Helipad - The official Devon Air Ambulance magazine. Winter 2019 Issue

Percy Fawcett

Intrepid Devon explorer

Super Models!

Your Very Own Air Ambulance

Fitz on Flora

The Concise British Record

the official magazine of DEVON AIR AMBULANCE

winter 2019 | www.daat.org

MARVELLOUS

MODBURY Go plastic-free shopping!

A PATIENT’S STORY

Back from the brink

Business Benefits Become a Charity Partner

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

Three cheers!

for Volunteers

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

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Devon Air Ambulance’s very own Community Magazine

There’s something for everyone this winter Winter Sculpture Exhibition 14 November – 31 January 2020 Rosemoor Glow – selected dates 14 November – 4 January Christmas Craft Fair 22 – 24 November Christmas Food & Craft Fair 14 –15 December Magic of Christmas Santa Experience* 20 – 23 December RHS Registered Charity No. 222879/SC038262

Great Torrington, Devon

HH-Winter Events Listing A1 V3.indd 4

*ticketed event

RHS members go free

Your visit supports our work as a charity

10/10/2019 15:33

winter 2019 | WELCOME

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WELCOME Heléna Holt Chief Executive Officer Some of you may be aware that earlier in the year the Chancellor announced he was making £10m of funding available to the country’s air ambulances. DAA put in a bid for some of this funding to support two really exciting new projects – providing two fully equipped critical care cars and the provision of Public Access defibrillators (PADs) across our communities in Devon.

We were delighted to receive the entire amount we bid for, just over £226,000, which will pay for the capital costs of these two initiatives. We are currently in the process of buying, customising and equipping two new Volvo cars, so we hope you will see them on Devon’s roads very soon. You can’t miss them

Ali Simpson Helipad Editor In this issue of Helipad, we are saying ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’. We bid a fond farewell to one of our regular contributors, Sarah Chesters, who has been writing for us on all things garden related for many years. We all wish Sarah well for the future and thank her for her amazing contribution to Helipad. We won’t be saying goodbye to RHS Rosemoor, however, and look forward to welcoming horticulturist Richard Wilson to our writing team from the Spring issue onwards.

We are also delighted to be welcoming a new chef and food writer. Jim Fisher is the cofounder and head chef of the Exeter Cookery School and will be sharing with us some of his favourite recipes, showing us how to make the most of our outstanding local Devon produce.

As usual, this issue of Helipad is crammed

as they have the same distinctive blue and red livery of our helicopters!

We hope to roll out our defibrillator project in 2020, so we will be letting you know much more about this nearer the time.

These new projects will mean Devon Air Ambulance can now provide its critical care direct to scene, even when our helicopters are unavailable, and also provide a vital piece of life-saving equipment in the heart of our towns, accessible to all.

with interesting articles on local places and people. We take a tour around Modbury, a town that looks to the past and the future, learn about legendary Exeter FC goalkeeper ‘Pincher’ Pym and famed Torquay explorer Percy Fawcett and find out what it actually takes to buy a brand-new helicopter for the Charity. And, of course, Helipad brings you some amazing stories about our inspirational patients and how Devon Air Ambulance came to their aid. Happy reading!

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

Fundraising & Events

fundraising@daat.org

Lottery

lottery@daat.org

Volunteering

Cara Jones

c.jones@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.

10/10/2019 15:33

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helipad | www.daat.org

CONTENTS | winter 2019 OUR WORK

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… STOP PRESS … STOP PRESS …

A round-up of Devon Air Ambulance news and views.

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What3Words Brilliantly simple, find out how you can get this free, easy to use App that is helping the emergency services locate callers to within three metres – anywhere in the world!

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Up, up and away Flight Operations Director Ian Payne gives us the low down on G-DAAS, our shiny new helicopter.

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Looking at Logistics Seamlessly moving stock, managing supplies, servicing equipment and behind-the-scenes support is vital to ensure all of DAA operates efficiently and effectively.

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You’re Never Too Old We turn our Fundraising Focus on inspirational 80 year old John Etheridge, as he cycles from John O’Groats to Land’s End to raise money for the charity that came to his aid.

Publisher Heléna Holt h.holt@daat.org 01392 466 666 Editor Alison Simpson 01392 466666 helipad@daat.org Sub Editor Debbie Gregory 01392 466666 ext 135 d.gregory@daat.org Advertising Sales Gaynor Garton

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Charity Partners – We Need You Fundraising Manager Tracy Owen explains the benefits for our local businesses when they join DAA as one of our valued Charity Partners.

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Bravo to Bravo Delta Models Stunning new models of Devon Air Ambulance’s two helicopters, hand-crafted and hand-painted in exquisite detail. Available to purchase, the profits from the sale of each model come back to the Charity.

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

020 3283 4055 / 07801 592067 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

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

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Kentisbeare’s CLS Journey CLS Development Officer Toby Russell speaks to those involved in one village’s CLS project and reminds us that the deadline for grant funding is looming.

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A Quality Service Operations Director Nigel Hare explains why good governance and continuing development – both professional and educational – are the cornerstones of maintaining our quality clinical service.

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2019 Events Round-up It’s been a busy year for Devon Air Ambulance’s own fundraising events. We share our photos to inspire you for 2020.

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

Contributors Sarah Chesters Neil Devons Alex Eastland Jim Fisher David FitzGerald Jill Sweet

Photographers Neil Devons

Next issue Spring 2020

is published by DEVON AIR AMBULANCE TRUST

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winter 2019 | CONTENTS

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PEOPLE & PLACES

GET INVOLVED

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The cool new Cool Garden In August, RHS Rosemoor opened the doors to its new Cool Garden, designed around water and featuring plants in calming shades of blue, white and grey.

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Volunteering Volunteer Simon Card tells us about a chance meeting that connected two of our pilots, separated by 27 years, and why he finds volunteering so rewarding.

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The ‘Indiana Jones’ of the English Riviera We recall the remarkable story of Torquay-born adventurer and explorer, Percy Fawcett, who mapped unknown Amazonian rainforest before mysteriously disappearing without trace.

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Lottery Each year, we say a special thank you to the agents who promote our lottery through their businesses, shops and post offices with a competition to win a treat-filled hamper. This year’s winner tells us why she is proud to support this worthy cause.

Time to Reflect In her last ever column for Helipad, Sarah Chesters invites us to reflect on our gardening year and encourages us to try new things in 2020.

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Marvellous Modbury With its stunning location, rich history and trailblazing approach to ‘plastic free’ shopping, Modbury is well worth a visit.

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Devon’s Green Lanes Find out about Devon’s vast rural network of charming and atmospheric ‘green’ paths that crisscross the county and offer a tranquil retreat from the bustle of everyday life.

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Plymouth Rocks Jill Sweet turns her nostalgic gaze back to the Swinging Sixties and what life in Plymouth was like for our rebellious teen.

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Life of Pie We are delighted to welcome to Helipad our new cookery writer, Jim Fisher, of The Exeter Cookery School. For his first recipe, Jim tempts us with a hearty steak and mushroom pie.

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Pincher Pym World record breaking Dick ‘Pincher’ Pym was a ‘superstar’ of football in the 1920s with a personal connection to Devon Air Ambulance.

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Back Chat We see a side of Fitz we may not be familiar with as he celebrates a botanist and illustrator who inspired his boyhood love of British flora.

On The Cover Issue No.24 Winter 2019 Snowy Dartmoor © Dean Nixon

PATIENTS 10

Horrific crash almost ends in tragedy When motorbiker David Entwistle was involved in a terrifying collision that caused catastrophic injuries, Devon Air Ambulance raced to save his life.

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“The sound of the helicopter was the best noise” After crash-landing her paraglider, the pain from Jane Hallett’s broken vertebrae was excruciating but the skill of the Devon Air Ambulance clinical crew reassured her she was in safe hands.

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Frequent Flyer Due to a debilitating medical condition, farmer Nick Turner has been airlifted many times but still gets anxious. He explains how his nerves are calmed by the reassurance and professionalism of the aircrew.

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A short horse ride ends in calamity When Janet Scott’s horse was spooked by cows on Exmoor, she thought she had only sprained her wrist in the fall. Turned out her injuries were much more serious, and Devon Air Ambulance was called to get her to urgent medical attention.

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Airbase visit aids recovery A visit to Exeter Airbase helped Lauren Brown fill in the gaps in her memory following a nasty motorbike accident that left her with serious knee injuries.

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Touch and Go When Jane Jordon’s car was involved in a terrible collision with another vehicle, she suffered such devastating injuries it was a miracle she survived.

Help was at hand when Devon Air Ambulance paramedics - and our lead Consultant, Dr Tim Nutbeam - were dispatched.

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The Cool Garden

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helipad | www.daat.org

The latest news from Air Ambulance HQ Gregory’s welcome a Royal visitor to their Centenary Celebrations

Photo: © Lewis Clarke. Getty Images

CEO Heléna Holt and Fundraising & Communications Director, Caroline Creer, were delighted to be invited to attend the centenary celebrations at Gregory Distribution in Cullompton on the 17th July. Gregory’s has always been a valued business supporter of Devon Air Ambulance, so it was lovely to be asked to share this very special occasion with them. The day was blessed with beautiful Devon sunshine and a Royal visitor!

HRH Prince Charles greeting Caroline and Heléna

Prince William’s visit to Harcombe House In September, Flight Operations Director Ian Payne was honoured to meet HRH The Duke of Cambridge when he attended the Emergency Services Day held at the Fire Fighters Charity Harcombe House in Chudleigh.

The newly renovated centre – which includes a state-of-the-art gym and hydrotherapy pool - supports individuals, couples and families recovering from poor mental health, injury or chronic illness.

Above: Ian Payne meets HRH Prince William Below: Harcombe House in Chudleigh

winter 2019 | NEWS

Wonderful Wedding Gift After Sophie was airlifted in 2009 following a nasty car accident, she and her fiancé Edward decided to ask for donations to DAA rather than gifts at their wedding.

Sophie’s patient story, which featured in Spring Helipad, was creatively framed and displayed on their big day and helped them raise a magnificent £4,362.50. Thank you to them both – everyone at DAA wishes you well for your future together!

Welcome to our new trustees William Matthewman After obtaining his degree in Economics from Exeter University, William has worked in the Wealth Management profession for nearly 5 years. He is currently an Investment Advisor at Charles Stanley. Given his fondness for outdoor pursuits on Dartmoor, William says he has always been in awe of the work undertaken by Devon Air Ambulance, and the other emergency services, particularly how they help hikers, runners and climbers.

Nicholas Johnson Nick is currently a Partner at Kitsons, dealing primarily with the practice management side of the business, finance, risk and compliance, together with running an active caseload of litigation. He has previously been a Governor and, latterly, Chair at his children’s primary school and Chair of the Ottery Scout Group.

“Richie Tate is my hero because...”

You may remember in our Summer issue of Helipad we featured a lovely letter that 8-year old Sam from Topsham sent to our Pilot Richie Tate. His mum, Lucy, has since written to us to say how thrilled he was to see his letter in print, and that DAA has a ‘supporter for life’. Sam’s class at school has been doing a project on ‘Heroes’ and Sam naturally chose Richie – we all love this photo and the words Sam wrote about one of our amazing pilots.

Postman Snipe Volunteer Simon Card sent us this photo of his adorable chocolate labrador, Snipe, bringing him his summer copy of Helipad – in return for a treat of course!

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helipad | www.daat.org

...the App that everyone is downloading What’s in a word?

Devon Air Ambulance has always been forward thinking when it comes to embracing new and innovative technological solutions that will help the charity keep up in this fast-paced digital world.

This could be anything from how we manage our supporter details to how we connect with younger fundraisers and supporters through social media and online platforms.

We also love it when we find a new App that is proving to be a real benefit to all the emergency services such as What3Words – an application that allows the user to share their precise location.

The App divides the whole world into units of three metre squares. Attributed to each unit is a unique 3-word randomly generated address that will never change, irrespective of how the landscape in which the grid falls may change.

For example lease.cotton.spine marks the door to the Reception of Devon Air Ambulance’s Head Office in Exeter.

What are the benefits of using this app?

Unique 3-word addresses are easy to say and to share, are as accurate as GPS co-ordinates and less likely to be misinterpreted. This means they are ideal for people to use to direct the emergency services to the correct place, irrespective of any visible landmarks or knowledge of their location.

How is Devon Air Ambulance using the What3Words app?

Our dedicated Helicopter Emergency Medical (HEMS) dispatchers who deploy your Air Ambulance from the South Western Ambulance Services Foundation Trust (SWASFT) 999 control room have What3Words built into their mapping software.

