English Riviera Magazine Feb/Mar 2019

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

EnglishRiviera February/March 2019

Tremendous Trees

magazine

and where to find them...

2019

Reader Survey

Win! Dinner for 4

at The Imperial hotel

Brixham Breakwater gets a makeover

Riviera Weddings Artisan makers & bridal events

BANISH THE

WINTER BLUES!

95

GREAT REASONS TO GET OUT & ABOUT

A Spring Saunter

from Daddyhole Plain

Lionel Digby's Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame

English Riviera Magazine for Residents by Residents DELIVERED FREE TO HOMES AND BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT THE BAY

Enjoy the excitement of a day at the races

Racing Fixtures 2019

ADMISSION PRICES Course Enclosure Weekdays

£10

Weekends

£14

Paddock Enclosure Weekdays

£18

Weekends

£22

Under 18s GO FREE | Students with valid photo ID/NUS GO FREE Disabled and carer: £10 (Weekdays) £14 (Weekends) each with free upgrade to the Paddock Enclosure

APRIL Easter Saturday

20 April

Sunday Monday

21 July 29 July

MAY Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday

8 May 15 May 29 May

AUGUST Wednesday Tuesday (Eve) Saturday

14 August 20 August 31 August

JUNE Wednesday Friday (Eve) Tuesday (Eve)

5 June 14 June 25 June

SEPTEMBER Monday Friday Monday

9 September 20 September 30 September

JULY Friday Saturday

5 July 13 July

OCTOBER Sunday Thursday

13 October 31 October

Book online today at

www.newtonabbotracing.com | Tel 01626 353235

Saturday Antiques Fairs 2019 ADMISSION FREE TO PUBLIC

2019 DATES

2 March

3 August

6 April

5 October

18 May

23 November

29 June

Stallholders: Inside – £40 (inc. VAT) Outside – £19 Gates open: 7.00am for trade only General public: 9am to 2.30pm

www.newtonabbotracing.com | Tel 01626 353235

About us...

Welcome

...to the February & March issue!

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 ISSN (Print) 2052-8515 ISSN (Online) 2052-8523

Next issue 29 March Write to us at: ENGLISH RIVIERA MAGAZINE 69 DAVIES AVENUE PAIGNTON 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.

Happy 2019! Our New Year’s resolution is to take every opportunity of enjoying ourselves and to help others to do the same. In this spirit we’ve popped into Torbay U3A, which offers fun activities and friendship for anyone who is retired or semi-retired. We also offer you bumper What’s On, Theatre and Arts sections. For those who love fresh air, we head to Cockington’s Tremendous Tree Trail, get out into the early spring garden and learn more about Brixham’s famous breakwater.

We chat to David and Regina Rowe about their long-established family jewellery business that dates back to 1690 and to Sharon Cox who is loving her dream job at Torquay United. We meet the wonderful Lionel Digby, grand master of all things rock ‘n’ roll and Claire Austin at Cockington Court Craft Centre who shows us some of her exquisite hand-made wedding accessories.

We’d love you to respond to our 2019 Reader Survey. This will help us to make the magazine even better and you may win a splendid dinner for four at The Imperial, Torquay.

Happy reading and stay local!

d @EngRivieraMag c englishriveramag f englishriveramagazine englishrivieramagazine.co.uk If you would like to ADVERTISE your business in English Riviera Magazine Call 01803 850886 or email sales@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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February/March 2019 | 3

Occombe Farm

FEBRUARY HALF TERM

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The Enchanted Occombe Mystery Monday 18 - Friday 22 February 10am - 3pm Help the fairies and elves of Occombe Farm solve the puzzle of the Enchanted Woodland! £2.50 per trail sheet. Suitable for all ages

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In this issue

Contents

February & March 2019 6 Openers

Local news snippets

12 David and Regina Rowe Each day sparkles

18 Sharon Cox

Life with the Gulls

22 For the Love of Trees

Cockington’s Tremendous Tree Trail

26 Edwin John Beer

Paignton’s Rayon Pioneer

28 Lionel Digby

Torquay’s Music Legend

32 Brixham Breakwater

Restoration and Reinforcements

34 Give it a Go! Torbay U3A

22

For the Love of Trees

Fun in the Third Age

36 All Aboard The Friendship Express Happier school playgrounds

39 Schools News

Celebrating Success

41 Reader Survey

We love to hear your feedback

44 Coastal Walk

From Daddyhole Plain to Torquay Harbour

46 What’s On

Our pick of February and March events

59 Riviera Weddings

Artisan maker Claire Austin

64 Arts Roundup

Creative events around the Bay

32

Brixham Breakwater

66 Theatre

Who’s treading the boards?

68 Charities and Volunteering The Lodge - There for you

71 Gardening

Liz Wallace’s green-fingered column

74 Social Diary

Local people at local events

80 Business Snippets

Local business news in brief

82 The Briefing

Legal topics from Wollen Michelmore

On the cover Crocus

28

Lionel Digby

© Gudrun Muenz englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

February/March 2019 | 5

Openers... Openers... Openers... O 100th Night Flight Rescue

World Sailing Championships A hugely prestigious, world-class sailing event, the J/70 World Championships 2019 will bring elite racing sailors to Torbay in late August. Hosted by Royal Torbay Yacht Club, the event is expected to attract 600 sailors, crew and support team members. These will include multiple world champions, Olympic sailors and Volvo Round the World sailors. Tor Bay is a world-renowned sailing venue that has hosted America’s Cup trials in the 1930s, sailing events for the Olympics in 1948, the UK stopover for La Solitaire de Figaro in 2015 and numerous world, European and national championships.

The J/70 International Class Association is recognised

by World Sailing, with active fleets in 25 countries. In less than 4 years the J/70 worldwide fleet has grown to over 1,700 boats, attracting some of the most talented sailors in the world and helping to spark the growth of numerous sailing leagues across Europe. Previous J/70 World Championships have been held in San Francisco, Porto Cervo and La Rochelle. Royal Torbay Yacht Club is a finalist in the prestigious 2019 RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year Award. ¢ rtyc.org

In addition to its long-standing daylight operations, Devon Air Ambulance has been flying after dark until midnight every day since November 2016. Until then there was no Devon helicopter rescue service during the hours of darkness. The charity has now celebrated its 100th patient rescued when it was dark, going to the aid of a female Paignton resident, who had been involved in a road traffic collision. Nigel

Hare, Operations Director for Devon Air Ambulance explained, “We recognised several years ago that our service could be of benefit not just in the day time, but also at night. A lot of work went into making flying at night possible, including training of crew, and the addition of equipment both on and in the helicopter.

This includes night vision goggles (NVGs), which cost in the region of £18,000 per pair. We need four pairs.”

Heléna Holt, CEO of Devon Air Ambulance said, “It’s only thanks to the amazing support we receive from the communities, businesses and friends of Devon that we are able to further increase and improve the service we offer. Everything we do operationally puts our patients at the forefront.” Stop press: Devon Air Ambulance has now extended its service until 2am every day. ¢ daat.org

Commissioning Freedom Torquay-based charity, The Disabled Sailing Association has officially named and commissioned their new yacht Freedom with Victoria Graham from BBC Spotlight officiating as a special guest. Victoria spent an hour chatting to guests at harbourside cafe Quay Reflections.

Later, between downpours, invited guests, volunteer skippers and crew watched Victoria Graham name the new yacht with a good splash of champagne and a short speech on the dockside. The charity’s skippers showed 6 | February/March 2019

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.. Openers... Openers... Openers...

Victoria, Kevin Foster MP and Gordon Oliver, Elected Mayor for Torbay around Freedom before they repaired to Royal Torbay Yacht Club for a buffet lunch. A ceremonial sailing trip was deferred to a later date due to the weather conditions. The charity’s Chairman David Musgrove thanked Victoria Graham for making the day extra special for their members. ¢ disabledsailingassociation.org.uk

the UK to keep this species, made iconic by the BBC TV Life in Cold Blood series, written and presented by David Attenborough and first broadcast in 2008.There’s no official breeding programme yet, but the Zoo’s Dr Katy Upton plans to start one if things go well. “Our aim is to document the reproductive biology and breeding triggers for this species.” ¢ paignton zoo.org.uk

Co-Op Brixham is ACE!

Rare Toads at Paignton Zoo

ACE (Access to Community Education), a group that provides enjoyable leisure and educational activities for adults with disabilities, has received a donation of £5803.39 from the three Brixham Co-Ops. The Brixham branches Of Co-Op have supported ACE not only in the last year of fundraising but over the last 25 years in Brixham. The Co-Op donates a percentage of spending on own-branded food products as well as money raised from carrier bag sales. ACE offers swimming, members’ mornings, painting, drawing, music and Sportsmobility. All classes are taught by a South Devon College tutor and supported by a qualified care worker and volunteers. Taxis or transport (part funded

by ACE) can be arranged from anywhere in Torbay.

To find out more about ACE or join a taster session please contact administrator Yvonne at CHCP on 01803 540865 or email ace@southdevon.ac.uk or follow Facebook ACE Torbay. ¢ brixhamace.org

Paignton Zoo, the only institution in the UK to keep a rare and special type of South American toad, has added to its collection. The zoo is now home to around 30 harlequin toads, Atelopus spumarius, after adding more individuals from Manchester Museum to its existing group.

Atelopus is a genus of small, attractive true toads from Central and South America that includes many rare and endangered species. They are just a few centimetres long, with narrow pointed heads, smooth skin and beautifully coloured patterning. They live on the tropical rainforest floor and in the leaf-litter near streams; breeding takes place in fast-flowing water. Guests can see them in the Amphibian Ark. Paignton Zoo is the only institution in englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

February/March 2019 | 7

Openers... Openers... Openers...

Rivera Racers Superstars Torquay-based running club Riviera Racers held their annual awards at the Drum Inn at Cockington. Run leader Jenny Mansell was voted Club Person of the Year for her outstanding contribution during 2018.

Club Championship female winners were: Winner – Jessica Perriss, Runner Up – Lucy Nelson, Third Place – Amanda Holley. Club Championship male winners were: Winner – Paul Mitchell, Runner Up – Ben Reed, Third Place – Paul Birdsall. Other awards were: Most Improved Runners: Noom Intamart and Maria Martinez, Junior Champion: Chad Nelson, Highest Age-Related parkrun scores: Matt Dalton and Jessica Perriss. November achiever of the month was Malcolm Nelson. Noom Intamart won Riviera Racers’ London Marathon place for 2019. The event raffle raised £300 of which 50% goes to the club and 50% to nominated charity Magic Moments. Riviera Racers meets 2-3 times per week in Torquay and welcomes runners and aspiring runners of all abilities. ¢ rivieraracers.co.uk

Halogen bulbs were hugely wasteful and typically failed after about two years, while LEDs should last for around 15 to 20 years on the same usage. We will see cheaper running costs, lower maintenance costs - and a nicer light.” Recently, sales of halogen and compact fluorescent lamps have been banned across Europe with the aim of boosting super-efficient LED lighting technology. ¢

Torbay Lottery Small Grants Fund Jenny Mansell (Run Leader) and Anne Roberts (Chair, Championship Officer & Run Leader)

Green Lighting Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust is installing environmentally friendly lighting in key buildings at Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts and Newquay Zoo. Highefficiency LED lights are replacing halogen and compact fluorescent lamps. Dozens of public buildings at all three zoos in the charity group have been upgraded, including shops and cafes. Over 200 bulbs have been changed in Paignton Zoo’s restaurant alone. Pete Morgan, the Trust’s Environmental Officer said, “It’s been an investment but one we felt, as an environmental charity, we wanted to make – and it will pay for itself.

8 | February/March 2019

Torbay Lottery Smalls Grants Fund is open for applications. Torbay Lottery has raised around £15,300 to date for 2018/2019 and the council is inviting local charity, voluntary and community sector organisations to apply for a grant towards the costs of a specific activity or for the purchase of small items of equipment up to £2,000. Applications will be accepted until 4 March and successful applicants will be notified within six weeks of the closing date. ¢ torbay.gov.uk/torbaylottery

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..

Trinity School

Teignmouth

Open Evening Thursday 14th March Tours start 6.15pm

Academic excellence, great opportunities and outstanding care make Trinity School an exciting and welcoming home for pupils.

Excellent teacher to pupil ratios Extensive extra-curricular programme for all Far reaching school bus and transport network Day, flexi, weekly and full boarding options

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01626 771530 registrar@trinityschool.co.uk www.trinityschool.co.uk

Day & Boarding. Nursery to Sixth Form.

Trinity School (Teignmouth) is a company limited by guarantee (registered in England; company number 1399560) and a registered charity (number 276960). Registered Office: Buckeridge Road, Teignmouth, Devon. TQ14 8LY. UK

Torquay £995,000 Freehold Combining the influence of art deco with inspirational architecture of the 1960’s, the property offers a home of exceptional design and style with views towards Lyme Bay and Tor Bay. The accommodation has an open plan area incorporating a dining room, living room, balcony, kitchen, cloakroom/shower room, the lower floor having a principal bedroom with a dressing/sitting room, en-suite and balcony, 2 further bedrooms, bathroom. Integral garage, gardens.

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£799,000 Freehold A home of style, its design reflective of modernist architecture with panoramic views. An extension in 2006 has a fabulous suite, with a bedroom/sitting room, kitchen, wet room, balcony. To the ground floor is a dual zone sitting room, kitchen/dining room, study, utility, a bedroom suite to the first floor having a sitting area, shower room and balcony, 2 further bedrooms, bathroom, dressing room. Gardens, garage.

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Torquay

£335,000 Leasehold Reflecting Torquay’s heritage, the development of apartments has been created to offer fashionable and stylish homes. Situated to the rear of the building, the apartment is approached from the car park located in Montpellier Road. Arranged over 2 floors, the accommodation offers an open living area with kitchen and dining area, sitting room, 2 bedrooms,bathroom.

Terrace accessed from bedroom (2).

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01803 611 420 14/01/2019 21:46

David & Regina Rowe

Each Day Sparkles

David Rowe comes from a family of jewellers that is believed to hark back to 1690.

Together with his wife Regina, he has carried on the proud family tradition, taking over from his father before him. Anita Newcombe pops in for a chat.

I

’m meeting David and Regina Rowe at their beautiful Torquay jewellers Conroy Couch. It’s a haven of traditional elegance with cabinets of sparkling gems and friendly staff. I am ushered behind the scenes for a chat.

David tells me that he and Regina met in 1970 when they were both around 16 years old. Regina had come from her native Germany to improve her English and David was still at school.

David says, “We’ve had jewellers in our family since 1690 - my grandfather had a jewellery business in Shropshire. My father was originally in the RAF and contributed to the war

14 | February/March 2019

effort before becoming a jeweller too.”

David’s father had visited Torquay during the war.

After it had ended, and following his marriage, the newlyweds moved here setting up shop in Torre as Gordon Rowe Jewellers. The family lived above the premises with their children and their dog until they opened a new shop at 111 Union Street in the 1950s.

David left school at the age of seventeen and started work at the jewellery store, initially just for the summer.

However he was destined to stay for much longer.

David married Regina in 1976 and they later took

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Riviera People They now buy gold pieces and sell them back into the over the family jewellery business, buying out the trade. Regina explains, “We get a mix of old jewellery brothers’ shares. Together they had lots of new ideas, undertaking a major refit and expanding the shop. It was coming in – some is damaged or old and unloved. It may have been Grandma’s, something the customer just at the start of the 1980s recession but the shop did would never wear, as they don’t like the style. Those exceptionally well because it was new and fresh. They items we can sometimes repair or restyle.” both wanted to take the business upmarket, positioning As Torquay is a busy holiday resort, David and Regina their shop as an exclusive place to visit for high quality get clients from all over the country. David explains pieces. David explains, “ In those days jewellers dabbled that people on holiday have more time as a couple. in everything: clocks, china and all sorts.” In a bid to “Customers have heard what we can do, sourcing, reposition their own business, David and Regina started creating and repairing wonderful pieces – jewellery is using mainly 18ct gold and platinum, getting out of in our blood.” silver jewellery entirely for a while.

