English Riviera Magazine October 2018 Online Edition

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

EnglishRiviera October/November 2018

116 Autumnal

magazine

Goodrington to Broadsands BLISSFUL AUTUMN BEACHES

Events

Meet Mosaic Maker

JANET VENTRE

& Bird Illustrator

MIKE LANGMAN Tor Bay's Naval History Enjoy DARTMOUTH FOOD FESTIVAL

Give It A Go!

FIELD ARCHERY & SOUTH DEVON CHOIR English Riviera Magazine for Residents by Residents DELIVERED FREE TO HOMES AND BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT THE BAY

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About us...

Welcome ..to the October-November 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 facebook.com/englishrivieramagazine twitter.com/EngRivieraMag ISSN (Print) 2052-8515 ISSN (Online) 2052-8523

Next issue 23 November Write to us at:

ENGLISH RIVIERA MAGAZINE 69 DAVIES AVENUE PAIGNTON DEVON TQ4 7AW

Autumn is a delightful time of year on the lovely English Riviera and we’ve got a huge number of events to tempt you out and about. England’s Seafood FEAST is in full swing celebrating our amazing local seafood and there’s a wide variety of other fabulous events on offer.

This issue we meet internationally known bird illustrator Mike Langman plus talented mosaic artist Janet Ventre. We visit a brand-new local gin distillery making Red Sails Brixham Gin, find out about singing with South Devon Choir and try some field archery.

Why not head to a bonfire night event, a food festival or a visit to the theatre? We’d love to inspire you to try something new this autumn.

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

Happy reading and stay local!

© 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.

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ABBEY SCHOOL Your local Torquay prep school with places for nursery, infant and junior children.

We also open our Abbey Adventures Holiday Club during school holidays and welcome all-comers.

We offer challenges which children thrive on and we attain outstanding academic results through the hard work and positive support of our dedicated teachers, all achieved in the cheerful and purposeful environment that is Abbey School.

Last year our 11+ pass rate was an amazing 88%. We facilitate nursery funding for 3 and 4 year olds (both 15 and 30 hours), offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities, making the most of our indoor heated pool and climbing wall.

We’re open all year round with our thriving holiday club running in all school holidays.

Come and see us for yourself, you are welcome at any time.

We look forward to welcoming you to Abbey School

OPEN DAY & CHRISTMAS FAIR

Saturday 24th November 10.00am – Midday

Member

01803 327868 • admin@abbeyschool.co.uk • www.abbeyschool.co.uk

Abbey School • St. Marychurch • Torquay • TQ1 4PR

Contents

In this issue

October/November

6 Openers Local news snippets 12 Meet Janet Ventre Mosaic maker 16 Meet Mike Langman Renowned bird illustrator 22 William Pengelly Teacher, geologist and archaeologist 24 Torbay’s Naval History Captain Jolyon Woodard ADC 28 Give it a Go! Singing Joining South Devon Choir 30 Give it a Go! Field Archery We go outdoors with Brixham Archers 32 Food and Drink News Lots to tempt your tastebuds 35 Brixham Gin Co Ltd We visit the Bay’s newest distillery 39 Dartmouth Food Festival Foodie fun for all

30 Field Archery

On the cover Goodrington from Roundham Head Beth Hill hillfolk.co.uk

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16 Mike Langman

42 Autumn Beaches Walk From Goodrington to Broadsands 44 What’s On Our pick of October and November events 61 Bonfires & Fireworks Guy Fawkes celebrations 63 Out & About Fun at ACE’s new venue 64 Arts Roundup Creative events around the Bay 68 Theatre Who’s treading the boards 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

12 Janet Ventre

About the artist Our cover this issue is a stunning design depicting beautiful Goodrington Sands by local artist Beth Hill. She studied fine art at university and trained as an art teacher.

Now working as a graphic designer for a local authority, she also owns Hillfolk Illustration offering designs inspired by nature. Beth was born and brought up on a farm in nearby Shaldon and loves walking in the countryside and along the coast.

39 Foodie Delights

READER OFFER

See Beth’s prints and cards at her website hillfolk.co.uk English Riviera Magazine readers can get a 15% discount at the website shop or ETSY page by using the code ERMAG15 at the check out.

This offer is valid until 31 December 2018

October/November 2018

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Toucan Chick

Bird keeper Nikki Watt.

Dedicated bird keepers hand reared a toco toucan chick at Paignton Zoo this summer. Paignton is one of two zoos in the UK to house them and one of only two in Europe to breed them. It’s hard to believe that this little fellow is growing into one of the most striking and familiar birds in the world. The toco is the largest and probably the best-known member of the toucan family.

At just a few days old, the chick was blind, naked and helpless. Yet, at one month, it already looked more like the famous Guinness toucan with its large, colourful bill.

Hand rearing takes dedication and teamwork, as feeding a toucan chick is hugely demanding; it was fed first at 7.00am, then every two hours or so until 10.00pm. Each meal of special baby bird formula and fruit had to be prepared and delivered by hand. Toucans are currently not considered threatened in the wild.

Ocean Protectors The Rockfish restaurant group, headed by Mitch Tonks, is doing its bit to protect our oceans. They have removed all single use plastics from their restaurants and put water taps outside so that people can refill their reusable water bottles for free at any time. It has now launched new Ocean Protector Packs for children eating in its restaurants. Mitch said, “We thought it would be great for children who eat with us to learn what they could do to help the oceans whilst having something fun and enjoying a bit of seafood.” The new packs contain all that children need to start to become an Ocean Protector themselves.

There is a cloth bag that can be used for school or sports containing: a wooden dolphin puzzle, a ‘message in a bottle’ card game, a pack of coloured pencils, a 12-page book of colouring, fun facts & quizzes and 12 stickers.

Plus there is a biodegradable bag so children can do their own mini beach-clean and an Ocean Protector wristband to promote the cause.

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October/November 2018

Baby Howler

You just have to accept that some babies will make a noise – but this one is guaranteed to be loud. This sweet little face belongs to one of the loudest animals in the world – a howler monkey. Paignton Zoo’s howler monkeys are parents Bonita, who is nearly 11, and Archie, who’s 7, as well as Millie, who is 20 years old.

And now this youngster, born in June, photographed

by Paignton Zoo regular Chris Rockey. They are famous for their calls. Commonly heard at sunrise in the forests of South America, they produce a very different dawn chorus to the one we’re used to in this country. The call might be described as a roar or a bark rather than a howl; it’s used to announce a troop’s position to help avoid conflict with other groups.

Howlers can be heard up to 3 kilometres away through forest and 5 kilometres over water. englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

own team. TCCT’s Hannah Worthington said, “The level of involvement and dedication from our volunteers continues to amaze me.” Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust is an independent charity dedicated to looking after Torbay’s most important wildlife and heritage sites, including Berry Head National Nature Reserve, Cockington Country Park, Occombe Farm, The Seashore Centre and the South West Coast Path within Torbay. countryside-trust.org

Cockington Celebrates Torbay Coast and Countryside’s (TCCT’s) Cockington Country Park has been awarded its 22nd Green Flag making it one of only five sites in the UK that has held a Green Flag since its launch. The award recognises the work that the independent conservation charity does to take care of this hugely popular park. Major refurbishment has taken place, supported by the trust’s own fundraising efforts and the work of many volunteers.

Projects include: renovation of the beautiful lakes, the Gamekeeper’s Cottage and The Linhay (which now serves as the park’s visitor centre). Dedicated volunteers regularly work alongside Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust’s

Brixham – Shop in Style this Season Autumn and winter are stunning seasons in the friendly fishing town of Brixham, especially those cold, clear, sunny days where the sea sparkles and the crowds have thinned. The quality and choice of Brixham’s shops and eateries has really taken off in the last couple of years and it’s rapidly becoming a fashionable place to meet and shop. We love visiting the quirky independent shops, full of unusual gift ideas – useful as the festive season approaches. It’s a town with a very convenient and pretty shopping circuit – down Middle Street, around the harbour and back up Fore Street. Plus there are lots of stylish places for coffee, lunch, cocktails and dinner. Make a day of it and visit Berry Head National Nature Reserve, the views are spectacular and you may see porpoise and dolphins. Saturday November 24th is the annual ‘Lanterns, Lights & ‘luminations’ event.

Enjoy the atmosphere with hundreds of children and adults carrying beautiful homemade lanterns through the streets at dusk, watch the Christmas Lights Switch On and ‘ooh and aah’ over the magnificent firework display over the harbour. englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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Torbay Youth Sailing Trust Mitch Tonks presented Torbay Youth Sailing Trust with £5269 made up of customer table donations and money raised by his Torquay Rockfish Restaurant.

The Trust plans to purchase additional sailing dinghies to add to their fleet of training boats. Torbay Youth Sailing Trust was set up in 2007 under the umbrella of the Royal Torbay Yacht Club to support and encourage children of Torbay into sailing. Mitch said, “The youth sailing trust do so much great work to get local children into sailing.“ Torquay-based professional sailor Morgan

Peach, who is part of the Rockfish Red sailing team, started sailing with Torbay Youth Sailing Trust in 2007.

Morgan said, “TYST does a great job encouraging the children of Torbay into sampling the amazing world of sailing.” Morgan has progressed to sailing a 49er (two person high performance skiff ) and is ultimately aiming to go to the Olympic Games. TYST principal William Butcher said, “The new boats will give us more flexibility to take up to four children out on the water with a trainer on-board too, increasing our capacity and allowing us to engage with more schools and also deliver adult training.”

Morgan Peach, Mitch Tonks and William Butcher

Brixham Battery’s Raceday Around 15 members of Brixham Battery enjoyed a day out at Newton Abbot Races. SP2A, a horse racing advisory service owned by supporter Ian Jordan, sponsored a race called, ‘The SP2A supporting Brixham Battery Handicap Hurdle’. The race sponsorship helped to raise the profile of Brixham Battery and gave members of the Battery a good day out. The race, preparade and presentation were shown live on ATR (At The Races), a dedicated racing channel owned by Sky TV and were beamed to every betting shop in the UK. The Brixham Battery name featured as race sponsor in The Racing Post; daily and many local newspapers and also online in website publications. Brixham Battery Heritage Centre is run by volunteers and relies entirely on donations and grants. brixhambattery.net

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October/November 2018

Enter the Dragon

A six-old female Komodo dragon has arrived at Paignton Zoo from Barcelona. The name Komodo dragon is one of the most evocative in the natural world; this is the largest lizard on the planet, and might be the last trace of giant lizards that roamed South East Asia millions of years ago. There are currently just 14 Komodo dragons in the UK but visitors need not worry about her being lonely living on her own. Senior Keeper Dr Katy Upton explains, “Dragons are only kept as pairs for breeding and even then you can have issues with them fighting. In the wild they are solitary and will only come together for breeding and feeding. It can be dangerous to keep them together both for staff and for the dragons themselves.” Paignton Zoo will be doing a lot of activities with her including scent trails and carcass feeds so she will get plenty of keeper time. englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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

Apple Day Sunday 14 October, 10am-4pm Cockington will be awash with all things apple as part of Apple Day. All the family can take part in a range of activities. There will be an abundance of live music from local bands, as well as a range of stalls from local businesses and food stalls.

Halloween Festival – Day of the Dead 22-28 October Join us for our Halloween Festival with a spooky Sugar Skull trail around the Court. Our Tea Rooms will be providing scarily tasty dishes throughout the week too.

Dia de Los Muertos 20 Oct-15 Nov, 10-5pm Roc Creative and Helen Bacon present ‘Dia do Los Muertos’ Mexican Day of the Dead themed artwork.

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October/November 2018

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Torquay ÂŁ1,100,000 Freehold With picturesque views of the greens and fairways of Torquay golf course, the property offers an extensively renovated and re-styled home providing elegant accommodation for gracious living. It sits impressively behind a secure double gated entrance, with excellent parking and pleasant gardens. The accommodation is arranged over 3 floors, with 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms (each en-suite), reception hall/formal sitting room, family sitting room/dining area, kitchen/breakfast, utility/laundry. Garage.

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Janet Ventre

The World

of Mosaics Up until April 2017, Janet Ventre was commuting to an office job in Bristol at least 3 times a week. A year or so on and she’s running a successful mosaic studio at Cockington Court.

Anita Newcombe went to see how she did it.

J

anet Ventre is waiting for me in her studio when I arrive; around 22 years ago having taken a short 5-week course with a friend. She ended up completing a small mirror it’s one of Cockington Court’s Sea Change Studios, whilst her less enthusiastic friend never finished hers – set in this quintessentially English country estate with its apparently it’s still under her bed gathering dust. But Janet charming and positively bucolic village – a huge draw for had discovered her true passion and has been creating visitors from all over the world. mosaics ever since.

The tools of Janet’s trade surround her and mosaics Soft greys are very much the favourite colours of the hang from every wall. Dazzling colours are everywhere; the moment but she loves to use bright colours as well. She beautiful pieces include large and small mirrors, mosaic explains, “The greys sell the best just now but after doing pictures, coasters and pendants. They are crafted from four or five in a row, I just want an explosion of colour on stained glass of every hue, with unglazed porcelain tiles and my board! mirrored tiles. You can’t stop gazing at them as each one in Visitors pop in to watch Janet at work and to chat, turn, catches your eye and makes you look more closely. browse and buy the individually created pieces. It’s such There are some delightful nursery scenes – the Three great fun to have something direct from the maker. Janet Bears are peeping through a window, Hansel and Gretel also takes commissions and you’ll are approaching the Gingerbread The greys sell the best just now not have difficulty catching up House, Little Red Riding Hood but after doing four or five in a row, with her. She’s generally in her is about to be confronted by the Big Bad Wolf, and Jack is I just want an explosion of colour on studio from 7.15am to 6pm seven days a week. She tells me, dreaming of his Beanstalk. my board!

“I just love what I do and I so Janet tells me that running a much want it to work – I feel that this is my real chance.” mosaic studio had been a dream of hers for the last twenty Janet has now also been accepted as a member of the years. She says, “But you can’t just do it on your days off – Torbay Guild of Artists. She has exhibited at Torre Abbey two days per week – you need to commit.” She had been a and at various exhibitions around the country. But she’s Chartered Quantity Surveyor who went into government never happier than when she’s at Cockington in her daily housing; her commute to Bristol (the offices had moved routine, chatting to visitors and creating new pieces. She from Exeter) was exhausting her. So Janet took voluntary says, “It’s a great little community here at Cockington – redundancy from Homes England, applied for a studio people seem to be able to do everything – I’ve had a lot of at Cockington Court Craft Centre and was accepted. She practical help from the other makers – designing display had done an Outset Business Startup course a few years shelves and all sorts. before, so had a good idea of how to get started in her new Making a mosaic is quite labour-intensive; it takes 4-5 business. She now works at Cockington Court seven days a days to make a big mirror for example. You can have a go week and just loves it. yourself if you like. Janet runs courses, mainly in the winter Of course this wasn’t Janet’s first foray into mosaics – when it’s less busy in the workshop, usually two people at Cockington Court’s makers all have well-honed skills and a time. The course timing is 10am – 4pm but she makes it wonderful creativity. She first got into mosaic making

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Riviera People

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Space to grow

southdevon.ac.uk | 08000 380 123

Riviera People

pretty clear she won’t be going home until your piece has been completed. Interestingly Janet says that nurses often make the best pupils. Not only so they seem to have the quickest and deftest fingers but they can also ‘talk and do’.

Many people simply stop working when they speak. “You won’t finish if you don’t keep going,” says Janet. She also explains that the courses are just a learning experience - you won’t feel as though you have to produce a masterpiece on your first try. You’ll get plenty of teaching and help to have an enjoyable and rewarding day.

In addition to the mosaic lessons, the makers are trialling a Speed Crafting Workshop starting in September. It’s a whole day of craft, which includes: ceramics, floral art, mosaics and textiles. People can have lots of fun and go home with four lovingly made creations. If it’s a success, the makers plan to offer more during the winter months.

Aside from her work at Cockington Court, Janet has been involved with a Macmillan project called Green Light Unplugged. She loves original music and together with others ran a competition for original songs by local and englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

regional musicians to raise funds for the charity. There were 300 entries and the 13 best ones were recorded at South Devon College and put on a CD. The recoding has been sold since then at various venues and has raised nearly £5,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Janet is actually a musician herself, playing the guitar, writing music and lyrics. She has played at Yellowfest with her partner’s daughter Rachael.