This means that should the caller give their locational 3 words to them, they simply enter that into their system, which is then translated into the co-ordinates needed to direct the helicopter to

the precise location where our critical care team is needed. This is particularly helpful for anyone calling from a remote location where they do not have the grid reference to hand.

What happened to the Devon Air Ambulance App? The charity previously created its own dedicated App that served a similar function in that it helped to identify the location of the user. However, the App was not able to keep up with the multiple updates required by mobile phone operators and the cost of creating a new App and the ongoing costs needed to keep it current were prohibitive.

That is why DAA is embracing the What3Words App and encouraging all our readers and supporters to download it.

When someone in need of help pinpoints their precise location using the App, it can save valuable minutes in getting the appropriate critical care response to the scene.

How do I download the App? If you have an iphone, visit the App Store. If you have an Android device, visit the PlayStore – and search for What3Words. The App is free to download, but you will need to permit the App to access the location of your phone. It’s simple to use as it will automatically identify the precise location of where you are holding the phone. o

/// lease.cotton.spine

DOWNLOAD THE APP HERE

One Volunteer’s Story Simon Card has been volunteering for DAA for seven years and is a complete all-rounder, giving talks, helping at events and much more.

Here Simon recounts a chance meeting that helped connect two DAA pilots separated by 27 years service and explains why he finds volunteering so rewarding

winter 2019 | VOLUNTEERING

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Simon and Craig meeting at a job in Sidmouth

“I

enjoyed a remarkable day one Saturday earlier in the year, one of DAAs original pilots. Craig was very pleased to the day dawning bright and sunny. hear about my day and spent several minutes talking I was looking forward to both events I was attending on to everyone there about the service. Our crews are all behalf of DAA that day. The first was a Fun Fruit, Veg and wonderful ambassadors for us.

Flower show at the Red Lion in Sidbury, which I had attended Later that day, it was an incredible privilege to meet Richard before, but the second event was new to me – the biand his wife Carol for tea. I told them about the aircraft landing annual Vintage Tea Party at the Bay close to my home that very morning Court Nursing Home in Budleigh and about talking to the pilot Craig.

Salterton, which is now home to one Richard and I spoke about many of the charity’s original pilots, Richard similarities in the two pilot’s careers, Metson. Sadly Richard suffered really with Craig originally flying out to poor health since retiring, and is now the offshore oil rigs from Aberdeen wheelchair bound, but still wore his and then as a police pilot before old flying suit for the party... joining the air ambulance service. I Just before midday, as I prepared learnt that Richard had also been to attend the two events, I heard responsible for training other pilots the distinctive sound of an EC135 and held other senior roles as well engine directly above my house and as his normal flying duties. I showed remarkably, G-DAAN - on a mission them the photo my wife took of the landed on a play area just a few yards meeting between Craig and me and Richard Metson at a visit to DAA airbase from our home in Sidmouth. have sent Richard a copy. His room The pilot Craig Bisset landed the helicopter safely in what at the home is jam-packed with memorabilia of his flying days. looked to my untutored eye to be quite a challenging space, The day ended with me returning to Sidbury to collect just showing how extraordinary all of our pilots are. I must say, a cheque for £1,060…well up from last year’s already my neighbours were mightily impressed by his skill! excellent £760.

While our amazing clinical team dealt with the work at This is just one example of why I so enjoy my role as one of the hand, I managed to say hello to Craig briefly, explaining many volunteers for Devon Air Ambulance, the coincidences on that I was a volunteer and just about to head off to see this occasion were remarkable. What a day... o

VOLUNTEERING Profile: Cara Jones - Volunteer Manager Email: c.jones@daat.org Cara is responsible for coordinating volunteering across Devon Air Ambulance, including the recruitment, induction, training and support of our volunteers working in our shops and in the community.

helipad | www.daat.org

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David is a medical miracle

It was a glorious late summer Sunday afternoon in September 2018 and, after a morning of tinkering with his motorbike, David Entwistle of Plympton decided to take it out for a test ride. The roads were dry, perfect for a quick spin to check everything was working ok.

D

avid took a route he knew well, incorporating the lanes behind his home town and the dual carriageway of the A38. The bike was riding smoothly and David was only five minutes from home when he was involved in an horrific collison that changed everything and left him

questioning whether his crash helmet should be removed.

“I was sure I was dying,” David explained to Helipad’s Debbie Gregory. “I said to the midwife that she had to tell my family that I loved them all and to tell them I’m sorry. But she refused and said, “No, I won’t need to do that. You can tell them

day and, along with paramedics Kate Adlam and Adrian Parker, rushed to the scene.

Working together with the land crew paramedics, the aircrew quickly assessed the situation. It was felt that manoeuvring David over the farm gate and across the field to the helicopter would waste

treat him as they raced to the major trauma centre at Plymouth’s Derriford Hospital.

David had sustained lifethreatening injuries in the incident; not only had he broken both legs, his right hand, wrist and arm, but he had also suffered four fractures of the spine, a

“ “I said to the midwife that she had to tell my family that I loved them all and to tell them I’m sorry. But she refused and said, “No, I won’t need to do that. You can tell them yourself.” ” fighting for his life.

The crash, involving two cars as well as David’s motorbike, catapulted him into the hedgerow; he remembers being surrounded by bracken and long grass. Among the first people on scene was a midwife. David remembers her calm reassurance that help was on its way. He heard voices around him, including those

yourself.” I remember, soon after, that everything just went white and the midwife was still saying “Come on, stay awake, you can hear the sirens now, help is on its way.”

An ambulance arrived and was swiftly followed by the Devon Air Ambulance helicopter that landed in a nearby field. Dr Alex Cross was on board the helicopter that

precious minutes, so agreed the speediest way to get him to hospital was in the land ambulance straight down the A38.

Having carefully strapped David to a pelvic board and administered essential pain relief, they loaded him into the land ambulance and Dr Alex and paramedic Kate continued to monitor and

shattered pelvis and multiple internal injuries.

David’s family were alerted to the accident by the police and all rushed to Derriford.

At first, to their surprise, he appeared to be ok and was even able to talk a little to them. However, their relief was short-lived as David was then put in an induced coma for the following two weeks

David with family outside hospital

David receiving intensive physiotherapy at Mount Gould hospital

winter 2019 | PATIENTS and needed many hours of surgery over the following days and weeks.

David takes up the story, “All the while I was unconscious, I was convinced I’d died in the accident. I remember at times I could hear my wife Monica’s voice and I thought ‘how odd, how can I hear Mon’s voice when I’m dead? I could also see my dog Poppy, who had died just a few months before my accident. I so wanted to be with Poppy but, although I could see her and called to her to come to me, she just sat watching and never came over.”

“Even when I came around, I admit I think I’d rather have

died. I tried to pull the tubes out and I remember the alarms on all the machines around me were ringing. I feel so sorry for all my family – they’ve been through absolute hell. It’s terrifying to see someone you love in Intensive Care.”

After three months in Derriford Hospital, David was transferred to Mount Gould Hospital in Plymouth for essential physiotherapy and rehabilitation. There had been a risk of David losing his left leg after the accident and, even when the leg was saved thanks to surgery and some complex metalwork, David

was warned that he was likely to be a wheelchair user for the rest of his life.

It was with immense pride that, after a further three months of intense physiotherapy, David managed to stand on his own, astounding the surgeons who had operated on him. David still has regular check-ups and is always so pleased to see any of the teams who put him back together and cared for him so well.

On seeing for himself that David was now able to walk a few steps with crutches, one surgeon exclaimed with delight, “I never expected to

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see this day.” And he said to Monica, “Your husband is a medical miracle; THIS is the reason we do what we do!”

While David’s physical progress is indeed a fantastic achievement, and testament to his strength and determination, he recognises that he has a long way to go and knows that the psychological healing may take many more months.

He has, however, now met with all the people who were involved with his care from the scene of the accident and from each department at Derriford, to pass on his grateful thanks.

David and family reunited with paramedics Kate Adlam and Adrian Parker (far left and far right) and Dr Alex Cross (second left)

The last piece of the jigsaw was a reunion at Exeter Airbase with the team from Devon Air Ambulance. David came along with his wife and their three daughters, Lauren, Sam and Hayley, plus son-in-law Darren and 10-year-old grand-daughter Phoebe. It was an emotional visit for the whole family, but David was proud to demonstrate his walking skills to the aircrew.

David is convinced that, without the intervention of the team from Devon Air Ambulance, he wouldn’t be here today. The aircrew also expressed their delight and amazement at the progress he has made since that fateful day. The family declared that their visit to the airbase was hugely therapeutic for them all and they are now considering a variety of fundraising activities as a way to say ‘Thank You’. o

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helipad | www.daat.org

Abbotsham | Bideford | Devon | EX39 5BE

23 October 2019

A beautiful country home dedicated to outstanding care at a realistic price Wet Rooms ● Walk-in Baths ● Wash & Dry Toilets

● Residential and dementia care

Seated Showering ● Level Access ● Grab Rails

● Respite stays welcome

Raised Toilets ● Adapted Taps ● Accessible Ovens

● Beautifully landscaped gardens

Rise & Fall Hobs Worktops & Cupboards

● Safe, friendly and homely accommodation

-

● Daily activities programme

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-

Feel free to pop in for a chat with Home Manager Rae or call 01237 470060 for more information

www.care-south.co.uk

Registered Charity No. 1014697

DRINK UP! Coffee Machine initiative supports

Devon Air Ambulance Majestic Coffee (SW) - formerly Bean & Leaf - are supporting Devon Air Ambulance through their innovative coffee machine initiative. The DAA-branded machines offer 12 different hot drinks, costing £2 each – with 75p from every drink coming directly to DAA to support our vital life-saving service.

Why not think about putting one of these coffee machines in your workplace, business or club – your staff, customers and supporters will love it, especially when they know that every hot drink sold is supporting our amazing local charity!

If you would like a demo, contact Chris Robinson-Brown of Majestic Coffee (SW):

07565 385278

chris@majesticcoffeesw.co.uk

winter 2019 | PATIENTS

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I knew I was in good hands...

“I

had managed to finish work a little early and, as it was a beautiful evening, I decided to dash home and grab my paragliding kit. When I arrived in Eype there were a couple of other paragliders there and the weather was perfect.

I took off and enjoyed taking in the breath-taking views before deciding to follow a friend into land. I turned to descend, but then things became very unclear; the ground was blurring but appeared to be directly under my feet. I slipped my legs out and pulled on the brakes expecting my feet to feel the ground, but confusion hit me when nothing happened.

It was quiet. Then I felt the ground - I’d landed on the beach. The pain in my back was incredible and I

immediately knew that I was really hurt. I managed to use my radio to call for help.

Meanwhile, a fellow paraglider who was in the sea at that point had seen what happened and rushed to my aid. Another flew down from the cliff to help and he immediately called the emergency services. The ambulance was the first on the scene and then it seemed as though help was coming to me from all directions. The sound of the helicopter was the best noise I could have wished for at that moment.

The pain was excruciating, and I was quickly given something to help with that. Things were happening very swiftly around me and everyone was working together.

DAA paramedic Darren Hall seemed to be leading

Jane recovering in her back brace

the now-massive group of medics; he took charge and I knew that I was in good hands.

His colleague, Adrian Parker, kept talking to me all the while, making me feel calmer.

Before long I was transferred to a board; I was strapped in and my head was in a block to keep it steady. I felt very vulnerable but I had complete trust in the people around me.

Suddenly the people seemed to disappear. I felt myself being raised and the rotors were getting closer and closer. Soon I was in the helicopter; I couldn’t see very much but I was so pleased to be off the beach and on my way to hospital. I was in Dorset County Hospital A&E in no time and was dealt

with immediately upon arrival.

Everything is a little hazy after that, but I remember being told that I’d broken my vertebrae. I was given a lot of attention throughout the night and I spent the first few days lying flat on my back looking at nothing but the ceiling. I could barely raise my feet even a couple of centimetres off the bed.

I was back home with my children two weeks after the incident took place. They are so lucky to have their mum back with no long-term damage. I realise how lucky I was and I owe it to the whole team, but the Air Ambulance crew were my true saviours and I will be forever grateful.” o

“ The sound of the helicopter was the best noise I could have wished for at that moment ”

Photo: © Neil Barnes

In July 2019, Jane Hallett from Bridport feared the worst when she crash-landed her paraglider and was unable to move.

Jane tells her story.

