English Riviera Magazine August/September 2019 by English Riviera Magazine

Walks • Local Food • Heritage • Nature • People • Events • Arts

EnglishRiviera

110

August/September 2019

SUPER SUMMER EVENTS

magazine

England's Seafood FEAST

Win!

Golf Foursome Escape Adventure

ROYAL

Regattas

Naturalist & Author

CHARLES KINGSLEY

THE RACE is on...

COWES-TORQUAY-COWES

in TORBAY & DARTMOUTH The Ice Age cometh

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Welcome

...to the August & September issue!

Created and Published By Devon Magazine Company Limited Anita Newcombe anita@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Telephone: 01803 850886 Julian Rees julian@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Telephone 01803 842893 Mobile: 07455 206470 Advertising sales sales@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Advertising Copy copy@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Editorial editorial@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Website englishrivieramagazine.co.uk ISSN (Print) 2052-8515 ISSN (Online) 2052-8523

Next issue 27 September Write to us at: ENGLISH RIVIERA MAGAZINE 69 DAVIES AVENUE PAIGNTON TQ4 7AW © 2018 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 Magazine Company Ltd 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.

We’ve been enjoying some really stunning weather with the odd day of rain to water the gardens. In this issue there’s plenty to tempt you outside into the sunshine with Royal Regattas in Torbay and Dartmouth, scrumptious seafood events at England’s Seafood FEAST and a delightful tour of Paignton Zoo’s gardens. Music lovers will adore Dartington’s Summer Concert Season and film buffs can experience a frisson of fear at Kents Cavern’s Underground Film Festival. Don’t worry; there are some less scary options for the slightly more faint-hearted. In this issue we have a go at Torbay’s hugely popular half marathon, paddle with the ‘yakkers’ at Torbay’s 8-mile Sea Swim, try an Escape Room experience and visit the Torquay Central branch of the Women’s Institute. We also chat to local residents Sue Pudduck, former Commonwealth fencing champion and to Basil Greenwood, Torquay Museum’s Director. There’s something for absolutely everyone in our summer What’s On, Arts and Theatre sections. Delightful ‘al fresco’ theatre performances are taking place at Greenway, Coleton Fishacre, Torre Abbey and Cockington Court so round up your pals and pack a picnic.

Happy reading and stay local!

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August/September 2019 | 3

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Contents

In this issue | August & September 2019 6 Openers

England’s Seafood FEAST

Local news snippets

14 En Garde!

We Chat to Sue Pudduck

18 Meeting Basil Greenwood Torquay Museum’s Director

22 Riviera Heritage

Author and naturalist Charles Kingsley

24 Powerboat Racing

The annual Cowes-Torquay-Cowes race

26 Torbay Royal Regatta Yacht racing in Tor Bay

28 Dartmouth Royal Regatta

Seafarers and landlubbers unite on the Dart

31 The Wild Planet Trust

Herbert Whitley’s work continues

32 Friendship and Furry Creatures A visit to Torquay Central WI

34 Give It A Go - Half Marathon Getting the running bug!

36 Give It A Go - Kayak Support Torbay’s epic sea swim

41 England’s Seafood FEAST Fish on the menu

42 Walk

Woodland trails and sea views

44 What’s On

Hand-picked events for all

57 Underground Cinema

Film festival at Kents Cavern

61 Can You Escape? Reader Competition

64 Arts Roundup

Creative events around the Bay

66 Theatre

Who’s treading the boards?

68 Charities and Volunteering Torbay Holiday Helpers Network

71 Gardens

Paington Zoo’s botanical gardens

75 Penny’s Dog Treats... and where to find them

77 Social Diary

Local people at local events

Give It A Go - Half Marathon

On the cover Filipe Samora © Corbyn Head

81 Business Snippets

Local business news in brief

82 The Briefing

Legal topics from Wollen Michelmore

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August/September 2019 | 5

Openers... Openers... Openers... O Paignton’s Seafront Shelters South Devon College Construction Department students have been working hard to save the historic Victorian shelters along Paignton seafront. Jonny Standing, Programme Coordinator in Woodwork, has led the project with first year carpentry apprentices plus students from painting and decorating and roofing courses helping to return the shelters to their former glory. He said, “There’s no better experience for them to work on a project that is making a real difference to people in the community.” The Government Coastal Revival Fund financed the works with a £50,000 grant and there have been additional donations of materials from K-Glass, Supa Roofing & Power Tools and InterLine Building Supplies. Torbay Council and local hotels have provided free parking and Bays Brewery has offered free drinks. So this summer visitors and locals will be able to relax in the splendidly restored shelters when the sun gets a bit too much or when there’s a need to perch somewhere to enjoy a Mr Whippy. ¢

Thanks a Million! The team at Babbacombe Cliff Railway is celebrating an incredible milestone; one million people have now travelled on the railway since it became community owned in 2009. Nicky Allen, who handles the marketing of the railway, said, “We are bowled over to have reached such a figure. The truth is that, since being owned by the community, the railway has gone from strength to strength. To realise that one million people have travelled with us since 2009 is quite something. As well as lots of hard work and a professional attitude I have no doubt that one of the main reasons for this success is passion. The railway is obviously a much6 | August/September 2019

needed means of transport up and down the cliffs but it is so much more than that. We’re not just running a railway here, we’re running a part of the community. The warmth felt by the public for the railway, its progress and the events that we host on Oddicombe Beach is extraordinary. We’ve always made a big effort to keep people informed about what we’re up to and I believe that genuine communication and interaction is appreciated.” ¢

New! Reycling Vehicles Torbay Council is investing £3.25 million in 22 new Romaquip recycling vehicles, two of which are now working the rounds across the Bay. A further nine will be delivered in the autumn with the remaining 11 to arrive next year. This investment is to update the current recycling vehicles, which are coming to the end of their life. The new vehicles have the ability to collect more recycling by moving plastics and cans to the upper deck via a vertical loader to optimise the load space, meaning they can stay out longer and return less to the recycling depot to offload. There is also a new heavy-duty cardboard compaction system, which can compact up to one tonne of cardboard and the vehicles have been designed to reduce the noise of glass being collected. To ensure collections are as efficient as possible, residents are asked to continue sorting their recycling into the correct boxes. If the stickers for your recycling boxes have come off you can request more by emailing waste&recycling@torbay.gov.uk ¢

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.. Openers... Openers... Openers... Top Nursing Title for Lisa Lisa Pullen, a community children’s nurse with Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse (QN) at a ceremony in London. The awards, presented by Dr Ruth May (Chief Nursing Officer for England), indicate a commitment to high standards of patient care, learning and leadership. Nurses who hold the title benefit from developmental workshops, bursaries, networking opportunities, and a shared professional identity. Lisa said, “The title of Queen’s nurse embodies the high standards that I consider myself to hold both in my clinical practice and within the service that I am responsible for. I am very proud to become a Queen’s Nurse and join a network of other nurses who share common values to develop community nursing practice.” Lisa has worked as a community nurse manager within Devon for the last 10 years. She undertook her Children’s Community Nurse specialist practitioner qualification in 2000 and has worked in various roles including Children’s Community Matron, Children’s Cancer Care Nurse and Specialist Palliative Care Nurse over the years. ¢

Baby Lemurs

Art Fair Supports Trinity

Twin baby lemurs were born at Paignton Zoo in April. Their mother is Tack (who is 17 and was born at Paignton Zoo) and their father 6-year-old Iggy. The charity zoo is a professional science and conservation body working internationally to help save these Critically Endangered primates – but sometimes all the serious stuff is pushed to one side by incredibly cute baby animals. Paignton Zoo Director of Living Collections Dr Amy Plowman said, “Our red-ruffed lemurs are very important to the European breeding programme. We really hoped they would breed this year. To give them the best possible chance, one side of the house was screened off. We also made new nest boxes and stopped guest access to the house. All this was to help the lemurs feel safe and secure and increase the chances of them rearing young successfully.” The last red ruffed lemur babies at Paignton Zoo were Bonnie and Clyde, in 2004. ¢

Visitors to a Devon art fair have helped raise £600 for Trinity Sailing Foundation. The Westcountry Art Fair – Art Ashcombe, showcased a range of artists exhibiting paintings, photography and sculptures. A percentage of money raised from sales has been kindly donated to support Trinity Sailing which aims to change the lives of disadvantaged children from across the UK, through sail training programmes. Trinity Sailing’s Marketing & Sales Manager, Harry Gottschalk, was invited to Ashcombe Village Club to receive the cheque on behalf of the Foundation, along with other charities also supported by the Ashcombe community. He said, “We are incredibly grateful to the people of Ashcombe for their support. A week at sea for a young person on our vessels can be genuinely life changing. It only takes a day, or at most two, for the dynamics involved to start making an impact and from then on it just keeps getting better. ¢  trinitysailing.org

RibRide Competition Winner Thank you to all readers who entered the RibRide Islands & Coves Boat Trip competition from the June/ July issue. The winner was Sally Stone from Marldon. ¢ englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

August/September 2019 | 7

Openers... Openers... Openers... O Berry Head Hotel’s 25th 2019 is the 25th anniversary of Edward and Sarah Bence’s arrival as new owners of Brixham’s Berry Head Hotel. In 1949 it became a hotel but subsequently fell upon hard times. When the Bence’s purchased it in 1994, the hotel had just 6 letting bedrooms and a further 6 derelict bedrooms. Five tin baths were positioned under the roofs collecting rainwater. There was a bar and restaurant but the library wing and half the first floor were derelict so it was a big challenge for its new owners. Over the years, Edward and Sarah gradually restored the hotel’s ability to produce income. They built a swimming pool, a function room and added the top floor. Profits were all reinvested into the hotel and over the years, the Bence family has made it the hugely popular venue it is now, not only for visitors but also very much for locals. Daughter Lucy Chamings is now the hotel’s General Manager and son Eddie Bence is Operations Manager. There have been some famous visitors over the years including John Cleese, David Essex, Adam Ant, Richard Wilson, (One Foot in the Grave), Princess Anne, various politicians and Prince Charles who hosted a 4-day conference here. ¢  berryheadhotel.com

Cavanna’s Cycle Challenge A trio of cyclists from Cavanna Homes’ head office in Torquay rode 205 miles across three counties to raise vital funds for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW). The Ride for Precious Lives Cycle Challenge in July is an annual three-day charity endurance ride between three CHSW hospices, starting at Little Harbour Hospice in St Austell, to Little Bridge House hospice in Barnstaple, finishing at Charlton Farm hospice near Bristol. Cavanna Homes’ team included Michael Newman (Head of Design), Ed Brown (Development Manager) and Ben Rowntree (Land Buyer). Michael Newman said, “CHSW is our charity of the year for 2019, and the Ride for 8 | August/September 2019

Precious Lives is just one of the many events we have lined up to raise money for a brilliant cause. The three of us jumped at the chance to take part in the challenge as it combines our love of cycling with touring the beautiful South West, meeting like-minded people and raising much needed money for charity.” ¢

A Church Built by God David Scott has launched his latest book, A Church Built by God to Make Disciples. From humble beginnings in a Torquay back street in 1832, Upton Vale Baptist Church has become one of the best-known nonconformist churches in England. The book chronicles the church’s fascinating history against a backdrop of changing times both nationally and in Torbay. It has 310 pages with illustrations and is full of rich stories about the people who have sustained the fellowship and the ministers who have faithfully served them. It charts the rise of a church described by one commentator as ‘the cathedral of nonconformity in the west’. When Charles Spurgeon, one of the most famous pulpit orators of all time, preached in 1864 nearly 2,000 packed into the 800-seat church at both the morning and evening services. The author, David Scott is a former newspaper editor who has worked all round the UK and as far as the Falkland Islands. He moved to Torquay with his wife, Valerie, and three children in 1990. To order a copy contact DScottTorq@aol.com ¢

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.. Openers... Openers... Openers... New Top Quality Training Ground and Junior Academy Launches at Torquay Golf Club Torquay Golf Club launches a brace of new golfing opportunities on August 1 with the opening of its new Mid Range Training Ground and Junior Academy. The new training facility, situated close to the Petitor Road clubhouse features all weather tees and mid range target greens. Club Manager Robert Holland says, “Coupled with our existing short practice ground, new driving nets, clubhouse putting green and the club professional’s state of the art golf simulator, we believe our new practice academy to now be the best in the area and it is suitable for all ages and abilities. Juniors are encouraged to come and try it on the August 1 opening

day, free of charge, in a designated area specifically for beginners and juniors.” The new range facility is only available to members but there is a new ‘Academy Membership’ costing £80 pa (including as an introductory offer, £20 worth of practice balls plus a complimentary round of golf.) These innovations are part of a programme of improvements that have been recently introduced, along with the flexible membership points purchase system Playmoregolf, to bring golf membership more in line with modern lifestyles. Robert says, "The Playmoregolf system is proving very popular with both returning and new members and is the most successful version in the UK out of 180 clubs on the scheme.” ¢  torquaygolfclub.co.uk

Win! A Round of Golf for 4 People Enter our Reader Competition for a chance to win a round of golf for 4 people. Enjoy a full 18 holes play at the club’s first class parkland layout that offers a challenging yet rewarding test of golf in beautiful natural surroundings with far reaching views across Lyme Bay and Dartmoor. Club staff will also be happy to give you a tour of the new academy facilities and clubhouse. To enter just answer the following question: In what year was Torquay Golf club founded? Send your answer along with your contact details by

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email to: editorial@englisherivieramagazine.co.uk (type Golf Competition Entry into the subject box) or by post to: English Riviera Magazine, 69 Davies Avenue, Paignton TQ4 7AW. Competition closes on Monday 16 September at 5pm. Winner will be the first correct answer drawn. Voucher is valid for 12 months and playing date options are subject to availability at the time of booking. For full competition Ts & Cs please see englishrivieramagazine.co.uk For more about Torquay Golf Club see torquaygolfclub.co.uk ¢

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August/September 2019 | 9

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News, views & reviews! With gardens flourishing and warmer weather your home should be displaying at its best. After a tidy up outside, some de-cluttering and a lick of fresh paint, you’re ready to present your home to the Autumn market, a busy time of year in property! We have some great buyers registered looking for property here in the English Riviera, especially at this time of year. If you are considering selling contact Sue and Sara and arrange for one of them to come for a friendly no-obligation advisory chat and valuation of your property.

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01803 611 420 11/07/2019 19:28

Sue Pudduck En Garde!

Commonwealth Games medallist in fencing, sailing instructor and watersports specialist, Sue Pudduck is now a trustee for Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust. Anita Newcombe finds out more.

’m meeting Sue at her home high above the river at Kingswear. It’s a beautiful day and I stroll up the steps, admiring her pretty terrace, garden and the spectacular views across the water to Britannia Royal Naval College. Sue tells me that she and her husband Pete added the conservatory we are sitting in not too long after purchasing the house in 2005. Well, the view they’ve opened up is absolutely amazing and I’m pretty sure that if I lived here I’d never go out! But Sue hasn’t always lived in Devon. She went to school in Glasgow, and confesses that the reason she originally took up fencing at the age of eight was because it got you out of homework. She took to the sport straight away though. She tells me, “I’m left-handed and this tends to give you an advantage, at least initially – any youngster who gets some early success is usually keen and I loved it.” Sue soon started competing in junior competitions, first

14 | August/September 2019

for West Scotland then in the Scotland team, fencing in an annual match against England, Wales and Northern Ireland. She started winning and was regularly sent to monthly training sessions in London for hopeful under16s, travelling both ways on the bus. She then continued competing whilst at college in Edinburgh. Sue tells me that ‘Auld Reekie’ is something of a fencing hotspot. In 1970 she was selected for the Commonwealth Games, that year being held in Edinburgh. Sue recalls, “I was a bit disappointed I wasn’t going somewhere exotic to compete, but on the other hand, I did have the home crowd with me.” She became a double medallist, taking a bronze medal in the individual Women’s Foil competition and a silver medal in the Women’s Foil Team, proving her one of the Commonwealth’s finest fencing champions. After college, Sue went to teach PE in London, mainly so that she could continue fencing. The next

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Riviera People

She says, “The students matured so much on the trips Commonwealth Games in New Zealand didn’t have – it was quite an inspiration – kids have fewer chances fencing on offer so she travelled to Canada to compete nowadays as the risks are often considered too great.” in a special Commonwealth Fencing Championship in She stayed at Somerset College for 20 years, loving the 1974. Here she secured bronze in both her individual outdoors life. “I still had to do all the management stuff and team matches. Over the years, she also became a and even got quite into six-time Scottish National it – but I always preferred champion. She soon found that being CEO, Eventually, despite her whilst a fabulous job, did not offer working outdoors with the continuing success, Sue many opportunities to be hands-on students.” In Somerset, Sue also took up sailing. faced a dilemma. She still with the activities. She quickly became loved fencing but wanted an instructor, regularly sailing and teaching skills on to spread her wings telling me, “I felt that I was missing weekend courses. It was on such a trip that Sue met her out - I couldn’t do anything else while keeping up husband Pete in 1978. such a tough training regime.” She took up a post in After 20 years at Somerset College, Sue made a few Further Education at Somerset College and after taking a interesting moves, the first of which brought her and Mountain Leadership course, started taking students on Pete to Devon. She worked at South Devon College weekend trips as well as expeditions to Spain and Italy.

