English Riviera Magazine October/November 2014

Walks Local Food Heritage Nature People Events Arts

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EnglishRiviera

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October/November 2014

magazine

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GREAT AUTUMN EVENTS

GLASS ARTISANS at Cockington HALLOWEEN

Happenings

Meet Brixham Artist

Tracy Satchwill

Kay Elliott

Local Architects Worldwide Projects

SIR ROGER MOORE On Devon, Torquay and Stardom

All Things Apple at Cockington

Enjoy

Dartmouth

Food Festival Theatre Round Up

Night & Day

At The Museum with Carl Smith

River Dart Struggle Give It A Go! Golf at Churston Reader Prize Draw

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About us...

Created and Published By Devon Magazine Company Limited Anita Newcombe anita@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Telephone: 01803 850886 Julian Rees julian@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Telephone 01803 842893 Mobile: 07455 206470 Advertising sales sales@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Advertising Copy copy@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Editorial editorial@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Website englishrivieramagazine.co.uk facebook.com/englishrivieramagazine ISSN (Print) 2052-8515 ISSN (Online) 2052-8523

Next issue 28 November Write to us at: ENGLISH RIVIERA MAGAZINE 69 DAVIES AVENUE PAIGNTON DEVON TQ4 7AW

Don’t forget to visit the website, for more news, social events, competitions and features in between issues. englishrivieramagazine.co.uk © All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form without prior permission of the publishers. All material is sent at the owner’s risk and whilst every care is taken, Devon Magazine Company Ltd will not accept liability for loss or damage. Every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of our content but the publishers cannot be held responsible for any omissions, errors or alterations or for the consequences of any reliance on these details; neither can they vouch for the accuracy of claims made by any advertiser. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers.

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

...to issue eight! We are celebrating an exceptional summer with almost wall-to-wall sunshine that enabled us all to get outdoors and really enjoy the delights of our beautiful resort.

As Autumn starts to draw in, we want to make sure that there are lots of reasons to continue to get out and about. Autumn is a time when we start thinking about the harvest and local food and drink, so why not head over to Cockington Apple Day? It’s always a delight. Or if you fancy a trip across the Dart, then pop into Dartmouth Food Festival, which will be buzzing all along the riverside with lots to taste, see, do and buy.

Our people stories this month include a feature about Lee, Trish and Mark who run OurGlass of Cockington, a wonderful place to visit if the weather turns chilly; it’s always warm there and the whole craft centre is an inspiration as you start to think about festive shopping. We also talk to Carl Smith about the secrets of Torquay Museum and meet a talented Brixham artist, Tracy Satchwill.

For more things to do, why not follow the fortunes of the River Dart Struggle as they urge a large variety of homemade rafts downriver? We’ve some great tips for spectators! We’ve also prepared a huge What’s On section with two extra pages devoted to Halloween happenings plus a story about Torquay’s ghosts – eek!

Autumn is also a great time for visiting the theatre, so have a glance at our Editor’s picks and choose a show. We were very excited to speak to Roger Moore, the longest-lasting 007 about Torquay, Devon and stardom following his first visit to the Bay in many years.

We hope that this issue enables to have fun locally this autumn.

Please keep sending us your news, your photos and your feature 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 don’t forget to invite us along if you’d like your event featured in the next issue.

Happy reading and stay local this autumn!

U

U

@EngRivieraMag facebook.com/ englishriveramag

We’d love to hear from you!

October/November 2014

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All yea r com mut er serv ice between Torquay and Brix ha m Contact: 07553 359 596 e. info@brixhamexpress.com www.brixhamexpress.com

St art up N ovem be r 2014 4

October/November 2014

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Contents 34

Practice Makes Perfect

10 Carl Smith

38

What’s On

14 Tracy Satchwill

48

18 Blowing Hot Air

51

20 River Dart Struggle

52

23 Dartmouth Food Festival

54

26 Cockington Apple Day

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29 Food & Drink

59

Social Diary

30 Walk

64

Business Breaks

32 Give It A Go!

66

6

Openers

Local news snippets Night and day at the museum Capturing history in my garden Cockington’s glass artisans

Totnes or bust

Foodie goings on by the river

Celebrating the apple

News snippets for foodies High cliffs walk to Torquay Harbour Fore! We give golf a go.

Local architects making a big splash 8 pages of summertime events

What’s On Halloween

Spooky happenings around the Bay

Ghostly History

Spirited tales of Riviera revenants

Treading the Boards

Theatre round-up

Sir Roger Moore

On Devon, Torquay and stardom

Reader Survey

Tell us what you think and win dinner for 2

Who’s who at local parties Local business news

The Briefing

Legal news from Wollen Michelmore

10 Carl Smith

32 Give It A Go

14 Tracy Satchwill Cover image: Coleton Fishacre House

30 Cliff Top Walk

© National Trust Images/Tony Cobley

18 OurGlass englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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Openers...

Openers...

Attenborough Visits Paignton

World famous natural history broadcaster Sir David Attenborough has spent a day at Paignton Zoo. Sir David visited the local conservation charity to film for the third series of Attenborough’s Natural Curiosities, to be shown in 2015. Paignton Zoo Curator of Mammals Neil Bemment said, “It was an absolute honour to welcome the face and voice of natural history television to our zoo.” Paignton Zoo was chosen for the filming because producers thought it had the best-looking outdoor

enclosure for orang utans of any UK zoo. Although the zoo was open during filming, Attenborough’s visit was kept a secret until he arrived as the film crew worried that crowds of avid fans might delay filming. The broadcaster and naturalist filmed several pieces about orang utans and tool use. Bornean orang utan Mali, with baby Tatau in tow, used sticks to get honey out of holes in tree trunks and investigated exotic durian fruit, which are famous for their pungent smell. o

Opera In A Day!

Monogram Murders

Torbay Gilbert & Sullivan Society will be staging a one-off performance of Pirates of Penzance - rehearsed and performed all in one day! Society president Ann Partridge told us “We go through all the music during the day and put on the performance in the evening. Pirates is one of the most popular operas, for both singing and listening to and we are hoping that singers both young and old will join us for what will be an enjoyable and fun occasion.” o gilbertandsullivantorbay.co.uk 6

October/November 2014

Best-selling author Sophie Hannah was a hit at an event at Torre Abbey’s Spanish Barn to launch her new novel The Monogram Murders, the first-ever official Poirot continuation novel o

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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Openers... Openers...

PHOTO: MATT AUSTIN

Stagecoach Trio do LEJOG

Andy Bradford, Michael Watson (MD Stagecoach), Jeff Hiscoke and Clive Gillman

A team of Stagecoach staff from the South West has undertaken an epic bike ride to raise funds for charity. Jeff Hiscoke, Operations Controller and Clive Gillman, driver both from Torquay plus Andy Bradford, driver from Exeter along with backup crew Paul Rossiter, Operations Controller from Torquay and his wife Maggie left Lands End for John O’Groats on 17 August.

They were equipped with tracking equipment to enable family, friends and supporters to follow their progress along the 1048 mile route and planned to cover up to 90 miles a day. o

Babbacombe CIC Turns Five Babbacombe Cliff Railway was built in 1926 but the attraction has celebrated five years as a Community Interest Company (CIC). Volunteer Directors plus just 6 members of staff take responsibility for the 100,000 people who travel on the historic railway every year. In August there were two special events to mark the first five years of CIC ownership. The first was an evening Reception held at the Bay Trecarn Hotel to thank all the many volunteers, local businesses and groups who have helped make the railway such a success. The second was a family party day on Oddicombe Beach in the form of the first ever Babbacombe Ukelele Festival. If you’d like to volunteer at the Cliff Railway, please email info@ babbacombecliffrailway.co.uk or pop into the Visitor Centre to see Sarah Foley. o babbacombecliffrailway.co.uk

Not one correct answer was received for last issues mystery object! The mural can be found on the east wall of the School of Art and Science (now the Paignton Enterprise Centre) in Bishops Close, Paignton. It was painted by Arthur Wallis on completion of the building in 1908. The building is now Grade II listed.

See if you recognise the object below then visit englishrivieramagazine.co.uk/competitions and let us know where you think it is and what it is? The answers will be in the next issue. o

Christmas Posting.

Don’t forget surface mail posting deadlines for this Christmas are between 29 September and 18 November! englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Follow us on Instagram!

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Openers...

Neurosingers Paignton singer, songwriter and voice coach Helen Sheppard is studying the therapeutic effects of singing on the body, mind and soul as part of a Research Masters PhD programme at Plymouth University. She is looking for volunteers to participate in the research and will be delivering a series of talks and vocal workshops at 100% Health in Torbay Road, Paignton from mid October. It is Helen’s intention to develop musical apparatus that will aid those suffering from neurological health conditions. Anyone who would like to know more about joining her experimental singing groups is invited to email Helen at neurosinging@gmail.com o

Openers...

Lucky winners...

The winner of our August/September 2014 issue competition to win a family trip to Greenway house courtesy of National Trust English riviera was Sheila Evans from Torquay. Look out for more competitions online at englishrivieramagazine. co.uk/competitions o

World’s Biggest Garden Ornaments?

A large gorilla covered in shells, a towering giraffe and a dazzling butterfly are huge ornaments that have popped up at Paignton Zoo recently. Barry the Gorilla attended the Chelsea Flower Show before retiring to South Devon, while Gerald the Giraffe was at Hampton Court Flower Show. The painted wooden butterfly fluttered in from a private event held at the Zoo. Gerald was the centrepiece of the Growing for Gold show garden created by Jon Wheatly for the Hampton Court Flower Show. Artist Fiona Jackson created Barry for the Chelsea Flower Show. He’s covered in tens of thousands of shells, waste products of the food industry. Keep an eye out next time you visit! o

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October/November 2014

Stone Age Education Torquay’s Kents Cavern, once home to Neanderthals and Britain’s very first early modern humans, is gearing up to deliver an exciting and hands-on Stone Age Experience to support schools. Elliott Ling, a graduate of Plymouth University has been selected as Education Officer as part of Project Firestone, the first key project of the newly formed Kents Cavern charity. Nick Powe, Director of Kents Cavern, said, “We have always attracted primary and secondary school visits but now that the Stone Age is well and truly in the National Curriculum, our education programme needs to link closely to the expectations of schools that follow the national curriculum and those academies that don’t. Project Firestone is all about doing this.” Elliott said, “As one of the most important Stone Age cave sites in Britain, used

by Neanderthals and many other Ice Age people, Kents Cavern really is the number one cave site where Britain’s Stone Age history is so tangible.” Kents Cavern is now looking for pilot schools in Devon to help develop work programmes over the next two years. If you are interested in becoming a partner in Project Firestone, please email elliotling@kents-cavern.co.uk or via Twitter at @StoneAgeSchool. o englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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October/November 2014

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NIGHT DAY MUSEUM AND

AT THE

Do the exhibits really come to life at night, do ghosts haunt the uppermost reaches of the museum and what’s it like working in a place where time travel is part of a day’s work? Anita Newcombe meets Carl Smith of Torquay Museum to find out more.

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Riviera People

must admit that I seldom enter a museum now that my Science Museum helped him tremendously. children have grown up but I started wondering why He says, “The Science Museum in London was very when I met up with Carl Smith, Marketing and Visitor forward thinking and ideas from there helped me to Services Manager at Torquay Museum. For a start the gift develop the role at Torquay Museum. People don’t always shop is filled with goodies and lots of wonderful books and go for showcases and bones, successful museums are much the café is the sweetest place on earth. It was quiet when I more state-of-art and whizzy nowadays.” entered with Carl and I admired the pretty décor, the fact As Marketing Manager, Carl is responsible for advising that they offered decaf tea (big bonus) and served it with a the Curator and the Director on what he thinks will bring milk jug in the shape of the cutest little milk bottle. Am I in additional visitors, especially with funding cuts always starting to sound like a philistine? Read on… on the horizon. Carl has had plenty of input into what I wanted to know about Carl’s background as I am goes into the annual Summer Exhibition which he feels fascinated with how people get into interesting careers and needs to be as family-friendly as possible to increase traffic what their daily working life is like. He told me that he had during the school holidays. Wanting to refocus on a family studied Medieval Archaeology at UCL (University College audience, in 2009 he suggested running a Sci Fi exhibition.

