Helipad Spring 2020

Kents Cavern

Journey through time

Critical Care Cars A new level of support

Hedgehog Home Make your garden a haven

the official magazine of DEVON AIR AMBULANCE

spring 2020 | www.daat.org

INSPIRING

ILFRACOMBE Taking risks in art and architecture

Coronavirus Update from our CEO

Our Fantastic Fundraisers What could you do to save a life?

Aviator’s

Anecdotes 30 years flying for the Emergency Services

FREE MAGAZINE Find out more about: Our Service Our Patients Our Fundraisers & Your Beautiful County!

NEW Patient Liaison Clinicians Offering Ongoing Support

Inspiring Stories of patient recovery

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Devon Air Ambulance’s very own Community Magazine

A garden for all seasons Including: Themed family school holiday activities Rose Festival in June & July Rosemoor Flower Show (August) Apple Festival (October) Glow – Winter Illuminations (November – January)

Great Torrington, Devon, EX38 8PH Your visit supports our work as a charity RHS Registered Charity No. 222879/SC038262

spring 2020 | WELCOME

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WELCOME

Coronavirus Update from

Devon Air Ambulance Heléna Holt Chief Executive Officer

We appreciate that the current situation with the Coronavirus pandemic is a difficult time for everyone – not just our staff and supporters, but the wider community as well. Many people are feeling worried, not only because of the impact the virus may have on them and their families, but also because they are concerned about work, how they will pay their bills, how they will ensure they have the necessary supplies and how to look after loved ones, particularly those who are elderly, vulnerable or alone.

Here at Devon Air Ambulance we share all those concerns. Operationally, it is a challenging time for us, for the NHS and for the wider emergency services family, and it is essential that we work with them to coordinate the very best level of healthcare we can provide in the circumstances for the people of Devon.

As we go to print, we will still be attending and treating both trauma and medical patients, in line with guidance from Public Health England, but we will not be transporting medical patients by air until further notice.

Also, because of the unprecedented demand on our region’s hospitals, we have taken the decision to release our doctors back to their host hospitals. The benefits they can bring within the hospital to help with the pandemic far outweigh the benefits to the patients we attend, who are very ably treated by our highly skilled and qualified Critical Care Paramedics.

At the current time, we have also closed our 19 shops and Head Office in Exeter, with the majority of our staff now working from home. However, we will still be monitoring our emails so please do get in touch with us by emailing info@daat.org for general enquiries, fundraising@daat.org for any fundraising related enquiries or lottery@daat.org for lottery enquiries. We will get back to you as quickly as possible, and we appreciate your patience if it takes us slightly longer than normal to respond.

As you can imagine, the above measures – and

the continuing uncertainty about the impact of this pandemic – will have a very significant impact on Devon Air Ambulance. With our shops closed, and all fundraising events, talks and visits suspended, we anticipate seeing a marked drop in the money we need to raise each year to keep our service going. I would personally like to thank everyone who continues to support us in whatever way possible and, if you have not supported Devon Air Ambulance before but would like to make a one-off or recurring donation, we would be extremely grateful. See page 20 for ways in which you can assist us at this extremely difficult and worrying time for our Charity.

We are also very sorry to announce that, as we go to print, we have taken the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Motorcycle Ride Out and Dragon Boat Festival. We know all our regular participants and those planning to take part for the first time this year will be very disappointed with this news but we feel it is the appropriate decision to make given the current uncertainty. At the moment, we are still planning on holding our Commando Challenge event in October but will be making a decision on this shortly and will let everyone who has already signed up know whether or not this is going ahead.

If you are socially distancing, or self-isolating, we hope you enjoy reading our Spring issue of Helipad which, as always, is full of interesting articles about the people and places of Devon, as well as inspirational stories from our patients. If you would like to keep up to date with Devon Air Ambulance, please visit our website or follow us via our social media channels.

Editor’s Note: We pride ourselves on the professional production values of Helipad but have had to make some last minute changes to this issue and our normal processes in light of the current Coronavirus situation. While we continue to strive to maintain our very high

standards, we therefore apologise if you spot any errors or omission in this issue! We look forward to returning to normality in the future, and will provide further updates as necessary in our Summer issue.

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helipad | www.daat.org

CONTENTS | spring 2020 OUR WORK 6

Stop Press ‘SPECIAL’ Look out for our two Critical Care Cars on Devon’s roads and welcome our new helicopter into the country.

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Aviator’s Anecdotes Flight Operations Director, Ian Payne, recalls 30 years of service flying for the emergency services in Devon.

16

Dr. Tim’s Casebook Lead Consultant, Dr. Tim Nutbeam, gives his own perspective of a recent complex case, and we catch up with the patient as she fundraises for DAA.

Contributors

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Neil Devons Jim Fisher David FitzGerald Richard Wilson

Fundraising ideas from home Stuck indoors? You can still support Devon Air Ambulance with these creative ideas for fundraising from home.

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DAAs 2020 Events We look forward to welcoming participants and supporters at our very own annual fundraising events later in the year.

36

A Day in the Life of a DAA Shop Manager Netty Packer, Manager at our Tavistock shop explains why, in charity retail, its non-stop from the minute you open the door to the moment you lock up.

39

Fundraising Focus Fantastic fundraiser Tim Cox raised nearly £6,000 for Devon Air Ambulance, heroically running back-to-back marathons in one day!.

40

Businesses on Board We want to say a big thank you for the continuing support of local businesses and spotlight the amazing contribution of Arconic.

42

Devon People Thank you to everyone who fundraises for Devon Air Ambulance from fun runs and bike rides to dog shows, monster vegetables and even wing-walking - and everything in between.

46

Junior Crew We celebrate some of our younger supporters and see how their inspired fundraising ideas help raise money for the charity.

47

Community Landing Sites One family and their friends set out on a personal journey to create a network of night landing sites in Newton Abbot.

48

Patient Support ‘Above and Beyond’ Meet our three Patient Support Clinicians helping our patients and their families in the days, weeks and months after we came to their aid.

The Offical Magazine of Devon Air Ambulance Celebrating the best in Devon 40,000 copies covering the whole county. 35,000+ delivered direct to our supporters Also available online at www.daat.org

Photographers RHS Rosemoor

Publisher Heléna Holt h.holt@daat.org Editor Alison Simpson helipad@daat.org Sub Editor Debbie Gregory d.gregory@daat.org Advertising Sales Gaynor Garton 020 3283 4055 Advertisement Copy copy@daat.org Design & Print Management Silver Foxes Publishing 07455 206470 Distribution & Mailing Silver Foxes Publishing 07455 206470 ISSN (Print) 2055-2343 ISSN (Online) 2055-2351 Next issue Summer 2020

On The Cover Issue No.25 Spring 2020 is published by DEVON AIR AMBULANCE TRUST

Ilfracombe Harbour © Adobe Stock

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spring 2020 | CONTENTS

16

PEOPLE & PLACES 14

The ‘other’ Mayflower In 1957, a very mixed bunch of ‘sailors’ decided it would be good idea to build a replica of the Mayflower and follow the Pilgrim Fathers to America.

18

A maze through time As a county, Devon has more than its fair share of important and archaeologically significant sites, but none more so than Kents Cavern in Torquay.

24

Spiritual Spring Gardens Richard Wilson tells us how being in the garden is a source of physical, emotional and mental positivity.

26

Inspiring Ilfracombe Ilfracombe’s rugged north Devon landscape has long been a magnet for tourists and the town has never been afraid to take risks in art and architecture.

32

Hurrah for Hedgehogs With our hedgehog population in decline, learn some simple tips for turning your garden back into a hedgehog ‘des res’!

34

Go Wild with Lamb Jim Fisher sears Spring lamb and wild garlic then encourages us to wrap it in a clean blanket or sleeping bag to rest - delicious!

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Back Chat Fitz meets up for a chat with John Cleese to talk about love of farce and why a huge statue of Basil Fawlty would go down a treat on Torquay seafront!

Dr Tim’s Casebook

GET INVOLVED 8

Volunteering We have so many volunteering opportunities in our shops; meet three people who find giving something back to the charity and the community so rewarding.

21

Lottery We’ve done it! We now have over 40,000 regular members playing our weekly lottery. Some of the winners tell us what it’s like when their lucky numbers come up trumps.

PATIENTS 10

It takes time to heal Eighteen months after his accident, motorcyclist Gary Palmer tells us about the revolutionary equipment helping to heal his broken leg.

23

20% chance of survival When Sally Smith suffered a traumatic head injury, her family feared the worst but DAAs quick intervention got her the specialist treatment she needed – fast.

29

‘Look Away’ How the clinical team from Devon Air Ambulance repositioned a badly broken and deformed ankle, and the generosity of the patient after his treatment.

37

Not what it seems The DAA paramedic who treated 12 year old Harry Bellman for a seemingly straightforward broken wrist explains why urgent treatment was so vital.

24 Spiritual Spring Gardens

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GET IN TOUCH! Devon Air Ambulance Unit 5 Sandpiper Court Harrington Lane Exeter EX4 8NS  01392 466666  info@daat.org  www.daat.org Registered Charity No 1077998 Registered Company No 3855746

Fundraising & Events

fundraising@daat.org

Lottery

lottery@daat.org

Volunteering

Ginette Gisborne

g.gisborne@daat.org

Patient Contact

Debbie Gregory

d.gregory@daat.org

PR

Sarah Burden

s.burden@daat.org

Community Landing Sites Toby Russell

t.russell@daat.org

Operations

Nigel Hare

n.hare@daat.org

Advertising Sales

Square7 Media

0203 283 4055

© 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 Air Ambulance Trust 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.

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The latest news from Air Ambulance HQ SPECIAL We are delighted to announce that Devon Air Ambulance has expanded and enhanced its service with two new Volvo XC90 Critical Care Cars

spring 2020 | NEWS

Lifesaving Vehicles In the Autumn 2018 Budget, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced £10 million in capital funding for air ambulance services. Devon Air Ambulance applied for £226,000 of this fund, to purchase two critical care cars and fully kit them out with all the necessary medical equipment. The grant will also enable us to provide 35 public access defibrillators across our premises, cars and shops, and we hope to roll-out this exciting new project during 2020.

From March 2020, our two new Critical Care Cars mean our critical care teams can still provide specialist lifesaving care by road, when poor weather or maintenance prevents our helicopters flying. Because our clinical teams treat the most critically ill and injured patients across Devon by delivering life-saving, enhanced and critical care, having the ability to reach them quickly and convey them to the most appropriate specialist treatment centre, even when the helicopter is not available, will mean we can treat more patients who need our help.

Darren Goodwin, Operations Manager said “We undertook a lot of research for this project, looking at the vehicles similar services were using and what would be the best fit for Devon.

The Volvo XC90, which is also used by many other emergency services, was the best fit for our service. We would like to thank Volvo Car UK for their help and

support with this project and of course the Department of Health & Social Care for the grant given which allowed us to buy these lifesaving vehicles.

Darren added “When you see our Critical Care Cars on Devon’s roads - liveried in iconic Devon Air Ambulance blue and red - you will know they are helping someone who needs the level of critical care we can provide”.

Nigel Hare, Operations Director, said “These two fully-equipped Volvo XC90 Critical Care Cars (CCC) will provide resilience and capability across our geographically large county when one of our aircraft is unable to fly. This development ensures our highly skilled critical care paramedics and doctors, and their advanced life-saving equipment, mirroring the medical equipment on board our aircraft, can still be delivered to scene, improving the clinical outcomes for patients.

The CCCs are very safe, and equipped with all that’s needed for our teams to deliver life-saving treatment to a patient. They are fitted with blue lights and warning sirens and our teams have also undergone extensive enhanced emergency response ‘blue light’ driver training.’

Nigel added “If our aircraft, or pilots, become unable to fly during the current pandemic, or because they provide the best means of reaching our patients in the current climate, you could see our Critical Care Cars out more often”.

G-DAAS arrives in the UK We are also pleased to announce that our new state-of-the-art H145 helicopter, G-DAAS, has been flown from Germany and arrived safely at the Airbus facility in Oxford. Tactical air ambulance radios and the interior air ambulance equipment (manufactured by Bucher in Switzerland) will now be installed, and the helicopter will also undergo rigorous compliance testing.

Following this, DAA staff will develop short training packages for onboard systems prior to pilots and HEMS crew being allowing to get ‘hands on’! We look forward to welcoming G-DAAS to Devon Air Ambulance later in the year.

