English Riviera Magazine February/March 2023

Created and Published By Devon Magazine Company Limited Julian Rees

julian@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Telephone 01803 842893 Mobile: 07455 206470

Anita Newcombe anita@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Telephone: 01803 850886

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Next issue 24 March

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ENGLISH RIVIERA MAGAZINE 69 DAVIES AVENUE PAIGNTON TQ4 7AW

© 2018 All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form without prior permission of the publishers. All material is sent at the owner ’s risk and whilst every care is taken, Devon Magazine Company Ltd will not accept liability for loss or damage. Every e ort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of our content but the publishers cannot be held responsible for any omissions, errors or alterations or for the consequences of any reliance on these details; neither can they vouch for the accuracy of claims made by any advertiser. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers.

Welcome

to the February /March issue... It’s been super frosty and snowy lately. So when we popped into Torquay Alpine Ski Club for our ‘Give it a Go!’ feature there was actual snow (ok hard frost) on the ground and it did feel wonderfully ‘alpine’. Nevertheless, as early spring approaches we are starting to look out for snowdrops, da odils and other early signs of spring – see where to nd some of the best in our gardens feature.

Bird expert Mike Langman reviews the prospects for our local wildlife, shows us his wonderful illustrations and highlights his forthcoming walks and boat trips while talented local photographer Chris Slack has been ying his drone to capture some stunning shots of the Bay from above. We chat to Karen Howes about hiking, red post boxes and the upcoming English Riviera Walking Festival. In fact, festivals abound as we look forward to the eagerly awaited English Riviera Literature Festival and the simpy fabulous English Riviera Food and Music Festival.

ere’s plenty of news snippets plus our usual comprehensive roundup of What’s On, Arts and eatre and don’t miss news from Rowcroft on their splendid 2023 fundraising challenges. If weather and stamina permits, why not try our 5-mile Templer Loop hike from Stover Country Park?

Luxury Coastal Scoops Silver

South West self-catering specialist, Luxury Coastal, struck silver at this year’s British Travel Awards scooping the coveted award for Best Small Company for UK Holiday Home Rentals 2022. The Devon-based independent received the award, voted for by members of the public, at a gala dinner in London. Established in 2019, Luxury Coastal fought-off stiff competition from more established rivals and was delighted to return home with the silverware. With over 40 years combined experience

in the travel industry, Luxury Coastal has certainly ‘hit the ground running’. Managing Director, Phil Beattie says, “It’s an outstanding achievement, particularly in just under four years of trading, and every single member of the team deserves this nationwide recognition for their unfailing commitment and hard work.” Luxury Coastal offers a selection of properties in picturesque locations throughout the West Country with a portfolio that offers well over 300 holiday rentals – cottages, apartments, houses and a selection of luxury lodges.  luxurycoastal.co.uk 0330 113 7005

English Riviera Food & Music Festival

Celebrating the best of the Southwest, the English Riviera Food & Music Festival 26-29 May 2023 is a brand-new food and music event, on Torre Abbey Meadows in Torquay. The event will showcase the region’s finest food, restaurants and chefs, alongside an amazing line-up of the UK’s best music acts, including UB40, Scouting for Girls, The Feeling, Fleur East and many more. Over four days enjoy an eclectic mix of tasty dishes and high-quality local produce at the Daily Food Market, see talented chefs cook up a storm live on stage, enjoy performances and interactive activities designed especially for kids and families and top it all off with an incredible Main Stage line up from local talent, through to some of the UK’s most well-known headline acts.  Buy day, weekend, family and VIP tickets at: rivierafoodmusicfest.co.uk

Blue Beetle

Buglife has launched an appeal for news of the rare Blue Ground Beetle in a survey designed to help find more local populations. The Blue Ground Beetle is one of the UK’s rarest beetles, and is currently only known from fifteen sites in Cornwall, Devon and South Wales. At up to 38mm in length, it is the UK’s largest ground beetle, and is given its name as a result of the beautifully marked and strikingly blue-coloured body. The beetles are mainly nocturnal and can be found at any time of year. Blue Ground Beetles usually make their homes in damp Oak and Beech woodland. They can be found at night, clambering up the mossy trunks of trees in search of slugs, and tend to prefer areas with not much ground vegetation and lots of decaying wood.  buglife.org.uk/projects/dartmoor-blue-ground-beetleproject

Occombe Farm Park, to care for Torbay’s green spaces including Cockington Country Park, Berry Head National Nature Reserve and lots of wildlife-friendly woodlands, meadows, pathways and bridleways around Torbay.  countryside-trust.org.uk

Why Not Take the Bus?

