English Riviera Magazine February/March 2022

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

EnglishRiviera February/March 2022

Meeting...

Sarah Ready

Pot Maker, Lawyer & #girlyfisherman

magazine Winter Walk

Maidencombe & Lyme Bay views

Bay Wildlife Cruising with Mike Langman

History &Heritage Torquay

The Italy of England?

Thora Hird

She loved this place

Riviera Heritage Quiz

Give It A Go! Rural Skills

Laying a Devon Hedge

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

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Welcome

About us...

to the February & March issue.

Well the daffodils and snowdrops are already in flower, the sun is shining and blue skies are gracing the wonderful English Riviera as we write this.

Early spring is such a lovely time to get out and about and enjoy all that the Bay has to offer. We chat to bird expert Mike Langman about the joys of wildlife cruising and to Sarah Ready about fishing and making withy pots. We give traditional hedge laying a go and look at the wonderful world of rose gardening.

We’ve got quite a collection of What’s On, Theatre and Arts events to inspire you – why not treat yourself to something you haven’t done for a while?

You could attend an exhibition, play, antiques fair or jazz evening; you could even take up rock climbing, yoga or creative writing. Torquay Museum has regular illustrated talks in February and March on a wide range of fascinating topics. You could also try our delightful early spring walk at Maidencombe.

If you’d prefer to stay home then why not curl up on the sofa with our heritage features and test your local knowledge with our heritage quiz? Whatever you decide enjoy the springtime!

Created and Published By Devon Magazine Company Limited Julian Rees julian@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Telephone 01803 842893 Mobile: 07455 206470 Anita Newcombe anita@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Telephone: 01803 850886 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 25 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 reading and keep safe

@EngRivieraMag c englishriveramag 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 Walks • Local Food • Heritage • Nature • People • Events • Arts

EnglishRiviera June/July 2019

magazine

A Sailing Adventure with

Trinity

THE MANY TALENTS OF

MACKENZIE MOULTON

Wilfred Owen's

Torquay Vacation A Lifetime in Art

MARTIN DUTTON

FESTIVALS!

Give It A Go!

ROLLER SKATING

Debbie MacPherson Fashioning Leather

Vistas & Views on the coastpath

Occombe & Paignton Harbour

Armchair Twitcher

Feathered friends in your garden

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

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February/March 2022 | 3

In this issue | February & March 2022 6 Openers Local news snippets

12 Sarah Ready We meet #girlyfisherman

33 Interiors update

16 Wildlife Cruising Afloat with wildlife watcher Mike Langman

20 Heritage - Thora Hird The actress who loved our bay

23 Heritage - The Italy of England Torquay and the Grand Tour

24 Give It A Go - Hedgelaying A day with the Devon Rural Skills Trust

28 Winter Walk Maidencombe and Lyme Bay

25 Hedgelaying

30 Heritage Quiz Test your local historical knowledge

33 What’s On

16 Wildlife Cruising

Our pick of February and March events

38 Arts Roundup Enjoy exhibitions & arty events

40 Theatre Who’s treading the boards?

43 Gardening In praise of the rose

47 Social Diary Local people at local events

On the cover Sarah Ready at sea © Poppy Jakes poppyjakesphotography.co.uk

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28 Winter Walk February/March 2022 | 5

Eng

‘NOT’ The Male Trail Rowcroft Hospice’s much-loved fundraising walk ‘The Male Trail’ is back for 2022 and will celebrate the 40 years of care that the charity has provided since the hospice opened its doors to patients in 1982. The difference this year is that all members of the family, not just the men will be included.

The hospice is calling on everyone to join in this fun and lively sponsored walk. Aiming to raise vital funds to care for patients with life-limiting illnesses across South Devon, The Male Trail will start at Torquay Rugby Club, with participants taking on an eight-mile walk around Torquay and being welcomed back to the club with a pint and a pasty to watch The Six Nations rugby. Walkers are encouraged to collect sponsorship or make a donation to the outstanding end-of-life care provided by Rowcroft.

Torquay Rugby Club, Bays Brewery, WBW Solicitors and BIG ANT are supporting this year’s event.  themaletrail.com

Fundraising Success

Staff members at Cavanna Homes have been supporting Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) as their chosen charity since 2019 raising almost £32,000 to help towards the vital care of children with lifelimiting conditions. Fundraising efforts have included Cavanna’s Ride for Precious Lives, which took place in 2019 and 2021 plus bake sales, dress down days, raffles, 6

| February/March 2022

quizzes and sporting events including a golf day. CHSW has three hospices across the region; Little Bridge House in Devon, Charlton Farm in Somerset and Little Harbour in Cornwall all of which offer professional family support services including palliative care and respite for the whole family. To support the celebrations of CHSW’s 30th anniversary, Cavanna Homes also sponsored the entertainment at the charity’s anniversary gala held at Woodbury Park. Cavanna has now pledged to continue fundraising for Children’s Hospice South West until the end of 2023. 

Honour for Rhoda Dr Rhoda Allison, Associate Director of Nursing and Professional Practice, at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, has been awarded an MBE in the Queens’s new year’s honours list for her services to physiotherapy. Rhoda was awarded a fellowship from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy in 2019 for her contribution to the development of national policy, clinical guidelines, and quality assurance for stroke and brain injury services. She has also designed and undertaken her own research programmes. The citation describes her as ‘an inspirational physiotherapy clinician, leader and researcher in the field of stroke and acquired brain injury rehabilitation’. It adds: “While there are many physiotherapists working in the field, her contribution over the last twenty years has gone well beyond that expected even of an expert clinician.” Rhoda says of the award: “I am humbled by this recognition, particularly in the currently climate when I am surrounded by health and social care professionals all going the extra mile, every day. 

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Dartmouth residents themselves, they chose Foss Street because of its wonderful reputation for independent shops and delightful galleries. As artisan goldsmiths the couple have created twenty-six different colours of recycled and fair trade gold alloy, from peach to grey to green. They specialise in exquisite hand crafted work at a top level, from remodelling old sentimental gold to supplying and setting amazing one-off ethically sourced stones. After receiving his master goldsmith qualifications in South Africa, Ford studied metalsmithing in Japan for many years. He creates his own very collectible work and also restores antique metalwork for Sotheby’s, Christie’s and worldwide private collectors. The Japanese metalwork techniques also known as ‘Kinko‘ work have informed the couple’s goldsmithing, and they are among a very few people in the world who can perform this skilled craft. The Remarkable Goldsmiths has beautiful pieces on sale, as well as being a wonderful place to visit and get a sense of the magical and alchemical art of real goldsmithing.  Isabella and Ford at work

Understanding the World The Riviera Education Trust has developed its focus on promoting an awareness of diversity as well as an understanding of multiculturalism and inclusion.

Children of all ages from across its three schools: Oldway Primary, Shiphay Learning Academy and 8

| February/March 2022

Roselands Primary have built their understanding of religion, world languages and ethnic minorities within Torbay and Devon. Visiting religious leaders and guests from ethnic minority backgrounds have shared their life experiences with the children. All three schools have also been on virtual visits to see places of worship around the world. The children have been introduced to local and UK census data plus a wide-range of literature from a diverse range of authors. Kimberley Mason, Trust Diversity Lead says, “Developing children’s experiences, knowledge and understanding of the world around them, both locally and globally, is of utmost importance to ensure they lead successful, supportive and sustainable lives both now and in the future.” 

Baby Zebra A female zebra foal was born at Paignton Zoo in November, the second foal born there in 2021.

Eight-year-old mum Leila and fiveyear-old dad Jabali both arrived at Paignton Zoo in 2019, Leila from the Czech Republic and Jabali from Blackpool Zoo. The foal was able to walk and run within a few hours of its birth, meaning that some lucky guests at Paignton Zoo were able to see the foal up and about on the day it was born. Hartmann’s mountain zebras are classed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List with less than 35,000 mature individuals left in the wild. Clare Rugg, Head of Conservation Services at Paignton Zoo, said, “The arrival of a second zebra foal in 2021 is wonderful news for our herd, which is part of an international breeding programme. The pressures of agriculture, hunting and climate change have severely affected the species, so the newest addition is also good news for the population as a whole.” The foal can be seen alongside her mother Leila in their enclosure opposite the giraffes at Paignton Zoo. She will stick by mum’s side for up to 16 months, with the opportunity of growing up alongside half-sister Tamali.

Paignton Zoo is part of Wild Planet Trust, a conservation and education charity that works to protect biodiversity and help halt species decline. 

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Sarah Ready

#girlyfisherman Brixham-based ‘female fisherman’, withy lobster pot maker, holiday lettings business owner, and lawyer working on pro bono cases, Sarah Ready still found time to meet Anita Newcombe for a chat.

12 | February/March 2022

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Riviera People back in Brixham and then they will load ice for the next day. The fish are graded and processed by the fish market overnight in time for the online auction at 6am. The fish is mostly sold to local merchants such as Henderson’s Seafoods who sell directly to London restaurants and fish shops.