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helipad | www.daat.org

coolcalm&collected

O

n the first day of their annual Garden Flower Show – 16th August – RHS Rosemoor held the official opening of its new Cool Garden. The garden, designed by Chelsea gold medallist Jo Thompson, centres on the use of water, and features plants in ‘cool’ shades of blue, white and pastels complemented by grey foliage. It is the perfect calming contrast to the fiery reds, oranges and purples of the nearby Hot Garden.

The Cool Garden stands on the site of the previous Spiral Garden. This original garden had delighted visitors for over 25 years but it was decided now was the right time to bring in a fresh new concept to the space. The main theme of the garden is how gardeners can deal with heavy rainfall, a typical occurrence in Devon but also an increasing challenge across the country. In terms of planting, the new design builds upon the relaxed feel of the former garden with some of the original plants, which fitted into the new brief, being retained.

This new garden is the first at Rosemoor to be designed around an ornamental water feature. A curved terrace allows visitors to look down across the plantings, and the water blades on the terrace wall feed rills - narrow, shallow channels - running through the garden to a tear-drop shaped pond.

The hard landscaping is also interestingly conceived, using stone and walls made of vertical slates for a contemporary but

naturalistic feel. In keeping with the theme of water management, the lower section of the garden is made from permeable resinbound gravel which helps reduce water run-off.

The physical construction of the Cool Garden was undertaken by local company, Rural Stonework & Landscapes, who are also veterans of the Chelsea Flower Show. They have wonderful artisan skills in stone walling, a typical feature of the Devon countryside, so were ideal builders for the garden.

The new planting started earlier in the year, and includes the silver birch Betula pendula Fastigiata Joes, a selection of Hydrangea paniculata and Philadephus, complemented by a selection of grasses to add movement and texture, such as Nepeta racemosa “Walker’s Low”, commonly called catmint.

The garden’s designer, Jo Thompson explains the principles underlying the Cool Garden’s design. “Situated in a location with some of the highest recorded annual rainfall in the UK, we wanted to harness the abundance of water, by channeling it to a particular part of the site to create a bog garden. This is a good example of how gardeners need to embrace the conditions they have to work with”.

Jo continues “Having the opportunity to work on a flagship garden such as RHS Rosemoor is a real privilege, by being able to make a landscape that is openly accessible to everyone to see and enjoy”. o

winter 2019 | GARDENS

Pittosporum tenuifolium Golf Ball

Phlox paniculata Mount Fuji

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Buddleja davidii Nanho Blue

Echinops bannaticus Taplow Blue

WELCOME ONBOARD We are delighted to introduce RHS Rosemoor Horticulturist Richard Wilson, who will be writing for Helipad on all things garden related from Spring 2020.

Let Richard tell you a bit about himself... of the exciting opportunities to be had as a horticulturist and introduced me to the RHS and it’s many and varied facets.

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

I retired after 31 years as an aircraft engineer in the RAF and, as I was always a keen amateur gardener, a second career in horticulture seemed a natural transition for me to make.

In 2011, having gained basic NVQ’s in horticulture and having previously been a volunteer at Cawdor Castle, I was recruited by The National Trust for Scotland and began their 2-year full time traineeship at Threave Gardens School of Heritage Gardening in Dumfries and Galloway and Inverewe Gardens in Wester Ross, before taking up a position at Leith Hall in Aberdeenshire, gaining valuable experience in a challenging environment. A trip to the French Alps in 2014 with the Alpine Garden Society opened my eyes to some

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helipad | www.daat.org

Looking for

Z

Torquay-born explorer Percy Fawcett spent his life in pursuit of lost lands and lost tribes, dedicated to mapping the ‘great blank space’ of the Amazon rainforest.

Helipad editor, Ali Simpson, digs a little deeper into the intriguing world of the English Riviera’s very own Indiana Jones, and how his exploits – and mysterious disappearance – inspired Hollywood

winter 2019 | HISTORICAL DEVON 17

W

ith his intense stare, aquiline nose and neatly trimmed beard, Lieutenant Colonel Percy Harrison Fawcett DSO cut an imposing and dashing figure as one of this country’s most beguiling explorers, archaeologists, geographers and cartographers. Born in Vane Hill Road, Torquay in 1867, Fawcett was educated at Newton Abbot Proprietary College before joining the Royal Military Academy in Woolwich as a cadet.

As a natural leader, his distinguished military career saw him rise through the officer ranks, serving in Hong Kong, Malta and Ceylon, for the British Secret Service in North Africa and for the War Office in Ireland. Like his father Bertram, Percy joined the Royal Geographical Society in 1901 in order to study surveying and mapmaking, However, with his enquiring mind, leadership skills, technical ability and genuine fearlessness, Percy was determined to follow his one true passion – exploration of the unknown world.

In 1906, at the age of 39, his first expedition to South America took

him to Brazil; the Royal Geographical Society had been commissioned to independently map an area of jungle, unbiased from competing local and national interests. Between his first visit and 1924, he made seven expeditions to the area.

As well as geography and encounters with indigenous tribes, over the course of several South American expeditions, Percy also reported encounters

scientists of the day, these reports were largely accurate; in likelihood, the dog with two noses was probably a Bolivian double-nosed Andean tiger hound!

By 1914, Fawcett’s research had led him to formulate the idea of a ‘lost city’, somewhere in the Mato Grosso region of Brazil, which he named “Z”, theorising that a complex civilization once existing in the Amazon region and that isolated ruins may

“ With his enquiring mind, leadership skills, technical ability and genuine fearlessness, Percy was determined to follow his one true passion – exploration of the unknown world. ” with many previously undocumented creatures, such as a 62-foot long anaconda, a small catlike dog about the size of a foxhound and a giant poisonous Apazauca spider.

Many of his claims – such as a dog with two noses were ridiculed by biologists at home who could not countenance the existence of such fantastical creatures.

However far-fetched they may have seemed to the

have survived. He was further emboldened in his idea by 18th century Portuguese writings describing an ancient city containing arches, statues and a temple complete with ancient ‘hieroglyphs’.

His ability to start to search for “Z” was temporarily curtailed by the First World War. He returned to Britain to serve in the Royal Artillery, seeing action in Flanders and commanding an artillery brigade despite the fact that

he was nearly 50 years of age. His gallantry saw him promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in June 2017.

After the war, Percy returned to Brazil and, in 1920, made his first solo attempt to locate the lost city that had fascinated him for so many years. The expedition ended in failure, Percy being driven out of the rainforest by poor weather, fever and exhaustion.

Five years later, and having secured funding from a group of London-based financiers to seek out “Z”, Percy travelled back to Brazil once more, this time accompanied by his eldest son Jack and Jack’s best friend, Raleigh Rimell. The small expedition was well planned and equipped – Percy had years of experience in the area and Jack and Raleigh were both fit, eager and loyal. They had adequate supplies, mosquito nets, guns, flares and equipment such as a sextant and chronomete. Percy’s extensive knowledge led him to believe that such a small group could pass unseen more easily among some of the native tribes that he knew

18

helipad | www.daat.org

could be hostile to outsiders.

On the 20th April 1925, the expedition of three departed from base camp, accompanied by two Brazilian labourers, two horses, eight mules and two dogs. They reported that the way ahead was hot and dense, and they had to contend with piranhainfested rivers, swarming mosquitos, gnats and bloodsucking ticks that caused swollen bites. Undeterred, it was reported Percy pushed on at such a demanding and relentless pace that, on one occasion, he lost his two younger companions and had to camp alone that night while he waited for them to catch up.

The last communication received by Percy’s wife Nina back in England, dated 29th May, stated that he, Jack and Raleigh were soon to cross unaccompanied into hitherto unexplored territory.

They were never seen or heard of again.

And so the myth was born.

Grisly tales of murder at the hands of angry natives swirled around, often embellished by local Chiefs, but it was actually agreed that Percy had always had a good rapport with the Amazonian tribespeople and, with no real

“ Percy’s amazing story still resonates with many people; at a time when parts of our world were truly unexplored, his skill, courage and determination will ensure his legend lives on. ” evidence to support this, it seems much more likely that the party of three died from illness, starvation or sheer exhaustion.

Over the ensuing years, numerous groups – lured by the romantic image of the

lost explorers – mounted expeditions to try to locate the party, but without success. Claims that 100 men died in the pursuit of Percy – and by association the lost city of “Z” – were entirely fictitious. One man

did perish but only because he took the reckless decision to travel deep into the rainforest alone.

In 1951, another expedition unearthed human bones which later turned out not to be Percy, Jack or Raleigh.

Percy’s stories and reports had always been popular with writers. While he was alive, he was great friends with H Rider Haggard and H G Wells, who is said to have used Percy’s Amazonian field reports as the basis for his novel ‘The Lost World’. With such strong characters and such an enduring mystery, it’s no wonder that Percy’s story also finally captured the imagination of Hollywood. In 2016, a film called “The Lost City of Z” starring Charlie Hunnam, Tom Holland and Sienna Miller was made but, despite being critically acclaimed, was sadly a financial and commercial flop and never got the credit and wider audience it probably deserved.

Despite this, Percy’s amazing story still resonates with many people; at a time when parts of our world were truly unexplored, his skill, courage and determination will ensure his legend lives on. o

winter 2019 | PATIENTS

19

Farmer is DAA Frequent Flyer Farmer Nick Turner from Winkleigh has become one of the service’s regular flyers, having been airlifted numerous times since 2016.

N

ick had suffered with an irritable cough for many months but didn’t appreciate the extent of his condition despite his wife Sarah, a former nurse, urging him to seek help. Finally, after being taken to the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital by land ambulance at Christmas 2011 for x-rays, he was diagnosed with Farmer’s Lung, a condition brought on through the inhalation of fungus which can be found in most compost heaps.

Nick accepts that he should have worn a face mask when handling the cattle bedding but believed, as many do, that ‘problems only happen to other people’. He now suffers from brittle asthma, is very susceptible

to illnesses and must take daily antibiotics to prevent infections. Sadly, one consequence of Nick’s medical issues is that he and his wife had to sell their animals and let the land.

Nick explained, “I now do contract work with a JCB and ploughing as and when I can. All the people I help out know about my condition and understand if I have to change arrangements last minute.”

When Nick is delivered to the hospital by air ambulance, he will already have been given large amounts of oxygen and often a steroid, administered by the clinical

crew. The hospital then continue treatment until his condition becomes manageable again. With Nick’s illness changing so rapidly from one moment to the next, the amount of time he then spends in the hospital can vary greatly from only a few hours to well over a week.

Nick has huge admiration for the medical teams that have kept him alive. He still rarely believes that he’s ill enough to justify the air ambulance being called out and often struggles with the idea of phoning 999.

However, both land and aircrews have told him that they never mind going to his

assistance because “when we come to see you, you’re always pleasant”.

Nick’s farm is just a few hundred yards from the Devon Air Ambulance Community Landing Site in Winkleigh, one of over 120 around the county. As an additional visual aid for the air ambulance, Nick has installed a lit windsock on his farm to ensure that it’s visible and to light the local lane, which helps the whole community.

Despite flying multiple times, Nick admits that his anxiety about needing to be airlifted hasn’t diminished.

“I’ve now flown with them about eight times and know that, despite my fears, I must stay calm and focus on breathing steadily. I’m always very grateful for the aircrew’s calm professionalism, despite the seriousness of the situation!” o

“ Nick’s farm is just a few hundred yards from the Devon Air Ambulance Community Landing Site in Winkleigh, one of over 120 around the county ”

 Service User Number

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winter 2019 | LOTTERY

21

Pop in and Pay Our lottery agents work across the county so DAA lottery members can pay their weekly subscription at a local shop, outlet or post office.

Each year, we run a competition for our lottery agents to win a treat-filled hamper – this year’s winner, Lorraine Lee, tells us why her business supports Devon Air Ambulance Our in-house Lottery is one of the most significant, regular income streams for Devon Air Ambulance, generating funds last year of just over £2,000,000 – yes, that’s TWO MILLION pounds!

In autumn each year, DAA runs a competition for their Lottery Agents, a variety of businesses and outlets around the county where members pop in and pay for their subscription to our weekly Lottery.

Many of our Lottery agents run local Post Offices and, this September, it was Lorraine Lee - who runs the Buckfast Post Office, situated between Buckfastleigh and Ashburton - who was the winner of this year’s lovely hamper.

Lorraine has run the Buckfast Post Office since 1993 and has been a DAA Lottery agent for many years, with many loyal, local customers. Helipad wanted to know a little more about Lorraine’s secrets for such great local support.

“It’s such a worthy, good cause,” Lorraine explained. “I promote it by wearing my Lottery t-shirt, putting up posters and balloons and I always ask my customers if they’d like to join.