On fine evenings she enjoys strolling down to Meadfoot Beach and she also does yoga regularly. She says, “It feels great after leaning over all week. For the future, well it’s more of the same, growing her mosaic business. However she would dearly love to fulfil her dream of one day working with interior designers on larger projects and pieces. “That’s my aspiration,” she says. In the meantime, when she remembers getting the 7.03 train to Bristol, she says, “I feel lucky and hugely privileged to be here, working in such a lovely setting with nice people coming in and appreciating my work and the support of inspirational creatives – it’s really living the dream.” cockingtoncourt.org October/November 2018

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Mike Langman BIRD ILLUSTRATOR

Mike Langman’s bird illustrations can be seen in nearly every RSPB reserve in the country. He has work published in 53 books and regularly included in the UK’s best bird watching magazines. Anita Newcombe meets him at Berry Head.

A

lifetime of observing birds has given internationally that the local blackbirds would ‘see off’ any visiting known bird illustrator and Paignton resident, blackbirds in no uncertain terms!

Mike Langman a unique insight into the characteristics On the subject of garden birds, I ask Mike why of the birds he draws. The result is a bird illustration robins in particular love wheelbarrows and hover around the amateur birdwatcher can rely on to work out what gardeners often landing on a rake. He tells me, “The species they have spotted through their binoculars. For robin is a woodland bird; it’s quite difficult to dig for identification purposes, illustrations are usually better worms in the wooded undergrowth so they used to than photos as a photo shows one particular bird, which follow behind wild boar and dive in for a meal once the may not be the most typical example, whereas Mike’s boars had dug up the ground.” He explains that robins illustrations draw from his in-depth knowledge of the have now adapted really well to humans – people have average or ‘generic’ bird. become the modern ‘wild boars’ for robins.

I am meeting Mike at Berry Head National Nature Mike tells me that British people were the first nation Reserve, one of the Bay’s most popular nature reserves to put food out for birds. We are great gardeners and and an important hotspot for birds. Berry Head is a very enjoy interacting with birds so our garden birds are often distinctive southern promontory; the cliffs are 200 feet considerably bolder than those on the Continent. It high here and it makes a seems that migrant robins The robin is a woodland bird; it’s quite do come to Berry Head superb landing pad for our difficult to dig for worms in the wooded but they are much shyer feathered friends. Mike and I sit and chat in the undergrowth so they used to follow behind than our native birds. sunshine at one of the wild boar and dive in for a meal once the Sometimes 30 or 40 may open-air picnic tables. The arrive overnight; they’ve boars had dug up the ground. first thing I want to know often lost their way due to is how his passion for drawing birds first came about. bad weather and because they haven’t been able to see He tells me that the first inkling was at his playschool the stars. They land at Berry Head, possibly attracted by near Illogan in Cornwall when he was asked to paint the light beaming out from the lighthouse, and find a a picture of his house. Mike’s teacher told him that he safe haven for the night. was the only child who had painted the sky all the way Mike says that Berry Head is wonderful for birds down to the ground. Most young children just paint a as it’s easy to find, has scrubland where they can hide, splash of blue at the top of the paper. This keen level of and vegetation where they can feed. Once you get away observation soon extended to include birds and when from the main areas, it’s beautifully quiet so it’s great Mike’s mother took him out and about, he started for birdwatchers too. Bird lovers will enjoy visiting the spotting garden birds, mainly sparrows and blackbirds.

Bay’s prominent headlands such as Berry Head and He was fascinated by their behaviour and always wanted Hope’s Nose as well as places like Clennon Valley and to see what they were doing. He noticed, for example, Broadsands. The best time is early morning after bad

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weather, as birds will have landed. On a clear night birds can see and navigate so are more likely to just keep on migrating.

In late September and October migrants from Scandinavia will be arriving such as redwings and fieldfares; blackcaps will be coming over from colder areas of Central Europe. Summering birds will be

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heading south and you may still see late swallows and house martins right into November. As a keen, lifelong bird watcher, Mike is always hoping for a rarity, maybe something that has been blown off-course. Occasionally a migration route goes wrong for a variety of reasons and the resulting rarities that get blown in can form a ‘survival population’ set apart from the main species

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Riviera People group. For example the yellow-browed warbler was a great rarity in the 1970s but they can now be seen most autumns at Berry Head. Of course, after a summer of breeding, the famous guillemot colony can also be seen returning to the cliffs in October where they remain throughout the winter; early mornings are best.

Mike went to school at Foxhole Primary in the mid 1960s. His favourite subjects were art and nature and he adored the school’s nature tables. He was encouraged to keep painting and used to mainly copy from books at this time. However, when he moved on to Paignton School (PCC) his art teacher suggested that he start drawing from life. He tells me, “I like to be anatomically correct in my drawings and paintings. I feel this is the difference between a bird illustrator and a bird artist.” Mike explains that bird artists may not always concern themselves primarily with the minute characteristics of a bird (and may be creating a painting from photos or books) but for him as a keen birdwatcher and illustrator, every detail is the subject of intense fascination.

However, recognising species is not just about the look of the bird. Mike can identify birds via their distinctive movements, a flick of their tail, their silhouette or their call. Keen birdwatchers will often prefer an illustrated guide rather than photos as they are better for identification and you get more images on each page. This preference has provided Mike with a long and hugely enjoyable career in the world of birds.

Having spotted his talent, Mike’s secondary school art teacher put him in touch with an education officer called Jan Hatley at Paignton Zoo. He went along to meet her and explains, “To me, meeting someone from the zoo was like meeting a celebrity; it was so exciting. I saw skulls, stuffed birds, animals and bones – what a huge inspiration it was!. Jan looked at Mike’s illustrations and told him he would never be the next David Shepherd (“It was true – she was spot-on – David Shepherd was an artist and I am an illustrator,” says Mike). She encouraged him to draw from life and englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

incorporate as much detail as possible. So Mike joined the zoo’s Peacock Club visiting once a month with his sketchbooks to spend the whole day drawing birds.

The distinctive shapes of the exotic species such as flamingos at the zoo were brilliant practice for a beginner (Mike was 14 years old at this point). “And the birds stayed still enough to get your eye in,” says Mike.

Mike soon became a member of the RSPB’s Young Ornithologist Club. He entered some field sketches into a competition and won a painting by well-known bird artist Eric Ennion, which still has pride of place in his home. His bird watching skills were noticed by the RSPB’s adult section and he started going to meetings and leading walks. One of his sketches was used for the local members’ Christmas card. He joined Devon Birds and had his illustrations published in their bird reports.

Now only 16 he chose subjects at school that would help him towards a career in nature and art. He attended Torquay Boys’ Grammar School and took Art, Biology and Geography at A-Level. By now he had realised, “that art was my thing.” He looked at further education courses that were based on scientific illustration and was accepted on a BA (Hons) course in Scientific Illustration at Middlesex Polytechnic in London.

However, in year three he went on a placement with the RSPB working at their HQ in the exhibitions department. After three months, the department realised that they needed a fulltime designer and illustrator; Mike applied for the job, even though it meant he would not be able to finish his course. To their credit the RSPB team tried to dissuade him as they didn’t want to be responsible for him dropping out. However, Mike rationalised, “As an artist people look at your work and reliability and not your degree; importantly my parents were also supportive of my decision.” He got the job and spent 9 wonderful years working at RSPB reserves, identifying, studying and drawing birds – his dream job. He says, “I had no regrets whatsoever – for me the RSPB was the best place to work anywhere in Britain.”

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artwork for the RSPB, from huge floor-to-ceiling panels painted as original artwork (printing was much more expensive then), to all kinds of interpretation boards and signs. Mike also worked as an activities organiser for the Young Ornithologists Club setting up activity days, holidays and roadshows.

Mike’s artwork was also being used in magazines and he was offered a sabbatical to the Yemen to help produce

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a booklet to inspire local children to take an interest in birdlife. He went with well-known bird author Richard Porter and was one of a few artists who worked on a major field guide to birds of the Middle East. At this point Mike gave up his full-time job at the RSPB and went freelance, which he has been ever since. That first project lasted three years but he has completed many other jobs including working with Hamlyn on four books

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Riviera People for children. He tells me, “I’ve been very lucky – I’ve never had to chase work – the contacts I made at the RSPB have been invaluable and I’ve always been busy.”

Nowadays Mike has a portfolio of digital images built up over many years and sells these via his website. In fact, he’s sold over 100 images only this week. He still works extensively for magazines and always has a stand at the British Birdwatching Fair where he attracts brisk sales of his work. There’s no doubt that these days he’s obliged to spend more time on his computer sorting out contracts, invoices and so on. That’s one of the reasons why he looks forward to his guided walks so much; he just loves showing people wildlife they might otherwise not have seen and offering tips and fascinating snippets that will inspire the love of birds that is so important to him. He is voluntary Art Editor for the Devon Birds and and was their county bird recorder for nine years.. You may spot Mike at Berry Head or at other spots; he’s always out and about looking at birds and searching for the next rarity to blow in. Or why not join one of his fascinating walks? mikelangman.co.uk

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Events Seabirds and Wildlife Masterclass 13 October Enjoy a full day out spotting seabirds and cetaceans with Mike at Berry Head, suitable for 18 years plus.

Organised by Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust.

Cost: £30, time: 9.30am – 4pm, bring packed lunch and hot flask, book via trust website.

Autumn Migration Watch 3 November Treat yourself to an early morning migration watch with Mike at Berry Head looking for spectacular overhead movements of birds. Organised by Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust. Time: 7.1510am, includes a full breakfast at the Guardhouse Café. Suitable for adults.

Cost: £16, book via trust website. countryside-trust.org.uk/events

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Challenging the Accepted View

William Pengelly Talented teacher, geologist and amateur archaeologist, William Pengelly was one of the first people to challenge the biblical chronology of the earth through his work at Kents Cavern. Ian Handford of Torbay Civic Society tells us more.

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orn at East Looe Cornwall in 1812 William Pengelly, London, was ridiculed. The devout MacEnery immediately son of a Master Mariner, left school at age twelve to distanced himself from all public debate; after all, those join his father at sea. Thereafter his education was selfflints suggested primitive man had been around for taught until at sixteen, hearing that his brother had died, he 300,000 years, whereas scripture books only took man back gave up life at sea to return home to support his mother. to 4004 BC. William had an almost natural aptitude for teaching It would be Pengelly who opened five new entrances at and on joining the village school his major subject was Kents Hole to ensure greater ventilation; this in turn saw mathematics. He was one of the first teachers to use a the explorations going much deeper. Our mathematics blackboard and chalk in class and, being forever inquisitive, lecturer was now becoming a researcher and, as a he would often walk to Plymouth to visit its library where wordsmith, was undertaking detailed recordings, which eventually he would learn of ‘far-off’ Torquay. He moved ensured scientific papers literally flowed from his pen. to Torquay during the 1830s and he set up a day school at MacEnery and others had worked for over twenty years Braddons Hill West. In 1838 he established an education excavating what were called ‘top deposits’, but through institute after realising there Pengelly the new excavations was no written material went much deeper. With Embedded in the stalagmite, and concerning geology. He beneath it the bones of cave lion, hyena, the backing of the Royal started to offer free evening Geological Society he was mammoth, wooly rhinoceros, and tuition to any working man now made Superintendent cave bear. And among the bones and interested in palaeontology of the Dig, and soon his below them, lay numerous flint tools of and archaeology. research papers confirmed In May 1838 William he had found: “Embedded undoubted human workmanship married Mary Ann Mudge in the stalagmite, and and they produced three children, two of whom died in beneath it the bones of cave lion, hyena, mammoth, wooly infancy and the third while out hunting in India. After rhinoceros, and cave bear. And among the bones and fourteen years of marriage William lost Mary; that passion to below them, lay numerous flint tools of undoubted human teach and lecture would sustain this quiet, kind and generous workmanship”. man. He still continued trips to distant libraries, museums By 1844 he and sixteen others created the Torquay and later universities, which extended his knowledge of Natural History Society and by 1846 he had even given natural history and later widened his interests. up teaching so that he could pursue his main passions of In Torquay, two of the earliest explorers of Kents Hole research, archaeology, geology and palaeontology. With were Mr Northmore of Exeter and Rev’d MacEnery the quantity of finds mounting, it would be Torquay Roman Catholic chaplain at Torre Abbey. Having explored banker Edward Vivian, Dr Battersby and others, who the cave from 1824 they had uncovered large quantities together with Pengelly, created a second report. It was of bones and teeth from extinct animals as well as, more presented in 1847 to the Geological Society. However, significantly, flints. These, in effect, were hand-made once again leading academics, preferring to remain faithful human axes. Eventually they issued a formal report of their to the accepted view, rejected their findings. They decided findings, which after being read at the Royal Society in that these findings were incompatible with the Book of

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Heritage Genesis and Creation of Man. The scientists believed that bones and flints found must merely have been washed down into the caves.

In 1853 Mr Pengelly married Lydia Spriggs and they produced two daughters. Our quiet man was now openly accusing educationalists of being “mere instructors”, whereas he lectured on issues as diverse as folklore, numismatics, history, geology, archaeology, astronomy, music temperance and even politics. His enthusiasm encompassed the natural world but the wide spectrum of his subjects ensured he was always in demand as a lecturer at many institutions and universities.

In January 1858, Pengelly quarrymen in Brixham unearthed a new entrance to Windmill Hill Cave and had exposed layered stalagmite encapsulated in limestone. He quickly realised this hermetically sealed and therefore virgin ground was a heaven sent opportunity; it would likely prove the true antiquity of primitive man.

Proof at long last that man had certainly been around far longer than the dates stated in scripture.

Meanwhile, Charles Darwin’s theories on early man were also creating huge interest and his book The Origin of Species, was published in 1859 so writing about the antiquity of history was “on the wall”. Having worked at the Brixham caves, Pengelly also explored caves at Bovey Tracey and Heathfield where he discovered an ancient lake containing numerous clays and lignites. His work would be finally rewarded when made a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1863.

As President of the Torquay Natural History Society and star lecturer, by 1871 it was clear there was a need for a permanent building to include a museum with lecture room. The foundation stone for Torquay Museum at englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Babbacombe Road in Torquay was laid on 6 June 1874 and a year later the building opened to the public. Scientists and most academics had now finally accepted Darwin’s theories. Meanwhile at Torquay two more decades of digging, sifting, removing and examining rocks, stones and fossils where everything was recorded in detail was ongoing.

In 1874 it was Pengelly’s team who found the inscription ‘Robert Hedges of Ireland Feb.20 1688’. It was carved into a large boss of stalagmite thereafter called ‘The Hedges Boss’ and its growth of natural fauna ensured our mathematician was able to calculate that the twelve foot stalagmite was half a million years old. With more relics found at Pixie’s Hole in Chudleigh, at Ash Hole and Bench Caverns in Brixham and even smaller caves at Happaway and Stentiford in Torquay, they all helped authenticate the 3,948 boxes of individual finds at Kents Cave.

By now those long hours in damp conditions with only candles to light the caves had taken their toll. During the 1880/90s Pengelly gradually became an invalid and finally after contracting a chest infection, death came on March 16 1894. The Natural History Society built a memorial hall at Torquay Museum in William’s honour when his original lecture room became a library and reading room. Those decades of dedication to his beloved society offered few comforts or rewards at the time, yet today we can all enjoy the history of his fossils and artefacts, being the earliest ever found in Britain.

Honours include the Lydell Medal in 1886 and the Pengelly Memorial Hall at Torquay, although it took until 1987 before Torbay Civic Society unveiled a commemorative Blue Plaque to honour him, which can still be viewed at the main entrance to Kent’s Cavern. torbaycivicsociety.co.uk October/November 2018

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CELEBRATING OUR

NAVAL HISTORY Guest speaker at Torquay Old Grammarians Reunion Dinner at Torquay’s Imperial Hotel was the Commanding Officer of Britannia Royal Naval College Captain Jolyon Woodard, ADC. He gave a fascinating overview of historic links between the Royal Navy and Torbay and kindly gave permission for us to share these snippets with our readers.

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rom this lovely room (at the Imperial Hotel) we have a panorama before us in which many historical events have occurred. Many of them involved sea battles. Half close your eyes and imagine...

The Vikings marauded the coasts of Devon and Dorset in the eighth and ninth centuries, and it is very likely that King Alfred, the founder of the British Navy, gave chase across Lyme Bay, Start Bay and beyond. This would have been clearly visible from here.