They still specialise in 18ct gold and platinum and can This strategy worked well and they became seen as offer specially designed pieces, often using stock items an excellent ‘niche provider’. They went on buying trips to give their customers ideas and to Germany, Switzerland and Italy, guidance, although some clients also coming back with a large range bring in magazines where they’ve of higher quality pieces, which spotted designs they like. Regina were well received by customers. tells me that they love diamonds Regina had already qualified as a and offer quite a few different gemmologist in 1979 and is a fellow coloured diamond stones. As an of the Gemmological Association of experienced gemologist, she selects Great Britain. She had previously every piece individually and likes taken her Retail Jewellers Exam. unusual, specially designed pieces of She loves everything about these jewellery using diamonds and other precious rocks that wink and sparkle beautiful and high quality gems of in her hands and is fascinated by the all styles and colours. secrets every gemstone holds within.

The Conroy Couch store has David has a practical eye and studied been highly successful for their Goldsmithing at Plymouth College. business and after years of running David tells me about a recent two separate jewellery trip they made to Customers have heard what we can do, stores, almost sideSri Lanka to select sourcing, creating and repairing wonderful by-side, it is now gemstones. They the exclusive heart visited gem dealers pieces – jewellery is in our blood. of their business. and small gem mines, They are linked to suppliers right across the country and viewing sapphires of all colours, beautiful ocean blue overseas so if they don’t have an item, they can source it aquamarines, bi colour tourmalines and much more. or get it made. They also have a highly popular jewellery Regina tells me, “There are some deep red tourmalines repair service. Often customers come in for a resizing the colour of a ruby, but you see very few of them – people don’t always realise that we are entirely dependent and don’t realise that a ring’s claws are worn out and they risk losing a valuable and possibly highly sentimental on nature for the colour spectrum we see in the gems gem. David explains that family pieces need a little TLC and that there is a limited supply.” from time to time – some pieces may need remaking – Another long-established local jewellery shop called the claws and shank are areas that often need attention Conroy Couch (right opposite theirs on Union Street) and it’s important to invest in your family heirlooms so came on the market about twenty-five years ago and they can be passed on. they decided to buy it. It was strong on pre-owned and David tells me, “One client brought in a multi-cluster scrap gold and also offered them a much bigger shop. sapphire and diamond ring, originally made by Aspreys, About ten years ago gold doubled in price and the with a platinum setting that had been badly crushed in market in gold strengthened. Getting into the market a safe door. Luckily the stones were undamaged – the for gold allowed David and Regina to expand their sapphire was beautiful, like looking into a lake.” They business offering.

“

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February/March 2019 | 15

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R E S E T • R E B A L A N C E • R E L A X • R E J U V E N AT E 16 | February/March 2019

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Riviera People had the ring repaired and it was as good as new.

Many regular clients trust them to select jewellery unseen and deliver them as gifts. They can receive calls from across the world and arrange delivery, often the same day. David explains, “ In this business trust is absolute – you cannot deviate from that and be successful. Trust with our suppliers in the trade is also very important.”

Now, here at Conroy Couch they also have a wellestablished pawnbroker service. I hadn’t noticed the pawnbroker counter but I now see that it has its own evaluation area. David tells me that the whole concept of pawnbroking and using a pawnbroker has changed.

He tells me, “Nowadays it’s not unusual for quite welloff clients to arrive with a nice piece that they want to pawn, just to raise some urgently needed cash to cover an unexpected bill. Administratively it’s quick and easy to do. Once they’ve covered their bill and got the next pay cheque, they come back in and retrieve the pawned item.” The FCA oversees this aspect of the business and they are members of the National Association of Pawnbrokers. People have up to six months to retrieve the item by paying the loan and the interest; if they don’t return then it will be sold.

David and Regina have also operated the Pandora store

“

in Union Street since 2014, having been approached by the distinctive brand they’d previously successfully stocked as a specialist line. Pandora wanted an exclusive shop in Torquay and offered them the franchise. “David says, “We employ the staff, buy the stock and operate the Pandora shop and they supply all the branding.”

Life in jewellery takes up most of David and Regina’s time and they have no plans to retire, as they love the business. They do take holidays though and enjoy Gran Canaria and hiring a villa in France with family. David has been a member (and a past president) of Tormohun Rotary for twenty years. He also helped organise the Cockington Proms for many years and has often driven fundraising efforts for specific international disasters like tsunami relief.

But business has a strong siren call for them both.

David says, “ It’s our life – we don’t ever want to do anything else.” Regina agrees saying, “We get so much pleasure from our business. Why would you ever give up something you love?”

David & Regina also point out that the success of their businesses would not have been possible without the dedication and loyalty of the staff that have supported them over the years - and still do. ¢

There are some deep red tourmalines the colour of a ruby, but you see very few of them – people don’t always realise that we are entirely dependent on nature for the colour spectrum we see in the gems and that there is a limited supply.

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

February/March 2019 | 17

Sharon Cox - life with The Gulls

Sharon Cox is Commercial Manager at Torquay United Football Club, home of The Gulls.

Anita Newcombe dropped by to see her at Plainmoor and hear more about her amazing job.

I

radio listening to the match. She says, “You do learn to ’ve arrived at Plainmoor Stadium in St Marychurch love the game”. to meet Sharon Cox and am led through a labyrinth Aside from match days, Sharon’s job is about selling of offices to a small function room overlooking the and managing the club’s wide range of sponsorship pitch. It’s a fine ground with 6,000 seats and looks packages. This includes: pitchside advertising on boards very impressive from up here. Sharon’s successful track record in securing and retaining sponsors and supporters and plaques; big screen advertising; match sponsorship; front-of-shirt sponsorship; programme sponsorship and has been given an extra big lift since new manager Gary lots more. With a great new manager and the team Johnson arrived at the club. doing so well, new sponsors are coming forward and are Sharon tells me, “It’s been amazing – Gary’s like a really keen to be involved with the club. Sharon says, breath of fresh air, so motivating with an enthusiastic “I’ve been doing this for five-andapproach that leaves staff, players and supporters buzzing. When he I’ve been doing this for a-half years and I absolutely love it – every day is different.” took over we were at the bottom of five-and-a-half years Now I’m keen to know how the league and now we’re up at the and I absolutely love it Sharon, a woman who had top – it’s absolutely fantastic.”

– every day is different. never previously been involved On home match days, Sharon with football, got into such a is busy meeting and welcoming fascinating and rewarding role. She tells me that she supporters and their guests, seeing them to their was originally from London but her father hailed from VIP boxes, checking they are happy and chatting to Devon and when the family moved back here she prospective sponsors. Sharon loves the fact that people attended Chelston Cottage, which has since closed. tell her heart-warming stories about how they came to Later she attended Audley Park School (now Torquay watch matches as a child and are now bringing their Community College). She then moved to Torquay own children along. She tells me, “It’s like an extended Technical College to study childcare (although she’d family here – the ethos is brilliant.” originally considered becoming a prison officer).

Whether The Gulls are playing home or away, Sharon But then life intervened – she met her partner at is always following the score with great excitement.

When they are playing away, she’ll be found glued to the sixteen, got married at 19 and now has four lovely

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18 | February/March 2019

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Riviera People daughters. She pursued childcare as a career for many years even running her own day nursery for a good five years before closing it to look after her ailing mother.

After helping her husband in his scaffolding business for a while, they both felt like an adventure and decided to move to Mexico where they’d previously visited on holiday. They thought it would take a year to sell up and make the move abroad, but just three months later they were standing on beautiful Playa del Carmen in Mexico.

The couple had planned to retire in this idyllic spot but Sharon was bored after six months so she started work as an English teacher in a local, private school. Every day the pupils were taught half a day

to promote the club and look for new sponsors and supporters. She was so successful that she was soon promoted to Commercial Manager, the post she still holds today. She laughs when she tells me, “I knew nothing about football when I started. I used to call the pitch ‘the field’ and I called half time ‘the interval’.”

Now Sharon has a new partner, Russell Musker (a former footballer and football manager), and they’ve been together for more than eight years.

Three of Sharon’s daughters live in Torquay and one in Taunton so she gets to spend lots of time with them and the grandchildren. She still loves sunshine destinations though, especially Spain. She tells me,

Torquay United Manager Gary Johnson

in English and half a day in Spanish. She found it really rewarding and stayed for four years. However, by now her marriage had ended and after coming home to the UK to care for her father she decided to stay; she now had five growing grandchildren and another on the way.

Needing a change of direction, Sharon helped to organise an event at the ERC (now the Riviera International Centre) called ‘An Audience with Gazza and Greavsie’. Her successful work in contacting local businesses to drive support for the event came to the attention of Torquay United Football Club and she was offered a job as Commercial Assistant. Her brief was

“I do love hot climates, sunshine, swimming, eating out and drinking cocktails.” Back here in the slightly cooler but still delightful Bay, she enjoys eating out with Torquay’s The Devon Dumpling and The Orange Tree Restaurant plus The Malsters Arms at Tuckenhay high up on her list of favourites.t However, she confesses, “Any type of food goes down well.” In the summer she enjoys walking on the Coast Path and in the winter she loves nothing better than sitting in front of the fire with a nice glass of wine. Sounds like the perfect work/life balance. “Yes I just love it all – it’s a great life”, says Sharon. ¢  torquayunited.com

Next home fixtures

PHOTOS © : TUFC

9 February 3pm Torquay United Vs Chelmsford City 23 February 3pm Torquay United Vs Dulwich Hamlet 2 March 3pm Torquay United Vs Weston-Super-Mare 16 March 3pm Torquay United Vs Dartford 30 March 3pm Torquay United Vs Wealdstone englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

February/March 2019 | 21

For The Love of Trees C

ockington is so tucked away, it’s easy to forget what a magnificent jewel we have right on our doorstep.

Once you’re there is seems quite remote but in fact it’s just a ‘country mile’ from Torquay Seafront. The Craft Studios, the Tea Rooms, Manscombe Woods and The Lakes are hugely popular but did you know that within the parkland landscape nestled either side of the Old Totnes Road, there is a spectacular collection of trees from around the globe?

Cockington’s arboretum is a collection of trees that was designed and planted in the late 18th to early 19th century. This wonderful collection would not be out of place in bigger, better-known arboretums such as Westonbirt, or even Kew Gardens. Despite its modest size, which makes it a breeze to explore, the collection hosts some 114 different species of tree, both native and non-native to the British Isles.

Here you’ll find a number of rare and exceptional trees: • Tibetan Cherries (Prunus serrula), which are national champions in terms of their girth, with the larger of the two found here measuring 63cm in diameter.

22 | February/March 2019

• A Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis), which at one time was the tallest in the Torbay area (44m when last measured – although we can’t confirm if it’s still the tallest – it’s big).

• A Jamaican Fiddlewood (Citharexylum quadrangulare); amazingly it’s the only one to be found in Britain. Native to the West Indies, its leaves are green in the winter but turn shades of yellow, gold and orange between spring and autumn.

You’ll find many other notable and interesting trees in the collection; look out for: • Lemonwood (Pittoponum eugenioides); when crushed, its leaves have a lovely lemon scent.

• The Indian Bean Tree (Catalpa bignonoidies), with huge heart shaped leaves and seed capsules that look like runner beans.

• A veteran Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa), which is about 400 years old, making it one of the oldest trees in Torbay.

In 1951, the collection was greatly expanded when

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PHOTOS © : Blue Moon Photography / Torbay Coast &Countryside Trust/K. Jones

Cockington Country Park, managed by Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust is home to a stunningly beautiful and historic arboretum. You can now enjoy exploring this wonderful world of trees with the conservation charity’s Tremendous Tree Trail.

PHOTOS © : Blue Moon Photography / Torbay Coast &Countryside Trust/K. Jones

Countryside forty-two lime trees were planted along the main drive leading to Cockington Court. These were intended to celebrate the hosting of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade Conference, which took place in Torbay between September 1950 and April 1951. Each tree was planted to mark the participation of the forty countries attending, (plus two more trees planted to represent the Secretariat and the UK Government Foreign Office).

Today the avenue of consists of a mixture of mature and younger specimens, with replanting having taken place where trees have been lost.

Further planting has taken place over the latter half of the 20th Century and early part of this century, such as the National Hickory Collection (Carya species).

This includes a pecan and a nutmeg tree amongst its ten species, both planted in the early 1990s.

Hannah Worthington, Cockington’s Access Officer, explains how Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust has actively co-ordinated and managed support in caring for Cockington Country Park, with a large team of volunteers: “The level of involvement and dedication from our volunteers continues to amaze me. We’re particularly lucky to have had a number of voluntary Trainee Rangers with us over the last one to two years who have brought so much energy and so many ideas to the Green Heart Project. They really have played such an important part in helping us to carry out all the activities within the park for the Green Heart Project. It’s been so good to have their help but also to see them develop skills and gain experience in an area that it can be tough to find employment in without.”

One of the project’s current trainees has played an important role in updating the information available on the arboretum. Katie Jones, who has been volunteering with the Trust for 16 months, has spent many hours trawling through old maps, catalogues, surveys and other sources of information. The aim of all these hours of work has been to help the conservation charity develop a new leaflet about the arboretum for Cockington’s visitors. With the support of community volunteers from Paignton and Torquay,

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Katie has also worked with the Trust’s Estate Team to help clear ivy and brambles and ensure that visitors get a really good view of the trees on their visit.

A Very Special Country Park: Cockington Country Park is among a record-breaking 1,883 UK parks and green spaces that in 2018 received a prestigious Green Flag – the mark of a quality park or green space. This was the 22nd Green Flag awarded to Cockington, an international award now into its third decade. The Green Flag reassures the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

Cockington joins 16 other green spaces awarded recognition in Devon alone and is one of only 5 sites in the UK that have held the award since its launch.

Cockington has also received the much coveted additional Green Heritage Site Accreditation, a scheme supported by Historic England, which acknowledges that the park’s historic landscape and buildings are celebrated and well cared for.

What is an Arboretum?

An arboretum is a significant collection of trees and woody plants - a kind of ‘living library of trees’. Many were planted partly to aid the scientific study of trees.

However, some estate owners also saw them as a symbol of their status in society and used to compete with each other to develop the best collection.

Discover More

A leaflet for the Cockington Tree Trail is available from Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust: • Cockington Visitor Centre, open 7 days a week 10am4pm (April – October) 11am to 3pm in school holidays (October- April).

• It can also be downloaded from the Trust’s website.

• There are no charges for entry but you can support the Trust by becoming a member – there are some great benefits (see the website below). ¢  countryside-trust.org.uk

February/March 2019 | 23

Know your trees

The Warren Barn

1. Avenue of Common Limes (Tilia x europaea) These were planted to represent each member (country) that attended the Global Agreement on Tariffs & Trade Conference here in 1951.

2. Indian Horse Chestnut (Aesculus indica) Fruits (conkers) are glossy, blackish brown & flowers are pale pink.

3. Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) A veteran tree, roughly 400 years old; one of the oldest trees in Torbay.

4. Paper Bark Birch (Betula papyrifera) Named due to the white bark being thin which often peels like paper.

5.Tibetan Cherries (Prunus serrula) The champion tree for girth. The trunk of the larger of the two is 63cm in diameter.

6.The National Hickory Collection (Carya spp.)

A well-known species is Pecan, which is grown for its nuts in the USA. We have 10 species here and this is Britain’s only national collection.

7. Common Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) This fantastic tree is native to the UK. It’s named because of its hard timber. ’Horn’ means hard and ’beam’ is tree in Old English.

8. Lemonwood (Pittosporum eugenioides) A native to New Zealand. The leaves are lemon scented when crushed.

9. Kashmir Cypress (Cupressus cashmeriana) An evergreen with flaky/scaly bark. It is the national tree of Bhutan and often associated with Buddhism.

10. Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis) Sitka Spruce was introduced to the UK in 1831. It is the tallest tree in the park at approximately 44m.

11. Japanese Red Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) Next door to the Gamekeeper’s Cottage we have three of these beautiful trees. Try feeling the wonderful soft red brown bark.

12. Indian Bean Tree (Catalpa bignonoidies) This tree is actually not from India but South-East America.

Look out for their huge leaves and seed capsules that look like runner beans.

13. Castor Aralia Tree (Kalopanax septemlobus) It is the only species in the genus Kalopanax and native to Eastern Asia.

14. Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum) Native to China this tree has the most wonderful chestnutbrown bark, peeling in thin and papery layers.

15. Jamaican Fiddlewood (Citharexylum quadrangulare) This small glossy evergreen is exceedingly rare and is wonderfully fragrant, with tiny cream flowers.

The Gamekeeper’s Cottage 11 10

13 14 8 9

Tibetan Cherries (Prunus serrula)

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Church Cockington Court

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5 4 5

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The Drum Inn

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Visitor Centre

Indian Bean Tree (Catalpa bignonoidies) englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Lime Avenue February/March 2019 | 25

PHOTOS Š : Blue Moon Photography / Torbay Coast &Countryside Trust/K. Jones

P

Rayon Paignton’s

Pioneer

Edwin John Beer was a chemist and scientist who invented what became known as viscose rayon; he later became a renowned geologist before settling in Paignton. Ian Handford of Torbay Civic Society tells us more

B

orn on February 7th 1879 in Hounslow, Edwin John Beer was the son of Commodore Samuel Beer.

He was educated at St Dunstan’s Catford and St Paul’s Westminster. At the age of seven he visited India aboard his father’s ship and as an adult he returned to India, a country he grew to love. His working career as a clerk in London’s Public Analyst’s office saw him move to Finlay’s, the East India Merchant Shipping Company in October 1896. It was while at Finlay’s that Edwin learned about the substance called cellulose, then used on the shirt cuffs of clerks and by the gentry.

The birth of viscose rayon reads like an HG Wells tale.

Although Edwin knew that it was indecent to suggest women had legs or ankles (without nylons), he saw the subject as thrilling. On leaving the shipping company, he joined Kew Laboratories as an analytical chemist where man-made artificial silk stockings were produced. His ambition was to earn £1 a day and on a salary of £100 per annum he would endure the stench and fumes of carbondi-sulphide and caustic soda within the laboratories.

This, although appalling, might ensure his ambition was fulfilled. Today, £1 a day for a laboratory chemist equates to £80,000 a year.

Laboratories where materials to replace gas lamp filaments and the like were used, were dangerous places and eventually fibre rayon was used for filaments. By 1884, Kew Laboratories had discovered pyroxyline (guncotton nitrocellulose), when turned into collodion in thin sheets, could be shaped and carbonized to make many items including lamps, textile fabrics and even insulating thread.

Edwin joined Kew Laboratories in June 1897 and

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Edwin John Beer soon a Mr C F Cross became his mentor and friend.

Mr Cross even accompanied him to a Society of Arts lecture to gain new information on man-made silk. The audience learned that in American the word ‘rayon’ was already “in use for man-made artificial silk” and though Cross and a Mr Stern had discovered viscose, which they patented in 1892, they had so far been unable to spin the substance into silk.

Information on this early work is sparse. Cross and a Mr Bevan did issue a paper about cellulose in 1895. However, it was Edwin Beer together with other colleagues who trialled wood pulp and other obscure substances containing alpha or alkali cellulose. This produced the substance we today call carborundum.

Meanwhile Edwin’s interest in geology and mineralogy led him to start commissioning photographs of places like the Keuper/Cretaceous fault at Seaton and Beer in South Devon - photographs he proudly displayed in his home at Hounslow, a first link with Devon.

It would be Edwin who discovered that C6/H10/05 breaks down naturally into hydrolyzed cellulose when fallen trees, cardboard, paper products and even leaves decay and rot in the ground. Now although he and Mr Cross had been commissioned to research other areas, they still worked with viscose and eventually resolved the problem of spinning the substance; the Viscose Spinning Syndicate was then formed.

A lust for travel sent Edwin back to India where he worked with the General Prospecting Syndicate. At home Samuel Courtauld undertook the manufacture of artificial silk and registered the patent, offering no reference to Edwin Beer. But in Bombay Edwin was analysing

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Riviera Heritage manganese ores and assaying for gold, having witnessed numerous expats making fortunes out of prospecting.

Between 1908 and 1912 he was fortunate and made his first fortune.

Courtaulds, extended their right to produce viscose rayon in America; in Britain they were producing 1.4 million kilograms of rayon a year by 1913. With the Great War looming, Edwin having taken poor financial advice in 1914, was now broke. Following bad advice he had switched all his investments from rupees into French Rentes.

Nevertheless in being recognised as an exceptional minerologist he was now asked to search for deposits of tungsten in India. Once found, these deposits hugely assisted the British War effort, which led to him receiving the Silver Medal of the Mining and Geological Institute of India in 1918. He had also found limestone and knew that its importance as a cement would provide another invaluable commodity to the Indian Government his second fortune was in view.

While in India, Edwin had noticed that in Karachi the buildings were constantly undermined by the penetration of kalar (salt). He knew that limestone and Portland Stone could be used for rebuilding Karachi city. This and the export potential of Portland Stone saw Edwin make a second fortune.

In 1922 he married Margaret Finney and they travelled the Indian continent widely before visiting Tasmania, New Zealand and the Cook Islands. Here sadly, Margaret became unwell. Finally, they went to America and after ten wonderful years together Edwin lost Margaret to tuberculosis.

Now Edwin walked America alone and soon developed a passion for walking when he was allowed to. Having set off on “a hike” drivers would often pull over as, “they cannot abide seeing anyone walking.” Edwin said, “I refused once - but after you have refused lifts about ten times on each walk you succumb.” He returned home in the mid1920s and, as the “most senior of the Senior Fellows of the Geological Society of London,” now delivered 150 lectures on minerality, geology and archaeology, before deciding englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

it was time to establish a permanent home. He came to Plymouth but homes were scarce and so he walked around Devon even visiting Beer in East Devon. Paignton became his chosen place to settle in 1926 and although technically retired, academics remain busy. He joined the Torquay Natural History Society and within a year was in charge of the geological section.

In 1934 Edwin married Phoebe Hill and they produced two sons Michael and Lionel at their home at Shorton Hill, Paignton. By 1949 Edwin was President of the Natural History Society and in his Presidential address in 1950, he explained how thirty British Viscose Rayon Companies were established by 1930, although now just twelve survived. Close associates and scientists of that era had made their fortunes whereas he had not. He said that he had achieved, “little more than a pain in the neck” during his life.

Edwin and Phoebe revived the Devonshire Association Geology Department while giving generously of their time to many organisations including The Council for the Protection of Rural England (Devon Branch), the Torquay Museum Society and the British Association for the Advancement of Science. In 1993 Phoebe visited Petra, the Holy Land and the Dead Sea before undertaking what would be her final trip abroad, a visit to Corfu and Albania in 1995 with her son Micheal.

Although Edwin Beer had eventually been recognised for his pioneering work with viscose rayon, he received no financial reward. Yet he reached his 99th birthday on February 7th 1978 when, as local newspaper the Herald confirmed, Mr Beer gave a lecture to Torquay Natural History Society, “wearing a green velvet jacket and carnation buttonhole”. As ever, Edwin overran his allotted time and immediately promised to return in his centenary year. This he did, by then having pocketed the customary telegram from Her Majesty the Queen.

Edwin Beer lived seven more years before death came at his Shorton Hill home on October 20th 1986 at an amazing age of 107, while Phoebe survived until 2008. ¢  torbaycivicsociety.co.uk February/March 2019 | 27

Y B G I D L LIONyE d n e g e L c i s u M ’s Torqua

Lionel Digby’s extraordinary life working with many of music’s all-time greats is being relived at Torbay Rocks, a fascinating exhibition now on at Torre Abbey.

Anita Newcombe popped in to see him and hear how amazingly ‘rock ‘n roll’ Torbay was in the 60s and 70s.

28 | February/March 2019

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Riviera People

T

photos, original tickets, handbills and posters for shows at orquay resident Lionel Digby has serious ‘cred’ as a Torquay Town Hall and other venues. Astonishingly they local and regional music and club promoter having feature the world’s best-known and now truly legendary booked acts like Cliff Richard, Adam Faith, The Kinks, bands of the era.

Cream, Steeleye Span, The Who, Mott the Hoople, Although I am quite a bit younger than Lionel I David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Status Quo, The Rolling am awestruck by the collection, which brings back a Stones, Black Sabbath, Freddie & the Dreamers, Eric kaleidoscope of memories darting psychedelically through Clapton and Queen. my mind. Suddenly I can hear the Fab Four singing He tells me that he booked many of these music ‘All You Need is Love’, I can see Bowie transfixing a legends when they were up-and-coming acts and arranged generation of young fans for them to play at Torquay with ‘Space Oddity’ and later Town Hall, Festival Theatre Ziggy Stardust, and I can feel Paignton and many other local the vibrations of the Rolling and regional venues.

Stones belting out ‘Jumping There was one band he Jack Flash’ and ‘Brown Sugar’. didn’t secure though. Lionel At the grand age of 83 famously refused the Beatles Lionel still has a razor sharp telling their manager Brian memory and tells me of his Epstein, who wanted £150 for earliest memory, which was their performance, “It’s either during the war. He says, “ I £100 or nothing.” Epstein was a young child and lived decided to pass. Later that on the outskirts of London year The Beatles hit the charts – you could see bombers and and Lionel phoned Epstein the Doodlebugs (V1 flying and said he’d take the band bombs) going over – it was after all. Epstein now wanted Lionel with Adam Faith just a normal part of our life.” £1,000 a night. Lionel said, He was originally evacuated “Don’t talk silly, I only pay to Rhyl in Wales but came £600 to The Kinks and The back because “nothing Who. No one-hit-wonder is I couldn’t play or sing a note but happened.” Lionel joined worth £1,000 a night!” the army in 1953 and served With a wry smile Lionel when I was in the Household in the Household Cavalry explains, “There were no big Cavalry I used to go to a coffee venues in those days. I booked house called 2i’s where you could until 1956 when he headed to Torbay where his family halls, like Torquay Town Hall hear rising stars – I heard Cliff owned the Derwent hotel, and the Empire Ballroom Richard and Adam Faith having purchased it as a right across the region and I for the first time there boarded-up building in 1947. always paid new bands £100.

He tells me that the family They had to find their own accommodation and pay their own petrol too. Reasonable gave the site for the Riviera Centre to Torbay Council and that the Grace Murrell Suite there was named after band fees meant that you could make money on the his grandmother. shows. Nowadays bands appear on television and go I ask Lionel how he got into the business of promoting straight to playing huge arenas.” music shows. He tells me, “I couldn’t play or sing a note Lionel tells me that even today, so many years later, but when I was in the Household Cavalry I used to go he still gets stopped in the street by people who ask him to a coffee house called 2i’s where you could hear rising when he is going to put on some more shows at the stars – I heard Cliff Richard and Adam Faith for the first town hall. He says, “Memories of this era mean a lot to time there.” people from the 60s and 70s generation.” So Lionel, Soon Lionel was booking his first bands and he booked now 83, is really happy that Torre Abbey is putting on some young Torquay schoolboys aged 14 or 15; they a display of his music memorabilia. He reveals, “I never were known as The Torinoes, then the Empty Vessels threw anything away although I did sell some of it.” The before achieving fame as Wishbone Ash. Lionel booked startlingly evocative exhibition is a treasure trove of old

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February/March 2019 | 29

local Torquay venues like the Town Hall and soon started booking gigs at Paignton, Brixham and Newton Abbot as well as venturing further afield. Torquay Town Hall was his heartland though and I am now here at Torre Abbey looking at a plethora of promotional materials for huge names like David Bowie who played in Torquay.

There’s a hand-drawn poster for Lionel’s Bowie concert at Torquay Town Hall with tickets priced at £1.50. There’s a ticket for a Black Sabbath show in July 1970 priced at 10 shillings and a ticket for The Kinks in August 1967 priced at 12 shillings and sixpence. You could get a ticket for Queen in March 1974 for 66p (including VAT).

Amongst Lionel’s favourite acts were Eric Clapton and Cream as well as the flamboyant Screaming Lord Sutch.

Lionel says, “I was friends with Lord Sutch for forty years – he was a great showman.” He also tells me that he knew David Bowie when he was still called Davy Jones.

Bowie played his new song Starman at Torquay Pavilion in 1972. Lionel says, “The show did quite well but it didn’t sell out.” The following week Bowie was on Top of the Pops on the Thursday and Starman shot to number 1 in the charts. If only I’d booked him the following week!”

Lionel chuckles. Jimi Hendrix was due to play at one of Lionel’s shows in 1970 but Hendrix’s manager asked for the show to be postponed till the November by which time Jimi had tragically died – a great loss for more than just the fans of Torquay.

Lionel explains that in the 60s and 70s cheap flights and 30 | February/March 2019

package holidays were not common and people tended to holiday at home. People planned their holidays to Torquay, Paignton and Brixham around the bands that were playing locally. He says, “Music promoters would call me as they knew that I could take acts for 5 or 6 nights and fill the venues.” He says that when he booked Status Quo to play at Torquay’s Victoria Hotel, “they blew the roof off.”

When the band Cream first formed in 1966, they were known as the first ‘supergroup’ as the three band members were all from well-known bands, Eric Clapton joining from the Yardbirds. They wanted some warm-up dates as they were quite nervous of playing together for the very first time. So Lionel gave them some dates in Torquay and paid them £75. He remembers that when they came the following year, he had to pay them £300. The same thing happened with Derek and the Dominos, who did their first date in Torquay before flying to the United States to record. Lionel says, “Torquay Town Hall was a big venue in those days and I was known as a good promoter.”

One of the many secrets of Lionel’s success was to have new bands playing as support acts to the bigger names.

He tells me, “If you can say that this band supported, say the Kinks, they were primed to do well.”

So Lionel carried on with his successful career in promoting music shows through the eras of Rock ‘n Roll, the New Romantics, New Wave and then Punk. He says that Punk was quite popular but didn’t create crowds unless it was The Police or Ultravox. Finally, after an

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Riviera People

illustrious career in the music business, but disillusioned with the punk era he decided to quit.

His wife owned a fancy dress business and he started to collect military uniforms to hire out to local theatres.

Lionel could see that there was a market and started going to fairs to collect medals and costumes including police uniforms. He began working with the Exeter Northcott Theatre and then “word got around.” He supplied uniforms for the Cynthia Payne movie ‘Personal Services’ and with mounting success as a costumier to the stars he gradually put together over 10,000 costumes.

Along the way he bought a London business called Caledonian Costumes with all its stock and started filling warehouses, which he still has today.

He says, “I was happy to work from 8am to midnight or even all night to help supply a film or show producer’s urgent request. Other costume companies closed at 5pm so they always called me, knowing I would help.” Lionel worked on some of the most famous movies of recent years such as The King’s Speech with Colin Firth, Legend with Tom Hardy and Phantom Thread with Daniel Day Lewis. More recently he did costumes for the hugely popular TV mini-series Mrs Wilson with Ruth Wilson and is currently working on The Crown series. Lionel explains, “I’ve got a good reputation for accuracy due to my military knowledge.”

Lionel is trying to retire now but still has big warehouses full of costumes and major collections englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

of medals, guns and much more. He says, “So many collections.” He’d love everything to stay local if possible but it’s a huge act to follow – an amazing lifetime of work and a big store of memories.

