English Riviera Magazine Apr/May 2017

Walks Local Food Heritage Nature People Events Arts

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EnglishRiviera

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April/May 2017

103

Delightful EASTER & SPRING EVENTS

Smugglers!

magazine

Golden Vanity

45 Years On Torbay Guild of Artists Celebrate

Watch the wall and let the gentlemen pass by...

Peter Newbery-Thornton and his Devon Darlin’

Carolyn Custerson

A Bright Future For Tourism

Give It A Go! SPINNING & TABLE TENNIS

Fabulous Festivals

Pirates, Motorbikes Food & Drink

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English Riviera Magazine Apr17.indd 1

14/03/2017 16:33:46

:33:46

Welcome

About us...

Created and Published By Devon Magazine Company Limited Anita Newcombe anita@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Telephone: 01803 850886 Julian Rees julian@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Telephone 01803 842893 Mobile: 07455 206470 Advertising sales sales@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Advertising Copy copy@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Editorial editorial@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Website englishrivieramagazine.co.uk facebook.com/englishrivieramagazine twitter.com/EngRivieraMag ISSN (Print) 2052-8515 ISSN (Online) 2052-8523 Proudly printed in Devon at Wheatons, Exeter

Next issue 24 May

..to our April/May issue!

We’re excited about Easter and both the May Bank holidays. It’s always fun to get out and attend a new event or enjoy our beautiful coastline here in the Bay. You’ll find a bumper roundup of events to tempt you in our What’s On section and still more in our Theatre and Arts News pages (don’t miss Torbay Guild of Artists 50th exhibition at Torre Abbey). We’ve also visited Galmpton boat builder Peter Newbery-Thornton to peep at the restoration of classic boats and chatted to tourism chief Carolyn Custerson about what’s next for tourism.

Heritage lovers can curl up with a cuppa and our features on Smugglers, Herbert Whitley and Golden Vanity. Big festivals abound and we feature the Pirate Festival, BMAD and Aqua Adrenaline. If you want to try something energetic then we bring you the lowdown on local spinning and table tennis clubs that we’ve tested out for you. In case you have nuptials in the family this year we also consider some of the area’s finest wedding venues.

Please keep sending us your news, photos and story ideas to editorial@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk and do chat to us on Twitter and Facebook. We always enjoy attending receptions and all kinds of events, so please feel free to invite us along if you’d like your event featured.

We hope you enjoy reading and if you respond to any of our local advertisers do give us a mention – it helps us to bring your English Riviera magazine to you!

Write to us at:

ENGLISH RIVIERA MAGAZINE 69 DAVIES AVENUE PAIGNTON DEVON TQ4 7AW © All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form without prior permission of the publishers. All material is sent at the owner’s risk and whilst every care is taken, Devon Magazine Company Ltd will not accept liability for loss or damage. Every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of our content but the publishers cannot be held responsible for any omissions, errors or alterations or for the consequences of any reliance on these details; neither can they vouch for the accuracy of claims made by any advertiser. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers.

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April/May 2017

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In this issue

Contents

April/May 2017 6 Openers

Local news snippets

12 Meeting Peter Newbery-Thornton Galmpton Boatbuilder

16 Profile - Carolyn Custerson Bay tourism chief

20 Heritage - Herbert Whitley

65 Fifty Years of Art

Creator of Paignton Zoo

22 Heritage - Smuggling

71 Gardening

25 Heritage - Golden Vanity

74 Social Diary

29 BMAD Bike Festival

78 Business Breaks

30 Brixham Pirate Festival

82 The Briefing

Watch the wall while the gentleman pass by

Peter Crowther’s nostalgic voyage Music, bikes and the beach And the Nao Victoria

Lis Wallace’s green-fingered column

Local people at local events Local business news in brief Legal topics from Wollen Michelmore

33 Aqua Adrenaline

Powerboat racing comes to Tor Bay

34 Give It A Go - Table Tennis Know your ping from your pong

36 Give It A Go - Spinning Going nowhere very fast

39 Food & Drink News Fillets of foodie news

40 Walk

Newton Abbot amble

42 What’s On

12 Peter Newbery-Thornton

Our pick of April and May events

55 Perfect Wedding Locations

A selection of top wedding venues

62 Arts News

Creative events around the Bay

65 Torbay Guild of Artists Celebrating 50 years

66 Theatre

Who’s treading the boards?

69 Education News

Updates from our educators

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

30 Brixham Pirate Festival April/May 2017

5

Brixham Sailor’s Olympic Dream

Young Brixham sailor Connor Myers has set his sights on competing for Team GB at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Now Connor has received the support of local restaurateur Mitch Tonks who has provided a boat plus sponsorship funding. Mitch’s restaurant business, Rockfish has a history of supporting young successful sailors, the first being Henry Bomby in his 2009 on his solo sail round Britain and in his Solitaire de Figaro offshore challenges; Henry now competes at the very top of world offshore racing. Rockfish also supported Julia Barnes & Lauren Paton from RTYC who won the Feva world championships in Santander in 2016 with support from Rockfish also confirmed for 2017. Shortly after Rockfish agreed to support Connor and to buy him a boat, the John Merricks Sailing Trust also pledged support for Connor enabling him to arrange one-toone training. Mitch said, “Connor’s story and his commitment and drive were compelling, I just thought this is where dreams start, let’s just do it.” o

New Leader for Rowcroft

Rowcroft Hospice has announced the appointment of its new Chief Executive, Mark Hawkins. Mark is an experienced CEO and holds a Master’s degree in Management Science plus an MBA. Originally from Worcestershire, Mark now lives in the South Hams with his wife and two sons. Rowcroft announced last July that it was facing a drastic funding shortfall due to a rise in costs and demand for its services, coupled with a significant drop in legacy income. A key focus for the new CEO will be to develop new income streams, not just to secure the immediate future of Rowcroft, but 6

April/May 2017

also for future generations of local people. Mark said, “We need to ensure we have a secure and sustainable future; one where we are more in control of our own destiny and where we can weather any storm. We deliver outstanding palliative care to the South Devon community, and this is sacrosanct to me.” o

Discovering Sharpham Project

The Sharpham Trust has received £57,400 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for a project that will boost volunteering opportunities across its beautiful Estate on the banks of the River Dart. The funding will support volunteers in carrying out vital conservation tasks and the restoration of Sharpham’s parkland and gardens, thought to have been created by England’s most famous landscape designer Capability Brown. The Discovering Sharpham project will reinstate the final section of the original Carriage Drive, the cycle and footpath that runs between Totnes and the Sharpham Estate.

A new Heritage Trail along the drive will be developed, with improved signage and information. Julian Carnell, Trust Director said, “This funding will let more people understand and appreciate the joys of Sharpham, whilst assisting with its preservation. For a long time we’ve been a bit of a hidden gem, and we haven’t been able to afford to do this kind of work.” To get involved in Discovering Sharpham, contact Maya Herbolzheimer on 01803 731802 or email volunteer@ sharphamtrust.org o

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Spot the Baby Loris

Twin pygmy slow loris have been born at Paignton Zoo. The parents are an experienced breeding pair called Charlie and Edna. The name loris comes from an old Dutch word for clown. The animals have a comical and endearing appearance which has led to them becoming victims of the illegal pet trade, though their toxic bite and strong odour make them very bad to have around the house. Paignton Zoo Curator of Mammals Neil Bemment said, “We’re part of the European Endangered species Programme for pygmy slow loris.” Paignton Zoo has a larger than average collection of pygmy slow loris, with a total of 8 animals at present. This small nocturnal primate comes from the forests of South East Asia, where it lives on a diet of insects, fruit, slugs and snails.

The Vietnam War nearly wiped out this species of loris as forests were burned or defoliated. The destruction of forests continues today due to agriculture and development. o

ROC’s the Tops

Robert Owen Communities (ROC), a local registered charity, has been awarded an Outstanding rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) – possibly one of only two learning disability providers in the country to have been so recognized for a third time. The assessment relates to the care and support ROC provides in Paignton and South Devon and includes ROC Aspects a life skills centre in Hyde Road. Inspectors rated Robert Owen Communities - Domiciliary Care South Devon as

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Outstanding for being caring and well led, and Good for being safe, effective and responsive to people’s needs. Nicky Nendick, Head of Inspection for Adult Social Care (South West), said, “We were delighted to see how people were placed at the heart of the service and how a positive culture and ethos ran through all aspects of the service.” ROC’s Operations Director Therese Timberlake said, “Achieving the outstanding CQC rating for a third time is remarkable given the cuts we are facing in statutory funding.” o

April/May 2017

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Family Shoe Shop’s a Winner

Robin Elt Shoes, independent stores found in St Marychurch and Totnes has won Ladies’ Independent Retailer of the Year at the Footwear Industry Awards.

The 140 year-old family business run by Robin and Jenny Elt was also highly commended in the categories of Men’s Independent Retailer of the Year and Multiple Footwear Retailer of the Year. This is the second year running that the footwear retailer has been recognised for awards. Robin Elt Shoes now has ten stores throughout the UK, including Hereford, Worcester, Ludlow and Malvern. Elt Shoes was founded by Albert Edward Elt in 1872 and has remained in the family for 140 years. Robin Elt came into the business in 1964 with an education of traditional shoemaking. o

Training the Troublemakers A researcher at Living Coasts, Torquay’s coastal zoo, is training stingrays not to chase their neighbours and grab the best titbits at feeding time. Meg Davitt is a student at the University of Surrey, where she is studying Veterinary Biosciences.

She is currently on a one-year placement at Living Coasts in order to carry out a research project. Two species of stingray live in the charity zoo’s Mysterious Mangroves exhibit and the female blue spotted ribbontail rays have been chasing the masked rays so they end up with the least favourable pieces of food. The worst offenders were Sandy, Alex and Holly.

Researcher Meg started by training Sandy and by use of a black and white training target on a pole she managed to persuade the naughty ray to stay by her target to get her food, allowing the other rays to get their food elsewhere in the tank. Alex and Holly are next on the list to receive training so peace at suppertime will prevail. Clare Rugg, Operations Manager at Living Coasts, said, “This is a text-book example of how behavioural training can benefit animal husbandry. All the fish have better welfare as a result of the training.” o

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April/May 2017

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Classic Treasures at Galmpton Peter Newbery-Thornton founded Devon Wooden Boats Ltd in 2010 to realise his dream of returning to building and restoring classic boats.

Two years ago he expanded and moved to units at Dolphin Boatyard at Galmpton Creek.

Anita Newcombe dropped in to see him.

Cleone

D

olphin Boatyard is located along Kiln Road to the far side of Galmpton Creek and I pull up in front of Devon Wooden Boats where I’m meeting Peter. He started the business working out of his sister-in-law’s quadruple garage in Kingsteignton and worked there for five years before expanding and moving the business to Galmpton.

Peter shows me around and I soon discover that there is a treasure under every covering and a classic under every

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April/May 2017

tarpaulin. He specialises in classic wooden boats and although he does sometimes work on modern boats, it’s mainly traditional work. They have a machine shop with big old machines, a joinery workshop and composite/ paint workshop plus access to other on-site facilities.

As a child, Pete’s parents owned boats, which they kept on the River Itchen and on Hayling Island. The family were successful Savile Row tailors for several generations.

Their business, Thorntons of Winchester had workshops englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Riviera People in Savile Row, Carnaby Street, Soho and Winchester.

This gave his parents enough income to be able to afford beautiful classic boats, which they, and Peter, loved. Peter tells me, “I had the choice of either taking over the family business or following my dream to be a shipwright and designer.”

As a child, a family friend had inspired Peter to become a shipwright. At the age of 7 his constant refrain was, “I want to be like Uncle Bill.” Bill was a shipwright and naval architect; in his spare time he designed a pram dinghy with retractable wheels as part of a magazine competition – it was then built for Peter in his parents’ dining room and he learned to sail and row on her. Peter still has the original drawings.

Having grown up around boatyards, he made pocket money from buying and helping to restore wrecked dinghies and boats. He started his apprenticeship in 1987 at Porter Brothers in Emsworth and completed it at Shamrock Quay, Southampton working with Bob Hatcher and Barry Honey restoring and maintaining classic yachts. Peter then moved out to Lefkas, Greece to work for Contact Yacht Services for two years maintaining large private sail and motor yachts. He returned to the UK to help finish the construction and fit-out of a luxury Dutch style barge for his family.

In 1995 Peter retrained as an AutoCad design engineer, later moving into the internet marketing industry where he remained until 2009, running his own companies and working up to senior level in several Dot Com businesses englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

until the call to return to the workshop became too strong to resist.

The Devon Darlin’ 11 Peter then spent some time looking around for a wreck to restore until deciding quite literally to return to the drawing board. He remembered the pram dinghy designed and built for him at the age of four and proceeded to create the stylish Devon Darlin’ 11, a beautiful amphibious rowing tender. He explains, “I’m known for my attention to detail.” It certainly is a stunning boat with very elegant lines.

Cleone Peter now takes me down to the pontoon to see another of his projects. Cleone is an 1860 gaff yawl that is in the second year of a 5-year rolling restoration. She is 35ft 6 inches long and Peter is renovating planks, ribs, deck, interior, electrics made new deadeyes (a wooden disc used in the standing rigging).

Cleone is the oldest gaff yawl still in existence and this may be because, unusually, she was never worked but was always a pleasure craft. She is however, now destined to be used for skippered day charters around Dartmouth, Torbay and South Hams.

Peter says, “It’s funny how she has never worked but now is being put her out to work when she’s 157 years old!”

Viva Tridante Another restoration project, this time going on inside, is classic powerboat Viva Tridante, which was designed by Sonny Levi, the father of modern powerboat design. She was originally built for the Cowes to Torquay Offshore Powerboat Race and at just 25 feet long, she had an April/May 2017

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Devon Darlin’ II

Viva Tridante

astonishing race average of 45 knots plus. Peter’s team is rebuilding the cabin and cockpit, undertaking deck repairs, a complete rewiring and other improvements.

The legendary Sonny Levi died last year and the Classic Powerboat Club is holding a special meet in Cowes this summer to celebrate his life.

Lyonesse of Fowey Now we see a much larger craft that Peter’s team is working on. Lyonesse of Fowey is a huge 1921 Mount’s Bay lugger, which after some years of neglect is now safely back in the hands of the grandson of the man who originally bought her in the early 1950s after she finished her fishing career. The current owner’s father sold her in the early 90s and she then passed through many hands ending up sad and abandoned at Old Mill Creek in Dartmouth. Enter the third generation and the grandson who rescued her is now said to be determined she should always stay in the family. Lyonesse of Fowey was one of the first luggers to be built as a motor sailor, although she is going back to traditional standing lug. It is believed that she may have been a Dunkirk ship. Once restored 14

April/May 2017

Lyonesse of Fowey

(and 60% of her will be replaced), she will be registered for skippered charters.

Meridyth Another classic craft in the workshop, Meridyth is a 15ft 6 inch Clinker Launch probably built in the early 50s and believed to have been an upper Thames police launch.

She is being restored for leisure use and has had all ribs replaced; she has been re-planked below the waterline, has a new engine, new electrics and a complete re-varnish and repaint.

This year, Peter is hoping to log some sea miles on whichever classic boat will have him so that he can take his RYA Coastal Skipper ticket. He hasn’t had much time to enjoy being on the water in the last few years. He explains, “When you are building a business, you have to put the hours in.” However, he is very confident of his boat handling abilities. He tells me, “I can’t drive a car but I’m pretty handy on any boat.”

Devon Wooden Boats is definitely a big success story.

From a one-man business at the beginning, Peter’s team now consists of 8 people including himself: His wife Nici englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Meridyth

does the accounts and Nici’s brother Hugh works parttime painting and marketing. Then there is Will, a fulltime apprentice boatbuilder, Danii, a junior boatbuilder and Rich, also a junior boatbuilder (Rich won the Royal Naval Shipwright’s Award at IBTC Portsmouth). Also on the team are Jack, a skilled boatbuilder and Kris who is a marine electrical technician.

The business has been so successful that Peter now struggling for space. The business has grown well outside his expectations and he explains, “I’m building a reputation for the highest quality work.” It is clear that Peter loves his work. He tells me, “I would still get up, do the work and pass on my skills even if I wasn’t paid.”

Happily this won’t be necessary, as his clients seem very keen on his services. He explains, “I keep the owners as involved as possible. Most of the owners are very knowledgeable and visit regularly along with up-to-date photos emailed and even occasional Skype sessions for making decisions in their absence.”

Peter is very tech-savvy and does all his own website, graphic design and advertisements. He has a very good englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

relationship with various magazines and is about to start contributing more to Classic Sailor Magazine. He is also active on the local business networking circuit.

Peter has even bigger plans for the future and is currently designing a 52ft day sailor. But it’s not all work. He lives in Kingsteignton and is on the Executive Committee of Newton Abbot Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife enjoy going to music festivals like Chagstock and Beautiful Days at Escot Park and he loves upbeat folk, rock and a bit of punk.

Nici and Peter have just returned from 3 days holiday in Cornwall staying in their 2-berth motor home in Looe. He’s a great rugby fan but only has time for the 6 Nations these days.

Perhaps the most surprising hobby that Peter has taken up is learning to play the didgeridoo. He has a hazel hedge at the end of his garden. A true craftsman, when the hazel had dried he made his own “didge”.

He’s been teaching himself by following online lessons for the last 4-5 years. o devonwoodenboats.co.uk 01803 431920.

April/May 2017

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Carolyn Custerson Life in the Tourism Sector With new investment, a splendid new road, above average visitor numbers and a growing reputation as a foodie destination, sailing hub and a beautiful place to visit, the English Riviera has every cause for good cheer. Anita Newcombe meets Carolyn Custerson, Chief Executive of the new English Riviera BID Company to find out what’s next for tourism.

