English Riviera Magazine December 16/January 17

Walks Local Food Heritage Nature People Events Arts

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EnglishRiviera

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magazine

December 2016/January 2017

Celebrate the Season

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Fun Festivities!

ENJOY!

Festive Food & Drink

Loving Living Coasts

CLARE RUGG Spotlight on

Brixham’s Middle Street

OCCOMBE Woodland Walk William Scoresby on compasses and maps

Cathy Hilton

COCKINGTON ARTISAN

Christmas at

Torre Abbey

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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 facebook.com/englishrivieramagazine twitter.com/EngRivieraMag ISSN (Print) 2052-8515 ISSN (Online) 2052-8523 Proudly printed in Devon at Polestar Wheatons, Exeter

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Enjoy Christmas and New Year and stay local!

Next issue 27 January ENGLISH RIVIERA MAGAZINE 69 DAVIES AVENUE PAIGNTON DEVON TQ4 7AW

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to our December-January issue! This is the season for festive fun and we bring you some Christmas recipes to try plus some celebratory tipples. Lots of us will be in the full throes of Christmas shopping and there is so much that is fabulous locally right across the English Riviera.

Clare Rugg tells us about Animal Experiences at Living Coasts, we meet Cathy Hilton Artisan at Cockington with her beautiful painted homewares and we explore Brixham’s stylish Middle Street. We also experience piloting a 737 aircraft with Virtual Jet Centre and discover sailing destinations from Brixham with Torbay Sea School.

We bring you a huge roundup of Christmas and New Year events including the arts, a delightful woodland winter walk, an insight into what you can see and do at Torre Abbey plus some great theatre and panto performances.

Not forgetting those in need, we visit our local NHS hospital car service to find out about volunteering.

Please keep sending us your news, photos and story ideas to editorial@ englishrivieramagazine.co.uk and do chat to us on Twitter and Facebook.

We always enjoy attending receptions and all kinds of events, so please feel free to invite us along if you’d like your event featured.

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December/January 2016/17

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In this issue

December 2016/January 2017

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Contents

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6 Openers

Local news snippets

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12 Christmas at Torre Abbey

Fun events and fabulous galleries

14 Clare Rugg

Loving her job at Living Coasts

19 Heritage - William Scoresby On compasses and maps

22 Give It A Go - Virtual Flying Pilot a 737 airliner!

26 Yachting

32 Cathy Hilton 22 Virtual Flying

Sailing destinations from Brixham

32 Arts - Cathy Hilton

An artisan at Cockington

37 Arts - Pauline Quirke Academy Sign up for acting classes!

38 Arts News

Creative events around the Bay

41 Fashion Shoot

Meeting the Face of Hoopers winners

42 Festive Food & Drink

Local recipes & delicious tipples

48 Middle Street

Awash with stylish businesses

54 Walk

Woodland wandering

56 What’s On

Our pick of December and January events

66 Theatre & Panto

12 Christmas at Torre Abbey

He’s behind you!

69 Gardening

Lis Wallace’s green-fingered column

41 Fashion Shoot

72 Social Diary

Local people at local events

78 Volunteering

Hospital car service

80 Business Breaks

Local business news in brief

82 The Briefing

Legal topics from Wollen Michelmore

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Coffee & Bakeoff The Riviera Centre in Torquay hosted a very successful coffee morning to raise money for cancer charities. The Riviera Centre, suppliers, Bridget the aerobics instructor, and the wonderful ladies in her classes all donated cakes to sell.

Bridget’s team rallied together to donate a huge number of raffle prizes too, with the raffle making a huge contribution to the overall total of the funds raised.

The Riviera Centre also organised a staff bake-off in the afternoon, judged by Matt Rogan from The Breeze. The winning entry, white chocolate and strawberry cupcakes baked by Nicky Harding, sold out very swiftly after the winner was announced! The final total raised was £640.49. Funds will be split equally between Rowcroft and Macmillan. The Riviera Centre is hoping to help more charity events in the future, so if you’re looking to raise money and think the RICC can help, get in touch with Becky via email: fun@ricc.co.uk. o

Running for Cockington

Former Torquay couple Cara and Christopher Jones ran the Athens Marathon to raise funds for the Cockington Green Heart Appeal. Cara is a keen runner and trained for the event for 9 months. Having previously run marathons in Amsterdam and in Bournemouth, Cara saw the Athens Marathon as a challenge for her and Christopher, as well as great fundraising project for a cause about which they both feel passionately. Hannah Worthington, Access Officer for Cockington Green Heart Appeal said, “It’s fantastic to know that there are people who value Cockington Country Park so much they are willing to run a marathon to help!”

The Cockington Green Heart Appeal restoration project continues to restore the park, lakes and thatched buildings and is managed by local conservation charity Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust. o

J-Cup Sailing The Royal Torbay Yacht Club will once again be hosting the Landsail Tyres J-Cup sailing race from 17 to 19 August 2017, immediately prior to the Torbay Royal Regatta. It will be the 17th edition of this prestigious event and the 2nd time the J-Cup has been hosted in Torbay. The J-Cup regularly attracts entries in excess of 65 boats and high turnout is expected.

Gemma Dunn from J-Boats agent, Key Yachting said, “There is a real buzz about taking the J-Cup to Torbay, and we know the club will do a great job. The J-Cup is the second event in an appealing West Country series next August, the others being Fastnet, Torbay and Dartmouth regattas.” o

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Gibbon Baby

Paignton Zoo has achieved its first breeding success with a rare primate. The species is the pileated gibbon, classed as Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. The baby was born in September several weeks prematurely, and there were initially fears it might not survive. However, it soon became more inquisitive and mobile. Mother Shukdi is 9 and was born at Zoo d’Asson, France. Father Hantu is also 9, and came to Paignton Zoo from Zurich Zoo. Curator of Mammals Neil Bemment said, “This is Paignton Zoo’s first surviving pileated gibbon baby – I’m really pleased, as we have been trying to breed this species for 15 years, but alas our previous female was not a good mother.” The pileated gibbon is found in parts of Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. o

Flamingo Move

The famous Paignton Zoo flamingo flock of 51 birds was moved to a temporary enclosure recently so that work could be carried out on their island and 15 keepers were drafted in to help. These slender pink birds can be up to 1.3 metres (4 foot 3 inches) tall and weigh 3.5 kilos (nearly 8 pounds). They also have a one and a half metre - five foot – wingspan, long flexible necks and big sharp bills.

Senior Head Keeper of Birds Pete Smallbones said, “We gently herded them into their shed, then two keepers went in and caught the birds up one at a time. You carry them with the head pointing backwards – though this does mean they will pinch your neck and bottom with their beaks!” The flamingos are now back on their island and seem happy with the improvements. The Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) is classed as Near Threatened and is protected by CITES. o

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Pride in Brixham

Customers from Mitch Tonks’ award winning Rockfish Brixham have raised over £5,000 in the last year for the local volunteer organisation Pride in Brixham. Pride in Brixham was formed 10 years ago and is a group of volunteers who work closely with the Brixham Harbour Office to keep the town looking good. They can be seen painting railings, lamp posts and seats and this year are refurbishing the harbour toilet block. Over the years they have also created 4 large award-winning gardens with beautiful 3-tiered planters. Each of the Rockfish restaurants in Devon has an optional £1 added to the bill and donate to charities and causes local to each. Customers can easily opt out if they wish. Torquay supports the Torbay Holiday Helpers Network; Dartmouth, the Dart RNLI; Plymouth, research into sustainability at the National Marine Aquarium; and Pride in Brixham. o December/January 2016/17

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Swinging 40th

It was a party that was always going to go with a swing - Naomi the grey gibbon has turned 40. Naomi, who lives at Paignton Zoo, celebrated with a gibbonfriendly cake made by her keepers using ingredients such as primate pellet and carrot. The box of wood wool contained a lucky dip of grapes and small fruit bits.

The characteristic long arms of the gibbon allow them to brachiate – swing from branch to branch - through the trees. Strong, hook-like hands and specially-adapted shoulder joints also help them dangle. Certainly, Naomi spent her significant birthday just hanging out. The lifespan of a gibbon is roughly 30 to 35 years in the wild or 40 to 50 years in zoos. These days Naomi lives a quiet life. A gibbon of her advanced years is probably past breeding age. She shares her island home with female Bornean orang utan Gambira. o

inclusivity. The group aims to raise at least £500, which will pay for two disabled children to spend a weekend at the Trust’s centre on Exmoor. o justgiving.com/fundraising/Moor2Moor

Fish Market Tours Brixham Fish Market Tours completed their last, very well attended early morning tour of the season. The usual delicious fish breakfast at Rockfish was followed by a cheque presentation by Christine Hodgetts of Brixham Fish Market Tours to John Anderson, Superintendant Fisherman’s Mission. The sum raised during this year’s fish market tour season was an impressive £3,500! o

Students go Moor2Moor

Level 3 Adventure Sports Leadership students from South Devon College created the event ‘Moor2Moor’ as part of their final year course assessment. At the end of November, they undertook a 72-hour triathlon relay challenge, travelling by kayak, mountain bike and on foot from Lynton in North Devon to the finish line at the college. The course distance is 100 miles. The students nominated the Calvert Trust as their chosen charity as it enables people with physical, learning, behavioural and sensory disabilities to experience exciting, challenging and enjoyable outdoor activities. They also felt that their event was well aligned with the Trust’s work as it utilises skills of all members of the course team, embracing

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TORRE ABBEY

at Christmas

Beautiful and historic Torre Abbey is a wonderful and evocative place to visit at any time of the year. Why not pop in this Christmas for one of their Christmas events and take time out to view their wonderful art collections at the same time?

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ith its fine gatehouse, guest hall, abbot’s tower and remarkable undercrofts, Torre Abbey is the best-preserved example of a medieval monastery in Devon and Cornwall. It also has one of the five most complete early medieval tithe barns in England.

Their Christmas events are hugely popular and include entry to the abbey.

Lantern & Wreath-making Workshops Light up your homes and adorn your trees and doors with your own creations. Ali Marshall, Head Gardener at Torre Abbey will be running her ever-popular wreath making workshops for adults whilst children make a stunning, glowing Christmas lantern. Then join in the festive fun by bringing your lanterns to Torre Abbey’s Lantern and Carol Parade after the last of the workshops on the evening of Thursday 22 December.

Family Glass Bauble Making Create your very own personalised glass baubles with artist Jackie Bufton at Torre Abbey. This is a family workshop for both adults and children.

The adults will work with 3D glass baubles and the children will create wonderful 2D perspex baubles. Who knows, you could be creating future family heirlooms. They may become treasured memories and part of a new Christmas tradition. The workshop and entry price to the Abbey covers two glass and two flat perspex baubles each. One is to take home with you and the second is for you to proudly add to the beauty of the Abbey’s Christmas tree. If the bauble bug catches you and you wish to make more, Jackie will have spare, blank baubles, which can be purchased at £2.50 per bauble!

Christmas Workshops in December

Friday 16th Adult Wreath & Wine Evening 7-9pm Saturday & Sunday 17th & 18th Family Lantern & Wreath Making 11am-1pm & 2-4pm Wednesday 21st Family Glass Bauble Making 11am-1pm & 2-4pm Thursday 22nd Family Lantern & Wreath Making 11am-1pm & 2-4pm Thurs 22nd Free Lantern Parade & Carols 4.30-5.30pm Cost: Adult £7.95 (includes entry to Abbey plus Workshop), children free when accompanied by a paying adult, concessions £6.45. Book online.

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Heritage

Frederick Thrupp Gallery Your visit to Torre Abbey is a golden opportunity to visit some of their superb works of art. We have a look at one of their very special collections.

This unique collection of plaster reliefs, busts, statues and bronzes once formed part of the contents of the studio of the Victorian sculptor Frederick Thrupp (1812 1895). Viewed as a whole, the Thrupp collection in Torre Abbey is the largest surviving collection from a Victorian sculptor’s studio. The collection’s dramatic backdrop of a verdant cemetery echoes the religious setting in which much of the sculptor’s work is found and for which he was famed.

Frederick Thrupp was an eminent Victorian sculptor best known for his commissions for the House of Lords, the Mansion House and to produce the statue of Wordsworth for Westminster Abbey. He had a successful career as a sculptor, creating portrait busts for members of wealthy members of society, marble and bronze reliefs often with religious themes. He modelled subjects from John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, and in 1868 he created a pair of bronze doors with ten subjects from the book, which were purchased by the Duke of Bedford and presented to the Bunyan Chapel, Bedford.

Thrupp married late in life, at the age of 73, and in 1887 he settled in Thurlow, Torquay with his wife, Sarah.

He spent the last years of his life in Torquay and in 1911; his widow presented to the town his remaining works of art and the contents of his studio. The collection a large collection of plaster reliefs, marble statues, bronzes, bronze relief panels and screens from throughout the sculptor’s life. They give us a vivid insight into the workings of a Victorian sculptor as they include working drawings and maquettes made as trials for larger works.

He had initially gifted this collection to the city of Winchester, where they were displayed between 1894 and 1911 in an abbey adjacent to the Winchester Guildhall.

In 1911, however, the city of Winchester returned the gift to his widow in Torquay where the collection, ironically, found a permanent home, in yet another abbey - Torre Abbey when it became a Gallery and the Mayor’s Parlour in 1930 and here it has remained ever since. Thrupp continued to sculpt until 1893, two years before his death, when his failing eyesight and the onset of Parkinsons forced him to stop. He was buried on 26 March 1895 in Torquay cemetery. o torre-abbey.org.uk englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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Clare Rugg Loving Life at Living Coasts Clare Rugg, loves her job as Operations Manager at Living Coasts in Torquay but it’s not all about partying with the penguins as Anita Newcombe discovered when she popped in.

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lare Rugg has worked at Torquay’s iconic Living Clare was quickly promoted to Exhibit Manager and Coasts attraction since before it opened in then to Operations Manager, which means that she 2003. It was just a building site then and locals now oversees the whole site including the education and were agog with interest at the long awaited waterside animal departments plus catering, retail and of course the development. Clare joined initially as Education Officer financial health of the operation. This means they can and spent her earliest days in a hard hat and steel toed continue to care for the animals, have exciting events and boots as she worked to set up the education strategy contribute to education and conservation in the wild. for Living Coasts under the guidance of their well Clare tells me, “I’m passionate about the marine established mother ship, Paignton Zoo. environment and work hard to make sure that Living Clare is a qualified teacher but didn’t really enjoy Coasts is well run, the animals are well cared for and to being in the classroom so when she saw the job provide a fun, interesting and educational experience for advertised she jumped at the chance for an entirely new our visitors.” way of working. The concept of the new Living Coasts The training programmes for presenting staff have to site was to create a storyline be multi faceted, providing the highlighting the wonders of the “It’s not as easy as you think to pop right experience for the animals a penguin under your coat – they and a memorable experience for wrold’s coasts. They planned to look at different species definitely wouldn’t go along quietly!” the public. This requires careful surviving ‘On the Edge’ – on planning and management. the edge of the land, on the edge of the sea and on the The penguins with their legendary curiosity are the edge of extinction. Clare tells me, “I love a challenge favourites amongst visitors and are free roaming under and Rob Lovell, Paignton Zoo’s Education Officer at the watchful eye of the Penguin Patrol. Living Coasts the time was a huge inspiration to me.” was probably the first place in the country to have free The fascinating Great Auk was used as an important wandering penguins, although many zoos have now storyline and Living Coasts would provide real followed suit. inspiration for people to get out and see their wonderful I ask Clare about the penguin that was famously local sea birds such as the famous guillemots at Berry stolen some years ago and she smiles and explains that Head. Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust and the South this was an online joke by a local radio station that was West Coast Path became important early partners. taken seriously and became an urban myth. “It’s not as Clare spent much of her time planning the easy as you think to pop a penguin under your coat – interpretation and talks they would have and Living they definitely wouldn’t go along quietly!”

