English Riviera Magazine Aug/Sep 2016

Walks Local Food Heritage Nature People Events Arts

FR

EnglishRiviera

EE

August/September 2016

magazine

106

Enjoy Royal Regattas

Super Summer Events

Arts

in Torbay and Dartmouth

SPECIAL Artists and makers and where to find them

TOADS

Bob Higginson

Torbay’s Seasoned Performers

Return to the Sea

Paignton & Roundham

Stroll in the sunshine!

SOCIAL DIARY

Out & About around the Bay

Could you be

Face The

of

see inside

Meet our cover artist

BECKY BETTESWORTH

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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 Polestar Wheatons, Exeter

……to our August- September issue! Hurrah - it’s high summer and that means regatta season. It’s not just for the yachties though!

There are lots of events for landlubbers in both the Torbay and the Dartmouth regattas so plan your visits now. There is a huge selection of other events too plus a beautiful scenic walk around Paignton and Roundham.

In this issue we’ve put together a major arts section for the first time with an insight into our vibrant, local arts scene. We chat with some of our finest artists and makers and highlight some forthcoming, arty events to inspire you.

We’ve also teamed up with Hoopers to find two special ‘Face of Hoopers’ models for their AW16 fashion show at the Imperial Hotel – could it be you strutting your stuff in their September fashion show? For theatre lovers, we have our usual theatre roundup including some open air performances and we hear more about TOADS Theatre Company at the Little Theatre in Torquay.

Please keep sending us your news, photos and story ideas to editorial@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk and do chat to us on Twitter and Facebook.

Enjoy the summer sunshine and stay local!

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In this issue August/September 2016

6

Openers

Local news snippets

12 Torbay Royal Regatta

Yachting, fireworks and fun for all!

16 Dartmouth Royal Regatta Sails and revelry on the Dart

38 Meeting Bob Higginson

21 Heritage - Edwin Lutyens

66 TOADS, Farce and frolics

Life and times and the Drum Inn

25 Arts Special

Artists and galleries around the Bay

26 Becky Bettesworth

Vintage style travel posters

32 Artizan Gallery

A haven for local artists

35 Nicky Stevenson Gallery life

38 Bob Higginson

66

TOADS

44 Fashion

69

Education News

46 Food News

71

Gardening

48 Walk

74

Social Diary

50 What’s On

80

Business Breaks

64 Theatre

82

The Briefing

Marine antiques and collectables Could you be the Face of Hoopers?

Local foodie events and eating out guide Easy stroll in Paignton Our pick of August and September events

Who’s treading the boards?

Torbay’s seasoned performers School and college news snippets Lis Wallace’s green-fingered column Local people at local events

Local business news in brief Legal topics from Wollen Michelmore

12 Torbay Royal Regatta

Cover: Torbay ©Becky Bettesworth beckybettesworth.co.uk

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

August/September 2016

5

Mystery Cat A mysterious china cat has appeared at Torquay Library masquerading as a genuine Torquay Museum English Riviera Cats Trail moggy. The Museum is at a loss to explain how he got there and is hoping to track down the owner of the mystery feline. Kate Richards from Torquay Museum’s Education Team said, “We now have a mystery interloper amongst our ceramic cats. He’s of an identical size and design to our other official cats, but he’s not one of ours and has been decorated with decoupage.” The English Riviera Cats Trail challenges people to find the 20 ceramic cats displayed at many different sites around Torbay, each with a unique theme and beautifully decorated by local artists and schools.

The trail was designed to celebrate the Museum’s popular Claws: A Human History of Cats temporary exhibition, which runs until 4 September. You can pick up a trail sheet from Torquay Museum, or download it from the Museum’s website. o

in Port Lympne Zoo, Kent.” Father Yoda came from Givskud Zoo, Denmark and arrived in Devon in 2006. Janica came to Paignton Zoo from Duvr Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic. o

High Fashion in Babbacombe

Baby Giraffe for Paignton Zoo A Rothschild’s giraffe has been born at Paignton Zoo. Janica, his mother, rejected the male calf, so zookeepers stepped in to bottle-feed him. Hand rearing a giraffe is a lot of extra work and commitment for mammal keepers Helen Neighbour and Jim Dicks. Senior Keeper Craig Gilchrist said, “He is fed 4 times a day and could need milk for up to 9 months.

We will start weaning him when he is around 5 to 6 months, depending on how he gets on.” Paignton Zoo Curator of Mammals Neil Bemment added, “At this stage we don’t know why Janica has rejected her. Giraffe mothers are fickle beasts. Sometimes they will rear their calves, sometimes they won’t. For example, Janica reared her first, Tonda, who is now the breeding bull at Chessington Zoo, Surrey, but declined to rear her second Valentino, who was successfully hand reared by the keepers, reintroduced to the family group and is now 6

August/September 2016

Sally Allen’s popular high fashion at low prices outlet on Babbacombe Road, near The Range, is celebrating its second year and is going from strength to strength. Here you can buy everything from t-shirts to ball gowns, occasion wear and accessories including handbags, pashminas and shoes.

They have also recently greatly extended their menswear range including t-shirts, eye-catching jackets and evening suits. There are over 50 styles of Sally’s own international brand, Wizard Jeans and a range of Sally Allen London chic shirts and jackets, including the famous Chanel inspired Annie and Angie jackets. You’ll also find jewellery, bespoke diffusers and candles. This is a great place to pop in with free parking and free coffee on offer. o englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Rare Turtles

Keepers at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park have hatched a Critically Endangered Indochinese box turtle.

Mike Bungard, Curator of Lower Vertebrates and Invertebrates, said, “We hatched one here in June 2013 – now we’ve done it again. There are no more than 60 individuals of this species in top zoos around the world.”

Paignton Zoo has 5 adult turtles, which came from Jersey Zoo. The pair that has bred arrived in 2009, with another four arriving in 2011. Mike said, “The turtle we hatched three years ago is still here but it’s a juvenile; they reach sexual maturity around 10 to 12 years.

This time two eggs were laid - we artificially incubated both of these in our Reptile Nursery facility.” To what does Mike attribute the success? “We have a system of temperatures cycles in Reptile Tropics - cooler periods followed by hot. There is also a good sized enclosure

with a significant area of land, which is surprisingly important for a turtle species. The expertise of the keeping team was also vital to the successful hatching of the eggs.”o

New Cycle Challenge

Rowcroft Hospice has announced a brand new fundraising cycle challenge. Ride for Rowcroft will challenge cyclists to complete a 24km route from Newton Abbot Racecourse on Saturday 1 October. Daniel Robson, Rowcroft’s Events Manager said, “Ride for Rowcroft is ideal for people wanting to complete their first cycle challenge, spend a morning cycling through the countryside with friends or attempting to beat a personal best.” The route snakes up from Newton Abbot Racecourse through Bovey Tracey to Chudleigh Knighton and back to the racecourse via the Stover Trail, combining tarmacked roads with country lanes and a surfaced cycle path. Entry to Ride for Rowcroft costs £20 per person (over 16s only) but sign up before Wednesday 31 August using discount code RIDE16 for the reduced price of £15 per person. All those who successfully complete the challenge will be awarded an exclusively designed medal and receive a well-earned bacon bap. o rideforrowcroft.org.uk

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

August/September 2016

7

Hats ff to the

een

Over 100 international students celebrated the Queen’s 90th Birthday with an afternoon tea party at Torre Abbey. The event, held by The Training Partnership was a chance for students to experience a traditional Great British Street Party.

Prizes were awarded for the best red, white and blue fancy dress and a traditional afternoon tea was held in a Union Jack festooned, Torre Abbey courtyard. Felice Lewandowski, a German student said, “It was a great way of introducing students to a traditional tea party, including scones, cakes and, of course, sandwiches.” The Training Partnership provides work experience, vocational training and language study programmes for international students throughout the South Devon area. A social programme gives students a chance to discover more about British culture and traditions.

Debra Nixon, Student Support Officer, said, “It was fantastic to see so many different nationalities come together to enjoy something typically British and Torre Abbey was the perfect venue for this.” o

ry

its for Peng ins

Divers at Living Coasts in Torquay who have the job of cleaning the large underwater viewing windows in the deep saltwater pools that house penguins, seals and other species have received new state-of-the-art dry suits. Dorset manufacturer O’Three has provided two bespoke Ri2100 dry suits for animal keeper Libor Mach and water services technician Derek Youd. Why do the divers at Torquay’s coastal zoo need dry suits? Derek explains, “This may be the English Riviera, but we have to dive all year round for cleaning and maintenance and the water temperature in the tanks can be very low, we need to stay warm – these dry suits offer better diver protection. The quality of stitching and seals on the suits is superb - they can withstand abuse from the playful inquisitiveness of penguins!” o

Pig ets boar the Go en Hin

Romance at Berry Head Devon crime writer Nick Fletcher, whose books feature a tough hard-hitting private eye, shows his softer side with the publication of Lost Avenues, a book of love poems, one of which describes a romantic incident at Brixham’s Berry Head lighthouse. o

Pennywell Farm’s cute piglets Bosun and Pretty Officer will visit the Golden Hind Museum Ship in Brixham Harbour on Tuesdays throughout August. Co-owner of the Golden Hind Neil Worrell said, “Sir Francis Drake and his crew would have had pigs on board during their circumnavigation voyage in 1577, and it’s a great opportunity to add to the on-board experience for visitors, helping to bring history to life.” o

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August/September 2016

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Torbay Royal Regatta Torbay Royal Regatta is the oldest royal regatta in the country and runs from 20 – 24 August in this, its 203rd year.

Torbay Royal Regatta originated when an advertisement appeared in Trewman’s Exeter Flying Post offering ‘Two handsome silver cups and other prizes’ to be ‘sailed for’ by ‘gentleman’s boats’ and ‘other boats’. Over 200 years later in

2016, over 100 yachts and dinghies are expected for the sailing and there will also be rowing, a road run, a traditional funfair, a French market plus the legendary regatta firewor s display from Corbyn Head. o

The Sailing 20 – 24 August Racing will take place from 20 – 23 August for all yachts, sportsboats, dinghy and junior classes under the burgee of the oyal Torbay acht Club.

The Torbay oyal egatta nniversary Challenge Cup ursuit ace will follow this on ednesday ugust for all classes including uniors. The Cup and ri e were first sailed for in when the regatta celebrated its bi centenary year. The Challenge has continued ever since with the prize money increasing 1 guinea every year. Presented by the Torbay oyal egatta Committee, this pursuit race is proving very popular, with the prize money this year standing at 203 guineas. The best vantage points are Haldon Pier and surrounding area.

The Cherub and dinghy classes have both chosen Torbay for their ational Championships as an integral part of regatta, both classes are looking forward enthusiastically to returning to the fine sailing waters of Torbay.

The oyal Torbay acht Club now boasts one of the largest and most competitive C Fleets in the outh est, with regular racing on ednesday evenings and unday mornings. C yachts can expect to en oy days of fast and furious regatta sailing following by a lively and entertaining social programme. portsboats racing is always popular in Torbay, and with a growing number of local s and their ational Championship being hosted by the T C 12

August/September 2016

in eptember this year a strong turnout is expected.

PY Dinghies and Asymmetric dinghy classes racing on their own courses are expected to attract significant entries and visitors can expect strong competition from local boats. Junior Dinghy classes form an integral part of the regatta and are always well supported especially by local clubs.

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Regattas

The Rowing Saturday 20 August This year the West of England Rowing Championships will take place off Torre Abbey Beach and Princess Gardens. The rowing presents a great spectacle and visitors can get very close to all the action, boats and teams taking part. Races start at 12.00 noon and will continue every 5 minutes finishing at around 3.30pm. There will be a full running commentary during the event. torquayrowingclub.co.uk

The 10k Road Run

Sunday 21 August 6pm The ever popular 10K Road Run sets off from Princess Gardens, Torquay and attracts over 500 runners.

This is an exciting course, mainly flat with a few hills and panoramic coastal sea views of Torbay. From the start, the course heads toward Paignton Seafront, with 2 laps of Paignton Green before heading back to finish on Corbyn Head in Torquay. torbay10k.org.uk englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

August/September 2016

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The Fireworks Monday 22 August 9.30pm The Regatta Firework Display will be held from Corbyn Head and this year will have a movie theme with special ‘Death Star’ effects. Movies will be the music theme of this year’s spectacular show, brought vividly to life by Fantastic Fireworks, who won the 2015 Fireworks Championships in Plymouth last year. The company is planning some amazing effects for the show, including a top secret firewor called the eath tar, which will burst across our skies during the music from

tar ars. The eath tar firewor is so powerful that it will be transported to Torquay in a specially reinforced steel container under escort! There will also be towering starbursts during the music from movie hits like Mission Impossible, Pirates of the Caribbean and Harry otter. The finale will be the most spectacular ever seen in Torbay. Set to the Bond movie theme Skyfall by Adele, Fantastic Firewor s will fire up the night with an end of the world blit rieg of tumbling gold stardust, a fitting finale to Torbay oyal egatta.

The Water Ski Display Tuesday 23 August 7pm Enjoy a thrilling waterski demonstration from Princess Pier with full commentary.

Funfair and Food torbayroyalregatta.co.uk rtyc.org 14

August/September 2016

The Savoir Fayre French Market will also be in Princess Gardens for the duration of the regatta presenting a variety of French products and foods.

Main regatta sponsors Anderton & Rowland will be bringing their funfair to Torre Abbey Meadows. englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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August/September 2016

15

Regatta Time in Dartmouth The Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta (20-27 August) has been attracting visitors to this delightful ‘yachtie’ town since 1822 and brings a joyful atmosphere and a week of fun that has become vital to the area’s economy.

During regatta in Dartmouth, yachts jostle for position on the river with every pontoon and mooring in huge demand – savvy skippers arrive several days beforehand to bag a good spot.

Meanwhile the steam train regularly disgorges visitors arriving for the festivities, with extra services laid on throughout the period. There are so many people that the ferries operate at full capacity and the car ferries are often carry more foot passengers than cars. It’s all good fun with the steam train and river trips giving some of the best views in the world.

