with the story of a famous entertainer who was billeted here from 1940-41. Coco the Clown was known across Britain in the 1950’s and 60’s as the most popular circus entertainer of his day. Whilst in Ilfracombe, he entertained troops and locals at the Garrison Theatre (the wartime name for the Alexandra Theatre in Market Street), alongside many other accomplished musicians and artists, but how did he come to be here? Coco was born Nicolai Poliakov in Russia in 1900 to a very poor family, so poor in fact that he started earning money as a child entertainer aged just five. He ran away to join the Russian state circus and his career as Coco was born. In 1929 he moved with his wife and children to Britain to perform as Coco with the Bertram Mills Circus. After war was declared, Nicolai volunteered for the British army but was not allowed to fight as he was one of many thousands of ‘enemy aliens’ living here. These were former citizens of Germany, Austria and other lands swallowed up by the spread of Nazism and fascism who had fled to Britain to escape persecution. Many were Jewish, like Nikolai and highly skilled in the arts, sciences and music.
Although not allowed to fight, Nicolai was allowed to join the Pioneer Corps which had been formed in 1939 to carry out engineering tasks, such as laying the PLUTO pipeline under the ocean. Many other ‘enemy aliens’ also joined, keen to help the liberation of their home countries. Others had been given little choice but to join – in May 1940 enemy aliens were interned by the government as a security measure and their only way of release during the war was to enter the Pioneer Corps. Most of these men were highly skilled professionals and military life must have been quite a shock. At first, the Pioneer Corps was based in Kent but after the fall of France the Pioneer Corps refugees were moved to a new training base in Ilfracombe. The No 3 Pioneer Corps Training Centre had its headquarters at the Osborne Hotel and its quartermaster’s stores were located in what is now Pearce’s undertakers in Wilder Road. Very quickly Ilfracombe became a place filled with men more used to intellectual life in Vienna and our small seaside town must have been strange to some. But in her excellent book ‘Jews of North Devon’ Helen Fry found on interviewing these men years later that there was a great feeling of affection for their time spent here. Famous refugees stationed here included Robert Maxwell, Sigmund Freud’s son Martin and the author Arthur Koestler. The establishment of the Pioneer Corps here had an immediate effect on the town. With so many talented artists and musicians in their ranks, it followed that an entertainment section should be formed and Nikolai was put in charge of organising shows for the men at the requisitioned Alexandra Theatre. He also added one show a week for the public to raise some funds for expenses and these proved highly popular. With the arrival of Jewish soldiers here, Ilfracombe hosted a synagogue for the first time in its history, located on the first floor of the Capstone Hotel in St James Place. Sabbaths and barmitzvahs were celebrated there by the chaplain Benjamin Wykansky. The numbers of Jewish men in the town were swelled again in 1944 by the stationing of American forces here, so much so that the Alexandra Theatre, seating 1000, had to be used for the most important festivals such as Yom Kippur. Nicolai worked so hard organising shows here that he ended up hospitalised out of exhaustion. Eventually the army declared him medically unfit for service and he was discharged. He put on one final show in August 1941 and all the town’s school children were invited to the matinee. The reverse of his programme thanks Ilfracombe’s residents and visitors for their patronage. 2
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EVENTS 4 ILFRACOMBE It’s May already and how the time flies! May is when the event year starts to hot up and there are plenty of things happening this month… Over the bank holiday weekend of 5 th–7th May it’s Ilfracombe Art Trail where artists and craftspeople open their homes, studios and galleries for you to view and purchase a varied collection of arts and gifts – take part in free workshops, visit open gardens and listen to live music. As part of Art Trail, Ilfracombe in Bloom will be holding their annual plant sale in Pip & Jim’s Community Hall on St James Place on Saturday 5th May from 11am– 4pm. As well as plants the event has a children’s workshop, teas/coffees and yummy homemade cakes and more – this is one of their main fundraisers so if you are on the trail please call in. All welcome and please drop in even if you aren’t on the trail. Over the same bank holiday weekend Sunday 6th May sees the annual May Day/ Jack in the Green Celebration. All are welcome to join in the parade, just turn up and if possible wear something green. Muster at 10.45am in Wilder Road car park and the parade goes through the High Street, down Fore Street, along Broad Street then St James Place and off road behind the crazy golf to the Clapping Circle above Wildersmouth Beach. There Jack will be stripped of his leafy coverings to welcome the Spirit of Summer. On Sunday 13th May it’s The Scrumpy Run. Organised by the Vintage Motor Cycle Club Devon Section some 40 or so motorcycle riders set off from The Seafront at 11am for a route across Exmoor returning mid/late afternoon to The Seafront for prize giving and a chance for the public to look at the bikes. On