Occombe Farm Park

There are lots of reasons to visit Occombe Farm Park this spring. Families can enjoy a whole day out meeting the most lovable animals and run wild in the exciting indoor and outdoor play. Here you’ll find gorgeous local food and drink plus gifts sourced and produced from across our region’s finest makers and creators. Occombe Farm Deli offers shopping as well as a place to eat pizzas; try their 2 for 1 pizza offer from 13-17 February. There are also tempting treats for Valentine’s Day and pancake fun on Pancake Day. In March plant some wildflowers for Mother’s Day. Come and seed bomb Occombe’s special wildflower patches with mum. You’ll be able to visit them together throughout the summer. Occombe Farm Deli will have posies and gifts for sale too. All your support helps Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust, which runs

Bus services in England are offering single fares capped at a maximum of £2 as part of national government initiative. Around 50,000 Stagecoach bus services a day across Devon and the rest of the country will offer a maximum fare of just £2 for single journeys between 1 January and 31 March 2023. Stagecoach hopes that this new fare scheme will help to attract new customers to ditch their cars and try the bus over the winter months. The scheme means all adult, concession and child single tickets on eligible routes will be capped at £2, with any single tickets previously cheaper than this remaining the same price. Most local fares are included but there are some exclusions so please check before travelling.  stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/national/2pound-fare

Holiday Letting Secrets

On Thursday 23 February, Coast & Country Cottages is hosting an evening dedicated to South Devon’s self-catering industry. Taking place at The Flavel in Dartmouth from 6-9pm, the event will delve into all aspects of holiday letting, and will include an informative presentation on successfully navigating the 2023 season, despite the recession. Emily Mercer, Marketing Manager, says, “We are delighted to be hosting this free event, which will be fascinating for anyone with an interest in holiday letting. We are currently seeing a sustained increase in demand for holiday homes in Brixham and beyond, so if you are interested in finding out more, please come along.” Complimentary drinks and a range of appetisers will be served. Reserve your free place.  bit.ly/HolidayLettingSecrets2023

New Acute Medical Unit for Torbay

Happy Birthday Devon Farm Kitchen

Devon Farm Kitchen is celebrating its second year of delivering ‘Deliciously Satisfying’ handmade frozen meals to people in their homes across South Devon. Launched in March 2021 with the sole purpose of raising funds for Rowcroft Hospice, the social enterprise has gone from strength to strength, to date delivering over 55,000 meals made using locally sourced ingredients from local suppliers. Joe Bradshaw, Manager of Devon Farm Kitchen says, “We’re delighted that our meals are proving so popular with customers across the region because for each meal sold, every penny of profit goes to support Rowcroft Hospice in delivering specialist care to people living with life-limiting illnesses across 300 miles of South Devon.” There’s a scrumptious range of mains, desserts, and sides that are made using locally sourced produce from Devon

A celebratory opening ceremony was held to mark the completion of Torbay Hospital’s new £15.7 million Acute Medical Unit (AMU). The multi-million-pound project has delivered a brand-new facility, which is split over two levels and will treat a wide variety of patients needing different types of care. Its 36 assessment spaces will allow patients to be offered high quality treatment at the right time and in the right place. Referrals will be taken from both the Emergency Department as well as directly from GPs, the community and other specialties. The unit’s new location alongside the Emergency Department is ideal. Having these two units located side-by-side will improve the flow of patients allowing for more effective patient reviews and an enhanced patient experience. Torbay Hospital’s League of Friends donated over £500,000 to the project with the funds helping to equip the AMU with new patient trolleys and recliners. 

suppliers. Popular dishes include roast chicken, lamb loin chops, Brixham fish pie, tofu curry plus liver bacon & onions. For dessert try orchard apple crumble, lemon curd sponge pudding and bread and butter pudding. The freshly frozen meals come ready to heat on ceramic plates and bowls, which are then washed and returned to the driver on the next delivery. If you’re worried about a relative not eating properly, placing an order with Devon Farm Kitchen provides an ideal and convenient solution with peace of mind. 