Coasts was amongst the very first to have a continuous More recently a wide range of experiences has been programme of talks throughout the whole day. BIAZA’s developed at Living Coasts. They started as simple work (British & Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) experience but are now available as gifts and just for fun. very first presenters’ conference was held here too.

Clare says, “It’s all about raising funds for conservation Living Coasts, as part of the Whitley Wildlife projects and people just love the sessions.”

Conservation Trust now works directly with seabird Right now, the Living Coasts team are starting to charity SANCCOB to save bank cormorants and African work on their winter jobs. Being right on the coast, penguins in the wild. They have raised important there’s lots of wear and tear with everything exposed to funds and sent keepers and bird experts to help set up the wind and waves that come over the site. Therefore, protection projects. all the wood and metal has to be of a higher than normal

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Riviera People

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quality and there’s a rolling programme of replacements.

In addition, the pumping and sewage treatment room needs constant servicing. This winter there are also 2 big development jobs planned. There will be a new classroom to accommodate more school visits and a new outdoor eating area.

With so many animals to care for, Living Coasts has a small hospital facility on site plus a team of 3 vets and 2 vet nurses (based at Paignton Zoo) for regular weekly visits plus callouts. There’s always a senior keeper on duty to do any immediate first aid care that may be needed.

The penguins are nearly matched in popularity by Octavia the Octopus in her Octopus Odyssey habitat.

Octopuses can be found off the south coast of Britain and tend to live 500 metres below the surface in rocky areas. Living Coasts scored a significant PR hit when they asked online for ideas for puzzles the octopus could crack with a huge number of responses and the idea going viral. Octopuses are very intelligent creatures and enjoy looking for their food in hidden places. Clare reveals, “Octavia can unscrew a jar quicker than I can!”

The otters, rays and seals are all a big draw for visitors but there are lots of other fascinating creatures to learn about. These include the four-eyed fish, the white spotted puffer fish, the upside-down jellyfish, the tufted puffin, the Atlantic mudskipper, the lionfish, the pied avocet, the Australian fat-bellied seahorse, the bank cormorant and the guillemot.

Clare also gets involved in marine advocacy and speaks up for a range of conservation projects such

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as Marine Conservation Zones (MCZ). Torbay was designated a MCZ in 2013 and Torbay MCZ has been described as ‘the jewel in South Devon’s crown’ for marine wildlife. Claire explains that it is easy to overlook the marine environment – “out of sight is out of mind” so it’s vitally important that Living Coasts has a strong voice in marine conservation.

Clare says, “I wear many hats – it’s an enjoyable job in a stunning location and I never get tired of it.”

When she’s not at work, Clare loves walking the coast path, rock pooling and bird watching. She enjoys eating (sustainable) seafood and buying fresh, local fish from the fish market at Brixham. She has a grown-up daughter called Chloe who is studying at Falmouth and who also loves the marine environment. Clare is also a trustee at Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust and believes that the provenance of our food is increasingly important as well as reducing food miles. At Living Coasts, all the food and drink is as local as possible and they have a firm environmental focus in all that they do.

If you like the sound of Clare’s world at Living Coasts, you can book an animal experience or why not volunteer? You could be a Volunteer Experience Guide, a Penguin Beach Cleaning Volunteer or a Food preparation Volunteer. All volunteer roles are for people who are over 18 and can volunteer regularly and consistently on a weekly duty day. A commitment, certainly but the rewards could be immense in making new friends and undertaking something completely different from your usual routine. o livingcoasts.org.uk

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Riviera People

Animal Experiences for Christmas Available year round (not Mondays or Thursdays), these experiences make a great festive gift and support Living Coasts’ conservation programmes. Bookable online.

Penguin Feeding Experience: The Macaroni and African penguins love feeding time. You will enjoy preparing their fresh fish, feed the penguins and get the inside track on these lovable creatures. Suitable for adults and children over 8 years.

Cost: £65 for 1 person, £100 for 2 people (includes entrance fee) – maximum 4 people.

Seal Feeding Experience:

Otter Feeding Experience: Mischievous otters will make you chuckle and you will love feeding them, seeing them up close and learning about their enrichment programme.

Suitable for adults and children over 8 years.

Cost: £65 for 1 person, £100 for 2 people (includes entrance fee) – maximum 2 people.

Adorable seals interact well with visitors and this feeding experience will provide memories for years to come. Suitable for adults and children over 8 years.

Cost: £65 for 1 person, £100 for 2 people (includes entrance fee) – maximum 2 people.

Junior Zoo Keeper Animal Experience: Junior keepers will feed the penguins and carry out other activities which may include raking and tidying penguin beach, feeding the auks and seals and getting involved with the fish feed in the aquarium. Includes a certificate. Suitable for 8 – 15 years.

Cost: £95 for 1 junior, £170 for 2 people (includes entrance fee + 1 adult entry) – max 2 juniors.

Zoo Keeper Animal Experience:

Ray Feeding Experience: Immerse yourself in Living Coasts’ mysterious mangroves. An exciting and educational experience.

Suitable for adults and children over 8 years.

Cost: £65 for 1 person, £100 for 2 people (includes entrance fee) – maximum 2 people.

Being a zoo keeper involves rolling your sleeves up and getting stuck in with food preparation and more, so you should be prepared to get your hands dirty! You’ll meet the penguins, seals, otters, auks, sea ducks, waders, and have the chance to feed the rays too. Suitable for over 16s.

Cost: £125 for 1 person, £225 for 2 people (includes entrance fee) – maximum 2 people.

Dive Experience: Qualified divers can enjoy an unforgettable experience sharing the underwater environment with Living Coasts’ curious and cheeky penguins and feeding them their favourite fish.

Cost: £175 for 1 person, £315 for 2 people (includes entrance fee plus 1 adult guest entry). englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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Christmas at Sense the Christmas Spirit at Cockington Court!

Christmas Fayre on Sat 3 & Sun 4 December 11am - 4pm

Join us for a whole range of activities, enjoy a Christmas carriage ride with Mrs Claus and her elf, fire and glow juggler, choir, puppet show, craft workshops and food stalls, mince pies and mulled wine.

Enjoy Late Night Shopping

on Wednesday 7, 14 and 21 December until 7pm Visit our Tea Room and Gallery in the run up to Christmas where you can pick up that extra special gift and see work from our craft studios.

Free Cockington Court parking on the Wednesdays shown above between 4-7pm.

Open 7 days a week apart from Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day

Cockington Court Craft Centre, Cockington, Torquay TQ2 6XA

Tel: 01803 607230 www.cockingtoncourt.org

Cockington Court Craft Centre @CockingtonC @CockingtonCourt

the brixham steam packet company ANTIQUE AND REPRODUCTION MARINE COLLECTABLES 44 MIDDLE STREET, BRIXHAM, DEVON, TQ5 8EJ TEL:01803 856361 Find us on facebook

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PRESERVING OUR NAUTICAL HERITAGE IN-STORE AND ON-LINE AT www.BRIXHAMSTEAMPACKET.CO.UK

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William Scoresby Arctic Voyager, Scientist & Clergyman A tablet in Torquay’s Upton Parish Church and a road, Scoresby Close in Watcombe, commemorate William Scoresby, dubbed The Father of English Oceanography. Torbay Civic Society’s Ian Handford reflects on his legacy.

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illiam Scoresby was born at Cropton near always concerned for with a “need for conservation and Whitby. His father, also William was at sea preservation of these natural resources seeing conflict by the age of twenty but his son, destined between religion and science.” Within the decade, by to be a whaler and explorer, was an apprentice at sea by 1820, he had charted unknown parts of the Arctic and age fourteen and already a chief mate by the time he his Accounts of the Arctic Regions was published, this was sixteen. work becoming accepted as ‘the foundation stone of This extraordinary man would redesign a whaling ship Arctic Science’. Three years later his Journal of a Voyage and invent numerous maritime instruments including to the Northern Whale-Fishery was well received. his famous needle compass before switching careers Scoresby undertook seventeen voyages to Spitzbergen twice. Yet throughout his life, William was also a prolific and Greenland before being named the foremost writer and lecturer and would eventually earn the title authority on Arctic geography. His meteorological ‘Father of English Oceanography’ before becoming journals told of the Atmospherology of the Arctic Regions a cleric. So from whaler, arctic explorer, scientist, and the physiological effect of the cold on humans. zoologist, geologist, sea captain, writer, inventor, 1823 turned out to be his last voyage to Greenland meteorologist, lecturer, social reformer and finally a as he was ordained in 1825. In 1823 he had been Doctor of Divinity here was a very busy man. elected a Fellow of the prestigious Royal Society and At the age of ten William was on visiting Paris the following With his health failing, Scoresby year had become a member of intensely interested in his father’s ship Dundee and enthused, “The departed his Bradford Ministry the Institute of France. His new activity of whaling excited my to return to Devon and Torquay career saw him taking the post of imagination and interested my First Chaplain in charge of the where in 1846 he became feelings.” His father allowed him Floating Church for Seamen in curate of St Mary Magdelane to join his next whaling trip to Liverpool. Seemingly, determined the Arctic and by age 14, William to walk away from the sea and Church, Upton Vale. was an apprentice aboard the science, Scoresby continued to whaler Resolution. By age 16 he was its Chief Mate. write and left us many new words like: iceberg; field ice; Having spent years watching the mood of seas and its drift ice; bay ice and ice floes. ships and ports, William returned home to Edinburgh To explain how humans survived in the harshest of University where he studied chemistry, natural history, our Northern regions, he left drawings of snow crystals philosophy and mathematics. At age 18 he was ready and the early apparatus and equipment used by whalers to return to sea as mentioned in his Meteorological and explorers. It was his theories on ice formation and Journals written during the years to 1814. Here he the type and movements of ice that later helped future captured the structure of snow crystals and polar ice in glacial geomorphologists and scientists. As an explorer, words and drawings and, when at home, he lectured on scientist and surveyor he made “the nearest approach these subjects. to the Pole ever made” at that time and mapped and He was eventually accepted as a member of charted his observations on the extent of ice in and Edinburgh’s Wernian Society and by age 21 was Captain around the seas he knew so well and named the East of the Resolution. On his first voyage as the Master it is Greenland Coast. recorded that they caught thirty whales. Like his father Ordained in 1825, Scoresby the minister would William, he was a very successful whaler although he was continue to publish scientific papers, which included englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

December/January 2016/17

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Heritage his work on magnetism. This eventually culminated in him inventing a compass needle in 1832 while Resident Chaplain at the Bedford Chapel Exeter, where he served for seven years. The Chapel was lost during 1942 in the blitz.

In Exeter, Scoresby set up a girls’ school for the poor and trained girls to become domestic servants. Married twice, it was while in Exeter that he lost his eldest son who is buried in the city. He loved science yet chose to undertake religious orders. We can only guess that it was the lack of sponsorship that may have reduced his exploration work. But now, as a priest, he had more time to reflect on scientific work, which eventually resulted in the remarkable Scoresby Compass Needle as recorded in his book Magnetical Investigations published in 1839.

Having visited the United States in 1844, Scoresby’s next book the American Factories and their Female Operatives was later used to improve the working conditions of factory workers in Bradford after he was appointed vicar there. His work on electromagnetism was later extended to hypnotism and even zoistic magnetism. His published work totalled over a hundred papers involving such diverse subjects as: polar geography, oceanography, natural history, magnetism, social reform and religion.

With his health failing, Scoresby departed his Bradford Ministry to return to Devon and Torquay where in 1846 he became curate of St Mary Magdelane Church, Upton Vale.

He married his third wife in 1848 and continued to write and lecture on subjects which included the strange influence that iron hulled ships had on the standard magnetic compass. His observations were published to the British Association in 1855, and in agreeing with his findings “that keeping compass aloft might be effective in helping a ship’s course” they became a financial backer. Now he set off on what would be his final voyage in the steamship Royal Charter, this an iron hulled vessel. The voyage involved much physical work for Scoresby as he had to regularly ascend the mizzen rigging in order to record the height of enormous waves etc. He chose the Australian run, a journey too long for the task, although he did survive and was honoured by being awarded the University’s Honorary MA. Now in poor health and exhausted, his main intent was to get back to Torquay which thankfully he achieved. But sadly there was to be no full recovery and William Scoresby Hon MA, died on March 21st 1857 aged just 68. englishrivieramagazine.co.uk 09:29

A tablet to his memory was erected through public subscription in Upton Parish Church and only two other reminders remain to this man of our town, his remains and a road called Scoresby Close in Watcombe.

In Liverpool, residents paid for a carved chair to be made and presented to his widow. Created from timbers of the Royal Charter the ‘Scoresby Chair’ had William’s initials carved on each side of the carved compass crowning the chair’s back and another carving of Dr Scoresby’s crest and a motto - “Thou Lord rulest the raging of the seas”. o torbaycivicsociety.co.uk

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Pilot a 737 Airliner At Chudleigh’s Virtual Jet Centre

Do you ever wish that you had done something a little more daring with your career choice – trained to be a pilot perhaps – but never had the chance? Virtual Jet Centre at Chudleigh is offering you the opportunity to try flying for real with their state-of-the-art, Boeing 737 flight simulator. Anita Newcombe went along to give it a go!

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Give It A Go - Flying

I

here! We are planning to take off from Exeter Airport am meeting Captain Andy Wilkins, a former Airbus and Boeing aircraft pilot whose flying career heading towards Bristol. Andy has already programmed our destination into the jet’s on-board computer. We spanned 30 years before he set up the Virtual Jet taxi out on to the runway and prepare for take off. The Centre to share his love of flying a large aircraft with engines fire up, I push the throttle forward and start to a wider audience. This amazing facility can be found move faster and faster down the runway. When we get at the Xpressway Business Park in Chudleigh near to take-off speed (around 150 mph), I pull back on the Newton Abbot. control wheel (yoke) and we lift off. Gear up and we I have been invited to ‘check-in’ for my flight at are on our way!

2pm and have been advised to wear sensible shoes My main task now we’re up in the air is to keep the (no high heels) – seems reasonable when piloting a aircraft on course by holding it at the centre of the 70-tonne jet. Captain Andy is currently flying so the cross hairs of the computer display. If the aircraft drops first person I meet is administrator John Dennington.

John gives me the chance to practise some flying on the then I need to pull it up and if I am too high I need to bring it down. Sounds easy but Andy tells me that lots computers in the centre’s classroom area. I find that I of people initially try to pull the cross hairs towards am spectacularly bad at this, crashing everything I try – this doesn’t bode very well for my actual flight on the the aircraft rather than bringing the aircraft back to the correct course! It’s quite a surreal experience and simulator I’m afraid – perhaps it’s just nerves! as I glance out of the window, I am blown away by the When I meet the personable Captain Andy Wilkins spectacular view. The aircraft has now wandered off the however, he reassures me that the flight simulator is a course and I keep bringing it back, trying to keep it much more real experience. Following his retirement nice and steady. from the industry, he We are now invested £250,000 on this But it’s not over yet, Andy asks me if I’d like to approaching Bristol highly impressive setup. try a barrel roll and of course I would! and we must prepare This extraordinary 737800, jet simulator has a full-motion platform originally for landing. Andy tells me that we need to ‘arm for landing’ and ‘dirty up,’ which means we extend the developed for military use, with a 220-degree ‘field of flaps to slow our air speed down. Once this is done, we view’ display. As I enter the cockpit, it feels exactly like a real aircraft cockpit, which I have had the privilege of deploy the landing gear and make our approach. Andy visiting a few times on holiday flights before 9/11 made asks me to line up with the runway but I am finding this difficult and things happen much more quickly passenger access a total no-no. than I am expecting. We reduce speed and descend and Andy tells me, “Unlike many pilots, I’m a very somehow we find ourselves safely on the ground (no sociable person and I really missed being able to invite passengers into the cockpit and show them the controls doubt with considerable input from the captain) Phew!