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Retail Therapy Devon Air Ambulance is proud to have a whole host of wonderful volunteers in our 19 shops, but there’s always room for more!

Read on to find out a little bit more about the range of different jobs our retail volunteers do, why they love to help and how their contribution helps keep our helicopters flying

O

ur shops are not only a place to pick up a pre-loved bargain but also act as a community hub. Many of our customers are regulars who pop in to say ‘hello’ and have a general browse, others come in to play our lottery, bring

Cath has been volunteering in our Kingsbridge shop for almost 5 years.

She first began volunteering for Age Concern but then heard through a friend that help was needed in our shop. The rest is history!

“The Kingsbridge shop has lots of donations coming in everyday, so the stockroom is where I keep myself busy. I admit, sometimes the amount of donations here can look quite daunting but I know that everything I sort will end up on the shop floor and that means pounds in the till for the air ambulance.

Although he has a part-time job, Jason still finds time to help out in our Kingsbridge shop twice a week. He serves people at the till and with restocking – he’s also the No. 1 toy checker for anything with lights and sounds!

“I used to come into this shop as a customer and always thought the staff and volunteers were welcoming and friendly. I knew that the Devon Air Ambulance was often seen flying over the South Hams and after chatting to the manager I decided that I would like to help out – that was 7 years ago!

I mostly enjoy being on the till; when I heard we were having new tills I was a bit worried because I knew the old till so well, but I had the training and it was no problem. I

us goods to sell or make a monetary donation. Luckily, each shop has a band of willing volunteers helping us keep everything running smoothly, both behind the scenes and on the shop floor.

The favourite job is sorting through the bags and boxes, you never know what you might find! As well as clothing, we also get a lot of donated bric-a-brac which has to be sorted and washed. If it’s unusual or an old vintage style piece, it will be boxed up and sent off to one of our specialist Vintage & Variety shops at Dartmouth or Topsham.

I would always encourage people to volunteer, as I find it very rewarding. It also keeps me active and I enjoy meeting other volunteers and people I know. I feel like a valued member of the team so, even if you have just a small amount of time, there will be something you can do to help this really worthwhile cause”.

even help to train new volunteers on how to use the till now!

A while ago I was knocked off my bike on the way to the shop, I was pretty shaken up by the time I got there and my manager kindly took me to the Minor Injuries Unit in Kingsbridge.

Although I didn’t need the air ambulance that day and escaped with just a couple of cracked ribs, it reminded me that others are not so lucky. I am really proud to be able to give my time to the Devon Air Ambulance and when I see it flying overhead I know that I have helped to make it possible”.

spring 2020 | VOLUNTEERING

Sarah has been volunteering at our Totnes shop since it first opened in 2014. She had just left a teaching career after 20 years and found that she had some spare time to volunteer while she considered her next career move “There are so many worthy causes when you are considering volunteering but DAA really appealed to me.

I was excited to join a brand new shop and I was made to feel part of the team immediately. Six years on this hasn’t changed, the store is always welcoming, everyone is friendly and I feel like I am making a difference.

Once I was back in employment, I wanted to continue my volunteering and, because it is flexible, you can work and still volunteer! I am now an ‘enhanced’ volunteer with responsibility for the shop’s social media posts. I really enjoy it and it’s surprisingly addictive to see how many people are engaging with us this way. Being an ‘enhanced’ volunteer makes me feel trusted with a level of responsibility which I really value.

The other thing that I love is to use my creativity with the window displays. It’s so rewarding when customers comment on it and when an item I’ve just placed there sells almost immediately! It might sound cheesy, but whenever I see the Devon Air Ambulance flying overhead, I feel a sense of pride that I play a tiny part in helping to save lives.

WELCOME ONBOARD While Volunteer Manager Cara Jones is on maternity leave, we are delighted to welcome Ginette Gisborne into the role. Let Ginette introduce herself …

I joined Devon Air Ambulance in December 2018 as the Manager of our Kingsbridge shop, I was new to the charity sector having previously working for a corporate company as a Retail Marketing Manager. I soon settled in to my new role and found it so rewarding to know that I was contributing towards something very special. One

year on I am lucky to be starting a new role as Volunteer Manager. Our volunteers are a group of exceptional people and it will be a privilege for me to look after them and continue to develop the volunteer team in the coming months.

VOLUNTEERING

To find out where your nearest shop is and how you can help, please contact our Interim Volunteer Manager Ginette Gisborne on: g.gisborne@daat.org

Our volunteers come from all walks of life and cover an incredible age range from 14 to 94! We have younger volunteers undertaking their Duke of Edinburgh Awards, students who would like to gain work experience, individuals who would like to meet new people and those who would like to do something worthwhile, all while working together as a team.

No previous retail experience is necessary as we offer friendly support, training and encouragement.

If you feel able to give a little of your time to share your expertise with our shop teams or want to try something new, why not give volunteering a go? We will always arrange a trial session first, so you can meet the team and get a feel for the shop, we can also talk about which areas you might enjoy most.

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A very lengthy recovery When Helipad’s Debbie Gregory spoke to patient Gary Palmer in December 2019, she was amazed to hear him say that he ‘still had a broken leg’.

Gary had been involved in a road traffic collision where he was knocked from his motorbike, back in September 2018!

G

ary explained that, for a variety of reasons and despite much metalwork and pins, the bone in his leg hadn’t healed. Thankfully, he is now using an amazing machine called an Exogen, which uses low-intensity ultrasound to promote bone growth, and it is beginning to show results. “I’ve started going out for short walks with

my dog again, albeit with two crutches, but it’s great to be out in the fresh air again.”

The collision, on the A39 in North Devon, left Gary with multiple injuries, including facial injuries, a broken arm, nose and pelvis and a severely broken femur.

A Devon Air Ambulance crew were dispatched, and critical care paramedics Mark

Hawley and Grant Thompson were swiftly at the scene.

Gary, a motorcyclist for over 30 years, had been riding that morning with two good friends. “There were often eight or nine of us that went out together but, on this occasion, it was just Barry, Rob and me. I don’t have any recollection of the incident but my friends told me that

we were in a line of traffic heading towards Barnstaple when a car coming towards us just pulled straight across my path to go into a field that was being used for overflow parking. Apparently, according to witnesses, I didn’t even have time to brake!”

The collision was witnessed

by Gary’s two friends who,

spring 2020 | PATIENTS despite their own shock, administered CPR until the medics arrived. Gary was in urgent need of surgery and was monitored en-route to Derriford Hospital, with Barry and Rob remaining at the scene for several hours, talking to the police and giving statements.

As is often the case, the repercussions of the incident have been far-reaching.

As well as the very real emotional impact on his family and friends, Gary - who lives in Verwood, Dorset runs his own car valeting business but hasn’t been able to work since the incident.

Frustrated by his lack of independence in the months following the incident, and unable to drive a manual car while his left leg was still healing, Gary changed to an

“ There’s no doubt that the accident has been life-changing, explained Gary. I’ve ridden a motorbike for decades; it’s been my social life as well as my transport but I won’t from now on, and that takes some getting used to ”

Gary and his friend Barry the morning of the accident

Gary’s bike at the crash scene

automatic. As the Exogen machine is finally making a difference, Gary is now hopeful of re-opening his business in spring this year.

Keen to let all his customers know, Gary drove 45 miles to his closest Devon Air Ambulance shop, in Honiton, to buy Christmas cards to announce his plans! Many of his clients have already responded saying how

11

delighted they are to hear his news and they are happy to book their vehicles in when he re-opens.

Coincidentally, we included a story in our last Helipad of another motorcyclist, David, who had also been involved in a nasty accident and, lo and behold, it turned out that Gary and David were in opposite beds in the same ward at the same hospital o

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Anecdotes of

spring 2020 | OUR PEOPLE

13

an aviator

Flight Operations Director Ian Payne looks back over his 30 years working in Helicopter Emergency Services

L

We did, I confess, send the odd traffic policeman to arrest ike so much in life, things have moved on a little in the dying BBQ embers but, with ever increasing experience in sector of the helicopter industry described as ‘Emergency identifying thermal ‘hot spots’, much of our work was now done Service Flying’ over the past 30 years. from our lofty vantage point, downlinked and recorded for I left the Royal Navy in 1990 and was fortunate to be offered posterity. I was part of the operational trials and flew the CAA a job for a private helicopter company as a line pilot for Devon approval flight for Night Vision Goggle (NVG) operations, which and Cornwall Police – long before the creation of the National resulted in widespread use of NVGs across the sector. The Police Aviation Service. improved versions of this important piece of kit revolutionised We were the first provincial force to have a helicopter, so we night flying and has enabled us to extend our operating hours were definite ‘pathfinders’ in what we were able to achieve into darkness to help more sick and injured people. in those early days. Cornwall’s Air Ambulance was in service Following my appointment as Head of Air Operations for but, before Devon Air Ambulance was operational, the police Devon and Cornwall Police, in addition to the ‘day job’ I led the helicopter carried volunteer paramedics on weekends and work that resulted in Devon Air Ambulance’s close association bank holiday, using an extremely rudimentary medical kit. with the police, and our Exeter helicopter being based at My first challenge was the adjustment from hunting Middlemoor Police Headquarters. submarines over very deep water to the frightening prospect My time flying with Devon of operating largely over Air Ambulance was as land. Landing was common “ Landing was common as, prior to equally memorable as as, prior to sophisticated sophisticated onboard ‘Thermal Image’ working for the police, onboard ‘Thermal Image’ and with too many anecdotes and broadcast quality cameras, we broadcast quality cameras, recount. I quickly we relied on ‘Mark 1 eyeball’ relied on ‘Mark 1 eyeball’ and some very to learned, however, that and some very expensive expensive stabilised binoculars ” some paramedics have stabilised binoculars, the best a mischievous streak! piece of kit ever invented to Mentioning no names (he still works for us!) but, on returning make a policeman airsick. In many cases, we had to land just from a job very early in my career with DAA, one paramedic to give the binocular operator some fresh air! casually asked me if I had picked up the bag of drugs he There were some advantages to having police and had left on the aircraft boarding step. Before I realised he paramedics on the same helicopter. In the 1990’s, I attended was joking, I had a few panicky moments, imagining the an incident at Westbury when the casualty, pinned to a paperwork involved if I had dropped these drugs from 1,000 barn wall by a runaway tractor, was recognised by the feet up into some poor unsuspecting persons back garden! police officer as being wanted for multiple burglaries in With the inauguration of the National Police Air Service, the Chippenham area. He was released to receive medical attention only having admitted to a number of his crimes. As I Devon Air Ambulance applied for its own Air Operator’s Certificate, allowing us to fly as an independent operator, and said, times have changed! the rest – as they say – is history!

There were many other advances. When I started, pilots Nothing could exemplify 30 years’ worth of change more were dressed in white ‘airline’ shirts, black police trousers, than the imminent arrival of our sophisticated, purposeblack ties, black shoes and carried a massive ‘Maglite’ torch equipped, state-of-the-art helicopter G-DAAS (see “Stop for self-protection if we ever needed to land at the scene of Press”) but perhaps, most of all, the countless exceptional an incident. As time went on, I eventually found myself attired professionals that I came across and worked with on what has in a flameproof suit, flying helmet and boots, ‘community been a really fascinating journey! o policing plimsolls’ and a ‘Top Gun’ style leather jacket.

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helipad | www.daat.org

The ‘other’

Mayflower Millions of words will be written this year in celebration of the sailing of the Mayflower from Plymouth to the New World in 1620 and the far-reaching impact this little ship would have on history. But this wasn’t the only sailing of a ship named Mayflower to America from Plymouth.

W

hat have a journalist with a flair for publicity, a boat builder, a drinking club owner, a naval commander and adventurer, a cruise liner officer and a young man whose family owned Waddington games, all have in common?

They were among the 33 crew dressed as Pilgrim Fathers (plus Felix the ship’s cat) who set sail on Mayflower II on the 20th April 1957 to replicate that more celebrated voyage of 337 years earlier. Perhaps not as significant as the original voyage, but the story of Mayflower II is nonetheless enthralling.

The idea for this venture was conceived during the war

by Warwick Charlton, a journalist on the Daily Express who explained his ideas to an always willing audience at the Wig & Pen Club in the Strand. His knack for publicity and persuasion got the scheme underway, funds began to come in and he secured the support of Plimouth Plantation in Massachusetts, the final destination for the completed vessel.