devonfarmkitchen.co.uk 01803 217477

Dr Alice Miller with AMU sta

New Crew for Brixham’s Ocean Liner Experience

Susan Laurie who runs Churston’s popular Home Farm Kitchen has now also taken on the Art Deco style, ocean liner themed Chart Room First Class Coffee Lounge at Old Foundry Court, off Fore Street in Brixham. This wonderfully gracious and elegant lounge with its all-new team has become the ‘go-to’ venue for a range of delightful afternoon teas plus a delicious hot and cold, savoury and sweet menu - all named after ocean liners. Here, you’ll be surrounded with the history of iconic vessels as you sit in the original seats from the transatlantic liner Queen Elizabeth 2. Walls or ‘bulkheads’ echoing the steel leviathans of the past with thousands of rivets, bear the names of commodores, captains, pursers, deckhands and waiters, just a few of the visitors to the Chart Room who have worked aboard the great liners of the early 20th century and who wish to be remembered to their shipmates. The Chart Room First Class Coffee Lounge is set within Bob Higginson’s Brixham Steam Packet Company,

dealers in ocean liner collectables, so the ocean liner experience is magnificently immersive. A dress code of ‘Smart Casual’ along with a ‘No Children Under 12 years of Age’ policy combines to create an elegant and unique experience.  brixhamsteampacket.co.uk

aboard the great liners of the early 20th century and

Hoburne Bay Success

A popular family-run holiday park in Paignton has begun work to extend its provision and provide space for an additional 29 new pitches on its land. After a significant year of growth following the pandemic and the rising demand for holiday home ownership in the South West, Hoburne Devon Bay holiday park has made a big investment to increase its holiday home offering with a mix of luxury lodges and caravans. The sought-after development will be complete ahead of

Easter 2023, with some pitches offering fantastic sea views overlooking Goodrington Bay. General Manager of Hoburne Devon Bay, Gary Cook says, “We have seen strong demand for holiday home ownership in the last two years, and we have worked hard to create an owner community that treasures Paignton as their second home. Our holiday homeowners benefit the local economy, spending much more money at local shops, pubs, and restaurants, which is hugely beneficial during the current economic climate.”

Torbay’s Natural History Winners & Losers

As a child of the 60s and 70s my love of nature came from countryside walks with my family, the garden and the nature table at school. ere was a ‘butter y bush’ in our Paignton gardentoday we know it more commonly as Buddleia. In summer late 60s the bush was always a kaleidoscope of butter ies: Small Tortoiseshells, Red Admirals, Commas and, most years, Painted Ladies. In my garden today I have two di erent coloured ‘butter y bushes’ but virtually no butter ies. is is perhaps the most poignant warning sign of what humans have done to the environment.

As Devon county recorder for birds for more than 10 years, an enthusiastic birder for 50+ years and wildlife tour

guide I’ve witnessed birds disappearing from Torbay. We have lost the Grey Partridge due to agricultural changes, intensi cation and pesticide use. e once healthy wintering population of Ringed Plovers and smaller numbers of Redshank have gone; this is down to people and dog pressures on beaches. Marsh Tits that used to visit my parents’ garden in Paignton are no more, probably due to lack of invertebrate food supply due to climate change and

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Egrets have fared particularly well, probably down to a combination of protection on the continent, wetland restoration in the UK and global warming

pesticides. Whole colonies of Kittiwakes (a delicate, cli nesting gull) at Hope’s Nose and Berry Head have either disappeared completely or the few that return fail to raise any young. e adult Kittiwakes are just not nding enough small sh and Sand Eels to feed their young anymore. Pochard, a colourful diving duck, has gone from our lakes - worryingly there is no thorough explanation for this. Sadly there are many more ornithological tragedy stories in Torbay.

Avid birdwatcher, wildlife photographer, illustrator and guide Mike Langman reviews the fortunes of Torbay’s wildlife population over the years.

Great

Egret

sown cereals replacing spring-sown varieties, better machinery resulting in less spilt grain, increased fertiliser and pesticide use and hedge removal had all made an impact.