Wednesday 23rd May The Forces March starts from Ilfracombe Seafront at 10am. Walkers and runners begin a 135+ mile route over stages through Exmoor, The Quantocks and Salisbury Plain finishing in Bulford, Wiltshire five days later. Although only the first part of this event is in Ilfracombe we do try to give the participants a good send off so please come along. The route through the town is Seafront – St James Place – Harbour (Marine Drive) then onto the main road towards Combe Martin. There are still a few spaces available for food stalls and food trucks at the Marsdens North Devon Street Food Awards on Saturday 7th July. There will also be a craft fair with stalls. On Sunday 8th July the Morris & Friends vehicle show are inviting anyone with a classic or vintage vehicle to join the show. For more details and to join any part of this event please make contact with Events 4 Ilfracombe using the details below. A plea for help…on Sunday 11th November 2018 it is the 100 year anniversary of World War 1. On the Sunday there will be the usual Remembrance Day parade and service. We think Ilfracombe should celebrate this anniversary – possibly with a separate and additional event on Saturday 10th November. What do the people of Ilfracombe think? Do you have any ideas? Let us know using the contact details below. 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 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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PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ADVERTISERS Step out for a walk with the Ramblers And discover local hidden gems Anyone is invited to step out with the Ramblers for their Walk About festival here in the north of Devon to discover hidden gems on their doorstep. The nationwide festival, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, takes place from the 26th May-3rd June with hundreds of free walks on offer across Britain.
In North Devon The North Devon Ramblers group are hosting four free walks during the festival with a wide choice of distance, pace and terrain. Group Chairman and one of the walk leaders, Joan Long, said: “Anyone who loves walking will already know that one can see so much more of the countryside on foot. It could be fantastic views, quirky old buildings with lots of history or a special picnic spot.” Joan added: “Our leaders know lots of unusual places to explore so check out our walks list, come along and give us a try. Come alone or with friends and family, you will soon make lots of new friends.” If you cannot join the festival walks there are lots more walks on offer, just visit our website at www.ramblers.org.uk/north-devon our Facebook page or ring Joan on 01271 376274.
Local Insurance Broker Scoops Prestigious National Award: Coversure Ilfracombe Wins ‘Local Broker of the Year Award’ Coversure Ilfracombe are delighted to announce that they were awarded the coveted ‘Local Broker of the Year Award’ at the Coversure Insurance Services Group Awards on Saturday 10th March. At a glittering gala dinner at the DoubleTree by Hilton, franchise holders Marc Newland and Richard Hopson were rewarded for their consistent commitment to the Ilfracombe community over the past year. The award was presented to them by special-guest host Andy Parsons from ‘Mock the Week’ to the delight of the 400-strong audience of industry professionals and VIPs. Commenting on their success, Richard and Marc commented; We are thrilled to win this award. We initially set out to be a local insurance broker and it is great that our office is growing and still able to be a local business for North Devon. It was completely unexpected to win this. Coversure’s Managing Director Sarah Darling added; ‘I am thrilled for Marc and Richard. Since they joined the Coversure family in 2012 they have been the epitome of what a local broker can be and have combined their community knowledge and willingness to go the extra mile to deliver an outstanding service to their customers.’ Coversure was founded in 1986 and is now the UK’s largest insurance franchise, with over 90 offices throughout the UK and a turnover in excess of £110m per annum. Coversure is committed to providing an honest, local and independent insurance service to businesses and private clients alike.
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FOCUS YOUR TRULY LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE PRODUCED IN ILFRACOMBE 14 April 1912. 106 YEARS AGO, THE ‘UNSINKABLE’ LINER THE TITANIC HIT AN ICEBERG AND SANK ON HER MAIDEN VOYAGE WITH THE LOSS OF 1,500 PASSENGERS FRANCIS WILLIAM SOMERTON – MEMORIAL ON HIS PARENT’S GRAVE IN HOLY TRINITY CHURCHYARD. GRAVE NO. PO 07 (Often known as the Titanic Grave) WILLIAM HENRY SOMERTON was born in Cheltenham.
He married Hannah in 1875 and had 4 children. When they lived in Ilfracombe they lived at 7 Rupertswood Terrace and he was a Commercial Clerk. For many years he lived in Cheltenham and was a clerk for the Gas Works. FRANCIS WILLIAM SOMERTON, their third child left his wife Mae Fryer Somerton in April 1912 to go to America, perhaps to seek his fortune. He purchased a 3rd class ticket no 18509 for £8.1s.0d and boarded the fated liner Titanic at Southampton. His body was never recovered. Aged 30. However, in Wills and Probate he is listed as having left his wife Mae just £5. Hannah left Ilfracombe after the death of William and moved to Barnstaple to be near her daughter, where she died in 1938 and is buried in Barnstaple Cemetery.