The couple also owns a Plymouth Pilot (a small 16ft boat) for lobster potting and they have recently received a grant to build an electric fishing boat. They are converting a 7-metre catamaran to run on electric explaining that it’s important to have a big deck area but to keep the overall weight light. The electric catamaran will be suitable for different kinds of fishing including the use of static gear, netting, road & line and potting. Sarah tells me, “We’ve bought the boat and are just ordering the engines – they will be powered by lithium batteries and solar panels ’m meeting Sarah Ready at The Larder, a speciality which will charge up while ashore.” coffee shop on Brixham’s Bolton Street. Sarah owns Sarah and Darren have been together for thirty years the Brixham-based Two Brothers Fishing Limited with and when their two children Michael and Dan were just her husband Darren and is one of the very few women working on commercial fishing vessels in the UK. The first six and four years old they set up Two Brothers Fishing Ltd thinking the boys might, one day, follow them into photo I’ve seen of her shows her aboard Two Brothers, the business. In fact Dan, now twenty is already fishing dressed in yellow oilskins for one of her regular fishing on another of their boats trips to Teignmouth Bay. Resolute, under skipper A day out fishing can start It’s lovely and peaceful out at sea even Darren Passmore. Resolute around 4am, not finish in bad weather. It can also be quite is their most powerful till the early evening vessel and tends to fish in and is very demanding exciting – we do about three hauls a the Start Point area. Sarah physical work. day and it’s never dull. says that although in the I’m interested to 60s and 70s you could just buy a boat and go fishing, the discover that Sarah is also a fully qualified lawyer who ran industry is now well regulated. a court advocacy business for many years and now takes She says, “I’m hugely keen on safety and we make sure on regular pro-bono work for the fishing community. we keep our equipment up to date and well maintained.

Her telephone advice work mainly includes regulatory But it’s also about human judgement and the people you’ve compliance relating to Brexit, Covid and codes of vessel safety. Sarah explains, “Fishermen have often gone straight got on your boats – we know we can rely on our Skipper Darren Passmore, who has become like family to us.” to sea at the age of fourteen and whilst highly skilled at their trade sometimes struggle with paperwork and online compliance.”

Sarah and her husband regularly fish on Two Brothers and usually head towards Exmouth Bay. They keep away if there’s a really big swell or high winds; Teignmouth Bay is quite sheltered but the trip there can be quite tricky in big conditions. Their catches include: monkfish, gurnard, John Dory, lemon sole, plaice, Dover sole, brill, scallops and squid. Sarah explains, “It’s lovely and peaceful out at sea even in bad weather. It can also be quite exciting – we do about three hauls a day and it’s never dull.” Once landed on the deck, the catch has to be sorted into boxes by species and spider crabs or undersized fish thrown back. Then they are washed with a saltwater hose and iced. The catch goes straight to the fish market on arrival

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February/March 2022 | 13

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Riviera People Sarah and husband Darren

Sarah fits in fishing around her other roles such as managing her holiday lets, taking fabulous ‘at sea’ photographs and making withy pots. She has always been fascinated by fishing heritage and has worked on Brixham’s legendary Fishstock festival with Jim Portus.

She simply loves making the pots and spends a large part of each winter making the 40 or so they need for their own use. Many of the visitors who stay in their holiday apartments are interested in the fishing heritage of the town and return every year – they enjoy watching Sarah making her pots. She tells me that she would be keen to set up a heritage area where members of the public could watch the pots being made. At the moment she has a shed where she keeps the willow at home. She explains that the first week of potmaking is the hardest with the weaving quite hard on the hands. However, she chuckles, “Fisherfolk tend to be pretty tough.”

Sarah and Darren live above one of their holiday lets and Sarah works on the pots in the garden. Sarah says, “It’s quite an immersive experience and I made a lobster pot tree for Christmas as well.” The two lets are called the Lobster Pot Apartment and the Fisherman’s Apartment and the couple makes a point of only buying things made within a 25 mile radius for their guests, including treats like Sharpham Wine and Brixham Gin. Sarah has been mentored by Devon basketmaker Hilary Burns who she describes as, “the guru of basket making”. She says, “The baskets are hard to make and it has taken me about five years to get good at it.” She soaks the willow in the harbour for about one day per foot – so a 9ft piece will need about 10 days of soaking.

The finished baskets are biodegradable and if looked after should last around 18 months. Each one costs around £19 to make whereas a plastic one will cost about £90. The family are keen to be sustainable and describe themselves as ‘artisan fishers’.

Once baited and set Sarah and family will visit the pots englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

regularly to catch their lobsters and then re-bait the pots.

This is done just off the rocks in the Plymouth Pilot and they use discards from fish processors for their bait.

Both Sarah and Darren are “super-active”. They love the amazing community in Brixham and the fact that “we all pull together”. They have a dog called Oggy (a Cockapoo who loves to go on the boat with them) and a cat called Ollie. The family loves eating fish at home. Sarah reveals, “I keep hold of some of the fish including plaice, Dover sole and bass; there’s not a fish I won’t eat.” She tells me that when they were visiting Croatia they learned to make fish sausages with squid skin and have started making them at home. She enthuses, “They are really lush – everyone loves them!” She mainly uses a mixture of monkfish and smoked fish – sometimes using damaged fish that they can’t sell. She says, “Working at sea makes you really tired – something to do with ionised air – so it’s great to have a bit of fish that’s quick to prepare – sometimes I’m so tired that Dan has to pull off my boots.”

Sarah and Darren also frequently travel to Europe as part of Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE). LIFE advocates for the smaller scale European fishers who use low impact fishing gear and methods but who have not been well represented in the past. On their travels around Europe the two of them meet fishers from other countries to see how they are fishing sustainably.

Sarah says, “It’s our downtime, and part and parcel of our journey towards sustainable practices.” They love visiting Madeira and often go in the wintertime travelling every 6-8 weeks, “We may buy there but only if we can take the dog!”

Any other plans for the future I ask? She explains, “I can’t imagine doing anything else – it’s a life less ordinary and I meet really interesting, quirky people through the holiday lets too. The only problem is that there are not enough hours in the day – but I’ll have a good go at it all anyway.” ¢

µ follow Sarah on Instagram @girlyfisherman

February/March 2022 | 15

TOR BAY

Wildlife Cruising

The mild English Riviera winter climate and Tor Bay’s east-facing aspect make the area a perfect wintering place for sheltering seabirds around the beaches and coves. Mike Langman tells us more.

PHOTO © : Nigel Smallbones

Peregrine Falcon

Kelly’s Hero

“

The mixing of currents off Berry Head makes for a rich feeding area for deeper pelagic birds and cetaceans. With a bit of luck, cruise passengers will spot harbour porpoises our smallest UK dolphin

16 | February/March 2022

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Wildlife

O

ff the headlands and further out in the Bay you will often see dolphins, porpoises and sea-going (pelagic) birds. A boat cruise is a wonderful way to explore Tor Bay and enables wildlife-lovers to peep into secluded coves, check out the towering cliffs at Berry Head, and enjoy an open sea crossing in beautiful Tor Bay towards Hope’s Nose.

The geologically fascinating offshore stacks of Cod Rock and Mew Stone at Berry Head, The Orestone Rock, Flat Rock (Lead Stone) and Thatcher Rock regularly hold bird species not seen from shore. During wildlife cruises, guides will help you spot wintering and migrating divers, grebes, gannets and auks like guillemots plus smaller numbers of razorbills. Surprisingly the cliff colonies of guillemot at Berry Head and Orestone are bustling with life even during the winter. This is quite unlike colonies further north in the UK where guillemots leave in early July and only return the following spring. In Southern England guillemots return to the cliffs to roost and rest from October then stay throughout the winter.

Even before the cruises leave the harbour in Brixham during winter and spring, grey seals can be seen hauled out on pontoons oblivious to the boats, thus offering truly fantastic photo opportunities. Guides will help

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

passengers separate cormorants from shags both of which are common in the harbour. Gulls are sometimes tricky, but unusual and increasing numbers of Mediterranean gull are usually found and you may see a rarer Iceland or Glaucous gull.

Further out to sea gannets perform spectacular dives into the sea, dislocating their wings at the shoulder just before hitting the surface, to blast into the water like a torpedo. Kittiwakes, our prettiest gull with their teddy bear black eyes and delicate yellow bills, dip into the sea surface after small fish. Occasionally a scarce wintering pomarine or Great skua might arrive to aggravate the situation attempting to make an unfortunate gannet or gull regurgitate its last meal!

The mixing of currents off Berry Head makes for a rich feeding area for deeper pelagic birds and cetaceans. With a bit of luck, cruise passengers will spot harbour porpoises our smallest UK dolphin, normally not at all social animals but sometimes seen in pairs. Hopefully pods of common dolphins will be found which are regular visitors to the bay during the winter and early spring, sometimes in large numbers.

Back in Tor Bay, wintering divers may be found; the

February/March 2022 | 17

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Wildlife Grey seal

Great northern diver

large Great northern divers may have come from Iceland or Greenland to spend the winter months in the shelter our horseshoe-shaped bay offers. As spring arrives the divers quickly moult into their stunning spangled summer plumage.

On the cliffs everyone looks out for our apex predator the Peregrine falcon, a bird almost wiped out by agrichemicals in the 1950 & 60s but has made a good recovery; it is more often than not seen on the wildlife cruises.