There’s such a positive reaction when they’re asked, with new players recognising what a great and easy way it is to support their local Air Ambulance service.”

Lorraine continued, “My neighbour, Tom, won first prize of £1,350 a few years ago and he still plays each week – but we’d love another local win again! Everyone knows what an excellent service it is and knowing that it’s available to anyone living or working in remote areas is such a reassurance.”

Our congratulations go to Lorraine for winning this year’s hamper, and we thank all our lottery agents for their continuing support.

LOTTERY

DAA Lottery’s Jane Raddon presents Lorraine with her hamper

What your weekly membership buys... £52 buys a specialist trauma bag with additional heating packs An annual membership of £52 for one lucky number will pay for a specialist trauma bag with additional heating packs which is used on almost all our patients.

Preventing heat loss in a patient is so important, not only is it uncomfortable and distressing to be cold it can affect the way in which the body stops bleeding. £104 buys specialist equipment to help splint and immobilise a trauma patient Buying two lucky numbers at £104 for a year will pay for specialist equipment to help splint and immobilise a trauma patient.

Stopping bleeding in trauma patients is extremely important, using a specialist binder around the pelvis and splints to traction fractured legs can significantly reduce blood loss.

You can help a trauma patient: Join our Lottery

YOU CAN JOIN OUR LOTTERY BY: • Completing the Lottery Membership Application Form (overleaf) or printing a copy from our website, www.daat.org/lottery or • picking up a form at any of our 19 shops • via a DAA lottery canvasser at events and destinations around the county

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.

Lottery Membership Application Lottery Membership Application

Thesum sum of of (tick only) The (tickone onebox box only) £4.34 Monthly Monthly £4.34

2 Numbers 2 Chances £8.68 £8.68 Monthly Monthly

£13.00 Quarterly Quarterly £26.00 Half Yearly £26.00 Six Monthly £52.00 Annually

£26.00 Quarterly £26.00 Quarterly £52.00 Half Yearly £52.00 Annually Six Monthly £104.00

1 Number 1 Chance £13.00

DAATLottery Lottery Offi Office, SandpiperCourt, Court,Harrington HarringtonLane, Lane,Exeter ExeterEX4 EX48NS 4NS DAAT ce, 55 Sandpiper The address is all is youallneed us by post.us by post.

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Lottery promoted by Devon Air Ambulance Trust.

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Responsible person: C. Creer www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk Please gamble responsibly. For advice visit www.gambleaware.co.uk DAAT is a member of the Lotteries Council and is committed to promoting a responsible approach to gambling.

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Administration Office: DAAT Lottery Office, 5 Sandpiper Court, Harrington Lane, Exeter EX4 8NS. You will shortly receive a letter from us showing your lucky number/s.

There is no need to claim as all prizes are paid automatically.

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.

Results are printed in the Plymouth & Devon Sunday Independent and published every Friday afternoon on our website at www.daat.org.

Thank you for your support - you are truly making a difference.

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If DAAT Lottery notify you working daysbeing in advance account being debited request DAAT Lottery to collect payment, confi rmation of the amountaand oryou as otherwise agreed.

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by PSL DAATreLottery your If DAAT or Lottery bank or building society, you are entitled to a fulltoand immediate or your bank or building society, you are entitled a full and immediate refund of refund of the amount paidbank from or your bank or building society. the amount paid from your building society youreceive receiveaarefund refund you you are are not not entitled entitled to, to, you you must – -IfIfyou must pay pay itit back back when when PSL re DAAT DAATLottery Lotteryasks asksyou youto. to.

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winter 2019 | PATIENTS

23

Spooked horse led to emergency call Janet Scott was thrown from her horse back in July while riding on Exmoor.

With a fractured hip and two broken wrists she was lucky to find a phone signal for long enough to make the 999 call and the Air Ambulance was soon on scene to help

O

n the 18th July, Janet Scott went out for a ride on her horse with her friend walking alongside. They had gone with the intention of being back within an hour for lunch.

However, while riding on the moor near Withypool, Janet found herself surrounded by cows along a narrow path.

Unusually, the cows became agitated which spooked Janet’s horse and she was thrown to the ground.

While falling, Janet remembers thinking about protecting her face and so

she put her hands out as she landed on her side, resulting in her wrists and hip taking most of the impact.

With the area having such a limited mobile phone service, it was lucky that Janet managed to find a signal to call 999 before her phone cut out. Thankfully, when the Air Ambulance arrived her friend was able to keep the horse out of the way, since Janet herself was unable to move as her leg appearing to be sticking out at an unusual angle.

When the crew arrived,

Janet was in such shock that she believed she had only sprained her wrist and was relatively uninjured despite being unable to move. The crew quickly informed her that her injuries appeared to be much more significant.

Despite Janet’s distressing condition, she explained that, “The Air Ambulance team paramedics John and Liam and pilot Steve kept me informed about everything that was going on and what they were doing. Although I was scared and upset, they reassured me the whole time and they really were a great comfort.”

Janet was airlifted to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, where it was confirmed she was going to need an urgent hip replacement and surgery on her two broken wrists.

The following day she had her hip replacement, and

Janet at the airbase, meeting Trainee Specialist Paramedic Critical Care Liam Kilbride who was one of the crew who came to her aid on the day

then remained in hospital for another eight days. Two days after leaving hospital, Janet returned once again to have surgery on both wrists leaving her with a plate in her right wrist, and wires in her left.

Janet has been recovering well, although it was initially challenging after her hip replacement because of her inability to use crutches due to her broken wrists. This meant she was forced to walk sooner than a patient usually would.

Now she is getting on well with her new hip, has had the cast removed from her right wrist and is awaiting the imminent removal of the left cast.

Reflecting on the incident, Janet said, “It makes you realise just how much you need a service like Devon Air Ambulance, especially in rural and hard to reach areas. I don’t know what I would have done without them.” o

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helipad | www.daat.org

Time to reflect

This is a good time of year to assess your garden, what has done well and what hasn’t. As she moves on to pastures new, Sarah Chester encourages us all to be bold, and try new plants and new ideas in 2020

H

as a shrub struggled in a dry patch, or has an area proved to be shadier than it once was? If so, can you prune overhanging trees or shrubs to increase the light levels below or even consider moving plants to a more favourable position?

Don’t be daunted by the thought of relocating a shrub - prepare the planting hole first, sprinkle in fish, blood and bone, water the shrub, use a garden fork to loosen the soil around the root ball, then the spade to cut round it and, if heavy, find someone to help lift it. Place the shrub in the hole, turn it round to get the best front view and adjust the level so it’s the same as before.

Backfill the hole with soil, use your heel to firm it all round, water again and mulch. Most shrubs are best moved when dormant but leave winter/ spring flowering shrubs until after flowering.

Visit a garden centre or nursery once a month for seasonal inspiration and plant winter scent near a door or path – Sarcococca confusa, Daphne buolua ‘Jacqueline

Postill’‘and Skimmia ‘Kew Green’ are three of my favourites - cut stems of Sarcococca when in bud to scent a room. Winter stem colour also adds a highlight – I’ve just bought Cornus alba ‘Baton Rouge’ a real

have acid soil (and a sunny aspect), Camellia sasanqua hybrids, though expensive, have delightful smaller flowers and some even flower before Christmas.

Magnolia flowers are sometimes spoiled by

“ Help birds and other wildlife by leaving seedheads untouched until they become really untidy in early spring ” stunner with snowdrops or Iris reticulata underneath.

Help birds and other wildlife by leaving seedheads untouched until they become really untidy in early spring; they add interesting shapes and textures to the winter garden.

If you like camellias and

frosts so, if your garden is susceptible to cold snaps, consider buying a yellow flowered form, ‘Butterflies, ‘Lois’ or ‘Yellow Bird’ which flower a little later in the season. For an unusual large shrub with stiff yellow catkins, try Stachyurus praecox with its lovely burgundy stems.

Try to buy a few new plants each year and never be afraid to move plants, or remove something which is a poor specimen, takes up too much room or doesn’t delight you – it will give you a new view and reinvigorate your garden.

RHS Rosemoor is always introducing new plants and trying new ideas, as did Lady Anne Palmer who gave these magnificent gardens to the RHS in 1988; she was a very knowledgeable plantswoman who was never afraid to try new things, an ethos which the RHS continues to develop and enhance.

Finally, I have now left RHS Rosemoor to become a garden adviser for a large private garden in Cornwall and this is my last column. I hope I have introduced you to new plants over the years and urge you to enjoy your own garden and houseplants, your spirits will be lifted and you’ll always learn something – that’s what brought me into gardening, the thought that I would never know it all and will always, always be learning. o

winter 2019 | GARDENS

25

Stachyurus praecox

Daphne bholua Jacqueline Postill

Varities of Camellia sasanqua:

7 spot-ladybirds on Skimmia Kew Green

GARDENS

Sarah Chesters

Photos: © RHS

Cornus alba Baton Rouge Minbat and Iris reticulata

26

helipad | www.daat.org

Modbury

Old and New

Helipad’s Neil Devons takes a trip around a fascinating town that celebrates its rich and varied history alongside a trail-blazing approach to environmental issues

Stunning location, handsome buildings, interesting people In his 17th century work ‘Worthies of Devon’, John Prince described Modbury as a “sweet and pleasant market town” and anyone visiting the town today would have to admit that this is still the case.

Its location in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is stunning. Roughly equidistant between Plymouth to the west and Kingsbridge to the east, Dartmoor to the north and the sea to the south, Modbury lies in a hollow surrounded by the legendary rolling hills of the South Hams.

Its name is thought to derive from Moot (meeting place) and bury/burgh

(fortified encampment) and because of its strategic position on a crossroads, it became an important staging post for coach travellers, at one time boasting 12 inns.

It has quite a history with an entry in the Domesday Book, a weekly fair dating back to 1199 and a brace of English Civil War battles. It was also an important centre for the wool trade until the 1800s and has a number of notable people connected with it.

Katherine Champernowne, the mother of Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Humphrey Gilbert. Thomas Savery, the 17th century inventor of the first practical steam powered water pump that revolutionised mine drainage and public water supply also has a connection to Modbury

and, Robert Stidson who emigrated to North America around 1634 and whose name became corrupted to Stetson when one of his descendants founded a rather famous cowboy hat company.

The town has plenty of handsome and historic buildings including the Grade I listed St. George’s Church with its dominant 134 foot spire that can be seen for miles around, and a private house

with a Palladian-style exterior on Brownston Street that once was the Modbury Literary and Scientific Institution. It was established as a library and lecture venue as a philanthropic gesture on the proviso that “no discussion or lecture should include any subject that was likely to excite anger or passion or a factious party spirit.” In other words no politics and no religious debate in here thank you very much!

winter 2019 | BEAUTIFUL DEVON

27

Trail-blazing retailers and shoppers Along its steep Church Street down to Broad Street, there is a plethora of independently owned and managed shops, many with a strong commitment to ethical retail practices and products. Only the modest Co-op convenience store suggests anything remotely ‘national’ and even that is well know for its commitment to the green agenda.

Here you’ll find a self-sufficient shopping and dining experience, from fine art and antique shops, to produce suppliers and a wide variety of eateries.

The town’s retailers also showed a collective determination when, in 2007, they declared Modbury a plastic bag free zone that saw shoppers taking their purchases home in a variety of biodegradable and recycled receptacles – anything but plastic.

It was a bold idea driven by local resident and wildlife camerawoman Rebecca Hoskins, and embraced by the town’s 43 traders which resulted in Modbury becoming Europe’s first community to be entirely plastic bag free. The six month trial became a permanent policy, attracted worldwide publicity and has had a major national impact on supermarket policy and customer expectations.

Right Royal dust ups Modbury was the site of not just one, but two, English Civil Battles between forces loyal to King Charles I and those who supported Parliament, the Royalists coming in second best on both occasions. In 1642, a daring horseback raid by Parliament forces out of besieged Plymouth dispersed a larger Royalist force and captured its officers.

The second battle, just a few months later in 1643, was more notable in that 8,000 Parliamentarian ‘Roundhead’ soldiers advanced from Kingsbridge to take on some 2,000 Royalists at Aveton Gifford, forcing them back field by field to Modbury where there was heavy fighting. Clearly facing defeat, the Royalists escaped down a sunken pathway on the west side of the town which is still known today as Runaway Lane.

Runaway Lane is one of Devon’s celebrated network of ‘Green Lanes’ and is part of the Modbury Heritage Trail. Along the trail you’ll find a plethora of historic buildings including the Tannery, Chain House (where chains were placed across the road during fairs and markets to collect tolls), the elegantly columnated late 18th century Traine House, the Exeter Inn - the oldest

surviving inn in Modbury and once popular with Royalist soldiers in the 17th century - and Poundswell House, once home of the Champernowne family and subsequently a court and police station, to name but a few.