Don’t miss seeing his phenomenal collection of music memorabilia at Torre Abbey. ¢ torre-abbey.org.uk

Torbay Rocks 60s and 70s Music Memorabilia from the Lionel Digby Collection On now at Torre Abbey until 24 March Open 10am-5pm (last entry 4pm) Plus!

Rock Around the Bay A Talk by Lionel Digby Saturday 23 February 2-3pm A fascinating look back at the history of Rock n Roll in Torbay.

Music Memorabilia Day Valuation Day Saturday 23 February 11am-4pm Alongside the exhibition, memorabilia specialist Mike Bloomfield from MEM will provide free valuations so bring your hidden treasures along.

Entry to all the above is included with normal Abbey admission.

February/March 2019 | 31

RESTORING BRIXHAM’S HISTORIC BREAKWATER Brixham Breakwater, hugely popular with fisherfolk, walkers, birdwatchers and photographers is receiving reinforcements following damage from Storm Emma last year. We take a look at this well-beloved and historic local structure.

R

epairing the ravages of Storm Emma is a huge task.

During the restoration work, which could take up to six months to complete, 30,000 tonnes of granite boulders will be transported from Falmouth by barge and placed on the seaward side of Brixham Breakwater. This rock armour will then protect the wall from waves during future storms.

A plinth will also be built to raise the height of the wall.

This plinth will deflect the waves back into the sea instead of over the Breakwater and into the harbour.

The barge will carry enough boulders for 10 days of work, it will then return to Falmouth to reload, which will take a week before returning for the work to continue. The funds for this major repair project have come from Torbay Council and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.

Executive Lead for Tourism, Culture and Harbours, Councillor Nicole Amil said, “Storm Emma caused a lot of damage to the Bay, especially our coastline around Brixham, and it’s good to see that the Marine

32 | February/March 2019

Management Organisation have now approved our plans to strengthen the Breakwater. The work, which is costing in excess of £3 million, will provide better protection for the Breakwater, extend its life and continue to make it accessible for everyone.”

Brixham’s iconic breakwater shelters the town’s beautiful harbour, famous fishing fleet and popular marina from storm damage. Building was originally started in 1843 reaching a length of 1400ft before it stopped due to lack of funds. It was then further extended between 1909 and 1916, reaching its full length of just over half a mile. Even at its shorter length it was a popular haven for maritime vessels.

At the opening in 1916, the lighthouse with its red occulting light also went into service. The red light goes out once every 15 second for a period of 3 seconds and is visible for 19 nautical miles. Originally maintained by a lamplighter, it was later converted to electricity.

Limestone from Berry Head was quarried for use in the

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breakwater. Berry Head with its 200ft high cliffs is now a protected National Nature Reserve managed by local conservation charity Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust.

Evidence of this former quarrying is easily visible on the beautiful headland though.

In 1866 the Great Storm prevented Brixham boats (which only had sails) from making it back to harbour, especially as the breakwater’s beacon had been swept away, leaving sailors unable to determine their position.

Legend suggests that the women-folk of the town created a great beacon fire, fuelling it with furniture, bedding and everything they could find to guide the sailors home. It is believed that over 100 lives and many sailing vessels were lost in the storm but many lives were saved by the dramatic efforts of the sailors’ families.

Brixham Breakwater is a very popular location for fishing fans with catches such as mackerel, conger, pollock, wrasse and dogfish being regularly caught. Birdwatchers can enjoy spotting Purple Sandpipers, Turnstone, Kittiwake, englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Great Northern divers, Red-throated Divers and many more. Now and again an unusual or rare migrant bird drops by and the Breakwater becomes quite a magnet for birdwatchers from far and wide.

During WWII a slipway and piers were built on the breakwater from which American servicemen embarked for the D-Day landings. The Slipway and Embarkation Hard, where vehicles and tanks were loaded, are designated Grade II listed by Historic England. Today the area is in regular use for launching all types of craft including sailing dinghies, rowing boats, canoes and kayaks.

The Breakwater itself is a wonderful place to sit, stroll, walk or jog whilst enjoying panoramic views across Brixham and the Bay. Here you can admire the beautiful outer & inner harbours, the town’s colourful cottages, the yachts and the pretty beach. You can watch the fishing boats coming home with their catch and maybe even see the lifeboat go out on ‘a shout’. The Breakwater really is one of Brixham’s most important treasures. ¢ February/March 2019 | 33

PHOTO © : Chris Slack www.chrisslack.com

Riviera Heritage

Do it Your Way with

TORBAY’S For anyone who is retired or semi-retired, Torbay U3A is an amazingly easy way to make friends and pursue interests at minimal cost.

Anita Newcombe drops by to find out more.

I

’ve heard of the U3A (University of the Third Age) means that instructors are never hired and venues don’t but don’t really know much about it so today I’m usually have to be booked. Occasionally there is a cost dropping by to see Torbay U3A’s Chair Linda Nolan involved such as for ten-pin bowling, as lanes have to and Membership Secretary Peter Treadgold. Linda tells be paid for but this is kept to an absolute minimum. me that the ‘Third Age’ is not defined by a numerical Any member who has a skill they’d like to share is age but refers to anyone who is no longer restricted by encouraged to start up a group and the Torbay U3A is full-time employment. Quite simply, if you have time now hugely popular with over 500 members plus 60 to come along to its groups and classes, you’ll be made activities and new ones evolving all the time. super welcome.

Both Linda and Peter have been members for some As the very first and the biggest U3A in the Bay, the years. Peter tells me that he and his wife Angela moved activities on offer are diverse and tempting. Do you fancy to Torbay seven years ago. Having spotted a family a regular game of bridge, canasta, backgammon, Mah history group they decided to give it a try. They joined Jong, chess or darts? Have you always longed to have at one of the regular U3A coffee mornings for would-be a go at Chinese brush painting, birdwatching, creative members. Peter remembers, “We opened the door with writing or digital apprehension but We opened the door with apprehension but photography? How were so warmly about some likedlooked after and were so warmly looked after and actively minded company for actively welcomed welcomed that we decided to join up rambling, singing, that we decided to theatre, ten pin bowling, knitting, poetry, play reading, join up. I never thought that I needed to be a member quizzes or Scrabble? Or why not try the Adventurers of a group but I wouldn’t be without Torbay U3A now.”

Dining Club, a lunch club or groups discussing current Linda chips in, “Yes it was the same with me. I loved the affairs, art, Shakespeare and history? Do you love model enthusiasm and the, ‘Do come and join us’ approach. It railways? There’s a group for you. Do you want to improve was so easy to find out about all the activities on offer.” your French, German or Italian? There’s a group for you In addition to the regular groups, Torbay U3A too. holds meetings every second Wednesday of the month.

But one of the best things about Torbay U3A is that They start at 2.15pm and there’s a speaker followed by it only costs £10 for the whole year. Most groups are socialising and general chat. Many people join at these held in members’ homes and use the skills of members events but there are also smaller coffee mornings for themselves (all covered by the U3A’s insurance). This people who shy away from bigger meetings.

“

34 | February/March 2019

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Give It A Go - Torbay U3A

Linda Nolan & Peter Tre

adgold

Linda says, “It is a big step to walk in on your own but I received such an amazing welcome that I’ve now joined the St Marychurch WI and also NADFAS (now known as The Arts Society).” Linda worked in Chippenham and after taking early retirement moved to Torbay, “for a bit of an adventure.” She now loves the area and enjoys walking and exploring. Having initially joined a history group, she now runs a literature group. She tells me, “When you stop work you can be quite lost without a structure to your day and your whole week.”

She continues, “We now have a Minister for Loneliness so there’s a clear need to help people break out of the loneliness cycle – it’s often a confidence thing. That’s why when people come to us they are always immediately welcomed, introduced and looked after. Once people get started they just love it.”

Peter and Angela moved to the Bay some years ago for family reasons. He tells me, “We’d always lived inland before – we so enjoy the coastline and the Bay gives us everything we want.” Peter originally joined the Torbay U3A family history group and now loves the science group. Angela is a member of knitting, history, crafts and swimming groups. Peter says, “It’s such an inexpensive way to be active.”

As a Torbay U3A member you can join as many groups as you like. You’ll get a monthly newsletter by email and there are regular meetings and coffee mornings to learn about activities on offer. It’s only £10 to join. Why not give it a go? ¢ torbayu3a.org.uk englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

We Gave it a Go! Skittles We gave it a go at the weekly Torbay U3A skittles group run by Philip Gorin at Boots and Laces in St Marychurch. It’s a popular group that takes place on the 2nd and 4th Thursday or the 2nd and 4th Friday of every month. Both groups start at 11am. There are 9 skittles lined up and you get three balls in a bid to knock them down. In fact I knocked just 8 down after three goes, not very impressive perhaps but great fun!

Margaret Roper (pictured here) did much better. This is a popular and well-attended group with a good split of men and women. I did enjoy it and found everyone welcoming but there are many other groups to join so you’ll be sure to find something to suit you.

Other U3A Groups The headquarters of the U3A is The Third Age Trust based in London.

There are other local U3A groups: Paignton, Brixham, Livermead & Preston and Teign (Newton Abbot) Each U3A groups is registered as an individual charity.

February/March 2019 | 35

All aboard The Friendship Express!

Pupils and guests gathered in excitement at South Devon College’s Brunel Centre, Newton Abbot in December to witness the big reveal of nine newly created ‘Friendship Express’ trains.

T

he launch event celebrated the finale of a two-year community project that saw several education providers across the South Devon area working closely together and was hosted at South Devon College’s specialist campus for building and construction courses.

Guests included key personnel from the college plus representatives from each of the nine primary schools involved and sponsors.

Having gained inspiration from the ‘Friendship Bench’ project in 2015, South Devon College initially chatted to local primary schools about the idea of creating a new series of enjoyable playground apparatus in a fun, caring and inspiring way.

Inter-line Building Supplies South West donated suitable wooden timber material and the projects swung into action.

The College’s Level 1 and 2 Construction students soon had the structures taking shape. Reaching almost 18ft in length, several of the trains consisted of three sections, a front engine, a middle wagon and a rear carriage with a roof. Creative pupils from nine local primary schools then worked on bringing the trains to life with an array of eyecatching and vibrantly painted designs.

Schools working together on the project include: All Saints Marsh Church of England Academy, Charleton Church of England Academy, Dunsford Community Academy, Ellacombe Church of England Academy, St Marychurch Academy, Teign Academy, Thurlestone All

36 | February/March 2019

Saints Church of England Academy, Warberry Church of England Academy and West Alvington Academy. Each train’s design offered a vibrant and unique expression of its messages of friendship and togetherness.

All the participating primary schools held their own competitions to find the top twelve artistic pupils who would be chosen to work on their designs. Brewers Decorator Centres helped towards the project by supplying some lovely bright paints. The roofs of each of the nine trains have been painted in separate colours to represent the individual schools.

South Devon College Centre Manager for Construction and Built Environment, David Dance said, “This has been a wonderful project for all involved. For the construction students here at the college it’s been a chance for them to gain invaluable first-hand experience whilst producing something lasting for the schools, which will be enjoyed by all. They get to try their hands at all trades from painting, to roofing, carpentry and flooring - giving them clear guidance on which trades they could find success with in the future.”

South Devon College Construction Student Owen Day added, “I’ve really enjoyed working on the trains due to the different aspects involved. We’ve been painting, sanding and trying our hand at carpentry. It’s given me experience of different trades and I can’t wait to see the reaction from the school children once it’s finished.”

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Schools News Now completed, the trains have new homes in the playgrounds of their respective primary schools. Whilst many pupils will soon enjoy climbing on top of them, the trains have also been designed to benefit pupils in many other ways. Created in response to national anti-bullying campaigns, the trains will also act as a safe area for pupils who may feel isolated or upset, with teachers spotting those in need of help with ease.

Principal of South Devon College, Stephen Criddle OBE said, “It’s brilliant to see the collective hard work from our construction students and staff alike as well as the great creativity of local primary school pupils. The trains are a fantastic showcase of the emerging talent and skills shown by our Newton Abbot campus students and it is very evident that hours of dedication have gone into each train.

Here at the College we’re always keen to get involved with the local community and it’s been a pleasure to work so closely alongside the nine primary schools.”

Senior Administrator, All Saints Marsh Church of England Academy, Becky Webber said, “It’s been a pleasure to witness the great finale of the trains. Having followed

the projects evolution from original paper sketches to final wooden apparatus, I join the many school children here today excited to see their use in the playground.”

Chief Executive Officer, Learning Academy Partnership and All Saints Teaching School Alliance, Lynn Atkinson adds, “Our schools feel really privileged to be involved with and to be the beneficiaries of this exciting community project. Our children are bursting with excitement and can’t wait to try out the friendship trains when they find their home in our schools. I am sure that they will be the talking point for years to come and a hugely valuable resource that will be treasured by our children for years to come. We can’t thank everyone enough”.

To find out more about wide variety of courses that South Devon College offers from apprenticeships to fulltime courses or university degrees, visit our next Open Evening on Thursday 24th January 2019, 4pm-7pm at the Vantage Point Campus, Long Road, Paignton, TQ4 7EJ. Alternatively, you can call the Helpzone team on 08000 380 123 or email enquiries@southdevon.ac.uk ¢

Stuart Bulmer (Director of Operations Learning Academy Partnership), Lynn Atkinson (Chief Executive Officer Learning Academy Partnership), Alex Welsh (Inter-Line), Sally Henley (Newton Abbot Town Development Manager), Ms Garside (Head of Academy All Saints Marsh Academy C of E), Gemma Parker (Inter-Line), David Dance (South Devon College), and Becky Webb (Senior Administrator, All Saints Marsh C of E Academy).

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

February/March 2019 | 37

@horizonsnews @horizonsnews @horizonsnews 01803 540442 01803 540442 01803 540442 horizons@southdevon.ac.uk horizons@southdevon.ac.uk horizons@southdevon.ac.uk South Devon College gratefully acknowledges the support of the Savoy Educational Trust

Education... Education... Education...

Trinity School – Pupils Recognise Importance of Good Mental Health Trinity School in Teignmouth held their second whole school Wellbeing Day during last term, which saw students challenged to explore different ways of managing the pressures and challenges of life. The diverse range of activities meant there was something for everyone, with opportunities for all students to have conversations about school life and things that matter, whether this was with their Form Tutor or as part of a session. The response of students was diverse; some embraced the activities, while others found it hard to acknowledge the need to find peace and quiet in their busy modern lives. Some acknowledged that they needed to unlearn some of the habits they have to help them as they move forward on their journey.

Students, as ever, showed maturity and a genuine openness to try new ideas and communicate their views and feelings; this helps the school to shape future programmes and strategies. ¢

Stover School - National i25 Awards

Stover School’s headmaster Richard Notman has been nominated for the prestigious independent Insight i25 Award. The award recognises the work of 25 individuals who are making a remarkable contribution to independent schools and independent education.

Mr Notman has been recognised for introducing the hugely successful Research Based Learning curriculum to Stover School, Newton Abbot. Research Based Learning is a philosophy that transcends the whole curriculum at Stover School, being employed from the Nursery to the Sixth Form. It defines an approach in which teachers encourage pupils to be researchers, discoverers and creators of their own and others learning, within a lesson or series of lessons, which encapsulate a learning englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

aim or objective. Headmaster, Mr Richard Notman said, “The pupils, staff and community at Stover School should be immeasurably proud that we have been shortlisted for this prestigious award.” Other nominated schools include Charterhouse, Harrow School, Wellington College and Godolphin School. ¢

South Devon College – Marine Partnership South Devon Marine Academy has signed an agreement with the Institut Nautique Bretagne, which will expand the learning opportunities for the college’s FdSc Yacht Operations and Marine Technologies students.

Students will now be able to visit the Institut Nautique Bretagne and enjoy their well-established network of companies and alumni, well placed to provide employment opportunities for students, apprentices and trainees. Qualification Development Coordinator at South Devon Marine Academy, Paul Singer said, “The new agreement will bring huge benefits to both forward-thinking marine based education providers.