“

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August/September 2019 | 15

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Riviera People as Head of Department specialising in catering, aware nowadays of the importance of protecting our sport, leisure and tourism. On moving to Plymouth green spaces. The Trust’s key sites at Occombe Farm, University, she devised a new health and fitness degree Cockington Country Park, Berry Head and the coastal course so that Foundation Students could use it to footpaths plus many other beautiful spots, make up 76% convert to a full degree. Then came the opportunity of Torbay’s public open spaces. to join the Mountbatten Watersports Centre as Sue explains, “Lots of people don’t realise that Torbay CEO. Sue thought it would be her perfect job, being Coast & Countryside Trust is an independent charity involved with kayaking, sailing and even caving on that keeps hundreds of the Bay’s favourite walks open and Dartmoor. However the real world intruded. She soon safe as well as running lots of fun events like Occombe found that being CEO, whilst a fabulous job, did not Festival.” Sue has recently been helping drive TCCT offer many opportunities to be hands-on with the membership, which allows local residents to support the activities. charity’s work as well as making them eligible to purchase Sue retired in 2007 and moved to her current home a heavily discounted Benefits Card, which includes free in Kingswear in the same year. She had the vision to see car parking at popular Trust sites. past the fairly ordinary 1930s bungalow to the stunning In keeping with her love of the environment, Sue is river outlook it has now also a member of Devon become in spite of the Countryside Access Forum “oh no!” reservations and Waterhead Creek (now totally dispelled) of Preservation Society (a tiny husband Pete. green space which is hugely Retirement didn’t slow valuable to Kingswear Sue down very much. She residents). volunteered for a number A keen gardener, together of years at Dart Harbour with Pete, she grows flowers Board, setting up a and a range of vegetables new Young Champions in their cliffside garden at Scheme, and leaving after Kingswear. They both love a total of nine years. She countryside walks, enjoy joined Dartmouth and eating out, particularly at Sue (far right) with her Scottish Commonwealth teammates District Indoor Pool Trust Kingswear’s Steam Packet and as a trustee and subsequently became Chair. Now she has Dartmouth’s Rockfish, and are members of Dartmouth’s become a trustee of Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust, highly active U3A, participating in the Ancient serving on their PR & Fundraising Committee. Civilisations Group. I’m interested to know why a Kingswear resident Having been a longtime member of Kingswear has chosen to reach out and support Torbay Coast & Historians, a local group that has sourced lots of Countryside Trust (TCCT). Sue explains that Berry fascinating archive material, Sue describes herself as ‘an Head National Nature Reserve, which is managed by anarchist’ having breezed in and reinstated monthly talks, the Trust, has always been a favourite place to visit, which had not been running for some time. Now that’s particularly on Sundays. She tells me, “TCCT’s objectives the kind of anarchist you need! So despite not fencing match the things that interest me – safeguarding the any longer, it seems that Sue Pudduck is still clearly environment and wildlife, and creating access for local capable of scoring a direct hit – this time to the benefit people.” She believes that young people are much more of all. ¢

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August/September 2019 | 17

Basil Greenwood Entering the Ice Age

Torquay Museum’s Director, Basil Greenwood reveals his plans for a new Ice Age Gallery and explains that the museum’s collections offer a striking insight into human evolution and climate change. Anita Newcombe finds out more.

aving started his career in wildlife conservation, Basil Greenwood is fascinated by one of the most exciting pieces in Torquay Museum’s Ancestors’ Gallery. A large mammoth tooth dredged from the sea off Torbay; it clearly shows that the whole of our sparkling Bay was once good, green, grazing land. He tells me, “We live in a place that is so evocative of what’s happened since humans first arrived in Devon 450,000 years ago – it’s really topical right now because of all the focus on climate change.” Basil took a degree in Environmental Science at Bradford University then joined a wildlife trust as a conservation officer. Enjoying the work in the leafy outdoors and doing well, he was soon promoted to senior conservation officer. Subsequently moving on from the charity sector to a government agency, he worked for Scottish Natural Heritage then moved to Somerset to help English Nature protect its Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Here he liaised with farmers and landowners on conservation and wildlife protection matters, and advised local authorities on local planning applications where these could impact on wildlife. It was a great life, very rewarding and with plenty of really

18 | August/September 2019

worthwhile project successes. In 2001 he was promoted to Regional Policy Officer for English Nature. It was an excellent career move and offered the opportunity to get more involved in strategy but Basil missed the hands-on work. He explains, “I just didn’t get the immediacy I had enjoyed with real projects on the ground.” In a bid to try and get back to hands-on work, Basil went freelance but found that there were fewer available projects than he had hoped. So when a job came up at Torquay Museum, he decided to give it a go. It was a completely different area but his skills were very transferable. He joined Torquay Museum in 2012 as Project Manager then became Museum Director two years later. As Project Manager he successfully improved the museum’s processes, its governance, its costs and its partnership working with Torre Abbey and Brixham Heritage Museum. He saved around £100, 000 from Torquay Museum’s cost base and was instrumental in saving it from potential closure. Now as Director he continues to fine-tune the museum’s efficiency and build

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Riviera People a close relationship with the local council. He tells me, “Torquay Museum is such a great place to work – when I first arrived, the first thing I saw was someone dressed in a Viking outfit. As well as being fun it’s the oldest museum in Devon and very important to our community.” William Pengelly and other eminent individuals founded Torquay Museum Society in 1844. The museum opened in 1845, albeit on a series of different sites; the current building was finally opened in 1876. A beautiful design and in an ideal position close to Torquay centre, the museum has been a Grade II listed building since 1976. Basil goes on to explain that some people think of their local museum as a place with dusty old collections that are unchanging and presented in a very dull and old-fashioned way. But nothing could be further than the truth. He tells me, “We currently have a new temporary exhibition called Ipplepen, which is displaying finds from proposed new Ice Age Gallery. But in the meantime, a dig that is happening right now in partnership with in addition to the Ancestors Gallery, you can view the The British Museum and Exeter University. It’s an active, hugely popular Agatha Christie collection, the only such local archaeological site, and Roman coins and other permanent collection in the UK. The Bare Bones touring fascinating items have been found quite recently showing exhibition is also on show until 8 September and you can us that our area had a higher degree of Roman influence browse the Explorers and Ancient Egypt collection, the than previously thought.” Time Ark, the Old Devon Farmhouse and lots more. Torquay Museum is accredited by the Arts Council Basil tells me that he and his team are planning a Harry and this is reviewed every five years. It has been awarded Potter Birthday Celebration on 3 August to capitalise on Designated status for its Quaternary Cave Collection and the huge interest in the young wizard and his magical Archive, which consists of around 30,000 items many friends. He explains, ”Once you get youngsters and their from local excavated cave sites including Kent’s Cavern families into the museum they will visit the other galleries along with an associated archive of historic research and realise what we materials. Basil explains, “We have researchers Some people think of their local museum have here. Our job is from all over the world as a place with dusty old collections that to create enthusiasm coming here to study are unchanging and presented in a very in the general public our collections and dull and old-fashioned way. But nothing for the stories that we can tell.” The shop is better understand the could be further than the truth. stocked according to the Ice Age.” exhibitions running, so expect wands, chocolate frogs and He has big plans for a new Ice Age Gallery to display possibly fizzing whizzbees for this one. Maybe Pengelly’s finds from sites around Torquay with evidence of ancient Café could offer its own version of butterbeer and some humans and Neanderthals including the world-famous pumpkin juice. 43,000 year-old human jawbone discovered at Kents Of course, success amongst the summer visitors is Cavern in 1927. It’s currently housed in the Ancestors rather weather-dependent – museum attendance benefits Gallery and you can also see here the remains of scimitar from overcast and rainy days. Next year is Torquay cats, woolly mammoths, lions and cave bears. They have Museum’s 175th anniversary and the museum is planning all been discovered in the beautiful local cave systems and a ‘community-curated’ exhibition where locals will be digs are still going on at Kents Cavern. Overall Torquay invited to pick 175 items from its collections to go into Museum looks after a third of a million items including a special display. There are lots of old photos of Torbay these nationally and internationally important cave items. and many of these will go into a series of 10 pop-up Torquay Museum works closely with London’s Natural exhibitions around the area. History Museum and will be applying for funding Basil says, “We need to get better at engaging with the from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to create the

Basil Greenwood

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August/September 2019 | 19

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Riviera People local community, getting them more involved in our amazing history and inspiring them with the fascinating things they can see at Torquay Museum.” Well it sounds like Basil and his team are well on track and now I’m interested to know whether he has time for anything outside the museum world. In fact he does. Basil and his wife Chellie live in the pretty village of Stoke Gabriel and they have a grown-up son and a grandson. In their spare time, they have taken up kayaking and enjoy paddling with friends on the stunning River Dart (no doubt spotting wildlife), heading to the Maltsters at Bow Creek as well as to Dittisham and Totnes, taking in pub visits and riverbank picnics. Sounds idyllic! Basil used to be a keen rock climber but now he and Chellie spend time walking on Dartmoor and along the South West Coast Path including the Cornish section. Being half Sicilian through his mother, Basil loves cooking Italian food even though he was born and brought up in England. He tells me that his uncle was in the army in wartime 1943 when he met a Sicilian

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lady and married her in 1944. Later the couple came back to England where the bride’s sister paid her a visit, meeting and subsequently marrying Basil’s father. Basil and Chellie love to eat out, favouring fish restaurants like Rockfish in Brixham and Torquay, and Number 7 Fish Bistro. Basil also loves curries and thinks East in the West is brilliant for genuine South Indian food. Back at the museum, as well as encouraging residents to get more involved, Basil is keen to highlight the opportunities for corporate supporters to come aboard. Last year Torquay-based architects Kay Elliott sponsored the Brick Built Lego Models Exhibition. There are also many tax deductible Corporate Memberships offering businesses the chance to raise their profile by sharing in the interest generated by the exhibitions programme and the nationally and internationally important collections. Perhaps you could get involved with the new Ice Age Gallery. Why not get in touch for a chat about the options? ¢  torquaymuseum.org

August/September 2019 | 21

CHARLES KINGSLEY

and Livermead House Torquay was a favourite spot for Charles Kingsley of The Water Babies fame. John Pike tells us more.

hen the Rev. Roger Mallock, of Cockington Hall, decided in 1820 to build a house for his guests by the sea, he chose a site that was one of the most picturesque and attractive in the Bay. His building has been enlarged and modernised over the years, but it is still with us, as Livermead House Hotel. In this building, over a hundred years ago, a famous Victorian figure brought his wife for a six month visit. He was the author of The Water Babies, a children’s book, which no one who reads it can ever forget. It changed the way our Victorian forebears thought and behaved. Charles Kingsley who was born on 12th June 1819 was a towering figure among the Victorians and he influenced the age in very many ways. He was a popular and important novelist. He became a university professor and a leading luminary in the Church of England. He was a man of real scientific interests. But that was not all. He fought long and hard on behalf of the underprivileged, especially the underprivileged of tender years. The Water Babies may, on the face of it, have been no more than an imaginative and gripping story, but it put an end to an abuse of children that had persisted through a large part of the reign of Queen Victoria. The abuse forced small children to climb up inside the large chimneys of the time and clean the soot away with nothing more than a hand-brush. When Charles Kingsley arrived in Torquay in 1854 he was a comparatively young man. His wife had contracted an illness that caused some concern, and his bishop had given him six months leave of absence from his vicarage at Eversley in Hampshire. Why did he choose Torquay as a place for her convalescence? The main reason was undoubtedly for the sake of his wife’s health. Medical opinion at the time attached great importance to the curative properties of fresh air, warmth and sunshine, which had come to be considered more important than spa waters and thermal baths. A second reason was that his friend Philip Gosse, the marine biologist, had spoken with great excitement of the wealth of anemones and starfish and rare marine life to be found on the many sandy shores and coves of the Bay. 22 | August/September 2019

A third reason was that he thought he might earn a little money by preaching from the pulpits of a town noted for its large churches and rich congregations. But here Kingsley was in for a great disappointment. He was to discover that in some quarters he was thought to be a dangerous and subversive figure. Only six years before his arrival he had published Yeast, and followed it up two years later with Alton Locke. There was no way these titles could appear on the reading lists of the genteel young ladies of Torquay. Here was a writer who was as concerned as Charles Dickens with exposing the injustices in society and the sufferings of the poor. What was worse, he had been a supporter of the Chartists, an outrageous movement that was in favour of giving the vote to ordinary ignorant working class men. Whatever next? Moreover he did it in the name of Christianity. Could any two words be more contradictory? ‘Christian Socialist’ cried his critics, holding up their hands in horror. But this was the name, although they may not have known it, of a movement which he had helped to found. It was also the name of the journal to which he was for a year a regular contributor. Bishop Phillpotts put his foot down. Never was such a man to be allowed to preach from a Torbay pulpit, he thundered, from the Bishop’s Palace across the Bay, in the building that is now the Palace Hotel. The Bishop’s word here was law. Kingsley found very real and important compensation by the sea shore. He spent his days wandering along the beaches when the tide was going out, searching for specimens of sea life, poring over them at night with magnifying glass and scalpel, and producing exquisite water colours and drawings. The beach by Corbyn Head was admirably suited to just such an exercise. Six months later Kingsley added another

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Riviera Heritage book to his list, Glaucus. This was a detailed account of his explorations and discoveries among rock pools below Livermead House. Kingsley in his preface to Glaucus, pleads with the average holidaymaker in Torquay to forsake his frivolous pursuits for the health-giving and instructive pursuit of marine biology. It tells us a lot about Kingsley and about the holidaymakers of those days: You are going down, perhaps, by railway, to pass your normal six weeks at some watering place along the coast, and as you roll along think once more, and that not over cheerfully, of what you shall do when you get there. You are half-tired, half-ashamed, of making one more in the ignoble army of idlers, who saunter about the sands and cliffs and quays. A great deal of dressing, a lounge in the club room, a stare out of the windows with the telescope... a walk up one parade and down another, interminable reading of the silliest of novels... and worst of all, at night, the soulless réchauffé, of third-rate London frivolity; this the life in death in which thousands spend the golden weeks of summer. Charles Kingsley was not the only Victorian who took life very seriously and even on holiday gave the highest priority to self improvement. But lest a modern holidaymaker might fall under the spell of this Victorian high seriousness, here is a word of warning. It is little use today venturing out onto Corbyn Sands with net and collecting box. He will find very little. The trouble was that Charles Kingsley and his friend Philip Gosse, with their publications, caused such a passion for marine biology to sweep the land that within a few years the sea shore had been ransacked of most of its precious specimens. Sometimes the good intentions of even the worthiest of men have an effect they did not anticipate. Just a year after his stay in Torquay he published Westward Ho! which vividly expressed the patriotism that ran through the country at the time of the Crimean War. It is about a Devonshire seaman, Amyas Leigh, fighting the Spaniards at the time of the Armada. It is fiercely anti- Catholic and blood-thirstily violent. In later years Charles Kingsley became highly respected and won increasing fame as a member of the literary and clerical and academic establishment. He was appointed Professor of Modern History at Cambridge and was made a canon at Westminster. But even to the end he remained a figure of controversy. He was one of the few members of the Church of England in the 19th century who was able to accept the evolutionary theories of Charles Darwin - something that was beyond the reach of such leaders of thought as Goethe and George Eliot, and with which even to this day many people are unable to come to terms. The second half of the 19th century was marked by many violent englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

confrontations. Whistler sued Ruskin for saying he threw a pot of paint in the face of the public, Oscar Wilde sued Lord Alfred Douglas but neither of these causes célèbres caused more excitement than when Charles Kingsley took on the Roman Catholic Church in the shape of Cardinal Newman. He publicly accused the Cardinal of agreeing with the statement that ‘Truth for its own sake has never been a virtue of the Roman clergy’. Newman’s reply was in the shape of Apologia Pro Vita Sua, a book which has remained a classic to this day. It was generally felt that Kingsley got the worst of it. After he died, at the age of 55, his wife edited his Life and Letters, in which appears a touching tribute to the town where he had a brief respite to a busy, public, controversial life: Torbay is a place which endears itself to the patriot, the naturalist and the artist. We cannot gaze on its blue ring of water and limestone buffs which bound it to the north and south without a glow passing through our hearts as we remember the terrible and glorious pageant which passed by it in the bright days of July 1588, when the Spanish Armada ventured slowly passed Berry Head with Elizabeth’s gallant pack of Devon’s captains following fast in its wake... the white line of houses too on the other side of the Bay is Brixham, famed as the landing place of William of Orange: and the stone on the pierhead which marks his first footsteps on British ground is sacred in the eyes of all true English Whigs. ¢  torbaycivicsociety.co.uk

August/September 2019 | 23

Cowes>Torquay>Cowes

Powerboat Race

Last Year’s winner Silverline owned and driven by Drew Langdon with co-driver Miles Jennings, both from Devon

The prestigious Cowes – Torquay – Cowes International Offshore Powerboat Race has a fascinating history with many well-known names, including the notorious Lord Lucan, competing for glory.

he annual Cowes - Torquay - Cowes Classic Offshore America’s affluent profile. It was spectacular, and offered Powerboat Race takes place on 25 August with boats ‘upwardly mobile’ enthusiasts an opportunity to compete arriving in Torquay from around 10.30am (depending on on level terms with their ‘old-money’ counterparts. the weather and conditions); the race restarts at 2pm. At the London Boat Show in January 1961, Sir Max The 200-mile classic has long been recognised as one proposed that a similar race should be staged in England of powerboating’s toughest challenges, and comparisons between Cowes and Torbay. The concept gripped the have been made with motorsport events such as Le Mans public’s imagination, and there was huge interest and and the Indy 500. Around 20 boats are expected to be television coverage when the contestants set off from the in the line-up and if the conditions are calm, the winner Royal Yacht Squadron at 10am on August 27. Among could complete the 27 boats The concept gripped the public’s imagination, and roaring up the the course in there was huge interest and television coverage less than three Solent was when the contestants set off from the Royal Yacht hours. Huntsman No. Squadron at 10am on August 27 It was all 8, owned by the rather different holiday-camp when the race was first run 57 years ago. The glamorous entrepreneur Billy Butlin and skippered by the former contest was the brainchild of the newspaper tycoon and test pilot Peter Twiss. Seven hours and 17 minutes later, World War Two fighter pilot Sir Max Aitken, who had Thunderbolt, a Christina-hull craft driven by the former seen the Miami-Nassau Powerboat Race, which began in saloon-car racer Tommy Sopwith, crossed the line in first 1956. At the time, powerboat racing was a perfect fit with place, having travelled at an average 25 mph throughout.

