The Ilfracombe Magazine - February 2022 Edition

The

Ilfracombe February 2022

TO G UR HO IS ST M T BO OU OS RS T -P 8

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THIS MONTH...

10

Ghost Town

P8 - Could paranormal tourism give Ilfracombe’s economy a spooky boost?

Chancellor’s Visit

P10 - Rishi Sunak comes to town to talk business with locals

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P5 - Word From The Editor P6 - Win a Roast P10 - Local News P14/15 - Council News P12 - From The Archives P24 - The View

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AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY

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A word from the editor February is here and love is in the air! That’s right, Valentine’s is nearly upon us – and what better way to celebrate than taking your beloved (or the person you are trying to impress) to one of Ilfracombe’s many fantastic restaurants? Our town has a well-earned reputation as a foodie destination, but the last couple of years under the cloud of the pandemic will have been tough on many restauranteurs. There’s no better way of endorsing them by getting out there and eating their delicious food, so why not book a table and maybe even try something new this year? Speaking of the local economy, Ilfracombe had a visit from the man at the very top last month when Chancellor Rishi Sunak came to town. He visited the Pall factory on Station Road to hear all about their vital role in the production of several covid vaccines and also the massive investment taking place there (see page 10 for the full story). It’s fantastic to hear they will be providing more jobs for local people – and whatever your politics, it never hurts to have the top bods drop by to see what wonderful work we are doing in this picturesque little corner of the country.

Sticking with the economy, this month we also hear from two local men with a passion for all things paranormal who think Ilfracombe’s spooky history could hold the key to prosperity. Mark Langworthy and Huet Bartels have set up Devon Ghost Tours with the hope of bringing paranormal enthusiasts to the town from around the UK – as well as introducing locals to the somewhat unusual

5

art of ghost hunting. Hat’s off to them, it’s creative thinking like this that will encourage visits from people who may not have been to the town - or even this part of the country - before.

Top work guys, just make sure you keep the ghosts contained, yeah!

Leo

The Ilfracombe Magazine

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6 COMpetition - 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

WIN!

WIN! The winner of last month’s competition is Kitania Popple who correctly identified Hermitage Road. Congratulations!

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Lakeside @ Hidden Valley

Lakeside @ Hidden Valley

Our menu is now available for delivery on Just Eat Lakeside Bar & Restaurant, Hidden Valley, West Down, Ilfracombe, EX34 8NU

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8 ghost tours could be key to extra tourism

Huet (top) & business partner Mark

The founders of a spooky new business in Ilfracombe believe the town’s haunted history could hold the key to bringing in more tourists. Devon Ghost Tours has been created by locals Mark Langworthy and Huet Bartels, both of whom have a passion for paranormal investigation. The pair spent much of lockdown ‘investigating’ organising virtual history and ghost tours around the town which were met with positive feedback.

Huet said: “As a result, we decided it would be a good idea to share our experiences with the local community and those who come here on holiday. We are planning to start in person walking tours in the Summer 2-3 times a week on different routes around the town and neighbouring areas. The

tours will have a mix of history and ghost stories and will last around 45 – 60 minutes for groups of 20 people. Private walks can also be arranged for groups of 7 and above.”

As well as the tours, the pair are planning to run winter ‘investigation’ events for paranormal teams from across the UK and will also host experience nights at local venues. Huet said: “We want to help get more people into our town throughout the year and will work with local shops, restaurants, hotels, cafes and pubs to help them get more foot fall into their premises.

We will be running other events in the town from history presentations with guest speakers to discussing the paranormal activity of buildings we have been

researching.” Both Huet and Mark believe their new venture will add value to the town’s economy and are on the hunt for other businesses who might want to team up with them for their paranormal proposals. Huet said: “As we are residents of Ilfracombe, we want the town to be successful in everything it does, and we want to help achieve this with our project. We know there are many haunted locations in Ilfracombe and would like to speak to owners about using their venues for paranormal investigations. Hotels and Bed & Breakfasts are also important for this project as guests need somewhere to stay while visiting Ilfracombe and we would like to offer this in our bookings.

If you think your venue has paranormal activity and you would like to be involved, then get in touch and we can arrange a Covid-safe discussion about how we can work with you.”

Anyone looking for more information can contact Devon Ghost Tours via email at info@devonghosttours.com, by visiting https://devonghosttours. com or you can look them up on social media by visiting Facebook.com/DevonGhostToursParanormal.