Determined that any replica would be utterly authentic, Warwick engaged boat builder Stuart Upham of Upham Shipyard in Brixham who worked using traditional methods and blueprints from the original 17th century ship.

At the keel laying ceremony, the closing of the great staff joint was undertaken by Lt Commander D.K. Wilson RN, a descendant of a Governor of Massachusetts. The launch of the 3-masted, 236 ton vessel was conducted on the 22nd September 1956 by Reis Leming, a young US airman who was serving in Norfolk in 1953 when he heroically saved 27 local people from devastating floods and became a national hero.

As was traditional in the 17th century, the launch was accompanied by tossing a gold ‘loving cup’ into the harbour which was quickly retrieved by diver Beric Watson, a young man who would later provide much amusement to the crew with his guitar playing and impromptu songs about them during the voyage.

As an interesting aside, Beric returned to Torbay in 1990 as part of the Agatha Christie centenary celebrations when his business Waddington Games - organised the World Cluedo Championship as part of the Mystery on the English Riviera Festival.

Alan Villiers, wartime naval commander, author, adventurer, photographer and mariner was appointed captain and the

crew included former P&O officer and subsequent naval history author Peter Padfield; Dick Brennan, the licensee of the Wig & Pen Club who was second cook: Stuart Upham, the boat builder – recruited as Caulker (to ensure that leaks would be at a minimum), Beric Watson and, of course the originator of the scheme Warwick Charlton who went along as ‘Supercargo’.

Charlton was to ensure there would be plenty of publicity for the departure when a ‘stowaway’ was discovered minutes before the ship sailed and – remarkably – ejected in front of the entire press corps!

It was calculated that the voyage was to take them 5,435 miles and 55 days (11 days quicker than the original) but it wasn’t without incident and challenges, including severe weather which made Villiers rethink the course to avoid dismasting the top-heavy vessel. Advice to the crew from the highly experienced but laconic Danish Third Mate Jan Jonker wasn’t too encouraging either as Peter Padfield recalled in his journal. “In zis kind of weazer we always have apricot soup. It tastes ze same going down or coming op”.

Had the publicity worked? Was this to be the symbol of Anglo-American friendship as Warwick Charlton had hoped?

What sort of reception awaited them?

They needn’t have worried. They arrived on the 13th June 1957 to a rapturous welcome from over 100,000 people, including Vice-President Richard Nixon and John F Kennedy, then a junior senator. The crew were feted, fed and lauded wherever they went and were even guests of honour at a ticker tape parade.

Mayflower II is now a living museum at the Plimouth Plantation and, in 2019, underwent a major refit to ensure she was ready to take part in the Mayflower 400 celebrations of 2020.

Mayflower II and its crew deserve their own place in history for their remarkable journey which started with the vision of one man who had the drive and imagination to see it come to fruition.

True to his track record, while his crewmates were enjoying their own time in the spotlight, that master of self-publicity Warwick Charlton immediately jumped on a plane to New York to appear on the television programme ‘I Have A Secret’ – and what a secret it was! o

spring 2020 | DEVON HERITAGE

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The crew on deck

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helipad | www.daat.org

Doctor Tim’s Casebook

Profile Name: Dr Tim Nutbeam Position: Critic al Care Doctor Tim is one of De von Air Ambula nce’s Critical Care Doctors an d our Lead Cons ultant. He is responsible for the critical care as pects of our service and ensu ring we deliver th e very best care to each of our patients. Tim is a Consultant in Emergency M edicine at Derri ford Hospital in Plymouth and Ho norary Professo r of Prehospital Critical Care at the University of Pl ymouth where he is resp onsible for our al lie d Masters’ programme.

You may remember that, in our Winter 2019 issue of Helipad, we featured the story of Lauren Brown, who was travelling as a motorbike pillion passenger when she and her boyfriend were involved in a collision. Lauren suffered a nasty head injury and such serious damage to her knee that it could have had terrible life-changing consequences.

We know our readers find our Patient Stories inspiring, so we thought we would bring you an interesting new perspective on this incident, as seen through the eyes of our Lead Consultant - Dr Tim Nutbeam - who attended to Lauren at the scene. Dr Tim takes up the story...

“W

hen we received the call on our ‘red phone’, the details delivered additional sedative medication. Even though Lauren of the incident were sketchy but we knew there were was sleepy, she was still in severe pain and we knew we were two casualties, both with potential major injuries. When we going to have to do something even more painful to her, so arrived, it was clear that Lauren was the most seriously injured sedated her using our specialist drugs. of the two, so she received our full attention! When their While continuing to monitor Lauren, we performed a motorbike had hit some road furniture, Lauren had been thrown procedure on her leg to re-locate her knee. The knee clunked some distance – maybe as much as 10 metres – and landed back into place in a drainage ditch with rather at the side of the a satisfying “ Lauren was unconscious, not road. noise! After breathing for herself, and did Luckily, an offthe procedure, duty police officer the pulse in not have a central pulse, so he was passing by Lauren’s leg immediately started Cardiopulmonary and witnessed returned to the accident, normal, albeit it Resuscitation (CPR). After a small pulling over to was quite weak. amount of time (I’m sure it felt like help. Lauren was We prepared a very long time!), Lauren started unconscious, Lauren to not breathing travel on the breathing for herself ” for herself, and helicopter and did not have a flew her to the central pulse, so he immediately started Cardiopulmonary major trauma Resuscitation (CPR). After a small amount of time (I’m sure it centre at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. During the flight, we felt like a very long time!), Lauren started breathing for herself. continued to monitor Lauren’s situation in case she started to When we arrived, Lauren was semi-conscious, still lying in deteriorate, offered her reassurance and kept a close eye on the ditch and being tended to by land-based paramedics. her levels of pain.

It was clear as we approached that Lauren had a true knee As well as her knee injury, and as we suspected, Lauren also dislocation, a medical emergency that requires immediate had a minor brain injury (which we are delighted she made treatment. Because the blood supply and the nerve supply a full recovery from!) and the specialist imaging of her leg to the limb were compromised, Lauren’s leg was white and confirmed our diagnosis of a true knee dislocation. The good pale – it was clear the leg needed to be relocated as soon as news was that, because we got our specialist skills to Lauren possible to save it from potential amputation. quickly, the actually time the knee was dislocated was quite We took over supporting Laurens breathing, placed a ‘drip’ short, which meant the blood supply wasn’t compromised. (intravenous cannula) into one of the veins in her arm, and With a lot of hard work, Lauren made a full recovery!”

spring 2020 | OUR WORK

On Lauren’s eventual return to work as a teacher at Brixington Primary, she was thrilled when DAA paramedics Kate Adlam and Adrian Parker came along to chat to the pupils.

The fundraising activities that subsequently followed have raised a magnificent £1,030!

Paramedics Kate and Adrian at school with Lauren

Impact Brain Apnoea

True Knee Dislocation

Impact brain apnoea is caused by a sudden and rapid deceleration to the head or brain. It is commonly associated with road traffic collisions and other high impact events. The rapid deceleration causes the brain to be shake around inside the skull and this, and the direct physiological consequences, cause the body to effectively “reset “. This reset means that the body does not function correctly, and the patient will often stop breathing.

As a result, patients with this condition can have relatively minor (or even no) brain injury-but still suffer significant complications or even death. This secondary brain injury, which is not caused by the impact itself but caused following the impact, is due to the cells of the brain not receiving enough oxygenated blood. Immediate care and delivery of CPR by bystanders in the few minutes following an accident can save lives.

Many of you will have experienced or witnessed a patella dislocation. This is where the kneecap is displaced often to the outside of the leg sometimes by force though sometimes it can happen spontaneously. And, once it’s happened once, it’s prone to happen again! Even though painful, this is rarely a medical emergency and most patients will make a full and uneventful recovery.

A true knee dislocation is normally secondary to significant trauma and is associated with a high amputation rate, perhaps as much as 40%. The ligaments that support the knee are always damaged and, while the knee is dislocated, the blood and nerve supply to the lower leg is compromised. Sometimes this compromise is permanent and leads to long-term disability.

Lauren with a pupil dressed as an astronaut at their Dress As A Hero fundraising day

Editor’s Note In Summer 2020 Helipad, Dr Tim will be providing advice on basic life-saving techniques that could help us all if we find ourselves in an emergency situation.

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helipad | www.daat.org

A Maze through Time

Helipad’s Caroline Yoe takes us on a fascinating journey back through the history of Kents Cavern in Torquay, and discovers what make this a site of such significance in the story of modern mankind

N

estled in picturesque woodland suburbia in Torquay you will find an enigmatic place of enchantment and wonder – one that raises questions and answers in equal measure to some of the mysteries of human history. Kents Cavern, a network of prehistoric caves close to Torquay Harbour, has become a site of increasing archaeological and geological importance. The caves are gradually revealing their secrets, telling the story of human and animal history over millennia.

Findings from within the caves indicate that Devon was a place of great significance for our ancestors, with the possibility that Neanderthal communities lived alongside early humans. Excavations of the site have created a vivid picture of human life existing alongside wild and fearsome creatures such as bears, hyenas, sabre-toothed cats, giant elk, reindeer, mammoths and even woolly rhinos!

A History of Fascination When considering the lengthy history of life at Kents Cavern, formerly known as Kants Hole then Kents Hole, it is a relatively small hop back in time to enter the world of Victorian England. Records from this time help us to understand why Kents Cavern is so significant to those seeking to map mankind’s history. It was in the 19th Century - a period of great intellectual curiosity, combined with new methods for finding answers to questions – that a series of inquisitive individuals began to wonder what may be buried within the dark realms of these caves. Word of this incredible place spread far and wide, drawing interest from many notable scientists and

writers, such as Charles Darwin and Beatrix Potter, who both visited the site. Entering the caves today, it is clear that for hundreds of years people have been drawn to this labyrinth of dark tunnels and passageways. Centuries-old ‘graffiti’ etched into cave walls records visits from ‘William Petre 1571’ and ‘Robert Hedges 1688’.

During the Victorian era, geology emerged as a new discipline, one with the power to inform us of our human past but also to challenge commonly held beliefs about biblical creation. The hunger to know more about early human communities led to a desire to find evidence which was thought to be buried within the layers of rock and earth inside the caverns. The conflicting desire to know more, combined with anxiety about how any findings might challenge biblical interpretations of the history of mankind, are clear from the diary entries of Father MacEnery, a Catholic priest who was part of the early Victorian explorations in Kents Cavern from 1825 - 1829. He writes: “I laid my hand on these relics of distant races… I shrank back involuntarily… I felt more awe than joy”. It is clear that, all those years ago, MacEnery had an inkling of how the finds at Kents Cavern would create ripples across the scientific and Christian community.

Ripples Through Time Leaving behind the image of Father MacEnery sprawled across the floor, awestruck, as he questioned the fossilised remains that he was holding in his grasp, we may well wonder what the impact of the early excursions into these dark and mysterious

spring 2020 | BEAUTIFUL DEVON caves was. He, alongside others such as William Pengelly – who devoted sixteen years of his life to unpacking the secrets of the caves, using gunpowder to clear away layers of sediment – have enabled geologists and archaeologists today to establish so much more information about our ancestors from hundreds of thousands of years ago. Their intrepid spirit and yearning for knowledge rippled through the generations, as demonstrated by the correspondence between Darwin – author of the groundbreaking Origin of Species - and Pengelly, in which Darwin recalls his time spent in Torquay. Darwin’s theories continue to influence our 21st century understandings of evolution today, and it is on this subject that evidence found in Kents Cavern remains significant today.

Enduring Curiosity and Modern Methods Given the link between Kents Cavern and the great Victorian thinkers, it was a source of great delight to the 21st century scientific community when new funding enabled research work to begin again.

Incredibly, a combination of modern methods, such as radiocarbon dating at the University of Oxford, have begun to shed an even brighter light on prehistoric life at Kents Cavern. These new modern methods, scientific curiosity and a determination to trace the history of early life equal to that of the Victorian trail-blazers, led to the discovery that a bone fragment found in 1927 by Arthur Ogilvie belonged to the jaw of the oldest Homo Sapien in North-West Europe. It has now been established that this bone is approximately 42,000 years old, making it an important part of a broader jigsaw of evidence that helps scholars today grasp the evolution of mankind.