Modbury certainly remains that “sweet and pleasant town”, but there’s much more to it than meets the eye.

For information about Modbury visit www.visitmodbury.co.uk

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BEAUTIFUL DEVON | www.daat.org

The Green, Green Lanes of Devon And there we stroll'd for many hours And said we'd meet again But I can't forget the leaves and flowers And the Old Green Lane From the Old Green Lane by John Clare (1793-1864)

Inspired by his trip to Modbury, Neil Devons delves a little further into the history of the county’s Green Lanes and encourages us to explore these hidden pathways for ourselves

I

don’t know where John Clare’s Green Lane was, or the identity of his lady companion, but I do know what a Green Lane is – well sort of! In fact, there is no definitive description of them, but a collection of various attributes give them a very special quality. Devon is blessed with a vast rural network of these utterly charming, atmospheric and historic footpaths and bridleways, all of which would have served a particular purpose but today are predominately used for walking, horse riding or cycling.* In an absorbing set of guide books that explore the Green Lanes of Devon, author Valerie Belsey explains that these now leafy passages once thronged with travellers and traders at a time when almost everyone walked everywhere.

Unlike today, the majority of people then lived and worked in the countryside with travellers coming from the town into the villages.

Her books go further than just describing how to get from A to B down a Green Lane. The routes are supported by Ordnance Survey maps and explore why many boast very particular names associated with a traditional purpose or incident. Elsewhere in this issue, I have come across Runaway Lane in Modbury but other names – Mill Lane, Quarry Lane, Well Lane denote something more functional, while Slippery Lane and Stony Lane probably recall the prevalent underfoot conditions. Heaven knows what happened in Milkaway Lane, Gropy Land and Scratchyface Lane!

Green Lanes may have started as ancient tracks between

fortifications, as boundary markers or livestock trails. Some have associations with smugglers, others with miners and drovers, fishermen and tanners. Eminent people of the time also feature strongly. At Bloody Corner, you can pass by the resting place of Hubba the Dane, the Viking warrior slain by Odun, Earl of Devon in the late 9th century, or walk the Ernest Bevin Way dedicated to the Devon boy who championed farm labourers and rose to become Foreign Secretary in 1945.

Their legacy, however, is to provide access to a quite romantic, enchanting and ancient world of trees touching overhead, leaves crunching below, mosses, lichens, bramble, hawthorn, wild flowers and the occasional grassy carpet. There are also lots of opportunities to see amazing wildlife that regularly use these green corridors too.

Although some Green Lanes are in private hands and some allow access to motorised vehicles, most of these natural treasures remain largely untouched and are a rare sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of modern day living. What’s more, they are located in every type of rural landscape – on the moors, on the coast, up in the hills, tracking through woodland and shadowing river courses. There are even some in, or close to, more urban environments.

You’ll find Green Lanes to be havens of peace, calm and quiet and, as part of Devon’s rich heritage, certainly worth investigating. o

winter 2019 | PATIENTS

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Caught at a Crossroads Lauren Brown was involved a motorbike accident which nearly cost her a leg, but months later she is on the road to recovery and, following a visit to DAA’s Exeter Airbase, is now eager to get involved with fundraising for the charity

I

n March this year, Lauren Brown went on a leisurely motorbike ride with her boyfriend Matt to enjoy the sunny weather and have an ice cream along Sidmouth seafront. However, not long into their journey, at the crossroads in Kentisbeare, they collided with a car that pulled out in front of them.

Both were thrown from the bike, and Lauren landed in a grassy ditch. When paramedics first reached the scene, they were unaware that Lauren was in the ditch and unresponsive, but her boyfriend soon directed them to tend to her immediately.

Lauren had sustained severe injuries to her knees so was immediately airlifted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, while her boyfriend – who had also sustained significant injuries after hitting a sign-post - was taken by land ambulance to the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, leaving them both unaware of the others condition.

On arrival at Derriford, Lauren’s mum was contacted

Editor’s Note

and quickly made her way down to the hospital to be with her daughter. Early the next week, Lauren was transferred to the Royal Devon & Exeter hospital which meant she was closer to her family, and this journey was the first clear memory of the unfortunate experience that she can recollect.

Thankfully, despite the severity of the damage to Lauren’s knees that gave rise to some concern she may have to have her left leg amputated, this was not the case. The following Friday, Lauren had her first knee surgery, with the second surgery taking place a month later.

Lauren recently visited the Exeter Airbase to learn more about Devon Air Ambulance.

On the road to recovery...

Lauren shared how this visit helped her.

“The visit to the Airbase was beneficial for my recovery.

I don’t remember much of the incident so being there

daat.org/mystory

If you have been assisted by Devon Air Ambulance, and would like to share your story, please contact Debbie Gregory, Patient Liaison Officer on d.gregory@daat.org, call 01392 466666 or visit daat. org/mystory for a form.

Right: Lauren and Matt Below: Lauren visiting the airbase at Exeter

allowed me to begin to fill in some of the remaining gaps in my memory.”

Lauren’s ongoing recovery and improvement has been gradual, and she is hopeful of returning to her job as a

teacher this autumn. After her experience with Devon Air Ambulance, she is keen for her school to hold their own ‘Be a Hero’ day to raise funds for the service that saved her. o

“ The visit to the Airbase was beneficial for my recovery. I don’t remember much of the incident so being there allowed me to begin to fill in some of the remaining gaps in my memory ”

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helipad | www.daat.org

The Sky’s the Limit

Profile Name: Ian Payne Position: Flight Operations Director Ian was ‘made’ over 15 years in the Royal Navy a variety of appo in intments latterly flying aircraft carrier-based Se a King helicopte rs in roles that included Anti-Su bmarine Warfare Instructor and Airborne Early W arning. He left to work for Police Aviation Services in both managem ent and flying roles subseque ntly joining Devo n an d Cornwall Police as an op erational pilot an d he ad of air operations in 20 00. He joined DA A in 2014 and flew at both Exet er and Eaglesco tt until enforced ‘retirement’ from flying in 2016.

With the build of our brand new H145 helicopter well underway, Flight Operations Director Ian Payne tells us about the benefits to our crew and patients of an aircraft with more capacity, when we expect delivery and what will happen to G-DVAA • Why are we getting a new helicopter?

DAA’s helicopters are very well maintained and, as a result, usually have a very long working life. G-DVAA has been with DAA for some 11 years! While this is in part beneficial, it can mean that the requirements and working practices of the owners often change significantly over time, which is the case for DAA. When G-DAAN was purchased in 2013, the normal operating crew comprised 2 paramedics and a pilot, whereas today, the Exeter aircraft also carries a doctor along with a significant amount of additional medical equipment associated with the advanced clinical skills of our crew. In short, we’ve run out of space!

• How does this new H145 differ from the existing EC135?

Externally the aircraft are somewhat similar! With ‘identical’ paint scheme, the most obvious difference is that the airframe is larger with an associated increase in ‘Maximum all up Weight’ (MAUW) of 790kg. The pilots will notice a big difference in the layout and operation of the cockpit instruments while the onboard medical fit out is a bespoke design and very different to the current interior.

• What are the benefits of this new helicopter – what will it help us achieve?

The previously mentioned increase in space and interior layout will greatly improve access to patients and create a better environment for the clinicians to provide DAAs excellent enhanced critical care. The increase in MAUW will allow additional fuel to be carried that will improve our operational capability as our current aircraft occasionally need refuelling at the extremes of our operating area before returning to base.

Senior Pilot Steve Rush signs the fuselage of our new helicopter

winter 2019 | FLIGHT OPERATIONS 31

The airframe of G-DAAS at the Airbus factory in Donauwörth, Germany

• How much will it cost?

The cost of the helicopter is approximately £7.5m with the actual final cost dependent on the exchange rate as the contract is in Euros!

• Who is building it / where?

It’s being manufactured at the same factory at Donauwörth in Germany as our current aircraft. It is assembled by hand by Airbus employees from component parts.

• When do we expect delivery?

The aircraft itself will be completed towards the end of this year and flown from Donauwörth to the Airbus facility at Oxford Airport where our base engineering is carried out.

At Oxford, the medical interior will be installed along with some other minor modifications, followed by a very rigorous acceptance process. It is expected that the aircraft will be delivered to DAA on 31st May 2020.

• What is the current status?

Our new helicopter, registered ‘G-DAAS’, is presently in a part built stage on the production line, recognisable as an airframe with the cabin areas and engine bays in place.

• What will happen to the old helicopter, G-DVAA? The value of previously owned helicopters remains relatively high in comparison to their initial cost. If possible, it will be sold complete with medical interior. We already have some initial enquiries from as far afield as Estonia and Monaco.

“ The increase in space and interior layout will greatly improve access to patients and create a better environment for the clinicians to provide DAAs excellent enhanced critical care ”

• Do the aircrew need lots of new training?

They certainly do! Airbus already maintain this type of helicopter and, as a result, our ‘local’ contract engineer and staff at Oxford are already trained. Jeff, our DAA engineer has just passed his engine course and will shortly commence further courses relating to the airframe and avionics.

The pilots will commence a one week ground school in early 2020 followed by a very busy week at the simulator in Donauwörth and further flying on G-DAAS once it has been delivered. Some of our pilots have previous experience of a variant of the H145 and, as a result, will undertake what is called a ‘differences course’.

Our paramedics and doctors will receive their type specific training on the actual helicopter after delivery to Exeter.

• Are there plans for a ‘Tour of Devon’?

Yes! …. Watch this space.

• Any other interesting stuff…..?

Although there are some similarities in terms of operating G-DAAS, it is a new type to DAA. As such, it requires significant and detailed documentation to be submitted to the Civil Aviation Authority to vary our Air Operator’s Certificate in advance of the helicopter delivery. This ranges from training documents through specific operating procedures and practices, maintenance procedures and even new cabin emergency briefing cards; a very long list! o

h t u o plym 32

helipad | www.daat.org

S K C RO

“A

ll the nice girls love a sailor” so the song says, but not me. I grew up in a naval town where the children in the family were all three years apart in age because that was the length of time their dads had been away to sea on Navy warships commissions! I saw what happened when the sailors came home, the kids hid behind the settee because they didn’t know who the strange man hugging mummy to death was. The dog growled because he thought it was an intruder. I promised myself I would never marry a man in the forces.

The only time I felt a pang of jealousy at not having a dad in the forces was at school when the children brought in the home-coming presents. “My dad bought this

dolly in Hong Kong – well, my Dad brought me silk pyjamas from Singapore”.

All I could say was ‘my Dad brought me home some Rusks cos he works at Farleys Infant Food factory!’ Not quite

“ As a ghastly rebellious teenager, I wished he would join the Navy and go away for three years!!

Then I could stay out late and go dancing ” the same cachet I feel.

Later, as a ghastly rebellious teenager, I wished he would join the Navy and go away for three years!! Then I could stay out late and go dancing.

My early teens were spent looking out of my bedroom window, hoping to catch a glimpse of the older girl next door. Avril was like a fantasy - all blonde beehive, pale pink lips and massive eyelashes. A Dusty Springfield look alike. She wore shirt-waister dresses with Can-Can petticoats beneath. She tottered along on white stilettos on the arm of Bertie her boyfriend. All this glamour for a trip to the Trelawney Arms for a half of cider! I knew that this was the look I aspired to when I got a little older. A great trauma occurred one night when I was watching. Avril found an injured bird in her garden.

Bertie was dispatched post haste to the Trelawney for brandy. Somehow, they managed to get the brandy into the bird’s beak with an

Photo: © wikimedia.org/Hugh Llewelyn

After taking us on a nostalgic trip down memory lane to the Plymouth of her childhood, this time Jill Sweet turns her thoughts to life as a rebellious teen

winter 2019 | NOSTALGIA

eyedropper, whereupon it immediately dropped down dead. I feel there must be a moral there somewhere.

When I did get old enough to go out, the look had completely changed. Now it was all kinky boots, miniskirts, black eyeliner, clothes with geometric patterns aka Mary Quant, the sort of ensemble your parents despised. I perfected the technique of putting on my makeup upstairs on the no 13 bus to the city centre.

It was worth a poke in the eye with a mascara brush so as not to get caught.

Helpfully, we had an outside toilet at home and so I could remove the make-up evidence before going in for the 10.00pm curfew.

