English Riviera Magazine February/March 2018

Walks • Local Food • Heritage • Nature • People • Events • Arts

EnglishRiviera February/March 2018

Longer days are on the way...

109 Exciting Events

Cockington Court's

James Skeffington

magazine

FAMILY FUN

hunting Devon Rocks & Stones

Princess Gardens Fountain

restoration in progress

Indulge!

Brixham's New Chocolate Café

Walk to Berry Pomeroy Give It A Go!

Riviera Weddings

Tying the knot in the Bay

Extreme hiking

Spring Sailing Championships

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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

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ENGLISH RIVIERA MAGAZINE 69 DAVIES AVENUE PAIGNTON DEVON TQ4 7AW © 2018 All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form without prior permission of the publishers. All material is sent at the owner’s risk and whilst every care is taken, Devon Magazine Company Ltd will not accept liability for loss or damage. Every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of our content but the publishers cannot be held responsible for any omissions, errors or alterations or for the consequences of any reliance on these details; neither can they vouch for the accuracy of claims made by any advertiser.

The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers.

Welcome

..to our February/March issue!

The days are getting longer and spring is in the air. Even though it may still be rather chilly we’ve rounded up events to tempt you outside with sailing, walking and gardening on the menu.

Prefer to stay indoors? Why not enjoy one of Torquay Museum’s fascinating lectures, attend one of Occombe Farm’s tasty cookery courses or head to the theatre? We’ve got these and plenty more for you to choose from.

In this issue we explore the Bay’s wonderful heritage with features on Father John MacEnery who discovered a little more than he bargained for at Kents Cavern. We also look at the history of Princess Gardens and the restoration of its iconic fountain.

The editorial team gives extreme hiking and some fun new Devon rock and stone spotting a go!

Got a wedding in the family? Then take a look at our annual weddings section that highlights some of the best local venues as well as some beautiful bridal gowns.

On the foodie side we meet James Skeffington the new manager at Cockington Court Tea Rooms and Tracy Clarke with Chocella, her fabulous new chocolate haven in Brixham. We also chat to Tom Mayers at stunningly located Breakwater Bistro.

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

Happy reading and stay local!

t @EngRivieraMag f englishriveramag O englishriveramagazine

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February/March 2018

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In this issue

February /March 2018

24 Extreme Hiking

6 Openers

Local news snippets

12 Meet James Skeffington

Tempting treats at Cockington Court

16 Heritage - Father John MacEnery And the ancestry of man

18 Heritage - Princess Gardens Iconic fountain gets a makeover

22 Sailing - Royal Torbay Yacht Club Youth championships in the Bay

24 Give it a go! - Extreme Hiking

78 Social Diary

32 Give it a go! - Rocks and Stones

80 Business Breaks

34 Review - Chocella Chocolate Cafe

82 The Briefing

Anita Newcombe takes a hobby to new heights Get out and get hunting

A lifelong dream come true

37 Food News

News morsels for foodies

38 Review - Breakwater Bistro

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

32 Hunting rocks and stones

Blown away by the views

40 Walk

Marldon to Berry Pomeroy Castle

42 What’s On

Our pick of spring events

55 Dartmouth Comedy Festival

Riotous and raucous laugh-a-minute fun

56 Arts Roundup

Creative events around the Bay

61 Book Review

Local publications from local authors

62 Theatre

Who’s treading the boards?

64 Charity - YMCA South Devon Supporting young people in Torbay 66 Riviera Weddings Tying the knot in Torbay

75 Gardening

Bees, fruit & romance

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Front Cover Breakwater Light © Steven Underhill February/March 2018

5

Green Heart to Big Apple!

A Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust member has scooped first prize, a whopping £1,000, in the Cockington Green Heart Appeal Raffle. Mr Carty said, “I was shocked and thrilled on hearing this fantastic news, especially as I have never really won anything before! Now I am looking forward to visiting New York, somewhere I have always wanted to go!” Trust Director Damian Offer said, “We would like to thank everyone who bought a raffle ticket and supported the Green Heart Appeal. This project is restoring key heritage assets in Cockington for the benefit of the local community and visitors. We have so far successfully restored the derelict Linhay, Gamekeeper’s Cottage, de-silted the ponds and will be restoring the landscaping around The Lakes over the next two years. Our annual Green Heart Raffle helps raise much needed funds towards the overall £1.66M cost

Replanting Churston Woods Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust is working with the Woodland Trust to ensure successful tree replanting at Churston Woods, after a large number of larch and sweet chestnut trees were felled earlier this year.

Diseased trees at two woodlands in Churston - the Grove and Ball Copse, were felled on advice from The Forestry Commission to limit the spread of the disease to other healthy trees and plants. The replanting plan is expected to enable the Trust to secure grant funding of £10,000 from the Forestry Commission. As managers of Churston Woods, Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust is keen to start the restoration this winter. The

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February/March 2018

of the restoration scheme and we could not achieve this without such generous support.” Second and third prize winners have also been contacted and are the lucky recipients of £100 and £50 each. o countryside-trust.org.uk

aim is to replant with suitable native trees (including oak, beech and field maple) and shrubs, which together with managed natural regeneration, will enable this ancient semi-natural woodland to re-establish. Planting is scheduled to start in January and finish at the end of February. The total cost of the replanting will be approximately £21,000, which includes a 5-year maintenance plan. This will be paid with the Forestry Commission grant plus £6,000 from Torbay Council (raised from the proceeds of the tree felling) and a crowdfunding project (to raise £5,000). Any schools or groups who would like to assist the fundraising or planting programme should contact info@countryside-trust.org.uk o

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

WorldSkills Final, Russia South Devon College Health and Social Care student, Emily Bonner has been named in Team UK’s official squad at the International WorldSkills final in Kazan, Russia in 2019. The names of Team UK were announced at the closing ceremony of The Skills Show at the NEC Birmingham. During the show, nearly 600 apprentices and students gathered to compete in 55 skills competitions with a mix of written tests and live activities. Fellow Health and Social Care student Chelsey Small was alongside Emily during the Skills Show competition, having qualified first and second respectively during the regionals last spring.

Emily will now be undertaking intensive training over the next two years in preparation for the competition.

WorldSkills UK is a partnership between businesses, education and governments that accelerate young people’s careers giving them the best start in work and life. o southdevon.ac.uk

Emily Bonner and Chelsey Small

Qué?

A Civic Society Blue Plaque has been unveiled at the site of the former ‘Fawlty Towers’ Hotel in Torquay. The new Churchill Retirement Living development is built on the former site of Gleneagles Hotel, which became the inspiration for the famous sitcom. The building is now known as Sachs Lodge in memory of the late Andrew Sachs, fondly remembered by many for his role as Manuel at Fawlty Towers and who passed away in 2016. The Chairman of Torbay Council, Mrs Anne Brooks and Churchill’s Regional Managing Director, James Barnes officially unveiled the Blue Plaque. Ian Handford, from Torbay Civic Society commented, “The Gleneagles Hotel was visited by the crew of the Monty Python Flying Circus Show and inspired John Cleese and Connie Booth to write the classic sitcom ‘Fawlty Towers’. o

It’s ACE! ACE (access to Community Education), which brings a range of enjoyable learning classes and clubs to disabled adults in Torbay, has received a Big Lottery Fund grant of £10,000.

The funds will be used for the swimming and pottery classes and the gardening club plus the members’ subsidised taxi service. New disabled members and volunteers are warmly welcomed and taster sessions can be arranged.

There are currently 60 members including 45 disabled members and 15 volunteers. Some members progress to become trustees and get involved with future policymaking. Classes take place at Brixham College and Brixham Pool.

Call Yvonne 01803 853302 or email ace@ southdevon.ac.uk o englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

February/March 2018

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Kick the Tyres & Light the Fires

Torbay Airshow will return for a third year in 2018, following record-breaking crowds for the spectacular 2-day event last summer. The free family event, run by Torbay Council, will return on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 June 2018. Council leaders have now also committed to running the event for a minimum of five years, making the airshow a signature annual event and firm fixture for the Bay. Torbay Airshow 2017 offered an action packed programme of world-class air displays, which included the RAF Red Arrows’ very first display of the season, revealing the world’s premier aerobatic team’s 2017 routine. An estimated 150,000 visitors attended Torbay Air Show last year bringing a much-needed boost to our economy and putting Torbay firmly on the map as an exciting destination to visit. o torbayairshow.com

21st Century Lizard

With its long, slender claws, snaking tail and unnatural colouring, the blue tree monitor is as strange as it is striking. Paignton Zoo is now home to four of them and one of only three zoos in the UK hosting the species.

The five-year-old lizards are two feet long nose to tail, and can be seen in the Reptile Nursery. Little is known about this species in the wild; it has not yet been assessed on the IUCN red list of threatened species. The blue tree monitor is a 21st century lizard, having only been discovered in 2001 and the details of its natural history remain largely a mystery. It comes from the tiny island of Batanta in Indonesia. While the species is popular in the pet trade, little information of conservation value has been compiled. No one even knows how or why they developed such a striking pattern; blue is a difficult colour for animals to produce. Paignton Zoo hopes to 8

February/March 2018

breed them in the future. o paigntonzoo.org.uk

Remembering Reg The memory of talented local craftsman Reg Webster has been assured after his son Terry donated five of his beautiful horse and cart models to Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust for public display at Cockington Visitor Centre. Reg Webster was a professional model maker who made models for English Electric in Stevenage before moving to Torbay and becoming a woodworking technician at Churston Grammar School. He was also involved with Brixham Secondary School’s restoration of one of the gun carriages for the cannons at Berry Head.

Reg lovingly crafted the delightful horse and carriage models over many years, starting in the early 1990s and following his many visits to Cockington and the Shire Horse Centre in Yealmpton. Sadly Reg passed away in 2010 and when Reg’s wife passed away in May last year, Terry inherited his father’s models. Terry said, “This all came about at the perfect time, I had nowhere to put them and John was looking for a display at Cockington Visitor Centre. They are a perfect fit; a perfect legacy from my dad so others can see what he did. He was a truly talented and clever man.” o

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Listen to the birdsong...

James Skeffington Recently arrived as the new Food & Beverage Manager at Cockington Court’s popular tearooms, James Skeffington thinks we all deserve a little treat after exploring our renowned country park.

I

James has some great ideas for the future and whilst ’m meeting James at Cockington Court Tea Rooms, making sure the tearooms’ regulars and their tastes are which he’s been managing since last October. He catered for, he’d like to try new options. He says, “We are just adores the place and although he’s from Belfast regularly trialling new things; our vegan cookies are quite he feels right at home since moving here in December delicious and hugely popular and we offered a tomato and 2016. He explains, “It’s so close to town but has a real aubergine curry which was a sell out. There’s a new menu country feel with the sound of birdsong and plenty to due out at the end of February with lots of new choices. explore with the walks, lakes, gardens, manor house and Torbay Development Agency are looking to invest superb craft studios.” further here, to improve the decor and possibly introduce The tearooms are quite busy this morning and the some squashy sofas to create a more relaxing experience. old library and drawing room of Cockington Court’s He says, “It could create a reward to look forward to after magnificent Grade II listed manor house are buzzing a day spent outside in the fresh air – just come on in and with people and pooches. James tells me that there are sink into a comfy sofa.” quite a number of dog walkers who come in every day In September, Cockington Court Tea Rooms will be at the same time, sit in the same seats and order the offering special themed teas and same drinks. He tells me, “We know all the dogs’ names and We’ll have tables outside suppers as part of the England’s Seafood Feast festival (22 September even the puppies. Getting a little in the setting sun and the – 7 October). The 2-week festival muddy is a sign of a good day atmosphere with the evening will highlight the world-class local – and everyone deserves a treat birdsong will help us to make fish and seafood we have here on the after exploring the country park.” the most of the extraordinary English Riviera, all centred round And there are treats in Brixham’s famous Fish Market. The abundance here. Everything sold beauty we have here festival will offer lots of seafood here is home made and there’s a dining in restaurants around the Bay plus trips on heritage delicious choice of sandwiches, scones, cakes, crumpets sailing trawlers, cookery workshops, sea-themed art and waffles. You can treat yourself not only to the exhibitions, visits to the fish market and lots more. quintessential Devon Cream Tea but also to a Cheese At Cockington Court Tea Rooms, James and his team Tea and a scrummy sounding Chocolate Tea (add a nip will be offering savoury afternoon teas with such delights of Baileys to your hot chocolate to keep out the chill!). I like the sound of the Steamers, which is a mug of steamed as Devon smoked seafood pate, Brixham seafood puffs plus lashings of tea and Devon ciders. During the festival milk with a choice of vanilla, caramel, hazelnut or gingerbread syrup. All the sandwiches and lots of cakes are James is planning to offer a tapas-style supper club event and create supper club evenings during Cockington also available gluten-free and dairy-free.

Court’s popular outdoor theatre events. He says, “We’ll I’m more of a tea person myself so I’m pleased that have tables outside in the setting sun and the atmosphere decaffeinated tea is on the menu plus lemon and ginger, with the evening birdsong will help us to make the most green, chamomile, peppermint, wild berry, Earl Grey and of the extraordinary beauty we have here.”

Red Bush along with soy and almond milk. If you’re a James explains that any supper club events will include bit more peckish you can order soup, piping hot bacon showcasing the renowned Cockington craft makers, allowing sandwiches and toasties.

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Riviera People diners to view the galleries and latest exhibitions on their visits. The evenings will be informal and great fun. He says, “ We want to be true to what we are – not fine dining but good local, rustic food that is interesting and imaginative.”

James joins a great food and beverage team. In fact, cook Jo Barnard has even worked at Buckingham Palace! James is now looking for additional staff with training offered. He has 30 years of experience and loves developing and teaching new staff. He says, “It’s a tough job but very rewarding. If you want to learn, I can give you skills you can then take anywhere in the world.”

Using local produce is important and Cockington Court’s Walled Art Garden supplies a lot of important basics such as herbs, onions, root vegetables, apples and lovage. You can pop in to the tearooms and buy jars of Cockington Court preserves, chutneys and jams.

James was previously Restaurant Manager at Molly’s Yard and Tap Room at Hilden Brewery, both in Belfast and has lots of experience in catering for special and themed events. He says, “Judge me on my results. I want to develop better menus, better service and the best experience here.”

Footfall is already increasing and James, who is a keen photographer, is using the power of social media to draw in new customers. In fact it’s a miracle he gets to work at all as he is always jumping off his bicycle to take photos on the way in from Babbacombe. He tells me, “I always carry my camera and my tripod on my bike and when I see something good I just jump off to get the shot – I can stop several times on the way to work.”

He’s a great communicator and in fact was a prolific blogger and writer in the past, with one of his features making the front page of CNN.com (How to Do St Patrick’s Day Properly). It appeared just behind stories on Barack Obama and the Pope. He’s also has his features

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

published in The Times, The Guardian, the Daily Mail, New York Times and has been on Radio 4 and local radio.

He tells me, “It was lots of fun but nearly killed me as I was writing constantly without a break. Photography now gives me my creative output.”

And we needn’t worry that James will disappear back to Belfast. He has made his home in Devon having followed his fiancé Kate. He says, “I had to come running – what’s a boy to do?” He reveals that, in addition to Cockington, his biggest loves are Kate, Devon, photography and their cats. The couple has two ‘official’ cats Brian and Charlotte and two ‘unofficial’ cats Jerry and Amos who turn up when they want to. James and Kate love walking sometimes heading for Shaldon or taking the train and walking from Teignmouth to Dawlish.

James tells me that he is always looking for staff for Cockington. He says, “If you have the passion and the energy then we can teach you.” He offers apprenticeships through South Devon College and explains, “Hospitality is one of the most rewarding jobs you can get. I’ll give you the greatest career in the world and then you can move on with my blessing.”

Weddings are also important and Cockington Court has the highest level of civil ceremonies performed in the Bay. James’s team can provide the wedding breakfast and does wonderful canapés and cocktails. Don’t miss their Wedding Showcase on 25 February (see our wedding feature in this issue).

So why not pop over to Cockington for a quick escape from town life? James says, “Stop and think about making each day a little more enjoyable. Get some time out in the fresh air and then have a little treat.” Sounds good to me – decaf tea and crumpets please! o cockingtoncourt.org February/March 2018

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Father John MacEnery and the Ancestry of Man

Father John MacEnery was a cleric who having excavated the caves of Devon, unearthed artifacts that changed human thinking on the ancestry of man. Ian Handford of Torbay Civic Society brings us the story.