Late spring boat trips in Torbay are also fascinating.

You should be able to see the last of our wintering seabirds often well into May. Then there are the returning summer migrants like Sandwich terns regularly resting on the buoys well out in Tor Bay or common sandpipers and whimbrel tucked into secluded coves – perhaps a small flock of them.

Last year we found a couple of puffins and the bridled form of guillemot, along with the usual guillemots. There should be a good supporting cast of kittiwake, porpoises, grey seals, peregrines and much more. Sightings of common dolphin are always a bit hit and miss in the spring but the biggest super pod recorded off Tor Bay of about 1,000 dolphins passed Berry Head several years ago in May! Common Dolphin

All too soon a two-and-a-half to three-hour cruise is over – but they can prove addictive as every cruise is different with such a variety of incredible wildlife that could be discovered. Make sure you book on a WISE accredited scheme/skippered boat as they are supported by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and are very careful not to disturb any of the fantastic wildlife around Tor Bay. Photos and words by Mike Langman a regular guide on Kellys Hero charter wildlife cruises.   mikelangman.co.uk

About Mike Langman Mike Langman has been a full-time bird illustrator since 1992 and 84 published books feature his beautiful artwork. His work is regularly seen in birdwatching magazines including BBC Wildlife and Countryfile magazines. If you’ve spotted bird illustrations at any RSPB reserve in the UK, you’ve almost certainly seen his work. A keen birder since the age of eleven Mike’s knowledge and love of birds and other natural history has made him a hugely popular guide and speaker. Walks, cruises and tours tend to book up quickly.

Forthcoming events include: 11 February Tor Bay Winter Boat Trip (from Brixham) 8 April & 27 May Spring Tor Bay Wildlife Cruises 9 May Loddiswell – River Avon & Avon Woods 16 May Dartmoor Cuckoos and Chats April – September Devon Beaver and Wildlife Excursions Advance booking essential for all trips.

See Mike’s website for further details.

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February/March 2022 | 19

Thora Hird National Treasure who loved Torbay

One of Britain’s most popular actresses, Thora Hird played all the theatres of Devon, performing a whole season at Torquay’s Pavilion Theatre and later staying at Watcombe Park with her husband James Scott. Ian Handford of Torbay Civic Society tells us more.

T

hora, the last child of James Hird manager of The For ten years she was employed as a cashier at the local Royalty Theatre Morecambe and Mary J Mayor Co-op – a good place to hone her observational skills. daughter of a local fisherman, was born at Morecambe Eventually she knew she wanted to be on stage at the on May 28th 1911. She made her first public appearance Royalty Theatre, a place by then she knew well. She could when as a baby she was carried onto stage by her father play-act any character and in retirement she wrote, “I’ve who was acting in a melodrama. played all the customers I used to serve: maids, landladies, From her earliest years Thora could relate stories well cleaners and forthright parents. In fact when I’m acting and when her grandfather I’ll do some little thing disappeared, her father I’ve remembered, it’s that announced that he hoped simple”. this ‘buccaneer’ would Of course it was never never come back. This was quite that simple. She might superb material for a ‘teller have to act out fifty-seven of tales’. Later she and her (Heinz) ways of carrying a older brother Nev (Neville) tray of coffee onto the stage recalled sitting around the before the producer ticked fire with school chums while the one preferred. Thora their mother related her own was forever indebted to her stories of life in the theatre. parents in spite of her father She could easily portray any Thora and her gang of young being against her going on character from the saucy seaside friends recognised these as stage. Her diary confirms postcards she had read or viewed their support, “They taught good times while consuming at Morecombe. vast quantities of “cocoa and me everything I knew about mother’s apple pie or currant pasty”. the theatre”. She remembered her father as a man who Sadness came when a motorbike on the Morecambe “never just left a room, he made an exit”. Gradually Thora promenade killed her sister Olga when Thora was just learned how to make a memorable exit herself. six. However, most memories were of happy times. She Her biography tells another wonderful incident where attended Miss Nelson’s Preparatory School at Morecambe her father (in his capacity as director) addressed her in where her parents paid extra fees so that she could attend front of the theatre staff at a rehearsal of the ‘The Student special music and dancing classes.

Prince’. He demanded, “Do you know how to spell the

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20 | February/March 2022

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word comedienne Miss Hird?” He was a tough, ‘old style’ master, yet a man with huge professional skills. During his last evening on earth he came to his daughter’s bedroom to say, “Goodnight love - you’re a wonderful bloody actress and I’ve lived long enough to see you perform the way you did tonight.” She replied, “Can I have that in writing?” She never spoke to him again; he died that night.

Her mother Mary also failed to live long enough to witness Thora’s amazing success on stage and screen but fortunately did see her child marry James (Jimmy) Scott in May 1937. The couple produced one child Janette Scott - another famous actress of stage and screen.

Thora made her debut on a London stage in 1940, when appearing in ‘No Medals’ at the Vaudeville playing opposite Fay Compton and Frederick Leicester. This play ran for two years and in 1941 it was George Formby who recommended Thora to Michael Bacon of Ealing studios.

Soon after she was given a contract and cast in her first film ‘Black Sheep of Whitehall’ with Will Hay. Numerous commissions on the big screen followed although Thora also remained active in theatre.

By the 1950s Thora was a popular actress with the Rank Organisation where she was directed by some of the true greats of that age including Herbert Wilcox, Lewis Gilbert and John Schlesinger. Throughout all her performances she was never overawed by her career, as her diary confirms, “In some cases I literally appeared – just around the door, that was all. Like anybody earning a living, I took most of the work that came along.”

Thora would generally be cast as an ordinary person on the street. She could easily portray any character from the saucy seaside postcards she had read or viewed at Morecombe. She would play an all-seeing, boarding house landlady or cleaner or perhaps a gossiping neighbour or even the sharp-tongued mother-in-law. The nature of the part seemed of little consequence; she had that wonderful common touch. As she said herself - she could easily get into the skin of any character.

It was when appearing in ‘The Best Laid Plans’ at Blackpool in 1962 that Thora was booked to come to Torquay the following year. She stayed here for a whole season when performing at the Pavilion Theatre with Freddie Frinton. During her time in the Bay she attended many local events and officially opened the Marldon Apple Pie Fair, which still operates today. She also supported the fancy dress competition, a decorated wheeled vehicle event, a pram and bike event and some equestrian shows. Years later she came to Watcombe Park with her beloved Jimmy after he secured a season in the orchestra at Princess Theatre. Finally, her diary confirms - “after we returned from Torquay I did quite a few little englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

bits - the Vic Oliver Show on Woman’s Hour… before starting rehearsals for All Things Bright and Beautiful” and reading the script of ‘The Bed’, a new TV piece which she thought “was right up our street”.

It was following a summer season in Torquay that Thora was asked to rope in David Frost as a secret BBC guest on the ‘This is Your Life programme’. It was tricky from the start as she first had to convince David Frost to attend the show. Once there, Eamonn Andrews announced, “Tonight we have the King of Satire” turning to David Frost in the front row. Cue loud applause. Thora was then asked, “Did you have difficulty getting him here?” “Well yes I did,” she replied. Then David Frost turned to Thora with the famous red book in hand and revealed, “This is yours” as Eamonn announced, “Thora Hird - This is Your Life”. The whole thing had been a ‘double bluff’ setup (and she fell for it). Thora ended up having a marvellous evening with her family and friends, all present having participated in the subterfuge.

Thora was later made a Dame (the female equivalent of a knighthood). She is perhaps best remembered for her performances as Edie Pegden in BBC TV’s ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ with Compo and neighbour Nora Batty.

She also worked with many of the leading comedians of the era including Freddie Frinton, Harry Secombe, Ken Dodd and Arthur Askey, before being awarded a second BAFTA for Best Actress for her work with Alan Bennett’s ‘Talking Heads’ monologues.

Dame Thora lost her beloved Jimmy in 1994 and having suffered lifelong arthritis her general health deteriorated until she became wheelchair bound. During her life Thora starred in over 100 films, 500 plays and an unknown number of personal appearances.

She suffered a stroke at 91 in the actors’ nursing home at Brinsworth Hill London and died on March 15th 2003.   torbaycivicsociety.co.uk February/March 2022 | 21

PHOTO © : Allan Warren

Riviera People

TORQUAY the I taly of England

During the Napoleonic Wars when people could not travel in Europe Torquay became a substitute ‘Grand Tour’ for affluent young people. Kevin Dixon tells us the story.

I

home without any of the consequences they might have n 1862 Charles Dickens wrote, “Torquay is a pretty faced in England. place... a mixture of Hastings and Tunbridge Wells and These tourists spent a great deal of money abroad. The little bits of the hills about Naples”. collection of art became a theme and many came home John Ruskin would carry on the theme and call with paintings and antiques. They also brought with them Torquay, “The Italy of England”. ideas about architecture and culture. Next time you visit Over a century later, in a 1977 review of the newlya National Trust property note how many art works and built Coral Island complex, we read of “the beautiful building styles come from this period. panoramic loveliness of Torbay, this looked to me like a The Grand Tour was a well-established rite of passage part of Capri.” until 1789 when the French Revolution abruptly halted And for decades the town promoted itself as ‘The this era of travel and English Riviera’. Torquay Britain’s elite adopted and enlightenment; and this is resembled the coast of reshaped the Bay. If they couldn’t where Torquay became the southern Europe because it was selected, designed and visit the towns of Italy and France, great beneficiary of the many years of European conflict. promoted to replicate the they would recreate southern For a few decades Torquay attractions of the Rivieras of Europe on the English coast became a substitute Grand Italy and France.

