English Riviera Magazine October/November 2015 Online Edition

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Walks Local Food Heritage Nature People Events Arts

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October/November 2015

AUTUMN & HALLOWEEN EVENTS

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EnglishRiviera magazine

Down at the Flamingo Pool WITH PIPPA CRADDOCK

JOHN

ALL RIGHT ON THE NIGHT

RISDON

New champion for Brixham’s vault

BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE PRINCESS

GIVE IT A GO!

Rag Chewing

Modern Jive

with Torquay’s Radio Hams

NEW!

Putting the Garden To Bed

AUTUMN FASHION COLLECTIONS

with Lis Wallace

Dartmouth’s Festivals

ON THE SEABED

GREAT TORBAY WRECKS

TORBAY’S HEALTHCARE PIONEER

Ella Rowcroft

CELEBRATING FOOD AND THE ARTS

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Created and Published By Devon Magazine Company Limited Anita Newcombe anita@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Telephone: 01803 850886 Julian Rees julian@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Telephone 01803 842893 Mobile: 07455 206470 Margherita Grando Guest Writer Advertising sales sales@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Advertising Copy copy@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Editorial editorial@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Website englishrivieramagazine.co.uk facebook.com/englishrivieramagazine twitter.com/EngRivieraMag ISSN (Print) 2052-8515 ISSN (Online) 2052-8523 Proudly printed in Devon at Polestar Wheatons, Exeter.

...to our October/November issue! Autumn is one of our favourite times on the English Riviera so do head outside while it’s still warmish.

We’ve been meeting some fascinating locals including: our radio hams, volunteer coastal watchkeepers, modern jive instructors, Paignton Zoo’s marketing guru Pippa Craddock, Brixham’s ‘disciple of heritage’ John Risdon, the Princess Theatre’s human dynamo Martyn Jenkins and Galliford Try’s rising star, Tim Fletcher. We also bring you the story of Torbay’s amazing healthcare pioneer, Ella Rowcroft.

In our ongoing quest to encourage you to buy local, we present some of the latest autumn fashion collections available locally plus yummy food news and inspirational arts previews.

The best fun is to be had locally too - there are nearly 90 events to choose from in this issue including some seriously scary Halloween parties, lots of theatre and shows as well as a bracing autumn walk. As the leaves start to drop and the woollies come out, we hope you enjoy your autumn here on the English Riviera. Please keep sending us your news, photos and story ideas to editorial@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk and do chat to us on Twitter and Facebook.

We love parties, exhibitions and all kinds of events, so please feel free to invite us along if you’d like your event featured in the next issue.

Happy reading and stay local!

Next issue 27 November Live out of area? Get your copy by post.

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October/November 2015

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In this issue October/November 2015

6

Openers

Local news snippets

44

Walk

20 Torbay Wrecks

River Dart and Bay views

12 Riviera People - Pippa Craddock

46

What’s On

16 Riviera People - John Risdon

56

What’s On Halloween

20 Torbay Wrecks

58

A Day In The Life - Martyn Jenkins

24 NCI Froward Point

60

Theatre Round Up

26 Dartmouth Food Festival

62

Arts

31 Food & Drink

64

Fashion

33 Torbay Festival of Poetry

69

Charities and Volunteering

34 Give It A Go! Amateur Radio

70

Gardening

38 Give It A Go! Modern Jive

72

Social diary

40 Heritage - Ella Rowcroft

78

Riviera People - Tim Fletcher

81

Business Breaks

82

The Briefing

We meet Paignton Zoo’s marketing guru Disciple of heritage

What lies beneath our coastal waters?

Could you be a coastal watchkeeper?

Foodie goings-on by the Dart Local venues reap rewards Excite your poetic impulse

Anita Newcombe meets local radio hams.

Julian Rees puts on his dancing shoes Philanthropist and healthcare pioneer

58 A Day In The Life

Events for October and November Spooky events in October

Stage & Technical Manager at the Princess Theatre Who’s treading the boards Visit Dartmouth Galleries Week Autumn fashion update Anode - sharing the burden

Lis Wallace’s green fingered column Local people at local events Catch up with Tim on the SDLR Project Local business news Legal news from Wollen Michelmore

40 Ella Rowcroft

24 NCI Froward Point

Cover: Torquay from Royal Terrace Gardens © Chris Slack chrisslack.com englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

October/November 2015

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Openers...

Openers...

Kivu’s Upstanding!

Torquay Mindfulness Course

Humans walking on all fours like gorillas? Nothing special; we all have seen Tarzan at least once! But a gorilla that prefers to stand up straight is unusual. Upstanding Kivu, a 12- year-old Western lowland gorilla, lives in a bachelor pad with four other young guys at Paignton Zoo. Paignton Zoo Curator of Mammals Neil Bemment, who is Vice Coordinator for the gorilla European Endangered Species Programme, said, “It’s not unknown for gorillas to stand like this; mainly we find it comical because it reminds us of us! It has been suggested by primatologists that standing up can be a sign of dominance but I think he does it just to get a better view and because he can!”

Kivu moved to Paignton Zoo in 2006, and other than being a very smart gorilla, he loves playing with the public through the window. o

A new mindfulness course takes place this autumn in Torquay for the first time, courtesy of The Sharpham Trust.

The South Hams-based charity, which has been running

mindfulness courses and retreats for more than 25 years, is extending its reach into Torbay with this course, which starts on Saturday October 24.

The 8-week Mindfulness for Health & Wellbeing course is suitable for those new to mindfulness, as well as those wishing to refresh and practice their skills.

“We’re really pleased to be extending our offer into Torquay,” said Trust Programme Manager Ben Ballard.

“This will be the first time that we’ve run public mindfulness courses in Torbay and we expect there to be a good response judging by the increasing interest in mindfulness.” The Torquay courses will run from 10am12noon from Saturday Oct 24 to Saturday December 12 at The FlowPhysio Studio, Tormohun House, off Barton Hill Road, Torquay, TQ2 8JJ. The Trust also runs courses and retreats on the Sharpham Estate and in nearby Totnes.

Anyone interested can find out more and book at sharphamtrust.org or by calling 01803 732542 or emailing bookings@sharphamtrust.org o

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October/November 2015

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..

Openers... Openers...

Dartmouth Ceremonial Dig

Sir Geoffrey Newman, Chairman of the Trustees of Dartmouth Indoor Pool Trust and Dartmouth Mayor, Cllr Rob Lyon cut the first turf for the much anticipated new Dartmouth & District Indoor Pool. Afterwards, invited guests enjoyed a series of short water demonstrations at Dartmouth’s existing outdoor pool including kayak rescue, scuba diving, water polo, aqua aerobics and lifesaving followed by refreshments at The View. English Riviera Magazine was there and assisted Dartmouth Yacht Club with their kayaking rescue demo. Donations towards the new pool’s equipment can still be made with tiles available at £10 and patrons’ schemes detailed on the website.

Photo L – R: Kieran,the Mascot (Jackie Veale), Ray Bridges, Trustee DIPT, Lady Mayoress Di Lyons, George Hardy, Trustee DIPT, John Stevenson, Trustee, Sir Geoffrey Newman Chairman DIPT, David Shaw, Trustee DIPT, 11 year old Lee Westwood, Cllr. John Hart, Chairman DCC, Mayor Rob Lyons, Nick Rowe Senior Contracts Manager Kier Construction. o dartmouthpool.co.uk

The Gorgeous Gecko

It looks like a piece of designer jewellery, one of those ancient brooches that grandmothers keep for special occasions, but the male of electric blue day gecko (Lygodactylus williamsi) owes his bright turquoise blue color just to Mother Nature. Unfortunately, this characteristic is also the reason why this gecko is a victim of the illegal international pet trade. It is now incredibly rare and can only be found in the Kimboza forest in Tanzania where its range is an area of just 3 square miles. Now, thanks to Sparsholt College in Hampshire, Paignton Zoo is hosting twelve specimens.

Mike Bungard, Curator of Lower Vertebrates and Invertebrates at Paignton Zoo, said, “They come from a small area in Tanzania close to where we carry out field conservation work and research. The species is Critically Endangered and our long term goals are to try and link properly to field conservation for the species using the Zoo collection as ambassadors.” o

Octopus Challenge

It is not unusual, during our lives, to find ourself admiring the wisdom of an older person, wisdom that Ursula, octopus at Living Coasts, Torquay’s coastal zoo and aquarium, has definitely acquired. Being already two years of age, Ursula is quite old for a member of her species, the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) but in this time she has developed some uncommon abilities. Living Coasts Operations Manager Clare Rugg explains, “She can open screw lids, manipulate building blocks, unfasten things like catches and flip lids. She took only 10 seconds to open a waterproof casing for a camera – it took a human longer to work it out!” Research has shown that, with eight gripping arms, three hearts, copperrich blue blood, camera-like eyes, camouflage skin and striking intelligence, the common octopus can distinguish the brightness, size, shape, and orientation of objects. Now Ursula throws the gauntlet to the visitors, who are invited to bring her new games and puzzles to solve, long as they are composed of materials not harmful to her health. Email your ideas to reception@livingcoasts.org.uk o englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

October/November 2015

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Openers...

Friends of The Flavel

Calling all arts lovers! The Flavel Centre in the heart of Dartmouth has launched a new Friends scheme. The Flavel is a popular arts and community centre offering an exciting programme of live arts events for all ages, including a broad range of music, theatre, workshops and speakers. There is a regular cinema programme showing the latest films, and exhibitions of local artists’ work throughout the year. The Flavel is entirely self-funding and relies on the support of the local community, many of whom have already become Friends. With the new scheme the Flavel is hoping to attract many more so that it can sustain its high quality art, culture and entertainment programme. For a minimum contribution of £20, Friends’ benefits will include a welcome pack and newsletter and advance programme information with priority booking. They can bring a friend to a film for

Openers... free and there are exclusive Friends’ events, pre-show talks and art previews plus a monthly lottery for film and selected events. o theflavel.org.uk

English Riviera Magazine at Super Weekend English Riviera Magazine had a high profile stand at the prestigious Super Weekend in Princess Gardens, Torquay. Supercars, superbikes and superboats were on display and luxury brands included Lamborghini, Bentley, Ferrari, Porsche, Range Rover, Nissan GTR, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Sunseeker, Ribeye, Harley-Davidson and Triumph. This was one of the most concentrated Supercar gatherings in the southwest. There was also world class jetski stunt displays, an F1 simulator and more. Champagne and Pimms stands were among the luxury attractions for visitors. o

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October/November 2015

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Pippa Craddock’s Exotic Marketing Mix When Pippa Craddock, Paignton Zoo’s Director of Marketing and Development considers her marketing plans, gorillas, penguins, exotic birds, giraffes, elephants and many more are high on the agenda.

Anita Newcombe catches up with her by the Flamingo Pool.

I

’m meeting Pippa at Paignton Zoo but she is also responsible for Living Coasts in Torquay and more recently, Newquay Zoo. She tells me, “I started work in 2000 as Marketing Manager purely for Paignton Zoo. However within 2 weeks it was announced that Living Coasts was likely to be built so I had a big extra challenge in planning its marketing strategy as a completely new attraction.”

Kay Elliott Architects, who had successfully completed a similar but smaller exhibit at Bristol Zoo, developed the concept of Living Coasts. Torbay Council approached Paignton Zoo to see if they were interested in building and developing the bold new concept in Torquay and they agreed. Pippa remembers, “It was great for me to be involved with Living Coasts right from the start. At the time, having just joined the Zoo, it was a huge learning curve for me.

I needed to simultaneously understand the Bay itself, plus the field of wildlife and conservation and also get to grips with this exciting new project.”

Whilst the name Living Coasts was chosen by the 12

October/November 2015

project team, various logos were considered for the new attraction, taking into account the opinions of focus groups. In the end they selected a logo that was similar in style to Paignton Zoo’s to benefit from its association as a well-known and trusted brand.

Pippa explains, “ The first marketing campaign was rather tricky as we didn’t know exactly which animals would be going into Living Coasts. We used an illustrative image of penguins as we were in the dark about exactly what species we’d be getting.”

There were many obstacles ahead with lots more rock works needed on the site than expected, leading to the project running late. All the Living Coasts’ marketing materials had been ordered emblazoned with the original launch date and these had to be altered at very short notice. In the end it was all a huge success with Princess Anne officiating at the launch. Pippa reveals, “It was quite a coup for us getting Princess Anne to open Living Coasts. We also had Prince Edward on the 10th Anniversary in 2013; in fact this was just the day before our huge Gorilla Flotilla in the Bay so it englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Riviera People

My visit to Paignton Zoo today is still within the school holidays and there are an estimated 4,500 people visiting.

was a pretty stressful couple of days for us.”

Living Coasts is now very successful and penguins are amongst the biggest attractions. Pippa explained, “The best thing we did was to take the barriers down at Penguin Beach and install Penguin Patrollers.” Penguins now wander around amongst delighted visitors and species include African and Macaroni.

Living Coasts has also invested heavily in its aquarium with lots of sea life and indoor viewing tanks, making it an excellent wet weather attraction, generally doing better than Paignton Zoo when the weather closes in.

One of Pippa’s key challenges is to expand visitor numbers at her three zoos in the shoulder seasons. My visit to Paignton Zoo today is still within the school holidays and there are an estimated 4,500 people visiting. Even though there are huge, terraced car parks, spaces are running short today with the glorious weather. Even yesterday with rainy weather, there were over 1,000 people visiting the Zoo. Pippa tells me, “We had been enjoying a major change in the pattern of visits with families coming on year round short breaks. Now family footfall is reverting back to just within the school holidays because of the recently established system of fining parents for taking their children out of school.” The Zoos therefore have to work englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

harder to attract year-round visits.

Memberships are important to the Zoo’s marketing with just over 9,000 members across the three sites (Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts and Newquay Zoo). Members can visit all three sites and it’s the equivalent of paying for just 3 visits.

They are hugely popular, therefore, with local residents who can enjoy quiet strolls around the beautiful site at all seasons.

Paignton Zoo’s indoor play area has also been a hit as it can be relied on to entertain the little ones come rain or shine.

New ideas are always being implemented. 2015 has been the Year of the Bird and Paignton Zoo has been running a brand new Bird of Prey Show featuring birds of prey such as owls, hawks and falcon. The Devon Bird of Prey Centre supported by Zoo volunteers has been delivering the close-encounter Winged Wonders show all season.

Another hugely popular feature has been the Lemur Wood, a walk-through area with free-roaming lemurs including the famous wobbly bridge. Again Zoo volunteers are relied on to keep a watchful eye on both the visitors and the lemurs and answer questions.

Pippa begins putting together her marketing plans for the year ahead in July and the team works out new ideas for exhibits. Current plans afoot include a new Savannah exhibit for the top end of the Zoo housing giraffes, rhinos and October/November 2015

13

some new species. There will also be more meerkats, hugely popular thanks to a popular TV advertisement. Pippa laughs and explains, “ They are African not Russian you know!”

The Zoo also puts on lots of very appealing winter events.

Pippa tells me that the birds and many of the animals are much more active in the winter months so it is actually a very good time to visit.

There are some interesting differences in the demographics of the visitors to the three sites beyond the core family market.

Apparently Living Coasts and Paignton Zoo attract quite a number of older couples whilst Newquay Zoo is considered quite the place to go on a date with lots of new courting couples enjoying the neutral environment. Romance blossoms by the lovebird aviary – a delightful thought!

There’s a pretty scientific approach to the marketing planning. Pippa explains, “We are always doing market research to discover current trends and find out what people want from their day out.”

Latest marketing thinking is to focus on the interaction of a family unit, creating fun and memories including photo selfies. A fairly dramatic change to the three Zoos’ advertising campaigns has seen advertisements without animals for the very first time. The promotional images instead feature families having fun together on their Zoo day out. Pippa told me, “When I presented the new ad campaigns to the staff and trustees there was quite a big split in opinion but the new approach appears to be working and our focus and research groups do confirm this. In particular the campaign has triggered many lapsed visitors to come and see us again.”