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ohn MacEnery was born at Limerick on 27 MacEnery’s interest in geology, visiting and even November 1797; he was the fourth son of Mathew excavating caves here and abroad before a manuscript MacEnery of Limerick. As a young man he saw finally confirmed, “Nowhere except in the Alps have I his parents emigrate to America, a trip he could not seen paralleled the contortion in the strata which Mr De take being committed to religious study. John’s studies la Beche at the time engaged – in Torbay”. continued at St Munchin’s Seminary Limerick until at age Kent’s Hole as it was originally named had been twenty-three he took holy discovered in the 16th orders and was ordained a century but it was not until priest. Naturally, he accepted the novelist Richardson in the teachings of the Church, 1778 wrote, “In the parish not knowing that within of Tor is a very remarkable a decade he would be the place called Kent’s Hole, instrument that helped to not mentioned as I can change the world’s thinking find by the writers of that on the development of man. county”. Meanwhile, With the French MacEnery having examined Revolution raging, John stratas of Lauterbrunnen was unable to study in the and others at Lake Lucerne Irish Colleges of France, the near Fluellen, would Netherlands or Italy so he eventually compare these had to continue studying to Kent’s Hole. With under the eye of Irish clerics. more doubts on human It was to be this oddity that ancestry arising, MacEnery led to his greater interest in now developed a passion geology and palaeontology for geology which led where questions concerning to new friendships with Nowhere except in the Alps have I the ancestry of man arose. scientists and academics. seen paralleled the contortion in the strata He met De la Beche and He was viewed as a quasiwhich Mr De la Beche at the time engaged Professor Buckland, then political, yet religious academic, yet when the the leading palaeontologist, – in Torbay Holy See became aware of before joining the first MacEnery and his followers, his Holiness then appointed official exploration of Kent’s Hole in 1825, led by a Mr John as new Guardian to the Franciscan Convent in Cork. Northmore - a man seriously in pursuit of Druidal and Yet Father John MacEnery was not to stay long at Cork. Roman antiquities.

He was about to take up his first appointment on the Access to the cave was poor, only one person at a time mainland and in March 1822 came to Torquay to fulfil could clamber in holding a single candle. Yet MacEnery the role of chaplain to our Cary family at Torre Abbey on found he was able to disturb the red-brownish earth an annual income of £120. with his free hand (later described as “unctuous to Now allowed to travel widely, this greatly heightened the touch”) until eventually he found his first enamel

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Heritage object - a fossillised tooth. More in awe than joyous, he immediately realised the enormity of this find to academia and religious belief.

During 1826 a Mrs Cazalet and MacEnery became the most frequent explorers at Kent’s Hole, and a during a period of six months they documented 1000 significant finds, including some of the earliest flints ever honed by human hand. In addition, animal fossils rarely seen in this country were in abundance, which even today amazes geologists.

On December 6th 1826 Dr Beeke of Torquay noted, “Mr MacEnery has arranged his Kent’s Hole collection very neatly and has added a fine skull of an Hyaena somewhat larger than the one which Scharf has engraved, the upper part more perfect”. Mrs Cazalet and MacEnery were already deemed authoritive on our local geology and fortunately for us both were efficient at recording their specimens.

The Hyaena skull is today at Torquay Museum, not too far distant from where the creature died. By 1829 MacEnery was excavating at Berryhead caves yet continuing to work at Kents Caves where now he experienced a near fatal accident when falling several feet through a hole in the encrusted floor. Seemingly he had pierced the floor with his hand tool but in landing safely found a highly significant lower floor. He walked this for about a hundred paces before his candle flame went out. Later it was learned there had been insufficient air to sustain a candle or man and although unconscious he was fortunate indeed, friends were able to drag him out alive.

Darwin’s theories meanwhile were seeing most of the world’s churchmen stepping aside to watch from the safety of the cloisters as events unfolded. Father MacEnery was aware of the role he had played in the mounting controversy. He never said or published anything but like Darwin was branded a charlatan and a heretic. Although he had found important artifacts and human art on the walls of Kents Caves he now chose to retire and spend his remaining years in Torquay, with no more exploring.

For six years from 1834 Father MacEnery was said to be officially “on leave” although this may again have been by intervention of the Holy See. Whatever the truth, by late 1840 he was unwell and soon it would be his friend Canon George Oliver that reported, “on Thursday evening 18th February 1841 the Rev MacEnery died, sitting quietly in his chair at the Abbey aged just forty five”. englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

It would take until 1846 for Torquay Natural History Society to produce a report to the Geological Society in London which included “everything documented and unearthed by John MacEnery was a truthful record”. For over two decades visitors were allowed access to Kent’s Hole until in 1848 the owner Sir Lawrence Palk finally closed all access by placing a locked door at the entrance.

It would take 150 years before Torbay Civic Society erected a Blue Plaque to honour Father John MacEnery at Kents Cavern in May 1998. o torbaycivicsociety.co.uk

John MacEnery’s headstone can be found at the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Andrew in Lucius Street, Torquay. It was recently restored by Les Filles De La Croix (the sisters at Stoodley Knowle).

Princess Gardens Torquay’s Famous

Princess Gardens’ Grade II Listed fountain is being restored over the winter months with a new planting design upon completion. We take a look at the history of this well beloved Torquay garden.

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oth Princess Gardens and Royal Terrace Gardens are registered Grade II listed by English Heritage for their special historic interest. Torquay’s illustrious history as the playground for British and foreign royals and the aristocracy from the late 18th century helped it become a popular and fashionable resort. The English Riviera’s sheltered location and exceptionally mild climate encouraged the planting of many exotic species including the famous Torbay palm trees. All these factors contributed to the many traditional parks and gardens we have here in our beautiful coastal resort.

Princess Gardens on Torquay seafront with its exotic palms, beautiful flowerbeds and lawns was opened in 1894. On the sea cliffs behind are the spectacular Royal Terrace Gardens, known locally as Rock Walk. Its network of delightful paths with subtropical Mediterranean planting throughout and magnificent illuminated staircase provide breathtaking views of the beach and the bay.

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Two landowning families, the Carys of Torre Abbey and the Palks who owned the manor of Torre and Torwood, controlled Torquay at the time. They were instrumental in the development of Torquay as a holiday resort in the 19th century with improvements to the harbour plus a new road along the foot of the cliffs. In 1883 the town commissioned a new pier and gardens on ground reclaimed from the sea as part of a coastal defence scheme.

Princess Gardens takes its name from Princess Louise, the then Princess Royal and fourth daughter of Queen Victoria. She laid the foundation stone for the pier and the gardens in May 1890. The gardens were opened to the public in June 1894 and became the first public gardens laid out by the local authority. Entry to the gardens was initially fee-paying but this was later withdrawn and the area became hugely popular with locals and visitors.

Then a series of terraced walks was created along englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Heritage the face of Waldon Cliff and was named Royal Terrace de Lis’ pattern. The fountain is one of only three of its Gardens. Major Garrett, the Borough Engineer and kind, the other two being at Vivary Park in Taunton and Surveyor designed both Princess Gardens and Royal at Aberdare Park in Wales.

Terrace Gardens. Dr Robert Hamilton Ramsay of After many years of delighting visitors, the Grade Duncan House, Torquay donated the collection of II listed fountain developed a tilt. The vital work to exotic plants and palms that were used to plant up Royal restore it involves temporarily removing the fountain Terrace Gardens for the benefit of the public. By 1930 and constructing a new reinforced concrete base of the Pavilion and War granite paving which will Princess Gardens takes its name from match the promenade.

Memorial had been built Princess Louise, the then Princess Royal The restoration and and the promenade and and fourth daughter of Queen Victoria. reinstallation is expected to sunken gardens had been constructed, also as part of She laid the foundation stone for the pier take approximately sixteen the coastal defence scheme. weeks to complete and there and the gardens in May 1890.

During the 1930s the is currently an estimated gardens were extended through the reclamation of further completion date of April 2018. land from the sea. The Princess Theatre was built within The restoration programme was awarded to MW the gardens in 1961 and top of the bill on opening night Benney Building Contractors who, together with were Tommy Cooper and Morecambe & Wise.

Newton Forge have carefully dismantled the fountain. It The three-tier cast iron Princess Gardens Fountain is will be redecorated to its original colour scheme; colour an important focal point of Princess Gardens. It stands in changing Illuminations will return and will be placed a painted circular stone-kerbed basin and is ornamented around the fountain to highlight its intricate features. with putti (cherubs) riding dolphins. The surrounding A weather station is also to be installed to monitor the flowerbeds were originally designed in a traditional ‘Fleur wind direction and control the fountain’s water flow; this

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F_BAR_15851 English Riviera Magazine - Mount Tryon - 238 x 165mm (WOW).qxp_Layout 1 11/01/2018 16:29 Page 1

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Heritage will protect the surrounding flowers and grass area from waterlogging.

During the restoration work there will be no seasonal bedding or tulips around the fountain and the existing palm trees will be removed. A new planting design will be implemented once the restoration is completed, taking the flowerbeds back to their original ‘Fleur de Lis’ pattern, which was lost in the 1950s to larger and simpler blocks of flowerbeds. The refurbished fountain together with the new bedding designs will complement the recent addition of the Venetian-style Carousel. This is all in keeping with the historical importance of Princess Gardens and celebrates the English Riviera’s historic European influences. Eight new palms will be planted to enhance the beautiful ‘Fleur de Lis’ flowerbed design.

Torbay’s Elected Mayor, Gordon Oliver, said, “This

Grade II Listed Fountain in Princess Gardens is such a well liked and prominent feature. It is great to see that it will be restored to its former glory and will continue to enhance the listed gardens. I am sure the residents, as I am, will be extremely happy to see that the Princess Gardens is receiving such investment.”

The work is part of the ongoing regeneration of this area that was approved in 2017 by the council’s Development Management Committee. This work follows the first part of the regeneration when the shelters and the old fountain base within the banjo were removed and new benches installed facing the fountain.

The repair and improvement of Princess Gardens Fountain has been funded from the income from the Wheel and Carousel together with planning obligation contributions. o

Photo: Neil Coish, Principal Natural Environment Officer

Contractors dismantling the fountain

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Youth Sailing Championships in Tor Bay Tor Bay is rightly renowned as a world-class sailing hub with superb sailing conditions attracting sailors from far and wide. Royal Torbay Yacht Club in Torquay hosts many prestigious championship events throughout the year. Look out for the 420 Spring Championship in March.

T

he Royal Torbay Yacht Club is pleased to be welcoming the International 420 Class Association for its 2018 Spring Championship on Saturday and Sunday March 10th and 11th. The class has visited Torbay a number of times in recent years for championship events. The 420 dinghy is an RYA (Royal Yachting Association) British Youth Sailing Recognised Class, for sailors under 19 years of age. The 420 is a double handed single-trapeze planing dinghy with conventional spinnaker and is sailed in over 60 nations, having become the world’s top youth training boat. It is sailed by boys and girls in the RYA Youth National Championships and the Youth Sailing World Championships.

Top sailors from the UK 420 Class progress through 22

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the RYA Pathway to Podium programme as part of the British Sailing Team and many achieve considerable success at national, international and Olympic levels.

Sarah Ayton, Hannah Mills and Joe Glanfield all multiple world/national champions and Olympic gold and silver medallists, came through the UK 420 class.

The class remains highly competitive today and the Torquay Spring Championship is the first selector event in the 2018 season. Sailors will be challenging hard for the podium places in their quest for recognition and future team selection.

The 420 was designed by Christian Maury in France following a specification drawn up by Aristide Lehoereff and Pierre Latzague, chief sailing instructors of the englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Sailing

“

The Torbay Youth Sailing Trust formed in 2007 encourages schools and local children to start sailing through RYA OnBoard scheme ”

Centreport sailing school in South West France near St Jean de Luz. Lucien Lanverre, a former cooper to the Bordeaux wine industry, first built it in 1959 (a cooper makes barrels and various vessels out of wood). The 420 became very popular in France being used as a youth trainer for the larger Olympic class International 470 designed by André Cornu. In the late 1960s, a few UK university sailing clubs adopted it for sailing and team racing. It was subsequently selected as a youth trainer by the RYA in the 1970s and has sustained enduring popularity thanks to its inherent seaworthiness plus its trapeze and spinnaker, which allows for advanced training techniques.

Junior and youth training and racing are at the englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

forefront of sailing activities at Royal Torbay Yacht Club.

The club has an excellent introductory programme following the RYA syllabus for young sailors. The Torbay Youth Sailing Trust formed in 2007 encourages schools and local children to start sailing through RYA OnBoard scheme. Parents and families are encouraged to get involved and participate in the club’s volunteer training programme for both on and off the water activities.

Sailing is a healthy outdoor activity and great fun for the whole family. There is no better place than here in Torbay.

Why not give it a go?

You can enjoy watching this championship event in the Bay over the weekend of 10th and 11th March. o rtyc.org.uk February/March 2018

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GODDESS OF THE SKY

Are you a keen weekend hiker, scrambling the ups and downs of the coast path and maybe venturing occasionally to Wales or Scotland? Why not try something more demanding and create lifelong memories at the same time? Anita Newcombe gives it a go with her husband Richard – hiking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal.

H

aving decided to try an extreme trek, albeit with the protection of an organised and experienced trekking organisation, I had first thought of Kilimanjaro. But then a trekking buddy suggested Everest Base Camp and I was sold. Since Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary first conquered Mount Everest in 1953, it has traditionally been the ultimate goal for mountaineers. For trekkers like myself who were never going to be up for that sort of challenge, Everest Base Camp seems to offer the mystique and a little of the glory without the need to actually enter the famous ‘Death Zone’.

Nepal is very appealing with dramatic scenery, icy aquamarine mountain rivers, wonderful people and adorable yaks. On the other hand, you have to fly into 24

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the world’s most dangerous airport, cross some seriously vertigo-inducing rope bridges, and cope with the cold and extreme altitude, pretty basic tea house accommodation as well as the steep ascents and descents. Oh, and the yaks turn out to be very unpredictable and quite grumpy…

I’ve got around 10 months to train and I manage to work it into my normal schedule, walking most days with longer hikes, such as Kingswear to Brixham at the weekends. I do circuit training at Apollo in Torquay on Mondays, netball Wednesdays and Thursdays and kayaking and hiking at the weekends. I keep a handwritten trek training diary and add up the number of miles I’m walking each week. I’m told that I don’t need to be super fit but will need good cardiovascular fitness and to feel comfortable with trekking at least 5 hours a day. englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Give it a Go! Extreme Hiking So far, so good; now the kit-list. In fact there are only a few things I need to buy. I’ve already got broken-in walking boots, walking trousers and waterproofs and the trekking organisation are providing a super-warm sleeping bag, heavyweight down jacket (for evenings) and a trek

kit bag (regulation size to be slung over the side of a yak).

We’ll need water bottles, gaiters, more socks and base layers, very warm gloves and glove liners plus a head torch and power pack for phone and camera charging. The departure date of 16 November is fast approaching.

Everest Base Camp Trek – Day by Day DAY 1

Richard and I arrive at Heathrow to be met by our UK guide Ken Storer from Global Adventure Challenges and we join 24 trekkers for an Air Qatar flight via Doha to Kathmandu. They are a mixed bunch – quite loud and jolly – all ages from probably late 20s to late 60s and exactly 50% women and 50% men.

Kathmandu

DAY 3

We have an acclimatisation day in Kathmandu with visits to both the famous Swayambunath Stupa (Monkey Temple) and the Pashupatinath Temple on the Bagmati River where open-air Hindu cremations take place. In the afternoon, we meet our Sherpas and are issued with our super-warm down jackets, sleeping bags and regulation kit bags. Almost everyone has to frantically repack and discard items after hearing that the maximum allowance of 15 kg for the next stage of the journey includes our backpacks. All non-essential items including our passports are being left behind in Kathmandu.

DAY 4 DAY 2

We arrive in Kathmandu. It is still shockingly earthquake damaged from the big 2015 quake and there are piles of rubble everywhere; the roads are mad, dusty and full of huge potholes. The Hotel Tibet International is a welcome oasis of peace and tranquillity and we are given tea and luxurious rooms. This evening we have dinner with all our fellow trekkers in a rooftop restaurant overlooking the nearby Boudhanath Stupa. It’s the number 1 place to visit in Kathmandu according to Trip Advisor and it has been fully restored since the big quake.

It’s fun to watch the Buddhists circumambulating around the stupa and spinning the prayer wheels; this earns them great spiritual merits and we are encouraged to join in. englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

We’re off! We experience an absolutely terrifying but stunning flight into the Tenzing Hilary airstrip at Lukla high up amongst the mountain peaks. The airstrip is very short indeed and runs steeply uphill because it’s the only way they can slow the small aircraft down enough in the space. The pilot is wearing a brown leather flying jacket and reminds me of Indiana Jones – very swaggering – well, you probably would be too if you’d managed to successfully land a plane here. It’s only a 14-seater Twin Otter but still a major feat.