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Ilfracombe IILFRACOMBE IN BLOOM ~ THE NEXT GENERATION! DID YOU KNOW? According to both Tidy Britain and Visit Britain, tourism and floral displays are inextricably linked. DID YOU KNOW? Ilfracombe in Bloom (not any of the councils) plants up, puts out and maintains the summer hanging baskets and towers including those on The Bandstand in Runnymede Gardens. DID YOU KNOW? Ilfracombe in Bloom has won A NUMBER OF AWARDS including a South West in Bloom Gold Award for the past 4 years. DID YOU KNOW? Most of the active members of Ilfracombe in Bloom are in their seventies. DID YOU KNOW? Ilfracombe in Bloom will not be able to continue if more (& ideally younger or at least more able bodied!) volunteers are NOT found.
ILFRACOMBE IN BLOOM NEEDS YOU! VACANCIES:
St Brannocks Road area:
More of the same:-
Watering and weeding of troughs as required – approximately half an hour each visit – watering June to September, weeding all year.
Watering & weeding at several other locations around the town including the High Street, Hillsborough Road, Broad Street, the Seafront etc.
Website Administrator:
PR/Social Media Assistant:
To maintain and update the Ilfracombe in Bloom website.
To help prepared the portfolio that is needed each year showing our activities for South West in Bloom & to get as much publicity as we can.
Working parties/ guerrilla gardening: 2 hours per week, various tasks for active people working alone or as a team. All Year. Photographers:
Photos of Ilfracombe plantings throughout the year required. No need to apply, just send photos to info@ilfracombeinbloom.co.uk with permission to use or drop off stick/ disk at the TIC. All of these positions are volunteer only. Please do your bit or this could all come to an end. Full support will be given to every volunteer. To apply contact info@ilfracombeinbloom.co.uk or phone 01271 865910 to talk to Ivan.
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EVANS BODYSHOP Car Body Repairs est.1949 6a Northfield Road Ilfracombe 01271 862889 Insurance repairs MOT and rust repairs Low bake oven facilities—No VAT
The residents of Chipping Cleghorn are astonished to read an advert in the local newspaper that a murder will take place this coming Friday at Little Paddocks, the home of Letitia Blacklock. Unable to resist, the group gather at the house at the appointed time, when the lights go out and a gun is fired. Enter Miss Marple, who must unravel a complex series of relationships and events to solve the mystery of the killer‌ A Murder is Announced will be at the SPACE Thursday 17th May at 7.45pm, Friday18th May at 7.45pm, Saturday19th May at 7.45pm. Book now to avoid disappointment. Tickets are available from Ilfracombe TIC 01271 863001 Hairport, Ilfracombe High Street or book online www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/224562 Also, don't forget to look out for our Summer Season all shows on sale on our website now! Thank you once again for supporting the SPACE and Theatre in Ilfracombe.
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Community Announcements ILFRACOMBE HARBOUR DEVELOPMENT GROUP In 1982 Ilfracombe was a neglected town with high unemployment. Tourism was on it’s knees. What could be done? Alan Kift came up with a plan to develop the Harbour by building a breakwater to protect it from the huge westerly Atlantic groundswells. The breakwater would create the only deep water port in the Bristol Channel. A meeting was held in April with N Devon Council and the Environment Agency who wish to take part in the development plans. Read more in our June issue. ILFRACOMBE ACCESS GROUP We would like to report to you, the people of Ilfracombe the work we have been doing for the last couple of years. As you all know the bus station closed a few years ago and is now a car park. Since then The Ilfracombe Access Group have been working hard to replace the loss of this facility to which wheelchair users dearly need in this town. The Ilfracombe Access Group is proud to announce that that this project is now complete. As from now wheelchair users can board a 502 National Express Coach from Jubilee Gardens (where the band stand is) which will take them all the way to London Airport and or London Victoria and from there anywhere in the UK or abroad. It is important that that when buying your ticket to inform the booking office that you use a wheelchair so that the coach seat can be removed. The Access Group is due to have its AGM on May 8th at 2pm at The Ilfracombe Centre and we dearly need some new members please come along if you can. Eric Hayes (Chair)
CAPSTONE LADIES CLUB