As a teen, music and dancing were our drug, we waited all the week

HMS Ark Royal at Devonport

for “Pick of the Pops” radio show on a Sunday to find out the number 1 record. I had a reel-to-reel tape recorder to capture my favourite hits. Recordings had to be done in silence because the microphone would pick up any extraneous noise. And so it was that my mother ruined my recording of the Beach Boys classic “Good Vibrations” by clashing the dishes around in the kitchen after Sunday lunch. NOT only that, mum had put an iron that was too hot on my favourite mini dress and burnt a hole in it. Life is so UNFAIR!!

In the 60’s you fell into two categories - Mods or Rockers.

The Rockers, the “ton up“ boys on their Gold Star and Bonneville motorbikes. I didn’t fancy them at all. All slicked back hair, skinny jeans, and winkle picker shoes. They spent all their time racing from Plymouth to the Pack Horse Inn at South Brent, trying to do it in the fastest time while avoiding the old

bill. You know who you are chaps!!

I was all for the Mods on their mirror-laden scooters, wearing ex-army Parkas with Union Jack flags on the back.

I wanted to hang out at the El Sombrero Coffee Bar or the Tarantula Bar, drinking coffee from see-through Italian glass coffee cups, oh the height of sophistication and then go dancing at the Quay Club on Plymouth Barbican. It had no alcohol license so, if you wanted a half time drink, you had to get an ink stamp on your hand to allow you back into the club. One of my favourite pubs was the old Minerva Inn. In past times, it was where men got coshed and press ganged into the navy. When they came round, they were halfway down the western approaches and no chance of going ashore. I’ve seen a few blokes get coshed in the “Min” in my time, but happily they only went back to the club to dance to the Small Faces or the Kinks.

Jill Sweet Jill was born in Plymouth in 1950. She spent much of her working life at British Telecom and moved to Exeter in 1999 with husband Mike. Jill volunteers at DAA Head Office, helping out on reception and with the lottery team.

I loved my teenage years in Plymouth, there was very little trouble from the service men who came on a “run ashore” in the town. The services policed their own and any “over refreshed” sailor pretty soon had a run back to his ship courtesy of the Naval Provost.

A life on the ocean waves, no definitely not for me. I still love to watch the ships in Plymouth Sound, but that’s the nearest I ever got to sailors or the ships. o

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helipad | www.daat.org

LIFE OF PIE

Our new cookery writer, Jim Fisher, tempts us with a steak and mushroom winter warmer

T

he nights are drawing in, the mercury’s falling, and the leaves are finally dropping. Winter is well and truly on its way, so thoughts here at Exeter Cookery School HQ are turning to heartier, more comforting dishes perfect for those blustery winter evenings. Top of our winter warmer list right now is pie. Any pie will do, really, but it’s always good practice to take advantage of whatever produce is in season, so my choice would be a nice warming steak and mushroom filling with its own gravy all encased in a rich shortcrust pastry.

Ask your butcher for chuck or skirt steak that will stay moist during the long slow cooking. And if you don’t want to go to the bother of making your own pastry, there are some pretty good ready-made ones out there, though I would always suggest you go for all-butter as opposed to one that contains processed vegetable fats. As home-made is still best, if you want to have a go at making your own pastry for this recipe, visit our website or perhaps join me for one of my pastry making courses!

winter 2019 | FOOD & DRINK

35

The recipe makes enough filling for four people (and any leftovers can be happily frozen and defrosted for later use). You will need four 10.5cm (wide) x 3.5cm (deep) pie tins or just 1 x 20cm pie dish (recyclable foil tins are ideal).

Steak & Mushroom Winter Warmer Pies Serves 4 75g unsalted butter 1 medium onion, peeled, halved and cut into 5mm slices 300g chuck or skirt steak, cut into 2cm cubes 150g field mushrooms, cut into 1cm slices 250ml full-bodied red wine 1ltr beef stock 3 bay leaves Salt Freshly ground black pepper 2 to 3 teaspoons of cornflour slaked (mixed with) in a little cold water 500g Shortcrust pastry

Method: 1. Pre-heat oven to 180°C / 350°F / Gas mark 4 2. Melt 25g butter in a roomy frying pan and fry the onions until translucent and taking on a little colour. Tip into a large roasting tray.

3. Add another 25g of butter to the same pan and fry the cubes of beef until browned all over. Add to the roasting tray.

4. Add the remaining 25g of butter and fry the sliced mushrooms until browned and reduced in volume by as much as half (this concentrates the flavour and stops them tasting slimy). Add to the roasting tray.

5. Place the frying pan back on the heat and deglaze using some of the red wine.

As it begins to bubble use a spatula or wooden spoon to scrape up the lovely caramelised bits of browned meat. Pour the liquid into the roasting tray along with the rest of the wine, the beef stock, the bay leaves and a little salt and pepper.

6. Place in the oven and cook for 30 to 45 minutes until good and hot.

7. Stir, then cover tightly with a double layer of foil and return to the oven. Reduce the heat to 130°C and cook for two to three hours, stirring occasionally. By then the meat should be very tender and soft (return to the oven for multiples of 30 minutes as necessary until tender).

8. Strain the filling through a colander into a saucepan and place the liquid on the hob on a medium heat. Bring to a simmer, then add some of the slaked cornflour, whisking constantly until thickened. Repeat if not thick enough. Adjust the seasoning, adding a little more salt if necessary. Mix this gravy into the meat mixture and allow to cool completely.

9. Pre-heat oven to 220°C / 430°F / Gas mark 7 10.Grease the individual pie tins (or one large tin if preferred) with a little softened butter.

11. Roll out the pastry on a floured worktop and use to line your tins, leaving some excess hanging over the edge. Pack in the filling to come a little higher than the rim of the tin, making sure you get the meat right into the corners between the base and sides. Brush the edges of the opening with egg wash.

12. Using the rolled-out pastry trimmings, cut a disk slightly larger than the opening and place on top of the meat. Bring up the edge and squeeze the lid and sides together. Finish by crimping the pastry with the tines of a table fork to form a nice seal. Trim off the excess pastry, then glaze with the remaining beaten egg and cut a 1cm slit in the lid.

13. Place on a baking tray and bake for 30 minutes (20 minutes for small pies).

Reduce the heat to 180°C (or equivalent) and continue to bake for a further 20 minutes (10 minutes for individual pies).

FOOD & DRINK Profile: Jim Fisher - Chef & Tutor Jim is Co-owner and Head Chef / Tutor of the award-winning Exeter Cookery School, which he runs with his wife Lucy and their team of enthusiastic chefs / food lovers. Their most recent success was winning the 2019/20 Food Drink Devon Award for Best Training School. Find out more about the ever-increasing range of fun and flavoursome cookery courses they run by visiting their website: www.exetercookeryschool.co.uk

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YOUR DONATION

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01392 466666 daat.org

RETAIL | www.daat.org

Looking at Logistics D o n a te yo u r p re - l o v e d i te m

s t o h e l p s av e l i v e s

Devon Air Ambulance 01392 466666 daat.org Follow us on

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D o n ate yo u r p re - l o ve d i te m s to h e l p s ave l ive s DON’T FORGET TO

01392 466666 daat.org

Retail Operations Manager Chrissie Peel profiles three of our logistics staff, showing how seamless movement of stock, management of equipment and behind-the-scenes support is important across the whole Charity – retail, operations and fundraising Retail Logistics Support Officer – Sarah Parkhouse I’ve been with the Charity for about 12 months, and my role is to service the DAAT 19 shops on a weekly basis. I also deliver fundraising equipment from head office to our shops to support our volunteers when they are attending events on our behalf. Each shop receives a weekly visit which involves moving unsold stock from one shop to another, collecting stock for our specialist formats and collecting products for recycling, such as scrap metal, coins, stamps and old phones. I also manage our warehouse based in Marsh Barton Exeter; this is where we store out-of-season and specialist format stock, as well as our DAA branded merchandise.

Operations Logistics Support Officer – Edward Corwood I have been with Devon Air Ambulance since February 2019. My role is to provide the day-to-day logistical support required by our Exeter and Eaglescott airbases, such as co-ordinating all the clinical equipment and medical supplies. Our air ambulance helicopters carry a lot of specialist equipment and medical supplies, which they have to have access to at all times – as they never know what sort of incident they might be called to next.

My role in Operations Logistics is to support this process, making sure if any of the supplies need restocking, or an item of equipment needs changing or servicing, this is done before the aircrew need it.

Fundraising Logistics Support Officer – Rhys Lucas I have been a member of the Fundraising Team since May 2019. My role differs depending on the season – in summer, I am generally out in the field, managing, setting up and attending shows and events, from bike shows to agricultural shows. I also manage the Charity’s box collections; this includes dealing with collection requests, arranging new boxes, liaising with volunteers, making sure they are correctly prepared and have all the stationery required to fulfil their role. I also cover on the retail van when required, undertake PAT testing and conduct vehicle checks.

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To date this year, our retail van has moved:

8,947

Unsold textiles and accessories from one shop that is given a second chance of selling in another shop

14,430

Stock that has not sold in the second shop and therefore goes to our discount shop in Exmouth

5,155

Vintage stock destined for our Vintage & Variety shops in Topsham and Dartmouth.

1,516

Electrical items (valued over £10) – these are sent to our Furniture & Electrical shop in Exeter.

8,677

“Virgin’ stock – this is stock that has been donated but not yet sorted

1,523

Recycling – this consists of scrap metals, coins and mobile phones

12,694

Miscellaneous stock - like books, toys and bric-a-brac.

Why not volunteer?

Volunteers Sid Stoneman and Marcus Yeadle both help on our retail van, moving stock from shop to shop, sorting our recycling and much more besides. They are valuable members of the team and we would like to say a big thank you to them both!

Volunteers Sid and above, Marcus

i

We are always looking for volunteers to support our logistics operations, such as helping out on our retail van. If you would like to find out more, please contact Volunteer Manager, Cara Jones, at c.jones@daat.org or call (01392) 466666.

winter 2019 | PATIENTS

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Dog walk drive turns to disaster On the morning of 24th March, Jane Jordan and her husband Chris decided to take their dog for a walk so jumped in the car to drive to their favourite spot, never imagining the day would end so catastrophically.

A

s they drove along, Jane remembers seeing a truck heading straight towards them on the wrong side of the road before their vehicles collided. It quickly became clear after the crash that Jane’s injuries were severe, and her husband even feared she had not survived.

Devon Air Ambulance, piloted by Pete Martin, soon arrived with paramedics Nick Ratcliff and Laura Harris on board, along with Dr Tim Nutbeam. They

assessed and treated Jane at the scene before she was rapidly airlifted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. Her only memory of the flight was waking briefly to feel pain in her chest, after which her condition began to deteriorate quickly.

In fact, when Jane arrived at Derriford, it was discovered that she was suffering from a fractured skull, a brain haemorrhage, 12 fractured ribs, a fractured right arm and elbow, fractured vertebrae and a

punctured lung. With such significant injuries, Jane was lucky to have survived the crash at all.

While recovering, Jane wrote to DAA expressing her appreciation and explaining that “I am so grateful that you were there as my injuries were numerous and, by all accounts, the first few days were a bit touch and go.”

However, Jane and Chris who suffered injuries to his right foot during the incident and has also had to have

multiple surgeries - are now both recuperating at home with their dog Pip, who was luckily uninjured in the crash. Jane’s recovery has been slow, but she is getting there, and she and Chris are looking forward to putting the accident behind them.

“Thank you so much for being there for me, I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t been.

Thank you for all your care and for calming me down in the air ambulance and being such a great team.” o

Jane’s car at the crash scene

“ I am so grateful that you were there as my injuries were numerous and, by all accounts, the first few days were a bit touch and go ”

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DEVON PEOPLE | www.daat.org

Pincher pays for

The Park

B

orn into a fishing family in 1893, Dick Pym began playing for his local club Topsham before moving to Exeter City in 1911. At Exeter, he converted from being a centre forward to goalkeeper and subsequently appeared in 186 consecutive matches in the Southern League for the club between 1912 and 1920, only interrupted by his service in the Devonshire Regiment as a PT Instructor during the First World War. In 1914, Dick went with Exeter City on a now celebrated tour of Argentina and Brazil when the club played the Brazilian national football team in its historic first official match.

One story suggests that Dick brought a parrot back with him from the tour and, when it died, he buried it under the goalposts at St. James Park.

Legend has it that a really bad run of form for the club prompted him to disinter the unfortunate Polly and bury it elsewhere.

In 1923, after his sale to Bolton Wanderers, Dick played in goal at the first ever FA Cup final to be played at Wembley Stadium when the Lancashire club beat West Ham 2-0. The match was most memorable for the iconic image of a police officer mounted on a white horse trying to control some of the unimaginably huge crowd of 126,000 on the day.