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24 | August/September 2019

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Out & About They were a racy crowd, the 1960s powerboating set. In 1962, Sir Max Aitken competed personally, and the following year the amateur steeplechase jockey Bill Shand-Kydd finished second. But the most intriguing of those early contestants was Shand-Kydd’s brother-in-law, Lord Lucan, who attempted to win the race three times. The seventh Earl, who notoriously vanished in 1974 after apparently killing his children’s nanny, made his début in 1963 at the helm of a 25-footer called White Migrant. Lucan was in the lead and still going well when White Migrant stopped suddenly and sank beneath him just south of the Needles. Lucan and his co-driver Bruce Campbell were both rescued unharmed. His Lordship tried again, but equally unsuccessfully, in 1964 and 1965. Powerboat racing expert Ray Bulman said, “The race became the leading race in Europe, if not the world and internationals say you haven’t really achieved anything unless you’ve competed and finished the CowesTorquay.” He added, “In 1968 when the UIM (Union

Internationale Motonautique) introduced the World Offshore Championships, they required races of 150 miles to qualify so it became Cowes-Torquay-Cowes. In the early days it was called the Daily Express Cowes-TorquayCowes Race and then became the Embassy Express in 1972, but after the 1978 race both sponsors pulled out when the Daily Express was sold.” The late Tim Powell took it over in 1979 and ran it single-handedly until 1999. Current Event Director Martin Levi took over in 2016. The race is now limited to monohulls. The first catamaran appeared in 1977 but it altered the race overnight, because they were very expensive and, of course, they were built for smoother seas. In 2010, the British Powerboat Racing Club held a celebration in Cowes to mark the 50th anniversary of the race, when Italian powerboat racing legend Fabio Buzzi triumphed driving Red FPT at an average speed of 59.58 mph.¢  cowestorquaycowes.co.uk With thanks To Laura Levi – British Powerboat Racing Club Secretary and to Graham Stevens (photos).

Left: Lord Lucan. Below: Aboard Migrant in 1965

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Lucan was in the lead and still going well when White Migrant stopped suddenly and sank beneath him just south of the Needles.

August/September 2019 | 25

TORBAY ROYAL REGATTA & J/70 World Championships

Torbay Royal Regatta has been taking place for over 200 years and is one of the highlights of the sailing scene in Torquay; it will be held over the August Bank Holiday Weekend (24-26 August).

oyal Torbay Yacht Club will be welcoming top class sailors from around the country to this highly prestigious annual sailing event. Still hugely popular after two centuries of yacht racing, Torbay Royal Regatta is one of the oldest in the country and was the very earliest to be granted royal patronage. There will be three days of racing for IRC and Cruiser Classes, Sportsboats, PY Dinghies and Junior Classes, all taking place in the sparkling waters of Tor Bay, noted for its ideal conditions. Sailing competitors and their families are always given a very warm Torbay welcome and will enjoy a friendly atmosphere, cordial hospitality and shoreside entertainment, with a special Regatta Welcome Night and other themed party nights.

26 | August/September 2019

This year the weekend will be enhanced by the presence of the J/70 UK Class National Championships. Racing takes place on its own course area and will be raced by International J/70 sailors, keen to spend time in Torbay in preparation for the J/70 World Championships, being held in Torbay the following week. Entries include multiple world champions, Olympians and local teams all preparing to compete against the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best. As soon as the regatta is over and the prize giving completed, Royal Torbay Yacht Club will be straight into hosting the J/70 World Championships 2019; its volunteers are pulling out all the stops in staging this great event, set to be one of the top international sailing events being held in the UK this year. Race

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Out & About Director Bob Penfold (past Commodore RTYC) and top International Race Officer Stuart Childerley will be heading up the events. Bob Penfold said, “The J/70 World Championships is expected to be the most prestigious one design keelboat world championship in the UK in 2019.” Teams will be arriving in Torbay from August 22 for those competing in the National Championships and from August 29 for the World Championships. Three days of preparation, measurement and inspection will be followed by six days of racing with 14 races scheduled. The formal opening ceremony for the J/70 World Championships will take place on Haldon Pier at 7pm on Sunday 1 September with the Britannia Royal Naval

College Band plus Junior Yacht Club members carrying country flags, adding something special to the occasion. The J/70 International Class Association is recognised by World Sailing, with active fleets in 25 countries. The worldwide fleet has grown to over 1,700 boats, attracting some of the most talented sailors in the world and helping to spark the growth of numerous sailing leagues across Europe. Torbay has long been a world-renowned sailing venue, hosting America’s Cup trials in the 1930s, the sailing events during the 1948 Olympics, the UK stopover for La Solitaire de Figaro in 2015 and numerous World, European and National Championships. The hosting of the J/70 World Championships is a real englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

achievement for Royal Torbay Yacht Club and the town and will go down in Torquay’s maritime history as one of the top events ever held in the bay. The club has gained an enviable reputation in the hosting of major national and international sailing events over many years. During 2019, the club is hosting five National Championships, a European Championship and a World Championship and this positions Torbay as one of the top sailing venues in the country. The club’s achievements and progress over recent years were recognised when it was awarded the ‘RYA Yachts and Yachting - Club of the Year 2019’ at the RYA Dinghy Show in March. ¢  rtyc.org

Joining Royal Torbay Yacht Club For anyone who loves the water, whether sailing, powerboating, cruising or rowing, a yacht club is always a great place to meet liked-minded people and make new friends. The club is a Royal Yachting Association recognised training centre offering a wide range of RYA courses. There is regular racing, an active junior & youth sailing section plus a popular ladies’ sailing group called Torbay Tiller Girls, which allows females of all ages to come along and give sailing a go in a relaxed environment. There’s plenty of après-boating with a bar, restaurant and terraced garden. August/September 2019 | 27

PORT OF DARTMOUTH ROYAL REGATTA The annual Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta (24-31 August) will see sailors arriving from far and wide with yachts moored in every available spot on the river and jaunty dress flags being hoisted.

artmouth has a very special atmosphere during Regatta Week. On the water, yacht crews will be preparing for some seriously competitive racing, swapping salty seadog stories and enjoying lots of ice cold Pimms and Prosecco. Ashore on Dartmouth Embankment you’ll find a real party atmosphere amongst the landlubbers too. There will be music in the Bandstand throughout the week plus the fabulous Royal Regatta Shopping Parade full of top quality vendors and international food. There will be a Pimms Garden and a Cream Tea Garden all

28 | August/September 2019

situated right on the riverside, a picture perfect location to watch the world go by. The popular Regatta Craft Market will be buzzing in Old Market Square. Don’t miss Regatta Family Funday in Royal Avenue Gardens on 24 August. It offers youngsters a circus skills workshop, balloon modelling, wall climbing, Lego Walk, children’s treasure trail, Fun Four competitions, face painting and pebble painting. There will also be Morris Dancers and a fun Dog Show. Also on 24 August, there will be a Kon-Tiki Raft

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Out & About Race starting from the Higher Ferry Slip at 12noon. Competing rafts must be longer than they are wide and not be over 10 metres in length. They are not permitted to have any means of propulsion other than paddles, oars or sails and they cannot be based on a previously seaworthy vessel (i.e. a rib, canoe or dingy in disguise). In Coronation Park, two special open-air evenings are planned. The Regatta Sundowner will be a feast of music, food and dancing on Wednesday 28 August and Proms in the Park on Friday 30 August has a great musical line-up including the BRNC Volunteer Band. Expect food and drinks, Union Jacks, rousing patriotic tunes and the evening’s firework display. Tickets are available from The Flavel. There are two of the ever-popular firework displays on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 August, both at 9.30pm. Viewing is superb from either Dartmouth or Kingswear. The Royal Dart Yacht Club, Dartmouth Yacht Club and Dittisham Sailing Club, organise the sailing events, which are spread over the eight days of Regatta. The

dinghy racing for the junior sailors takes place on the lower reaches of the Dart and for the senior competitors in the waters between Dittisham and Galmpton. The yachting events – of which there are over 50 - take place in Start Bay with an anticipated 250 boats, ranging from older classics to high-end racing machines providing for some very exciting and competitive racing. Other events on the river are the Illuminated Boat Procession held at 9pm on Friday 30 August and the Classic Craft review and steamboat rally on Saturday 31st August at 4pm. englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

A feast of rowing takes centre stage on the River Dart with the South West Rowing Championships also running during the week. The Embankment in Dartmouth is a favourite place from which to watch the events, and the commentary over the Regatta’s public address system keeps spectators up to date. The local rowing heats will take place on Sunday 25 & Monday 26 August, with the finals on Friday 30 August. Regatta sports events during the week include: a swimming gala, a tennis tournament, a golf tournament, a road race, a darts tournament and a bowls tournament. A souvenir programme packed with all the regatta details and timings will be on sale from from Pillars, Holliss Filling Station and Dartmouth Visitor Centre plus Kingswear Post Office. They are also available to buy online and, along with collecting buckets during the event, provide valuable funds towards Regatta costs. ¢  dartmouthregatta.co.uk

Getting There There is no parking in the town centre of Dartmouth during Regatta Week and there will be restrictions in Kingswear as well. Please use Park and Ride services and buses. You can also travel by picturesque steam train from Paignton or Churston. Please check regatta website for latest information before travelling.

August/September 2019 | 29

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NEW!

Riviera Wildlife

WILD PLANET TRUST Wild Planet Trust is the brand-new name for the charity that runs Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts in Torquay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall.

close friend Philip Michelmore, to be his successor. His Will he Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, formed after made provision for a scientific and educational Trust to be Herbert Whitley’s death in 1955, has evolved into the established. The Herbert Whitley Trust was formed and in Wild Planet Trust. This reflects the important conservation 1991 this became the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, and research work it undertakes locally, nationally and now the Wild Planet Trust. internationally. In 1996 Torbay Zoological The Wild Planet Trust has a Gardens was renamed Paignton fascinating new website that is Zoo Environmental Park. Then broken down into four main in 2003, the Trust built and sections: Wild Conservation, opened Living Coasts, Torquay’s Wild Campaigns, Wild coastal zoo and aquarium, and Learning and Wild Science, purchased Newquay Zoo in each giving a window on to the Cornwall, creating a family projects being undertaken, and of conservation attractions the educational opportunities managed by the Trust. available for lovers of wildlife. The newly named Wild Herbert Whitley had Planet Trust supports already spotted the educational conservation here in the potential of his wild animal United Kingdom and overseas collection when he opened using funds generated by Torbay Zoological Gardens in Herbert Whitley the people who visit the 1923. Entry was one shilling zoos and the expertise and (5p) for adults and sixpence (2.5p) for children, and The newly named Wild Planet Trust dedication of its staff. The Field Conservation and Research visitors could see a whole supports conservation here in the Department based at Paignton host of animals, from bears United Kingdom and overseas using Zoo coordinates its varied to monkeys, hyenas to birds. funds generated by the people who conservation projects. In 1924, a dispute over Trust spokesperson Phil entertainment tax led to a visit the zoos and the expertise and Knowling says of the new Wild brief closure of the fledgling dedication of its staff Planet Trust site, “Our new zoo – Herbert believed that website leads on our science and conservation work. This is zoos were places of learning and not entertainment. Peers and colleagues in the zoo world held Herbert in high the most important thing we do, and we wanted to make that clear. Each zoo still has its own website, where you can esteem; Gerald Durrell (author, and founder of Jersey Zoo), find information on opening times, tickets and things to do Peter Scott of Slimbridge, and famed French aviculturist and see.” Jean Delacour were just three of his houseguests. His Supporting the Trust and visiting its zoos means that, expertise, particularly with birds, was highly regarded and along with the staff, trustees and volunteers, you are really the developing zoo very quickly earned a name for itself in helping to save the world – from right here in Torbay! ¢ advancing husbandry and setting new standards.  wildplanettrust.org.uk Herbert Whitley died in 1955 aged 69. He chose his

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August/September 2019 | 31

FRIENDSHIP

&Furry Creatures

Alpacas, fun, outings and friendship as well as a joyful rendition of Jerusalem were on offer to members and visitors of the Women’s Institute’s Torquay Central branch when Anita Newcombe popped in.

’ve arrived a little early at Torquay Central Church Hall arrive and newbies are welcomed and introduced. I meet in Tor Hill Road but there is already a buzz of activity. Kathryn Hill, who is the new branch President – it seems Committee member Wanda Hollingworth has invited that the whole committee has been renewed recently and me to experience one of their meetings and there’s much many of them have been busy organising fun outings and more going on than I had expected. Sue Ashmole is on other events for members. the stage setting up her Alpaca Talk, large name badges are A popular signup is a forthcoming visit to the Theatre being given out to everyone Royal followed by a matinée Jerusalem... It’s been a rallying (handy if you are forgetful show of John Osborne’s The cry since women first sang it at a Entertainer in September. with names); there’s an events table, a competition table, a suffrage rally at the Royal Albert There are also garden parties sales table and a raffle table. and an Exeter walk coming Hall in 1918; the WI then Members are invited up. There’s a list of Devon adopted it in 1924. to make something that Federation events, which corresponds with that month’s talk and there are some branch members can also choose to attend plus copies of knitted alpacas vying to win today’s competition. Wanda the Devon WI newsletter. tells me that they sometimes get lots of entries, depending But the meeting is about to start so I grab a laminated on the topic chosen. There’s lots of chat as members copy of the words to ‘Jerusalem’ and find a seat. It’s not

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32 | August/September 2019

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Out & About essential for branches to include the song but Wanda tells me that the Torquay Central branch had a vote and members decided to have it at each meeting. It’s been a rallying cry since women first sang it at a suffrage rally at the Royal Albert Hall in 1918; the WI then adopted it in 1924. Following the singing, today’s meeting opens with announcements of forthcoming events, which include a garden party at Wanda’s house. There follows a request for members to help provide cakes for future meetings and help to serve the tea. Peggy Widdicombe gives a highly amusing roundup on her visit to a regional WI meeting in Bournemouth. It’s easy to see that there is lots of fun to be found throughout the organisation. Now we are on to Sue Ashmole’s Alpaca Talk. Regretfully she’s had to leave her woolly charges at home in North Devon but she’s brought some wonderful items made of alpaca wool to browse and buy. Sue runs Cadenza Alpacas in Little Torrington and throws up some adorable photos on the big screen. We hear about

how to look after alpacas and all their funny little quirks and wonderful personalities. Sue offers Alpaca walking experiences and cream teas as well as Alpaca therapy, illustrated talks, animal husbandry training and felting demonstrations. If you want to own an Alpaca, you need to get at least three of them because they are quite nervous and always want a lookout when feeding. If there are only two animals this means they are always tired and jumpy as it is too few for them to ‘man the watchtowers’ without becoming exhausted. Following the talk, it’s time for tea, cake and chat and it’s clear that this is a very friendly environment, perfect to make new friends, even if you are quite shy. You will always be welcomed and included. Torquay Central has its meeting on Tuesday every second week of the month and you can visit and see if it’s for you before committing to join. The meetings take place in the afternoon at 2.30pm. Why not give it a try? ¢  thewi.org.uk TorquayCentralWI

WI - Torquay Central - the Committee. Kathryn Hill, President, is second from left.