I

n the last 10 years the English Riviera or The Bay as many call it, has grown its visitor numbers by 7% when across the country, average numbers have declined by 4%. Carolyn Custerson, who has masterminded tourism strategy here for some years, is now heading up our resort’s big promotional plans for the next five years. The good news is that this work is entirely self-funded by the tourism industry via the new English Riviera BID company. It now has the funds, the professionalism, the focus and the energy to make a big impact.

I am meeting Carolyn at the new Abbey Sands development, which has transformed the seafront at Torquay out of all recognition with its stylish design, trendy eating-places and café culture. Carolyn tells me that in her role at the English Riviera Tourism Company, (which was the previous destination-marketing organisation for the Bay before council funding was discontinued), the industry worked extremely well together to promote the English Riviera brand rather than using the term Torbay. Together with its palm tree logo, the brand has become recognisable nationally and internationally, partly due to very strong links with Visit England and Visit Britain and plenty of national and international press coverage.

Carolyn explains that we still need to increase visitors in the shoulder months – that’s anything outside the school holidays and Bank Holidays. Seasonality has become even more of an issue since the government imposed fines for taking children out of school in term-time. To combat this, the new tourism organisation will be targeting both the over-55s (which will be 1/3 of the population by 2024) and the under 35s who take ultra-short breaks of 1 or 2 nights.

The Bay is perfect for this Generation Y age group born in the 80s and 90s and keen on adventure. They move around in groups of friends, are discerning, get married later and love good quality food and drink and adventure. Here in the Bay, they can find coasteering, boating, sailing, cycling, walking, canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding.

Our growing foodie reputation is becoming a real winner in attracting both these age groups and well-

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known local chef and restaurateur, Mitch Tonks has been the inspiration for the England’s Seafood Coast project.

This aims to highlight the quality of our local seafood and our famous Brixham Fish Market. Carolyn secured a first wave of funding from Visit England, competing against many other projects and England’s Seafood Coast now has the chance to become as big a brand as the Jurassic Coast.

There are plans for a major international seafood festival englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Riviera People to really position Brixham as the home of world-class seafood. Carolyn says, “Through food and drink we’ll be able to compete successfully against other resorts and together with improving accommodation provision it’ll make a winning package.”

This strikes a chord with me - so national and international foodies can now forget the Jurassic Coast and head straight to England’s Seafood Coast – it’s brilliant!

The Bay and particularly Torquay does have a good proportion of international visitors already. Carolyn tells me

well designed and really well managed.”

Carolyn is planning a big new TV campaign which, will target 280,000 households within 3 hours drive time of the Bay, to promote shoulder season short breaks. A series of new ads is being made to appeal to different audiences and Sky Adsmart is being used to deliver the relevant ads to the right households. It’ll be a fun theme “Let Yourselves Go” and the ads will be very modern – nothing retro or nostalgic as the traditional family, school holiday market is already very strong. The under

that there’s lots of demand for high quality boutique hotels and the uniform standards of national chains; the quality of our accommodation here in the Bay has been improving over the last few years. That’s why she is in favour of the new hotel being built at Torquay Pavilion. Harbour Hotels has superb hotels in Salcombe, Poole and Christchurch and are renowned for their quality. Carolyn says, “Abbey Sands has clearly shown that development can work wonders if

35s will also be targeted via social media, particularly Instagram and Facebook.

With the advent of the new road, Exeter is closer than ever. This represents a great new opportunity to attract lots more day visitors and so Carolyn has put a major spring, day visitor campaign into place. The idea is to make a ‘big thing’ about the fact that ‘South Devon’s Beautiful Bay’ is just 30 minutes away for residents of

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

April/May 2017

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Riviera People tells me, “It’s important to have a strong board – we Exeter and the surrounding areas. Exeter city-dwellers are very lucky to have such a high level of accord and can easily enjoy life here by the sea either in the daytime professionalism and this gives us a very exciting future.” or just for the evening. Carolyn has planned a wave of The English Riviera BID Company is now the new posters and bus advertising on many routes that travel in official destination management organisation for the and out of the city. A Radio Exe promotional campaign English Riviera and, with higher budgets than before will also be running and 25,000 Exeter households and unrivalled consensus amongst its members, is on will be mailed with a copy of the new English Riviera mini-guide. A further 145,000 copies will be distributed track to produce great things. Carolyn is upbeat about the way forward, “The prediction for domestic tourism is at major events such as the Devon County Show. A very positive just now and people are keener than ever to digital campaign will also be running and there’s already holiday at home.” She is already an active member of the been an upsurge of Exeter residents visiting the official National Destinations Forum and would love to become destination website. a member of the VisitEngland board so that she could Once they get here they need information and advice promote a national strategy for coastal communities. on where to go and what to see. There has been lots Although she puts in over 50 hours work a week, more partnership working to deliver a better visitor Carolyn does occasionally take some time off and I’m information service. The Dartmouth Steam Railway interested to hear what such a high flier does to relax and Riverboat Company is now sharing the costs of from the pressures of the day. She the main Torquay Visitor Centre “The prediction for domestic recently moved from Kingsbridge on Vaughan Parade. This has allowed Carolyn to offer a 7 daytourism is very positive just now to Paignton. As she says, “It’s a-week service to visitors from 1 and people are keener than ever definitely a measure of how much I believe in the English Riviera June. Last year they could only to holiday at home.” that we’ve decided to make our manage 2-3 days a week. Many home here.” Carolyn is married to Antony who is other Visitor Information Centres have been embedded a Support Worker Nurse in Totnes and they have 2 into local businesses across the Bay like Hobb Nobs children Laura and Amy, who both work in the NHS. in Brixham and this works well and keeps costs down.

Carolyn’s favourite hobby is riding on the family There will also be a new, improved, fully responsive motorbike and discovering more of the South West. destination website in September to further improve Antony and Carolyn travel regularly around Cornwall, on the existing site which has already had well over 1.5 Devon and Somerset and their longest bike trip was to million visitors. the Isle of Wight Music Festival to see Queen. In the The new tourism setup is important. Once the Bay she is regularly to be seen at our local festivals like tourism industry agreed the need for a new self-funding BMAD, the Pirate Festival and Fishstock, where she approach to promotion, the English Riviera BID seems to know everybody. She’s also keen on boating and Company was set up and Carolyn, with her impressive has a Dory moored at Paignton Harbour, often using it track record, was selected as Chief Executive. It is to hop around to Churston Cove. private and independent, not-for-profit and is governed Carolyn loves walking her 11 year old Cairn Terrier, by agreement under a board of directors led by Laurence Connie and one of her preferred local places to chill Murrell, Managing Director of TLH Leisure Resort.

This means that funds raised from the tourism sector can is Elberry Cove at Churston. She says, “It has such a natural beauty and it’s a wonderful place to clear the only be spent on the agreed programmes. In this way, mind and reassess priorities.” o the sector has full control and there are funds to mount major campaigns to drive visitor numbers. Carolyn englishrivierabid.co.uk englishriviera.co.uk

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April/May 2017

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Herbert Whitley Founder of Paignton Zoo

Our Zoological gardens at Primley Estate were created from the profit of a Liverpool Brewery through the Whitley family. On moving to Paington (sic), it was the eccentric son Herbert that left us the gardens and Zoo in Paignton. Ian Handford of Torbay Civic Society tells the story.

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our Lancashire millionaires. Meanwhile their greenhouses hen the ambitious solicitor Edward Ewart Whitley formed a partnership with a postman were hugely expanded to grow their propagation business.

As any adjacent lands became available they were and a redundant soap boiler in Liverpool, this purchased. Freddy Bowen unlikely trio created Warrington was specifically employed to Wilderspool Ale, a brew ideally look after the native stock suited to Northern drinkers. of South Devon cattle. They Via the Greenall-Whitley soon became committed Brewery, Whitley’s rich widow conservationists of rare animals with their five children came to and Paigntonians looked on Paington (sic) and leased, before in awe as dogs, ponies, sheep, purchasing, the massive Belfield horses and finally exotic animals Estate at Primley. roamed Whitley land.

One of the children, William When William married in had fallen from a skylight when 1907 he went to live at Barton serving in Her Majesty’s Cavalry Pines, an estate the boys had and now, honorably discharged, purchased from the Whitehead returned to run the estate with family. This land brought a far his brother Herbert, who had superior lifestyle with its stables, left university more interested in carriages, coaches and horses, creatures than humans. The shy, and now that early vision for reclusive and eccentric bachelor a Zoo would be fulfilled by Herbert was terrified of women.

Herbert.

However, he bred and exhibited His stock won at the 1908 superb finches, Dutch Rabbits, Royal Milking Show trials and Wyndotte poultry and his special he repeated the win in 1909 blue and black Cropper Pigeons. proving beyond doubt that pure Born January 2nd 1886 Herbert’s life at Paignton was of in Liverpool, Herbert was a learning and work, with little time for breds brought success. When the Fire Service decided horses dreamer and wanted nothing sleep or relaxation and few of could pull fire engines, it was more than to fill his beloved his permanent staff could keep up the Whitley stud breed they trophy cabinet with prizes he with his pace chose. Then having purchased would achieve in Devon. Like a stallion at Tatton Park for £3,700 guineas (a new many Victorians, both brothers were impatient to grow record price), Herbert charged five guineas a service for their business and being rich they decided to create a Tatton blood and again made profit. Meanwhile he took unique breeding centre based on pedigree livestock. The on a manager to look after his Whitley Pigeons, which speed of growth was breathtaking; their kennels soon were kept in what locals called “their palatial home” offered quality gun dogs and Great Danes. The decision near the slopes of the Zoo. He created 150 varieties of to never cross breed would virtually guarantee success to 20

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Heritage pigeons. Then came the purchase of Compton land where rare Black Pigs were kept and these won top prize at the Royal Cornwall, Devon County and the Bath & West shows in 1911.

Locals were somewhat suspicious of the large crates coming to Paignton railhead and one story tells of the ‘Beware – Live Bear’ crate being forced open on the platform to a scream of - argh!!

Even before the First World War, Great Danes, Collies and Whippets were joined by Greyhounds (two named Primley Pirate and Pinafore honouring the opening night of the Gilbert & Sullivan Opera at Paignton). This was a difficult period due to having to reduce staff, yet Herbert remained faithful to his principles of pure breeding and in the next ten years created a ‘supermarket’ of livestock, which were successful around the world. In 1915 his polo stallion, Bold Marco, arrived, which ensured the new sport of polo came to Marldon. However all was not plain sailing, as the concentration of mixed livestock had become a joy to rats.

Herbert gave a ‘tanner’ (6d) for each twelve rats culled.

Once the War ended, Herbert offered free admission to Primley Gardens until he was forced to take action against those doing harm to his animals and introduced a nominal fee.

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That decision brought him into conflict with the tax authorities who said he was offering entertainment, whereas he maintained his gardens were educational. But the courts upheld the Revenue demand resulting in Herbert’s decision to close the gates to the public. The 1920s saw more poultry farm success when Billy Wilkinson and son Billy Junior – the ‘Brass and Brains’ created forty varieties of sitting eggs for buyers. Their socalled ‘Wilkies’ and ‘Primley Blue’ became world leaders of quality.

Meanwhile Herbert became a member of the London Zoological Society and other associations that required his expertise. Then, when in 1927 his Botanical Garden gates were reopened, the world’s finest bird collection could be seen in his Tropical and Subtropical Houses. These were the halcyon years and with a circus act Samson on show, he also supplied the plants for public areas around Roundham Head. Then in 1937 history repeated itself, the tax authorities were back and when a judge in summing up suggested Herbert form a Garden Society this was rejected by him and once again he closed the gates. What was not foreseen was the coming of the Second World War after which the Primley estate would never again be under his management.

With the war over, the Paignton Zoological and Botanical Gardens Trust was formed and our world leading naturalist confirmed that if confined and especially endangered species were not cross bred it would virtually guarantee quality. Herbert’s life at Paignton was of learning and work, with little time for sleep or relaxation and few of his permanent staff could keep up with his pace. Being intolerant he had no time for idleness or idle chat and as a true recluse he had established a botanical garden, pools, lakes, glades, dens and even massive concrete pens.

He even suggested a light railway or cable car might transport visitors from the seashore to his Zoo – this a vision too far.

The Herbert Whitley Trust was formed before his death on the 15th September 1955 and today he lies in the family grave at St Peter’s Church Buckland in the Moor, a place his brother William had established on Whitley land. o torbaycivicsociety.co.uk April/May 2017

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Smuggling

The Gentlemen’s Trade!

John Risdon, local historian and President of Brixham Heritage Museum, tells us of Torbay’s involvement in the infamous smuggling trade and highlights a fascinating new exhibit at the museum.

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made perfect landing places in those early years and then muggling! It’s a word that immediately conjures up the innumerable more intimate, isolated coves and inlets a myriad of thoughts and images and has done for became more suitable as state resistance stiffened. centuries. Throughout that time, the communities The organisation of successful smuggling depended of Torbay, large and small, have had an involvement, just on two separate activities being successfully carried out, as did nearly every coastal settlement around the coast of initially to bring the contraband over the Channel and to Devon & Cornwall, but especially along the south coast.

During the 18th & 19th centuries they were recognised land it on our shores. Generally, in times of peace, French ports such as Cherbourg were popular as the starting as ‘smugglers’, ‘freetraders’ or, unbelievably, ‘gentlemen’! point. However, during our protracted wars with France, Any one of these titles referred to that association with the Channel Islands became the smuggling and they describe wonderfully how men jumping-off point. Having been from all backgrounds and social off-loaded during the hours of classes could end up being darkness, the illicit cargo then involved.

If you wake at midnight, became the responsibility of From a modern and hear a horse’s feet, the network of members of perspective we often refer to Don’t go drawing back the local population to secrete those days as the ‘romantic’ the blind, or looking in their contraband, firstly to safe days of smuggling, totally the street. hiding places and then on to untrue of course, especially if Them that ask no questions the relevant customers; “brandy you happened to be involved. isn’t told a lie. for the parson or baccy for the Brandy (or Cousin Jackie Watch the wall, my darling, clerk”. as it was known), tobacco by! while the Gentlemen go For the crossing of the (baccy), lace and tea, sound Five and twenty ponies, Channel, together with the so much more harmless today dark the ugh Trotting thro ability to evade Revenue Cutters, compared to the modern drug son, Par the Brandy for the smugglers constructed fast, scene. k; Cler the for Baccy for manoeuvrable vessels.

Th e lugger, s No one has described so letter , lady a for s Lace up to 250 tons in size, often well the mystery and shady a spy, armed, was ideal for the job. dealings of past smuggling And watch the wall, They would be crewed by up to and how so many within a my darling, while the 50 men and could carry 10,000 community were involved gentlemen go by! gallons of brandy or 12 tons of tea, than Rudyard Kipling in his or a combination of both. In many poem ‘A Smugglers Song’. circumstances, the smaller smuggling During the early part craft would be crewed by men who would be law-abiding of the 18th century, those involved in ‘the trade’ fishermen one day and smugglers the next. The ‘war’ at sea were brazen in their landing of contraband, so ineffectual between smuggler craft and Revenue Cutters intensified was the arm of the law. The coastline was long and through the 18th century with some notable actions taking impossible to guard in totality. The beaches of Torbay place within the waters of Torbay.

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Heritage fraternity had to become more ingenious and secretive During May 1783, The Swift, with a crew of fifty, as to their activities. Contraband would no longer be accompanied by a smaller vessel out of Brixham, was brought straight ashore but ‘sunk’ off shore at a marked brought to action by the Revenue Cutters Spider and position, to be retrieved at a later time when they knew Alarm. Even so, they were able to land 4 tons of tea and the coast was clear. And then, another ruse, once the 9,000 gallons of spirit on one of Torbay’s beaches with contraband was ashore, was for womenfolk to feign the assistance of 100 men waiting on shore. The Revenue pregnancy by carrying a bladder full of brandy hidden or Excise men ashore, whose job it was to apprehend beneath their clothing. Even so, there was always the fear smugglers were known as Preventatives. Fascinatingly of being caught. we still have one very well For the crossing of the Channel, together Although those involved preserved Preventatives’ in smuggling well outStation of that period with the ability to evade Revenue in being at the head of Cutters, the smugglers constructed fast, numbered the revenue men there was the dread of Paignton Harbour, today a manoeuvrable vessels. the arrival of the dragoons public toilet! from Exeter with sabres During 1784, Prime drawn - not to be trifled Minister William Pitt slashed with! Being caught at sea the tax on tea entering the would mean prison for the country from 125% to 12.5%. majority although you could This very much removed tea then ‘volunteer’ for the from being such a profitable Royal Navy as a preference. commodity to smuggle.

There were the exceptions Another line of defence for to the rule, men like Jack the Revenue would be Riding Rattenbury from Beer, who Officers. A Riding Officer seemed to lead a charmed was responsible for patrolling life. But then it was often who you knew! For Jack it was between 4 and 10 miles of coastline. As an example, in our Lord Rolle of Exmouth. area, this would be from Berry Head to Froward Point, at Within the small communities ashore, of Brixham, the mouth of the Dart. Such a dangerous, lonely job it was, the pay was doubled in 1780. Many officers were known to Tormohun, Paignton and Babbacombe, the absolute need was for secrecy, conflicting with jealousies, fear and betrayals. have “fallen over the cliff” in carrying out their duty!