Tour for those unable to travel outside of the country...

While the origins of the town were as a health resort, and they had a great deal of money to spend. Indeed, it the opportunity to become the richest town in England may be that history is now repeating itself. came from the interruption of the Grand Tour, that Britain’s elite adopted and reshaped the Bay. If they cultural experience for affluent young folk who could couldn’t visit the towns of Italy and France, they would afford to wander the continent. recreate southern Europe on the English coast. The At school and university these men had studied Greek influence of the Grand Tour can still be seen in Torquay and Roman history, language and literature and went today, in the town’s architecture and tourist promotion. abroad to visit major European cultural centres. That was Perhaps the most conspicuous reminder of the yearning the theory, but they seemed to spend a great deal of time drinking, gambling, and in general promiscuity - to return for foreign places is in the exotic flowers and plants that

“

22 | February/March 2022

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Riviera Heritage can be seen in our parks, private gardens and in how we promote our town to visitors.

During the nineteenth century Torquay’s population increased from around 800 to almost 34,000. The town became a place for the wealthy to buy holiday homes, the aged to reside, and the sick to hopefully recover from their illnesses. A new affluent middle class was eager to demonstrate their status in society and used a variety of methods. One of these was to cultivate a garden.

A garden offered both leisure and sustenance. The innovative gardener could also produce unheard of luxuries. For example, we still have the remains of Lauriston Hall’s Orangery, just off Lucius Street, the idea being to display wealth and the ability to grow exotic fruits in an unsuitable climate.

It was at this time of enthusiasm for gardening that many of the familiar names of today were founded.

Suttons Seeds, for instance, was founded in Reading

emerged - the plant nursery. Torquay’s first plant nursery opened around 1830. By 1861 there were 4 nurseries: 6 in 1881, 10 in 1891, and 16 in 1900. Some specialised in a particular type of plant such as the famous roses of Curtis and Sanford’s ‘Devon Rosery’.

Run by nurserymen, the nurseries also had attractive gardens and glasshouses, designed to attract visitors and customers. Torquay was a competitive environment and so the first house to acquire something new could make an impression on society, while hotels could attract a better type of guest.

Nurserymen also designed and advised on the layout of parks and gardens and stocked them with trees, plants, seeds and equipment. These were the days of exploration and, to satisfy an interest in foreign places, they sent agents abroad to bring back seeds and cuttings from exotic places. As the Bay had easy access to ports and an ever-increasing demand, new species of tropical plants could often be found on sale in the

Left to right: The Marine Spa; ornate gardens overlooking the harbour; the remains of Lauriston Hall’s Orangery

in 1806, and relocated to Torquay in 1976; in 1998 it moved again to Paignton.

In the late 1840s the Bay was connected to the rail network, which brought thousands of holidaymakers needing accommodation. This inspired the construction and conversion of hundreds of hotels and boarding houses, many of which needed a nice garden to project an appropriate image.

Torquay became a very rich place and, to communicate its special status in a market of 48 competing seaside resorts, public parks played an important role. As well as presenting a wealthy and leisured society to both residents and visitors, such spaces expressed scientific knowledge and healthy activity.

Torbay’s microclimate further stimulated a demand for trees and plants that could not be easily grown in other parts of the country. Villas, hotels, and parks all needed plants and trees and to satisfy demand a new industry englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

town even before appearing in London. These proclaimed the town’s position as the nation’s most prestigious leisure resort at the centre of a vast Empire.

Many of these Torquay nurseries disappeared as the town expanded. They are, however, remembered by the names of the thoroughfares that replaced them: Sanford & Co’s ‘Devon Rosery’ in Rosery Road; while ‘Morgan’s Nursery’ is remembered in Morgan Avenue.

The non-British plants and trees sold by the town’s nurseries helped to reinforce the idea of Torquay being the English Riviera - foreign but also very English.

Even today it’s not unusual to come across a Monkey Puzzle tree, native to Chile and Argentina, or Bay Trees, Holm Oaks and the Italian Cyprus from the Mediterranean. And, of course, there’s the ubiquitous New Zealand Cabbage Palm, the adopted symbol of the English Riviera, all reminding us of another time and another place.  February/March 2022 | 23

Give It A Go - Rural Skills

Learning a rural skill

Below: Tools of the trade, a bill hook and a holly and ash mallet

Julian Rees joins the Devon Rural Skills Trust for a day in the countryside to help restore a Devon-style hedge on farmland in Marldon.

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hen I was invited to join a course with the Devon Rural Skills Trust (DRST) I jumped at the chance of a day in the countryside learning a new skill. January is a short and hectic month in publishing and a day away from the keyboard and screen is always welcome.

I arrive at Culvertor Farm in Marldon at 9am to meet my host Chris Baker and the other Trust volunteers and course goers. The weather is mild and dry, a perfect day for the job within a limited season that ends in March with the restrictions that nesting birds bring. Although only a couple of miles from the centre of Paignton the popping of shotguns in the near distance is a reminder of Devon’s extensive rural landscape.

There are 18 ‘students’ enrolled and at least 10 volunteers. It’s an impressive ratio of staff to students for a volunteer-run course.

Those attending have come for a variety of reasons, from professional gardeners and tree surgeons looking to broaden their skills, homeowners with hedgebound 24 | February/March 2022

gardens and land, students training towards a vocational qualification and some just interested in gaining and preserving a lost skill.

Once everyone is booked in we have a short welcome and health and safety briefing. There are plenty Before... of trip hazards to avoid and sharp tools to take care with. Thick leather gloves and steel toe caps are the order of the day. We’ll be stripping out debris from the hedge so it’s also likely we’ll encounter broken glass, barbed wire and rusting metal.

Next up it’s time to get kitted up with the necessary tools. We have been sent a list of the basic requirements; however the Trust has a stock of the more unusual tools that even the keen gardener may not own. I have brought a pruning saw, a small axe, some loppers and a shovel so I am now allocated a bill hook - a sturdy curved metal blade sharpened on one side with an ash handle which is the main tool we will be using to lay (or steep) the hedge. The tool has been recently sharpened (the DRST run another course for this) and I have to admit that it is so sharp it would put my kitchen knives to shame!

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Give It A Go - Rural Skills what are termed ‘steepers’ between 15 to 100mm in Once everyone is kitted up we move off to find the diameter that will be laid to form the living base of the hedge we’re to work on. hedge. This appears a daunting task as we survey the mass The hedge is like any other you’ll see in a Devon lane of tangled growth. Of course nobody wants to make a or field but characterised, as many are these days by its mistake so the rule is, if in doubt leave it standing and a ‘mushroom top’. This shape arises from the bulbous decision can be made later if there’s too many steepers. We heads of saplings that have been regularly flailed by a work in pairs of students with a volunteer overseeing and hedgecutting machine (similar to a pollarded tree). This is at first progress is slow and the task at hand looks like a the modern way that landowners will use to keep hedges tall order. However, after a couple of hours we’re starting in trim but it leads to dense foliage at the flailing height with a shortage of material below. This situation isn’t ideal to arrive at the point when we can cut the steepers.

Whilst we are clearing the as a hedge’s primary purpose hedge one of the volunteers is to keep livestock in and A hedge’s primary purpose is to clears any oversized stems provide shelter. A flailed keep livestock in and provide with a pleasingly quiet hedge will, after time, fulfil shelter. A flailed hedge will, after electric chainsaw which neither of these jobs. Our time, fulfil neither of these jobs. makes short work of a task today is to restore the section of the hedge which 60 metres of hedge to fulfil is largely populated with sycamore growth too sturdy to its original function. steep. This section of hedge will need to be replanted with A Devon-style hedge is unusual (but not unique) as hedging varieties such as hawthorn, blackthorn, beech, it is laid on a bank, the laid small trees and shrubs and hornbeam, hazel and holly. the bank together forming the barrier. The hedge we’re Our section of hedge has an established holly tree as working on has a stone faced bank and a single ‘comb’ well as an ash; these would usually be removed but as the of foliage along its top. Wider hedges can have a double holly is healthy and the ash a rare survivor of ash die back ‘comb’ of foliage on either side with an infilling of soil in disease on this occasion they are spared. the middle. The tall saplings atop reflect the fact that the At this point there’s a healthy stack of debris and before hedge hasn’t been flailed for 2 to 3 seasons. we start laying our steepers we go through the cut saplings to The first step of the process is to strip out all the really identify suitably forked lengths or crooks that will be used as light growth, any dead wood, saplings growing sideways staples to fix down the laid steepers. This is a skill in itself and and debris in the hedge. What’s left is a good stock of

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Making a start cutting the steepers

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February/March 2022 | 25

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Give It A Go - Rural Skills

...and after

an introduction into the correct use of the bill hook.

Once we have amassed a plentiful supply of crooks we make a start on cutting the steepers.