As with any historical evidence, this jawbone both deepens our understanding and raises further questions, including how and why humans first came to this part of Europe, how they lived and how they co-existed with other communities, Neanderthal and animal, that were already here?

It seems Kents Cavern still has many fascinating secrets to reveal. o For more information, or to plan your visit to Kents Cavern, visit www.kents-cavern.co.uk

19th century excavations

“ The hunger to know more about early human communities led to a desire to find evidence which was thought to be buried within the layers of rock and earth inside the caverns. ”

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spring 2020 | LOTTERY

21

Lots and Lots of Lottery Members!

At the end of 2019, we were thrilled to announce we had surpassed 40,000 members who play our weekly lottery. It was a real milestone for us, and it’s great to see our lottery going from strength to strength. The revenue we make from our lottery is significant in helping us support our air ambulance operations. Since it’s humble beginning back in 2001, over £22m in sales has been raised this way.

Over the years, nearly a thousand people have received a phone-call on a Friday afternoon, telling them they have won the first prize of £1,350, with many more receiving a cheque in the post for £135 or £50.

It’s so easy to join too! Just fill in the application form overleaf and pop it in the post!

Here are what some of our lucky prize winners have said over the years: “I became a member as I feel the Trust is a most worthy cause having retired myself from the NHS. I shall use the money to treat myself to a dress for a nephew’s wedding. Thank you so much, this has made my day!”

Mrs Angela Fox – 2nd prize winner

“I joined the lottery after finding out to my surprise that you were not government funded. This was a way for me to pay a small, regular donation to help with this very much needed service, plus a chance to win too!”

Mr John Cooper – winner in 2007, 2008 and 2010

“I support their Lottery because my younger brother was airlifted to hospital by DAA. At my age (84) you never know when I may need it! In the future if I’m lucky enough to win again, please put the money back in the kitty, you deserve it!”

Mr George Wheatley – 2nd prize winner

Some of our lottery members have been with us for many years and joined for very personal reasons – one such member is Lee Phillips.

When Lee called our office recently and spoke to Tracy, we learned the fascinating story of how he was airlifted back in 1998 and became one of our very first lottery members – and has been a member ever since!

We hope to feature Lee’s story in more detail in a future issue of Helipad but, following a nasty motorbike accident when he suffered multiple severe injuries to both his legs, he recalls the relief at hearing the air ambulance circling overhead. When the

LOTTERY

lottery started in 2001, Lee signed up almost straight away, becoming one of our very first players - and he still holds one of the first lucky numbers of 385.

Adding to his ongoing support, Tracy was delighted to also learn that Lee has just volunteered to be a box collector as another way that he can help keep our Air Ambulance’s flying. He concluded by saying “Thanks for the chance to give something back.”

Only

£1

per week entry

10es of

Priz

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£135

e First Priz

£1350

Profile: Tracy Owen - Fundraising Manager Email: t.owen@daat.org Tracy has been with DAA for over 10 years and oversees all aspects of fundraising, including working with those who have nominated us as their Charity of the Year, business supporters and our own in-house lottery.

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All proceeds go to support the Devon Air Ambulance Trust Charity No 1077998. Your subscription is greatly appreciated as last year it cost £7.5 million to keep both helicopters flying. We receive no funding from either the Government or the National Lottery. We rely on your support, to help us to continue our essential lifesaving service.

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spring 2020 | PATIENTS

23

The look

was all he needed...

Sally Smith* from the Honiton area has always been a keen cyclist, having been encouraged from the age of 4, and remembers many years of fabulous cycling all over the place with her dad...

F

ast forward several years and, even as a busy working mum, Sally still loved to get out on her bike and would clock up as many miles as she could each week. One evening last June, however, things didn’t turn out as planned.

Sally went out on her bike early evening but her husband, Tom, started getting concerned when she was out longer than expected. He looked out for her then and called her mobile phone. It was duly answered, but by an unexpected male voice.

A local man passing by had come across Sally and her crashed bike on a quiet road, not far from the family home. Tom learned that the emergency services were on their way as he raced to the incident. He was shocked by what he found. Sally had suffered head and facial injuries, including having a

tooth knocked out and her eyes were closed. Even more alarmingly, she appeared to have no idea who Tom was.

A land ambulance crew were soon at the scene and Tom heard them call for the Air Ambulance. On arrival, DAA critical care paramedics Adrian Parker and Grant Thompson recognised that Sally needed to be conveyed as a matter of urgency to the specialist major trauma centre at Derriford in Plymouth.

As the helicopter flew Sally straight to Plymouth, a journey of around 15 minutes, Tom set off to follow by road – only to discover that the main A road was closed. His journey seemed to take forever as he had to go on an extremely diverted route, all the time wondering about his wife.

A CT scan revealed that Sally had suffered a bleed on the brain and a back injury caused by a T9 fracture. Tom

“ I am still alive, my eyes and body are working and I feel quite a lot like myself which is truly amazing considering what the poor crew arrived to ”

*To protect patient confidentiality, the names in this account have been changed.

was advised that his wife had only a 20% chance of survival and she remained in Intensive Care for the following few days. There was huge relief when, finally out of the coma, Sally gave Tom ‘the look’ and he knew that, however long it took, his wife was going to be ok.

A few weeks later, Sally wrote to thank DAA for their help that evening in June. She explained that she had spent two weeks in Derriford then a further five weeks in RD&E before being transferred to Mardon rehabilitation centre for another three weeks.

“I wanted to let you know what your wonderful aid has achieved for me: I am still alive, my eyes and body are working and I feel quite a lot like myself which is truly amazing considering what the poor crew arrived to. I thought you would like to hear one of your success stories because

without you I doubt I would have recovered so well and, as the hospital told me, I am recovering quickly! I wanted to personally thank the wonderful crew that saved me. Thank you so very much, I am feeling emotionally happy to say that.”

The couple and their young son visited DAA’s Exeter airbase in October and were reunited with Adrian, one of the paramedics who had attended the incident.

Not surprisingly, it was an emotional reunion for the family, but also very therapeutic. Writing to DAA the following day Tom said, “I just wanted to say thanks for yesterday’s visit to Exeter Airport. It was lovely to meet you all and I thought It was great for Sally and all the other people there to meet some of the team that had helped them in their hour of need. Thank you so much.” o

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helipad | www.daat.org

Spring...

Magnolia campbellii

a prescription for happiness A garden in the spring is a wonderful thing; it has the ability to be uplifting and beneficial on many levels. Those of us who spend time in and around gardens are well aware of the positive impact it can have physically, but also mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

T

he RHS are currently studying “Why gardening makes us feel better”. What stands out to me is its ability to reduce anxiety and social isolation in both young and old. Merely being out in a front garden, if you have one, invites interaction with other people. The sense of pride and achievement that can be gained by the smallest win in your garden is immeasurable.

The benefits are so good that GPs are now prescribing gardening!

Personally, the sight of the Magnolia in full bloom never ceases to warm my heart, lift my spirit and put a smile on my face.

The magnificent Magnolia is used to herald the start of spring in the South West

by Head Gardeners working within the Great Gardens of Cornwall Group. They all record their Magnolia progress and once seven Magnolia campbellii from seven gardens have 50 or more open blooms, spring is

declared.

There is a Magnolia for most gardens, Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’ AGM* would be a fine introduction to a large garden. It is an early flowering variety that, like most Magnolias, need a sheltered spot, well away from frost pockets and a fertile, neutral to acid, free draining humus rich soil. This variety will reward you with a spectacular display of deep pink blooms with a classic cup-and-saucer shape. With

an upright habit, it has the potential to form a handsome tree up to a height of 10m.

Moving down in size, Magnolia wilsonii AGM is a spreading deciduous shrub to 6m, with narrowly, ovate leaves. The striking cupshaped white flowers grow to 10cm in width, are highly scented and have crimson stamens. Pink fruit add even more interest to this marvellous Magnolia.

For the smaller garden, Magnolia stellata ‘Centennial’

spring 2020 | GARDENS AGM is the one for you, slowly forming a large, deciduous shrub to around 2m and producing fragrant, white waterlily-shaped flowers in early to midspring, often with pink staining at the base of the petals.

If you are looking for something on a smaller scale, why not think about introducing primroses to your garden - who doesn’t love a primrose? Some say they are the epitome of early spring.

Prima Rosa translates as ‘first rose’ and, with an abundance of differing colours now available, there is something for everyone. They love early spring sun, moist but welldrained soil and summer shade. Plant them on banks, near ditches and tucked under shrubs. They look equally good in a terracotta pot with good drainage that can be moved into shade in summer to prevent it drying out.

Here are a select few that are well worth giving a try.

Primula vulgaris AGM (Common Primrose), forms

a rosette of tongue-shaped leaves, with many scented, yellow flowers in early spring.

Primula denticulata AGM (Drumstick Primrose); an herbaceous perennial which grows up to 30cm in height, flowers are up to 18mm in width with yellow eyed, deep purple flowers, borne in dense rounded heads on erect stems.

Primula ‘Guinevere’ AGM; a semi-evergreen perennial with a rosette of purplishbronze leaves and umbels of purple-pink, yellow-eyed flowers 3-4cm in width.

Primula japonica ‘Postford White’ AGM (Japanese Primrose); if you have reliably moist or a poorly drained, sheltered area, then these may suit. A vigorous perennial with broad, crinklyedged leaves and erect stems bearing up to six whorls of white flowers with a golden yellow eye.

So, whatever you gain from your green space, be sure to enjoy the joys of spring and the multitude of benefits on offer in your gardens. o

Magnolia wilsonii

*The Award of Garden Merit (AGM) is the RHS seal of approval that a plant performs reliably in the garden. It is intended to help gardeners make their choice of plants that are readily available, excellent when used in the appropriate conditions and reasonably resistant to pests and diseases.

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Primula japonica Postford White

Here are a few jobs to be thinking about over the spring period...

Keep weeds under control.

Protect fruit blossom from late frosts.

Tie in climbing and rambling roses.

Sow hardy annuals, herbs and wild flower seed outdoors.

Increase the water given to houseplants.

Feed hungry shrubs and roses.

Sow new lawns or repair bare patches.

Watch out for late frosts and protect tender plants.

Plant out summer bedding at the end of May (except in cold areas).

• Water early and late to get the most out of your water. Recycle water when possible.

• Open greenhouse vents and doors on warm days.

• Mow lawns weekly.

• Lift and divide overcrowded clumps of daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs.

• • • • • • • • •

Profile: Richard Wilson - RHS Rosemoor Horticulturist I have been with the RHS as a member of the Formal Gardens team here at Rosemoor since May 2015 and am currently responsible for the maintenance of our colour themed gardens, the Hot and Cool gardens. In addition to this, areas of shrubbery along the stream side fall within my remit. I live near Barnstaple and enjoy helping with volunteer garden projects. I run competitively, row with Barnstaple Pilot Gig Club and enjoy long distance cycling. In my spare time, I tend to sleep!

Photos: © RHS

GARDENS

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helipad | www.daat.org

Ilfracombe

interesting, innovative and inspiring Helipad’s Neil Devons explores Ilfracombe on the north Devon coast. Despite

having to deal with challenges common to many of the country’s other seaside towns, Ilfracombe has never been afraid to take risks and make bold statements in art and architecture History Ilfracombe had a long history as a fishing and trading port and, by the late 1700s, was growing as a fashionable spa and sea bathing destination for the wealthy. It was during the reign of George IV that a local entrepreneur spotted the opportunity of attracting a wider range of visitors by opening the town’s secluded beaches once only accessible to the fit and agile - and smugglers. He hired Welsh miners to carve through the rock and, in 1823, the beaches were open to the public with

tidal bathing pools (segregated, of course) added the following year. The famous Tunnel Beaches remain a major attraction and are especially renowned for rock-pooling.

The Bath House at the entrance to the tunnels was built in 1836 by the Ilfracombe Sea Bathing Company and is now a luxurious self-catering and wedding venue.

Originally, it was a difficult to get to Ilfracombe from afar with dramatic cliffs and steep valleys being the last obstacles on a journey of more than a day from London. This was to

change dramatically when the railway came to Barnstaple in 1854 and the resort became accessible to far greater numbers of holiday makers.

It quickly became evident, however, that the town lacked the accommodation to meet the growing demand and so, once again, a bold gesture was required. The Ilfracombe Hotel and Esplanade Company stepped up in 1867 by opening one of the country’s grandest hotels.