There are over 50 separate regatta events, but the rowing and sailing competitions remain very much at the heart of the regatta. The Dartmouth Amateur Rowing Club and the West of England Amateur Rowing Club are both staging a series of events on the river. This year there are over 250 crews competing in both local events and the annual series of races organised by the West of England Amateur Rowing Club. The Embankment in Dartmouth provides a glorious viewing area to watch these events and there is regular commentary over the regatta public address system to keep spectators up to date.

16

August/September 2016

Volunteers from the three local clubs, The Royal Dart Yacht Club, Dartmouth Yacht Club and Dittisham Sailing Club, organise the sailing events, which are spread over the eight days of the regatta. The dinghy racing for the junior sailors takes place on the lower reaches of the Dart and for the senior competitors in the waters between Dittisham and Galmpton. The yachting events numbering over 50, take place in Start Bay with 250 boats expected, ranging from older classics to high-end racing machines.

In addition to the rowing and sailing, there are a number of other well-established sporting events.

Athletics has been part of the regatta since 1937 and is represented now by the Regatta Road Race, which will be run on Saturday 27 August over a very testing 5-mile course. There are also fun runs for children and young adults.

Other events on the sporting calendar include a swimming gala on the opening day; a week long tennis tournament held at the tennis courts in Coronation Park which includes a closed event for local players and an open tournament recognised and supported by the Lawn Tennis Association; a one-day golf tournament at the Dartmouth Golf

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Regattas

and Country Club on Wednesday 25 August with the River Dart will be spectacular because in competitions for both men and ladies; a two day addition to the two Royal Navy ships, the Pelican evening Darts tournament held at the Anzac Club Tall Ship will also be visiting from 22 August. in Dartmouth during the evenings of Monday The air accident at Shoreham last year has 22 August and Tuesday 23 August and a very meant restrictions have been placed on the competitive water polo event held in the Boat regatta’s legendary programme of air displays. It Float on Saturday 27 August. is hoped that two flypasts by the The Embankment in Regatta will also be buzzing Red Arrows will take place on the Dartmouth provides a Friday evening, as well as a display with live music and dancing. The Marquee on Coronation Park is glorious viewing area to by the ever-popular RAF Typhoon home to three evening events, on Saturday. The Battle of Britain watch these events which need to be booked. Monday Memorial Flight is expected to 22 August sees a new event, Regatta Jump and display on both Friday and Saturday.

Jive, with top swing band Company B and also This year the regatta has secured Volvo Car featuring dancers from South West Swing; Tuesday UK as a principal sponsor. This has enabled a 23 August is the night of the Regatta Ball, restyled number of events to be added to the programme, this year as Regatta Royale Ball with a James Bond including an appearance on the bandstand in theme and with music supplied by Joey the Lips.

Royal Avenue Gardens of sailors from Team Volvo Then there’s Regatta Rock night on 24 August, who will have just returned from Rio. In addition which features the Kast Off Kinks, the Four Fighters Volvo will be having a display stand in Coronation and local favourites Land of Giants. The Bandstand Park, which will include a sailing simulator for in Royal Avenue Gardens also has a lively musical budding sailors to try their hand. programme throughout the week with a number of local bands including Buick 56, Eventine and FAB. Don’t miss a browse around the hugely popular shopping village with many craft stalls and delicious food items to take home. There is also a vibrant street market on the North Embankment, which operates for the whole week plus some excellent food and drink outlets in Royal Avenue Gardens.

The arrival of the Royal Navy Guardship is one of the highlights of the week. This year for the first time for many years, the regatta has been allocated two Royal Navy Ships, a Hunt Class Mine Countermeasures Vessel, often referred to as minesweeper, and a P2000 Patrol Boat, which patrols the UK’s territorial waters. The scene on englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

August/September 2016

17

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Regattas

Don’t Miss...

Regatta Jump and Jive Monday 22 August

A brand new event at The Marquee in Coronation Park, featuring one of the top jump jive bands in the country, Company B and also dance teachers Regan Early and Daniel Gutiérrez from South West Swing.

If you’re a rookie you’ll be taught basic swing and jive steps before the rockin’ begins. Tickets are £15 (£5 for under 18s) – book online or from Dartmouth TIC or Royal Castle Hotel.

Regatta Royale Ball Tuesday 23 August

A James Bond themed black tie ball at The Marquee in Coronation Park with a three-course dinner and live music from Joey the Lips. Tickets are £55 - buy online or call 07956 538321 and if heading back to t’other side, prebook your return ferry ticket to Kingswear at 1am (cost £6).

Regatta Rock

Wednesday 24 August

Also in the Marquee at Coronation Park, this event features the Kast Off Kinks, the Four Fighters and local

favourites Land of Giants.Tickets are £25 each or £90 for four (over 18s only) - book online or from Dartmouth TIC or Royal Castle Hotel. Ferry tickets back to Kingswear are £4 and run 1 – 1.30am.

Illuminated Boat Procession Friday 26 August after dark.

Classic Craft Review

Saturday 27 August in the afternoon.

Regatta Firework Displays

This year the Saturday display will be against a back drop of music to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday.

Thursday 25 August 9pm Saturday 27 August 9pm

Air Displays

Friday and Saturday 26 and 27 August

Red Arrows, RAF Typhoon & Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is expected during the weekend – check website for programme details.

Getting There

There is no parking in the town centre of Dartmouth during Regatta Week and there will be restrictions in Kingswear as well. Check the website for Park and Ride details at Kingswear and Dartmouth plus ferry times and the Dartmouth Steam Railway timetable.

dartmouthregatta.co.uk englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

August/September 2016

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Edwin Lutyens

and the Drum at Cockington Torbay Civic Society’s Ian Handford investigates the career of Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens who, having designed Castle Drogo near Drewsteignton, would not return to Devon until commissioned to create the Drum Inn at Cockington.

B

orn on 29 March 1869, Edwin Landseer Lutyens was the eleventh child of Captain Charles Henry Augustus Lutyens and his wife Mary Galloway, a Catholic Evangelist who became a Protestant after marriage. Strangely, years later after Edwin’s parents refused family friend Sir Edwin Landseer’s wish to adopt their eleventh child, he was baptised Edwin Landseer Lutyens.

Edwin was educated at home in London, which he came to believe had accentuated his natural shyness.

Later in life he found he was unable to converse with his clerks and regarded women as difficult and either a mother figure or a goddess.

As a youth his natural tendency was to draw “using his eyes and not his feet” to pick out the essential details, invaluable to his visionary ideas.

Having entered the Royal College of Art, Kensington at sixteen, he won his first competition after designing a church and later suggested changes to the village shop when his family was residing at Thursley in Surrey.

By 1888, his unique style had developed and although not yet twenty, Edwin set up an architectural practice at Gray’s Inn London. Wishing to acquaint himself with notables of that era and having met garden designer Miss Gertrude Jekyll (nicknamed ‘Bumps’ due to her size) they collaborated on dozens of projects over the next thirty years. But it was her father, Sir Herbert Jekyll that gave him his first major commission, a design for the British Pavilion at the Paris Exhibition which led to many country house commissions at Godalming, Abinger, Gullane, the Deanery Garden at Sonning and most notably, the restoration of Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island.

Gertrude was 52 and Edwin 25 when they met englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

and it was she that realised his potential. She was well connected socially, and with a business partnership that suited them both, Edwin could easily have been overwhelmed by this goddess of knowledge and influence. Thankfully he realized that career came first, that he needed introductions and new commissions and who better to satisfy both?

Edwin wanted to marry and when at age twenty-eight he met Lady Emily, daughter of Lord Lytton, Viceroy of Delhi, he fell hopelessly in love. His love at first was not reciprocated but fortunately Emily hero-worshiped anyone with skills.

Her family believed there were too many social barriers for a marriage (Lady Emily’s mother was Lady in Waiting to Queen Victoria) and although opposing the marriage, his Lordship did not win. Edwin insured his life sufficiently to support Emily for the rest of her natural life, to overcome the family objection. The now devoted couple was married at Old Knebworth Church on 4 August 1897 and their union eventually produced a son and four daughters.

Initially the marriage was strained, the couple in truth having little in common as Edwin’s commissions came from a social set higher than his own, dealing more with the nouveau-riche than the aristocracy. Although now less dependent on Gertrude Jekyll, he had to contend with a wife who had no concept of budgeting and he appreciated how easy it was to slip into debt. With 13% of his gross income used to fund life insurance, it was a difficult time.

Edwin adored Emily and would do anything for her, but as the Great War reached its climax and having been recommended by the Royal Institute to assist the New Delhi Planning Commission, Emily became besotted with August/September 2016

21

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This resulted in her going “native in India” where she even adopted full Indian dress.

When starting any project, Edwin often chose to memorise what interested him rather than making a sketch. Always critical of his own work, he had realised that Renaissance Design, although inspirational, was not everything and that to achieve his real ambition “big work” he had to master classicism. He apprenticed many pupils at the London offices, and some became famous in their own right, two even coming to Devon. The first, Frederick Harrild created the magnificent gardens at Glengorse (today Castle Tor) on Lincombe Hill, followed by Little Tor in the Warberries. The second, Oswald P. Milne established Coleton Fishacre for the D’Oyly Carte family.

Lutyens was in Rome by 1911, designing yet another British Pavilion before moving on to South Africa, to create the Rand Memorial and the Joannesburg Art Gallery and numerous buildings for the Viceroy. His social connections were seemingly endless and having met the Founder of the Home and Colonial Stores, Julius Charles Drewe, he wanted to fulfil an ambition and build a new castle in Devon, which became Castle Drogo Drewsteignton, the last castle built in England.

In 1917, Lutyens was commissioned by the Imperial

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War Graves Commission to design the War Stones, in essence crosses, which would later be copied around the world. His knighthood followed and a year later in 1919, Lloyd George asked him to design a temporary “catafalque” for Whitehall, Sir Edwin later choosing to name it – The Cenotaph which he did initially sketch at a social function in London.

Although Castle Drogo took two decades to complete, it allowed Sir Edwin to experiment with his love of vistas and asymmetry at the green site overlooking its wooded gorge at Chagford.

Completed by 1924, today it is a National Trust property open to visitors every season.

The list of Sir Edwin’s commissions is too extensive to detail here although between 1919 and 1930 he vetted ninety new designs while overseeing Castle Drogo.

Finally, he would return to Torquay to construct our Drum Inn (previously the Forge Inn) at Cockington, which was open by 1936. He even designed the interior fittings although the Inn sign came courtesy of Dame Laura Knight.

Sir Edwin Lutyens died in London on 1 January 1944 from bronchial sarcoma. It was nearly sixty years before Torbay Civic Society honoured him by unveiling a Blue Plaque to his memory placed alongside the front door of the Drum Inn. o torbaycivicsociety.co.uk

August/September 2016

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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.

Beached Boats at Budleigh, A. Homeshaw

Hedge Forms, A. Homeshaw

Moonlight Devon, R. Slater

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

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Arts

SPECIAL Welcome to our first Arts Special within the magazine. We’ve had the best fun discovering the inspiring diversity of arts right around the English Riviera.

There is a large network of artists living and working in the area and some wonderful galleries that are doing great things to promote their finest creations. We also take a look some arty events to inspire you including exhibitions, talks, festivals and workshops and investigate some delightfully evocative marine antiques and collectables.

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BECKY BETTESWORTH LIVING THE DREAM Our beautiful magazine cover was created by highly acclaimed local artist Becky Bettesworth. Anita Newcombe meets Becky and hears how she achieved success with her highly recognisable brand of vintage style travel posters and seaside prints.

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Arts

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am meeting Becky at her home in Torquay where her art studio and despatch office are both located. The place looks both artistic and highly efficient with specially constructed shelves holding her beautiful and highly recognisable, vintage style travel posters and seaside prints. Members of her team are kept busy despatching online orders and fulfilling requests for the 50 or so outlets where her work is now on sale. These include the National Trust and various shops and galleries right across the South West.

But outside her creative work, which she loves, Becky is juggling a home life, caring for her three children and her husband Matt. Her home is delightful – a huge open plan kitchen and dining room, beautifully but informally decorated in the muted, soft colours she favours and overlooking a spacious garden. You can just tell that home life is relaxed and enjoyable here. Becky tells me, “Our favourite thing is family time.

You have to grab it and make it happen as life can simply take over.” With Twiggy, their retriever, the family can simply pop out at a moment’s notice for a walk or outing. They will often grab a thermos and a picnic or put together a simple barbeque for the beach and off they go. Becky says, “We love to be self-sufficient and spend the whole day out with no extravagance; we love the simple things in life and make the most of where we live.”

Becky and Matt moved to Torquay in 2001 when Matt joined his family business.

Becky had previously worked as an art director for an advertising agency in London drawing conceptual ideas for campaigns for clients like Cadbury’s, Guinness and Coca Cola. She won a major award for Best Ad Campaign in 1999 (for Guinness) and was rising high in her profession. Then she met Matt and as she explained, “My heart pulled me away.” They married and Becky tried to keep a focus on her art but eventually with three young children to care for she

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August/September 2016

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August/September 2016

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Arts realised that she couldn’t do both and reluctantly put her paintbrushes away. However, she always had a powerful hankering for her lost creativity. She tells me, “I felt that I’d lost my identity. My art was who I was and I had lost myself.”

Then five years ago, Becky found the time to restart.

She reveals, “I was bursting at the seams to get back at being creative.” Having had the break, she was willing to try different styles. She loved the old, classic travel posters from the 1930s that evoked a romantic, bygone era and was influenced by a number of artists including Beryl Cook. She focussed on our stunning West Country seaside towns like Torquay, Brixham, Paignton, Dartmouth and many more across Devon and Cornwall, gradually creating her own iconic style that makes her work so recognisable.