Working with the English Riviera Tourism Company (ERTC) helps tremendously with promotion outside the local area. Apart from advertising in service stations on the M5 and A303, they totally rely on the ERTC for their destination marketing, which the tourism company does extraordinarily well.

Pippa is a great believer in the power of partnership working. Paignton Zoo and Living Coasts have been members of the English Riviera Attractions partnership since its inception and Torbay’s Top Attractions prior to that; Pippa is currently Vice Chair. There are 16 members of the group and working together makes their combined subscription fees go much further with active marketing initiatives that benefit everyone. A great example of this is the annual English Riviera Attractions Passport which has been running for the last 5 or 6 years and which offers discounts to visitors.

The passports are distributed to accommodation providers and are also available to pick up at the ERTC’s visitor centres around the Bay. Pippa says, “We are all striving for market share but we are lucky to be attractive collectively as a resort because we have so many wet weather attractions.”

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October/November 2015

Pippa also believes that local investment and development like the South Devon Link Road and the new Abbey Sands complex is great news for local tourism. She says, “So many people said that Abbey Sands would be a blot on the landscape but it’s fabulous. If we can get the Pavilion right, then more investment will come in. Torquay does need more continental-style cafes and bijou hotels and overall the quality of the accommodation could do with improvement – people do like brand hotels too. As we develop the product, it will be easier to extend our traditional tourist seasons.”

Lots to think about then but what does Pippa and her partner Ronnie Halden like to do when they’re not working, I wonder? Pippa tells me that they eat out a lot and love the Harbour Kitchen on Victoria Parade, On the Rocks at Abbey Sands and The Offshore on Vaughan Parade in Torquay. Pippa says, “We love live music and in Torquay we’re really spoilt for live music venues. We also go out a lot in Exeter. We’re very sociable and like to keep up with what’s going on.” Pippa’s also a big fan of rugby and a Northampton supporter, watching matches both on the TV and at Twickenham.

The couple live in Torquay, just a 10-minute walk from Torquay seafront. They enjoy walking the South West Coast Path and a favourite stretch is from Torquay Harbour to the Cary Arms in Babbacombe. They are thinking of getting a dog so even more walking would appear to be on the horizon.

Back at Paignton Zoo, Pippa loves just walking around, getting a feel for what visitors think about the Zoo. She also spends lots of time at Living Coats and Newquay Zoo and loves the fact that staff members are so committed and that everyone gets on really well.

And her favourite versus least favourite animals, I ask? Pippa reveals, “Well, I absolutely adore giraffes and penguins but I must admit that I do have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the red river hogs!” o paigntonzoo.org.uk englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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A New Champion for Brixham’s ‘Vault’ Renowned local historian and ‘disciple of heritage,’ John Risdon has long been immersed in the maritime world that is Brixham. Now as new president of Brixham Heritage Museum he wants more people to discover this precious treasure ‘vault’. Anita Newcombe met up with him to find out more.

Many around the Bay know John Risdon for his life that constantly rubbed shoulders with the bigger, fascinating local walks and talks as well as his books outside world. on the Dart and Dartmoor. Now he wants to use his John’s education in all things maritime thus commenced connections to inspire people to support Brixham’s and this developed through the knowledge and skills of Heritage Museum. I popped in to see John’s favourite Brixham shipwright, Ralph Hopper and his associates. exhibition within the maritime gallery, so beautifully John says, “Ralph introduced me to the wonders of the evocative of Brixham’s fascinating past. sea. Watching him working with eye and adze to create Born locally in Brixham Cottage Hospital in April working masterpieces was spellbinding and humbling to 1942, John’s life has been tightly a so-called ‘educated’ young man.”

John also enjoyed a season at John also enjoyed a season at entwined with Brixham. During the 60s he managed a business called Goodrington helping Ralph run Goodrington helping Bob Walker Brigantine in Brixham, working for the tourist boats. He says, “I was run the tourist floats and pedalos. the Walker family. Brigantine was He says, “I was a beach-bum that a beach-bum that year.” a boat building and repair place year.” with a chandlery and an early tourist shop. It plied Eventually Brigantine closed and John decided to its trade on Overgang where the Mission to Seamen retrain as a teacher in Exeter having met his teacher would subsequently be opened. Business was good wife-to-be, Jenny. They bought a cottage in Galmpton with brisk sales of fishing tackle, fishermen’s smocks where they still live today. Rather sweetly, they had and the live bait that came in every day. This era was originally met as 3 year olds at Roundham Nursery but very much the beginning of mass tourism for Brixham were then separated until a friend reintroduced them and it was an exciting job for a young man. Later the many years later. business was taken over by the Spiers family. Mrs Spiers, After qualifying as a teacher, John worked at Furzeham a charismatic American, opened a café and introduced Primary School for four enjoyable years. Here he the first American hamburgers sold alongside traditional enjoyed a close relationship with many children (now cream teas. John remembers, “Jo Spiers had a wonderful in their 50s) and their families. John remembered those American drawl and the fishermen loved her.” seemingly utopian days in the classroom, including Brigantine was also involved in many specialist services spontaneous nature walks down to the beautiful around the harbour such as overseeing experimental Churston Cove. rafts that would test paint samples and bolts to see how John subsequently moved to Dartmouth Secondary they would weather. This was done on behalf of some School (to become Comprehensive) where he taught of the country’s largest industries so it was a parochial history and geography for ten years and became Head 16

October/November 2015

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Riviera People of the Lower School. Here he continued his rewarding associations with many Brixham families who sent their children over the river. He was also regularly involved in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme with his pupils, getting out onto the moor as often as possible.

In later years, John moved into local book publishing and opened a bookshop in Torquay Pavilion. However, he wanted to continue using his teaching skills so he joined Brixham Adult Education under what he calls “the admirable leadership of Jenny Harriman” and started teaching land navigation (using compasses and maps).

This in turn led to him starting to offer the guided walks for which he is now well known.

With lecturing, guided walking and writing as his mediums, John likes to think that his love of South Devon as a whole and his birthplace Brixham specifically, has given him the identity of ‘disciple of heritage.’

All this experience means that he has much to offer Brixham Heritage Museum as he starts out in his latest new role as their president. He certainly seems determined to make a difference, telling me, “In the year 2015 the title ‘museum’ can be perceived as rather dull. It can be a turn off, especially for the younger generation.”

This is rather ironic as far as Brixham’s rather excellent museum is concerned as it has gained many awards as a family friendly museum. John explains, ”I would

suggest we identify our museum as a vault, similar to that within a bank. Our vault though, does not contain currency or gold but treasures of time, literally a ‘time capsule’ identifying us with our past.”

Of course, having a great local museum or ‘vault’ is not only important to us all as local residents, it provides a major asset to the tourist trade. Visitors to the Bay are fascinated with the story of Brixham as ‘the mother port of trawling.’ Brixham fishery with its supportive, codependent community is rather special. It’s quite unique and dynamic and and gives us a really powerful way to interest both tourists and locals in the history of our beautiful old town.

Although the Heritage Museum includes incredibly important records which can now be safeguarded electronically, it is the three dimensional artefacts that allow us to compare and wonder and these treasures appeal to all age groups. The museum has some wonderful galleries full of character and personality such as Brixham Bone Caverns, Fisherman’s Cottage, Police Cell, Maritime Gallery, Lifeboat and Coastguard Display, Victorian House and Nursery, Berry Head Barracks, Toy Display and the Railway Room.

John tells me, “Our ‘vault’ is a rather antiquated building for these days and difficult to maintain but it’s what we have and has wonderful character; it is a

With lecturing, guided walking and writing as his mediums, John likes to think that his love of South Devon as a whole and his birthplace Brixham specifically, has given him the identity of ‘disciple of heritage.’ englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

October/November 2015

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Riviera People DID YOU KNOW? • The society opened Brixham Museum on 2nd June 1958, originally in a former pilchard press in Higher Street.

• In 1975, the rent at Higher Street became prohibitive, but Torbay Council offered a rent remission on the former Police Station and Sergeant’s House on New Road near Bolton Cross, built in 1902.

• Since the 1970s, the curators have led archaeological digs at Berry Head, where Brixham’s Napoleonic forts have been painstakingly excavated.

• Boot camp events give youngsters a hands-on experience of life in the regiments, which were billeted here from all over the country.

• Museum staff and volunteers answer hundreds of enquiries each year, providing local and family history data, photographs and copy documents to people from all over the world.

• Our document collection includes the Brixham Western Guardian, a local newspaper, from 1902 to 1968, fifteen volumes of which have been microfilmed. part of old Brixham. The custodians of Brixham’s Heritage Museum, led by Philip Armitage, exemplify the present positive and pro-active attitude I find within the Brixham community today.”

And it’s true that Brixham is rather good at rallying round. Sixty local volunteers, unpaid, support the day-today running of the museum.

John explains, “For the past few years, and still today, its survival hangs by a thread being largely dependent on the following year’s grant.”

He speaks with feeling when he says, “I’m sure, like me, many local people would be devastated should Brixham lose its wonderful museum.

If you haven’t visited recently I think you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise. We look forward to welcoming you.”o brixhamheritage.org.uk

Membership Brixham Heritage Museum and History Society is a registered charity and receives a modest grant from Torbay Council, relying heavily on its volunteers. You can help by becoming a member or by volunteering. Membership is £20 per annum (senior citizens £15). Members receive free admission to the museum, four newsletters and an annual report each year, half price admission to all talks and lectures and access to the museum’s library and the society’s archive (by arrangement). Volunteers are needed with research, educational activities, school visits and more. englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

October/November 2015

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Wrecks of the Bay Torbay has seen its fair share of wrecked vessels over the years. Indeed since 1740 these waters have claimed no less than an average of one every single year.

Anthony Poulton-Smith tells us more.

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f course many of these vessels, especially the principal fishing ports in the country. earlier ones, were wooden and have rotted A small taster of what is to be found in the pages of this away on the seabed, leaving little evidence download includes a look at a few of the vessels, which they ever existed. Diving on any of the wrecks of the bay have come to grief over the last three centuries. A selection poses problems. Torbay has no river worthy of the name of stories ensues. These are tales rarely told before and we emptying into it, hence the waters remain cloudy. This begin with one of the earliest. On 27th February 1745, also has benefits, notably in the rare sea grasses which the sailing vessel Tiger left Plymouth bound for the West find the environment ideal to their specific needs.

Indies, carrying troops to supplement the fleet of Admiral Having stood for many years on the shoreline looking Medlen in his continued quarrels with the Spanish and across the bay, one day it occurred to me that it was not the French. These were all men requisitioned from Devon simply the land behind me I ignored but the sea, too. and Cornwall. Almost as soon as the Tiger departed The focus for our attention is where the two meet, the Plymouth, she was at the mercy of what were described aforementioned shoreline. It is here, in the shallowest as hurricane-force winds and she ended up smashed upon parts where the majority of vessels have ended their days. the rocks off Berry Head.

Some will be surprised to learn just how shallow the bay The crew of sailors and cargo of soldiers (which is how is. Officially it extends from just west they were listed) alike leapt overboard The bay faces east and of Ore Stone to a point off Berry in an attempt to gain the shore.

Head. It is just off this great headland when the wind comes from Some succeeded and fled, hoping Europe, the sailing vessels of to disappear and avoid either being to the south, where the bay is its deepest, although even here it is just yesteryear were effectively drowned at sea, succumbing to untold 24 metres (around 80 feet). Much of tropical diseases, or being maimed or trapped because of it the seabed is fairly level at around 10 killed in service of his country. A onemetres (21 feet). pound reward was levied upon the head of every deserter, Summer visitors will not realise this veritable mill pond, the claimant also being awarded sixpence for every day he which is what attracts them to the English Riviera, can or she had to keep and feed their charge. Less lucky were be much more challenging outside of the holiday season. the 170 who perished; the mangled bodies of many were Indeed what makes it so appealing in the summer is just found washed upon this shore. the reason there have been so many wrecks. The bay faces Almost 60 years later, in February 1804, an 80-foot east and when the wind comes from Europe, the sailing British Man o’ War under the command of Captain Patey vessels of yesteryear were effectively trapped because of it. and Lieutenant John had set sail from Guernsey heading While the subject has been written about previously, for London. They were armed with ten 18-pound, short other works have examined the wreck sites and those length smoothbore cannon known as carronades. Bad manning the lifeboats. The recently published Torbay weather had meant the Cerbere anchoring in the bay Wrecks looks at the vessels and the crews themselves, for five days until the captain ordered the crew to weigh their cargoes, and the circumstances behind their demise. anchor and make for Plymouth on the morning of 14th Available as an ebook, the proceeds of Torbay Wrecks go February. However, the wind and seas proved too difficult to Brixham Heritage Museum, an attraction dedicated to to negotiate and by the afternoon she had again anchored looking at the history of what has long been one of the in the bay, this time off Brixham.

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englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Heritage The crew engaged a Brixham vessel to assist with laying out her anchors and warping out to sea. Warping, sometimes called kedging, is used to start moving a vessel under sail against the wind (or when becalmed). Here, a second anchor would be taken as far ahead of the vessel as possible. After the first anchor had been raised, hauling in the second effectively moved the vessel forward.

Arranging this anchorage took until the morning of the 20th when she again attempted to set sail. This manoeuvre was to prove fatal.

The crew lost control in the unpredictable winds and she ended up on Berry Head where a large wave lifted the

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Cerbere higher onto rocks, producing a large hole in the hull and filling her with water in minutes. The crew clambered to safety but weather conditions persisted for days and nothing was salvaged.

On 18th March 1846, a barque named Nahant was en route from Ghent and heading for Galveston in Texas. Bad weather had plagued this voyage from the beginning. Having departed from Belgium on November 25th 1845, the vessel ‘missed stays’, a nautical term for an unsuccessful tacking manoeuvre, leaving her at the mercy of the storm-driven waves. She came ashore at roughly the mid-point between Berry

October/November 2015

21

in Moles Lane, Paignton yet, then you’re missing a real treat...

EN OP

Otter Nurseries Garden Centre

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You’ll find many more varieties of plants and flowers; whether you’re into annuals, perennials, shrubs, climbers or beautiful English roses, there’s a wonderful choice including numerous plants that have been grown in our own nurseries.

We have introduced a number of new departments selling stylish garden furniture, home and cookware, clothing, gifts and cards, books - and much more. With frequent offers and special sales, you can be sure to pick up exactly what you’re looking for at a great price.

Even better, when you call in for your gardening supplies, or if you’re simply passing by, why not enjoy some tasty light snacks and delicious homemade cakes and cream teas in our newly renovated coffee shop?

Our talented catering team loves to create appetizing treats, with a wide range of mouth-watering food to suit every taste. You can either relax in our indoor dining area, or, if there’s enough warmth, sit outside and admire the picturesque views across the South Hams.

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Heritage

N

ay

House and the fortifications still visible on Berry Head.

Almost immediately the ‘cargo’ of one hundred and fifty emigrants rushed on deck with men, women and children carrying whatever possessions they could.

Almost as many locals, quickly aware of the vessel’s plight, ran to assist however they could. All were rescued and brought ashore where they were given accommodation at the poor house on Baker Hill.

They were cared for in Brixham for two months, eventually being collected by the Timoleon and transported to North America, finally arriving in Galveston in August of that year. This was no random emigration, the entire group were part of Adelsverein or ‘Noble Society’ - full name Mainzer Adelsverein at Biebrich am Rhein (Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas). Beginning in April 1842, this had been an attempt to establish a new Germany on Texan soil simply through sheer numbers of emigrants.

The book, Torbay Wrecks, goes on to cover almost 250 other stories including the dreadful damage of 1866, most often known as the Great Storm, images of which can be seen at Brixham Heritage Museum. It also looks at the decimation of Brixham’s fishing fleet at the hands

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

of German submarines and mines.