I cannot overemphasise how real and exhilarating this when the extra security regulations came in.” feels – a truly amazing experience. This is proper flying Andy’s success has meant that the Virtual Jet Centre and definitely not just a game. has become extremely popular with people booking We now take off again to just ‘have some fun.’ a range of gift experiences lasting from 30 minutes Firstly we head over to Bristol Filton where we spot upwards. So there’s definitely no shortage of aircraft Concorde on the ground – this is where this iconic fans to welcome into the cockpit at Chudleigh. aircraft is now kept and preserved. Next Andy tells I am now ushered into the co-pilot’s seat for my me that we are going to fly under a bridge with just flight and Captain Andy takes up the pilot’s seat. My 20ft clearance. Luckily he is taking the controls and I pre-flight briefing includes information about the aircraft and its controls, air speed and altitude displays, can’t quite believe that this is happening as we swoop down and fly clear under the bridge. I have barely had how to keep the aircraft on course, how to ascend and time to credit what has just happened when he hands descend, turn right and left and how the course is set the controls over to me and says “Don’t worry, you’ll towards the destination. Now we prepare for takehave 80ft clearance for your run.” By some miracle off! I have to keep reminding myself that we are on a I manage to fly clear under the bridge but I am so simulator because it feels real and I am surprisingly amazed by the experience that I forget to pull up and nervous – there are a lot of switches and dials in

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December/January 2016/17

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Give It A Go - Flying end up bouncing my wheels on the water below.

But it’s not over yet, Andy asks me if I’d like to try a barrel roll and of course I would! I don’t think that I can describe exactly how it happened – I only remember locking the yoke hard left and rolling over as the world turned upside down and then continued rolling until we were back upright again. Very James Bond!

I enjoyed the fabulous combination of proper, flying experience and some very crazy flying fun. Needless to say the barrel roll is not included in the centre’s hugely popular ‘Fear of Flying’ training. This is a course especially for people who really struggle with getting on a plane. Captain Andy Wilkins says, “Fear of flying is a simple phobia but with many complex factors.” It’s a 3-hour course with one-to-one support and coaching offering psychological techniques and advice. You will get to discuss your own personal fears in detail and then you’ll get some controlled cabin and cockpit experiences with lots of breaks as needed. Finally, there’ll be a debriefing before you head home. This gives you the chance to become accustomed to flying in a highly supportive and protected environment. If you wish, and once you are ready, you can then book a real flight with Flybe on a one-to-one basis with Captain Andy accompanying you and helping you to overcome your fears. It has had much success with people being able to enjoy getting away on holiday by plane for the first time.

There are corporate days on offer too. If you want a team building, leadership or client hospitality experience for your business, the centre can outline lots of options with up to 12 professional pilots as facilitators. You’ll be the hero as you organise this brilliantly imaginative experience for your team. The experiences are available anytime and make superb gifts for Christmas. o virtualjetcentre.co.uk

Captain Andy Wilkins

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December/January 2016/17

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Sailing Destinations from Brixham In the last issue we looked at how to start yachting. This time, Anita Newcombe (a qualified Day Skipper) travels on a sail training yacht with Torbay Sea School to discover some of the wonderful ports that can be visited along the south coast and in the Channel Islands.

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Yachting

R

Off Eastbourne we consider heading in but we are all ound Britain Experience (RBE) is a 45ft Bavaria having such a good time and no-one is cold or tired so managed by Torbay Sea School based in Brixham. we decide to press on, arriving at Brighton Marina at This gorgeous yacht has been all the way around the country and I am picking it up at Chatham in Kent to midnight. Having moored up we are treated to the sight of a small French yacht creeping in behind us in the dark. enjoy a long and leisurely training sail via the south coast The crew obviously can’t decide where to moor up as they and Channel Islands back to Brixham. are going round and round in tight circles. We decide to It’s an 11-day trip and after pitching up at Chatham give them a hand and extend a bit of ‘entente cordiale,’ Marina I meet my fellow crewmembers: Symon the which is very gratefully received. We realise that we are skipper (known as Tank), Terry, Charlie and Gordon. We quite organised as a crew now and feel moderately pleased are taking it in turns to be skipper for the day under the with ourselves. watchful eye of Tank as we build experience of navigation No time to hang about, we’re off again first thing in and practical deck work. the morning, this time heading to We head over to an Italian restaurant I’m still motoring some Cowes. Rounding Selsey Bill we sail at Chatham Marina for dinner and next time later when the past Portsmouth and I spot the famous morning head out via the lockgate on to the beautiful River Medway. As we skipper decides that he’s Spinnaker Tower. It’s a beautiful sunset emerge into the sunshine we’re treated to had enough of waiting when we enter the River Medina and a stunning view of Upnor Castle on the for me to get the sails moor up at the yacht haven at Cowes.

I’ve been relaxing till now but I now opposite side of the river built to protect up and cuts the engine, hear that it’s my job to pilot us safely Queen Elizabeth I’s fleet at Chatham. I shouting “engine failure.” across the Solent, incredibly busy with find, to my cost, that it’s not as easy as I yachts and also a major shipping lane thought to navigate along the river and end up wandering down a side channel – whoops strike 1! for passenger, freight and military vessels. My fellow Once out of the river we sail around the Isle of Sheppey trainee crewmembers (not our lovely skipper) sense and along the coast towards Margate, past Broadstairs and my mild consternation and before we even set off, start to point out the biggest container ships they can spot, finally into Ramsgate Marina, which is our first night’s merrily mentioning the complex tides and the large and stopover. After dining on board (we are also taking it in fairly shallow Hurst Spit we might want to try and miss. turns to cook) we retire for the night – very comfortably After studying the chart and the almanac and drawing into our own double cabins – mine has a private ‘heads’ myself a very detailed pilotage plan that will let me creep and shower – very luxurious! from one channel marker to another and hopefully allow Next morning we are up again early for a very long sail me to avoid bumping into anything, we set off. The towards Brighton – we see the white cliffs and pass Dover channel is relatively narrow and there are lots of very and Folkestone, spotting the eerie sight of Dungeness fast-moving craft whizzing about. I’m still motoring some Power station on its surreal shingle landscape. It is an time later when the skipper decides that he’s had enough extraordinarily warm day and we are only wearing t-shirts of waiting for me to get the sails up and cuts the engine, (and life jackets), which is unprecedented for me at shouting “engine failure.” Whoops – strike 2! I should sea. The sun starts to dip as we pass Hastings and then have known this would happen as he has done this to me Eastbourne and it’s still really warm on deck – amazing!

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December/January 2016/17

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Yachting once before. We hastily get the sails up and head up into Southampton Water docking at the Town Quay without any mishap.

After a day enjoying the Boat Show, I can relax again as Terry is going to navigate us across the Channel to Alderney. We all get a bit of rest then leave at midnight.

The Solent looks quite spooky now and it has turned into a distinctly blowy evening (force 6). We are put on a watch system by Terry for this overnight sail and have 2 hours on and 3 hours off, which is fairly relaxing. Once we are out past the Needles on the western tip of the Isle of Wight, the sea becomes a little bumpier but it’s still nice and warm and we enjoy an extremely exhilarating sail across into Braye Harbour on Alderney.

We seem to have arrived just ahead of a French yacht race and the committee boat is moored next to us firing off a very loud finishing blast as every yacht comes in.

They must have heard us chuntering grumpily about noisy French yachtsmen as they desist and wave their

apologies in a friendly manner.

Next stop is Jersey and Charlie is in charge, bringing us into St Helier in some style, hopping over the sill into the marina with just 3.2 metres of water under the yacht.

St Helier is fascinating and I visit Elizabeth Castle built on a rocky islet in St Aubin’s Bay. You can walk along the causeway at low tide and The Hermitage where the eponymous St Helier lived around 550 AD fascinates me.

Another day, another island and this time it’s Gordon’s turn to take us across to Guernsey, passing the islands of Sark, Jethou and Herm and straight into lovely St Peter Port. I’m delighted to hear that we have 2 nights here.

The only snag is that it’s now my turn to be skipper and I have to produce a suitable passage plan that will get us back across the Channel and into Dartmouth.

It takes me all day poring over almanacs, charts and tidal atlases before I figure out my plan. We are going to head up the Little Russell Chanel on the last of the NE going tide, round the Platte Fougere lighthouse, keep

Cowes

Police afloat off Chatham Southampton Boat Show

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Yachting Safely away from Dartmouth on the homeward leg

Brixham Ahoy!

clear of the traffic separation scheme and aim for Start Point. We’ll then let the east going tide running along the Devon coast slide us along into Dartmouth. That’s the idea anyway. We leave St Peter Port harbour at exactly noon, just as the noonday gun is being fired from Castle Cornet.

Any concerns I have about my navigational prowess are rapidly forgotten when we are followed by a pod of dolphins that keep us company for ages. This causes lots of excitement as they frolic and splash along the bow.

Charlie attaches his Go-Pro camera to the boat hook and dips it underwater getting some wonderful video footage (we do remember to follow the course and put regular fixes on the chart every hour). Conditions are superb throughout the passage and we arrive safely in Dartmouth at 11pm that evening – success – I’ve managed to avoid strike 3!

We all celebrate next morning with a slap-up brunch at englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Alf Rescos in Dartmouth and then take the final leg back to Brixham where we are met by Torbay Sea School’s sister yacht Nashira. We spend some time sailing together for a school photoshoot. Once ashore we are treated to a glass of bubbly before heading home. It’s feeling very strange to be leaving the Round Britain Experience, which now feels like home. I’ve learned a great deal by being able to plan and skipper some difficult passages.

Torbay Sea School has both theory and practical courses for all levels and you can gain valuable miles for your logbook whilst having a great holiday and meeting some interesting people at the same time. Their classrooms are amongst the best I have seen and the school’s position right on the marina is excellent. I’ve now signed up for my Yachtmaster theory course and will let you know how I get on in a future issue. o torbayseaschool.co.uk December/January 2016/17

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CATHY HILTON

Arts

Artisan at Cockington Cathy Hilton is a talented artisan based at Cockington who creates stunningly beautiful hand painted homewares. Anita Newcombe discovers her fascinating but bittersweet story.

I

am meeting Cathy at her large, airy studio at But there is a little more to this story than meets the Cockington Court Craft Centre. She seems to have eye. After chatting for a while, Cathy reveals what she calls bagged one of the best positions and is surrounded a lost fifteen years, which included an abusive marriage by the tools of her trade in her working area. This is and losing eleven pregnancies. Unable to accept that she positioned just behind her lovely, open product display couldn’t have children, she kept trying but always lost area, which is groaning with gaily painted cheese boards, her child. Badly conflicted by a mixture of grief, envy lazy susans, bowls of all sizes, pretty wooden spoons and and shame, she struggled to cope and had some very other delightful wares. dark times. She tells me, “It’s a very lonely grief – noShe seems confident, calm and has the look of success one knows what you are going through and you have to about her. However, in fact it seems that it took her quite suffer in silence and pretend that everything is ok, when it a long time to get to this point. After taking a degree in really isn’t. There’s never a right time to tell people.” She industrial design, she spent 20 years experimenting with decided she had to face her grief head on and explains that many crafts including stained glass, marquetry, textiles being willing to do so was what let her move through and and even paper sculptures. Indeed when she first came beyond it and allowed a new life to open up. to Cockington she tried to sell her paper sculptures and So last year when she had the idea to put painted although visitors found them illustrations on kitchen tables, “I knew that it would be harder to she was finally able to turn her fascinating, they didn’t very sell my work in Devon as there is less back on the past, accept that often want to take them home.

She definitely needed a new motherhood was not for her disposable income but people are plan. more relaxed here and I find them and focus entirely on building However, first she had to cast up a sustainable business. Cathy much more genuine.” off the demons of her past life. says, “Perhaps if I’d had a family She left Kent for Devon five years ago looking for a “softer I wouldn’t have had the focus to do this.” county.” She tells me, “Kent felt very status and moneyNow Cathy immersed herself in her work, determined oriented. I knew that it would be harder to sell my work to find a businesslike way to create her painted products. in Devon as there is less disposable income but people are She needed a method that would balance the highest more relaxed here and I find them much more genuine.” quality of finish with enough production speed to make it Cathy initially rented in Broadhempston but she commercially viable. wanted to slash her living costs as much as possible to Cathy studied the way others applied paint designs to help her get her business up and running. She says, “I wood and didn’t like the results. She says, “I was shocked wanted time to create my work without the pressure and disappointed with the poor results I was seeing.” Her of paying lots of bills.” So amazingly, this attractive degree had given her the ability to analyse how things and well-groomed 46 year old decided to live in a tent, are made and she decided to try screen-printing. She something she managed for the whole summer of her experimented with various techniques on simple boards. first year. When winter came around she persuaded Although initial results were poor, she persevered, finally someone to let her sleep in a shepherd’s hut on land by creating an adapted process of her own that gave very the Dart where she stayed for two years. It had no water special results with strong colour and high definition. It or electricity so she joined a gym for showering, cooked has taken 9 months to develop but she now has a highly all her food in a steamer and stayed with friends when the saleable product range. weather was bad.

She tells me, “I’m obsessed with blues and greens and

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Arts

have to remind myself to paint with other colours.” There are lots of lovely colours in her collection and they are all gorgeously soft to respond to current fashions (think Farrow and Ball). Her cheeseboards and lazy susans have become best sellers and the paint is heat safe and durable, the lacquer being supplied by Morrells who enjoy a Royal Warrant. Everything has two layers of a really good lacquer so the artwork is protected and you can wash them up in the sink or wipe clean.

Cathy it seems, is now poised for real success and I was able to share a ‘Red Letter Day’ with her during my visit. The prestigious online retailer, ‘Not On The High Street’, has just accepted her and she is waiting for the big moment when her products go live on the site.

She checks and sure enough, there she is, Cathy Hilton Artisan, listed with nine of her most popular products.

“Amazing,” she says. “I might have to cry.”

She explains that it was a very good decision to come to Cockington and she feels very committed and loyal to the Craft Centre’s values. She tells me, “I also love having colleagues and it was very helpful being obliged to turn up and open the studio 5 days a week in summer and 4 days a week in winter, even though I didn’t always want to.” The TDA have been amazing and hugely supportive to Cathy. “If this place didn’t exist with its subsidized rents then my business wouldn’t exist either. They’ve incubated me and I am enormously grateful to them.”

I can tell that Cathy is now moving on to a happy, positive and rewarding phase of her life. She’s now got a real sense of excitement and joy for her journey ahead.

She says, “If you haven’t suffered adversity then you may not have that extraordinary drive I now feel.”

Cathy’s story is quite an inspiration and it’s wonderful that she’s had the strength to create a happy ending englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

for herself with a successful business and acclaim for her unique creativity and style. Hopefully, her story will encourage others to realize their dreams.

She says, “I was private about things for so many years but now I want to share my experiences as I know it helps people in similar circumstances to feel they are not alone.”

It’s not all work for Cathy though. She is also a self-confessed ‘canoeing addict’ and canoes with Totnes Canoe Club.

She’s even qualified as a coach and captained one of the teams in the Totnes Canoe Race – big achievements. It’s been a wonderful way to make friends and she loves getting out on the beautiful River Dart.

But right now she is poised to handle a potential rush of orders, many of which may be for very special Christmas gifts. There’s still time to get your order in, including personalized gifts with a choice of 100 stunning colours. Her turnaround time is usually only a few days.

You can order direct from Cathy online or pop in – it’s always lovely to meet the maker! Some of her customers order a whole range of items to suit their friends and family – it sure makes Christmas shopping easier and much more fun! o cathyhiltonartisan.co.uk

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Arts

Pauline Quirke Academy Victorian Whelan has recently become the new principal of the Pauline Quirke Academy based at South Devon College in Torbay. We find out more about what’s on offer.