In July 1588, the people of Brixham watched Sir Francis Drake in HMS Revenge attacking the Spanish Armada, having finished his infamous game of bowls on

November 1688 with 15,000 men. They came from an incredible fleet of 463 ships, which England’s navy simply couldn’t match. One can imagine that huge fleet anchored in Torbay. Once ashore, William quickly defeated James III’s army and the following February he was crowned King William III. Ironically the Royal Navy has much to thank King William III

HMS Revenge

Plymouth Hoe. The Armada consisted of 130 ships. The richest prize was the capture of the flagship Neustra del Rosario Senora. The commander of the crippled ship surrendered without a fight when challenged by the feared captain of the Revenge, ‘El Draco’ (that’s Drake in Spanish). Crowds from Brixham, Paignton and Torquay gathered along the coastline as the Rosario was towed into Torbay. The 397 captives were imprisoned temporarily in the Old Barn at Torre Abbey (which is now forever known as the Spanish Barn).

A century later, and we shift from the Spanish to the Dutch. William of Orange landed in Brixham on 5 24

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him for.

Appalled at the lack of dock facilities in Plymouth, it was he who ordered the building of Devonport Naval Base. He also enlarged Greenwich Palace and established the Royal Hospital in 1694 for men invalided out of the Navy. It eventually housed around 2000 pensioners. A monument to William of Orange stands on the Quay at Brixham and close by there is a full-size replica of Drake’s ship, the Golden Hind.

The Napoleonic Wars from 1799 – 1815 saw Torbay become a major anchorage for the Channel Fleet. Again, you can imagine, scores of ships similar to Nelson’s englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Heritage HMS Victory spread out before us. Brixham made a lot of money during that period, from water, victuals and chandlery. But storms occasionally scattered the fleet, as the wreck of HMS Venerable off Roundham Head pays testament.

Many well-known admirals came to visit during that period, such as Cornwallis, Hood, Rodney, Hawke and Howe. Lord Nelson was also a visitor, reporting to his immediate superior and mentor, Admiral Lord St. Vincent. During the severe winter of 1800 & 1801 Lord St. Vincent lived ashore at Torre Abbey. The Cary family owned Torre Abbey and Sir George Cary and his wife hosted a dinner for Lord St. Vincent and Lord Nelson.

Napoleon was finally defeated at the battle of Waterloo. He CAPTAIN JOLYON WO fled France onboard HMS ODARD ADC Bellerophon (or ‘Billy Ruffian’ to her crew), having surrendered to her commanding officer.

She arrived off Brixham on the morning of 24 July 1815 and on his first established between Falmouth and Felixstowe to assist this sight of the Bay, the former Emperor exclaimed “Enfin deployment. Two of those built in Torquay are still clearly visible, together with similar ramps at Brixham. And by the side of Torquay Harbour is an impressive memorial to the Royal Engineers ‘The Enablers’ and the American 931 Port Construction & Repair Company who built them. What a spectacle the more than 400 vessels leaving Torbay would have presented from here as they made D-Day disembarkation from Brixham Napoleon aboard HMS Bellerophon

voila un beau pays”, which means ‘Finally, here is a beautiful country’.

Let’s now fast-forward 130 years to D-Day. D-Day saw the deployment from the south coast of England of the biggest invasion fleet that the world has ever seen. It comprised almost 7,000 vessels from 8 different nations, over 11,000 warships, 4,000 landing craft, 700 or so ancillary craft and well over 800 merchant vessels. 400 of them left from Torbay. Embarkation slipways were englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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Conroy Couch Heart of Torquay ad 165x238 Aug18 AW.indd 1

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Heritage

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Away from war, Torbay has been central to something the Navy does rather well, and that’s pomp and ceremony. ”

their way to Utah Beach.

Away from war, Torbay has been central to something the Navy does rather well, and that’s pomp and ceremony. As many of you will know, Torbay has been host to numerous fleet reviews and royal visits. Some are of particular note.

Queen Victoria had great affection for Torbay and

It was during this review that a modest aviator called Claude Graham-White flew over the British Fleet and changed the course of naval history. He demonstrated to King George V, embarked in the Royal Yacht, the utility Pioneering aviator Claude Graham-White

Royal Yacht, the Victoria and Albert

particularly Babbacombe Bay where she spent a night ashore in July 1837 when she was just 14. Nine years later in August 1846 she sailed into Torbay in her new Royal Yacht, the Victoria and Albert to review the fleet in the waters of Torbay.

July 1905 saw 113 ships anchored in Torbay – described at the time as ‘the largest assemblage ever’. King George V and Queen Mary inspected this fleet from the Victoria and Albert.

In May 1907 the Channel Fleet assembled in the Bay and HMS Dreadnought, which revolutionised naval HMS Dreadnought

of the flying machine in naval warfare.

The last such gathering was in July 1969. HM the Queen accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh reviewed the Western Fleet of 39 ships from the Royal Yacht, Britannia.

The occasion marked exactly 381 years to the day when Sir Francis Drake fought the last battle of the Armada.

And let us not forget the numerous ships’ visits of HMS Torquay and HMS Torbay, neither of which very sadly is in service. But they both enjoyed the privilege of the Freedom of the Borough of Torbay during their decades of service. And of course you may have noticed the newest addition, HMS Queen Elizabeth, the largest ship ever built for the Royal Navy, steaming past the Bay. With thanks to Captain Jolyon Woodard, ADC, Royal Navy (note the speech has been abridged).

HMS Torquay

warfare through speed and armament, made her first appearance.

July 1910 saw 200 warships assembled in the Bay. englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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South Devon Choir singing for the community in Torbay and South Devon South Devon Choir has been established since the 1870s and has performed a huge range of historical oratorios, cantatas and choral works as well as many 20th century compositions.

Anita Newcombe catches up with Chairperson Sally Laird and Treasurer Prim Wood.

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Sally and Prim tell me that they have recently acquired ally Laird has been Chairperson for around 7 years new staging worth £5,000, which can be constructed at and she and Prim Wood have been members since the their venues to ensure they are fully raised up and visible 70s. They obviously love it and their enthusiasm is quite catching. South Devon Choir rehearses at St Paul’s Church to the whole audience. It’s quite costly to hire venues and orchestras but fundraising, tickets sold and the occasional Hall in Preston every Thursday from 7.30-9.30pm with a bequest supplement the membership subscriptions. The break for tea, coffee and biscuits mid-way through. You choir is currently actively seeking more male voices, tenors won’t be asked to audition but it is helpful to be able to follow music to a reasonable degree. It’s a community choir or basses but sopranos and altos are welcome to come along too. At present there are about 40 sopranos, 30 altos and 8 and a registered charity so it’s open to everyone. tenors with the balance made up of basses.

A complete history of the choir was published in 2012 Sally and Prim have been heavily involved in the choir to mark the 140th anniversary, painstakingly researched by for so many years that their world seem very focussed on longstanding choir member and choir secretary Malvern all its doings. Sally tells me, Cooke. The choir was founded The choir is currently actively “It’s very sociable and great in 1871, known at the time as seeking more male voices, tenors or fun and we make a point of Paignton Choral Society. Queen ensuring new members feel Victoria was on the throne basses but sopranos and altos are really welcome.” The choir and William Gladstone was welcome to come along too. even has a Welfare Officer, Ann Prime Minister. A Mrs Lucy Gardiner who encourages members who are suffering from Pridham requested use of the town hall once a week for a nerves or a lack of confidence. Sally explains, “It can be choral society and this was granted at a fee of 5 shillings a daunting to be confronted with a musical score for the first night. Mrs Pridham was married to a local doctor Charles time.” Whilst singers are encouraged to attend as many Pridham and they seemed very active in local society at rehearsals as possible, they recognise that younger members the time attending a number of grand balls and events. In with families may have to miss a few and this shouldn’t 1878 the choir performed in the Arena at Isaac Singer’s discourage you from joining.

Oldway residence and in 1879 they performed at the Royal Sally’s husband Brian, whom she met at a concert, now Bijou Theatre in Paignton. does Front of House support and proofreading for the Nowadays, renamed as South Devon Choir, they are choir. Her mother was a soprano and her father was an a mixed voice choir of 95-100 members holding 3 large architect and also a conductor, organist and pianist, so she concerts every year, mostly at Torquay’s Central Church.

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Give it a Go! Singing grew up in a very musical household. Prim’s father was a doctor but her mother was a singer so no doubt she was suitably inspired at home.

Don’t be put off if you’re not from a musical background though – South Devon Choir is very welcoming and open to all. If you’re interested in giving it a go, you can come along for 2-3 weeks before deciding whether you’d like to join.

Membership is £95 a year but this can be paid in instalments if needed. The fee does include the hire of the music. They also have occasional workshops with the next one planned for 6 October in preparation for next concert on 1 December.

John Hobbs is Director of Music and is conductor of the North Devon and Bude Choral Societies in addition to the South Devon Choir; he’s also organist at Holy Trinity Church, Weare Giffard. His singing career began as a choral scholar at Cambridge University. He has sung an extensive repertoire with many choral and music societies and frequently performs principal baritone operatic roles for the Duchy Opera Company and New Cornwall Opera.

Simon Dunbavand is Accompanist and is a very talented musician who plays piano and organ. He graduated in music from Cambridge University, where he was Organ Scholar of Peterhouse, and recently at The University of Sheffield, where he held the Charles Bryers Scholarship. He is an Associate of the Royal College of Organists and the Royal College of Music. Simon has performed throughout the UK and across Europe. He gives fascinating illustrated talks on subjects such as Russian music and many more interesting topics.

Occasionally the choir has a day out singing with another choir. This almost always goes to plan but Prim and Sally laugh when they recall performing in North Devon Pannier Market, which apparently is quite cathedral-like when it’s not full of bustling stallholders. At a critical moment, bell ringers in the church next door set up a rival musical experience whilst at the same time the sound of drums caused clusters of pigeons

to fly up in fright. Well the show must go on – and the choir proved themselves suitably resilient! southdevonchoir.org

Tsunami Requiem A Workshop with Graham Wili & Chris Williams Saturday 6 October The Tsunami Requiem, by Chris Williams is a moving moving and compelling work telling the story of the devastating tsunami, which hit the fishing villages of Tamil Nadu in South India in 2004.

In conjunction with English Philharmonia, South Devon Choir invites you to join a day of singing, fun and camaraderie accessible for all abilities.

9.30am for 10am start – until 4pm St Paul’s Church Hall Paignton Tickets £18 – book via website or phone 01803 872296 Score hire included (£10 deposit).

Calm After Chaos – A Concert Saturday 1 December South Devon Choirs next major concert – including Haydn’s Nelson Mass, Williams’ Tsunami Requiem, Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium With Elinor Chapman (soprano), Sue Lancaster (alto), Les Baker (tenor), David Fouracre (bass) and Festival Orchestra. The choir has chosen the theme ‘Calm After Chaos’ to reflect the end of a time of tumult as we mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War. Rather than reflect directly on that event the choir has chosen to sing works, which were written to mark a chaotic and disruptive time and finally return from chaos and confusion to calmness and peace.

Time: 7.30pm, tickets: £12, students under 19: free.

The Committee Back Row: Rosie Clapham, Tricia Turner, Prim Wood, Jennie Litt, Ann Gardiner.

Front Row: Stella Currie, Sally Laird, Paul Barton, Lisa Prager. englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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Another string to your bow...

In 2014 we visited Brixham Archers and learnt about target archery. This month Julian Rees returns to have a go at the club’s alternative discipline - Field Archery.

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’ve been invited to a 3D Field Shoot with Brixham Archers field archery section. It’s been four years since I last shot an arrow so I’m off to meet Stephen Moss, who is Brixham Archers’ Field Officer, to be fitted out for bow and arrows and hopefully to get my eye back in.

We're meeting at the Old Dairy in the St Mary’s area of Brixham, home to the club and its indoor target range.

Stephen selects a range of bows and different length arrows for me to try. The aim is to select a bow with an appropriate draw weight that comfortably matches my strength and an arrow length which is long enough to remain on the arrow rest once my arm is fully extended or as Stephen calls it, ‘bone to bone’ when your pulling fingers touch your cheek bone.

Once we're set I shoot some arrows with Stephen’s guidance and before long I’ve got the hang of things again and am scoring consistently, albeit from a relatively short distance. At this point I'm shooting at a standard archery target, then, when we retrieve our arrows Stephen

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introduces me to a new target, a brown bear, lifesize and made of self healing foam. This is what we'll be shooting at in the field and what makes the outdoor shoot 3D. I take some more shots and realise that the size and shape of this new target brings a new element to the process.

There are no coloured rings or bullseye, but you get more points for hitting a marked area on the foam, normally in the chest area of the 3D target. Time to mention no real animals are involved!

I now feel well prepared for the weekend shoot and Stephen brings me up-to-date about the club and the opportunities it offers.

Brixham Archers has over eighty members, as young as ten and with senior members well into their seventies. The

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Give It A Go - Field Archery The Origin of Taxes?

In 1472 it was decreed that every ship coming to an English port had to bring four yew bowstaves for every tun it unloaded. When a ship arrived in port, shouts of “taxus, taxus!’ would be heard, from the latin Taxus Baccata - the yew tree.

This is commonly thought of as the origin of modern taxes. club is affiliated to Archery GB for target archery and the self-funded National Field Archery Society (NFAS) for field archery. Both disciplines are open to all newcomers but according to Stephen attract quite different people.

He explains the primary difference between field and target archery is the variety of shots. In target archery the distance is known and there is a clear path to the target.

In field archery every shot is different - the distance is unknown; there may be trees or vegetation in between archer and target; there may be streams or lakes to shoot over and there will certainly be hills and gradients to overcome. The archer will have to shoot from a variety of stances and may have the bow canted over to make the shot. And of course it all takes place outside in woodland and fields, come rain or shine.

In common with target archery though, all types of bow are permitted but it is common to see more traditional constructions such as English longbows, American flat bows and horse bows in field archery.

I arrive at the club’s woodland site early on Sunday morning and meet up with the other 16 members at the day’s shoot. We split into groups of four and five of mixed ability, mixed age and sex and mixed bow types to tackle the shoot. There are 36 targets to shoot and the groups start in staggered fashion to go round the course - the shoot can take between four to six hours to complete so there’ll be a lunch stop half way around. Stephen explains how the course is set out so there is never any danger of shooting towards another group although, for safety’s sake, everyone is encouraged to wear their brightest attire.

At each station an archer will have three attempts to hit the target and each shot is marked by a small wooden post in the ground. The archer must have their leading foot in contact with the post whilst taking the shot but can move the rest of their body in any way they need to take advantage of the best line of sight. The three pegs are red - challenging, white - still missable, and blue - achievable.

Points are awarded for hitting different areas on the target and reduce accordingly if the archer misses and moves

forward to an easier peg. The diverse nature of each group - I’m shooting with a father and son and husband and wife - means that you may not be competing with an archer in your category (eg Adult Male Flatbow, Juvenile Female Horsebow, etc...) so it isn’t until the end of the day when all the scores are collated that you find out how you fared. This, combined with the fact that different people will often prefer a particular type of shot or struggle with another, means that keeping a cool head throughout the shoot is imperative to getting a good tally of points.

I soon find out it’s far harder than it looks and I’m at target three before I manage to score my first points. The surrounding trees, steep terrain, gloomy lighting and even a wasp nest in the ground present all manner of challenges, so hitting the target certainly brings elation and spurs me on.

As we continue round the course there’s plenty of banter between archers and the other groups and although there’s clearly a competition in progress the emphasis is very much on having a fun and safe day outside. Stephens makes a good point that unlike many other sports, when everyone is equipped with the right kit, sons will often beat fathers and wives will often beat husbands, so field archery makes for a great family activity.

If you’d like to give it a go get in touch with Brixham Archers at their website. www.brixhamarchers.co.uk

Did You Know?

English archers in Henry VIII’s army used yew longbows with a draw weight in the region of 200lbs; my bow was 24lbs! They were known to have been able to release up to a dozen arrows before the first touched the ground. Often shooting in groups of 1,000 archers, archery was a major element in the country’s defence. In 1515, Henry VIII commanded that every householder keep bows, not only for himself, but for his servants and children – and that every adult and adolescent male learn to use them.

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Autumn Delights

Seafood, the apple harvest, cider celebrations and the very best beers – life in the Bay just gets better!

England’s Seafood FEAST England’s Seafood FEAST is a very special, two-week festival (on till 7 October) to celebrate the incredible quality of the English Riviera’s seafood.