But our final taste comes between the Great Storm and the Great War; the Emile was driven ashore on 10th March 1891. Based at Cherbourg, the 186-ton French brig had been under sail from Le Havre to Guadeloupe when it was driven ashore by strong winds. Luckily for the crew, they came to grief just 150 yards from the coastguard station on Berry Head. Furthermore, this was mid-afternoon and thus the station could easily bring the new rocket-launched lifesaving equipment into play. With the rocket aimed and the line duly fired and tethered to the mast, seven of the crew were soon safely ashore. However the eighth, Captain V. Vigot, having remained on board until the last, kept the rescuers waiting whilst he went below decks to rescue, of all things, his umbrella. o

Torbay Wrecks is available as a download from the Brixham Heritage Museum website brixhamheritage.org.uk or by contacting the author via his website poultonsmith.co.uk with proceeds going to Brixham Heritage Museum.

October/November 2015

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Could You Be a Coastal Watchkeeper?

The National Coastwatch Institution (NCI)’s Froward Point Watch Station, just to the east of the River Dart, celebrated its 10th anniversary earlier this year. They are now recruiting new volunteer watchkeepers. Rosemary Ellerby tells us more.

A

t the beginning of this century, the NCI had been seeking accommodation at Berry Head, Brixham, in which to set up a watch station but were unable to find anything suitable.

Therefore they looked a little further afield and during the 3 years from 2002 to 2005, the feasibility of Brownstone Battery (a WW2 observation post at Froward Point on the east bank of the mouth of the River Dart) as a lookout for the NCI was established.

A public meeting in Kingswear Village Hall established that there was local support for such a venture and a team of volunteers including engineers from the Britannia Royal Naval College subsequently refurbished the buildings. Over 50 volunteer watchkeepers were trained to man the station. NCI watchkeepers are “the eyes and ears along the coast” for the Maritime Coastguard Agency [MCA] to protect people on land and at sea.

NCI Froward Point is open 365 days a year and currently has over 60 watch keepers who “spot, plot and report” anything untoward to HM Coast Guard Falmouth.

The volunteer men and women come from all ages and backgrounds, maritime or otherwise and may have never set foot on a boat. They start with ‘taster’ sessions to see if they like the role and can then decide whether or not to carry on with the professional training, very much at their 24

October/November 2015

own pace. The minimum commitment requested is an average of only 2 four hour watches a month.

In 2014, NCI Froward Point was manned for 2,710 hours and 14,983 vessels were specifically identified and logged. However, many more craft were observed.

All stations raise their funds locally and in 2014 it cost £10,200 to run Froward Point. Volunteer watch keepers buy their own uniforms and pay their own travel expenses and the value of the Froward Point team to the UK Search and Rescue Service [SARS] network in 2014 was £35,225 per annum assuming a minimum wage of £6.50 per hour (or £85,905 pa at £15.00 per hour or £171,810 pa at £30.00 per hour). This represents a tremendously valuable service at no charge whatsoever to the UK taxpayer.

In July 2005, the NCI Froward Point Watch Station went live and logged its first official watch with HM Coast Guard in Brixham.

The 10th Anniversary was celebrated with a very successful Open Weekend on the 15th and 16th of August 2015 when visitors came to see how the station works, to have a go themselves and to consider joining the team. After their experiences over the weekend, some have already applied and have started their ‘taster’ watches.

The NCI had never forgotten the appeal of Berry Head as an excellent potential watch location and is now working englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Maritime

with the MCA to establish a presence at Berry Head.

For several months now Froward Point watch keepers have stood occasional, limited mobile watches at Berry Head at the week-ends and odd week days increasing during August and this will continue during the interim.

The presence of the NCI on Berry Head this summer has been very welcome indeed by the visiting public and Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust.

The sea area scanned from Froward Point extends from East Blackstone across the mouth of the River Dart and Start Bay to Start Point. The area scanned at ground level from Berry Head extends from Hope’s Nose to the north, into Torbay then round more than 180 degrees southwest to Scabbacombe Head.

If the permanent lookout allocated at Berry Head is high enough, the combined NCI Froward Point and Berry Head Station would watch over the sea area from Hope’s Nose in the north via East Blackstone to Start Point in the south.

Visitors and walkers along the South West Coast Path are always very welcome to call in at Froward Point and see what goes on. New volunteer watchkeepers are now being recruited for both stations so get in touch if you’d like to find out more. o ncifrowardpoint.org.uk englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Did You Know?

The National Coastwatch Institute, a registered charity, is 21 years old this year.

NCI watchkeepers keep a listening watch on VHF Channels 16 (international distress frequency), 67(coastguard) and 00 (rescue service e.g. lifeboat) and a radar watch with AIS (automatic tracking system).

Young people under 18 years can volunteer with the NCI as cadets.

The National Trust owns Froward Point, which they were able to buy, with some of the funds raised by ‘Enterprise Neptune’, their fundraising effort to protect our coasts from development.

When afloat at sea you can call the Froward Point station directly on VHF channel 65 on call sign Froward Point NCI. Sailors and walkers can telephone Froward Point on 07976 505649.

Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust manages Berry Head as a National Nature Reserve.

October/November 2015

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Fun for Foodies by the River Dart

The popular Eat Your Words event will be taking place in The Flavel Church; it’s a welcoming forum for informative and fun talks on food and drink. With top chefs, writers, producers and critics taking to the stage to lead discussions, the event will also include taster sessions.

Confirmed sessions include Mouthwatering TV with David Pritchard; the television producer who brought us Keith Floyd and Rick Stein, spills the beans on what it’s like to work with some of the nation’s favourite foodies. Advice for Aspiring Food Writers will feature Orlando Murrin, founding editor of BBC Good Food magazine and Rosemary Barron,

This year’s Dartmouth Food Festival will be tempting its visitors’ tastebuds with a spectacular array of delicious and imaginative food and drink. So pop over the river 23 – 25 October and enjoy some foodie inspiration!

T

he Guardian named it one of the top 10 food festivals in the whole of the UK and much of the attraction is the simply delightful surroundings along the riverside at Dartmouth. It features more than 100 producers and exhibitors plus dozens of events: workshops, talks, fish nights, cookery demonstrations, children’s entertainment and wine seminars.

This year you can head down on Friday evening, as the stalls on Embankment, Quay and Royal Avenue Gardens will be open from 10am until 8pm.

Celebrated chef Mitch Tonks who has restaurants locally in Dartmouth and Torbay as well as Plymouth and Bristol said, “The Dartmouth Food Festival is a celebration of the fresh and exciting produce we have available to us locally. With the coast and countryside on our doorstep and the strong character of our farming community, we are able to produce some of the very best, truly delicious food and drink.”

Mitch will be taking to the stage to host cooking demonstrations and will be joined by a host of other well known chefs to include Simon Hulstone, Darrin Hosegrove and Nick Evans from Rick Stein’s St Petroc’s Bistro. Wine seminars will once again be led by wine expert, Susy Atkins with what promises to be an exciting, informative and highly entertaining programme.

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October/November 2015

The Dartmouth Food Festival is a celebratio coast and countryside on our doorstep a

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Food & Drink author and journalist, offering advice on how to make it in the world of food writing from building a blog to bagging a book deal. Award-winning chef Tim Bouget, will examine the ways in which a growing number of food businesses are going green in How Green is Your Business? High profile restaurateur and seafood champion, Mitch Tonks, will chat to Dartmouth crabber and chairman of Fishing into the Future, Alan Steer in Fishing into the Future.

The Flavel Arts Centre will once again be the venue for a series of events including the Festival Feast, wine & food matching sessions and a Saturday lunch with an Italian theme devised and created by chef and food

writer, Jane Baxter.

Activities for kids in the Children’s Marquee include biscuit decorating, face painting, apple bobbing and a flag decorating competition.

This year’s exhibitors include Hunts Cider, South Devon Chilli Farm, Devon Fishcakes, Quickes Cheddar, Bread of Devon, Dartmouth Fine Foods, Deli Farm Charcuterie, Shaldon Bakery, Tom’s Pies, Big Pot Kitchen, Piper’s Farm, Café Alf Resco and many, many more.

The festival is a non-profit making event, run by volunteers and supported by sponsors. Entry is free (although there is a charge for some special events). w

elebration of the fresh and exciting produce we have available to us locally. With the oorstep and the strong character of our farming community, we are able to produce some of the very best, truly delicious food and drink.”

Mitch Tonks englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

October/November 2015

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on the Sharpham Estate, in Totnes & now in Torquay

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October/November 2015

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Food & Drink Food Festival Exhibitors will be at: Embankment, Quay & Royal Avenue Gardens Friday 23 October: 10am – 8pm Saturday 24 October: 10am – 5pm Sunday 25 October: 10am – 4pm The popular Festival Bar is open until 8pm on Friday & Saturday, and Sunday until 4pm.

Market Square Area Saturday 24 October: 10am – 5pm Sunday 25 October: 10am – 4pm

dartmouthfoodfestival.com

Getting There: Dartmouth will be exceptionally busy so if coming from Torbay, why not try the steam train from Paignton or Churston to Kingswear? Allow plenty of time to cross the river when returning and check the last train back! If you want to drive, there’s a Park and Ride in Dartmouth. englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

October/November 2015

29

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October/November 2015

Dartmouth Road, nr Brixham TQ5 0LL (Just before the Go Carts)

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Food&Drink...

Local Venues Make Big News... The Cary Arms Tops Alfresco Britain!

Meat59 Voted Number 2 in UK Torquay’s funky burger joint, Meat59, was awarded second place in a Trip Advisor Best Burgers UK poll. We went along on their ‘Sliders’ taster night with the intention of trying all nine of their mini tasters and failed badly!

This is the brainchild of foodie fanatics Jenna Heasman and brother-in-law Vince Aggett who wanted to introduce a high-quality burger concept to the Bay. Ingredients are sourced locally and the majority of the menu is is made fresh in-house. We sampled several burgers including a yet-to-be-named lemon chicken breast with homemade pesto that was to die for. Along with great food comes helpful and happy staff and a very creative interior.

Definitely different and more than welcome family dining! meat59.com

Babbacombe’s Cary Arms was well placed in The Times’ 50 Best Summer Pubs and has just announced a £1.5m investment that will see the construction of 6 boutique beach hut-style apartments, 3 villas as well as a luxury spa.

All the properties have fantastic views across Lyme Bay towards Portland Bill - a view, once described by Queen Victoria as more pleasant than the Amalfi coast.

Peter de Savary and his wife Alana were present for the ground-breaking ceremony and shunned a sparkling new spade to do the job properly with a digger!

The development is due to open in May 2016. caryarms.co.uk Below: Graham Austin (Project Manager), Ian Solkin (MD de Savary Hotels), Adrienne Eastwood (Marketing Director), Peter de Savary, Felicia Crosby (General Manager), Amy Crosby (Site Office Manager), Dany Richford (Sales & Marketing Manager), and Chris Parker (Parker Associates).

New Bar and Bistro at Oddicombe Beach Three Degrees West has just opened at Oddicombe Beach giving residents a touch of the Mediterranean with a tempting array of tapas and freshly cooked dishes plus some of the most spectacular views in the Bay. Catch the cliff railway down to the beach and soak up some rays on the terrace or, if it’s too chilly then tuck in behind the floor-to-ceiling glass windows and enjoy some al fresco coffee and cakes from the inside! The new venue can also be booked for functions and parties. oddicombebeach.co.uk If you’ve got a favourite recipe you’d like to share, drop us a line facebook.com/englishrivieramag or email editorial@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

October/November 2015

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OPEN Monday - Saturday 10-4.30

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October/November 2015

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Arts

Poems on the Water’s Edge There’s plenty within the English Riviera to excite the poetic impulse and October 22 - 26 brings Torbay Festival of Poetry to Torquay.

T

wenty five events will fill the long weekend.

Most, but not all, will take place at the Livermead Cliff Hotel. There will be poetry readings, workshops, poets talking about poetry. You’ll be inspired to write and perhaps become the winner

of this year’s Festival Challenge. The Torbay Festival has welcomed many international poets over the years, but also provides a showcase for lesser known, and unpublished writers. Would-be poets, now’s your chance to lift the veil on your hidden talents! o

Some Highlights:

at 8.30pm. Tickets £30 to include a welcoming glass of wine, reading, a 3-course dinner with wine and coffee.

Reading only £7.50 to include a glass of wine.

Poetry party – 22 October The popular party-style opening event kicks off the Festival on Thursday evening at The Little Theatre, Torquay with LiTTLe MACHiNe presenting EPIC. This event promises to be great fun with its lighthearted gallop through the last 3000 years of poetry from Sappho to Can Ann Duffy with slides, music, drama and comedy.

You’ll become something of an expert as you thrill to the grandeur of Homer, recoil from the bloodbath that was Beowulf, enjoy some Chaucerian Sauce and Shakespearian wit and experience Metaphysical Longings and Lost Paradises. You’ll discover why the Victorians were not amused and find out why T.S. Eliot is off the menu.

7.30 – 9.30pm. Tickets are £10 and include wine and nibbles. Little Theatre, Torquay.

A troubadour in Torbay Jonathan Steffen – 23 October Learn about the troubadours’ power of invention in the middle ages from Jonathan Steffen, whose work encompasses poetry, short stories, literary translations, songs and instrumental music.

10.45am – 11.15am; tickets £4.

Festival Supper 24 October The Festival supper features special guest readers John Greening and Penelope Shuttle. The pair have published a book of over 80 poems about Hounslow Heath, once possibly the most lawless place in London.

7.00 for 7.30pm with supper englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

John Greening

With a song in her heart – Maggie Duffy 24 October The popular singer/songwriter Maggie Duffy will present a skilful blend of song, poetry, anecdotes and mellow guitar playing.

2 – 2.30pm; tickets £4.

Moira Andrew & John Whitworth 24 October Moira believes poetry is where big things happen in small spaces and John has a passion for rhythm and rhyme.

2.45 - 3.45pm; tickets £5.

Festival Challenge – 25 October Register on the day to read your specially written poem on the theme suggested at the start of the Festival and become this year’s Festival Champion. 4.15 – 5pm for readings, results at 6pm.

Free event, small prizes for best poems as judged by the audience.

John Donne – His life and poetry 25 October A presentation by Alan Murray on John Donne’s life, interspersed with poems that illustrate different phases of his life.

8pm – 9.30pm; tickets £10 to include a glass of wine during the interval.

Penelope Shuttle

torbaypoetryfestival.co.uk October/November 2015

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Torquay’s Radio Hams In these days of instant communications with Twitter, Facebook and iPhones, why does amateur radio enjoy such enduring popularity?

Anita Newcombe visits Riviera Amateur Radio Club in Torquay to find out.

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iviera ARC holds its bi-weekly meetings on the knowledge required to comply with a range of the first and third Thursdays of each month regulations and procedures. Each exam level allows at the Acorn Centre at Lummaton Cross in different privileges and Riviera ARC can provide training Torquay. This evening I’m meeting their Chairman John up to Intermediate level. Although the club currently Perry who I find lying on the floor twiddling with a has just 25 regular members, it is a member of the much mysterious piece of radio equipment. He soon jumps to larger Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB). his feet to welcome me however and I am introduced to But when qualified, what do people talk about? I other club members as they arrive. ask. Paul Colyer explains, “Most conversations are The club was formed in 2012 to bring together fairly short but we talk about family, foreign cultures, local radio amateurs, many of whom have developed the weather and radio working conditions. Americans their own special interests in the field. For example love talking to us about the Queen and the monarchy.”

Ian Stuckey specialises in valve sets, Steph Foster is Steph Foster says, “I used to work for the RAF in interested in Morse and has a fine collection of QSL Germany so I enjoy talking to Germany a lot.” cards (the calling card of the radio ham), Steve Crask Conversations between radio hams are called QSOs enjoys data modes (not speaking but using computers from a term originally used in the days of Morse to generate tones); Paul Colyer loves Code. Any radio ham can listen “If you’d like to have a go at in to a QSO; they are not private mobile comms and has a radio set talking to astronauts on the but you won’t find them on your up in his van with a 5 – 6 ft long whip antenna on which he has International Space Station or domestic radio. Much of the fun spoken to radio hams as far afield as just some bloke in Japan, then seems to come from reaching the Japan. most distant and obscure part amateur radio is for you.”