The idea behind laying (or steeping) is to provide a solid base of horizontal stems, which are cut through 75% at ground level and laid down. As the stems remain attached and alive they form a base from which new growth will grow upward to form the next generation of steepers. As the hedge is living and tree sap always rises the hedge must always be laid uphill.

After a demonstration of cutting technique we set cutting the steepers for our section. It’s not an easy task and clearly where the skill lies. More than once I

cut clean through or snap the fragile stem whilst bending it over - it’s a good job we have allowed plenty of stems. Each stem is laid along then the comb with its bushy head entwined under the heel of the next steeper. As each section is laid the steepers are fixed in place with the crooks we cut earlier. We have a final clear up, trimming any stray foliage and brushing up the waste with bushy sticks then stand back to survey the day’s work.

It’s an impressive, tidy site and a great improvement on where we started.

What might traditionally follow would be a bonfire to clear the waste and a flagon of Devon cyder but a cup of tea and a freshly baked rock cake from the farmer’s wife was equally welcome! 

Did You Know?

The DRST was founded in 1980, largely to try and preserve traditional countryside skills while there were still enough active practitioners to be able to pass on their knowledge.

A list of endangered crafts and skills is published by the Heritage Crafts Association (heritagecrafts.org.uk).

Their Red List features skills such as: cricket ball making, bell founding, withy pot making and clock and watch making, to name a very few.

The UK as a whole lost approximately 160,000 miles of its hedges after 1945. Most hedges are now protected by the 1997 Hedgerow Regulations.

The UK government’s Climate Change Committee has recommended a 40% increase in the extent of hedges, in order to mitigate some of the effects of the climate crisis. Natural England meanwhile recommends a 60% increase (in England) to protect biodiversity.

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Roughly two-thirds of Devon’s hedges/hedgerows are medieval in origin, or older. The county lost fewer hedges during the post-war years than in many other places and roughly 33,000 miles survive, more than in any other county, and totalling about one-fifth of England’s speciesrich hedgerows. It should be noted, however, that many of the county’s hedges are not in good condition (only about 30% by some estimates). Further information can be found at: devonhedges.org The DRST runs courses on the following skills: Cleft Gate Hurdles • Wattle Hurdles • Cob Walling Cobblestoning • Coppicing • Stone Work • Turf Hedging • Tool Sharpening.

Courses are often oversubscribed but do sign up as a reserve as there are often cancellations. www.drst.org.uk

February/March 2022 | 27

Maidencombe and Lyme Bay Need to know Distance: 3.5 miles Exertion: Moderate Time: Allow 2 hours Terrain: Coast path of varying quality, some steep sections - can be muddy.

Dogs: Under close control near livestock Refreshments: The Thatched Tavern at Maidencombe & beach café in season.

Accessibilty: Not suitable for mobility scooters, pushchairs or very young children.

Parking: Watcombe Beach Car Park Start Postcode: TQ1 4SH /// happy.backs.lodge

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ith ground cover of ancient ferns and bracken, the tall and spindly elder and sycamore woodland gives way to soaring towers of weathered Devonian sandstone. One might expect to meet a prehistoric hunting party on a foraging trip from their Kents Cavern home at any turn in the path. Such is the feeling of ancientness one gets when entering the woodland at the beginning of this walk.

The formations in the Valley of The Rocks are aweinspiring and make this walk an exciting adventure for families - watch out for the mud in the wetter months, welly boots are a must!

The woodland paths are shaded and cool but carpeted

28 | February/March 2022

with pretty wild flowers in the spring. Further along, the pathway deviates from the South West Coast Path along permissive paths and open access land under the Countryside Access Scheme.

Take a break at Maidencombe and enjoy the picturesque beach or the recently refurbished Thatched Tavern. 

1Leave the Watcombe Beach car park via the stile in the north-east corner and follow the meandering path down through the woodland and into the Valley of the Rocks.

The South West Coast Path joins from Watcombe on the right and the path continues downhill veering to the left where it rises fairly steeply on an uneven path with a steel handrail. There are long views above the treetops back towards Hope’s Nose and the Orestone and Tor Bay’s more familiar limestone formations.

2 At the top of the path take the right hand fork downhill until you leave the woods.

3 Ignore the path to the left across open ground and proceed downhill following the coastline then re-enter the woodland via steep wooden steps.

4 After 200 metres or so take the left hand turning to follow the coastline again. At this point one can either cross the stile into open farmland (dogs under close control here) or stay on the path that skirts the pasture along the cliff top. After more rise and fall the path descends into the thatched village of Maidencombe.

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Riviera Walk 7

6

N

8

5

4

3 2 1

Ordnance Survey©

Crown copyright.

Media 082/22

5 The path leads into the Torbay Coast and Countryside 8 From the car park follow the road (Rock Trust car park where one can turn right to detour down to the beach or proceed through the car park, following the metalled track uphill to the right, past several residences and back onto the coast path.

6 The path is steep and undulating here. After half a mile take the left turn towards Gabwell Hill Road then after 200 metres another left turn over a stile onto open farmland.

7 Follow the pathway back towards Maidencombe across fields and eventually over another stile onto a narrow pathway that leads back into the hamlet. There are stunning views across Lyme Bay to East Devon and as far as Portland on a fine day.

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

House Lane) up past the orchard and on to the Court House and the village ’s famous Judas Tree. Take the path marked as the start of the John Musgrave Heritage Trail which follows a higher, meandering route back across farmland and into the ancient woodland to join the coast path again above the Valley of the Rocks which leads back to Watcombe Beach car park.

February/March 2022 | 29

The Heritage Quiz №5 Can you work out the identities of these famous people who had connections with Torbay and the surrounding areas?

1. If you take a look at photos of Victorian Torbay, you’ll notice that everyone wore a hat – but what type of hat was the most popular?

2. Why was Torquay often referred to as a “women’s town” in the late 19th century?

3. A subterranean river flows under Torquay and was once an open sewer. What is the river’s name?

30 | February/March 2022

4. Where in Torbay was a Neolithic Chambered Tomb discovered in 1956?

5. Brandy Cove lies close to Hope’s Nose in Torquay.

How did it get its name?

6. A childless Torquay widow Sarah Brydges-Willyams bequeathed three quarters of her estate to a Tory politician (later Prime Minister) in 1863 saving him from bankruptcy and greatly assisting his rise to power.

Who was he?

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Riviera Heritage 7. There is a beautiful and well-known limestone sea arch not far from Torquay Harbour. What is it called?

8. During the 19th century Torquay was believed to be the richest town in England and open to new ideas. It was home to a committed and active movement related to food (originally promoted by Pythagoras). What was it?

9. In 1937 she was the highest paid film star in the world.

When just 13 she won a talent competition on Paignton seafront, scooping a pair of roller skates and 10 shillings.

Who was she?

10. In 1803 Torbay was considered a prime target for invasion and orders were given by the town’s magistrates to make every preparation including a local volunteer force, strengthened defences at Berry Head and an evacuation plan. But who was the feared invader?

11. What was the name of the founder of Torre Abbey?

12. What caused a major upsurge in holidaymakers visiting Torbay in the late 1840s?

Answers: 1. The Top Hat; 2. As a seaside resort Torquay had a large number of landladies who wielded considerable power and influence; 3. The River Fleet; 4. On a slope above Broadsands Beach; 5. It was one of several Torbay coves used for smuggling luxury goods such as brandy, tea, tobacco and fine fabrics; 6. Benjamin Disraeli; 7. London Bridge; 8. Vegetarianism; 9. Gracie Fields; 10. Napoleon Bonaparte; 11. William Brewer (also Sheriff of Devon); 12. The Bay was connected to the rail network.

Lodgings

With thanks to Kevin Dixon

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February/March 2022 | 31

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n O s ’ t a h W BAY E H T D N U O R A

Please check before travelling as events are subject to change.

The Michelangelo Trail, Torquay Museum On throughout the year Explore hidden LGBTQ+ histories from Torquay Museum’s Collections by following The Michelangelo Trail around the galleries. The trail can be done in person or through the museum’s website. If you’re planning to visit the museum o ll find all the o ects rom the trail on dis la 529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HG 01803 293975 torquaymuseum.org

Write Time, Write Place, Paignton 2, 9, 16, 23 February & 2,9 March A six-week creative writing course, suitable for beginners who would like to explore an interest in creative writing and those who already enjoy writing for pleasure. Join a supportive and encouraging atmosphere where you will find stim lation and motivation thro h in ormal writin exercises and discussion. You will do some writing during the sessions so will need to bring along a pen/notepad or ready charged laptop/tablet. Times: weekly 10am – 12.15pm, cost: £60 for all six classes.

Palace Theatre, Palace Avenue, Paignton TQ3 3HF palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk

Ghosts and the Devon Landscape, Torquay Museum 2 February A Torquay Museum Society Lecture by Keith Wallis exploring a range of ghost stories from across the county, some of them famous and others more obscure. Free to members, non-members welcome, cost £5 payable on the door.

Time: 10.45am-12 noon.

