9 minute read
Vigilance Saved
VIGILANCE
Saved for Brixham
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Brixham would not be the world famous shing port it is today without boats like historic Vigilance. Now a £820K grant has saved this wonderful vessel from disaster.
Vigilance BM76, the classic Brixham sailing trawler, has been awarded an £820k grant from the Cultural Vigilance is a ga -rigged ketch, 76 feet overall and weights 100 tons. Her main mast is 82 feet tall and her full suit of Assets Fund, which is administered by the National Heritage Memorial Fund. e National Heritage Memorial Fund is administering the funding as part of its UK-wide COVID-19 Response Fund, to safeguard nationally important heritage at risk due to the pandemic. e grant will nance vital ‘below the waterline’ repairs.
Nigel Gooding, Finance Director of the charity, which owns and operates Vigilance says, “ is grant is a life saver, it’s a real turning point. It will now allow us to plan for the immediate future and means Vigilance’s red sails will be seen in Tor Bay for years to come.”
Brixham sailing trawlers were built as disposable boats, being worked almost to destruction and with an expected life of only 12 to 15 years. It is a testimony to the amazing e orts of the many Vigilance’s Heather Keeling and Nigel Gooding volunteers over the years that with ITV’s Bob Cruwys reporting the good news she’s survived 96 years and will now celebrate her centenary in 2026 in ne style.
Vigilance was built in 1926, the last of the big trawlers built at the famous Upham’s Shipyard in Brixham and she marked the end of an era. She is now owned and operated by Friends of Vigilance, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and run entirely by local volunteers. e precise number of these classic boats built is unknown but thought to be around 400. ere are just a few left, so it is important to preserve these historic vessels. sails will drive her along at 12 knots (14 mph). Vigilance will go into dry dock in Plymouth in September and the work is expected to last around 20 months. e initial task is massive and involves the replacement of the hull and supporting beams. is grant covers just Phase One of the repairs. Further funds are needed to complete the repairs and when Vigilance leaves the shipyard she will be as good as new. Nigel Gooding warns, “Our ght to keep Vigilance in Brixham has received a major boost but big obstacles and more fund raising lie ahead. I see this as a reward for our hard work but we cannot a ord to rest on our laurels.” Once the repairs are complete Vigilance will once again take locals and visitors for trips around Tor Bay, along the English Riviera coast and beyond from her berth on the Heritage Pontoon in Brixham Harbour. Vigilance’s original crew would de nitely envy the people who enjoy her present-day accommodation. Although the ketch now only carries 9 passengers, there are 12 passenger berths in two forward cabins, leaving the saloon completely free for dining and social use. Day trips and whole boatcrewed charters to a destination of your choice are available to book. vigilanceofbrixham.co.uk
England’s Seafood FEAST
30 September - 9 October
Brixham is renowned for its spectacular seafood, fresh from local waters, continuing a lively shing tradition that dates right back to the 14th century.
England’s Seafood FEAST is an exciting collection of events right across Brixham, Paignton and Torquay events right across Brixham, Paignton and Torquay o ering seafood delights from 30 September – 9 October. o ering seafood delights from 30 September – 9 October. is year you’ll be able to enjoy seafood in many ways from ne dining to street food, seafood celebration suppers, guest chef events and a range of di erent activities including Behind-the-Scenes Tours of the worldfamous Brixham Fish Market.
At the Guardhouse Café on Brixham’s spectacular Berry Head National Nature Reserve set high atop 200ft cli s with its stunning sea views and Napoleonic forts, daily seafood specials will be on o er. From the headland you’ll be able to see shing boats returning to Brixham Harbour with their delicious catch. ere’s also the Seabirds and Seafood Feast on 4 October. is includes a guided walk by bird expert Mike Langman plus a cooked seafood breakfast ordered on the day from England’s Seafood Feast special menu and a drink at the Guardhouse café.
At Torquay’s superb Brasserie at the Bay there will be a tantalising Seafood Tasting Menu created by awardwinning Head Chef Callum Tasker.