Centred on world-famous Brixham Fish Market, the English Riviera is now recognised as England’s Seafood Coast.

There is an ongoing range of events and stunning seafood menus. Don’t miss an early-morning tour of the only live fish auction in the country, followed by breakfast at Mitch Tonks’ Rockfish restaurant next door. See more events in What’s On. englishriviera.co.uk

Cockington Court’s 25th Apple Day Cockington Court’s Apple Day on Sunday 14 October brings together the best in local food, drinks and handmade crafts at an exciting, free, all-day event (10am-4pm). Enjoy a range of over 30 tempting stalls plus activities from creative crafts to apple themed challenges, games, children’s entertainers and cooking demonstrations. Chill out to live music with local bands performing on the stage sponsored by Bays Brewery.

Marissa Wakefield, Cockington Court Craft Centre Director, said: ‘’This year is special as it’s our 25th anniversary so in memory of founder, Brian Carter, we welcome his daughter Bella from The Cactus Kitchen.

Don’t miss a visit to Cockington Court’s resident craft makers in the Stable Yard, Sea Change and Cob Barn Craft Studios with skills from glass blowing to chocolate making on show. Parking is available but walking and cycling is keenly encouraged. Sponsorship opportunities are available, please contact: Marissa.wakefield@tda.uk.net Cockington Court, Cockington Lane, Torquay TQ2 6XA cockingtoncourt.org 32

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Food & Drink News

Bays Brewery’s Award Torbay-based Bays Brewery has won silver in the 2018 Champion Beer of Britain Competition at this year’s Great British Beer Festival. Its much-loved Devon Dumpling tickled the taste buds of the judges in what is regarded as one of the most prestigious beer competitions in the world. The accolade follows hot on the heels of another recent win which saw the brewery’s same beer take ‘Gold’ at the Taste of the West Awards 2018. Bays Brewery Director, Peter Salmon, said: “We are hugely proud to be brewing not only the best ale in the South West but now also the second best strong bitter in Great Britain.” baysbrewery.co.uk

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Hunt’s Cider Festival Hunt’s Devon Cider is running a cider festival with live music, food & drink on Saturday 6 October at Broadleigh Farm in Stoke Gabriel. The event runs from 7pm to midnight and music acts will include: I Love Amp, Matt Sellors and Ophelia Pearce. Tickets are £8 – available from Broadleigh Farm or call 01803 782422.

All profits will be donated to Devon Air Ambulance and Rowcroft Hospice.

Broadleigh Farm, Coombe House Lane, Stoke Gabriel TQ9 6PU huntscider.co.uk

Hanbury’s Ale Hanbury’s Famous Fish and Chips has been joined by its very own tipple - Hanbury’s Amber Ale. Having set up a mini microbrewery on site, the new Hanbury’s Ale has been perfected and is now on sale in bottles and on draft. The new ale is 4.7% and is available exclusively from Hanbury’s. The brewery produces 35-litre batches at a time and has proved incredibly popular.

The labels on each bottle feature a design by Liz Jones who has further artwork featured at Hanbury’s. hanburys.net englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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EST D 1904

R EDCLIFFE H OTEL PAIGNTON

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Three Degrees West In a simply stunning location down on Oddicombe Beach on the outskirts of Torquay, Three Degrees West offers a fantastic range of quality food and drink with the most spectacular views in the bay. Soak up some rays on the terrace or, if it’s chilly then tuck in behind the floor to ceiling windows! For even more of a treat, take the Cliff Railway down and back. Doors open to both at 9am each and every day. Menus, opening hours and gallery of images are available on the website.

Oddicombe Beach Torquay TQ1 3LB 01803 311202 www.oddicombebeach.co.uk

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

Champion Beer of Britain 2018 Silver Champion

baysbrewery

@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 34

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A TRULY

Food & Drink

LOCAL LOCAL TIPPLE...

A brand new gin distillery is now open in the Bay and we’ve been along to sample its wares. Julian Rees meets proprietors Liz Edwards and Katrina Wade to get the lowdown on the botanicals...

I

’m meeting Liz and Katrina at their distillery premises in Brixham. It’s a relatively small space but with a tall ceiling to accommodate the Gin Genie, their state-ofthe-art gin still. To be frank I’m thinking this contraption would be more at home in Dr Who’s tardis with its mass of pipes, stainless steel and flashing screens but I’m assured this is distilling for the 21st century.

Before we get into the technical stuff, Liz and Katrina bring me up to speed on how they arrived at this point.

At the time of writing, this brand new product was not quite on the shelves but at the time of reading you’ll be able to pick up a bottle direct from the distillery at the Old Sail Loft, Overgang Road, Brixham or from many local establishments.

Liz was formerly a business advisor and Katrina still works in her family business that manufactures innovative card payment systems. They have been friends for a long time, served together as trustees at the local ‘YES at the Edge’ and had often talked of working together. On a night out engaging in their shared passion for gin, the idea of a Brixham distillery was born and then a little later, minus the influence of the fairer spirit, a search revealed no company had ever before existed in their chosen name so on the 30 May 2017 the Brixham Gin Company Limited was incorporated.

The entire journey has taken over two years with many months of research, a distilling course in the north of England and the joys of applying for a license to ‘compound and rectify pure alcohol’ and of course sell the finished product. The process was hampered by the fact that their negotiations for premises fell through at the last moment. This meant that the entire licensing process had englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Liz and Katrina with the Gin Genie to start again as it is the premises which are licensed rather than the company directors. How frustrating!

Eventually premises were secured and licensed and the new still installed. Work then started in earnest on the serious business of perfecting the recipe. Liz and Katrina had already tested their planned concoction on a desktop still and produced one litre of spirit; they were thoroughly encouraged by the result. However when it came to replicating that success in the new still things were quite different.

The ladies explain how the new still offers excellent flexibility when it comes to adding flavourings. Modules can be added into the distillation tower vertically until it reaches the ceiling but it’s not necessarily quantity that counts but combination, consistency and sequence.

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CAFÉ CULTURE BY DAY AND AN INTIMATE RESTAURANT BY NIGHT

GREAT FOOD GREAT DRINKS GREAT VIEWS GREAT FUN

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

See our website for more details and our menus. Advance booking essential.

winter opening

From 1 october: EVERY DAY BREAKFAST & LUNCH + FRIDAY & SATURDAY EVENINGS

call to book: 01803 856738

www.breakwaterbistro.co.uk

check our social media for great offers!

c

We’re not aiming to be the ‘Worlds Best’ restaurant… ‘Just Yours’!

www.countryside-trust/occombe/cafe farmcafe@occombe.org.uk

tcct-ermag-oct-nov.indd 1

01803 696 255

13/09/2018 16:36:53

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

stay@berryheadhotel.com

01803 853225 THE PERFECT VENUE FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS 2018 Festive Lunches ~ Party Nights ~ Private Dining

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Food & Drink All gin starts with four basic ingredients. For flavouring there is juniper, coriander and angelica and then orris root to fix the volatile oils in the other flavourings to ensure consistency.

Liz explains that to understand how the flavour works you need to understand the stages of the process. The base of the still or pot is where the wash is mixed, in this case 30 litres of pure grain alcohol and 70 litres of water.

The wash is then heated and the resulting vapour passes up through the various modules to the condensing chamber at the top from where it empties into glass vessels called carboys.

The first module is full of copper springs to emulate the characteristics of old copper stills, followed by the main flavouring juniper then secondary flavourings this is when things get a bit secretive with some key ingredients hidden inside a cloth bag! It took many, many carefully recorded experimental batches to get to the desired result and the ladies let me into a little secret, “never bake your juniper berries or your gin will taste of creosote!”

The great thing about distilling gin Katrina tells me, is that if it all goes wrong then you can put it back through the still and rectify it, which effectively removes all the flavouring and returns the spirit to its original pure alcohol state.

The whole process takes around ten hours. At the start the first 10 to 15 litres of distilled liquor known as the ‘heads’ is discarded (and then rectified). This is followed by around 33 litres of the ‘heart’ (the good stuff), which is gin at approximately 66˚proof and then the ‘tails’ which is too saturated in oils and flavourings. The gin is then mixed with locally sourced spring water to bring it to an acceptable 42˚proof, ready for bottling.

Katrina goes on to tell me that there is one other secret ingredient that was required to give the gin a fully rounded flavour, a liqueur that is added to the wash.

So now I know how it’s done, it’s time for a taste and like me, Liz and Katrina are somewhat bemused at the trend of polluting finely conceived spirits with oversweetened and over-flavoured mixers. I wouldn’t put ginger ale into a good malt whisky so why pollute, what my father always told me was the only truly civilised spirit with fizzy pop? So onward with the tasting. Liz takes a little tonic with hers, Katrina some soda water and I’m going for the neat option, not because I’m an alcoholic... but because I’m determined to try and guess that secret ingredient - maybe there’s a hint of Drambuie? If I’m right do I get a free bottle? I promise not to tell! Suffice to say this is very very good gin. c facebook.com/BrixhamGinCo englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

T RE C E TH P SE TO T B I

TH C

Y TR NTIL & U Y TR AIN HT AG’ S RIG IT

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Make

Your

Festive Destination!

LANTERNS, LIGHTS & ‘LUMINATIONS Join us in lighting up Brixham for Christmas 24th November

Presented by

Stay local this winter and support the unique, vibrant, independent shops and restaurants that make our town so special!

Follow us at: d @lovebrixham

c

Love Brixham

Photo: Andy Carter Dartmouth Photography

Food & Drink

Peter Greig (Pipers Farm), Jane Baxter (Wild Artichokes), Mitch Tonks (The Seahorse and Rockfish), Andrea Wilson (Pretty Local), Serin Aubrey (Dartmouth Fine Foods), Andrea Lugsdin (Salcombe Gin)

Dartmouth Food Festival brings a simply delicious and joyful celebration of food to this picturesque riverside town over the weekend of 19-21 October.

D

escribed by The Guardian as ‘one of the top ten food festivals in the UK’ and by The Telegraph as ‘a heady mix of celebrity chefs, parties, food markets, tasting shacks and demonstrations,’ Dartmouth Food Festival is a family-friendly food lover’s paradise that never disappoints.

Whether you want to get hands-on in a cookery workshop, watch your favourite chefs at work in the demonstration kitchen, engage with new ideas and fresh challenges at an Eat Your Words session or simply eat, drink and make merry, everyone is welcome and entry is free.

The festival is a hugely popular event in the culinary calendar, serving up an appetizing menu of exciting and enjoyable food and drink experiences to suit all tastes.

You’ll find over 100 of the finest producers from across the South West exhibiting throughout the town. Many of Dartmouth’s restaurants, cafés, delis and pubs will be hosting special events and menus across the weekend too.

Festival-goers will enjoy meandering Dartmouth’s picturesque streets, browsing the stalls for tempting tasters and buying direct from the growers, makers, brewers and bakers. You can stock up on goodies from a huge range of festival favourites including Pipers Farm, Salcombe

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Gin, Shaldon Bakery, The Garlic Farm and more, while discovering plenty of new faces such as Cliptop Kitchen Co., Kineta Tea and Pretty Local, this year’s winner of the Devon Business Start-Up Award.

A wide range of Dartmouth Food Festival merchandise will also be on offer including 100% cotton tea towels, chef ’s aprons and premium jute bags all featuring a new iconic design created by well loved, local artist and illustrator Simon Drew. For a second year the festival is focused on reducing plastic and with this in mind, steel spun, re-usable festival water bottles will also be available to buy. These handy size bottles can be refilled for free at the festival’s water refill stations.

Guest chefs Mark Hix, Matt Tebbutt, Jane Baxter, Mitch Tonks and Romy Gill MBE lead this year’s line-up of established names and emerging talent in the chef ’s demonstration kitchen. Entry is free so get there early to secure a seat and the best chance of tasting the delicious dishes!

And it’s not just all about the professional chefs. There are plenty of opportunities to brush up on your own kitchen skills. Book onto a workshop and learn how to make the perfect ceviche, the smoothest chocolate truffles, the finest Moroccan flatbread and much more.

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

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

Open 7 days a week with ample free parking Hand car wash on site - have your car washed while you shop!

Visit Our Butcher - RESERVE Your Christmas Turkey.

and Rack of Churston Lamb Looking for something different? Try our Aberdeen Angus Rib of Beef

FIND US just before the Cayman Golf Dartmouth Road, nr Brixham TQ5 0LL FIND OUT MORE 01803 845837 churstontraditionalfarmshop.org.uk

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

Now taking bookings for Christmas Parties & Functions The Paignton Club, established in 1885.

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

Available for weddings and private functions.

ThePaigntonClub

www.thepaigntonclub.co.uk

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

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

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Food & Drink

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

fun and stimulating events feature in-depth discussions with a host of engaging food experts, writers and change-making chefs who will open your mind to new ideas and fresh challenges from the world of food and drink. The free sessions run from 10am-4.30pm on Saturday and finish on Sunday morning with Kitchen Confidential. This lively Q&A featuring a panel of guest chefs is the perfect opportunity to find answers to your burning culinary questions and get all the latest gossip from behind the scenes at this year’s festival.

Dartmouth Food Festival is very family friendly with lots going on to entertain and inspire children and young people. The Children’s Tea Party on the eve of the festival – Thursday 18 October – brings many local producers together to provide some free tantalising tasters for local and visiting youngsters.

This year the event takes place at The Flavel Church from 4.30pm.

The church will also be hosting pizza and bread making sessions for young people on Saturday 20 October from 1 – 4pm. David Jones of Manna from Devon Cooking School will be cooking up some fun for a young audience in the Chefs’ Demonstration Kitchen on Sunday morning and there are a number of hands-on workshops which are aimed specifically at young people.

Café Alf Resco and Coast & Country Cottages will once again host the popular Family Area in the Royal Avenue Gardens across the festival weekend. There’ll be lots of family-friendly activities including face-painting, biscuit decorating and arts & crafts for children of all ages.

Entry to the festival is free.

Ticketed events - for which there may be a charge - are available to book via the website. dartmouthfoodfestival.com

Photos this page: Original Image Photography

This year’s competition to find Dartmouth’s best home cooks sees Paul Greenfield and Alan Price from Smith Street Deli set amateur bakers a challenge of making the best traditional shortbread and / or classic quiche lorraine. Entry is simple - just bring your bakes to the Green Room in The Flavel Arts Centre between 1pm and 2.30pm on Friday 19 October.

Those seeking liquid enlightenment should head to Browns Hotel where an interesting programme of drinks seminars, coordinated by The Telegraph’s wine and drinks columnist Susy Atkins, features a talented line up of drinks experts including Will Lyons (The Sunday Times) and Fiona Beckett (The Guardian). An entertaining new addition to this year’s schedule is Speed Tasting, a busy and fun session from the new South West Wine School, run by Hayley & Jonathan Reynolds. Move from table to table tasting delicious wines from international regions and meeting some of the festival’s expert wine speakers along the way.

Why not pop into the Festival Bar sponsored by Salcombe Gin? You’ll find it on the South Embankment and it’s open from 10am until 8pm on Friday & Saturday and 4pm on Sunday. The Festival Bar will be showcasing five fabulous drinks producers: Salcombe Gin, Bays Brewery, Hunt’s Cider, Sharpham Wines and Luscombe Drinks. You can enjoy live music here on Friday & Saturday evenings courtesy of Mick & Lucy (of Sax Appeal fame).

In addition Hunters Brewery will be running a bar in the Old Market Square on the Saturday and Sunday of the festival from 10-4pm.

This year ‘Eat Your Words’ moves to a new location - a stunning yurt beside Dartmouth Visitor Centre - and tickets are free. The

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Blissful Autumn Beaches Distance: 2 miles Exertion: Easy but some steps.

Time: Allow 2 hours Terrain: Coast path of varying quality - can be muddy. Not suitable for pushchairs.

Dogs: Allowed on beaches from 01 October Refreshments: Broadsands or Goodrington Start postcode: TQ4 6DE

A

utumn is well upon us but there can be some very beautiful days in October and November to enjoy an exhilarating walk and some fresh sea air. This walk takes us along the South West Coast Path from the cliff gardens at Roundham Head to Broadsands Beach via Goodrington Sands. There are a few hills but the views are definitely worth it; don’t forget your camera. Plus your 4-legged friends can walk and swim to their heart’s content along the way – these beaches are fully dog friendly from 1 October. We love this walk because of its variety of amazing views, its evocative steam train chuffing along the track and its stunning beaches, quieter at this time of year. So put on your waterproof, don your walking boots and enjoy!