Following an exhibition at the Cary Arms in Torquay she was invited to exhibit at Greenway. Becky explains, “ This was a transitional point – Greenway lends itself so beautifully to the railway poster style.”

The exhibition was a huge success and the National Trust asked to stock her art, a huge boost to her fledgling business.

She recalls, “The Greenway exhibition was an amazing opportunity for me as an unknown artist and I’m really thankful for that.”

At this point, Becky needed to adapt the style of a bygone era to more modern production techniques but was unsure how to do it. The best way would surely be to get creative on a computer – she needed to learn how to produce the flatness of colour with the sharpness of the text that she wanted. But unfortunately she didn’t know how to turn on a computer at this point. She tells me, “I hated technology and computers.” However, after some one-to-one tutorials she leaned how to produce her end style on a computer. She explains, “I create my layout and decide how the picture is going to look – then I draw my shapes (paths) and work with layers in Photoshop.”

The original railway posters were done by silk-screening but it took a lot of time. Becky tells me that using the computer is like a modern version of silk-screening.

She says, “I’m not a graphic designer because I draw everything and just use the computer as a tool to get to the end result.” She explains that her signature ‘look’ has

to be softened because she doesn’t like the hard edges of a digital image. This brings in the sentiments of a bygone age and she considers it a ‘labour of love’ building up the final version.

Following the Greenway exhibition, Becky produced 4 pictures for Greenway. She says, “Greenway is magical and enchanted and my pictures evoke the same era.” The National Trust shop at Greenway wanted her to supply them with a range of formats. She approached Pollards in Exeter who could print posters in A4 and A2 sizes.

She tells me, “I had no experience of retailing at all and needed to get the costs right. I discovered that I had to print a minimum of 250 posters at a time to make the supply financially viable.”

She then realized that she was also going to have to supply Greenway with packaging and wondered how to go about doing this. She spoke to Torbay Packaging, a family business in Torquay and they supplied her with tubes for the big posters and backing boards and cellophane wrap for the A4 prints. Becky says, “It felt great to be using local businesses for my work.” To complete the branded look, she also had a stylised stamp made with the distinctive ‘BB’ logo plus branded labels and even produced branded sticks of rock. These were adapted to make ‘rock sweets’ that are now inserted into every poster tube to reinforce the seaside origin of the product.

Becky tells me that she is very glad that she figured out how to do her own printing, packaging and distribution and didn’t give away the rights to a publishing company (although she has now had more than one offer). She explains, “A year before this, I would have bitten their arm off but now I have managed to do it all myself, I am so glad that I didn’t sign away control. Saying no to a publishing offer was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make though.”

Becky has put together “an amazing team” who help distribute her orders and these come from individual online requests to orders from ‘Not on the High Street’ and her expanding list of stockists. After the Greenway success, Becky’s work was stocked at Rowbury, a gallery in Dartmouth and things grew from there to her current 50 or so outlets. Her business now offers framing for the

“Devon is so amazing – it can sometimes be the forgotten sister of Cornwall but it’s beautifully unspoilt and I feel really fortunate to live in such a wonderful area.”

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August/September 2016

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Arts A2 sized posters and these have a standard frame made by Kevin Cowell in Torquay.

There’s a real mix of people who buy Becky’s art and she enjoys meeting people face-to-face when she does a signing. Becky also reaches out on Facebook, which works brilliantly. People share photos of her work in their homes and put up a post on her page. She tells me, “I love to see these photos – it means the world to me.”

Major national magazine Coast has just done an article on Becky and used her Salcombe ‘scooter’ poster as their cover image; this is an extraordinary accolade for any artist’s work. Our own cover on English Riviera magazine this month is one of her Torbay posters and her work has also appeared in a number of other publications including Country Living, Ideal Home, Good Homes and county magazines in Devon & Cornwall. Combining motherhood with a successful career led to her receiving the 2015 Venus Business Mother of the Year award and she has been nominated again in 2016.

As well as the posters, Becky also has a very successful line in greetings cards; these are produced and marketed

by Glebe Cottage, an award-winning publisher of eco-friendly greetings cards based in Newton Abbot.

Through them, Becky’s cards have been sold in a huge range of outlets including Fatface. Through the same publisher, Becky was asked to create the RNLI’s 2017 calendar. Kernow Chocolate also has a wide range of Becky’s pictures on their chocolate bars with her Burgh Island poster on their Bakewell Tart Chocolate, one of her sailing boat posters on the Caramel Sea Salt Chocolate and many more besides. Dart’s Farm has a big Becky

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Bettesworth display too with chocolate, greetings cards plus prints and posters.

One of the reasons Becky enjoys her work so much is being able to capture the essence of where she lives. She tells me, “Devon is so amazing – it can sometimes be the forgotten sister of Cornwall but it’s beautifully unspoilt and I feel really fortunate to live in such a wonderful area.” Becky explains that she didn’t know Devon at all when she first moved here but she now loves its diversity.

She adores Torbay with its coastal walks, marinas, secluded beaches like Ansteys plus Dartmoor, Dartmouth and Salcombe all on her doorstep.

Becky is so happy with how her life has worked out that she is determined to do her bit to help others along the way. She does school visits when she can and is keen to encourage youngsters to believe in themselves and fulfil their dreams. She remembers how inadequate she often felt at school, struggling with dyslexia and wants to show students that you can become a success even though you are not necessarily academic. As a “working / living” artist she has developed a talk entitled “Life is a Journey” which is a title from one of her most popular posters and has been delivered at South Devon College, Torquay Girls’ Grammar School and others about her story and the importance of not giving up, self-belief and keeping the faith.

Becky is a superb example of how to combine motherhood with a love for creativity and build a successful business into the bargain – she is certainly living the dream right here on the English Riviera! o beckybettesworth.co.uk

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A Torquay Hub for Local Artists

Artizan Gallery in Lucius Street is an independent art gallery that is actively promoting local artists and highlighting the wealth of talent and creativity happening right here in the Bay. Anita Newcombe meets owner Julie Brandon and her son Jacob to find out more.

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herself with her first eight exhibitors. rtizan Gallery has a very arty, even Totnesian feel Now some of her artists exhibit at Artizan several times to it with a spacious, airy gallery at the front and a year and she also encourages new artists at some of her a café with lots of natural light and a pleasant al regular exhibitions. Most of the artists are based locally fresco area with outside tables at the back. Owner Julie but she has welcomed exhibitors from the wider area of tells me, “I have always loved art; I loved going to St Ives Devon, Cornwall and even Austria and the USA. Julie also and Totnes. Then I realised that Torbay has a rich seam of undertook an exhibition in London in order to raise the artists working right around the Bay and I wanted to help profile of Torbay artists and give emerging artists the chance promote this to potential buyers of art.” to have their work seen in the capital.

At first Julie became involved in Torquay’s There are three different options in the way that artists Neighbourhood Plan, trying to build interest and support exhibit at Artizan. Stewarded exhibitions allow artists for the arts and possibly develop an Arts Centre. With to show a larger body of work, say 3 – 8 pieces and the this in mind, Julie attended an Arts Council event in number of artists is more limited, about 4 - 5 in the 2012 and met lots of local artists. This led her to team exhibition overall. Then up with a group of “I have always loved art; I loved going to there is self-stewarded them, including Peter St Ives and Totnes. Then I realised that Torbay where an artist can take Stride, Philip Eley and Richard James in setting has a rich seam of artists working right around over the gallery and up Torbay Action for the Bay and I wanted to help promote this to manage his or her own exhibition for 1 - 2 Art. The group have potential buyers of art” weeks. Finally there are contributed to the three open exhibitions where there are a larger number of artists local neighbourhood plans in trying to identify potential involved, each submitting just 1 or 2 pieces. sites for an Arts Centre but fear that in the short to midThere are always themes - the current exhibition term this just isn’t going to happen. is entitled Beside the Seaside an exhibition of coastal In early 2104, Julie, having just then been made works. Julie hosts regular Private Views to highlight each redundant from her job in insurance, was offered a lease exhibition and draw in potential buyers. on number 7 Lucius Street and decided to open her At the beginning of August, the Heritage Exhibition own gallery. She pressed ahead and in May of that year begins and this is allowing Julie to highlight her own she opened Artizan Gallery. It was a major change of fascinating heritage story that she discovered by chance. career direction but something she had always wanted She had discovered that in the early 1900s a group of artists to do. She tells me, “I thought that if I don’t do it now, headed by Alexander Fisher formed the Artisan Society and I’d always think… what if?” It was a rather difficult that he later opened a gallery at number 24 Lucius Street. business to go into at that time but luckily local artist Not only is the name coincidentally very similar to Julie’s Peter Stride recommended her to his artist friends and Artizan Gallery at number 7 Lucius Street but it turns out after just one round robin email from him, she found 32

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Arts that the street was renumbered in 1940 and Alexander’s gallery was on exactly the same site. Julie says, “It’s just a coincidence but quite spooky that we chose the same name as the 1900s group and are on exactly the same spot.”

Today Artizan is still a friendly meeting place both for artists and art-lovers. The café is a quite delightful place to pop in for a coffee and a cake – it’s also licensed if you fancy a glass of something a little stronger. Julie tells me, “Artists tend to work in isolation so the gallery brings them together and helps develop collaborations. Art-lovers too can meet Jacob and Julie Brandon

their friends for coffee, browse the art and meet artists.” Julie and Jacob are also hosting more evening events including the monthly Stanza Extravaganza poetry evenings, regular art talks and, starting in August, acoustic nights. They have also just confirmed that they will be running a monthly evening wine club at the gallery in collaboration with Anthony Blackaby of Scribble and Ink which is scheduled to start in September. This is a real haven tucked away in the heart of Torquay and well worth a visit. o artizangallery.co.uk

Did you know?

• In 2 years Artizan Gallery has had over 100 artists exhibiting • They only play music from aspiring musicians • The loo hosts a permanent exhibition by Anna Grayson and is called The Loovre • Torbay has many more artists than you’d think

Forthcoming Exhibitions Heritage

1 – 26 August This is an exhibition exploring the diversity of heritage creativity.

End of Summer 29 August – 9 September

A homage to the Royal Academy, this is a busy, open exhibition designed to encourage new artists. (For example hian yn Harrison exhibited for the first time at one of these and is now doing a solo show in Dartmouth).

Arthur Homeshaw and Richard Slater 12 September – 30 September

Arthur Homeshaw was a West Country artist who died in and is regarded as one of the finest linocut artists of his time. Richard Slater is a painter with a very original diverse collection of work based near Plymouth.

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Nicky Stevenson

Arts

Coastal Art

Well-known Brixham artist Nicky Stevenson owns and manages her own art gallery in Brixham. Here you can find her trademark brightly coloured paintings plus the works of many other other local artists.

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ocal artist Nicky Stevenson graduated in Ceramics BA (Hons) at Middlesex Polytechnic in 1986.

She initially followed a career in theatre, film and TV as a designer and prop maker. Ceramics and theatre still play an important role in Nicky’s work as it has a 3 dimensional effect born out of her ceramics training.

She says that she sculpts with a paintbrush. The vibrant colours in super saturated pigment paints used in the theatre inspire her paintings.

In 1992, circumstances allowed Nicky to paint full time. Inspired by everyday life, realising one has a moral duty to remain optimistic and a sense of the ridiculous, Nicky’s work is full of ironic humour, narrative interest (her painted diary) and her trademark bold colour. Her imagery has a tactile presence as she creates a visual feast to satisfy the most gluttonous appetite.

Because of the tactile nature of her work and many people thinking it is appliqued or embroidered textiles, sometimes poking it to see if it is squashy, Nicky has now branched out in to other beautiful products. Her imagery is now found on aprons, bags, beach towels, cushions and mugs. Her aim is to create a complete home wares range in the near future.

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Nicky has also written a book for children called Brian’s Day Out (A Herring Gull Adventure). She is working on illustrations for a new series of books now.

Having exhibited her work both in the UK and in Europe, on arrival in Brixham some 18 years ago, she looked for opportunities to show her work locally. She met other local artists through an open studios event and exhibited regularly with them whilst promoting the arts in the area.

Her work proved popular through the public’s reaction at exhibitions, markets and events and she made the decision to open a gallery 8 years ago in Brixham.

Nicky says she is fortunate that all of the other artists she represents are really good friends and just happen to be professional artists!

Artists she represents include John Gillo and Emma Carter plus local sculptor Elisabeth Hadley. Also present in the gallery are Derek Hayward’s wonderful dichroic glass jewellery and wall pictures, Debbie Smith (who works for Aardman animation) with her ceramic penguins and birds, and the work of an assortment of other wellknown local artists. o nickystevensongallery.com August/September 2016

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Rowbury Gallery

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owbury in Foss Street Dartmouth, owned by Alex Aitken, was one of the first South West galleries to stock the work of our featured artist Becky Bettesworth. Rowbury also has a gallery on the Barbican in Plymouth and you can browse their portfolio of artists’ work online as well. There are regular new releases of original paintings and prints from their artists such as Simon Clarke, Judi Trevorrow, Jackie Gale, Lamorna Penrose, Stewart Middlemas and many more. Themes

ArtsRoundUp Devon Art Society Summer Exhibition 30 July – 14 August Enjoy the annual summer exhibition of Devon Art Society. Admission free.

St Anne’s Hall, Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 3SN committeedevonart.wix.com/devon-art-society

Dartington International Summer School & Festival On till 27 August Presenting world-class music alongside literature, dance, film and much more.

Dartington Hall, Dartington TQ9 6EL dartington.org

Illustrating Harry Potter, Hannah’s On till 25 September This exciting exhibition of Jim Kay’s work includes original illustrations, sketches, models and final prints from the brand new edition of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Hannah’s at Seale-Hayne, Newton Abbot TQ12 6NQ 01626 325825 discoverhannahs.org

Inspired Art, Hannah’s On till 12 December (Mondays) Interested in becoming an artist/maker? These weekly sessions are open to everyone and give you the opportunity to work with experienced practitioners to make original art. No previous experience needed. Time: 10am to 3pm.