WeSup by the harbour in Torquay is o ering Small Sea Plates, a street food-inspired foodie experience. Sea Plates, a street food-inspired foodie experience. Scrumptious choices will include: ashed mackerel, Scrumptious choices will include: ashed mackerel, chorizo, ginger, spring onion, lemon; Baked Brixham scallops; N’duja & blush tomato butter and paprika, chilli lemon & parsley butter and crispy salt & pepper sea bass bao buns, crunchy slaw, sriracha, coriander and lots more. e fabulous family-owned No.7 Fish Bistro, overlooking Torquay harbourside, will be o ering an amazing selection of perfectly prepared and cooked fresh sh and shell sh.
Family-run Cantina Kitchen & Bar in Paignton, close to beautiful Goodrington Beach will be serving daily seafood specials, marked up on their blackboards. It’s a great spot and family and dog friendly. ere will be an informal sea swim and talk at Cantina on 8 October. Sophie Pierce and Matt Newbury, the authors of the Wild Swimming Walks series of books will chat about their adventures. Tickets include a delicious bowl of chowder. Matt and Sophie will also be signing books following the talk.
Early morning tours of Brixham Fish Market will be on o er on selected dates. You’ll see the operational side of the daily sh auction, meet shing folk and view up to 40 di erent species of sh. e morning ends with a delicious sh breakfast at Mitch Tonks’ Rock sh restaurant, above the market with great views of the shing boats. For the full selection of fabulous seafood-themed events check the website. englishriviera.co.uk
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e beautiful riverside town of Dartmouth will be abuzz with foodies sampling the delights of this vibrant food festival from 21-23 October.
Dartmouth Food Festival will once again see a plethora of marquees and stalls groaning with food & drink and a big in ux of visitors keen to sample the region’s very best produce. e fun will extend all over Dartmouth from the South Embankment and the Boat Float area, through the heart of the Royal Avenue Gardens and along to the Old Market. You’ll nd a wide array of scrumptious wares, celebrity chef demos, tasting shacks and other fun activities.
With a huge variety of producers, largely from Devon - the festival o ers the chance to browse and buy direct from the growers, makers, bakers and brewers. Stands selling breads, cheeses, meats, drinks, wines, beers, chocolate, apjack, cake, chutneys, oils and even special ice cream for your doggy friends will be available from 10am each day.
Exciting stands will include favourites like: Cornish Cheese Co, Norsworthy Dairy Goats Cheese, Riverford Farm, Pipers Farm, Stanbury Wild Game, West Country Dim Sum, Olives n Stu , Glastonbury Cheese, Langleys Rocky Road, Kernow Forno Pizza, Gourmet Street Kitchen, Food of the Gods Chocolate, Flo & Frankie’s Chocolate, Cornish Meadow Preserves, Churtopia Churros, Ventons Cider, Bays Brewery, Sharpham Wine,
From the top: Ash Hamilton Romy Gill MBE Matt Tebbutt Mark Hix Tors Vodka and Salcombe Gin.
On the Chef Demo Stage you’ll see Romy Gill from Ready Steady Cook, Holly Jones of Manna from Devon Cookery School, Mitch Tonks, of Rock sh and e Seahorse, Mark Hix of e Oyster & Fish House, Nick Evans from Rick Stein’s Cookery School, Mark Tebbutt of Saturday Morning Kitchen and many more.
Astonishingly, this is primarily a free festival with everyone invited to come along and take part. ere are just a few bookable events with an entry fee and these include a series of wine seminars, special tasting events and cookery workshops.
Family fun is not forgotten and ursday 20 October sees a Children’s Tea Party hosted by Flavel Church where local producers will be providing tantalising tasters for youngsters. From Friday through to Sunday Café Al Fresco and Coast & Country Cottages will be hosting the Festival’s Family Area in Royal Avenue Gardens. ere’ll be lots of fun including face painting, biscuit decorating plus arts & crafts for children of all ages.
If you want to try some delicious recipes at home, the website has a selection of wonderful dishes to try, contributed by the Festival’s Chefs and Local Food Heroes. dartmouthfoodfestival.com
