The Ilfracombe Magazine - June 2023 edition

Ilfracombe

June 2023

GETTANGLED -SEEP12

main image: coastal Drones

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A word from the editor

Hello and welcome to the June edition of your monthly publication and directory of the best local businesses. As I type this, the sun is shining brightly, the weather is warm and there isn’t a single cloud in the sky - though obviously there’s nothing quite as unpredictable as the Great British weather, so it could be tipping it down by the time you read this! Having said that, there’s no denying that summer is finally

upon us and, along with it, the tourist season. Already the town - and particularly the sea front - has been buzzing with people, which is always lovely to see. This month we bring news of an important charitable donation to one of the town’s unsung organisationsBelle’s Place. This valuable asset offers things like food parcels and a secondhand school uniform shop for those who need it most. But they rely on donations

from the community - which is why £4,000 from TLC has been a major boon (full story on P8). Speaking of community fundraising, this month we also profile the Tangled group, a women’s organisation who do an awful lot for the town in various different guises. If you haven’t heard of them before, check them out in our feature on P12.

pic: coastal drones

community cafe receives charity funding boost

Belle’s Place, a drop-in café in Ilfracombe with a difference, is to receive £4,000 from local charity TLC. TLC has handed over the second of four donations of £1,000 to Belle’s Place, which offers advice, guidance and information, and hosts other organisations that can provide people with help. Carol Parkin, Belle’s Place Director and Centre Manager, said “We’re a vital service to the community and we wouldn’t be able to offer that without the support of our community. We support everyone, there’s no bar to anyone being able to access us. But without donations, we just couldn’t continue offering those ser-

vices to people who really need them at the moment.” Soaring energy bills and rising food prices have led to greater demand for help as local families face the impact of inflation. Carol added: “Certainly, the cost of living crisis has increased the amount of people we’re seeing. Whether it’s our school uniform shop, our proms shop, which is a new venture, or people coming in for food parcels, or signposting to other services, it’s all definitely increased.” Belle’s Place is only one of the local organisations to have been helped by TLC, which was founded in 1997 and has provided over £16,000 for local causes

since last summer alone. Its donations include £6,000 for food vouchers for Ilfracombe’s infant and junior schools, £2,300 for the warm space, breakfast club and pantomime all organised at Ilfracombe library, £1,000 for the Encompass community support service, and £500 for the town’s Tornados Allstars cheerleading group. All of the charity’s income is earned from sales in its Portland Street shop of clothes, kitchenware, furniture and books, given by local people. Lynne Wilson, TLC shop manager and trustee, said: “We like to support local causes in Ilfracombe and to give back to the community.”

fun, friendship & fundraising with tangled

The Ilfracombe Tangled Charity are a local group of ladies who meet regularly to socialise and organise fundraising activities in and around the local area. Some of the members have been part of the Tangled group for almost 10 years and with new members joining regularly, they are growing all the time. The ladies usually meet one evening a month for their official Tangled meeting and this is an opportunity to plan events and discuss which charitable causes to support. They often hold meetings in local pubs and restaurants as they strongly believe in supporting local businesses. As part of the

Round Table family, Tangled’s motto is Fun, Friendship and Fundraising. The group hold regular, voluntary social events as most members work full-time and have a busy schedule, but these socials are a great way to unwind. A few members organise a weekend at Butlins each year and this year some will be having a spa day and drinks evening. They organise a Christmas party event, fundraising activities, stalls at local events and last New Year’s Eve many of the ladies hosted a fundraising evening at The Old Mill. All money raised is used to support local charitable causes such as helping to pay towards a

new defibrillator on the high street and supporting local individuals with healthcare costs. The Chairwoman for 2023 is Alison Baxter and she will be hosting an event on Saturday 17th June at the Carlton Hotel. The cabaret evening begins with a complimentary drink on arrival, lavish buffet and a Neil Diamond tribute act. Tickets can be purchased on the high street at Footworks or at the Darnley Hotel or by calling 07824140062. If you would like more information on the Tangled charity please get in touch with them at ilfracombetangles958@gmail. com or visit their Instagram page at tangle_ilfracombe