We head straight off on a 10-mile hike in to Phakding, the first stage on our way to Everest Base Camp. Luckily there’s a team of yaks waiting to take our main packs. There are no roads, tracks or vehicles of any kind up here. We have nine days hiking in spectacular scenery including the vital acclimatisation days to get to Base Camp, then hike all the way back, up and down mountains and across raging river valleys. And then that flight again. Eek! February/March 2018

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DAY 5

After staying in our first Nepali tea house overnight, we head out on an 8-hour trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar with very steep climbs, crossing several scary, super-high rope bridges with breathtaking views over raging mountain rivers. The rope bridges are very wobbly especially if you meet a yak coming the other way (I’m still channelling Indiana Jones). We are an impressive trek team of 24 plus 11 Sherpas and 11 yaks and we’re feeling good. Climbing up a steep valley we get our first glimpse of Namche Bazaar, which seems to have been carved in an elegant semicircle from the very mountainside. It’s a bustling trading town and there’s an endless stream of porters and animals trooping through the narrow pathways. This is where we acclimatise to start getting used to the altitude. We are in a bowl surrounded by snowy mountains including Kongde Ri (6187m) and Thamserku (6608m). The weather has been wonderful with blue skies and lots of sunshine – warmish in the daytime but pretty cold at night.

Namche Bazaar

DAY 7

Today is quite a tough day with 8-hour trek up the ridgeline from Namche then down, down, down to the river where we have a delightful lunch outside in the warm sunshine. Next is a gruelling trek up the steep mountainside to Tengboche next to the monastery.

It’s very cold when we arrive at our teahouse but the dining area is really warm with two wood burning stoves powered by yak dung. The effects of altitude are noticeable now and about half of our group have started taking Diamox, a medication to guard against acute mountain sickness - in particular the severe headaches, exhaustion and nausea that can be associated with extreme altitude. Our team doctor is kept busy ministering to various ailments such as sore throats.

Although it is freezing cold and our rooms have no heating, our sleeping bags and our water bottles are now refilled with hot water keep us warm during the night.

Washing is mainly limited to what they call ‘bird bath’ which is a scoop of warm water in what looks like a metal dog’s bowl, delivered to our rooms every evening before dinner.

DAY 8

We leave Tengboche after an early morning tour of the fabulous local monastery. As usual the yaks left beforehand with our bags. Today we have a steep uphill hike to Pangboche for lunch. After lunch, rather than a nice nap, we have to make a very cold, very steep acclimatisation hike to Dabuche Base Camp and back down (climb high, sleep low). We meet some other trekking teams in the lodge in Pangboche and enjoy our usual evening fare of noodle soup followed by a large plate of rice and potatoes and ginger tea or hot chocolate.

DAY 6

Yaks leaving Tengboche Monastery with our kit

Today we take an acclimatisation hike (climb high, sleep low) and visit the Tenzing Norgay memorial statue and the Sherpa Museum high up above the town. Dinner is at 6.30pm and after a quick game of Nomination Whist we are mostly asleep by 9pm. Everywhere we walk there are colourful Buddhist prayer flags strung up amongst the mountain passes and we must walk clockwise around the huge prayer stones and spin the prayer wheels as we go. The people here are wonderful, always smiling and super welcoming. Their children are sweet beyond belief, bouncing around with rosy cheeks and thick layers of colourful clothing and hats – as we pass, the braver ones put their hands together and shout Namaste!

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Give it a Go! Extreme Hiking

DAY 9

Today we hike to Dingboche where we are staying for 2 nights for our final acclimatisation sessions. We are now at 4360 metres. It is very cold with ice in all the ways and the effects of altitude are increasing, making our progress much slower. We arrive at Snow Lion Lodge at Dingboche. The toilet floors are frozen solid with ice and the barrel of water for flushing is full of ice. The dining room is nice and warm though and we are given hot mango juice on arrival and some good local food. We get our usual nice hot water bottles at bedtime and our sleeping bags are rated to minus 20. We’re now wearing several layers plus hats in bed and the sleeping bag has a thick hood to pull over. The current daytime temperature is minus 9 degrees and we still have 1000 metres of altitude to gain. Everyone is still on good form and the doctor is checking our vital signs daily with a fingertip pulse oximeter. Lots of people are on Diamox now to prevent acute mountain sickness but I am still ok with a 93 percent oxygen level. Richard and I are both feeling strong and looking forward to the final push.

DAY 10

We are really feeling the altitude now at 4410 metres.

For our acclimatisation hike today we climb up to 4710 metres onto a ridge overlooking Dingboche.

The temperature is minus 13 this morning but sunny.

This afternoon we have training in use of emergency equipment. This might be a good time to mention

our amazing Sherpas. Our Head Sherpa Dawa is a magnificent mountain man and there are 10 other Sherpa guides including 4 youngsters who are looking after the yaks. All our Sherpas are simply wonderful, good humoured, funny and hugely tough. No one has ever summited Everest without a Sherpa and they deserve full recognition for what they do. I had some altitude related breathlessness last night, which was rather scary but I managed today’s hike well and have been passed as fit by the doctor. I’m feeling brilliant and strong this evening and Richard is on top form too.

DAY 11

Today’s trek is from Dingboche to Loubouche. The first half is along a glacial valley with lots of yaks and trekkers.

After lunch we head steeply uphill and it is a tough day especially with the extreme altitude slowing us down a lot. We stop for a welcome breather at Scott Fisher’s memorial, which has many tributes to Sherpas and well-known climbers. Here we get chatting to a team of 6 Australians, 3 of whom have already been airlifted out and 2 more are expected to go due to a range of medical problems. It is a great tribute to our leaders, Sherpas and doctor that all 24 members of our team - 12 females and 12 males are still on track to make Base Camp tomorrow.

We are currently at just under 5,000 metres. Our lodge at Loubouche is quite cold but we are used to it now.

We will be fully togged out for the final push starting at 6.30am tomorrow. We are fit and strong but very cold!

Dawa Sherpa - our lead guide Last Leg to Base Camp

Scary rope bridge

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February/March 2018

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Give it a Go! Extreme Hiking

OUTH

H

DAY 12

We make it to Everest Base Camp today! The going is very hard now and it takes us a total of 10 hours of incredibly tough hiking at high altitude. Base Camp is at 5364 metres and every step is now really hard work. However, we’ve had uniformly blue skies and sunshine so it’s fairly comfortable at minus 10. The experience of getting to Everest Base Camp is rather surreal. We can’t quite believe that we are here amongst the towering peaks, the ominously creaking Khumbu Glacier and the fluttering Nepali prayer flags. It’s a very special experience and there are lots of photos and hugs underway. We are absolutely exhausted but in good health and eventually head back to our lodge at Gorak Shep for the night arriving rather late as darkness falls.

DAY 13 (aptly named)

We had thought that making it to Everest Base Camp would be the hard part. Not so! About half an hour after we leave Base Camp, one of our trekkers collapses with low oxygen levels and he and two others plus a family member are airlifted out by helicopter this morning. Our Sherpa team are simply amazing with a superbly managed englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

extraction. Then today I start feeling exhausted and ill on our 6-hour morning trek down to Pheriche. Our Sherpas help me across some icy rivers and bridges and Richard carries my pack but I am close to collapse and nearly an hour behind the leaders. I can’t understand why my energy levels have dropped so dramatically. Doc checks me, and my oxygen levels are absolutely fine. However, rather stupidly, I am suffering from severe dehydration even though I have been drinking lots of water. 10 packets of rehydration salts in 2 litres of water later I am miraculously back on fighting form for an afternoon trek to Pangboche high up over a fabulous glacial river and forest. However there is no power except emergency solar and the toilets are frozen solid. We still have a reasonable hot dinner and bunk down for the usual early night at around 8.30pm.

DAY 14

Today we are trekking up and down across the mountains back to Namche Bazaar. We are going down much faster than we went up (9 days trekking to Base Camp and just 3 long days back). The remaining team members (20 of us) are euphoric and having a fun time.

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DAY 15

Give it a Go! Extreme Hiking

Last day with a final, tough but fast 8 hour trek from Namche Bazaar up and down the river valleys, across more vertiginous rope bridges back to Lukla where the Tenzing Hilary airport is located. There are lots of yaks and horses plying this route. We stop for lunch at the pretty Sherpa Lodge at Phakding. This evening we have celebrations with all our Sherpas before we prepare to fly back to Kathmandu. After no alcohol for two weeks, Everest beer is produced and we discover the Sherpas love dancing.

Very short uphill airstrip at Tenzing Hilary Airport at Lukla

DAY 16

Even though we’ve had uniformly blue skies and sunshine in spite of the still biting cold, Kathmandu and Lukla have been misty so no planes have been able to get out. We wait 3 hours in freezing conditions at Tenzing Hilary Airport before half our team (including us) are bundled onto a Tara Air 14-seater aircraft and we are now safely back at Hotel Tibet in Kathmandu. What absolute luxury after the last couple of weeks with no hot water, very little warmth and very basic facilities. The rest of our team are hopefully on their way. I’m jumping straight into a hot bath!

DAY 17

We enjoy a relaxed final day in Kathmandu then have a celebratory dinner at a Nepali restaurant. We couldn’t have done it without our whole Sherpa team, our yaks and our wonderful Doc. As it’s the end of the trekking season, many of the Sherpas now face a 3-day walk back to their own villages. We will miss them all! englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

DAY 18

We are on our way back to the UK after an unforgettable experience in Nepal. Although we quickly slip back into our high tech, comfortable way of life, we will never forget the breathtaking beauty, the camaraderie and the simple mountain life on our Everest Base Camp Trek. If you are fit enough, why not give it a go? globaladventurechallenges.com February/March 2018

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f Devon Rocks & Stones

Devon Rocks & Stones Facebook group was established in August 2017 and is fast approaching fifteen thousand members. Julian Rees talks to sisters Samantha McKinven and Lindsay West about why they started the group and how to get involved.

I

first encountered Devon Rocks and Stones in looking for them and were so excited when they found November last year whilst on a walk along the Stover them, which was lovely to see. When I got home I posted Canal in Newton Abbot. A brightly coloured pebble the picture on Facebook and another friend explained that caught my eye beside a bench and on closer inspection rock hunting is becoming a big thing in America. I then I saw it was painted with a Union flag, had a message searched on Facebook and saw that the original American on the reverse and had been carefully varnished. The group had almost 12,000 members. That night I decided inscription read ‘Devon Rocks & Stones Facebook’. I to start a new group of my own here in Devon and see tucked it into my pocket meaning to look it up later if friends and family wanted to do it for a bit of fun. I added a few people and in turn they added a few people then promptly forgot all about it until a couple of weeks and so it grew. I bought a bag of rocks from The Range ago. Whilst walking across Walls Hill in Babbacombe (don’t forget you shouldn’t take rocks and stones from the I came across three more brightly decorated stones beach as they belong to everyone) painted them and hid hidden just out of immediate view. On closer inspection them around Paignton, I noticed they had the This made me smile because it had done Torquay, Newton Abbot, same inscription and what I wanted when I started the group, Brixham, Totnes, Dawlish, after a rummage through my pockets I pulled out to get kids outside in the fresh air, off their Teignmouth, Dartmouth, Exeter, Plymouth and a few the original pebble I had computers and having family time. more places. I wrote on the found weeks before! I left back of the rocks, ‘Please post a picture on Devon Rocks the original pebble with the others and made a note to and Stones’. Before I knew it, it went crazy. People just investigate further on my return home. kept joining the group and having fun with their children, Later that day a search of Facebook revealed a very popular page with a large membership centered on family and friends, painting, hiding and hunting the rocks, Torbay but aimed at all residents of Devon. The group is then posting pictures of themselves hunting. This made me administered by Samantha McKinven and Lindsay West smile because it had done what I wanted when I started so I drop them a line to find out more. Samanatha replied the group, to get kids outside in the fresh air, off their and takes up the story. computers and having family time. I’ve even had people “So I will start with how the group started. Lindsay, message me saying that their teenagers won’t normally who is my sister, and I were out Pokemon hunting with a come out their room but they will come out to help their group of friends and her children were bored. I had lots of brothers and sisters paint rocks and then go out and help Pokemon stones I had painted a while ago as I’ve always them hide and hunt for them. painted stones, so we decided to hide them around Oldway Since starting the group we have initiated several while we were Pokemon hunting. Her children started projects. Firstly a ladybird line - we got group members to

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Give It A Go - Rocks & Stones Josh and Emily, the original Pokemon stone hunters

Samantha and Lindsay

paint ladybird rocks to see if we could make a line the length of Preston sea wall - we very nearly made it to the end! I painted 101 Dalmatian stones and left them in Bovey Tracey to generate new members. We also had members paint poppies and we left them on the memorial in Torquay on Remembrance Sunday. Lindsay organised a Christmas rock painting event for the charity Save the Children. Our members paid £1, painted a rock and were then invited to use the equipment in the children’s play centre in Paignton who kindly let us use their facilities.

I also painted the Where’s Wally characters that are out and about and turn up every now and then!” o Above: 101 Dalmatians in Bovey Tracey Below: The ladybird production line

How to get involved...

• Visit facebook.com and search ‘devon rocks and stones’ then join the group - you can add friends too once you’re a member.

• Grab some stones and get painting - acrylic paints are best and a coat of yacht varnish will ensure your painting lasts.

Sharpie markers are great for writing on the back. Remember not to take stones from the beach!

• Take your stones to a favourite place and hide them - take a picture to upload to the group.

• When you find other people’s stones, take a picture for the group so owners can see where they were found and where they have been moved to.

• Some people put instructions on the backs of their stones; they may want you to keep the stone or they may want you to move it.

• Be careful not to hide stones on grass where they may get caught in grasscutting equipment and please don’t hide them in shops or buildings.

• Most of all get out in the fresh air and have some family fun.

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Spot the odd one out!

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Chocella

New Wonderfully Indulgent Chocolate Café Some dreams remain dreams for a lifetime, but not with the proprietor of Brixham’s new specialist Chocolate Café.

D

uring the summer of 2017, after a decade you never know what you are going to get. Tracy says, of pondering her dream, Tracy Clarke made “Our customers are so complimentary and comment how it a reality by opening Chocella, a small but different Chocella is from other traditional cafés. You perfectly presented chocolate haven situated on Brixham’s could say it has a slight French look and feel, which alone Middle Street. makes Chocella a little different.”

Tracy put her heart and soul into Chocella, named after Tracy certainly doesn’t forget her roots and growing her mother Ella, who taught her to bake cakes at a very up as a miner’s daughter with money sparse, gave Tracy young age and talked to her about never letting things the drive and determination to not only prepare her for stand in the way of her dreams, so it’s only fitting that this this next step but to succeed and look forward. When new venture has a brand with a heart at the centre. asked why start Chocella now, she quickly responds, “It Although it’s not all plain sailing for any new venture, took me a long time to realise you can’t take it with you. I with seasonal footfall and no surety of success, Tracy took once read: If today was your last day, would you have any a chance on Brixham and is delighted with how warmly regrets? Chocella took a long time to conceive and with the community in both Brixham and surrounding Torbay the help and encouragement of close friends and family, has taken Chocella to their the chance read of a book I understand like any good business, heart. How does she know? of a famous entrepreneur Well, part of her strategy it’s only as good as the people around you plus a loving and super is to use social media supporting and implementing your vision, supportive husband, I took and technology to help a leap of faith. I understand ideas and concepts. raise awareness about the like any good business, Chocolate Café both locally and as far afield as possible it’s only as good as the people around you supporting to draw the crowds in. She encourages visitors to give and implementing your vision, ideas and concepts. So feedback and the reviews to date have been very positive. having the right team is key. Has technology helped with This approach is helping Chocella gain a reputation for this venture? Absolutely! The world and marketplace is a lovely cosy environment, exceptional chocolates, great changing at a fast pace and being able to adopt new ways of coffee, super cakes - a real reason for all to come and visit working is a key ingredient to Chocella’s success. Planning if you haven’t already. is already underway for the next location and now that Never one to be shy of a challenge, Tracy is keen to Chocella Brixham is launched I can’t wait to find it!” use the Brixham model, her flagship shop, and replicate For those who have not yet had the pleasure of a it elsewhere. She told us, “Dedication to employing local Chocella hot chocolate, topped with crazy indulgent people and sourcing ingredients as locally as possible are toppings, accompanied by a slice of delicious signature two equally important elements of the Chocella strategy home made Ella cake, we recommend you include a for me personally. I’m looking at how we can expand visit some time soon. The team really do endeavour the Chocella concept through opening other shops, and to make your time within Chocella as pleasurable as although similar, there will subtle differences to each.” As possible; nothing is too much to ask and you’ll receive a in all things with Tracy there is an element of surprise and complimentary truffle with every drink.