Our students can enjoy the prospect of added overseas work placements to thriving nautical areas such as to the Lorient Sailing Academy and esteemed boat manufacturing city La Rochelle. Working closely alongside the team at the INB will also help open doors to the huge range of employers within the marine industry, planning the next steps for our inspired students.”

February/March 2019 | 39

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Victorian Gardens & Lookouts T

his walk along one of the Bay’s highest limestone plateaus passes through what was once a beautifully cultivated Victorian rock garden. Although now unkempt and preserved as a wildlife conservation area many rare and beautiful plants can still be seen.

There are stunning views across the Bay and down through the wooded cliffs to the crystal clear waters. From viewpoints along the way one can see some of Torquay’s most dramatic rock formations such as the Devonian limestone arch, named London Bridge by the Victorians.

Towards the end of the coast path section lies Peaked Tor Cove where one can find Torbay Home Guard’s Second World War lookout post. Its secluded location, protected from enemy aerial surveillance and with a panoramic view across the Bay made it the perfect lookout spot. Today the building is home to a colony of endangered Horseshoe bats.

1Star t from Daddyhole Plain car park. If you look down to the sea below you might catch a glimpse of the devil. Daddy, an ancient word for the devil, lives in a cave at the bottom of the cliff according to local legend. Walk towards the southernmost end of the plain, next to the NCI Coastwatch tower and follow the path under an archway and along a high path with clear views. Pass underneath an observation point, proceed along the path until you reach the steps. All along this path rare and beautiful cultivated plants can be seen in the undergrowth as this area was once cared for by local gardeners.

2 Descend the switchback of steps through the densely planted holly oaks and pass above London Bridge.

44 | February/March 2019

Need to know Distance - 3 miles.

Exertion - moderate with some steep sections.

Time - allow 1 hour 30 minutes.

Terrain - coast path of varying quality and roads.

Not suitable for pushchairs or very young children.

Dogs - leads on the road.

Refreshments - at Torquay Harbour.

Accessibilty - robust pushchairs. An all terrain mobility scooter can be hired Parking - usual National Trust rates apply Start Postcode - TQ1 2EQ

3 You can detour left to stand atop the bridge but it’s certainly not for the faint-hearted! Carry on another 200 yards, past more viewpoints and benches to snatch a breather, and the path meets a T-junction.

4 Turn left to walk back on oneself to get the best view of London Bridge and quarry sites where limestone was removed to build Victorian villas.

5 Follow the now metalled pathway towards the imposing Imperial Hotel and take a detour at Peaked Tor Cove. Descending through the once ornate terraces above the rocky cove, one arrives at the Home Guard lookout point and gentlemen’s bathing platform. Peaked Tor Rock, at the left of the cove was once a popular training point for high divers preparing for the Olympics.

6 As the path reaches the road there is opportunity to take a direct and shorter route back up to Daddyhole Plain by turning right.

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Walk N

7

8

6

1

5 4 3

2

Ordnance Survey ©

Crown copyright.

Media 082/14

7 Turn left, proceed downhill and turn left again after the

Living Coasts coastal zoo onto the busy harbourside where you can stop for refreshments in one of many cafés and bars.

Follow the harbourside road to the right of the inner harbour, carry on up the hill and turn right into Meadfoot Road.

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8 Follow the road until Meadfoot Beach comes into

view then turn right into the lower car park where the coastpath can be rejoined and will return you to Daddyhole Plain after another uphill section broken with a pleasant viewpoint over the southern end of the beach. ¢

February/March 2019 | 45

February & Mar ch around the Bay Smuggling in Devon 5 February

iscover the truth behind the fiction with this talk by writer, photographer and historian obert esketh. ear more about the illegal trade, which ourished in evon between 1750 1850 despite the government’s best efforts to stamp it out. A Tor uay Museum Society ublic ecture. Time: 10.45am-12.45, cost: non-members £5.

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

Families for Children Adoption Event 6 February

op into a special meeting about becoming an adopter with Families for Children and how they can support you for life.

The organisation places vulnerable children from all over the UK with new adoptive families in evon, orset, Cornwall, Somerset and the Isles of Scilly. Time: 10am-12 noon.

Higher Mill, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0EE 01364 645480 familiesforchildren.org.uk

The Antiques Roadshow 6 February

ear about forty years of great finds as anti ues roadshow specialist, Marc Allum provides an insider’s guide to one of the UK’s best loved television shows. A Tor uay Museum Society ublic ecture. Time: 10.45am-12.45, cost: nonmembers £5.

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

Fougou Jazz with Mario Bakuna and Edmundo Carneiro 6 February

Mario Bakuna, Bra ilian musician, arranger and composer and Edmundo Carneiro renowned Bra ilian percussionist are touring with their new album Where io de aneiro meets Bahia’. It is a journey to io de aneiro, the birthplace of Bossa ova, and Bahia, the city that best represents the powerful African in uence in Bra ilian music. In the show Mario and Edmundo promise to transport the audience to a place where the real and the imaginary are experienced and enhanced by poetry and music. Time: 8. 0pm, cost: advance £10, on the door £12.

Churston Golf Club, Dartmouth Road TQ5 0LA 01803 898570 fougoumusic.com

Chinese New Year Buffet, Brixham 7 February

Celebrate Chinese ew ear in style with a Chinese-themed all-you-can-eat buffet dinner at £14.95 per person.

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

Torbay Film Club, Torquay 7 February & 7 March

The film club’s showing in February is: Film Stars on’t ie in iverpool 15 in which romance sparks between a young actor and a ollywood leading lady. The March film is: The ed Turtle - a man is shipwrecked on a deserted island and encounters a red turtle, which changes his life. oors open 7pm for 7. 0pm start. All welcome, cost: nonmembers £5.50.

St Matthias Church Centre, Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HW 07576-967775 torbayfilmclub.co.uk

46 | February/March 2019

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Riviera What’s On The Cuckoo Project 12 February

University of Exeter PhD student, Lowell Mills, has been studying cuckoo ecology on Dartmoor for the last four years and in this talk he shares his findings about its food and habitat plus the highlights of studying this amazing bird on the moors. A Torquay Museum Society Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-12 noon, cost: nonmembers £5.

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

Tots Bake and Create Club, Occombe 13 February, 13 March (and 8 May)

Bring your little one along for a fun morning in the kitchen on the second Wednesday of each month. In February you will make heart shaped pizzas and Valentine’s craft and in March you’ll bake chick and bunny biscuits and make a uffy lamb. Cost: £18 for the -session term.

Suitable for toddlers -5 years. Babies can come with no charge. One adult per child please due to limited space.

Booking essential.

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

The Start Bay Problem 13 February

Dr Richard Porter, senior lecturer in Marine Environmental Sciences at the University of Plymouth & Royal Britannia Naval College, discusses a problem resulting from one poor decision. A Torquay Museum Society Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-12 noon, cost: non-members £5.

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

Dartmouth’s Charity Beer Festival 15 & 16 February

Enjoy a fantastic selection of British beers from around the country, local ciders, wines from Michael Sutton’s Cellar plus fi and prosecco provided by The Fi Boat. adius 7 will serve locally produced food including a vegan menu option.

Local musicians will perform throughout the event and on Saturday night the fabulous Loose Cannons will round up the festivities. Times: Friday 6-11pm, Saturday: 11am-11pm.

Organised by Dartmouth Rotary. Money raised will be split englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

equally between The Flavel and Rowcroft Hospice. Tickets: £10 to include a souvenir glass, tasting notes and 3 tokens.

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

Valentine’s Candlelit Dinner & Dance, Brixham 16 February Treat your loved one to a candlelit, 4-course, romantic dinner. Bubbly and canapés on arrival, red rose for ladies and dancing to live music.

Cost: £35 per person. Themed Valentine’s menus also available in the hotel’s brasserie on 9, 10, 14, 15 & 16 February.

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

Fossil Festival, Torquay 16-24 February

Brave explorers can discover fossils and get up close and personal with dinosaurs. Sit on a baby Triceratops or a full size Deinonychus, and even put head inside the jaw of a fossilised T-Rex skull. And, with a special Fossil Festival Quiz you can even win your very own 160-million-year-old fossil to take home. Plus: Fossil Workshop daily at 3pm. Times: 11am-5pm (last entry 3.30pm).

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

Enchanted Plants Story Trail, Greenway 16-24 February

iscover enchanted owers and monster plants, in the imaginary world of Greenway’s Enchanted Wood. You can pick up a story sheet in Visitor Reception to follow as you explore the garden. Free event but normal admission applies for the venue. Children and dogs on leads are welcome.

Times: 10.30am-4.30pm. Parking must be prebooked.

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

Torbay Young Archaeologists Club 16 February Join a full day workshop making a film about excavations at Ipplepen.

Led by Emberlense Productions, members will learn practical skills in film making and presenting archaeological content. The film will then be used in an upcoming

February/March 2019 | 47

exhibition at the Museum. Booking essential, suitable for: ages 8-16 years, cost: £15 per child member.

New club members welcome – email clare.howe@torquaymuseum.org

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

Stone Age Festival, Kents Cavern 16-24 February

A week-long programme of events hosted by Kents Cavern celebrating our Stone Age ancestors with a range of free and paid activities, workshops and demonstrations. Try spear throwing, ag painting, ice age animal hunt and much more. Cost: lots of activities included in normal admission.

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

Nature Designs Trail 16-24 February

Is there a budding designer in the family? This February half term, why not look for buds and designs in the garden as you search for signs of spring on the Nature Designs Trail?

Following a trail sheet you can explore the garden by looking for some of the best natural features. At each place you will find a design motif for the nature design rubbing trail, to complete your sketchbook. Times: 10.30am-4pm, free event but normal admission applies for the venue, booking not needed. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dogs on leads welcome.

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

Stone Age Workshops, Kents Cavern 17-24 February

Part of Kents Cavern’s Stone Age Festival, there are 2 themed sessions per day: Gatherers and Musicians 10.00am to 11.30am - (For children aged 4-8 years old) Make your own gathering pouch before trying to find some useful items in the woodland area. Then learn about Stone Age music, create your own rainmaker before heading into the caves to hear how they sound.

Firemaking - 2pm to 3.30pm - (For children aged 7-12 years old . Try your hand at making fire by friction with a bow drill and then head into the caves to see the fires that Stone Age people used inside. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Cost: £5 per child session.

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

The Enchanted Occombe Mystery 18-22 February

Half Term Coin Mystery 16-24 February

Search for the old coins, have a go at naming them, even have a go at comparing average cost of living from 100 years ago to now. Claim your treat at reception. Normal entry prices apply.

Head over to Occombe Farm and help the fairies and elves to solve the puzzle of the Enchanted Woodland. £2.50 per Scavenger Trail Sheet. Times: 10am-3pm, suitable for: all ages.

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

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

Stone Age School, Kents Cavern 16 February & 16 March

Meet the Animals, Occombe 18 & 22 February

This is part of the regular Stone Age School series. The February event is Stone Age Chef – can you make a delicious Stone Age meal? The March event is Stone Age Musician – make your own Stone Age Instrument. Suitable for: 6-12 years, children must be accompanied by an adult.

Cost: £7 per child session. Booking essential.

Kents Cavern, Torquay, TQ1 2JF 01803 215136 kents-cavern.co.uk 48 | February/March 2019

Say hello to newborn lambs at Occombe and help to bottle-feed them.

Please note all attendees must pay and a paying adult must accompany all children. Price £3, suitable for ages 3+, booking

To promote your business to our readers email sales@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Riviera What’s On essential. Time: 10-11am.

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

Britannia Royal Naval College Tours, Dartmouth 18, 20, 25, 27 February & 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 27 March

With an intriguing heritage spanning over 150 years, Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth is a splendid and fascinating place to visit. The Monday sessions are at 10am and the Wednesday sessions at 2pm. Cost: £13 adult, £6.50 child, senior citizen or student £11.25. Britannia Royal Naval College is a working military establishment and photographic identification photocopies not permitted is required for access.

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

dining table. The item featured in the talk will vary according to availability of team members on the day. Please ask on arrival if you would like to know more. Time: 3-3.15pm, free event but normal admission applies. Children welcome when accompanied by an adult.

Coleton Fishacre, Brownstone Road, Kingswear TQ6 0EQ 01803 843235 nationaltrust.org.uk

The Newlyn School Legacy 19 February

Zoe Burkett, from the Penlee House Gallery, Penzance, discusses the artists working in Newlyn, Lamorna, & Penzance in the early 20th century & their links with the 19th century Newlyn School artists. A Torquay Museum Society Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-12 noon, cost: non-members £5.

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

Before Wallis 20 February

Hear about Edward VIII’s other women in this talk by Rachael Trethewy. She discusses her book in which she uncovers the love life of Edward VIII prior to Wallis Simpson’s arrival in his life. The book was recently serialised in the Daily Mail. Expect exhilaratingly scandalous stories. A Torquay Museum Society Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-12 noon, cost: non-members £5.

Kids’ Cookery School, Occombe 19 February or 21 February

Spend the day cooking up some delicious warming recipes to share with your family and friends. Suitable for children aged 7-12 years who can be left unaccompanied – paperwork required prior to event. Cost: £36, time: 10am4pm, booking essential.

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

Mini Talks on Coleton Fishacre’s Design Features 19, 22, 26 February & 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29 March

Learn more about key features in the interior design of Coleton Fishacre when it was created in the 1920s. At each session, a staff or volunteer team member will give a ten-minute talk on one feature of design in the house. It might be the Marion Dorn carpet in the Saloon, the Lalique light fittings in the ining oom, or perhaps the Scaliola englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Torquay Museum, 529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HG

Wild Wednesday, Coleton Fishacre 20 February

Why not join the National Trust’s ranger team to tick off number 36 of your 50 things to do before you’re 11¾? You can drop in to make bug boxes, which are perfect homes for wild animals and which you can take home. Booking not needed. Cost: £ per child must be accompanied by an adult , normal admission applies, time: 2pm-4pm.

Coleton Fishacre, Brownstone Road, Kingswear TQ6 0EQ 01803 843235 nationaltrust.org.uk

Kids’ Bake & Create Club, Occombe 20 February

Head to Occombe Farm and get busy in the kitchen, making a delicious bake and a creative craft for you to take home at lunchtime. Suitable for children aged 8-13 years who can be left unaccompanied – paperwork required prior to event.

Cost: £20, time: 9.30am-12 noon, booking essential.

February/March 2019 | 49

EST D 1904

R EDCLIFFE H OTEL PAIGNTON

«««

Hamiltons Hamiltons on Babbacombe Downs offers modern contemporary cuisine with a friendly service and warm atmosphere. Enjoy a relaxed lunch or dine in style from our delicious menu and with the theatre just a small step away, it’s perfect for a pre-theatre meal or drink. With private function suites Hamiltons is the ideal venue for every occasion. Choose from our unique club style function room or take in the spectacular views from our first-floor function suite with a balcony overlooking Lyme Bay.

63 Babbacombe Downs Road Torquay TQ1 3LP 01803 316300 www.hamiltonsclub.com

Redcliffe Hotel

Occombe Farm Café

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2019 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 50 | February/March 2019

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

RNLI Fundraisers Coffee Morning 20 February

Join the Torbay Lifeboat fundraisers at a sociable coffee morning with homemade cakes and raf e available. Time: 10am-12 noon.

It’s a great way to support the Torbay lifeboat.

Berry Head Hotel, Berry Head Road, Brixham TQ5 9AJ. 07716 117875 Torbaylifeboat.co.uk or email rnlitlf@gmail.com

Countryside Walks, Coleton Fishacre 21 February & 29 March

The ranger team will be leading countryside walks from Coleton Fishacre to udcombe Cove, along the South West Coast ath to Ivy Cove, and back to Coleton Fishacre via Coleton Camp. n the way they’ll be talking about the wildlife that thrives on this stretch of coast, and the work that the ational Trust does to care for it. Expect steep hills and steps. Time: 11. 0am-2pm. Free event but normal admission applies for the venue. Children must be accompanied by an adult. ogs on leads welcome. Meet by the courtyard caf .