A

lthough she originally trained in dance (ballet, tap and modern) and subsequently worked as a professional touring musician, Victoria had latterly been working as a festival producer across the South West, programming and delivering over 10 national events. Now as new principal of PQA she has a very busy and exciting programme planned for children and youngsters across Torbay.

Pauline Quirke Academy (PQA) is a weekend performing arts academy providing tuition for children and young people from 4-18 years. Students spend 3 hours rotating through hour-long sessions in comedy and drama, musical theatre plus film and television.

Actress Pauline Quirke and her producer husband Steve Sheen founded the academy following their search for a drama school for their son Charlie. They decided to open their first academy in 2007 in their local town of Beaconsfield. This proved to be a very successful venture and led to further openings over the years with an impressive total of 141 academies now operating in 99 locations nationwide.

As part of PQA’s curriculum the students get to experience the thrill and buzz of performing on a West End stage. Students from Torbay will be performing in PQA’s spectacular new show called The Lazy Ace at Shaftesbury Theatre in July 2017.

The show is a musical comedy set on the glitzy, glamorous Las Vegas Strip in the 1950s; Detective Chip Buddy is in

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search of a card shark known as The Lazy Ace amid the hustle and bustle of the casino scene. PQA Torbay will be given the freedom to be as imaginative and creative with Pauline Quirke their part of the show as they like, from the casting, staging and choreography, offering lots of opportunities for creative minds.

The main academy is for 6-18 years olds (split into appropriate age groups) and runs for 3 hours, with 4 and 5 year olds invited to join Poppets – a ninety minute Victoria Whelan session which combines the best of movement, dance, singing, acting, expression and imagination. Thanks to the success of the morning session a second Poppets class will now be running and there are always fun themes to enjoy devised by the workshop leaders.

Victoria Whelan said, “We really do have a passionate and experienced team who can’t wait to inspire and enthuse the brilliant young people in this area. We really hope you will join us on this amazing journey!”

Free taster sessions are available. o paulinequirkeacademy.com

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ArtsRoundUp

Feeling creative? We bring you a round up of some arts events and workshops happening here in the Bay. Torquay’s Artizan Gallery & Café Miscellanea 6-23 December For the third year running Artizan is hosting an Open Exhibition offering a wide range of 2D and 3D work from Devon Based artists to get you into the festive spirit.

Monday to Saturday 10.30am - 4.30 pm.

Plus! Private View – an opportunity to meet the artists. 10 December 6 – 8 pm.

Sam Regan Solo Exhibition 9 – 27 January Artizan is kicking off 2017 with the first in a series of solo exhibitions. In January the gallery is featuring local artist, Sam Regan, a first time exhibitor, launching his new series of work.

Stanza Extravaganza 19 December & 23 January Drop into one of Artizan’s monthly poetry nights with host Robert Garnham bringing you a fantastic line-up of headliners and local performers.

Doors Open 7.15 pm Performance 7.45pm - 10 pm Tickets: £5 Advance £6 on the door.

Miss Irenie Rose

Acoustic Nights 5 December Talented musician Robert Spence curates an evening of acoustic entertainment from local performers. With guest headliner Miss Irenie Rose.

Doors open 7 pm, performance 7.30pm - 10pm.

Tickets: £4 Advance £5 on the door.

7 Lucius Street, Torquay, TQ2 5NZ 01803 428626 artizan gallery.co.uk

More Great Arts Events: Monday Evening Life Drawing Sessions On till 19 December Relaxed and welcoming sessions open to both amateur and professional artists. Some tutor support if required.

A mixture of poses from two to 30 minutes. Bring your 38

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own materials, basic materials provided for small donation (easels provided). Time: 7pm – 9pm, cost £7 per session.

Contact rachel.farrell@discoverhannahs.org The Demo Hall, Hayter Hames Building.

Hannahs at Seale-Hayne, Newton Abbot TQ12 6NQ 01626 325800 discoverhannahs.org

Sublime Symmetry, Torre Abbey On till 4 December

STRATA, The Earth in Colour Exhibition, Torre Abbey

Arts

On till 31 December Strata is an exhibition exploring geological mapping as art and science, featuring William Smith and the making of his groundbreaking 1815 geological map.

The King’s Drive, Torquay TQ2 5JE 01803 293593 torre-abbey.org.uk

The Sublime Symmetry exhibition showcases the work of William De Morgan, the celebrated Victorian Arts and Crafts designer and colleague of William Morris. Discover the mathematics behind his ceramic designs.

The King’s Drive, Torquay TQ2 5JE 01803 293593 torre-abbey.org.uk

Elisabeth Hadley Exhibition On till 10 December Visit an exhibition of bronze sculptures by artist Elisabeth Hadley to coincide with the unveiling of her life sized bronze sculpture Man and Boy on King’s Quay, Brixham (Saturday 26 November). Elisabeth finds her inspiration in African art and her passion for Greek mythology.

This can be seen in her impeccably sculpted “Leda and the Swan” and “Azreal” amongst others.

The Nicky Stevenson Gallery, 34a, Middle Street, Brixham.

01803 431055 nickystevensongallery.co.uk

Inspired Art, Hannahs On till 12 December (Mondays) Interested in becoming an artist/maker? These weekly sessions are open to everyone and give you the opportunity to work with experienced practitioners to make original art. No previous experience needed. Time: 10am to 3pm.

Hannahs at Seale-Hayne, Newton Abbot TQ12 6NQ 01626 325800 discoverhannahs.org englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Stone Carving Courses, Dartington 4-day workshop 13-16 December Weekend workshop 14 & 15 January Why not have a go at carving a relief design in limestone with Maria Moorhouse, an experienced tutor artist who runs regular weekday courses at Dartington. Maria has been a sculptor for 24 years and a craft tutor for 14, teaching the skill of stone carving to all ages and abilities with many of her students now finding their feet as professional sculptors. Contact: mariamoorhouse@sky.com Dartington Hall, Totnes TQ9 6EL December/January 2016/17

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Fashion

As the winners of The Face of Hoopers competition, Emma Heath and George Stahlmann walked the catwalk at the Hoopers Autumn/Winter Fashion Show held at the Imperial Hotel.To continue their model experience they returned to Hoopers, Torquay for a photoshoot with English Riviera Magazine. Emma wore a Ted Baker dress and George modelled a Selected Homme coat and jumper teamed with jeans and a belt by Hugo, plus a Ted Baker Scarf.

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A Family Affair

- Festive Recipes for Christmas

Christmas entertaining can be fun if family and friends rally round.

We’ve gathered together some great recipes and top tips for festive cooking – don’t forget to make sure that everyone helps!

Hay Baked Devon Venison

With Sticky Red Cabbage, Rainbow Chard & Cottage Pie Haydn Johnson, Berry Head Hotel’s Chef has come up with a very special festive recipe with wow factor for this season’s celebrations. It’s his signature dish so if it’s too difficult then why not pop in and sample one of his delicious dishes at the hotel?

Serves 4 Ingredients

Method

Hay Baked Loin 4 x 130g trimmed venison loin 150g washed and dried hay 100g butter 2 tsb olive oil

Rainbow Chard 3 heads rainbow chard (picked & trimmed) 100g butter 100g water

Venison Sauce 600g loin trimmings 50g butter 100g shallots 2 garlic cloves 300ml reduced demi-glace

Cottage Pie 500g venison mince 2 carrots 2 shallots 2 sticks celery 1 sprig rosemary 1 sprig thyme 2 garlic cloves 100g tomato puree 500ml red wine 500g reduced demi-glace

Sticky Red Cabbage 2 cloves 2 star anise 1 cinnamon stick 1 tsp five spice 600g finely sliced red cabbage 400ml demi-glace 150ml blackcurrant & cardamom vinegar 150g redcurrant jelly

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Pomme Puree 500g cooked dry potato 500g cold diced butter

ë Saute off all ingredients for the cottage pie apart from wine, tomato paste and stock. ë Whilst doing this cook 4 large Maris Piper potatoes whole in boiling water. ë When cottage pie mix is browned off, add the wet ingredients and simmer for 45 mins till thick and the meat is tender and falling apart. Reserve. ë Prepare the red cabbage by removing the root & slicing as thinly as possible. Sauté off in a little oil with the spices, after a few minutes add the demi-glace & simmer gently until the cabbage is tender & cooked.

Reserve (be careful not to allow the demi-glace to over reduce. This can be done by adding a little water through the cooking process. ë Whilst the cottage pie mix and cabbage are cooking, remove the potatoes from the water (when cooked) and peel whilst warm. ë To complete the mash, place the peeled, warm potatoes though a ‘ricer’ (which is like a large garlic press) till smooth, return to heat and beat butter in piece by piece till all incorporated. ë When the cottage pie mix is finished, season and place in a small pot, leaving 1/3 of the pot at the top for

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Festive Food & Drink the mash. Pipe the mash on top and return to the oven on 180 degrees for approx. 20 minutes. ë To make the sauce, sauté off the venison trimmings with all the other ingredients, apart from the butter & demi-glace, till browned off. Add the demi-glace and reduce by half, strain and reserve. ë Season the venison fillets with salt and pepper and sear in a hot pan till browned all over, remove, soak the hay in water and place in the bottom of an over-proof dish. Place the venison loin on top and wrap. Cook for 10-15 mins depending on the size. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for at least 10 mins. ë While the loin is resting, warm the sauce & red cabbage back up and prepare the rainbow chard. Add the vinegar & jelly to the cabbage. When the sauce comes up to temperature, monte in the butter till shiny. In a hot pan, add the butter, water and salt for the chard and sauté quickly to retain flavour & colour. Remove chard from the pan & pat dry, dress in a little olive oil & sea salt & keep warm. ë To plate up, place a spoonful of red cabbage adjacent to rainbow chard on the plate. Carve the venison loin with the grain, lay on top of the cabbage and chard, spoon over the hot venison sauce, sprinkle a little sea salt on the meat and a little drizzle of olive oil for shine. Remove the cottage pie from the oven and serve on the side (maybe garnish with a few freshly picked blackberries).o

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To Drink...

Hotel’s Ber ry Head s & n io ct Fu n Manager t n ra u a st Re ms Ken Willia s a d n reco m m e of le tt bo d go o ud fC hateauneu ctly fe er p to pape, nt this co mplem e joy! n E h. d is

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The English Riviera has recently received funding to promote itself as England’s Seafood Coast and no wonder with the finest seafood in the country landed right here at Brixham’s legendary fish market.

This delicious recipe by seafood hero Mitch Tonks is nearly always featured on the menu at his restaurant The Seahorse in Dartmouth, it is a really popular choice and perfect for Christmas Eve. he e is somethin wonde ful a out the fish a i in at the ta le in its a and the a ou s and a omas of heady rosemary and garlic being released as the little package is opened at the table, very festive.

Make sure you use really fresh ingredients to produce a cracking result.

Festive Fish Baked Sea Bream en Papillote Serves 4 Ingredients 1 sea bream, weighing about 1.25kg, scaled and gutted A few sprigs of rosemary 1 small dried chilli 6 whole cloves of garlic, skin left on Sea salt 50ml olive oil ½ glass of dry white wine 1 lemon Method ë Put a piece of turkey-size tinfoil, about 70-80cm long on to a work surface and cover with a layer of parchment paper. Fold over each edge so that the foil and parchment are secured together at the edges. Put a couple of sprigs of rosemary in the belly cavity of the fish and a couple in the centre of the parchment. Lay the fish on the parchment and crumble the chilli over the top. ë Lightly crush the garlic cloves by putting the flat side of a knife on top and giving it a thump with your hand, then put them on and around the fish. Sprinkle with sea salt. Lift up the edges of the foil to keep everything in and add the olive oil and wine. Now encase the fish in the foil – it should be in a loose bag but sealed tightly, enabling it to steam. Place it on a roasting tray and bake in a hot oven for 35 minutes. ë Remove from the oven and carefully undo the bag, folding back the sides to make the fish easy to get at.

Squeeze a little lemon over the top and give everyone a plate so they can help themselves.

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Top Tip – Buy Di rect from Brixham Fish Ma rket

Do n’t forget that yo u can buy dire Davi d Walker ct from & So co unter on Br n’s fish ixham’s new fish mar ket. They will pack it in ice for yo u on reques t. ho urs are: Mo Opening nday to Fr iday 9am to 3pm and Saturdays 8a m to 1pm.

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t from ket

ou om fish m’s hey for ning to and m.

Festive Food & Drink A festive favourite in our house are pretty tins of biscotti either for gifts or for serving when visitors pop in.

Traditionally they are dipped in the Italian dessert wine called in Santo ut we find coffee sherry or e en hot chocolate works just as well!

Recipe by reader Linda Jeyes.

Perfect Biscotti Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 35 minutes Ingredients 200 g slivered almonds 2 tsp butter, for greasing 3 medium eggs, separated 250 g caster sugar Pinch of salt Grated rind of 1 lemon 400 g plain flour 3 tsp baking powder Method ë Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas Mark 4. Place the almonds on a non-stick baking sheet and toast in the preheated oven for 5 to 10 minutes or until golden. Remove and cool Lightly grease two baking sheets with butter. ë Put the egg yolks and sugar into the mixer bowl and use a flat beater. Beat the mixture on a medium speed for 30 seconds or until thoroughly mixed. Transfer the mixture to another bowl. ë Clean the mixer bowl and dry thoroughly, then using a whisk, whisk the egg whites and salt on speed 8 until peaking. Still using the whisk, on a medium speed, gradually add the egg yolk mixture until fully incorporated. Grate the rind of the lemon into the mixture, and add the toasted almonds. Fit the dough hook, and mix the dough on speed 4 for 30 seconds. Add the flour, baking powder and butter.

Continue to mix on for a further minute to knead the dough. ë Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll into four, 2 cm wide sausage shapes. Transfer to the baking sheets and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes until the edges have begun to turn golden brown. ë Remove from the oven and immediately cut into 1-cm thick slices, cutting on the diagonal. Cool on wire cooling racks. Store once cold in an airtight container.

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Delicious!

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Eating Out Guide EST D 1904

R EDCLIFFE H OTEL PAIGNTON

Occombe Farm Café

Redcliffe Hotel

Three Degrees West

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.

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.

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

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

Nestled down on Oddicombe Beach, Three Degrees West offers a fantastic range of food and drink with the most spectacular views in the bay.

You can either soak up some rays on the terrace or, if it’s too chilly then tuck in behind the floor to ceiling glass windows and enjoy some al fresco coffee and cakes from the inside!

Full details of the menus, opening hours and gallery of images from this amazing new venue’s first two years in business are available on their website.

Oddicombe Beach Torquay TQ1 3LB 01803 311202 www.oddicombebeach.co.uk

Berry Head Hotel Brixham | Torbay | South Devon

The Perfect Location, For Any Occasion 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 and Special Events with menus tailored to suit you Indoor Swimming Pool Non-residents and Families Welcome Well appointed 3 Star Accommodation

Join us Over Christmas & New Year 2016 Party Nights from £22.50 per person Boxing Day 3 Course Carvery Lunch £24.50 per person Grand New Years Eve Party £70.00 per person New Years Day 3 Course Carvery Lunch £24.50 per person

01803 853225 www.berryheadhotel.com | stay@berryheadhotel.com 46

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Festive Food & Drink

Christmas Liberation – The Cocktail

Liberty Brixham is a stylish new tea parlour and cocktail bar on Brixham’s delightful inner harbour. Manager Mark Coysh shares his recipe for this yummy Christmas cocktail. Enjoy!