This is an A to B walk that can be tackled from either end. The main number 12 bus route runs along Dartmouth Road so can be picked up relatively nearby at either end.

1 If you’ve come by car then there’s plenty of on street parking in Roundham. Pick up the coast path on the south side of Roundham Head (don’t miss the memorial to Torquay-born Lt Commander Arthur Leyland Harrison VC whose heroic actions during WW1 are remembered here). Follow the meandering paths down through the ornamental gardens to the sea wall at Goodrington Sands.

Enjoy breathtaking views across the Bay to Brixham and Berry Head. Follow the promenade past the colourful beach huts or stroll along the beach. At the back of the beach in Young’s Park you’ll find a small nature reserve that’s well worth a visit.

2 Half way along the beach is Middle Stone with its delightful rockpools to explore (dependent on the tide).

3 As you leave the beach, pass under the railway tunnel and turn left up the steps to carry on alongside the steam railway tracks.

4 As you reach the top of the hill there are spectacular views back across the Bay. After another 100 yards 42

October/November 2018

you can detour left over a stone railway bridge to a grassy headland that gives access to a small cove and in the righthand corner down to Saltern Cove - a beach designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its abundance of marine and birdlife.

5 Back on the main path, the gradient increases as you climb to the top of Sugar Loaf Hill. At 48m above sea level this is one of the highest points in the middle of the Bay and affords wonderful panoramic views. It’s a great vantage point from which to view the steam trains.

Downhill from here the path is very steep then becomes quite rutted and rooty so take care. If you choose to walk back you’ll be glad of the strategically placed benches on the hillside!

6 The path follows alongside Waterside Park then passes another railway bridge. If you turn left here, under the bridge, the path leads to another headland then onto the south end of Saltern Cove or to Armchair Rock. The main path carries on past the bridge staying on the inland side of the train lines.

7 Follow the path uphill (more benches here for a breather) and then along the wide, open clifftop above Broadsands Beach, which affords lovely views towards Elberry and Churston coves.

8 The path drops down here via another flight of steps; turn left down to the beach via a metalled path below the first of Brunel’s viaducts.

9 Refreshments await at Broadsands Beach! englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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October & November England’s Seafood FEAST On till 7 October England’s Seafood FEAST is a 2-week celebration of the incredible quality of our local seafood. Centred on worldfamous Brixham Fish Market, the English Riviera is now recognised as England’s Seafood Coast. There is an ongoing range of events and stunning seafood menus. Don’t miss an early-morning tour of the fish market, followed by breakfast at Mitch Tonks’ Rockfish restaurant next door. theseafoodfeast.co.uk

5-Course Seafood Menu, Berry Head On till 7 October Part of England’s Seafood FEAST. Enjoy a 5-course seafood taster menu to tantalise your tastebuds. Cost: £45, time: 7.30-9.30pm, booking essential.

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

Brixham’s Famous Fish Market Tours 3, 10, 24 October (Additional dates are available to book via England’s Seafood FEAST – see above).

View the hustle and bustle of Brixham’s world famous Fish Market. Marvel at the early morning fish auction where over £25 million worth of top quality fish is landed and auctioned daily before heading for some of the finest fishmongers and restaurants across the UK and Europe. Time: 6am prompt, cost: £15 includes breakfast at Rockfish and donation to the Fishermen’s Mission. Over 14 years only.

Email: bfmt2014@gmail.com to book.

The Quay, Brixham TQ5 8AW

Mussel Preparation Workshop, Goodrington 2 October An England’s Seafood FEAST event. Enjoy a talk about our local Elberry Cove mussels 44

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around the Bay

from Nick at Brixham Seafood Farms; learn how to prepare mussels and devour a gorgeous bowl of cooked mussels.

Cost: £20, time: 7-9pm.

Cantina Restaurant, Youngs Park Road, Goodrington, Paignton TQ4 6BU 01803 525377 cantinagoodrington.co.uk

What Happened After Women Got the Vote?

2 October Dr Thackeray explores women’s political activity in the decade between achieving limited suffrage in 1918 and the Equal Franchise Act in 1928. A Torquay Museum Society Centenary Season Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-noon, cost: non-members £5.

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

Catch & Cook Fishing Trip 3 October An England’s Seafood FEAST event. Enjoy a mackerel fishing trip in Tor Bay and then head back to Cantina where you’ll learn how to prepare your fish before be served a delicious fish lunch. Cost: £30, time: 11am-1pm.

Cantina Restaurant, Youngs Park Road, Goodrington, Paignton TQ4 6BU 01803 525377 cantinagoodrington.co.uk

Greenway Garden Blitz 3 October & 7 November Volunteer with the garden team to help blitz an overgrown or neglected area of Greenway garden. No gardening skills are necessary. A great chance to meet like-minded people, burn a few calories and explore parts of Greenway garden.

Tea and cake plus garden tools are supplied. Time: 9.30am-4pm. Not suitable for dogs.

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

What’s On Vigilance Visitor Sails 3 & 7 October Sail on board the heritage sailing trawler, Vigilance of Brixham. Registered as a National Historic Ship, 92-year-old Vigilance is one of the last of her kind built in Brixham. At the skipper’s discretion, you may be offered the chance to take the helm and assist in sailing.

Cost: £12.50, time: 10am-1pm. Prebooking essential.

The Heritage Pontoon, Brixham Outer Harbour, TQ5 9BP 07764 845353 vigilanceofbrixham.co.uk

Charles Causley – A Life Through Poems 3 October With the help of some rarely-seen photographs, Malcolm and Sylvia Wright explore the life, work & legacy of this much-loved Cornish poet. A Torquay Museum Society Centenary Season Public Lecture.

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

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

Crustaceans Canapés and Cocktails 4 October The evening includes a welcome drink on arrival plus cocktail making from Salcombe Gin. Brixham Sea Farms will demonstrate cooking with our famous Elberry Cove mussels and Blue Sea Food Company will demonstrate cooking with local crab. You’ll sample the recipes and canapés will be served throughout the evening. Part of the England’s Seafood FEAST celebrations. Tickets: £15, time: 6.30-9pm. Book by phone (9am-3pm Mon-Fri), payment on booking.

Horizons Restaurant, South Devon College, Vantage Point, Long Road, Paignton TQ4 7EJ 01803 540442

Torbay Film Club 4 October & 1 November October’s showing is Hunt for The Wilder People and November’s showing is Absence of Malice. Doors open at 7pm for a film start at 7.30pm. Non members very welcome. Cost: £5.50 on the door.

St Matthias Church Hall, Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HW 07576 967775 englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Seafood Shanty & Supper Club, Cockington Court 5 October An England’s Seafood FEAST event. Enjoy a delicious seafood meal while you take in the sounds of shanty music from the Back Beach Boyz. Booking essential. Cost: £25, time: 7-10pm. Also enjoy a Seafood FEAST Fishy Afternoon Tea at Cockington Court every day till 7 October, no booking, £12.50. Don’t miss their coastal inspired art exhibitions too and fantastic range of craft studios.

Cockington Court Tea Room, Cockington Village, Torquay TQ2 6XA 01803 607951 cockingtoncourt.org

Seafood Lunch & Cooking Demo, Imperial Hotel 6 October Enjoy a 4-course lunch as part of England’s Seafood FEAST celebrations plus a live cooking demo from the Head Chef, and panoramic views of the Bay. Tickets: £30 adult, £15 child. Time: 12.30-4pm.

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

Murder Mystery - The Curse of Amenhotep 6 October & 10 November Torquay Museum is the unique setting for an exciting and fully interactive Ancient Egyptian Murder Mystery evening. A priceless Egyptian artefact has been stolen the Stone of Amenhotep. A murder has been committed.

Is this the infamous Curse of Amenhotep or is it a robbery gone wrong? Time: 6-8pm, tickets: £25.

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

Torquay Pier to Pier Rowing 6 October A coastal 8k rowing race from Torquay to Paignton.

Torquay TQ1 2BG britishrowing.org

Fish BBQ and Sunday Session, Torquay 7 October An England’s Seafood FEAST event and part of 10 days of festivities (see website for further Below Decks seafood events). Enjoy a fish BBQ with locally sourced seafood and four live music acts.

Time: 12 noon-9pm.

Below Decks, Beacon Quay, Torquay TQ1 2BG 01803 411106 belowdecks.co.uk October/November 2018

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Beach Clean and Music, Goodrington 7 October

Seahorses and Their Ecology 10 October

Join a beach clean on Goodrington Sands and help keep our beaches beautiful. Afterwards head along to Cantina and enjoy a free hot drink. There will be live music too.

Time: 12.30-2pm. No booking.

Cantina Kitchen & Bar, Young’s Park Road, Goodrington TQ4 6BU

Torquay-born naturalist Neil Garrick-Maidment, Executive Director of the Seahorse Trust, gives a brief insight into the knowledge he has gained during over 40 years of studying seahorses. A Torquay Museum Society Centenary Season Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-noon, cost: non-members £5.

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

History Talk, Coleton-Fishacre 7, 14, 21 & 28 October Volunteer Ken will be sharing the history of Coleton Fishacre in a talk in the archway next to the house. Time: 1-1.30pm, free event but normal admission charges apply for the venue. Children very welcome, dogs on leads welcome. Fully accessible.

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

Pilgrim Open Afternoon, Brixham 8 October Pilgrim is the oldest surviving trawler built and rigged in Brixham. It is now owned and operated by the Pilgrim Heritage Sailing Foundation, a registered charity and run by volunteers. Free admission, times: 1.30pm-3.30pm.

Pontoon opposite Prince William Pub, Brixham TQ5 9BP 01803 858148 pilgrimofbrixham.co.uk

Pearls Before Poppies 9 October Torquay author, Rachel Trethewy, tells the extraordinary story of the 1918 appeal to the women of Britain and the Empire to donate a single pearl to the British Red Cross in memory of a life lost or changed forever by the war. A Torquay Museum Society Centenary Season Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-noon, cost: non-members £5.

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

Greenway History Talk 10, 17 & 24 October Would you like to know more about the history of Greenway pre-Agatha Christie? Volunteer Ken will be giving a history talk in the courtyard. Times: 11-11.30am & 12-12.30pm. Free event but admission applies for the venue. Children and dogs on leads are welcome. Meet in courtyard by the history sign. Parking must be pre-booked.

Greenway House, Kingswear TQ5 0ES 01803 842382 nationatrust.org.uk/greenway 46

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Rotary Musical Evening 12 October Torquay Rotary Club invites you to enjoy a concert of your favourite melodies with Riviera Concert Brass and Torbay Police Choir evening, all in aid of Rotary charities.

Time: 7.30pm, tickets: £7.50 from linda.dewis@talktalk. net 01803 290230, or on the door.

St Matthias Church, Babbacombe Rd, Torquay TQ1 1HW

Meet the Writer-in-Residence, Greenway 13 October Meet J. R. Carpenter for an informal discussion about writing and weather. Learn more about the themes of place, displacement, weather, and the environment, which run through her work and hear excerpts from her writing about the River Dart. Booking essential. Cost: £7, Time: 2-4pm.

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

Artizan Sourdough Made Simple, Occombe Farm 14 October Sourdough is the world’s oldest recipe and still the best. Come and find out for yourself at this cookery class run by Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust.

Cost: £75, suitable for: adults, time: 10am4pm. Booking essential.

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

What’s On Wedding Showcase, Torquay 14 October

The Birth of the RAF - 1918 16 October

Guests will be welcomed to the Imperial Hotel’s special wedding showcase event with a glass of bubbly as the doors are opened to showcase some beautiful wedding options and help inspire your perfect wedding day. Time: 3pm6pm.

The Imperial, Park Hill Road, Torquay TQ1 2DG 01803-294301 englishriviera.co.uk

In his new book, Professor Richard Overy discusses the creation of ‘The World’s First Air Force’, a highly contested development fiercely resisted by both the Army and the Navy. A Torquay Museum Society Centenary Season Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-noon, cost: nonmembers £5.

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

Wedding Fayre, Livermead 14 October

Captain & Mrs Jones 17 October

Pop the date into your diary for this fabulous wedding show filled with ideas for your very special big day. There’ll be glamorous wedding and bridesmaid dresses, dashing menswear, sparkling jewellery, professional photography, exciting honeymoon destinations, fun hen/stag ideas, spectacular cakes, wonderful venues, elegant hair designs, stylish makeup, creative floristry, live music and much more. Time: 10am-4pm. Free entry. Disabled access.

Livermead Cliff Hotel, Seafront, Torquay TQ2 6RQ 07717 754240 primandproperevents.co.uk

Chris Robillard tells the story of Sydney Jones, of love, romance and espionage in war-torn France. A Torquay Museum Society Centenary Season Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-noon, cost: non-members £5.

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

Ride for Rowcroft 14 October

Walk with a Ranger, Greenway 18 October Join the countryside rangers for a walk through the Greenway garden. Free event but admission applies for the venue. Time: 11.30am-12.30pm. Parking must be pre-booked by phone or online. Dogs on leads welcome. Meet in the courtyard. Walk includes steep and narrow paths and steps.

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

Blue Walnut Film Club 18 October & 15 November October’s showing is Age of Innocence and November’s showing is Annie Hall. Doors open at 7.30pm for a film start at 8pm. Non members welcome. Cost: £6, book by phone.

14 Walnut Road, Chelston, Torquay TQ2 6HS 01803-394113

Gear up and explore the best of Devon’s beautiful countryside, rolling hills and dirt tracks on Rowcroft’s fundraising cycle challenge. Ride for Rowcroft is open to anyone over the age of 12, no matter what your fitness level – just ensure that you’re a capable cyclist who’s confident on the road. This year’s course returns with two cycling routes: The Classic– a steady 24km route and The Haytor Hill Climb – a gruelling 32km course. Time: 7.30am-1.30pm, sign up online.

Newton Abbot Racecourse, Newton Road, Newton Abbot TQ12 3AF 01803 210800 rowcrofthospice.org.uk englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Themed Dining Nights, Berry Head 18 October, 8 & 29 November Enjoy delicious themed buffets at the beautiful Berry Head Hotel. Themes in date order are: Chinese Night, Mexican Night, Indian Night. £14.50 per person.

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

Countryside Walk, Coleton Fishacre 19 October The National Trust rangers will be leading a walk from Coleton Fishacre along the South West Coast Path.

Free event but admission charges apply for the venue.

October/November 2018

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Settle down with some Add some colour to popcorn for a classic film at your weekend this Greenway's vintage cinema

autumn at Gibside

In December a pop-up cinema will celebrate the glamour of 1950s film at Agatha Christie's holiday home. Classic crime films will be screened, chosen

by Sophie Hannah, bestselling author of crime Go crunching through fallen leaves and discover a forest fiction.

Uniformed ushers willcolours, be selling drinks and teeming with wildlife and autumn with walking popcorn, you to your red velvet seat. routes for alland agesguiding and abilities.

Call 01803 842382 for details nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway When you donate, or joinTrust, theyour National When you visit,visit, donate, volunteervolunteer or join the National support helps to look after special <in the region> <like Trust, yourussupport helps usplaces to look after special property X, property Y and Proeprty Z> in for ever, for everyone. places in the English Riviera 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\Steven Images.

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October/November 2018

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What’s On Children must be accompanied by an adult, dogs on leads are welcome. Rugged walk with steep hills and steps. Time: 11.30am-2.30pm.

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

Flower & Vegetable Show, Brixham 19 & 20 October Brixham Horticultural Society’s Autumn Flower & Vegetable Show promises a marvelous display of home grown vegetables, fruit and flowers. You can enter your own or if you’re not green-fingered there will be handicrafts, baking and floral art. Entry forms and details from Helen 01803 856531.

Scala Hall, Market Street, Brixham TQ5 8EX

Autumn Stars & Planets, Occombe 20 October Join astronomer Chris Proctor for a stargazing evening under the autumn sky. If cloudy, there will be a walk to spot night-time wildlife. Hot drinks provided. Time: 8-10pm, suitable for: adults & children, cost: £10.50 (children must be with a paying adult), booking essential.

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

Harvest Trail, Greenway 20-28 October Can your little ones follow the clues around Greenway garden on this harvest-themed trail with a literary twist?

Small prize on completion. Free event but admission applies for the venue. Time: 10.30am-4.30pm. Parking must be pre-booked. Meet at Visitor Reception.