The members try to explain of the planet and establishing a to me the thrill of amateur radio and its relevance in conversation. Every radio ham has a unique callsign, today’s super-connected world. There is the excitement which identifies the country of region where they live. of establishing a person-to-person long-distance radio UK callsigns begin with the letters G, M or 2. A second conversation with a new friend in Germany, Japan, letter identifies different parts of the UK such as Wales, Russia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Cyprus and many Scotland, Northern Ireland and Guernsey. The Riviera more places. Paul Colyer says, “If you’d like to have a ARC also has its own callsign (M0RIV). When calling go at talking to astronauts on the International Space as a club they add an X to denote an English club so it Station or just some bloke in Japan, then amateur radio becomes MX0IV. is for you.”

The Club has a radio presence on air twice a week Not just anyone can do it, radio operators have to be on Wednesdays and Sundays and these sessions attract licensed and this means studying for exams, which are listeners who do not have to be licensed as well as conducted by radio clubs on behalf of Ofcom. There licensed hams tuning in to chat. They sometimes run are several categories of licence, from Foundation to competitions to see how many countries members have Advanced and there are over 60,000 licensed radio contacted with proof being supplied by QSL cards hams in the UK alone. Operating a ham radio station or logbooks. The QSL cards are postcard sized and requires many skills plus technical information and are colourful and highly individual with the country

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Give It A Go! Amateur Radio of origin, the callsign and sometimes a photo of the radio operator displayed. The QSL card system relies on the radio ham sending these collectable cards to their opposite number through the post as an acknowledgement of the communication. There is tremendous excitement in receiving a new QSL card in the post and it seems to bring radio hams from all over the world together in one big, happy family.

Some radio hams still ‘homebrew’ their equipment but commercially made kit is usually more reliable and has extra features, possibly less fun though.

RARC members use modern radio-communications transceivers, which can produce enough power to be heard around the world, dependent on the type of antenna used and on conditions in the ionosphere.

There is usually plenty of affordable or even free secondhand equipment becoming available when radio hams upgrade their gear.

Radios do need good antennas and this is an area in which many radio hams like to experiment. The antenna most suitable for general use is a wire dipole, which can be erected horizontally between a house and a tree.

Vertical antennas take up less space, but they may not be quite as efficient and they may be very visible.

Some radio hams have much larger antennas at their home ‘shacks‘. These are sometimes complex multiple ‘arrays’ mounted on masts or towers, which may be 60ft (18m) high. Such

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Ham Speak Rig – radio Shack – where a ham operates (often a room at home) DX - Making contacts over long distances DXpedition – a trip made to operate ham radio Homebrew – equipment you built yourself QSL Card – like a postcard; used to confirm having made contact with another station on the air Rubber Duck – flexible antenna normally found on hand-held receivers Bird – nickname for satellite Rag Chewing – Chatting, discussing a topic at length Cans – headphones Pile-up – lots of stations calling one station at the same time Boat Anchor – old, usually big, radio equipment 73 – Best regards systems are usually directional and the towers can be raised and lowered. The right conditions are important too and topography, the atmosphere and the sun’s activities can all affect radio waves.

One of the biggest and most exciting challenges in amateur radio is Moonbounce or EME (Earth-

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y it iv t a e r c e h t e s n Se

Join us at the new Visitor Welcome Point and Gallery at Cockington Court

smell

Visit the new Gallery to see jewellery, ceramics, sculpture, textiles, paper flowers and purchase hand crafted gifts with a difference.

Getting married? Cockington Court is the perfect setting for your special day.

Events: Apple Day, Sunday 18th Oct from 10am-4pm. Live music, family entertainment, stalls and activities.

Entry fee - Adults £3.50 Child £1.50.

see

touch

Halloween Festival, 26th-31st Oct Halloween trail from 26th-31st and spooky day of fun on 31st in walled art garden 11am-4pm. Free entry.

Details of our events and much more can be found by visiting www.cockingtoncourt.org or calling 01803 607230 Cockington Court, Cockington, Torquay TQ2 6XA

taste

hear

Cockington Court Craft Centre

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Give It A Go! Amateur Radio

Anita Newcombe meets club members

QSL cards

Moon-Earth) communication, which is within reach of amateurs with a reasonable VHF station capacity.

However, it is tricky as the moon is 400,000 km away, a poor reflector and needs to be tracked. There are other factors that affect EME communications too, making it a huge result when amateurs achieve it.

Radio hams can also assist in times of disaster or crisis when terrestrial services can fail. Examples include during the September 11 attacks, Hurricane Katrina and the Nepal earthquake.

As a local club, Riviera ARC often attends local events and I caught up with them recently at Torbay Steam Fair in Churston near Brixham where they operated a special callsign. They also took part in National Armed Forces Day at the Haldon rendezvous site and celebrated Battle of Britain 75th Anniversary with a special event station at a location close to the former WW2 airfield at Haldon, near Teignmouth. o rivieraarc.org.uk englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Operator training manuals

Weekly Natter Nets The club runs natter nets on 2 metres as follows: Wednesday: 145.425 20.00hrs Sunday: 145.375 19.30hrs Meetings 1st and 3rd Thursdays each month 7.30pm to 9.30pm The Acorn Centre Lummaton Cross Barton TQ2 8ET Awards Riviera ARC won the RSGB Club of the Year in the small club category for the Southwest and Channel Islands in 2015.

Membership Full membership costs ÂŁ20 per annum plus ÂŁ1 per meeting. New members are always welcomed and only need an interest in radio to join.

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Thoroughly Modern Jive It’s that Strictly time of year again so English Riviera Magazine’s Julian Rees finally takes his mother’s advice and takes a beginners’ dance lesson.

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s the new season of the BBC’s hit show, Strictly the main hall and the newcomers (usually up to around 6 Come Dancing, comes to our screens to keep weeks) are given extra tuition in a separate room with this millions entertained pre-Christmas, I head over evening’s coaches Darren and Lynda. Then the dancing to Hannah’s at Seale Hayne with my understanding wife and music carries on until 11pm. in tow, to ‘Give It A Go’ at Modern Jive.

So we begin. For this first session, the aim is to learn It’s important to point out at this stage that Modern four beginner moves: the first move, man spin, side to Jive is quite different from the more familiar jive side and the octopus. As we progress through each move, that aligns itself so much with rock ’n’ roll from the we swap partners with the pair to our left. This helps fifties. Modern Jive, as the name implies, is a more everyone learn more quickly (and also stops squabbles contemporary style that has its roots in salsa, Lindy Hop, between husband and wife)!

As Modern Jive is a partner dance led by the man, and swing but has simplified steps to enable beginners where the woman follows, it’s very much up to the to pick it up quickly. It was developed in London dance man to learn the moves and to be clubs in the 1980s and is sometimes Any inhibitions soon wear off able to string them together whilst referred to as Le Roc, Ceroc or French Jive. Hence a great place as everyone is friendly and free-styling. In the early stages to start if one is looking to follow encouraging. The vibe is very this means women can dance with quickly in the footsteps of Pasha! much ‘we’ve all got to start more experienced leads without necessarily knowing all the moves Modern Jive steps follow a 2/4 beat somewhere’ so will progress quicker whereas it’s so dancers can perform to a broad slightly harder work for the men. There are 21 moves at range of popular music genres as most follow 4/4 time beginner level to set you up with the basic techniques this means a step to every other beat of the music. you need to progress.

Our hosts for the night are Floorplay. Nelson and The tuition progresses at a good pace and after we’ve Karen Rose, who run the company, have been teaching got to grips with the first four moves, which is purely this style of dance since 1997 and first taught classes in a mechanical feat at this point without a thought for South Devon back in 2005 at Oldway Mansion. The search for a larger venue, available all year round, led them musical tempo or style, we move on to free-style time.

In the time honoured way, both ladies and gentlemen to the Great Hall at Hannah’s, the former Seale Hayne site politely ask each other to dance and at first we feel quite outside Newton Abbot.

Nelson explains the format for the evening and we relax nervous as we are dancing with more experienced people.

However, any inhibitions soon wear off as everyone is after hearing we won’t be the only beginners. The evening friendly and encouraging. The vibe is very much ‘we’ve starts at 7.45pm with the beginner class, then there’s all got to start somewhere’ and this really gives us the about 15-20 minutes freestyle dance time from 8.30pm confidence to keep going. until the second class begins. Intermediates now dance in 38

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Give It A Go! Modern Jive

Beginner moves are led from the stage

After the first freestyle session, we move to a smaller room with the evening’s other beginners for some intensive tuition. I ask why we don’t start off this way and Darren, our coach, tells me that taking your first steps in a large group means dancers lose their inhibitions more quickly.

We go through our beginner moves again, this time with some individual correction and focus on getting the correct dance tone and tension between partners so the lady will always know when and where the man wants to lead her.

With many issues ironed out, it is time for further freestyle and this time there’s no stopping us as we dance for another hour. For an inexperienced lady this means doing many moves she has never seen before, let alone learned, whilst for the man it’s time to hone those beginner moves and smooth the transitions between them.

Dancing in a group gives the opportunity to meet other people (it’s a great social occasion) and also helps newcomers to learn new techniques and styles from more experienced dancers.

At the end of the night, it really feels like we’ve made good progress and we’re keen to come back again. Nelson tells us that people get hooked quite quickly and because of the variety in the music there’s something for everyone, so much so that it’s not unusual to have three generations of the same family at an event.

Overall a great fun and exhilarating night out that comes well recommended. ¨ Coaches Darren Haime and Lynda Dobson with instructors Karen and Nelson Rose

Floorplay answer your questions Q Do I need to bring a partner?

A No, people come singly, in couples or in groups. As people move around during the classes, it isn’t a problem to turn up on your own.

Q What clothes should I wear?

A People come in everything from jeans and a T-shirt right up to going for a night out on the town clothes. As long as you are comfortable and able to move freely you should be fine.

Q What shoes should I wear?

A Shoes in which you are comfortable to spin on a wooden floor. High grip soles make spinning difficult and increases forces on the ankles and knees. Leather or suede soles are ideal and dance trainers work very well. For guys, a slippery sole and a gripping heel is a good combination. For ladies, the question of heels or not is hotly contested and there are great dancers who support each camp. Go with what you feel most comfortable in!

Q Will I be able to do it?

A Most people pick up Modern Jive fairly easily.

The guys tend to find their third class night the hardest and then things get steadily easier.

The ladies tend to find they do well with an experienced lead almost right away but hit a trickier patch around week ten, though again the difficulty is short lived.

Q Will there be complicated footwork?

A The basic in most moves, at least at beginner level, is to just walk. This is where the even tempo nature of the dance shows... there are no quicks and slows in walking and Modern Jive is the same. Later on lots of footwork variations can be added to improvise extra musicality or just for extra style but are not required at beginner level.

Q Will I have to do lifts and drops?

A No. People do incorporate lifts, drops and other acrobatic moves into their Modern Jive but they are optional and never done without permission.

Reader Offer Take your English Riviera Magazine along to a Floorplay session and get free annual membership and your first class free.

Find out more at floorplayjive.co.uk

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Ella Rowcroft Torbay’s Magnificent Healthcare Pioneer The profits of the Wills-Woodbine Tobacco company saw benefactors in Torbay creating a hospital that today bans smoking in its premises!

Ian Handford of Torbay Civic Society takes up the story of Ella Rowcroft.

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he taking of snuff and tobacco by pipe or children, in order to get hospital care. cigars commenced in the 17th Century, yet By 1920 and with the First World War over, the it took until 1846 before W. H. Wills & Co Wills sisters were living at Pilmuir near Torre Station. created separate brands of tobacco products and 1888 Their new house was on the site of a Georgian before packets of five “ciggies” at a penny each went on residence previously owned by Lord Sinclair. Now a sale. Now everyone able to afford to purchase cigarettes public town meeting was called to find a way to build a could smoke. new hospital. Numerous dignatories, including the two The daughters of Sir Edward Payson Wills, Ella and sisters, supported the idea and a hospital committee Violet, were always destined to be rich. Ella married formed. With a freehold site donated by Major Kitson, Francis Rowcroft in Bristol in 1905 but seven years later Ella underwrote the six-figure architect’s fee for plans she came to live with Violet then to be drawn. As numerous residing at Barcombe Hall Paignton. In Torbay a Voluntary Hospital businesses and individuals Being strong willed, Ella in Bristol, Scheme required a payment of donated money, the sums were had publicly recorded her firm views a penny a week per adult, plus always matched by Violet and on the needs of fallen women and 2 extra pennies for children in Ella, which established a Hospital also the difficulties women faced Building Fund. The result, order to get hospital care. when ill and running a home.

Hengrave House and its 15-acre The two lived in an era of Volunteer Hospitals. site, became the new Torbay Hospital.

In Torquay, Lord Haldon in Higher Union Street One of the more generous gifts by Ella was so created one of these. Castle Chambers was a six storey large someone remarked, “She offered a gift of such building opened by His Imperial Highness Prince magnificence that has not been equalled in Torquay Peter of Oldenburg in 1853. Being on a difficult ever before” (£millions today). Violet meanwhile had site, it was already too small to serve the growing gifted another £13,000 into an Endowment Fund with resident population, let alone the ever-increasing a stipend to ensure that a Hospital Chapel and Chaplain visitor numbers. With just 64 beds, it was 1909 before would be a permanent feature within the hospital. another philanthropist, Louisa Cary, built a new Ella laid the foundation stone of Torbay Hospital on children’s ward, even though the local authority was Saturday 23rd June 1926 and by September 1928 the aware a new hospital was needed. first patients were being admitted. The dedication of Most local authorities in the UK faced a similar the Chapel took place on August 12th 1930 with the dilemma and some raised local taxes, while others Bishop of Exeter officiating, as Ella was indisposed and sought voluntary donations to build new hospitals. In in a wheelchair.

Torbay a Voluntary Hospital Scheme required a payment Ella was made a Freeman of Torquay in 1933 and of a penny a week per adult, plus 2 extra pennies for later commissioned her final residence Rainbow House, 40

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Heritage adjacent to Pilmuir. This was gifted to a Hospital Trust in 1937 in memory of her parents and to commemorate the Coronation of King George V1. In 1938 the Rowcroft Trust fund arranged for Pilmuir to be converted into our first convalescent home capable of accommodating twenty patients. It opened in April 1939 but only to females connected with Ella’s home City of Bristol or residents of Torbay. Her vision concerning the need of women for proper convalescence after illness was finally realised. This had to take second place to a woman’s family and home responsibilities.

Ella supported numerous charities including the creation of a rescue home for Japanese girls, a YMCA hut for soldiers in France and many projects in Torbay. She continued to support our local authority

by funding the accommodation costs of 100 UK journalists who promoted Torbay after visiting our area. A year later she invited 170 Canadian editors and their wives to a similar event, in effect the first major promoter of tourism to Torbay.

Violet was created Dame of the Empire in 1937, yet her sister received no similar honour. Today, only the Ella Rowcroft ward and the Violet Wills ward at Torbay Hospital as well as Rowcroft Hospice, remind us of these truly magnificent local philanthropists.

Mrs Rowcroft died on 26th January 1941 leaving her estate of £1.6 million to her sister. Five years later the government’s Beveridge Report established a free UK National Health Service. o torbaycivicsociety.co.uk

Ella laid the foundation stone of Torbay Hospital on Saturday 23rd June 1926 and

by September 1928 the first patients were being admitted.

Upper Right Hengrave House Right Torbay Hospital Chapel Torquay’s Volunteer Hospital Rainbow House

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Light up the lives of those you love and miss this Christmas Dedicate a light on our Tree of Light at Rowcroft Place a dedication in our Book of Light Join us at one of many special celebrations taking place in South Devon

To make your dedication and for a full list of celebration venues please visit: www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/light

Registered Charity No: 282723

Light up a Life with Rowcroft Hospice

Community

Every day Rowcroft Hospice helps patients and families to make the most of the time they have together, sharing special moments and making precious memories.

This Christmas, the hospice invites you to take part in Light up a Life and celebrate the lives of those dear to you, those you love, and those you miss.