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10 chancellor rishi sunak visits ilfracombe

Rishi Sunak with Selaine Saxby MP, Ron Ley, Cllr Daniel Turton & Cllr Paul Crabb

Businesses in Ilfracombe had a chance to quiz one of the most senior British politicians when Chancellor Rishi Sunak paid a visit to the town. The Chancellor visited the Pall factory at the top of Station Road where he heard about their £60 million investment into the Ilfracombe site, bringing 200 new jobs. The factory, which employs many local people, has played an important role during the pandemic, manufacturing filters which have been used in the production of Covid vaccines across the globe.

The Chancellor then joined a private event at The

Landmark Theatre where he met many local business owners and residents and heard their views, concerns and answered questions.

Among the issues raised were concerns about local housing and finding staff, as well as the cost of living, levelling up the south west, energy pricing and the pace of trying to reach net zero. Mr Sunak was hosted on his visit by North Devon MP Selaine Saxby.

She said: “I strive to bring ministers to North Devon and the south west, to see all of the wonderful things we have to offer, and also to understand the support that

we too need in levelling up, and how our remoteness and rurality brings different challenges (as well as joys) to more urban areas.

This was a planned visit to a major employer in North Devon and having come a considerable distance I was delighted that his schedule facilitated meeting other businesses and residents to hear what they had to say.

There is more going on in this country than what is happening in the Westminster bubble and I believe it is vital that ministers see and experience that first hand whenever they have the opportunity.”

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It’s Snow Laughing Matter!

This Ilfracombe snow scene, looking towards Hillsborough from Quayfields, seems appropriate for February - though the actual date of the photograph is unknown. There have been a few notorious winters in North Devon. In December 1962 Devon was hit by a blizzard that left drifts up to 20 feet deep. The ‘big freeze’ continued until February ‘63, with many communities left cut off for days. The Ilfracombe railway line was cut off too, and engines had to be dug out of snowdrifts. In late January 1947, after a very mild start to the year, Devon had been struck by blizzards with snow continuing to fall across England every day until March.

The Ilfracombe Chronicle of February 1947

reported that the Royal Mail van wasn’t able to deliver the post, so one of the postmen, Mr Porter, walked his round, which included Lee village, through the snow, twice a day. Children were reported to have tobogganed down Oxford Grove – nerves of steel required for them and their parents. Further afield on Exmoor, there was a dramatic bid to aid a snow-bound mother about to give birth. Two Barnstaple doctors, one on skis and another on a pony, set out for Challacombe braving 20ft snowdrifts. At one point the pony bolted and its cargo of medical instruments was nearly lost. Five hours later they reached the patient and helped deliver a healthy baby.

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16

latest events at ilfracombe holiday park

The next couple of months have a lot in store for music and mediumship fans! On Friday 25th February there will be a Night Of Mediumship at Ilfracombe Holiday Park featuring three

international mediums Angie Kruger, Mark Deville and Tina Paul. Tickets cost £10. Over 16s only. For more details visit https:// www.tickettailor.com/ events/ilfracombeholidayp-

ark/636915/. Next we take a leap back in time with the Everything Eighties festival featuring tributes to Duran Duran, Madonna, REM, Status Quo, Blondie and Ultravox to name just a few.

This event takes place from March 11 to 13 and has already sparked a lot of interest locally. Sticking with the retro vibes, we then take a trip to the prog-rock era with The Darkside of Pink Floyd.

This event takes place on March 19 and promises to be an absolute belter - this Pink Floyd Tribute act are very well known and hugely respected. See you there!

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Changing Lifestyles Locally Key performance facts for Bond Oxborough Phillips Ilfracombe • Speed of offer to exchange: National average 96 days;

Our average: 70 days • Selling Price v Asking Price: National average 96.3%:

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The view with COMBEBIRD

Each month we share a beautiful image of Ilfracombe from local photography blogger Combebird. This month, a moody morning snap from the View Point at the Cove.

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Our average: 9% For a free valuation call our Ilfracombe office on 01271 866699.

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Cat of the month!

Rosie Barnstaple Meet 10 year old Rosie, a real good looker who knows it! A much loved pet since kittenhood she has found herself homeless as her original owners new home is not suitable for her. Although generally friendly she is a bit of a diva with 'catitude' - a grown up cat who knows her likes and dislikes. She will come to greet you with friendly body language, enjoy a little stroke and sit next to you while she grooms her silky coat into tip top condition. She doesn't like too much fussing though and will let you know when she's had enough.

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