Without that secrecy and local loyalty the gentlemen’s trade As the Preventatives and Revenue men, both on was doomed to failure. o land and sea, became more effective, so the smuggling

New! Smugglers Exhibit at Brixham Heritage Museum – An Invitation

To find out more about smuggling, which has such relevance locally, I’m delighted to be able to invite you to come and view a brand new fascinating exhibit at Brixham Heritage Museum, and do please bring your children and grandchildren. They will have the opportunity to ‘live the part’ by momentarily becoming a smuggler, soldier or local girl of the time. The exhibit . is for all ages to enjoy and don’t forget, entry is FREE

Brixham Heritage Museum The Old Police Station, New Road, Brixham TQ5 8LZ 01803 856267 brixhamheritage.org.uk Opens for 2017 season on Tuesday 4 April

Jewellers 128 UNION STREET TORQUAY TQ2 5QB . TEL: 01803 292950

Golden Vanity 45 years on In 1972, Devon-based yachtsman Peter Crowther took 88 days to cross the Atlantic single-handed in historic gaff cutter Golden Vanity, arriving 68 days behind the race winner.

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crossing and during the race the yachtsman had to replace ow Peter and his family will sail the boat, these the rigging three times and re-sew one of his sails. At one days based in Brixham and part of Trinity Sailing Foundation for the first time in 45 years. point a passing fishing vessel crew member threw aboard a hurricane-warning message, stuffed in to a bottle, while Peter still holds the record for the slowest-ever crossing he was below deck. in the Original Single-handed Transatlantic Race That race was his first OSTAR, though he had already (OSTAR) set in 1972 when he left Plymouth for Rhode undertaken two transatlantic crossings in 1970 and Island USA on Golden Vanity.

1971. It was far from the end of interesting and dramatic In May the 74-year-old pub landlord will set sail on OSTAR crossings for Peter. In 1996 he did not even his 10th and last OSTAR, this time on a more modern finish and made the headlines when his Swan 38. However, two weeks before the “I ran out of cat food yacht Galway Blazer, which he owned event he will be taking his family out for quite quickly and then for 23 years after selling Golden Vanity, a nostalgic voyage along the south Devon they had all my meat, so sank 500 miles south west of Ireland. He coast on Golden Vanity, the very boat he used for the original crossing.

I was pretty hungry.” was dramatically rescued by a passing container ship after letting off a flare from At 29, Peter then a yachting magazine a cold and wet emergency life raft. journalist, decided to take part in the Peter sold Golden Vanity when he race, despite having no interest in decided he wanted to get a bit more finishing first. Golden Vanity was built competitive with his racing. He also as a pleasure boat, rather than a racing felt he was pushing the historic vessel vessel and Peter just wanted to have the too hard as she was not designed for experience of taking part. On his journey, competitive sports. which saw him come last out of 55 “I think I had abused her a bit too entrants, his cat Gypsy and her 6 kittens, much and had outgrown her, I think each of which was named after JRR around then I had a change in attitude to Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings characters, sailing,” said Peter. joined him.

Aesthetically ‘Vanity’ looks a little Peter said, “I ran out of cat food quite different today. In Peter’s days she had quickly and then they had all my meat, so a fireplace in the bulkhead between the I was pretty hungry.” saloon and the fore cabin — as well as an At the time, Peter was the owner of orange and yellow hull.

Golden Vanity, which was built in 1908. As he sailed The upcoming OSTAR will mean Peter has to take her over the horizon towards the finish line, the other time out from running his Stoke Fleming pub, The competitors had long since gone home. It was a gruelling englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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Heritage

Green Dragon, where he has been landlord for 24 years.

Regulars are used to his disappearances; they know by now that he’ll be back in two or three month’s time. This time he will be competing on Suomi Kudu, a Swan 38 owned by his brother in law.

Golden Vanity, which is now owned and operated by the Trinity Sailing Foundation has an interesting history. She was built for the marine artist Arthur Briscoe by J Sanders & Co, at Galmpton, on the River Dart. Her name was taken from a ship in the sea shanty ‘The Golden Vanity’, which dated from the seventeenth century.

As a marine artist Briscoe used Golden Vanity to follow englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

the fishing fleets, which he sketched and painted, helping to record the last working days of sail. One of the friends who sailed with him was Erskine Childers – who had already written his famous yachting spy novel ‘Riddle of the Sands’. Before the First World War they sailed Golden Vanity extensively in the southern North Sea, regularly visiting Holland and Belgium.

In 1999 the vessel became part of Brixham-based Trinity Sailing Foundation, where she remains today, offering cruising holidays, RYA courses, and Duke of Edinburgh Residentials and Expeditions. For more information on sailing Golden Vanity visit trinitysailing.org o April/May 2017

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BEACHSIDE BIKE FESTIVAL

BMAD Bike Festival, taking place at Paignton Beach 28-30 April is probably the biggest biker, music and beer festival in the South West and one of the very best in the UK

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t’s an amazing weekend full of thousands of motorbikes of all shapes, makes, models and sizes plus live entertainment throughout the whole event.

There will be two Music Marquees this year (The Biker Bar & The Beach Bar) with thirty bands playing live. These include: Never the Bride, Hells Bells, the Kris Barras Band, The Darkside of Pink Floyd, Stop Stop, Departed and many more. As well as listening to some great sounds, you’ll be able sample a choice of over 50 scrumptious beers and ciders.

There will be a Back Street Heroes Bike Build-Off, a Wall of Death and traders selling motorbikes, accessories, clothing and food. There are bike competitions available including: Custom/Chop/Cruiser, Streetfighter/Sports, Trike/Combination and Classic/Vintage. The Best Bike at the Show will win £1000.

A weekend pass will cost £12 per person (includes entry to music marquees and bike parking), but you can also buy daily passes from £4, depending on the day you attend. Gates open at 6pm on the Friday 28 April.

Under 14s are free when accompanied by an adult.

Every biker who comes through the BMAD entrance makes a donation, which allows BMAD (Bikers Make a Difference) to help many lives across the TQ postcode area.

BMAD is fully engaged with raising monies for charities. These include Devon Air Ambulance, St John Ambulance, Devon Freewheelers (Blood Bikes) and Torbay Young Carers. In addition BMAD also donate equipment, toys, electrical goods and other such items to improve the quality of life for sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people up to the age of nineteen within the TQ postcode area.

Kelvin and Jane Halloran founded BMAD in 2002 to provide a social gathering for bikers on Paignton Seafront and raise funds for charity. Paignton Bike Night finally saw its birth in 2003 and has gone on to become the longest running largest regular social gathering of bikers in the South West of England. Each year on Paignton englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Out & About Seafront BMAD regularly has a mile of bikes parked side by side every Wednesday evening from 6pm from the beginning of June to the end of September.

The first BMAD Bike Festival was organized by Kelvin and Jane in May 2005 and proved to be a total success not just for the charities but also for all concerned including the many sponsors and traders that attended. The event has gone from strength to strength since then and is not to be missed if you love bikes, beer, beaches and live bands. o bmad.co.uk

Kelvin Halloran, Festival Founder April/May 2017

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Brixham’s Pirate Festival is a legendary event in the Bay’s annual event calendar.

Rather piratical at the best of times, during the 3-day event this stunning historical port is simply overrun with pirates and scallywags with lots of fun for all. This year the festival runs from April 29 – May 1.

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rixham Pirate Festival is free to attend and is brilliantly managed by a team of volunteers with help from sponsors and public donations. This year’s festival commemorates the death of local pirate Sam Bellamy, aka Black Sam, who was lost at sea 300 years ago. You’ll find that the quality of the costumes and weaponry makes you feel that you’ve stepped on to the set of Pirates of the Caribbean. Absolutely everyone is encouraged to dress up even if it’s just an eye patch and a bandana and even toddler and baby pirates don their swashbuckling outfits.

The streets, quayside and marina will be bustling with pirates, landlubbers and militia gathered together to

enjoy the Shanty Town and the programmes which start at 11am, including bands on the Main Stage, activities in the Children’s Area and more entertainment at the Children and Family Stage next to the marina. There’ll be lots of daytime street entertainment - fire eaters, stilt walkers, street bands, a pirate street party on Middle Street, food and drink vendors and stalls to enjoy. At night you’ll find plenty of live music in the pubs around town. Join in the Best Dressed Pirate competition. Will you be the youngest or oldest Pirate there? Or come to watch the re-enactments and skirmishes on the Golden Hind and on this year’s really exciting visitor, the Nao Victoria.

Getting There!

The Festival kicks off on Saturday April 29 with a parade through town starting from Rockfish at 10.15am, finishing down by the Old Fish Quay and Main Stage at 11am. Daily events start at 11am and close at 6pm. It is advisable to come via the ferry or park in the park-and-ride at Galmpton.

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Festivals

This year, the Pirate Festival will be hosting the authentic wooden replica of the 3-masted sailing ship Nao Victoria, which was the very first ship to first successfully circumnavigate the world in the 16th century (1519 – 1522).

The Nao Victoria will be moored on the town pontoon, ready for boarding. You can’t miss her - she’s an impressive four decks high.

On 8 September 1522, eighteen men with their captain Juan Sebastián Elcano on board the Nao Victoria, completed the biggest achievement in maritime history. After almost three arduous years at sea, these men were the first to sail right around the world’s vast oceans and showed how big the earth really was.

The expedition comprised five ships and had a crew of 243 men, commanded by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and set sail from the port of Seville (Spain) on 10 August 1519. It was known as Armada de la Especiería (Spice Route Armada) and it was financed by the Spanish Crown, since its goal was to find a new westbound route to reach the Moluccas, islands known back then as the

Spice Islands (now Indonesia).

For three years, the expedition sailed across three oceans, visited southern coasts of the United States, Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina and discovered the Strait of Magellan. They sailed across the immense Pacific Ocean, discovered islands and archipelagos and finally reached the Philippines and the Moluccas.

The Nao Victoria, the only ship to survive the voyage, started her return trip under the command of Juan Sebastián Elcano. Having crossed the Indian Ocean, the ship arrived at the African continent navigated south to round the Cape of Good Hope and returned to Spain. On 8 September 1522, eighteen men returned to Seville without truly realizing that they had accomplished the greatest adventure in the maritime history: the first round-the-world voyage.

The replica was built for the Expo, the World’s Fair that was held in 1992 in Seville and the original Nao’s port of origin.

The Nao Victoria is the only replica of the original ship that managed to circumnavigate the world. Tickets for the Nao Victoria: £4 adults, £2 children (5-10 years), under 5s free. o

The Nao Victoria – The Facts

It’s big - more than 120m2 of space to visit • An impressive 290m2 sail area Length is 26 m / Main beam: 6,70 m • 3 huge masts / 6 sails Visit 4 decks, captain’s cabin and living accommodation englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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AQUA ADRENALINE

Out & About

Photo: Tim Tapping

ADRENALINE

Over the weekend of 29-30 April, Torquay will be buzzing with the sound of high performance racing engines as the town plays host to the largest fleet of offshore powerboats that has been seen in British waters for over a decade. David Sewell from Raceboat International tells us more.

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he Offshore Circuit Racing Drivers Association (OCRDA) has attracted all the top teams from every corner of the UK to take part in their opening race of the 2017 season and even teams from Ireland are taking part.

The OCRDA Aqua Adrenaline tour takes in five Grand Prix. Torquay kicks off the programme before moving onto Newhaven, Sussex, West Bay, Dorset and Howth in Ireland before finishing in Plymouth.

Each Grand Prix consists of four heats, two on Saturday and two on Sunday. Torquay has superb viewing areas on Haldon Quay and the cliff tops overlooking the race course.

The fleet is divided into three classes 1,2 and 3 depending on engine size and the quickest boats will be topping 70mph and spectators will be advised to have their cameras at hand as boats pass very close to Haldon Pier.

Torquay will enjoy a packed programme of events over the weekend as ski-racers will also be opening their season.

For those unfamiliar with this spectacular sport, it involves a powerful ski-boat with a skier on the end of a long towrope. They dice within metres of each other and the fastest ski-racers can exceed speeds of 80mph.

Providing the entertainment between racing activity will be flyboarding demos in which a tube is fitted to the jet unit of a jet ski and the high pressure propels the rider skywards. They then perform various exciting tricks while suspended 15 metres above the water surface.

The OCRDA Aqua Adrenaline programme is designed

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for all ages and spectators are permitted to mingle with the race teams in the Dry Pits area of Haldon Pier and collect a few autographs and photographs. o

Did You Know?

Offshore Circuit Racing (OCR) is a recognised offshore powerboat category administered by the RYA, Britain’s National authority for watersports. The sport combines the seamanship of offshore powerboat racing with the multi-lap infighting of inshore circuit racing.

OCR is often said to be “To the world of offshore powerboat racing what saloon car racing is to motorsport.” Events run from April to October throughout the UK each year, and the sport is rising in popularity.

There are many ways to start powerboat racing. You may choose to purchase a boat and start racing from the outset or you may just wish to become a navigator for a while to see how the sport suits you. There are always teams looking for navigators to jump in the boat with them. This is one of the most cost-effective ways in introducing yourself and your family to powerboat racing. ocrda.co.uk

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Chop, Block, Rally & Loop Table tennis was invented in the late 1880s in England as an indoor version of tennis. It’s now the most popular indoor sport in the world and an Olympic sport since 1988. Anita Newcombe went along to Torbay Table Tennis Academy to give it a go!

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fan

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of the table with a net behind it and it can be programmed am meeting Joanna and Kris Piwowar, who founded to eject balls at various speeds and placements. At first Torbay Table Tennis Academy in 2011, in the Sports Joanna sets it so that I am receiving 3 backhands followed Hall at Torquay Academy. Since it was established, by 1 forehand, which is continuously repeated. She sets a the club has grown and now boasts 3 coaches, 3 assistant gentle speed and off I go – this is really good fun and you coaches and members of all ages and abilities. The can get into a really good rhythm with it. You don’t have academy has Premier Club status and a Sport England to pick up any of the orange balls that have missed Clubmark awarded by Table Tennis England. the net until the end and, even then, there is People who want to learn for the first time a clever pickup tube thingy that saves you or return to the game after many years bending down to collect them. should attend on Wednesdays and Joanna has been watching my foot Fridays from 6.45 to 8.15pm. It’s and body positioning as well as my Wednesday evening now and I am grip on the bat (also called paddle or a returner to the game, not having racket) and she’s now showing me how played for perhaps 25 years. to improve these. Once I’ve practised Vice Chair and Coach Vic Bonfante this, she dials up the ball release speed greets me first and he explains that and the advice definitely helps when the new starters will always receive a warm e, K Jo d balls are coming faster. On one occasion welcome and some individual coaching ann n a a Pi w o w a r though, I manage to hit the ball directly into suited to their level. There are about 8 tables the ejection head of the Butterfly robot and I end up set up this evening; Vic leads me over to one of them and we start hitting some shots. Somewhat surprisingly my getting two orange balls flying at me at once – I miss both of course! backhand appears to work better than my forehand and I Now I swap over to the next table and Joanna starts find myself trying to hit everything backhand. Vic explains feeding me the balls herself, quite fast – one after the other that most people have a favourite but that it’s important to – there’s lots of practice here and I get some more tips be work on both.

After having some fun just hitting balls, I am turned over about my style and grip.

Next I move over to another table and Lead Coach Kris to Lead Coach Joanna who is supervising two tables. At comes over and asks me to practise with Denis, another the first table, I am playing against a very exciting looking member. Denis explains that games used to be played to robot labelled ‘Butterfly’. The robot is clamped at one end

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Give it a Go! Table Tennis 21 points but the rules have changed and it’s now just 11 points per game. You serve for two points and then your opponent serves until someone reaches 11 points with the proviso being that they must be 2 points ahead – otherwise play continues until this happens.

I change partners a couple more times and we are directed to practise forehand or backhand and then later Kris comes over again and explains how to return a ball that has been delivered with backspin. This is really hard and my first few attempts end up with the ball in the net. Kris explains how to angle the bat to return backspin and later I hear about how to return topspin. This is a lot to learn but it’s very relaxed and sociable and everyone is very friendly, what a great way to spend an evening.

Towards the end of the session Kris explains that he usually finishes the evening with a game of ‘fun football’ played with a small, squashy ball and we are put into small teams. We are not allowed to use our hands even when defending the goal and there is no allocated goalkeeper, so I hover around the goal entrance and by some miracle manage to accidently save a ball when my foot gets in the way. It’s a good way to finish the session with everyone laughing, cheering and feeling quite competitive.

The coaches Joanna, Kris and Vic are keen to point out that the club is suitable for absolutely everyone and there are children’s sessions as well as those for adult members who mostly range from around 35 years to an impressive 78 year old! There is no maximum age – you can play at 100 if you feel up to it. You can just come along for fun and friendship – sessions are £5 each. Or if you start to feel competitive you can join a league. Torbay Table Tennis Academy has 6 teams playing regularly in the South Devon & Torbay Table Tennis League. Why not give it a go? You can sign up online at tttacademy.info or call 07752 415051. o

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Did you know...

Early names for table tennis included: Indoor Tennis, Gossima, Whiff-Waff and Ping Pong.

Asian players (especially Chinese players) dominate world rankings but the greatest player of all time is widely believed to be JanOve Waldner from Sweden – “the Mozart of table tennis”.

Around 1898 the English sports company John Jaques & Son were manufacturing the first table tennis sets and popularising the game.

The international governing body (ITTF) and the official rules were formulated in 1926.

Ping Pong diplomacy took place in 1971 when China stunned the world by inviting the USA to play a series of friendly matches in China – the first contact they had made with the outside world for 6 years.

Table tennis balls are now made from plastic rather than the original celluloid, which is being phased out.

A table tennis museum was opened in Lausanne, Switzerland in 2004 but moved to Shanghai in China in 2014.