About Light up a Life Light up a Life invites you to remember those who are no longer with us by dedicating a light on Rowcroft’s Tree of Light, nestled within the grounds of the hospice, remembering someone in the hospice’s Book of Light, a collection of beautiful remembrance books, or attending one of eight celebrations taking place in special venues across South Devon.

Totnes 2 December at 7pm St Mary’s Church Bovey Tracey 3 December at 7.30pm Church of St Peter, St Paul and St Thomas of Canterbury Teignmouth 5 December at 3pm St Michael’s Church Torquay 6 December at 3pm Central Church Newton Abbot 8 December at 6.30pm Avenue Methodist Church Dartmouth 9 December at 7.30pm St Saviour’s Church Torquay 13 December at 4pm and 5.30pm Rowcroft Hospice* Paignton 16 December at 7pm Sacred Heart Church

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

*Places at the hospice services are limited, please call 01803 217642 to reserve yours

Light up a Life is a chance for everyone to remember someone dear to them this Christmas, not only those who have been touched by the hospice. Teresa Butto, who has been a Light up a Life supporter for the past eight years, said: “Although I have not been touched by the hospice personally, I always dedicate a light on Rowcroft’s Tree of Light in memory of my parents. It’s a lovely way to remember them and I like to support Rowcroft as I know that the funds raised by Light up a Life help them to continue to support patients and families to make the most of every day they have together”.

Daniela Hopkins, Rowcroft’s Light up a Life Co-ordinator, added: “Last year, thanks to the kindness of Rowcroft supporters, Light up a Life raised £42,500 for the hospice, enough to pay for a Rowcroft Hospice at Home nurse for an entire year, enabling families to stay together in their own homes for longer.”

To make your dedication, visit www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/light Whilst you are making your dedication, you may also consider making a donation to the hospice.

Alternatively, as we commemorate 20 years of remembering loved ones in this very special way, we invite you to be a part of Rowcroft’s future too, by setting up a regular monthly donation.

To find out more, visit www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/light/ monthly-donation

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In Between Views Distance: 3 miles Exertion: Easy, some slopes Time: Allow 1.5 hours Terrain: Gravel pathways and field paths.

Suitable for more robust pushchairs.

Dogs: On leads in lanes and where there is livestock.

Refreshments: Churston Farm Shop Start Postcode: TQ2 6XA

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his easy stroll, just on the edge of the South Devon AONB, provides lovely betweenhedgerow views both over Torbay and up the River Dart at Galmpton Creek.

The start point is easily missed and only provides parking for 3 or 4 cars. The entrance is partially concealed and can be found approximately 600 metres along Kennels Road (A379 Dartmouth/Kingswear road) after the road bears to the left and below the modestly camouflaged mobile phone tree mast.

Although parts of the route are along country lanes and gravel paths, in places it can be muddy so wear good walking shoes or welly boots.

There’s plenty of opportunity for foraging with blackberries in abundance in autumn and also a chance to stock up on sloes in time for Christmas gin!

In the quieter months traffic is quiet on the road section of this walk but take care in the summer as it the main route to Greenway and can be busy. Get the timing right and you maybe lucky enough to catch a steam train passing below one of the two bridges en-route.

There are no shops or watering holes along the way so best to stock up on the way with homemade cake at Churston Farm Shop! o

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1 From the bridleway car park follow the track west uphill. It bears right at the highest point and there are great views across the Bay to be glimpsed between the hedgerows.

2 The track forks here, take the left branch. You will return along the other fork later. Proceed through the small copse and the path follows the hedgerow down to cottages and smallholdings in Maypool. Views from here take in both Torbay and the River Dart at Galmpton Creek.

3 Turn right and follow the road down towards Greenway Halt. At the next junction, turn right as the road follows the Paignton to Dartmouth steam railway line.

4 After approximately 700 metres, turn right at the Galmpton village sign and as the railway passes below again turn right back onto the ancient Combe Lane.

5 Follow this track back uphill to point 2 which then leads back down to the bridleway car park.

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Viewpoint ŠCrown copyright 2015 Ordnance Survey.

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October & November

Around the Bay Complied by Margherita Grando

Autumn Wildlife Walk, Occombe Farm 1 October Join naturalist Chris Proctor for an educational walk and bring some binoculars! Part of the Ageing Well Festival.

Free event. Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm, booking essential.

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

A Walk Through Marine Life, Goodrington 3 October Walk with expert Nigel Shillabeer from Goodrington Sands to Saltern Cove. Part of the Ageing Well Festival.

Free event. Time: 2pm – 4pm, booking essential.

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

The River Dart Struggle, Buckfastleigh 4 October The Totnes Raft Race is also known as The River Dart Struggle. It takes place along the river Dart starting at Dart Bridge, Buckfastleigh, and on through a mixture of white water, fast flowing weirs and calm stretches, and makes its way down to the finish in Totnes, a distance of some 14 Kms. This is acknowledged as one of the great river challenges. Each team (2 to 10 people) is required to build their own raft out of a list of approved materials, which must not harm the river environment. Organised

by The Rotary Club of Totnes.

Dart Bridge, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0JR totnesraftrace.co.uk

Grow the Good Life, Occombe Farm 2 October Spend a fantastic weekend on an organic farm learning how to keep chickens, goats and pigs and how to set up your very own vegetable and fruit garden. You will be able to get hands-on with some of the animals and learn basic husbandry skills, learn which breeds to choose and what you need to set up a smallholding. Also, learn about what to grow when, crop rotation, pest control and planning your vegetable growing year. Free event. Time: 10am - 12 noon, booking essential.

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

Brixham Folk Club 2 October & 6 November Organised by Anne and Steve Gill with help from Maggie Duffy and John Miles.

Lounge Bar, Brixham Theatre, New Road, Brixham TQ5 8LX 01803 858394 brixhamtheatre.org.uk 46

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The Complete Birdwatcher, Berry Head 4 October Migration time can be very confusing for birdwatchers but with bird expert Mike Langman this one day course will guide you through the, sometimes, tricky identification challenge. This will be the perfect opportunity to improve your birdwatching skills with a mixture of indoor and field activities. Time: 7.30am – 11am, cost: £15.00, booking essential.

Berry Head, Gilliard Road, Brixham TQ5 9AP 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk

GeoSportive, Torbay Velopark 4 October This exciting event will start and finish at the Torbay Velopark. All competitors will complete a lap of the englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

What’s On velopark to start and finish their sportive, with an option of a 40 or 80 km course around South Devon’s rolling hills. Both the tracks will challenge first timers and experienced cyclists alike.

Torbay Velopark, Clennon Valley, Paignton TQ4 5JR 07974 243965 geoparkadventure.com

Torbay Decorative & Fine Arts Society Lecture, Torquay 8 October The lecture Japanese Costume & Textiles - Kimono from Courtly Robes to Contemporary Fashion, will be given by Suzanne Perrin, a renowned expert on Japanese affairs and will include samples to see. Cost: £8.

Peter Larkin Hall, St. Matthias Church Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HW 0803 293058 torbaydfas.org.uk

The Odd Couple, Shiphay 8 - 10 October For their 60th anniversary, Shiphay Amateur Dramatic Society has put together a programme of 3 plays and a pantomime that will thrill and entertain the audiences.

The first play is The Odd Couple (female version), a subtle and funny play, with an unexpected twist. Time: 7.30pm, cost £6.

St. Johns Hall, Cadewell Lane, Shiphay, Torquay TQ2 7HP 07913 109672

Build a Clay Oven & Wood Fire Cookery, Occombe 9 October This course will give you all the necessary skills to build your very own clay oven and offers an introduction to cooking using a wood fired oven. Time: 10am - 5pm, cost: £100 + VAT, lunch included, booking essential.

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

Autumn Stars at Berry Head 10 October Join astronomer Chris Proctor for a spectacular tour of the autumn constellations, with a hot drink in hand.

Time: 8.30pm – 10pm, cost: £8, booking essential.

Berry Head, Gilliard Road, Brixham TQ5 9AP 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Tamar Valley Male Voice Choir, Hannahs 10 October The Tamar Valley Male Choir, composed by its 40 members and its director Rosemary Cole, will perform a gala concert to support the Bicton Overseas Agricultural Trust and Dame Hannah Rogers Trust. Time: 7.00pm, cost: £10.00.

Hannahs At Seale-Hayne, Howton Road, Newton Abbot TQ12 6NQ 01626 325800 discoversealehayne.org

Sketchbook Tour, Cockington Court 10 October Your tutor Melanie Beer will guide you through this award winning Country Park and share tips and techniques on recording your impressions in a sketchbook. Throughout the day you will learn methods of composition, perspective and creating tone and contrast. Time: 10am – 4pm, cost: £65, suitable for 16 yrs and over.

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

Your Desert Island Stamps 12 October Brixham & Paignton Stamp Club hold informal meetings on the second Monday of each month. This meeting focuses on ABC stamps and your Desert Island Choice stamps. Time: 7.15pm-9pm.

Chestnut Community Centre, Poplar Close, Brixham TQ5 0SA Club Secretary 01803 858018

Hedgerow Forage & Wildlife Ramble, Occombe 14 October Join a Trust ranger for a forage in the hedgerows. You will be guided on this ramble and learn about foraging for edible goodies to take home, spotting all kinds of wildlife along the way. Time: 10am – 12 noon, cost: £6, booking essential.

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

Brixham Fish Market Tour 14 October Why not try an exciting Fish Market Tour this year? Come and see the auctions in action, as featured in the Sky Atlantic series Fish Town. You will be guided around by Barry Young October/November 2015

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What’s On of Brixham Trawler Agents, who has years of experience in the fish trade. After the tour the group will head off to Shipmates for an English breakfast. Cost: £12.50 includes tour, breakfast and a donation to Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen. Start time: 6am sharp. Unsuitable for under-14s or wheelchairs, booking essential.

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

Life Drawing Workshop, Cockington Court 17 October This class is suitable for any level of ability and you will be encouraged to loosen up your sketching skills by producing ‘fast sketches’. Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm, cost: £95.00 to include charcoal and a set of artists’ drawing pencils, booking essential. Adults (18+) only.

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

Stone Age School, Kents Cavern 17 October & 21 November

Mosaics for Beginners, Cockington 24 October & 28 November This exciting one-day workshop offers the opportunity to create your own mosaic in the relaxed, creative environment of Cockington Craft Centre. Over the course of the day you will translate your own designs into mosaic and master the basic skills needed to apply a variety of media including tesserae and reclaimed materials. Cost: £85.

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

Rockpool Ramble, Goodrington 26 October Join a Trust marine ranger at Goodrington Sands and discover crabs, starfish and lots of other rockpool creatures! Suitable for all ages. Time: 10am – 12 noon, cost: £3.50, booking essential.

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

Chef, Tool Maker, Doctor, Fisherman, Builder? Come along to Stone Age School events and leave with what you have made plus a badge confirming your new Stone Age skill. Times: 10am – 12 noon, 2pm – 4pm, ages: 6 – 12 years, booking essential, children must be accompanied by an adult.

01803 215136 kents-cavern.co.uk

Cockington Apple Day, Cockington Court 18 October Taste, buy and take home a variety of the best in local foods, drinks and handmade crafts. Be entertained by live bands, children’s entertainers, traditional fair rides and plenty of apple themed activities for the whole family.

Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm, cost: £3.50 adults and £1.50 children (3-16yrs).

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

The Glitter Ball, Torquay 24 October A Newton Abbot Town charity event with reception drinks, 3-course meal, live music, midnight cheese buffet, raffle and silent auction. Held in aid of Dame Hannah Rogers Trust. Tickets: £30 Grand Hotel, Seafront, Torquay TQ2 6NT 07977 590531 discoverhannahs.org englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Pirate Day, Coleton Fishacre 27 October Raise the main sail and climb the rigging! There’s pirate fun to be had at Coleton Fishacre this half term. Please come dressed in your pirate best and join the pirate quest for hidden treasure. Time: 2pm – 4pm, cost: child £3, normal admission charges apply.

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

Making Homes for Wild Animals, Coleton Fishacre 28 October Winter is coming, so join the countryside rangers and learn from them how to create homes for wild animals.

It’s an incredible experience that will challenge children and adults alike, and is perfect for spending some family October/November 2015

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Cookery School Friday 9th October: Build a Clay Oven and Woodfire Cookery 9:45am - 4pm. £100 per person.

Friday 30th October: Kids Halloween Cookery 10am - 4pm. £30 per child (7 -12 yrs).

Sunday 8th November: Taste of Devon Cookery 10am - 4pm. £75 per person.

Sunday 22nd November: Gluten Free Christmas Cake and Desserts 10am - 4pm. £75 per person.

Sunday 13th December: Gingerbread House Workshop 10:30am - 1pm OR 2:30pm - 4:30pm. £22.50 per house.

Booking is essential as spaces are limited. Please call 01803 520022 or visit:

www.countryside-trust.org.uk

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englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

What’s On time while protecting the local wildlife.

Time: 2.00pm - 4.00pm, Cost: £3 for child, booking not needed, normal admission charges apply.

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

– 11.30am, cost, £5 per child (age range toddlers to 5 year olds, babies can come along free of charge), booking essential.

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

Pirate Thursday, Brixham 29 October

Acrylic Painting Course, Cockington 7 & 8 November

Pirate Thursdays bring all kind of activities, including music, dance, children’s games, workshops, exhibitions, fancy dress competitions, combat shows, and more, to the town, by the historic harbourside.

Time: 10.30am – 3.30pm, cost: free. Event organized by The Brixham Buccaneers.

The Old Fishmarket, The Quay, Brixham TQ5 8AW 07935 762876

Autumn Migration Watch, Berry Head 01 November Mike Langman will guide you through spectacular migrations. Redwing, Merlin and Fieldfare could all make an appearance! Time: 7.30am – 11am, cost: £15 including breakfast, booking essential.

Berry Head, Gilliard Road, Brixham TQ5 9AP 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk

Tots Go Wild Outdoors, Occombe 5 November Parents are invited to come along with their tots and experience the great outdoors at Occombe Farm. You’ll get to explore the farm with your little ones, collect wood, light a fire and toast marshmallows! Time: 9.30am englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

The day will begin in the studio where your tutor Melanie Beer will demonstrate methods of composition, colour mixing and perspective. The group will paint direct from the landscape, (weather permitting) and in the studio from still life. Time: 10am – 4pm, cost: £85 for 1 day or £135 for two consecutive days (1 day booking is only available on 1st day). Suitable for beginners to intermediates and 16 years plus.

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

Remembrance Day Service, Paignton 8 November The Paignton Branch, the Royal British Legion will hold its Remembrance Sunday Service at Paignton Parish Church. All are welcome to attend and are requested to be seated by 2.45 pm. After the service, contingents form up outside the Church and march to the Memorial, where wreaths can be laid. The branch will also hold a short service of Remembrance at the Memorial on 11th November at 11am. Further details from Major Ron Goodwin, on 07778 910172. Remembrance items can be ordered in advance by contacting the Poppy Appeal Organiser, Bethanie Taylor on 07572 610707 bethanieclairetaylor@hotmail.com.

Paignton Parish Church, Palace Place, Paignton TQ3 3AQ 01803 555838 britishlegion.org.uk

Craft Fayre, Imperial Hotel 8 November Get ahead on some bespoke Christmas shopping and come along to see the products of some local craft suppliers that will exhibit their creations during this October/November 2015

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autumn colour Pull on your walking boots and explore the beautiful gardens of Coleton Fishacre and Greenway, each filled with the changing colours of autumn.

Complete your autumn adventure with something delicious in the cafĂŠs and an exploration of the houses.

Members and under 5s go free.

Call 01803 842382 or visit nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway to book your parking for Greenway nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre

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Š National Trust Images/Tony Cobley. Registered Charity Number 205846.

Coleton Fishacre and Greenway

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

What’s On event. Time: 11.00am - 4.00pm, cost: free admission.