The Ilfracombe Hotel broke new ground by being built on the seafront. It had 210

rooms and every possible luxury with a library and ballroom, and sea water swimming baths added in 1880. Distinguished guests included the wealthy American Vanderbilts and the future German Emperor Willhem II. Despite epitomising the resort’s heyday as a destination for Victorian tourists, it eventually fell into decay and was demolished in 1976. All that remains is the hotel’s former laundry which now houses the eclectic collections of the splendid Ilfracombe Museum.

spring 2020 | BEAUTIFUL DEVON

Culture and Controversy Among the many points of interest in Ilfracombe two relatively recent additions have added some notoriety to the resort and both have generated a ‘love it/hate it’ divide.

The Landmark Theatre can certainly claim to live up to its name. The double conical design in an outstanding coastal location is derisorily referred to by those that don’t approve as Madonna’s Bra, after one of the pop star’s provocative costumes. Built in 1998 to replace the Victorian Pavilion Theatre which was partly destroyed by fire, supporters of the building will see only an instantly recognisable building that is a valuable resource for the town – housing a 483 seat theatre, a 200 seat multi-purpose space, a café, bar and Tourist Information Centre.

The Landmark Theatre

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her skull, muscle structure and the developing foetus inside her womb. Love it or hate it, there has no doubt been a ‘Verity Effect’ which most people think of as positive in terms of visitor numbers and raising the profile of Ilfracombe worldwide.

Of course you can walk right up to Verity and there is no charge to see her but an equally spectacular view can be had from across the water at the top of Hillsborough, a large promontory with a nature reserve, an Iron Age hill fort and great walks. It is known locally as the ‘sleeping elephant’ because from the harbour it looks like – er – a sleeping elephant!

From here you can look down on the harbour, the pier, Verity, St Nicholas Chapel on Lantern Hill (it has had a working lighthouse/lantern since 1522) and along the sea front to the Landmark Theatre.

It’s not just landmarks, beaches, spectacular seascapes and the other attractions you’d expect from a coastal town such as boat trips and coastal walks that keeps Ilfracombe on ‘must visit’ lists. There is a subtle vibrancy about the place. Amid the sturdy Victorian architecture of the town centre there are plenty of independently owned shops and galleries which help ensure an inviting character and ambience.

The town has also carved a deserved reputation as a gastronomic centre of excellence with a rich choice of cafés, bars and restaurants which especially thrive on locally caught fish and seafood. The town can now also boast a Michelin starred chef in Thomas Carr who plies his culinary arts at the Olive Room on Fore Street. o

Take that Kaiser Bill!

The siting of Verity on Ilfracombe pier at the entrance to the harbour is perhaps the most visited spot in the whole town – it certainly makes a statement! The 66+ foot, 25 tonnes, stainless steel and bronze statue was created by sometime Ilfracombe resident and artistic megastar, Damien Hirst, who described it as “an allegory for truth and justice”.

Hirst’s website describes the sculpture: “Verity stands on a base of scattered legal books and holds the traditional symbols of Justice – a sword and scales. Representing truth, her scales are hidden and off-balance behind her back, whilst her sword is held confidently in her upstretched arm.”

The controversy surrounding Verity derived mostly from its anatomical cross-section, with her head and torso revealing

While on holiday at the Ilfracombe Hotel in 1878, the teenage Prussian Prince Willhelm received a bloody nose in a fight with a local boy. Alfie Price’s family were beach attendants and the 16 year-old challenged the Prince after he threw stones at some beach huts. The future German Emperor ordered ‘the peasant boy’ to back down but was knocked down by a single punch from Alfie. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the Prince’s entourage paid off Alfie to keep the incident quiet.

Image © Thomas Heinrich Voigt

Verity

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BEAUTIFUL DEVON | www.daat.org

St Nicholas Chapel on Lantern Hill

Most haunted Chambercombe Manor in Ilfracombe has the reputation for being one of the most haunted houses in the country with ‘at least 4 spectres and numerous cold spots’. Legend has it that a hidden room located next to one used by the ill-fated Nine Day Queen, Lady Jane Grey, was opened in 1738 revealing a bed in which a female skeleton lay. Featured on TV’s Most Haunted series, the Manor stages regular paranormal events hosted by Great Exspooktations!

Image © Andrew Pettey

Dividends Donations

spring 2020 | PATIENTS

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&

A Friday morning in April 2018 started as any other for Neil Girling, of West Buckland near Kingsbridge, but things swiftly changed.

N

eil runs Tri-Ocean Surf in South Hams Business Park near Bantham with business partner Dave Grover. They have been running the water sports equipment company for 14 years, specialising in the wholesale and retail of surf boards, stand up paddle boards and kayaks among other things.

Much of their ‘raw material’ comes from South Africa and, on this particular morning, a 40’ high cube lorry had arrived full of new stock. Neil was preparing to off-load the goods and climbed the steps to the back of the container.

About 1.5 metres off the ground, however, Neil slipped and fell backwards. Landing heavily and awkwardly, he immediately realised that something was seriously wrong. He saw that his foot was jutting at a very odd angle and that he evidently had an open fracture of the ankle.

A colleague ran to his aid, ensuring that Neil didn’t move and found a cover to keep him warm, whilst phoning for emergency assistance. It took some time for the land crew to arrive and they, too, could see that Neil had suffered a serious break. Knowing that he needed interventions that they were unable to provide, they called for Devon Air Ambulance to assist.

With the helicopter landing in a neighbouring field, critical care paramedics Alex Sanders-Page and Grant Thompson, with Dr Alex

Cross all rushed to help.

Administering ketamine to reposition Neil’s ankle, Neil remembers his colleagues being advised to look away!

He also recalls a sense of ‘not being quite there’ but, fortunately, he has no recollection of any pain during the procedure – just a realisation and relief that his ankle and foot looked a whole lot more normal afterwards. Neil was then stretchered and carried over to the waiting helicopter which conveyed him to Derriford Hospital. He had broken his tibia and fibula which required further surgery the following day and a few more days in hospital.

After almost six months off work, there has followed a lengthy period of rehabilitation and recovery for Neil, which included the need to buy an automatic car as he was unable to drive his manual vehicle.

Building his strength back up has been a long-term aim and Neil remembers the sense of achievement when he managed the half-mile walk from his home to his local pub, albeit with two sticks – he was so chuffed that he wrote to his Physiotherapist to let him know of his success!

Devon Air Ambulance Trust became aware of Neil some months later when a cheque arrived for a magnificent £4,000. Calling to thank him for such generosity, they learned that Neil doesn’t take a salary from Tri-Ocean

Surf but he normally takes an annual dividend. He had chosen instead to donate the equivalent money as a company donation to a local charity which, in turn, earned the company a tax deduction.

It was this tax rebate that was then donated to the Air

Ambulance that had helped him that day in April 2018.

So, whilst Neil is grateful to the skills and service that helped him that day, DAA is extremely grateful that, thanks to his generosity, we can continue to help even more people. o

“ Neil slipped and fell backwards. Landing heavily and awkwardly, he immediately realised that something was seriously wrong. He saw that his foot was jutting at a very odd angle ”

Did you know?

A Limited Company can receive tax relief on donations to any charity (it used to be local only) up to the level of company profits!

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helipad | www.daat.org

Make a difference... inspiration for fundraising at home

Now, more than ever, is a time when we should all come together to help each other, so we want to thank all of you who are continuing to support Devon Air Ambulance.

If you are stuck at home with the kids, or just looking for some distraction, our wonderfully creative fundraising team have come up with a few suggestions on how you can continue to support us even if you can’t go out and about.

‘Tick off for Take Off ’ – the 10 Task Challenge Never have enough time to do those important jobs around the house? Have you been putting off cleaning out the garage, painting the spare room or tidying the attic? How about taking our 10 task challenge and raising money for us at the same time. Sponsor yourself £1 for each completed task, which you can then donate to Devon Air Ambulance.

Why not get the kids involved? Perhaps sponsor them £1 (with 50p coming to DAA) for every job they do like washing the car, mowing the lawn, sorting out their toys or helping with the washing up.

You will feel a great sense of achievement, and it will help us to raise the vital funds we need to get through this challenging time and keep our helicopters flying into the future.

‘Spring Clean’ to support our Shops Although our 19 shops are now closed until further notice, why not take some time to have a proper old-fashioned ‘Spring Clean’ – not only is it good for the soul but it will be great for us when we are able to reopen! We are always grateful to receive your pre-loved clothes, books, toys, ornaments and jewellery.

Or how about taking the time to think about a complete furniture make-over? When we reopen our Furniture & Electrical shop, we would be delighted to take good quality furniture items, from living room and bedroom suites, to sideboards, wardrobes, dining tables and everything in between!

Get Craftily Creative...

If your skills turn more towards crafts, why not create something with a helicopter-theme and share it with us on our Facebook page! How about making a helicopter-badge out of felt, or creating a papier mache or clay moneybox, painted with a helicopter or Ambrose the bear – you can collect your loose change in it and donate it to Devon Air Ambulance! Ask your little ones to paint us a picture or make one out of collage and share it with us to show you are thinking of us – if you need some inspiration, we have lots of photos of helicopters on our website www.daat.org.

If you love to knit, how about knitting or crocheting a blanket or throw and donating it to your nearest shop when it reopens?

These are always popular with our customer who love that they are unique, hand-made pieces, and you can be creative with style and colour to suit whatever wool you might have available.

Whatever you do to support Devon Air Ambulance during this difficult time

Thank you!

spring 2020 | OUR EVENTS

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Looking forward to a year of

Fundraising Fun with Devon Air Ambulance Motorcycle Ride Out Sunday 12th July 2020 VO

IR AMB N A U

2020

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RIDEOUT FT

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MOTORCYC

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The 15th Devon Air Ambulance Motorcycle Ride Out is now open for booking!

Royal Marines Commando Challenge Sat 10th & Sun 11th October 2020

EEN YEARS

LED

Our popular annual Motorcycle Ride Out regularly attracts over a 1,000 of Devon’s bikers, and hundreds of spectators. The bikers take one of two routes – either starting at Trago Mills in Newton Abbot, or Evans Transport in Bideford – riding through 80 miles of beautiful Devon countryside before ending the day with an afternoon of live entertainment, trade stands, tasty food and family-friendly fun at The Den in Teignmouth.

Online entries are now open, so why not sign up to secure your place and reserve your FREE limited-edition t-shirt!

Find out more details about this amazing day by visiting daat.org/Event/motorcycle-ride-out-2020 or find us on Facebook or Twitter!

Dragon Boat Festival Sunday 20th September 2020

CAN

Now in its seventh year, the Devon Air Ambulance Dragon Boat Festival is roaring its way back to the Quay for another day of super-splashing competition between local businesses, clubs and teams of individuals.

Last year, eight incredible teams fought the elements to battle for a place on the winners’ podium, raising thousands of pounds to support our helicopters. It’s one of our most popular fundraising events and a great opportunity to enjoy a fun teambuilding activity, a special away day, and a charity challenge!

Could your team be crowned this year’s Dragon Boat champions? There’s only one way to find out! Whether you’re looking for a corporate challenge or simply to raise money for a good cause and have a fun day out with friends, this year’s Dragon Boat Festival is worth signing up for! For more details about how to register and how your team can raise sponsorship, visit daat. org/Event/dragon-boatfestival-2020 or find us on Facebook and Twitter!

CEL

LED

The 2020 Royal Marines Commando Challenge page is now live for entries!

Over one weekend this autumn, hundreds of civilians from Devon and beyond will demonstrate grit and determination by taking on the Royal Marines’ own gruelling endurance training course. Choose the Saturday or the Sunday event and sign up as an individual or as a team!

Recruits can expect to tackle a course that’s usually reserved only for training elite commandos. You will take on a tough test of endurance that’s famous for rough Woodbury moorland, dark tunnels, muddy pipes and pools, and an underwater culvert. The course includes such adrenaline-inducing obstacles as the ‘Smartie Tube’, the Sheep Dip’ and the Crocodile Pit’.

Last year’s event raised over £88,000 and involved almost 1,100 fearless fundraisers whose courage, determination and cheerfulness helped them to tackle the tests.

Think you’ve got what it takes? Find out more about this amazing challenge at daat.org/Event/royal-marinescommando-challenge-2020 or find us on social media.