Ingredients 25ml / 1 Shot of Absolut Vodka 25ml / 1 Shot of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum 25ml / 1 Shot of Cinnamon Syrup 50ml / Double Shot of Espresso (If you do not have cinnamon syrup you can use a teaspoon of sugar and a pinch of ground cinnamon) Method ë Fill a cocktail shaker with cubed ice ë Add ingredients in order of listing above ë Lock glass/lid onto the shaker and shake vigorously until your hands feel icy cold ë Strain into a Martini glass (i.e. no ice), allowing the creme foam to float on top at the end of pouring ë Garnish with coffee beans

Festive Ales

Don’t fancy cocktails? Why not try a locally produced festive ale? Bays Brewery’s locally brewed Jingle Ale is available now until 29 December.

It’s an all singing, all dancing Christmas bitter! Deep amber in colour with a subtle sweetness throughout – easy drinking with a festive hoppy finish! And to see the New Year in there’s Bays 2017, a well balanced, easy drinking ale – perfect for the Christmas hangover!

Easy Mulled Wine – from the Editor

Someone in your family party will enjoy studding an orange with cloves so get them working on this whilst you hot up a couple of bottles of wine (add water or orange juice to dilute a little if you prefer a lighter drink). Pop the studded orange into the pot with some lemon slices, add some ground ginger and a couple of cinnamon sticks plus sugar or honey to taste and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes. Make sure the youngsters have a warmed, nonalcoholic version made with cranberry, apple and orange juice.

Serve with stollen, nice spiced biscuits, mince pies or Christmas cake – great after a winter walk on the coast path!

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Spotlight on Brixham’s

MIDDLE STREET Brixham’s Middle Street is awash with some very stylish independent businesses, and a real gem to visit, just a stone’s throw from the historic harbourside. Anita Newcombe decides to explore.

Middle Street begins right by the beautiful harbour and snakes up a gentle hill into the heart of Brixham.

Most of the shops are on one side of the road, making the street light and airy with views of Brixham’s pretty painted cottages behind. It’s a joy to stroll along and discover this delightful ‘boutique quarter’ of the Bay. Here are some of the treasures I found:

CURIOUS KITCHEN It’s a heavenly hideout for breakfast and lunch with real food and proper coffee. Everything is made in house - focaccia, brioche, cakes and bakes, doughnuts, Ketchup, pickles, jams, sauces .....I could go on. They even cure their own bacon! Definitely try the freshly squeezed orange juice, a fresh smoothie or a cheeky freak shake.

Curious Kitchen is vegan, veggie and allergy friendly and now they’ve started Friday and Saturday supper nights too. The owners, who have lived in Brixham for 15 years, are Sue, husband Kevin and daughter Lucy. Chef Ash has been a family friend for 17 years.

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TOOTH AND CLAW

Out & About

Husband and wife design team Andrea and Jamie Carless opened Tooth and Claw last summer after relocating from London. This eclectic boutique stocks a small but wonderful selection of the coolest home and lifestyle design brands, nestled alongside vintage and antique finds. Customers have decribed its ‘Rough-Luxe’, industrial-style interior, as “a little bit of Brooklyn or Shoreditch, in Brixham”. They create luxurious home accessories and wallpaper collections with a glamorous, sophisticated rock ‘n’ roll look – they call it ‘LuxeNoir’. Their products, which are all made in the UK, are stocked in design and lifestyle boutiques in Europe and New York.

NICKY STEVENSON GALLERY Following a career as a designer and prop maker in the film and theatre world, Nicky started painting full time in 1992 and opened The Nicky Stevenson Gallery nine years ago in Middle Street. Her painting is inspired by everyday life and is full of ironic humour, narrative interest and her trademark bold colour – quite delicious to view! The gallery shows works by other talented and well-known local artists including John Gillo, Emma Carter, David Cowell, Elizabeth Hadley, Derek Hayward and Vera Stride. You’ll see paintings, sculptures, dichroic glass jewellery, ceramics and chorratinta originals – it’s very welcoming and a true visual feast.

BRIXHAM STEAM PACKET COMPANY This fascinating shop in Brixham’s Middle Street has the most wonderful collection of intriguing antique and reproduction marine collectables.

Owner Bob Higginson realised his dream of foreign travel with Cunard many years ago and is now bringing back memories of this evocative era.

The shop’s stock comes in from ships that have been scrapped from many different parts of the world (in many cases the provenance is well documented) and make fascinating collectables. You’ll love browsing the ships’ clocks, bells, passageway lights, diving helmets and lots more. Chester, Bob’s Chesapeake Bay Retriever is always around and is an important member of the crew.

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IT’S ALL ABOUT ME Shelagh owns the perfectly adorable childrenswear shop, It’s All About Me. Fun and funky, the shop stocks brilliant clothes for kids, including the hugely popular Jolly Toddler pirate-themed range as well as colourful girls’ tutus, which Shelagh makes herself. It’s All About Me was featured in the Fishtown TV series, which created quite a buzz. Describing herself as “a Mother and Creative with an entrepreneurial spirit,” Shelagh developed a new brand called Adorabella Creations - producing gorgeous, handmade flower crowns. Selling online, and in the shop, the flower crowns have become an instant hit and Adorabella Creations has customers across the globe.

MAI MAI’S COFFEE HOUSE

COLOURS OF BRIXHAM Colours of Brixham is an art & craft gallery where you’ll see original paintings, Giclée prints, cards and painted porcelain by Lynne Peets and sister Janet Bolland plus some beautiful craft from local makers. Lynne, who is self-taught, has been painting her colourful and sometimes humorous watercolours and acrylics in Brixham for twenty years. She is well known to many locals and returning visitors to the area who can find often her either painting around Brixham or at the weekly Art & Craft market on the harbourside during the tourist season. The sisters’ appearance on BBC2’s Great Interior Design Challenge created a flood of orders.

Mai Mai had always secretly wanted to have her own coffee shop but initially felt a little nervous as she had only ever been in the takeaway business. She decided to take the plunge in the winter of 2014 with the support of her whole family. Now Mai Mai runs a beautifully quirky and popular coffee house in Middle Street, which has been described as like sitting in your own front room, warm and individual and full of fascinating curiosities. It serves ‘fresh and fabulous food’ and the smoothest coffee plus a great selection of yummy cakes.

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BRIXHAM SEWING BOX

Out & About

Brixham Sewing Box is a must-visit for keen creative types and is located just at the harbourside end of Middle Street. Owner Sandy Richards stocks a range of stunning fabrics plus absolutely everything you need for sewing, patchwork, quilting, knitting, dressmaking and creative crafts.

She is known for stocking some unusual and special items not available elsewhere plus some very jaunty nautical themed fabrics. You’ll find Christmas panels, fabrics and sparkly threads and she will repair your sewing machine too. Sandy always loves to chat about creative sewing projects and she also runs occasional fun sewing classes with lunch.

L.G. BROWN A joy to behold, L G Brown & Co (Textiles) is the epitome of the long-lost, old-style purveyor of simply beautiful and superb quality linens and textiles. Mr Brown’s business was established in 1951 and is still known countrywide for its impeccable quality and service. It’s like stepping back in time to a more gracious way of doing business and his values seem to have spread right along Middle Street. When you buy something from L.G. Brown, it comes wrapped in a simply splendid paper parcel tied up with string you’ll feel ridiculously pleased to carry away.

BRIXHAM YACHT SUPPLIES Husband & wife team, Peter & Sally Woolcock run this traditional family business which opened in 1963 making it one of the oldest businesses in Brixham. It’s a treasure trove for fans of the great outdoors with all manner of goods for outdoor pursuits. Here you’ll find clothing, camping gear, knives, shackles and other bits and pieces for boats. They also specialise in knitwear including cosy Aran and fisherman’s jumpers and stock ex-army surplus. If you are keen on boating, walking, camping, fishing or any other outdoor hobby, you will love this shop. englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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BEAUTY OPEN Monday - Saturday 10-4.30

Your creative adventure starts here!

WINTER FABRICS IN - EARLY SPRING FABRICS ARRIVING from Makower, Dashwood, Timeless Treasures, Tilda and Michael Miller

Font: James Fajardo Colours: Blue - C46 M16 Y22 K22 Red - C24 M100 Y100 K23

Come and see our wide range of wonderful fabrics and trimmings.

Sewing boxes and craft lamps in stock - great Christmas gifts for crafty people!

85 Middle Street Brixham TQ5 8EJ 01803 883342 www.brixhamsewingbox.co.uk

We run a range of courses and workshops for those just starting out and for the more experienced - check our website for details 52

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PORT EXPRESSO

Out & About

Brixham boy, Dan Joselin, known as ‘The Bearded Baker’, runs Port Espresso, a small, speciality espresso bar that recently made the finals for the ‘Best Coffee Shop in Devon’ award. He prides himself on his homemade cakes & bakes, use of organic and local produce - and the finest coffee.

Dan has spent years getting his coffee blend just right and now sells bags of beans. With 18 years experience as a chef, Dan also has wonderful breakfast and lunch menus. Full of ideas, he’s hoping to start coffee and cycling clubs, film evenings and ‘The Coffee Sessions’ soon.

GEM TURKISH BARBER Gem Arduc’s place is another real find in fascinating Middle Street.

He is a highly trained, Turkish barber from a country where haircuts are taken very seriously. The shop is very busy with a constant stream of clients but finally the engaging Gem has time to chat. He had been working in upscale salons in Chelsea and Mayfair but six years ago he decided to move to Brixham to create a better lifestyle with his wife and son. He offers haircuts and hot towel shaves plus eye brow threading, all with the traditional Turkish service – and that’s very hard to beat!

MANOR PUB Soraya Kirkwood recently reopened The Manor Pub just off Middle Street. The Manor is a hidden Brixham gem, set back from the hustle and bustle of the main high street and the harbour. Soraya has kept the old, traditional features such as the stonework on the walls, wooden beams, open fireplace, archway windows and she has decorated the walls with photos of Brixham through the years.

But she’s also added a lively splash of colour, a modern bar set up and comfortable and quirky furniture. You’ll find inventive cocktails, choice of real ales, premium lagers, large selection of fine wines and friendly staff.

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Woodland Old and New

N

Preston Down Road entrance

Distance: 2 miles Exertion: Moderate Time: Allow 1 hour Terrain: Woodland pathways.

Dogs: Free to roam.

Refreshments: Bring a flask.

Start postcode: TQ3 1QR

L

iving in an area with so much beautiful coastline it’s often easy to neglect the woodland and countryside right on our doorstep. Nestled in three valleys between Torquay and Paignton are the Heartwoods, comprising Occombe, Scadson and Cockington Valley woods. The woodlands connect Occombe and Cockington and provide some of the most accessible and enjoyable walking and cycling routes in the Bay. We visit Occombe Woods for this walk and find out that Occombe, loosely translated means ‘valley of the oaks.’

There have been woodlands recorded here since the 1600s and they are classified as ‘ancient semi natural woodland’ making this one of very few blocks of woodland in the country that have survived unchanged for so long. Perhaps due to their importance to the local community.

The area is thickly carpeted with ferns and bracken as well as being home to ancient plant species such as Wood-Sorrel, Moschatel, Pignut and Yellow Archangel.

The woods can be accessed from several different points so routes are many and varied but all centre around the stream at the valley floor. For our stroll we arrive via the Occombe Valley Road entrance and head uphill with the stream to our right until we reach the first crossing point, a concrete bridge, where we cross and continue to follow the stream, now on our left. The valley floor is carpeted with a thick mat of

Green Park Road entrance

freshly fallen oak foliage that crunches beneath our feet.

But beware, as hidden beneath are a mass of tangled roots, slippery with autumnal mud just waiting to trip the unwary!

Although the day is damp, the autumn sun pierces the leafless canopy filling the space with shards of sunlight that dance along with the swinging boughs, a sight to lift the heart as the dark wet winter gathers momentum.

We come to a further crossing, this time in timber and follow along uphill. We reach the edge of the wood, traffic at Marldon and the ring road now audible and pass through a gate going toward Preston Down Road. A fellow walker points out another path to the right which allows for a circular detour of a half mile or so through an area of young oaks, planted I would estimate within the last twenty years and now extending the reach of the trees further towards Windmill and for future generations.

We circle around the new stand and drop back down into the main wood, picking up the brookside path heading downstream. The path rises as the brook’s babbling fades below us and we contour the hill toward the entrance at Green Park Road. It’s more shady here and an abundance of funghi litters the woods. We cross a second tributary on wooden boardwalks and rejoin the main path to return to the valley bottom.

The woods here are certainly a tonic for when a countryside fix is required and the variety of routes mean you could spend half an hour or several hours wandering but be aware that the paths can be steep and very slippery in winter so take care! o

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Walk

Lindsay Road entrance

Occombe Valley Road entrance

Merryland Close entrance

Combe Road entrance

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December & January

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Around the Bay

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Britannia Royal Naval College Tours, Dartmouth Monday afternoons & some Wednesdays Tours of this iconic building will offer an informative narrative allowing you to appreciate the rich history, role and relevance of this building and the naval training conducted here today.

College Way, Dartmouth, Devon TQ6 0HJ 01803 677565 britannniaassociation.org.uk

Light Up a Life, Rowcroft On till 18 December

Epic Movie Arms and Armour. You’ll see stunning costumes and weapons from some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbuster sword and sandal movies. The exhibition includes a selection of full warrior costumes and armour containing ‘screen used’ props from some of the biggest blockbuster films of recent years, including: Gladiator, Troy, Hercules, Alexander, Centurion, The Eagle, King Arthur, and the hit TV series Spartacus. Much of the movie armour and costumes are historically based with many representing highly accurate reconstructions of warrior equipment and weapons from the ancient world.

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

During the festive season, take time to remember and celebrate the life of someone who won’t be with you this year. Someone you love dearly and miss greatly.You can dedicate a light in their memory on Rowcroft’s Tree of Light, and/or by entering their name in the remembrance Book of Light. The lights will shine brightly throughout the winter months as a symbol of hope and love and the Book of Light can be viewed throughout the year at a number of churches and venues, as well as online.

Rowcroft Hospice, Rainbow House, Torquay TQ2 5LS 01803 217642 rowcrofthospice.org.uk

Victorian Christmas, St Marychurch 1 - 31 December

Hannahs Winter Wonderland On till 23 December

Enjoy a taste of the orient with an evening of speciality Indian cuisine , all you can eat for £12.95 per person.

Berry Head Hotel, Berry Head Road, Brixham TQ5 9AJ 01803 853225 berryheadhotel.com

For the first time ever the Edwardian Quad will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland with a 15m x 20m skating rink, a giant 50ft bouncy snowman, pop-up gift and food stalls, musical Christmas light shows and even regular snow showers.

Hannahs at Seale Hayne, Howton Lane, Newton Abbot TQ12 6NQ 01626 325800 winterwonderland.org.uk

Warriors of the Ancient World, Torquay On until 18 February Ancient warriors have descended upon Torquay Museum for an exhibition entitled Warriors of the Ancient World: 56

December/January 2016/17

Come and experience Christmas in 1897. Look out for the 12ft tree and join in the hunt for modern items hidden around Bygones for a festive treat. Normal admission applies.

Bygones, Fore Street, St Marychurch TQ1 4PR 01803 326108 bygones.co.uk

Canon and Noor’s Speciality Indian Night, Brixham 1 December

Coleton Aglow, Coleton Fishacre 2,3,4, 9,10,11,16,17,18,23 & 27-31 December Discover Coleton Fishacre in a new light, as the house, streams, beautiful trees and exotic features of the garden are lit for Christmas. Follow the illuminated route around the garden, then head inside the beautifully decorated house. Free event but normal admission charges apply.

Times: 5-7.30pm. Dogs on leads welcome.

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

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❅ Brixham Folk Night 2 December Organised by Anne and Steve Gill with help from Maggie Duffy and John Miles. Admission £3, performers £2.