Table tennis is considered to be the world’s number one brain sport.

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Going nowhere... very fast!

After weeks of rain stopping play, Julian Rees is tempted inside for a cycling fix at the Spinergy Group Cycling Centre in Paignton.

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ith a cross channel cycling trip looming large on the calendar and the weather doing its best to keep me off the roads, I take up an offer from my brother and sister-in-law to go spinning.

The offer had been on the table for quite some time but I’d always scoffed at the idea of sitting on a static bike pedalling to nowhere and back, preferring the lure of the open road and fresh air.

I’ve always ridden a bicycle, to varying degrees, quite sportingly as a youth but generally only for pleasure in recent years. As the years are rolling on fast, my beloved and I decided it was time to commit to some regular physical exertion other than walking the dog so invested in new bikes capable of dealing with the Bay’s multitude of inclines. Since that day, almost three months ago, it has rained almost every weekend!

So off I go on a damp Monday morning to Winners Gym in Yalberton to join a 45 minute class at the Spinergy Centre.

I’m greeted by Ann Harrison, the instructor for the session. Ann knows who I am as I’ve signed up online to book my place and she leads me to my bike to get everything set up ready for the off. There are several adjustments to make, the seat height, handlebar height and handlebar reach, all important to ensure both comfort and that I’ll get the maximum benefit from the exertion to come. I commit the three settings to memory just in case I come back.

I’m sitting at the end of one of two rows of bikes, all facing the front with a single machine facing us. These machines are a far cry from flimsy exercise bikes of the past.

They feel rock solid, very stable and there’s only one control to worry about, the resistance dial. This is how it works: your pedals are connected to a heavy flywheel that weighs 36

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around 40lbs; you then add resistance to the flywheel so more effort is required to turn it; this simulates the additional load on the legs that cycling uphill would bring.

Turn the wheel clockwise for more resistance and steeper climbs, anticlockwise for less resistance and easier pedalling.

It all sounds very straightforward but, as I find out later, the mastery of the dial is a very important factor. It’s important to bear in mind that the pedals, and hence your legs, are always connected to the spinning flywheel - there’s no freewheeling or coasting - we’re here for exercise after all.

By the time Ann has set me up and I’ve had a couple of minutes feeling my way with the adjustments, I realise the room has filled and all seats have been taken.

My sister-in-law sits on the bike next to me and I detect a slight knowing grin that says ‘just you wait, it’s going to get tough...’

Ann welcomes us all, sets up some suitably rhythmic music and we’re off for a 10 minute warm up. This involves plenty of low resistance pedalling and various exercises getting us up and out of the seat practising the safe transition between the three basic handlebar positions and getting used to rotating the resistance to the right level.

The class I’ve come to is one of six variations to the programme at Spinergy. Classes run on a rotation, so if you come to the same session each week you will do a different routine each time. These variations include mixes of sprinting, hill climbing, breakaway and racing. A race will feature riding a route which you may find familiar, for example sprinting along Paignton Seafront, turning left at the roundabout, adding resistance as you start to climb the hill going past the harbour and so on. The programme of classes changes several times a year so there’s always fresh challenges to come. Today’s class is Core & Jumps. Jumps is about getting in and out of the saddle with longer and englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Give It A Go - Spinning longer bursts of pedalling throughout the session, and Core (this is where it gets really tough and why this class has the reputation of being the most difficult) involves standing and pedalling with the back straight and head totally still.

This is great for the stomach muscles and core but very difficult to master! It’s also something you could never do when cycling a normal bicycle but adds an additional element to the activity beyond the cardio fitness that is the main goal.

Once we’re fully warmed up, Ann takes us into the first of three routines that will make up the session with increasing speed and longer bursts of sustained activity.

Of course the choice is always yours how far you go and the resistance wheel is always there to take the edge off if you start to flag. Ann is very encouraging and the music has been carefully chosen so the tempo increases as the session continues. I’m finding it very tough and ease off for a few minutes as I reach my limit. The room is well air conditioned and large fans in front of us keep things cool. This helps to simulate the feel of being on a real bike although I’m not sure that is really their purpose as I’m already convinced that you simply couldn’t cycle like this on the road. With no traffic, no potholes and no traffic lights to worry about the exercise is unrelenting and the focus intense. I have a quick look around the room and am just amazed at the speed and intensity of effort that the assembled group of men and women of all ages are putting in - the class should be hooked up to the National Grid there’s so much energy being produced!

I get back into the rhythm and do my best to keep up.

Matching the resistance to the tempo of the music and available energy is a real skill and one I’m told usually takes two or three sessions to master. The lighting is quite low and I’m not wearing a watch so have very little idea of how long we’ve been pedalling and how soon I’ll get a rest so it’s heads down and onward. Ann takes the session to its crescendo with a final two and half minute sprint before slowing us all back down with a five minute warm down followed by a session of stretches off the bike.

So I made it to the end, my legs are jelly-like for a few minutes but more than anything my lungs hurt.

I don’t think I’ve ever entered into any form of exercise that has exposed my weaknesses so quickly but at the same time made me want to challenge and overcome them.

Sitting at home in the spare room on an exercise bike just won’t have the same effect as being part of a group driven by a highly motivational instructor. I’m definitely going back for more!

You can find out more at the website and sign up for a free first session, followed by three discounted sessions to englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

really get you into the swing of things. There are three 45 minute classes a day from Monday to Saturday at Spinergy Studios within Winners Gyms in Paignton and Torquay.

There are time slots to suit most, either early morning, late afternoon or early evening and for the very committed there’s even some 90 minute sessions at the weekend. o spinergygroupcycling.co.uk

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EST D 1904

R EDCLIFFE H OTEL PAIGNTON

Occombe Farm Café

The Babbacombe Inn

Redcliffe Hotel

Family-friendly café set on an organic working farm. Famous for farmhouse breakfasts, hearty lunches, seasonal specials and Sunday roasts. Enjoy free parking, an outdoor adventure play area and why not explore the farm and walk the 2km nature trail after lunch? All profits from the café go to local charity Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust. Open daily from 9am – 4:30pm.

The Babbacombe Inn on Babbacombe Downs enjoys one of the most fabulous views around and has a great beer garden. Open daily, it offers an impressive range of tasty pub food in a welcoming environment.

Whether you’re after a morning coffee, light snack or meal with family and friends, the Babbacombe Inn has a menu to suit all tastes and budgets.

With live entertainment and a weekly quiz, it’s also ideal for a pre-theatre meal or drink. Free parking on site.

From light bites to a main meal, the Redcliffe Hotel offers everything you need for a perfect luncheon treat.

Enjoy the superb views from our sea view terrace overlooking the beach and choose from our extensive lunch time bar menu. On Sundays a 3 course traditional sunday lunch is available in our Paris Singer Restaurant, which again enjoys panoramic sea views.

The Redcliffe is also an ideal venue for all types of functions.

Occombe Farm Preston Down Road PaigntonTQ3 1RN 01803 520022 info@countryside-trust.org.uk

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59 Babbacombe Downs Road Torquay TQ1 3LP 01803 316200 www.babbacombeinn.co.uk

The Redcliffe Hotel 4 Marine Drive Paignton TQ3 2NL 01803 526397 www.redcliffehotel.co.uk

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Food & Drink News

Tasty Tipples This spring there’s a bevy of festivals celebrating some thirst quenching specialities.

Gin Festival, Torquay For the first time in Torquay on 14 & 15 April, the UK’s biggest and oldest gin festival is coming to the Riviera International Centre. There will be over 100 different gins including many new and exclusive varieties plus cocktails and masterclasses from industry experts. On arrival you will be handed your very own Gin Festival Copa Balloon Glass and a brochure that tells you all about the gins at the festival. There will be live music and entertainment, delicious food and lots of chat with other gin lovers. Event is for over 18s only and ID may be required.

Tickets online: £9.50 per session plus booking fee. Ticketed sessions are: Friday 14 April 6.30pm to 11pm, Saturday 15 April 12.30pm to 5pm and 6.30pm to 11pm. ginfestival.com

Seafood Coast Beer Mitch Tonks and his Rockfish restaurants are at the heart of bringing to life the vision of England’s Seafood Coast. The vision is simple, that in Devon, we have the best fish in the world caught off this coastline and that Torbay is the firm capital of this Seafood Coast with Brixham’s famous Fish Market at its heart.

The English Riviera tourism community and VisitEngland are both supporting the project. Mitch has now created a craft beer called Seafood Coast Ale to celebrate all that is great about the coast. Tom Maderious at Salcombe Brewery has developed the new beer, which contains citra, chinook, Amarillo and challenger hops along with Devon spring water.

Mitch describes it as the perfect thirst quencher and just hoppy enough to really bring out the best in a plate of the amazing seafood available here.

Mitch Tonks commented, “It is great to be working with local breweries, local fishermen and the local tourism industry to make the Seafood Coast vision take shape.” therockfish.co.uk

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Occombe Beer Festival

Diary Date! The hugely popular Occombe Beer Festival is back from the 1617 June with beer and cider tasting, live music and a feast of food - Torbay’s only festival on a working farm.

The full foot-stomping line-up includes Duke Johnson and the Scorchers, Mammoth, O’Marleys, Alex Dobson, Chris Thomas, the Travelling Blueberries, 3BF, Harbour, NUMB, Joker and Foo Fighters Tribute band - Something from Nothing.

With 100% of festival profits going to Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust, to protect the places we love - Berry Head, Anstey’s Cove, Occombe Farm and Cockington - this festival offers good times that do good. occombebeerfestival.co.uk

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Hackney Marshes & the Town Quay Distance: 2 miles Exertion: Easy Time: Allow 1 hour Terrain: Pavements and walkways Access: Pushchair and mobility friendly Dogs: Free to roam but route is popular with cyclists Start postcode: TQ12 4UH

F

or this issue’s walk we head to Newton Abbot to discover some hidden heritage and a wetland wildlife haven.

Take the main route through the Brunel Industrial estate and park at the north end of Forde Road. You’ll know when you’ve arrived as you will be greeted by the sight of a rather spectacular suspension bridge. The bridge, built purely for walkers and cyclists and opened in February 2013 makes a safe cycling and walking link between Newton Abbot and Kingsteignton.

This area is Town Quay and is at the confluence of the River Lemon and River Teign, a historic docking area that saw trade in clay, timber and coal over the centuries and was even an embarkation point for fishermen heading to Newfoundland between the late 16th and mid-19th centuries. Ball clay barges coming down the Stover Canal also passed through on their way to Teignmouth docks. The area was restored in the 1980s and is a popular lunchtime spot for workers from the nearby industrial estate. During the warmer months there is a refreshment kiosk and an inflatable boat offers tours down the Teign to areas generally inaccessible to most.

To continue, follow the path over the bridge and under the railway tunnel and follow the metalled path alongside the racecourse. The hedges of newly planted

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hawthorne screen the railway and play host to many small bird species. After about half a mile, at the northern end of the racecourse, you will find the Hackney Marshes interpretation board and the opportunity to take a right turn to loop out through the reed beds. Do this or continue down the same path until you reach the far end where the path joins back onto the main road in Kingsteignton.

At this point you can turn right into the marshes and take advantage of the longest route that meanders around both the South and North Meadows of the marsh before rejoining the main route back to the Town Quay. The area is classified as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and is teaming with wildlife. Look out for buzzards, kestrels, pheasants, herons and even the occasional kingfisher. The pathways are generally well kept and there are opportunities to walk across open land but do bear in the mind the marshes are part of the River Teign’s flood plain so there’s plenty of opportunity for mud! o englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Walk

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April & May Around the Bay

Brixham Orpheus Male Voice Choir 1 April Brixham Orpheus Male Voice Choir are joined by Tamar Valley Male Voice Choir for a concert in aid of Rowcroft Hospice.Time: 7pm, tickets: £5 advance or £8 on the door.

All Saints Church, Church Street, Brixham TQ5 8HG 01803 850642 brixham-orpheus-choir.co.uk

Dinosaur Quest, Kents Cavern 1- 23 April Enjoy Easter underground with fun cave tours everyday.

Search for dinosaurs, piece together dino facts and discover Cavog the Caveman’s hidden Easter eggs.

Ilsham Road, Torquay, TQ1 2JF 01803 215136 kents-cavern.co.uk

Spring Stars & Planets, Occombe 1 April Join astronomer Chris Proctor for a night under the spring sky. You will tour the late winter and spring constellations and use telescopes to look at sights 42

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including the mountains and craters of the Moon, the innermost planet Mercury and the red planet Mars. If cloudy the group will walk around the reserve to look for moths, bats and other night-time wildlife. Hot drinks provided. Cost: £9.50, suitable for: 15 years+, time: 8-10pm, booking essential.

Occombe Farm, Preston Down Road, Paignton TQ3 1RN 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk

Greenway Easter Egg Hunt 1-17 April Follow the chocolate detective trail around Agatha Christie’s gardens at Greenway and win an Easter egg.

No booking for event but car parking must be pre-booked and admission applies. Trail cost: £2.50 per child, time: 10.30am-4pm, dogs on leads welcome.

Greenway House, Kingswear TQ5 0ES 01803 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway

Bygones Easter Egg Hunt 1 – 17 April Go back in time at Bygones and hunt for hidden eggs englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

What’s On over 3 floors – find them all to receive an Easter egg.

Normal admission applies.

Fore Street, St Marychurch TQ1 4PR 01803 326108 bygones.co.uk

Hallelujah! Dartmouth 1 April Britannia Choral Society present a programme of music including Dvorak’s Mass in D and excerpts from Part Two of Handel’s Messiah. Tickets: £10 (students £5) on the door. Time: 7.30pm.

St Saviour’s Church, Dartmouth TQ6 9DL 01803 414410 britanniachoral.co.uk

Spring Flower Walks 1-30 April Greenway’s romantic woodland garden is renowned for its spring flowers - from camellias to rhododendrons, as well as swathes of spring bulbs. This walk and talk is a great way to find out all about what’s in flower, and the history of the garden. Free event but admission charges apply. Children and dogs on leads are welcome. Prebook parking.

Greenway House, Kingswear TQ5 0ES 01803 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway

Coleton Fishacre Easter Egg Hunt 1-17 April Follow the chocolate detective trail around Coleton Fishacre’s gardens and win an Easter egg. No booking for event, admission applies. Trail cost: £2.50 per child, time: 10.30am-4.pm, dogs on leads welcome.

Coleton Fishacre, Brownstone Road, Kingswear TQ6 0EQ 01803 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre

The Great Wild Egg Hunt, Occombe 1 – 17 April It’s Easter and animals have laid eggs all around Occombe Farm! Can you use your wit to figure out to whom all the eggs belong? Cost: £2.50, suitable: all ages, time: 10am - 3pm.

Occombe Farm, Preston Down Road, Paignton TQ3 1RN 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk

Cockington Explorer Backpacks 1 April Go on an adventure with your little explorers! Borrow a backpack full of things to do & look for in the park.

Time: 11am – 3pm, cost: £2 (+£10 returnable cash deposit), suitable for: packs for under 5s and 6-9 years.

The Linhay Visitor Centre, Cockington, Torquay, TQ2 6XA 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

National Frog Month, Paignton Zoo 1-30 April Did you know that there are over 5,000 species of frog? There are Glass Frogs that have translucent skin so you can see their bones and muscles, another species in Indonesia has no lungs - they breathe through their skin! Come and celebrate these fascinating creatures at Paignton Zoo. There are extra froggy activities from 3-17 April.

Totnes Road, Paignton TQ4 7EU 01803 697500 paigntonzoo.org.uk

Britannia Royal Naval College Tours, Dartmouth 3, 5, 10,17,19, 24, 26 April & 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31 May Tours of this iconic building will offer an informative narrative allowing you to appreciate the rich history, role and relevance of this building and the naval training conducted here today. Tickets: adults £12, concessions £9.50, children £5.

College Way, Dartmouth TQ6 0HJ 01803 677565 britannniaassociation.org.uk

Meet the Occombe Farm Animals 4, 6, 7, 11, 13 & 14 April Meet the Occombe Farm animals and get a taste of what it’s like to feed and care for them! In these special hourlong sessions, run by Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust you will get to meet the Occombe Farm animals in a small group and say hello to all your favourites including goats, pigs, alpaca and more. Time: 10:00 - 11:00am, cost: £2.50. Please note all attendees must pay and all children must be accompanied by a paying adult. Suitable for ages 3+. Limited group numbers, book online.

Occombe Farm, Preston Down Road, Paignton TQ3 1RN 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk

Powerful Women, Torquay Museum 4 April & 11 April Two fascinating talks on powerful women by Roger Hamilton. The first will be on Princess Sophia, the first woman to rule Russia. The second will be on Cheng Shih, a woman of humble birth who became the pirate overlord of the South China Sea.Time: 10.45am, Cost: free to Torquay Museum Society members, or £5.00 for non-members.

529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HG 01803 293975 torquaymuseum.org/events April/May 2017

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Mr & Mrs Disraeli – A Strange Romance, Torquay Museum 5 April Dr Daisy Hay introduces her book about the improbable marriage of Disraeli and Mary Anne, the daughter of a Devon sailor. Torquay became the couple’s winter refuge in middle age through a combination of strange circumstances. Time: 10.45am, Cost: free to Torquay Museum Society members, or £5.00 for non-members.

529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HG 01803 293975 torquaymuseum.org/events

Greenway Garden Blitz 5 April & 3 May On the first Wednesday of each month the garden team blitz an overgrown or neglected area of garden - can you help? The work involves cutting down or digging out weeds, brambles, overgrown shrubs and moving debris to the shredder or bonfire. No gardening skills are necessary.