Our Annual General Meeting was held on Monday 26th March. President Cecily Challacombe read the Standing Orders. The Minutes of the last AGM were read and proposed to be accepted by Doreen Sprague, seconded by Maureen Mann and carried unanimously. The Committee stands as Chair-Diana Wood, TreasurerJoyce Johnson, Secretary-Jan Cross. Committee members –Pat Nott and Pauline Fisher. Rose has stepped down from Committee due to ill-health and we are very grateful for her help and input over the past years. We are always looking for new committee members! Janet proposed that the Standing Orders should only include clauses 1- 6 as these are the only ones that are now relevant. This was seconded by Cecily and all members agreed. Di then summed up the past year in her report. Annual prizes for the competitions went to – 1st Jan Cross, 2nd Cecily Challacombr, 3rd Eve Knill. Flower of the Month awards – 1st Jan Cross, 2nd Rose Everest, 3rd Cecily Challacombe. Cecily thanked the Committee for their hard work over the past twelve months. After tea we looked at the High Street shops and how they have changed from 1945 to the present day and we hope to carry on with this to produce a comprehensive list. The next meeting is on Monday May 21st and the speaker is Penny Armitage with patchwork and fabric pictures. . Diana Wood
ILFRACOMBE FLOWER CLUB
Hope you all had a lovely Easter! A miniature arrangement in an eggshell proved a challenge to members and is a good discipline to ‘work small’, but it was enjoyed by 10 ladies who braved the nasty weather. We are looking forward to our Special April workshop with Jenny Dellow as I write (report next time). May 4th is the ‘Friendship Bouquet’ day – if you find a posy on a seat or somewhere around the town, take it home and enjoy it – made by one of our club members!
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May 8th will be our last demonstration of the current session – Jane Wonnacott ‘It’s all about the Flowers’ will be her title. A very entertaining and amusing farmer’s wife from Beaworthy. All welcome 7pm. Future dates for your diary: A fund raising Quiz at the George and Dragon, Fore Street on Tuesday 3rd July 8pm. We meet at Brookdale Avenue Church Hall. Further details please contact Sue Neale on 01271 883893. ILFRACOMBE & DISTRICT COMMUNITY MINIBUSES NEW COMMUNITY MINIBUS SERVICE - JOYRIDE AROUND ILFRACOMBE USING YOUR BUS PASS If you would like to get out from your home occasionally, why not catch a town minibus service 33, 34, 35 or 36 and enjoy a ride around on any Tuesday or Friday. For example, pick up the minibus at Lloyds in Ilfracombe High Street at 12 noon, have a drive to Berrynarbor, look out for the flowerpot people there, return to Ilfracombe, stay on the bus up to The Shields, enjoy the flowers in people's gardens and see what is changing in the town. After that the bus goes to Slade and Lee Bay, at the moment passing the banks of primroses and stops at the beach for about 5 minutes for you to take In the view. Back in Ilfracombe, the minibus goes down Summer Crescent to Wilder Road passing people enjoying the sea front before going up to Fern Way. Get off back in the High Street around 1.45. You could start this route at 9.30, finishing at 11.15. You can make this round trip from any where on the route and if you live along the route, just flag the minibus down near your house and it will stop where it is safe to do so. All for no charge! Enjoy! Shirley Jones
THE ARTS SOCIETY NORTH DEVON
The last lecture of our 2017-2018 programme will start at 2pm on Tuesday 8th May at The Durrant House Hotel, Bideford - 'A Passion for Piers'. Lecturer Jackie MarshHobbs will be looking at the history of these elegant structures, remarkable examples of Victorian engineering diverse in design and often crowned with exotic palaces or pavilions. Visitors are welcome, a small donation of £5 will be requested. An exhibition of Art by many of the members of The Society will be on display during the afternoon. Our 2018-2019 programme will start on Tuesday 9th October 2018. For more information please contact Pamela Selman 01271 866661 or Lornie Yewdall 01271858206. Judy Keyworth
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
Watts Tower Captain 01271 867350. New members welcome.
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.
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 Befriender Coffee Mornings 10.30am-12noon for over 65s at Encounter Church. Drop in for tea, coffee and homemade cake.
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.
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 and District Youth Band ‘Blazing Sounds’ meet Thursday evenings at Ilfracombe Academy. New members welcome. Contact Bandmaster Emma 01271 867713 www.blazingsounds.org.uk
Ilfracombe Chess Club meets at the Wellington Arms in Ilfracombe High Street from 7pm. All welcome. Contact Bob Lock 01271 862662 for details.
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. All welcome.
TUESDAY 361 Energy CIC Clinic 10am-1pm Transform4Work, Unit 1The Candar, Ilfracombe 01271 599361. Ilfracombe History Group meets at Ilfracombe Museum for coffee and a chat about local history 10.30am-12.30. May meetings are Tuesdays 1st, 15th and 29th.. 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.