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Food & Drink

When you visit, you can peruse the chocolate truffles, sweets, cakes, superb coffee and their signature chocolate soup! It’s a first for Brixham that has certainly got everybody talking. Whilst you wait, the team can maketo-order your chocolate boxes or hampers for special gifts - perfect for your loved ones - especially with Valentine’s just around the corner.

Online vouchers are available via the website and soon the online shop will be open for those indulgent chocolate purchases. If you would like any further information englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

about any of the above, to make a party booking for 2018 and beyond, or to attend one of Chocella’s chocolate workshops, then get in touch to enquire about this chocolate indulgent experience like no other.

Chocella can be found at 34a Middle Street in Brixham. Middle Street, which leads directly up from the beautiful harbourside has a great community spirit and lots of new and existing unique independent shops plus galleries, cafés and restaurants. Well worth a visit! o 01803 431055 chocella.co.uk February/March 2018

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Tel: 01803 431055

f

Chocella Brixham

Chocella

www.chocella.co.uk Drinks ● Cakes ● Chocolates ● Afternoon Tea ● Party Bookings ● Gifts ● Chocolate Workshops ●

The Chocolate Café 34a Middle Street, Brixham TQ5 8ER

Come and enjoy the ultimate chocolate experience!

EST D 1904

R EDCLIFFE H OTEL PAIGNTON

«««

The Babbacombe Inn

Redcliffe Hotel

Occombe Farm Café

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

59 Babbacombe Downs Road Torquay TQ1 3LP 01803 316200 www.babbacombeinn.co.uk 36

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Food & Drink News Enjoy some very special food and drink this spring!

Gold Awards for David’s Fish & Chips Scott Drew, owner of David’s Fish and Chips in Brixham has won two golds at London’s FreeFrom Eating Out Awards for eateries serving food to coeliacs and customers with other food intolerances.

The first award was the highest in the fish and chip category and David’s also won gold in the ‘Crème de la Crème’ category, the ‘best of the best’ and only open to eateries that have won in previous years. The judges commented, “The fish and chips are superb.

The freefrom options were easily as good as the nonfreefrom options. The fish was fresh and the batter crispy. All very good value. I would like to return to try some of the rest of the menu. My 6 year old described his meal as simply ‘awesome’. David’s shows you what it is like to be served food by people who want to do freefrom food well.” The judges also noted, “There is a huge choice for customers on a gluten free diet. The menu is interesting and makes you feel included in the same way as any other customer. Both members of staff serving were very knowledgeable about their dishes. There are a huge number of sauces and condiments available, all individually packaged with ingredients listed. There was even a pre-packaged gluten-free vinegar, accredited by Coeliac UK, available to purchase and take home.” freefromeatingoutawards.co.uk

Valentine Cookery, Occombe For all the romantics out there with busy lives, Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust comes to the rescue with a special cookery event on 11 February! With Valentine’s day landing in the middle of the week this year, surprise your Valentine with a 3 course menu, all cooked in advance by your own fair hands and suitable for home freezing. Ready to dish up for the one you love on this special day. Suitable for adults, cost: £65 (including light lunch), booking essential, time: 10am – 4pm.

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

Dartmouth’s 4th Beer Festival

Photo: Richard Newcombe

With more than 20 real ales and ciders from breweries in the South Hams, live entertainment, food, an opportunity to meet the brewers and talk about beer making, the Dartmouth Beer Festival on Saturday 17th February promises to be a sociable, fun and informative event. Beers will cover a range of light hoppy brews, regular session beers, porters and ciders with some specials for the occasion. Time: 11am – 11pm. Tickets: £10 standard entry, £8 CAMRA members.

The Flavel, Flavel Place, Dartmouth TQ6 9ND 01803 839530 theflavel.org.uk englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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Blown Away by Brixham’s

Breakwater Bistro After a spectacular walk around Brixham’s beautiful inner harbour and marina plus a picturesque stroll along the half-mile long breakwater, Anita Newcombe drops into the legendary Breakwater Bistro.

A

s it’s still winter and only 11am, I decide it’s The Breakwater Bistro’s logo is the famous Brixham not really Pimms o’clock by any stretch of the crab and you can try their crab sandwiches (which I imagination and instead opt for decaffeinated tea. always love), crab salads, Baked Crab Thermidor and their I’m meeting Breakwater Bistro’s longstanding Restaurant Shellfish Trio (a bucket of Devon crab claws, crevettes and Manager Tom Mayers. Tom is owner Lee Tyrrell’s nephew mussels – served with warm crusty bread – yum!) Local and has been running this fabulously located ‘destination produce is important and Brixham is world famous for restaurant’ for 11 years. It’s a real Devon family business. its fish and seafood. Of course in the summer, everything We sit in the upstairs restaurant with its mind-blowing tastes even better with a jug of Pimms (just saying...) views across the Bay (everywhere in this double-decker Tom tells me that yachties from the marina and coffee shop and bistro has the same spectacular views). beachgoers often drop in to ask to buy drinks and from This place couldn’t be better located; it overlooks its own summer 2017 they now have an off-licence to enable beach and is so close to the water’s edge you can almost them to serve alcoholic beverages in plastic glasses. Tom dip your toes in the tells me, “In the Pretty Breakwater Beach is very popular with sparkling waters. summer we have Tom explains that someone kept busy visitors and locals alike and is a magnet for visiting the building grew pouring draught scuba divers and snorkelers thanks to its unusually from a simple ice beers all day. We crystal clear waters. cream kiosk. Over were among the first the years, it expanded into a takeaway offering teas, to serve the fab new Bays Brewery Devon Rock Lager.” coffees and cakes and then it became a restaurant known Beach-lovers can also buy food direct from the takeaway as the Oystercatcher. At the time, entry to the building kiosk including fish and chips, burgers, ice creams, was via open steps up the outside. The eatery was already sandwiches, hot drinks plus crabbing buckets and other called Breakwater Bistro when Lee bought it 12 years fun beach items. You can also buy local photographer ago and a year later Tom was in post as Restaurant Chris Slack’s dramatically beautiful landscape Manager. At the start they had around 80 seats but photographs. adding a conservatory and extending the downstairs Of course everyone loves the famous Devon cream teas. patio has created much more space. Tom shows me how There’s a good range of homemade cakes and puddings the roof of the conservatory rolls back, James Bondincluding some excellent gluten-free options. In fact a style, with the touch of a button on a remote control. fresh new menu will be in place from the end of March Very impressive! and there’s also the specials board to add to your yummy Nowadays, there’s lots of choice for everyone. choice dilemma.

Breakwater Bistro is open 364 days a year (they used to be It’s always busy here. Tom explains, “When I first open Christmas Day as well but are having a little rest). started 11 years ago we might only serve two people a Pretty much everything is home made. You can pop in day in the off-season but now we’re doing 40-50 lunches for coffee, tea and cakes; you can just enjoy a drink and a a day all winter long. In the summer we can expect to nibble or have a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner and do around 100 breakfasts, 250 lunches and 200 evening chill out with those breathtaking views! Tom tells me that meals every day.” They are obviously keeping Head Chef their most popular dish is paella, especially in the summer Gary Sharpe and his kitchen team extremely busy. and other favourites are: their West Country steaks, their From April to October Breakwater Bistro is open 9am Piri Piri Chicken and Homemade Fish Pie. until last orders 9.30pm daily (“I don’t normally leave till

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Food & Drink

Lucy & Tom Mayers

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

It’s the couple’s eagerly awaited honeymoon in Mexico and they can’t wait. Some of the senior team will be taking over until Tom’s return. And then back home to a busy season again! o brixham-restaurant.co.uk

Photo: Chris Slack

11.30pm”, says Tom.) In the quiet season from October through till the end of March they are open daily plus Friday and Saturday evenings.

Tom has the usual very long working hours of a senior manager in the hospitality industry but loves it here.

Glancing out across the sea he says, “It’s not a bad office window is it?”

The business also manages the Blue Flag beach via a lease from Torbay Council. Tom’s team provides first aid and sun lounger hire as well as cleaning and litter picking services. Pretty Breakwater Beach is very popular with visitors and locals alike and is a magnet for visiting scuba divers and snorkelers thanks to its unusually crystal clear waters. Walkers and anglers should keep an eye out for the Breakwater Bistro’s own ice cream bike which plies its wares at the end of the Breakwater near the lighthouse.

With so much to do it must be difficult to get any time off at all. However, Tom, who lives in Paignton with his new wife Lucy, (she now also works at Breakwater Bistro) has managed to secure a short break.

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Marldon to Berry Pomeroy Castle Distance: 3.5 miles each way Exertion: Moderate Time: Allow 3 hours Terrain: Well marked undulating footpaths and fields Dogs: Free to roam, on leads where livestock Refreshments: Church House Inn, Marldon and cafĂŠ at Berry Pomeroy Castle in season.

Start postcode: TQ3 1SL

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his is a well-marked public footpath that connects the village of Marldon with Berry Pomeroy Castle. The parish of Marldon can be traced through church records back until 1598. It is situated just to the north west of Paignton and today also includes the village of Compton and Compton Castle.

The route forms part of the John Musgrave Heritage Trail and benefits from development by the Ramblers Association and Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust.

Berry Pomeroy Castle, a ruined Tudor mansion house within the ruins of an earlier castle, has been owned by the Dukes of Somerset since 1547 and is in the care of English Heritage. The whole site is extremely evocative with dramatic views from the ramparts over the deep wooded, narrow valley of the Gatcombe brook and a reputation for spooky nocturnal goings-on with both a white and blue lady ghost. If you’re planning to visit the castle on your route it opens from 10am-4pm on Saturdays and Sundays during the winter months. o

1 Our walk starts at the pretty Church House Inn at

the north en of the villa e Par in is availa le free of charge in the small car park immediately opposite the inn. To the left of the Inn is a small lane leading into Church ill an passin the Parish Church of t ohn the aptist, as ou clim Church ill nice vie s are affor e of oth levels of t ohn s church ar t the top of Church Hill turn right onto Ipplepen Road and continue for approximately 100m past the Canadian maple leaf sign on your left.

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The public footpath proper commences of the left immediately after the last bungalow.

2 The footpath is very well marked and indicates that it forms part of the John Musgrave Heritage Trail. Follow the path alongside the recently planted beech hedge until it emerges onto farmland. From here clear views are available to Dartmoor to the right and Beacon Hill Transmitting Station to the left. Follow the signs across this an into the ne t fiel here it escen s some steps for about 150m through Strainy Tor Copse before joining Smallwell Lane.

3 Immediately cross the lane via a stile into another fiel , the footpath follo s the he e an leaves this fiel almost diagonally from where you entered it through a kissing gate under an old oak tree.

4 ollo the footpath throu h the ne t fiel an ou ill have the first vie of the eerie err Pomero Castle ruins ahead of you. The path then takes you through a metal gate and down into Loventor Lane.

5 urn left here, si nposte to ar s fton mile Follow the lane down and across the new wooden bridge over the stream and up the other side. Here the lane becomes a metalled road through the small hamlet of Loventor and down past a curiously suspended garden shed.

6 hen ou reach the unction at fton ri e turn left and follow the road towards the castle ruins rising above you.

7 fter a out m turn ri ht si nposte otnes miles, then almost imme iatel turn onto the lane into englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Open

Walk

the woods on the left and climb up to the castle ruins. to return either follow the route in reverse or follow Loventor Lane to Aptor then following the minor road Marldon Lane back to the village.

2 4

1

3

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6 7

Open Data Commons Open Database License

1 Waypoint

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February & March Around the Bay Dartmoor – The High Moor, Torre Abbey 2 February

Man & Boy, Torquay 6 February

The High Moor is the first in a series of individual Friday lectures given by John Risdon on the catchment of the River Teign, highlighting its incredibly varied landscape and communities and how they have evolved over the past centuries. Cost: £7 per lecture, £42 for all 7 lectures.

The Learning Lab, Torre Abbey, Kings Drive, Torquay, TQ2 5JE. 01803 293593 torre-abbey.org.uk

Elisabeth Hadley’s monumental bronze sculpture on King’s Quay Brixham is a powerful tribute to the town’s fishing heritage and the lives lost at sea over generations. Elisabeth reveals how she created the work in her Brixham studio.

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

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

Brixham Folk Nights 2 February & 2 March Share an evening of folk music, in all its wonderful 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.

The programme is organised by Anne and Steve Gill, with help from John Miles. Cost: £3 (£2 performers) on the door, time: 7.30pm.

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

Musical Sunday at Bayards Cove Inn, Dartmouth 4 February Enjoy delicious food accompanied by Joe Dostal who will be playing his sublime classical guitar music from 7-9.30pm.

27 Lower Street, Dartmouth TQ6 9AN 01803 839278 bayardscoveinn.co.uk

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The Hill Figures of England, Torquay 7 February David Hinchliffe presents a vivid, non-specialist miscellany of history, archaeology, art and myth relating to some of our best-loved, giant landscape works of art.

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

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

In Country – Moorland Edge to Steps Bridge, Torre Abbey 9 February One of a series of Friday lectures given by John Risdon on the catchment of the River Teign, highlighting its incredibly varied landscape and communities and how they have evolved over the past centuries. Cost: £7 per lecture.

The Learning Lab, Torre Abbey, Kings Drive, Torquay, TQ2 5JE. 01803 293593 torre-abbey.org.uk

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

What’s On Stone Age School, Kents Cavern 10 – 18 February

Fossil Festival, Torquay 10 – 18 February

Try your hand at some Stone Age skills during half term.

Each child will leave with a hand crafted pouch and musical instrument. Booking essential (adults must stay on site during activity), cost: £5, suitable for ages 4 – 12, times: 11am or 2pm, daytime cave tour tickets must be purchased separately.

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

Future palaeontologists can practice their excavation skills in the excavation sites to discover a variety of exciting fossils. Brave explorers can get up close and personal with dinosaurs: sit on a baby Triceratops or a full size Deinonychus, and even put your head inside the jaw of a fossilised T-Rex skull. Daily fossil workshops run at 3pm.

Times: daily 11am – last entry 3pm (close 5pm). Cost: £5.95 (free unlimited re-entry for 3 months).

Dinosaur World, 3 Victoria Parade, Torquay TQ1 2BB 01803 298779 torquaysdinosaurworld.co.uk

Nearby Nature, Paignton Zoo 10-18 February Join Paignton Zoo for a half-term week full of fun, with the launch of their year of Nearby Nature. Learn about and get closer to the fantastic native species we have around us. There will be lots to do including special talks, bug handling and the launch of the Nearby Nature Trail and bioblitz.

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

Greenway’s Cabinet of Curiosities 10 – 28 February At Agatha Christie’s holiday home, a year of creative writing inspiration is being launched. In the Winter Dining Room there will be a changing exhibition of objects from the permanent collection. This is designed to stimulate creative writing, and writing tips will also be offered. In February nature themes will be included, celebrating Greenway’s spring garden. Times: 10.30am – 4.30pm, free event but normal admission charges apply for the venue. Parking must be prebooked.

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

Spring Flower Walks, Greenway 10 February – 28 April Greenway’s romantic woodland garden is renowned for its spring flowers - from camellias to rhododendrons, as well as swathes of spring bulbs. These daily walks and talks at 2pm are a great way to find out all about what’s in flower, and the history of the garden. Parts of the garden are steep with narrow paths. Children and dogs on leads are welcome. Free event but normal admission charges apply for the venue. Parking must be prebooked.

Greenway House, Kingswear TQ5 0ES 01803 842382 nationatrust.org.uk/greenway englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

An Easy Day for a Lady Lecture, Torquay 10 February Dr Kate Strasdin will give a talk entitled: An Easy Day for A Lady – The Clothing Practices of Early Women Mountaineers 1850-1914. Dr Kate Strasdin is Senior Lecturer in History and Theory at the Fashion and Textiles Institute, Falmouth University. Victorian ladies are too often depicted as wilting wallflowers, incapable of walking anywhere without fainting fits, wearing impractical corsets and long skirts. This lecture takes a fresh look at some of the most pioneering women of the second half of the 19th century, women who climbed mountains whilst wearing some seemingly unlikely garments. Time: 11am, ticket price £5, plus a 50% discount on Torquay Museum entry ticket available.

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

Valentine’s Heart Trail, Cockington 10 – 18 February Love is in the air at Cockington Court! A fun trail for the whole family, find the beautiful love hearts around Cockington Court and the craft studios. The trail is suitable for all ages. It costs £1 per child aged over two, and each child will receive a treat upon completion.