Taking part in a garden blitz is a great chance to meet like-minded people, burn a few calories and explore parts of Greenway garden. Tea and cake as well as garden tools are supplied. Time: 9.30am to 4pm. Booking essential.

Not suitable for dogs.

Greenway House, Kingswear TQ5 0ES 01803 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway

A new festival brings together some of the biggest names from your favourite genres alongside a handpicked selection of local musical talent in venues across Torquay.

Acts will perform on 15 stages ranging from the stunning 12th century Torre Abbey to bustling harbourside nightclubs and rock venues with over 200 live bands, solo artists and DJs. Festival organizer is DJ Chris Tofu.

His award-winning Continental Drifts production team’s creations at Glastonbury’s Shangri La, Boomtown and Bestival have become some of the most exciting features on the UK festival scene. Tickets: Tier 2 Weekend Ticket £35, Family Day Ticket – for 8 April £10, Teen Day Ticket for 8 April £15.

Various venues across Torquay. grinagogfestival.com

Spring Photography Day, Greenway 8 April Enjoy a day out with volunteer photographers in the setting of Greenway’s spring gardens. You’ll pick up useful tips and advice to capture the best shots of the garden in spring. A delicious lunch of will be part of the day. At the end of the day your shots will be celebrated and there will be a vote for the best photo of the day. Time: 10.30am – 4pm, cost: £20. Booking essential – parking must be prebooked.

Greenway House, Kingswear TQ5 0ES 01803 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway

Oddicombe Dog Day 9 April

Pirate Thursdays, Brixham 6 & 13 April Piratical fun for all on Brixham’s historic harbourside.

Their naughty deeds include Soak the Pirate as well as balloon modelling, puppet shows, arts & crafts workshops, fancy dress competitions, photo shoots, live music and more.

The Quay, Brixham, TQ5 8AJ 07742 707446 brixhambuccaneers.co.uk 44

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Help celebrate 10 years of Oddicombe Dog Day. Registration is from 10-11am (although you can register throughout the event) and is £2 per dog. There will be agility, temptation alley, relay races and fun dog races plus a dog show at noon.

Oddicombe Beach, Torquay TQ1 3LF 0300 777 1550 @bluecrossttorbay

Brixham & Paignton Stamp Club 10 April & 8 May Informal meetings and philatelic presentations on the second Monday of each month. Time: 7.15 – 9pm Chestnut Community Centre, Poplar Close, Brixham TQ5 0SA Tony Key 01803 858018 englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

What’s On Rockpool Ramble, Goodrington 10 April

Eggs-cellent Easter Weekend, Living Coasts 14 – 17 April

Join Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust’s marine ranger in exploring the incredible marine life that lives in Torbay’s rock pools. Discover daring crabs, wriggly starfish, slimy anemones and speedy prawns in the rockpools at Middlestone. Suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Cost: £3.50 per child, suitable: 4 – 18 years, booking essential.

Seashore Centre, Goodrington, Paignton TQ4 6LP 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk

Easter fun with an Easter egg trail, talks and activities. £1.50 per trail sheet and you could win a chocolate bunny. Standard admission applies.

Beacon Quay, Torquay TQ1 2BG 01803 202470 livingcoasts.org.uk

Easter Activities, Cockington 14 – 17 April Enjoy some Easter fun at beautiful Cockington.

Cockington, Torquay TQ2 6XA 01803 607230 cockingtoncourt.org

Behind the Scenes at Paignton Picture House 15 April

Agatha Christie & Crime Novel Politics, Torquay Museum 12 April Professor Steven Fielding writes and broadcasts extensively on the relationship between politics and fiction. In this talk he considers how Agatha Christie presented politics to the crime novel fans of interwar Britain.

Time: 10.45am, Cost: free to Torquay Museum Society members, or £5.00 for non-members.

529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HG 01803 293975 torquaymuseum.org/events

Come and see behind the scenes of this time-capsule historic cinema, where the doors were last open to the public almost 20 years ago. The Paignton Picture House is one of the oldest purpose-built cinemas in Europe. It opened in 1914 and today many architectural features in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco style survive beneath layers of dust. Cost: £8.50 (standard), £10 (Gift Aid).

Children 10-16 yrs free. Time: 10am – 12 noon.

2, Torbay Road, Paignton, TQ4 6AF paigntonpicturehouse.org

Brixham Fish Market Tours 19 April, 3 May, 31 May This is a chance to see the world famous Brixham Fish Market ending with a delicious fish breakfast at Rockfish.

Time: Prompt 6am start, cost: £15 to include breakfast.

To book email: bfmt2014@gmail.com

South Pacific Night, Berry Head Hotel 13 April

Rendez-Vous Tall Ships Regatta 19 April

Enjoy a themed evening from the South Pacific with all you can eat buffet at £13.50 per person.

Berry Head Road, Brixham TQ5 9AJ 01803 853225 berryheadhotel.com

Watch these beautiful ships cross the Bay as they depart Torbay on their way to Portugal. Visiting ships include the Christian Radich and the Wylde Swan. The boats will arrive in Torbay from Royal Greenwich a day or so before and the race starts on the 19th at 5pm. sailtraininginternational.org

Reptile Eggs-travaganza, Paignton Zoo 14 – 17 April Visit Paignton Zoo on the Easter weekend for an egg trail with a twist. Journey around the Zoo to discover a variety of reptile eggs - find out fun facts about crocodiles, tortoises and more. You may win a chocolate treat for your hard work. Cost: Trail sheets £1.50.

Totnes Road, Paignton TQ4 7EU 01803 697500 paigntonzoo.org.uk englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

The Fatal Shore, Torquay Museum 22 April Hear the shocking story of the transportation of a Torquay boy, a Brixham carpenter and a Shaldon fisherman as convicts to Tasmania in the early 19th century. Find out the part Devon and its people played in the treatment of those imprisoned there with insights into April/May 2017

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the terror inflicted on the 65,000 convicts shipped across the ocean to Tasmania. This talk will be given by Phil Badcott, local historian and trustee of Torquay Museum.

Time: 11am, Cost: £5.00, Friends of Torquay Museum receive a 20% discount.

529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HG 01803 293975 torquaymuseum.org/events

Torquay 22 April A black tie event organised by Babbacombe and St Marychurch Rotary Club in aid of two local charities: The Last Kiss Foundation and Children & Families in Grief.

Tickets are £40 and include a welcome drink and 3-course meal. Entertainment is being supplied by a string quartet and a five piece band; there will be a table magician and silent auction. All tickets will be entered into a prize draw to arrive in style on the night in a super car courtesy of Prestige Supercar.

Palace Hotel, Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 3SR 01803 212805 angelsball.co.uk

RNLI Boat Jumble 22 April Dig out all that redundant boating gear or anything else you have been meaning to get rid of and join this RNLI Boat Jumble organised by Brixham Bay Hoppers. The cost for sellers will be a minimum of £5 per car, which will go to, and be collected on the day by the RNLI. Entry for buyers will be free. Time: 10.30am – 1pm.

Brixham MDL Multi-Storey Car Park, Berry Head Road, Brixham TQ2 5EQ 07775 803343 nigelwbright1@gmail.com

Brixham Rotary Club Annual Charity Concert 22 April The theme will be ‘Our Favourite Things’ – the concert features Brixham Town Band, Brixham College Band and Quay Harmony. All proceeds to local charities. Time: 7pm, tickets: £8 (£6 U16s, seniors).

Brixham Theatre, New Road, Brixham TQ5 8TA 01803 882717 brixhamtheatre.org.uk

Torbay Country Bowling Club Open Days 23, 29, 30, April & 6, 7 May Have you ever thought about playing bowls?

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Torbay Country Bowling Club is situated in the grounds of Oldway Mansion.The members invite you to come and try out the game of bowls on their Open days between 10am and 1pm. You can also enjoy a cup of coffee and meet some of the members in very pleasant surroundings. Find out more about this most enjoyable game and our Club. Bowls will be provided-please bring flat bottom shoes.

The Pavilion, Torquay Road, Oldway, Paignton TQ3 2TD 01803 407346 torbaycountry.bowlsclub.info

Spring Wild Food Forage, Occombe 23 April A wild food forage with Liz Turner from ‘Into Yoga and Nature’, organised by Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust.

You will be looking for greens in the morning, learning which ones are edible, how to use them, some medicinal uses & what you should not pick. There may be some edible flowers too. In time for lunch, the group will prepare the harvest around the fire including soup, salad, fritters & teas. After lunch, you will continue with some identification of trees and their uses. This is a great time of year to learn this with some trees in leaf and some still in bud. Cost: £60, suitable: 18 years+.

Occombe Farm Cookery School, Preston Down Road, Paignton TQ3 1RN 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk

Trust10 Run, Coleton Fishacre 23 April & 28 May A free monthly 10k trail run along the rugged South West Coast Path and through Coleton Fishacre garden. It’s fun, informal and for everyone. Registration: 8.30am, start: 9am, dogs on leads welcome, 5K route also available.

Brownstone Road, Kingswear TQ6 0EQ 01803 842382 national trust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre

World Penguin Day, Living Coasts 25 April A celebration of these amazing and lovable birds at Living Coasts.

Beacon Quay, Torquay TQ1 2BG

What’s On 01803 202470 livingcoasts.org.uk

Ape and Cake, Paignton Zoo 26 April Enjoy an exclusive opportunity to eat cake with the apes at Paignton Zoo! Learn about the primates with the chance to quiz keepers about what really makes apes tick!

Enjoy presentations and a guided tour of the orang-utan, gorilla and gibbon enclosures, plus a delicious slice of cake. This fundraising event is in support of the zoo’s vital animal conservation work. Time: 7.00pm to 9.00 pm, suitable for: 10 years+, tickets: £22, booking essential.

Paignton Zoo, Totnes Road, Paignton TQ4 7EU 01803 697500 paigntonzoo.org.uk

including flying birds, butterflies, coastal flowers and possibly marine mammals – in an area of fascinating geology and history. Cost: £35, suitable for 18 years+.

Berry Head, Gillard Road, Brixham TQ5 9AP 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk

Brixham Orpheus Male Voice Choir 29 April Brixham Orpheus Male Voice Choir are joined by the local mixed choir ‘One Accord’ for a concert in aid of The Friends of Brixham Library.Time: 7pm, tickets: £5 advance or £8 on the door.

St Mary’s Church, Milton Street, Brixham TQ5 0BU 01803 850642 brixham-orpheus-choir.co.uk

Dusk Chorus Walk 26 April

World Tai Chi Day, Goodrington 29 April

Join local expert Mike Langman for an evening stroll looking & listening for the park’s winged residents. Time: 6.30-8.30pm, cost: £7, suitable: adults and 11years+ (children must be accompanied by an adult), not suitable for dogs, refreshments included. A Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust event.

The Linhay Visitor Centre, Cockington, Torquay TQ2 6XA 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk

Be a part of World Tai Chi & Qigong Day, which takes place each year (10 am local time) in 100s of cities, spanning 80 nations; people come together, to breathe together and providing a healing vision for the world.

Youngs Park, Goodrington, Paignton TQ4 6LP worldtaichiday.org

Countryside Walks, Coleton Fishacre 28 April

Browse stunning, unique handmade crafts complemented by locally farmed foods in the beautiful grounds of Cockington Court. Experience craft makers at work and sample some of Devon’s finest foods. Stalls include flavoured mustards, cheeses and preserves, handmade Scotch eggs, sweet and savoury artisan flapjacks, multicoloured French macarons and breads, buns, lardy cakes and cheese straws from quality Devon producers. Time: 10am – 3pm.

Cockington Court, Cockington, Torquay, TQ2 6XA 01803 607230 cockingtoncourt.org

The ranger team will be leading this countryside walk from Coleton Fishacre to Pudcombe Cove, along the South West Coast Path to Ivy Cove, and back to Coleton Fishacre via Coleton Camp. Free event but normal admission applies for the venue. Children must be accompanied by an adult and dogs on leads are welcome.

Time: 11am-1pm.

Brownstone Road, Kingswear TQ6 0EQ 01803 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre

Berry Head Nature Photography Workshop 29 April Learn how to make expressive digital photographs of Berry Head’s landscapes and nature with Outdoor Photography Tutor Phil Hemsley. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from a true expert, with a mixture of classroom and field-based activities ensuring you get the most from your camera - also discovering how to get close to your subject using field craft techniques. You will also learn about the use of video on your camera. Berry Head provides a great diversity of wildlife to photograph englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Food & Crafts Market, Cockington 30 April & 28 May

Doggy Day, Greenway 01 May Fun dog competitions will run in the Walled Garden throughout the day; you can pick up a programme from visitor reception as you arrive. From cleverest trick to cutest puppy, there’s sure to be something at which your pooch will be top-dog. There will also be demonstrations and scurries by Oakwood Gundogs and The Blue Cross will be helping to judge the competitions. Time: 11am3pm, cost: £2 per competition, admission applies, car parking must be pre-booked.

Greenway House, Kingswear TQ5 0ES 01803 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway April/May 2017

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Add somecolour colour Add some to to your weekend your day out this at autumn at Gibside Greenway this spring The woodland garden at Agatha Go crunching through fallen leaves andis discover a forest Christie's holiday home filled with teeming with wildlife and autumn colours, with walking spring flowers in bloom. routes for all ages and abilities.

Call 01803 842382 for details nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway When you visit, donate, volunteer or join theTrust, National When you visit, donate, volunteer or join the National your Trust, us toplaces look after supportyour helps support us to look helps after special <in thespecial region> places <like in property X, property Y and Proeprty Z> in for ever, for everyone. the English Riviera such as Greenway, for ever, for everyone. © National Trust 2016. The National Trust is an © National Trust 2016. The National Trust is an independent independent registered charity, number 205846. registered charity, number 205846. Photography © National Trust Photography © National Trust Images\JonJo Borrill.

Images.

#nationaltrust #nationaltrust

DISCOVER

STEP INTO THE

ENJOY

STONE

AGE

RELAX

MAMMOTH SAVINGS ONLINE Torquay, Devon, TQ1 2JF WWW.KENTS-CAVERN.CO.UK 01803 215136 48

April/May 2017

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What’s On Canon & Noor’s Indian Night, Berry Head Hotel 4 May Enjoy a speciality Indian Night with all you can eat buffet at £13.50 per person.

Berry Head Road, Brixham TQ5 9AJ 01803 853225 berryheadhotel.com

Paignton Open for Single Handed Dinghies (POSH) 6-7 May A 2-day regatta organised by Paignton Sailing Club with 3 single-handed races each day.

Paignton Harbour, Paignton, TQ4 6DT 01803 525817 paigntonsailingclub.com

Dawn Chorus Walk, Greenway 7 May Join the ranger team for a walk on the beautiful Greenway Estate listening to and identifying bird songs along the way. The walk ends with coffee, tea & bacon sandwiches.

Time: 5am – 8am, cost: adult £10, child £5. Dogs on leads are welcome.

Greenway House, Kingswear TQ5 0ES 01803 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway

Dart Music Festival 12-14 May A very popular event since 1998 and now in its 20th year. There are over 100 free performances spanning almost every musical genre, the festival offers an eclectic mix of orchestral, rock, choral, blues, opera, folk, and jazz performances at a variety of indoor and outdoor venues including two churches, the bandstand in the Park, outside the castle, and various hotels, pubs, and restaurants, throughout the weekend.

Dartmouth Town Centre, Dartmouth TQ6 9DY dartmusicfestival.co.uk

author will be taking the audience back in time with a talk about his brand new book & signing copies.Time: 2pm, Cost: £5.00.

529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HG 01803 293975 torquaymuseum.org/events

Brixham Orpheus Male Voice Choir 20 May Brixham Orpheus Male Voice Choir are joined by Suzie & Bill Trezise of ‘Harping Mad’ fame and their friends for a concert in aid of church funds. Time: 7pm, tickets: £5 advance or £8 on the door.

Preston Baptist Church, Old Torquay Road, Paignton TQ3 2RB 01803 850642 brixham-orpheus-choir.co.uk

Tamar Valley Choir & Porthcawl Male Voice Choir 20 May Enjoy a concert in aid of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. The programme will include a wide range of classical music plus modern music, some of which will be sung in Welsh. Time: 6.45 for 7.30pm. Tickets: £7.50 on the door.

St Matthias Church, Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HW branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/torquay

Paignton Open for Double Handed Dinghies (PODD) 20-21 May A 2-day regatta organised by Paignton Sailing Club with 3 double-handed races each day.

The South Quay, Paignton Harbour, Paignton, TQ4 6DT 01803 525817 paigntonsailingclub.com

Totnes Canoe Festival 21 May

Time Travellers Guide to Restoration Britain, Torquay Museum 20 May If you find yourself in Britain in the years 1660-1700, the age of Charles II, Samuel Pepys, Isaac Newton and the Glorious Revolution - where will you stay? What will you eat? What laws will you need to obey? What diseases will kill you? In this special fundraising event, Dr Ian Mortimer, Sunday Times best selling historian and englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

The festival is free day of fun for the whole family. Come and support the crews as 10 paddle Longbow canoes race in April/May 2017

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JRB AT THE GROSVENOR

JOHN BURTON-RACE At The Grosvenor Hotel

For a culinary experience of true beauty, look no further than our brand new restaurant, John Burton-Race at the Grosvenor. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s menu offers patrons a perfect selection of innovative dishes with a strong emphasis on flavour, and made with locally sourced ingredients. Afternoon Tea is also available for you to enjoy, along with our family style Sunday Lunches.

To book please call 01803 294373 | www.grosvenorhoteltorquay.co.uk The Grosvenor Hotel | Belgrave Road | Torquay | Devon | TQ2 5HG

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T H E G RO S V E N O R H OT E L To r q u a y â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s U n e x p e c t e d D e l i g h t

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

What’s On full view of spectators at Longmarsh. Bring a picnic, enjoy the stalls and the entertainment. Time: 12 noon-5pm.