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Paignton Brixham Galmpton & Churston

Ilsham

August/September 2019 | 33

Remind me why I did this? At the start with training partner Lucy

Anita Newcombe is at the start line of the Torbay Half Marathon, wondering why it seemed like a good idea to enter.

t’s a Saturday morning in Torbay and the fine, sunny stride. I entered the Dark Dartington 5K Dash, the weather we’ve been enjoying all week has given way to Tiverton to Bampton 10K Road Race, the Beat the Tide dull clouds, cooler weather and a light drizzle. But all I can 10K trail Race at Mothercombe. I trotted round the think about the sun’s disappearance is “Thank the Lord!” Inaugural Tamar Bridge 10K, the Menai Bridge 10K and Since joining local run club Riviera Racers just over the Burrator 10K – more medals - hurrah! Of course a year ago, I have amazed myself by actually enjoying I wasn’t particularly quick (rather slow actually) but no running and entering lots of races. My first was the matter what my speed, there was always a fellow Riviera Newton Abbot Carnival 5K trail race at Decoy Country Racers club leader or member waiting for me at the finish Park. I came 5th yelling like from last and crazy – “Come Of course I wasn’t particularly quick (rather slow counted it very on Anita – Go! actually) but no matter what my speed, there was much as a win. always a fellow Riviera Racers club leader or member Go! Go!” Now Well it felt epic! I thought I was waiting for me at the finish yelling like crazy They gave me the Mo Farah... same medal as the I got lots faster runners and I wanted more. of training at running club nights and plenty of sports Next I entered the Cockington Dark Halloween 5K massage to boot. Then someone said, “Why don’t you night-time trail race and, in spite of wandering off the enter the Torbay Half?” My first reaction was, “Are you course and having to sneak back in over a low wall, I got crazy? I’m a VW60!” This is code for running in the another super-cool medal (glow in the dark). By now age 60-64 veteran women’s category. But apparently my I was obsessed with my next medal (the ‘blingier’ the extreme old age was not a good enough reason not to enter. better) and entered the Exmouth 10K, the Exeter Fast So somehow I said yes and here I am, at the start. It’s Friday 10K and the Beat the Train long 10K from Totnes. quite a surreal feeling. I’m with a fellow club runner With the medals piling up, I was now really in my called Lucy who is much better than me but who is

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Give it a Go! Half Marathon determined to make sure I can’t escape but sticking by me all the way round. In truth she has been encouraging me in training runs for ages and my daughter has also been sending positive waves, “Of course you can run a half marathon Mum!” Really? Well over the last few weeks I have been veering from, “Hey maybe… I can do this” to “There is absolutely no way I can do this – what on earth was I thinking?” My final long training run a couple of weeks before the big day is 11 miles. It’s the longest I’ve run so far and I decide to do it around the actual Torbay Half route. I head off really slowly not knowing if it’s going to be a good day when your legs feel light and airy, or a bad day when your legs feel like lead. Ok off I go. The first 3 miles are quite hard then it gets better as I cruise towards 6 miles. By the time I get to 8 miles I’ve actually started enjoying it and I finish at 11 miles feeling really pleased with myself. I’ve jogged the whole way, even up the hills with no walking at all. Well it’s a shame that didn’t happen on the actual race day – but every day is different! I’ve had a bit of a cold bug but nothing much really, so here I am behind a big crowd of competitors waiting with Lucy. Now the starter gun goes off but the initial excitement turns into a bit of an anti-climax as we all shuffle along in a huge crowd towards the start line. Luckily the event is chip timed so everyone gets a personal time, measured from when they actually manage to start. With nearly 1,500 runners it can easily take a couple of minutes to get to the line. Here the machine pings the chip that is attached to your own race number and hey presto, you have your own personal start time. Ok now we are properly off. We start with a relaxed anti-clockwise jog around Paignton Green and then head englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

along the Torbay Road up and over the undulating course towards the Grand Hotel in Torquay. The roads have all been closed and there are lots of spectators and stewards yelling encouragement as we jog past. We pass a water station with sweets but don’t stop because we are both carrying water in special race vests and I’ve got a handful of jelly babies in my pocket for energy. We take a loop past Torre Abbey’s gate and back down to the seafront heading towards the big wheel. We pass some Taiko drummers near Abbey Sands. I quite like the beat but Lucy says it doesn’t really fit her stride. By now I’m already flagging a bit so I eat another jelly baby and keep sipping water. Lucy has been busy spotting Riviera Racers who are on their way back and are passing us on the other side. The lead runners are long gone and are already coming back on their second loop. We get back to Paignton Green and head out for our second loop to Torquay. I’m getting plenty of pep talks from Lucy now but I’m finding it really hard and feeling cross with myself that I’m not doing as well as during my training run. Lucy talks me out of my negative thoughts and somehow or another we finally get back round to Paignton again. It’s just 300 yards to the finish and I manage a final effort, which feels like a sprint, pushing towards the line. There are a couple of Riviera Racers as well as many other spectators cheering us in. And yes – I get handed a splendid shiny Torbay Half Marathon medal – and a proper technical t-shirt! Thank goodness that’s over! But bizarrely – within a few minutes (once I’ve caught my breath), my negative thoughts and memory of this positively hellish experience disappear and yes – I feel epic! Now I am most definitely never doing that again! But hmm – maybe I could get a better time next year? ¢ August/September 2019 | 35

Swimmers & Kayakers

at Torbay Sea Swim

The British Long Distance Swimming Association (BLDSA) holds its annual Torbay Open Water Swim Championship from Meadfoot Beach to Brixham and back. Anita Newcombe travels as a safety kayaker.

he first I hear of Torbay Sea Swim needing experienced sea kayakers is when Totnes Canoe Club emails me to ask if I will help. I am amazed to discover that these high endurance swimmers will undertake an 8-mile, non-wetsuit, non-stop round trip right across the Bay and back. Every swimmer needs his or her own dedicated kayaker in order to compete. After getting in touch with this year’s Swim Secretaries Steve and Helen Price I learn more about what I might be letting myself in for. I’ll have to stay glued closely to my swimmer, leading him or her through the waves from one marker buoy to the next; this can be for up to 6 hours (although most take 3.5 to 4.5 hours to complete the course). Swimmers can bring their own kayaker or they can ask for a local kayaker to be provided; I am to be one of these. After signing up I am sent instructions and am asked to present myself at a safety briefing on the day at 9.30am at Meadfoot Beach Café. Early that morning, I team up with my regular kayaking 36 | August/September 2019

pals Karen and Jenny. We pack up all our equipment – sea kayaks on the roof, paddles between the seats, spray decks, buoyancy jackets, wetsuits, rash vests, hats, sunblock, sandwiches, water, waterproof bags and so on and head to Meadfoot in good time. We are delighted to discover that we can park opposite the beach. However, oops, there is no beach where we can leave the kayaks as the tide is very high, so we leave them on top of the car and head over to Meadfoot Beach Café to register. It’s wonderfully sunny with blue skies and calm seas – perfect! Here we find lots of swimmers and kayakers nervously milling around and waiting for the safety briefing. After signing in and kitting up we decide to paddle our kayaks around to the beach’s long, stone slipway and pull them up there until we are required to report on the water at 10.40am (for a race start at 11am). The race briefing begins and kayakers are introduced to their swimmers and talked through the safety procedures. Once the briefing is complete, my swimmer and temporary new best friend, Andy and I head to my kayak

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Give it a Go! Kayak Support As the tide is still very high, one-by-one the swimmers to attach the regulation safety flag I have to carry. We ease themselves off the stone steps outside Meadfoot also stow the liquid feeds and refreshments that he will Beach Café into the water - and now there’s a melée of need during the race; we secure these on top of the kayak swimmers lined up along the shore. I have my eyes firmly under the decklines. Andy has prepared two doublefixed on Andy’s turquoise swimming cap and I give him bottle packs that can each be tied to a throwing line and what I hope is an encouraging wave. Suddenly the starter he asks me to stop him every 40-45 minutes so he can get gun goes off – here we go! The swimmers are heading some essential liquid nutrition. round the left hand side of the rock known as East Shag, This makes me realise what an epic undertaking this heading towards the first marker buoy. I slide in amongst 8-mile sea swim really is. It’s a really big Bay and once the bobbing heads and claim my charge; he is already out there, Andy will be no more than a tiny dot in the swimming sea. He tells me steadily. that he breathes This makes me realise what an epic undertaking Once in on both sides so I this 8-mile sea swim really is. It’s a really big Bay the water and can choose which and once out there, Andy will be no more than a underway, the side of him to tiny dot in the sea. swimmer can’t stay on; he’d like see very much so Andy only has a hazy idea of where he me to keep really close, with my cockpit alongside him at is going; he is relying on me to lead him on the most all times. direct route possible to avoid extending the distance Now it’s after 10.30am and kayakers have to get their unnecessarily. I am finding that I have to concentrate boats on the water. I don my yellow and black tabard quite hard to make sure I stay in position next to him. with a large number 2 on it. This corresponds with Although he is swimming well, a kayak can easily go Andy’s swimmer number, which has been marked onto much faster so I try to find a gentle rhythm that keeps me his hand. About 30 kayakers are now paddling around reassuringly in his view when he comes up for air. just off the beach being carefully checked and counted, We’ve now passed the first buoy and there are roving while the swimmers line up on the shore.

PHOTO © : Roger Lane

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August/September 2019 | 37

Give it a Go! Kayak Support safety kayakers to make sure we are able to spot the next one in sequence. Once we are at the second buoy it’s time to stop Andy for his first feed-break. This is more difficult than I had anticipated, as he can’t hear in the water. I have to bang on the kayak, shout and wave before I get his attention. He is glad to surface for a quick stop and an energy-fix though. I pass the feed bottles to him, safely attached to the throwing line (he’s not allowed to touch the kayak at any time). On we go and pass buoy number three and then four. There are three high-speed Sea Swim safety boats warding off jet skiers and motorboats from our long line of swimmers, now strung out across the Bay. Boy – the safety boat skippers can drive those things! Now I’m looking for the turnaround buoy that marks the halfway point. Yikes - it appears to be on the beach! Off goes another safety boat and the buoy is soon fixed back into position. I guide Andy around the magic half-way point and once we are well clear, we stop for another quick nutrition break. Although the conditions have been wonderful till now, a strongish breeze is picking up and along with the tide, we find ourselves being pushed out to sea beyond the line of buoys. This is a worry as I don’t want Andy to swim further than he needs. There are several kayakers with their associated swimmers right behind me as I turn the kayak’s bow towards Paignton to compensate for the drift; they catch me up and now swimmers and kayakers are all clustered together. Andy pops up to say that he is feeling claustrophobic being boxed in like this so we strike out and the group soon spaces itself out

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comfortably again. We’ve finally arrived at the second-to-last buoy but our goal at Meadfoot Beach, whilst being in sight, is still a long, long way away. We have to pass around every buoy properly, however tempting it is to head straight for East Shag and Meadfoot Beach. Now the safety boats are swooping around us protecting us from 2 pleasure boats that are crossing right in front of the beach. This creates a lot of waves and I am watching Andy carefully to make sure he is ok. Now there is a definite swell running in behind the ‘yakkers’ and I have to paddle steadily backwards to avoid leaving Andy behind. A final watery fuel stop and I tell Andy that the end is in sight. Although there are many swimmers ahead of us, he has been keeping up a really steady pace and I am amazed and hugely impressed by his stamina and determination. The people on the beach are starting to get bigger as we close in and I can hear people cheering and clapping. A loudspeaker comes to life and identifies Andy as Swimmer Number Two approaching. I have to make sure that Andy touches the finish buoy and then I leave him, land on the beach, jump out and join people on the beach clapping and cheering him in. Five hours – what an achievement! My kayaking pals Karen and Jenny are not far behind and once we’ve checked in properly with the organisers, we all head to the café for a well-earned hot chocolate. It’s been an amazing day. If you are a swimmer or a kayaker why not give it a go next year? ¢  bldsa.org.uk August/September 2019 | 39

Mexican Night Friday 27th Sept.

Full menu and future supper dates in-cafe or on-line. Advance booking advisable. Book online, call or email us.

www.countryside-trust/occombe/cafe farmcafe@occombe.org.uk

baysbrewery

01803 696 255

CAFÉ CULTURE BY DAY AND AN INTIMATE RESTAURANT BY NIGHT

breakfasts & hearty lunches, seasonal specials, snacks & treats.

GREAT FOOD GREAT DRINKS GREAT VIEWS GREAT FUN

we’re open:

EVERY DAY 9AM UNTIL 9.30PM FROM APRIL

call to book: 01803 856738

ﬁnd us at the breakwater Berry Head Rd, Brixham TQ5 9AF

www.breakwaterbistro.co.uk

check our social media for great offers! f c We’re not aiming to be the ‘Worlds Best’ restaurant… ‘Just Yours’!

@baysbrewery

As well as being available in good establishments throughout Torbay and Devon you can also buy online or by phone.

Call us now to place your order 01803 555004 or buy online at www.baysbrewery.co.uk 40 | August/September 2019

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Food & Drink Now in its second year, England’s Seafood FEAST (20 September – 6 October) is a world-class celebration of all things seafood with Brixham’s famous Fish Market at its heart.

t’s not a conventional food festival – instead, local businesses across Brixham, Paignton and Torquay will be hosting events that make the very best of locally landed seafood. Visitors and locals alike will be able to enjoy some of the finest seafood in the world in restaurants around Tor Bay, cooked with passion and skill. Set menus, specials, guest chefs and more will be on offer over 17 days of fantastic fish and shellfish. All of the events will feature seafood that’s landed locally, so it’s as fresh as can be. And why not sample local beer, cider, wine or gin with a meal? The southwest of England has a well-deserved reputation for local sourcing and passionate producers, and there’s plenty to discover. The heart of the Feast is Brixham Fish Market, where England’s biggest catch by value is landed; over 40 species of fish and shellfish are sold daily. During the Feast there will be tours of the market taking place at 6am – they will book up so advance booking is essential. You’ll find plenty more to fill the days. Take a trip on a heritage sailing trawler across the blue waters of Tor Bay, with the option of sleeping and dining on board. Go fishing and learn how to cook the day’s catch, join a seashore foraging workshop, or go on a sea creature treasure hunt. Whether it’s for a day, a weekend or a week, visitors will be spoilt for choice. Mitch Tonks, restaurateur and owner of Rockfish, said, “The world of seafood can be a bit of a mystery sometimes; we often stick to the things we know. Our Seafood Coast in England has the most amazing range of species caught and landed in our waters by our fishermen. The Feast is a really fantastic couple of weeks showcasing all of that; people can visit and try so many different things. It really is feasting, feasting on all the variety, going from place to place and trying something different; it’s like a seafood trail. I suggest getting your map out early and planning where to go and what to eat, time to feast!” Simon Hulstone, chef-proprietor of the Michelin-

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starred Elephant Restaurant, said “South Devon has an abundance of fantastic produce and I honestly can’t think of anywhere better in the UK for local sourcing. It’s a pleasure to support the local coastline with England’s Seafood FEAST and I’m really looking forward to being involved again this year.” Carolyn Custerson, Chief Executive of the English Riviera BID Company, said, “We are delighted to be hosting the second England’s Seafood FEAST, which will once again showcase the fantastic local fish and shellfish we have on our doorstep and the passion and talent of our many local fishermen and chefs – the ‘Faces of the Feast’.” The programme can be found on the website – events are being added regularly, so keep checking back for more information and book direct with the local businesses taking part. ¢  theseafoodfeast.co.uk

A Few Highlights!

Hamilton’s 5-Course Seafood Tasting Menu Local Seafood Specials at Old Vienna Love to Share Seafood at Breakwater Bistro Dine on Fruit de Mer at Rockfish Brixham Seafood Feast B & B Sailing Weekend on Pilgrim Below Decks Welcomes Crabstock Seafood Coast Dinner at the Imperial Local Catch at the Grand Hotel Re-Live Agatha Christie’s Birthday Dinner Seafood Celebrations plus Catch & Cook with Cantina Brixham Fish Market Tours August/September 2019 | 41

Need to know

Woodland Trails and Sea Views O

n a section of the South West Coast Path maintained by Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, this is a relatively short walk that could be completed during a lunchtime ‘escape’. It can be extended further to Maidencombe or if you’re feeling energetic, to Shaldon. I like to pause halfway at the ever-tranquil Watcombe Beach where a swim on a hot summer’s day reveals sea caves and other time-worn formations in the Permian sandstone cliffs that dominate this part of the Jurassic coastline. In summer, the pathways are shaded and cool and the landscape dominated by tumbling woodlands of sycamore and elder trees amongst a rich green carpet of ancient ferns and ivys. During the winter, the deep valleys and peaks are more dramatic as the flora recedes but glimpses of the high red cliffs always remind one that this is a very ancient place.