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

Valentine Quest, Occombe 12 – 16 February Will you be my Valentine? Visit Occombe and discover how our local wildlife live and love at this special time of year. Follow Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust’s Quest to find out who loves whom the best! Cost: £2.50, suitable for all ages, times; 10am – 3pm, note: nature trail will be shut off to those not participating in the Quest.

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

Kids Winter Warmer Cookery 12 & 14 February Children aged 7 – 12 years will make some favourite winter warmers including; A hearty steak pie, warming soup and cheese scones, and a lovely spiced apple and apricot crumble cake! Booking essential, cost: £32, children can be left unattended once paperwork completed.

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

From Mombasa to Nairobi by Road, Torquay 13 February Torquay Museum Society President Tansy Southall shares her experience of travelling by road in Kenya.

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

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

Is Your Love for Rill? Coleton Fishacre 14 February This Valentine’s Day, why not float a love boat to your special someone down Coleton Fishacre’s romantic Rill Garden stream? Free event but normal admission applies for the venue, booking not needed.

Time: 11am – 1pm.

Coleton Fishacre, Brownstone Road, Kingswear TQ6 0EQ 01803 842382 national-trust.org.uk

Rockpool Ramble, Goodrington 13 February

The Romantic Side of Agatha, Greenway 14 February

Join Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust’s marine ranger and explore the incredible marine life that lives in Torbay’s rock pools. Discover feisty crabs, slimy anemones, wriggly starfish, sneaky prawns and more in the rock pools of Middlestone.

Time: 12.30-2pm, cost: £3.50, all ages, booking essential.

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

Enjoy a Valentine’s event at National Trust Greenway.

Under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott, Agatha Christie wrote six ‘bitter-sweet stories about love.’

Storytellers will be reading excerpts from these stories in the House Kitchen. Free event but normal admission applies. Children and assistance dogs are welcome; parking must be pre-booked online, time: 2 – 3pm.

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

Valentine’s Day Menu, Berry Head Hotel 14 February This popular and beautifully located hotel in Brixham has a three-course themed Valentine’s menu in their restaurant at £20.95 per person.

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

Meet The Animals, Occombe 13 & 16 February Come and discover the farm animals of Occombe and even get the chance to feed some of them! Please note all attendees must pay and a paying adult must accompany all children. Cost: £3, suitable for all ages, time: 10am – 11am.

Occombe Farm, Preston Down Road, Paignton TQ3 1RN 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk 44

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Wild Wednesday, Coleton Fishacre 14 February Join the ranger team to make homes for wild animals; event is number 36 of your 50 Things to Do Before You’re 11 ¾. Drop in to make bug boxes and take them home. Cost: £3, booking not needed, normal admission applies. Times: 2-4pm, dress warmly as event is outside.

Coleton Fishacre, Brownstone Road, Kingswear TQ6 0EQ 01803 842382 national-trust.org.uk englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

What’s On Dartmoor’s Ancient Tracks, Torquay 14 February Michael Bennie, author of 16 books on walking in Devon and Cornwall, identifies the origins of Dartmoor’s ancient paths and tracks and tells some of the stories associated with them. Time 10.45am, cost: free to Torquay Museum Society members, £5.00 for non-members.

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

Isabella Necessity on her Story Bicycle, Torquay 15 February Isabella is a bicycling botanist who loves to share stories from her incredible journeys around the world with the people she meets along the way. Isabella has flown with the blue butterflies of Brazil in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest, outwitted trolls in the fjords of Norway, learnt Kung-Fu on the Mountain of Kunyu and rested in a robin’s nest on Dartmoor. With delightful storytelling, gorgeous illustrations, unexpected wonders and a handsome Story Bicycle called Dilys, Isabella will whisk you away to another world. This is a family event suitable for children aged under 10yrs, accompanied by an adult.

Time: 11am, special event charge £3.

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

Paignton Society Talks 15 February & 15 March The February talk will be by D.Crawford who talks about the Fire Brigade and the March talk will be Paignton Bygones with Nick Pannell. Cost: members £3, nonmembers £4, refreshments included. Time: 7.30pm.

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

Paignton TQ3 1RN 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk

Spring Garden Walk, Coleton Fishacre 16, 23 February & 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 March Would you like to find out more about the garden and see the best bits as it bursts into life this spring? Why not join a member of the National Trust’s garden team for a free walk and talk? Free event but normal admission applies for the venue. Booking not needed, time: 2pm – 2.45pm.

Coleton Fishacre, Brownstone Road, Kingswear TQ6 0EQ 01803 842382 national-trust.org.uk

Steps Bridge to Chudleigh, Torre Abbey 16 February One of a series of Friday lectures given by John Risdon on the catchment of the River Teign, highlighting its incredibly varied landscape and communities and how they have evolved over the past centuries. Cost: £7 per lecture.

The Learning Lab, Torre Abbey, Kings Drive, Torquay, TQ2 5JE. 01803 293593 torre-abbey.org.uk

Valentine’s Dinner Dance, Berry Head Hotel 17 February Treat yourselves to a romantic evening out with a candlelit dinner and dance at Brixham’s beautiful Berry Head Hotel.

For £35 per person, you and your loved one will be served bubbly and canapés on arrival and a 4-course gourmet dinner. There will be a red rose for the ladies and dancing to live music. You can also book a package with overnight stay so you don’t have to worry about getting home.

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

Kids Holiday Club, Occombe 15 February

Shackleton Scott & the South Pole, Torquay 17 February

Come along to Occombe for a day of discovery and fun run by Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust. Start the day by helping to feed the animals, complete the Occombe Trail challenge, then feed yourselves with some campfire cookery! Get arty crafty in the yurt in the afternoon, before heading home. Booking essential, cost: £40, time: 8.30am – 4.30pm, suitable 7-12 years.

Occombe Farm Yurt, Preston Down Road,

Michael Holgate is the author of twenty history books about famous figures.He will provide an illustrated talk about Ernest Shackleton and Robert Falcon Scott, plus tell the stories of the South Devon men who took part in their expeditions. The finale will feature songs inspired by the exploits of the polarheroes performed in the style of the Edwardian music hall. Time: 2pm, ticket price £5, plus a 50% discount on Torquay Museum entry ticket available.

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

High Society Sundays, Torquay 18 February & 18 March Enjoy a 4 course Sunday lunch at the Grand Hotel’s restaurant 1881 and listen to the accomplished music and elegant sounds of the 20s, 30s, 40s and more, from the High Society Quartet. Cost: £17.95, time: 12.30 – 2.30pm, booking essential.

Grand Hotel, Seafront, Torquay TQ2 6NT 01803 296677 grandtorquay.co.uk

Britannia Royal Naval College Tours, Dartmouth 19, 21, 26 February & 5,19, 26, 28 March Join Britannia Royal Naval College’s expert resident tour guides on a revealing voyage from past glories to the present day. During the tour they will take you into the heart of the college, from the elegant chapel, through to areas including the Quarterdeck, Parade Ground, Senior Gun Room and Britannia Heritage Museum. The Monday tours listed are at 10am, the Wednesday tours at 2pm. Cost: adult £13, child £6.50, senior/student £11.25. Book online.

College Way, Dartmouth TQ6 0HJ britanniaassociation.org.uk/tours

The Newlyn School of Artists, Torquay 21 February Zoe Burkett of Penlee House Gallery, Penzance talks about the late 19th century community of artists who lived amongst the fishing families they portrayed.

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

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

Tots Go Wild, Occombe 22 February Look for signs of spring at Occombe on this morning of discovery run by Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust.

Cost: £5, time: 9.30-11am, suitable for: toddlers-5 yrs, (babies can come free). An adult must accompany children. Dress children warmly. Booking online.

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

Countryside Walks, Coleton Fishacre 22 February & 23 March The ranger team will be leading spring countryside walks from Coleton Fishacre to Pudcombe Cove, along the South West Coast Path to Ivy Cove, and back to Coleton Fishacre via Coleton Camp. On the way they’ll be talking about the wildlife that thrives on this stretch of coast, and the work that the National Trust does to care for it. Time: 11am – 1pm, free event but admission applies for the venue.

Booking not needed. Children accompanied by an adult welcome, dogs on leads welcome.

Coleton Fishacre, Brownstone Road, Kingswear TQ6 0EQ 01803 842382 national-trust.org.uk

Spring Walk with a Ranger 23 February & 22 March Wildlife Highlights of 2017, Torquay 20 February John Walters is a wildlife artist, field naturalist and BBC broadcaster. Here he reveals his wildlife highlights of 2017, including wood warblers and the charmingly-named hairyfooted bees.Time 10.45am, cost: free to Torquay Museum Society members, £5.00 for non-members.

Torquay Museum, 529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HG 01803 293975 torquaymuseum.org 46

February/March 2018

On the walk you will find out about the work that the National Trust rangers do to care for this special place.

This walk takes place within the garden and estate of Greenway. Free event but normal admission applies.

Time: 11.30am-12.15pm. Children and dogs on leads are welcome, parking must be pre-booked.

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

The River Bovey, Torre Abbey 23 February One of a series of Friday lectures given by John Risdon englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

What’s On on the catchment of the River Teign, highlighting its incredibly varied landscape and communities and how they have evolved over the past centuries. Cost: £7 per lecture.

The Learning Lab, Torre Abbey, Kings Drive, Torquay, TQ2 5JE. 01803 293593 torre-abbey.org.uk

will get the heart pumping. There are two 5K loops so you can stop after one if you wish. Dress for trail running – routes are muddy with tree roots and other hazards.

Dogs on leads are welcome. Time: registration at 8.30am .

Coleton Fishacre, Brownstone Road, Kingswear TQ6 0EQ 01803 842382 national-trust.org.uk

Uncrowned Queens of the Desert, Torquay 24 February Peter Harrigan is director of Medina Publishing and Arabian Publishing and contributing editor for Aramco Magazine and an authority on Gertrude Bell. Peter will talk about Gertrude Bell (1868 - 1926): explorer, alpinist, writer, photographer, founder of Iraq’s national Museum, British political officer, arabist, and confident of a hashemite king. He will examine Bell’s remarkable multi-faceted legacy in a turbulent region as the modern Middle East emerged and will consider other lesser known but equally extraordinary western women who left their own enduring marks in Arabia. Time: 11am, ticket price £5, plus a 50% discount on Torquay Museum entry ticket available.

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

Canine Cockington 25 February, 11 & 18 March From canine first aid, to dog behaviour and training, plus pop-up stalls for pups – join Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust at Cockington Visitor Centre for a series of different talks and events for you and your pet. Time: 1.30pm. Places limited so booking essential (online). Free but donations welcomed for the Cockington Green Heart Appeal. Further details on website.

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

Trust10 Trail Run, Coleton Fishacre 25 February & 25 March A free monthly 10k trail run along the rugged South West Coast Path and through Coleton Fishacre garden. Free, fun, informal, forever and for everyone. This route has a number of steep ascents and descents throughout, which englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Scotching the Stereotypes, Torquay 27 February In her biography of Sabine Baring-Gould, Rebecca Tope challenges some of the myths surrounding the tireless Victorian squire, parson, folk-song collector and chronicler of life in Devon who also remodeled his family home Lewtrenchard Manor on Dartmoor. Time 10.45am, cost: free to Torquay Museum Society members, £5.00 for non-members.

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

Mindfulness Walk, Greenway 28 February Roselle Angwin, a Devon-based writer and zen practitioner, will be leading a mindfulness walk to help you connect with the woodland garden. Walking among trees has documented health benefits. Bring a notebook - there will be moments for creative inspiration too. Cost: £8, time: 11am, booking essential, admission applies. Suitable for 12 years plus, assistance dogs welcome. Car parking must be prebooked.

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

Man Sands Beach Clean 2 March English Riviera Countryside Rangers will be leading a beach clean at Man Sands Beach, not far from Coleton Fishacre as February/March 2018

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February/March 2018

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What’s On part of the Great British Spring Clean 2018. Time: 11am1pm, children welcome accompanied by adult, dogs on leads welcome. Parking at Man Sands Car Park (National Trust members free). There is a steep downhill walk to beach – meet at beach. Booking not needed.

Man Sands Beach, Man Sands Lane, Kingswear TQ5 0AJ 01803 752776 nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre

The Bovey Basin, Torre Abbey 2 March One of a series of Friday lectures given by John Risdon on the catchment of the River Teign, highlighting its incredibly varied landscape and communities and how they have evolved over the past centuries. Cost: £7 per lecture.

The Learning Lab, Torre Abbey, Kings Drive, Torquay, TQ2 5JE. 01803 293593 torre-abbey.org.uk

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

Greenway Garden Blitz 7 March The garden team will blitz an overgrown or neglected area of garden - can you help? The work involves cutting down or digging out weeds, brambles, overgrown shrubs and moving debris to the shredder or bonfire. No gardening skills are necessary. Taking part in a garden blitz is a great chance to meet like-minded people, burn a few calories and explore parts of Greenway garden. Tea and cake as well as garden tools are supplied. Unsuitable event for dogs. Time: 9.30am – 4pm, free event but booking essential.

Greenway House, Kingswear TQ5 0ES 01803 661905 nationatrust.org.uk/greenway

Artist in Residence 4 March On selected dates in spring, artist in residence Jo Turner will be in the garden capturing the views of Coleton Fishacre.

Drawing materials will be available for visitors of any age who are inspired by Coleton Fishacre and Jo’s work. Free event but normal admission applies. Children welcome, dogs on leads welcome. Weather dependent. Times: 11am – 2pm.

Coleton Fishacre, Brownstone Road, Kingswear TQ6 0EQ 01803 842382 national-trust.org.uk

Journey Through the Solar System, Torquay 6 March

Newton Abbot, The Lemon & Aller Brook, Torre Abbey 9 March

John Maclean FRAS take a close look at our ‘galactic address’ and uses images to explore emerging theories about the origins of the solar system. Time 10.45am, cost: free to Torquay Museum Society members, £5.00 for non-members.

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

One of a series of Friday lectures given by John Risdon on the catchment of the River Teign, highlighting its incredibly varied landscape and communities and how they have evolved over the past centuries. Cost: £7 per lecture.

The Learning Lab, Torre Abbey, Kings Drive, Torquay, TQ2 5JE. 01803 293593 torre-abbey.org.uk

Wilfred Owen: Postcards from Torquay 7 March

Marine Conservation Zones, Torquay 13 March

Azucena Keatley presents her new biography of Wildred Owen and reveals the poet’s little known connections with Torquay. Time 10.45am, cost: free to Torquay Museum Society members, £5.00 for non-members.

Ed Parr Ferris, a conservation officer with Devon Wildlife Trust for over 20 years talks about the importance of Marine Conservation Zones including those at Wembury and Torquay. Time 10.45am, cost: free to Torquay Museum Society members, £5.00 for non-members.

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

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

February/March 2018

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01803 611420 www.saundersandlingard.co.uk 50

February/March 2018

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What’s On Devon Pixies, Torquay 14 March

Nature Walk, Occombe 21 March

Phil Badcott, Torquay Museum Society member and local historian draws on 19th century Devon writers, William Crossing and Eliza Bray as well as local poets, to explore the tradition of Dartmoor as the haunt of the famous Devon Pixie. Time 10.45am, cost: free to Torquay Museum Society members, £5.00 for non-members.

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

Join Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust’s ranger for a stroll at Occombe, looking at signs of spring and tasting some wild edible plants along the way. Includes a hot drink at the Yurt on your return. Cost: £7, suitable for adults, time: 10am – 12 noon, book online.

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

Teign Estuary, Torre Abbey 16 March One of a series of Friday lectures given by John Risdon on the catchment of the River Teign, highlighting its incredibly varied landscape and communities and how they have evolved over the past centuries. Cost: £7 per lecture.

The Learning Lab, Torre Abbey, Kings Drive, Torquay, TQ2 5JE. 01803 293593 torre-abbey.org.uk

Devon, Where Have You Been?

20 March Roger Saunders considers the global wanderings of that bit of land that became Devon in this fascinating introduction to plate tectonics. Time 10.45am, cost: free to Torquay Museum Society members, £5.00 for nonmembers.

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

Hallucinations, Torquay 21 March Hilary O’Nions has a background in literature and medieval studies and has studied neurology. In her talk, Hallucinations: Expanding the Mind in Art, Literature and Neurology, she shares her lifelong interest in the brain, the mind and consciousness. Time 10.45am, cost: free to Torquay Museum Society members, £5.00 for non-members.

