The Ilfracombe Magazine - November 2022 edition

Ilfracombe

A word from the editor

Welcome to the November edition of The Ilfracombe Magazine. The nights have finally drawn in and it’s definitely time to dig out that thick, winter coat - but that’s no reason to feel down. There’s a wonderful aura around these autumnal months, a sense of hunkering down and snuggling up, lighting the fire or wood burner and settling down with a good book or TV programme and a hot chocolate. For many this year, a fire or log burner may not just be a comfort ing winter luxury, but a

genuinely cost effective method of heating one’s home. It’s well documented that we are in a pretty serious cost of living crisis, with heating, energy and fuel costs all sky-rocketing. Although as I type the Gov ernment has announced a series of packages which they hope will help people with these issues, it could be some time until we start to feel the full benefit. So why am I waffling on about this? Well, it’s always worth reminding ourselves what we, collectively, are going through. We have such a

fantastic community spirit in Ilfracombe, so I know this will have crossed many of your minds, but please remember to check on your neighbours - elderly or otherwise - to see how they are managing. Even if they are absolutely fine, I’m certain they will appreciate the sentiment. And if you are concerned, remember there are lots of schemes that can help - make the Ilfracombe Centre your first port of call.

Leo

The Ilfracombe Magazine

council issues statement on dilkhusa hotel plans

The leader of North Devon Council has issued a statement regarding reports on the potential future use of the Dilkhusa Grand Hotel in Ilfracombe. Councillor David Worden said: “North Devon Council recently received formal notification from the Home Office of the potential use of the Dilkhusa Grand Hotel, Ilfracombe as a contingency hotel to accommodate people who have arrived in the UK seeking protec tion (asylum seekers). We wrote to the Home Office and to Clearsprings Ready Homes, the Home Office accommodation provider, raising significant concerns over the process and the

suitability of Ilfracombe for this type of accommodation. Ilfracombe is very remote from any support services and the loss of an operating hotel would have significant impacts on the local economy. North Devon MP, Se laine Saxby, raised similar concerns with Ministers and the Home Office directly and asked for an urgent and detailed consultation with North Devon Council. A multi-agency forum was subsequently held with the Home Office on Friday 7 October 2022 at which we, and other agencies, repeated those concerns.

On Thursday, October 13, we were informed that a decision had been made

not to progress the hotel as asylum contingency accommodation. We believe the decision made in relation to the Dilkusa Grand Hotel is the right one and sup ports our shared desire to develop and support the town.

“We are grateful to the Home Office for the op portunity which gave local stakeholders a voice to influence this important decision. We understand the critical need to increase housing capacity across the country to accommodate people who are seeking help in the UK. We will work proactively with the Govern ment to assist in meeting this need.”

10 friendship group is looking for new members

The Lantern Friendship Group meets on alternate Wednesday afternoons from 2 to 4pm. They have an entertainer or speaker and then friendly chats over coffee or tea and biscuits. The group are of senior age and many live alone and look forward to the get together. Transport can be ar ranged door to door through Shirley Jones at Ilfracombe Community Transport on 01271 864882. Shirley also arranges trips out on alter nate Wednesdays. There is a lift in the Lantern Centre which takes guests to the room upstairs where

the group meets. There’s a small charge which covers room hire, entertainment, tea and coffee, biscuits and a small free raffle. New members are welcomed and the first meeting is free so you can go along and give it a try. If you do, there

is a small yearly membership fee which can be paid after the 3rd/4th meet ing. For more information search Combe Lantern Friendship Group on Facebook or visit the website at lanternfriendshipgroup. wordpress.com.

care home hosts magical mad hatter’s tea party

Edenmore Nursing Home in Ilfracombe hosted its very own Mad Hatter’s tea party for their residents. The party was inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland for all the home to enjoy. The team at Edenmore dressed up as beloved characters of the book and spent the morning prepar ing food and setting a table that would make you feel as though you had tumbled down the rabbit hole and into the whimsical world of wonderland itself. In the

afternoon they welcomed family members to a party full of fun and laughter, and left filled with yummy tea and cake. Home Manager Gayle, who dressed up as the home’s very own Alice in Wonderland, said: “The tea party was amazing, we captured some incredible magic and all family members could relate to the theme. Some of the family members described the event as colourful, a wonderful experience, entertain ing, lovely and enjoyable.”