London) and had then got a job working as a researcher Carl says, “initially there was quite a lot of scepticism for a little known MP. The bonus was that his office was within the museum but it was decided to give it a try and within the endlessly fascinating Houses of Parliament. the result was that we got more visitors in the 10 weeks of Carl said, “Nowadays undergraduates seem to have a the exhibition than in the whole of the previous year.” much more structured approach to They ran it again in 2012 and this their careers but then we were much “People don’t always go time made a great deal more money more relaxed about what we did and for showcases and bones, on merchandising. were prepared to try different things.

Carl explains, “The first time we successful museums are ran the Sci Fi exhibition we weren’t I did both casework and PR for the MP.” much more state-of-art and at all prepared for the huge numbers Following his brief stint in politics of visitors and therefore hadn’t done whizzy nowadays.” and having discovered an ability to enough in terms of merchandising. communicate with considerable flair, Carl returned to UCL The second time, having planned accordingly, we had a in the media relations department where he developed his brilliant year.” skills over 4 years. He subsequently worked as Marketing Of course such exhibitions are very expensive to put on, Manager at London’s Science Museum (this was a huge with large numbers of props and costumes needed but the favourite with my children when I lived in London) and publicity and income value is well worth it. Publicity came there met some really interesting people such as Gary from a rather unexpected source during the second Sci Lineker, Matthew Pinsent, Tony Benn and William Fi exhibition when an elderly lady who had been visiting Waldegrave. another part of the Museum suddenly came face to face Later Carl worked as Head of the PR unit for The Royal with a gun-toting Stormtrooper from Star Wars’ Galactic Society, which is the oldest, still existing, science academy Empire. She panicked and dialled the police who raced in the world. Here he organised media conferences for to the rescue only to discover that the baddy in question such luminaries as the Emperor of Japan and press calls was an off-duty police officer in costume working at the on controversial subjects such as research on the origin of Museum as a volunteer. The resulting story went national AIDS and GM technology. and resulted in terrific publicity.

He says, “I guess that I was at the centre of lots of stormy Carl remembers, “A few people thought it was a publicity debate over the years.” stunt but it was a real incident – I only wish that I’d Having been in London for 16 years and by now thought of it myself!” having met his wife Rachael, the couple were bored with But back to the question that I really want to know; do commuting into London from Surrey and decided to come the exhibits really come to life at night? to Devon. Rachael had secured a post at Rowcroft Hospice Carl smiles, “Of course they do! We run sleepovers for where she still works as Director of Fundraising and Carl children’s groups such as the Brownies and there’s a great initially worked at Haldon Forest Park before seeing the atmosphere during the small hours. The children watch a post advertised at Torquay Museum. It seemed like the film, have supper in the café and sleep in the gallery.” Carl perfect opportunity for Carl and his experience at the and Rachael’s own children, Oscar and Sophie who are 6

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Riviera People and 7 love the museum and have done many secret ‘behind the scenes’ tours.

95% of the Museum’s items are in store and it’s quite spooky in the furthermost reaches of the place with a number of ghosts on the prowl. There have been sightings of a lady in a blue dress, who has wandered the floors and remote spaces for years. There’s an ethnographic store at the very top of the building laden with clubs and spears and once contained genuine aboriginal remains (now repatriated to Australia). However, when they were stored there, a former Museum Director had some frightening

She wouldn’t reveal what happened but afterwards point blank refused to go up there alone! experiences. She wouldn’t reveal what happened but afterwards point blank refused to go up there alone.

The Ancient Egypt section houses Devon’s only mummy, given to the Museum by Lady Lever (a daughter of the Singer family of Oldway Mansion) in 1950. She had bought it in a Cairo market and when examined by experts three years ago, the coffin it was buried in was confirmed to be on a par with anything at the British Museum. The coffin was royal and, although it had been reused, it is believed that the mummy donated is certainly of very high status and possibly royal.

The Museum’s permanent Agatha Christie Exhibition is a big draw bringing in around half of all visitors. The Agatha Christie Gallery has recently been revamped and David Suchet visited to donate the contents of Poirot’s office on behalf of ITV (as the last Poirot has now been filmed). The Christie Archive Trust also donated £3,000 to help modernise the Gallery. The Museum is currently considering a fundraising campaign to relocate the Agatha Christie Gallery into a much bigger space.

So apart from loving visits to the Museum, what do Carl and his family, who live a stone’s throw away, like to do in their free time? Carl says, “As a family we are very outdoorsy. We go to Cockington a lot where Oscar and Sophie can ride their scooters and play games and football.

They love Occombe Farm and their favourite local beaches are Meadfoot and Oddicombe.” Carl reveals that he is a ‘rabid’ Liverpool supporter (he was born but never lived there) but has watched Torquay United play too. In fact next spring the Museum is planning a Torquay United Exhibition so fans take note! ¨ englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

New! The English Riviera Heritage Pass is valid for a whole year and gives one visit for each of the following local attractions saving over 20% on admissions prices: Torquay Museum, Torre Abbey Historic House and Gardens, Brixham Heritage Museum and Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves. torbaymuseums.com October/November 2014

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TracyCapturing Satchwill history in my garden Brixham artist, Tracy Satchwill has captured some key moments in history with her beautiful 2D and 3D digital collages. Anita Newcombe finds out more and gets a sneak preview of her latest project.

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Antoinette plus a series of West Country travel posters. meet Tracy in her pretty Brixham home where she Tracy created her stunning collection called Agatha, invites me to huddle under her umbrella whilst a Life of Ladders and Snakes in both two and threewe take a short stroll to the bottom of her garden, dimensional format. I’m immediately drawn to the traditionally where the fairies are supposed to live. depth of colour and sheer vibrancy within these dazzling However, we find not fairies but her pretty studio filled artworks. The twelve collages retell the author’s life and with the fascinating 2D and 3D artworks she has created. celebrate her world-famous novels.

There’s also Tracy’s computer, on which she designs, Then I browse A Ticket to Devon, her charmingly, creates and manipulates her images plus a photographic evocative series of vintage inspired travel posters in which corner with a lighting umbrella and a selection of travellers from Edwardian times through to the 1930s visit coloured backdrops. I’m already very intrigued.

Tracy tells me that before she came to Devon around 10 the towns of Brixham, Paignton, Torquay, Dartmouth and Totnes. Each poster is a collage of photographs of years ago, art was only a dream on some distant horizon. hidden gems taken in each town such as an old-fashioned Being good at languages and speaking French and doorway, architectural flourish or intricate pattern which Spanish, she found herself working in the International gets lost in the modern age and then merged together Franchise Department at Marks and Spencer’s HQ in to create a different version of the London. This was an exciting job where she travelled to exotic places Tracy has obviously got a town. Delightful nostalgia! like Hong Kong, New York and talent for creating art that I also love her Court Life of Marie Antoinette, which is a series Singapore. will attract the attention of of six colourful and ornate toy Nevertheless, having met her theatres capturing scenes from the husband David by then, the couple a wide audience.

French Queen’s Life. Tracy also made the bold decision to ‘up sticks’ created the hauntingly beautiful illustrations for the book and move to Devon. They purchased a six-bedroom A Mermaid’s Melody by Brixham’s mermaid storyteller guesthouse in King Street Brixham, which they ran for Rachel Swain.

5 years. Somewhat surprisingly, given that guesthouses Tracy has obviously got a talent for creating art that will tend to keep their owners pretty busy, Tracy managed to attract the attention of a wide audience. Her work has complete a degree in Illustration: Art and Design during been exhibited at the Courtauld Institute of Art, The Old this time, taking her foundation degree at South Devon Truman Brewery, the Empire State Building in New York College and completing her final year at Plymouth and locally at the National Trust’s Greenway and Burgh University in 2010.

Island Hotel. She has also been represented by London’s This enabled her to realise her dream of pursuing art Cynthia Corbett Gallery at various art fairs throughout as a career and she has now developed her trademark London, Europe and America. style – playful and theatrical collages that tell a story.

But today, I find Tracy in the midst of an exciting Nowadays, when not working at her part-time day job, new project called Magna Carta Women. It’s a major Tracy is usually to be found cloistered in her studio undertaking funded by the National Lottery through creating collages of historical figures and events on her Arts Council England and Royal Holloway University. computer. Strong women throughout history fascinate her and subjects have included Agatha Christie and Marie It is designed to help celebrate the 800th anniversary

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Riviera People

Tracy at work in her studio

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of the signing of the famous Magna Carta in 1215, which started the long and arduous journey towards the individual rights and freedoms we enjoy today.

Apparently Magna Carta will be on everyone’s lips in 2015 with Magna Carta Proms, Magna Carta Books, Magna Carta Question Time plus period dramas, plays, operas and an extensive national tour of the four remaining charters.

Tracy tells me that she started looking for a way to make her commissioned Magna Carta Women collage really interesting. She said, “I was determined to overcome the glazed looks I was getting when I first mentioned the project. That’s when I got the idea to use the collage to illustrate the history of women’s rights.”

Tracy decided to create a playful collage of key women and men who have had an impact on British women and their journey over the 800 years, highlighting the different pathways they have taken. The collage will be set in a wood with flowers and fauna and the key women and men walking along a pathway, which will be the Magna Carta scroll itself.

Featured women will include Mary Wollstonecraft, Emily Pankhurst, Catherine of Aragon, Janet Horne (the last woman in the British Isles to be executed for witchcraft), Barbara Castle and Laura Bates (founder of the Everyday Sexism Project). There are also a few men included, such as John Stuart Mill, George Lansbury and Laurence Housman, who all championed women’s rights.

King John himself will be featured, signing the Magna Carta.

The digital collages begin by photographing local 16

October/November 2014

people, who act out the characters. Tracy then digitally drops in appropriate clothes, props and backgrounds from various sources including her extensive collection of photographs and objects she has found. She also makes use of her illustrations and print work. The images are superimposed one on top of another merging together to create some wonderfully rich and colourful scenes. She says, “I love to translate real events into images sometimes blurring the line between truth and fiction.”

When complete, Magna Carta Women will comprise 4 panels, each measuring 2ft x 3ft. It is due to launch this November in Brixham and will then be touring England during 2015. Tracy is also making two 5ft cut out figures to travel alongside the collage (like those you often see at the seaside) depicting two of the famous women.

So much to do, I wonder how she fits it all in? She smiles, “It’s quite a hard life as an artist but I do manage to pop out for regular strolls around the Harbour or Battery Gardens and sometimes to meet friends for a meal in one of the local restaurants. We do love Brixham – it’s a great place to live and work.”

Tracy’s cat Frida usually joins her whilst she works and when not out mousing. Frida has been known to get in on the act – see if you can spot her on facebook.com/ TracySatchwillCollage.

Tracy Satchwill’s work is permanently on sale at The Nicky Stevenson Gallery in Brixham, nickystevenson. com and Haddon Galleries in Torquay, haddongalleries. co.uk. ¨ tracysatchwill.com bluewaveillustrations.com englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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Art from the Furnace Maddy Sears visits Cockington’s OurGlass studios after-hours to discover the secrets behind the glass blowing business.