Torquay Museum, 529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HG 01803 293975 torquaymuseum.org englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Classic Cakes, Occombe 25 March Enjoy a day of cake making to include the classic British favourites of lemon drizzle, coffee & walnut and raspberry bakewell plus an American spiced apple and apricot cake from across the pond! Cost: £75 includes light lunch, suitable for adults, booking essential, time: 10am – 4pm.

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

Tots Go Wild, Occombe 26 March Become a little farmer for the morning; help feed farm animals and make your very own baby lamb to take home. Run by Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust.

Cost: £5, suitable for: toddlers-5 yrs, (babies can come free). An adult must accompany children. Dress children warmly. Booking online.

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

History & Culture of Apple Growing 27 March Simon Akeroyd, author of 15 muchpraised gardening books, takes us on a fascinating cultural journey from the Garden of Eden to the present day whilst also providing practical tips on apple-growing in small gardens.

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

Torquay Museum, 529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HG 01803 293975 torquaymuseum.org February/March 2018

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Find out more at www.tallyhoholidays.co.uk 52

February/March 2018

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What’s On Reptile Ramble, Paignton Zoo 28 March Enjoy a special after-hours guided tour of Reptile Tropics and Crocodile Swamp and get an exclusive opportunity to watch the zoo’s crocodiles being fed. Enjoy a rare chance to meet experienced keepers and experts in reptile conservation. Also, enjoy a bowl of chilli con carne, a presentation and Q&A session with the keepers. Time: 6.30pm, cost: £30.00 per person, minimum age: 8 years.

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

on Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust’s Springtime quest? Please note: the nature trail and orchard will be shut off to all those not attending the Quest. Time: 10am-3pm, cost: £2.50, all ages, children must be accompanied by an adult.

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

Easter Egg Hunt, Coleton Fishacre 30 March – 15 April Can you follow the trail of clues around the garden to lead you to your chocolate reward? Cost: child £2.50, booking not needed, normal admission applies. Dogs on leads welcome. Times: 10.30am – 4pm.

Coleton Fishacre, Brownstone Road, Kingswear TQ6 0EQ 01803 842382 national-trust.org.uk

Easter Egg Hunt, Greenway 30 March – 15 April

Marianne North: Botanical Artist & Explorer 28 March Dr Lisa Coles tells the story of this intrepid Victorian woman’s travels to remote parts of the world to record exotic flora. Marianne developed the only permanent solo exhibition by a woman painter in Britain, at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, where visitors still flock to see her exquisite work. Time 10.45am, cost: free to Torquay Museum Society members, £5.00 for non-members.

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

Can you find the hidden chocolate eggs? To make sure you have loads of fun along the way, take a map and follow the clues to point you in the right direction, a delicious treat will be waiting for you at the end. Cost: Child £2.50, booking not needed, admission applies.

Times: 10.30am – 4pm. Dogs on leads are welcome.

Parking must be prebooked.

Greenway House, Kingswear TQ5 0ES 01803 661905 nationatrust.org.uk/greenway

Cockington Explorer Challenge 30 March – 13 April

The Really Wild Egg Hunt, Paignton Zoo 30 March – 2 April

Collect a challenge pack from the Visitor Centre and set off on an adventure around the park with your little explorers. Time: 11am-3pm daily, cost: £2. Managed

by Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust.

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

A weekend of Easter fun at the zoo! Check website for details.

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

Easter Activities at Cockington Court 30 March – 15 April

Occombe Spring Quest 30 March – 13 April

Enjoy fun Easter activities at Cockington Court.

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

Spring has Sprung at Occombe! Can you solve the clues

Holding an event in April or May?

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

February/March 2018

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Occombe Farm

Half term holiday family fun!

HALF TERM DISCOVERY TRAIL

The OCCOMBE

VA L E NT I N E Q U E ST Monday 12 - Friday 16 February 10am - 3pm Discover how our local wildlife live and love at this special time of year. Follow our Quest to find our who loves who the best! £2.50 per person.

Fun for all ages.

Kids’ Winter Warmer Cookery Monday 12th & Wednesday 14th February 10am - 4pm £32 per child. Ages 7-12yrs. Booking essential

Meet Our Animals

Tuesday 13th & Friday 16th February 10am - 11am £3 per person. Suitable for all ages. Booking essential

Occombe Kids’ Holiday Club Thursday 15th February 8.30am - 4.30pm

£40 per child. Ages 7-12yrs. Booking essential For more information about these events and more call us or visit our website.

Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust

www.countryside-trust.org.uk 01803 520 022 English Riviera Magazine 0118.indd 1

11/01/2018 16:38:49

We’ll be poppin’ up at an event near you!

2018 looks set to be a busy year for the Bays Pop-Up Bar, visit our website to find out where we are and drop in for a pint...

f baysbrewery t @baysbrewery As well as being available in good establishments throughout Torbay and Devon you can also buy online or by phone.

Call us now to place your order 01803 555004 or buy online at www.baysbrewery.co.uk 54

February/March 2018

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! e t u n i M a h Laug

nual y show and the an ed m co a ok bo to year days of riotous It’s a great time of the Flavel offers 3 at al iv st Fe y ed ch.

Dar tmouth Com fun from 1 – 3 Mar e ut in m agga s and raucou Jonny Awsum Steve Shanyaski Kicking off the fun on Thursday evening is endlessly charming Steve Shanyaski. His cheeky, roguish warmth combines surreal observations with wildly tangential imaginings in his off-kilter set pieces.

He leads his audiences, Pied Piper-like, down the charming avenues of his inner mind until they are fully immersed in ‘Stevie World’.

Thursday 1 March, 8pm, tickets £14

Saturday afternoon brings Jonny Awsum’s family show for kids of all ages from 5 to 105 filled with Jonny’s unique combination of music and laughter featuring ‘This is a Musical’ and ‘The Triangle Song’ as seen on Britain’s Got Talent and the very best of Jonny’s live shows. The show will be followed by a meet and greet session with Jonny and a photo opportunity with the bowler hats made famous by Ant and Dec. ‘Brilliantly funny… we couldn’t want for anything more!’ David Walliams.

Saturday 3 March, 2pm.

Adult tickets £14, £12 for under 18s, family ticket £45 (2 x adult + 2 x children) Anna Morris

Richard Herring On Friday evening is ‘The Podfather’ (Guardian) and star of Radio 4’s ‘Relativity’, Richard Herring with his “gloriously infantile” new show ‘Oh Frig, I’m 50.’ This follows on from ‘Oh F***, I’m 40!’ as he examines how his life has changed, from irresponsible, single kidult, literally fighting his way through a mid-life crisis, to married father who is half-way to the telegram from the Queen (though, given she will be 140 in 2067, she might forget to send it). “A delight in mischief, provocation and inspired rudeness.”

(Guardian)

Friday 2 March, 8pm, tickets £18

On Saturday evening we meet Georgina (star of Georgina’s Wedding Blogs) who is getting married at the Flavel and it’s got to be perfect. She’s having 100 wedding rehearsals first and YOU are invited. ‘It’s Got To Be Perfect’ is a high energy, semi-improvised show in which anything can, and will happen! Performed by critically acclaimed character comedian Anna Morris, star of Comic Relief and Channel 4’s Lee & Dean, Georgina is on the verge of a wedding-related breakdown. Can the audience help her hold it together? With shambolic attempts at entertaining her guests, outrageous wedding plans, ridiculous rules and crazy commands, audience members are roped into playing the most important wedding roles culminating in a shocking finale. Anna Morris won Funny Women’s Best Show Award 2016.

Saturday 3 March, 8pm, tickets £16

All tickets are available from the Flavel Box Office on 01803 839530 or online at: theflavel.org.uk The Flavel Arts Centre, Flavel Place, Dartmouth TQ6 9ND englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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ArtsRoundUp

We bring you a roundup of arts events and workshops happening locally.

Torquay’s Artizan Gallery & Café

small number of national and international applicants exhibiting each month providing an opportunity to see works not available anywhere else in the South West.

Exhibitions:

Artist Previews 2 February & 9 March 6-8pm

Artizan Series Show 2 February - 2 March

Pop in and enjoy this preview evening with a complimentary glass of wine and exclusive preview evening commission reductions, should you be in the mood to buy.

Artizan welcomes an exclusive new show to the gallery as part of their 2018 series, bringing a unique collection of artworks to the main exhibition space.

The Artizan Garden Salon Open Show Open from 2 February – 23 December Pop in to see Artizan’s new year-round, open exhibition, displaying a diverse collection of works from across the South West in a salon style showcase. In the Courtyard Exhibition Space, Artizan is welcoming experienced and up-andcoming artists including first time exhibitors.

You’ll be able to view a dynamic and broad array of works from a wealth of talented artists. With new works added monthly, this constantly evolving show promises to offer new interests for art-lovers every visit.

You’ll also get a preview of main show exhibitors a month prior to their exhibitions. There will also be a

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February/March 2018

March Exhibition Works of Veronica Charlesworth and Michael MacDonagh Wood 9 – 30 March Recent arrivals to the South Devon area, expert watercolourists, and husband and wife duo, Michael MacDonagh Wood and Veronica Charlesworth, offer their first Devon exhibition since 2006, curating a selection of stunning watercolour works for which the pair is internationally renowned. Veronica focuses on capturing the natural world in vivid still life, floral works and landscape paintings, whilst Michael is noted for the capture of the fluid spaces where architecture and water meet in stunning Venice scenes.

Cocktails & Conversation 1 February & 8 March 6.30-8.30pm Artizan Gallery welcomes you to their monthly Cocktails and Conversation, where the networking and the drinks are sure to sparkle! You will be

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

able to exclusively preview exciting monthly exhibitions before they open to the public. You’ll enjoy bespoke cocktails and canapés prepared by the legendary team from Panache. In February guest speaker is Frank Sobey.

The evening will close with a cocktail demonstration from talented mixologists. Tickets include a welcome ‘Bubbles’ cocktail and drinks token for a second drink from the menu. Every month, there will be a new menu of four cocktails. Non-alcoholic options will also be available.

Tickets £15 Booking Essential

Other Great Arts & Crafts Events

An Introduction to Creative Writing with Harula Ladd 5 February & 5 March 7-10pm

It’s in the Doodle, Dartington 3 February

Join creative writer and workshop facilitator Harula Ladd in this inspiring space to nurture your inner muse and ‘cook up’ some soul food. Harula says, “I lead workshops using a variety of exercises, writing both individually and as a group, to support people in using writing as a tool for self exploration and creative personal discovery.”

Tickets £7 (or £25 for 5 sessions) Contact harulaladd@yahoo.com

Stanza Extravaganza 26 February & 26 March With monthly poetry at Artizan Gallery welcoming a wealth of local talent and national headliners, Stanza Extravaganza is a real highlight of the Torbay poetry scene. With regular hosts Robert Garnham and Becky Nuttall at the helm, these events are always guaranteed to be a night of wonderful whimsy!

Doors Open 7.15 pm Performance 7.30pm, tickets: £5

Arts

Riviera Art Fair, Torquay 3-25 February Members of Brixham Art Society will be joining Torbay Guild of Artists and Devon Art Society for an exhibition of paintings and greetings cards by local artists. Free Entry. Times: 11am-4pm daily.

Spanish Barn, Torre Abbey, The King’s Drive, Torquay TQ2 5JE

Try this one-day workshop with artist/ illustrator Claudia Schmid. You’ll explore step-by-step doodling - examining - extracting - transforming. Anyone who enjoys doodling and/or is curious how to create artwork starting from doodles is welcome - no previous skills needed. Time: 10am-4pm, cost: £70 to include basic materials and refreshments.

Suitable for: 15 years up.

Arts Lab, Space Studio 20, Dartington Hall Estate TQ9 6EA 01803 847070 dartington.org

Lady Butler… Battle Artist. Torquay 8 February Enjoy a fascinating Arts Society lecture by Felicity Herring on Lady Butler....Battle Artist. Lady Butler was a British artist and Victorian lady, one of the very few female painters to gain recognition and fame for history paintings, especially military battle scenes. Time: 2.15pm, cost: £8, visitors welcome.

The Peter Larkin Hall, St Matthias Church Centre, Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HW 01803 298440 / 01803 311648 torbaydfas.org.uk

Acoustic Nights 19 February & 19 March Curated by the fabulous Robert Spence, the Artizan Acoustic Sessions are, an unplugged, open-mic evening of laidback music and melody featuring talented local performers and exciting guest sets. Special guest in February is Steve Jenner and the March session features Greg Hancock, both highly successful singer/guitarists.

Doors open 7pm, performance 7.30pm. Tickets: £4

All at: 7 Lucius Street, Torquay, TQ2 5NZ 01803 428626/07522509642 artizan gallery.co.uk f artizangallery Also check out art-hub.co.uk englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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ARTIZAN GALLERY 2018 EXHIBITION SERIES FEBRUARY SHOW // 02/02 - 02/03 ARTIZAN ARTISTS SHOWCASE MARCH SHOW // 09/03 - 30/03 VERONICA CHARLESWORTH & MICHAEL MACDONAGH WOOD PICTURED WORKS // TOP: VERONICA CHARLESWORTH // BOTTOM: MICHAEL MACDONAGH WOOD

ARTIZAN GALLERY 7 LUCIUS STREET TORQUAY TQ2 5UW 01803 428626 ARTIZANGALLERY.CO.UK ART-HUB.CO.UK

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Torbay Financial Services

YOUR SOUTHWEST FINANCIAL ADVISERS We’ve been giving great advice for 18 years and can help you with...

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Get in touch for first-rate, straightforward advice that will exceed your expectations Contact: Paul Ginley - Financial Adviser | 01803 411460 / 07891 614559 | PaulGinley@thinkpositive.co.uk Jacqui Ginley - Office Manager | 07538 457348 | Jacqui@torbayfinancialservices.co.uk

www.torbayfinancialservices.co.uk 66 Fore Street, St Marychurch, Torquay TQ1 4LX Torbay Financial Services is a trading style of positive Solutions (Financial Services) Ltd and is authorised and regulated by the financial conduct authority.

Registered in England and Wales No 3276760.

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Arts Anglo Saxon Treasures. Torquay 15 February Treat yourself to an Arts Society day of special interest with Mark Cottle. Discover the Sutton Hoo Burials, the treasures of a powerful Anglo-Saxon warlord and examine The Lindisfarne Gospels - the most impressive works of art of the whole medieval period. There will be 3 illustrated lectures, partly interactive, supported by handouts in a course file. Tea/coffee throughout the day plus lunch are included. Registration: 10am, cost: £35.00.

St Matthias Church Centre, Babbacombe Rd, Torquay TQ1 1HW 01803 200703 / 01803 311648 torbaydfas.org.uk

we will explore how artists and spectators make and experience art with their bodies, blurring distinctions between movement, dance and drawing.” Jonathan is a London based artist with 20 years’ experience exhibiting his work in the UK, Europe and the USA. Times: 10am- 4pm, cost: £140 for the weekend to include basic materials and refreshments.

Arts Lab, Space Studio 20, Dartington Hall Estate TQ9 6EA 01803 847070 dartington.org

The History of Devon Gardens, Torquay 8 March Garden-lovers shouldn’t miss this Arts Society lecture by renowned historian Dr Todd Gray MBE who will be exploring the Archival Resources of Devon’s Garden History. Time: 2.15pm, cost: £8, visitors welcome.

The Peter Larkin Hall, St Matthias Church Centre, Babbacombe Rd, Torquay TQ1 1HW 01803 298440 / 01803 311648 torbaydfas.org.uk

Crafted – Make Your Own Kimono, Dartington 17 & 18 February Make a gorgeous, versatile, unisex kimono for yourself or a loved one on this weekend course. Under the experienced guidance of Jane Norris you will make a lined kimono with sash and three-quarter length sleeves.

As well as sharing instruction and sewing techniques, Jane will also explain what makes kimono construction elegant and poetic, helping participants to understand the engineering behind the simplicity. Source your own material, fabric details on website. Times: 9.30am – 4pm each day, cost: £120, booking essential.

Chicken Shed Studios, Schumacher College, Dartington Hall Estate TQ9 6EA 01803 947070 dartington.org

Do Be Do Be Do, The Touching Eye, Dartington 24 & 25 February Enjoy a 2-day workshop with Jonathan McCree.

“Weaving together drawing, movement and film making, englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Crafted: Shaker Peg Rail, Dartington 24 March Make a practical and beautiful Shaker-style peg rail using traditional techniques and super sharp woodworking tools. This is a great introduction to woodwork and you’ll learn: how to make a wedged tenon joint, various drawknife and spoke-shaving techniques on a shavehorse and how to make dowels with a rotary plane. You will be using local ash or oak to make a useful peg rail up to four-feet long. Cost: £60 to include materials.