Park Hill Road, Torquay TQ1 2DG 01803 206159 thehotelcollection.co.uk

A Taste of Devon, Occombe 8 November Rediscover Devon’s great food heritage and let Tim guide you through some simple dishes such as smoked Brixham mackerel pate and Beenleigh Blue cheese & leek tart, as well as traditional dishes such as Squab Pie, Exeter pudding, and Devon Apple Dappy. Enjoy Torbay’s culinary tradition inspired by both its varied landscape and its role as a trading centre. Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm, cost: £75 including lunch, booking essential.

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

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

Torbay Decorative & Fine Arts Society Lecture, Torquay 12 November The lecture Amsterdam in the Golden Age. A Seventeenth century Metropolis will be presented by Anna Hallet, born in Holland and a renowned lecturer and author. Cost: £8.

Peter Larkin Hall, St. Matthias Church, Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HW 01803 293058 torbaydfas.org.uk

Torquay Town Christmas Lights Switch On 14 November Experience a day of great free family entertainment in Torquay town centre; Father Christmas will be arriving in Fleet Walk at 11.30am.

Fleet Street, Torquay TQ1 1DR 01803 327154

The Riviera Rock Run, Goodrington Sands 14 November This 12km run will be a challenge to first timers and experienced runners alike. All competitors will make their way out of Goodrington through the beaches of Broadsands, Elberry Cove, and Churston Cove and other stunning locations before reaching the finish line at the end of Goodrington Beach. Booking essential.

Goodrington Sands North, Paignton TQ4 6LN 07974 243965 geoparkadventure.com

Modern Stamps From The USA 9 November Brixham & Paignton Stamp Club hold informal meetings on the second Monday of each month. This meeting focuses on modern stamps from the USA. Time: 7.15pm-9pm.

Chestnut Community Centre, Poplar Close, Brixham TQ5 0SA Club Secretary 01803 858018

Black-Out Tour, Greenway House 11 November Go back to 1940 and learn about Greenway’s wartime past, when the US Coastguard requisitioned the house.

Enjoy this full immersion experience with a 1940s twist, wartime refreshments and let the guide tell you all about the library frieze and air raid shelter. Time: 6.00pm 8.00pm, cost: £12.00, booking essential. englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Volunteer Animal Day, Occombe 18 November Join Trust rangers at the farm and get hands-on experience, helping to create a new chicken run for our organic, freerange hens. You’ll even get to meet famous cockerel Ricky!

Time: 10am – 3pm, cost: free, booking essential.

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

a cross To r Ba y All yea r fe rry se rvaicme a n d To rqu a y bet wee n Bri x h TIMETABLE Monday.to.FRiday.(inclusive) Brix. 0700 0800 0900 1100 1200 1300 1600 1700 1800 Tor. 0730 0830 0930 1130 1230 1330 1630 1730 1830 SatURday Brix. 0800 0900 1100 1200 1300 1600 1700 Tor. 0830 0930 1130 1230 1330 1630 1730 Fares SUnday Single Brix. 1100 1200 1300 : Retur £5 Tor. 1130 1230 1330 n: £6

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22/01/2015 15:56

EST D 1904

R EDCLIFFE H OTEL PAIGNTON

«««

REDCLIFFE SEA VIEW TERRACE & RESTAURANT 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*, or just enjoy a cold beer or bottle of chilled wine whilst watching the boats go by!

MORNING COFFEES & AFTERNOON CREAM TEAS are available daily and served either on the terrace or in one of our lounges overlooking the Bay. On Sundays a 3 course TRADITIONAL SUNDAY LUNCH is available in our Paris Singer Restaurant, which again enjoys panoramic sea views.

For FUNCTIONS the Redcliffe can provide the ideal venue, whatever the occasion.

We can cater for up to 200 for dining with dancing after in our beautiful Ballroom, up to100 guests for WEDDING CEREMONIES AND RECEPTIONS and we now have a new room suitable for more intimate DINNER PARTIES of up to 20 people.

Menus can be downloaded from our website and we would welcome the opportunity to show you around.

FESTIVE MENUS AVAILABLE SOON *Available 11.45 am - 2pm, Monday – Saturday

The Redcliffe Hotel, 4 Marine Drive, Paignton, TQ3 2NL

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October/November 2015

Tel: 01803 526397 www.redcliffehotel.co.uk

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Flashpoint-The Circle of Change 19 &20 November Produced by ROC Creative, part of Robert Owen Communities. A hugely life affirming show presenting the highs and lows and big questions in the lives of people who have a learning disability. Artistic content and direction is led by ROC members supported by mainstream artists and cutting edge technology. Time: 7.30pm, cost £10 (concessions £8 and groups).

Funded by the Arts Council of Great Britain The Palace Theatre, Paignton TQ3 3HF Box office 01803 665800

Smugglers and Pirates, The Quay, Harbourside, Brixham TQ5 9TF 01803 855658 smugglersandpirates.co.uk

South Devon Choir, Torquay 28 November The Choir will be performing a glorious trio of pieces: Bach’s Magnificat in D, Vivaldi’s Magnificat and the Vivaldi Gloria.

The Church of St Mary the Virgin, St Marychurch, Torquay TQ1 4QY 01803 846058 southdevonchoir.org

Candlelit Dartmouth 27 & 28 November A beautiful occasion with Christmas market, entertainers and musicians, Christmas lights switch on and Santa arriving by boat! candlelitdartmouth.co.uk

Christmas Cake & Dessert Making Occombe 22 November Learn how to bake gluten free Christmas cake and all sorts of other festive desserts. Time: 10am – 4pm, cost £75 including lunch, booking essential.

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

Hot House Four – Jazz Cafe, Brixham 23 November Jazz café at The Smugglers and Pirates welcomes back the Hot House Four, jumping jazz at its best. Enjoy a 2 course meal from £14.95, 3 courses from £17.95 to include a glass of house wine, bookings only.

Brixham Christmas Market 28 November Once again Brixham’s Scala Hall host this lovely Christmas Market, giving you the great opportunity to get ahead on some Christmas shopping.

Time: 10.00am - 7.00pm, cost: free admissions.

Scala Hall, Market Street, Brixham TQ5 8TA 01803 859678 brixhamtowncouncil.gov.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 2015

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Halloween Fun around the Bay Compiled by Margherita Grando

The spookiest events around in some surprising and exciting places!

Halloween Fun, Kents Cavern, Torquay 24 October – 1 November There’s lots to do this October Half Term at Kents Cavern with cave tours, the Witch’s Hat Joke Trail, spooky dig and the Underground Pumpkin Hunt. No need to book - just turn up. Cave tours from 10:20 every 20-25 mins.

Last cave tour is at 4pm. Normal entry fees apply (buy tickets online for less). Plus Halloween Ghost Tour 31 October but be warned, it’s not for the faint hearted!

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

Halloween Scary Fun, Golden Hind, Brixham 24 - 31 October

Dinosaur World’s Halloween Week, Torquay 24 October - 1 November Pumpkin Pandemonium is on during Halloween week.

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

Halloween Evenings of Mini Horrors, Torquay 25 - 31 October As in the best Halloween tradition, the magic really starts when it gets dark! The Model Village takes on a spooky twist! Open all day from 10.30am but the spooky Halloween theme starts from dusk with eerie illuminations, fire and sound effects. Live actors roam the gardens and the Workshop of Horrors tour, taking you through the woods and past abandoned workshops by lantern light is sure to thrill.

Babbacombe Model Village, Hampton Avenue, Torquay TQ1 3LA 01803 315315 babbacombemodelvillage.co.uk

Halloween scary fun on board the Golden Hind. There be pirate Captain Blackheart, Sid the Skeleton & friends, spiders & spooks, plus join the ‘Rat Race’ and ‘Sid’s Skeleton Trail’, as well as fancy dress spot prizes. Time: 11.00am - 7.00pm.

The Quayside, Brixham Harbour, Brixham TQ5 8AW 01803 856223 goldenhind.co.uk

Halloween Week, Bygones, Torquay 24 - 31 October There will be spooky fun for all as the street is transformed into a ghoulie and ghostie delight. Enjoy the children’s mini skeleton hunt with prize for finding them all.

For this week only, some of Bygone’s shops and displays will be changed for a Halloween theme.

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

Halloween Horrors, Paignton Zoo 26 – 31 October Join Paignton Zoo this Halloween for some spooktacular fun! Take part in a Trick or Treat trail and receive a chocolate treat*. Get crafty with pumpkin mask making and don’t miss the special spooky animal talks! *Cost: £1.50 per trail sheet, normal admission charges apply.

Totnes Road, Paignton TQ4 7EU 0844 4742222 paigntonzoo.org.uk englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

What’s On Shriek Week at Living Coasts, Torquay 26 – 31 October There will be some ghastly goings on at Living Coasts this Halloween; don’t miss out on the fun! Enjoy creepy craft activities, a Halloween trail and spooky story telling.

Beacon Quay, Harbourside, Torquay TQ1 2BG 0844 474 3366 livingcoasts.org.uk

unstable and caused an explosion; dangerous gases were released into the atmosphere. The zombies are rising, and they are after blood. Cost: £27.50, 12+ only (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult), very scary event.

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

Cockington Halloween Festival 26 - 31 October On Halloween week, challenge yourself with a festival of Halloween inspired arts and crafts and activities. There will be plenty of different activities for all the family to enjoy.

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

Creatures of the Night, Occombe 27 - 29 October Enjoy the famous Occombe Farm Halloween Trail and receive a chocolate prize and creepy crafts. Time: drop in 10am - 4pm, cost: £3.50 (5 - 14 yrs).

Preston Down Road, Paignton TQ3 1RN 01803 520022 countryside-trust.co.uk

Halloween at Greenway 30 October

Optimus Halloween Horror Convention, Torquay 31 October & 1 November A 2-day Halloween inspired event with many exhibitors selling film memorabilia from bespoke posters, clothing and replica props to collectable figures. Stars from film and television will be on hand to meet fans, sign autographs.

Riviera Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Torquay TQ2 5LZ optimusconvention.com

Come along to Greenway this half term for a Halloween-inspired trail. There will be ghouly crafts to try and a ghostly quest to complete - Be sure to come in your best Halloween costume. Normal admission charges apply; car parking must be booked.

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

Halloween Tribute Night, Imperial Hotel 31 October The evening includes a Halloween themed arrival drink, 2 course hot fork buffet, live music and disco until half past midnight. There will be a fancy dress competition whose winner will receive a 2-night dinner, bed & breakfast stay at the hotel.

Park Hill Road, Torquay TQ1 2DG 01803 206159 thehotelcollection.co.uk

Dead Rising Zombie Run 31 October & 1 November Join a live action zombie run at Occombe Farm this Halloween! An illegal cosmetics facility was rumoured to be researching the fountain of youth. Chemicals became englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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The Show Must Go On! When the West End arrives in Torquay, Martyn Jenkins takes centre stage to make sure everything will be alright on the night! Julian Rees meets the Princess Theatre’s Stage and Technical Manager and finds out what goes on behind the scenes.

I

organisation to ensure scene changes and actors are all on arrive at the Princess Theatre at 10am on a blustery, cue. This is where Martyn and his team come in. but dry Monday morning and it’s clear from the Martyn is supported by a deputy and a small frenzy of activity and the pavement, crowded with permanent team as well as a band of part-timers who he the contents of at least two articulated trailers, that this can call on at any time to meet the erratic schedule of is no nine-to-five job. As Martyn confirms later, “There’s ‘get-ins’ and ‘get-outs’. Many of the team are trainees from no such thing as a normal day in theatre.” Start time this South Devon College’s Production Arts Technical Theatre morning was 7am and if things go well, he’ll be making course. Martyn is proud of the theatre’s association with his way home by 11pm tonight.

South Devon College and the invaluable on-the-job This is the ‘get-in’ for the West End show Dirty Rotten training and insight that he provides for students. He Scoundrels, currently touring the UK after a long spell at tells me the theatre employs around 15 part-timers on London’s Savoy Theatre. The show’s first night is Tuesday a show of this size. Over the years Martyn has trained and it will take between twenty and thirty technical crew hundreds of youngsters and keeps in touch with many of members until late afternoon on Tuesday to ensure all the his prodigies. He proudly recounts a list of past students lighting, sound, scenery, props and wardrobe, are all in currently working on such projects place, tested and ready to go.

Martyn, his team and their empty as the world tour of Mama Mia, Martyn shows me a list of who and what travels with the show. stage have a breather for 24 hours the Lion King, Jesus Christ Superstar and Jersey Boys.

The touring company is made before starting all over again ‘Get-in’ days are exceptional but up of 47 people, including 21 the rest of Martyn’s working week is none too ordinary actors, 10 musicians and various technical and wardrobe either. Either he or his deputy will be present throughout staff, three of whom are responsible solely for hairpieces: every show, be it matinee or evening performance, which the Head of Wigs, Deputy Head of Wigs and the Wig means shifts from 11am through ‘til midnight are quite Assistant - who’d have thought it? common. Martyn enjoys the flexibility and the fact that In total, there are six articulated trailers carrying in most days are different. After a week-long run of a touring the region of 60 tonnes of equipment, all of which will show, the ‘get-out’ starts as soon as the final curtain comes be wheeled or carried into what is really a very confined down and it’s usually the case that by daybreak Sunday space. With its 1500 seats, the Princess has the largest morning, the lorries are loaded and heading off for their seating capacity in Devon. However, it has a very small next stopover. Meanwhile Martyn, his team and their backstage area and the scenery for this show has already empty stage have a breather for 24 hours before starting been altered to fit before it arrives. In many theatres the all over again. majority of the technical equipment will sit beside the Returning on the Tuesday, when the stage is set, I stage at the same level, however here, much is stowed and get a guided tour behind the scenes. High above the manned, high up at different levels around the stage. stage and accessed via a slightly claustrophobic steel One might imagine waiting in the wings to be a ladder that disappears upward through a narrow bricked relaxed affair as actors scamper on and off the stage but ‘chimney’ is the theatre’s ‘flying’ system, a series of here it’s like a game of sardines and relies on a marvel of

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englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

A Day In The Life

Martyn Jenkins

gantries that hold the various backdrop and pieces of scenery that are moved up and down and in and out of view by counterweighted pulleys - some carry up to half a tonne in weight but can all be raised by hand. In a dynamic performance there can be as many as three people working in the gallery. At the rear of the stage are tables of props all laid out in order of use. We make our way through narrow passages to the dressing rooms; the majority of the cast, or chorus, share a large communal room whilst the lead performers have their own private rooms which are more modest than I’d imagined.

I ask Martyn who is the most famous person he’s worked with in his career and he tells me he’s met so many people and seen so many shows that he can never pick favourites. As with the modest dressing rooms, once backstage, the star personas are much less evident and everyone is just there to get the job done. He does mention Dionne Warwick, Mumford & Sons, Joan Collins and Roger Moore as recent highlights.

Martyn followed his father into theatre. He was stage manager at Paignton’s Festival Theatre where Martyn worked after being a volunteer for several years at The Palace Theatre in Paignton. He joined the Princess Theatre in 1980 as Chief Electrician and aside from a few stints in London and Ireland has been there ever since.

Martyn lives in the Bay with a very understanding wife and has two grown up children, neither following in his footsteps though, with his son being a team leader, looking englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

after people with learning disabilities and his daughter a dental hygienist. When he’s not at work, he chooses to spend his time sailing the waters of the South Hams with the Island Cruising Club in Salcombe or seeing a show in a theatre elsewhere. He says, “I like to give something back as the stage has given me a living”.

When I ask Martyn about the future of theatre he points out the fact that along with the crowds that gather at Plainmoor for a Torquay United home fixture, a night at the theatre is one of the largest gatherings of people in Torbay one might expect to participate in these days, so he sees it as essential for the community. The theatre also opens its doors to as many as 10 local schools at Christmas time so children can stage their nativity plays without attendance being hampered by the size of a school hall - not just mums and dads, but grandparents, cousins and aunts all regularly turn up!

