THE
ILFRACOMBE
magazine JANUARY 2026
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A New Year Message from The ILFRACOMBE MAGAZINE
As we step into a new year, I’d like to take a moment to say a sincere thank you to everyone who continues to support Ilfracombe Magazine. Whether you’re a reader, an advertiser, or someone who has shared a story, passed a copy on, or simply mentioned us to a neighbour, your support helps keep this magazine going month after month. The aim has always been simple: to keep local people informed, to champion the businesses and services that keep the town moving, and to share the bits of community news that make Ilfracombe feel like home. The new year is a natural time to pause and look ahead. It is a chance to start fresh, support one another, and make the most of what our town has to offer. If you have a local event to promote, a community notice to share, or something you think residents should know about, please do get in touch. The magazine is here for the community, and it is always better when local people help shape what goes in it. I’d also like to offer a special thank you to our advertisers. By choosing to advertise locally, you are not only promoting your business, you are helping to fund a magazine that is delivered to thousands of
homes across Ilfracombe every month. Your support makes the whole thing possible. Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy and positive New Year. Thank you again for reading, for advertising, and for supporting Ilfracombe Magazine. With festive best wishes, Graham Harris Publisher
Do you have something you would like to tell our readers? Do you have an event? Are you raising money for charity? Has your sports team one a competition? We would like to hear from you. Please email theilfracombemagazine@outlook.com Cover photo: Steve Swain The Ilfracombe Magazine is not liable for services provided by advertisers or for inaccuracies within this publication. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage due to errors or omissions. Reproduction of content without our prior permission is prohibited.
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January Reflections - A Kinder Start to the Year January often arrives with a strange mix of pressure and discomfort. If you celebrate Christmas, the festivities are over, daylight is limited, and we’re suddenly expected to become new versions of ourselves overnight - The good old New Year's Resolutions! It’s no surprise that many people feel flat at this time of year, and with ‘Blue Monday’ looming in the media, it can feel as though we’re being told to expect to struggle. But instead of viewing January through a lens of gloom or forced improvement, we can choose a gentler, more realistic approach to our wellbeing.
A message to a friend, a coffee with someone safe, or joining a low-pressure activity can make you feel less isolated. • Build rest into your routine. Winter naturally invites slower living, yet we often resist it. Allowing time for rest can help to regulate our emotions and energy levels. Most importantly, remember that January is just one chapter, not a measure of the year ahead. If this month feels heavy, you’re not doing anything wrong, you’re human, responding to your environment. Sometimes, the most meaningful progress is simply treating yourself with understanding as you ease into the year. Wishing you all a healthy and peaceful start to 2026.
I feel there is a lot that contributes to ‘Blue Monday’ in January. What many people feel now is the natural response to winter - slower energy, disrupted routines, financial pressure, and social withdrawal after a busy December. Acknowledging this without judging ourselves can already help to ease the pressure. One useful way is to rethink the idea that we must hit the ground running. Change doesn’t have to be dramatic or immediate. January can be a month of transition, not transformation. Permitting ourselves to start slowly can reduce the sense of failure that often follows an overenthusiastic New Year’s resolution, which I’m all too guilty of at times. Small, compassionate practices can make this month feel more manageable: • Light exposure matters. A short walk in natural daylight, even on a grey day, can lift mood and reset sleep patterns. • Keep goals small and flexible. Instead of ‘get fit, try ‘move for ten minutes.’ Instead of ‘be more organised,’ choose one space to tidy. • Reconnect gradually. Social contact can be grounding, but it doesn’t need to be intense. a nd
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Locals demand better healthcare services in Ilfracombe Ilfracombe residents have vented their frustration at the loss of healthcare services in the town and called on local government and the NHS to take action. Issues ranging from service closures, the funding of early years at nurseries, reductions in pharmacy provision and a lack of social housing were targeted at a meeting organised by the League of Friends of the Tyrrell Hospital and attended by about 80 people. A panel of six healthcare professionals and elected representatives fielded the questions, many of which focused on funding bids to help Ilfracombe having failed – despite its central district being in the lowest 3% for health deprivation in England. The provisional closure of the Minor Injuries Unit at the Tyrrell Hospital by Devon’s Integrated Care Board drew particular anger – which was sharpened by the board’s decision not to send a representative to the public meeting. “The meeting