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Lee admits to some damp on the walls in the back room golden autumnal evening spreads long shadows but says, “It’s good enough for us! The rent was affordable, across the craft complex behind the manor house at but at the start we were the only people here. Amazingly Cockington Court; all the tourists have departed for before we lit the furnace we had prototypes out and sold the day leaving an eerie calm about the place with just a few them all.” stragglers left taking photos.

After moving to the area, Lee met the love of his life, and When I enter OurGlass studio, situated in one of the old settled down to have two sons, now aged six and four. stables, I am hit by the powerful heat resonating from the “We’re very settled here,” says Lee. “I didn’t ever think my furnace and I realise that it was a bad day to wear a coat. I parents would move down here but they were so impressed sit down with Lee in the backroom, surrounded by shelves stacked with vibrant glass works, to chat about all things glass with the area that they’ve come down as well. I love the area, and not a day goes by when I’m not discovering something and hoping to get through without breaking anything. magical about it.”

The OurGlass business has been It was clear from the outset that running for 19 years, 17 of those Lee was incredibly passionate about at Cockington Court and is owned glass and has a wonderful string of

by Lee James and brother and sister anecdotes and quotes concerning Mark and Trish Tranter. Lee sits at glass making. For example the term ease in shorts and t-shirt (not a coat) ‘pear shaped’, it turns out, originates and we get talking about his journey from glass blowing. The Romans first to South Devon and Cockington. used the techniques currently used It starts in Edinburgh where, after

by OurGlass over 2000 years ago and graduating in chemistry, Lee got a part of the business’s charm is the fact job at Edinburgh Crystal, which was that customers can see the glass being one of the big names in glass. Despite made and blown in front of them. being a technical manager at the OurGlass source their raw material company, Lee seemed to realise early from Dartington Crystal, recycling on that it wasn’t going to be a longtheir offcuts and breakages. term thing.

As Lee says, “Bad news for them is “I didn’t think I would reach Lee James good news for us!” retirement there because every year Once the waste crystal is bought, they were laying people off as business “I love the area, and not it is melted down overnight in the got tighter and tighter.” a day goes by when I’m furnace before being shaped and Whilst working at Edinburgh Crystal, Lee met Trish Tranter who was not discovering something coloured in a myriad of ways. The benefits of this are clear, not just there on a placement whilst finishing magical about it.” because it is environmentally friendly her Master’s degree in 3D Glass but also because Dartington glass is widely considered to be Design. When Trish mentioned that her brother, Mark, was already a trained glassblower, the idea of setting up a business some of the best lead crystal glass in the world.

When we start talking about successful products, Lee takes sprang to mind. After a successful start to OurGlass, Lee, a paperweight off the side, explaining how these were starting Mark and Trish started looking for their own premises. to become big sellers. The paperweight was not quite what One of the reasons for coming to Cockington, Lee tells it seemed, however, as within the swirl of colour running me, was the dynamic manager of Cockington Court at that time, Doug Bardrick, who had a vision for the venue. through them you can see the sparkling caused by a small amount of cremated ashes.

So in 1997, the business moved into the former stables.

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Arts I ask if I can pick one up. “Don’t drop it” he says. I smile nervously at the thought.

“It started from an experiment we did for a friend to see if we could do it” Lee explained. “Some people are understandably quite uncomfortable with the idea but you’re creating something quite beautiful that will last forever.” I can see his point, and find myself coming slowly round to the idea of commemorating a loved one in this way.

Another great success for the business was the limited edition Ammonite vases made in conjunction with the blacksmith at Cockington, Rex Latham. The vase was a unique blend of metal and glass, something they didn’t originally think could even be done due to the different cooling temperatures of the two materials. Unfortunately the limited edition sold out soon after launch with Prince Edward being one of the lucky receivers. I still manage to get a peek at one though, as it turns out one customer is yet to pick his up.

“We’re not sure if he’s died or just completely forgotten about it!” says Lee. Some of the more unusual creations OurGlass have been commissioned to make range from a bud vase for the dashboard of a Rolls-Royce, to a sphere for a TV production company which when dropped needed to look like the Big Bang.

“In the opening sequence of this TV programme you see our glass ball exploding, and then computer wizardry

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takes over to recreate the Big Bang. It’s the only commission we’ve ever made specifically to break.”

It is an unfortunate fact that the handmade glass industry is shrinking, with Lee admitting that every year there are fewer glass blowing businesses open. I was interested from a business point of view how they had managed to keep going when so many other traditional craftsmen have fallen by the wayside.

“It’s a wonderful location for the business because we’re seeing a different audience every day. From the beginning we had an audience very keen to buy, but we did struggle a little in winter. Now we’re getting more and more people visit at Christmas as well.”

“The thing that is especially pleasing to me is that we have people coming back.” Lee explained. Why you would not, I wonder, when you have such a rare opportunity to witness something unique and quite exquisite being made so skilfully right in front of your eyes? ¨ ourglasscockington.com

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The River Dart Struggle Being flung down the River Dart on a home-made vessel may not sound overly appealing, but try telling that to the intrepid paddlers who have signed up to compete in this year’s Buckfastleigh to Totnes Raft Race, now known as the ‘River Dart Struggle’.

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he event on Sunday 5 October makes a great day out for spectators who line the route to cheer on the competitors. Starting at Dart Bridge in Buckfastleigh, the 14km course winds through white water and fast-flowing weirs before finishing downstream at Vire Island, Totnes.

However, the ‘struggle’ is not just a test of athletic ability, but also of engineering, as competitors must build their own vessels from approved materials that will hopefully hold together on the most challenging parts of the course. The crews will be battling against each other not just to finish quickest, but also to be crowned the best dressed crew or the team to raise the most sponsorship. The raft race used to be an annual event, which in its heyday, attracted thousands of people from all over the country, eager to take part in a

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gruelling river marathon. Some of the craft were constructed out of rubber and string only. It was a great thing to watch, especially if you knew someone who was taking part. The first race was in 1971 and it continued until the early 2000s.

During that time the fame of Totnes Round Table, who ran it during those years, spread across the country. A member of the South Dartmoor Cycle Touring Club commented on the 1987 race, “The Buckfastleigh to Totnes Raft Race gave rise to more confusion along the nearby roads than it does in the river Dart. It was almost impossible to count our cyclists at the Totnes pick-up as the madding crowds dashed hither and thither in their attempts to catch a glimpse of the action below the bridge.” JoJo Ramsden, a member of the Rotary Club writes, “Legend has it that my Dad, Mike Ramsden, had

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Events year saw 204 paddlers participating. the original raft race idea, although there were others who laid Rafts must be constructed of materials which will not harm claim to this, pointing out that there were other Raft Races the environment and can carry between two and ten paddlers. around the country at the time. I bumped into Jim Goodwin Up to 100 rafts will be allowed to enter this year. The event again after many years at last year’s President’s Night, and he is organised by the Rotary Club of Totnes, in association said to me, “Well of course, it was your father’s idea” with a with the Totnes Canoe Club, the Totnes Sub-Aqua Club, St wink and smile! Even if it wasn’t the only Round Table Raft John Ambulance and Raynet with the Race at that time, it was certainly one It is still acknowledged aim of raising money for a number of the biggest and best – 400 rafts and £30,000 raised in one day in its heyday as one of the great river of charitable organisations. All those taking part are asked to raise money by – amazing! Some of my memories of the challenges sponsorship. All money raised is passed best rafts included a shotgun wedding to charities supported by Rotary in Totnes. with a full-blown bride and groom who had paddled all the Visitors can enjoy the action from the riverbank, or even way on a double bed raft with a farmer and shotgun on the from the comfort of the South Devon Railway’s steam trains, front of the bed!” In late 2011, Colin Hair, a member of which run adjacent to the course offering a moving vista of the Rotary Club of Totnes and a former member of Totnes Round Table floated the idea of resurrecting the raft race. After the action and fun on the water. Train tickets will be valid for all day travel with four round trips between Buckfastleigh and much deliberation and a great deal of research, due to the Totnes covering the course and stunning scenery along the many changes in the river and the increase in health and safety regulations since the abandonment of the race a decade before, way. You can enjoy beautiful walks along the route from the stations as well. the Rotary club decided to go ahead with its first race in 2012.

Trains leave Buckfastleigh at 10.45am, 12.15pm. 2.15pm This year the raft race is linking up with South Devon Railway to provide spectators with a grandstand view of the and 3.45pm and return from Totnes at 11.30am, 1.00pm, 3.00pm and 4.30pm. ¨ action up and down the length of the River Dart. It is still acknowledged as one of the great river challenges, and last totnesraftrace.co.uk

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Foodie Heaven

in

Dartmouth Dartmouth Food Festival takes place from 24-26 October and has been described by The Guardian as one of the top 10 food festivals in the UK. We find out what’s on the menu.

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n its beautiful setting on the banks of the River Dart, Dartmouth’s Food Festival will once again be a magnet for foodies from far and wide. There will be hands-on workshops and cookery demonstrations, plus you’ll be able to see some very big names from the world of food and drink in action. Top chefs Mitch Tonks, Mark Hix and Richard Bertinet will be cooking up a storm and Toronto based Jennifer McLagen, the provocative food writer behind the trilogy of books: Bones, Fat and Odd Bits, is extending a European tour to attend the festival. Other big names certain to attract the crowds are Henry Dimbleby, the co-founder of the fast-food restaurant chain Leon, and former BBC Good Food editor and founder of Olive magazine, Orlando Murrin.

The series of Eat Your Words talks about the impact of food on our culture and even our planet, is in its second year and is already attracting both nationally renowned and international speakers. Writer and TV presenter, Lucy Siegle, who specialises in environmental issues and ethical consumerism, will champion the debate. Lucy is a regular contributor to The Guardian and the BBC’s One Show.

Dartmouth Food Festival is not just a collection of stalls, each plying their wares, it’s a major annual festival which is exciting, free to attend and non-profit englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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Food & Drink making with three days of simply Susy Atkins delicious fun. There’ll be fish and seafood dishes, award-winning preserves, bread, cakes and savouries, crumbly fudge, ice creams and sorbets, chutneys, dressings, sweet and savoury crepes, hot & cold game, charcuterie, cheeses, oysters and much more.

Drinks are not forgotten and Susy Atkins will once again be leading the festival’s fantastic drinks’ programme with wine tastings and seminars. Famed for her appearances on BBC1’s ‘Saturday Kitchen’ as a regular wine expert in addition There’ll be fish and seafood to the wine columnist for the dishes, award-winning Sunday Telegraph’s ‘Stella’ magazine preserves, bread, cakes and and drinks editor for Delicious magazine, Susy will be joined by an savouries, crumbly fudge, ice outstanding line up of prominent drinks’ experts. You can also taste creams and sorbets, chutneys, fruit juices, smoothies, ciders, fruit dressings, sweet and savoury wines and real ale. crepes, hot & cold game, In the lead up to the festival there’ll be a whole host of enjoyable charcuterie, cheeses, oysters and much more! activities taking place across

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Dartmouth for all the family.

There will be the annual afternoon Fashion Show and Tea Party at Dart Marina Hotel with fashions from Danielli of Dartmouth on 2 October (which raises funds for the Festival), a highly competitive foodie quiz at Café Al Fresco on 22 October and the ever popular Festival Feast at The Flavel on 23 October. Dartmouth’s highly regarded The Seahorse restaurant also has a packed schedule of events for the week.

Festival Director and co-owner of Manna from Devon Cookery School, David Jones said: “In Dartmouth we have the broadest appeal of any free festival in the country. Whether you are a family enjoying the atmosphere, a budding cook looking to learn new skills or a student of gastronomy wanting to hear cutting edge speakers, we have it here.”¨ dartmouthfoodfestival.com

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COCKINGTON’S 21st APPLE DAY

After a year’s absence, Cockington Apple Day returns in style on Sunday, 19 October in a joyful celebration of the humble apple, arguably the nation’s favourite fruit.

