The Ilfracombe Magazine - February 2023 edition

Ilfracombe

main image: coastal Drones

Charmaine

A word from the editor

Welcome to the February edition of the Ilfracombe Magazine. Firstly, I’m interested to know if anyone can identify the photo on the front page this month. Here’s a clue, it’s not strictly in Ilfracombe and it’s one of those places that you never realised existed until you discover it. Answers on emails please (no prize, just for fun)! This month - as well as your directory of all the very best local businesses - we bring you news of a price hike at many of our local car parks.

While North Devon Council, who have introduced the changes, say they have not increased prices since 2016, it’s not great news for those already struggling during the well-documented cost of living crisis. However, to combat the bad news, we also have some very exciting and particularly cute news! The Guide Dogs charity is on the hunt hunt for Puppy Raisersyou heard me right, Puppy Raisers! As the job title suggests, this voluntary role is perfect for people

who have the time and experience to help raise and socialise young puppies who will eventually go on to be guide dogs. So if you think you have what it takes to fulfil this fantastic role, check out our full story on page 8 for more details and how to apply. I look forward to seeing more cute little puppies walking the streets of the town in the near future. See you next month!

pic: coastal drones

- win a delicious roast dinner!

You could win a delicious Sunday roast dinner at the Lakeside Restaurant at Hidden Valley Holiday Park All you have to do is correctly identify the Ilfracombe street In this picture from Google Street View. Email your answer, name and full address to be in with a chance to win. Send it to us at: theilfracombemagazine@outlook.com

The winner of last month’s competition is Sarah Wells who correctly identified Hillside Road in Hele. Congratulations!

could you offer a home to future guide dogs?

Do you love dogs? Have a bit of spare time to spend with some super-cute puppies? Then a well-known national charity may have the perfect opportunity for you! Guide Dogs are looking for volunteers in the Ilfracombe area to become Puppy Raisers. There are around two million people living with sight loss in the UK. Guide Dogs, a UK-wide charity with a community team based in Exeter, supports people with a visual impairment to maintain their independence and live the life they choose. There are lots of different services on offer, ranging from volunteer-led services such as My Sighted Guide through to the support for children and young people, access to technology, and the iconic guide dog service. But this year the charity is specifically looking for Puppy Raisers who are able to look after future Guide Dogs, socialising them and giving them a loving home. A spokesman for the charity said: “It’s a hugely rewarding role with lots of support and training on offer, plus you will meet lots of new people in your area who are also raising pups. When we say volunteering for Guide Dogs is life changing, we’re not just talking about the

people we’ll support. You’ll gain new skills, build confidence you never knew you had and have amazing experiences that you genuinely couldn’t find anywhere else. Many of you may think saying goodbye to your pup would be too difficult, but our volunteers say nothing beats the rewarding feeling of knowing you have played a huge part in changing someone’s life.”

Terry, a former Puppy Raiser for the charity, describes the moment he first said goodbye to the first dog he fostered. He said: “We were really attached to the first dog we fostered, Carli. However, we get to see her with her owner and that

makes it all worthwhile. We went to our local centre and Carli came to greet us but immediately returned to her owner’s side as if to say ‘I’ve got a job to do’. Carli has given her owner the opportunity to go to university and live a full life.”

A spokesman for Guide Dogs added: “Sometimes, the first step can feel daunting, but if you’re volunteering with Guide Dogs, our welcoming and supportive family of both staff and volunteers are walking alongside you throughout.”

For more information visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/ how-you-can-help/volunteering-for-guide-dogs

price hike at some of ilfracombe’s car parks

North Devon Council is introducing a raft of changes to car parking charges in Ilfracombe this spring. Visitors to Ilfracombe’s Wilder Road car park will be able to opt for a 30-minute stay for just 50p, offering a new option for those making brief stops in the town centre. However, charges will also increase in certain car parks for the first time since 2016. The council says the price hike reflects an increase in running costs. There will be an increase of 20p per hour in short-stay and medium-stay car parks in Ilfracombe - namely Brookdale, Larkstone Lane, Oxford Grove and Wilder Road, with an hour-long stay now costing £1.30. Seasonal parking charges are being introduced across the district’s coastal short stay car parks. An hour-long stay will be £1.50 in high season, reducing to 80p in the winter. The all-day charge for long stay car parks across the district will rise to £2.50. There are also modest increases to permits, which offer a cost effective alternative for those using long stay car parks on a regular basis.

Leader of North Devon Council, Councillor David Worden, said: “We last made changes to our parking charges in 2016 and since then the annual cost of running our car parks has increased by more than £400,000. Over the last few years we have been able to absorb these increased costs, but it is not a situation that is sustainable in the long run. Increasing charges for residents and visitors is not a decision taken lightly and we have held off making any changes during the coronavirus pandemic. We feel these new charges, which include the option of a 30-minute stay in our busier town centre car parks, still offer value for money when compared with similar councils.”

For more information, view the Off Street Parking Places Order 2023 on North Devon Council’s website.

spring season launches at theatres

The Landmark Theatre in Ilfracombe and Queen’s Theatre in Barnstaple have launched their spring season of shows. The new spring season brochure has landed, listing a wide range of exciting performances taking place at the venues from January to April. Highlights of this year’s season include big names in comedy like Jon Richardson, Opera from the Welsh National Opera Orchestra,

family fun with Room on the Broom, audience favourite, That’ll be the Day, a hypnotist, magicians and the Farewell Tour of Broadway smash-hit musical Rock Of Ages. A spokesperson for the theatres said: “We are always delighted to launch a new season, and there’s something for everyone this spring. We really appreciate our supportive audiences here in North Devon, and invite everyone to pick up a

brochure or visit our website to see what’s on.”

Tickets for shows can be booked online at queenstheatre-barnstaple.com or landmark-ilfracombe.com, or by calling the Queen’s Theatre Box Office (covering both theatres) on 01271 316523 (Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm). Brochures can be picked up from both of the theatres during normal opening hours.