When I started birding in Devon in the mid 1970s the Cirl Bunting was a rare British bird with about 100 pairs left. My rst was in Churston, shown to me by leaders of the Torbay Young Ornithologists Club. By the early 1980s the entire British population was restricted to the south coast of Devon, nearly all within 3 miles of the coast. ere was a good chance we would lose Cirl Bunting as a British bird. e RSPB and other Natural England stepped in, with the support of farmers here in Devon the failing fortunes of the Cirl Bunting were reversedin conservation terms relatively quickly. e last full breeding survey in 2016 showed over 1000 pairs - a target met four years ahead of schedule. Torbay now has a fairly healthy but fragile population of Cirl Buntings. At Broadsands in 2001 I started a’ feeding station’, here a small but increasing number of Cirl Buntings wintered and occasionally bred. In the last 20 years their number have increased at one point 5% of the entire British population could be seen together at Broadsands. e RSPB now provide the specialised seed each winter. Probably the most important pieces of the Cirl Bunting conservation jigsaw is the combination

Black Necked Grebe - summer plumage

of

On the positive side there are some additions and increases in Torbay’s Biodiversity in the last 55 years (but be clear these are few). Egrets (herons) have fared particularly well, probably down to a combination of protection on the continent, wetland restoration in the UK and global warming. In 1979 a Little Egret on the Kingsbridge estuary caused quite a stir in the birding world, it was also the rst one I had seen in Devon. Today the Little Egret is more numerous than Grey Heron on most of our estuaries. e rst record of Cattle Egret in Devon was in 1986 and Great White Egret in 1989. Cattle Egrets can be seen in ocks of over 100. Only the Great White Egret is yet to breed in Devon but good numbers breed in Somerset it’s only a matter of time before they do so in Devon too. With regular occurrences, sometimes in ocks, will Glossy Ibis be next to colonise the UK? In the last couple of years all four of these ‘herons’ have been seen at Clennon Lakes or on the ooded elds there in Paignton.

A bird I have a great a nity with is the Cirl Bunting. It was rst discovered in Britain in 1800, near to Kingsbridge by army o cer and naturalist George Montagu. By the early twentieth century it was found as far north as Bristol to London. Sadly changes in agriculture saw a marked decline and its range contracted back to the south coast. Autumn-

Grey Heron

Black Necked Grebe - winter plumage

of winter stubble, grassland nearby and scrubby hedgerows. In 2001 there were 4-5 winter stubble elds at Broadsands - today there are 3. Many of the grassy elds have been turned over to livery elds for horses. Bit by bit, good Cirl Bunting elds are also being built on. Mitigation measures do work, a single eld o Gillard Road in Brixham maintained by Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust has worked wonders, some 20 Cirl Buntings, 60 Yellowhammers, Reed Bunting and lots of nches use it. However there is a concern, these measures are only funded for 25 years; what happens

Mike’s Upcoming Trips

Torbay Winter Boat Trip

– Depart Brixham

Friday 17 February, time: 8.30-11.30am

£38 Adults – places limited to 7 people; booking essential.

Man Sands Winter Bird Walk

Saturday 18 February, time: 9 am-12noon

£11 Adults (under 16s £5) – places limited to 12 people; booking essential Spring & Summer Tor Bay

3hr Wildlife Cruises

Wednesday 5 April, time: 8.30am-11.30am

Saturday 29 April, time: 8.30am-11.30am

Friday 9 June, time: 8.30am -11.30am

Departing Brixham aboard Kelly’s Hero

£38 – places limited To 7; booking essential

 Mike Langman leads birdwatching natural history walks and cruises around Torbay and South Devon. See mikelangman.co.uk/walks for details.

then? With warmer winters, stubble elds look more like pasture elds as grass and weeds continue to grow throughout the winter, this was not the case a couple of decades ago. When these working elds are to be ploughed in the spring more herbicides and possibly pesticides need to be used to kill o the winters growth before ploughing. ere will almost certainly be an impact on farmland birds - conservation is not easy. Let’s hope some answers can be found so that the Cirl Bunting is still part of Torbay’s Biodiversity for future generations of nature lovers to enjoy and they not relegated to history. 