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stomping tunes and there will be other bands and dancing n 2012, 3500 people celebrated all things ‘apple’ demonstrations plus entertainment from Dan the Hat, at Cockington Court’s 20th Apple Day. This year, Punch & Judy by Poulton’s Puppets and Wizz Bang.

Cockington will be celebrating its 21st Apple Day Entry to the Apple Day enclosure is £3.50 for adults and the English Riviera will once again be joining the hundreds of events going on around the country. You will and £1.50 for children (3-16 years), although entry to Cockington country park, gardens and craft studios have a chance to see the Cider Press in action as Hunts remains free. The event runs from 10am – 4pm.

Farm demonstrates the process and sells some of their Cockington Court Centre Director Marissa Wakefield delicious ciders for you to take home. said: “We are very excited about Visitors will be able to taste Visitors will be able to reinstating Apple Day which has their way through a wide variety of taste their way through a always been a very popular day out at delicious local produce and enjoy browsing stalls of handmade crafts. wide variety of delicious Cockington Court.”

Torbay Mayor Gordon Oliver said: In addition, a range of activities from local produce and “Apple Day at Cockington Court fête games to apple challenges will enjoy browsing stalls of this year promises to be a great event. be on offer as well as entertainment Torbay Development Agency, as the including jugglers and storytellers. handmade crafts operators of Cockington Court, has Don’t miss the resident artisans in taken on the event for the first time, and they intend to the Stableyard, Sea Change and Cob Barn craft studios, build on the success and popularity of Apple Day, which where you can pick up some exquisite crafts direct from was run at Cockington Country Park for twenty years by the makers.

Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust. There’s a host of Delicious fresh food will be available from Grandpa treats in store for all the family and it will be a highlight Franks, Good Game, The Secret Kitchen, Riverford of Cockington’s autumn calendar.”

Farm, South Devon Hog Roast and Kernow Forno The first Apple Day was held in October 1990 in the Pizzas and many more. Food stalls include Shute Fruit old Apple Market in Covent Garden, London, bringing and Produce, Authentic Thai, Claire’s Cakes, Cobley fruit back there for the first time in 17 years. Since then Farm, Truly Treats, Roly’s Fudge, Devonshire Made and the celebration has gained momentum and hundreds of L’Amour Botanique and craft stalls include Pixie Wishes, events now take place across the UK. Rose Red, David Webb Art, Michael Silks and Honey & Cockington is a real delight to visit at any time of the Ginger, plus a bar from Hunter’s Brewery. year. It’s like stepping back in time with pretty cottages, Animal HQ will provide opportunities to handle thatched roofs, a Grade II listed manor house, 460animals of the furry and not so furry kind and Animals in acre country park with ornamental lakes plus its cricket Distress will be holding the 2014 Cockington Apple Day ground, rose garden and historic church. There are lots dog show. Local band Paddy’s Whiskers will provide foot 26

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Heritage of secret paths to explore, a thatched pub designed by Lutyens and a choice of tearooms making it a perfect

day out for the whole family. Keep an eye out for the intriguing walled art garden. Cockington Court Craft Centre is a great treat to visit too; you can meet the makers and browse gorgeous objects, paintings and crafts.

Explore a little further and you may find the ancient gamekeeper’s cottage nestling in the woods. ¨ Cockington Court, Cockington Village, Torquay TQ2 6XA 01803-607230 cockingtoncourt.org.uk

Did you know?

• Apple seeds contain cyanide- though not poisonous in small doses, there has been one fatality documented as a result of eating too many apple seeds.

• Of the apples grown in the UK, 45% are used for making cider.

• The term ‘scrumpy’, referring to cloudy, unfiltered ciders, comes from ‘scrump’ a West Country term for a small or withered apple.

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

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Food&Drink...

Seafront Dining French-Style Bistrot Pierre’s first Bistrot-sur-la-mer has now opened within the stunning new Abbey Sands development on Torquay seafront. The bistrot is housed over two floors with glamorous and quirky interiors plus an outdoor terrace, all taking advantage of those idyllic sea views.

They’ll be offering a full Bistrot menu as well as a tasty bar menu with freshly cooked Tartes Flambées, plus local seafood and a good selection of gluten-free choices.

The prestigious Torquay site, which was once the Palm Court Hotel, will be the 12th bistrot opening for the group of privately owned restaurants, and its second in Devon.

To tempt you along, the bistrot’s fixed price lunch

menu will be on offer throughout the week, with prices starting at £10.95 for two courses, (£12.95 for three).

It will include main courses such as steak-frites; fillet of haddock with asparagus in a light mint & lemon butter; and roasted pork with sautéed savoy cabbage, bacon and coarse-grain mustard.

Head Chef, Scott Harrison-Jones, will serve two Peche du Jour specials a day for fish-lovers and the bistrot will also host special dining evenings such as Soiree Gastronomique and Dine with Wine, whilst an early-bird dinner menu (£14.50 two courses) will be available each evening until 6.45pm. o lebistrotpierre.co.uk

Foraging Time Is Here!

If you like your food local then it doesn’t get much better than the bramble bushes at the end of the garden!

This summer we’ve feasted on a huge crop of runner beans, plus blackcurrants and gooseberries from our new fruit patch and if we get a few more weeks of October sunshine then the old grape vine might yet yield something palatable.

However one crop that’s doing spectacularly well this year is the blackberry. So next time you take a wander along the coastpath or through

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your local woods, take a bag and get picking! There’s an abundance of great things to make that adults and children can enjoy. Our favourite is blackberry and apple crumble. If you have fruit left over it’s great with yoghurt or in smoothies.

The hedgerows are also full of sloes for making sloe gin for Christmas, wild rosehips for rosehip syrup. Many edible mushroom species can be readily found up until early December make sure you take a field guide so you know which ones to pick! o

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Victorian Gardens & Lookouts Distance: 3 miles Exertion: Moderate with some steep sections.

Time: Allow 1 hour 30 minutes Terrain: Coast path of varying quality and roads. Not suitable for pushchairs or very young children.

Dogs: Leads on the road.

Refreshments: At Torquay Harbour Start Postcode: TQ1 2EQ

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

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

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

1Star t from Daddyhole Plain car park. If you look down to the sea below you might catch a glimpse of the devil. Daddy, an ancient word for the devil, lives in a cave at the bottom of the cliff according to local legend. Walk towards the southernmost end of the plain, next to the NCI Coastwatch tower and follow the path under an archway and along a high path with clear views.

Pass underneath an observation point, proceed along 30

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the path until you reach the steps. All along this path rare and beautiful cultivated plants can be seen in the undergrowth as this area was once cared for by local gardeners.

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

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

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

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

6 As the path reaches the road there is oppor tunity to take a direct and shor ter route back up to Daddyhole Plain by turning right.

7 Turn left and proceed downhill and turn left after the Living Coasts coastal zoo onto the busy harbourside where one can stop for refreshments in one of many cafés and bars. Follow the harbourside road to the right of the inner harbour, carry on up the hill and turn right into Meadfoot Road.

8 Follow the road until Meadfoot Beach comes into view then turn right into the lower car park where the coastpath can be rejoined and will return you to Daddyhole Plain after another uphill section broken with a pleasant viewpoint over the southern end of the beach.o englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Walk

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6

7

8

5

1 4 2 3

1 Waypoint

Viewpoint

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Ordnance Survey South Devon Explorer Map OL20

Š Crown copyright.

Media 082/14

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Shout ‘fore’, shoot six and write down five...

Julian Rees meets Churston Golf Club manager Simon Bawden to find out how golf is changing to suit the contemporary sportsperson and takes a lesson to see if the early promise he showed many years ago is still waiting to be untapped.

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t’s been more than 30 years since I raised a golf club in has made many changes over recent years to avert anger, aside from the occasional pitch and putt outing or dwindling participation rates caused by the demands of crazy golf with the children, so it is with some trepidation modern life both on time and finances.

I make my way to Churston Golf Club to ‘give it a go’. As I’d heard recently of changes afoot in the States a teenager, I had played for a few years at Teignmouth and involving alternative larger holes on each putting green showed promise peppered with the occasional disaster. As to speed up the average round and Simon tells me about any golfer will tell you, it’s not strength of body but strength ‘footgolf ’, a new sport combining football and golf, of mind and the ability to deal with the lows as well as the imported from Europe, that is growing in popularity in highs that makes a good player. the south-east but has yet to reach Devon.

I meet club secretary (a traditional title for a job that in To ensure the game is time efficient, the club has most businesses would be known as General Manager), introduced an online booking system so a slot can be Simon Bawden in the well appointed clubhouse and he allocated for groups of one to four players who can then tells me about the club’s history, arrive and play without having to recent innovations and what it takes In common with golf clubs wait in turn. The system is open to to keep this million pound business the world over Churston visitors as well as members and is running. supplemented by a daily newsletter has instituted many The club is made up of a small with updates on available times, local changes over recent years weather and course conditions as well admin team, hospitality staff who run the busy clubhouse and bar, a to challenge dwindling as special offers. course maintenance team and golf Recently a fleet of buggies has been participation rates professional and teaching academy provided to allow older members to staff. be able to play the longer rounds Churston Golf Club will be 125 years old next year. neccessitated by the course’s traditional 18 holes out and The current course was designed in 1919 by renowned back layout. golf architect Harry Colt and is a par 70 - for those The club is registered as a Community Amateur Sports unaccustomed to golf terminology that means it should Club (CASC), which means it plays a valuable role as a take 70 shots to complete the 18 holes. Churston is community sports provider with a membership policy one of 56 courses across Devon and is renowned for its that is broadly inclusive and actively encourages junior fantastic Bay views and beautifully kept course. Due to participation. There’s also interaction with other sporting the underlying geology, the course is always well drained clubs and recently the golfers took on Paignton Cricket meaning it is playable 365 days a year. Head Greenkeeper Club in a twenty overs cricket match and only lost by six Kelvin Miller is responsible for keeping the course in runs. Simon admits the cricketers might have been more tip-top condition and manages a budget in the region of in control of the outcome than was apparent at the time! £250,000 to ensure members and visitors get the best golf The return match is due soon. experience.

To enable greater participation, the club now offers a In common with golf clubs the world over, Churston variety of membership options. There is an age-related 32

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Give It A Go - Golf

scale starting with novices younger than 14 years right up to seniors over 80 years. Your likely playing time is also catered for with the option of a fairway membership package that gives full access to club facilities and competitions at a lower initial cost but which attracts a green fee charge for each round played. The club also offers payment by instalment on all membership options.

It’s also possible to play a round as a non-member providing you can display a basic level of competence and have the required kit.

As for ‘giving it a go,’ I am introduced to Jon Parsons, one of the club’s team of four PGA professionals headed up by Rob Butterworth. The club runs its own Golf Academy with a wide range of coaching options tailored to players’ needs. Intensive indoor sessions in the club’s purpose built facility, which is equipped with a multicamera recording system, allow the staff to analyse your swing and prescribe corrective actions. This is where I start with Jon and you can see the results below. Despite a little rustiness and tense muscles, more from forgetting

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to breathe than anything else. Jon is able to identify and correct a problem that meant I am hitting the ground before the ball. I soon get into the swing of things and start to hit a few good, straight shots.

Next up is chipping practice out on the practice green - even here the quality of the green and surrounding grass is fantastic, like walking on freshly laid Axminster!