Coleton Fishacre, Brownstone Road, Kingswear TQ6 0EQ 01803 843235 nationaltrust.org.uk

Spring Walk with a Ranger, Greenway 22 February & 28 March

Why not join one of the countryside rangers for a walk through reenway garden out to part of the estate n the walk you will find out about the work that the ational Trust rangers do to care for this special place. Time: 11. 0am-1pm. Free event but admission applies for the venue. Children and dogs on leads are welcome. Meet in the courtyard. Event booking not needed but parking must be prebooked.

Greenway House, Greenway, Brixham TQ5 0ES 01803 661905 nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway

Trust 10 Run - Coleton Fishacre 24 February & 24 March

A free monthly ational Trust 10k trail run along the rugged South West Coast ath and through Coleton Fishacre garden. Free, fun, informal, forever and for everyone. The run is two loops so there is the option for a 5k run. Time: 9-10. 0am. parking charges apply to non-members. englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Coleton Fishacre, Brownstone Road, Kingswear TQ6 0EQ 01803 843235 nationaltrust.org.uk

Tots Go Wild, Occombe 25 February, 25 March, 29 April & 20 May Bring your little ones to enjoy a 4-session term at ccombe with a spot of treasure hunting, farming, gardening and bug hunting. Suitable for: toddlers to age 5 babies can come free , booking essential. Cost: £20 for the 4 sessions.

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

Bushmaster 26 February

an Eatherley introduces his book, Bushmaster: aymond itmars and the unt for the World’s argest iper, which tells the ama ing story of the first Curator of eptiles at ew ork’s famous Bronx oo and his obsession with an enigmatic and deadly reptile. A Tor uay Museum Society ublic ecture.

Time: 10.45am-12 noon, cost: non-members £5.

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

Brunel’s Hidden Kingdom 27 February elen illard tells the largely unknown story of how Isambard Kingdom Brunel created his estate & family mansion at Watcombe, Tor uay during the last twelve years of his life. But did he finish it A Tor uay Museum Society ublic ecture. Time: 10.45am12 noon, cost: nonmembers £5.

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

Spanish Themed Buffet, Brixham 28 February

l Enjoy a relaxed all-you-can-eat Spanish-themed buffet dinner for £14.95 per person.

Berry Head Hotel, Berry Head Road, Brixham TQ5 9AJ 01803 853225 berryheadhotel.com February/March 2019 | 51

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Antiques & Collectables Fair 2 March

Wander in search of a hidden treasure in one of the many antiques stalls inside and outside the racecourse. Time: 9am-2.30pm, free entry.

Newton Abbot Racecourse, Newton Road, Kingsteignton TQ12 3AF 01626 353235 newtonabbotracing.com

The Bees at Buckfast Abbey 5 March

Clare Densley is the Abbey’s Head Beekeeper and a seasonal bee inspector for Devon. She will be sharing her passion for bees in this talk. A Torquay Museum Society Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-12 noon, cost: non-members £5.

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

Greenway Garden Blitz 6 March

n the first Wednesday of each month the garden team blitz an overgrown or neglected area of garden - can you help? The work involves cutting down or digging out weeds, brambles, overgrown shrubs and moving debris to the shredder or bonfire. o gardening skills are necessary.

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

Greenway House, Greenway, Brixham TQ5 0ES 01803 661905 nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway

Dinosaur Archaeology 6 March

Riviera What’s On Kid’s Saturday Cookery Club, Occombe 9 March Occombe Farm Cookery School is hosting a cookery club for children aged 8-13 years. Paperwork must be completed prior to the day of the event; children can be left unattended.

Booking essential. Time: 9.30am-12 noon, cost: £20.

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

Violet Pinwill Woodcarver 12 March

Dr Helen Wilson tells the story of Violet and her sisters, daughters of the Revd Edmund Pinwill, Vicar of Ermington.

The sisters were woodcarvers whose work can be seen in over 185 churches in evon, Cornwall further afield. iolet is acknowledged to be one of the finest of the great Victorian woodcarvers. A Torquay Museum Society Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-12 noon, cost: non-members £5.

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

RNLI Fundraisers Coffee Morning, Brixham 13 March

Join the Torbay Lifeboat fundraisers at a sociable coffee morning, with homemade cakes and raf e available.

Time: 10am to 12 noon. It’s a great way to support the Torbay lifeboat.

Shipmates, 16 The Quay, Brixham TQ5 8AW 07716 117875 Torbaylifeboat.co.uk or email rnlitlf@gmail.com

The Male Trail, Torquay 16 March

Society member, Roger Hamilton tells how an archaeologist’s dream became reality. A Torquay Museum Society Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-12 noon, cost: non-members £5.

Brand new for 2019, The Male Trail is the first ever men-only event supporting Rowcroft. The charity is calling upon the men of South Devon to do their bit to support their local hospice. This also involves pints, pasties and watching the 6 ations with your mates total coincidence, but you can’t say no to Rowcroft). This 8-mile charity walk starts at 11am at Torquay Rugby Club. Register online.

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

Torquay Rugby Club, Rathmore Road, Torquay TQ2 6NX 01803 217632 rowcrofthospice.org.uk

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

February/March 2019 | 53

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

EnglishRiviera

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CAFÉ CULTURE BY DAY AND AN INTIMATE RESTAURANT BY NIGHT

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GREAT FOOD GREAT DRINKS GREAT VIEWS GREAT FUN

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PARKRUN

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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 54 | February/March 2019

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The Awkward Squad 19 March

Torquay resident, Kevin Dixon provides a fascinating insight into radicalism, rebellion, riot & counterculture in Victorian Torbay, including The Torquay Chartists, The Bread Riots and the Salvation Army Riot. A Torquay Museum Society Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-12 noon, cost: non-members £5.

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

The Embodiment of Walt Whitman 20 March

In the bicentenary year of Walt Whitman’s birth, Dr Peter Riley, Lecturer in American Studies at Exeter University, discusses the great American poet’s celebration of American nationhood in his major work, Leaves of Grass. A Torquay Museum Society Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-12 noon, cost: non-members £5.

Riviera What’s On Greenway Camellia Festival 23-31 March Why not join in the celebrations of Greenway’s success at being accredited as an International Camellia Garden of Excellence? Floral displays within the house and around the garden buildings will highlight owers from the camellia collection. A changing daily programme of walks, talks and activities will explore the history of the camellia garden at Greenway, the plants you can see, care and cultivation of camellias, and art and writing inspired by this precious ower. Booking not needed. Free event but normal admission applies for the venue. Times: 10.30am – 5pm.

Check online for further details. Parking must be prebooked.

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

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

Thai Night, Brixham 21 March

Taste the delights of the Orient with this Thaithemed, all-you-can-eat buffet dinner at £14.95 per person.

The Redoubtable Swiss in WWII 26 March

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

Local Historian, David Hinchliffe, discusses the way in which the Swiss found practical solutions to the problems they faced in World War II. A Torquay Museum Society Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-12 noon, cost: non-members £5.

Torquay Comedy Club 22 March

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

Torquay Comedy Club promises to bring you a superb selection of some of the best comedians on the circuit. Tickets: £9.50, time: 7pm.

Sports Bar, The Riviera Hotel, Belgrave Road, Torquay TQ2 5HJ torquaycomedyclub.co.uk englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Hot Rocks & High Places 27 March

Luck played its part when Alex Leger joined the Blue Peter programme in 1975.The presenters were: John Noakes, Peter Purves and Lesley Judd. Alex describes pivotal events in broadcasting and film that secured his position as a producer for thirty-six years. A Torquay Museum Society Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-12 noon, cost: non-members £5.

Torquay Museum, 529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HG 01803 293975 torquaymuseum.org.uk February/March 2019 | 55

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Riviera What’s On Spring Foodie Gift Making for Families, Occombe 30 March

Get ready for spring with a morning or afternoon of edible gift making for families.Make and bake a batch of hot cross buns and create hatching chick cupcakes just in time for Easter. Morning session is 9.30am-11.30am or afternoon session 12.30-2.30pm. Cost: £22.50 max 3 people per group to include 1 adult. Booking essential. Not suitable for gluten & dairy allergies.

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

see the new exhibition Ipplepen: New Discoveries on the Edge of the Roman Empire. Time: 9.30am-4.45pm, cost: £15 including refreshments and lunch, booking essential.

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

Man Sands Beach Clean 30 March

Coleton Fishacre’s countryside rangers will be leading a beach clean at Man Sands Beach, getting things tidy before the Easter holidays. You’re welcome to join in at any point between 10am & 12 noon and to stay as long as you like to help to clear the beach of plastic and litter which is so damaging to our oceans. Parking for Man Sands beach is available in Man Sands car park (free for National Trust members). There is a steep downhill walk from there to the beach. Meet at the beach.

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

Mother’s Day Paper Flower Workshop & Tea 31 March

Rethinking Romans in Devon 30 March

For grown-up kids and their Mums, a chance to make a paper ower posy together and to enjoy a pot of tea and a camellia cupcake. Time: 2-4.30pm, cost: £15, suitable for: 12 years and over, booking essential, parking must be prebooked.

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

Take part in a day conference at the museum consisting of a day of discussions and lectures about advances in understanding of the Roman Period in Devon. You can also

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February/March 2019 | 57

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 Non-residents and families welcome Well appointed 3 star accommodation www.berryheadhotel.com

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Sense the creativity Manor House Weddings and Room Hire 460 Acre Award-Winning Country Park and Gardens Craft Studios Arts and Crafts Workshops Visitor Welcome Point and Galleries Tea Rooms Free admission, open daily from 10am Cockington Court Craft Centre Cockington, Torquay TQ2 6XA Tel: 01803 607230 www.cockingtoncourt.org @CockingtonCourt @CockingtonC

58 | February/March 2019

WEDDING SHOWCASE 11am - 4pm on Sunday 10th March 2019 Explore the award-winning site and visualise your special day in one of the most romantic venues in Torquay!

Come and meet our Wedding Team, view the wedding spaces and find out about the specialist services that the craft makers and local suppliers can offer.

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February/March 2019 | 59

breakfasts & hearty lunches, seasonal specials & Sunday roasts, snacks and treats.

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Steak Night Friday 22nd February

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

The Paignton Club, established in 1885.

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An ideal venue for weddings, celebrations, parties and wakes.

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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

60 | February/March 2019

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Weddings

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themselves and smaller versions for their bridesmaids.

I’m very struck by the spectacular seashell crown Claire shows me. She explains that she was asked to create one by a local photographer and they have since become extremely popular in all shapes and sizes. She also offers (for hire) a 9ft high, heart-shaped bridal archway, which is lit on one side and decorated with beautiful hand-painted flowers on the other. Claire can also organise workshops for up to 6 people and these are perfect for hen parties or birthdays either at Cockington Court Craft Centre or in your home. The sessions last 2-3 hours and you’ll go home with your own handmade flower or seashell crown.

Pickle, Claire’s mini ‘Pinscher with Chihuahua’ dog (known as a Chipin) is usually in the workshop and features heavily in Claire’s ‘behind the scenes’ Instagram stories.

Pickle’s cute and funny escapades have become so popular that Claire has started making flower crowns for dogs to satisfy her followers.

While you are visiting Claire Austin England at Cockington Court, you can also visit other high quality wedding suppliers and view the Grade II listed manor house that is one of the most popular wedding venues in the Bay. Other craft studios here include: Flower la Vita, Daisy Cakes, Cockington Chocolate Company, K & H Cockington Carriages, Isabella Day Goldsmith and many more. They are all located within beautiful Cockington Country Park so maybe include a stroll and a visit to the Cockington Court Tea Rooms.

Claire Austin England is open 5 days a week from 10am to 4pm – check her website or Facebook for details as her opening days are variable. She also exhibits at a range of local wedding shows. If you’d like something really unique for your wedding just get in touch or pop in! ¢  claireaustinengland.com

Don’t Miss!

Cockington Court Wedding Showcase 10 March - Discover what’s on offer at this stunning Torquay venue with ceremony rooms, stylish catering, craft studios and beautiful grounds.

Free admission from 11am to 4pm. cockingtoncourt.org February/March 2019 | 61

PHOTO © : Caitlin Hodges Photography

something in their hair but have no idea where to begin.

Either way, they can make an appointment to meet Claire at her studio, work through ideas and try some samples.

It’s a lovely experience with tea, coffee or elderflower juice and a yummy wedding cupcake courtesy of Daisycakes.

Claire only moved to Cockington Court Craft Centre in November 2018 after working from home for several years.

She tells me, “I am so proud when I open my door here at Cockington. I feel more inspired, professional and creative in this environment and I’m very excited about 2019.”

Brides who can’t come to the workshop can chat on Facetime with Claire or she can send a video message with a range of hairpiece images. You can also start a conversation with her by email, Facebook or phone and continue the process online.

The whole consultation process is complimentary and together you and your designer will come up with a completely unique design using crystals, diamantes, pearls, mulberry-paper flowers and seashells. You’ll discuss the wedding dress and the weddingday hairstyle then look at any photos you’ve collected, maybe from magazines and Pinterest before working on your own bespoke look. Claire can adapt hairpieces to suit any kind of hair and any style. She tells me that rose gold tiaras are particularly popular just now but brides can have whatever their hearts desire.

All Claire’s hairpieces and other accessories are handmade according to the agreed design and Claire tells me that it’s a good idea to start around three months before the wedding so that the bride can include the piece in her hairdressing trial. Claire also makes flower crowns, garlands, hair combs, hair grips, hand held floral hoops, bouquets, posies and button holes for brides and their bridesmaids plus flower girls and groomsmen. The flowers you choose can be hand painted to match your colour theme. Another nice touch is to have small items like flower hairgrips made as gifts for your bridesmaids and flower girls.

Claire is getting married herself in August and will, of course, be wearing one of her own pieces; it will be a hair vine but the design is top secret. She explains that a hair vine is a flexible, silver coated wire that can be moulded into any shape so that your hair stylist can use it in any way. You can even have it plaited through your hair – sounds stunning! Some brides choose a bigger hair vine for

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Weddings

Wedding Fairs and Shows Love is in the air with a host of local wedding fairs and events to help you plan your perfect big day.

The Livermead Bridal Fayre Sunday 17 February - The Livermead Bridal Fayre offers you the latest trends in the wedding industry.

Experts will be on hand to guide you through the process of deciding what you want for your big day.

Many new features are expected this year from cars, cakes, and balloons to dresses, casinos and more from the cream of Torbay’s wedding services. Time: 11am4pm. Free entry.

The Livermead House Hotel Torquay TQ2 6QJ 01803 294361 livermead.com

The Imperial Hotel Wedding Showcase Sundays 24 February & 24 March - Guests will be welcomed to The Imperial’s special wedding showcase event with a glass of bubbly as this gracious hotel opens its doors to showcase beautiful wedding options and help inspire your perfect wedding day. The events team will be on hand to guide you through the showcase, which will be held in the Haldon Room, set up for a wedding reception. You can meet a member of the Imperial team to explore the hotel and plan your big day. Time: 3-6pm.

The Imperial Hotel Park Hill Road, Torquay TQ1 2DG 01803 294301 theimperialtorquay.co.uk

The New Riviera Wedding Show

Cockington Court Wedding Showcase

Sunday 24 February - The Riviera Wedding Show is brought to you by Prism Events and is a wonderful opportunity to visit a one-stop wedding fair for your wedding needs. It offers a huge variety of exhibitors, catwalk shows by Brides at Waterfields plus hair, makeup and entertainment. Free entry, time: 11am-4pm.

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

Sunday 10 March - Discover what’s on offer at this stunning Torquay venue with ceremony rooms, stylish catering, craft studios and beautiful grounds.

Free admission from 11am to 4pm.