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

Aging Well Festival 20 October Enjoy an exciting line up of demonstrations, activities, attractions and sports aimed at the over 50s plus a 70s musical vibe. Free entry. Time: 10am-6pm.

Paignton Community & Sports Academy, Waterleat Road, Paignton TQ3 3WA 01803 212638 agingwelltorbay.com

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Stone Age Sessions, Kents Cavern 20 October & 17 November The hugely popular Stone Age School is back! October session is Stone Age Artist and November session is Star Gazer. See website for full details.

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

Halloween at Kents Cavern 20-31 October Head underground to spectacular Kents Cavern for some spooky activities with cave tours, the Ghost Joke Trail, Spooky Dig and Underground Pumpkin Hunt.

No booking needed.

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

Halloween Happenings, Babbacombe 20-31 October Enjoy miniature Halloween scenes around the beautiful model village gardens plus hunt for themed characters (daytime only). From 24-31 October there is also evening opening and the spooky Halloween theme comes alive from late afternoon. See full details on website.

Babbacombe Model Village, Hampton Avenue, Torquay TQ1 3LA 01803 315315 model-village.co.uk

Halloween Horrors, Paignton Zoo 20-31 October Enjoy the Wicked Witch Reptile Trail and receive a prize plus a Komodo dragon mask (£1.50 per trail sheet while stocks last). Komodo dragon talks daily at 3.30pm.

Normal admission applies.

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

Halloween Murder Mystery, Living Coasts 20-31 October Living Coasts has witnessed a terrible crime and needs your help to discover the ghastly culprit.

Pick up a Murder Mystery trail (£1.50 per trail sheet while stocks last). Plus: spooky talks, special activities and watch the animals receive some eerie enrichment.

Normal admission applies.

Beacon Quay, Torquay TQ1 2BG 01803 202470 livingcoasts.org.uk October/November 2018

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What’s On Halloween Hunt, Bygones 20-28 October Step in to 1897 ‘spooky style’ and enjoy three amazing floors packed with fascinating nostalgia. Complete your activity to avoid a trick and get a treat. Normal entry applies.

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

Dinosaur World’s Halloween Horrors 20-31 October Discover the Halloween Horrors that have invaded Torquay’s Dinosaur World. Plus, from 3.30pm every day, visit the ‘Lights Out Torch Tour’ to explore the exhibition in the dark, listen to a scary ghost story, and meet the new baby T Rex. Victoria Parade, Torquay TQ1 2BB 01803 298779 torquaysdinosaurworld.co.uk

from 24-28 October.

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

Torbay Widlife Watch, Living Coasts 24 October A SWCP Challenge. Start with a hot drink and walk briefing at the seafront Terrace Cafe. This short stroll is around one of Torbay’s three limestone plateaux, with great views of the Bay and the harbour; expect some steep sections including steps. There will be a family-friendly outdoors activity at the midway rest point, Daddyhole Plain. Booking essential. Cost: £6 per person, time: 10am.

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

Cockington Court Halloween Festival 22-28 October Enjoy Halloween fun at Cockington Court with their spooky Day of the Dead Sugar Skull Trail. Scarily tasty dishes on offer in the Cockington Court Tea Room too.

Dia do Los Muertos, Mexican Day of the Dead themed artwork will be on show 20 October-15 November (10am-5pm). Don’t miss the fabulous craft studios.

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

Witches Brew Scavenger Hunt, Occombe 22-26 October Ogin, the Occombe witch has dropped her cauldron and lost all of her magical potion ingredients. Horrible Hagard the wizard has put a spell on Occombe and only her special mixture can break the curse! Find all the ingredients for a new brew and help Ogin lift the curse before Halloween. Cost: £2.50 per trail sheet, no booking, all ages, time: 10am-3pm. Run by Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust.

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

Pirate Day, Coleton-Fishacre 23 October Raise the main sail and climb the rigging. There’s pirate fun to be had outside. Time: 2-4pm, cost: £3 per child.

Normal admission charges apply. Also Pirate Trail runs englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

George Butterworth: Soldier & Composer 24 October Laurence Green outlines the tragically brief career of George Butterworth, a brilliant composer, professional Morris Dancer and Military Cross holder killed at the Battle of the Somme. A Torquay Museum Society Centenary Season Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-noon, cost: non-members £5.

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

Gun Batteries & Gardens by Flaming Torchlight 26 October Carry your own flaming torch and navigate the SWCP along this beautiful piece of coastal footpath viewing it in a whole different light. Distance 4 miles – some steep ascents & descents. Time: 6-9pm, cost: £6 adult, child (over 12 only): free. Funds go to maintain the SWCP. Dogs on leads are welcome. Booking essential via Coast Path website below.

Brownstone National Trust Car Park, Kingswear TQ6 0EH 01752 896237 southwestcoastpath.org.uk October/November 2018

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What’s On Torbay Civic Society Coffee Morning 26 October

Tots Go Wild, Occombe 29 October

Join a lively morning of fun events, updates on local news and issues and brief local history talks - something for everyone and a coffee. Starts 10.30am prompt. All welcome.

Redcliffe Hotel, Marine Drive, Paignton TQ3 2NL torbaycivicsociety.co.uk

Spooky surprises for Halloween in October and autumn sights in November. Events are run by Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust. Cost: £5, time: 9.30-11am, suitable for: toddlers-5 yrs, (babies can come free). An adult must accompany children. Book online.

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

RNLI Scampi & Skittles, Brixham 26 October

Buckfast Abbey 30 October

Enjoy a scampi and skittles evening with RNLI fundraisers and crew. Time: from 7pm, cost £9 per head. Booking in advance only with Veronica Richardson on 07712 221536 or via RNLI shop in Middle Street, Brixham. It’s a great way to support the Torbay lifeboat.

The Conservative Club, New Road, Brixham, TQ5 8LZ torbaylifeboat.co.uk or e mail rnlitlf@gmail.com

Historian Mark Cottle tells of a group of Benedictine Monks who set about restoring this ruined medieval abbey in the 1880s. A Torquay Museum Society Centenary Season Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-noon, cost: non-members £5.

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

Photography Workshop, Berry Head 27 October Learn how to make expressive digital photographs of Berry Head’s landscapes and nature with outdoor photography tutor Phil Hemsley. A Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust event. Cost: £35, suitable for adults, time: 10am-4pm. Booking essential.

Berry Head National Nature Reserve, Gillard Road, Brixham TQ5 9EG 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org

Wild Wednesday, Coleton Fishacre 31 October The team of National Trust Rangers leads ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities in the garden. Time: 2-4pm, cost: £2 per child, normal admission charges apply for the venue. Dogs on leads welcome.

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

How Did the Allies Win WW2?

31 October Professor Jeremy Black, voted Speaker of the Year in the society’s 2017/18 audience poll, considers the answer. A Torquay Museum Society Centenary Season Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-noon, cost: nonmembers £5.

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

National Trust Free Entry Weekends 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 November Trust10 Trail Runs, Coleton Fishacre 28 October & 25 November A free monthly 10k trail run along the rugged South West Coast Path (steep sections) and through Coleton Fishacre garden. 5K option available. No booking, self-time as needed, registration at 8.30am, starts 9am.

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

On these special community weekends for locals you can visit Coleton Fishacre and Greenway free-of-charge.

Discover the stories of these wonderful houses and gardens and treat yourself to something warming in the café. Just bring along a proof of your TQ postcode.

No booking needed for event but car parking must be prebooked at Greenway.

Coleton Fishacre, Brownstone Rd, Kingswear TQ6 0EQ and Greenway House, Kingswear TQ5 0ES 01803 842382 national-trust.org.uk October/November 2018

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HALLOWEEN Open All Year (e

at the

xcept Dec 25th)

be

Babbacom

Special dates in October

Check out www.model-village.co.uk/events for details Babbacombe Model Village, Hampton Avenue, Torquay, TQ1 3LA

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What’s On Charles Laycock’s House 1207-2018 6 November

The Science & Beauty of Birdsong 14 November

Charles Laycock, collector of old Devon farmhouse artefacts lived in his Moretonhampstead house from 1903 until his death in 1943. Current owner, historian and author of Time Traveller Guides, Ian Mortimer tells us more. A Torquay Museum Society Centenary Season Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-noon, cost: non-members £5.

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

Tony Whitehead, naturalist, birder & artist will thrill and enchant you with his evocation and analysis of birdsong.

A Torquay Museum Society Centenary Season Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-noon, cost: non-members £5.

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

Shakespeare Underground, Kents Cavern 7-10 November Enjoy Butterfly Theatre’s thrilling retelling of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The players will lead you seamlessly through the entire cave system as they perform around you. This is a walking show, lasts about 70 mins. There are no seats! All shows limited to 40 people. Full details on website.

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

Family Great War Stories 7 November Society members share their family stories of the First World War with local violinist Tim Trewin accompanying. A Torquay Museum Society Centenary Season Public Lecture. Free entry, all welcome.

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

Torquay’s Golden Age of Cinema 13 November Colin Roulestone takes a light-hearted look at the rise and fall of cinema in Torquay. A Torquay Museum Society Centenary Season Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-noon, cost: non-members £5.

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

RNLI Fundraisers Coffee Morning, Brixham 14 November Join Torbay Lifeboat fundraisers at a sociable coffee morning, with homemade cakes and raffle available.

Time: 10am-12 noon.

Brixham Rugby Club, Astley Park, Rea Barn Road, Brixham, TQ5 9ED. 07716 117875 torbaylifeboat.co.uk or email rnlitlf@gmail.com englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Creative Writing Workshop, Greenway 15 November One of the most daunting challenges that all writers face is getting started. Using objects in the collection at Greenway as a starting point, Writer-in-Residence, J. R. Carpenter leads a creative writing workshop on writing and time. Cost: £15, time: 10am-1pm, booking essential.

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

Passage House Hotel Christmas Fayre 16 & 17 November Get yourself into the Christmas spirit with this sparkling feast of festivity run by Prim and Proper Events. Enjoy a VIP Christmas Shopping evening on the Friday (3-8pm) with buffet and mulled wine, entry £3. Or you can head over to enjoy the fayre on the Saturday (10.30am-4pm), entry £1.

Passage House Hotel, Kingsteignton TQ12 3QH 07717 754240 primandproperevents.co.uk

Torquay Christmas Carnival Procession 17 November Father Christmas arrives 11.30 am at Fleet Walk. The Carnival Procession leaves Lymington Road Coach Station at 4.45pm arriving at Castle Circus approximately 5 pm. Please support the procession, all monies collected go to local charities and groups.

Torquay TQ1 1DR 01803 327154 October/November 2018

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What’s On Coleton Aglow Volunteer Induction 20 November

Quay, Middle Street, Fore Street, Strand and Kings Street.

The Quay, Brixham TQ5 8TA

The National Trust is looking for volunteers to help bring Coleton Fishacre’s magical Christmas event to life. Please bring your diary. Meet Laura Rugg, Volunteer Officer in café (fully accessible). Assistance dogs welcome. Time: 11.30am-1pm.

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

Shakes & Cones & Sauvignon Blanc 20 November Pat Wilson explores the unique and earthquakeprone topology and geology of New Zealand.

A Torquay Museum Society Centenary Season Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-noon, cost: non-members £5.

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

Britannia Voices 21 November Dr Porter, Senior Curator & Archivist at Britannia Royal Naval College talks about the college’s Oral History Project. A Torquay Museum Society Centenary Season Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-noon, cost: nonmembers £5.

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

Christmas Volunteer Induction, Greenway 23 November The National Trust is looking for volunteers to help bring Greenway’s magical Christmas offer to life. In December, vintage films will be screened inside a cosy marquee in the Walled Garden of Agatha Christie’s holiday home. Father Christmas will be popping by, and the house will be decorated for a 1950s Christmas.

Time: 11.30am-1pm.

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

Lanterns, Lights & ‘luminations, Brixham 24 November Brixham will celebrate its Christmas Lights Switch On with a ‘Lanterns, Lights and ‘luminations’ parade around The englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Foodie Gift Making for Christmas, Occombe 24 November Get Christmas off to a festive start with a morning or afternoon of edible gift making for big and little kids. Event run by Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust. Cost: £20, suitable for: families, max 3 persons per group to include adult. Morning & afternoon sessions. Booking essential.

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

Advent Fair, Dartmouth 24 November Enjoy a sparkling Advent Fair in aid of Children’s Hospice South West. Enjoy lots of Christmassy stalls – cakes, jewellery, crafts, preserves, cards and more, plus entertainment. Time: 10am – 3pm. Stalls available at £20 each. Contact Sue Tweed at tweed833@btinternet. com or 01803 770730.

The Old Market, Dartmouth TQ6 9QB

Christmas Craft Fair, Lupton House 24 & 25 November Enjoy Lupton’s popular festive craft fair from 10am each day (till 5pm on Saturday & 4pm on Sunday). Café and gift shop open, free parking.

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

Helicopter Over the Rainforest 27 November Anthony Nanson talks about his experiences with elephants, termites and ecology in Gabon’s Ivindo National Park where he was researching his novel Deep Time. A October/November 2018

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What’s On Torquay Museum Society Centenary Season Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-noon, cost: non-members £5.

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

The Secret Lives of Butterflies 28 November Richard Fox of Butterfly Conservation reveals new insights into butterfly ecology and behaviour. A Torquay Museum Society Centenary Season Public Lecture. Time: 10.45am-noon, cost: non-members £5.

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

Coleton Aglow, Coleton Fishacre 30 November & 1,2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 1931 December (excludes 25 & 26)

prompt. All welcome.

Redcliffe Hotel, Marine Drive, Paignton TQ3 2NL torbaycivicsociety.co.uk

Candlelit Dartmouth 30 November & 1 December On the Friday from 4pm the popular Christmas Market will be centred around Royal Avenue Gardens and a choir and musicians will lead carol singing by the majestic Christmas tree. Watch Father Christmas arrive in the Boat Float in his boat with his sack of goodies for children.

Festivities continue till 8pm. On the Saturday the market, music and entertainment resume at 10am with the Crafters’ Market running until 4pm. Around 6.00pm the Lantern Procession will arrive in Royal Avenue Gardens.

Royal Avenue Gardens, Dartmouth TQ6 9PS candlelitdartmouth.co.uk

The Christmas Train of Lights Selected dates in December

Discover Coleton Fishacre in a new light; the house and gardens are lit for an opulent 1920s Christmas party. The illuminated route leads you around the garden and inside to see the festivities of the house decorated for a 1920s Christmas party. Time: 5.30-8pm, booking essential, cost: £12 adult, £6 child, family (2+2) £30. Dogs on leads welcome.

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

Torbay Civic Society Coffee Morning 30 November Join a lively morning of fun events, updates on local news and issues and brief local history talks something for everyone and a coffee. Starts 10.30am

Book early for Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boat Company’s brand-new, super-magical Train of Lights.

This genuinely breath-taking illuminated journey will transport you from Paignton to Kingswear on the banks of the River Dart where this ancient woodland will be lit by a myriad of lights and feature displays. The train itself forms part of this dazzling display lit with thousands of lights that reflect on the steam from the locomotive, transforming the 450-yard Greenway Tunnel into a mesmerizing technicolour experience. After a brief stop in Kingswear, you’ll experience the return trip – overall a 90-minute experience. Tickets for the popular Santa Express are also now available.

Queen’s Park Station, Paignton TQ4 6AF dsrrbchristmas.co.uk

Holding an event in December or January?

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

October/November 2018

59

Visit

Santa Caves in the

Call us today on Torquay: 01803 215136 for more information

Book Online

www.kents-cavern.co.uk

OPEN Monday - Saturday 10-4.30

Your creative adventure starts here!

WINTER & EARLY CHRISTMAS FABRICS IN STOCK

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

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

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

We run a range of courses and workshops for those just starting out and for the more experienced - check our website for details 60

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Out & About

BONFIRE NIGHT AND FIREWORKS

Remember, remember the Fifth of November, Gunpowder treason and plot...

Little did Guy Fawkes know when he joined plotters to place explosives in the cellars beneath the House of Lords, that centuries later his name would be synonymous with a beloved late autumn evening out for the whole family.