Chicken Shed Studios, Schumacher College, Dartington Hall Estate TQ9 6EA 01803 847070 dartington.org February/March 2018

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OPEN Monday - Saturday 10-4.30

Your creative adventure starts here!

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

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

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

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Local Reads!

Riviera Books

We catch up with some new local publications...

Bay Heritage Walks Torbay Libraries with funding from the Heritage lottery fund have published three pamphlets describing short walks in Brixham, Paignton and Torquay. They highlight architecture, places and events of historical note along the way. They are produced with the help of research and photography from the libraries’ local history groups and volunteers.

Torbay Through Time This book is the result of local history workshops with Eden Park Primary School Academy, Roselands Primary School, Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Nursery & Primary School and Shiphay Learning Academy. It includes much of the children’s work, along with photos and resources from the Torbay Libraries Local Studies archive to highlight important events in Torbay’s past, and celebrate the important part that Torbay itself has played in history.

Available from all Torbay libraries, cost £5.

Sister Mabelle Welsh and the American Women’s War Hospital During the First World War, Paris Singer offered Oldway Mansion to the War Office as a hospital.

Funded by the American Women’s War Relief Fund, it was staffed through the American Red Cross.

One of the Red Cross volunteers. Sister Mabelle Welsh, kept a journal during her time there, which historian Samantha Little has drawn upon to present a unique insight into the life in the hospital, complete with contributions from its patients and rare images of wartime Paignton, Paris Singer himself and the mansion as a hospital.

All of these publications are available free from all Torbay Libraries

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Flight

by Paula Lucas Paula was born and raised in Australia and lived and worked around the world with her husband Arthur before settling in Paignton in 2014.

Her first book was entitled Don’t say G’day to the Queen, a collection of the pieces first broadcast on the BBC under the imprint Siligalah.

Flight, her first novel made the long-list in the 2017 MsLexia First Novel competition. Flight is about Australians Helen and Ian Butler who have lived in London with their children for ten years. Ian is happy in his dream job but Helen is feeling homesick. After a visit back to see her sick father Helen is left torn between her two homes on opposite sides of the world. A hugely readable and beautifully written book that captures the essence of families and human relationships.

Available from all good bookshops for £9.45 ISBN 978-0-9564292-1-6 February/March 2018

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Treading the boards Babbacombe Theatre Box Office 01803 328385 Editor’s pick Starshine 13 February – 24 October This spectacular new variety show promises an abundance of sidesplitting comedy, powerful vocalists delivering dynamic songs, and elegant, exciting dance routines. Enjoy headline act Ben Nickless as well as popular West End vocalist Paul Cobley, singers Becky Bennet and Sami-Jane, funnyman David Arnold, international illusionist Matricks and many more superb performers.

Also worth seeing…

Tim Vine – Sunset Milk Idiot 22 & 23 February Milton Jones is Out There 16 March

Ellen Kent’s La Traviata 16 February Little Theatre, Torquay Box Office 01803 299330 Editor’s pick Sleuth 19 – 24 March Andrew Wyke is a mystery writer whose house reflects his obsession with game playing. He lures his wife’s lover, Milo Trindle, to the house and convinces him to stage a robbery of his wife’s jewellery. A proposal that sets off a chain of events where it’s not clear where Wyke’s imagination ends and reality begins. A TOADS season production.

Also worth seeing…

Around the World in 80 Days 21-24 February

Princess Theatre, Torquay Box Office 0844 8713023 Editor’s pick Evita 13 – 17 March

Following its smash hit run at London’s Dominion Theatre, Bill Kenwright’s production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita brings us some of the most iconic songs in musical theatre including Don’t Cry For Me Argentina.

Starring two of musical theatre’s most outstanding leading performers: Madalena Alberto returns to the role of Eva, a role for which she received critical acclaim in the 2014 West End revival. In the role of Che, fresh from the recent West End production, is Gian Marco Schiaretti.

Also worth seeing…

Flashdance – The Musical 26 February – 3 March 62

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Brixham Theatre Box Office 01803 882717 Editor’s pick BOADS presents Snow White 14 – 17 February Join the Brixham amateur drama group, BOADS, for all the excitement of family pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Also worth seeing: Revan and Fennell – Sketch Comedy 3 March

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Flavel Arts Centre Dartmouth Box Office 01803 839530 Editor’s pick NTLIVE Cat On a Hot Tin Roof 22 February

Y OU

Captured live in front of an audience, Tennessee Williams’ twentieth century masterpiece Cat on a Hot Tin Roof played a strictly limited season in London’s West End in 2017 and stars Sienna Miller, Jack O’Connell and Colm Meaney. On a steamy night in Mississippi, a Southern family gather at their cotton plantation to celebrate Big Daddy’s birthday. The scorching heat is almost as oppressive as the lies they tell.

Also worth seeing…

RSCLIVE Twelfth Night 14 February ROHLIVE The Winter’s Tale 2 8 February Palace Theatre, Paignton Box Office 01803 665800 Editor’s pick Revenge 14 – 17 February

A political thriller with a twist by Robin Hawdon presented

by Bijou Theatre Productions. Revenge is a mystery about an ambitious MP and business tycoon, visited in his luxury Mayfair apartment by an unknown woman who turns out to know a great deal more about his activities than she should do. Edge of the seat stuff.

Also worth seeing…

Black Magic – The Little Mix Show 10 February The Barber of Seville, Rossini 24 February

An Exciting Evening of Extraordinary Entertainment

Tuesdays & Wednesdays 8.15pm 13th February - 24th October Matinee: Wednesday 22rd August 2.30pm Tickets: £22, Seniors £20, Children £11

Thursday 22nd & Friday 23rd February 8pm (Friday SOLD OUT)

All Tickets £23.50

Sunset Milk Idiot Multi-platinum vocal harmony group

Saturday March Tickets: VIP (Meet & Greet) £75, Adults3rd £25.50, Child7.30pm £22.50 Tickets VIP (Meet & Greet) £75 Adults £27.50 Seniors/Child £24.50

Milton Jones

...IS OUT THERE

Tickets: VIP (Meet & Greet) £75, Adults £25.50, Child £22.50

Friday 16th March 8pm Tickets £26

£2 booking fee - NO CREDIT CARD CHARGES APPLIED

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

DY ME O C AR TV ST

Box Office (01803) 328385 February/March 2018

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It’s fun to do all sorts of things at the

YMCA South Devon has been active in Torbay for over 100 years. Julian Rees visits the Dartmouth Road centre to meet CEO Maria Goodwin and her team to find out more.

I

f you grew up in the Bay there’s a good chance you Youth Work, all day during term time. As well as these encountered the South Devon YMCA. I recall playing support services there is also a fully equipped nursery in the Paperboys’ 5-a-side football league and long which in 2017 maintained its Good Ofsted rating across 4 summer days at the centre’s skateboard ramp (the only key judgement areas. The nursery offers 30 hours funded one in Devon at that time) back in the early 1980s. With places, flexible sessions and has space to accommodate happy memories in tow I visit the centre to meet Maria new children.

Goodwin, the current CEO. The youth work team have been providing essential Maria has been with the YMCA for 9 years, initially daytime placements for young people for 10 years and joining as Youth Works Manager after a career in schools assist those that find mainstream education difficult to and moving up to CEO 4 years ago. She tells me that cope with. It offers a 1:1 mentored learning service that the YMCA has actually been active in Torbay for over offers a broad range of activities. The centre has a wooded 100 years with its original premises in Palace Avenue, area and log cabin for forest school sessions, two kitchens Paignton. The current building on Dartmouth Road for cooking and baking, a sports hall, an outside basket was opened in 1969 by the late Queen Mother after ball court, a garden for growing vegetables and flowers the charity benefited from a plus computers and laptops In 2017 the nursery maintained funding boost of over £30,000 for more formal learning. which at the time was a very Maria introduces me to Karl its Good Ofsted rating across 4 key substantial amount of money.

Allen-Dobson, one of the judgement areas.

At the time the new centre centre’s youth workers. Karl, was considered “attractive enough to compete with all the a former Lance Corporal in the Grenadier Guards, who up-to-date mediums of youthful entertainment”. History was medically discharged in 2006 after being injured in relating to the former premises is rather patchy and Iraq, has recently won 2 cycling gold medals in the 2017 Maria would love to hear from anyone who has photos or Invictus Games. He retrained as a youth worker and memories of the YMCA prior to 1969. has worked at the YMCA ever since. Maria cites Karl’s The South Devon centre, like all other YMCAs is an attitude, dedication and achievement as an inspiration to autonomous body that works within the framework of the youngsters who regularly use the centre. the organisation’s Christian beliefs and addresses the The grounds and centre are well looked after and needs of the local community - in this case, childcare the nursery garden has won Bay In Bloom awards. The and education. Maria explains how the YMCA provides brightly coloured and imaginatively accessorised outdoor assistance in several areas - Playwork, an after school club spaces are utilised to the utmost and provide a safe and that runs from 3pm until 6pm during term time, Holiday exciting play environment for the nursery as well as a Club from 8am until 6pm during school holidays, and relaxing space for older children.

“

”

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Charities & Volunteering The centre is run by 27 paid staff and 7 volunteers. It costs over £400,000 a year to run the centre and Maria spends much of her time writing funding bids and making grant applications. The centre generates additional income by hiring its sports hall and outdoor court but any shortfall in funding has to be met by fundraising.

There are regular quiz nights, bazaars, a barn dance and an annual May Ball, this year being held at the Imperial Hotel on 12 May - look out for more events in our What’s On section.

Maria explains that it in the current financial climate it is becoming increasingly more difficult to develop the services the centre would like to offer. One particular area is hidden homelessness, where young people leave home without a proper place to live and end up ‘sofahopping’ with friends. She would like to be able to fund improvements to the centre to provide emergency overnight accommodation.

The YMCA are also one of the chosen charities for the online Torbay Lottery (torbaylottery.co.uk) so if you’d like to offer support in this way sign up for the lottery and choose YMCA as your cause and they will receive half of your ticket money!

If you’d like to volunteer or get involved in fundraising call 01803 551578 or visit the website.o ymcasouthdevon.org.uk

“

The Queen Mother in 1969

Karl Allen-Dobson (Youth Support Worker), Maria Goodwin and Ken McKeating (Childcare Manager)

The brightly coloured and imaginatively accessorised outdoor spaces are utilsed to the upmost and provide a safe and exciting play environment for the nursery as well as a relaxing space for older children. ”

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Choosing the Perfect

Wedding Venue We are spoilt for choice with some truly spectacular wedding venues in and around the English Riviera. We’ve chosen a handful to inspire you.

New ! The Hayloft at Cockington New for 2018, a private two-storey, intimate space, The Hayloft has been created at Cockington Court, a stunning venue that is hugely popular for weddings.

With a ceremony room on the first floor and food and drinks served on the ground floor, The Hayloft is perfect for parties of up to 30 people. There’s also a larger ceremony room on the first floor of the Grade II listed Manor House; the Cary Room accommodates up to 55 guests. The Space is also available to hire for pre and post wedding catering for up to 55 people. Cockington Court is set in 460 acres of stunning parklands, gardens and water meadows. You can choose tailored catering from their delightful Tea Rooms and Cockington’s renowned craft makers can create handmade wedding gifts, flowers, favours, cards, cakes and jewellery especially for you.

01803 607230 cockingtoncourt.org

Wedding Showcase at Cockington On Sunday 25 February, Cockington Court is holding a Wedding Showcase so you can view the wedding rooms and find out about the specialist services that the tearooms, craft makers and local suppliers can offer. The new Hayloft will also be on show for the very first time.

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Riviera Weddings Spectacular Views at Berry Head Hotel The Berry Head Hotel has a most romantic waterside location. It overlooks the Bay on a great vantage point at Brixham with its charming inner harbour and stylish marina. The hotel offers wedding receptions for both formal and more relaxed occasions and can cater for 2 to 250 guests. This elegant hotel nestles right at the water’s edge in 6 acres of gardens and woodland and the perfect venue for some breathtakingly beautiful wedding photos. As a family run business for well over 20 years, the hotel’s team provides a very personal and professional service, traditional hospitality and delicious menus that can be tailored especially for you. It’s licensed for both indoor and outdoor civil ceremonies. The hotel offers well-appointed AA 3 Star accommodation with an indoor swimming pool, spa pool & sauna.

01803 853225 berryheadhotel.com

Toorak Hotel The Toorak, which was once a Victorian Villa has lovely south facing gardens and a great location not far from Torquay seafront. The Arlington Room with its adjoining cocktail bar leads onto a private terrace and the Chatsworth Ballroom with its separate entrance is ideal for an evening reception. The popular 3-star hotel can host civil ceremonies, as well as your wedding breakfast and evening reception for up to 200 guests.

Pre or post wedding pampering is available at the luxury Aztec Spa, all part of TLH Leisure Resort. Their new outdoor Wedding Gazebo is especially popular during the warmer months.

01803 400131 tlh.co.uk/weddings

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Berry Head Hotel

Fresh Fish straight from the Boats to your Plate Fine Wine Cellar and Local Ales ~ Daily Devonshire Cream Teas Brasserie and a la Carte Restaurant ~ Traditional Sunday Carvery Live Entertainment at the Weekends A stunning location for Weddings & Special Events with menus tailored to suit you Indoor Swimming, Spa Pool & Sauna Non-residents and families welcome Well appointed 3 star accommodation www.berryheadhotel.com

stay@berryheadhotel.com

01803 853225

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Riviera Weddings

New ! John Burton-Race Restaurant with Rooms The newly refurbished John Burton-Race Restaurant with Rooms is an exciting new addition to the weddings scene. It has delightful gardens plus bar, ballroom and fine dining restaurant run by renowned Executive Head Chef John Burton-Race. There’s a Secret Garden with pergola leading directly into the elegant ballroom, which has a dance-floor, stage and its own bar. There are 47 bedrooms plus indoor and outdoor pools. Inclusive wedding packages are available.

01803 294373 johnburtonracerestaurant.co.uk/ weddings

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

01803 559682 thepaigntonclub.co.uk/weddings

Kents Cavern Kents Cavern is possibly the most atmospheric place to get married in the South West. The natural caves date back beyond prehistoric times and brimming with spectacular features, including impressive stalactites and stalagmites formed over thousands of years. Kents Cavern has five separate underground caverns for unique civil ceremonies to surprise and delight your guests. Check out The Vestibule with its stalactite chandelier formation (up to 80 guests/wheelchair access), The Rocky Chamber with its natural Wedding Cake formation (up to 30 guests), The Inscription Chamber with high ceilings and a stone waterfall (up to 30 guests), The Bears’ Den with the echoes of falling water (up to 40 guests) and The Great Chamber with its displays of Stone Age Life (up to 100 guests).

01803 215136 kentscavern.co.uk/weddings englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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Love is in the air!

Sense the creativity

Valentines Trail 10th-18th February Find the trail of love hearts around Cockington Court. £1 for trail sheet and a treat – free for under 2’s.

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

Wedding Open Day Sunday 25th February, 11am-4pm Explore our award-winning venue and visualise your special day in one of the most romantic venues in Torquay!

Discuss our bespoke wedding offer with our co-ordinators and craft makers.

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

The Paignton Club, established in 1885.

It’s perfectly placed to capture panoramic views across the bay and is open six days every week for wining, dining and relaxing.

Available for weddings and private functions.

ThePaigntonClub

www.thepaigntonclub.co.uk

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

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

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Riviera Weddings

Riverside Romance - Sharpham House The Sharpham Trust’s spectacular setting beside the River Dart makes it a lovely wedding venue. You can choose from five elegant rooms in this Georgian Palladian mansion designed in 1770 by Sir Robert Taylor, all licensed to hold your civil wedding ceremony.

Many couples choose to hold their ceremony on Sharpham’s famous feature, the spectacular, oval, cantilevered staircase, rising three floors beneath a domed ceiling and lantern skylight. Each ceremony room is licensed for up to 60 guests. The two halls in house are available to book at no extra charge, to accommodate 120 guests. You can hire a marquee or a tipi to put on the lawns. Accommodation is available for up to 46 guests. Sharpham also hires out its Bathing House for honeymoons. Built in the 1770s, at the same time as Sharpham House, the Bathing House is on a bend in the river, below the main House; it’s the most idyllic spot.

01803 732842 sharphamtrust.org

Torbay.Wedding On this specialist local website you can browse a wide range of the very best Torbay-based wedding providers to include venues, caterers, bridal shops, photographers, cake makers, toastmasters, musicians, florists, chair covers, chocolate fountains, men’s suit hire and much more. Each wedding business profile offers various ways to get in touch including via social media. Torbay.Wedding offers affordable and effective advertising for local wedding suppliers.