Kittiwakes at Berry Head

Male Cirl Bunting

Female Cirl Bunting

Centre: George Montagu

Billy Munn Jazz Pianist

found Harmony in Torquay

A successful professional pianist from the age of eleven, Billy Munn toured with all the big bands, until eventually he came to Torquay and, remained as the Imperial Hotel’s bandleader for thirty years.

Handford

Torbay Civic Society tells us more.

Born William Munn in 1911 at Parkhead Glasgow, the family lived not a stone’s throw from Celtic Park Football Club. Yet with his maternal family producing a cornet player and his paternal line involved in the entertainment business it was not surprising young Billy was destined for a career in the music industry rather than in sport.

By the age of two, Billy was memorising and could hum the tune of Alexander’s Ragtime Band - a new sound from the famous Irving Berlin. By the age of seven he was playing the piano and by eleven he had such competency as a pianist he was playing to children’s matinees at Glasgow’s Black Cat Cinema. ese were the halcyon days with rarely any time for rehearsal, so early improvisation

became key to Billy’s success.

His early experiences of dance bands commenced at fourteen. Although still at school, he was already working as a profession musician. His amazing talent was being noted and eventually he won a permanent spot at the Kings Café. His ambition to be a chemist was fading and when the so-called “hot-shot impresario” Loius Freeman spotted him, Munn was o ered £4 a week to play at the Plaza Ballroom.

By the age of seventeen Munn had moved to the Locarno Ballroom and later joined the Jack Roseberry Band in London’s West End. His rst record was cut and the following year he joined the world’s most famous of all orchestras, the

Ian

of

Billy Munn, far left, as band leader at Torquay’s Imperial Hotel

Jack Hylton Band. Munn was now part of the big band circuit and remained with Hylton for seven years while also doing freelance work. It was while working freelance in America that he played alongside famous artists like Benny Carter, Coleman Hawkins and Adelaide Hall.

While in America Munn featured in Hylton’s rst lm, “She Shall Have Music”. However, the protectionist policies of the American Federation of Musicians were introduced and by 1936 only American musicians could tour. Hylton’s artists were forcibly packed o to England. Having no stomach for ghting a union movement Hylton reneged on his agreements and thereby lost many of his artists including Munn, who refused to return to his band. A legal battle ensued while Hylton tried to untangle what he hoped was a “suspended contract”.

programme entitled BBC Jazz Club with Munn as its new presenter and acting musical director.

e Jazz Club was highly successful. Munn added all types of jazz including the bebop (which his contemporaries regarded as “incomprehensible and outlandish”). For the rst time, lovers of jazz heard musicians they had previously only read about in magazines.

Invited twice to the Annual Royal Command Performance Munn met HRH Princess Margaret, a lover of jazz. But as with many entertainers there was a downside and Munn became an alcoholic. He later con rmed he could drink whisky in half-pint glasses - a portent of doom. However, having completed over two thousand recordings and undoubtedly a workaholic, he was o ered the chance to abandon the bright lights for the tranquillity of Devon in 1949.

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Meanwhile Munn started working with the Sydney Lipton Band while also composing and nally arranging music scores. e Lipton Band used these and he also recorded under his own name using the Regal Zonophone label. Munn’s ‘Night and Day’ and ‘Because’ songs became very popular. Billy remained with Syd Lipton playing at Grosvenor House until 1939 before then joining the RAF Band ‘ e Squadronaires’. He had also discovered the talents of trombonist George Chisholm and trumpeter Tommy McQuater and the three eventually formed a group.

During the Second World War, Munn played a variety of events with the rising bandleader Victor Sylvester. Sylvester created the rst jive band, to cater for a multitude of new dances with the arrival of large numbers of GIs stationed in Britain.