Organised by The Rotary Club of Totnes in aid of charities.

Longmarsh, Steamer Quay Road, Totnes TQ9 5AL totnescanoefest.co.uk

Tea with the Tigers 24 May Join Paignton Zoo for an evening with the big cats!

Come along after hours for an exclusive opportunity to learn all about our majestic tigers and lions. Watch them at feeding time, meet their keepers and enjoy presentations, plus tea and a delicious slice of cake! This fundraising event is in support of the zoo’s vital animal conservation work. Time: 7.00pm to 9.00 pm, suitable for: 10 years+, tickets: £22, booking essential.

Paignton Zoo, Totnes Road, Paignton TQ4 7EU 01803 697500 paigntonzoo.org.uk

Sailing Trawler races that have been held in Torbay since the early 1800s. It is hosted by Brixham Yacht Club.

Brixham Yacht Club, Overgang Road, Brixham TQ5 8AR brixhamheritagesailing.org.uk

Geopark Festival 27 May – 4 June Celebrate The English Riviera UNESCO-recognised Global Geopark at this year’s Geopark Festival.There’s a range of events all week that can help you enjoy, explore and experience all of the different aspects of the Geopark.

Various locations around the English Riviera englishrivierageopark.org.uk

Italian Night, Berry Head Hotel 25 May Enjoy a themed Italian Night with all you can eat buffet at £13.50 per person.

Berry Head Road, Brixham TQ5 9AJ 01803 853225 berryheadhotel.com

BrixFest Brixham 27-31 May BrixFest is a celebration of Brixham, past and present and one of Brixham’s leading festivals. There’s a grand firework display on 28 May, a Dragonboat Challenge on 29 May and a Children’s Day plus 1960s festivities on 30 May and a vintage car rally on 01 June.

Brixham Harbour, Brixham TQ5 8AJ brixfest.com

Fossil Trail, Kents Cavern 27 May – 4 June During Geopark Festival Week take part in the Kents Cavern Fossil trail and cave hunt. Take part in other activities, coastal walks and cave tours.

89-91 Ilsham Road, Torquay TQ1 2JF 01803 215136 kents-cavern.co.uk

Half Term Teddy Bear Picnic, Bygones 27 May-4 June Bring your bear along to join in the fun. Take part in the photo challenge. Normal entry applies. Members go free!

Fore Street, St Marychurch, Torquay TQ1 4PR 01803 326108 bygones.co.uk

The Enchanted Wood, Greenway 28 May

Brixham Heritage Sailing Regatta 27-28 May The Brixham Heritage Sailing Regatta has its roots in the englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Join the National Trust team in Greenway’s enchanted woodland. Why not dress up as an animal, elf or fairy and drop into this day of woodland games, animal-themed crafts and activities led by the woodland folk at Greenway?

Time: 11am-4pm, cost: £3 child (to be accompanied by adult), suitable for: 3 years+. Meet in Walled Garden.

Admission applies. Parking must be prebooked.

Greenway House, Kingswear TQ5 0ES 01803 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway April/May 2017

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What’s On River Dart Canoe Expedition 29 May

Brixham Marine Conservation Day 30 May

Explore the River Dart by canoe with National Trust countryside rangers and find out all about the river and its flora and fauna. Starting at Stoke Gabriel, your instructor will take you down to Greenway where you will be able to enjoy light refreshments on the battery with a chance to have a look around the house and gardens before heading back up the Dart to Stoke Gabriel. Suitable for all abilities - canoes and an instructor are provided. Time: 10am – 4pm, cost: £50 Greenway House, Kingswear TQ5 0ES 01803 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway

This free event organised by local nature enthusiast Annie Wilson is bringing together organisations working on marine conservation, education, research and tourism with the aim of building awareness of how we can all help to create a cleaner, healthier and safer marine environment. There will be talks at Brixham Yacht Club all day, a marine mammal rescue demo by British Divers Marine Life Rescue, interactive stands from marine conservation organisations & a beach clean.

Brixham Harbour, Brixham TQ5 9BW Email: Brixhammarineconservationproject@talktalk.net

Laundry Day, Coleton Fishacre 30 May

Dartington Food Fair 29 & 30 May The Dartington Food Fair is filled with great local produce, tastings, workshops, chef demos, children’s entertainment, music and activities for all the family.

The Shops at Dartington, Dartington TQ9 6TQ 01803 847500 dartington.org

Alice in Wonderland, Kents Cavern 29 May-2 June Step through the looking glass and take part in Butterfly Theatre’s adaptation of; Lewis Carroll’s famous Alice in Wonderland. Enjoy this promenade performance telling the enchanted tale of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. It’s a very special hour-long promenade performance around the cave. Private groups on request. Suitable for 8years+, times: 6pm and 8pm, cost: £15 adults, £12 children.

Ilsham Road, Torquay, TQ1 2JF 01803 215136 kents-cavern.co.uk

Join in at Coleton Fishacre’s laundry to experience life as a 1930s laundry maid! Have a go at washing linen from the period using a washing dolly, washboard and mangle, with the expert supervision of knowledgeable volunteers. Free event, no booking but normal admission applies. Times: Drop-in 11am – 3pm.

Brownstone Road, Kingswear TQ6 0EQ 01803 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre

Make an Insect Home, Coleton Fishacre 31 May Join the ranger team to make bug boxes, which are perfect homes for wild animals. You’ll be able to take your bug boxes home. No booking, event cost: £2, normal admission applies, children welcome, not suitable for dogs, time: 2-4pm.

Brownstone Road, Kingswear TQ6 0EQ 01803 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre

Holding an event in June or July?

E-mail us at editorial@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk and we’ll list it in the next issue englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

April/May 2017

53

Berry Head Hotel Brixham | Torbay | South Devon www.berryheadhotel.com | stay@berryheadhotel.com

Tel: +44 (01803) 853225

Fresh Fish straight from the Boats to your Plate Fine Wine Cellar and Local Ales Daily Devonshire Cream Teas Brasserie and a la Carte Restaurant Traditional Sunday Carvery Live Entertainment at the Weekends A stunning location for Weddings and Special Events with menus tailored to suit you Indoor Swimming Pool, Jacuzzi and Sauna Non-residents and Families Welcome Well appointed 3 Star Accommodation

Exclusive Voucher Just For You in our Restaurant….

Present this Voucher & Receive a 4 Course & Coffee Table D’Hote Menu for 2 persons For Only £50.00 Served Everyday 7.00pm—9.30pm (Expires end of May 2017)

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PerfectWedding Locations

Weddings

We are blessed with a choice of some spectacular wedding venues in and around the English Riviera.

We pick a few to inspire you...

Riverside Elegance at Sharpham The Sharpham Trustâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spectacular setting beside the River Dart makes it a lovely wedding venue. On a few limited occasions each year, the Trust welcomes couples to use Sharpham House and its wonderful gardens exclusively for their weddings. You can choose from five elegant rooms in this Georgian Palladian mansion designed in 1770 by Sir Robert Taylor, all licensed to hold your civil wedding ceremony. Before and after the wedding, you and up to

42 of your guests can be accommodated in comfortable bedrooms among relaxed surroundings. Many couples choose to hold their ceremony on Sharphamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous feature, the spectacular, oval, cantilevered staircase, rising three floors beneath a domed ceiling and lantern skylight.

Each available ceremony room is licensed for up to 60 guests. The two halls in the house are available to book at no extra charge, to accommodate 120 guests. To assist you englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

with planning your wedding, Sharpham offers different wedding and event room packages and a dedicated wedding coordinator to guide you through the arrangements.

Reception and drinks can be enjoyed in the tranquil setting of lush lawns and gardens with breathtaking views of the River Dart and gorgeous natural scenery make a fabulous and memorable backdrop for your wedding and your photographs. You may also choose to hire a marquee or a tipi to put on the lawns.

Sharpham also hires out its Bathing House for honeymoons. Built in the 1770s, at the same time as Sharpham House, the Bathing House is on a bend in the river, below the main House.

House Manager Denise Scribbins will arrange a viewing and advise you on your wedding options. 01803 732842 or email housemanager@ sharphamtrust.org sharphamtrust.org/Ceremonies/ Weddings-at-Sharpham

Beautiful Cockington Cockington is a very special place for a wedding. The delightful ceremony rooms are situated on the first floor of this historic Grade II listed Manor House, which is set in 460 acres of stunning parklands, gardens and water meadows. The rose garden to the rear of the Court provides a unique and beautiful spot for photographs.

Cockington Court can host up to 55 guests, is licensed April/May 2017

55

Join us for an exclusive MGO gala evening set in the grounds of Devon’s 5 star Gidleigh Park Hotel.

Introduced by Jonathan Dimbleby, the National Opera Studio will perform a glorious selection of highlights from the opera in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Saturday 17 June 2017 Further details at www.mgo-event.co.uk

Box Office: Exeter Northcott Theatre 01392 726363

www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

Coming up this Easter Sense the creativity Craft studios Tea rooms Play area Weddings and room hire Manor House 460 acre award winning country park and gardens Arts and crafts workshops Visitor Welcome Point and galleries Free admission, open daily from 10am Cockington Court Craft Centre, Cockington, Torquay TQ2 6XA Tel: 01803 607230 www.cockingtoncourt.org Cockington Court Craft Centre @CockingtonC

Easter Egg Trail 14th-17th April, 10am-4pm Find the trail of easter eggs hidden around Cockington Court. £1 for trail sheet and a treat -free for under 2’s.

Sculpture Trail & Exhibition 23rd April - 10th Sept, 10am-4pm Follow our Art Path and discover sculptures created by local artists placed within the Court site including the studio areas, Walled Art Garden and Manor House also with a supporting exhibition in the Kitchen Gallery.

After the trail why not pop into the Court Tea Rooms for tasty homemade food using locally sourced ingredients.

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Weddings for civil ceremonies and is an incredibly popular location for weddings all year round. To make your day even more memorable, the famous Cockington craft workers can create bespoke wedding gifts, favours, cards, cakes and jewellery just for you.

Marissa Wakefield, Cockington Court Craft Centre Director, said, “We love having weddings here at Cockington Court. It brings an eloquent vibrancy to the venue and each one is so unique. A lot of the weddings simply enjoy the gorgeous, scenic environment the Court naturally offers.”

To arrange a viewing of the ceremony rooms, please contact Fran Anderson on 01803 607230 or email info@cockingtoncourt.org cockingtoncourt.org/ weddings

Breathtaking Views at Brixham’s Berry Head Hotel The Berry Head Hotel is a truly breathtaking waterside location. It overlooks the Bay in the beautiful harbourside town of Brixham with its charming inner harbour and stylish marina with yachts nodding gently at anchor. The englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

hotel has wonderful facilities for wedding receptions for both formal and more relaxed occasions and can cater for 2 to 250 guests. This elegant hotel nestles right at the water’s edge in 6 acres of gardens and woodland. You couldn’t have a more stunning backdrop for the most memorable wedding photographs and it’s always a big treat to visit.

As a family run business for over 22 years the hotel’s team provides a very personal and professional service, traditional hospitality and delicious menus that can be tailored specially for you. It’s licensed for both

indoor and outdoor civil ceremonies giving you lots of options. The hotel offers well-appointed AA 3 Star accommodation with an indoor swimming pool, spa pool & sauna. There is ample parking available too.

To arrange a wedding showround email stay@ berryheadhotel.com or call 01803 853225 berryheadhotel.com April/May 2017

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WEDDING SHOWCASE Sunday 23 rd April, 3pm - 6pm

View our venue set for a wedding, tour the hotel and meet the team to discuss how we can make your special day a date to remember!

The Imperial Torquay, Park Hill Road, Torquay, TQ1 2DG â&#x2C6;&#x2122; www.theimperialtorquay.co.uk

Looking for a venue with breathtaking views, period charm and a dedicated events team?

IMT 20170315 English Riviera Magazine 147x106.indd 1

15/03/2017 10:17

The Paignton Club, established in 1885.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perfectly placed to capture panoramic views across the bay and is open six days every week for wining, dining and relaxing.

Available for weddings and private functions.

ThePaigntonClub

www.thepaigntonclub.co.uk

Call 01803 559682 for further information or email paigntonclub@hotmail.com

1 The Esplanade Paignton TQ4 6ED Membership applications are always welcome - see website for details

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Weddings

The Paignton Club Around since 1885, The Paignton Club occupies a delightful spot on the southern end of Paignton promenade right on the seafront. The club can accommodate 60 people for your wedding ceremony and 60 for a wedding breakfast in their attractive Promenade Restaurant. You can also host up to to 80 guests for an evening reception using the restaurant plus the Maritime Lounge Bar. There is a dedicated wedding co-ordinator and a wide choice of menus to ensure your big day is a wonderful experience.

In the first instance contact the manager Trevor Cornish on 01803 559682 or paigntonclub@hotmail.co.uk thepaigntonclub.co.uk/weddings

Wedding Showcase, Imperial Hotel 23 April & 21 May The Imperial has an impressive setting, perched high on the cliff top overlooking Tor Bay. It has 6 beautiful function rooms for small and large weddings to include

options and to help inspire you. Imperial Hotel staff will be on hand to guide you through the showcase, which will be held in the Haldon Room, all set up for a wedding reception. Time: 3-6pm. Free entry.

Photo: www.dommoore.w edding

the ceremony and the reception. There are delicious menus, a spa and beauty room and indoor and outdoor swimming pools. For anyone planning their special day The Imperial has regular wedding showcase events. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be met with a glass of bubbly as the doors at this historic hotel are opened to showcase some beautiful wedding englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

For further information or to arrange a showround, contact the events team, call 01803 294301 or email events@theimperialtorquay.co.uk theimperialtorquay.co.uk /weddings April/May 2017

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15–19 May 2017 Make your Will, support your family, support your local hospice During Make a Will Week, South Devon solicitors waive their entire fee for making or updating your Will, in return for a donation to Rowcroft.

Every donation received as part of the week helps to support families in South Devon living with life-limiting illnesses to make the most of every moment they have together.

Suggested Will writing donations: • £150 for a Single Will • £200 for Mirror Wills 100% of this fee will go directly to Rowcroft Hospice

www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/will-week 01803 217405

With thanks to all our local supporting law firms

Registered Charity No: 282723

2723

Charity

Support your family and your hospice with

Rowcroft’s Make a Will Week

M

aking a Will is important for you and your family, bringing the peace of mind and knowledge that whatever the future might bring, your loved ones are financially protected.

To make or update your Will, simply book an appointment with a participating local solicitor and mention Rowcroft’s Make a Will Week. During your appointment, you will be asked to provide all the necessary information for the firm to write your Will, and also to make your donation to Rowcroft. The suggested donation for a single Will is £150 or £200 for a pair of mirror Wills. Though there is no obligation to do so, you may wish to donate more than the suggested fee, or choose to leave a gift to Rowcroft in your Will. However much you choose, 100% of your donation will come directly to the hospice.

By taking part in Make a Will Week, and perhaps choosing to remember Rowcroft in your Will, you’ll be helping families like Lorraine’s to face the most challenging days of their lives, with the support of Rowcroft’s dedicated health and social care teams. “My dear Aunt and Godmother, Maureen Mahoney, lost her battle to ovarian cancer 20 years ago. The love, care and compassion Rowcroft showed motivated me to support this wonderful charity, and Make a Will Week was a great opportunity to help.

With the valuable advice and support of a local solicitor, I was able to write my ‘Last Will and Testament’ knowing that my entire donation would go directly to the hospice. It’s such a relief that my final wishes have been put down on paper and that I’ve been able to thank Rowcroft with a gift in my Will for their kindness during what was such a difficult time. Please support Rowcroft today, as no one is promised tomorrow.”

Every pound Rowcroft receives from Make a Will Week goes directly towards supporting patients in South Devon living with life-limiting illnesses to share precious time with their family and friends; helping to make every day the best day possible.

Sue Harvey, Rowcroft’s Inpatient Unit Manager, explains: “More than 70% of Rowcroft’s funding comes from the local community, and a huge proportion of that comes from gifts in Wills, but however much you can donate to Rowcroft during Make a Will Week, no matter how big or small, is gratefully received and hugely appreciated by all of us.”

Secure your family’s future while supporting your local hospice; for more information about making or updating your Will during Make a Will Week, and a full list of local participating solicitors, visit www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/will-week. o

Rowcroft supports three quarters of patients at home, and also provides care for patients and their family members at its 12-bed Inpatient Unit and Outpatient Centre in Torquay englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Rowcroft’s Make a Will Week, from 15 - 19 May, gives you the opportunity to make or update your Will with a local, South Devon solicitor who will donate the entire fee they’d normally receive directly to Rowcroft Hospice.

ArtsRoundUp

Feeling creative? We bring you a round up of some arts, crafts and antiques events and workshops happening locally.

Torquay’s Artizan Gallery & Café Solo Exhibition: Presence Anna McDermott 1 – 29 April Private View Saturday 1 April 6-8pm Shimmering, shivering, and iridescent colours spill across highly textured aluminium panels in Anna’s paintings.

Both her abstract and figurative pieces are rich with significance and carry a great depth of emotion.