The site was launched in September 2015 and based on its success they now have sites in Bristol, Oxfordshire, Isle of Wight and Exeter with 60 more planned for the coming 18 months including Plymouth, Cardiff, York and Edinburgh. torbay.wedding englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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Every Torbay based wedding supplier you’ll need is on

Torbay Wedding

www.torbay.wedding

s g n i d d e W at the

Toorak Hotel

Find us here too...

Wedding Fair Sunday 10 June 2018

Chestnut Ave, Torquay

• Outdoor wedding gazebo • Choice of venues for small & large weddings • Packages tailor-made for you • Civil ceremony rooms • Your wedding from £2600

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Call 01803 400131 englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Riviera Weddings

Dreaming of The Dress Gemma and Heather from Brides at Waterfields in Torquay helped create these dream looks with their wonderful wedding gowns and exquisite accessories. They are the exclusive local stockists for the renowned Maggie Sottero wedding dresses as well as other superb designers including Venus Bridal, Rebecca Ingram and True Bride.

Photography by Holly Collings. bridesatwaterfields.co.uk Cailin married her husband at the Toorak Hotel in Torquay, her dress was a fit and flare Maggie Sottero gown.

Jess had a winter wedding at Cockington Church and her reception at the Imperial Hotel, Torquay and wore a stunning Maggie Sottero gown called ‘Emma’.

Debbie had a lovely wedding at Cockington Church and her reception at the Livermead Cliff Hotel, Torquay and wore a trainless gown with lace from head to toe.

Rachel and Lisa had a beautiful wedding on Blackpool Sands englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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2018 SHORT BREAKS Fri 16th-Sun 18th March LONDON CITY BREAK 4* Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel (B&B)

£295pp based on 2 sharing*

Tower of London, Cabinet War Rooms, Thames River Cruise and a tour and afternoon tea at the Houses of Parliament

Thurs 14th-Monday 18th June CAMBRIDGE INC COLLEGES, CHAPELS, CATHEDRALS & SPITFIRES 4* Belfry Hotel (Dinner, B & B)

£390pp based on 2 sharing*

BOURNEMOUTH INC NEW FOREST & ISLE OF WIGHT 3* Suncliff Hotel (Dinner, B & B)

RELAX, SIT BACK & ENJOY! Airport & Hotel Transfers Short Breaks & Day Trips Private Hire for Groups Conferences Weddings

www.greycars.com

Kings College Chapel, Ely Cathedral, Imperial War Museum, Duxford

Mon 10th-Fri 14th Sept

greycarscoaches

Daneheath Business Park, Heathfield, Newton Abbot TQ12 6TL

£345pp based on 2 sharing*

01626 833038 bookings@greycars.com

Mottisfont House & Gallery, The New Forest, Day on The Isle of Wight Kingston Lacey House & Gardens * SINGLE SUPPLEMENT APPLIES

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

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

Images.

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#nationaltrust #nationaltrust

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Bees, Fruit & Romantic Flowers

Gardening

Lis Wallace of Dobies of Devon inspires us to get gardening this spring. “ Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle... a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light, a bud straining to unfurl. And the anticipation nurtures our dream. ” Barbara Winklers Minute by minute the days are getting longer. It won’t be long now before those of us who work will be able to see our gardens in the evenings rather than just at weekends.

Although we are sheltered here in Torbay, the weather is still likely to make the garden out of bounds for much of the time so make the most of the rare downtime and start planning. Dust off those gardening books and reach for your gardening catalogue.

Bee Friendly There’s been much in the press about toxic insecticide and the terrible impact it is having on bees. We need bees to pollinate our flowers, fruit and vegetables - not just in the garden but also more importantly in farming and food production. Gardeners are now frequently asking whether Dobies use neonicotinoids and we are pleased to reply that we apply no neonicotinoids to our seed and purchase only seed that has not been treated.

In addition, our vegetable and flower plug plants are grown in neonicotinoid-free growing media and only receive organic treatments.

Gardening Jobs for February and March: • Sow sweet peas now so that come summer you can fill the house with both colour and scent. 2018 marks the centenary of the end of the First World War, and in recognition we’ve put together a patriotic mix of beautiful red, white and blue sweet peas – Dobies Remembrance Mixed. Enjoy their bright blooms, enjoy their sweet scent, and never forget.

• Order plug plants for summer colour.

• For early veg sow now in pots under glass ready to plant out when spring arrives.

• This is your last chance to clean tools, seed trays and pots. Come March you’ll be needing them aplenty!

• Enjoy the garden from the inside by hanging bird feeders where you can watch the visitor’s antics through the window. Keep the feeders clean and full and remember to put out fresh water.

• Continue planting bare root trees and shrubs. If the ground is hard frozen then heel them in or plant temporarily in a pot until the ground thaws.

• Move any shrubs that are simply in the wrong place.

• Dobies Salad Leaves Winter Mix can be sown and grown in the greenhouse or on a windowsill. You’ll be harvesting them in no time and including them in the New Year ‘eat healthy’ diet

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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English Riviera Magazine is a FREE bi-monthly magazine.

We’ve done full Reader Surveys in 2015, 2016 and in 2017 and received an overwhelming ‘thumbs up’ for quality and content.

Torquay, St Marychurch, Babbacombe, Wellswood, Chelston, Livermead, Willows, Kingskerswell, Marldon, Cockington, Preston, Paignton, Brixham, Berry Head, Churston, Churston Ferrers, Broadsands, Galmpton, Hill Head and Kingswear.

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

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

Haddon Galleries 6/7 Victoria Parade,Torquay TQ1 2BB

Hobb Nobs 19/20 The Quay, Brixham TQ5 8AW

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

Chelston Post Office & Newsagents

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

Marldon Newsagents & Post Office

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

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

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

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24 Walnut Road, Torquay TQ2 6HS

Preston Post Office 337 Torquay Road, Paignton TQ3 2EP

Preston Down Road Post Office 111 Preston Down Road, Paignton TQ3 1DS Marldon Cross Hill, Marldon TQ3 1NE

Wellswood Place Post Office Ilsham Rd, Torquay TQ1 2JG

St Marychurch Post Office Fore Street, St Marychurch TQ1 4PR

Galmpton Post Office Stoke Gabriel Road, Galmpton TQ5 0NH

Churston Traditional Farm Shop Dartmouth Road, nr Brixham TQ1 2AF

Stoke Gabriel Stores Paignton Road, Stoke Gabriel TQ6 6RD

Broadpark Post Office 18 Roundhill Road, Livermead TQ2 6TH

Lowes Bridge Post Office 125 Newton Road, Torquay TQ2 7AJ

Marldon Hill Post Office 133 Marldon Road, Paignton TQ3 3NL

Cherrybrook News Cherrybrook Square, Hookhills, Paignton TQ4 7LY

Torquay Library Lymington Road, Torquay TQ1 3DT

Paignton Library Station Lane, Paignton TQ4 5AR

Churston Library Broadsands Road, Paignton TQ4 6LL

Brixham Library Market Street, Brixham TQ5 8EU

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About the magazine

Our very own distribution teams personally deliver 15,000 copies of English Riviera Magazine directly through-the-door into homes and businesses in the following areas:

Gardening Valentine’s - Love is in the Garden Instead of a bunch of garage flowers or a predictable box of chocolates, how about giving your gardening loved-one a selection of seeds this year? Many flowers speak the language of love – here are just a few: Love-in-a-Mist Nemesia Poetry Poppy Love Affair Mixed Cosmos White Knight Marigold Strawberry Blonde Salvia Firecracker Sunflower Big Smile

Grow Your Own Fruit

Diar y Dates

Traditionally most trees, including fruit and nut, were sold bare-rooted. It’s only our relatively new desire to plant all-year-round that has led to the growth of container-grown trees. A bare-rooted tree is one that has been dug up whilst dormant and then delivered with no soil around the roots. And no pot!

Now is the time for planting bare-root trees. Working with leading growers, we have selected varieties that give the finest flavour and growing resistance whilst also being suitable for the smaller gardens. Most fruit trees are grafted onto a rootstock to predetermine the size and vigour of the tree and give the best yields. Just remember to check to see whether the tree you choose is a selfpollinator or whether it needs a closely related chum.

Planting is best done soon after delivery but if this is not possible the trees will be fine in a cool but frost-free place for a few days. Perhaps an unheated shed or garage.

When you do come to plant, soak the roots first in a bucket of water for about 2 hours.

The planting hole needs to be deep enough for the old soil mark to be at ground level or just slightly below. It also needs to be wide enough to allow the roots to spread out. Refill the hole and gently tread down the surface.

Water thoroughly and repeat often.

Torquay & District Horticultural Society All talks are held at 7.30pm at the Livermead House Hotel.

21st February -’Plants of Dartmoor & the West Country with some Medicinal Properties’ with Paul Rendell.

14th March - Richard Horswood - ‘Successes & Failures of Growing Alpines’including growing in troughs & pots.

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

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Private View at Artizan Gallery Torquayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Artizan Gallery held a private viewing of their final show for 2017

Grace Clifford, Jacob Brandon, Xhenisa Kika, Julie Brandon and Becky Nuttall

Mr & Mrs Bawdrick

Michael and Veronica Wood

Pam Evans and Chris Moore

Warren Clayburn and Louise webb Colin Evans and Peter Moore

Lesley Bennetto, Cllr Nicole Amil and Jennifer Nicholson Sally Tibbets and Martin Bush

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WBW Solicitors reception

Social Diary

WBW Solicitors held an drinks reception at their Torquay office for clients and business associates.

Steve Bulman (WBW Solicitors) and Benson Campbell (BNI)

Tim Godfrey and Lauren Wade (Bishop Flemming) and Adrian Howard (Howard Financial)

Simon Fisher (Move with Absolute) and Laura Clarke (WBW Solicitors)

Paul Butler (Francis Clark) and Ashley Bevans (WBW Solicitors)

Justin Osborne (WBW Solicitors) and Peter Hodge (Marsland Nash)

Kevin Hext (Pavey Group), Giselle Sayed and Sarah Witheridge (WBW Solicitors)

Jacqui Bunn (Not Just Travel), Richard Blair (WBW Solicitors) and John Rowe (Francis Clark)

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Sandra Murphy, Mark Carr and Jenny Brennard (Maunders Funeral Services) and Kerry Curd (WBW Solicitors)

Lisa Howard (Howard Financial), Chelsea Durrant and Cheryl Fisher (Move with Absolute)

James Twigger (Accounting 4 Everything) and Rachel Rees (English Riviera Magazine)

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BusinessBreaks...

Going Underground

The Powe family has owned Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves since 1903 but Land Registry documents had only registered those parts above the ground or directly beneath. Now with the assistance of Philip Rallison, Partner at Wollen Michelmore Solicitors, Kents Cavern Ltd has been successful in getting a registered title to all the underground caves and passages that project beyond the surface footprint. Nick Powe said, “Recognition that the ownership of the land along with the underground caverns lies with Kents Cavern Ltd and having this recorded with the Land Registry ensures that the future conservation and protection of the caverns continues.” Philip Rallison said, “As a solicitor with many years experience of dealing with property and business related work in Torbay, completing the registration of this title has been an interesting and challenging aspect of my legal career. Nick Powe was also recently awarded the honour of ‘Outstanding Contribution to Tourism’ at the South Devon Tourism and Hospitality Awards 2017. o

parks offering boutique holiday caravans, luxury lodges, camping and touring, coupled with a wealth of facilities. o

Platinum Employer

South Devon College has been named as a leader in people management practice globally, having been ranked as a finalist in the ‘Platinum Employer of the Year (250 - 4,999 employees)’ category at the annual Investors in People Awards. Winners were announced at a spectacular awards ceremony and dinner in London.

Matthew Harbour, Vice Principal Curriculum, Quality and Performance at South Devon College said, “It is a privilege to be ranked as one of the highest performing IIP Platinum employers of the year. We are delighted to receive this extraordinary recognition which demonstrates the dedication and determination that makes South Devon College a great place to work and ensures that our excellent staff are empowered to inspire our community through learning.” o

Beverley Holidays’ National Award Beverley Holidays has won a bronze award at the British Travel Awards in London. The Beverley team was successful in flying the flag for family run businesses as it went head to head with national holiday park chains, scooping Bronze for ‘Best UK Family Holiday/Holiday Park Operator’. Known as the ‘Holiday Oscars’, success in the British Travel Awards is dictated entirely by consumer votes in what is the largest and most influential poll of consumer opinion among travel and tourism providers. This year the family business will celebrate its diamond anniversary with 60 years of welcoming visitors to the English Riviera. Beverley Holidays is a group of holiday 80

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Matthew Harbour, Vice Principal SDC and Kelly Sooben, HR Manager SDC

Devon Tourism Awards

The English Riviera won an outstanding six Gold Awards, one Special Award and the coveted ‘Winner of Winners Award’ at the latest Devon Tourism Awards.

This was the highest number of awards ever won by englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

BusinessBreaks...

... the resort at the prestigious awards and more than any other area in Devon. Six Gold Awards were won by: The 25 – Bed and Breakfast of the Year, The Cary Arms – Best Spa Hotel in Devon, The Cary Arms - Small/ Boutique Hotel of the Year, The Haytor Hotel – Access and Inclusivity Award, The Guardhouse Café - Café/ Tearoom of the Year and The Elephant – Restaurant/ Bistro of the Year. Cantina Coastal Café won a Silver Award in Café/Tearoom of the Year. Paignton Zoo won a Special Tourism Award for Community Engagement with their Big Rhino Project. The 25 Bed and Breakfast in Torquay also won the coveted ‘Winner of Winners’ Award. Carolyn Custerson, Chief Executive of the English Riviera BID Company said, “This outstanding performance in the 2017 Devon Tourism Awards is evidence of the excellent progress being made in terms of developing the English Riviera as a world class destination.” o

Cavanna Appointment

Cavanna Homes has appointed Beverley Bridge as its new Head of Sales & Marketing.

With two decades’ experience in the housebuilding industry, Beverley is now in charge of leading the Torquay company’s sales team towards its 100th anniversary in 2023. Beverley will oversee the sales and marketing of the company’s new homes developments including Greenspire near Exeter, Meadow Haze at Woodbury, Fusion in Paignton, Primrose Hill in Torquay, 504K in Plymouth and Market Quarter in Holsworthy. She will manage the sales advisers, liaising with customers and other industry professionals from interior designers to architects. Beverley originally joined the family-owned Cavanna Homes as a sales manager in 2003. 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

Debt Recovery New Year Update ew year has arrived and if you are considering salient elements of the alleged debt – such as None of your new year’s resolutions to be its existence, enforceability or amount – then collecting money owed to you, you need to be aware of the changes in protocol which happened recently.

Prior to October of last year, businesses who were owed money by individuals had the legal comfort of being able to chase the material debt in a time efficient way: by sending a 7-day letter of claim followed (if necessary) by immediate court action. However, since 1st October 2017, the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims, has been in place and it is significantly changing the outlook of debt recovery for business creditors whom are owed money by an individual.

The Protocol should now be complied with before a creditor issues court proceedings. Its ambition is to facilitate amicable settlements and to reduce those avoidable legal costs that all too often rack up between parties who rush to court.

It does this primarily by providing debtors with a great deal more time to respond to the demand for money, i.e., 30-days to respond to the letter of claim; and 30 more days to complete the reply form. This wider timeframe is fixed with a view to encouraging greater discussion about the debt between the parties than has previously been practicable. If successful, its side-effect will be to remove some of the traffic flowing through our overburdened courts.

If no agreement can be reached about the

the parties are strongly encouraged to explore alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation.

If this fails too, then a creditor should provide the debtor with a minimum of 14 days notice before commencing court action.

Failure to comply with the Protocol may result in any subsequent proceedings being stayed whilst the Protocol is complied with and/or the creditor may ultimately feel the financial pain of non-compliance (even if they win) following judgement when a judge will take a view on awarding them an amount in respect of their costs.

Whilst it is early days, these much-extended time frames are already going some way towards declogging our courts. Let’s hope that this continues and that creditors start to see amicable wins.

For more information regarding this article, please contact Jasmine.

Email : jasmine.clamp@wmlegal.co.uk Phone: 01803 213251

JClamp

Jasmine Clamp Solicitor @wmlegal

Wollenmichelmore

Wollen Michelmore SOLICITORS TORQUAY NEWTON ABBOT 01803 213251 01626 332266

Regional Law Firm of the year South West

DARTMOUTH 01803 832191

Excellence in Private Client Practice

BARNSTAPLE 01271 342268

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

Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only Coastal Zoo

Fun above and below the waves Walk amongst our penguins

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Discover over 2,000 animals

Get stuck into feeding times Run wild in play areas Over 80 acres