Lounge bar, Brixham Theatre, New Road, Brixham TQ5 8LX 01803 858394 brixhamtheatre.org.uk

History of the River Dart, Torre Abbey 2 & 9 December Enjoy lectures by master storyteller John Risdon exploring the River Dart catchment from the high moorland of Dartmoor to the sea airs of Dartmouth and looking at the interrelationship of geology, landscape and communities that have developed and been influenced by this ancient, riverine landscape, past and present. Times: 2-4.30pm.

Tickets: £6.

The Learning Lab, Torre Abbey, The King’s Drive, Torquay TQ2 5JE 01803 293593 torre-abbey.org.uk

Christmas Party Nights, Riviera International Centre, Torquay 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17 December Shared Christmas party nights offer one of the most fun, exciting and memorable nights out in Torquay. There are two options on each party night, a 3-course dinner or a 2-course carvery - both followed by a disco until 1.00am.

Riviera International Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Torquay TQ2 5LZ 01803 206311 rivierainternational.co.uk

Christmas at Cockington Court 3 & 4 December Visit Cockington between 11am and 4pm for a whole range of activities including Santa carriage rides, choirs, juggler, puppet show, craft workshops and food stalls, mince pies and mulled wine. Visit the craft studios and galleries for that special gift and support local crafts makers including paintings and prints, sculpture, ceramics, glass blowers, blacksmith, chocolatier, jewellers, textiles, leather, furniture, bags and sewing kits, wrapping paper, handmade cards and more.

Cockington Court Craft Centre, Cockington, Torquay TQ2 6XA 01803 607230 cockingtoncourt.org.uk

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The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding, Greenway 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 27-31 December

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At Agatha Christie’s beloved holiday home, her short story ‘The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding’ has inspired the Christmas decorations and family activities. Follow in Poirot’s footsteps as he enjoys his first ‘old-fashioned Christmas’ complete with Christmas puddings. Enjoy decorations throughout the house inspired by the story, and little-ones can search for the stolen ruby, which is the challenge Poirot has put his ‘little grey cells to’ in this mystery. Booking not required, normal admission applies, parking spaces must be prebooked. Time: 11am – 4pm.

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

5K Santa Run, Newton Abbot 3 December Walk, jog or run the 5 km route through the beautiful settings of the Finlake Holiday Park dressed as Santa in aid of Rowcroft Hospice. Time: 9am till 12 noon.

Register by 28 November.

Finlake Holiday Park, Chudleigh, Newton Abbot TQ13 0EJ 07814 496674

Brixham Orpheus Male Voice Choir 3 December Come along and enjoy the ambiance of a choir coffee morning. The choir will be singing during the morning.

So pop your head around the door between 10.00 and 12.00pm to help raise funds for the choir.

Christian Community Centre, Fore Street, Brixham TQ5 8DS 01803 850255 brixham-orpheus-choir.co.uk

Santa in the Caves, Torquay 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 December Santa returns to Kents Cavern again this year! Enjoy an hour-long show, a personal visit with Santa, fantastic Christmas presents, mulled wine and mince pies. Children (2-12) meet Santa and receive a wrapped Christmas gift. Time: 10.30am – 3pm, cost (aged 2+) £10 per adult, £12 per child. Presents for under 2s at £3.50.

Kents Cavern, 91 Ilsham Road, Torquay TQ1 2JF 01803 215136 kents-cavern.co.uk December/January 2016/17

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Father Christmas visits Coleton Fishacre 4, 11 & 18 December Father Christmas will be making an appearance at Coleton Fishacre again this Christmas time. Meet Father Christmas in his grotto, and collect your present from him. Cost: £3 per child, admission applies. Time: 2pm to 3.30 pm Brownstone Road, Kingswear TQ6 0EQ 01803 842382 nationaltrust.org.uk

Festive Bake and Craft Event, Cockington 4 December Make your own festive wreath from natural materials.

Plus enter your homemade crafts and bakes in our competition. Teas, coffees, cakes & crafts will be available to buy. Suitable for: All ages - children must be accompanied by an adult, timings: 11am- 3.30pm Free entry to bake & craft. £1 per entry for competition. £2.50 for wreath making.

Cockington Country Park, Torquay TQ2 6XA 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk

Santa Sunday Fun Run & Cycle, Paignton 4 December Festive events at Torbay Velopark include a 1.5km fun run, a 3km cycle or take part in both for the Santa Duathlon. In aid of Torbay Holiday Helpers Network.

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

Winter Bird Walk, Broadsands 4 December Broadsands and its surroundings provide the picturesque setting for this wonderful birdwatching walk organised

by Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust. Local expert Mike Langman will be your guide; make sure you bring your binoculars and expect to see gulls, wintering seabirds, firecrest and chiffchaffs plus the elusive cirl bunting.

Time: 10am – 12 noon cost: £7.00, booking essential.

Suitable for ages 12+.

Broadsands Car Park, Paignton TQ4 6HY 01803 520022 countryside-trust.org.uk

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All Things Vintage & Festive Show, Torquay, 4 December Over 50 vintage and artisan exhibitors, catwalk, festive music, workshops and lots more. Time: 10am -4pm.

Cost: £2.00 (under 12s free).

The Imperial Hotel, Parkhill Road, Torquay TQ1 2DG 07739033476 missivyevents. co.uk

Tots Go Wild For Christmas, Occombe, 5 - 9 December Tots come along to Occombe for a very Christmassy morning. They will start off with some festive storytelling warmed by the fire, then complete a glittering Christmas trail and finish off with some Christmas crafts. Time: 9.30-11.30am, cost: £5 per child (children must be accompanied by an adult), babies are free.

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

Dispelling Neanderthal Myths, Torquay Museum 6 December Enjoy a Museum Society lecture entitled Brutish Savages or Compassionate & Complex? Dispelling Neanderthal Myths. Felicity McDowall re-assesses the traditional view of the Neanderthals in light of their care for the sick and the elderly, their artistic expression and their symbolic funerary practices. Time: 10.45am, cost: free to museum members, £5 non-members.

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

Steam and Carols 7 December Enjoy a trip on the steam train in aid of Rowcroft Hospice.

There will be entertainment on the platform before setting off at 6.30pm for a slow and relaxed journey. The train stops at Churston where Galmpton’s Manor Inn Male Voice Choir will sing for you. Arriving at Kingswear, there will be a carol service & you can take advantage of the platform restaurant. Return to Paignton by around 9.30pm. Tickets: Adults £10 (includes mulled wine) children £5 - from Manor Inn Galmpton or by phone.

Dartmouth Steam Railway, Queen’s Park Station, Torbay Road, Paignton TQ4 6AF 01803 843233 englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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❅ The Wildlife of Dartmoor, Torquay Museum 7 December A Museum Society lecture - in this talk, ecologist, lecturer and wildlife artist John Walters discusses the extraordinary range of wildlife to be found in the Dartmoor National Park, including bee hawk moths, cuckoos, roe deer and leopard slugs.

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

Late Night Christmas Shopping, Cockington Court 7, 14, 21 December

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What’s On

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Enjoy a late night shopping event in the real, historic Paignton. Winner ❅ Street invites you to a fun evening with all the family. Every shop is open until 8pm and there will be a Christmas artisan market in the premises of number 93 Winner Street. There will be a samba band and baton twirlers plus free hugs from the Winner Street mascot bear!

Winner Street, Paignton TQ3 3BQ facebook.com/WinnerStreetSells

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Enjoy late night shopping at a leisurely pace and visit the galleries, craft studios and tea rooms on Wednesdays from 4.00 to 7.00pm in the run up to Christmas: Free Cockington Court car parking on the Wednesdays shown above between 4-7pm.

Cockington Court Craft Centre, Cockington, Torquay TQ2 6XA 01803 607230 cockingtoncourt.org.uk

Brixham Town Band Christmas Concert 9 December

BATS Christmas Quiz, Brixham 7 December Polish up those little grey cells and book a space for Brixham Theatre Christmas Quiz Night. There will be festive prizes for the winning team. All funds raised will go towards refurbishing the theatre seats. Tickets £10 a head, including a festive hot supper and a glass of spiced wine or juice drink. Call to reserve a team or an individual spot on the Free-Lancers team.

Brixham Theatre, New Road, Brixham TQ5 8LZ 01803 857855 brixhamtheatre.org.uk

Go on a Christmas trail around Living Coasts that leads to Santa, join in with carol singing by TOADS (12.30 & 2pm), watch Santa’s elves feed the penguins (2.30pm talk only) and make a wish on the Christmas tree. On Saturday between 12 & 2pm meet Anna and Elsa from Frozen then on Sunday between 12 & 2pm meet Spiderman and Batman. Normal admission charges apply. £1.50 per trail and suggested donation £2.50 for festive face painting.

Torquay Harbourside, Beacon Hill, Torquay TQ1 2BG 01803 202470 livingcoasts.org.uk

Greenway Garden Blitz 7 December

Sing Christmas, Brixham 10 December

Enjoy the fresh air and scenery at Greenway as you volunteer. The work involves cutting down or digging out weeds, brambles, overgrown shrubs and moving debris to the shredder or bonfire. No gardening skills are necessary. Taking part in a garden blitz is a great chance to meet like-minded people, burn a few calories and explore parts of Greenway garden. Tea and cake as well as garden tools are supplied. Time: 9.30am-4pm. Call to book or email colin.clark@nationaltrust.org.uk Greenway House, Greenway, Brixham TQ5 0ES. 01803 661905 nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway

The Riviera Singers and children from Brixham Church of England Primary School join the Brixham Orpheus Male Voice Choir for its annual Christmas Concert.

Always a great favourite, tickets are £5.00 in advance or £8.00 on the door. This concert starts at 6.30pm and is in aid of Children’s Hospice South West.

Brixham Baptist Church, Market Street, Brixham 01803 361294 brixham-orpheuschoir.co.uk

Enjoy Brixham Town Band’s Christmas concert with carols. Time: 8pm.

Methodist Church, Palace Avenue, Paignton TQ3 3EQ 01803 882708 brixhamtownband.org.uk

Christmas Festive Weekend, Living Coasts 10 & 11 December

Christmas Market, Winner Street 8 December englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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Christmas Market, Torquay 10 December Enjoy Brunel Manor’s first Christmas market. Open from 11.00am to 4.00pm for homemade gifts, hog roast, workshops and tearoom. Free admission.

Teignmouth Road, Torquay TQ1 4SF 01803 329333 brunelmanor.com

brother, sister or other family member to help you. Max. 3 people per gingerbread house. Cost: £22.50, suitable for: All ages - children must be accompanied by an adult, timings: 10.30am-1pm or 2-4.30pm. Booking essential.

Occombe Farm, Preston Down Road, Paignton TQ3 1RN

Hallelujah! It’s Christmas 10 December South Devon Choir will sing Part 1 of Handel’s Messiah and, in addition, his famous Hallelujah Chorus. A modern piece by McDowall, Christus Natus Est, will remind us of the reason for the season and there will be audience participation when you can join in with some well-known Christmas carols.

Central Church, Tor Hill Road, Torquay TQ2 5RF 01803 846058 southdevonchoir.org

The Santa Express 2016, Paignton 10, 11, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24 December This year’s Santa Express features Aladdin & the Golden Lamp. It’s a magical steam train journey from Paignton to Kingswear and back with mulled wine and mince pie (adults). Aladdin, Jasmin, Jafar and the Genie will entertain you during the journey by performing a mini pantomime to get you in the spirit to greet Father Christmas - who will visit you at your seat with his sleigh and band of merry helpers. Prebooking essential.

Queens Park Station, Torbay Road, Paignton TQ4 6AF 01803 555872 dartmouthrailriver.co.uk

01803 520022 countrysidetrust.org.uk

Carols in the Courtyard, Greenway 11 December Members of local choirs, the Greenway staff and volunteers, and the local community will be gathering in the courtyard to sing carols, followed by festive hot drinks and mince pies. Time: 3.30-4.30pm. Bring a torch.

Parking must be prebooked.

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

Choir 86 Christmas Concert, Babbacombe 11 December

Gingerbread House Workshop, Occombe 11 December Decorate your own edible Gingerbread House for Christmas in this fun family workshop led by Lori Reich.

Lori will provide you with a gingerbread house, delicious decorations and ideas to help you assemble and decorate your own house to take home. You’ll need a couple of pairs of hands to complete your house – bring an older 60

December/January 2016/17

Choir 86 presents their glitzy Christmas Concert. Singing a variety of contemporary and traditional Christmas themed songs in 4-part harmony. The music is guaranteed to put anyone in the mood for Christmas and a combination of choir songs and audience participation is proven to be a winning festive combination. Cost: £8.00 per adult to include light refreshments. Time: 3.30-5pm.

Furrough Cross United Reform Church, Babbacombe, Torquay TQ1 3SB 07884 171267 choir86.co.uk

Dartington Christmas Concert 11 December Dartington Community Choir’s Christmas concert is always one of the highlights of the festive calendar. This englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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❅ year will be no exception as the choir, orchestra and soloists perform Haydn’s The Seasons. Full of the glorious songs and sounds of the countryside, Haydn’s much loved choral work will be sung in English. Come and enjoy an outstanding choir with a complementary glass of mulled wine and a mince pie in the beautiful venue of the Great Hall. Time: 7.30pm, tickets: £18 adults, students & under 16s £5.

Great Hall, Dartington, Totnes TQ9 6EL 01803 847070 dartington.org

Brixham & Paignton Stamp Club 12 December & 9 January Informal meetings and philatelic presentations on the second Monday of each month. Time: 7.15 – 9pm Chestnut Community Centre, Poplar Close, Brixham TQ5 0SA Tony Key 01803 858018

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Two-hour performance with limited seating, pre-booking essential. Time: ❅ 6-8pm, cost: £15.

Kents Cavern, Ilsham Road, Torquay TQ1 2JF 01803 215136 kents-cavern.co.uk

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What’s On

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The Holly Ball – Torquay 16 December The Holly Ball is the largest social evening on the rowing calendar. Hosted every year by Torquay Rowing Club, over one thousand people enjoy live music and dancing to celebrate Christmas. This is a black tie event. Tickets: £25 to include fizz on arrival. Overnight stay package also available.

Grand Hotel, Sea Front, Torquay TQ2 6NT 07955310123 torquayrowingclub.co.uk

Vigilance Christmas Carols 13 December

Santa Claws Christmas Special, Torquay 17 December – January 2 (excluding 24, 25, 26 Dec & 1 Jan)

A free event with Children of Brixham C of E Primary School and Brixham Town Band singing a medley of seasonal songs plus warm fruit punch and mince pies.

There will also be a free prize draw to win a family sailing voucher. Santa may even visit! The event is sponsored by Vigilance as a thank you to the people of Brixham. Dress warmly. Time: 7pm – 8pm.

The Old Fish Quay, Brixham Harbour TQ5 8AW vigilanceofbrixham.co.uk

Visit Torquay’s Dinosaur World for their Santa Claws Christmas Special and see the dinosaurs in their winter homeland. Get up close and personal with these amazing creatures, discover incredible fossils, sit on a dinosaur and take the Santa Claws Christmas Quiz to win your present from Santa Claws – a free bag of 160-million-year-old fossils!! Times: 11am-last entry at 3pm (close 4.30pm).

3, Victoria Parade, Torquay, TQ1 2BB 01803 298779 torquaysdinosaurworld.co.uk

Dartmouth Fatstock Show & Auction 13 December

Christmas at Paignton Zoo 17 – 24 December

Dartmouth hosts a one-day traditional farm event where you can meet with the farmers and see the animals. This event allows you can to get up close to farm animals in the middle of the town.

The Old Market, Dartmouth TQ6 9YY

Meet Santa in his new cabin at Paignton Zoo. Watch the animals get their Christmas presents. Hop aboard the Christmas Train to take part in a snowball challenge.