Shakespeare Workshop 24 April 2-6.30pm To celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday and inspired by Shakespeare’s Tempest and the stunning art of Anna McDermott, this writing workshop will draw on the play’s key themes and form. Led by Harula Ladd, a writer, poet and creative writing teacher based in Totnes. Growing up in Stratford-upon-Avon has given her a deep love for writing and the theatre, and the plays of Shakespeare. Tickets £20 to include hot drink & a cookie. harulaladd@yahoo.com

Rowcroft Upcycling Workshop with Gilly Pitman 10 May 10.30am-4.30pm Solo Exhibition (Main Gallery): ‘Cosmography’ Paintings and Drawings Charles Somerton 1 May – 20 May Private View Thursday 4 May 6-8pm. Charles Somerton’s paintings have a rich, deep, tactile surface and an exuberant colour palette, which he mixes solely from the three primary shades. The sense of harmony present in his works is strongly reminiscent of traditional mandalas, reflecting his observation of similar patterns appearing in ancient artworks around the world.

Solo Exhibition (Garden Gallery) Jo West 1 – 20 May Private View Thursday 4 May 6-8pm A native Devonian, Jo West is a contemporary artist heavily influenced by her rural upbringing.

Captivated by the shimmer of the natural world, Jo uses acrylics, mixed media, and resin to create her paintings depicting highly embellished flowers.

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Artist Gilly Pitman will teach you how to upcycle furniture with a variety of exciting and beautiful techniques.

Finished pieces will be donated to Rowcroft for sale in their stores, along with £5 from each ticket. Tickets: £45. All materials and a light lunch will be provided.

Stanza Extravaganza 24 April & 22 May Drop into one of Artizan’s monthly poetry nights with host Robert Garnham bringing you a fantastic line-up of headliners and local performers. Doors Open 7.15 pm Performance 7.45pm - 10 pm. Tickets: £5 Advance £6 on the door. Performers pay £2. Interested performers should contact robertgarnham@gmail.com

Acoustic Nights 17 April & 29 May Hosted by talented musician Robert Spence, but with the addition of a main set performed by visiting musicians both local and from a wider area. Doors open 7 pm, performance 7.30pm - 10pm. Tickets: £4 Advance £5 on the door. Performers pay £2. Interested performers should contact Robert Spence rutybobs@tesco.net All at: 7 Lucius Street, Torquay, TQ2 5NZ 01803 428626/07522 509642 artizan gallery.co.uk f facebook.com/artizangallery englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Arts

More great events Artist in Residence, Coleton Fishacre Selected dates until 30 April Coleton’s Artist in Residence, Jo Turner will be in the garden, capturing the lovely views. Materials to draw with will be available for visitors of any age who are inspired

by Coleton Fishacre and Jo’s work. Time: 11am – 2pm, weather dependent, free event but normal admission applies. Dogs on leads are welcome.

Brownstone Road, Kingswear TQ6 0EQ 01803 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre

How to Write Great Prose, Dartington 1 April Writing jaw-droppingly great prose may not be as tricky as you first think. This half-day workshop with Benedict Brooks examines some of the issues involved in prose writing, and shows you how to fix them. The course will help all prose writers, regardless of experience, and will shine more light upon the techniques involved in producing great prose. Cost: £25, time: 9am-12noon.

Holland Room, Dartington Hall, Dartington TQ9 6EA 01803 847070 dartington.org

Torbay Film Club Showings: 3 April – Tokyo Godfathers (PG) - three homeless friends find an abandoned newborn in Tokyo.

3 May – Water (PG) – an Indian film about a group of widows forced into poverty at a temple in the holy city of Varanasi.

Time: 7 for 7.30pm, cost: £5.50 for non-members, venue: St Matthias Church, Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HW torbayfilmclub.co.uk

Blue Walnut Café Showing: 20 April – The Untouchable – a French comedy/drama.

Time: 7.15 for 8pm. Admission for non film club members: £5.

Walnut Road, Chelston TQ2 6HS 01803 394113 bluewalnuttorquay.co.uk

Writing Workshop, Torquay Library 8 April Critically acclaimed Belfast-based playwright Shannon Yee leads this special free writing workshop.

Time: 1.30-3.30pm, cost: free, booking needed.

Torquay Library, Lymington Road, Torquay TQ1 3DT 01803 558811 doorsteparts.co.uk

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Physical Theatre Workshop The Edge, Brixham 8 April This workshop is an incredible chance for young people to work with Theatre Ad Infinitum Artistic Director Nir Paldi. £10 ticket includes workshop admission, local fish & chips and admission to see Bucket List that evening in Brixham at 7.30pm. Open to young people aged 14-25.

Time: 4-6pm. Book online, enquiries to: doorsteparts@ gmail.com Bolton Street, Brixham TQ5 9DH 01803 558811 doorsteparts.co.uk

Make Your Own Sketchbook, Dartington 8 April Explore traditional and contemporary bookbinding methods with Tom O’Reilly to create your own artist’s sketchbook or notebook. Learn about styles of sewing and binding as well as paper handling, glueing, sewing, attaching covers and finishing. Cost: £75, materials included, time: 10am-4pm, booking essential. Bring a lunch to share.

Chicken Shed Studios, Schumacher College, Dartington TQ9 6EA 01803 847070 dartington.org

Stone Carving, Dartington 12-week course starting 25 April Get introduced to the joys of stone carving with experienced tutor/artist/ sculptor Maria Moorhouse.

Time: Tuesdays 9.30am12.30pm or 1.30-4.30pm, cost: £200 plus extra for stone. There will be a trip to Exeter Cathedral with behindthe- scenes access to the stonemasons yard on Tuesday 18 April as part of the course (included in the course fee).

Booking essential – email maria.moorhouse@sky.com Studio 40, Shippon Studios Dartington Hall Estate TQ9 6EA 01803 847070 dartington.org April/May 2017

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YOUR NEXT PIECE OF ART, IS LOCAL Artizan is an Independent Fine Art Gallery committed to bringing you the work of talented local artists in Torbay and providing a welcoming and unique space for artists and art lovers alike.

F. G. Davis

J. Murr

Charles Somerton

Jo West

Anna McDermott

LOCAL ART - LOCAL ARTISTS 7 Lucius Street, Torquay, TQ2 5UW / (01803) 428626 / www.artizangallery.co.uk

OPEN Monday - Saturday 10-4.30

Your creative adventure starts here!

SPRING FABRICS IN STOCK NOW

from Makower, Dashwood, Timeless Treasures, Tilda and Michael Miller

It’s time for a Beach Hut and Boat makeover!

The Nautical & Seaside Fabric Specialist Come and see our wide range of wonderful fabrics and trimmings Font: James Fajardo Colours: Blue - C46 M16 Y22 K22 Red - C24 M100 Y100 K23

Patchwork & Quilting • Dressmaking & Repairs Knitting • Machine & Hand Sewing Skills

85 Middle Street Brixham TQ5 8EJ 01803 883342 www.brixhamsewingbox.co.uk

We run a range of courses and workshops for those just starting out and for the more experienced - check our website for details 64

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Torbay Guild of Artists 50th Exhibition of Paintings

Arts

Torbay Guild of Artists was founded 50 years ago as a club for local artists based in Torbay and surrounding areas. Now they are hosting their very special 50th exhibition at Spanish Barn, Torre Abbey from 12 – 23 April.

F

ounded in 1967, the original guild included some members of the Royal Academy of Arts. Their aim of keeping up a high standard of work and presentation became the basis for the Guild’s success over the years. Exhibitions were staged at Torre Abbey for some years but visitor numbers were limited due to the Abbey’s entry fee.

The exhibition moved to the Spanish Barn in 1999 and enjoyed very successful exhibitions there until 2006. At this point, a change of policy by Torbay Council forced the guild to seek a new venue. The annual exhibition then moved to Furrough Cross Hall in St Marychurch with continued success. For many years Derek and the late June Urban were Treasurer and Secretary. Derek is still the society’s president.

This year sculpture will add another dimension to the traditional fine art, contemporary and modern works at the exhibition. The acclaimed Totnes-based sculptor Ama Menec, who has exhibited with the Royal Academy, will have 4 pieces on display. Over 350 original framed paintings will be on view, which is the largest entry in the guild’s history and eighty-five artists are taking part.

Visitors will also be able to browse through a large number of unframed paintings, ideal if you wish to

make your own choice of framing. On a smaller scale, you will be able to choose from a wide choice of artists’ greetings cards.

There have been and are many talented artists among the guild’s members. Susan Cavaliere is the Treasurer. She is a surreal and abstract artist who works in encaustic wax and oils with spiritual flowing images. Martin Dutton, the Curator of Paintings, is a South West Academician and a great encourager of artists. He is prolific in oil and abstract compositions. Jane Christian, the Hon Secretary, captures the spirit of our splendid local bygone architecture in pen and watercolour.

Painting has no age barrier and at eighty-nine years of age, Ron Dodd is still pursuing a very individual and imaginative style. He does not start out with a composition in mind. The first brush stroke leads to an idea, which links up with another.

Members of the guild are pleased to be back at The Spanish Barn as this was always the favourite venue. It makes this 50th exhibition all the more special to be back there.

If you’d like to join the Torbay Guild of Artists and exhibit your works you can contact Jane Christian on 01803 402405, jcintorquay@hotmail.com o

Above: Susan Cavaliere and artworks by Guild members including Barry Buxton, Jane Chrisitian, Keith Bowcock and Martin Dutton.

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Need to Know: Event: Torbay Guild of Artists 50th Exhibition of Paintings. Free Admission Dates: 12 – 23 April Venue: Spanish Barn, Torre Abbey, Torquay Times: Daily 11am-5pm (11am-2pm on 23 April)

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Treading the boards Babbacombe Theatre Box Office 01803 328385 Editor’s pick LEGENDS OF THE WEST END 27 APRIL – 28 SEPTEMBER

Brixham Theatre Box Office 01803 882717 Editor’s pick ME TIME 21 APRIL

If you love West End Shows this is the one for you with extracts from more than 20 musicals from Les Miserables to Oliver.

Me Time is an original stage comedy by Ross Purdy and presented by Lesser Spotted Theatre Company. Sisters Amy and Scarlett need some headspace to make some big decisions and embark on a spa weekend with hilarious results.

Also worth seeing…

The Barron Knights – 6 April Shakin’ Stevens Echoes – 12 May

Also worth seeing…

Bucket List by Theatre Ad Infinitum – 8 April

Theatre Review

This year’s mid-week variety showcase at Babbacombe Theatre hit the ground running with a dazzling two hour long show packed with comedy, music, dance and magic. Local comic talent Steve Laister gave a great performance as host and had the audience in stitches with great comic observation and a variety of characters of which his lofty matador was a firm favourite! The Babbacombe crew do a spectacular job keeping the pace up with a great musical numbers highlighted by beautifully choreographed routines from Danze Magique. Lindsey Collard and West End songstress Gail-Marie shared the vocal highlights with more comedy from the ever-popular Wayne ‘Champagne’ Martin and illusionist Daniel Dean pulling off some Vegas-style stunts. There really wasn’t a moment wasted and with Adele and Justin Timberlake covers and a number from School of Rock there’s plenty to keep the younger members interested too.

What a great value show, Viva variety!

Flavel Arts Centre Dartmouth Box Office 01803 839530 Editor’s pick THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST 26 & 27 MAY Presented by The Dartmouth Players The Importance of Being Earnest is the most renowned of Oscar Wilde’s comedies. Set in 1895, it’s the story of two bachelors who create alter egos named Earnest to escape their tiresome lives.

Also worth seeing…

ROH Live: Jewels – 11 April NT Live: Obsession – 11 May Little Theatre, Torquay Box Office 01803 299330 Editor’s pick DEATH IN HIGH HEELS 24-29 APRIL

A thriller set in 1930s London. Behind the glamour and gossip of a small Regent Street couture fashion house, secrets and lies are rife, and when a murder happens this fuels more gossip and lies! A TOADS season production.

Also worth seeing…

Flat Spin – 22-27 May 66

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Palace Theatre, Paignton Box Office 01803 665800 Editor’s pick CAUGHT IN THE NET 19-22 APRIL Caught in the Net is by the master of farce Ray Cooney.

This is a sequel to Run for your Wife and finds bigamist taxi driver, John Smith still keeping both his families blissfully unaware of each other. A Bijou Theatre Company production.

Also worth seeing…

Easter Bunny’s Eggs-Ellent Adventure – 23 April

Princess Theatre, Torquay Box Office 0844 8713023 Editor’s pick REMEMBERING FRED 14 MAY With favourite Strictly stars Aljaz and Janette, the Remembering Fred tour relives special moments from the career of dancing extraordinaire, Fred Astaire, with magical ‘top hat and tails’ moments.

Also worth seeing…

Vienna Festival Ballet, Cinderella – 12 April Reduced Shakespeare Company - 2 May

TripAdvisor Ranking 1 of 3 theatres in Torquay TripAdvisor Ranking 1 of 44 theatres in Devon At time of going to print March 2017

Tuesdays & Wednesdays 8.15pm Until 18st October incl.

Matinee: Wednesday 23rd August 2.30pm Tickets: £20, Seniors £19, Children £10 Online cost inclusive of transaction fee £22/£21/£12 “Brilliant!”

“Wow! What a performance” “What a night!!!”

Trip Advisor Reviews, March 2017

Visit or call the Box Office and present this voucher when purchasing your tickets for the two-for-one offer

This offer is only applicable for the Tuesday performances of Magic of the Stars during April.

All performances 8.15pm.

Name: Email:

Postcode: Performance Date: Tick here if you wish to be added to our mailing list o Terms & Conditions: Based on full ticket price of £20. No other concessions apply.

This voucher can be used for up to four transactions against one date only when presented at the Box Office. Not redeemable against online or group bookings.

No photocopies accepted. TQ/EX residents only. Subject to availability.

£2 booking fee - NO CREDIT CARD CHARGES APPLIED

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Box Office (01803) 328385 April/May 2017

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EducationNews....

Dream Week at Kings Ash Academy At Kings Ash Academy Primary School in Paignton, the children recently celebrated ‘Dream Week’ as a wide range of fantastic, inspiring and motivating individuals dropped by. To help the children explore their aspirations, Olympians, fire fighters, the RNLI, sports coaches, a musician and Year 10 pupils from Paignton Community and Sports Academy (PCSA) paid visits. The fun-packed week began on Monday as local heroes from the fire department arrived to talk to the children about the important role they have in the community. The children even got to have a look at one of the fire engines! Next, Year 10 pupils came by from PCSA to share their insights on life at secondary school with Kings Ash Year 3 and 4 pupils. Then Tuesday saw the arrival of rugby player and sports coach George Fouche who related the story of his career and life, both in an exciting assembly and also within individual classes. Wednesday morning was full of energy as aspiring

110-metre hurdler Joseph Hylton and Olympic 400 metre hurdler Rhys Williams joined Kings Ash. They helped the pupils to complete some charitable fundraising activities before Joseph answered children’s questions about his career. The fun didn’t stop there, as musician Leo GoldenChild visited to share his musical experiences with the children and led an emotional assembly with stories about his life. Thursday saw the arrival of another local hero, this time from the RNLI. His workshops with different classes were fascinating and the children were surprised by just how much the RNLI’s lifesaving service helps the residents of Devon. Dream Week was brought to a close when parents were invited into school to share in all the experiences and learning activities that the children had undertaken.

It was a fun week and the Kings Ash pupils learned a lot about how much you are able to achieve when you believe in yourself. o kingsashacademy.org

South Devon College Apprenticeship Awards South Devon College held their annual Apprenticeship Awards at the Imperial Hotel in Torquay. Following a drinks reception Stephen Criddle (Principal of South Devon College) gave the welcome address and Jane Viner (Director of Professional Practice, Nursing & People’s Experience, Torbay and South Devon Healthcare NHS Trust) gave the keynote speech. Karen Stockham (Chair of Governors, South Devon College) gave the closing remarks. Awards judges were Elke Hayden (South Devon College Governor), Anita Newcombe (Editor and Co-Publisher English Riviera Magazine) and Jim Parker (Editor Herald Express).

The college works with a large number of local businesses and is at the forefront of apprenticeship delivery with high quality training and support. Apprenticeships allow the students to gain internationally recognised qualifications to boost their careers, whilst getting paid. Many local businesses sponsored the awards, which included a wide range of categories from Best Professional Skills to Outstanding Contribution to Apprenticeships. South Devon College’s Apprentice of the Year 2017 was announced as Ricky Collyer from the Carpentry and Joinery department. o southdevon.ac.uk/apprenticeships englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Above: Winning Members of the Sport and Fitness team Right: Ricky Collyer, Carpentry and Joinery- Apprentice of the Year 2017

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Consistently named one of the best independent food retailers in Devon, we’re more than just a fantastic farm shop...

There’s also a fully stocked garden centre and restaurant serving great locally produced meals - we’re famous for our farmhouse breakfasts!

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for Easter?

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April Showers Herald May Flowers

Lis Wallace of Dobies of Devon takes delight in April and May as wonderful months to be out and about in the garden.

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pril and May are such glorious months. The cheerful vibrancy of yellow daffodils has given way to the softer white, pink and lilac colours of tree blossom and of course the wonderful green of fresh new leaves. Spring has well and truly sprung and the Bay is looking wonderful for the start of the visitor season.

Jobs for April/May April and May are two of the busiest months in the gardening year and here are just a handful of the key tasks you can enjoy: • Sow sweet peas direct where they are to flower and plant out any that you sowed in the autumn, having first hardened them off.

• Deadhead your spring flowering bulbs and keep them weed free. Allow the leaves to die down naturally.

• Herbs can be sown in pots on the windowsill to give you fresh ingredients throughout the summer.

• Feed any citrus plants with Citrus Tree Summer Feed.

They can also be pruned now if needed.

• Plants kept in containers will appreciate having the top few centimetres of soil replaced with fresh compost mixed with controlled release fertiliser. Top with a mulch to aid moisture retention.