Devon Air Ambulance Raceday Fundraiser If your preference is for the ‘Sport of Kings’, why not join us on the 22nd November 2020 for a day of racing thrills and spills at Exeter Racecourse. Highlights include the ever popular Clydesdale Race in support of the Charity. Why not treat yourself to a VIP package, including finish line hospitality box, arrival drink, lunch, race-card and tipster talk. For more details, and to book your ticket, contact Tracy Owen at t.owen@daat.org.

Want to volunteer at one of our events?

As well as our staff and regular volunteers, we are always very grateful to the ‘one-off-event’ volunteers who support our fundraiser events. There are always lots of things to do so, if you would like to get on board by lending us your support for the day, then we’d love to hear from you!

Click on daat.org/forms/one-off-eventvolunteer-form to find out more.

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helipad | www.daat.org

Make your garden a

hedgehog

haven

ebrates, as well eating all sorts of invert voracious carnivores, s. They are rm eggs, beetles and wo as amphibians, birds en considered oft ich is why they are also partial to slugs, wh April they to er m about Novemb a ‘gardeners’ friend! Fro their body en wh r into a state of torpo hibernate (actually go leaves of st ne ually in a secluded temperature drops), us glets, are ho d lle ca s, m’. Baby hedgehog called a ‘hibernaculu ne or July. usually born around Ju into a ball, raising dgehog can roll itself he a , ed ten ea thr en Wh powerful back lly modified hairs) using its 7,000 spines (actua main predator the isingly, badgers are rpr su ps rha Pe . es scl mu ong enough to and the only animal str of an adult hedgehog m. The average the l’ spines and ‘unrol ble da mi for ir the kle tac st in them but is and show some intere cat might be curious n be vulnerable ca t. However, hoglets unlikely to be a threa s and perhaps rat , pine martens, stoats to large birds of prey, t dog. o even a determined pe

perhaps British mammals but There are many iconic years ago, fty fi or rty Fo . hedgehog none more so that the rage suburban quent visitor to the ave hedgehogs were a fre uidely!) fed them all children who (misg garden, fascinating sm s on an almost d watched their antic on bread and milk an nightly basis. eing an urban days are gone and se Unfortunately, those say that, despite e treat. Some studies hedgehog is now a rar than 1 million ecies, there are fewer being a protected sp ht when it is UK, a shocking thoug hedgehogs left in the rhaps in excess of 1950s, there were pe estimated that, in the drastic decline ly, the reasons for this 30 million. Unfortunate d changes in d, from habitat loss an are complex and varie tion and traffic, and increases in urbanisa farming methods, to and predation. issues with the climate m up to 2km y nocturnal and can roa Hedgehogs are mostl d. They are night in search of foo (about 1¼ miles) every

How we can help...

still out there in mbers, hedgehogs are nu of s los the ite sp De rden ‘home’. Here’s couraged to call our ga Devon and can be en res’ for a local ke your garden a ‘des what you can do to ma hedgehog! s, help them by s roam great distance Given that hedgehog and fences which all gaps in solid walls ensuring there are sm gardens – a gap of rridor between urban can provide a vital co should be sufficient. about 13cm (5 inches) as decking and rd landscaping (such Our modern love of ha dgehog friendly. he ns are not particularly patios) and tidier garde ssy compost me a if you have long grass, Congratulate yourself out creating ab nk thi s. If yours is too neat, heap or a pile of leave habitat. a small area of natural

•

• .

spring 2020 | WILDLIFE

children, us did when we were Despite what some of s are lactose d bread – hedgehog never put out milk an al value for has very little nutrition intolerant and bread ters, don’t fact they are meat ea them. And, despite the u feed to m the meal worms yo be tempted to give the n lead to a h in phosphate and ca the birds. They are hig d, give se in hedgehogs. Instea debilitating bone disea or dog food. them tinned cat food

•

ter, a large access to drinking wa Make sure they have are good r is ideal. Hedgehogs shallow plate or sauce make sure they have a garden pond, swimmers but, if you ng an ‘escape l in, perhaps by creati can get out if they fal nes. of wood or pile of sto route’ such as a piece

•

es in your emicals and pesticid Restrict the use of ch pact on the be dangerous and im gardens which could es. hedgehog’s food sourc

•

clearing strimming long grass, Always check before se are ideal hting bonfires, as the compost heaps or lig me. ehogs like to set up ho conditions where hedg

•

ur garden, ge a hedgehog into yo If you want to encoura dg a he ehog providing them with perhaps think about nty of easy-tosimple (there are ple home. Making one is ready-made line) or you can buy a follow instructions on ailers. a number of garden ret hedgehog home from

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34

helipad | www.daat.org

‘RAMSONS’ DELIGHT

Jim Fisher cooks up a perfectly pink roast leg of lamb studded with wild garlic for a special springtime lunch or dinner.

A

hearty roast at the beginning of spring will usually help release the fingers of winter’s icy grip, and what better way to kick off the new season than with a roast leg of spring lamb.

The leg of lamb in my dish is studded with one of Devon’s most abundant and iconic natural ingredients: wild garlic.

This highly aromatic free food thrives in the lush verges of our county’s lanes and byways, and carpets vast areas of our deciduous woodland from March to the end of May. Also known as ‘ramsons’, and often found wherever bluebells grow, this tasty member of the lily family is easily identified first by its long slender dark green leaves, and later by its pretty white flowers. The whole plant smells strongly of, guess what, garlic! If in any doubt as to whether you have the right plant, book onto one of any number of local foraging and wild

food courses – such as the ones we have just launched at Exeter Cookery School – and discover a whole new world of free ingredients.

Leg of lamb is best served pink, but with this recipe there will also be plenty of well-done bits for those that want ‘em. Leg is one of the least expensive cuts and is the perfect size for a family of six, with enough leftovers for cold cuts the next day.

The secret of cooking this dish lies in the brief and viciously hot searing, and in the long well-insulated resting. This leaves the joint with a beautifully caramelised outer layer and a pink, meltingly tender interior. As with most meat cookery, it is important to allow the lamb to come to room temperature before cooking, so wrap the leg in a clean tea towel and place in a corner of the kitchen for at least two hours. o

spring 2020 | FOOD & DRINK

Wild Garlic-Studded Roast Leg of Lamb Serves 6-8 Ingredients 1 whole leg of lamb weighing 1.8kg to 2kg, at room temperature 6-8 leaves of freshly picked wild garlic (or 2 or 3 cloves of fresh garlic, thinly sliced) Rapeseed oil for coating Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

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Method Pre-heat the oven to 250°C. Gather a few old but clean towels, blankets, bedspreads or sleeping bags – in fact, anything that has good insulating properties.

1. If using wild garlic, slice the leaves into 1cm strips, or thinly slice 2 or 3 cloves of fresh garlic. Deeply stab the flesh of the lamb with a slim paring knife in about eight places on each side. Push the garlic deep into the cuts.

2. Generously smear the leg with the oil and sprinkle liberally with sea salt and ground black pepper.

3. Position the leg in a deep roasting tray and place into the centre of the oven.

Roast for 15 minutes until brown and sizzling (there may be some smoke but be brave!).

4. Turn the lamb and give it just 10 minutes more, then remove the tray from the oven onto a couple of towels covered with foil. Tightly cover the lamb with more foil, then pile a good layer of towels, etc, on top, making sure there are no gaps around the roasting tin. Leave to rest for one and a half hours. This resting is essential as it allows the lamb to relax as it continues to gently cook – the meat will be pink, but not bloody.

5. Half an hour before the end of resting time make the gravy: pour the juices from the baking tray into a saucepan and carefully remove and discard any fat.

Re-cover the lamb as above. Add a glass of good quality red wine and a dash of port or sweet sherry and boil to reduce by half. Thicken with a small knob of flour and butter paste (Beurre Manié). The gravy shouldn’t need any added salt as there will be enough from the lamb. Strain through a fine sieve into a gravy jug.

6. Serve the lamb thickly sliced with buttered new potatoes and spring greens.

You can find Wild Garlic in the countryside, along verges, in hedgerows and especially shaded woodland areas from late March until the end of May

Cooking courses at Exeter Cookery School: Exeter Cookery School run a number of courses - including on foraging and ‘wild’ cooking visit their website www.exetercookeryschool.co.uk to find out more.

FOOD & DRINK Profile: Jim Fisher - Chef & Tutor

Jim runs the award-winning Exeter Cookery School with his wife Lucy and their team of enthusiastic chefs / food lovers. As well as winning the 2019/20 Food Drink Devon Award for Best Training School, they are also celebrating reaching the finals of the 2020 Food Magazine Reader Awards.

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RETAIL | www.daat.org

A Day in the life...

of a Shop Manager

Netty Packer has been the manager of our Tavistock shop since it opened in 2015. Working in charity retail is very different from a commercial High Street chain, and people are usually surprised by the variety of jobs that have to be done every day to keep our shops looking so amazing and providing our customers with great bargains. Netty explains more…..

“I

am usually in a little bit early to make sure the shop is tidy, the floor is vacuumed and the kettle is on – I always like to make our lovely volunteers a cup of tea or coffee before they start the day! It is also a quiet time for me to look at my emails, check the till and catch up with any office paperwork.

I open the doors at 9.00am to welcome any early customers and donors, as well as my volunteers. There are so many jobs that need doing, we couldn’t operate without them! They help to sort stock that has been donated, sizing and pricing garments, and then steaming them – to take out the creases and freshen them up - before they go out on to the shop floor.

As well as clothing, we also receive a lot of bric-á-brac like ceramics, glassware and ornaments, all of which needs to be washed and priced up.

Once everyone knows what they are doing, it’s usually around this time I drink the (now cold) cup of coffee I made first thing!

I do a check in case any stock needs replenishing or rotating, and think about our window display design, particularly if we have a theme or promotion coming up. At Devon Air Ambulance, we really pride ourselves on our creative, eyecatching window displays!

Every day is full, and it is really hard to find a moment to sit down and chill out. I may be dealing with enquiries from our lottery agents, taking cash donations, talking to our donors and customers, dealing with their enquiries and encouraging them to tell us their story if they have ever been airlifted. I also have to sort out any till errors through the day, keep on top of

Nettie also takes on Public Relations duties, here she’s accepting a donation from a walking group, one of whom was airlifted by DAA.

messages from Head Office and promote our shop through its own Facebook page, work out my volunteer rota, do training with new volunteers and deal with a lot of bags of donations.

These come in regularly through the day and need storing before we have time to sort through them.

Once a week, our retail van visits to take our unsold stock to its next destination, which means I have to keep an eye on stock rotation. This is really important so our regular customers have a constant supply of fresh new items to buy from us! We also bag up unsaleable cloth ‘rags’, which need to be weighed and recorded before they leave the shop.

When I finally close the shop at 5.00pm, I can cash up the day’s takings and tidy the shop floor ready for the next day. It can be a tiring job, especially when you are on your feet all day, but I love the variety and the people I meet, and it is so rewarding - I wouldn’t change it for the world!” o

i

We are always looking for volunteers to support our retail operations, such as helping out in our shops or on our retail van. If you would like to find out more, please contact Volunteer Manager, Ginette Gisborne, at g.gisborne@daat.org or call (01392) 466666.

spring 2020 | PATIENTS

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Why send the Air Ambulance?

There are some instances throughout the year when bystanders wonder why Devon’s Air Ambulances have been dispatched – particularly if an incident doesn’t look to be serious.

T

he specialist HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) Dispatchers, however, know that things can quickly change and that what seems an inconsequential situation one moment, without professional help, can quickly deteriorate with potentially serious consequences.

Such was the case last summer…. The Bellman family from Gloucester had just arrived in East Portlemouth for their two-week summer holiday. They were so excited, they didn’t even check into their accommodation, just headed straight for Millbay beach for an afternoon in the sun.

Harry, aged 12 and Joseph, aged 10, were soon ready for the water and off to play on their skimboards. Running along the waterline and jumping on their boards in the breaking waves is just one of the hobbies the boys love.

However, within minutes, Harry had fallen backwards and, quite evidently, broken his wrist. His mum, Helen, could see that the wrist was dislocated and called 999 to ask for advice. However, whilst on the phone to the emergency services, she watched Harry’s hand start to turn blue. At the same time, Harry explained that his fingers had gone numb and he became very sleepy.

Relaying this information to the HEMS dispatcher, Helen was advised that Devon’s Air Ambulance was on its way. With pilot Steve Day

landing the helicopter safely on the beach, critical care paramedics Paul Robinson and Paul White assessed Harry and administered pain relief.