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

Marvellous Marble, Torquay Museum 8 February This lively and well-illustrated talk from Colin Vosper of Torquay Museum Society is a reminder of a onetime englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

vibrant Devonshire Marble industry. Free to members, non-members welcome, cost £5 payable on the door. Time: 10.45am-12 noon..

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

Fougou Jazz, Paignton 8 February, 8 & 22 March Enjoy live contemporary jazz rom the finest national, international and local musicians.

Shows include: Martin Dale Quartet, Jonathan Gee Duo and Charged Particles. Tickets online or by phone. Time: doors 7.30pm for 8pm start.

Preston Conservative Club, 299 Torquay Road, Paignton TQ3 2EY 07967 790358 fougoumusic.com

Decadence & Deceit, Torquay Museum 9 February A Torquay Museum Society Lecture by Emma Seaman exploring Devon’s literary scandals including some rather dark and intriguing stories. Free to members, nonmembers welcome, cost £5 payable on the door. Time: 10.45am-12 noon.

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

Valentine’s Dining, Berry Head Hotel 12 & 13 February Celebrate romance in the brasserie or main restaurant where delicious Valentine’s menus are on offer. Or book the 4-course romantic Valentine’s Dinner and Dance with bubbly and canapés on 12 February. Overnight stays available.

Berry Head Road, Brixham TQ5 9AJ 01803 853225 berryheadhotel.com February/March 2022 | 33

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Riviera What’s On Dance with Flavia, Paignton 12 February & 12 March Learn to dance with Strictly Champion Flavia. Each class will focus on a new dance and is a fun and interactive way of learning the basics of ballroom and Latin from one of the est rther dates on we site ance ith lavia e inners ladies class sin les er class ime am 12.30pm. Couples class also available.

Palace Theatre, Palace Avenue, Paignton TQ3 3HF 01803 665800 palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk

The Drinking Fountains of Torquay 15 February A Torquay Museum Society Lecture avid inchli e on the stories behind Torquay’s remaining drinking fountains. Free to members, nonmembers welcome, cost £5 payable on the door. Time: 10.45am-12noon.

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

Shoalstone Pool’s Quiz Night, Brixham 16 February A ndraiser in aid o hoalstone ool , held at ri ham Yacht Club. Food served from 6pm and quiz starts at 8pm. eams o to , oo o r ta le earl there will e a ra e Overgang Road, Brixham TQ5 8AR 01803 853331

Wildlife Highlights, Torquay Museum 16 February A Torquay Museum Society Lecture by John Walters on wildlife highlights seen in 2021. Free to members, nonmembers welcome, cost £5 payable on the door.

Time: 10.45am-12 noon.

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

Stone Age people and animals in the exhibition area.

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

Intro to Climbing Course 21 February-13 March A four-week introductory course learning the technical skills of rope work and climbing technique, before venturing to an o tdoor cra to t it all into ractice he first three wee s at ar field on the indoor wall then headin to artmoor imes onda s m m first three wee s then Sunday 10am-1pm in week four. Cost: £100 per person, booking essential.

Reach Outdoors, The Seashore Centre, Tanners Road, Paignton TQ46LP 01803 524950 reach-outdoors.com

Bringing Films to Life, Torquay Museum 22 February A Torquay Museum Society Lecture by John Tomkins on the seven year journey of the English Riviera Film Festival. Free to members, non-members welcome, cost £5 payable on the door. Time: 10.45am-12 noon.

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

Shaldon and Labrador Bay, Torquay Museum 23 February A Torquay Museum Society Lecture by Colin Vosper on the secrets of this delightful area. Free to members, nonmembers welcome, cost £5 payable on the door.

Time: 10.45am-12 noon.

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

Half Term Stone Age Fun 19-27 February This February half term, delve into adventure on a guided tour of Kents Cavern, a place that was once home to your prehistoric ancestors and extinct animals.

Throughout the Stone Age, three different species of human lived in Torquay, sharing the cave and the land around it with bears, hyenas, woolly mammoths and Irish elk and many more. Find out all about the lives of englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Wedding Fayre, Livermead 27 February Prim & Proper Events promises innovative, contemporary and award-winning exhibitors from around the South West.

Times: 11am-3pm.

Livermead Cliff Hotel, Seafront, Torquay TQ2 6RQ 07717 754240 primandproperevents.co.uk February/March 2022 | 35

Welcome to Artizan Gallery !

Open as usual throughout February.

VISIT ART-HUB.CO.UK/EXHIBITIONS TO FIND OUT WHAT’S ON

ARTIZANGALLERY.CO.UK | ARTIZANGALLERY.CO.UK/2022 INFO@ARTIZANGALLERY.CO.UK | 07762921571

Events 2020 2021 Easter Activities EVENTS 2022 Easter Activities Activities

• • •

centre of creativity

460 studios acre award winning country park toaward explore 460 Craft acre winning Meet over 20 makers in our craft studios country park and gardens Seven Dials Café

Visit our two reputable Galleries showing an workshops exciting Arts and crafts programme of themed exhibitions by local artists Visitor Welcome Point and

and room hire • Weddings See James Murch, our Artist in Residence galleries painting on site Manor House • Indulge in delicious food and drink at Seven Carriage rides Dials Café • Manor House and childrens play area to discover Play area

see

4th–18th 30 March 13 April 12–18 April-April Sculpture 2020 Sculpture Trail Sculpture Trail Trail 2021July–Oct 28 June - 20 September August–October; dates tbc Illyria Outdoor Theatre Illyria Outdoor Theatre Illyria Outdoor Theatre –- Much A Midsummer Night’s Ado About Nothingof – The Further Adventures Dream 2 August 10th August Doctor Dolittle Illyria Theatre Illyria Outdoor Theatre 29 MayOutdoor Pinafore –-LaHMS Peter Pan 28th August La Arts Alice in 13 August Wonderland digital trail Illyria Outdoor Illyria Outdoor Theatre Experience Theatre – The Pirates -31The Further May–6 JuneAdventures of Dr Dolittle of Penzance

Details Detailscorrect correctatattime timeofofprint, print,but butplease pleasevisit visitthe the website websiteforforthe themost mostupuptotodate datelistlistofofevents. events.

Cockington Court

Cockington Court Heritage Day Illyria Outdoor Theatre Creative Festival 20 September – Much Ado About Nothing 3 August September, tbc Cockington Apple & Pumpkin Festival Illyria Outdoor Theatre Apple & Pumpkin 25 October – HMS Pinafore

25 August www.cockingtoncourt.org ForSeptember details of activities please see our website www.cockingtoncourt.org 1st

hear

taste

Festival

30 August & Day of the Dead Halloween 24th–30th October Festival Cockington Apple Day 26Winter October - Wonders 1 November 24 October, tbc Christmas at Cockington December / January,Court tbc Halloween Festival December 25–31 ForOctober a full list of our events, For details of activities trailssee and Winter Wonders please ourworkshops website December–January, tbc please see ourdates website www.cockingtoncourt.org

touch

smell

FREE VISITOR ATTRACTION Open daily from 10am. Galleries open 10.30am–5pm.

Free admission, open daily from 10am Cockington CourtCraft Centre of Creativity, Cockington, TQ2 Torquay 01803 607230 Cockington Court Centre, Cockington,Torquay 6XA TQ2 Tel:6XA 01803Tel: 607230 Email: info@cockingtoncourt.org www.cockingtoncourt.org

@CockingtonCourt

@CockingtonC

TDA is a trading name of Torbay Economic Development Company Limited, a company registered in England and Wales No. 7604855 Registered Office Tor Hill House, Union Street, Torquay, Devon TQ2 5QW

36 | February/March 2022

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Riviera What’s On Surnames in Devon, Torquay Museum 2 March A Torquay Museum Society Lecture by Robert Hesketh on the fascinating stories behind the surnames and nicknames of our region. Free to members, non-members welcome, cost £5 payable on the door. Time: 10.45am-12 noon.

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

Antiques & Collectables Fair, Newton Abbot 5 March Enjoy browsing an antiques fair at the racecourse. Also Toy Fair on 13 March.

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

Wild & Ancient Orkney, Torquay Museum 8 March A Torquay Museum Society Lecture by Peter Exley on the natural and historic wonders of Orkney. Free to members, non-members welcome, cost £5 payable on the door.

Time: 10.45am-12 noon.

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

Yoga in the Caves 8 March - 28 April Enjoy a yoga class in this unique underground setting.

45 minute session at £11 or 6 sessions for £60.

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

Tom Cobley & Widecombe Fair, Torquay Museum 9 March A Torquay Museum Society Lecture by Todd Gray on the origins of this much-loved traditional song. Free to members, non-members welcome, cost £5 payable on the door.

Time: 10.45am-12 noon.

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

Torquay Pottery, Torquay Museum 16 March A Torquay Museum Society Lecture by Lewis Bond on Torquay’s potteries. Free to members, non-members welcome, cost £5 payable on the door. Time: 10.45am-12 noon.

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

John Hawley of Dartmouth, Torquay Museum 22 March A Torquay Museum Society Lecture by Gail Ham on Dartmouth’s famous businessman, benefactor, naval commander & pirate.

Free to members, non-members welcome, cost £5 payable on the door. Time: 10.45am-12 noon.

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

Horse Racing, Newton Abbot 25 March Enjoy a spot of horse racing on this early season race day.