Hannah’s at Seale-Hayne, Newton Abbot TQ12 6NQ 01626 325825 discoverhannahs.org englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Arts

include lots of beach and seascapes plus harbours, animals and abstract works. You’ll also find some creative, homey items here. o rowbury.co.uk

Julia Finzel Exhibition, Paignton 1 – 31 August Julia Finzel is a photographer and artist who works from her studio in Brixham. Her work ranges from ink & watercolour paintings to etchings & printmaking, mainly of animals.

Sands Road Framing, 10-12 Sands Road, Paignton TQ4 6EH 01803 554583 sandsroadframing.co.uk

Art Talks, Torquay 15 August & 12 September Enjoy art talks with café and licensed bar available.

Tickets: £5 (£4 if booked in advance).

Artizan Gallery 7 Lucius Street, Torquay TQ2 5UW 01803 428626 artizangallery.co.uk

Sublime Symmetry, Torre Abbey 10 September – 4 December The Sublime Symmetry exhibition showcases the work of William De Morgan, the celebrated Victorian Arts and Crafts designer and colleague of William Morris. Discover the mathematics behind his ceramic designs.

The King’s Drive, Torquay TQ2 5JE 01803 293593 torre-abbey.org.uk

Mixed Media Workshops, Brixham 6 September – 13 December (Tuesdays) Nicky is running Mixed Media Art Workshops. Run in an informal manner and designed to suit all abilities, these workshops are fun. Experimenting with different approaches to image making and mark making, they are taught with student needs in mind and help you to develop your own style and passion.

Nicky Stevenson Gallery, 34a Middle Street, Brixham TQ5 8ER 01803 431055 nickystevensongallery.com August/September 2016

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Bob Higginson

Marine Antiques & Collectables

Brixham Steam Packet Company in Brixham is a real treasure trove of maritime memorabilia run by owner, Bob Higginson. Anita Newcombe meets Bob and finds herself wafted back to an era of Royal Mail ships and elegant transatlantic liners.

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Arts

his fascinating shop in Brixham’s Middle Street has a wonderful collection of intriguing antique and reproduction marine collectables.

I’m meeting Bob Higginson for a chat in the open plan office space at the rear of the shop and am invited to perch on a tall stool that was once used on the bridge of a ship. Chester, Bob’s Chesapeake Bay Retriever, who is clearly an important member of the crew, takes up position below me.

Bob clearly has the sea in his blood and in his heart so I’m interested to know how it all began. Bob tells me that he went to school in Bristol and struggled with dyslexia. Bob recalls, “It was called ‘daft’ in those days”.

At the age of 15 he was given a choice by his father – either stay at school or join the Navy. He had always fancied the idea of going to sea since he was a little boy and attended Plymouth Navy Days so he wrote to Cunard to see if he could get a job working on the QE2.

He received a one-line rejection letter but this didn’t deter him. He decided to sign up with the Merchant Navy – he was sent to Avonmouth and went on a training course, which included 12 weeks on seamanship and a further 12 weeks on catering. Bob tells me, “It was the first time I had ever enjoyed a course.” Bob loved it and excelled at his course. He joined the navy pool at Avonmouth and was sent to Tilbury where he was assigned to a BP Tanker called British Patrol.

Bob’s first weeks were spent as a galley boy, peeling potatoes as his ship visited Norway, Sweden, Demark, Belgium travelling the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. The terrible snag, for a boy who joined the navy to see the world, was that the ship didn’t dock near cities or towns and due to a fast turnaround time, the crew was not allowed to go ashore. So Bob suffered 3 months aboard with never a glimpse of the places he travelled to – the weather was awful and he was terribly seasick too. When he got back from his 3-month stint, he called Avonmouth to say he didn’t want tankers, he wanted a passenger vessel so he could see the world. It must have been his lucky day because he got an immediate transfer to the QE2.

On the gracious QE2, he realised his dream of foreign travel, joining as a commis waiter (“a glorified bellboy” says Bob). Over time he was promoted to Assistant Steward, then Steward in the First Class Saloon then Demi Chef (cooking flambés at table), then Chef de Rang (one step below Head Waiter). Bob had been aboard for two and a half years and the ship was about to begin a Premier Cruise with some amazing destinations that Bob

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the brixham steam packet company ANTIQUE AND REPRODUCTION MARINE COLLECTABLES 44 MIDDLE STREET, BRIXHAM, DEVON, TQ5 8EJ TEL:01803 856361 Find us on facebook

Follow us on twitter

PRESERVING OUR NAUTICAL HERITAGE IN-STORE AND ON-LINE AT www.BRIXHAMSTEAMPACKET.CO.UK

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August/September 2016

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Arts desperately wanted to visit. Therefore he decided to apply business and built a nightclub in Spain near Mijas. for an effective demotion, transferring to Night Steward.

He says, “It turned into a nightmare and had to be This involved cleaning duties but meant he could work abandoned after a year as it wasn’t commercially viable.” night shifts and have more time to go ashore. Another Bob then met Jill who later became his wife and bonus was that the night staff was housed in low-level eventually set up Safeguard Alarm Systems, which he passenger accommodation, which was much better than ran for 22 years. It obviously became too much for him the crew accommodation and easy to get some sleep. as in 2014, Bob had a heart attack and was advised to Bob enjoyed visiting 23 ports in 92 days, discovering slow down. This experience led him to the much more places like Cherbourg, New York, Everglades, Curacao, rewarding business experience he enjoys today. He had Salvador, Rio, Cape Town, Durban, Seychelles, already invested in property in Brixham, where he had Bombay, Colombo, Singapore, Bali, Hong Kong, Kobe, family connections, so he sold his alarm business and Yokohama, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Acapulco, Cristobal moved to Torbay buying the building in Middle Street and Cartegena. Life was brilliant! where Brixham Steam Packet It brought him back into the Company is now located. The shop Then Bob made what he calls, “the biggest mistake of my life.” world of ocean going liners that initially came with a tenant plus a He decided he wanted a change dwelling above which was a holiday he had loved and lost and joined the family business. let. However, the tenant soon left The family owned an amusement arcade, a fast food and the shop became empty. restaurant, a small hotel and a bingo club. Later they sold This was when Bob had his epiphany and decided to those and moved to Tamworth, building a banqueting go back to what he loved – this was the opportunity to suite, bingo club, carvery restaurant and nightclub. Here open an antique and reproduction marine collectables he worked for 20 years running the gaming side, which business. It brought him back into the world of ocean included repairing the fruit machines. going liners that he had loved and lost. He opened Bob was very tempted to return to sea but Cunard Brixham Steam Packet Company in February 2015 with wouldn’t have him back, having resigned from their a fun launch party that included a visit from famous company. Later he volunteered to return to the QE2 pirate ‘Captain Jack Sparrow’. Bob says, “I wanted to when it became a troop carrier to the Falklands but evoke a nostalgia for this elegant and bygone age.” Once he was also rejected. Then the family sold their whole the shop had opened, people started to pop in and told

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Arts Bob fascinating stories of their lives aboard cruise ships. over and dismantle the vessel. This is where I come in One lady had worked aboard both the Queen Elizabeth to salvage pieces of history.” Sometimes Bob becomes so and the Queen Mary and had lots of stories to tell about attached the evocative and historic items so much that he Cunard. can’t bear to part with them. He explains, “My greatest Local customers and visitors started coming in and pleasure is going out and finding things at salvage yards Bob has specifically targeted holiday homeowners and online – it’s a joy opening the parcels as they arrive.” from Salcombe, Dartmouth, Bob also has genuine (and very Kingswear and Torbay to sell “The items evolve after feedback beautiful) Terry Allen posters of the marine memorabilia to decorate from our customers – every one SS France in Art Deco Style at the their homes or holiday lets. He is moment. Other very popular items is different.” also trading worldwide across the for QE2 collectors are the hundreds internet and has customers across Europe and the US. of menus and charts, many signed by the Captain and His son Charlie handles all the online marketing. Charlie First Officers. The whole place is a real treasure trove loves to travel and speaks French, which has been useful for lovers of the sea and is worth spending time really to the business. He’s a volunteer crewman on classic browsing around. sailing boat Pilgrim and is at sea during my visit.

Bob’s other interest, Blue Goose Marine is a holiday The shop’s stock comes in from ships that have been letting business and one of his properties at Moorings scrapped from many different parts of the world and in Reach has something off the QE2 in every room. many cases the provenance is well documented and makes It’s clear that Bob loves his new world of maritime a fascinating collectable. Often people bring stock into nostalgia and it’s a great inspiration to people who may the shop, like the ship’s bell from Brixham’s Jannie Marie want a career change, that it’s never to late to start doing trawler, which the widow of the previous owner brought something you love! o in. Bob bought the ship’s compass too and set it into a brixhamsteampacketco.co.uk coffee table, which he now uses in one of his own holiday lets. Later he started making and converting things himself such as his clocks that are set into portholes. Bob makes the iroko hardwood surround, buys an original brass porthole and a ship’s clock (the one I’m looking at is a ‘slave’ clock which was controlled from the bridge of a supertanker), inserts a quartz movement then brings all the parts together, sometimes using LED lighting too.

Bob tells me, “The items evolve after feedback from our customers – every one is different.”

Other smaller clocks are very popular and his customers also love passageway lights and ship’s bells.

Another recent item he has worked on include a handrail off RMS Windsor Castle in wood and brass. He also has diving helmets, a 1929 ship’s telegraph off USS Vixen, a life ring off SS Peerless (which was sunk by a German U-boat off the Cornish coast and washed up on a beach), stateroom lights off the SS Princess Daphne and much more. Bob also has 10 life rings from the Harbour Defence Motor Launch, which became the Western Lady (it had been to Dunkirk to help with the evacuation).

Bob plans to paint the name in gold on each of these and they will only be sold to people in Torbay.

Bob explains, “When ship’s are scrapped, they are run aground; the crew then abandon ship and shore staff take englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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Hoopers Torquay is searching for two models to be crowned the Face of Hoopers 2016 – could you be one of them?

D

o you have style, personality and confidence?

Are you a follower of fashion with a love for the latest looks? Could you rock a runway? If the answer is yes, then you could have what it takes to become the Face of Hoopers 2016 – and win yourself some amazing must-have prizes.

From the 1st August, Hoopers Torquay will be

launching its search to find two local faces – one male, one female – to be crowned the Face of Hoopers and star in the store’s AW16 Fashion Show at the Imperial Hotel.

But the winners will not only walk the runway as the new faces of Hoopers – they will also each win a selection of exclusive prizes, including £500 to spend in store and a photo shoot with English Riviera Magazine.

The Prizes Hoopers AW16 Fashion Show The two lucky winners of the Face of Hoopers will star in the AW16 Fashion Show on Thursday 15th September, marking the start of Hoopers’ Fashion Fortnight – two weeks of exciting events and offers happening across the store to celebrate the new season.

A favourite local event, the AW16 Fashion Show will feature the season’s latest looks and new brands, and each competition winner will receive 4 tickets for friends and family to watch their star turn on the catwalk inside the luxurious Imperial Hotel.

In the hours before the show, the winners will receive a full model experience, learning to rock the runway and enjoying a glamorous makeover to prepare for their starring moment in the limelight.

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£500 To Spend in Store Each new face will win a fabulous £500 to spend at Hoopers, giving the lucky winners the chance to shop till they drop in the iconic designer-led store.

With exclusive collections from an eclectic mix of brands including Mulberry, Belstaff and French Connection all under one roof, each winner can choose their very own edit of model-worthy treats from Hoopers’ inspired selection of fashion, accessories, beauty and homewares.

English Riviera Magazine Photoshoot Feel like a top model as you showcase the latest fashions around the Hoopers store while English Riviera Magazine’s photographer captures some stylish shots.

These photos will appear in the October-November issue of English Riviera Magazine.

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

How to Enter Whether your style is classic, fresh or unique, you can enter the competition by sending a head shot and a full length body shot of yourself to tqfaceofhoopers@ hoopersstores.com, alongside a maximum of 100 words stating why you think it should be you.

The competition closes on August 27th, and shortlisted entrants will be contacted to attend an audition to wow

Fashion

the judges in person, before the winners are announced in early September.

You can follow the competition throughout August across Hoopers social channels and website at: Facebook: @HoopersStores Twitter: @HoopersEdit Website: www.hoopersstores.com

Buy Tickets Hoopers AW16 Fashion Show Thursday 15 September Discover the latest looks and see the competition winners walk the runway at the glamorous Imperial Hotel.

Tickets £10, including Pimms & canapes – soon available to purchase in store at Hoopers, 5-6 The Strand, Torquay.

Terms & Conditions This competition is open to all persons aged 16 and over. Competition runs from Monday 1st August until Saturday 27th August 2016.

Entries received after the closing date will not be accepted. Entrants must be available w/c 12th September for rehearsals and the Hoopers Fashion Show on Thursday 15th September. Shortlisted entrants will be notified by Wednesday 31st August and asked to attend a short audition on Saturday 3rd September. Winners will be notified no later than Wednesday 7th September. Entrants agree that any photography shared or taken before, during or after the competition directly in line with the Face of Hoopers can be used as promotional material by Hoopers or its supporting sponsors. There is no cash alternative to the prizes. Judges decision is final.

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Eating Out

G u id e

The English Riviera is fast establishing a fantastic foodie reputation. With more and more high quality restaurants establishing themselves in the Bay there’s never been a better time to hang up your apron and sample what’s on offer!

EST D 1904

R EDCLIFFE H OTEL PAIGNTON

Redcliffe Hotel

Occombe Farm Café

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.

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

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

Why not advertise your restaurant or eatery in our guide?

Rates start at just £76 plus Vat per insertion for 6 x bi-monthly inclusions over a year. This will highlight your business to 72,000 potential diners.*

The Babbacombe Inn

Harbour Kitchen

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

Whether you’re after a light snack or looking for somewhere to celebrate a special occasion the Babbacombe Inn has plenty of buffet and function options on offer. With live entertainment and a weekly quiz, it’s also ideal for a pre-theatre meal or drink. Free parking on site.