He also cites the fact that overnight fame can be achieved from a lucky break triggered by a 30 second short on YouTube these days and theatre is not necessarily the proving ground of future stars that it used to be. Although the days of 16-week summer seasons is long gone, the variety of theatre that is hosted at the Princess, from ballet to opera to contemporary film adaptations such as East Is East to Agatha Christie whodunnits, means there is something for everyone.

Martyn adds “As with everything these days there’s always pressure to fill the seats so it’s a case of use it or lose it! You’d miss it if it were gone”. o October/November 2015

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Treading the boards Babbacombe Theatre Box Office 01803 328385 Editor’s pick ANDY PARSONS LIVE & UNLEASHED - BUT NATURALLY CAUTIOUS 5 November Andy Parsons is back on the road with his fifth show Live And Unleashed - But Naturally Cautious. With four sellout national tours, three DVD releases and a special for Comedy Central already under his belt, Andy will once again return in theatres to deliver more sharp comedy up and down the UK.

Also worth seeing…

Los Endos 10 October The Counterfeit Sixties Show 16 October Palace Theatre, Paignton Box Office 01803 665800 Editor’s pick BEATLEMANIA – THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR 10 October

Retrace the Beatles’s unique story, from 1965 – 2015, through their early ‘moptop’ roots, through the psychedelia of Sgt. Pepper then on to the final years of Abbey Road and Let It Be. Beatlemania is established as one of the leading Beatles’ shows in the world and superbly recreates the legendary live performances of The Beatles.

Also worth seeing…

The Vicar of Dibley 21 – 24 October Blithe Spirit 25-28 November Brixham Theatre Box Office 01803 882717 Editor’s pick DIAOCHAN 13 November

This play is based on the ancient Chinese legend of DiaoChan, from one of the greatest pieces of Chinese literature: The Romance of the Three Kingdoms. It tells 60

October/November 2015

Compiled by Margherita Grando

the story of a young courtesan torn between her desire for a better life, that could be secured by the passion that the tyrant DongZhou feels for her, and the loyalty that she has for the Minister WangYun, who has confided her a terrible secret. Will she be able to come up with a plan that will save them all?

Also worth seeing…

Winter Wilson in Concert 23 October

Flavel Arts Centre Dartmouth Box Office 01803 839530 Editor’s pick THE I MPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST 8 & 13 October Celebrated actor and Poirot star David Suchet is the formidable Lady Bracknell in Oscar Wilde’s much loved masterpiece The Importance of Being Earnest, which is being broadcast live to The Flavel. Oscar Wilde’s superb satire on Victorian manners is one of the funniest plays in the English language. The delightful repartee and hilarious piercing of hypocrisy and pomposity will make you laugh out loud!

Also worth seeing…

RSC Live – Henry V 21 & 25 October Two Folktales 13 November

Little Theatre, Torquay Box Office 01803 299330 Editor’s pick ON GOLDEN POND 12 - 17 October This is the love story of Ethel and Norman Thayer, who are returning to their summer home on Golden Pond for the forty-eighth year. They are visited by their divorced, middle-aged daughter and her dentist fiancé, who then goes off to Europe, leaving his teenage son behind for the englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

TWO-FOR-ONE

summer. The boy quickly becomes the ‘grandchild’ the elderly couple has longed for.

Also worth seeing…

THEATRE TICKET OFFER

Also worth seeing…

The Canterbury Tales 11 - 14 November Princess Theatre, Torquay Box Office 0844 8713023 Editor’s pick VIENNA FESTIVAL BALLET THE NUTCRACKER 4 November Set to Tchaikovsky’s sumptuous score, The Nutcracker tells the story of Clara and her enchanted nutcracker doll and of their adventures to reach the Sugar Plum Fairy’s kingdom, hoping to defeat the Mouse King and journey through the glistening Land of Snow to the Sugar Plum Fairy’s Kingdom of Sweets.

Also worth seeing…

WED 28th 28th OCT-WED 9th 9th DEC 2.30pm 2.30 pm & 8.15pm 8.15pm WED 16th 16th DEC 2.30pm 2.30pm

Also worth seeing…

Ellen Kent’s Carmen 3 October Absent Friends 19 - 21 October

* BOXING DAY 12 NOON & 3pm 3pm Scan this code with your mobile device for a direct link to the theatre website

MON 28th 28th DEC 3pm 3pm * NEW YEAR’S DAY 12 NOON & 3pm 3pm TICKETS: £19, SENIORS £18, CHILD (-16YRS) £10 FAMILY TICKET (2+2) £50 *BOXING DAY & NEW YEAR’S DAY £20/£19/£11 ‘CHRISTMAS HOUSE PARTY’ PROMISES A VERY SPECIAL TREAT FOR EVERYONE THAT WANTS TO INDULGE IN SOME MAGIC AND MIRTH THIS YULETIDE SEASON WITH THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

RECOMMENDED ON TRIPADVISOR

Visit or call the Box Office and present this voucher when collecting your tickets for two-for-one entry.

This offer is only applicable to matinee performances of the Christmas House Party from 28 Oct-25 Nov @ 2.30pm

Name: Email: Postcode: Performance Date:

Tick here you wish be added to our to mailing list o list o Tickif here if youtowish to be added our mailing

Terms & Conditions: Based on the full ticket price of £19. Offer valid for up to four transactions against one date and to TQ residents only. No group bookings.

No photocopies accepted. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Subject to availability

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Dartmouth Galleries Festival Dartmouth Galleries Festival brings an explosion of great art to Dartmouth and runs from 16 October for two weeks. Margherita Grando takes a look at what’s on offer.

S

ince the beginning of time, the end of summer has represented the twilight of the year. But at the same time, autumn is a great time to revisit some of our favourite moments through art and there’s no better place than Dartmouth this October.

The grand preview of Dartmouth Galleries Festival takes place at galleries around the town on Friday 16 October from 6-9pm. These include: Ainscough Contemporary Art, Artmill Gallery II, Baxters Gallery, Browns Hill Arts, Coombe Gallery, D’Art Gallery, Paul Barclay, Simon Drew Gallery, The Flavel Centre, Duke Street Gallery, Trish Thomas, Triton Galleries and White Sails Gallery. Every gallery will have been transformed in the days leading up to this date to show all new work from a mix of artists and makers. Some will be well

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established and others will be up and coming new talent.

It’s a great evening with a fantastic atmosphere and you can enjoy the beauty of Dartmouth while you stroll the streets between the galleries.

A selection of the galleries will also be showing pieces from their new exhibitions in The Flavel Arts Centre from Monday 19 October for 2 weeks to give a taste of what you can expect to see if you follow the festival trail map.

During the Festival there are many more things going on such as Free Art Friday when you can find and take home a piece of art to enjoy totally free of charge.

There will be easels around the town to create your own masterpiece and also opportunities to meet the artists and see demonstrations. ¨

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Arts

Tuesday 20 October at 4.30pm at Browns Hill Arts Meet Linda Tudor Come and meet local artist Linda Tudor for a Q&A and a discussion regarding the beautiful paintings in her solo show.

Friday 23 October Free Art Friday The galleries will be placing a piece of artwork in various places around the town for members of the public to find, take home and enjoy free of charge!

Saturday 24 October for a week Create your own “masterpiece” Easels will pop-up around Dartmouth with pens and paper attached so you can draw a Dartmouth view or whatever takes your imagination.

Saturday 24 October for a week Paul Barclay colouring competition Sheets depicting one of Paul’s distinctive views will be available from his studio at a cost of 50p.

Saturday 24 October from 10am – 1pm Art Tasting All the galleries will be offering drinks and nibbles from local producers to coincide with Dartmouth Food Festival. Taste a bit of food and taste the style of work in each gallery.

Monday 26 October from 11am at D’Art Gallery Meet Marc Farrell Marc will be in the D’Art Gallery to talk about his incredibly skilful and much loved miniatures of local scenes. He’ll be painting too. englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Wednesday 28 October from 7.30pm at The Flavel Arts Centre Artists and Makers Tales (£5 to include a glass of wine) During this inaugural event you will hear from 2 artists with very different backgrounds and styles: Lynn Muir – The Makers Tale Lynn is well known for her characterful driftwood sculptures, which she has been producing for 30 years. Her talk will encompass the origins of how she started making, her influences and how a piece of her 3 dimensional illustration is made.

Lynn’s work is on sale at Baxters Gallery.

Connor McIntyre – The Artists Tale The journey from car salesman at the American Embassy in Brussels, to an artist’s residency at Lasalle College in Singapore, on to a nomination for ‘villain of the year’ on the cobbles of Coronation Street while completing a Masters Degree, has been an interesting one.

Connor’s work is on sale at Artmill II. Tickets from theflavel.org or call 01803 839530.

Thursday 27 October from 11am at Baxters Meet Kate Toms Kate of Angel Bill will be demonstrating needle felting at Baxters Gallery and will be happy to chat about how she creates her characterful animals.

Come along to take a look and find out more about this wonderful technique.

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Paris, Milan, London, New York, English Riviera Don’t despair if you haven’t time to travel to Paris for your perfect autumn and winter wardrobe! It’s all here on the English Riviera. We pick some of the great collections just waiting to make you feel on top of the world.

Show Stopping Evening Jeans in Babbacombe In 2009, Sally created Wizard Jeans because her figure decided to take a sharp southern downturn and she couldn’t find any decent fashion jeans to fit. She also created a show-stopping range of evening jeans for men and women. From black skinnies covered in diamanté or jet stones for women to elegant (and comfortable) jeans for men that do not look out of place at a black tie event.

Sally advises, “Go for items that suit your body – and don’t buy pieces just because they are in fashion. It’s all about body shape not age. So flaunt the good bits and cover up or drape the ‘difficult’ bits. Just be honest about which is which!

With this in mind, I added a little spanx-like technology to enhance the figure in the Wizard evening jeans for both the men and the women, which gives added confidence as well as a sleek look.”

wizardjeans.com

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Fashion Designer Collections in Torquay Hoopers, by the pretty inner harbour in Torquay, is principally designer led and has some gorgeous autumn/winter collections on offer.

We loved dresses from Ted Baker, colourful knits from White Stuff, contemporary cuts from Hauber and chic elegance from Luisa Cerano (collections may arrive at different times so please check).

hoopersstores.com

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Snuggly and Stylish in Dartmouth – Top Tips from Danielli Danielli can be found on Lower Street. Owner Sarah Hanafee shares some top tips for stylish dressing that keep us cosy.

danielli.co.uk

Bags of Chic Satchel bags are a chic but practical must-have accessory this winter. Add a hint of retro elegance with either a traditional satchel or the funky saddle bag. They can be worn on the shoulder or as a hands-free messenger bag.

Brr..

As temperatures drop, layering is a key part of dressing to keep warm. However, you still want to feel stylish and not bulky! Start with a thin jersey long sleeved base (roll necked if its really cold) and then add thin knitwear (a tank top is a great investment) and top with a cardigan. If you want to feel more streamlined, add a waist synching belt. Top with a soft neck-warming scarf and you are ready to go!

Blue is The New Black Navy blue is the new black. It is less harsh on our winter complexions and still a slimming colour. It’s a good foundation colour to build from. Team with dusty pink, grey or neons – the list is endless.

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Fashion Pick a Colour In the depths of winter, it is easy to shy away from bright colours because it is dark and dreary when you look out of the window – even if you cannot bring yourself to embrace an outfit of colour add one statement piece, maybe a bold jacket or a bright scarf. It will certainly lift your spirits!

Way to Go Poncho A cape or poncho is a key addition to this season’s wardrobe. They can layer over shirts and t-shirts in early autumn and then keep the cold air out over thick jumpers when winter sets in. There are lots of chic versions with velvet trim or faux fur so you can also use them for more formal outfits.

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Anode - sharing the burden on life’s journey

Charities & Volunteering

Anode is a charity based in Paignton but active across the entire Bay. It offers help to individuals and families who have encountered difficult times on their journey through life through a variety of supportive programmes.

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relationships, Cook 4 Life, budgeting, literacy and node was founded eight years ago by its current numeracy and ‘Make it, Bake it, Sew it, and Grow managing director Nigel Williams after a ‘light bulb’ moment. Whilst on a training run following it’ master classes. Anode also provides professional assessment and counselling as a member of the National the Torbay Marathon route Nigel hit a ‘wall’ at the 16 Counselling Society. mile mark and felt he couldn’t go on, so waited beside The Restore programme aims to equip users with the Newton Road, hoping to see someone he recognised basic household items that most of us take for granted. driving past. That person didn’t come but Nigel was Various furniture packages are approached by another runner who available including soft furnishings, crossed the road to offer assistance. bedding, curtains, kitchenware and When he explained the situation white goods. The charity has an the other runner helped him back extensive warehouse of items but onto the route and ran four miles is always happy to receive good with him back towards Torquay quality items that can be reused. until Nigel gained his second wind.

The Anode Foodbank provides At this point the good Samaritan emergency food boxes for turned to carry on his own route individuals and families throughout back towards Newton Abbot. The Torbay in times of crisis. The boxes fact someone was prepared to go so contain enough food to provide far out of their way, in the opposite Nigel with staff from a family with one meal a day for direction, was Nigel’s inspiration.

Westward Housing Group three, five or seven days plus other As a social action charity, Anode basics such as tea, coffee and cereals. runs four supportive programmes from its Paignton The fourth service Anode provides is the Smilemaker base that aim to help people in a holistic way to not that aims to improve people’s surroundings as part of only overcome an immediate crisis but to help them a holistic approach to helping. It provides a low-cost move forward by building a foundation that encourages self-belief, independence and responsibility. The charity’s professional service that can tackle general maintenance, painting and decorating, carpentry, carpetting, motto is “Changing Lives, Giving a Voice & Fighting gardening and landscaping and many other DIY jobs Poverty.” It also uses the acronym HOPE to help explain through staff members with the aid of its volunteers. o the way it works: H - helping, from 75 referrals in its first year to 4000 per year more recently; O - overcome, Get in touch... walking with people to help them find their way forward If you feel you have skills you could offer out of difficult situations; P - poverty, recognizing that as a volunteer for even a few hours a week poverty is not just monetary but a lack of any basic or have items of furniture or spare food to requirement and E - everyday, working with people donate please call 01803 556571 or email everyday via one of the charity’s four programmes. admin@anodecharity.org.uk . For more The four main programmes are Aspire, which information, visit anodecharity.org.uk offers emotional and personal support but also Nigel Williams is also happy to come and talk encourages people to broaden their education skill set about Anode’s work to community groups and knowledge and be in control of their progress. It and businesses. offers training in many basic life skills such as healthy englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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Putting the Garden to Bed

Lis Wallace from Dobies of Devon helps us to prepare our gardens for the winter months ahead.

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e’re very lucky with our mild climate here in the Bay but we certainly don’t escape all of the bad weather and so do need to take steps now to protect our plants for the colder months ahead.

Annuals can be consigned to the compost heap and be replaced with winter bedding plants such as wallflowers, pansies and bellis. Tender plants need to be moved under cover and pots raised on feet or bricks will improve drainage.

Houseplants

Shrubs and Young Trees As shrubs and young trees start shutting down for winter, it is the perfect time to give them a prune. Not only will this help to maintain a good shape but it will also minimise damage by strong winds, heavy rains and possible snow. Pruning before all the leaves fall also makes it easier to see the shape you are creating or maintaining. Remove any crossing branches together with some of the thin lower branches but don’t cut flush to the trunk. This would create a large wound, which would take time and energy to heal. Instead leave a short stub. Evergreens can be very susceptible to winter

Winter flowering houseplants will have enjoyed their summer ‘resting’ out in the garden but now is the time to bring them in. Repot them if necessary or maybe just top-dress them and start giving a weekly feed once flower buds appear.

damage as their new growth will still be quite soft. So pruning evergreens is best left until spring. Autumn is the best time for planting bare root fruit trees. When buying, do check the rootstock so you know the eventual height. Also check to see if the ones you select are selffertile, if not you may need to buy two!

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!

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Gardening Perennials Early autumn is a great time to divide crowded clumps of perennials as the soil is still warm enough for the replanted roots to quickly establish.