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

Total Coastal Running 26 March Starting at Kingswear, Preston Green or Babbacombe and all ending at Shaldon, you can choose from a 30-mile ultra run, a half marathon or a 10K scenic, multi-terrain running race inim m a e edals awarded to finishers or all distances. If you are not a runner, why not cheer the competitors along the way? windingpaths.uk

Seahorse Breeding, Torquay Museum 30 March A Torquay Museum Society Lecture by Tim Haywood on the conservation work of OSAquatics. Free to members, nonmembers welcome, cost £5 payable on the door. Time: 10.45am-12 noon.

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

If you are holding an event in April or May let us know and we’ll list it here!

Email the details to: editorial@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Deadline for submissions is 15 March.

February/March 2022 | 37

Arts R O U N D U P.

Please check before travelling as events are subject to change.

Torquay’s Artizan Gallery & Café Robert Lenkiewicz – Artist’s Palettes On till 12 February Wednesday-Saturday 11am-5pm Enjoy an exhibition featuring a series of unique and authentic artist’s palettes once belonging to and used by Robert Lenkiewicz. These palettes represent some of the tools of the trade that Robert Lenkiewicz undertook when in his studio on Plymouth’s Barbican. They have been restored empathetically to keep them as they were when originally used in his studio.Also on display will be some originals, prints and drawings. art-hub.co.uk/ex/RL22

Traditional Mastery – Richard Slater and Arthur Homeshaw

Made From – Mosaic, Glass and Textiles 19 February-12 March Tuesday-Saturday 11am-5pm In this group exhibition hosted in Artizan’s Main and Basement Galleries you can view artists’ work made from natural materials such as glass, textiles and mosaic. Works from the gallery’s resident 3D artists will complement these pieces. This exhibition is in part a celebration of a Public Art Commission for Lucius Street that was completed last year.

Preview event 18 February 6-8pm – call gallery to book. art-hub.co.uk/ex/materials22

Sacred Dartmoor – Rebecca Holley 19 February-12 March Tuesday-Saturday 11am-5pm As part of Artizan’s 2022 Bursary Programme for 2022 they are hosting a solo show in their Courtyard Gallery for Devonbased artist, Rebecca Holley. Works shown will be a series of hooked textile panels based on sacred sites on Dartmoor.

Preview event 18 February 6-8pm – call gallery to book. art-hub.co.uk/ex/rh22

March Exhibition – featuring works of Emma Roberts, Genevieve Murray, Rocio Bucheli, Thomas Oscar Miles and Virginia Griem.

19 March-9 April Tuesday-Saturday 11am-5pm

On till 12 February Wednesday-Saturday 11am-5pm This joint show will provide an exploration of work from across the breadth of these talented artists’ careers, offering insight into the technical mastery they demonstrate in their respective mediums. art-hub.co.uk/ex/launch22

Emma Roberts

Also from Artizan’s Bursary Programme, this group exhibition invites artists to explore the theme of identity from portraiture to intimate personal works. Preview event 18 March 6-8pm – call gallery to book. art-hub.co.uk/ex/identity22

Art of the School – Becky Nuttall

Arthur Homeshaw

38 | February/March 2022

19 March-9 April Tuesday-Saturday 11am-5pm Artizan will welcome Royal Academy Summer Exhibition To promote your business to our readers email sales@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Arts exhibitor, Becky Becky Nutall Nuttall to their Courtyard Gallery for this solo show of recent works produced from Becky’s home studio in Brixham.

Becky will be exploring themes and topics, which have had a strong in ence on her from her childhood through to adulthood. Preview event 18 March 6-8pm – call gallery to book. art-hub.co.uk/ex/bn22 Tuesday-Friday 11am-6pm, Saturdays 10am-6pm Artizan Gallery & Café, 7 Lucius Street, Torquay, TQ2 5UW

Torquay’s Artizan Collective Gallery English Riviera Contemporary - featuring works of FG Davis, Martin Dutton, Susan Cavaliere, Kirsteen Titchener, Will Mills, Ian Cox, and Claire Harmer.

On till 12 February Thursday – Saturday 11am-5pm Sunday 11am – 4pm This rich and diverse exhibition features bold vivid abstracts to richly textured Turneresque pieces, award winning hoto ra h , a stracted re ections o enice, m tholo ical creatures and settings, and superbly crafted and detailed linocuts. Will, Claire and Ian each have working studios at Artizan’s Collective Gallery and there will be opportunities during the exhibition to meet them. art-hub.co.uk/ex/erc22 FG Davis

Thursday – Saturday 11am-5pm Sunday 11am – 4pm his will e Arti ans first lar e, o en call show o with printmakers from across the UK exhibiting works dedicated to the rich and diverse art of printmaking.

Printmaking encompasses a huge range of techniques and styles including linocuts, woodcuts, engravings, etchings, lithographs, drypoint and monoprints. Each of these is its own unique practice, requiring vastly different skills and resulting in vastly different styles of work. But all are processes by which original work is made. Double Elephant will be running printmaking workshops. Preview event 4 March 6-8pm – call gallery to book. art-hub.co.uk/ex/erp22 Artizan Collective Gallery, Unit 5 74 Fleet Street Torquay TQ2 5EB For more information contact: juliebrandon@artizangallery.co.uk 07522 509642 Also check out art-hub.co.uk

The GALLERY @Cockington Court 10.30am-4.30pm daily Ongoing selling exhibition showing the region’s leading artists and makers. Items ranging from scarves, jewellery, ceramics, metalwork, artists cards, metalwork, collages, paintings and prints. Bloom exhibition is still on until 3 October in the Kitchen Gallery. Don’t miss the fabulous craft studios too!

01803 607230 @cockingtoncourt

Picasso and his Women – Val Woodgate 10 February, 2.15pm This Arts Society lecture examines the way Picasso’s emotional li e in enced what he painted and how he painted it.

Cost: non-members £8.00. Talk followed by tea and homemade cake.

St Matthias Church Hall, Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HW 01803 314490 theartssocietytorbay.org.uk

The Loose and Airy Lightness of Flowers – Justin Reay

English Riviera Print Exhibition 5 March – 10 April englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

10 March, 2.15pm An Arts Society lecture by Grinling Gibbons on his Carvings in Wood. Cost: non-members £8.00. Talk followed by tea and homemade cake.

St Matthias Church Hall, Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HW 01803 314490 theartssocietytorbay.org.uk February/March 2022 | 39

e r t a e h T !

CURTAINS UP

Babbacombe Theatre

Box Office 01803 328385 Editor’s pick STARLIGHT 15 February – 19 October Tuesdays ednesdays Don’t miss this uplifting new show for 2022. It’s simply bursting with delightful sparkle and fabulous fun. The talented cast bring you a non-stop programme of comedy, song and dance. Stars include comedian Steve Laister, West End vocalist Paul Cobley, singing sensation Lindsey Collard, multi-talented Wayne Martin, star of ‘The Voice’ Holly Cosgrove plus the brilliant and splendidly choreographed Danze Chique. Directed and produced by Colin Matthews.

Also worth seeing…

Fleetwood Bac – 26 February Nish umar – Your ower Your Control - 26 March

Princess Theatre, Torquay Box Office 08 8717615 Editor’s pick ATE ES 8-12 February The Olivier Award winning Patricia Hodge, one of the country’s most loved actresses, plays Amanda. Nigel Havers, ever suave and thoroughly charming, plays Elyot. A scintillatingly witty and scathingly vitriolic study of the rich and reckless in love, Elyot and Amanda, who were once married, find themselves in adjoining rooms in the same hotel on the French coast, both on honeymoon with their new partners. Their initial horror quickly evaporates and soon they’re sharing cocktails and a romantic serenade. An inaugural event from The Nigel Havers Theatre Company.

Also worth seeing…

The Tiger ho Came to Tea 7 8 March Gangsta Granny 2 -26 March

40 | February/March 2022

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Little Theatre, Torquay Box Office 01803 299330 FUNNY MONEY 7 -12 March Henry is late home for his birthday dinner. When he eventually arrives he discovers that he has accidentally picked up a briefcase containing thousands of pounds.

Hilarious innuendo and cruelly funny turns of fate ensue as Henry and his wife assume various identities in their battle to keep the money.

Also worth seeing…

The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon – 9-12 February

Palace Theatre, Paignton Box Office 01803 665800 Editor’s pick DEAD GUILTY 16-19 February When John Haddrell dies of a heart attack at the wheel of his car, the woman is at his side is not his wife, but his lover Julia. Recovering from her injuries Julia is visited by Margaret, who apparently knows nothing of the affair.

Events take a sinister turn when Margaret begins to encroach on Julia’s life, engineering the dismissal of her home help and estrangement from her counsellor. Left alone in the house Julia and Margaret are locked in deadly combat. A Bijou Theatre production.

Also worth seeing…

The Snow Queen Ballet – 3 February Circus of Horrors 15 March

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

February/March 2022 | 41

42 | February/March 2022

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In Praise of the Rose

Gardening

We are a nation of rose-lovers and these prized blooms go back to ancient times with cultivation believed to have started in China up to 5,000 years ago.We bring you a bouquet of rose-related gardening facts to inspire you in 2022.