1 Parking is available at the end of Petit Tor Road where a kissing gate leads to the top of a steep grass slope, looking out across Babbacombe Bay. Here you are above Petit Tor and the path back towards Oddicombe. Take the path that continues north and uphill, signposted to Watcombe. After 200 metres, the path splits, take either fork as they meet again shortly afterwards. 2 After another 200 metres or so, the path splits again, to the left a more gentle ascent of the next combe-side, to the right a steeper, stepped, more direct route that meets again within sight of a convenient hilltop bench and a good view of Babbacombe Beach, the Cary Arms and to the south east, the Ore Stone. Carry straight on from here and ignore the path behind the bench. 42 | August/September 2019

Distance - 2.5 miles Exertion - Moderate with some steep sections. Time - Allow 1 hour Terrain - Coast path of varying quality. Dogs - Free to roam. Refreshments - At Watcombe Beach during summer season. Accessibilty - Not suitable for pushchairs or very young children. Parking - On-street parking at Petitor Road. Start Postcode - TQ1 4QF 3 200 metres further on, take the stepped pathway downhill to the right, to follow the coast path along the top of Shag Cliff and above Smugglers’ Hole. The path rises and rejoins the inland path. 4 From here begins the most notable descent down to the Watcombe Beach road. Take care if wet as the wooden steps can be slippery! 5 Turn right at the metalled road and walk downhill to secluded Watcombe Beach. To the north the impressive tower of red sandstone is Watcombe Head, where erosion gives rise to a typical East Devon red sandy cove, perfect for swimming on a hot summer’s day or a spot of refreshment at the beach café. At this point, the return leg retraces the route back up from the beach and left, to climb back up to the woods. Turning right at this point takes one further northward on the coast path to Maidencombe and beyond. 6 Once back into the wooded shade, take the next two right forks until you go through a metal stile and on to a metalled road, which is the end of Easterﬁeld Lane. To the right is the Borough Scout campsite. Walk 30 metres up the road and take the path to the left through a kissing gate. 7 Follow this path upward, skirting the golf course to the right until you reach the top of the hill where benches mark another splendid wide-reaching view of Lyme Bay. On a clear day Portland Bill can be seen in the distance to the north east. Following this path will take you back downhill to rejoin the original path just above point 2 and back to Petit Tor Road. ¢

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Walk Refreshments Viewpoint

7 3 2

Ordnance Survey ÂŠ

Crown copyright. Media 082/14

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August & September around the Bay

Planet Circus, Torquay On till 3 August

With a glorious big top, breathtaking aerial displays, daredevil stunts and non-stop fun, this show has been described as ‘the greatest show on earth’. See advert on page 58 of this issue for a 2 for 1 ticket offer. Also in Paignton from 7 August-see listing below on that date.

Abbey Park, Torquay TQ2 5HZ 07563 727206 ticketweb.co.uk

Wild Wednesdays, Coleton Fishacre On weekly till 28 August

Members of the ranger team will lead on 50 Things to Do Before You’re 11¾ with activities in the garden. Time: 2-4pm, cost: £2 per child, no booking needed. Admission applies for the venue.

Coleton Fishacre, Brownstone Road, Kingswear, TQ6 0EQ 01803 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre

Green Heart Project Exhibition, Cockington On till 31 August

Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust’s Green Heart Project to restore important parts of the Cockington estate has been completed. Visit this celebratory exhibition showcasing the project’s fantastic achievements from the very start in 2015.

Times: 10am-4pm daily, cost: free, suitable for all ages.

Cockington Visitor Centre, Cockington Village, Torquay TQ2 6XA 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk

Daily Garden Walk or Talk, Coleton Fishacre On till 31 August

Every day at 2pm you can join a 45-minute garden tour or a 15-minute talk. Find our more about the plants in ﬂower and the history of this beautiful place. Free event but admission applies for the venue. Children welcome, dogs on leads welcome. Time: 2-2.45pm.

Coleton Fishacre, Brownstone Road, Kingswear, TQ6 0EQ 01803 842382 nationaltrust. org.uk/coleton-fishacre

Exhibition: The BFG in Pictures, Torre Abbey On till 1 September

The BFG in Pictures is the ﬁrst major exhibition of artwork by Quentin Blake for Roald Dahl’s enduring tale. It is a touring exhibition from House of Illustration featuring reproductions of Quentin Blake’s illustrations for Roald Dahl’s much loved story. The exhibition curated by Quentin Blake, contains 40 reproductions of illustrations that weren’t used when the book was ﬁrst published in 1982.

Torre Abbey, The Kings Drive, Torquay TQ2 5JE torre-abbey.org.uk

Nature’s Colour Palette Trail, Coleton Fishacre On till 3 September

Follow ‘Nature’s Colour Palette Trail’, for a fun exploration of colour in the garden. Self-led outdoor family trail. Time: daily from 10.30am to 4.30pm. Booking not needed. Free event but admission applies for the venue. Children and dogs on leads are welcome.

Coleton Fishacre, Brownstone Road, Kingswear, TQ6 0EQ 01803 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre

Riviera What’s On Exhibition: Ipplepen, Torquay Museum On till 8 September

Ipplepen: New Discoveries on the Edge of the Roman Empire has been created with the British Museum and the ni ersit o eter to interpret some o the ﬁnds rom the re ent e a ations at pplepen or the ﬁrst time. dmission ee applies.

Torquay Museum, 529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HG 01803 293975 torquaymuseum.org.uk

Exhibition: Bare Bones, Torquay Museum On till 8 September

Bare Bones is a family-friendly, national touring summer exhibition that explores the fascinating world of animal skeletons, which have evolved into a mind - boggling variety of forms sin e the ﬁrst ertebrates appeared around 5 million ears a o. dmission ee applies.

Torquay Museum, 529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HG 01803 293975 torquaymuseum.org.uk

Britannia Royal Naval College Guided Tours Selected dates in August and September

A guided tour of this spectacular building offers a fascinating insight into the rich history, role and relevance of the world-famous college and the naval trainin ondu ted here toda . urin the tour ou will be taken into the heart of the College, from the elegant Chapel, through to areas including the Quarterdeck, Parade Ground, Senior Gun Room and Britannia erita e useum. ost dult 1 hild .5 enior tudent 11. 5.

Dartmouth TQ6 0HJ britanniaassociation.org.uk

Summer Story Maker Outdoor Quest, Greenway On till 3 September

Make a story for your summer by following a self-led trail round the arden at reenwa . pot all the stor points to omplete our uest. Free e ent but admission applies or the enue. imes 1 . am- . pm. arkin must be prebooked online.

Greenway House, Greenway, Brixham TQ5 0ES 01803 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Torquay Comedy Club 2 August & 13 September

Enjoy a line-up of some of the best comedians on the ir uit. ime . pm book online. ost .5 .

Riviera Hotel, Belgrave Road, Torquay TQ2 5HJ torquaycomedyclub.co.uk

Torbay Steam Fair, Churston 2-4 August

View the wonderful working steam engines, vintage, and classic cars, lorries, military displays, market stalls and so mu h more. here will be hildren’s entertainment a ra t and odel ent awnin displa s and harit stalls plus aterin a ilities beer and tea tents. t’s a trul spe ial da out one not to be missed.

Dartmouth Road, Churston Ferrers, Brixham TQ5 0JT torbaysteamfair.co.uk

Meet the Animals, Occombe 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30 August

eet the ombe Farm animals and et a taste o what it’s like to eed and are or them in these spe ial hour-lon sessions. ll attendees must pa and a pa in adult must a ompan all hildren. ellies are hi hl re ommended or all a es. ost time 1 -11am bookin essential. uitable or - ears plus. orba oast ountr side rust e ent.

Occombe Farm, Preston Down Road, Paignton TQ3 1RN 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk

Rockpool Ramble, Goodrington 2, 16 & 30 August

oin orba oast ountr side rust’s arine an er and e plore the in redible marine li e that li es in orba ’s ro k pools. is o er eist rabs slim anemones wri l starﬁsh sneak prawns and more in the ro k pools o iddlestone. ost .5 suitable or ears plus. ime aries book online. hildren must be a ompanied b a pa in adult.

Opposite Reach Outdoors Centre, Tanners Road, Paignton TQ4 6LP 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk

Harry Potter Birthday Celebration 3 August

In celebration of the birthday of the most famous wizard o modern times or ua useum is or anisin a whole da o wi ardl un amil - riendl e ents. ome dressed as your favourite Harry Potter character and enter the an dress ompetition. ime 1 am- pm. ookin a ailable online. August/September 2019 | 45

Torquay Museum, 529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HG 01803 293975 torquaymuseum.org.uk

Torbay Lifeboat Station, Berry Head Road, Brixham TQ5 9AF torbaylifeboat.co.uk

Antiques Fair, Newton Abbot Racecourse 3 August

Music Mania, Torre Abbey 5-9 August

Wander amongst the stalls in search of a hidden treasure in one of the many antiques stalls inside and outside of the racecourse. Time: 9am- 2.30pm, cost: free.

Newton Abbot Racecourse, Newton Road, Kingsteignton Newton Abbot TQ12 3AF 01626 353235 newtonabbotracing.com

Brixham Veteran & Gig Club Regatta 3 & 4 August

Races will take place off Breakwater Beach, by the Lifeboat Station where there will be excellent viewing along the breakwater itself. It will be exciting, fun, furious and a real test of strength and stamina.

Breakwater Beach, Brixham TQ5 8AW brixhamgigclub.com

Dubs at the Beach, Paignton 4 August

Volkswagen enthusiasts will be displaying a wonderful selection of vehicles along Paignton Green and seafront. There will be live bands playing throughout the afternoon plus traders, club displays, autojumble and the popular Show ‘n Shine competition with trophies awarded. Time: 9am-4pm.

Paignton Green, Paignton TQ4 6BN dubsatthebeach.wpengine.com

Children 8 years and over can take part in musical workshops, write songs, try new instruments and perform. You’ll also get to join in with holiday activities such as ‘Pitch and Putt’ or a trip to the beach. Children can join in for the whole week, or just a day or two. Times: 8am-6pm, cost per child: £30 per day or £133 per week. Book online.

Torre Abbey, The Kings Drive, Torquay TQ2 5JE torre-abbey.org.uk

Kids Summer Cookery School, Occombe 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27 & 29 August

Drop your kids off with Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust every Tuesday or Thursday in the summer holidays for a un ﬁlled themed ooker da at ombe Farm ooker School. Times: 10am-4pm, cost: £36 per session, suitable for: 7-12 years, book online.

Occombe Farm, Preston Down Road, Paignton TQ3 1RN 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk

Planet Circus, Paignton 7 August – 1 September

With a glorious big top, breathtaking aerial displays, daredevil stunts and non-stop fun, this show has been described as ‘the greatest show on earth’. See advert on page 58 of this issue for a 2 for 1 ticket offer. Also in Torquay until 3 August - see listing above on that date.

Abbey Park, Torquay TQ2 5HZ 07563 727206 ticketweb.co.uk

Torbay Open Tennis Tournament 4-10 August

Torquay Tennis Club is very proud to host one of the country’s leading tennis tournaments, ‘The Torbay Open’ since 1887.

Torquay Tennis Club, Rear of Shedden Hill Car Park, Torquay, TQ2 5TY 01803 209500 torquayltc.co.uk

RNLI Lifeboat Week 5-11 August

Enjoy a week of fun and games at the lifeboat station and on the water including a range of stalls – all in aid of Torbay Lifeboat.

46 | August/September 2019

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Riviera What’s On Tots Go Wild Summer Club, Occombe 7, 14, 21, 28 August

Join Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust every Wednesday in the summer holidays bringing your tot for a morning of fun on the farm. Times: 9.30-11am. Cost: £5. Suitable for: toddlers – 5 years (baby siblings come free). Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Occombe Farm Yurt, Preston Down Road, Paignton TQ3 1RN 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk

Brixham’s Famous Fish Market Tours 7, 14, 21, 28 August & 4, 18 September

Go behind the scenes on England’s Seafood Coast to view the hustle and bustle of Brixham’s world famous Fish Market. Your tour will be followed by a delicious break ast at o kﬁsh. he market is re ret ull unsuitable for wheelchairs. Over 14 years only. Time: 6am prompt, cost: £15 includes breakfast and donation to the Fishermen’s Mission. Email: bfmt2014@gmail.com to book.

The Quay, Brixham TQ5 8AW

Cockington Fayre 7 August

The annual Cockington Fayre is a traditional old English village summer fair in the beautiful grounds of historic Cockington Court.

Cockington Court, Cockington Village, Torquay TQ2 6XA cockingtoncourt.org

Pilgrim Open Day 9, 24 August & 19 September

Pilgrim is the oldest surviving trawler built and rigged in Brixham. Go aboard on one of their Open Days, see how they did things in 1895 and explore Brixham’s uni ue ﬁshin and sailin herita e. uided tours are ree donations welcome. Times: 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.303.30pm. Afternoon session only on 19 September.

Town Pontoon, Brixham TQ5 9BP pilgrimofbrixham.co.uk

Berry Head Bat Walk 9 August & 6 September

A unique opportunity to see the rare greater horseshoe bats at Berry Head. The greater horseshoe bats live in the caves formed in the 400 million year old limestone cliffs. The tour will begin at the Artillery Store at the end of the headland, where a short talk will be given about the greater horseshoe bat before heading out onto the reserve. Cost: £5 (plus car park fee), suitable for: adults and over 13 (children must be accompanied by a paying adult), book online.

Artillery Store, Berry Head National Nature Reserve, Brixham TQ5 9AP 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk

Seabirds and Paella, Berry Head 10 August

A Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust event for keen birdwatchers; learn more about sea watching and migrating seabirds. Local expert Mike Langman will pass on some of his 40 years’ experience of watching seabirds as well as marine wildlife including the resident Harbour Porpoises. Delicious paella and a cold drink at the Guardhouse Café is included. Time: 4-8.15pm, cost: £28, suitable for adults.

Berry Head National Nature Reserve, Gillard Road, Brixham TQ5 9AP 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk

World Lion Day, Paignton Zoo 10 August

There will be special ‘roarsome’ activities at Paignton Zoo on World Lion Day, to help celebrate their pride of endangered Asiatic lions.

Totnes Road, Paignton TQ4 7EU 01803 697500 paigntonzoo.org.uk

Murder Mystery Night, Imperial Torquay 9 August The action begins over pre-dinner drinks followed by an exquisite three-course dinner then the actors will lay the clues that you need to solve a heinous crime! It is up to you to investigate and accuse a suspect. Tickets: £40 to include drinks, three-course dinner plus tea, coffee and mints.

Parkhill Road, Torquay, TQ1 2DG 01803 294301 theimperialtorquay.co.uk englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

August/September 2019 | 47

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Riviera What’s On Paignton Regatta Community Fun Week 10-18 August Paignton Regatta present their annual nine days of community fun for the whole family on Paignton Green including Beat the Tide on 11 August plus music events, cycle and running races and a fun dog show. Don’t miss the Grand Firework Display at dusk on 16 August.

ruins of the Abbey’s award winning gardens, popular blockbuster movies, some cult classics and family favourites will be screened over eight nights. Cost: £10 (see website for concessions – book online). Time: . pm doors open . 5pm ﬁlms start . rin hairs and blankets and wrap-up warm. Licensed bar and cinema snacks on sale. Park at Riviera Centre.

Paignton Green, Paignton, TQ4 6ED paigntonregatta.com

The King’s Drive, Torquay TQ2 5JE torre-abbey.org.uk

National Hunt Racing, Newton Abbot Racecourse 14, 20, 31 August & 9, 20, 30 September

River Dart Canoeing Session, Greenway 16, 22, 23, 31 August & 7 September

Enjoy jump racing at one of the country’s leading summer jumps racecourses. Discounts for booking online, children go free. See website for times and prices. 30 September is Family Day.

Newton Abbot Racecourse, Newton Road, Kingsteignton Newton Abbot TQ12 3AF 01626 353235 newtonabbotracing.com

Coastal Cleanup, Torre Abbey Sands 14 August

Explore the River Dart by canoe. This exciting taster to canoeing is perfect for all abilities - canoes and an instructor are provided. Time: 10am-1pm & 2-5pm, cost: £25. Book online.

Greenway House, Greenway, Brixham TQ5 0ES 01803 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway

Woofstock Festival, Dartmouth 16-18 August

Living Coasts are running this free cleanup event, which will give you the chance to help the environment and learn more about local species, biodiversity and the shores around us. Time: 12noon-2pm. Children must be supervised. Sign up online.