Perched on Torquay Harbourside, there are few more idyllic spots to enjoy dining than at Harbour Kitchen.

Sourced from the local area, the food is exceedingly fresh, seasonally-changing and affordable.Try our Cocktail Bar, Lunch Offers, A la Carte Dining, Sunday Roast and Tasting Menus.

Crab & Cocktail Tuesdays £13 Beer & Burger Wednesdays £13 Fish & Fizz Thursdays £13 Spring Opening Friday 12 February.

59 Babbacombe Downs Road Torquay TQ1 3LP 01803 316200 www.babbacombeinn.co.uk 46

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16 Victoria Parade Torquay TQ1 2BB 01803 211075 info@harbourkitchen.co.uk www.harbourkitchen.co.uk

English Riviera Magazine is independently delivered to 12,000 homes and businesses across the Bay every 2 months.

In a recent survey 76% of our responding readers said that they ‘always or often’ took account of advertising and 100% enjoyed reading the magazine.

Call 01803 850886 for a chat today - it’s a great way to gain year-round promotion for your restaurant or eatery. * based on National Readership Survey averages for similar publications

S h o p L o c al | E at L o c al englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Food & Drink

Foodie Events to Visit Rockfish Crab Festival

Abbey Days Festival

7 August Dartmouth

3 & 4 September Torre Abbey

This year’s Dartmouth Crab Festival promises to be another glorious day of seafood coast crab, live music and spectacular views across the river Dart. Hosted by acclaimed chefs Mitch Tonks and Angela Hartnett, up to 400 people are expected for lunch on Dartmouth’s stunning quayside. Tickets for the marquee are priced at £25 and include freshly dressed crab, local breads, salad and mayonnaise followed by crème caramel or chocolate nemesis. Wine will be available from the bar. There’s a crabbing competition for the kids with prizes for the winners. The £5 entry fee includes a Crab Festival t-shirt and crabbing bucket and lines.

Tickets sell out fast for this event but you can still enjoy Rockfish Summer Crab Rolls with avocado, chilli, salsa and plenty of crabmeat on a brioche bun at £5. rockfishevents.co.uk

Abbey Days is a 2-day food, beer and music festival set in historic Spanish Barn, part of Torre Abbey.

Food will be provided by Harbour Kitchen and will include locally sourced fish, BBQ and smoke house products plus many other dishes. There will also be 80 real ales, craft beers, gin stalls and cocktail bars. The music lineup includes James Walsh of Starsailor on 3 September and Seth Lakeman on 4 September. Gates open at 12 noon. Tickets online. abbeydays.net

Fishstock Brixham 10 September

Don’t miss this joyful annual festival of seafood and music held at Brixham’s world famous fish market.

You’ll find lots of scrumptious seafood, live cooking demos with top local chefs plus the chance to tour fishing boats and heritage vessels. There are food and drink stalls, maritime display stands and plenty of fun for the children. Plus you can enjoy live music all day and throughout the evening. This is one of the Bay’s best events of the year celebrating Brixham’s fishing heritage. Held in aid of the Fisherman’s Mission. Cost: £6, accompanied under 15s free. fishstockbrixham.co.uk

Rockfish goes Gluten-Free!

Rockfish Brixham held a tasting session to mark the launch of their gluten-free range and English Riviera Magazine went along to test the spoils. Every item available on the restaurant’s menu is now available in gluten-free form with accreditation from the Coeliac Society to follow shortly.The range, being rolled out across Mitch Tonk’s South Devon restaurants, comes after nine months of intensive sourcing and development of products and a substantial investment in equipment that allows the gluten-free choices to be prepared and cooked entirely separately. Group Head Chef Kirk Gosden said, “We wanted to ensure both those who choose a gluten-free diet and people with coeliac disease could enjoy fantastic fish and chips.” englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Kirk Gosden serves up the taste test

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Easy summer strolling...

Distance: 2 miles Exertion: Easy Time: Allow 1.5 hours Terrain: Pathways and pavements.

Suitable for pushchairs and mobility scooters.

Dogs: On leads in roads.

Refreshments: Various Paignton Harbour & Torbay Road Enjoy panoramic bay views from Roundhead Head

I

n our recent reader survey many readers asked for walks that were accessible to all - pushchairs, mobility scooters and those who couldn’t walk too far. So this issue we’re walking from Paignton train station to the harbour and around Roundham Head.

We take in the busy town and get the feel for holidaying in the Bay and what makes the local economy tick with the throngs on Torbay Road and Paignton’s pretty seafront. There’s plenty to see and do and history to discover as well as some of best views in the Bay. o

The Burma Star Garden

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1 From the train station turn right into Torbay Road, passing the old, soon to be reopened, Paignton Picture House and continue towards the seafront taking the third turning right into Queens Road then left into Torbay Park. At the seafront, cross the road and join up with the coastpath as it heads toward the harbour. See the children’s Geoplay Park and Pirate Golf if you’ve got youngsters along for the walk!

2 Follow the coastline under the arch to the harbour.

The harbour was established in 1838 in its current form and was an important port for exporting local goods, most notably cider and giant cabbages. Today it’s home to a crab processing plant that distributes locally caught fare across the country. As you walk up the slope to skirt the harbour, you’ll see the small building on the left, which was formerly the Preventatives Station, more commonly known as the coastguard.

3 At the far side of the harbour either choose to stroll down to the outer sea wall, climb the steps and drop down to the popular Fairy Cove. From here you can climb the steps at the rear of the beach and turn left into the Burma Star Garden, which leads out to Cliff Road.

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Walk

The Preventatives Station

Otherwise, carry on up the hill and turn left into Cliff Road to avoid the steps and pick up the route again in the Burma Star Memorial Garden adjacent to the Sea Anglers Club.

4 Roundham Head is accessed another 75 metres along Cliff Road. Looking out over the red sandstone cliffs, known as the Paignton Ledges, where in 1804 the warship Venerable was wrecked, offers fabulous views over the Bay towards Torquay and makes a great viewing point for nautical activities. As you walk through the park, pause at the memorial stone and plaque to the left of the pathway that tells the story of Torquay-born Lieutenant Commander Arthur Leyland Harrison VC whose heroic actions were notable during WW1.

5 At the top of the hill you will be standing above a magnificent rock walk planted with an array of spectacular semi-tropical plants that were supplied by Paignton Zoo’s founder Herbert Whitley. This area was constructed in the 1930s by Welsh miners as part of a work creation scheme during the Great Depression. More spectacular views towards the south stretch out over Goodrington and Brixham and complete the Bay panorama.

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

The Rock Walk above Goodrington Sands

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August & September Around the Bay Claws Exhibition at Torquay Museum On till 4 September The exhibition explores the relationship of cats and humans from distant prehistory until the present day, including cats in Ancient Egypt, Myth & Magic and Man-Eaters.

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

Britannia Royal Naval College Tours, Dartmouth Monday afternoons & some Wednesdays 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 there today.

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

Summer Barbeques, Berry Head Hotel Fridays & Saturdays Enjoy a delicious summer barbeque on the Terrace with its breathtaking views. Friday evenings from 7pm and Saturday lunchtimes between 12 and 2pm, weather permitting. Also regular Sunday Jazz lunches with carvery or bistro menu.

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

Samurai, Warriors of Japan, Torquay Daily until 4 September A hands-on, family-friendly summer exhibition featuring weapons, armour and costumes from the Samurai warriors and Ninjas who have inspired numerous books, films and comics since they burst onto the world stage, from Star Wars to Ninja Turtles.

529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HG 01803 293975 torquaymuseum.org 50

August/September 2016

Summer Evening Ghost Tours, Torquay Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays until 2 September A very scary one-hour ghost tour set in the dimly lit caves as characters appear from the dark. This ghostly tour of the entire underground cave system is sure to make you jump and is not suitable for under 8s. Booking essential.

Cost: £10.

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

The WOW Trail, Occombe On until 31 August Kids! Would you like a wild adventure this summer?

Then take part in Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust’s super-fun WOW (Wondrous Occombe Wildlife) trail and solve hidden clues to win a prize. See if you can be as sly as a fox, understand the secret language of a bat, or be as nimble as a stoat! Time: 10am - 3pm daily, cost: £2.00 per child (4-12 years recommended), booking: not necessary just drop in to take part!

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

Superhero Summer, Torquay On till 2 September Fun at Living Coasts with superhero games and challenges, super penguin trail, special superhero stickers and tattoos to take home, daily super-themed animal talks and meet the superheroes - Super Mac the Penguin and Super Olly the Otter.

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

Summer Holiday Explorers, Torquay On until 4 September Become explorers of the past at Bygones. Discover the Victorian Street, Vintage Amusements, Wartime Britain, englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

What’s On the Fabulous 50s and the Railway Story with an original 27-ton steam engine and 28-foot model railway. Join fun events and activities throughout the summer. Normal admission applies.

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

The Acoustic Sessions, Torquay 1 August & 5 September

The Great Big Rhino Trail On until 9 October

Laundry Day, Coleton Fishacre 2, 9, 16, 23 August

The Great Big Rhino Project will bring a world-class mass public art event to the streets, parks and open spaces of the English Riviera and Exeter to highlight the threat facing wild rhinos. Following the trail, the rhinos will be at Paignton Zoo from 14 – 16 October before being auctioned for charity in November.

0844 4742226 greatbigrhinos.org.uk

Join the team at Coleton Fishacre’s laundry to experience life as a 1930s laundry maid! Have a go washing linen from the period using a washing dolly, washboard and mangle, with the expert supervision of the National Trust’s knowledgeable volunteers. Times: 11am-5pm, cost: free event but normal admission charges apply.

Brownstone Road, Kingswear, TQ6 0EQ 01803 661903 nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre

Open mic nights plus café and licensed bar. Tickets: £5 (£4 if booked in advance), performers £2. Time: 7.30-10.30pm.

Artizan Gallery 7 Lucius Street, Torquay TQ2 5UW 01803 428626 artizangallery.co.uk

Sharpham Mindfulness Courses Dates throughout August & September There is a range of mindfulness courses and retreats on offer including mindfulness through singing, mindfulness & yoga, mindfulness & walking and others. There are also mindfulness drop-in sessions in Torquay.

Sharpham House, Ashprington, Totnes TQ9 7UT 01803 732542 sharphamtrust.org

Wild Wednesdays, Coleton Fishacre 3, 10, 17, 24 August

Go Wild Kids Club, Occombe 1-5 August & 15-19 August Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust offers a variety of Kids Go Wild Holiday Club events to keep the kids entertained over the holidays! They can spend the week exploring the wilder side of Occombe with days of fun, outdoor activities including fire craft and simple campfire cooking, den building down in the woods, exploring off the beaten track looking for animal clues, team challenges and more! Cost: £110 for the week or single days at £30.

Times: 10am – 4pm daily; booking essential.

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

These events are free drop in sessions. The National Trust will be picking activities each week so ring ahead if you’d like to find out which ones they’re doing. Time: 2-4pm, cost: free but normal admission charges apply.

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

Brixham Fish Market Tour 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 August and 7, 14, 28 September See over 40 different types of fish on this Fish Market Tour in Brixham. More than £25 million of fish is landed an auctioned. The fish is then supplied to top restaurants in London and Europe as well as locally. You will see the auctions in action and Barry Young of Brixham Trawler Agents will be your guide. After the tour you will enjoy an English breakfast. Time: tours begin at 6am sharp, cost: £12.50 including breakfast and a donation to Royal August/September 2016

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National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen. Start time: 6am sharp. Unsuitable for under-14s or wheelchairs.

Booking essential.

The Quay, Brixham TQ5 8AW 07973 297620 or email bfmt2014@gmail.com

Cockington Fayre 3 August Enjoy a traditional old English village fair at historic Cockington Court.

Cockington Court, Torquay, TQ2 6XA 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk

Pirate Thursdays, Brixham Every Thursday 4 August – 1 September Piratical fun for the young and young at heart, this is a great opportunity to join in the amusing antics and have a great free day out. Their naughty deeds include Soak the Pirate as well as balloon modelling, puppet shows, arts & crafts workshops, fancy dress competitions, photo shoots and live music.

The Quay, Brixham TQ5 8AJ

Torbay Steam Fair 5 – 7 August A great day out, you’ll see working steam engines, vintage& classic cars, lorries and military displays plus children’s entertainment, craft & model tent and various stalls.

Dartmouth Road, Churston Ferrers, Brixham TQ5 0JT torbaysteamfair.co.uk

Brixham Folk Night 5 August & 2 September

Greenway Garden Blitz 3 August & 7 September 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. Free event but booking essential.

Greenway Road, Galmpton TQ5 0ES 01803 661905 nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway

Enjoy an evening of folk music in all its varieties.

The evening starts and ends with music from regular performers, with an open floor slot for all comers to show their folk music talents - song or instrumental. Organised

by Anne and Steve Gill. Admission: £3 (£2 performers) on the door.

Brixham Theatre Lounge, New Road, Brixham TQ5 8LX 01803 858394 brixhamtheatre.org.uk

Rockpool Ramble, Goodrington 4 & 22 August Join Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust’s marine ranger and explore the incredible marine life that lives in Torbay’s rock pools.

Suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Cost: £3.50 per child (4-18 years), booking essential.

Seashore Centre, Tanners Road, Paignton TQ4 6LP 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk 52

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Paignton Harbour Festival 6 August Paignton Harbour is hosting its very first festival celebrating the harbour’s history and traditions with family fun, food demonstrations, stalls and craft demonstrations. Time: 10am -11pm (live music from 6pm).

The Harbour, Paignton, TQ4 6DT paigntonharbourfestival.co.uk englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

What’s On Shaldon Water Carnival 6 August

Evening Wildlife Walk, Cockington 10 August

Every year the Shaldon Water Carnival Committee puts on an event to rival the most eccentric of ceremonies.