‘Pincher’ Pym won further FA Cup winners medals with Bolton in 1926 and 1929 without conceding a goal in either of them, went on to make 336 appearances for the club and earned three England caps. He left Bolton in 1930 and played for another year Sarah with a photo of Dick with non-league Yeovil & Petters beside his road sign United.

The ‘Exeter Memories’ website recalls that Dick Pym became a “nationally known figure and young boys across the country would avidly read stories and articles about him in the Magnet comic and the Boy’s Friend magazine”.

After retiring from professional football, Dick turned out occasionally for Topsham FC and spent time scouting for Bolton Wanderers and as assistant trainer at Exeter City. His love of football remained undiminished and he became President of Topsham Town AFC in 1983. Exeter City Council even named a road, off Grecian Way, Dick Pym Close in his honour.

Richard ‘Pincher’ Pym passed away on the 16th September 1988 at the age of 95, thus becoming the last-surviving member of the historic 1923 Bolton Wanderers team and the longest-lived England international footballer. o

Photos: © The Grecian Archive

The sale of Exeter City goalkeeper Dick ‘Pincher’ Pym to Bolton Wanderers in 1920 for a world record fee of £5,000 helped the club acquire their landmark ground, St James Park.

The story resonated with Devon Air Ambulance’s very own Sarah Burden, the Charity’s Marketing & Communications Manager, as Pincher was her great, great, great uncle.

winter 2019 | FUNDRAISING

Octogenarian John GETS ON HIS BIKE FOR Devon Air Ambulance John Etheridge from Combe Martin was airlifted by Devon Air Ambulance back in 2015 when he dislocated his arm on a day out at RHS Rosemoor – the pain was so bad it caused him to pass out.

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ver since that day, John has been determined to give back to the service that came to his rescue. At the age of 75, he cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats and, on the 2nd May this year – a few months after turning 80 in January - he began the 1,000 mile route in reverse from John O’Groats to Land’s End, accompanied by his friend Richard, a mere ‘spring chicken’ at the age of 65!

They began the route in hideous weather conditions, battling sleet and gale force winds, which was far from the ideal start they had hoped for. They cycled approximately 60 miles a day, usually from about 8am to 4pm. John proudly wore his Devon Air Ambulance t-shirt for the entire time so that everyone would know who he was fundraising for. This worked in his favour when he raised an extra £23 in a Scottish coffee shop when the staff and customers discovered he was taking on the long-distance challenge for charity.

John confessed there were times he thought “I must be mad doing this!”, especially with the unpredictable weather and, even when the skies did clear up, there was no escaping the numerous hills. He frequently found himself walking up the steep inclines instead, finally deciding, “I don’t think I will ever go up another hill after this trip.”

Back in Devon, John found the hills around Dartmoor to be particularly challenging, with one hill, which he claimed to be more like a mountain, causing a pain in his chest where his pacemaker had been fitted. Bravely John cycled on, determined that he was well enough to carry on with only two more days to go.

The final day of cycling, 18 days after they’d started, was very emotional. John explains, “The last five miles were the worst - I think it was fatigue and emotions together - but I finally made it. My legs were like jelly when I finished; I could have collapsed where I stood.”

After all his hard work he was delighted to have raised an incredible £5,205.95 for DAA and declared, “Wow! This is without a doubt the hardest task I have ever set myself. I’ve just cycled a total of 1,074 miles – at the grand old age of 80! It feels so good that the Air Ambulance will benefit from my tired and aching muscles.”

Far from hanging up his cycling shoes, however, John continues to cycle two or three times a week and, in May next year, he is planning to take on the canals around Bristol because he expects it will be much flatter and, hopefully, an easier route compared to this year’s challenge.

From everyone at DAA, “Well done John, a very big thank you and good luck for whatever comes next!”

John (left) and Richard celebrate at the finish.

“ I don’t think I will ever go up another hill after this trip ” THINKING OF FUNDRAISING?

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See our GETTING IN TOUCH section on page 3 If you are planning a fundraising activity of any kind, please do give us a call. We can offer support material 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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How would you choose YOUR charity partner?

Fundraising Manager Tracy Owen explains how being a Charity Partner with Devon Air Ambulance has benefits for you and us!

Are you reading this at work?

Do you work for a large organisation or a family run company? lping I’m he von’s ep De ces lan to ke Ambu !

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Here’s what our supporters say...

When Paula Howarth joined Burts in 2015, she was keen to champion support for DAA, explaining to colleagues that her grandad has benefitted not just once, but twice, from the Air Ambulance service.

Encouraged by Paula as their Charity Champion, Burts’ staff have demonstrated huge enthusiasm for the charity – participating in various marathons, holding cake sales, sponsoring and taking part in DAA’s Dragon Boat Festival, and much more besides!

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Does your employer have a charity partner?

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The truth is, it doesn’t matter how large or small your company is, working with us as a Charity Partner can be of mutual benefit.

While the benefits may seem obvious for Devon Air Ambulance, a working partnership would also have many benefits for your business: fulfilling your corporate social responsibility, creating a fantastic ‘feel-good’ factor among your colleagues, bringing a completely different type of staff engagement. It might also offer just the team-building opportunity you’re looking for.

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What’s your business?

Whether you are in retail, manufacturing, hospitality, service or administration … there are so many different ways to get involved.

Perhaps think about what you and your organisation would like to get out of joining us as our Charity partner?

What would your expectations be? How could your colleagues help? Might they consider volunteering their time, undertaking a personal fundraising activity or coordinating a company event? Do you have one colleague who could be your Charity Champion?

Since their fundraising efforts started, Thomas Westcott have raised £5,640.75 at agricultural shows around the county. Peter Brown, Director of Thomas Westcott’s Agricultural Consultancy Service, said: “The agricultural industry has one of the highest accident levels of any occupation and it is important that we can get people to the best level of care as quickly as possible, if the worst does happen. We know how much our clients appreciate the work carried out by the charity so, as a firm, we are delighted to support Devon Air Ambulance.”

Visit daat.org/Business-Supporters

If you are interested in finding out more...

Why not talk to me about working with Devon Air Ambulance and how it could be beneficial to you, your colleagues AND your business – call me on 01392 466666 or email t.owen@daat.org

winter 2019 | BUSINESS SUPPORT

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Devon Air Ambulance models are works of art

Family-owned model making business Bravo Delta Models Limited, who have their headquarters at Witheridge, have produced a model of each of Devon Air Ambulances two helicopters, and are generously donating the entire profit of £130 from the sale of each model to the Charity.

All their models are hand-crafted from sustainably sourced, kiln dried mahogany which are then hand-painted in exquisite detail, down to the aircraft’s grab handles, aerials, skids, lights and even the Devon flag on the nose.

The business was acquired by the Martin family in 2015, who set out to improve the standards of model-making and increase the range. The fantastic range of aviation models produced by Bravo Delta include early pioneers of flight such as the Sopwith Camel and Tiger Moth, World War II icons the Lancaster and Spitfire, modern day fighters like the Eurofighter Typhoon and the F-35, as well as the ever popular Concorde and Red Arrows. They also make other helicopters, ships and lighthouses. Some of the models even have clear canopies to view the detailing of the controls, but this was a step too far for the DAA models because of the comparative vastness of the interior compared to the confines of the cockpit of most fixed wing aircraft.

Oli Martin, the marketing and web sales director of Bravo Delta Models explained the process behind each model: “For the DAA model, we contacted Eurocopter and they provided detailed plans that we then scaled down to make a model plan. We send that to the factory where, in the case of DAA, it is then carved by hand from a single block of wood.

“We then coat the model in a layer of putty, a resin type material to take out the imperfections in the wood and this gives such a smooth finish that people think it is made from plastic, not wood! Following the base coat, the detailing is also done by hand, then a final coat of varnish is applied which gives either a matt or glossy finish depending on the type of aircraft.

“Specialist teams work on the same model which can take from 30-50 hours to complete depending on the details. We look upon them more as art than a product.

“DAA is very important to us as our home and place of work is in Witheridge in the centre of Devon and about equidistant from the main hospitals in Exeter and Barnstaple. We now have our own community landing site which is a great comfort to us as it can take a long time to get to hospital by road.

“We thought the DAA helicopters with their brilliantly vibrant colours would make great models and provide us with an opportunity to make a gesture of support by raising some funds.”

Bravo Delta produce models of DAA helicopters, aircraft registration G-DVAA & G-DAAN, both of which are available to buy. Each model comes with a base that can be personalised

Oli Martin from Bravo Delta Models

to commemorate the date of an incident or show the details and signatures of the pilot and paramedics.

Many of Delta Bravo models are bespoke contracts from defence manufacturers, airlines and from newly qualified pilots. Other are sold to aviation enthusiasts but now the company has found a new market in people who have been helped in some way by the Devon Air Ambulance.

Details of the entire range of models, specifications and prices can be found by visiting www.bravodeltamodels.com

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Devon People Real people saving real lives what could you do to save a life?

Laura Axford from Bradworthy ran the Ruby Run from Holsworthy to Hatherleigh in June and raised £559 At the Ham & Lyme 50K Challenge earlier this yea,r Melissa Follett (left) ran the Ham to Lyme 50km ultra- marathon and Melanie Holder cycled a 67km route that met Melissa at the check points along the way.

Together they raised over £660

Tess Read with her a’capella group ‘Tess and the D’Urbevilles’ had a fantastic day at Exeter’s Guildhall and raised £230

Princetown Tractor Run raised £367

We airlifted Anita De Greef’s daughter in 2016 and since then Anita has been holding regular baking events for us.

Anita has raised £1,850 to date with her ‘Loafing Around’ days

Sue Gradon completes the Great North Run to raise funds for DAA The Dulverton West Pony Club raised £476 for the DAA Trust by selling tickets for their hamper draw and by doing a gate collection at Dulverton West’s point to point in May

Ambrose and Brian being presented with a whopping £2.023 from Rose Chanin (holding Certificate) following another Spring Variety Show in Tiverton in May. Pictured also are members of the Tiverton Signpost Club, who were involved in the Variety Show and donated an additional £250

winter 2019 | DEVON PEOPLE

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Frances Foster faces her fears for a 15,000 ft sky dive and raised £1643

Heidi Ackland declared that her Wing Walk with Super Aerobatics was …”an absolutely amazing experience.” We are still collecting, we are up to £600 and Santander will be doubling it

Frank Henderson cycled solo the length of the country for DAA and raised £500

Highampton Tractor Run, organised by Gill Bowden and Richard Cleave. And thanks to Tony Knight for the music and bbq at the pub afterwards.

The 2nd charity bike ride organised by members of the Ottery St Mary Rotary Club supported by Exe Valley Rotary Club and Exmoor Rotary Club took place on 14 July. The event raised £2,000 for DAA and attracted almost 100 cyclists who undertook the 100km, 60km or the taster ride of 30km

At the closure of the annual sports day held each year by Sid Vale Athletics the committee split the remaining funds between local charities and donated £1,000 to the Sidmouth DAA shop Volunteer Gordon White being presented with a cheque for £700 from Mrs Val May and members of the Marldon Community Choir raised at their Summer Concert on the 29th June.

DAA Volunteer Michael Buckley was presented with £1,000 from Barclays who matchfunded proceeds raised at a Quiz Night at Portmore Golf Club

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helipad | www.daat.org Mark Brewer (right) and friend Colin Greenslade ran an Ultra Marathon in aid of DAA and raised £848

Kingsbridge RFC presents nearly £2,500 bringing their fundraising total to over £10,000!

A patchwork exhibition in June this year, organised by Jo Hendy of Villavin Crafts, raised a fantastic £1,500 DAA volunteer Doug Langley accepted a Paris Ferguson does cheque for £1,106 from a skydive for DAA Helen Persson, Bideford Pannier Market’s Development Officer along with the Mayor and volunteer stall helper, thanks to donations between October 2018 and July 2019.

Julie Brown takes on the Crafty Fox half marathon to raise funds after daughter Lauren was airlifted

Sidbury Fun Fruit and Veg Show - raised a fantastic £1,060 - with some great winning produce on the tables too!