Now Munn formed his own band at e Orchid Room Mayfair where he was mixing with the rich and famous including racehorse owner Ali Khan who became a great friend. Later, he went to the Ciro Club and nally the Casino in Deauville and these diverse experiences brought him into contact with BBC Radio. In March 1947 together with bandleader Harry Parry they launched a weekly

e opportunity arose when a great friend Lord Adrian Foley (having returned from a holiday at the Imperial Hotel) told Munn they were looking for a bandleader for the coming season. By sheer coincidence Munn was between jobs and in knowing Torquay he jumped at the chance. Having completed that rst season he remained its resident musician for 30 years. He married four times (twice to the same woman) but it was to be his second wife Suzanne Sim who gave him a son, David Kennar. Billy Munn retired from the Imperial Hotel in 1979 but his commitment to music did not end, as now he became musical director of the small but highly successful Babbacombe eatre, now only occasionally playing the piano (“tinkling the ivories”) at the occasional charity concert. is talented Scottish born pioneer of jazz was said to have a magnetic personality and to be a kindly and compassionate man. In 1994 at the age of eighty-three he left the musical world to return to his homeland near his family in Ayrshire where ve years later, he died. His only son David said later, “Billy only had one real passion in his life – music”.   torbaycivicsociety.co.uk

Piste... On the

With a first skiing trip planned since before lockdown Anita Newcombe heads to Torquay Alpine Ski Club to practise a few moves.

Having hit a major tra c snag on the way over from Brixham my skiing buddy Rosie has arrived ahead of me and is already zooming down the slopes when I get there. e Co ee Morning Ski Session I’m attending started at 9.30am. As I hurry towards the clubhouse and look out across the UK’s very rst arti cial ski slope created in 1963, a wondrous sight meets my eyes. ere is real, genuine, proper snow (or at least a hard frost) carpeting the ski matting. How exciting I think as I rush to get kitted up with my skis and boots. Gloves on – woolly hat pulled over my ears and o I go! ere is normally quite a structured instruction in the rst part of the morning but everyone is so inspired by the snowy feel, they are just having fun whizzing up and down. I haven’t been on a ski holiday for a while, so approach with caution. e combination of the top quality Dendix plastic slope surface with its thousands of bristles arranged in a distinctive diamond shape to reduce friction is further enhanced by the light snowy top layer and its feels (almost) like we’re in the Alps (or at least the Pyrennees).

e Torquay Alpine Ski Club instructors

including Rick McCauley are closely supervising and helping everyone who has joined the session today. After a few runs we chat about my skiing style (possibly a bit rusty but perchance with a certain madcap air?) and Rick does a couple of demo runs. Apparently my ski buddy Rosie, despite not having skied since 2008 has a perfect stance (grr!). We are both heading to the Pyrennees to a resort called Ax Trois Domaines at the end of December. At the time of writing snowfall is unusually sparse over there but we are hoping for a last minute snow dump along with blue bird skies.

Now it’s time for our co ee break and this is served with scrummy looking home made cakes, which everyone dives on after the cold and exercise. I’ve realised that there are a few people here that I know, all preparing for their rst ski trip in a while.

After the break there’s another 45-minute ski session and we are soon straddling the poma (button ski lift) again for our rides to the top. In fact there are two slopes side-by-side here with di erent slope pro les and we have a go at both. It really is good fun and I’m

If you want to learn to ski or just need to brush up your skills for a planned skiing holiday then this is the perfect place to start

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starting to get back in the zone (bend ze kneez!).

If you want to learn to ski or just need to brush up your skills for a planned skiing holiday then this is the perfect place to start. ere are lots of di erent sessions and timings and plenty of friendly instructors to help you get started. Annual membership is only £5 and this allows you to book open practice sessions (£12 per session). However members and non-members alike can book skiing and snowboarding instruction and even private lessons. Both adult and junior sessions are o ered. ere’s no doubt that if you learn the basics of skiing here before you go then you’ll be able to explore runs around your ski resort from the rst day. No need to spend the rst few days on the nursery slopes. You’ll already know how to stop and turn – pretty useful really and great fun. Both daytime and evening sessions are available. Should you feel so inspired you can also sign up for race

training with technical drills, video sessions and slalom courses.

So having warmed up the legs in Torquay, Rosie and I head out to the Pyrenees, where in truth the snow is pretty feeble, no big snow dump having arrived. However, we manage two full days of skiing on the ‘real thing’ before reverting to hiking, always with brilliant sunshine and blue skies. Since it was raining throughout the period in Devon, we feel pretty lucky to be here. ere is no doubt though, that we’ve been much more ready to hit the slopes after our session at Torquay Alpine Ski Club. In fact we are able to avoid a single fall throughout our trip. However, I did manage to hit a block of ice and do a spectacular 360-degree, o -balance spin before managing to recover and continue down the fall line. So, thank you for the practice session Torquay Alpine Ski Club!  