After a dozen or so shots I get to grips with the weight of the club and start coming within range of the hole. Jon tells me that the short game, pitching onto the green and putting, is where most games are won or lost. It seems at first slightly less exciting than giving it all you've got with a long club down the fairway but once I've 'fluked' a chip into the hole from about 12 feet away I am hooked. My lesson with Jon draws to a close on a high with two more chips in (consecutively I might add!), and am told 'that doesn't happen too often'. I leave feeling glad to get an invite to come back and play a round, now I all I need is time! ¨ churstongolf.com

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Practice makes perfect...

A local company of architects and urban designers are having a positive impact on our own local environment. Julian Rees finds out that the same impact can be felt in at least 24 other countries around the world.

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development in Dartmouth in 2005 and right up to ver a year ago I pledged to learn more about date with the Abbey Sands development of apartments, the built environment that nestles within our restaurants and shops, completed in Torquay this Geopark, and the structures and buildings that summer for developer Havard Estates. interact with it and evolve this twisted ancient landscape During the 90s the company won its first overseas into such a desirable habitat for humans. contracts, firstly in 1990, to design a conference As I researched some of the contemporary buildings and structures that caught my eye I started to come across centre and spa in Monte Carlo and notably followed by a commission to create the entire Ocean World in the name Kay Elliott more and more often.

Shanghai, an aquarium ingeniously built beneath a So I looked them up and today find myself in a large lake in Changfeng Park in 1998. This project saw Kay Victorian dwelling-turned-office, not a stone’s throw Elliott as one of the first western architects to work in from Torquay Harbour. I’m meeting Richard Maddock, mainland China. a director and one of two urban designers from a team To date, the practice has completed nearly 40 aquatic of just under 40 staff that includes architects, designers, projects around the world as well as many wildlife architectural technicians, students gaining commercial conservation and zoo projects. experience and industry The list of attractions and qualifications and various support Over 25 million people each cultural projects Kay Elliott staff. The building itself is modest year will visit or use a facility has worked on includes some and unassuming at first glance designed by Kay Elliott very high profile names such as and belies both the creativity and Legoland, Madame Tussauds, technology that lies within. and Titanic Belfast. As Richard takes me through a library We discuss the practice’s formation in 1978 by Harold of images and drawings, it becomes clear that the office’s Kay and Derek Elliott and various milestones along the reputation is rightly deserved. way that have led to the company’s current specialisms.

To get a better idea of how they function Richard Derek Elliott remains in charge of the office as introduces me to some impressive technologies, including Managing Director and under his stewardship the three-dimensional printers that ‘print out’ scale models business has grown from local practice to an international of buildings, and virtual reality glasses that can be used design studio operating in 24 countries on 4 continents and with a built portfolio amounting to over half a billion to immerse a client into a fully formed three-dimensional pounds. It has been calculated that over 25 million people model of a proposed building including all elements of the building’s fittings. He shows me an on-screen version each year will visit or use buildings designed by Kay of a new visitor attraction complete with themed areas, Elliott.

The practice is considered to be a leading international internal attractions, rides, and food outlets. The 3D model uses the same software engines that drive modern expert in visitor attraction and leisure projects. The computer games. Intricately detailed environments can foundations for this accolade were laid in the English be rendered at real-time speeds as the user traverses the Riviera when in 1985 the practice won a scheme to virtual space. The beauty of this is that if the client is deliver a 440 berth marina on Torquay’s harbourside, unhappy with any aspect of the building, for instance a followed by its first zoological project, the rhino ceiling that feels too low or a corridor too narrow, then it exhibit at Paignton Zoo in 1988. Further notable local can be altered prior to construction saving cost and time. milestones include the restoration and refurbishment Technology has come a long way since dye-line drawing of Torquay’s Pavilion in 1989, which won the practice and scratchy pens on drawing film! Today’s software sees a UK Business and Industry Environment Award, the amendments made to a two dimensional plan taken Living Coasts Coastal Zoo in 2004, the Dart Marina

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sufficient dwellings for a growing population with less automatically through to a three dimensional rendering land available and staying within a developer’s budget. at the touch of a button so revisions made at any stage of Richard doesn’t seem phased at all by this and is able to the design will never be omitted from the final working point out planned developments that make far better documents. This integrated way of working is known as use of space and have a whole host of progressive living Building Information Modelling (BIM) and is very much considerations built in. For example, good design can at the top of every architect’s agenda. All government ensure a housing development will still look attractive contractors will have to specify their prospective building when every dwelling has several vehicles parked outside designs this way in the next few years in order to win contracts. Behind these systems sits a complete database of and produce roads that encourage road users to drive considerately thereby removing the necessity for traffic spatial information, which means that users can calculate calming. and compare whole-life costs for building projects. For Richard takes me on a planning journey around example, you’ll know the total floorspace of the building local streets, via Google which allows the cost of carpeting Earth mapping and identifies to be estimated, the amount of The peace and prosperity some planning successes paint that will be required to redecorate the walls and so on. that becomes the residents, and failures over the years.

Kay Elliott stands out amongst the workers, the students, the He shows me mixed use developments from Victorian regional architecture firms by its early adoption and promotion of shoppers - us, who intertwine times, that although past their prime, show good sense urban design as a discipline. and coexist with the their construction. Here Urban design requires an structures and environments in housing is interspersed with understanding of physical created around us - this has workshops, shops and green geography and social science, and areas. We then see areas of also an appreciation of property to be the true measure of rapid development where development, urban economics, Kay Elliott’s work. planning had lost its way political economy and social and the only consideration theory. It draws together the of success is whether or not a refuse vehicle can turn many skills required to make places and ensures they are around at the end of a cul-de-sac. functional, attractive, and sustainable.

I wonder whether Kay Elliott has plans to move Richard, as the practice’s lead urban designer, takes on to a new location that an organisation of their me through some of the key stages that go toward stature might be expected to inhabit - a pristine office planning and designing both commercial and domestic development in Exeter or maybe further afield but developments. Whereas in the past an architect’s starting Richard assures me there are no plans to leave Torquay. point might have been a simple Ordnance Survey plot of The practice considers its current location offers a the land onto which the building drawings were overlaid, balanced lifestyle for its employees in a stimulating and now a full range of surveys examining the local landscape inspiring local environment that can only contribute to and environmental conditions are undertaken. This better work. includes, water courses and run-off areas, tree surveys After leaving the office I pass the Abbey Sands which plot size of overhang as well as shadows cast at development on Torquay sea front, every table outside particular times of day, flora and fauna, and surrounding is full, the pavements bustle with activity; happy traffic infrastructure and communication routes. Once smiling faces abound. The peace and prosperity that these and other variables are mapped out then the becomes the residents, the workers, the students, the designer can start to chart the way the buildings can fit shoppers - us, who intertwine and coexist with the in with the landscape by using natural features to best structures and environments created around us - this advantage, whilst at the same time ensuring the design is has to be the true measure of Kay Elliott’s work. life enhancing.

I rather hope much more of the Riviera’s renaissance To me this seems to load the designer’s shoulders with is delivered by their hand.¨ a huge responsibility that extends to ensuring the wellbeing and prosperity of people whilst at the same creating kayelliott.co.uk 36

October/November 2014

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October& November Around the Bay Britannia Royal Naval College Tours, Dartmouth 1, 6, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29 October & 3, 10, 17, 24 November Visit the naval training establishment where HM the Queen first met Prince Philip. Tours of this iconic building will cover its considerable history and its role within the Royal Navy today. Booking via Dartmouth Tourist Information Service.

Britannia Royal Naval College, College Way, Dartmouth TQ6 0HJ 01803 834224

Spanish Night, Berry Head Hotel 2 October

Get out your castanets for a Spanish themed buffet. £12.95 per person.

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

Geopark Coastal Marathon, Broadsands 5 October Athletes can run half or full marathon distance along the SW Coastal path. Experience some of the most beautiful running in England, whilst navigating the coastal path around the Geopark. Be prepared for the ultimate coastal adventure running challenge! Starts 8am.

Broadsands, Paignton, TQ4 6LL 07974 243965

Newton Abbot Racing Fixture 10 October

Newton Abbot is one of the leading jumping racecourses in the UK. Set in the rolling Devon countryside, you can enjoy racing and great fun in a beautiful setting.

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

29er Grand Prix Sailing Event, Torquay 11-12 October Series 7 of the Harken Grand Prix takes place on the waters around Torquay.

Beacon Quay, Torquay, TQ1 2BG 01803 292006 rtyc.org

Naturally Special Wild Woodlands, Lupton 12 October

Bring your family for woodland games and activities in the grounds of Lupton House. The library, café and house will be open from 1pm to 3pm. Adults £4, children free.

Lupton House, Brixham, TQ5 0LD 01803 845800 discoverlupton.com

Apple Day at Woodhuish 12 October

Celebrate all things apple at the restored Victorian cider press at Woodhuish. Bring along your own apples to make into juice on the mini presses, join in with demonstrations of the cider press, taste local produce and much more.

Restored Cider Press, Woodhuish Farm, Scabbacombe Lane, Kingswear TQ6 0EF 01803 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre

Indian Feast at Occombe 5 October

Explore the intriguing and delicious world of Indian cookery and learn some of the classic dishes from the north and south. This hands-on workshop will open up a whole world of fabulous Indian food. £80 per head including lunch, booking essential.

Occombe Cookery School, Paignton, TQ3 1RN 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk 38

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What’s On Supper with Guy Watson, Riverford 15 October

Guy Watson founded Riverford over 25 years ago and has successfully built the business from a one-man band delivering 30 boxes of home grown vegetables to a company now delivering 40,000 boxes a week across the country. Passionate about producing organic food with flavour, looking after his suppliers, staff and the land, Guy’s story is both fascinating and heart-warming.

Booking essential. Tickets £29.90 to include a 3-course supper with coffee.

Riverford Field Kitchen, Wash Barn, Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0JU 01803 762074 riverford.co.uk

Poets and Poems 1914-18, Totnes 15 October

Come and listen to live readings of poems by soldiers and civilians, men and women with English, French and German poets. Presented by members of Poetry for Pleasure, 4.30-5.30pm, free entry. Presented by members of Poetry for Pleasure.

Totnes Library, 36 Fore Street, Totnes TQ9 5RP

An Evening with Monty Halls, Torquay 18 October

Spend an evening at Living Coasts where Monty will talk about marine conservation and his travel experiences.

Booking essential, £12.50 per person; from 7:30pm and for 16+ only.

Living Coasts, Torquay, TQ1 2BG 0844 4742226 livingcoasts.org.uk

Musica Domestica, Totnes 18 October

Totnes Early Music society presents music from composers such as Handel, Vivaldi, Bach and John Stanley. Soprano Kate Semmens appears with Steven Devine (Harpsichord), Matt Truscott (violin) and Becky Truscott (cello). Tickets for non-members are £12, young people £5, available in advance or on the door.

St Mary’s Church, High Street, Totnes TQ9 5NN 01803 847070 dartington.org

Sharpham Apple Pressing Day 19 October

Join Sharpham Trust for their annual Apple Pressing Day and Autumn Festival. The event includes community apple pressing, a host of activities for all ages and an organised bike ride with Sustrans, starting from Dartington.

Sharpham House, Ashprington, TQ9 7UT 01803 732542 sharphamtrust.org

Geopark Sportive, Goodrington 19 October Herbaceous Border Help, Coleton Fishacre 15 October

Drop-in on the garden team as they work on the upkeep of the garden’s magnificent herbaceous borders and tap into their knowledge to use in your own green spaces.

2-4pm. Free event - normal admission charges apply.