Anstey YFC present £1,000 to DAA volunteers Chris & Sarah Belworthy after a great fun ‘High-Viz Hillbillies Party’

A great time was enjoyed by all at this year’s Dawlish Horse & Dog Show, which raised £300 for DAA

DAA volunteer Simon Card and Sidmouth Lions President Alex Blyth at the Lions Club’s Great Duck Derby for a duck race and lots of other entertainment that raised £1,300!

winter 2019 | DEVON PEOPLE

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Alex Parkinson with family and friends at the Great South Run

Endurance riders were welcomed to take part in routes of 10 and 20 miles in this year’s Phoenix Ride over beautiful Exmoor

Rachel Eidam from Exeter took to the skies to raise funds for DAA and raised a wonderful £386 Visitors to the annual gathering of vintage vehicles organised by the Morris Minor Owners Club at Exmouth’s Imperial Recreational Ground on 18th August raised a fantaastic £1,253

Former patient Sean Westrope presents Louise Newbery with a cheque for £1,000 following the East & West Worlington Riverside Rock Jazz & Blues with Honest John festival!

This year’s Red Rock Mud Race across the River Teign was the most well-attended to date and raised a magnificent £1,465!

THINKING OF FUNDRAISING? Family and friends of Brian Dullam generously donated £300 for DAA at his 80th Birthday celebration.

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See our GETTING IN TOUCH section on page 3 If you are planning a fundraising activity of any kind, please do give us a call. We can offer support material 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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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 – from fetes, cake sales and sponsored events, to Orlando’s amazing cycle ride from Lyme Regis to Scotland!

Okehampton Young Farmers present DAA volunteer Marilyn MacQueen with a fantastic cheque for £2,000 raised at various events including bingo and board games!

 Isabella and Bowen made and sold cakes outside our Sidmouth shop during Folk Week - and raised £48.00!

 This year’s Doddiscombsleigh School Fete raised £250, presented to volunteer Chris Woolner

 Orlando Migliari cycled from Lyme Regis to Scotland

 Izzy Martin undertook another sponsored walk this summer as she continues to raise funds for DAA and raised another whopping £1,100!

Thanks Izzy

THINKING OF FUNDRAISING?

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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

winter 2019 | COMMUNITY LANDING SITES

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Community Landing Sites

Each month we are delighted to celebrate as more community landing sites join the Devon-wide network, which now totals 133 sites. We recently caught up with some of those involved with Kentisbeare, a village and Parish located east of Cullompton.

The Kentisbeare community landing site project was kickstarted by Ali and John Dominy, who live in the village. As John explained: “We know from personal experience just how important it is for the Air Ambulance to locate and access suitable landing areas near our village. When we heard about DAA’s work to establish night landing sites it sounded like a great idea and so we readily offered our pony paddock as a potential site. Following meetings with Toby Russell from DAA, we were able to assess several local sites and the village playing field was chosen as being the most suitable. Kentisbeare Parish Council was soon brought on board and local residents very quickly lent their full support and generously raised over £3,000 to get this important project up and running.”

Toby Russell, CLS Development Officer added: “The Dominy’s help was invaluable. Whilst the Parish Council and I were working on site requirements, getting permissions and establishing costs and the DAA grant, the family helped engage the wider community in local fundraising.

When discussing the importance of their grant, Melanie Shore-Quinain, Kentisbeare Parish Clerk said: “It really can’t be overstated how significant the grant from DAA was for Kentisbeare. Our playing field offered an excellent site; however, we required a new power source to supply the floodlights and operate the remote switching system. To meet the full costs would have likely been very difficult for a small Parish to achieve, so the grant funding was vital in getting our night landing site operational”.

Although requiring quite a lead-in time, once permissions were in place, the new power supply was connected and the lighting installed over several days, then the site became operational.

“Kentisbeare Parish Council were delighted to get involved and help establish the night landing site for our community” said Queenie Broom, Parish Council Chairman, “we would like to thank everyone involved especially those who have helped with fundraising and donating towards this important project. We hope it doesn’t ever have to be used, but it’s very reassuring to know it’s there if we need the Air Ambulance at night”. o

DON’T DELAY...

The Devon Air Ambulance community grant fund, awarded from the Bank LIBOR fines, is coming to an end in March 2020 and we want to make sure every penny goes towards helping communities establish their night landing sites.

To find out more, contact Toby Russell (07943 207673 / t.russell@daat.org) and please speak to your local Council to see if they are involved in establishing your night landing site.

Toby Russell CLS Development Officer

Sites already live Sites in development

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The Cornerstones of Quality

Our graduating paramedics

Education, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Clinical Governance (CG) are cornerstones of maintaining the quality of our service and enabling the safe development of new treatments for our patients.

S

upporting our clinical team to expand their academic knowledge, understand more about the health research that develops and reviews the care they provide, and reflecting on the care we delivered and how such care can best meet our patients’ needs, is a continual process at Devon Air Ambulance.

However, we recognise that we rarely treat our patients on our own, often responding alongside paramedics and clinical staff from the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust. Working together at a scene of a traumatic incident or medical emergency is often time-pressured, where every second can count and minutes make a difference to the outcome of the patient. As such it is important to try and ensure that everyone is aware of the ‘Scope of Practice’ (the specific aspects of care each is qualified to deliver) and what each clinician can do to prepare the patient to receive particular lifesaving treatment.

The same is true for us when we deliver a patient to hospital; knowing what the hospital’s ‘next steps’ are in treating the patient means we can adapt our treatment and how we prepare and ‘package’ the patient on our equipment and medical devices to more effectively and efficiently transition the care of the patient from the air ambulance stretcher to hospital resuscitation room trolley.

It is for this reason that we seek to ensure, wherever

practicable, we train and develop in collaboration and offer the opportunity to other care providers to share in our learning. When we developed the MSc in Pre-hospital Critical Care Retrieval and Transfer, we did so in collaboration with Plymouth University, enabling other clinicians to enrol upon the same Masters’ degree course. Indeed, paramedics from all of the South West’s air ambulances have enrolled alongside land-based paramedics and hospital clinicians.

We run a monthly Education, CPD and CG day where we reflect on the care we provide and how we can make it more effective, run practical training sessions and invite guest speakers to deliver bespoke sessions or lectures. We open this up to other staff involved in patient care and regularly have land ambulance clinicians, student paramedics and hospital doctors and nurses join us. While learning with us, we also have the opportunity to learn from them, with everyone having the same ultimate aim, to better enable us to treat the needs of our patients.

After this open session each month, we hold a closed Clinical Governance session just for our team. Here we review the specific care we delivered, discuss any challenges we faced and consider the options that could potentially make the care more effective or easier to provide next time. We also reflect upon what went particularly well, seeking ways to emulate that and, where patient confidentiality permits, share our learning and experience with other clinicians involved in the incident.

winter 2019 | OPERATIONS

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As the clinical capabilities of our service continue to develop, In September we ran a training event called ‘Sim War on the so does the complexity. Our ongoing training and simulation Moor’ for which we collaborated with Plymouth University’s helps ensure these remain well-honed skills within our team.

Faculty of Health and alongside our doctors and paramedics However, each patient we deliver to hospital needs to have undertaking scenario-based simulations, we facilitated their care handed over safely to the hospital team. Likewise, the same for over 30 student doctors in their final year of when a patient needs emergency transfer from one hospital medical school who will soon be delivering care to patients to another for specialist care, the transferring hospital needs to for real, some of whom are keen to progress a career in hand the care of the patient over to our team. prehospital and emergency medicine. As well as the joint With advances in learning we all benefit treatments and patient from, collaborating “ Investing in all these forms of training and, monitoring and the like this means we can sharing our experience with other clinicians delivery of enhanced share some of the costs involved in patient care, is an essential part of drug therapy and of delivering training, meaning the money you ensuring our patients receive the very best care blood products, this ‘transition’ of care is kindly donate is used as in their time of need. ” also more complex efficiently as possible. than it previously was.

In November, we will Recognising this we successfully applied to Heath Education deliver our first bespoke Education and CPD event specifically England for a fixed term grant specifically to enable us to for land-based paramedics. We will share how best to prepare provide joint simulation training to our team and hospital staff a patient for our arrival and how to support and assist us in at each of Devon’s four acute hospitals. delivering the time-critical interventions and prepare the patient Investing in all these forms of training and, sharing our for transportation by helicopter. All with the aim of reducing experience with other clinicians involved in patient care, is an further the time it takes for a patient to receive the care they essential part of ensuring our patients receive the very best need to help save their life. care in their time of need. All of this is only possible because We also support Paramedic Societies within the region’s of your continued support and, on behalf of all of our team Universities to help supplement the knowledge and skills who see first hand the real positive difference your donation of the paramedics of tomorrow. We have already started to to Devon Air Ambulance makes, I would like to thank you for meet some of these paramedics at incidents, and some are helping save our patient’s lives. o continuing their development by attending our other events.

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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Flower Power We know Fitz for his acerbic wit and observational prose, but we may be more surprised by his life-long passion for British flora. Here Fitz tells us about a remarkable book he holds dear and its inspirational author and illustrator

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ifty years ago this year we lost a minister of the cloth, artist, architect and visionary. The Reverend William Keble Martin was born on the 9th July 1877 in Oxfordshire and died in Woodbury in East Devon in 1969. For me, his name will always conjure up memories of trips to the countryside searching for the rare wild flowers of Devon. I never picked them, just admired them and ticked them off my

check list before moving on.

All of this was inspired by this dedicated Church of England priest, botanist and illustrator, known for a remarkable book, The Concise British Flora in Colour. I was about sixteen when I got my copy and I am glad to say that I still have it.

It’s a bit battered and there is a pressed Black Poplar leaf in the middle from a branch which fell in a storm in 1976.

The Concise British Flora was published in 1965 when Keble Martin was already 88. The book was the result of an incredible 60 years of meticulous fieldwork which led to exquisite paintings of the specimens and it became an immediate best-seller.

He completed over 1,400 paintings in colour and many black-and-white drawings, pieces of art which I would love to see but, so far, I’ve drawn a blank as to their whereabouts. However, some of his preserved flowers and plants are held in store at Exeter University and museum.

Keble Martin came from a

religious background. He was the grandson of Dr George Moberly who became Bishop of Salisbury. His father was the Rector of Dartington but his brother was an architect who later in life would help him build an incredible Devon church.

In 1921 he was offered the benefice of Haccombe and Coffinswell, a quiet rural parish which gave him chances of bird-watching and the opportunites to study the local plant life. In 1934 he became the incumbent of St Michael and All Angels, Great Torrington and it was here that he saw a vision of a new church in a dream. Having a brother as an architect was quite handy and it was Arthur Campbell Martin who transformed that dream into reality. The end result - St Luke the Evangelist Church at Milber, Newton Abbot – is truly remarkable. A ‘tardis’ of a church with exceptional interior space and an extraordinary plan with three angled naves.

Even the Second World War

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.

did not deter Keble Martin from his love of botany, as he joined the committee which produced proposals for national parks and nature reserves in Devon, reporting on thirty sites considered to be deserving of protection from a botanical angle.

Keble Martin and his wife, the aptly named Violet, celebrated their golden wedding in 1959 but she died just four years later. You might think he would have then started to take things easier but in 1965, at the age of 87, he married his second wife, Florence. It was the same year that the Concise British Flora was published. I can still just remember getting a set of Royal Mail stamps featuring his incredible artwork in 1967.

They cost my parents 4d each but they still sit in my office in a frame.

In 1969, Keble Martin published his autobiography ‘Over the Hills’ shortly before he died in Woodbury at the age of 92. Truly, an inspirational man I would loved to have met. o

Fitz

2019

it’s been an eventful year!

October - Commando Challenge The Royal Marines Commando Challenge took place over the weekend of Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th October.

Owned by The RMA Royal Marines Charity and Devon Air Ambulance the event is unique in that it has the honour of being the only such event in the country to use the Royal Marines’ own endurance training course, usually reserved for the Royal Marine recruits. It’s one of four tests the recruits have to complete in order to be awarded the coveted Green Beret.

This event truly wouldn’t be possible without some fantastic people and businesses supporting the event.

Special thanks to our headline sponsor Punch Pubs & Co, who not only supported the event financially but also took part in the event as well.

September - Dragonboat Festival On Sunday 22nd September, DAA held its sixth annual Devon Air Ambulance Dragon Boat Festival; to date, the event has raised over £90,000!

A big thank you to all of the teams who took part this year and a special congratulations to Arconic who came in first, regaining their crown from two years ago. We would particularly like to thank our sponsor Burts Snacks Limited for their on-going support.

July - Motorcycle Ride Out On Sunday 14th July, 929 riders, plus pillion passengers, took part in the 14th annual Motorcycle Ride Out, sponsored

by Bridge Motorcycles. Once again, the weather was glorious for the ride across Dartmoor, finishing at The Den in Teignmouth for a fun afternoon of live music. A big thank you to all those who took part this year, and all those volunteers and businesses who support us behind the scenes.

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