Cockington Court Cockington Lane, Cockington Torquay TQ2 6XA cockingtoncourt.org

The Cary Room at Cockington Court englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

February/March 2019 | 63

ArtsRoundUp We bring you a roundup of exhibitions & workshops to bring out your creative side.

The Arts Society Torbay - Talks Wagons West – Images of the American Frontier 14 February

Enjoy a chance to ‘Go West’ with this introduction to American Art & History, a talk by Ian Beckett.

Tor Bay and The Sea Exhibition On throughout 2019 An exhibition of art and artefacts that help celebrate the rich maritime heritage of the Bay. The Bay has been inhabited since Palaeolithic times and the lives of residents and visitors are dominated by their relationship with the sea.

Entry included with normal Abbey admission.

Scrap Tots On till 14 February Edouard Manet and Music 14 March Music was a constant theme in Manet’s life. Discover how music inspired his art in this talk by Dr Lois Oliver.

Hands on scrappy workshops and activities for pre-school children (and their grown-ups). Scrap Tots is designed to inspire a new generation of builders, makers, inventors and designers where anything is possible. Little ones are

Both events at 2.15pm. Visitors are welcome, cost: £8 (deducted if joining the society).

The Peter Larkin Hall, St. Matthias Church Centre, Babbacombe Road, Wellswood, Torquay TQ1 1HW. 01803 298440 or 311648 torbay.theartssociety.org

Torre Abbey

Torbay Rocks Exhibition On till 24 March (Tuesday-Sunday) Torbay Rocks is a fascinating exhibition, which features a range of music memorabilia from the archive of local personality Lionel Digby. Lionel was one of the Bay’s best music and club promoters throughout the 60s and 70s and was responsible for bringing some of the biggest bands of the time to Torbay. Many of his artefacts such as posters and photographs have been kept in storage and will be on display for the first time. Cost: included in normal Abbey admission charge. Times: 10am-5pm (last admission 4pm).

64 | February/March 2019

encouraged to think outside the box or even sit in it and y it to planet uffy unicorn’ Cost: child £ , family £5. Suitable for: 0-4 years old.

Images and Imagination On till 31 March Enjoy a showcase of stunning images by Torbay Photographic Society. Open Tuesdays to Sunday 10am-5pm.

Entry included with normal admission.

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Arts Riviera Art Fair 5-24 February (Tuesday - Sunday) Brixham Art Society, Torbay Guild of Artists, and Devon Art Society are hosting a joint exhibition entitled Riviera Art Fair in Torre Abbey’s historic Spanish Barn. A large number of original paintings and sculptures by local artists will be on display and all for sale. Time: 11.00 - 4.00pm. Free entry.

carving wooden spoons or small vessels from the branch of a tree using traditional woodcarving tools. Suitable for ages 12+. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. Time: 10am-5pm, cost: £45. Booking essential. Email: crafted@ dartington.org

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

Dartington Hall

Craft Revolution – Make a Jacket 25 February – 1 April (6 x Mondays) Make a Merchant & Mills Ottoline Jacket with Jane Norris.

Choose from a super cool denim, linen or wool jacket, learn how to read a pattern, and cut out the size you need, learn how to build on basic sewing techniques and learn professional construction and finishing skills. It’s a 6-week course on Mondays from 6-9pm. Cost: £220, booking essential. Email: crafted@dartington.org

Craft Revolution – Build a Chair 27 February – 3 April (6 x Wednesdays) Develop your carpentry skills with Stefan Batorijs and learn to make a fabulous chair over the course of 6 weeks.

The Craft Revolution are huge supporters of the trash-totreasure approach to design and making. Using repurposed, discarded and recycled materials is not only eco-friendly; giving new life to seemingly useless material, but provides a critique on modern consumer-based culture and individual value systems. This is an intermediate course for people who have had some introduction to carpentry. A 6-week course on Wednesdays from 6-9pm. Cost: £170, booking essential. Email: stefan@natureandtherapy.co.uk or crafted@dartington.org

Craft Revolution – Bookbinding 19 March (summer term 6 sessions) Learn the arts of lead and brass typography or embark on your own restoration project under the guidance of skilled tutor, Mary Bartlett. Students can choose to work on their own projects in restoration, artist books, boxes, portfolios or related subjects. Cost: 6 sessions for £60, classes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. Enquiries via info@ dartington.org to Mary Bartlett.

Dartington members receive a discount on some courses.

Dartington Hall, Totnes TQ9 6EL 01803 847070 dartington.org

Craft Revolution – Spoon Day Sunday 3 March Spend the day around a fire in the woods with Felix Kary englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

February/March 2019 | 65

Treading the boards... the editor’s pick of local theatre

Babbacombe Theatre

Box Office 01803 328385 Editor’s pick STARBURST 12 February – 23 October (Tues & Weds) 2019 marks a special anniversary at Babbacombe Theatre; the venue, originally a concert hall, opened its doors 80 years ago, in May 1939. A special anniversary should be celebrated, and in epic proportion! The allnew family, variety production Starburst promises to do just that.

Also worth seeing…

The Bohemian Queen’s Greatest Hits 8 March Fleetwood Bac 1 March

Princess Theatre, Torquay

Box Office 0844 8713023 Editor’s pick THE ROCKET MAN – A TRIBUTE TO SIR ELTON JOHN 16 March Travel back in time and be treated to all the hits such as Crocodile Rock, Philadelphia Freedom, Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting, Are You Ready for Love, I’m Still Standing, Tiny Dancer, Your Song and of course Rocket Man. Combining breath-taking vocal and piano performances, flamboyant costumes, a dazzling light show - all accompanied by an outstanding band and backing vocals.

Also worth seeing…

Dan Snow – An Evening with the History Guy 20 March The Magic of the Beatles 22 March

Palace Theatre, Paignton Box Office 01803 665800 Editor’s pick BAREFOOT IN THE PARK 13 – 16 February

Bijou Theatre Productions pays tribute to the great Neil Simon, who sadly died last August aged 91. Barefoot in the Park is a wonderfully, whimsical, romantic comedy and Simon’s longest running hit. Corrie and Paul Bratter are a newlywed couple. For their first home they live in an apartment on the top floor of a brownstone in New York …with no lift. Just the thing to lift those February blues.

Also worth seeing…

Jason Donovan & His Amazing Midlife Crisis Tour 23 February Stars of Les Miserables Live in Concert 15 March 66 | February/March 2019

Little Theatre, Torquay

Box Office 01803 299330 Editor’s pick MY MOTHER SAID I SHOULD NEVER 18 – 23 March A warm, poignant elegy about four generations of women across this century, growing up, growing old and growing (or not) wise. They explore the emotional inheritance each receives from the other: debts and responsibilities and how it takes generations learn about the value of real feeling. A TOADS Season production.

Also worth seeing…

Arabian Nights 20-23 February

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Theatre

Brixham Theatre

Box Office 01803 415987 Editor’s pick DICK WHITTINGTON 20 – 23 FEBRUARY

Y OU

From the sewers of London to the shores of Morocco, this cracking pantomime overflows with comedy, action, music and dance.

Also worth seeing…

The Vera Lynn Story 15 March

Flavel Arts Centre, Dartmouth Box Office 01803 839530 Editor’s pick ROHLIVE DON QUIXOTE 19 February

Tuesdays & Wednesdays 12th February - 23rd October 8.15pm incl Matinee: Wednesday 21st August 2.30pm Tickets: £22, Seniors £20, Children £11

Don Quixote and his servant Sancho Panza set out to have a chivalrous adventure. They meet Kitri and Basilio, a young couple who cannot marry because Kitri’s father is determined to marry her off to the wealthy Gamache. Don Quixote decides to intervene.

Also worth seeing…

BRNC Big Band – Swing Into Spring 22 February Georgie Fame in Concert 9 March

Friday 1st March 7.30pm Tickets £19/£18

The Bohemians

Queen Greatest Hits Tour

Friday 8th March 7.30pm Tickets £20/£19

£2 - NO CARD CHARGES APPLIED £2 booking Bookingfee Fee PerCREDIT Ticket Online

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Box Office (01803) 328385 February/March 2019 | 67

The Lodge Cancer Support Centre

The Cancer Support and Information Centre at Torbay Hospital Annexe provides a service for patients, carers and friends affected by cancer. Julian Rees goes along to find out more.

I

’m meeting Jenny Daly, the Macmillan Support & Information Manager at the Lodge, part of the cancer care service of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust. I’m greeted by Pam, a ‘meet & greet’ volunteer, who issues me with a parking permit and, as I’m a few minutes early, a cup of tea too.

Jenny introduces herself and gives me the lowdown on how The Lodge was launched back in 2007 after the realisation that support for cancer sufferers comes in so many other forms besides clinical treatment. At that time the Macmillan Cancer Support charity started to work in partnership with the local NHS Trust to provide a support and information centre for patients and anyone else affected by cancer. The Lodge at Torbay Hospital Annexe was available and was well converted to provide the required spaces. Being situated away from the main hospital allowed the centre to provide a quiet and contemplative space away from the hustle and bustle of everyday hospital life.

To put things into context, Jenny explains that the centre offers both emotional and financial support. These services are provided by Jenny and her team of two

68 | February/March 2019

part-time Macmillan Support Workers, a part-time administrator and a team of volunteers. Volunteers include: ‘Meeters & Greeters’, who run the centre’s reception area plus complementary therapists providing free massage, aromatherapy and reflexology sessions.

There are regular visits from benefits consultants from the Department of Work & Pensions, a wig fitting consultant and health and beauty professionals who run monthly pamper sessions advising on skin care and make-up in conjunction with the Looking Good Feel Better campaign.

She tells me the ‘Skin Fitness for Men’ session is growing in popularity too.

During 2018, the centre had over 6,000 user contacts and the team’s daily tasks vary tremendously. One minute they might have to find a solution for someone who is looking at a two-week stay in hospital for treatment and has no-one to look after their dog. Then they might advise a carer how to wash their mother’s hair when she

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Charities & Volunteering can’t get out of bed followed by making a Macmillan grant application. Last year the centre secured over £34,000 in Macmillan grants for its users to help reduce hardship. Jenny explains that although some people have access to good sick pay, many still only have access to statutory benefits or have no sickness income at all.

This means that increased living costs relating to cancer often lead to money problems. For instance: increased heating costs from being off work and at home; the cost of buying new clothes as patients’ bodies often change during treatment and extra costs when dietary changes are required. Grants are also made to make improvements in patient’s homes with special beds, chairs and bathing equipment. Macmillan also provides a broad range of high quality, up-to-date audio-visual material on all aspects of cancer for the centre, offers training for volunteers and has representatives on the centre’s steering committee.

Jenny tells me that their clients are roughly 50% patients and 50% carers, relatives, teachers or other healthcare professionals. No referral is required and the centre is open four days a week for drop-ins and appointments.

Jenny says a really successful outcome is seeing someone who benefits from as many of the centre’s services as possible. She cites an example of a patient who came just for a wig fitting then went on to take emotional counselling, receive financial support and benefit greatly from pampering and complementary therapy. What matters most though is that every person who uses the centre leaves in a different frame of mind and is more able to cope than when they came in.

Jenny tells me that she grew up in Surrey and came to Torbay for holidays as a child. She remembers lying on a beach with a tiny transistor radio watching a steam train pass by and thinking, “What could I do to make sure I could spend my days living somewhere like this?” After completing her university training in Hull she worked in Poole before coming to the Bay where she has spent most of her career as a specialist cancer nurse; she has been at The Lodge for the last eight years.

I wonder how a person finds the strength to deal with so many problems on a daily basis? She tells me that she is moved by every individual’s situation and feels very privileged to be in a position to help so many people; knowing that you’re helping is what gets her through.

She now lives in Teignbridge, loves getting out and about in the local countryside and spends her spare time gardening, making mosaics and stained glass; she hopes to be able to develop arts and crafts, and gardening as therapies in the future. ¢  www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk/services/ cancer-support-services/ englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Sarah Morris (Macmillan Support Worker) and Jenny Daly (Macmillan Support & Information Manager)

Could you help?

The Lodge has various opportunities for volunteering: Complementary Therapists - reflexology, massage and reiki practitioners with at least one year’s experience since qualification are always welcome.

Meeters & Greeters - the service is keen to hear from people who have used The Lodge in the past (at least 2 years ago) and can offer some time to help others get the most from the service.

Gardener - to help maintain a small garden area at The Lodge especially during the summer.

Get in touch...

01803 617521 The Lodge Torbay Hospital Annexe Newton Road Torquay TQ2 7BA Open for drop-in and appointments Tuesdays & Fridays 9.00am - 4.00pm Wednesday & Thursdays 9.00am - 4.30pm Booked appointments only on Monday February/March 2019 | 69

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Discover the signs Add some colour to of your weekend this spring at Greenway The woodland at Agatha autumn atgarden Gibside Christie's holiday home is full of colour, with slopes of snowdrops, Go crunching through fallen leaves and discover a forest banks ofwildlife bluebells and daffodills teeming with and autumn colours, with walking routes for all ages and abilities. around every turn.

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 2018. 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\Tony Cobley.

Images.

70 | February/March 2019

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Gardens

The Joys of Spring Gardening Lis Wallace of Dobies of Devon waxes lyrical about the delights of the spring garden.

I

t’s coming, spring is springing and is almost here! The birds are singing, the blossom is blossoming, our gardens are awakening. I could go on, with a host of golden clichés but I won’t - I’ll stop. There’s too much work to be done.

March is peak sowing season so hopefully your propagators, trays and pots have been cleaned and are ready to go.

Seeds are the least expensive way of growing flowers and vegetables and probably the most rewarding. All they need is quality compost (not that opened bag leftover from last year, weed seeds will have found a way in), heat and water.

Follow the instructions on the packet, sow as thinly as you can, and you won’t go wrong.

What to Do Now The Bay’s wonderful climate means that the gardening year often starts earlier than in most other parts of the country. After January’s slow start: • Deadhead hydrangeas by cutting last year’s growth back, by about a third, to a strong pair of buds.

• Get on top of weeds now before they take hold. It will make your life easier later in the year.

• During a dry spell, set the mower blades high and give the grass its first cut of the year. Then give the edges a quick trim and your garden will have been given an instant face lift.

• Finish planting new fruit trees and give existing ones a mulch. Remember to water regularly as this will help the roots to spread and establish.

• Plant up any over-wintered dahlia tubers or treat yourself to some new ones.

• Deadhead faded daffodil flowers as this will strengthen the bulbs for next year. Don’t be tempted to cut back the

leaves but instead allow them to die back naturally for about 6 weeks. Yes, they look untidy but not for much longer.

• Browse your catalogue and order your summer plug plants. It may still seem early but if you leave it much longer, varieties will be selling out and your choice will be much reduced.

• Tomatoes can be sown now and kept in the greenhouse or on a sunny windowsill. For a bumper crop of 75% more fruit consider adding one or more grafted plants to your collection.

• Put perennial supports in place, before the plants start growing.

• Roses will be starting into growth so give them a good mulch with well-rotted manure or compost.

• Plant chitted early potatoes now, either direct in the ground or in large containers, gradually adding more compost as the shoots rise.

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

February/March 2019 | 71

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Gardens Red Hot Chilli Pepper Whether you like fruity, mild chillies or ones that pack hefty taste-punch, now is the time to start sowing. Chillies need a long growing period before they will flower and are slow to germinate so it’s best to start now. An early sowing will result in nice strong plants by midsummer with flowers starting to form. Flowers that will of course develop into fruits.

Fill a clean seed tray with moist compost and then sprinkle on your seeds and cover with compost or vermiculite. Chillies need a constant temperature of around 25°C to germinate and even then, germination can take 2 to 3 weeks. Allow them to grow on for another 6 to 8 weeks by which time they should be just about large enough to prick out into 7cm pots.