Learning that Harry was to be airlifted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, Helen was reassured to discover that she could travel with her son. Their holiday had certainly not got off to the

Paul Robinson explained, “When we assessed Harry on the beach, we found he had an isolated closed fracture and dislocation of his lower arm. It was severely deformed and causing him extreme discomfort. Because Harry’s injuries had caused a reduction in circulation to his injured arm, the potential for long term problems with that limb were very high. It

Harry meeting paramedics Paul and Paul

start they expected. As Harry and Helen left the beach in the helicopter, dad Dean and brother Joseph collected everything up and checked into their accommodation before heading to Derriford to see their family that evening.

Having been asked why the Air Ambulance had been called for ‘just a broken wrist’, DAA’s critical care paramedic

was imperative to secure the correct anatomical position of his arm as soon as possible so full circulation could be returned. “Harry was brilliant; despite obviously being in extreme pain he remained calm. We explained to him and his parents what we would do to realign his arm so we could reduce the pain and improve the circulation.

“We proceeded to monitor all his vital signs prior to administering an appropriate dose of Ketamine. Harry was fantastic, remaining still throughout the procedure which would have helped considerably as all the evidence shows the calmer the patient is the more effective this strong pain killer is. The procedure went well and only took a few seconds; then a vacuum splint was applied to Harry’s arm to stabilise it for the flight to Derriford. Almost immediately, Harry seemed a lot more comfortable and was even able to have a lighthearted chat with us en-route to hospital wishing he had a better view out of the window!”

Harry had surgery on his hand the following day and, after two nights in hospital, was discharged to continue his holiday. With the resilience of youth, it wasn’t long before Harry had adapted to having his arm in plaster and was back to enjoying the rest of his time in the South Hams, albeit without the fun of skimboarding!

Writing to thank the aircrew prompted an invitation for the family to visit Devon Air Ambulance when they were next in the county.

Coincidentally, they were reunited with both Pauls, the two paramedics who attended Harry’s incident, and were able to find out much more about the work of the service that came to their rescue that day in August. o

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helipad | www.daat.org

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spring 2020 | FUNDRAISING

The Longest Day Staff and colleagues at Devon Air Ambulance are always amazed at the incredible lengths some people go to in order to raise funds for the Charity. Tim Cox was one such amazing fundraising – running the equivalent of two marathons in one day!

W

hen Tim Cox’s son, Joe, needed the service of Devon Air Ambulance after an agricultural accident in August 2019, Tim was determined to do something to show his gratitude to the team who had saved his son’s life.

With running having been a hobby for many years, he was happy to set himself a challenge - it was just a question of where and how far he would go.

Using key locations, Tim decided to start at his run at Longdown near Exeter where Joe’s accident had occurred.

He then intended to run to his home town of Teignmouth and then on to Bishopsteignton where Joe worked. The last leg would see him running all the way to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, where Joe had been flown for life-saving treatment.

Tim calculated the route to be about 55 miles – in the end, it was nearer to 59 miles - a distance he was determined to complete in ONE day.

With a run date set for early October, Tim upped his training and began running longer and longer distances. As the day drew closer, Tim monitored his planned route - discovering just the day before that some of the lanes he had planned to use were closed due to flooding and fallen trees! Undeterred, however, Tim made the necessary last minute adjustments to his route and set his alarm clock for early the next morning.

At 04.30 on Saturday 5th October, before dawn had even broken, Tim and his wife Sue set off from Longdown. Sue ran the first few miles alongside her husband before jumping in the car to act as his ‘support vehicle’. John, one of Tim’s friends, had driven down from Buckinghamshire and joined Tim when he reached Teignmouth .

Such was the support for Tim’s challenge, that various friends ran and cycled with Tim and John for the entire journey. By mile 39, Tim was suffering from pretty nasty blisters on his feet and cramping spasms in his legs, so the pace slowed considerably. But, such was the determination of the team that, even when darkness fell, the rain was falling and they were re-routed yet again, spirits remained buoyant.

Tim had initially set a fundraising target of £1,500 but, as he had reached that before even setting off, he was interested to see how much more he could raise. During the day, with regular Facebook and WhatsApp updates to interested followers, the sum rose steadily – and every pound donated was further inspiration to the team.

39

Longdown

Teignmouth Bishopsteignton

Derriford Hospital

Having run, jogged, cycled and, in the case of the last couple of miles – hobbled – the group arrived at their destination at Derriford Hospital at 9.45pm. To celebrate, the gang headed back to Red Rock Brewery at Higher Humber Farm in Bishopsteignton, where a much appreciated chilli-feast was laid on for them.

Speaking a few days after the run, Tim concluded, “I was blown away by the support I had for the challenge. From fellow runners with me on the day, to everyone who donated, it was a team effort. I was thrilled each time we hit another milestone in the fundraising target, eventually reaching a fantastic £5,877 for DAA, with further funds also going to Derriford’s ICU department. Running 59 miles in a day was always a tall order but my blisters have healed now and every twinge of discomfort was worth it. Joe is making the most amazing recovery now, and we know that without Devon Air Ambulance and Derriford Hospital things could have been very different. We will be forever grateful.” o

Tim (in running vest) and support team members

THINKING OF FUNDRAISING?

i

See our GETTING IN TOUCH section on page 4 If you are planning a fundraising activity of any kind, please do give us a call. We can offer support materials such as posters, balloons, collection boxes and even running vests, and we can promote your event on our website and social media.

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helipad | www.daat.org

Some of our local business supporters have a long and valued relationship with Devon Air Ambulance. As a Charity, we benefit from their wonderful support and fundraising. We are delighted that our business supporters can also see the benefit that their employees get from making a real difference to supporting a great local charity.

A

rconic are one such company. As part of a huge international company specialising in many sectors - from aerospace, automotive, construction and transport – Exeter-based Arconic have been supporting Devon Air Ambulance for 17 years!

Back in 2003, Arconic (then known as Howmet Ltd) encouraged its employees to support a local charity. They chose Devon Air Ambulance and, to start with, many of their staff joined our weekly lottery directly paid via their payroll.

There are now over 80 employees playing our lottery and the company has boasted several winners over the years.

But Arconic didn’t stop there, and they have continued to think of imaginative ways to support Devon Air Ambulance.

They donate money via their vending machines, rebates from recycling their used toner cartridges, holding events like their

Annual Golf Day and putting a number of our collection boxes in the staff canteen.

Their commitment to Devon Air Ambulance has even extended to team building exercises, entering our annual Dragon Boat Festival for the first time in 2015. Not that they are competitive (!) but, since then, they won the coveted title in both 2017 and 2019, raising over £9,000 into the bargain!

Their Dragon Boat Team “Only here for the Beer” were then nominated for a Month of Recognition grant to be awarded to their nominated charity. They generously nominated Devon Air Ambulance and, in January 2020, we received an amazing £7,600!

Thank you to Arconic and their generous staff for everything they have contributed to Devon Air Ambulance over the years, and we look forward to their continued support in the future.

Message from

Tracy Owen Fundraising Manager

We know what a worrying time this is for many of our local businesses, so we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has and continues to support Devon Air Ambulance. We are so grateful for the wonderful contribution they make to us, from nominating us as their Charity of the Year, holding corporate fundraising activities, sponsored events or coming up with innovative ways in which they can raise money through their businesses. We really appreciate their support, and the commitment they show to giving something back to the community, even when times are challenging - we look forward to continuing to work with them all in the months and years ahead.

i

If you, or your business, would like to ďŹ nd out about how you can support Devon Air Ambulance, please contact me on t.owen@daat.org

Visit daat.org/Business-Supporters

spring 2020 | BUSINESS SUPPORT

41

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helipad | www.daat.org

Devon People Our fantastic supporters mean more to us than ever at this difficult time.

With huge thanks to ALL our fundraisers!

Boringdon Park Golf Club raised £350 at their Winter Agricultural Show Devon Driving Instructors donate £200 each to Devon Air Ambulance and Cornwall Air Ambulance

A Tractor Run in memory of Paul Hoskin, organised by Linda Bridgeman, her son Andrew and friend Mathew Pook, raised £524 David Pennington and his wife Joan have raised a magnificent £14,000 to date from their Bingo evenings in Barnstaple - wow!

DAA Volunteer Rex Brown receiving the £1,000 cheque from the Bigbury Golf Club 2019 Seniors Committee

DAA Volunteer Helen Phillips collects £550 from Peter Keeley, organiser of the Burrington Monthly Lunch Club at their Christmas Lunch

spring 2020 | DEVON PEOPLE

43

Lyn Line Dancers continue their fundraising for DAA and raised a further £1,451 taking their total to date to a whopping £7,170!

Okehampton Dance Nights Flash Mob entertained the crowds at Exeter’s Princesshay and in Okehampton in early December and raised £417.94 Dunsford Amateur Dramatic Society raised £1537 at this year’s Panto - oh yes they did!

Happy Feet Dance Academy in South Molton raised £262 for DAA at their Weekend Ball last November

PHOTO: © Credit Stuart Chapman Photography

Hemyock Short Mat Bowls Club present £200 to DAA Volunteers Don and Ruth Waterhouse

Kelvin Halloran from BMAD 2019 presents DAA Volunteer Graham Gordon with a cheque for a fantastic £5,000

DAA volunteer Pete Mason accepts a cheque for £3470.75 from Paul Selway and the Seniors and Ladies Captains of Dainton Golf Club raised at various events held in 2019

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helipad | www.daat.org

St Peter’s Church in North Tawton present DAA Volunteer Marilyn MacQueen with a cheque for £900 following their production of Jesus Christ Superstar Simon Dell of the Moorland Guides organised the Dartmoor Walking Festival and raised a fantastic £1,435!

Volunteer Don Handsford decorated a Christmas tree at Colyton Church in aid of DAA

Terry Priest raised £1,600 following his skydive and presented the funds to DAA’s Armada shop manager, Vanessa

Starcross Bowling Club presented Volunteer Julia Skinner with a cheque for £1,065 at the end of their Charity of the Year fundraising

Totnes YFC present volunteer Pete Mason with a fantastic £11,000!

This was raised through various events in 2019 - Wowzers!

Stover Golf Club Captains Liz Payne and Robert Vooght were delighted to present DAA paramedic Adrian Parker with funds of £5,099 raised during 2019

spring 2020 | DEVON PEOPLE

45

Susie Davies and her daughter were among a team of 20 who walked Snowdon to raise funds for DAA in memory of Suzie’s husband

Tanya Retter of South Brent Riding Club presenting DAA’s Jeff Adams with £141 from their curry and quiz night The Seaton Park Run last September raised £324 after one of their runners needed assistance from DAA. Thanks to John Whitaker and his daughter

Okehampton Town & Country Ladies present Margaret Weeks with £635 from their coffee morning

The Teign Agers, a ‘fun singing group’ in Teignbridge and Torbay, present volunteer Pete Mason with £1,021 from a variety of fundraising events

Totnes and District Show Chairman 2019, Julian Wilmot, and past President Frances Tanner present DAA volunteer Graham Gordon with £1,000

DAA Volunteer Kate Phillips was delighted to collect a cheque for £362.50 from Dan Miles of Harpers Farm Supplies in Holsworthy, raised at their recent open day.

THINKING OF FUNDRAISING?

i

See our GETTING IN TOUCH section on page 4 If you are planning a fundraising activity of any kind, please do give us a call. We can offer support materials such as posters, balloons, collection boxes and even running vests, and we can promote your event on our website and social media.

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helipad | www.daat.org

Junior Crew We always love to learn about what the inspirational youngsters in our county do in order to raise money for Devon Air Ambulance

Little Acorns donated £1,000 to DAA Volunteers George and Margaret Eley at this year’s Chardstock Festival

Such a worrying time The critical care skills that Devon Air Ambulance paramedics take to a scene can often prevent the need for a patient to be conveyed by helicopter. Such was the case for the Matthews family.

Verity Matthews lives in the rural village of Chilsworthy, near Holsworthy in North Devon. When her son fell ill last spring, Verity was very aware that they needed help fast.

“I am the mum of three young boys and when my twoyear old son, Joseph, became unwell earlier this year, it was so frightening. A land ambulance crew had arrived but Joseph was deteriorating in front of our eyes and I was just so relieved when I learned that Devon Air Ambulance was on its way, although I admit I was scared to think that he was ill enough to warrant the helicopter.