Enjoy a weekend festival of fun for all the family. With dog show displays and demonstrations including agility, police dogs, obedience. You can take part in contests such as Distraction Alley Race and shop at a wide variety of stalls. Catch live music all weekend including Los Pacaminos featuring Paul Young, La Voix, I Love Amp featuring Kat Savage & Joanna Cooke.

Torquay TQ2 5DG livingcoasts.org.uk

Old Stone Farm, Dartmouth, TQ9 7DG woofstockuk.co.uk

Families for Children Adoption Events 14 August & 23 September

Pop into a special meeting about becoming an adopter with Families for Children and how they can support you for life. Times: 3-5pm on 14 August & 5-7pm on 23 September.

Higher Mill, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0EE 01364 645487 familiesforchildren.org.uk

Newton Abbot Country Show 17 August Torre Abbey Open Air Cinema Festival 15-26 August Set under the stars amongst the stunning romantic englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

njo a un ﬁlled da o ountr un with horses tra tors over 100 stalls, crafts, a beer garden, horticultural competition and other entertainment. There will be pony rides, demonstrations and lots for children to do and see plus yummy food as well. Plenty of free parking. Time: 10am. August/September 2019 | 49

summer family fun! Occombe Farm

Cockington Country Park

Tots Go Wild! Summer Clubs

Wednesdays, 24 July - 28 August 9.30am - 11am

Summer Letterboxing Trail

£5 per child per session. Upto 5yrs. Booking essential.

Kids’ Summer Cookery School

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 25 July - 29 August, 10am - 4pm £36 per child. 7-12 yrs. Booking essential

Meet Our Animals

Mondays & Fridays, 29 July - 30 August 10am - 11am £3 per person. All ages welcome. Booking essential.

Summer Family Fun Trail

25 July - 30 August, 10am - 3pm Explore the farm on this self-led trail of discovery.

27 July - 30 August 10am - 3pm

£2 per trail sheet. All ages. Just turn up!

Cockington Green Heart Project Celebration Exhibition on now - 31 August 10am - 4pm

Free. All ages. Just turn up!

Berry Head

Bat Walks - 9 August & 6 September Seabirds & Paella - 10 August

£2.50 per trail pack. All ages. Just turn up!

made in the English Riviera Explore Agatha Christie's holiday home Greenway, delve into life at Compton Castle, seek out medieval Bradley Manor and step back to the Jazz Age at Coleton Fishacre.

A journey into the past

These are the places that make us. nationaltrust.org.uk/ or call 01803 842382 50 | August/September 2019

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Riviera What’s On Cost: adult £4.00 in advance (book online) and £5.00 on the day. Children under 17 are free.

Totnes Road, Paignton TQ4 7EU 01803 697500 paigntonzoo.org.uk

Newton Abbot Racecourse, Newton Road, Kingsteignton Newton Abbot TQ12 3AF 01626 353235 newtonabbotracing.com

Children’s Week, Paignton 20-24 August

Torbay Five Bays Challenge, Broadsands 18 August

The race starts and ﬁnishes at Broadsands Beach. The course will follow the trail uphill to Churston Village and crosses land, which made up the old Churston Estate. In Brixham it will pass the Fish Market and head back via Oxen Cove, Fishcombe Beach, Churston Cove, Elberry Cove to the ﬁnish at roadsands ea h. t’s a multi-terrain ra e o er beaches, shingle, public footpaths, short sections of tarmac roads and a long section of rocky and tree root strewn SW Coast Path. Entries close 16 August. Time: 9.30am.

Broadsands Beach, Paignton TQ4 6HL torbay10k.org.uk

Torbay Mods on the Green 18 August

As part of the week long Paignton Regatta Celebrations, Torbay Mods Scooter Club will be displaying their ’s ’s lassi and retro mod s ooters on Paignton Green.

Paignton Green, TQ4 6BW torbaymods.com

World Orang-Utan Day, Paignton Zoo 19 August ran -utans also known as people o the orest’ are amon st the world’s most endangered apes. Visit the oo on orld ran utan Day to learn more about these incredible primates and how we can help to ensure a future for this species. englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

orba hildren’s eek is the ’s lon est runnin hildren’s esti al and in ludes a amil s i-ﬁ da on 24 August. There will be a packed programme of performances, workshops and events throughout the week with the majority of events free.

childrensweek.co.uk

Trust10 Trail Run, Coleton Fishacre 25 August & 22 September

A free monthly 10k trail run along the rugged South West Coast Path and through Coleton Fishacre garden on the th unda o e er month. t’s ree un in ormal and or everyone. Time: registration 8.30am, start 9am, dogs on leads welcome. Wear trail running shoes and bring your own timing device if you want to record a time.

Coleton Fishacre, Brownstone Road, Kingswear, TQ6 0EQ 01803 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre

Brixham Battery Open Weekend 25 & 26 August

Enjoy a special open weekend at Brixham Battery with weapons displays, living history displays plus free tours o the rounds and un ﬂoors. rowse the museum and militar i ts. imes 1 am- pm ost ree e ent but donations welcome. Check website for other opening times. Dog friendly including gardens and nearby cove and woods.

Battery Gardens, Fishcombe Hill Road, Brixham TQ5 8RU brixhambattery.net

Countryside Walk with a Ranger, Greenway 30 August & 26 September

h not join one o the ational rust’s ountr side rangers for a walk through Greenway garden and out onto part o the estate n the walk ou will ﬁnd out about the work that the National Trust rangers do to care or this spe ial pla e. ime 11. -1pm ree e ent but admission applies for the venue.

Greenway House, Greenway, Brixham TQ5 0ES 01803 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway

Torbay Sea Angling Festival 6-15 September

This is the 51st annual festival and the event attracts well over 3,000 entries from anglers drawn to some of the ﬁnest ﬁshin in the ountr . hile the sheltered waters o August/September 2019 | 51

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EXPERIENCE THE OPULENCE AND SPLENDOR OF EARLY STEAMSHIP TRAVEL BUY ANTIQUE - VINTAGE MARINE COLLECTABLES & OCEAN LINER MEMORABILIA

VISIT THE SHOP & COFFEE LOUNGE

Old Foundry Court 60a Fore Street Brixham TQ5 8DZ • 01803 856361 www.brixhamsteampacket.co.uk c f brixhamsteampacketcompany

No children under 12 years of age • Dress Code: Smart Casual 52 | August/September 2019

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the Bay are the focus of the Festival the a tual ﬁshin limits e tend man miles in ea h dire tion to allow an lers to ﬁsh their a ourite marks. ots o pri es and trophies on o er.

Riviera What’s On International Agatha Christie Festival, Torquay 12-15 September elebrate the ueen o rime’s birthda with the annual esti al that draws ans rom a ross the world to isit her birthpla e and to enjo a ran e o spe ial e ents.

torbayfishingfestival.org

Torre Abbey, The Kings Drive, Torquay TQ2 5JE iacf-uk.org

Brixham Heritage Rally 7 September

Greenway 1950s Fete 14 September

t is a sail-in- ompan so ial e ent with the lassi essels sailin a ourse en ompassin the arious ra in marks lo ated in the a .

Brixham Town Dock, Brixham TQ5 9AG brixham heritageregatta.uk

Torquay & District Horticultural Society Talks 11 & 25 September

he ﬁrst talk in eptember is lants to late with ue pple ate and the se ond is had adies and unseekers with ar en er. ime . pm. Free to members.

Livermead House Hotel, Torbay Road, Torquay TQ2 6QJ ths.btck.co.uk

I Leave This Place to You, Coleton Fishacre 11 September e inspired take a spe ialist tour o the house or arden ollowed b o ktails rom the a o o ktail book and deli ious anap s ser ed on the lo ia o this rts and ra ts st le house. is o er how ou ould do somethin ama in b onsiderin a i t in our will to help look a ter the pla es ou lo e or uture enerations. ime . - pm ost ree. ot suitable or hildren. ook ia end olan at e a nationaltrust.or .uk

reenwa is elebratin the anni ersar o atha hristie’s birthda with a 1 5 s te inspired b ead an’s Foll . njo the traditional un and ames in the alled arden. Free e ent but normal admission applies or the enue. ime 11am- pm. hildren and do s on leads wel ome.

Greenway House, Greenway, Brixham TQ5 0ES 01803 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway

Coastal Cleanup, Beacon Cove 14 September

i in oasts are runnin this ree leanup e ent whi h will i e ou the han e to help the en ironment and learn more about lo al spe ies biodi ersit and the shores around us. ime 1pm- pm. hildren must be super ised. i n up online.

Torquay TQ1 2EP livingcoasts.org.uk

Last Team Standing, Babbacombe 14 September

Coleton Fishacre, Brownstone Road, Kingswear, TQ6 0EQ 01208 265217 nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre

eams o up to people an enter and are i en their own s uare o bea h. ou et one hour to build a sand ortress. ter a short break teams mount their ortresses tide omes in teams all o . ast team standin is the winner. ri es and a troph . ost 1 per team. mail in o babba ombe li railwa . o.uk to si n up.

Babbacombe Cliff Railway, Babbacombe Downs Road, Torquay TQ1 3LF 01803 328750 babbacombecliffrailway.co.uk englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

August/September 2019 | 53

EST D 1904

R EDCLIFFE H OTEL PAIGNTON

«««

Hamiltons Located on Babbacombe Downs, our relaxed café bar and elegant restaurant provides a sophisticated space to catch up with friends over coffee, or simply indulge in our great selection of food and drink. Hand-crafted with fresh local ingredients our menu includes breakfasts, light lunches, refined dinners, Sunday lunches and small plates that are perfect for sharing. With private function suites and a dedicated team, we can create unique events for small and large parties alike.

63 Babbacombe Downs Road Torquay TQ1 3LP 01803 316300 www.hamiltonsclub.com

Redcliffe Hotel

Occombe Farm Café

From light bites to a main meal, the Redcliffe Hotel offers everything you need for a perfect luncheon treat. Enjoy the superb views from our sea view terrace overlooking the beach and choose from our extensive lunch time bar menu. On Sundays a 3 course traditional sunday lunch is available in our Paris Singer Restaurant, which again enjoys panoramic sea views. The Redcliffe is also an ideal venue for all types of functions.

Family-friendly café set on an organic working farm. Famous for farmhouse breakfasts, hearty lunches, seasonal specials and Sunday roasts. Enjoy free parking, an outdoor adventure play area and why not explore the farm and walk the 2km nature trail after lunch? All profits from the café go to local charity Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust. Open daily from 9am – 4:30pm.

The Redcliffe Hotel 4 Marine Drive Paignton TQ3 2NL 01803 526397 www.redcliffehotel.co.uk

Occombe Farm Preston Down Road PaigntonTQ3 1RN 01803 520022 info@countryside-trust.org.uk

Berry Head Hotel

Fresh Fish straight from the Boats to your Plate Fine Wine Cellar and Local Ales ~ Daily Devonshire Cream Teas Brasserie and a la Carte Restaurant ~ Traditional Sunday Carvery Live Entertainment at the Weekends A stunning location for Weddings & Special Events with menus tailored to suit you Indoor Swimming & Spa Pool Non-residents and families welcome Well appointed 3 star accommodation www.berryheadhotel.com

stay@berryheadhotel.com

01803 853225 THE PERFECT VENUE FOR YOUR SPECIAL DAY Weddings ~ Birthdays ~ Christenings Private Dining

54 | August/September 2019

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Riviera What’s On Wedding Fayre, Torquay Imperial 15 September

hether it’s the per e t dress flowers suit or entertainment or our uests ou an find e er thin here or our bi da . njo a omplimentar wel ome drink and a spe ial bridal atwalk b rides o aterfields at 1 . pm and . pm. ime 11am- pm ost ree entr .

Parkhill Road, Torquay, TQ1 2DG 01803 294301 theimperialtorquay.co.uk

Christie Mystery Day, Torquay Museum 15 September

or ua useum will be elebratin atha hristie’s birthda in st le this ear when it opens its doors e lusi el or a spe ial hristie ster a pa ked with e ents or ans o the ueen o rime. ime am5. pm. i kets 5 in ludin bu et lun h .

Torquay Museum, 529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HG 01803 293975 torquaymuseum.org.uk

Torbay Triathlon 15 September

his e ent is or all a es and all abilities rom 5 . totall tra ﬁ - ree triathlon it is the per e t wa or an one to start in the sport with a pool-based swim ollowed b a elopark ride on smooth tarma and a parkland run. uitable or all ﬁtness le els and no e pensi e kit will be needed just a swimmin ostume an roadworth bike a helmet and a pair o trainers.

Clennon Valley, Penwill Way, Goodrington TQ4 5JR sportivaevents.co.uk

Heritage Open Days, Torre Abbey 21 & 22 September

Free entr and ree dail tours are on o er at orre bbe . ou an e plore our ﬂoors o spe iall urated e hibitions our permanent olle tions and intera ti e displa s. ou will also et to o outside and e plore the bbe ’s stunnin ardens omplete with histori ruins the atha hristie otent lants arden and the ama in alm ouse whi h turns 5 this ear. Free but book our spa e online. ime 1 am-5pm.

Torre Abbey, The Kings Drive, Torquay TQ2 5JE torre-abbey.org.uk

World Rhino Day 22 September

id ou know that a rhino’s horn is made rom the same substan e as our ﬁn ernails earn more un a ts and elebrate the hubb uni orns o the animal kin dom on orld hino a .

Totnes Road, Paignton TQ4 7EU 01803 697500 paigntonzoo.org.uk

WOW Ball, Torquay 28 September

njo a - ourse meal with au tion and ra ﬂe plus entertainment rom oul Funktion. i kets or or a able o ten. Funds o to help disad anta ed women a ross the world.

Riviera International Centre, Torquay TQ2 5LZ wowuk.org

Holding an event in October or November? E-mail us at editorial@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

and we’ll list it in the next issue

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

August/September 2019 | 55

56 | August/September 2019

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Out & About

CAVE CINEMA Kents Cavern in Torquay is the place to go for a whole new cinema experience this summer. Imagine actually being underground when you watch The Descent, where a group of explorers are stalked through a cave system by horrifying creatures.

he spectacular cave system that is Kents Cavern is hosting its Underground Film Festival from 24-31 August. Some of our most-beloved classic films take on a whole new meaning when shown inside these beautiful chambers that were formed over two and a half million years ago. We take a look at the programme. The season kicks off with The Descent (18) on Saturday, August 24 at 9pm. Not for the faint-hearted, British horror film The Descent follows six women on a caving expedition, which goes terrifyingly wrong. Watch this critically acclaimed thriller in the underground world of the cave cinema. Are you brave enough?

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

For an intense, wondrous and inspirational experience on Sunday 25 August at 6.30pm, I’d give The Greatest Showman (PG) a go. Settle in and watch the fabulous Hugh Jackman celebrate P.T. Barnum and the birth of show business in this mesmerizing musical that brings dreams to life. One of the scariest and most compelling movies of its time, The Blair Witch Project (15) is an American supernatural horror film about the experiences of three student filmmakers who hike in the Black Hills of Maryland. Watching this underground at Kents Cavern should add a distinct extra frisson to the proceedings. It’s on Sunday 25 August at 9pm. Back to only slightly safer ground, enjoy the classic smash hit, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (PG) on Monday 26 August at 6.30pm. You’ll soon be swept up in the action as Indiana narrowly escapes the clutches of Lao Che, a crime boss in Shanghai, only to be August/September 2019 | 57

58 | August/September 2019

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Out & About caught up in the kidnap of some village children and the loss of a sacred stone. Do you remember the super scary cavern scenes? Kalimaaaaargh!

Tremors (15) is showing on Monday 26 August at 9pm. Be prepared for the fear factor on this one as underground creatures set off on a killing spree and a deadly race for survival begins. Guaranteed to have you peering nervously into Kents Caverns’ darkest corners for signs of murderous mutants.