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.
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.
Sunday 29th April Hip and Pistol pub, St James Place, Ilfracombe beach clean 10.30am. Chilli and rice and a vegan chilli for all that take part.
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. 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. Songwriter’s Workshop at The White Room Tuesdays 79pm. An evening exploring the method and proceeds of original song writing, varying themes each week. Contact Dan 07711 803 811. 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. 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 Bellringers Holy Trinity Church ringing practice 7-8.15pm Wednesdays. Contact Tony
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Community Announcements Wednesday 2nd May Ilfracombe Pensioners Social Club meet at The Osborne Hotel 2-4pm. The Companions in Song will entertain us. Entrance is £2 to include refreshments and a raffle. The Community minibus is available door to door for £2.50 return for those with mobility difficulties. Saturday 5th May Ilfracombe In Bloom plant sale annual at St Philip and St James community hall as part of the Art Trail 11am to 4pm. Thursday 10th May See Hear on Wheels Landmark Theatre 2-4pm. For people with hearing and/or sight loss. Friday 11th May Royal British Legion Ilfracombe monthly meeting at the Sandpiper Inn, the Quay 7.30-8pm. All old and new members welcome. Ex Service and non service personnel very welcome. Saturday 12th May Shammick Acoustic Open Night Pack o’ Cards, High Street, Combe Martin 8pm. Sunday 13th May Cairn Conservation Carers meet at Cairn Walks notice board, Cairn Road 10am for two hours work. This week the group is diverting the extension path to avoid the tree and tidying up the Jacob’s Ladder bypass. Monday 14th May Ilfracombe Baptist Church Women’s Fellowship 2.30pm. Study ‘Words of Power’ Contact 01271 864052. Wednesday 16th May Ilfracombe Pensioners Social Club meet at The Osborne Hotel from 2 to 4 pm. Member, John Pearce, will show slides of Scotland. Entrance is £2 to include refreshments and a raffle. The Community minibus is available door to door for £2.50 return for those with mobility difficulties. Monday 21st May Ilfracombe Baptist Church Women’s Fellowship 2.30pm Sharing Meeting with cream tea. Contact 01271 864052 Sunday 27th May Cairn Conservation Carers meet at the Cairn Walks notice board, Cairn Road 10am for two hours work cleaning and painting Cairn seats. Tools provided. All help welcome. Wednesday 30th May Ilfracombe Pensioners Social Club meet at The Osborne Hotel 2-4pm. Helen, accompanied by her doggy companion, will talk about Training Guide Dog Puppies. The Community minibus is available door to door for £2.50 return for those with
2018 monthly Sunday car boot sales Now on the seafront Sellers from 9am Buyers from 10am Open until 4pm Future dates: May 27th June 24th, July 22nd, August 26th September 9th and 23rd Cost £8 per car, no charge for buyers Any other info contact Julie 01271 867076
LEE SPRING FAIR - Monday 28th May Memorial Hall and Meadow Our theme this year is Pirates and the fair opens at 2pm with delicious light lunches and refreshments served in the Memorial Hall from 12 noon onwards. Stalls and games, guitar and ukulele performances by local children, welly wanging, raffle, tombola and lots more Something for all the family to enjoy All weather protection so come rain or shine it will be great fun Parking in the village and at the seafront We look forward to seeing you there! 12
PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ADVERTISERS News from the Exmoor Pony Centre, Ashwick, Dulverton TA22 9QE www.exmoorponycentre.org.uk Due to the weather, it has been a particularly demanding time at the Pony Centre which was snowbound for several days. Ponies still had to be fed and checked daily and with lanes blocked by deep snow drifts it was no easy task. One field, a mile away, was completely cut off and could only be reached on foot pulling a sled with the supplies on. As well as all the day to day tasks and clearing up after the winter weather we are continuing with castrating and handling foals and preparing them for moving on to new homes. At the same time, there are the riding ponies to bring up to condition for when the trekking season begins, and some new riding ponies to bring on. Jensen, who we started working with last year, is coming along well and now his pal Pascoe has begun his training, too. Pascoe spent his first four years with fosterers then came back to the Centre where he spent a year learning manners and acting as ‘uncle’ to a succession of new foals. This winter he finally began his training to be a riding pony and, as you can see from the photograph, has happily accepted wearing a bridle and is being led round the lanes by Lydia. Next step will be the saddle. On May 12th from 12 to 4pm, we are holding a “Cream Teas and Exmoor Ponies” afternoon at Allerford Village Hall, near Porlock. There will be lots of pony-related activities and the village hall will be providing their popular cream teas. So do come along and meet the ponies. We are still looking for someone to co-ordinate our fundraising and we would love to hear from you if you think you might be interested. Thank you to everyone who supported our Fun Quiz and Carvery at the Sportman’s Inn, Sandyway on 16th March, it was a fabulous evening and raised over £750 for the ponies. Our next Activity Day at the Centre is on Thursday, 31st May, 11am - 3pm with all our usual activities. And don’t forget you can visit us from 10-4 Sun, Mon, Wed, Thur and Fri. Pop in and see the ponies, have a look in our Green Room to see lots of information about the breed, their heritage and special qualities, plus learn about the work of the charity and meet some of our four-legged friends! Rides must be booked in advance.