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

Autumn Concerto, Livermead House Hotel 17 October

Enjoy a lively concert of favourites from the Gilbert & Sullivan Society from 7.30pm. Tickets £8.50 Torbay Road, Torquay TQ2 6QJ 01803 323801 gilbertandsullivantorbay.co.uk englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

The English Riviera’s first ever cycle sportive, this exciting new event will start and finish at Goodrington Sands with competitors taking on the rolling hills of South Devon over 40 or 80km. Registration opens 18 October 1pm5pm, race begin 19 October at 8am.

Goodrington, Paignton, TQ4 6LP 07974 243965

Night Sky Observers, Sharpham 20 October

Explore the night sky with Mike Cooke.

Stargazing under the dark skies of Sharpham to voyage through our cosmic neighbourhood using a range of astronomical telescopes. Indoor presentation will take place if the clouds roll in. 7.30 – 10pm. Booking essential.

Cost: adult £7, child (10-16 yrs) £5.

Sharpham House, Ashprington, TQ9 7UT 01803 732542 sharphamtrust.org October/November 2014

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What’s On Italian Night, Berry Head Hotel 23 October

Benvenuto! Try the Berry Head’s delicious Italian buffet for a delightful continental evening. £12.95 per person.

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

Comedy on the Farm at Occombe 24 October

Torbay Festival of Poetry 23-27 October

A weekend full of poetry with twenty-five events; listen to poetry readings, learn more about writing poetry at workshops and listen to poets talking about poetry.

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

Fungal Foray 25 October

Join in this ramble across Primley Park to discover more about the amazing world of fungi. Meet fungus expert Christian Taylor who will teach you how to identify and examine all kinds of fungus – you will even get to cook what you find and spend the rest of the day in the Zoo! 10.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. Tickets: £15.00 Paignton Zoo, Paignton TQ4 7EU 0844 474 2222 paigntonzoo.org.uk

Nature’s Bounty, Sharpham 26 October

Occombe Farm Cafe will host its first ever comedy night.

Featuring top live stand up entertainment from four of the UK’s most fresh and emerging comedians. Split your sides at the antics of Frank Honeybone, Wayne the Weird, Louis Burgess and Joe Rowntree. Hot and cold buffet dinner included. Tickets are £20 in advance or £22 on the door. From 7pm – show starts 8.30pm.

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

In the beautiful surroundings of the Sharpham estate you will identify and harvest foods and medicines from nature’s seasonal bounty. This full day event is a great chance to get to know your natural environment from a gastronomic and medicinal perspective. You will learn how to concoct medicines for your home and learn recipes to take home. The mixture of habitats promises to yield a wide array of exciting and delicious edibles. Time: 10am – 4pm, suitable for adults. Cost: £15 per person includes lunch, children welcome with a parent (up to 2 per adult).

Sharpham House, Ashprington, TQ9 7UT 01803 732542 sharphamtrust.org

Pirate Day at Coleton Fishacre 29 October

There’s pirate fun to be had at Coleton Fishacre this half term. Come dressed in your pirate best and join the pirate quest for hidden treasure. 2pm-4pm, £3 per child plus normal admissions apply, children must be accompanied by an adult.

Coleton Fishacre House, Brownstone Road, Kingswear TQ6 0EQ 01803 842382

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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.

01803 01803 842382 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre and and nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway

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October/November 2014

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

Coleton Fishacre and Greenway

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

What’s On Deco elegance of Coleton Fishacre, where the Jazz era is still swinging! Booking essential. Time: 7pm, tickets: £28.

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

Firework and Bonfire Extravaganza, Dawlish 8 November Bjorn the Polar Bear, Living Coasts 29 October

In support of EAZA’s Pole to Pole Campaign Bjorn, a life size and incredibly life like animatronic Polar Bear will visit Living Coasts. Playful, mischievous and huggable, he is just about kept in check by Arctic Explorer Ursula.

Children can watch the show, meet Bjorn and get the chance to paint their own polar bear model which they can also take home! Shows at 11am, 2pm, 3.30pm.

Tickets £5 per child (adults free).

Terrace Café, Living Coasts, Torquay Harbourside TQ1 2BG 0844 474 3366 livingcoasts.org.uk

Shaldon Bonfire and Fireworks Night 1 November

This firework display includes stalls with soup, burgers and is a great family event. The bonfire on Shaldon Beach is lit at 6.30pm with the fireworks display from 7.15pm.

Food and gift stalls.

Shaldon Beach, Shaldon TQ14 0DE 01626-273164 shaldon-village.co.uk

Autumn Migration Watch 1 November

Local bird expert Mike Langman will guide you and help identify birds by shape and calls. After a morning of birdwatching warm up in the Guardhouse Café with soup and a hot drink. Meet at the Berry Head Car Park, 9.30am-1pm. Cost: £15 per head including lunch, please bring binoculars, stout footwear and a waterproof jacket.

Booking essential.

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

Dawlish and Teignmouth Round Table present their Annual Firework and Bonfire Extravaganza. Gates open at 6pm. Bonfire lit at 7pm.

Warren Road, Dawlish dawlish.com

Thai Night, Berry Head Hotel 13 November

Enjoy a Thai-themed buffet at 12.95 per person Berry Head Road, Brixham TQ5 9AL 01803 853225 berryheadhotel.com

Teignmouth Jazz and Blues Festival 14-16 November

Annual Jazz and Blues Festival with various local and national artists featuring traditional, Latin, Blues, Funk, Modern, Cool, Swing, Be-bop, Gypsy, Contemporary and New Orleans Jazz. Held in venues across town.

01626 215666 teignmouthjazz.org

Torquay Christmas Sparkle & Light Switch On 15 November

Experience a day of free family entertainment in Torquay town centre, including live music and a spectacular fireworks display. Parking in all Torbay Council car parks will be £2 for an all-day ticket.

Fleet Street, Torquay, TQ1 1DR 01803 212270

Coleton Fishacre Jazz Club 7 November

Enjoy a delicious two-course supper accompanied by a local jazz band in Café Coleton. The classic tunes and elegant performance is in perfect keeping with the Art englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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October/November 2014

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What’s On Thai Feast, Occombe 16 November

This cooking course is full of the bright and warming flavours of Thailand, preparing a variety of foods from homemade spring rolls to pad thai noodles. Meet: Occombe Cookery School, 10am-4pm, cost: £80 including lunch, booking essential.

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

pianist Dawn Fallon will be playing Christmas songs.

Livermead Cliff Hotel, Torbay Road, Torquay, TQ2 6RQ 07551 545657 shorelineevents.co.uk

Night Sky Observers, Sharpham 21 November

Explore the night sky with Mike Cooke. Stargazing under the dark skies of Sharpham to voyage through our cosmic neighbourhood using a range of astronomical telescopes.

Indoor presentation will take place if the clouds roll in.

7.30 – 10pm. Booking essential. Cost: adult £7, child (10-16 yrs) £5.

Sharpham House, Ashprington, TQ9 7UT 01803 732542 sharphamtrust.org

Paignton’s Light Fantastic 22 November

A full day of Christmas entertainment from 11am-7pm for all the family with carols in Palace Avenue Garden plus street entertainment to keep you amused while you shop.

End the day with the Palm FM & the X-Factor stage.

Palace Gardens, Paignton, TQ3 3HF torbaytowns.co.uk

Stir up Sunday, Greenway 23 November

Join chef for a traditional Christmas pudding stir up event, combined with a delicious light lunch in the cosy house kitchen of Greenway House. Booking essential, tickets £25.

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

Candlelight Walk, Coleton Fishacre Garden 26 November Prim and Proper Christmas Gift Fayre, Torquay 23 November

A traditional Christmas Fayre with a Santa’s grotto, Christmas songs, professional face painter and fantastic lunches alongside an array of 40 unique gift stalls. Classical englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Join the team for a candle-lit walk through the garden at night, providing a novel and exciting view of this beautiful place. After the walk through the glorious gardens, warm up with refreshments in the cafe. Booking essential. Tickets £10 Adult, £7 (under 12s).

Brownstone Road, Kingswear, TQ6 0EQ 01803 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre October/November 2014

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What's On!

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What’s On Caribbean Evening, Berry Head Hotel 27 November

Treat yourself to a scrumptious Caribbean themed buffet at £12.95 per person.

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

Brixham Christmas Market 29-30 November

Taking place in the Scala Hall, this year’s Christmas market will be full of stalls with festive goodies.

Scala Hall, Market Street, Brixham, TQ5 8TA 01803 859678

All Things Vintage & Festive Show, Torquay 30 November

A Christmas fair packed full of vintage and Christmas gifts, live music with the Singing Duo, mulled wine and mince pies. £2 entry, 10.30am-4pm.

Palace Hotel, Torquay, TQ1 3TG 07739 033476 missivyevents.co.uk

Candlelit Dartmouth 28 & 29 November

A delightful festive weekend with a tempting seasonal market, Christmas lights switch–on, music, entertainment and the arrival of Santa by boat into the Boat Float.

Royal Avenue Gardens and along the Quay, Dartmouth candlelitdartmouth.co.uk

Lanterns, Lights and Luminations, Brixham 29 November

Sing, dance or walk through the town centre in optional fancy dress. Entries can be as an individual, class, club or family… just don’t forget to bring your lanterns.

The Quay, Brixham, TQ5 8TA 01803 859678

December & January

Events

If you’re holding an event in December or January email us at editorial@ englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

and we’ll list it in the next issue or on our website

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

October/November 2014

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The spookiest events around in some surprising and exciting places!

Dinosaur World’s Halloween Week, Torquay 25 October – 2 November

Brave the menacing monster madness at Torquay’s Dinosaur World. Face the wicked witch, the ghastly ghosts and ghouls, the deathly demons and take the Chilling Halloween Challenge to win a Dinosaur Expert Certificate and a free 100 million year old fossil. Then return if you dare at 3pm for a ‘lights-out’ tour to explore in the dark, and listen to a scary ghost story.

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

Evenings of Mini Horrors, Babbacombe 25-31 October Babbacombe Model Village takes on a spooky twist with eerie illuminations, fire and sound effects and live actors roaming the grounds. From 6pm daily.

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

Halloween Happenings, Babbacombe 27-31 October Expect some spooky surprises at the Cliff Railway.

Babbacombe Cliff Railway, Torquay, TQ1 3LF 01803 328750 babbacombecliffrailway.co.uk

Halloween Bewitched Trail, Occombe 28-30 October Victorian Halloween Hunt at Bygones 25 October until 2 November

A fun Victorian Halloween Hunt and spooky stories – children come in scary fancy dress and adults get to solve the Mystery of ‘The Body in the Parlour’!

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

Halloween Festival, Cockington 27-31 October

Visit Cockington Court for a host of free Halloween inspired arts and crafts activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Cockington Village, Torquay, TQ2 6XA 01803 607230 cockingtoncourt.org 48

October/November 2014

Look out for low flying witches, break the witches spell and meet the Occombe witch with her bubbling cauldron. Suitable for 4-12 year olds, meet at the visitor centre, 10am-3pm daily. Cost: £3.50 per child, includes chocolate prize, no booking required.

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

Halloween Supper, Berry Head 31 October

Enjoy a spooky supper at the Berry Head. £18.95 for 3 courses and coffee.

Berry Head Hotel, Berry Head Road, Brixham TQ5 9AL 01803 853225 berryheadhotel.com englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

What’s On Little Zoo of Horrors, Paignton 31 October

Only the brave should join us in this spooky evening at Paignton Zoo. This evening is designed to be scary therefore isn’t suitable for the fainthearted.

All children must be accompanied by at least one adult at all times.Suitable for children aged 5 – 12 years.

Children - £8.50, Adults / seniors – 1 free adult for every child otherwise £5.00 Time: 5.30 p.m. - 7.00 p.m.

Booking essential.