Companion Planting

Diar y Dates

Some plants not only look great together but will unite, as companions, to achieve higher yields than otherwise and to control pests.

Many books have been written on the subject but here are four popular combinations to get your companion planting under way: • Growing tomatoes? Plant basil amongst your tomato plants and it will keep whitefly and other pests away. It will also taste fabulous with a nice ripe tomato.

• Growing carrots? Surround your carrot rows with garlic and the smell will help to disguise them, thus keeping the dreaded carrot fly at bay.

• Growing roses? Underplant them with geraniums and they’ll help to keep aphids and rose beetles under control.

• Growing broad beans and brassicas?

Nasturtiums will not only look colourful and jolly but will attract blackfly to them and therefore away from your veg,

Torquay & District Horticultural Society

Talks are held at 7.30pm at the Livermead House Hotel.

Weds 20th Feb - The history of Lukesland past & present

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

Lorna Howell from Lukesland Gardens

Weds 13th March - Tender & Unusual Perennials Brian Hiley an RHS Judge

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

February/March 2019 | 73

Artizan Winter Exhibition Launch Artizan Gallery launched a Winter Open Exhibition at their pop-up venue located at Unit 5 on the lower level of Fleet Walk in Torquay. Drinks and nibbles were served as guests browsed the wide range of creativity, which included work from the galleryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Geopark Ambassador Artists. A portion of proceeds from all sales was donated to the work of the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark.

p Chris Welford, Sally Tibbetts (artist) and Lianne Welford

p Julie and Jacob Brandon (Artizan Gallery) p Cllr Nicole Amil and Lesley Bennetto (artist)

p Mark Green (Fruition) and Becky Nuttall (artist) p Elaine Yersin and Claire Meharg (artist) q Monica Rook and Sarah Doman

p Lee and Lisa Fletcher (artists)

74 | February/March 2019

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Social Diary

TBF Big Breakfast Torbay Business Forum held a Big Breakfast at the Riviera International Conference Centre to bring together local business networking groups. It was initiated by Rowcroft Hospice’s Rosey Oakes and raised funds for the charity. There were short talks by: Benson Campbell from BNI, Sharon Cox from Torquay United, Barry Cole from Torbay Business Network, Alison Benney for Make it Your Business, Vic Williams from Linkedin Local, Jacqui Shaw representing the Chambers of Commerce - and TBF’s Steve Reynolds.

p Steve Reynolds (Chair TBF), Angela George (Exec.TBF) and James Twigger (Treasurer TBF)

p Tayla Bastow (RICC), Jessica Bennett

p Jane Wyke, Toby Smith (Peach Mortgages),

(RICC) Rosey Oakes (Rowcroft Hospice) and Jessica Dowell (The Imperial)

Sharon Cox (TUFC), Simon Fincham (It’seeze Exeter) and Blake Diton (Peach Mortgages)

q Anthony Blackaby (Brixham Gin) and Liz Edwards (Brixham Gin)

p Quentin O’Gorman and

Brad G Williams (both QBall Creative)

p Barry Cole (The Resultant) and Peter Hodge (Marsland Nash)

q Tom Churchward (Bettesworths),

q Rochelle Yea (Next Route Finance),

Mark Solway (The Pension Drawdown Co) and Andrew Tapson (The FD Centre)

Natasha Yea (Next Route Finance) and Helen Brenton (Osborne Apartments)

p David Jenkins

(Charles Darrow), Sally Allen-Gerard (Sally Allen Fashion), Martin Ruskin (Paradigm Norton Financial Planning)

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February/March 2019 | 75

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Social Diary

CHICKS’ VIP Preview CHICKS held an exclusive preview of their first UK charity shop in Torquay’s Union Street. Drinks and nibbles were served and guests were able to browse the new shop’s delightful selection of pre-loved items including fashion, bric-a-brac, books, DVDs and homeware. CHICKS is a national children’s charity providing free respite breaks to children aged 8-15 from all over the UK, who would really benefit from a break from their home lives.

p Andrew Dean (Chief Executive Officer) and Marion Luckhurst (Chair of Trustees)

q Sarah Smith (Chief Operating Officer),

q Esther Van Delft (Fundraising Asst), Emily Jepson (Exec. Asst. to COO) and Barbara Scott (Volunteer)

Victoria Aspinall (Dir. of Enterprise) and Debs Rylands (Reg. Fundraiser)

p Francis (Volunteer), Emma Wickham

Menu Tasting

(Charity Shop Manager) and Garry Channing (Asst.Shop Manager)

Cockington Court Tea Rooms held a menu tasting with invited guests

p Sara Riley (Cockington Court Tea Rooms),

Marissa Wakefield (Cockington Court Craft Centre) Fiona Page (TDA) and Kirk Petrakis (K&H Cockington Carriages)

p Cllr Nicole Amil (Torbay Council), Andrew Sherry (TDA) and Marissa Wakefield

p Jo Barnard (Cockington Tea Rooms) and Simon Storey (Cockington Chocolate)

q Claire Austin (Claire Austin England), Tony Fagan (Cockington Chocolate) and Cathy Austin

q Martin Thomas (Exec.Dir.Torbay

Culture), Claire Preece (Paignton & District Chamber of Commerce)

p Laura Duncan (The Alter Room) and

Hannah Petrakis (K&H Cockington Carriages)

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

February/March 2019 | 77

About the magazine English Riviera Magazine is a FREE bi-monthly magazine.

We’ve done full Reader Surveys in 2015, 2016, 2017 and in 2018 and received an overwhelming ‘thumbs up’ for quality and content.

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

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

Readers have discovered new local suppliers,

tradespeople, places to go, restaurants to enjoy and this helps to support our local businesses.

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

If your business could benefit from reaching out to our well-engaged readership many of whom look forward to every issue then call 01803-850886 or email sales@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Thanks to all our readers and advertisers for all their brilliant support in the last five 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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Our distribution teams deliver 15,000 copies of English Riviera Magazine to homes & businesses.

If you don’t receive one in your area pick one up at one of the following outlets:

Hoopers

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Kingswear Post Office

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

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Artizan Gallery

Stoke Gabriel Road, Galmpton TQ5 0NH

Lucius Street, Torquay TQ2 5UW

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

EnglishRiviera February/March 2018

magazine

Longer days are on the way...

109 Exciting

FAMILY FUN hunting Devon Rocks & Stones

Events

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Princess Gardens Fountain

James Skeffington

restoration in progress

Indulge!

Brixham's New Chocolate Café

Walk to Berry Pomeroy Give It A Go!

Extreme hiking

Riviera Weddings

Tying the knot in the Bay

Spring Sailing Championships

English Riviera Magazine for Residents

by Residents DELIVERED FREE TO HOMES AND BUSINESSES

Walks • Local Food • Heritage

• Nature • People • Events • Arts

EnglishRiviera magazine

October/November 2017

Meet Abbey School's

SYLVIA GREINIG

& New Rowcroft CEO

MARK HAWKINS William Scoresby

Autumn 125 Activities Give It A Go!

YOGA

WIN! Theatre tickets Smugglers! in our 2017

Readerthe Survey Watch wall and let the gentlemen pass views by... of Stunning autumn

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78 | February/March 2019

THROUGHOUT THE BAY

THROUGHOUT THE BAY

To promote your business to our readers email sales@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Social Diary

Paignton Chamber Networking Paignton Chamber of Commerce held its first networking breakfast of 2019 at the Lime Tree in Paignton.

p Richard Jordan

(Refresh Creations) and Rosie Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill (Jelf Insurance)

p Dean Kelly (Paignton Chamber of Commerce) and John Tomkins (Emberlense Productions)

Dan Ritson (FireSecure) and Nina Neal (Torbay Footcare)

p Andrew Knott (Carbon Flow), Indrek Hallikmre and Jason Munro (both ECOMOTUS)

q Sally Cope (Fiveway Apartments) and Andy MacKellan (Utility Warehouse)

p Dave Crispin

(Crispin Associates), Chris Sumner (Rotary Paignton) and Kevin Bowers (Maskery Wealth Management)

Matthew Clarke (Partington Print) and Gesche Buecker

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

February/March 2019 | 79

BusinessBreaks... BusinessBreaks...Bu Trigger’s Travel Helps Hospital Cavanna Homes has donated two new day-bed chairs to Torbay Hospital’s Ricky Grant Day Unit and its associated Turner Ward. The day-bed chairs can become overnight beds providing a more comfortable stay for patients’ families when staying on the ward, while their loved ones are receiving Systemic AntiCancer Therapy and, for some, end-of-life care. Many people will recognise the iconic seahorse on Cavanna Homes’ logo but not everyone knows the seahorse is called Trigger. Throughout the year, when members of Cavanna staff have taken a holiday, they have taken a seahorse soft toy Trigger with them. Cavanna has donated a cheque for £5,372 based on Trigger’s Travels throughout the year. This additional donation will be used to purchase an AccuVein AV400 for the Day Unit.

Martin Cavanna, Director at Cavanna Homes, said, “The Ricky Grant Day Unit is very close to our hearts, as one of our staff members is undergoing treatment there, so we wanted to support the brilliant work of the unit.” ¢cavannahomes.co.uk

Organisations including Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, Devon County Council, Torbay Council and Proud to Care Devon have backed the initiative. It was launched in 2018 by the Devon-based Care Network Group founded by Kat Green and Chloe Stark. In 2019, organisations and individuals can be nominated in over 20 categories, including Care Home of the Year, Support Worker of the Year, The Innovation Award, Community Engagement Award and Care Newcomer Award. Winners in 2018 included Sarah Taylor, of Sarah’s Carers in Paignton, who won The Gold Award in the Care Champion category. ¢ outstandingcareawards.com

John Powell (Unicare), Chloe Stark (Organiser), Rachael Gardener (Sarah’s Carers) and Kat Green (Organiser)

Steve Bristow Stone Masonry

Jeremy Dymond (Land Appraisal Manager Cavanna Homes), Marianne Piercy (Sales Cavanna Homes), Martin Cavanna (Director Cavanna Homes), Ruth Allison (Ricky Grant Day Unit) and Sara McMurray (Turner Ward Manager)

Celebrating Exceptional Care The 2019 Outstanding Care Awards for Devon and Cornwall are now open with a February 15 deadline.

Shortlists will be announced ahead of the awards’ ceremony at the Riviera Conference in Torquay on June 28. The annual awards will honour outstanding individuals, providers and suppliers from across the care industry, including care homes, community care, voluntary organisations and emergency services.

80 | February/March 2019

Steve Bristow Stone Masonry of Newton Abbot has featured in the latest edition of The Parliamentary Review highlighting best practice in the sector.

The prime minister has once again contributed a foreword to The Parliamentary Review, which is now one of the foremost political publications in the UK. Manufacturing excellence has always been a jewel in the crown of British industry, and progress over recent years has proven that this sentiment is still accurate. The 2017/18 edition of The Parliamentary Review covers a variety of sub-sectors and includes submissions from companies across the country.

Specialising in the manufacture and installation of hard surfaces, family-run Steve Bristow Stone Masonry strives

To promote your business to our readers email sales@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

...BusinessBreaks... BusinessBreaks... to be the best the industry has to offer. He discusses in The Review how they have achieved their success, which has seen turnover grow year-on-year since their establishment in 1996. They now operate out of a brand new factory with 34 employees in Kingsteignton. theparliamentaryreview.co.uk/organisations/stevebristow-stone-masonry ¢

Cavanna’s New Head of Operations Cavanna Homes has appointed Andy Addison to its senior team as Head of Operations. He will support Managing Director Keith Miller in a strategic role with operational and commercial responsibilities to ensure that the third generation family firm achieves its ambitious centenary year goals for 2023. Andy’s core focus will be on the firm’s technical, commercial and design expertise. With over 16 years’ board level experience in the housebuilding sector, he has most recently worked as the Regional Director of Churchill Retirement Living. He has also previously worked with Keith Miller for national homebuilder Redrow. Andy Addison said, “My priority is to drive-forward the business without compromising on the all-important Cavanna family ethos, which has made this firm such an enduring success over the past 95 years.” Managing Director Keith Miller said, “Andy’s appointment coincides with the launch of our new ‘Westcountry Collection’ portfolio of new homes and the launch of our new Cavanna Homes brand.”¢

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 Paignton Chamber of Commerce Second Thursday of every month. (check Facebook page for venue) Contact: Dean Kelly 07399 611643 c paigntondistrictchamberofcommerce 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 Brixham Chamber of Commerce Every 2 months Berry Head Hotel Berry Head Road, Brixham, TQ5 9AJ Contact: chair@brixhamchamber.co.uk @lovebrixham

Want New Clients in 2019?

English Riviera Magazine Readers are looking for local products and services right now. Advertising campaigns from just £130 plus Vat per bi-monthly issue. Full design service included to get your message across.

Call Anita on 01803 850886 for a friendly chat about advertising options or email anita@ englishrivieramagazine.co.uk for a media pack. englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

February/March 2019 | 81

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

Can the Family Farm Survive Divorce?

With long hours, social isolation and a volatile industry, it’s no wonder the divorce rate amongst farmers is on the rise. But when it comes to divorce, farming cases are notoriously difficult to resolve...

What makes farming divorces so unique?

• More often than not, the farm has been inherited by one spouse whose family have passed it through many generations with an expectation that it will be retained in the family.

• The existence of complex trusts and ownership by siblings or wider family can make it difficult to extract capital. Where other family members live and work on the farm, divorce can cause conflict between generations and it is not unusual for third parties to intervene in the court proceedings.

• Often the only capital is the farmland and buildings, which generate the income. It can be difficult to release that capital without damaging the profits available for both spouses.

• Ownership can be further complicated by farming tenancies and agricultural contracting arrangements, making a sale of any part of the farm challenging.

• Brexit, whether hard or soft, deal or no deal, will impact farming families and most will suffer a loss of supplemented income. The impact of marriage breakdown on a farm that is struggling could be devastating if not handled carefully.

• The family farm usually represents not just a home or a business but a way of life and an inextricable link to the farmer’s identity. It can be nigh on impossible to replicate that lifestyle away from the farm.

shared if it is possible to meet the other spouse’s needs without doing so. For example, if a farmer has inherited a farm from his family, the primary aim is to raise capital so that his wife can afford a suitable home for herself, and possibly the children. If there is not sufficient matrimonial property to achieve this, it may be necessary to sell off part of the farm or secure borrowing against it. However, issues with saleability and the risk of damaging the core activity of the farm mean a court might be unwilling to force a sale.

If the farm is also owned by wider family then this will need careful consideration. The court will be reluctant to damage the livelihoods of third parties.

Another issue is paying maintenance out of the farm income. The lifestyle sustained by a farm may seem higher than the income it actually yields. When that income is shared between two households, there may be a significant drop in standard of living.

First Steps With so many complexities, farming divorces require early, practical and commercially-focused advice from an experienced family solicitor. Instructing a solicitor with farming expertise who will adopt the correct strategy from the outset may well save time and money in the long run. A good starting point is to gather together as much information as possible about the farm. A map of the farmland, family tree, valuations (possibly done for mortgage purposes), details of mortgages and who owns which plot of land will all be helpful.

If you have any questions about farming and divorce, please contact Ellie Lorimer at:

Ellie.Lorimer@wollenmichelmore.co.uk

The Court’s Approach to Farming Divorces The crucial objective when a farming couple divorces is to meet both spouses’ needs and achieve fairness without selling assets that might in turn threaten the viability of the farming business.

If assets on a farm were inherited or owned by one spouse before the marriage, these are considered ‘non-matrimonial property’ and will not usually be

Ellie Lorimer Family Law Solicitor d @wmlegal c Wollenmichelmore

Wollen Michelmore SOLICITORS Barnstaple 01271 342268

Dartmouth 01803 832191

Regional Law Firm of the Year South West

Exeter 01392 274006

Law Firm of the Year Award (11+ Partners)

Newton Abbot 01626 332266

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

Torquay 01803 213251

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