In Poetry The rose is an enduringly popular symbol in poetry, particularly the red rose, which is associated with love and romance. Robert Burns wrote of A Red, Red Rose, William Blake told of My Pretty Rose Tree and Christina Rosetti penned There’s Nothing like the Rose.

Songs It has also has been an enduring theme in song.

There are wonderful examples like Bette Midler’s The Rose, Bon Jovi’s Bed of Roses, Linda Ronstadt’s Love is a Rose and Kylie Minogue’s Where the Wild Roses Grow.

Paintings Some of the finest artists have used roses as their inspiration.

Manet painted the evocative Two Roses on a Tablecloth, Renoir frequently painted roses including Roses dans un Vase Décoreé. Van Gogh created the delightful still life Vase with Pink Roses and Boticelli’s famous painting The Birth of Venus shows the goddess being showered in pale pink roses. englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Myths and Legends Aphrodite the Greek goddess of love is often seen as the creator of the rose, the story being very similar to the Roman legend of Venus. Of course we mustn’t forget Cupid the son of Venus, hastening to bring nectar to the gods, spilled some and roses immediately sprang up where the drops fell.

Famous in History Of course we probably all remember being taught about the Wars of the Roses at school; the white rose was the symbol of the Yorkists and the red rose represented the Lancastrians. Cleopatra famously carpeted the floor of her boudoir with mounds of rose petals, The Virgin Mary is often referred to as a rose without thorns and Elizabeth I took the rose as her emblem. In France Napoleon’s wife Josephine adored roses creating a collection at her Chateau de Malmaison; Napoleon ordered his warship commanders to search all seized February/March 2022 | 43

At Abbeyfield people are at the heart Supported Housing for Independent People of everything we do

Supported Housing for Independent People

ABBEYFIELD SOUTH WEST SOCIETY

Sheltered Housing for Independent People over 55

ABBEYFIELD SOUTH WEST SOCIETY staff, consisting of a Manager, cooks and a cleane oth Abbeyfield houses are situated in lovely areas, oasting their own beautiful grounds. Park House in who all work together to ensure residents are happy staff, consisting of a Manager, cooks and a cleaner Both Abbeyfield are situated in lovelypark areas, and content. aignton is situated directlyhouses opposite a beautiful boasting their own beautiful grounds. Park House in who all work together to ensure residents are happy nd is a five minute walk from the beach. Sanders and content. are various activities, events and entertainmen Paignton is situated directly opposite a beautiful park There ourt in St Marychurch, Torquay, hastheabeach. wonderful and is a five minute walk from Sanders that take place throughout the year which the There are various activities, events and entertainment Court in St Marychurch, Torquay, has a is wonderful that take place throughout the wish. year which the rge private courtyard and the local precinct just a residents can join in if they large private courtyard and the local precinct is just a residents can join in if they wish. ve minute walk away, with all the amenities you would five minute walk away, with all the amenities you would Traditional home cooked meals are provided in the Traditional home cooked meals are provided in the xpect. Both sites offer public transport services expect.

Bothgood sites offer good public transport services dining room every day and breakfast dining room every day and breakfast provisions areprovisions are by,and so it iseasy nice and easyand to goexplore. and explore. ose by, so it isclose nice to go provided for residents to have in their rooms. provided for residents to have in their rooms.

At our Abbeyfield houses residents find friendship The weekly charge covers all utilities and food, so t our Abbeyfield houses residents find friendship Allsupport bills arelosing included, except telephone line &all calls and without their independence The charge utilities there weekly are no bills to worry covers about, other than a BTand food, so nd support and without dignity. losing their independence telephone lineno which the residents, there are billsis necessary to worryforabout, other than a BT nd dignity. The rooms are unfurnished with en-suite facilities and telephone 24hr emergency pendant to work, so all concerns line which is necessary for the residents a kitchenette area. The houses have a communal

he rooms arelaundry, unfurnished withlounge en-suite and dining room, and facilities beautiful garden. kitchenette Each area.

The houses have a communal house has a small and friendly committed undry, dining room, lounge and beautiful garden.

about running a house are taken away.

24hr emergency pendant to work, so all concerns Each room has its own 24hr emergency call system about running for residents peaceaofhouse mind. are taken away.

Each room has its own 24hr emergency call system for residents peacetelephone of mind. ach house has a To small and friendly committed arrange a visit or for more information

the Manager at: Park House, Paignton 01803 557732 or a forvisit Sanders Court, Torquay 01803 316164. arrange or for more information telephone Or visit our website: www.abbeyfield.com

To the Manager at: Park House, Paignton 01803 557732 or for Sanders Court, Torquay 01803 316164.

Or visit our website: www.abbeyfield.com Registered Society No: 23413R under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014

Registered Society No: 23413R under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014

Gardening vessels for plants and rose growers were exempt from his naval blockades.

Roses in Torbay There is a delightful Tudor Rose Garden (managed by Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust) set in a quadrangle at Cockington Court. In the 1930s the space was used as a private menagerie, which is believed to have included a bear! At nearby Torre Abbey you’ll find some lovely rose planting in the gardens, which are picturesquely set amongst the peaceful ruins (make sure you see the fabulous glass houses too if visiting). Rose beds at Oldway Mansion Gardens commemorate the Far Eastern Prisoners of World War II. There is also a hidden Rose Garden on the corner of Babbacombe Road and Babbacombe Downs Road (near the Cliff Railway’s café) that seems private but is actually open to the public.

Managed by voluntary group Babbacombe Bay Bloomers, it was once part of Dr Herbert Chilcote’s residence called Charlwood.

Planting Roses in the Garden You can still plant bare root roses in February and March and these are generally high quality having had more room for their roots to spread than containergrown roses (although container grown roses can be planted year-round). Choose a sunny, sheltered spot with good drainage, lots of space and make sure there are no overhanging trees. Dig a hole with plenty of width and depth to allow ample space for the plant’s roots. Mix plenty of garden

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

compost or other organic matter plus a fertiliser and firm the soil in. Remember to water wisely keeping the soil moist especially while they are settling in.

Of course there are lots of choices of roses. Climbing roses, rambling roses, hybrid teas, standard roses, floribundas and shrub roses. If you’re going for a climber, you’ll obviously need a structure like a fence for it to climb up – and you’ll have to be prepared to train and tie in your roses but this can be a very enjoyable and therapeutic task.

Then of course you have the fun of choosing the colour and the specific properties of your rose. Some are especially fragrant, some have better disease resistance and there are lots of fun names to inspire you. How about the Emily Bronte or the Golden Celebration?

The bright pink Gertrude Jekyll shrub rose is one of the earliest to start flowering with a large bloom size, rosette-shaped flowers, repeat flowering and a strong fragrance. The Peace rose is a fragrant yellow and pink hybrid tea with a large, moderately full bloom and dark green leaves.

There are some who believe that growing roses by the sea is rather tricky but we’ve seen plenty of good examples in private gardens around the Bay. Look out for recommended varieties for coastal gardening such as David Austin’s The Country Parson or the Princess Anne. 

February/March 2022 | 45

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At Occombe Farm Café... ...our food is deliciously honest and homemade; our countryside setting is stunning and our proceeds go towards caring for Torbay’s special green spaces.

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Social D I A R Y.

Presentation & Celebration

Social Diary

Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust was presented with a special plaque to mark winning the internationally renowned Green Flag Award for Cockington Country Park an impressive 25 years in a row. Trust staff and volunteers gathered for the ceremony and then enjoyed a buffet lunch and celebratory cake in the estate’s Cob Barn.

 Keith Nicholl (Gardener), Damian Offer (CEO TCCT), Briony Wood (Marketing Officer TCCT) and Chris Lingard (Countryside Manager)

Andra Johnstone (Trustee TCCT) and Ray Faux (Volunteer) 

John Van Kuyk (Volunteer) and Carl McClean (Green Flag Award)

 Sue Tressider, Margaret Carson and Yolanda Moore (all Volunteers)

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Volunteers cutting the celebratory cake

February/March 2022 | 47

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Social

Social Diary

D I A R Y.

Breakfast at the Zoo Torbay Business Forum held their January Business Breakfast at Paignton Zoo. Guest speaker was Dennis Flynn OBE, Chief Executive of Wild Planet Trust, the owner of Paignton Zoo.  Will Hanbury (Bishop Fleming), Helen Ward (Chief Operating Officer Wild Planet Trust) and Dennis Flynn (Chief Executive Wild Planet Trust)

 Alison Upton (Rowcroft Hospice) and Angela George (Torbay Business Forum)  Mark Salmon (Bays Brewery) and Alex Rowe (Partners& Insurance Brokers)

 Barry Cole (The Resultant), Ben Cole (Paignton Zoo) and Matt Bettesworth (Bettesworths)  Rosie Gitsham (Rowcroft Hospice) and Alison Benney (Enlighten HR)

 Yvette Roberts (Barclays), Anita Newcombe (English Riviera Magazine) and Demi Keenan (Demi Keenan Interiors)  Steve

Reynolds (Barclays), Yvette Roberts (Barclays) and Nick James (Boyce Hatton)

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

February/March 2022 | 49

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