Somewhere between a carnival and a regatta, the Shaldon Water Carnival provides a day of creative explosions, colourful entertainment and nautical brilliance. Times: 10am to 11pm. Free entry.

Ferry Beach, Marine Parade, Shaldon TQ14 0DL shaldonwatercarnival.co.uk

Join Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust for an evening stroll around Cockington Country Park looking for signs of wildlife, listening for bird calls and hopefully catching a glimpse of some of Cockington’s wild residents. Refreshments included. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Time: 7 - 9pm, cost £3.50 (aged 11 & over), booking essential.

Cockington Country Park, Torquay, TQ2 6XA 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk

Brixham Gig Regatta 6 August The races will take place off Breakwater Beach where there will be excellent viewing along the Breakwater itself.

Time: 11am - 5pm.

Brixham Breakwater, Brixham TQ5 9AF brixhamgigclub.co.uk

Paignton Regatta 6 – 14 August Paignton Regatta is a good old-fashioned week of traditional seaside fun, mainly taking place on and around Paignton Green. To mark the 169th year of Paignton Regatta there is also a whole host of events happening on Paignton Sea Front. Firework display will take place at 9.30pm on 11 August.

Paignton Green, Paignton, TQ4 6ED paigntonregatta.com

Kids Outdoor Cookery Day, Occombe 10 August Join Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust for a fun day of outdoor cookery. Make your own pizza, pick herbs from the garden and bake it on an open fire. Collect kindling and branches for the fire in the garden and cook popcorn and sweet trail bread with chocolate sauce. Kids can be left unaccompanied for the day. Time: 10am – 4pm, cost: £30 per child (7 – 12 years), booking essential.

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

Meet the Occombe Bees 11 August Meet Occombe bee keeper Gerry Stuart and find out about these incredibly fascinating insects. Get close up to the bees and discover how far a bee can travel? How much honey they can produce and what is the bee waggle dance? Time: 1- 3pm, cost £2.50 (12 years & over), booking essential.

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

Torbay Lifeboat Week 8 – 14 August Torbay Lifeboat Station based in Brixham close to the famous breakwater becomes the centre of a series of events planned by the local volunteers and sponsors for the whole family. On Sunday August 14 don’t miss the Search & Rescue demonstration at 5pm.

Torbay Lifeboat Station, Berry head Road, Brixham TQ5 9AF 01803 854785 torbaylifeboat.org.uk

World Lion Day, Paignton Zoo 10 August To celebrate World Lion Day, the Zoo will have special lion talks and you can pick up a special lion-themed activity booklet on arrival.

Totnes Road, Paignton TQ4 7EU 0844 4742224 paigntonzoo.org.uk englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

August/September 2016

53

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What’s On Sea Birds, Sea Watching & Paella, Brixham 13 August A Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust event for keen birdwatchers. Learn more about sea watching and migrating seabirds whilst observing trawlers with flocks of seabirds following them. Skuas, shearwaters and terns are all likely to be spotted with local expert Mike Langman on hand to guide you. Depending on weather conditions, views may be distant. Includes a delicious paella and a cold drink at the café after the watch. Time: 4pm – 8.15pm, cost: £19 includes paella & drink, booking essential.

Berry Head National Nature Reserve, Berry Head, Brixham TQ5 9AP 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk

The Magic Express, Hannah’s 13 & 20 August A magical round robin trip on South Devon Railway’s steam train from Buckfastleigh to Totnes as part of Harry Potter celebrations. Then a trip on a London doubledecker bus to Hannah’s, view the exhibition plus Dragon’s Maze & Treasure Hunt. The bus then returns you to Buckfastleigh. Full wizarding fancy dress encouraged.

Adults £18, Under 10s £15.

01626 325800 discoverhannahs.org

Family Forage Day, Sharpham 14 August Enjoy the wild abundance of the Sharpham Estate with your children. Discover what the season has to offer and pick some wild plants to take back to Sharpham’s sheltered outdoor kitchen for a fun cook up. Time: 10.30am – 2.30pm, cost: £20 per person with up to 2 children free. Price includes lunch. Booking essential.

Sharpham House, Ashprington, Totnes TQ9 7UT 01803 732542 sharphamtrust.org

Children’s Week, Paignton 16 – 20 August A packed programme of performances, workshops and events especially for children will take place throughout the week. Most events free but some have small charge.

Paignton Green, TQ4 6BG childrensweek.co.uk

English Riviera Film Festival 16-20 August Enjoy a week-long celebration of film as local film clubs and venues come together to collaborate on a series of events that will interest both casual and ardent film enthusiasts alike. There will be screenings and directors talking about their work and many events are free.

Various venues around the Bay. erfilmfest.co.uk

Kids Summer Cookery Day, Occombe 17 August Pick and cook delicious produce from Occombe Farm’s vegetable garden. Go home with tasty goodies to share with the family. Time: 10am – 4pm, cost: £30 (7-12 years), booking essential.

Occombe Farm Cookery School, Preston Down Road, Paignton TQ3 1RN 01803 500022 countryside-trust.org.uk

World Orang-utan Day, Paignton Zoo 19 August Pick up an orang-utan activity booklet when you arrive and watch the zoo’s orang-utans receive some special englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

August/September 2016

55

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What’s On treats at the keeper talks.

Totnes Road, Paignton TQ4 7EU 0844 4742224 paigntonzoo.org.uk

Berry Head Bat Walk 19 August See the rare Greater Horseshoe bats at Berry Head National Nature Reserve with Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust - they live in the caves formed in the 400 million-year-old limestone cliffs. Begin at the Berry Head Visitor Centre to see the bats in their roost using the cave camera. Then head out onto the reserve to learn about feeding habits, before moving on to watch the spectacle of the bats emerging from their roost, using bat detectors to hear their calls. Time: 7.45pm, cost: £5 adults, £3.50 children (12 and over), booking essential.

Berry Head Visitor Centre, Gillard Road, Brixham TQ5 9AP 01803 500022 countryside-trust.org.uk

Stone Age School, Kents Cavern 20 August & 17 September The first of these two sessions will help you discover how Stone Age people made their tools and the second investigates what musical instruments they might have made.

You’ll have a go at making them yourself! All children leave the session with what they have made and a badge confirming their new Stone Age skill. Times: 10am-12noon or 2-4pm, cost £5 (children 6-12), 1 adult free for up to 4 children, booking essential.

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

1940s Murder Mystery Evening, Brixham 21 August ‘Murder on the Home Front’ is an exciting evening of murder and intrigue over a three-course dinner. Tickets: £44.95, booking essential.

Lupton House, Churston Ferrers, Brixham TQ5 0LD 01803 845800 discoverlupton.com

Festival of Archaeology, Cockington 21 - 26 August The festival will include history tours around Cockington Country Park with a special tour for children and families, plus free children’s activities with an englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

archaeological theme. Times: 11am-4pm daily, cost: free, no booking needed.

Cockington Court, Cockington, Torquay TQ2 6XA 01803 500022 countryside-trust.org.uk

Stanza Extravaganza, Torquay 22 August & 26 September Enjoy an evening of performance poetry – café and licensed bar available. Tickets £6 (or £5 in advance), time: 7.30pm – 10.30pm.

Artizan Gallery 7 Lucius Street, Torquay TQ2 5UW 01803 428626 artizangallery.co.uk

Paignton Society Talks 25 August and 22 September In August, Philip Algar speaks on ‘My Life in Journalism’ and in September John Pentney’s talk is ‘What Gilbert & Sullivan owed to Paignton’. Cost: members £3, nonmembers £4.

Gerston Centre, Gerston Place, Paignton TQ3 3DX 01803 556969 paigntonsociety.webs.com

Harry Potter Astronomy, Newton Abbot 26 August & 23 September Dartmoor Skies will give a unique talk about JK Rowling’s use of astronomy in her character names and other cosmic references. Followed by guided stargazing with telescopes and hot chocolate and cookies around the camp fire. Time: 9pm, cost £10 per person, bring warm clothes, booking essential.

Hannahs at Seale Hayne, Howton Lane, Newton Abbot TQ12 6NQ 01626 325800 discoversealehayne.org

Cockington Food & Crafts Market 28 August & 25 September Experience crafts makers at work and sample some of Devon’s finest foods in the beautiful grounds of Cockington Court.

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. Times: 10am – 3pm.

Cockington, Torquay, TQ2 6XA 01803 607230 cockingtoncourt.org August/September 2016

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What’s On Victorian Bank Holiday, Bygones 28 & 29 August

Occombe Farm, Preston Down Road, Paignton, TQ3 1RN 01803 520022

Search for clues and discover the people, places and events during Victoria’s long reign. Event designed for adults, as well as kids. Normal admission applies.

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

Women of Worth (WOW) Charity Ball, Torquay 10 September

Torbay Sea Angling Festival 2 – 11 September

The Devon Wedding Show, Torquay 11 September

This is the 48th annual boat and shore event at locations across the English Riviera. There are many prize categories including adults, ladies, visitors and juniors (under 16). torbayfishingfestival.com

If you have a wedding coming up in the family this is a well-established wedding event running from 11am to 3pm with bridal fashion shows at 12.30pm and 2pm.

Riviera International Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Torquay TQ2 5LZ 01626 201055 devonweddingshow.co.uk

1940s Weekend, Lupton House 3 - 4 September Enjoy a 1940s weekend at beautiful Lupton House.

Time: 10am – 5pm.

Churston Ferrers, Brixham TQ5 0LD 01803 845800 discoverlupton.com

Jazz Age Lawn Party, Coleton Fishacre 4 September Enjoy cocktails and canapés on the bowling lawn as the jazz band perform from the Loggia, and soak up the beautiful surroundings of the D’Oyly Carte’s 1920s summer home on this special evening of elegance and music. Booking essential. Tickets: £20 (over 12 years).

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

Tots Go Wild, Occombe 8 September This is a chance for parents and toddlers to experience the great outdoors at Occombe Farm with Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust. Time: 9.30 – 11.30am, cost: £5 per child (toddlers to 5 yrs old), babies free, booking essential. englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Enjoy a glamorous black tie event in aid of vulnerable women across the world.

Riviera International Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Torquay TQ2 5LZ 01803 663681 rivieracentre.co.uk

Murder Mystery Dining Train 12 & 14 September Try some serious sleuthing with this very special murder mystery evening on the Dartmouth Steam Railway. The evening begins on the platform in Paignton at 7pm with a glass of Prosecco. The train departs at 7.30pm and returns at 10.30pm. While you sit down to a delicious dinner the actors will lay the clues that you have to unravel. It is then up you to investigate and accuse a suspect.

Queen’s Park Station, Torbay Road, Paignton, TQ4 6AF 01803 555872 dartmouthrailriver.co.uk

Agatha Christie’s Birthday Celebrations, Torre Abbey 15 September A programme of celebrations to mark the birthday of Agatha Christie, the Queen of Crime who was born in Torquay and 100 years since she wrote her first published novel. Tickets available online.

Spanish Barn, Torre Abbey, Kings Drive, Torquay TQ2 5JE 01803 211211 agathachristiefestival.com August/September 2016

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englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

What’s On Big Beach Clean, Torquay 17 September Living Coasts are hosting their annual beach clean – join in and help preserve our local environment. Time: 1 – 3pm. Your help will be rewarded by either a hot chocolate or an ice cream (weather dependent as to which one). Fun activities for kids and rockpool rambles too.

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

Whiterock Festival of Learning 17 September Now in its second year the Festival of Learning will include fun, hands-on activities, cookery demonstrations, performances from the school’s choir and cheerleaders, live music and much more.

Time: 11am – 5pm.

There are a number of partner events in the leadup to the festival: 9-11 September: Camping at Whitehill Park.

12 September: Paignton Pleasure Cruise fishing trip, 6.30- 8.30pm.

13 September: Raft building with Reach Outdoors on Goodrington Beach. Cost: £20 per team of 4.

14 September: Coffee morning at Millie and Me, Brixham.

14 September: Pool party at Beverly Park. Time: 4.00-7.00pm.

15 September: Cayman golf tournament and Battle Field Live activity.

16 September: Love Kayaking offers a River Dart or a coastal escorted kayak tour. Cost: £34 per person, all equipment provided.

All week is the Scarecrow Competition with judging taking place at the festival on 17 September.

Whiterock Primary School, Davies Avenue, Paignton TQ4 7AW whiterockprimaryschool.co.uk/festivaloflearning

The Colour Rush, Paignton 17 September Join in Rowcroft Hospice’s popular annual Colour Rush.

You will walk or run your way around a 5K route while being showered in brightly coloured powder paint. This is followed by the legendary mass paint throw. The messy madness will kick off on Paignton Green from 10.30am with food and drinks stalls, music from The Breeze and two tonnes of paint ready and waiting to be hurled, splashed and showered! Tickets £25 and you will be asked to raise as much sponsorship as possible.

Paignton Seafront, Esplanade Road, Paignton, TQ4 6BG thecolourrush.co.uk

5pm. The activities

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

August/September 2016

61

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August/September 2016

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What’s On Spanish Barn Ball, Torquay 17 September The ladies of Riviera Sound are organizing a ball in aid of CLIC Sargent at Torre Abbey’s historic Spanish Barn.

Live music including Blurred Lines plus a fun casino, silent auction, table murder mystery, hog roast and more.

Tickets: £35, time: 6.30pm.

Torre Abbey, The Kings Drive, Torquay TQ2 5JE rivierasound-spanishbarnball.com

booklet when you arrive to learn more about the rhinos of the world and don’t miss the special rhino talk at 11.15 am.

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

Manhattan Short Film Festival, Torquay 23 – 29 September Manhattan Short is a simultaneous celebration that brings great films to great venues, simultaneously across the globe. You will be asked to vote on the winning film.