showed how fed-up people are with the lack of support for our town in terms of healthcare, both physical and mental,” says League of Friends member Terry Elliott. “We’re calling on the ICB, Devon County Council and local NHS leaders to start working together in partnership and to start delivering the services that our town desperately needs. “Health funding has to be channelled to the most deprived areas – and not just sprinkled around every single town in the county or the South West, and especially places where they have nothing like the challenges facing parts of Ilfracombe.” Andrea Beacham, a panellist from the One Northern Devon partnership to improve health and tackle inequality, highlighted two initiatives that could help Ilfracombe in the future. The NHS Core20 programme is aiming to reduce health inequality, while the Coastal Navigators’ Network developed by the NHS and six regional ICBs is targeting action in coastal towns, where health and
deprivation are worse than inland areas. Fellow panellist Phil Harris, a Community Development Lead in Devon for national mental health charity Mind, recognised the need for more funding – but pointed out that Ilfracombe had a very real power in its sense of togetherness. An approach known as Asset-Based Community Development, which brings together local people and the charity sector, could be the answer to some of the challenges facing the town, Harris said. Adopted by councils and towns across the country, the approach is already being used by some organisations in Devon. Frank Biederman, a Devon County Councillor representing North Devon MP Ian Roome, said that the future local government reorganisation could be an opportunity to focus more funding on rural and coastal areas like Ilfracombe. Sara Wilson, Ilfracombe’s DCC councillor, argued that more needs to be done to support early years education across the county, despite recent spending on special educational needs. As for tackling the demand for better healthcare in the town, Gloria Satchwell, Chair of the League, believes the answer is a straightforward one. “We need a modern purpose-built community hospital – one that can bring health services closer to the people and tackle health inequality. It’s time for action.”
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Weekly events at Monkey Puzzle Tuesday is Steak Night Friday is Live Music Night Sunday is our famous Carvery Check out our weekly Events Schedule Including food, drink, music, and sports.
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January in Ilfracombe in Years Past A Happy New Year from everyone at Ilfracombe Museum. Following our look at Ilfracombe’s Christmas in 1945, I though I would continue in the same vein and have a look at a few of our archived newspapers to see what was happening in the town at various new years. In 1946, on January 10th, the Rotary Club organised an Old People’s Tea held at Southcombe’s restaurant. Well over 100 guests attended, aged between 70 and 93, the oldest being Mrs J Hussell. After a delicious tea, entertainment was provided by many locals, including Kathleen Meadows, Hazel Perryman, Kathleen Joslin, Tom Bennetto, Reg Pugsley and Cyril Blackmore. At the end, words of cheer were spoken before they all went home. Services were being held in local churches to welcome home local servicemen, because those who had been stationed in To the joy of those who could afford them, new cars could now be bought again. Moving on to 1953, Dr and Mrs A King presented the Susan Day Home with a television set, the idea being that the residents would be able to watch the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in the June of that year. However, it soon transpired that many residents were foregoing their afternoon rest to “Watch With Mother, Andy Pandy being a particular favourite!
the far east were now coming back, (including, incidentally my father who docked at Liverpool from Karachi on Boxing Day 1945)
The local post office reported that the Christmas mail was busier than ever, with 134,000 letters being posted during the Christmas season as opposed to 129,000 in 1951. Images & copy provided by Ilfracombe Museum.
We have been transforming gardens into useful and beautiful outdoor spaces since 1987, with many delighted customers along the way. We listen carefully to your requirements, building the garden around your ideas, suggesting alternatives and recycling materials where appropriate. So if you are planning a new garden, give us a
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Join us Join us for for not not one one but but two two Local Local History History talks talks at at Ilfracombe Library Ilfracombe Library in in the the New New Year! Year! Firstly Mark Firstly Mark Langworthy Langworthy of of Devon Devon Ghost Ghost Tours Tours will will be treating be treating us us to to some some ghoulish ghoulish stories, stories, photos photos and and videos from videos from some some of of Ilfracombe's Ilfracombe's and and North North Devon's Devon's most haunted most haunted places places on on Thursday Thursday January January 22nd. 22nd. Kelvin Farndell Kelvin Farndell will will be be taking taking us us for for a a virtual virtual tour tour of of th the Ilfracombe the Ilfracombe Harbour Harbour of of yesteryear yesteryear on on Tuesday Tuesday 10 10th February. February.
£3 for £3 for each each event, event, or or book book both both for for £5! £5! Call us Call us on on 01271 01271 862388. 862388.
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