Booking essential. Tickets (child up to 15): £9.50 include meet Santa and receive a gift, chocolate Santa to take home, Christmas train ride for one child and one adult. Times: 10.30am, 12noon, 2pm. Normal zoo admission charge is also payable and entry tickets can be prebooked online.

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

Carols in the Caves, Kents Cavern 15 December Listen to carols and show songs in the unique candlelit underground setting of Kents Cavern. Witness acoustics like no other and wander around the caves listening to awesome harmonies. You might even get to join in for a hymn or two! Mulled wine or hot chocolate and festive treats await you in the last chamber where more carols are to be enjoyed, along with a special guest appearance… englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Breakfast or Lunch with Santa, Bygones 21-24 December Enjoy breakfast or lunch at Bygones, meet Santa and visit his workshop to receive a traditional toy. £9.50 per adult, December/January 2016/17

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NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA DINNER See in 2017 in style at this fantastic gala dinner dance. If ever there was an excuse for dressing to impress, this is the one!

Join us for a drinks reception before sitting down to an exquisite four-course meal.

Afterwards, the party really gets going, as you enjoy music from a live band and see in the New Year.

BOOK NOW

01803 294301

salesmanager@theimperialtorquay.co.uk

The Imperial

MENU emon oached Brixham fish roulade wrapped in Nori garden pea and shallot purée, crispy shallots, crab mayonnaise reen a le sor et vodka granite rilled fillet of eef thyme roasted fondant potato, baby ca ots and fine eans c ispy pa snips pink peppercorn and Brandy sauce uo of chocolate Blood orange & almond macaroon white chocolate cream Chocolate di lomat cake strawberry and vanilla cream ea coffee and etit fours lease en uire a out of drinks ackages and cocktails Drinks Reception from 7.30pm Dinner 8.00pm

£75

Per Guest 18+ Only

HOTEL, TORQUAY

WHY NOT HAVE BREAKFAST OR LUNCH WITH SANTA?

Breakfasts 10am on 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th Lunch 1pm on 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd £9.50 per adult and £9.50 per child

Including entry, food and a visit to Santa’s Workshop with a present for the children BOOKING ESSENTIAL

01803 326108 bookings@bygones.co.uk Step back into a magical Victorian Christmas.

In December the Bygones Street becomes a snow covered wonderland with Christmas sights and sounds to delight the whole family!

Fore Street, St Marychurch, Torquay TQ1 4PR 01803 326108 • www.bygones.co.uk

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❅ £9.50 per child. Booking essential by phone or email info@bygones.co.uk.

Bygones, Fore Street, St Marychurch TQ1 4PR 01803 326108 bygones.co.uk

Paignton Lions Club Walk into the Sea 26 December This Boxing Day ‘Walk in to the Sea’ started in 1976 and what was a one-off has become a major Christmas holiday attraction ever since. Why not join in this long-standing event that raises funds for local Lions Club charities?

Registration is from 11.00am with the Walk Into the Sea at 12.00 noon. Cost: £10 adults, £5 juniors.

Paignton Pier, Esplanade Road, Paignton TQ4 6BW 01803 554864 paigntonlions.org.uk

Boxing Day Dip 26 December

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The Boxing Day Dip is an ❅ annual event organized by No. 200 (Torquay) Squadron Air Training Corps and is enjoyed by both members and the general public in aid of raising funds for the unit as well as an additional chosen charity.

The charity selected for this year is Rowcroft Hospice and all proceeds will be split 50% between both organisations. Arrive 10.30am to enter sea at 11am.

Tasteful fancy dress is encouraged. Changing facilities provided at Grand Hotel after event. If you would like to join in a sponsorship form can be downloaded from the Squadron Website resources section.

Corbyn Head, Torbay Road, Torquay TQ2 6RH 07795 540800 200sqn.co.uk

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English Eccentrics Extravaganza Ball – Lupton House 31 December

Shaldon Boxing Day 3-Legged Race 26 December

Enjoy a stylish New Year’s Eve Ball with fireworks & exquisite entertainment, a sumptous banquet and a welcoming sparkling tipple. Cost: £75, time: 7.30pm-1am.

Lupton House, Churston Ferrers, Brixham TQ5 0LD 01803 845800 discoverlupton.com

The Annual Shaldon 3-legged race takes place on Boxing Day around Shaldon visiting all the drinking establishments in the village. Dress up and take part or just come along and watch the antics as entrants race around the village pubs enjoying a quick ‘pit-stop’ at each (soft drinks for kids!). A hilarious day of fancy dress and fun for all the family to enjoy. The colourful costumes and festive spirit ensure the event is a firmly established event in our community calendar. Registration forms are available on the day or via website.

The Ness, Shaldon TQ14 0HP 01626 873874 shaldonwatercarnival.co.uk

Greenway Garden Walk 27 - 31 December

New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner, Torquay 31 December

A winter walk with a Greenway gardener is a great way to find out all about the history of the garden and see the seasonal highlights of this woodland garden.

Times: 2-3pm. Free event but normal admission applies.

Parking must be prebooked. No booking – meet outside Greenway shop. Dogs on leads are welcome.

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

Enjoy a glamorous and stylish dinner dance to welcome in the New Year at Torquay’s celebrated Imperial Hotel. There will be a drinks reception followed by a delicious 4-course meal. Then dance the night away to the live 4-piece band. Tickets: £75 (over 18s only).

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

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Last Night of the Christmas Proms

New Year Johann Strauss Gala

   . Great Hall, Exeter University

    Great Hall, Exeter University    . Riviera International Centre, Torquay

Get into the festive mood with songs from musicals, swing and big band, followed by the best popular Christmas music old and new, including favourites

by Wizzard and Slade. There is something for everyone to rock around the Christmas tree!

Pete Harrison  Alison Jiear, Iain Mackenzie  Great Hall, Exeter

01392 726363

(from Exeter Northcott Theatre)

See in 2017 with a sparkling start in a performance of waltzes, polkas, marches and arias by the King of Waltz and his contemporaries – stylishy performed as they should be heard with a full symphony orchestra!

Frank Zielhorst  Soraya Mafi  Riviera International Centre

01803 206333

live.com

Visit

Santa Caves in the

Call us today on Torquay: 01803 215136 for more information

Book Online

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❅ BSO New Year Johann Strauss Gala, Torquay 6 January See in the New Year in style with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s traditional celebration of Johann Strauss, the King of Waltz. Don’t miss your chance to hear his waltzes, marches and polkas as they should be heard – played by a full symphony orchestra! Join Frank Zielhorst and star soprano Soraya Mafi and experience the sparkling atmosphere and light-heartedness of the Viennese dance halls.

Riviera International Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Torquay TQ2 5LZ 01803 206333 bsolive.com

Fair Isle Knitting & Steeking, Dartington 10 January – 8 week evening course Learn the craft of Fair Isle knitting and steeking by making your own cushion cover in this 8-week evening course with Karen Butterworth. Times: 6.30-8.30pm, cost: £75 wool included. Contact:crafted@dartington.org Chicken Shed Studios, Dartington, Totnes TQ9 6EA 01803 847070 dartington.org

Shiphay Amateur Dramatic Society’s Aladdin 12-14 January Fly away on a magic carpet of thrills with this delightful pantomime performance of Aladdin by Alan Frayne directed by Peter Davis. Adults £7, under 16s £4.

St John Church Hall, Cadewell Lane, Torquay TQ2 7HP 07821 601658 shiphayamdram.co.uk

Baking with the Almond Thief, Dartington 21 & 22 January Over the two-day course you will learn the basics of sourdough and how to make a range of sourdough loaves, which may include porridge bread, sprouted grain, and rye with Dan Mifsud baker & proprietor of the Almond Thief Bakery. On Sunday you will spend the day in the Almond Thief Bakery making more specialty breads such as brioche.

✩

Cost: £100, lunches included. Contact: crafted@dartington.org Higher Close Refectory, Dartington Estate & The Almond Thief Bakery, Dartington.

01803 847070 dartington.org

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❅

What’s On

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Middle Eastern Cookery Course, Occombe 22 January Tim Harris will share his experience and passion of living in Jerusalem with the use of fresh ingredients and lovely flavours. He will introduce you to some great Middle Eastern dishes such as Musakhan - a baked chicken dish, Baba Ghanoush - a smokey aubergine dip, Sfiha - an Armenian ‘pizza’, as well as showing you how to use Middle Eastern influences in the rest of your cooking. Suitable for: adults, cost: £75.

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

Marmalade Making, Dartington 28 January Start the New Year with a fresh batch of homemade marmalade. Join chef Julia Ponsonby and Voirrey Watterson for a one-day workshop on making the most of the bitter Seville orange and take away the fruit of your labour to savour all year round.

Booking essential. Time: 10am4pm, cost: £50 to include a simple lunch and lots of tasting.

Contact: crafted@dartington.org The Old Postern, Schumacher College, Dartington Hall, Totnes TQ9 6EA 01803 847070 dartington.org

Holding an event in February or March?

E-mail us at editorial@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk and we’ll list it in the next issue englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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Treading the boards Babbacombe Theatre Box Office 01803 328385 Editor’s pick THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS 7, 14, 26, 28 DECEMBER PLUS 1 JANUARY This delightful Christmas variety show brings music, magic and mirth for the whole family. Sleight of hand, comedic classics, hits of yesteryear and today are interspersed cleverly to deliver a memorable and feel-good show.

Also worth seeing…

Show of Hands – 3 December

Flavel Arts Centre Dartmouth Box Office 01803 839530 Editor’s pick SNOW WHITE 28 – 31 DECEMBER

Brixham Theatre Box Office 01803 882717 Editor’s pick BOADS PRESENTS - GREAT COMEDY MOMENTS 14 & 15 DECEMBER

This is a musical drama with Dartmouth Players. The young and beautiful Snow White is broken hearted when her father King Leopold disappears in the forest. His second wife, the evil Queen Ravenna asserts her authority and banishes the young princess to a tower in the castle.

One day the Queen’s magic mirror reveals that she is no longer the most beautiful in the kingdom and that Snow White has taken her place. In a fury Ravenna commands her huntsman to murder Snow White.

Also worth seeing…

BRNC Big Band – 20 January RSC Live The Tempest – 11 January

Get into the Christmas spirit by enjoying some selected sketches from 50 years of classic TV comedy. Plus: A Christmas Carol by Pond Life Theatre Company, a fun take on the Charles Dickens story.

Also worth seeing…

Think of England – 1 December The Bon Jovi Experience – 16 December 66

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Theatre & Panto Little Theatre, Torquay Box Office 01803 299330 Editor’s pick A CHRISTMAS CAROL 12 – 17 DECEMBER This well-beloved Dickens play centres around Ebenezer Scrooge and his clerk Bob Cratchit. Scrooge refuses to spend any money and receives a visit from the ghost of his ex partner Jacob Marley who chastises him for being such a scrooge. There follows visitations from other ghosts all serving to show Scrooge the error of his ways. This is a TOADS season production.

Also worth seeing…

Flanders & Swann Revisited – 22 January Will You Still Love Me in the Morning?

16 – 21 January

Princess Theatre, Torquay Box Office 0844 8713023 Editor’s pick CHINESE STATE CIRCUS 3 DECEMBER The internationally acclaimed Chinese State Circus brings 30 world-class Chinese acrobats, aerial artistes and jugglers who interact with the super-human physical skills and dexterity of the masters of martial arts – the legendary Shaolin Warriors.

The nonstop action from start to awesome finale as thrill follows thrill, what seems impossible becomes a reality.

Palace Theatre, Paignton Box Office 01803 665800 Editor’s pick DICK WHITTINGTON 18 DECEMBER – 2 JANUARY

Also worth seeing…

Ghost - 30 January - 4 February The Royal Marines Christmas Concert 4 December

Paignton Pantomime Productions presents Dick Whittington the classic tale of rags to riches. The show features all the traditional pantomime ingredients; a gripping story, sensational songs, a live band, fabulous costumes, dazzling dance routines, slapstick comedy and bags of audience participation.

Also worth seeing…

Cinderella – 8 January Comedy at the Palace – 6 January englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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LONGLEAT HOUSE & FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS £45 inc (adult) Sunday 4th December CLOVELLY CHRISTMAS CAROLS & LIGHTS £25 (inc £5 donation RNLI) Thursday 8th December BATH CHRISTMAS MARKET £25 Wednesday 14th December CHRISTMAS DRIVE & DINE £37 inc Saturday 17th December COLETON AGLOW £23 inc (NT £12) New Years Day A SPECIAL MYSTERY TOUR with glass of bubbly included £29

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December/January 2016/17

Dartmouth Road, nr Brixham TQ5 0LL (Just before the Go Carts)

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The Garden Moves Indoors

In the colder months Lis Wallace of Dobies of Devon considers decorating the home for Christmas, gifts for gardeners and armchair gardening Many months just gently roll into the next but not so with December and January. With one the focus is very much on festivities and with the other, on planning for the year ahead.

At this time of year, the outside tends to move indoors. We gather laurel and streams of ivy to deck our halls. Dried hydrangea and poppy seed heads are sprayed silver or gold and turned into attractive arrangements and holly is formed into wreaths for adorning our front doors. Then, in the New Year we plan for the gardening season ahead.

In e Mon of December Winter Flowering Houseplants So you’ve filled the house with lovely Christmas houseplants and now need to provide the care needed to keep them looking their best? Or maybe you plan to give a houseplant as a present and want to pass on some tips to help it survive? A beautiful flowering azalea or sweetly scented Stephanotis certainly makes a great gift and will last so much longer than a bunch of flowers – when cared for correctly.

The two things that all winter flowering houseplants need are light and water. Foliage plants will be happy sitting in a fairly dim spot but not flowering plants, which in such a position will quickly droop and curl up their toes. Few plants appreciate sitting in a draft or close to a radiator or fire. They will, however, be very happy in well-lit position where the temperature is kept fairly constant. Most houseplants enjoy a summer holiday outside in the garden. Just don’t forget to bring them back indoors as soon as the nights start getting colder!

Lis’s garden includes a wide range of flowering plants but it is the veg patch and greenhouse that receive the most attention. Lis will share some of the knowledge she has gained from her father (a professional gardener) from working at Dobies and also from her own trial and error. Storm, the Jack Russell is bound to chip in now and then. That’s what terriers do! englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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Gifts for Gardeners

Gardening

When you have a gardener in your life choosing a Christmas gift for them is easy as there are so many options. Here’s just a handful of ideas: • A hardy citrus plant – perfect for the gardener who enjoys holidays by the Med and/or making marmalade.

• Flowering winter houseplants – many of which are as sweetly scented as they are beautiful, e.g.

Gardenia, Stephanotis and Jasmine.

• Festive amaryllis bulbs – a bit like marmite but more people love them than hate them.

• Other indoor bulbs – including attractive planters.

• Personalised wooden crates – perfect for creating a herb garden, children’s garden or just for storing gardening ‘stuff’.

• Mushroom kits – for the gardener who is also the home chef.

• Gift Vouchers – another good bet for the gardener.

In e Mon of January January tends to be the month for planning and preparing. Take a hard look at what worked well for your garden last year and needs to be repeated and also what worked less well and needs to be changed. Sitting down with a cuppa and a catalogue to plan your summer garden is one of the most enjoyable of gardening tasks!

Snowdrops are the star flower of January and if you get the chance do take a brisk walk in one of the many snowdrop gardens open to the public this month.

With a proper name of Galanthus and an ancient name of “Snow Piercer”, it is interesting to speculate the origins of the name Snowdrop. Snow is a powdery substance and incapable of forming a “drop”. Any thoughts?

Wisteria seems to be popular in the Bay and can be seen adorning many a wall, house or hotel. Wisteria benefits from being pruned twice a year and now is time for its winter prune. Cut all side shoots back to 2 or 3 buds, unless of course you wish to extend the area covered. Don’t already have a wisteria? Now is the perfect time to buy and plant one. o englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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England’s Seafood Coast

An evening reception was held at Brixham’s Rockfish to celebrate the launch of England’s Seafood Coast.