On Tuesday 27 August at 6.30pm, you’re back on safe ground with Mary Poppins Returns (U). In Depression-era London, a now-grown Jane and Michael Banks, along with Michael’s three children, are visited by Mary Poppins. There’s a huge cast including Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, Colin Firth,

Angela Lansbury, Julie Walters and Meryl Streep and unbelievably Dick Van Dyke himself. On 27 August at 9pm you can see Creep (18). Prepare for a psychological horror experience. Sole, late-night passenger Kate is trapped in a London underground tunnel when the train lurches to a violent stop and the train is plunged into darkness - her nightmare has just begun! Eek, now it’s scary being underground.. Bohemian Rhapsody (12A) is on 29 August at 6.30pm. An underground cavern is a superb place to enjoy a foot stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury, who defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet. As Above, So Below (15) on 29 August at 9pm leads us into this city of the dead in the catacombs below the streets of Paris and on a journey into madness and terror. Confront the personal demons that haunt us all while underground at Kents Cavern. Jurassic Park (PG) on 30 August at 6pm gives us a taste of what it might be like to be trapped in a facility when ferocious predators break free and go on the hunt. Yes it’s you they’re after. Start looking for your hiding place now! On 30 August at 9pm we enter the realms of the paranormal with The Conjuring. Based on a true-life story, a dark presence in a secluded farmhouse is a terrifying challenge to investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The Goonies is on 31 August at 6.30pm and offers a family adventure classic from start to buccaneering finish, is a cinematic treasure trove of breathtaking action, dazzling effects and shiver-me-timbers thrills! The final film shown on 31 August at 9pm is the legendary Alien (15), a science fiction horror film that follows the crew of the space tug Nostromo. They encounter a deadly and aggressive extra terrestrial set loose on the ship. Can they escape – will you? ¢  kents-cavern.co.uk

Need to Know Booking Essential Further films may be added - check website Tickets £10 Dress warmly or bring a blanket Wear sensible shoes Firestone Kitchen and cave bar open Call ahead for wheelchair access Under 16s must be with a paying adult All films start promptly englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

August/September 2019 | 59

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Reader Competition

Can you solve the mystery? Red House Mysteries is a new Escape Room attraction in Torquay. Julian Rees takes the team along to solve the mystery!

en and Mark from Red House Mysteries have invited us along to their brand new premises in Braddons Hill Road West, Torquay to solve their first mystery room. If you’re not familiar with escape rooms then here’s what you need to know: You’ll be locked in a room, or rooms, with your team-mates and you’ll need to hunt for clues, solve a series of puzzles, riddles and physical problems until you solve the mystery and escape! There’s usually a time limit so you’ll need your best detective wits about you. Tonight we’re attempting to solve The Strange Disappearance of Arthur Moon, the first of three adventures planned for the company’s Torquay location.

After a quick briefing we’re led into a rather authentic 1980s teenage bedroom. We are equipped with just a stopwatch and walkie talkie (in case we give up and want to get out!). The room is resplendent in red, white and black block wallpaper, complete with bunk beds, cassette player and even a Speak ‘n’ Spell (remember those?). It's time to hunt for clues! Now if I told you any more it would be giving the game away but let’s just say things get quite creepy and sometimes baffling but eventually we solve the conundrum and escape with a few minutes to spare. It’s super exciting and great fun for all and we’ll definitely be back to try the other rooms soon. ¢  redhousemysteries.co.uk

Win! An Escape Adventure For Six People

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Red House Mysteries Competition into the subject box) or by post to: English Riviera Magazine, 69 Davies Avenue, Paignton TQ4 7AW. Competition closes on Monday 16 September at 5pm. Winner will be the first correct answer drawn. Voucher code is valid for 12 months and playing date options are subject to availability at the time of booking. For full competition Ts & Cs please see englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

CO R M EA PE D TI ER TI O N

Enter our Reader Competition for a chance to win a voucher for 6 people to take on a Red House Mysteries Escape Room Challenge. To enter just answer the following question: Inspector Poirot always solved the mystery but which famous Torbay author was responsible for his creation? Send your answer along with your contact details by email to: editorial@englisherivieramagazine.co.uk (type

JAZZ · FOLK · CLASSICAL · OPERA · EARLY MUSIC

Summer Concerts at Dartington Concerts every day | 27 Jul – 24 Aug 2019

Dartington International Summer School and Festival

www.dartington.org/summerconcerts Box Office: +44 (0)1803 847070

Dartington Summer School & Festival

What’s On

Music lovers rejoice! Dartington Hall will once again be alive with musical events with a glorious programme of summer concerts curated by Joanna MacGregor (27 July – 24 August).

oanna MacGregor’s 2019 programme sweeps a broad range of musical collaboration from early music to folk, classical and jazz, and includes composers and music she has found profoundly influential. Her personal choices include: the New York street musician Moondog paired with Bach’s Art of Fugue, Beethoven’s magnificent Choral Fantasy, Piazzolla’s sizzling tango-études, Benjamin Britten’s Turn of the Screw with Tom Randle as Peter Quint, Saint Nicolas conducted by Steuart Bedford, John Cage’s iconic Musicircus and Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. She has also commissioned Eleanor Alberga to write a new work for large choir and piano, with a text by Alice Oswald. Collaboration is important to Joanna MacGregor and among the highlights in August 2019 are: multi-awardwinning choreographer Wayne McGregor, the conductors Stephen Barlow, Laurence Cummings and Graeme Jenkins, mixed media performance poet Caroline Bergvall, pianist and author Alfred Brendel, the Škampa Quartet and Harrison Birtwistle’s 85th birthday celebrations (one of Europe’s leading figures in contemporary music). Professor Joanna MacGregor OBE is Artistic Director of the Summer School & Festival and is a British concert pianist, conductor and composer. As well as directing the artistic programme for the festival she is Head of Piano at the Royal Academy of Music, Professor of the University of London and holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Cambridge. She was previously artistic director of the Bath International Music Festival from 2006 to 2012 and was appointed Artistic Director of the Dartington International Summer School & Festival in 2015 with 2019 being her fifth and final year. Week One of this year’s festival is inspired by Venice englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

and the wildness of the sea. Andrew Griffiths conducts A Venetian Vespers for Dartington Choir; Stile Antico directs vocal music written for female monarchs and the Queen of Heaven. Alice Oswald presents Nobody, her new long poem inspired by Homer’s Odyssey, with William Tillyer’s swirling, abstract paintings and improvisation with Joanna MacGregor. Week Two dazzles with music and politics, alongside folk music, Shakespeare and Ovid. Laurence Cummings directs the Dartington Choir in Handel’s Saul, an oratorio with witches, mad kings, battles and huge choruses. Robert Howarth and Richard Williams direct Handel’s opera Agrippina, a satire on Nero’s scheming court, starring the original Tiger Mother. Week Three is Britten-themed. Steuart Bedford rehearses Britten’s joyful cantata Saint Nicolas. Sarah Gabriel directs her new play A House on Middagh Street, where Britten lived with WH Auden, Carson McCullers and Gypsy Rose Lee. The Advanced Conducting Course opens with a programme of youthful Mozart and Britten. In Week Four, the Summer School & Festival reaches a climax with Britten’s chilling opera Turn of the Screw starring Tom Randle, The Passion of Piazzolla, and John Cage’s joyfully anarchic Musicircus. The week explodes with Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. Stephen Barlow conducts the Dartington Choir in Beethoven’s Choral Symphony, Tippett’s Five Spirituals from A Child of Our Time, and new work by Eleanor Alberga. Harrison Birtwistle celebrates his 85th birthday. ¢  For the full programme visit: dartington.org/summerconcerts August/September 2019 | 63

ArtsRoundUp

We bring you a roundup of arts events and workshops happening locally.

Latest from Torquay’s Artizan Gallery

Searc: Works of Rowan Day

Devon Open Studios

6-17 August Tuesday-Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 10am-6pm

6-22 September Tuesday-Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 10am-6pm

With Searc, the Irish word for true love, Rowan Day explores themes of love and loneliness through allegorical renderings of the sky and the polarities of light and darkness.

Artizan Collective CIC is pleased to be bringing the 2019 launch of this incredible Devonwide event to Unit 5, Fleet Walk, Torquay. The launch venue will also play host to a mixed taster show allowing visitors to see several artists’ work at a glance and then choose which studios they wish to visit. Meanwhile Artizan Gallery on Lucius Street will be welcoming eight Torbay based artists with a contemporary display of both 2D and 3D work, featuring: Chantal Ashwell, Rose Elliott, Claire Meharg, Janet Ventre, Sandra Lissenden, Roger Lissenden. Gesche Buecker and David Jones.

The Changing Colours of Dartmoor 20-31 August Tuesday-Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 10am-6pm Simon Fowler presents recent works of Dartmoor and South West landscapes produced in his traditional and highly accomplished style.

Artist Private Views Unit 5 Fleet Walk 5 September 6 – 8 PM Artizan Gallery 12 September 6 – 8 PM Pop in and enjoy these exhibition preview evenings with a complimentary glass of wine and exclusive preview evening commission reductions, should you be in the mood to buy.

Stanza Extravaganza 23 September & 28 October Doors open 7pm for a 7.30pm start Monthly poetry at Artizan Gallery welcoming a wealth of local talent and national headliners, Stanza Extravaganza is one of the highlights of the Torbay poetry calendar. With regular hosts Robert Garnham and Becky Nuttall at the

64 | August/September 2019

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Arts helm, these events are always guaranteed to be a night of wonderful whimsy!

All at: 7 Lucius Street, Torquay, TQ2 5NZ 01803 428626/07522 509642 juliebrandon@artizangallery.co.uk artizan gallery.co.uk f artizangallery Also check out art-hub.co.uk

Other Great Arts Events

Brixham Art Society Exhibition 17-24 August A wonderful range of original paintings by local artists will be display and are available for sale. Time: 10am-6pm daily except last day, which closes at 4pm. Free entry.

10am-5pm daily except Mondays. Free entry.

Spanish Barn, Torre Abbey, The Kings, Drive, Torquay TQ2 5 JE torre-abbey.org.uk

Mixed Media Art Workshops Wednesdays commencing 11 September You will be encouraged to try different media and approa hes ﬁnd our own st le and dis o er the media that suits you best. Times: 10am-2pm & 2-4pm, cost: £5 per hour. Pre-book by phone or pop into the Nicky Stevenson Gallery on Brixham’s Middle Street. Suitable for all levels.

Chestnut Community Centre, 3 Poplar Close, Brixham TQ5 0SA 07985 282107 nickystevensongallery.com

Scala Hall, Market Street, Brixham TQ5 8EU brixhamartsociety.co.uk

Torbay Guild of Artists, Torre Abbey 17 August - 1 September Enjoy this Summer Festival of Art featuring original paintings, ceramics, metal work, mosaic and other mediums. Time:

Fowle r

Devon Open Studios 2019

Simon

Rowa n Da

2019 SUMMER EXHIBITIONS

Searc | Works of Rowan Day 6th - 17th August // art-hub.co.uk/aug19 | Artist Preview: 10th August / 18:00-20:00 The Changing Colours of Dartmoor | Works of Simon Fowler 20th - 31st August // art-hub.co.uk/sf19 | Artist Preview: 23rd August / 18:00-20:00 Devon Open Studios 2019 | Works of Sarah Vaci 6th - 22nd September // art-hub.co.uk/dos19 | Artist Preview: 5th September / 18:00-20:00

Welcome to Art on the English Riviera 7 Lucius Street, Torquay, TQ2 5UW 01803 428626 | artizangallery.co.uk

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

August/September 2019 | 65

Treading the boards... the editor’s pick of local theatre

Babbacombe Theatre

Egyptian evening can change quickly when the air is thick with hot passions and cold malice.

Box Office 01803 328385 Editor’s pick I ♥ MUSIC On until 3 October (Thursdays)

Also worth seeing… The Vicar of Dibley - 5-17 August 3 One Act Plays - 19 August

Enjoy a new, fun-filled show with music from across the musical spectrum including: Queen, Take That, George Michael, Paloma Faith and John Legend. There will be songs from favourite movie sound tracks like Skyfall and Mamma Mia and from musicals: Les Misérables and Billy Elliot.

Also worth seeing… Starburst - Tuesdays & Wednesdays till 23 October The Tina Turner Experience - 16 August

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Box Office 01803 665800 Editor’s pick JANE AUSTEN’S PERSUASION 7 August

Box Office 0844 8713023 Editor’s pick CATS 18-21 September

Winner of seven Tony Awards this show guarantees stunning choreography and beautiful songs such as Jellical Cats, Mr Mistoffelees and the show-stopping Memory. Presented by TOPS Musical Productions.

Also worth seeing… The Mousetrap - 9-14 September Sir Ranulph Fiennes: Living Dangerously - 5 September

Following performances at the Jane Austen Festival in Bath and a sell out in Paignton in 2018, Chamber Opera Tours brings you Jane Austen’s Persuasion. This musical drama features music from Jane Austen’s manuscripts and the era, fully staged with chamber orchestra, beautiful Regency costumes, projected scenery, and worldchampion Irish dancers!

Also worth seeing… Dick Whittington Sumer Panto - Thursdays from 8-29 August Agatha Christie’s Crooked House - 13 September

Princess Theatre, Torquay

Brixham Theatre

Box Office 01803 415987 Editor’s pick STRICTLY SHERLOCK 6 September The greatest fictional sleuth of all time, Sherlock springs back to life in these stirring adaptations of the Conan Doyle classics. A high-energy one-man show, featuring a plethora of dashing heroes, villainous rogues and vintage thrills.

Also worth seeing… Sounds Like The Seekers - 20 September

Little Theatre, Torquay

Flavel Arts Centre, Dartmouth

A cruise down the Nile on a river paddle steamer sounds like the perfect way to get away from it all. But the tranquil warm darkness of an

Featuring a Tony Award-winning performance from host of the The Late Late Show, James Corden, the hilarious West End and Broadway hit One Man, Two Guvnors returns to cinemas to mark National Theatre Live’s 10th birthday.

Box Office 01803 299330 Editor’s pick MURDER ON THE NILE 9-21 September

66 | August/September 2019

Box Office 01803 839530 Editor’s pick NTLIVE – ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS 26 September

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Theatre

Open Air Theatre! Wrap up warm for these performances!

Greenway

GANGSTA GRANNY 23 August 01803 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway Heartbreak Productions invites you to share in this exciting escapade, a David Walliams’ bestseller adapted for the outdoor stage. They promise an evening of fun and interaction delivered in the inimitable Heartbreak style.

Coleton Fishacre

PRIVATE LIVES 10 August 01803 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre Enjoy an outdoor adaptation of Noel Coward’s celebrated comedy, Private Lives. Heartbreak Productions promises to deliver an evening of sparkling entertainment, nostalgic music, and delicious one-liners.

Y OU

The

George Michael story

- back by popular demand

Saturday 10th August 7.30pm Tickets £22

FRIDAY 16th AUGUST 7.30pm

Tickets £20/£18/£16

FRIDAY 23rd AUGUST 7.30pm Tickets: £21/£20

“The Best Tribute I’ve ever seen” Jon Bon-Jovi A CELEBRATION OF THE MUSIC AND SONG OF IRELAND

Cockington Court

ALI BABA & THE FORTY THIEVES 4 August 01803 607230 cockingtoncourt.org Young Ali Baba stumbles across an enchanted cave when he overhears the magic words that open it: “Open Sesame!” Inside the cave, he finds untold amounts of gold and jewels, and takes some of it home to show his wife. But what will he do when she chides him for stealing? Presented by Illyria.

CLASSICAL CROSSOVER ★★★★★

SATURDAY 24th AUGUST 7.30pm

7.30pm TICKETS : £24.50/£22.50

Friday 20th September 7.30pm

Also worth seeing… The Tempest - 22 August Frankenstein - 1 September

Torre Abbey

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS 4 August 01803 293593 torre-abbey.org.uk Folky Theatre presents Shakespeare’s classic tale of mistaken identities.

Also worth seeing… Mister Magnolia - 25 August

SATURDAY 31st AUGUST

Tickets: £20/£18

GENESIS TRIBUTE BAND Celebrating 50 Years Since Its 1st Release

Friday 13th September 7.30pm

Tickets £16/£15

Tickets £24.50/£22.50

Gilbert O’Sullivan in concert

Just Gilbert

Friday 18th October 7.30pm Tickets: £27.50

£2 booking Bookingfee Fee PerCREDIT Ticket Online - NO CARD CHARGES APPLIED

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Box Ofﬁce (01803) 328385

August/September 2019 | 67

Making Memories... Established in 2009, Torbay Holiday Helpers Network gives families dealing with serious illness and bereavement, memory making holidays in Torbay and South Devon. Julian Rees finds out more.