Some perennials can be lifted and teased or pulled apart whereas those with large fleshy roots will need splitting using two forks as leverage or a sharp spade. Once replanted, do remember to water well.

Christmas hyacinths, plant your bulbs by early October and keep them in a cool dark place for about 8 weeks, until the flower buds show. Then bring them into a warm light room for flowering and enjoy their beauty and scent.

Be warned though, handling hyacinth bulbs may cause temporary skin issues. Other indoor bulbs for Christmas include the elegant amaryllis and scented narcissus such as Paperwhite.

Spring bulbs If you want to create your own “host of golden daffodils,” then now is the time for planting. All spring bulbs, not just daffodils, can be planted now although tulips like to be planted a little later, in November. When deciding how deep to make your hole, the golden rule is to plant each bulb at a depth roughly twice as deep as its height. And do try to keep the planting looking natural. The best way is to gently scatter the bulbs on the surface of the soil and plant them where they land.

Don’t forget that bulbs aren’t just for outdoors. For indoor

Ripen those Pumpkins For winter storage or for Halloween carving pumpkins are best picked in early October and allowed to ripen in a sunny frost-free place. Turn them occasionally so that the whole of the pumpkin sees some light and you will find that after a few weeks the skin will have hardened. Perfect for turning into a scary lantern! Not grown pumpkins this year but fancy giving them a try next? Pumpkin Orbit F1 seeds would be our recommendation, perfect for carving and delicious for eating!

October gave a party; The leaves by hundreds came, The Ashes, Oaks, and Maples, And leaves of every name.

The sunshine spread a carpet, englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

And every thing was grand; Miss Weather led the dancing; Professor Wind, the band... dobies.co.uk The sight was like a rainbow New-fallen from the sky... George Cooper October’s Party October/November 2015

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Red Arrows Celebrations Invited guests and VIPs gathered at Torquay’s Imperial Hotel for Torbay Royal Regatta’s Red Arrows celebrations. Photos: Margherita Grando

Sue Penfold, Mayor Gordon Oliver, Bob Penfold (Royal Torbay Yacht Club), Linda Hill, and Cllr Mark King

Don Hands, Judith Hands, Lynne Kingdom, and Kevin McNally (all Torquay Intl School)

Anita Newcombe (English Riviera Magazine), and Mike Ling (Red 10, RAF Red Arrows)

Fran Hughes, Richard Haddock (Churston Traditional Farm Shop), Tara Fowler, and Ray Harris

Maddy Cake, Matt Palmes, Andy Cake (Triple Seven Yacht Charters), Gwyn Gibbons (Imperial Hotel), Michelle Cake (Triple Seven Yacht Charters), and Issy Cake

Clive Meredith (Wollen Michelmore), and Michelle Meredith

Justin Brogan, Tanya Smallbones, and Cllr Mark Kingscote

Jane Anderson, Louise Tanner, and Pippa Craddock (Paignton Zoo)

Jessica Scourfield, Cllr Nicole Amil, and Lisa Scourfield Kevin Foster MP, and Jenny Paton (Paignton Zoo)

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

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Goldsmiths Rolex Launch

Social Diary

Goldsmiths of Torbay invited guests for champagne and canapĂŠs and to view their latest range of timepieces.

Lee Tyrrell (Breakwater Bistro), Rob Lovell (Lovell Rugby) and Michael Watts (Goldsmiths)

Christian Groves, Kathy Uglow and David Adlam

Simon Emery (Ocean BMW), Steve Maslen (Torquay Tennis Club) and Ellie Hawker (Goldsmiths)

Andy Hallums, Emily Ladds and Chris Marsh (all Goldsmiths)

Ron Morris (President Torquay Tennis Club), Sybil Morris and Andrew Savva (Chairman Torquay Tennis Club)

Urszula Piekos and Arleta Glynn

Ernest Varmagiris and Julian Rees (English Riviera Magazine)

Celebrating Pewter

A private viewing of the Pewter Now Exhibition was held in the Kitchen Gallery at Cockington Court Craft Centre.

Guests enjoyed drinks and an opportunity to view the best of contemporary pewter. Photos: Margherita Grando Far left: Marissa Wakefield (Cockington Court Craft Centre), and Tony Weaver Centre: Matthew Harbour (South Devon College), and Trish Woods (Exhibition Curator and Cockington artist) Left: Stan and Jo Hathaway

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90 Anniversary Party

Tally Ho! Coaches celebrated their 90th anniversary with a tea party for past and present employees at Buckland Tout Saints Hotel

Helen Chapman, Marlene Gillard, Don McIntosh, Steve & Mandy Pengelly and Hilary McIntosh

Peter & Gill Watts

Lisa Paterson, Deirdre & Philip Makepeace, Hilary McIntosh and Helen Chapman

Melissa and Ryan Hughes

Dave & Ethna Luscombe

Jennie & Bryan Haydn

Vicky Sheen and Richard Pullan Phyllis Twiss & Marion Hopper

Lloyd and Mo Doswell

Steve Mammatt and Debbie Hamilton

Mick & Susan Milne

Karen, Keira, Lily and Mark Drews

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Sharon Wellington & Grant Davis Steve & Donna Evans

Tim Blackmore, Dave Harris and Trevor Gillard Steve Stevens, Annette Elliott and Pete Steer

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Vintage Festival Launch Party

Social Diary

The launch party for the 2015 International Agatha Christie Festival was held at The Grand Hotel in Torquay.

The event was hosted by Mathew Prichard (Festival Chair and Agatha Christie’s grandson) and Festival Director Dr Anna Farthing with a welcome from Torbay’s elected Mayor Gordon Oliver. Champagne flowed, themed cocktails were shaken and delicious hot and cold canapés were served. Photos: Margherita Grando

Mathew Prichard (Agatha Christie Ltd), Anna Farthing (Festival Director), Mayor Gordon Oliver

Tara Fernando, Rubbina Karruna, Meg Jolliffe, and Debbie Daniels

Kelly Jarrett, Brony Rheam, Stuart and Nia Tunnicliffe Richard Steele (Torbay Taxis), Polly Jurksaitis

Julie and Jeremy Slater

Margherita Grando (English Riviera Magazine), and Sven W. Pehla

Ian and Sarah Caplan (Bijou Productions)

Mathew Prichard, Liz Hart, and Chris Hart (Wollen Michelmore)

Lydia Stone (Agatha Christie Ltd), and Anita Newcombe (English Riviera Magazine)

Contact us at:

editorial@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk @EngRivieraMag facebook.com/englishriveramag

if you are hosting an event you would like us to include. englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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Summer Ball The Royal British Legion (Paignton Branch) held its first summer ball at the Redcliffe Hotel in Paignton.

Dave Henshaw (President), Kevin Jeffery (Secretary), Ronnie Goodwin MBE, Debbie Goodwin, Wyn Davies, Jackie Davies, Hilga Smith, Helen Goodwin, Chester Goodwin, Doris Goodwin and Major Ron Goodwin MBE (President)

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Greenway Celebrates

Social Diary

Greenway was celebrating Agatha Christie’s 125th anniversary with some special events as part of the International Agatha Christie Festival. French author and food writer Anne Martinetti visited Agatha Christie’s kitchen at Greenway to highlight some of her 80+ recipes, based on dishes mentioned in Christie’s novels and published in her cookbook Crèmes & Châtiments (Creams and Punishments). At the same time, popular local artist Becky Bettesworth held a signing event in Greenway’s shop to mark the launch of her new Greenway Boathouse print. Photos: Margherita Grando

Right: Anne Martinetti Below left: Becky Bettesworth Below centre: Stephanie and Nathan Owens Below right: Rafael Binkowski, Annabelle Trueck

Cheryl Finn, Karen Perfitt, Liz Potte

Open Studios

A private viewing was held at St Mary’s Yard, Brixham as part of Devon Open Studios Week. Elisabeth Hadley’s Man and Boy sculpture, now nearing completion was on display. Photos: Peter Stride

Verity Newman, and Elisabeth Hadley

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Julia Finzel

Peter Stride, Mary MacDermott, and Vera Stride

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A bridge thus far...

In October 2013 English Riviera Magazine’s Julian Rees met Tim Fletcher. Fresh from university, Tim had landed a dream first job with Galliford Try working as an engineer on the South Devon Link Road. Julian meets Tim two years later to see how things have progressed.

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Riviera People

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hen I first met Tim in 2013, it was clear that punishment and in general will be the only part of the his can-do attitude would see him go far in surface that will be replaced during the carriageway’s life. civil engineering. However, I was surprised Tim’s current role is to ensure every layer of the road by the scale and complexity of the projects that he was surface is dipped or measured and conforms in thickness undertaking at such an early stage in his career but soon to the design. The measurements are taken at 1 metre realised that he was well supported by senior members intervals along and across the carriageway. If there are of the team. I discovered that the very nature of the any fluctuations then shallow points must either be construction process meant not only did Tim have to self- filled and high points either compacted or skimmed off. regulate but that several others would check every process The tolerances allowed get tighter with each layer with to maintain the exacting standards expected. the top layer limited to 3mm. Tim says if these strict When we meet on a warm afternoon in September this tolerances aren’t observed then driving on the road could year, Tim proudly announces his promotion to Section be very uncomfortable.

Engineer as testament to his achievements of the last two There are two pavement gangs currently laying years. At this point in the project, all 19 of the required surfacing on various parts of the route with machines structures have been completed and gained their necessary that lay the surface equivalent to the width of a single design approvals. Tim was carriageway. Tim has to Tim takes me on a tour of the site and I feel ensure that both gangs can involved with the majority privileged to be one of the first members of access enough correctly of the structures at the North End (Newton Abbot) the public to cross the new flyover. levelled surface to keep including the abutments them working all day. for the Penn Inn Flyover and the bridge supporting The surfacing contractor has just taken delivery of a structures. In addition, as he had been trained by brand new paver, one of the biggest in the country that the company to qualify for a Personal Track Safety will be capable of laying a double carriageway width at Certificate, he was heavily involved in the construction once. Great for the project, great for the road but possibly of the three culverts that were built below the main not for Tim’s stress levels! railway line during Christmas of 2013.

Being one of the longest standing team members on Tim takes me on a tour of the site and I feel the job, Tim expects to stay with the project until it draws privileged to be one of the first members of the public to a close when the final reinstatement works will have to cross the new flyover. been completed and every snag has been fixed. By then The project has now reached a distinctively different he will have progressed more than halfway in his training phase where the focus is on laying the road surface. to become an Incorporated Engineer and feels very much Tim explains that the road is constructed to a specific part of the ‘construction family’. design which varies depending on the underlying surface, Tim will face some big decisions in the near future geology or structures. The design consists of five layers and has already seen colleagues depart to projects such as on top of what is termed ‘good ground’. This is generally the M1 Smart Motorways. Having gained such a broad solid rock or soil that has been stabilised and compacted. range of experience in his first job, the choices open to The layers consist of a 240mm stone foundation layer, him are many and varied. One thing he is certain of 2 layers of 150mm of CBGM material, a base course of though; he will have left his mark on the Bay and been tarmac 90mm thick, a binder layer of tarmac 60mm thick part of a project which will change the lives of thousands and the final layer of top quality anti-skid tarmac that is of people. o only 30/35mm thick. This is the layer that takes all the southdevonlinkroad.co.uk englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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Maximise your potential at TBGS Sixth Form Academic excellence in both the International Baccalaureate Diploma and A levels We also welcome IB applications from female students Online Prospectus and Application Forms are available from www.tbgs.co.uk For further information or to arrange a visit please contact plidbetter@tbgs.torbay.sch.uk

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BusinessBreaks...

Pop Up Shop TDA has appointed Business Advisor Liz Edwards and Marketing Executive Gemma Eastwood to drive their Pop Up the High Street project in Torbay. The project is aimed at new businesses or those without a physical presence on the high street that would like the chance to experience what it takes to become a successful trader. The shop, on Union Street in Torquay, held a launch event on 29 August. The first four tenants included: Mytakeonpretty, hand painted glass products; Fine & Dandy, handmade soft furnishings; TQView, Liz Edwards (centre) with handmade photography Pop Up retailers. on canvas; and Stroppymoo, an innovative, money saving device for razor blades. Liz Edwards said, “Pop Up shops have taken towns and cities by storm. Businesses can try out the shop for between 2-6 weeks, all for just £30 a week.” Kasia Boadle of Mytakeonpretty, one of the shop’s first tenants, said, “In the first four days of trading I made almost 200% more than I would sell via my usual channels and I’ve learnt so much working with the other retailers.” o popupthehighstreet.org

Torbay Culture Board Appoints Executive Director Kate Farmery has been appointed Executive Director of Torbay Culture Board to lead the new Enjoy, Talk, Do, Be programme and implement its three-year delivery plan. Kate was previously Deputy Director of Manchester City Galleries and has spent much of her career developing Manchester’s cultural offering and repositioning the city as a more popular cultural tourism destination. Her background is in marketing and audience development and she is particularly keen to ensure more people benefit from and contribute to Torbay’s cultural life. Kate said, “There is already so much happening here and such enthusiasm for developing Torbay’s vibrant cultural offer still further.” Kate was brought up in Somerset and knows the Torbay area well. She is relocating to the area with englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

her partner and eight year old son. Kate was welcomed at a recent Torbay Culture Forum event attended by over 80 people. o torbaydevelopmentagency.co.uk/cultural-strategy

Law Society Nomination Rachel Carter, 31, who lives in Newton Abbot and is a multi award-winning solicitor with Wollen Michelmore, has been nominated for a major national accolade. She has been shortlisted for the Law Society Excellence Awards in the Solicitor of the Year – Private Practice category, an award that recognises someone in a legal practice who is seen by colleagues as going ‘that extra mile’. In 2012, Rachel set up www.parentsaccused.co.uk, a website to help parents all over the country who are wrongly accused of harming their children and has done substantial pioneering work in this field. Rachel said: “I’m obviously thrilled to be nominated for another award. But all these awards I feel really are tributes to the bravery of the parents who have gone through hell but had the courage and tenacity to keep going with the legal process and who have ultimately been reunited with their children.” The winners of the Law Society Excellence Awards will be announced at a black tie dinner at the Hilton Park Lane Hotel in London on October 22nd. o wollenmichelmore.co.uk

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

When is a Will not your Will?

As a solicitor specialising in all aspects of elderly their hand on the bible and give evidence in court, client law I have drafted many wills for people, testifying to what you wanted to happen after all with varying circumstances, wishes and family you pass away if a claim is made by a disgruntled dynamics. These sometimes result in family family member. members purposely being left out of the will, Personally, I am also advising my clients to which could leave them disappointed and so able consider creating a video on a memory stick, to bring a claim against the deceased’s estate. mobile phone or another device that can be stored This has recently been shown in the Court of with their Will once executed. Although perceived Appeal case of Ilott -vto be a bit Americanised, Mitson (2015) in which The daughter was awarded what better evidence for no provision was made a judge to hear and see £164k by the courts after than the deceased on a for an estranged daughter who was deliberately left television screen in Court bringing a claim as a out of her mother’s will. In giving true, honest and disappointed beneficiary spite of this, the daughter open reasons for not was awarded £164k by including someone. the courts after bringing I am not saying that the a claim as a disappointed above is a watertight way beneficiary and this case of securing your wishes reminds us of the power the but it goes a long way to Courts wield. being prepared which is There are many reasons as to obviously better than not being prepared at all. why this judgment was made For further information or advice please contact as every case turns on its own me on 01803 213251 or email facts, but this decision has edward.lee@wollenmichelmore.co.uk made quite a stir in the world of inheritance Act claims and will drafting leaving many solicitors asking “what can be done to ensure their clients wishes are carried out?”

The Ilott case reinforces the advice that people Edward Lee should ensure their wills are up to date and seek Solicitor professional independent advice in connection Elderly Client Specialist with them.

By approaching a solicitor to create your Will, @wmlegal you will also be providing first hand information Wollenmichelmore to a trusted individual who might have to place

Wollen Michelmore SOLICITORS TORQUAY NEWTON ABBOT PAIGNTON 01803 213251 01626 332266 01803 521692

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