Blue Walnut Café, 14 Walnut Road, Chelston TQ2 6HS 01803 394113 bluewalnuttorquay.co.uk

Mini4RNLI Whisky Rally, Brixham 24 September World Rhino Day, Paignton 22 September Join Paignton Zoo to help celebrate these marvellous yet critically endangered creatures. You’ll meet Reggie the Rhino and get yourself a rhino sticker. Pick up an activity

To mark the 150th anniversary of Torbay Lifeboat, Mini4RNLI presents The RNLI Whisky Rally 2016. You are invited to join in a fundraising drive to Scotland departing from Torbay Lifeboat Station in Brixham early on Saturday 24 September (or join along the way).

Teams will rendezvous in Oban the next morning after an overnight stay en route. Teams will then catch the ferry to Tobermory for a drive in convoy to Tobermory RNLI Station to meet the crew followed by a visit to the Tobermory Whisky Distillery. Teams can then head home or enjoy a few days in the highlands. On arrival back in Torbay, the precious cargo of whisky will be driven to various Devon venues for fundraising whisky tasting events. To join you will simply need a vehicle plus the entry fee (all proceeds to Torbay RNLI). To enter or become a whisky tasting venue email: bob@bluegoosemarine.com or visit the Mini4RNLI Facebook page.

Holding an event in October or November?

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

August/September 2016

63

Treading the boards Babbacombe Theatre Box Office 01803 328385 Editor’s pick ROB BECKETT – MOUTH OF THE SOUTH 30 SEPTEMBER ONLY

Little Theatre, Torquay Box Office 01803 299330 Editor’s pick ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS 1 – 13 AUGUST

Rob Beckett is one of the most popular comedians in the country. This is his brand-new show and he’s taking on the big issues like Kit Kats and flatbread! Star of BBC1’s Live At The Apollo, Would I Lie To You?, Channel 4’s 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Cats Does Countdown, BBC2’s Mock The Week, ITV’s Play To The Whistle, and ITV2’s Celebrity Juice.

A TOADS season production directed by Sarah O’Connor, this is the Torbay premier of “the most hilarious comic evening in the theatre since Noises Off” (The Stage). Fired from his skiffle band, Francis Henshall becomes minder to Roscoe Crabbe, an East End hood, now in Brighton to collect £6000 from his fiancée’s dad. But Roscoe is really his sister Rachel, posing as her own dead brother, who has been killed by her boyfriend Stanley Stubbers.

Also worth seeing…

Music of the Night – on till 29 September Into the Shadows 26 August only Brixham Theatre Box Office 01803 882717 Editor’s pick HENRY V 2 & 3 SEPTEMBER

This 3tc adaptation of Shakespeare’s famous play is billed to be less historically accurate than any history play really ought to be and far funnier than any play about war and politics has any right to be! A playboy prince in his youth, young Henry V has grown up and is intent upon reviving his claim to the French throne. A present of tennis balls from the French Dauphin, a deliberate comment on Henry’s louche reputation, is the perfect excuse for war.

Also worth seeing…

And Finally…Phil Collins ‘Take a Look at Him Now’ 16 September only

Flavel Arts Centre Dartmouth Box Office 01803 839530 Editor’s pick DARTMOUTH ORCHESTRA CONCERT 21 SEPTEMBER Enjoy a selection of classical music performed by the popular, local Dartmouth Orchestra including Beethoven’s Symphony No 5 one of the world’s bestknown classical pieces.

Also worth seeing…

NTLive – The Deep Blue Sea 1 September RSCLive – Cymbeline 28 September only 64

August/September 2016

Also worth seeing…

A Murder is Announced 5 – 17 September Move Over Mrs Markham 10 – 15 October Palace Theatre, Paignton Box Office 01803 665800 Editor’s pick THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ 4 – 25 AUGUST

A delightful family production with an international cast of talented performers. Follow Dorothy and Toto on their journey along the yellow brick road as they meet some new friends along the way! But beware of the Wicked Witch who will stop at nothing to get her hands on those sparkling ruby slippers!

Also worth seeing…

Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Nile 12 – 15 September Mordred 3 September Princess Theatre, Torquay Box Office 0844 8713023 Editor’s pick CATS 30 AUGUST – 3 SEPTEMBER

Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s smash hit musical is a must-see or a repeat-see if you’ve already seen this extraordinary smash hit musical. Adapted from TS Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, this wonderful blend of fantasy, drama and romance is set on the night that the Jellicle Cats meet for the Jellicle Ball in a sparkling fusion of music, dance and verse.

Also worth seeing…

La Voce 11 August only Ronan Keating 30 September only

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Open Air Theatre!

Wrap up warm for these outdoor performances...

TWO-FOR-ONE

THEATRE TICKET OFFER

NT Greenway Box Office 01803 842382 Editor’s pick SHERLOCK HOLMES & THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES 27 AUGUST ONLY Join Chapterhouse Theatre Company at Greenway to meet one of the world’s most famous detectives, Sherlock Holmes, as he is called upon to solve the greatest mystery of all time...that of the Hound of the Baskervilles.

Also worth seeing…

Murder on the Terrace 4 August only The Railway Children 26 August only Cockington Court Box Office 01803 607230 Editor’s pick A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM 29 AUGUST

This is the perfect play for the open-air. Illyria Outdoor Theatre presents Shakespeare’s delightful comedy portraying the events surrounding the marriage of Theseus, the Duke of Athens to Hippolyta. It is set in woodland and in the realm of Fairyland under the light of the moon.

Thursdays T hursdays 8.15 8.15pm pm Until U ntil 29 29th th September incl.

Matinee: M atinee:: Thursday atinee Thursday 15th SSeptember eptember 2.30 2.30pm pm

TripAdvisor Ranking 1 of 3 theatres in Torquay TripAdvisor Ranking 1 of 42 theatres in Devon

Tickets: £18, Seniors £17, Children £10

1 Free Child with each Paying Adult Oline booking incurs a £1 per ticket transaction fee

At time of going to print July 2016

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NT Bradley Manor Box Office 01803 842382 Editor’s pick THE WIZARD OF OZ 12 AUGUST ONLY Join Dorothy on her quest to the Emerald City as she and her loyal friends: the brainless but cheeky scarecrow, the cowardly lion and the heartless (literally!) tin man, navigate through a magical land in search of the mighty, Wizard of Oz. englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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

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

Box Office (01803) 328385 August/September 2016

65

The Little Theatre – Home of

TOADS Theatre Company TOADS Theatre Company is a highly active, all-amateur company based in Torquay that produces some truly great performances every season and has a thriving membership.

Sarah O’Connor finds out more.

M

any Torbay residents are regular visitors to The preparation for forthcoming productions.

Saving money on your theatre tickets is always a Little Theatre in Torquay. This former church, welcome perk but being a member of TOADS Theatre located in St Marks Road in Meadfoot, Club is more than just that. Many residents of Torbay Torquay, has been transformed into one of the most are proud Theatre Club members, attending all ten beautiful and welcoming venues of its kind. This is home plays during the season. TOADS has just launched a to TOADS Theatre Company, one of the country’s finest brand new season membership package that includes and well-renowned amateur groups. TOADS presents many extra benefits. So as well as saving money on ten plays a year in their varied and artistically diverse your theatre tickets, and choosing your preferred seat season, but the theatre also hosts productions by visiting professional, and local companies. Its programmes include for every performance, you can also take part in social events held at the theatre. plays, musicals, comedy nights, TOADS Theatre Company But not everyone wishes to singers and performance artists consists of hundreds of attend every performance, so the from across the country, as well as local companies, which perform members, all of whom actively theatre welcomes non-members, there on an annual basis. take part in the running of the locals and visitors alike, to all of their productions. This season For those of you who have never theatre in some capacity. you will find a fantastic collection ventured forth inside its doors, of plays on offer, including Hay Fever, One Man Two a surprise waits in store. Magically transformed from a Guvnors, Pygmalion, Macbeth, A Christmas Carol church to a performance venue, the theatre retains many and Agatha Christie’s, A Murder is Announced. The of its original features, including stained glass windows programme includes something for everyone, and and ornamental decorations. But the theatre’s facilities whatever your tastes in theatre, you are modern and well equipped, are assured of a warm welcome and with a box office that is open every a thoroughly enjoyable night out. morning Monday to Friday, and TOADS Theatre Company a bar and separate coffee shop consists of hundreds of members, offering pre-show, post-show and all of whom actively take part in interval refreshments. The 242-seat the running of the theatre in some auditorium is decorated with plush capacity. Managed by a committee, red velvet seats, which are raked so the hard work and dedication of that an excellent view of the raised the company, and its genuine love stage is possible from all areas of for the theatre has placed TOADS the auditorium. The theatre has at the forefront of amateur been designed to be accessible for theatrical companies, both locally all and includes a wheelchair space, and nationally. wheelchair ramps and facilities Managing the theatre, and its upkeep, is a huge for the disabled. There is even a free car park for visitors, project and there is always room for some extra help! If and you don’t hear those words very often! The backstage you fancy treading the boards, or designing costumes, facilities are rather impressive too, with a large scenery collecting props or set painting, or maybe just enjoying dock, dressing rooms, a green room, a workshop and the atmosphere of performance nights by helping with two large rehearsal rooms that are constantly busy in

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Theatre

front of house duties, you’ll be warmly welcomed as a new member. Not only does this provide the chance to take part in the theatrical experience, but it also offers social activities and the chance to meet new friends. Plays are cast by audition and everyone is welcome to read for a part, whatever your experience. The company has many members, several of whom are retired professional actors, but also has talented newcomers who are trying their hand at acting for the first time.

Once you have become a member of the company, a monthly newsletter will inform you of everything going on at the theatre, including audition details, social activities and back-stage stories. It is definitely never too late to try your hand at theatre, so why not give them a call and see how you can become involved?

Perhaps you would like to help with selling programmes, or managing the foyer, or maybe you would like to learn the technical aspects of putting on a play. There are so many varied and interesting roles to undertake, that your help in

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

any of these areas will always be welcomed.

For younger people who are interested in exploring all that theatre has to offer, the award-winning Tadpoles Theatre holds rehearsals and workshops every Tuesday evening, providing opportunities for everyone aged 12 to 18 to take part in productions, learn new theatre skills and express themselves through acting and physical theatre. As well as being a great social activity, Tadpoles offers the chance to grow as a performer, teaching classes in improvisation, script interpretation and voice technique, as well as the opportunity to gain an understanding of how the theatre works, including lighting, scenery and costumes.

If you are interested in visiting the Little Theatre, or in joining the company, please telephone the box office on 01803 299330 or visit the website where you will also find a full listing of all forthcoming productions, and the chance to book online. o toadslittletheatre.co.uk

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Every child has something special to offer...

at the Abbey School we find it and make the most of it.

• A happy and flourishing Independent preparatory day school and nursery for children from birth to 11 years.

• We expect high standards in all we do and are committed to quality care, teaching and learning.

• Our curriculum promotes excellence in reading, writing, communication and mathematical skills • The development of happy and independent learners is our focus.

If you have a young family to educate why not visit us?

We look forward to welcoming you to Abbey School.

01803 327868 admin@abbeyschool.co.uk St. Marychurch • Torquay • Devon • TQ1 4PR

TBGS

Torquay Boys’ Grammar School

OPEN DAY “See the school at work”

Tours of the school will take place at 9.30am and from 4.30pm - 5.00pm enquiries@tbgs.torbay.sch.uk

www.tbgs.co.uk

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EducationNews....

Lifetime Achievement Award

Open Day

Paignton Academy’s Principal, Jane English has been announced as a Silver Teaching Award Winner in the category, The Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Pearson Teaching Awards 2016. Staff and students, past and present have described Jane as a truly inspirational school leader. Jane has been teaching since 1978 and became Headteacher and then Principal of Paignton Community and Sports Academy in 1998. Jane will now join fellow Silver Award winners at the UK final of the Teaching Awards to be held in London. o

Torquay Boys’ Grammar School is holding an Open Day on 8 September with tours at 9.30am and from 4.30 - 5pm. The school offers an excellent environment with high quality staff where academically able boys can flourish. Ofsted has commented that, ‘... students with the same primary school performance who attended selective or grammar schools were far more likely to achieve the highest grades at GCSE - 57% compared with 32% in non-selective schools.’ The report was clear that one of the reasons for able students performing significantly better in selective schools was the fact that they are not in a minority and that there is a culture of high expectations. o tbgs.co.uk

Taekwondo Championships South Devon College student Jordan Thorpe was headed to the ITF Taekwondo World Championships in Brighton at the end of July, where he represented the GB squad.

Participants of the competition are required to showcase a variety of disciplines such as, patterns, sparring, special technique and power breaking. Currently studying L3 Sport Science at South Devon College, Jordan’s spare time is dedicated to training in Totnes. He said, “I’ve been training for such a long time, everything has been leading up to this moment and I’m really looking forward to participating in the World Championships.” Jordan hopes to go to university one day, but for now his main focus is on competing in Brighton. Friends of South Devon College have kindly donated £300 towards his sponsorship. o

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

High Sheriff Visit to Abbey School After another successful year for the pupils of Abbey School in Torquay, the High Sheriff of Devon, Mrs Angela Gilbert helped celebrate their achievements at the school’s annual speech day. The children were recognised for their academic achievements and also for their successes in music, sport, speech and drama. Throughout the year there were various charity events held including a sponsored walk, mufti days and an evening concerts to showcase the children’s talents.

The nursery, infants and juniors held their Christmas & summer productions and the school also held its popular annual PGL residential weekend.

In addition to all of this, Abbey School had another year of outstanding 11+ and SATS results. o abbeyschool.co.uk

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Dog(rose) Days of Summer Lis Wallace from Dobies of Devon guides us through the (hopefully) hot, sultry days of summer.

Highly Scented Sweet Peas If asked on BBC’s Pointless programme to name a fragrant flower the sweet pea would be a high scorer and therefore an answer to be avoided. Well known and widely grown the sweet pea seems to have always been in fashion and is certainly not to be avoided in the garden. So, at this time of year, how can you get the best from your sweet pea plants?

• The more blooms you pick then the more you will get so pick often and don’t allow seed heads to form.

• The best time to pick is early morning or in the evening.