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PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ADVERTISERS Emotional Sandwiches
Warning: All Fillings Contain Perspectives
that self-reflection can be fun and doesn’t have to be spoiled with endless analysis.”
While primarily a self-help book, Emotional Sandwiches will appeal to a wide range of readers, from those looking for a new perspective on life to In a time when we are encouraged to those seeking a charming and look within and search for answers entertaining read. “Although it is no that are supposedly destined to solve secret that these everyday words can our dilemmas, Sarah Ashley Neal affect us all differently, readers can invites readers to fearlessly explore expect to learn something about the their relationships with words and in way they communicate, both with the process, naturally allow those themselves and others,” concludes answers to surface. Sarah. A NetGalley Reviewer said: “This book The first in a series, Emotional Sandwiches introduces readers to the has some sensible and interesting perspectives on the everyday… it’s a concept and characters of Sarah’s relatively easy read if non-fiction is brand, and in a refreshing and humorous book applies a fictional twist your thing. And it has a sense of character and humour… If you feel to a non-fiction idea. Considering you need to shake up your thinking some of the most influential words in and most books on the topic seen the English language, this book daunting, then this is the book for transforms them into stimulating you.” (See full review on Amazon) characters that readers will relate to Why not pop into see Paul at the emotionally. Ilfracombe bookshop to order a copy! “Emotional Sandwiches offers readers Also available as an ebook at: an entertaining opportunity to sense Troubador Publishing, Amazon, check their own levels of selfWHSmith and iBooks. Visit the awareness, while taking a light hearted website for links through to: and laid-back approach about a Bookshops * Reviews *Newsletter sign subject that can sometimes feel too up*Downloadable pdf leaflets and PR heavy on the heart,” explains Sarah. to share www.sanartina.com “The book provides a gentle reminder www.facebook.com/ Sarah Ashley Neal reintroduces readers to their emotional friends and foes in a unique self-help book!
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emotionalsandwiches PS. I can provide leaflets, bookmarks and happy to come along to an event with my pop-up banner to introduce Emotional Sandwiches and what the concept’s all about SanArtina is home to Emotional Sandwiches…
FOCUS YOUR TRULY LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE PRODUCED IN ILFRACOMBE SHAMMICK ACOUSTIC
welcome to come along, whether or not they ‘sing, say or play’, and if you’re a musician and you don’t want to play After a series of superb and well-attended concerts in the first part of the year, there will be no concert in May as The solo, there’s often a chance during the break for a bit of a jam session. There’s no admission fee, although the pot is Hunting of the Earl of Rone will be taking place in Combe passed around for contributions to the club’s expenses. Martin over the Late Spring Bank Holiday weekend. However, our Open Night will be taking place as usual, on Saturday 12th May, providing the opportunity for people to give new material an airing or visit older items from their repertoire in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Anyone is
Back to normal next month, with an Open Night on the 9th June, and The Teacups, an exceptional quartet of a capella singers in concert on the 23rd. Shammick Acoustic takes place at The Pack o’ Cards, High Street, Combe Martin from 8 p.m. Tickets for concerts 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. Shammick Acoustic is a not-for-profit organisation. More information can be found on the website at www.shammickacoustic.org.uk, or contact Tom or Barbara Brown on 882366, or by e-mail at contact@shammickacoustic.org.uk.
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FOCUS YOUR TRULY LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE PRODUCED IN ILFRACOMBE ILFRACOMBE HOLY TRINITY GRAVEYARD GROUP
All welcome to help cut the grass and clear graves and pathways to allow easy access to the remarkable graves of those buried here who made Ilfracombe great. Why not come along one Saturday for a couple of hours? Volunteers are in the graveyard by 10am, weather permitting. Fresh air and free exercise! We’ve plenty of equipment, just wear suitable clothing and gloves and bring a flask. We’re a very friendly group and enjoy spending time together. For more info please contact us through our Facebook page or phone Erica on 01271 864213.