Bay. Often parents en years ago THHN was formed after its founder have had to leave Luke Tillen, a Torquay hotelier, watched a Channel their jobs in order 4 documentary which featured a small charity based to care for their in Blackpool called Donna’s Dream House. It offered children full time free holidays to families with seriously ill children. The and money can be charity was set up by Len and Barbara Curtis who lost very short. Up until their young daughter Donna to cancer. During her this point the charity battle with the disease she met a lot of other children Toby the Teddy had relied solely living with life-limiting illness and was amazed by their on the generosity courage. It was Donna’s wish that her legacy would help of accommodation children in this position live as happily as they could in providers and other local businesses supplying free entry the time they had left. Her parents now live to fulfil her to attractions as well as food and meals but now it realised wish through the charity. that families may also need direct financial support in Luke reflected on how lucky he was to have a healthy order to accept the holidays on offer. A decision was child and also a hotel which sometimes had empty rooms taken to provide travel grants and this meant that a he could offer to a family in a similar situation. He contacted the Childhood Cancer Parents Alliance (CCPA) fundraising programme would be needed. Annual events were now set up including to offer a holiday. They were delighted and found a Luke reflected on how lucky he was the annual City to Sea Marathon, which is now in family who could benefit. to have a healthy child and also a it’s fifth year. The challenge Being in touch hotel which sometimes had empty can be run or walked and with a wide group of rooms which he could offer... the course is from Exeter accommodation providers to Babbacombe Downs via Luke reached out to see Dawlish and Shaldon. There is also an Ultra course that if other businesses would like to offer accommodation sees runner completing 35 miles. The Festival of Fun held when bookings allowed. He also approached attractions on Babbacombe Downs each year is the charity’s second to see if they would donate tickets for families who came big event. on holiday. After weeks of emailing and telephoning The success of these fundraising initiatives has Luke was inundated with offers from generous locals and allowed the charity to provide its travel grants and also Torbay Holiday Helpers Network was born. to purchase a holiday lodge at the Devon Hills Holiday The charity supports families who have children with Park in Paignton, which is currently being adapted for serious illnesses, bereaved families who have children and profoundly disabled children. They also own a mobile families with children who have a terminally ill parent. home at Finlake Holiday Resort in Chudleigh, which They are drawn from across the UK including local was donated by Miss World and Miss England from families. their charity Beauty with a Purpose in 2013. Together, As the numbers of visitors grew, the charity soon the two properties can offer families holidays all year realised that not every family could afford to travel to the

“

68 | August/September 2019

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Charities and Volunteering round and are invaluable in the high season when many accommodation providers cannot donate free spaces. Since 2009 over 800 families have benefited from time away from the stress of living with life changing or life limiting illness or bereavement. It’s not only accommodation providers and attractions that support the charity but also a very wide range of services such as cafés, restaurants, hairdressers, beauticians, in fact anyone who can put a smile on the face of children and family members living through such difficult experiences. The charity is also supported by Project Linus UK that provides a handmade quilt or knitted blanket to every child on holiday. The charity is now run solely by volunteers. A core team of nine individuals forming the steering group, supported by a wider team who provide assistance at events. When each family arrives for their holiday they receive a Holiday Pack with vouchers and information about everything they can do along with Toby the THHN Teddy and a holiday memories book to make a lasting record of their time in the Bay. There are over 45 referring agencies throughout the UK who send families on the charity’s holidays, which are mainly in Torbay. There are similar charities that provide holidays for families in difficulties but THHN is different as it relies on the support and generosity of such a wide network of people and businesses across the English Riviera and further afield. This goes to show what Charity mascot ‘Memory Maker Man’

a special, generous and giving community we all live in. In the words of holiday recipients the Mitchell family, “When we were given the holiday by THHN we were in a whole world of pain; we never knew we needed this holiday as much as we did. We laughed, we loved and we filled up the bank of good times. Making good memories during hard times can make the difference between falling apart and marching on. As a parent you always march on but when complete strangers have your back it provides you with a little more strength.” ¢ thhn.co.uk Thanks to Holiday Liaison Officer Angela Bunce for telling us the THHN story.

Get involved...

Fundraisers - If you’re interested in raising funds for THHN Travel Grants either by participating in a large event, running your own event or simply making a donation then get in touch using the telephone number or fundraising email below. Businesses - If you are an accommodation provider or are interested in donating products or services then get in touch by phone or by using the general enquiries email below. Referring Organisations - All holiday applications must be made by a registered healthcare charity support worker, social worker or NHS medical professional such as a GP or consultant. Torbay Holiday Helpers Network c/o The Snug Daphne Close Torquay TQ1 1TP Devon Tel: 01803 900101 General Enquiries Email: enquiries@thhn.co.uk Fundraising Enquiries Email: fundraising@thhn.co.uk

Saturday 7 September 10am-4pm visit the team at this fun event with live music and entertainment for all the family. Food and drink, craft stalls, primary schools tug-o-war, giant inflatables and watch the marathon runners cross the finish line! englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

August/September 2019 | 69

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Gardens

Enjoy!

Paignton Zoo’s Botanical Gardens Summer is the time of year for a trip to Paignton Zoo to see the botanical gardens at their finest. Senior Gardener Dave Lewis tells us more.

he planting at Paignton Zoo acts as a delightful backdrop to the exotic animals, but the zoo is filled with exotic plants too. Summer is very much a season when they come into their own. So ignore the animals for once and concentrate on the garden experience. You’ll be greeted at the zoo entrance by lush foliage of palms (Chamerops humilis and Phoenix canariensis), Phormiums and tree ferns (Dicksonia antartica). This year the Paignton Zoo gardens team has planted around these with annuals like castor oil plant (Ricinus communis) and painted nettles (Coleus sp.) to add some splashes of colour to the display. As you cross over the train track on the raised walkway, you can get a great view of the large white flowers of the bull bay (Magnolia grandiflora), one of the evergreen magnolias that has glossy, dark green leaves. Further along towards the restaurant you can stand and admire the roses with ‘Summer Song’, ‘Lady of Shallot’ and ‘Munstead Wood’ looking wonderful. These are mixed with Brunnera macrophylla, Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Firetail’, Eupatorium purpureum subsp.maculatum ‘Atropurpureum’ and the tall flowers of Echium pininana. As you wave to the train, you can take a moment to enjoy the carpets of flowers next to the track. There are lots of colourful ground-covering plants like Thymus serpyllum ‘Russettings’, Sisyrinchium bellum ‘Californian Skies’ and Phuopsis stylosa with a backdrop of grasses like Pennisetum orientale ‘Karley Rose’ and Panicum virgatum ‘Dallas Blues’. The giant rhubarb (Gunnera manicata) provides a great point of interest and can’t fail to impress – just look at the size of those leaves! Paignton Zoo gardeners have been busy over the winter propagating hundreds of tender perennials and annuals, which were planted all over the gardens in the

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Dave Lewis

Senior Gardener

Crocosmia Phuopsis stylosa

Gunnera manicata Giant Rhubarb

August/September 2019 | 71

Harbour Rise - Care Home and Day Care Centre

We’re very proud to care - Our devoted staﬀ provide a level of care for your loved ones that has been recognised by the Care Quality Commission as Outstanding in June 2019. Harbour Rise is a beautiful Care Home overlooking the bay in one of Torbay’s prime locations. Read our testimonials at

www.harbourrise.co.uk

To enquire about our Care Services and Day Care Centre call 01803 551834 or email enquiries@harbourrise.co.uk Alternatively visit us at 2 Alta Vista Road, Paignton TQ4 6BZ

Looking for a venue with breathtaking views, period charm and a dedicated events team? The Paignton Club, established in 1885. It’s perfectly placed to capture panoramic views across the bay and is open six days every week for wining, dining and relaxing.

An ideal venue for weddings, celebrations, parties and wakes.

ThePaigntonClub

www.thepaigntonclub.co.uk

Call 01803 559682 for further information or email info@thepaigntonclub.co.uk

1 The Esplanade Paignton TQ4 6ED Membership applications are always welcome - see website for details

72 | August/September 2019

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Gardens spring. Each year they propagate a lot of salvias, cannas, impatiens and cyperus to complement the hardier plants and give a nice tropical feel to the gardens. If you take a walk along Parrot Flights you can see a lot of these tender perennials planted out amongst tender shrubs like Leonotis leonorus, Musa basjoo, Pseudopanax arboreus and Erythrina crista-galli. Mixed in with these are hardier plants that add to the tropical look such as Dianella tasmanica, Fatsia japonica and Rodgersia aesculifolia. There are also a lot of interesting and unusual plants to see as you walk uphill past the baboons and the giant tortoises. Underneath the Japanese maple at the top of the slope, keep a special eye out for one of the zoo’s giant lilies (Cardiocrinum giganteum); the flower spike can reach up to up to 3.5 metres. In front of the new Meerkat House you can spot the weird flowers of Beschornaria yuccoides, which are nearly two metres long and bright pink. Nearby there is a big loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) that provides welcome shade in the summer and is usually covered in the little orange fruits. A new border has been planted up behind the zoo restaurant this year; this should be bursting with colour by the end of the summer. It’s full of herbaceous perennials that should provide an increasingly impressive display every year. Plants like Stachys officinalis ‘Hummelo’, Salvia x superba ‘Blue Queen’ and Agastache aurantiaca ‘Sunset Yellow’ will echo the colour scheme of the existing border on the other side of the path. One aspect of the zoo’s plant collection that is often overlooked in the summer (with the flowers and tropical foliage stealing all the attention) is the superb tree collection. There are many native and non-native trees around the gardens that provide shade on a hot day (or shelter from the rain) for the visitors but also crucially for the animals. There is a lovely quiet, shady part of the garden by the cassowaries where you can sit and take in the lovely colour of the paperbark maple (Acer griseum), great wood rush (Luzula sylvatica), willow leaved podocarp (Podocarpus salignus) and the big tropical leaves of the rice paper plant (Tetrapanax papyrifer ‘Rex’). Trees also make great sound proofing, which means you can find a quiet spot to watch the animals even on a busy day. The big lawn near the Crocodile Swamp building is a great place for a nice quiet picnic, and some of the nicest trees in the garden are here. You can sit under the shade of the large red oak (Quercus rubra) or admire the colour of the crimson king maple (Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’). You can stroll around as you please, or follow one of the suggested walking routes on the zoo’s brand-new Wellbeing Map. Download a copy from the website. ¢  paigntonzoo.org.uk englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Beschornaria yuccoide

Sisyrinchium bellum Californian Skies

Echium pininana and roses

Annual Pass Why not treat yourself to an annual pass so that you can pop in regularly and enjoy the botanical gardens as well as the animal life at Paignton Zoo? It gives you entry for 12 months and not only gets you into Paignton Zoo but also Living Coasts and Newquay Zoo as well.

August/September 2019 | 73

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Out & About

Penny’s Penny the Springer Spaniel gives us her hints and tips on the art of securing doggie treats in Torquay. With thanks to owner Madeleine Strongman.

sometimes wish I could sue my owner for trade descriptions! The promised walk in the park or to the beach has recently been turning into the inevitable shopping trip. I’m a dog. I like to do doggy things. Parks, beaches, fields, definitely NOT shopping! I have, however, discovered that certain shops, on this hitherto boring trip, have the advantage of secret dog treats. They tend to be charity shops but given my owner is always in for a bargain or two (that’s human speak for ‘cheapskate’ by the way) my boring, so called ‘dog walk’ has taken an unusual upturn. Treat 1. The Rowcroft shop, in Wellswood Now I always find it quite amusing that they hide the treat jar behind the counter so that we don’t know it’s there. We are dogs. We have noses. If we can sniff out drugs, bodies, fruit and other contraband on a professional basis then a little treat jar is hardly a challenge. Sometimes the assistants’ legs do have a habit of getting in the way of this most precious container, but I’ve found a little bit of strategically placed dog slobber on the back of their legs soon gets them out of he way, giving me a clear run at the jar. PERFECT! Treat 2. Sue Ryder The only problem I have encountered on my tasty trip around Torquay is that paws are useless at undoing those most sacred containers. This is where I am forced to through the usual pantomime – Siiiiit! Paaaaw! What a good girl, pat, pat, pat. Oh for pity’s sake lady, just place the treat in the mouth and stand back. Oh two! Don’t mind if I do. Worth the sit/paw nonsense after all. Now it’s no good being shy about this treat retrieval englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Torquay Dog Treat Guide

business. Just walk in with confidence and determination (that’s dog speak for pull relentlessly on your lead) and get straight behind that counter. Customers can be very inconvenient but again the dog slobber works wonders. Treat 3. Scope Occasionally you come across a non doggy person working behind the counter, and they refuse to hand over the loot. This crime was actually committed recently and I’ve been under the dog whisperer ever since. However, on the next visit, another lady, on hearing what had occurred, was equally traumatised and as a result I was given six treats. Yes that’s six. So if you are reading this (non dog lover from Scope) You may have won the battle that day, but I won the war! By now any human would think I might be full, but as we all know my fellow canines, all dogs are always only seconds from starvation. So no, I was still in the market for more. Now, if you are clever you will visit at assistant changeover time. This is canine heaven, as the incoming assistant has absolutely NO idea that a treat has already been administered. So naturally another is offered. Priceless! I’m not sure what any of the treats taste like of course. Like most dogs I just swallow them. Chewing is for wimps! And poodles! Now back home through the park. Hopefully Larry the wolf hound will be out strutting his stuff and I need to get there before Muriel the pampered poodle gets her silly manicured claws into him. Bye for now! ¢

Woof! Woof! August/September 2019 | 75

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TOGS Annual Dinner

Social Diary

The alumni societies of the Boys’ and Girls’ Grammar Schools held their annual reunion dinner at Torquay’s Imperial Hotel. The gathering was addressed by former pupil Professor Keith Dobney, Head of Deptartment and Chair of Human Palaeoecology, Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology at the University of Liverpool.

p Callum Picken, Peter Lawrence (Headmaster) and Lindsay Kings

p Mark Whitehall, Shane Clark, Professor Keith Dobney and Alan Wills t James Bartlett, Penny Wood, Chloe Stevens, David Stevens and James Roberts

p Rosemary & David Ferguson and Graham Bradshaw t Joan Robertson-Kellie,

Don Roberts and Alex Robertson-Kellie

u Brian Wills, Roger Selleck and Jim Parker u Gill Bennett, Mark Whitehall, Nigel & Anna Cameron

p Lorraine Roberts, Andrew Medhurst, Felicity Peachey and Julia Ellis englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

August/September 2019 | 77

We believe that homeowners and guests are best served by a truly local team and the values that come from being a family-owned business.

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Walks • Local Food • Heritage

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& New Rowcroft CEO

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78 | August/September 2019

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Summer Networking on the Golden Hind Brixham Chamber of Commerce held their Summer Networking Evening in brilliant sunshine aboard the iconic Golden Hind Museum Ship in Brixhamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inner harbour.

Social Diary

Matt Crabtree (Chair Brixham Chamber of Commerce), Carolyn Custerson (Chief Executive ER BID Company) and John Moriarty

Jill and Bob Higginson (The Brixham Steam Packet Co)

p Lynne Peets, Janet Bolland, Elaine Cavicchia (all Colours of Brixham).

t Sean Twomey (Owner Golden Hind), Hannah Dare, Liz Saxby (Fishermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Loft) and Eleonore Roussel

Mike Franchi (IMS Marketing) and Alex Foley (Guardhouse Cafe)

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Dennis Burke (West Country Hygiene), and Debbie Miller

August/September 2019 | 79

New offices now open in PAIGNTON & BRIXHAM

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80 | August/September 2019

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BusinessBreaks... BusinessBreaks... New Torquay Office Richardsons Legal Services, which specialises in protecting assets such as the family home and cash savings for the over 60s, is opening a new Torquay office in Abbey Road on 1 August. RLS has been established since 2007 and has its head office in Plymouth with branch offices in Exeter, Exmouth and Bristol, and shortly in Taunton. David Richardson said, “We have many satisfied clients and numerous good client testimonials which praise the friendliness and professionalism of all our staff, and the way they are relaxed and explain things in plain English.” Clients generally attend a free consultation with a fully qualified practitioner first to find out what help RLS can offer them. They are generally in their 60s 70s, 80s or even 90s and worried that their children might not inherit their home when the day comes. David explains, “RLS are usually able to offer a solution by putting their home into trust, and can offer packages comprising of a Trust, an up to date Will, Lasting Power of Attorney and even a Funeral Plan.” David’s CoDirector Monica Monica Salvioni Reeder Salvioni David will be running the Reeder Richardson Torquay office. ¢

It’s Outstanding! Care homes are often in the news, sometimes not for good reasons. So it is very exciting when a care home here on the English Riviera receives the top accreditation from a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection held recently. Harbour Rise Care Home located in Alta Vista Road, Paignton, received the top category of ‘outstanding’ making it one of just around 3% of the 15,586 care

homes in England to have achieved this standard. Director Mark Edwards says, “The CQC’s report refers to the notion of family as being embedded in our culture, which is something we are really proud of. We are one of the few care homes that do not employ agency staff.” Fellow Director, Cécile Edwards adds, “This accreditation is testament to our wonderful staff. We are constantly learning and continue to invest in training and improving the quality of our residents’ experience here.” ¢  harbourrise.co.uk

Networking Directory Get involved with Torbay business!

Torbay Business Forum First Tuesday of every month 7.30am RICC Chestnut Avenue, Torquay TQ2 5LZ Contact: Angela George 07717 316641 info@torbaybusinessforum.org.uk torbaybusinessforum.org.uk @TorbayBusiness Paignton Chamber of Commerce Second Thursday of every month. (check Facebook page for venue) Contact: Dean Kelly 07399 611643 c paigntondistrictchamberofcommerce Torbay Business Network Last Friday of every month 7.30am Pierpoint Restaurant Torbay Road, Torquay, TQ2 5HA Contact: Anthony Blackaby 01803 299935 events@torbaybusinessnetwork.co.uk @TorbayBizNet Brixham Chamber of Commerce Every 2 months Berry Head Hotel Berry Head Road, Brixham, TQ5 9AJ Contact: chair@brixhamchamber.co.uk @lovebrixham

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August/September 2019 | 81

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