Galmpton Bonfire and Fireworks – 1 November Galmpton Bonfire and Fireworks, though only in its second year, is expected to attract 300-500 people to its stunning location at Galmpton Touring Park. The fun begins begins with a wax torch procession from the village’s popular Manor Inn at 5.40pm. Arrive in good time to purchase a £2 wax fire torch and join in. Or head straight for Galmpton Touring Park and enjoy listening to local singing groups whilst awaiting the arrival of the procession. You’ll be treated to the warm crackling glow of a large bonfire plus a professional fireworks display by Celebration Pyrotechnics of Bodmin. The bonfire lighting ceremony begins in the lower field at 6.30pm and the fireworks start at 7.30pm. Pack a picnic or buy fish and chips, tea & coffee there. Small folding chairs are recommended and dogs are allowed (obviously many dogs may prefer to stay home). The theme will be Viking Norse Mythology, giant fire god Jo’tnar and the event will also be marking the gunpowder plot of 1605 by burning an effigy of Guy Fawkes.

Musical entertainment on the floodlit and PA equipped stage

will include performances byThe SeaGalls, One Accord, Quay Harmony, Dartington Morris Men, Wine Women and Song, and Missin’ Tackle. The evening ends at 9.00pm with a firework finale with the bonfire extinguished by a privately owned fire engine. Jeremy Partridge manages the event and many volunteers are involved in making it happen including many young people who gain a brilliant opportunity to gain experience in areas like PA and stage management. The evening is a sister event to the popular Steam and Carols event managed by Jeremy’s father John Partridge. Event supporters include: Crisp JCB Hire Galmpton, Tool Care Hire Brixham and English Riviera Magazine – Gampton Touring Park provides the venue free of charge. The evening raises funds for Rowcroft Hospice. Tickets are: Adults: £10, children: £5 (18 and under), family: £25 - available online or via the Manor Inn or Village Salon Galmpton (early booking advised/ numbers limited).

Event website for tickets: steamandcarols.co.uk/ event/2018/bonfire-fireworks

Other Fireworks Night Events Orestone Manor Fireworks Night 2 November This spectacular fireworks night includes a glass of mulled wine on arrival (from 7pm) and a 3-course autumnal à la carte dinner followed by the display. Cost: £45 per person. Booking essential – deposit required.

Rock House Lane, Maidencombe TQ1 4SX. 01803 897511 orestonemanor.com/events Lupton House Bonfire & Fireworks, Brixham 3 & 4 November Enjoy a seasonal firework event at beautiful Lupton House. Time: 3.30-6pm, tickets: available from 01 October.

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

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Out & About

ACE’s Brand New Venue

D

ue to expansion at Brixham College, ACE (Access to Community Education) has moved venues. The group, which provides courses for adults with disabilities, has accepted an offer of space at the Centre for Health and Care Professionals (CHCP) in Torquay. It is a new building and Adult & Community Learning ACL Torquay has been successfully based there since late 2017. Under the auspices of Health and Care, ACE will be welcomed at the CHCP from September 2018.

ACE is looking forward to establishing itself at the new venue and hopes to invite new members and volunteers to join its thriving membership. The organisation’s volunteers work hard to help disabled adults to achieve their personal aims and ambitions through support and friendship. They seek to reduce social isolation, support and empower their members and provide some valuable respite time for carers. They provide activity, education, encouragement, friendship and most of all fun.

ACE helps people with disabilities to join courses run both by ACE and the Adult and Community Learning Department,

including swimming, pottery, art, sports mobility, creative writing and gardening. The group’s swimming classes will remain at the Admiral Swimming Pool, Brixham on Mondays.

ACE members made a visit to the new CHCP building, enjoying a tour of the rooms for their courses; plus the enormous studio with a sprung floor for Sportsmobility.

The one downside to this move is that the ACE Gardening Club will lose their award-winning garden adjacent to Brixham College. Members have worked tirelessly over many years to achieve flourishing vegetable and flowerbeds.

They have won prizes at the Brixham Horticultural Shows and been part of the RHS Brixham in Bloom awards.

They are a disabled group looking for an area where they could help to maintain and develop a garden. If you can help and would like some willing gardeners, please email ace@southdevon.ac.uk (also for more information about membership and volunteering). Taster sessions plus partfunded taxis are available - call Yvonne 01803 540865.

Everyone will receive a very warm welcome. brixhamace.org

Make a date!

ACE’s new term starts on Monday September 24 and will continue with the following classes for a 10-week term: Monday am Swimming at The Admiral Pool Brixham Thursday am Thursday Group at CHCP Thursday pm Drawing and Painting at CHCP Thursday pm Sportsmobility at CHCP Thursday pm The Write Way at CHCP Friday am Music (5 Weeks) at CHCP starting 28th September Friday am Crafts (5 Weeks) at CHCP starting 9th November englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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ArtsRoundUp

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

Torquay’s Artizan Gallery & Café We Are Making a New World 5-27 October Monday-Friday 126pm, Saturday 9am-5pm

Artist Previews 5 October & 2 November 6-8pm

Enjoy an exhibition of poetry and art curated

by Becky Nuttall in association with Robert Garnham and Artizan. 2018 marks one hundred years since the 1918 World War One Armistice and women won the right to vote. However, conflict and challenge and inequality continue on all fronts up to the present day. In this selective open show, artists and poets will be showing work that explores and expands on this theme.

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

Norwegian Inspiration 2-23 November Monday-Friday 12-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm The natural world for many artists is a diverse and expansive source of inspiration; it’s power and beauty evoking experience which is at once uniquely personal and universally shared in us all. For Pauline Talbot, it is the solitude, quiet and sense of place within nature that guides her richly vibrant and textural work. The influence of the natural world is resonant both in her 2D oil and mixed media landscapes, and unusual forms of her 3D ceramics and sculptures.

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Cocktails & Conversation 4 October & 1 November 6.30-8.30pm Artizan Gallery welcomes you to their monthly Cocktails and Conversation, where the networking and the drinks are sure to sparkle! You will be able to exclusively preview exciting monthly exhibitions before they open to the public. You’ll enjoy bespoke cocktails and canapés. In October there will be tempting deli fish nibbles as part of England’s Seafood FEAST. Guest speaker will be Barry Young, Director of Brixham Trawler Agents and Chief Auctioneer at the legendary Brixham Fish Market. The evening closes with a cocktail demonstration. November guest speaker will be confirmed. Tickets include a welcome ‘Bubbles’ cocktail and drinks token for a second drink from the menu. Every month, there will be a new menu of four cocktails. Non-alcoholic options will also be available. Tickets £12 in advance - £15 on door. englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Arts

Stanza Extravaganza 29 October & 26 November

Lecture - The Arts Society, Torbay 11 October

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

Doors Open 7pm Performance 7.30pm.

In October Sarah Kelly will be setting Bruegel the Elder’s Scenes of Country Life into the context of the 16th century. Ranging from riotous dancing and drinking to tired hunters in snowy scenes near Brussels, these pictures are still popular today. Time: 2.15pm, visitors welcome, cost: £8.

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

Acoustic Nights 22 October & 19 November Curated by the fabulous Robert Spence, the Artizan Acoustic Sessions are, an unplugged, open-mic evening of laidback music and melody featuring talented local performers and exciting guest sets.

Doors open 7pm, performance 7.30pm.

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

Other Great Arts Events St Ives Exhibition, Torre Abbey On now & till 25 November Torre Abbey Museum welcomes The Artists of St Ives this autumn. On loan from the Arts Council Collection, it features world renowned artists such as Ben Nicholson, Alfred Wallis, Barbara Hepworth, Paul Feiler and Terry Frost.

The St Ives Society of Artists were a group whose remarkable output was inspired by living and working in the Cornish town of St Ives following the First World War. The artists were at the forefront of a movement, which expressed ideas through painting and sculpture and established a focus for modern and abstract British art from the 1940s to the 1960s.

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

Torbay Art Show, Torquay 13 & 14 October Torquay Boy’s Grammar School’s Cavanna Centenary Hall will be transformed into a modern space where professional artists, from across the UK, will be exhibiting and selling their artworks. There will be paintings, ceramics, sculptures and much more.

In addition to the Show, the GCSE, A-Level and IB students of Torquay Boys’ Grammar School will exhibit a display of their works. Times: 10am-5pm.

Torquay Boys’ Grammar School, Shiphay Manor Drive, Torquay TQ2 7EL 07762 921571 torbayartshow.co.uk

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TORQUAY MUSEUM SOCIETY

PUBLIC LECTURES SPECIAL CENTENARY SEASON A CELEBRATION OF ALL THINGS 1918

OCTOBER 2018 - JANUARY 2019 Votes for Women • Armistice • Birth of the RAF and more...

Every Tues & Weds 10.45 - 12 noon Non-members £5

PAYABLE ON THE DOOR

529 BABBACOMBE ROAD • TORQUAY • TQ1 1HG

01803 293975 • www.torquaymuseum.org

ARTIZAN GALLERY

2018 WINTER EXHIBITIONS October Exhibition: We Are Making A New World // 5th - 27th October // art-hub.co.uk/oct2018 October Artist Preview: 5th October / 18:00-20:00 // Cocktails & Conversation: 4th October / 18:30-20:30 November Exhibition: Works of Pauline Talbot // 2nd - 24th November // art-hub.co.uk/nov2018 November Artist Preview: 2nd November / 18:00-20:00 // Cocktails & Conversation: 1st November / 18:30-20:30

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

// // // // // // //

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Torbay Festival of Poetry 18-22 October With twenty-five events, poetry will fill the weekend. As well as listening to readings, learning more about writing poetry at workshops and listening to poets talking about their craft, you can meet the poets and, above all, ask questions of them. Highlights on the Friday include an afternoon reading by Jacqueline Saphra from her TS Elliott Shortlisted Collection plus an evening session (with wine) from the influential Irish poet John F. Deane

English Riviera Film Festival 27 October – 9 November Haunted houses and hairy heartache will be kicking off this year’s English Riviera Film Festival on 27 October when Torbay’s own celebration of film and film making is back for a fourth year with events to suit all ages at multiple venues. Poetry, photography and local history join the mix this year, alongside the centrepiece English Riviera Film Festival Awards, which will be announced

Arts

& another talented Irish poet James Harpur.

Livermead Cliff Hotel, Torbay Road, Torquay TQ2 6RQ 01803 851098 torbaypoetryfestival.co.uk

from the festival opening event at the Palace Theatre.

The awards are international, with short-form films having been submitted from around the globe, with winners last year hailing from UK, Japan and Canada.

Festivalgoers will be able to preview all of the shortlisted films and take part in the audience award. Other venues include Torquay Museum, Artizan Gallery , The Lucky 7 Club and the Blue Walnut Cafe. erfilmfest.co.uk

Marc Allum from the Antiques Roadshow 8 November Marc Allum Fine Arts & Antiques Specialist talks about Miscellaneous Antiques – bring one if you wish. Time: 9.30am (for 10am start), tickets in advance only: £10. Cheques payable to : The Arts Society, Torbay with stamped addressed envelope to M.Leggott, 4 Forgeway, Torquay TQ2 6SH The Little Theatre, St.Marks Road, Torquay TQ1 2EL 01803 394179/200703 torbay.theartssociety.org englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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Treading the boards Babbacombe Theatre Box Office 01803 328385 Editor’s pick CHRISTMAS CRACKERS Opens 31 October (see website for schedule) Book ahead for this sparkling festive show. There’ll be comedy, magic, illusions, song and dance plus stunning lighting, fabulous costumes, superb choreography and delightful musical arrangements. A real cracker!

Also worth seeing…

The Darkside of Pink Floyd 6 October Chris Ramsey 21 October

British Antiquarian booksellers that was to last for twenty years. The warm compassionate and very human exchange of letters was published as a book and has now been lovingly and skillfully adapted for the stage creating an evening of enchantment and charm.

Also worth seeing…

Harry & Chris Save the World 6 October Only Fools and Boycie 25 October Harry & Chris Save the World

Little Theatre, Torquay Box Office 01803 299330 Editor’s pick JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR 20-27 October

Palace Theatre, Paignton Box Office 01803 665800 Editor’s pick 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD 17-20 October 84 Charing Cross Road is a gentle and enchanting play about a love affair that never was. In 1949 a struggling American writer started a correspondence with a firm of 68

October/November 2018

Considered one of the greatest rock operas ever created, Jesus Christ Superstar highlights the political and personal struggles between Jesus and Judas. It features a brilliant score including Jesus Christ Superstar, Heaven On Their Minds, Everything’s Alright & I Don’t Know How To Love Him. A TOADS season production.

Also worth seeing…

Heroes 19-24 November

her r es

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Theatre Princess Theatre, Torquay Box Office 0844 8713023 Editor’s pick VIENNA FESTIVAL BALLET – THE NUTCRACKER 3 November Be swept away on a magical adventure in one of the most famous classical ballets of all time – The Nutcracker and enjoy its combination of enchanting choreography and unforgettable music.

Also worth seeing…

An Audience with Simon Reeve 29 October Van Morrison 16 & 17 October

The

of Pink Floyd

A FEAST OF FESTIVE FUN TICKETS £22/£20/£11 BOXING DAY & NEW YEAR £23/£21/£12

Y OU

SATURDAY 6th OCTOBER

7.30pm Tickets £18/£16 AMAZING & ATMOSPHERIC

CHRIS RAMSAY

18+

LIVE 2018

Tickets: £16

Friday 12th October 7.00pm

THE JUST HAPPY TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE TOUR SUNDAY 21st OCTOBER 7.30pm TICKETS £20

Tickets £15/£14

Saturday 3rd November 7.30pm

THURSDAY 8th NOVEMBER 7.30pm TICKETS £22.50

The

Flavel Arts Centre, Dartmouth Box Office 01803 839530 Editor’s pick THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST 9 October Oscar Wilde Season Live will broadcast The Importance of Being Earnest live from the Vaudeville Theatre in London’s West End. Wilde’s much-loved masterpiece throws love, logic and language into the air to make one of theatre’s funniest plays. Jack, Algy, Gwendolyn and Cecily discover how unsmooth runs the course of true love, while Lady Bracknell keeps a baleful eye on the mayhem of manners.

Also worth seeing…

ROHLIVE Mayerling 15 October They Shall Not Grow Old 16 October englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Tickets £22/£20

George Michael story

A Celebration of his life and generosity

Thursday 15th November 7.30pm

Saturday 10th November 7.30pm Tickets £20 The Utimate Celebration

Let’s Rock‘n’ Roll!

Friday 23rd November 7.30pm

Tickets £25

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons Friday 30th November 7.30pm Tickets £22/£20

£2 booking fee - NO CREDIT CARD CHARGES APPLIED £2 Booking Fee Per Ticket Online

Box Office (01803) 328385

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October/November 2018

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bookings@greycars.com englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Autumn Gold Lis Wallace of Dobies of Devon brings us her top tips for a glorious October and November in the garden.

T

he year may be dying but it’s going out in a blaze of glory with dahlias, rudbeckia and asters showing off in a final burst of glorious colour. They tend to flower until first frosts, which makes them nice and long flowering here in the Bay. However, the days are shorter and the temperature has dropped; autumn has arrived.

Houseplants should have been moved inside by now, having enjoyed their summer in the garden. Best also to move citrus plants into the conservatory or greenhouse. Many are hardy down to about -5°C but won’t appreciate the amount of autumn rain we tend to get here in the South West.

Some refer to this time of year as being when we ‘put the garden to bed’. Yet include winter bedding, autumn and spring bulbs plus some evergreen shrubs in your planting scheme and your garden will remain awake and just be interestingly different during the winter months.

“

What to Do • Pull up and compost any remaining annuals.

Replace them with winter and spring flowering pansies, wallflowers, bellis and primulas, not just in the garden but in containers too. Empty tubs are such a missed opportunity!

• Spring flowering bulbs are still available to buy and to plant so make sure you have enough for a blaze of colour next year. Tulips will be better for having had a late planting as it helps them to avoid fungal disease.

• Remove spent summer veg from the greenhouse and then give it a good clean. You want the glass to be clear enough to allow maximum light penetration and you also want to get rid of any fallen foliage that might harbour disease.

• Sow broad bean Aquadulce Claudia or De Monica now for an early crop in May/June and you may also avoid blackfly.

• Bare root shrubs and trees will start to be delivered this month, the perfect time for planting.

• Sow some herbs to grow on windowsills during the coming winter months. You’ll need them to flavour all that scrumptious comfort food!

Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons. ” - Jim Bishop

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

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Gardening Autumn Lawn Care

Autumn Sown Sweet Peas

Diar y Dates

If asked on BBC’s Pointless programme to name a pretty, heavily perfumed flower the sweet pea would be a high scorer and therefore an answer to avoid.