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FOCUS YOUR TRULY LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE PRODUCED IN ILFRACOMBE SPORT IN ILFRACOMBE The Victorian legacy for most towns is widespread, most obviously buildings of a particular style but also a belief that sporting endeavour was very positive for the advance of personal growth and success. Most major sports are represented in Ilfracombe with over a long period a low failure rate of sport clubs. We have lost some sports clubs in recent history. The Badminton Club, in the fifties and sixties probably the strongest competitively through N Devon found the loss of the Alexandra Theatre as its low cost winter base hard to overcome when it was forced to relocate to the newly built Comprehensive School. Until the introduction of sports centres in Bideford and Barnstaple, Ilfracombe was the only town that had multiple courts, two in the theatre itself, one in the former market, most recently DJ’s Sport Bar and another in the old Town Hall above the arches, now a gym, Studio 20. The ‘Alex’ was the base for the N Devon badminton tournament year after year. The shallow rake, when the theatre seats were removed after the summer season, the curved roof and forgiving parquet floor made it an excellent venue, with the Market Street pub handily across the road for liquid refreshment. The Hockey Club folded in the inter war years, apparently a casualty of pitch congestion at Killacleave which not only hosted all school training and matches but also Ilfracombe Rugby Club matches, the post match entertainment in those days was held at the Lamb Inn after players had headed to the school to wash and change as the Killacleave changing rooms were only built post 1945. Rugby could cope with mud but hockey could not. There was a half sized hockey pitch for the use of the Torrs Park Convent School on the Cider Apple pub site, now Park Court, Bicclescombe Gardens. The steeply sloping Brimlands was levelled in the mid to late 1930’s with the Central High Street Bank after demolition, forming the basis of a retaining wall along with other spoil to be built up by spent coke from the Hele Gasworks. No wonder it was the best draining pitch in N Devon until the 1970’s when the Hillsborough allotments were cut out and the drainage channels through the coke blocked. Tennis was a boom sport in both the Victorian and Edwardian period, its genteel reputation made it an activity that young women and young men could engage in and meet socially without a chaperone. Remember this was an era when swimming at the Tunnels was strictly segregated with a trumpeter posted to sound a warning if a gentleman was attempting to get a glimpse of the female form from the approach path. There were tennis courts available at Larkstone Gardens, Torrs Walk and Bicclescombe. My father always said the best courts were the Ilfracombe Hotel courts, now Runnymede Gardens with the benefit of not only the best maintained surface but with a continuous supply of spectators passing by. The town also had a private Lawn Tennis Club located next to the Vicarage where the Health Centre is now. In the early twentieth century society was strictly defined, the Lawn Tennis Club was for the gentry, doctors, solicitors and accountants, bank managers. My father and his brother who lived 200 years away were the best tennis players in the area winning Braunton, Barnstaple and Ilfracombe tournaments on a regular basis but were refused membership on the grounds that their father, a bakery manager was ‘from trade’. Ilfracombe Tennis Club was formed as a response around 1937 formally in 1947, with father as founding chairman. He was delighted to cut the ribbon at fiftieth anniversary celebrations at the Bicclescombe courts aged 79. The Lawn Tennis Club folded, the site to be a petrol station. The Ilfracombe Hotel also provided Ilfracombe’s heated sea water swimming pool, an unusual 40 yards long with a balcony and diving boards at the west end. It was demolished when replaced by the Brimlands pool but an identical pool is still in existence just off London’s Westbourne Grove. Did the London architect MCW Horne reduce costs by using the same plans twice? There is no sea water and the poolside changing rooms were removed in the 1980’s but it gives an unexpected glimpse of the past. The Mount Hotel provided a squash facility, very run down in the sixties with a missing floorboard but it had the great advantage of being free to use. When exactly was the ‘Golden Age’ of sport in ‘Combe is hard to define, possibly it’s just around the corner if existing clubs continue to be supported. Eventually the school will swop Killacleave with the Football Club giving football a chance to expand, the Cricket Club move to Brimlands and the Larkstone Water Sport Centre will have sports such as stand up paddle boarding, dingy sailing and kayaking in the outer harbour within a year or so of opening. Multinational businesses still value sport accomplishments when handing out some of the best jobs in the country, so exciting times. ahead for sport in ’Combe. Neil Holloway
Latest artists impression of the proposed Water Sports Centre at Larkstone 17