“Fortunately, the aircrew paramedics and doctor who arrived were able to stabilise Joseph while he was still at home and, in the end, he was taken to hospital in the land ambulance where his condition could be monitored throughout the journey. The risk and worry was that Joseph was suffering from sepsis but, thankfully, it wasn’t – it turned out to be a middle ear infection - and he responded well to the treatment he had. We will be forever grateful that Devon Air Ambulance brought vital help to our home when we needed it.” o

 For the second year, 10 year old Madeleine Lock played carols on her French Horn in Princesshay and raised £103.64 for DAA - thanks Madeleine!

 Thank you to Katie for sending us this photo of her adorable 4-year old daughter, MollyMae reading Helipad!

THINKING OF FUNDRAISING? Matthews family with George, Henry and Joseph

i

If your youngster would like to get involved in a fundraising activity, or you would like to book a school talk, please contact Louise on l.newbery@daat.org

spring 2020 | COMMUNITY LANDING SITES

47

Developing a network of community landing sites in Newton Abbot There are various reasons why people are helping to set up their local community landing site but, for the Green family and their friends from Newton Abbot, their desire to ensure Devon Air Ambulance could reach local people ‘during the hours of darkness’ is a very personal one.

O

ne sunny afternoon in July 2018, Steve Green was playing walking football with friends at Coombeshead Academy in Newton Abbot when he suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed. As his team-mates started CPR, a 999 call was made and the Exeter-based Air Ambulance was dispatched.

After landing the helicopter near the pitch, paramedics Paul Robinson and Adrian Parker used a defibrillator to restart Steve’s heart, before conveying him by air to the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital.

Steve’s wife Jo picks up the story: “After Steve’s life was saved by Devon Air Ambulance, our family and friends decided to help raise funds for the Charity. It was at a fundraising event organised later that year we were really surprised to find out from paramedic Paul that there were no night landing sites in Newton Abbot. As a family we decided that, with our close friend Karen Jenks, we would change that.

Karen has now been working closely with DAA, the Town Council and voluntary groups for over a year, with the aim of setting up four community landing sites in the town. For our part we have carried on fundraising, this time to purchase the equipment needed to get the first night landing site operational at Spurs AFC in the centre of town. We are very lucky that Steve is still with us and we hope that the new night landing site will mean more lives can be saved”.

“We’re delighted to see the first of what will be a network of four night landing sites established” said Toby Russell, Project Officer at DAA. “We’d like to say a huge thank you to the Green family for raising the funds for the lighting solution and to the Recreation Trust and Spurs AFC for enabling their ground to be used in emergencies. Paramedics Paul, Adrian and I recently met up with the Green family to relive those crucial moments when they attended to Steve. We were also able to demonstrate the new remote lighting switch at the football club.

Our work in Newton Abbot has gone from strength to strength and, with the support of the Newton Abbot Rotary Club, Newton Abbot WI, Newton Abbot Carnival Committee, Newton Abbot & District Royal Engineers Association and local and District Councillors, 85% of the community funding has now been secured. This means we are on target to have the other sites at Bakers Park, Sandringham Park and Decoy Country Park operational by this summer. We cannot underestimate the help and support that Karen Jenks has also provided; after what happened to her friend Steve, she has made it her mission to get these sites established so that DAA can operate into their community at night.” o

Paramedics Adrian and Paul with Steve and Jo Green and Karen Jenks

Sites already live Sites in development Newton Abbot’s network of four community landing sites at Spurs AFC (live), Bakers Park, Sandringham Park and Decoy Country Park (all in development).

To find out more about our work in Newton Abbot and across Devon, please contact Community Landing Sites Development Officer Toby Russell on 07943 207673 or t.russell@daat.org.

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helipad | www.daat.org

Patient Support Our new service to support patients and their families

L

ast year, Devon Air Ambulance successfully registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to enable us to deliver clinical service as an independent healthcare provider.

The advantages of being ‘clinically independent’, similar to us being financially or aviation independent, is that we have much greater opportunity to develop our service in the way that best meets the needs of our patients.

In April 2019, accountability for our clinical service transferred to Devon Air Ambulance Trading Company Limited (DAATCL), the part of our organisation that delivers our operational service. In line with our objectives to provide even greater services to our patients, we have now introduced our Patient Support service.

Three of our Specialist Paramedics in Critical Care, alongside responding as part of our clinical team to patients in their time of need, now work half their time as a Patient Liasion Clinician, supporting patients and their families through our Patient Support service.

Our aim is to help our patients and their families in the days, weeks and months following our clinical team being called to them. We do this by answering any questions they may

have or helping to provide clarity regarding the care Devon Air Ambulance provided. Also, because we know how often our patients are unable to fully recollect events at the time of the accident or illness, if they so wish, we can help fill in any gaps in their recollection during the period we cared for them.

In offering support to our patients and their families, we will always fully respect their wishes and only provide support if they so desire. For those patients and families who would like our support: • One of our Patient Liaison Clinicians will aim to establish a supportive relationship with them and will endeavour to maintain this relationship for as long as they choose.

• We will seek to answer any questions they may have as openly and honestly as possible and help them to understand the care we provided. We may not be able to answer every question, but we will do our best to find out the answer for them.

• As Critical Care Paramedics, our team can draw upon their experience to help those who contact us to prepare for the days or weeks ahead.

• If they have any concern or complaint regarding the care or

spring 2020 | OPERATIONS

49

Over the years, Devon Air Ambulance has welcomed many treatment we provided, we will pass these on to ensure they patients to our airbases to meet our team, gain a greater are managed appropriately and that they are kept informed understanding of the service we provide and have the whilst they are investigated. opportunity to view up close the air ambulance helicopter.

• If their circumstances are such that they could benefit from Overwhelmingly, patients and their family tell us that this forms additional support, we can share with them the contact details an important part of their recovery and understanding of the of specialist charities and agencies. If they wish, and only day they received our help. Our Patient Support service can with their express permission, we can request appropriate provide patients and their families with details of how they can charities/agencies to contact them directly, if easier for the make arrangements to undertake an airbase visit, or, again with patient/family. their express permission, we can arrange for someone from • With their permission, we can provide feedback to the clinical the Charity to contact them with details. crew who treated them. This enables the crew to learn from the As our service develops, we very much hope to increase experience of their patients, ascertain how they are, and what further the support we can provide our patients. We are also the exact nature of their injuries or illness was - something our very keen to learn from team often don’t get to “ We have been able to provide details of the experience of our hear about.

We seek to contact the care we delivered to many patients whose patients and understand their perspective of the our patients by either recollection at the time was not clear. We also care we provided. We telephoning them, would like explore the visiting them in hospital have been able to put patients in touch with option to establish ‘Peer or contacting them specialist charities and agencies, including Support’, a process by letter. Again, fully those offering rehabilitation support, emotional whereby patients could respecting our patients’ choose to support other wishes, once we have wellbeing, financial or legal assistance. ” patients, and a ‘Patient made contact, we will Forum’, where patients can come together and share their follow up by whatever means of contact they prefer, or not at experiences, perhaps even sharing their views on aspects of all if they so wish. service development we are considering.

In the short time we have been offering our Patient Support Although we aim to make contact with all our patients service, the feedback from our patients has been truly in the first few weeks following their injuries/illness, we fantastic. We have been able to provide details of the care Patient Liaison Clinicians Adrian, Kate and Paul

we delivered to many patients whose recollection at the time was not clear. We also have been able to put patients in touch with specialist charities and agencies, including those offering rehabilitation support, emotional wellbeing, financial or legal assistance.

Patient confidentiality is of paramount importance to us and we will only discuss aspects with family members with the patient’s permission. Sadly, despite our best endeavours, sometimes our patients do not survive, often leaving their family with support needs and questions about the care we provided their loved one. In these circumstances, we will seek to contact the family and offer them our support.

recognise that some patients or families may wish to make contact sooner, without waiting for us to contact them. We are very happy to support patients and families in this way and our clinical teams will, if circumstances allow at the time of providing care, provide patients and relatives with contact cards detailing how they can get in touch.

Alternatively, details can be found on our new dedicated website which provides specific information about aspects of our ‘Patient Services’, as well as information regarding our ‘Helicopter Services’ - www.daatcl.co.uk Patients or their family can also contact us by phone using 0800 061 4344 or by e-mailing us at patientsupport@daat.org o

OPERATIONS Profile: Nigel Hare - Operations Director Email: n.hare@daat.org Nigel is accountable for overseeing the care we provide to our patients, including liaisng with the Care Quality Commission, NHS and emergency services, as well as leading our team of paramedics, doctors and support staff. Nigel joined Devon Air Ambulance in 1997 as an Aircrew Paramedic

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helipad | www.daat.org

From Basil to Bang Bang Fitz chats to John Cleese about his new farce and why he agrees that a huge statue of Torquay’s most infamous hotelier would be perfect on the seafront!

I

t’s not often that I find myself lost for words or a little star struck but as I walked into the dressing rooms at the Northcott Theatre to discover John Cleese sat there in a surgical boot, I really didn’t know what to say. He immediately put me at my ease with a sizeable sneeze and complained about the English winter, weather and the inevitable head cold that goes with it… a cold he picked up in Miami! John was down in Devon as he is the mastermind behind a brandnew play called Bang Bang.

When I say brand-new, this original farce was actually written in the very late 1800s by a French gentleman called Georges Feydeau. I think it would be fair to say that this man was the father of farce and that Mr Cleese is a great lover of his works.

John takes up the story.

“I went to see a production at the National Theatre a very, very, very long time ago, I’m talking forty years and it was of a play called A Flea in her Ear by Georges Feydeau and it was the funniest thing I think

I have ever seen in my life. At that time I didn’t really know about this sort of genre, then I discovered there was the sort of English version with Brian Rix and all those wonderful Whitehall farces which are also very, very good but were not quite as fiendishly clever as Feydeau. I soon discovered that this man not only wrote extremely funny situation comedy but there was a logic to the plots and all of the twists were extraordinarily clever.

I discovered this play, had it adapted by someone who spoke fluent French and then adapted it myself for the stage.”

What did he know about the man Faydeau himself?

“He was quite a sad person; some of his play material is very bitter and dark. He obviously had a lot of problems with his relationships with women, so he and I have that in common!

But I do have a nice one now.”

Can I ask about the surgical boot?

“I have a bone spur or rather had…it has been removed.

This was going to be the year that I lost weight and got fit but that has all been put back.

Otherwise life is good and very busy with me adapting Life of Brian for the stage, writing a musical based on A Fish Called Wanda with my lovely daughter Camilla, I have a second part of my autobiography to complete and I have a wonderful idea for a ‘black comedy’ on cannibalism called...Yummy.”

Later on stage, John went on to explain the horrors of a Torquay hotel in which he stayed, giving birth to Fawlty Towers. I had previously spoken to him about getting

a statue to Basil placed on the seafront, something he thought was marvellous.

“Nothing ostentatious… just twelve or thirteen feet high… with a tree branch...”

Devon will always be associated with you because of Fawlty.

“Well I did live in Totnes as a youngster and had an Uncle and Aunt in Plymstock, so I am no stranger to Devon.

Anyway...clear off now...I have to cover my spots before going on stage.”

So I did. o

On the set of Bang Bang

BACKCHAT Profile: David FitzGerald - BBC Broadcaster and DAA Patron David first began broadcasting on commercial radio in the early 1980s, before moving to television. As well as a busy broadcasting career David still finds time for writing as well as enjoying a regular round of golf.

Fitz

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YOUR ORDER DETAILS

DON’T FORGET: Deduct 10% (10p in every £1) if you joined the YouGarden Club: Add PP&I

*We’ll automatically renew your membership every year, so you can keep saving - AND the price will NEVER go up... GUARANTEED! Full details at YouGarden.com/Club.

Offer subject to availability and in the event that this offer is oversubscribed, we reserve the right to send suitable substitutes. Delivery to UK only and a £6.00 surcharge will apply to the following postcode areas: AB, BT, DD8-11, GY, HS, IM, IV, JE, KA27-28, KW, PA20-80, PH19-50, TR21-25 & ZE. See website for full terms & conditions.

TOTAL

ORDER VALUE

£6.99

2 Should any hardy plants fail to thrive thereafter, we’ll replace free of charge.You just pay the P&P. Peter McDermott, Head Gardener

© YouGarden 2020.

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*Service available in England only and if your surgery needs you to order directly, we’ll tell you how to do this.