Well known and widely grown the sweet pea seems to have always been in fashion and is certainly not to be avoided in the garden.

A member of the Leguminosae family the sweet pea is indeed a pea. The Greek name is Lathyrus odoratus meaning literally fragrant pea. Yet whereas peas are of course edible the sweet pea is poisonous and can cause convulsions, paralysis of the legs and unconsciousness.

So admire it but please don’t eat it!

Sweet pea seed sown now will result in plants with strong roots, which will in turn result in vigorous and early flowering top growth. Growing a few different varieties will give you a mix of colour and stem length plus of course a fabulous scent.

When sowing sweet peas, Dobies Rootrainers are perfect but you can also use the inner cardboard tubes from toilet rolls. Use standard seed compost and sow 2 or 3 seeds together. As they grow, don’t thin out but plant each grouping, when the time is right, as a small clump.

Keep your sweet peas in a cold frame or cool greenhouse and pinch out the growing tips when the plants reach about 10cm, this will make the plants bushier and stronger. Plant out in mid spring and then just wait for those fabulous flowers.

The long hot summer and lack of rain resulted in many a brown sparse lawn but most will now be recovering.

It’s amazing what some good autumn rain can do.

The following tips will help your lawn to recover and prepare it for the winter ahead: • Rake up any fallen leaves and then give the grass itself a vigorous rake to remove moss and dead grass that will otherwise form a thatch.

• Improve drainage by aerating the lawn. Push a garden fork into the lawn and give it a good wiggle to create drainage holes. Do this at 10cm spacings over the whole lawn. A quicker method is to use a lawn scarifier tool or, perhaps the most basic but fun method, strap some aerator spikes to your shoes and march up and down!

• Feed your lawn with a dose of autumn fertiliser. The mix will be high in potash and phosphates, which will help the roots to remain strong and healthy.

Grow Your Own Mushrooms Foragers will be out and about searching for ceps, parasol and other tasty mushrooms but unless you really know what you are doing then it’s best to play safe. This doesn’t mean sticking to shop bought fungi, growing your own is as simple as it is rewarding.

Dobies Mushroom Kits can be grown on a windowsill and include everything that you need. Simply choose from five delicious varieties - White Button, Chestnut, Oyster, Yellow Oyster and Shiitake.

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

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

Weds 10th October Weds 24th October Weds 7th November Weds 21st November englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Cecil Heard Lecture - speaker Andrew Hunt How to Grow Clematis - speaker Marcus Dancer A Victorian Christmas - speaker Katherine Kear Orchids - speaker Sarah Ritterhausen

ths.btck.co.uk

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5

5th Anniversary English Riviera Magazine

YEARS

The Directors of English Riviera Magazine and the Directors of the Palace Theatre in Paignton held a Pimms and Theatre evening as one of a series of events to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the magazine. Guests enjoyed a superb performance of Agatha Christie’s ‘A Murder is Announced’ presented by Bijou Theatre Company.

Rachel & Julian Rees and Anita Newcombe (all English Riviera Magazine)

Sarah Hemingway, Nicky McGowan, Deirdre Makepeace, Maureen McAllister andHeather Cullen (all Palace Theatre)

Rod and Lis Wallace (Dobies of Devon)

Chris Hart Wollen Michelmore and Deirdre Makepeace (Palace Theatre)

Sharon & Mark Vallance (Frankman Design)

Marion Wain and Sandy Richards (Brixham Sewing Box)

Melinda Smallwood (RDYC) and Melanie Holman (Darthaven Marina).JPG

Chris and Daniel Darlow (Devon Leather Care)

Jenny && John Risdon (President Brixham Heritage Museum) and Cllr Derek Mills & Judith Mills

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Sara Fiddes (Saunders and Lingard), Matthew Clarke and Sue Saunders (Saunders and Lingard)

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Social Diary The Directors of English Riviera Magazine and the Trustees of Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust held an evening drinks reception for local businesses at Occombe Farm CafĂŠ to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the magazine and the sterling work of the trust on the cusp of its 20th Anniversary in 2019.

Stephen Criddle and Karen Rudkin (both South Devon College) and Anita Newcombe (English Riviera Magazine)

Damian Offer (Chief Executive TCCT) and Paul Haigney (Torbay Business Forum)

Ray Bedder and Tim Hedges (both TCCT Trustees)

Jim & Carleen Thomson (South West Colour Labs)

Julie Brandon (Artizan Gallery) and John Tomkins (Emberlense Films)

Linda Dickinson (Irvine Nott), Richard Newcombe and Liz Hart (Wollen Michelmore)

Clive Meredith (Wollen Michelmore), Alan Tyerman (Chairman of the Trustees TCCT) and Michelle Meredith (Wollen Michelmore Financial Planning)

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Rachel Rees, David & Lorraine Roberts

Sylvia Greinig (The Abbey School) and Julian Rees (English Riviera Magazine)

Chris Hart (Wollen Michelmore), Lesley & Michael Jeavons (Beverley Holidays) and Sue Newman

Mark Salmon (Bays Brewery), Claire & James Twigger (Accounting 4 Everything) and Peter Salmon (Bays Brewery)

Melanie & John Holman (Darthaven Marina) and Sue Pudduck (TCCT Trustee)

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Summer Networking Rowcroft Hospice hosted a Summer Networking Event within the hospice grounds in Torquay. The evening, in a marquee beside the stunning wild flowers of the Meadow of Memories, brought together South Devon business leaders over presentations, gin tasting and delicious melted raclette cheese.

Jon Passmore (Central Embroidery), Simon Philips (Continuum) and Laurance Traverso (Distinctly Dartmouth)

Sharon Hewitt & Jeremy Dymond (Cavanna Homes), Mark Hawkins (CEO Rowcroft Hospice)

Rob Elford (Rainbow Ball), Sally Allen (Wizard Jeans) and Dai Jones (CLIMB Digital Business)

Private View

Artizan Gallery in torquay held a private view for their Distractions exhibition featuring local artists Chantal Ashwell, Sandra Lissenden and Roger Lissenden. The evening also featured local ceramics as part of the Devon Open Studios season.

Nick Bye and Chantal Ashwell

Donna Wynne and Roger Lissenden

Romy Owen and Sandra Lissenden John Kiddey, Sylvie Hynes and Rachel Kiddey

Jill & Geoff Sloan, Julie Brandon and Ben Benjamin

Hazel & Kevin Foster

Gesche Buecker and Fiona Caskey

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Social Diary

NCI Froward Point Picnic Cruise

The National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) Froward Point held a highly successful, fundraising picnic cruise aboard the historic paddle steamer Kingswear Castle, raising ÂŁ1408.24. The trip on the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only coal fired paddle steamer was provided free-of-charge by Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boat Company.

Andrew Baker and Jenny & John Searle

James Gaytten and Emily Chudley

John Gifford OBE (Natl President NCI) and Rosemary Gifford

Keith Emery and Mary & Dave Scotson (all Watchkeepers NCI)

Barbara Hooper, Anne Tozer, Alan Tozer and Val Clayton Jill Sutton, Marion King and Tim Sylvester

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Janet & Eric Evans

Molly Barratt and Drew Parkinson (Snr Officer Coastguard)

Hilary & Julian Squire Bill & Sue Kendray

Sally Kenyon and Nathan Holmes

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Lecture Series Launch Torbay Museum Society (TMS) held a launch event for their October 2018 - January 2019 Public Lecture Season that will feature a celebration of topics related to 1918.

Chris Nicholls (TMS Lecture Team Leader) and David Wills The TMS Lecture Team - Chris Nicholls, Phil Badcott, Ken Beevers, Roger Hamilton and Bill Hudson David Wills (TMS President), Andrew Cooper (Chairman of Torquay Museum) and Edgar Halton (TMS Trustee)

Rod & Jane Snowden and Lesley Cooper

Jenny Lane, Charles Easterbook, Ian Lane and Judith Read

Chrisitine Meredith, Jude Yates (TMS Trustee), Maggie Douglas-Dunbar (TMS Trustee) and Thelma Ashmore

Galmpton Barn Art Group

A preview night was held for the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 8th annual exhibition featuring artworks from its members.

Sue Miller, Andy Greenwood, Martin Richards and Denise Roberts

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Diane Richards and Jonathan & Annette Bye

Cedric Moore and Graham Eyre

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Private View at Torre Abbey

Social Diary

A drinks reception and private view of two new exhibitions, The Artists of St Ives and Torbay Artists Collective (part of Devon Open Studios), was held at Torre Abbey Museum and Spanish Barn.

Marina Undrul, Lyn Anderson (artist), and Alan Price-Roberts (VC Torbay Guild of Artists & Curator Devon Arts Society)

Cllr Nicole Amil, Chantal Ashwell, Sandra Lissenden and Lesley Bennetto (3 artists)

Lynn Drake (Chairman Devon Art Society), Cherry Lyons (artist & VP Devon Art Society) and Sandy Watson (artist)

Bob Letcher (VP Friends of Torre Abbey) and Gillian Westell (Chmn Friends of Torre Abbey)

Sarah Howgate and Rose Elliott

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Julie Brandon (Artizan Gallery), Sally Tibbetts (artist), Sarah Dunworth and Pauline Talbot (artist)

Alison Benney (Enlighten HR) and Sandra To

Mick Ives and Geoff Gadsby

Rhian Wyn Harrison, Lee Pover and Kim Freeman (artists)

Gill Gadsby and Juliet Eden

October/November 2018

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BusinessBreaks...

Torbay Business Festival TBF’s action-packed Torbay Business Festival is set to be a huge success drawing over 500 business people to the Riviera International Centre on Thursday 11 October. It promises 70 exhibitors, an impressive line-up of speakers, speed networking and even the opportunity to win a BMW for the weekend. With the aim of ‘Bringing Businesses Together’, the event is organised by the voluntary group, Torbay Business Forum (TBF), and sponsored by Torbay Development Agency and Bays Brewery. TBF Chair Steve Reynolds said, “This is the third year we are holding this major business event. Entry is free for all delegates and everyone is welcome. With 70 exhibitors in the main Forum from many areas - recruitment, construction, media, tourism, accountants, taxi firms and flower shops, we also have some fantastic speakers: Jim Parker talking about ‘Torbay Together’, Carolyn Custerson giving a tourism update, award winning Flossy and Jim, Russell Beck discussing the ‘Future of Work’ and Julie Hawker from Cosmic giving digital advice. It’ll be a great day for local businesses.” torbaybusinessforum.org.uk

Cycling Club has a ride on the second Friday of each month and cyclists meet at Below Decks on Beacon Quay in Torquay at 7.30am. The ride sets off after a briefing and returns around 9.15am for a complimentary coffee and bacon bap. Katrina Vollentine, Partner at Wollen Michelmore Solicitors said, ‘We have been doing TBCC for a while now and are pleased to see new faces and people of all levels of cycling ability join us each month.

It is a great way to network and keep fit.” TBCC is not just about cycling. It is also aimed at bringing business people together. New routes are planned and published on the club’s Facebook group page each month. Free event – booking not required – please wear a helmet.

Frazer’s Special Day

Speakers from top left clockwise: Flossy & Jim, Russell Beck, Jim Partker, Carolyn Custerson and Julie Hawker

Business on Yer Bike A new networking club for businesses, which literally gets you ‘on yer bike’ has been launched by Wollen Michelmore and Fruition Design. The Torbay Business 80

October/November 2018

Stagecoach has made a special 5-year-old boy’s dreams come true. Frazer Wilton - who was diagnosed with Late Infantile Battens disease, a genetic life-limiting englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

BusinessBreaks...

... neurodegenerative disease, has always been mad about buses. His auntie Bethany Essam Wood contacted Stagecoach to ask for a tour of the bus depot for Frazer.

But the Stagecoach team decided to pull out all the stops They invited Bethany, Frazer, his mum Amy and brother Alfie to Paignton bus station where they put one of the Golden Hop animal character open top buses at Frazer’s disposal for the day. The destination board read ‘Frazer’s Bus’ and Frazer was invited aboard to receive a bag of Paw Patrol goodies. He met Hop mascot, Gary the Rabbit and sat in the driver’s seat. The family then enjoyed their own personal bus tour of Torbay. Driven by Gary Partridge, Frazer was taken to Dinosaur World in Torquay for a fun filled visit, courtesy of Director David Hill. The family was treated to a guided tour of the bus depot. Frazer’s family has set up a Just Giving page to raise funds for specialist treatment. justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ frazers-journey

Life Sciences at Brixham Lab A brand new life sciences company, Molendotech Limited has moved to Brixham Laboratory. The start up was born out of a University of Plymouth project. Molendotech, assisted by the University’s intellectual property partners, Frontier IP, has secured initial investment of £0.5M and has entered into a collaboration agreement with Palintest Limited, (part of FTSE 100 Halma group) to bring their novel water assays to market and develop further products.

Professor Simon Jackson, CEO of Molendotech, said, “Moving to Brixham Laboratory places the company in a unique position to develop the business further. We hope to develop further water and environmental testing products, build initial sales and grow our expansion into new markets.” Attracting innovative life sciences and bio-tech companies to the Brixham Laboratory is a key objective in encouraging inward investment opportunities, which continues to see both large UK and foreign owned companies choose Torbay as their preferred location. To become part of the Bay’s growing life sciences cluster, contact jason.buck@tda.uk.net

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Networking Directory

Get involved with Torbay business!

Torbay Business Forum First Tuesday of every month 7.30am RICC Chestnut Avenue, Torquay TQ2 5LZ Contact: Angela George 07717 316641 info@torbaybusinessforum.org.uk torbaybusinessforum.org.uk @TorbayBusiness 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 Tuesday 27 November 7.00pm Berry Head Hotel Berry Head Road, Brixham, TQ5 9AJ Contact: chair@brixhamchamber.co.uk @lovebrixham Torbay Business Cycling Club Cycle ride & network second Friday of each month 7.30am Below Decks, Torquay Harbourside, TQ1 2BG Contact: Mark Green markgreen@fruition-design.co.uk

October/November 2018

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

The Do’s & Don’ts of buying a new build home As Torbay grows in population, so do the number of houses that are being built. Many of the biggest planned housing developments in Devon have taken place in South Devon, including the developments in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.

Buying a new-build home is a little different to buying an existing property – and comes with its own set of challenges, particularly because many sales happen before the house is built. Wollen Michelmore’s Property Solicitor – Reuben Barnett gives his top legal tips to consider when buying a newbuild.

1. DON’T part with any money to pay the reservation fee until you have your mortgage agreed in principle.

The reservation fee is non-refundable and so it would be lost if you haven’t made the all-important phone call to your trusted mortgage advisor before you fall in love with the home of your dreams.

2. DO ask for a Reservation Agreement when you pay your reservation fee. This will include details of the agreed purchase price, what is included in the price (such as carpets, kitchens and other extras and incentives), any Developer’s Document Fees and the nature and cost of service charges and management fees. You should also identify how many properties are to be built on the site and how the service charges and management fees are to be divided between each household.

3. DO establish early on whether you are buying a freehold or a leasehold property. Leaseholds will carry with them far greater Service Charges on a yearly basis than a freehold which has the benefit of communal outdoor space. If it is leasehold, how are the ongoing Service Charges and Ground Rents calculated and can you afford those going forwards?

4. DO check that the boundaries as shown on the plans provided to your Solicitor accord with the physical boundaries on the ground. You will want to ensure that your new neighbours don’t think they can have their BBQ in part of your garden because the plans were wrong!

5. DO also check the location of any garage or parking space included with the property and any visitors’ parking spaces.

6. DO identify the snagging list BEFORE completion. A snagging list is a term used to describe all those little but important jobs which haven’t yet been finished, such as grouting the tiles, decorating the skirting, hanging the doors. Essentially, if you expected the finish to be of a certain standard, ensure those jobs have either been completed or agree a list with the developer before completion takes place. If left until after completion, the incentive has gone for the developer to finish the job quickly and they may also try to argue that some of the issues have been caused by post completion wear and tear.

Reuben Barnett is a Property Solicitor at Wollen Michelmore and holds a wealth of experience in Residential Conveyancing matters. If you have any questions about buying a new build or any other conveyancing matters contact him today on 01803 213251 or via email reuben.barnett@ wollenmichelmore.co.uk

R Burnett Reuben Barnett Property 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

Release your inner detective this Halloween!

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Plus don’t miss our spooky talks and eerie animal enrichment.

20th - 31st

*£1.50 per trail sheet, available whilst stocks last.

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