Avoid picking during the heat of the day as this will reduce the vase life.

• Cut the stems as long as you can and immediately plunge them, up to their necks, in cold water. Leave them in the shade until you are ready to transfer them to vases.

• Feed the plants once a fortnight with liquid feed and water during dry spells.

• If you go on holiday and return to find the plants have start to set seed then remove all flower stems, water and feed. This should hopefully revive the plants.

If you want a really sensationally scented sweet pea for next year, then I recommend High Scent (pictured). High Scent is one of the most highly fragrant varieties available.

Beside the Seaside Mix the following plants with some pebbles and you’ll bring the beach right into your garden: • Sea Pinks or Thrift • Saxifraga • Sedums • Sea Hol • Ornamental Grasses • Sempervivum • Mallow

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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The Horticultural Show

Gardening

At this time of year many garden clubs and societies around the Bay will be holding their summer shows. Long into the night before the show, villagers will have been baking bread, cakes, tarts, etc. but will still be up again at the crack of dawn to scurry round their gardens selecting the best blooms and then loading their cars with flowers, veg, crafts, preserves and baking galore. So please do give them your support.

Time spent wandering through a horticultural tent will provide you with new ideas for your own garden as well as enabling you to enjoy and admire the efforts of others. And I bet that at some point you will think “wow” and perhaps occasionally “mine at home are better than that!”

Spare a thought also for the organisers who will have spent hours judging, writing up prize cards and collating points for cups. All in addition to setting up tents, tables and then taking them all down again afterwards! But help is at hand. Dobies have designed show stationery that will save a huge amount of time and effort and greatly reduce the number of volunteers you have to coerce, bribe, beg into helping.

Spring Bulbs

Diar y Dates

I can hear you groaning “please let’s have summer first!” but the skill of good gardening is planning ahead. If you hadn’t planned your summer display back in the spring, then you wouldn’t be enjoying it now. So, it really is time for a browse through the catalogues looking for vibrant bulbs to brighten your spring garden.

Torquay & District Horticultural Society 21st September. Mark Wash and his Top Tips on Planting Bulbs Livermead House Hotel, Torquay at 7.30pm

dobies.co.uk August/September 2016 2016

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Summer Reception John Couch, The Estate Agent held a summer drinks party for invited guests at their office in Wellswood, Torquay.

Sue & Bob Ward (Luscombe’s of Torbay)

Virginia and David Bennett, Jenny and Terry Waterfall

John Darby (Darby & Darby), John Couch, Joe Pengelly (Boyce Hatton)

Lesley Clayton, Gerald Pincombe and Beverley Masey (all John Couch)

Lyn Williams (Lyn Williams Lettings), Colin and Jan Cadle

Barbara Wilkinson, Paula Hill and Sheila Brooks (all Lyn Williams Lettings)

Chris Hart (Wollen Michelmore), Simon and Victoria Blake (Charles Blake Associates)

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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englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Samurai Launch Night

Social Diary

Torquay Museum held a VIP launch reception to celebrate their new summer exhibition - Samurai, Warriors of Japan. Guest speaker was martial arts expert Jamie Greenwood who was a trainer on the film The Last Samurai with Tom Cruise. The new Friends of Torquay Museum was also launched.

Abigail Smith, Basil Greenwood (Director) and Judith Read (Chair of Trustees)

Judith Read (Chair of Trustees) and Kevin Foster MP

Ali Marshall (Head Gardener Torre Abbey) and Simon Akeroyd (Head Gardener National Trust English Riviera)

Phil Badcott (Trustee), Rowena Coot and Chris Nicholls (Trustee) Cllr Nick Pentney and Cllr Nicole Amil

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Andrea Wooler, Cllr Nicole Amil and Denys Axford

Carl Smith (Torquay Museum) and Anita Newcombe (English Riviera Magazine)

Tony Loosemore, Jamie Greenwood (Guest Speaker) and Jo Loosemore (BBC Radio Devon)

Elliot Ling (Kents Cavern) and Carl Smith

Lisa Regent and Christina Fisher (Burrington Hotel)

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Football Celebration Wollen Michelmore Solicitors invited business people from around the Bay to watch the Euro 2016 England versus Wales match at the Riviera International Centre.

Christine & Mark Pountney (Accacia Training & Development), Simon Wilson (Wollen Michelmore), Tim Woolnough & Richard Walsh (both TNW Financial Services)

Clive Meredith, Tim Samples (Sample Marketing), Hilary Amesbury and Joanna Williams (all Wollen Michelmore)

David Kendall, Edward Lee, Reuben Barnett and Andrew Guthrie (all Wollen Michelmore)

Colin Lee, Lynda Lee and Andy Sexton (DC Media)

Pippa Craddock (Paignton Zoo), Ronnie Halden (Big Wave Media) and Chris Hart (Wollen Michelmore)

Frank Sobey, Kevin Foster MP, Tony Smyth (Sonachan House) and James Oram (Wollen Michelmore), Kevin Foster MP and Nick Wills (Redmayne Bentley) Nick Powe (Kents Cavern) Simon Jolly (RICC), Peter Salmon and Mark Salmon (both Mandy Guy and Matt Redmond (both Torbay Council) Louise Lackie (Lockton Co LLP) and Liz Hart (Wollen Bays Brewery) Michelmore)

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Ways with Words Launch

Social Diary

A launch party was held in the private garden at Dartington Hall to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Ways with Words literary festival. Festival President Roy Hattersley spoke about his 22-year association with the annual festival.

Stephen Bristow (Festival Director), Lord Hattersley (Festival President), Rhodri Samuel (Chief Executive Dartington Hall Trust) and Kay Dunbar (Festival Director)

Cllr Eleanor Cohen (Mayor of Totnes) and Cllr Ray Hendriksen

Sarah Martin and Annie Rogers (Bartons Solicitors)

Christopher North, Paul Brassley and Hugh Marriage

Bridget Day and Rachel KIddey

Katrina Dennison and Sreela Gillams

Dominique & David Gazard, Emma Hazarika and Janet Denny

Tabitha Whates, Megan Thornberry, Millie Drew, Divya Srinivasan, Eleanor Kidger and Yasmin Azarya

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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Private View Artizan Gallery held a private view of their Portrait Exhibition, which featured original art from Torbay and Devon based artists. Guest enjoyed drinks and nibbles and were able to meet the artists and hear more about their work.

Dave Crocker (artist), Chris Droop (artist) and Sue Droop

Chloe Da Silva Felix and Amandine Herault

Brian Roberts (Number One Consulting), Hilary Milner (artist) and Mike Inness

Bev Knowlden (artist), Christine Roberts

Julie Brandon (Artizan Gallery) and Kim Freeman (artist)

An Audience with Sophie Hannah

Cream tea accompanied an evening of literary entertainment at Greenway to mark the conclusion of the Writing Places project at Greenway.

Gary Calland and Carly Mays (National Trust), Sophie Hannah, Mia Dormer, Myriam Nash (writer in residence) and Belinda Smith (National Trust) Lawrence Roots, Kate Campbell and Tracey Guiry

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Carlo and Rosie Corby

Sabina Collier, Paula Cox, Tim Bumby, Katherine Ward, Sue Thompson and Alandra Ellendill Brenda Hutchins, Lynne Ward, Debbie Trewern and Lizzie Davidson

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Linhay Launch Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust (TCCT) celebrated the inauguration of its brand new Linhay Visitor Centre at Cockington. Trust Director Damian Offer spoke about how the historic building which dates back to around 1830 had been a derelict barn just 6 months ago. The restoration was led by TCCT and managed by Torbay Development Agency and is part of the wider Green Heart project.

Social Diary

Cllr Ray Hill (Chmn Torbay Council) and Patricia Hill (Consort)

Alan Denby (TDA) and Alan Tyerman (Chair of Trustees TCCT)

Damian Offer (Director TCCT), Rachel Middlebrook and Dr Ian White (Viridor)

Maria Richards, Terry Richards (EBC) and Sarah Walkup (EBC)

Norma Paynton (TDA), Rob Newman (TCCT Trustee), Cllr Nicole Amil and Cllr Mark King

Claire Rugg (TCCT Trustee), Julian Carnell (Sharpham Trust) and Andre Johnstone

Richard Allen (EBC), Paul Yandall (TDA), Dan Lloyd (EBC) and Tom Carne (EBC)

Steve Parrock (Chief Executive TDA), Mark Ledgard (Savills) and Nigel Wollen

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BusinessBreaks...

National Accolade for Torquay Museum

Torquay Museum has been officially awarded Designated Status by the Arts Council England for its internationally important prehistoric cave collection and archive, which spans the last half-million years and includes the oldest modern human fossil found anywhere in North West Europe. Internationally renowned expert on human evolution, and television presenter, Prof Chris Stringer of the Natural History Museum and Torquay Museum patron, commented, “Achieving Designated Status for Torquay Museum’s Quaternary Cave Collections and Archive is a wider recognition of what we specialists have known all along – these collections are truly of international significance.” Torquay Museum Collections Manager, Barry Chandler said, “The museum has joined a select group of just over 140 museums and archives in the UK with pre-eminent collections. This award recognises the extraordinary research history and potential of our prehistoric cave collection. It is the most important research collection in Devon, and hopefully this will help us attract the funding we need to secure the museum’s future.” o

MNDA, said that the money donated would support people in the local area dealing with Motor Neurone Disease, paying particular attention to communication devices. Luke Tillen, founder and managing director of the Torbay Holiday Helpers Network (THHN), said, “Without such incredible support shown to our small charity, it would not have been possible for us to provide nearly 700 families, who are living with serious illness and bereavement, with very special memory making holidays.” o

Luke Tillen (THHN), Cynthia Hopkins (MNDA) and Nigel Palmer (Linden Homes)

Photo: Copyright Natural History Museum

Simon Tonge’s Minizoo Simon Tonge, Executive Director of Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, the charity that runs Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts in Torquay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall, is loaning his 1000-strong miniature animal collection to the Royal Albert Memorial Museum where it will be displayed until 25 September. He started collecting in 1966 – this year is the fiftieth anniversary.

He began when he was seven; eventually they went in the attic, but resurfaced thanks to his parents when he became a zoo director. o Professor Chris Stringer and Neanderthal Skull

Linden Homes Charity Golf Day Linden Homes’ fourth annual charity golf day at Torquay’s 18-hole golf course has raised £31,200 for the Torbay Holiday Helpers Network and the East Devon & Exeter branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Nigel Palmer, managing director of Linden Homes, said, “Last year our golf day raised £20,733 and we really didn’t think we’d be able to beat that total again.” Cynthia Hopkins, volunteer for the 80

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BusinessBreaks...

...

Success & Succession

Business owners and decision makers will generally know the key things that make their businesses a success. Premises, machinery, plant, tools and computer systems are valued and hopefully protected. But have you protected what are the most important assets? You and your people can easily be overlooked when you are focussing on building and running a successful business operation. Protecting against the loss of key people can be vital. Seaway Financial are hosting a series of short, sharp, hour-long presentations for business owners and decision makers to help manage the risk in the success and succession of your business. You can either book into one of the following dates or call for a discussion.

Presentation dates: 31 August, 28 September, 26 October, 30 November & 25 January. o seawayinsurance.co.uk

Mark Egglestone (Gilstone Homes) and Kevin Watling (Seaway Financial)

New Director of Children’s Services Torbay Council has appointed a new Director of Children’s Services (DCS). Andy Dempsey joins the council’s Joint Commissioning Team, which comprises of Adult Services, Children’s Services and Public Health.

The DCS post is being retained for an initial period of 12 months to enable the children’s improvement plan to be delivered and for due diligence to be carried out with the Integrated Care Organisation. o englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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

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

BREXIT and Employment Rights Unless you have been stranded on a beautiful desert days whilst on long term sick leave. This is an EU right island for the past 3 weeks you will know that on 23 and something that many employers don’t like.

June 2016 the British public democratically made Discrimination Before the EU implemented its Equal Treatment the decision for the UK to leave the Framework Directive the UK had already legislated European Union. What many people may not have been aware of is that to prohibit discrimination on grounds of sex, race and disability. It therefore seems unlikely the result is not technically binding on the Government; however it that these rights will be removed after leaving the EU. would be inconceivable for the decision to be ignored.

Agency Worker Regulations At the moment agency workers Since the leave vote, I have heard many questions who have been working for an being asked, most commonly: “what about employment rights?” “will employers be able to employer for 12 weeks or more (even if treat me differently because I am a woman/gay/ that 12 week period includes pregnancy, adoption disabled” and “will I still be entitled to maternity or maternity leave) are entitled to receive equal leave/pay?” The answer to all these questions at this terms and benefits as employees. These Regulations time is, we don’t know. are incorporated into UK law as a result of an EU A large proportion of the Directive and are unpopular The UK already has enhanced amongst employers. It may UK’s employment law comes from the EU, including employment rights and leaving the be that agency workers rights discrimination rights, family are amended or even repealed.

EU is unlikely to change that leave, working time regulations This is something to keep an and agency workers rights. Theoretically, when Britain eye on if you are an agency worker and rely on the leaves the EU, the government could repeal all of this.

Temporary Agency Workers Directive in relation to However, the likelihood that the UK will abandon all rights such as equal pay, pension and annual leave.

EU influence is small. The UK already has enhanced If you require any employment advise, whether employment rights and leaving the EU is unlikely you are an employer or employee please contact to change that. We also need to bear in mind that if Magdalene on 01803 213251 or email her: Britain wishes to continue to trade with the EU the magdalene.bristow@wollenmichelmore.co.uk EU is not going to allow British employers to employ workers on less onerous terms which would effectively undercut other member states businesses.

Working Time Regulations European law give 4 weeks paid annual leave whereas the UK gives 5.6 weeks as standard to all employees.

Magdalene Bristow As such, there seems to be no need to panic that Solicitor we are going to have any reduction in our holiday wmlegal entitlement. However, a more realistic consequence may be changes to employee’s rights to accrue holiday ollenmichelmore

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