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FOCUS YOUR TRULY LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE PRODUCED IN ILFRACOMBE SAD NEWS: Kingsley Printers have received an email to advise us of the death of the Rev Jim Bates on Tuesday 17th April aged 93. Jim contributed regularly to focus with his fabulous drawings of Ilfracombe’s buildings and was involved in many other organisations in the town. We hope to include more information 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. 13th October 1853— Births. 6th inst., at Ilfracombe, the wife of Mr. Joseph German, grocer, of a daughter. Marriages. 11th inst., at the parish church, Ilfracombe, by the Rev. J.M. Chanter, vicar, Capt. J. Sheppard Draper, of the Indian Navy, to Emma Montagu, daughter of the late John Maule, Esq., of Bath. Adverts: Ilfracombe John Toms, Begs to inform the Public that he has just received a large stock of American Over Shoes, for Ladies, Gentlemen, and Children’s wear. 128, High-street, Ilfracombe. BUSINESS TO BE DISPOSED OF. To be disposed of immediately, a small Retail Grocery Business, with Shop fixtures, in the Fashionable watering-place of Ilfracombe— Satisfactory reasons can be given for relinquishing same. Apply to Mr. Joseph German, 36, High-street. Stray Sheep.—On Monday a distressed mother, from the parish of Westleigh, near Bideford, made her appearance in this town, in quest of a lost son. His name was John Balch. He was accompanied by two others, Wm.Swete, and Humphrey Brown. Balch and Swete were apprenticed to a shoemaker, in Bideford, and Brown to a cabinet maker. They were between 16 and 17 years of age, and were following the footsteps of Robinson Crusoe. It was their intention to have gone across the Channel on Monday morning, by the ‘Beresford’ steamer, to Swansea, for the purpose of seeking a berth to go to sea. Our policeman was, of course, applied to, who immediately put himself in motion to discover the fugitives, if in town. It was found that they had slept at Baker’s beer-house, in Portland-street, on Sunday night, and the storm of Monday prevented the ‘Beresford’ from coming across, their purpose was turned away, and their dance spoiled. On Monday, after knocking up nearly all the public houses in the town, they were found at a private house near the quay, and the stray youth, with the others, committed to the care of Balch’s mother. The poor old mother was wondrous glad to find her erring boy, and he, it was thought, was equally glad to be found. They all three returned on Tuesday to their places, it was hoped, better as well as sadder boys. 27th October 1853.—“Big Rogue the First” Again!.—This fellow seems to possess a charmed life. Notwithstanding the frequency of his crimes, the very minute description of his person, and mode of action, he still continues undetected to the present moment. A printed circular lying on the desk dated “General Office, County Constabulary,” Leicester, 18th October, says that a man assuming the name of Williams uttered a forged £5 Bank of England note, dated “London, 12th April, 1853, “at Melton Mowbray, in the county of Leicester, on Sunday morning, the 16th inst., and also sent a person to hire a horse and gig, with which he left Melton and has not been heard of since. “It is believed” the paper goes on to say, “that he is the person frequently described in the ‘Police Gazette’ for the last few months, as committing various frauds of a similar nature in other parts of England, particularly at Norwich on the 14th of August,” and it might have been added at Ilfracombe on the 20th of January. Births. 22nd inst., at Ilfracombe, the wife of Captain Wm. Stevens, of a daughter. Deaths. 19th inst., at Meridian Place, Ilfracombe, Mrs.S. Scamp, aged 82.
3rd November 1853. The Morte Buoy.—It may be of importance to the shipping interests to be informed, that the scene of the wreck has been visited by the servants of the Trinity Board, but the party, unapprised of the magnitude of the work requiring to be done, did not possess sufficient power to raise the wrecked buoy. The ‘Argus’ a powerful steamer in the service of the Board, and which is furnished with apparatus for weighing heavy anchors, &c., has been under repair; but was free for action again on Tuesday. She was to proceed to the Stone forthwith, and the restoration of the Buoy will be effected without delay. 3rd November 1853. A Deed of Generous Daring.—The generous promptitude, with which the true British sailor has been found to risk his life to save his imperilled fellow creatures, has made his name identical with all that is noble and brave. Last January we recorded a gallant action performed by the son of Lieut. Simkin, RN, of this town, in rescuing a young lady from a watery grave, in the midst of the perils of a storm, which wrecked the ship on which he was mate on her passage from Boston to San Francisco. Recent mails from the Cape of Good Hope, convey to his father the pleasing intelligence of his having again distinguished himself by an act of similar, though not equally successful daring. The following is the notice of the circumstance, as found in the ‘Mercantile Advertiser and Shopkeepers’ Journal,’ a Cape paper, of September 7th. The account is given both in English and Dutch. “The young woman, named Emma Edwards, who committed suicide from the ship ‘Neptune’ on her voyage from England, is reported to have been very 19