• Runner beans don’t just taste great but are decorative too. Sow them now and come July you’ll have vibrant flowers followed by tasty beans.

Why buy grafted veg plants?

When deciding which veg plants to buy to take a good look at the range of grafted plants available.

True they are slightly more expensive, here’s why: • Up to 75% more fruit per plant • Fruiting starts earlier • Fruiting lasts longer • Higher disease resistance

Lis’s garden includes a wide range of flowering plants but it is the veg patch and greenhouse that receive the most attention. Lis will share some of the knowledge she has gained from her father (a professional gardener) from working at Dobies and also from her own trial and error. Storm, the Jack Russell is bound to chip in now and then. That’s what terriers do! englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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Gardening “Oh, the good life, full of fun seems to be the ideal” To some “the good life” recalls Tony Bennett’s 1963 song, to others an image of Tom and Barbara Good slipping and sliding in their Surbiton garden. To all, the phrase is indicative of a simple, self-sufficient lifestyle. Growing crops and keeping livestock in the garden is many people’s idea of the “good life” and we know that many of our customers are already living that dream right here, in Torbay. Dobies already supplies the seeds, plants, fruit, etc. needed to grow your own food but now we’re taking the next step. Our range now includes everything needed for your backyard chickens, honey bees plus the equipment needed to preserve and store your crops and harvests.

OFFER – Buy a starter kit for all your chicken essentials including, drinker, feeder, egg boxes, labels, feed scoop, disinfectant and nest egg for just £24 (saving £6) and get 10% off a chicken ark Starter Kit – Product code 596825 Starter Kit + Ark – Product codes 596825 & 596825, please quote offer code ARK17

Sneeze-free Gardens

• One in five people suffer from hay fever at some point in their life and, for many, summer is • a time to be endured rather than enjoyed. Hay fever is • an allergic reaction to the pollen released by plants but • the following suggestions will mean the garden doesn’t need to be out of bounds: •

•

Select plants that are pollinated by insects rather than those that release their pollen into the air. Plants pollinated by insects need, of course, to attract those insects and so they tend to have large, brightly coloured petals and are often fragrant. By contrast, wind pollinated flowers often have small brown or dull green petals and no scent.

Plants with double flowers produce less pollen so choose these rather than ones with single open blooms.

Highly perfumed flowers can trigger an allergic reaction so avoid these and instead select non-scented varieties.

Foliage plants are pollen free and can add colour and interest to your garden. The same applies to non-flowering grasses and evergreens, which will provide year-round interest.

Weeds can produce high amounts of pollen (which is why they spread so quickly) so suppress them using low allergen ground cover plants such as vinca and ajuga. Dense planting will reduce the available space for weeds but you will also need to do some hand weeding. Inevitable I’m afraid.

On the veg patch, stick with leafy and root veg such as lettuce, beetroot, carrot and self-fertile beans. Sorry but you really should avoid varieties pollinated by wind, e.g. sweetcorn.

To contact Dobies please call 0844 967 0303 or email gardening@dobies.co.uk englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Seafood Coast Invited guests attended a breakfast event at Pierpoint in Torquay to mark the completion of stage one of an innovative new project designed to highlight the English Riviera as a world class seafood hub with Brixham Fish Market at its heart. Speakers included Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Seafood Coast Project Director Carolyn Custerson, Project Partner Mitch Tonks, Ed Cummins from VisitBritain plus Kelly Widley and Jordan Hatfield from Pierpoint, Project Ambassadors.

Mat Prowse (Rockfish), Barry Young (Brixham Trawler Agents) andMitch Tonks (Rockfish)

Barry Cole (The Resultant) and Chris Hart (Wollen Michelmore)

Jim Portus (SWFPO & Fishstock) and Cllr Nicole Amil (Torbay Council)

Christine Hodgetts (Brixham Fish Market Tours), Carolyn Custerson (ER BID Company) and Dave Hodgetts (Brixham Fish Market Tours) Adele Dawson (South Devon College) and Angela George (IMS Marketing)

UU Contact us at:

editorial@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk @EngRivieraMag facebook.com/englishriveramag

if you are hosting an event you would like us to include.

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Claire Austin Launch

Social Diary

Former Student of the British Millinery School and Torquay resident Claire Austin launched her range of exquisite hand-crafted bridal headpieces and floral crowns at Artizan Gallery in Torquay. claireaustinengland.com

Gerald Pincombe, Eileen Lovering and Debbie Chisholm

Vita Shmeiko, Claire Austin, Jennifer Larkin and Melanie Cornish

Small pictures clockwise from below: Belinda and Tom Barron.

Kim Johnson and Fiona Andrews.

Aylish Dickson and Mhairi Dickson.

Lucy Evans and Ted Evans.

Jackie Comber and Trudi Knapman.

Alan Austin, Elaine Britt and Cathy Austin

Jack Bannocks, Hannah Ford, George Stahlmann and Charlotte Peak Antoinette Williams, June Ward and Kim Thornton

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Pick Up A Copy!

About the magazine

Our very own distribution teams personally deliver 15,000 copies of English Riviera Magazine directly through-the-door into homes and businesses in the following areas: Torquay, St Marychurch, Babbacombe, Wellswood, Chelston, Livermead, Willows, Kingskerswell, Marldon, Cockington, Preston, Paignton, Brixham, Berry Head, Churston, Churston Ferrers, Broadsands, Galmpton, Hill Head and Kingswear.

English Riviera Magazine is a FREE bi-monthly magazine.

We’ve done full Reader Surveys in 2015 and in 2016 and received an overwhelming ‘thumbs up’ for quality and content.

Readers keep the magazine for long periods and they enjoy the advertisements too! In our last reader survey 78% of respondents said they ‘always or often’ found the advertisements of interest.

The balance of lots of editorial with a sensible number of relevant and well designed ads is much better than in most local or even regional magazines. This keeps our readers happy and works for our advertisers too!

Readers have discovered new local suppliers, tradespeople, places to go, restaurants to enjoy and this helps to support our local businesses.

Advertising with English Riviera Magazine has an extended shelf-life of two months making your marketing budget go further.

If your business could benefit from reaching out to our well-engaged readership many of whom look forward to every issue then call 01803-850886 or email sales@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Thanks to all our readers and advertisers for all their brilliant support in the last four years since our launch. Not only does your support make us very happy, it helps us to keep delivering English Riviera Magazine to your door!

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You can also pick up a magazine at: Hoopers 5-6 The Strand, Torquay TQ1 2DF

Torbay Bookshop

7 Torquay Road, Paignton TQ3 3DU

Kingswear Post Office

3 The Square (Lower Ferry Slipway), Kingswear TQ6 0AA

Haddon Galleries

6/7 Victoria Parade,Torquay TQ1 2BB

Hobb Nobs

19/20 The Quay, Brixham TQ5 8AW

Chelston Post Office & Newsagents

24 Walnut Road, Torquay TQ2 6HS

Preston Post Office

337 Torquay Road, Paignton TQ3 2EP

Marldon Newsagents & Post Office

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Ilsham Rd, Torquay TQ1 2JG

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Fore Street, St Marychurch TQ1 4PR

Galmpton Post Office

Stoke Gabriel Road, Galmpton TQ5 0NH

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Dartmouth Road, nr Brixham TQ1 2AF

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Paignton Road, Stoke Gabriel TQ6 6RD

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125 Newton Road, Torquay TQ2 7AJ

Marldon Hill Post Office

133 Marldon Road, Paignton TQ3 3NL

Cherrybrook News

Cherrybrook Square, Hookhills, Paignton TQ4 7LY

Torquay Library

Lymington Road, Torquay TQ1 3DT

Paignton Library

Courtland Road, Paignton TQ3 2AB

Churston Library

Broadsands Road, Paignton TQ4 6LL

Brixham Library

Market Street, Brixham TQ5 8EU

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Heritage Club Fundraiser

Social Diary

An evening of fun, friendship and fundraising was held at the Harbour Kitchen, Torquay in aid of the reinstatement and rebuilding of the Ilsham Marine Drive pavilion, destroyed by fire last year. Hosted by John Couch, on behalf of the recently formed Heritage Club, the evening was an outstanding success, with delicious food and a successful raffle. The funds raised will cover the rebuilding costs of this project, which has received the support of the Wellswood and Torwood Community Partnership, local council members and South Devon College, the work to craft the new pavilion undertaken by students of the college under the supervision of the college staff. It is hoped this will be the first of many such events for The Heritage Club rescuing little pieces of Torquay otherwise lost forever.

Andy and Michelle Cake

Vita Shmeiko, Claire Austin, Jennifer Larkin and Melanie Cornish John Couch, John and Penny Jones

Robbie Clements and Geoff Yates

Becky Bettesworth, Sarah Yates, Gary Kent and Sarah Clements Catherine Brophy, Nicky Toffolo, Sarah Yates and Penny Jones

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April/May 2017

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BusinessBreaks...

Riviera Wellbeing Award

Riviera Wellbeing - Chiropractic and Wellness Centre in Paignton has been awarded the Patient Partnership Quality Mark (PPQM) by The Royal College of Chiropractors. The PPQM is awarded to chiropractic clinics that demonstrate excellence in meeting patient expectations in a range of areas including accessibility, cleanliness and safety and patient communication. The decision to award the PPQM is made by a panel of patients and public who form the Royal College of Chiropractor’s patients committee.

Chiropractor and clinic owner Phoebe Bavin MSc DC is pictured receiving the award at a ceremony in London from the Chair of the Royal College’s patients committee, Mr Hew Helps. o

Robin Hunton and Richard Porritt, current partners of Gowmans will continue to practice as senior solicitors within the merged firm, WBW Solicitors incorporating Gowmans. Steve Bulman, Managing Partner of WBW Solicitors, said,“We are very pleased to announce the merger of two long-established legal firms both of whom have practised in Torbay for many years. Gowmans is a highly regarded legal firm and has served the population of Paignton for decades.” This merger marks the second expansion in 2017 for South West firm WBW Solicitors who merged with Peters Langsford Davies of Launceston in January. The merger creates a firm of in excess of 200 members of staff with over 90 legal advisors. o

House of Commons Mention Torbay’s successful Pop Up the High Street project was given national prominence at the House of Commons when Torbay MP Kevin Foster highlighted the success of the project during a debate on self-employment. Kevin

Local Law Firms Merge WBW Solicitors LLP will merge with Gowmans Solicitors, who are based in Paignton on 1 April.

Foster said, “I am sure the Secretary of State agrees that online opportunities are giving many people the chance to set up a micro business. Does he agree that schemes such as the Pop Up Shop initiative that Torbay Council ran to help internet micro-retailers to take their first step on the high street are the kind of thing we should be looking at in terms of self-employment?” In reply, Damian Green, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said, “I very much agree and I particularly welcome Torbay’s Pop Up shop experiment... I am delighted to hear what is happening in Torbay.” o 78

April/May 2017

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BusinessBreaks...

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John Smith, Sales and Marketing Manager at Brightsea Print Group has been appointed new Chairman at Devon Environmental Business Initiative (DEBI), taking over from Peter Morgan who has been at the helm since 2014. DEBI was set up in 1992 by a group of forwardthinking business people determined to encourage environmentally sound business practices in Devon, through networking and information sharing. John said, “I‘m honoured by the appointment especially in this, DEBI’s 25th year promoting all manner of green initiatives in the county.” DEBI is looking for more like-minded businesses to join them in their continuing quest for best environmental practice throughout the whole of Devon. o debi-online.org.uk

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A pioneering initiative is creating life-changing opportunities for people with learning disabilities in South Devon. Local charity Robert Owen Communities has developed a threestage ‘Work2Work’ employment pathway, in which careful preparation of both employer and the person supported takes place. Chris, student of the charity’s specialist ROC College, is an early success story. ROC College provides bespoke, non-classroom based, educational programmes for people with learning disabilities. Chris said, “My life started when I joined ROC College. I like work experience because it builds my confidence and I like helping others. I have learnt to do things that I could not do before.” Tim Godfrey, chairman of Torbay Business Forum recently met Chris and ROC’s Rob Helmore at the Shoreline Restaurant, one of Chris’s work placements. Tim said, “ROC’s comprehensive approach has the full support of the Torbay Business Forum. This new initiative will help local employers with real concerns about labour shortages in elementary positions.” o

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Seafood restaurant group Rockfish owned by local restaurateurs & chefs Mitch Tonks and Mat Prowse, has won Best Group Operator for fish and chips in the UK

in the National Seafish Awards and has also hooked the Good Catch sustainability award. Mitch said, “We want to our guests to love seafood and the coastal life as much as we do and believe that a journey to the seaside to enjoy the best fish in the world is well worth making, it doesn’t get better than eating it on the day it was landed especially here on the south coast which is home to some of the finest fish in the world.” o englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

April/May 2017

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April/May 2017

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BusinessBreaks...

Lifetime Achievement Award

Photo: Pyramid Torbay Photography

Michael Cosgrave, Chairman of Wollen Michelmore LLP, has received a Lifetime Achievement Award presented at the annual Devon and Somerset Law Society dinner.

Michael has had a remarkable career, celebrating 45 years as a qualified solicitor, where he has made a substantial contribution to the profession regionally and internationally, becoming the first British President of the Fédération des Barreaux d’Europe. Michael said, “I feel that the recognition of one’s peers is a great honour, and I could not have achieved any of this without the support of my wife, Liz, and all the team at Wollen Michelmore.” o

Global Zoo Science Project The Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust and Dartmoor Zoo have been working with the University of Cambridge on their Conservation Evidence Project. Evidence-based practice has become popular, as practitioners see the benefits of basing decisions on good science and this work represents a global first for zoo husbandry practices. Coral Jonas has completed much of the early analysis. Coral took a Masters degree in Zoo Conservation Biology at the University of Plymouth in conjunction with the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, and works at Dartmoor Zoo. Coral said, “This work is likely to bring huge benefits for animal health, welfare, and even the survival of species themselves.” o

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Networking Directory

Get involved with Torbay business!

Torbay Business Forum First Tuesday of every month 7.30am RICC Chestnut Avenue, Torquay TQ2 5LZ Contact: Angela George 07717 316641 info@torbaybusinessforum.org.uk torbaybusinessforum.org.uk @TorbayBusiness Torbay Business Network Last Friday of every month 7.30am Pierpoint Restaurant Torbay Road, Torquay, TQ2 5HA Contact: Anthony Blackaby 01803 299935 events@torbaybusinessnetwork.co.uk @TorbayBizNet SOS Club Second Tuesday of every month 7.30am Livings Coasts Harbourside, Torquay TQ1 2BG Contact: Jenny Paton 01803 697509 Jenny.Paton@paigntonzoo.org.uk Breakfast Networking Club Torbay Every other Tuesday 7.15am The Grand Hotel The Sea Front, Torquay TQ2 6NT Contact: Andy Coleman 07830 150615 andy@deatorbay.co.uk @BNC_torbay

April/May 2017

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the briefing straightforward and honest legal advice to take the stress out of tough situations

Living Together Agreement : Have You Got Yours?

Sadly all relationships, whether living together or not, will one day come to an end. You will either separate or one of you will die. Surprisingly, however, very few of us consider how we would like our finances and property to be dealt with at this time.

It is important that anyone in a cohabiting relationship should take legal advice on these matters, especially if one person has made or is seeking to make a greater financial contribution than the other and if there is property involved.

Commonly, many people still believe that they will be protected by the law after a period of cohabitation.

This is not the case. The notion of any protection as a “common law wife or husband” is a misconception in this country.

Cohabiting couples have become the fastest growing family type in the UK with people who are cohabiting (never married or in a civil partnership) reaching nearly 10% of the population. Despite these demographic changes, there has been little change in the law and cohabiting couples continue to enjoy very little legal protection if they separate. This can potentially cause hardship. For example, in cases where a mother has given up or reduced her work to raise a family, there is no legal obligation on one party to financially support the other.

It may also potentially cause an injustice where one party has contributed significantly more, say to the purchase of a property or to the parties’ finances without this being recorded in some way.

Any legal disputes arising from a breakdown of a relationship can result in unfair outcomes and can be very costly.

Rebecca Procter, Partner in the Wollen Michelmore Family Department, specialises in all financial aspects of relationship breakdown.

“I have seen some very difficult cases where a client has been left with little or no financial provision, even after a long relationship, as their position was not protected. The

law can be very complex in this area and sometimes it is simply not cost effective to seek financial remedy through the Courts. It is certainly best to seek advice right at the outset of a cohabiting relationship.”

A Living Together Agreement is a contract between two people intended to have legal effect. Ideally, it will deal solely with property and financial issues. The document can clearly evidence what was intended when the relationship commences and set out any relevant change in circumstances.

It is always recommended that each individual takes independent legal advice and that the document records in summary form an outline of the couple’s respective financial circumstances.

It may also be helpful to record separate shares in a property by way of a formal Declaration of Trust, make a Will with appropriate provision for the other and possibly for one to nominate the other for any death in service benefits arising under a pension.

Whilst legal reform has been pushed in this area of law, it is likely to be a long way off at present. Don’t delay. If you are embarking on any serious relationship, give thought to the financial implications and intentions at an early stage.

For further information regarding Living Together Agreements or any other matters arising, please do not hesitate to contact Rebecca Procter on 01803 225162 or by email rebecca.procter@wollenmichelmore.co.uk

Rebecca Procter Partner @wmlegal Wollenmichelmore

Wollen Michelmore SOLICITORS TORQUAY NEWTON ABBOT 01803 213251 01626 332266

Regional Law Firm of the year South West

DARTMOUTH 01803 832191

BARNSTAPLE 01271 342268

BIDEFORD 01237 478751

www.wollenmichelmore.co.uk This firm is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (No.565599)

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