Paignton Zoo, Paignton TQ4 7EU 0844 474 2222 paigntonzoo.org.uk

Halloween Thriller at the Imperial 31 October & 1 November

Come along and “Shake your body down to the ground” and dance like a “Smooth Criminal” in this Michael Jackson Tribute night. Fancy dress is optional . The evening includes a Halloween themed arrival drink, hot dogs & jacket potato buffet plus Michael Jackson tribute act and tunes from Resident DJ. Over-18s only. Tickets £18.95 Imperial Hotel, Park Hill Road, Torquay TQ1 2DG 01803 206165 thehotelcollection.co.uk

Halloween Kids Cookery School, Occombe 31 October

Join in a hands-on day for budding chefs with Halloween themed bread making, spooky cup cakes and toffee apple chunks. Ingredients included, please bring a packed lunch, suitable for 7-14 year olds. Meet at the cookery school. Time: 10am-4pm daily, cost: £30 per child, booking essential.

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

Halloween at Greenway 31 October

Come along to Greenway for a Hallowe’en-inspired trail.

You’ll find ghoulish crafts to try and a ghostly quest to complete - you’ll be sure to leave in the Hallowe’en spirit.

10.30am and 2pm, cost £3 per child, normal admission charges apply.

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

South Devon Railway Scary and Steamy 31 October

On its way to terrifying Totnes, the Halloween Express passes through scary Staverton. Watch out for ghosts on the platform, and dare to try out the creepy refreshments. Dress up in your scariest costume. The Halloween Express leaves Totnes at 8.30pm and arrives back at Buckfastleigh at 9pm.

Tickets must be prebooked, adults £14 and children £10 including return journey and food. southdevonrailway.co.uk 01364 644370

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A H L al 01 L FO 3 fT R 95 O D 57 W ET 8 e A 22 r IL 2 E S FU ENm N

DAILY ACTIVITIES

www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary Sidmouth, Devon EX10 0NU

A charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales No.264818

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Torquay’s Ghosts An Unnatural History of

History

Torquay’s many ghosts have evolved along with our town. Local historian Dr Kevin Dixon relates some spooky stories of ghosts through the ages.

The Prisoners of Spanish Barn Our oldest buildings often acquired a restless spirit.

Since its foundation in 1196, Torre Abbey has witnessed, survived and even played a role in some epic moments of history. 397 Spanish sailors were imprisoned at the Abbey’s Spanish Barn in 1588. The prisoners were quickly sent out of the Bay, but myths about their stay emerged as memory of the event faded. One story tells that in Upton “the blood of the Spaniards ran like water... the spirits of the slaughtered Spaniards visit the spot’’.

Yet, while the Barn was overcrowded and around 15 Spaniards did perish, the prisoners were too valuable not to be ransomed.

The Spanish Lady However, one of the Spanish sailors apparently turned out to be a lady in disguise. In an early version of the legend of the Spanish Lady, we hear how the love of a sailor led her “to don male attire in order to join the armada, shrouded in a gracefully flowing mantilla, she may also at times be seen.’’ By the twentieth century these few lines had become melodrama and her ghost is described as: “The poor little flower of southern Spain quickly faded in this dreadful place. Her troubled spirit is still to be seen drifting slowly and rather wearily through the Abbey park’’.

The Shrieking Nun’s Ghost of Ilsham Grange Eighteenth century ghosts often returned to correct injustice and give moral instruction. So we have the ‘Shrieking Nun’s ghost of Ilsham Grange’ who had starved inside a locked chest. When properly buried, our noisy nun disappeared. There is a similar story in circulation, however, the Mistletoe Bough, which first appeared in the form of a poem in 1823 and is associated with many englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

mansions & stately homes in England.

Matilda of Daddyhole Plain Another gothic morality lesson concerns Matilda whose spectre roams Daddyhole Plain. In a fit of jealous anger she was said to have sold her soul, Daddy being another name for the Devil. Yet, again, the popular 1796 novel ‘The Monk: A Romance’ also has a Matilda who similarly gives up her soul. So, we may have to look to our Victorian tourist guides who were known to invent or import exciting ghost stories to enhance their income.

Gradually Victorian ghosts became familiar and friendly.

Ladies in séances contacted them, while others looked for ‘scientific’ explanations.

The Poltergeist of Warberries’ Castel-a-Mare It was during the Great War that Torquay embraced a violent poltergeist. In 1917 the spiritualist Violet Tweedale investigated the Warberries’ ‘Castel-a-Mare’, which had reputedly been haunted for fifty years. One of Violet’s investigators was quickly possessed and had to be exorcised. A few years later, the writer Beverley Nichols also visited when something “black, silent and man-shaped rushed from the room and knocked him to the floor.”

We’re not done with ghosts. They have many reasons to be, and may well go on evolving as our town grows and changes.

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Treading the boards Compiled by Maddy Sears

Babbacombe Theatre Box Office 01803 328385 Editor’s pick COLIN FRY 17 OCTOBER ONLY Colin Fry is one of the world’s most recognised Spiritualist Mediums and Healers. His TV series “6th Sense” has been broadcast worldwide for 10 years, and this year’s tour will see Colin endeavour to uplift his audiences once again in his own unique style.

Also worth seeing…

Once Upon a Christmas 29 October - 1 January

Flavel Arts Centre Dartmouth Box Office 01803 839530 Editor’s pick BAKE IT BIG 25 OCTOBER ONLY After a sell-out pilot show “Bake It Big with Glenn Cosby” comes to The Flavel. He’s the man who brought big bakes to millions of TV viewers across the UK when he featured in series four of the BBC’s Great British Bake Off.

Also worth seeing…

ROH Live Manon Lescaut 16 October only Daniel de Borah 15 November only

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Palace Theatre, Paignton Box Office 01803 665800 Editor’s pick BUDDY HOLLY RAVE ON 15 NOVEMBER ONLY The U.K.’s top tribute to Buddy Holly, Marc Robinson, performs all of Holly’s favourite hits including That’ll Be The Day, Peggy Sue, Rave On, Oh Boy, Raining in my Heart and Think It Over. Supported by the outstanding Counterfeit Crickets, this is the quintessential night of rock ‘n’ roll. Joining ‘Buddy’ will be the King himself, ‘Elvis’ in the guise of the sensational Steve Halliday who will also be performing everyone’s favourite Elvis songs.

Also worth seeing…

Classic Clapton 25 October Season’s Greetings 19-22 November

Brixham Theatre Box Office 01803 882717 Editor’s pick WOMEN OF FLOWERS 15 OCTOBER Written by award winning theatre writer, Kaite O’Reilly, Woman of Flowers is a story of desire, duty, deceit and revenge. The play is an innovative retelling of an ancient welsh myth where nothing is quite as it seems.

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

zzzzzzzzzzzzt

TWO-FOR-ONE

THEATRE TICKET OFFER Princess Theatre, Torquay Box Office 0844 8713023 Editor’s pick JOHN MAYALL’S 80TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR 24 OCTOBER ONLY Blues Legend John Mayall returns for his 80th anniversary tour with special guests including King King. Holding the title ‘Godfather of British Blues’ and an OBE, Mayall is regarded as one of the most influential blues artists. His pioneering band The Bluesbreakers, launched the careers of band members Eric Clapton, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie.

Also worth seeing…

Nights on Broadway the Bee Gees Story 18 October only Paul Hollywood Live - Get Your Bake On 12 November

Little Theatre, Torquay Box Office 01803 299330 Editor’s pick AJ’S BIG BAND 26 OCTOBER ONLY The music of Glenn Miller and swing classics in a special two part programme from this acclaimed band.

Evergreen favourites include ‘In the Mood’, ‘Moonlight Serenade’, ‘Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree’ and many more. The second set features swing classics and the superb vocals of Paula Mitchell.

Also worth seeing…

Neighbourhood Watch 11-18 October englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

WED 29th OCT-WED 10th DEC 2.30pm & 8.15pm WED 17th DEC 2.30pm * BOXING DAY 12 NOON & 3pm Scan this code with your mobile device for a direct link to the theatre website

SUN 28th DEC 3pm * NEW YEAR’S DAY 12 NOON & 3pm TICKETS: £19, SENIORS £18, CHILD (-16YRS) £10 *BOXING DAY & NEW YEAR’S DAY £20/£19/£11 ‘ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS’ 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 Once Upon A Christmas from 29 Oct-26 Nov @ 2.30pm

Name: Email: Postcode: Performance Date: Tick here if you wish to be added to our mailing list o

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

Box Office (01803) 328385 October/November 2014

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Bond Legend

Sir Roger Moore on Devon,Torquay and Stardom

It was a case of English Riviera meets French Riviera when Anita Newcombe chatted to Sir Roger Moore who appeared at Torquay’s Princess Theatre recently as part of his latest UK tour.

I

making 7 Bond films including: Live & Let Die (73), The t’s hard to believe that the supremely debonair, witty Man with the Golden Gun (74), The Spy Who Loved and strikingly handsome Roger Moore who achieved worldwide fame as the longest serving Bond actor and Me (77), Moonraker (79), For Your Eyes Only (81), a veteran of hugely successful televisions series such as The Octopussy (83) and A View to a Kill (85). I asked him how he felt that the character and plotlines evolved over Saint and films such as The Wild Geese, is now 86 years the years. old.

“They started getting more violent which I didn’t like”, He certainly hasn’t lost any of his legendary charm and he says. “In my last Bond film A View to a Kill I had in spite of his superstar lifestyle living in Monaco and Crans Montana, Sir Roger does have some links to Devon started getting lazy and didn’t attend all the rushes and was then rather unhappy with scenes of people being and Torquay. He was evacuated to Devon during World sprayed with bullets.”

War II. He remembers, “I was evacuated with two other I was curious to know if the debonair character he boys to Holsworthy where I stayed on a farm with the portrayed with Simon Templar in the Saint influenced the Allen family who also had two sons. I was only there a way he later played his particular version of Bond. He says couple of months but I was well looked after.” wryly, “Not really – they are both just heroes that happen He hasn’t been back to Holsworthy since then but did to look like me!” subsequently appear in a show in Torquay. He said, “I One of my favourite films starring have visited Torquay before when I “They always want to Roger Moore was The Wild Geese was touring in 1949 or 50 with a play (1978), an adventure film about a group called Miss Mabel but I can’t remember know which was my of mercenaries in Africa. I imagined the name of the part I played.” In fact favourite Bond girl and that Roger, together with Richard Miss Mabel was a 1948 stage play by R.C. Sherriff that came to the Pavilion I give a different answer Burton and Richard Harris must have had quite a wild time on the set. Roger in Torquay for a week’s run in October every time!” remembered, “Richard Burton and 1949. The storyline revolved around Richard Harris were both wonderful to work with and a dear old lady who poisons her nasty sister and Roger we had a great time together but they were actually both played Peter, a juvenile lead role. on the wagon at that time and not allowed to drink. I, of Roger has just visited Torquay as part of his UK tour course, allowed myself the occasional tipple on a Saturday and always has a Q & A session at the end of his show. I evening. There was so much champagne around – it’d be a wondered what the most popular question he gets asked great shame not to!” might be? Roger said, “They always want to know which I explained that although we don’t have any links was my favourite Bond girl and I give a different answer with Bond here in Devon, Torquay was the birthplace of every time!”

Agatha Christie. Has he read Agatha Christie’s novels I I thought that at the ripe age of 86 it must be quite wondered and what did he think of Hercule Poirot? gruelling for Roger to be performing all over the country.