The English Riviera Tourism Company (ERTC) has secured funding for this exciting new project from the government’s three year £40million Discover England Fund. England’s Seafood Coast sets out to establish the English Riviera as an international seafood destination, inspired by renowned chef Mitch Tonks and his celebration of local seafood with Brixham Fish Market at its heart.

Cllr Nicole Amil and Tim Godfrey (Torbay Business Forum)

Mitch Tonks (Rockfish), Liz and Chris Hart (Wollen Michelmore)

Carolyn Custerson (English Riviera Tourism Company) and Jacqui Shaw (Brixham Chamber)

Dave Hodgetts, Tony Smyth (Sonachan House) and Kevin Mowat (Executive Head of Business Services Torbay Council) Gordon Gout, Cllr Derek Mills (Deputy Mayor), Christine Hodgetts (Brixham Fish Market Tours)

Carl Wyard (Torbay Development Agency) and LIz Pippett (Brixham Chamber) Barry Young (Brixham Trawler Agents) and Christine Hodgetts

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Torbay Festival Of Poetry

Social Diary

The 2016 festival opening night at Torre Abbey featured 5 AMP Fuse (five all male poets) Graham Chilcott, Marc Woodward, Tim King, Ian Beech and Robert Garnham.

Graham Chilcott, Marc Woodward, Tim King, Ian Beech and Robert Garnham

Suzy Miles and William Oxley

Patricia Oxley and John Miles

Brenda Hutchings and Stuart Handysides

Fundraising Cruise The Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company kindly gave use of the iconic Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle to the Froward Point Coastwatch station for a fundraising picnic cruise this autumn. The event raised ÂŁ1340 to support NCI Froward Point.

Jan and Rick Dalton

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Dennis Clayton, Mary West (behind) and Paul West

George Sampson; Gill Davies and Pip Sampson (Kingswear Rowing Club) Stuart Rostron - Station manager

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Chris DeRubeis at Haddon Galleries Haddon Galleries held a private viewing for internationally acclaimed American artist Chris DeRubeis.

Guests were treated to American cocktails and a casino.

John & Glennys Kendrick with Fiona Haddon (Haddon Galleries)

Chris DeRubeis and the Haddon team.

Laura Wall and Paul Haddon (Haddon Galleries)

Leigh and Jeremy Rowley with Chris DeRubeis

Mr & Mrs Tingey

Casino winners!

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Mr and Mrs Whetlore

Contact us at:

editorial@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk @EngRivieraMag facebook.com/englishriveramag

if you are hosting an event you would like us to include.

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Rhino Auction

Paignton Zoo’s Great Big Rhino Project has ended with a successful charity auction that raised £123,000. The summer-long project, organised by Paignton Zoo, saw a free public art trail of 40 lifesize painted rhinos dotted around Exeter and the English Riviera. Now, 39 of the rhinos have been auctioned to raise money for rhino conservation.

Profits from the event will be used by Paignton Zoo to support Javan and Sumatran rhino conservation via Save the Rhino International.

Robin Barlow (auctioneer) and Simon Tonge (Paignton Zoo)

Roger & Karen Hancock and Pippa Craddock (Paignton Zoo) Mandii Pope (artist) and Eugene Rapson (Cavanna Homes)

Steve Dooley (artist)

Andrew Pooley, Sarah Jordan, Hannah Bynion and Sereny Damon (all Dartmouth Steam Railway & Riverboat Co) Dan Bickford-Beers, Jess Miller (artist), Nadine Stroud and Wendy Williams ) all The Training Partnership)

Cleo Heard (Artist)

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Come over all Christmassy in Newton Abbot!

Free Festive Family Fun!

Victorian Evening & Late Night Shopping, 6pm - 8.30pm Wednesday 7th December

Lantern Parade & Christmas Street Fayre, 6pm - 8.30pm Wednesday 14th December

Mayorʻs Carol Service & Christmas Street Fayre, 6pm - 8.30pm Wednesday 21st December

Plus Santa’s Grotto at St Leonards Clock Tower Wednesday evenings & selected Saturday lunchtimes Don’t forget parking is free after 6pm and every Sunday!

For full details visit www.newtonabbot-tc.gov.uk & stall holders visit www.bornhectic.co.uk Entertainment & events are subject to change at short notice and many events are weather dependent.

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Tourism & Hospitality Awards

The Herald Express held their annual English Riviera & South Devon Tourism & Hospitality Awards at the Riviera International Conference Centre.

Johnny & Linda Village (Brixham Cottages) and Julie & Ken Hartley

Vince Flower (Shearings Hotels), Claire Jeavons (Beverley Holidays) and Paul Woolnough (Torbay Culture Board)

Marissa Wakefield and Jo Barnard (Cockington)

Nigel, Sophie, Carol and Alan Ward (Harbour Kitchen)

Pete & Jan Berresford and Amanda & Russell Timbrell (Brixham Pirate Festival),

Megan Bower, Vicky Prichard-Davies and Sheila & John Anderson (Fisherman’s Mission)

Brett Scott, Katie House, Luke Comerford and Naomi Stanley (all Salcombe Harbour Hotel & Spa)

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Kim Storey, Natasha Cobley and Sheila Wolledge (Ilsington Country House Hotel)

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HOSPITAL CAR SERVICE Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting volunteers for its non-emergency Hospital Car Service. Julian Rees goes along to meet Jacky Hall, Control Team Leader, in the busy Transport Department to see how it all works.

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it was run by the West Country Ambulance Service. The ith a team of 25 volunteers already covering service is available to anyone in the South Devon area over 2,000 journeys every month, I’m with a hospital or treatment centre appointment who concerned that Jacky is going to be one busy doesn’t have access to their own transport and is unable to team leader. So armed with a list of questions I arrive at use public transport. However, they must be able to travel the neat stack of portable offices that make up transport in a saloon car with the assistance of one person. Patients HQ at Torbay Hospital. needing more help are transported As I’m led to Jacky’s office, we pass by small rooms full of busy The service covers South Devon by the ambulance service. The people either on the phone or but sometimes drivers travel as service runs from 8.30am until studying wall-mounted monitors far as Papworth Hospital and 10pm and the phone lines are staffed from 7.30am until 6pm. showing the state of play for the Stoke Mandeville for specialist Jacky goes on to describe how day’s journeys. patient treatments. the service is self-funding and that I’m shown into a very tidy office small charges are made to cover where I meet Jacky and volunteer running costs - less than the bus fare in most cases and driver David Bone. Clearly managing a logistical task of certainly less than taxis. The service covers hospitals and this magnitude takes a very organised person and this is treatment centres across South Devon but sometimes reflected in our well-ordered surroundings. drivers travel as far as Papworth Hospital and Stoke Jacky tells me she has been working for the NHS for Mandeville for specialist patient services. ten years and had originally studied to be a beautician.

As with every department of the NHS, performance is Not wanting to move away from the area she had taken a monitored and patients arriving on time for appointments junior role at the hospital and has never looked back. is manifestly important to the efficiency of the hospital.

She explains that the Hospital Car Service has been The drivers’ schedules are very finely balanced and once managed by the hospital since 1995, before which time

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Volunteering

on the go the volunteers are always kept busy! Jacky says, “Our volunteers provide invaluable support to patients and staff and we’re sure that any volunteer would find supporting the car service extremely rewarding. The service plays an essential role providing patient care and we are always seeking new recruits. Many patients will be travelling to hospital for the first time in many years whereas others will make regular journeys. It can be stressful for the patient, irrespective of the number of times they visit hospital, so a friendly face and understanding attitude will always put them at ease.”

Volunteer driver David Bone. David, who is 78, has been driving for the hospital for over 20 years. He spent many years working in a variety of financial roles in the South East before moving to Paignton in 1974 to run a guesthouse. He then bought a small hotel which he converted to a nursing home in 1985 selling it in 1989. Finding himself at a loose end and yearning to do a satisfying day’s work, David signed up and has been driving ever since. At one point he was working four days a week but now drives for two, still clocking up 600-800 miles a month.

David is a cheerful chap and tells me that he feels honoured to be able to help so many people. He really enjoys cheering people up after they’ve had a tough time. Over the years he’s made good friends with patients on long-term treatment plans. With a sparkle in his eye he recounts a tale - he was dropping an elderly lady off for an outpatient appointment. She got out of the car unaided then stopped. David jumped out to see if she needed a hand only to realise she’d lost her prosthetic leg, which had rolled underneath the car. Duly retrieved and refitted, she told David it was about time she had a new one!

David plans to keep volunteering as long as the DVLA will let him drive. o

David Bone and Michael Hughes (Chairman of Volunteer Drivers)

Need to know...

Drivers must be aged 69 or under when they join.

Not be engaged in any full-time employment.

Be available at least two days per week (more if possible).

Be able to work between the hours of 8.30am and 10pm.

Be physically fit.

Be a telephone subscriber.

Have a four door car in sound clean condition.

Be covered by full comprehensive insurance (drivers should check that they are covered for voluntary driving work).

Pass a driving assessment by a qualified driving instructor.

Declare all driving convictions.

Drivers are not paid for their services, but are paid monthly in arrears for their out-of-pocket expenses and mileage allowance, both of which have to be claimed on a claim form.

If you are interested in joining this hugely rewarding volunteer service contact Jacky Hall on 01803 656796

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BusinessBreaks...

Rowcroft Appeal Update

Rowcroft announced in July that it needed to make £1.1million in cost savings and raise an additional £585,000 by the end of the March to return it to financial stability. Since making the announcement, the hospice has received more than £300,000 in support, including hundreds of donations, with more than 450 people committing to make monthly donations and over 300 signing up to play the Rowcroft Lottery. In addition to this the local community have rallied organising coffee mornings, cake sales, craft fairs, auctions and more. Acting Chief Executive, Jon Hill said, “We continue to face an incredibly difficult and challenging time and cannot express enough how grateful we are for the support of the local community.” A decline in the hospice’s legacy income, increase in demand for services and the financial pressures on the NHS has led to the current funding position.

Rowcroft’s Inpatient Unit Manager, Sue Harvey said, “Please, if you haven’t already, visit rowcrofthospice.org.uk to find out more about the services Rowcroft provides for people in South Devon, and consider making a monthly donation or signing up to play our lottery.” o Jon Hill with Sue Harvey

presentation at the Riviera Centre, Torquay. The Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation was awarded for the invention and commercialization of the Fiber-Q® - a device which controls laser pulses and is used in applications as diverse as microscopy and oil and gas pipeline security. o

Law Society Awards

Devon solicitors Wollen Michelmore have been recognised as among the best in the legal profession at the Law Society’s 10th annual Excellence Awards in London.

Shortlisted in three categories: Excellence in Client Service, Excellence in Private Client Practice and Excellence in Marketing & Communications, the firm were honoured to be highly commended in the third category of Excellence in Marketing & Communications.

The evening, hosted by BBC Radio 4 Today programme presenter Mishal Husain, saw ten firms and seven individual solicitors receive awards across the 17 categories, along with a further 21 highly commended awards and a Lifetime Achievement award. Practice Director, Clive Meredith said “Being shortlisted in three categories was a tremendous achievement for the whole team. I want to thank and congratulate everyone in the firm for the efforts they make into making Wollen Michelmore the growing success that it is. It is a real privilege to celebrate this achievement as a team.”o

Queen’s Award for Enterprise Gooch & Housego welcomed the Lord Lieutenant of Devon to its Torquay factory to formally present the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation it had won earlier in the year. The Lord Lieutenant of Devon David Fursdon, accompanied by the High Sherriff of Devon Mrs. Angela Gilbert, Chairman Torbay Council, Mr. Ray Hill and Mrs. Patricia Hill were given a tour of the Broomhill Way factory by General Manager Graham Catley and Director of Engineering Adrian Norman. The guests then accompanied all 200 G&H staff to a reception lunch and 80

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Robert Bourns, Chris Linton, Tracey Waygood and Clive Meredith englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

BusinessBreaks...

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MOT Testing Success

South Devon College’s Automotive Centre in Newton Abbot produced their first cohort of students to achieve the IMI Level 2 Award in MOT Testing (Classes 4 and 7). Amongst these was Robin Peters, Proprietor of Teign Car Sales in Teignmouth and Tony Rothero, proprietor of TJ’s MOT & Autocentre. Tony said, “I chose to complete these qualifications to progress within my own business and enhance my skills. I have now enrolled on the IMI MOT Test Centre Management Course to advance even further. o

Adrian Bevin (SDC), Robin Peters, Graham Tribble (SDC), Tony Rothero and Kirk Burrows (SDC)

Devon Colleges in Partnership Devon’s four principal further and higher education colleges have launched a unique collaboration that will benefit learners and employers across the county. City College Plymouth, Exeter College, Petroc and South Devon College have set up the Devon Colleges Group, a partnership with a shared vision focussed on enhancing skills, raising aspirations and driving regional economic growth and productivity.

All rated as ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, the colleges already have a successful history of working together. Stephen Criddle, Principal and CEO, South Devon College, said, “The new Devon Colleges Group will provide a co-ordinated approach and greater focus on identifying good practice areas of strength and specialism, without diminishing the key offer of each college. o

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

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December/January 2016/17

81

the briefing straightforward and honest legal advice to take the stress out of tough situations

Family Law Reflections in 2016 With the festive season looming and many looking forward to the seasonal break, the family team at Wollen Michelmore know it’s an important time to be on standby to help those queries that can often crop up at this time.

It’s also a good time to reflect on the events of the previous year and 2016 has been another interesting year in the world of family law. Here’s a look at some interesting cases and reports, which only serve to remind us of all the different aspects covered within this specialist area.

March 2016 - Separated parents planning a move It is quite common for one parent to move, either to another part of the UK or abroad, following separation.

This can be very difficult when children are involved.

A case reported in March 2016, confirmed that the court must first consider the child’s welfare and that there is no rule that moving a child should be prevented, save in exceptional circumstances. The court also stated that the parent’s wishes and interests should be analysed, given the potential impact on their lives.

May 2016 - Rise in care cases In May, CAFCASS (Children & Family Court Advisory & Support Service) reported a significant rise (over 15%) in cases brought by the local authority to take children into care, as a result of serious neglect or abuse.

At Wollen Michelmore, the children team have seen a similar increase in cases, including the sensitive area of children in the care of adults with complex needs.

July 2016 - Cohabitation on the rise Government figures revealed that nearly 10% of adults in England & Wales are unmarried and living with a partner.

This came as no surprise as we are often now assisting couples prepare cohabitation agreements, or advising in the event of an unfortunate breakdown of the relationship.

August 2016 - Child has no right to live with natural family This case in contrast did surprise. A two year old had been placed for adoption. This was challenged by the child’s grandparents. The Judge ruled that there is no presumption or right that a child should be brought up by its natural family and supported the adoption due to the established relationship between the adopters and the child.

October 2016 - Civil partner dissolution We see many cases where a partner (whether married or in a civil partnership) deliberately tries to be obstructive or dishonest about assets, at the time of a separation. A lady discovered upon the death of her ex civil partner, that she had been ‘duped’ in to a financial agreement at the time of separation. She took the matter to court and on appeal was successful in asking the court to review the settlement in the light of the new information.

Christmas 2016 - Festive wishes The family team wishes you all the very best at this time of year. Hopefully, you will find some time for rest and relaxation but please do not hesitate to contact us with any query regarding children, finances or other family related issues.

This article was written by Rebecca Procter, partner and head of the family department. Rebecca can be contacted on 01803 213251 or email: Rebecca.Procter@wollenmichelmore.co.uk

Rebecca Procter Partner wmlegal ollenmichelmore

ollen Michelmore SOLICITORS TOR A NEWTON ABBOT 01803 213251 01626 332266

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