Roger was enthusiastic, “I love David Suchet’s Hercule But Roger said, “No I enjoy it. It reminds people that Poirot, which gives a fascinating peep into the past. I I’m still alive and my wife Kristina is lovely and travels actually did a Miss Marple myself with Gracie Fields in everywhere with me. Last year I was diagnosed with 1956 in New York. She was a sweet lady but never ‘hit her diabetes so she watches my diet carefully for me.” marks’ which is very important if you’re going to get the Roger Moore was the longest serving Bond actor, scene right. ” playing 007 for 12 years between 1973 and 1985 and

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Theatre Roger is now a long-term Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF having been inspired to support its work by the late Audrey Hepburn. He was knighted in 2003 for his services to charity and in 2012 was presented with the first-ever UNICEF UK Lifetime Achievement Award.

He explained, “When I stated working with UNICEF I had just settled into Switzerland and had finished Bond so I felt that I had time to do something of use. I had been stationed in Germany at the end of the war and saw

the plight of the displaced children in Europe. Memories of that time led me to become a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF.” My time with Roger Moore was sadly coming to an end so I asked him if he were captured by a ruthless master criminal during his visit to Torquay and was about to be killed what would he choose as his last request?”

He replied, “I’d have a very dry double gin martini with Tanqueray Gin and if I had time after that, I’d have a choc ice with black chocolate on vanilla ice cream.”¨

Sir Roger Moore has a new book out called Last Man Standing: Tales From Tinseltown, which was published in early September by Michael O’Mara Books Ltd. mombooks.com

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We’d like to hear what you think about the English Riviera Magazine, where you get your copy, which features you like and what you’d like to see in the future. All you need to do is fill out the questionnaire, post it to the address at the bottom of the next page and we’ll enter you into our draw for two lucky couples to win dinner with wine courtesy of Torquay’s newest dining venue Le Bistrot Pierre*.

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Agatha Christie Festival Launch Event

Future trustees of the first International Agatha Christie Festival held a launch party at Torre Abbey. Invited guests enjoyed drinks and canapés plus a private view of the Tom Adams Book Cover Art Exhibition. They were also given an insight into plans for next year’s Festival, which will celebrate 125 years since Agatha Christie’s birth.

Jamie Bernthal, Scott Wallace-Baker, Tom Adams, Georgie Adams, and Mandii Pope

Anna Farthing (Director Designate IACF) and Tracy Guiry (Director IACF)

Mike Linane and Sophie Hannah.

Dr John Curran, Julia Wilde and Basi Akpabio (Acorn Productions)

Chris Hart (Chairman ERTC) and Liz Hart.

Mathew Prichard, David Fitzgerald (BBC Radio Devon) and Gary Calland (National Trust English Riviera) Anita Newcombe (ERTC and English Riviera Magazine) and Maddy Sears Julian Rees (English Riviera Magazine), Karen Fitzgerald and David (Fitz) Fitzgerald.

Lydia Stone (Acorn Productions) and Sarah O’Connor (Festival Co-ordinator IACF) Katie Lusty (Arts Council), Lucy Prichard and Margaret ForbesHamilton

Mike Linane and David Brawn (Publisher HarperCollins)

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Tea and Intrigue

Glamour and intrigue was on the menu for two special afternoon tea events at the International Agatha Christie Festival. The first was a special Ladies’ Tea with vintage fashion plus beauty and bubbly by Miss Ivy Events. The second was the legendary Garden Party to Die For, held in Torre Abbey’s Potent Plants Garden.

Clockwise from top right: Celia Andrews Scott Wallace Baker and Anita Newcombe Celia Robbins and Hercule Poirot Cheryl Everitt and Morwenna Millership Meg Jolliffe and Anne Brooks Margot Brooks and Brian McLaren Notty Hornblower, Hercule Poirot and Deborah Gaunt Linda Davis, Pauline Fish, Judi Stannard, Sally-Anne Higgs, Sue Gray and Tracy Johnson

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Murder on the Riviera Belle

Social Diary

Guests in period costume boarded the Riviera Belle Dining Train at Paignton for an evening of murder and mystery. The evening’s plot was set in motion by the Candlelight Theatre Co. with cuisine provided by the Royal Seven Stars,Totnes.

Clockwise from top right: Notty Hornblower and Deborah Gaunt Kay O’Leary, Dawn Phillips and Michelle McCloud Elizabeth Arroyo-Fiske and Elizabeth Fiske Barry and Seb (Steam Train Drivers) Penny Whale, Ann Murphy, Jenny Lovick and Derek Timpson Rachel Coventry, Brent Smith, Jay Smith, Daisy and Brian Porter Jean Dehoedt, Bobby Hollingsworth, Brian and Pam King, and Clare Neil

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Bonjour Torquay!

Le Bistrot Pierre celebrated the launch of their new bistrot within Torquay’s Abbey Sands development with a private reception. Drinks and canapÊs were served and invited guests were able to view the stunning interiors and idyllic views of the Bay.

Derek Elliott (Kay Elliott Architects), John Havard (Havard Estates), Jonathan Chappell (Havard Estates), Geoff Gooding and John Couch (John Couch Estate Agents)

Julian Rees and Anita Newcombe (English Riviera Magazine)

Wendy Le Messurier (Merlewood House) and Beverley Foster.

David Robinson and June Manley

Karyn Easton, Mags Brace, Michelle Roberts and Francijn Suermondt

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Holly Keeling (Holly Keeling Interiors), Denise Abel, Phil Keeling, Rachel Lourenco (Holly Keeling Interiors) and Lisa Class

Cllr Jane Barnby (Chairman Torbay Council), Tina Crowson (Herald Express) and Sue Cheriton (Torbay Council) Jane and Mark Green (Fruition Creative Services), and Derek Elliott (Kay Elliott)

Andy Cooper (Devon Life), and Jonathan Chappell (Havard Estates) Karen and Chris Scregg (The Bay Tree Hotel), Carol Gibbs and Sarah Rowe (The Elmdene)

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Local Artists Showcased Artizan Gallery in Lucius Street, Torquay held a private gallery view for their exhibition of works by two local artists Chantal Ashwell and Sandra Lissenden. They also proďŹ led work of a further 5 artists for Devon Open Studios week.

Social Diary

Chantal Ashwell (artist) and Kevin Cowell Reuben Lenkiewicz.

Tony Firth, Paul Cunnell, Roy Ashwell and Jennifer Firth

Sandra Lissenden (artist) and Julie Brandon (Artizan Gallery)

Jenni Pentecost (artist) and Julian Rees (English Riviera Magazine)

Galina Zimmatore (artist)

Jim Thomson, Julie Turner and Roger Lissenden

Lisa Smith (artist)

Anna Grayson (artist) and Des Maxwell-Clark.

Mike Inness and Kim Freeman (artist)

Adele Retter (Artist) and Julie Brandon (Artizan Gallery)

Lyndsey Eley, Philip Eley (artist) and Billy Bottle

Contact us at:

editorial@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk @EngRivieraMag facebook.com/englishriveramag if you are hosting an event you would like us to include.

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BusinessBreaks...

Abbey Sands Wins Top UK Property Award The exciting new Abbey Sands development in Torquay has won a prestigious UK Property Award ahead of its completion later this year.

Abbey Sands has the benefit of a prominent and unrivalled seafront location right opposite the beach and has level access along the promenade to Torquay Marina and the town centre. There are 27 luxury apartments across five upper levels and four quality food and drink outlets on the ground floor, all enjoying breathtaking, uninterrupted sea views of the Bay. Abbey Sands has been delivered by specialist property

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development company, Havard Estates, and its project partners – world-class architects, Kay Elliott, and global construction company, Balfour Beatty. This team has been recognised, through the development’s success, in the mixed-use category of the UK Property Awards 2014-15. These celebrate the highest level of achievement in the property and real estate sector.

The Phase One luxury apartments are now available for purchase from John Couch, The Estate Agent on 01803 296500, with prices starting from £425,000. o abbeysands.co.uk

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

...

BusinessBreaks...

Carer of the Year

audiology experience will be available to treat and advise adults concerned about their hearing. o chimehealth.co.uk

Doing Business at the Zoo Get Twittering On Thursday 9 October, Paignton Zoo is holding an autumn business seminar and workshop. On offer is a full day’s training on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and the importance of marketing your business through these channels. The cost is £100 and booking is essential. Call Jenny Paton on 0844 474 2226.

Healthwatch Board Member and volunteer Dr Kevin Dixon from Torquay has been named Carer of the Year at the prestigious Blue Shield Awards announced recently at the Riviera International Centre. Kevin won the individual award for ‘Carers or former Carers who did things over and above their caring role.’ The awards are designed to give public recognition to the hard work and dedication of people in Torbay and South Devon, whose work helps to improve the lives of users of health and social care services. o

Turn up the Volume It is estimated that there are around 56,000 people living in Torbay and the surrounding area with undiagnosed hearing problems, with this figure expected to rise to 80,000 by 2031. To address this issue, a new specialist NHS audiology service, Chime Torbay, has been launched offering free, professional audiology services for adults, from initial hearing assessments to supplying / fitting of hearing aids. Located in Croft Hall Medical Practice on Croft Road in Torquay, Chime Torbay represents the 14th Chime audiology service in Devon, and its team of experts, which boasts over 275 years combined specialist englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

SOS Business Breakfasts at Living Coasts Don’t miss the Zoo’s monthly business breakfasts this autumn for networking and a variety of interesting speakers. Cost is £12 and you can book via livingcoasts. org.uk Will Week Wollen Michelmore is supporting Paignton Zoo by sponsoring Will Week from 6 – 11 October. If you have not yet arranged your will or need to update it, this could be a great time to do it. You can book a private appointment from the Monday through the Saturday in the Zoo’s boardroom. The minimum donation for a single will is £100 and for a double will is just £150. You will receive a complimentary ticket or tickets to visit the Zoo. Call Jenny Paton on 0844 474 2226. o

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

BUYING A BUSINESS...OR THE COMPANY? A client called me the other day to tell me that the name of the business, the website and the he had agreed to buy a business and wanted a quick goodwill associated with the trade. Although there deal to make the most of the summer season trade. are special rules regarding employees and leases He told me that he had given my name to the seller of business premises, the basic position is that a and could soon expect to receive the contract papers line in drawn in the sand on the day that the sale from the seller’s solicitors completes and the new owner is liable from that I called the client just as soon as the papers arrived point forward. to let him know that the seller seemed to think that When I explained all this to my client, he the deal was not for the sale of the business but a sale seemed disappointed. He understood the lower of a company that was running the business. risk involved in buying the business and not the I explained that while it was common for company but he told me that he wanted the new companies to be bought and sold for a price that business to be a company. So I put clauses in the reflects the value of the business contract to make the seller There are sometimes conducted by the company, change the name of the the legal implications were good reasons to explore existing company and created significant. The buyer of the new company for the client. the inherent risk of buying aI changed shares in a company takes over the name of the new a company to balance the company to the name of the on the basis that all historic liabilities continue to apply downside against the up. business and the new company but the purchaser of the completed the purchase of the business and assets of a company does not inherit business from the seller. Job done. responsibility for past events.

If you have any queries arising from this article This is normally enough to deter most prospective contact me by telephone 01803 213251 or by buyers of a business from buying the company that email: owen.hill@wollenmichelmore.co.uk runs the business as well. But there are sometimes good reasons to explore the inherent risk of buying a company to balance the downside against the up. Companies may carry tax losses that can be used by the buyer. If there are no horrors in terms of pension liabilities or compensation claims from Owen Hill the past – then there can still be value added to the Solicitor Commercial & Property buyer in the purchase of the company that owns the business.

Most small businesses change hands on the basis of a sale of the assets used in the enterprise, @wmlegal including business premises, stock in trade, the Wollenmichelmore benefit and burden of existing contracts, employees,

Wollen Michelmore SOLICITORS TORQUAY 01803 213251

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