Sessions available now. skitorquay.co.uk

It’s quite something to have an artificial ski slope in a beach resort like Torbay. The yearround facility was built at Pontins Barton Hall after the exceptionally cold winter of 1962-63 triggered a large amount of interest in the sport. The Pontins message was “Have Skis, Don’t Travel”. Torquay Alpine Ski Club celebrated 50 years of skiing here in 2013 with a party attended by Olympic skiers Chemmy Alcott and the legendary Eddie the Eagle. It’s believed to be the oldest surviving artificial slope in the world and is definitely on track to make 100 years in 2063 (only another 41 years).

Fred Pontin o cially opens the slope in 1963

Karen Howes

Walking, Local History & Letter Boxes

Karen Howes is Secretary and Walks Leader at South Devon Ramblers, has a passion for local history and can’t pass a red post box without delighting in its design and royal cypher. Anita Newcombe finds out more.

I’m chatting with Karen on a frosty winter’s day but the weather won’t slow down her enthusiasm for the great outdoors. Having worked as Schools Admissions Manager for Devon County Council for 20 years she has been responsible for the allocation of school places and familiarising with school walking routes.

She has always been a walker. Her father hailed from the Welsh Brecons and her mother from Somerset but she has lived in Paignton all her life.

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unemployed Welsh miner with silicosis. As part of a government scheme in the 1930s he helped to build Cli Walk at Roundham here in the Bay. Karen’s uncle reported that the contrast between the deprived Welsh mining towns with their depressing grey slag heaps, and Roundham Head’s beautiful views towards the sparkling blue sea, was staggering. He said it was a “jewel” and encouraged Karen’s Dad to come and see it.

But the war intervened and when he returned from service her father joined a company laying gas pipes in Somerset. ere he met her mother at a local boarding house. ey married and moved to Paignton where Karen was born. She attended Hayes School then Churston Grammar before going on to study business studies at South Devon College. She loves learning and has subsequently completed home-learning diplomas in archaeology

When you’re walking in the countryside you feel blessed; I’d much rather munch a sandwich leaning against an old fence with my walking buddies than go to a smart restaurant

Her Dad used to take her for walks on Dartmoor in his old Landrover and they both loved it. She tells me, “My Mum didn’t know half of what we got up to all day on Dartmoor – she wanted me to learn to dance and be rather more feminine.”

Karen extolls the many and varied virtues of walking. Quite apart from the obvious physical bene ts of the exercise, she explains that the psychological bene ts are overwhelming. She says, “I absolutely love it. When you’re walking in the countryside you feel blessed; I’d much rather munch a sandwich leaning against an old fence with my walking buddies than go to a smart restaurant.”

Karen tells me that her great-uncle was an

and creative writing, as well as becoming a certi ed Ramblers Route Developer.

But it was a period of working from home during the pandemic that changed her outlook on life. She explains, “I missed the camaraderie – I didn’t want to spend my days head down at a computer at home.” So she took early retirement and was able to spend more time walking. Karen was a member of an informal friendship group called ‘Galloping Grandmas’ and helped create walking programmes travelling to di erent areas. Now she decided to sign up with South Devon Ramblers and join some of their fascinating members’ walks around Devon. e group walks Sundays and ursdays plus two

Tuesdays a month, which o ers shorter, easier strolls. Sunday is the longest walk, roughly 7-11 miles and ursdays are around 5 – 8 miles. ey are super friendly and always walk at the pace of the slowest with a back marker to make sure no one gets lost.

A printed copy of the forthcoming walks booklet is distributed to members and there are about 240 members overall. Having said that, each walk group is not overcrowded with an average of probably 14 walkers joining on Sundays and 18-25 members joining on ursdays. As with most walking clubs the majority are retired but all ages are welcome.

In addition to walking, Karen is very interested in local history. During lockdown, she often went out on her own and started noticing special buildings, landmarks, harbour walls and other fascinating clues to our past. She is a member of Paignton Heritage Society and has penned two booklets, both for charity.

e rst encompasses a walk from Broadsands to Brixham returning via Churston, pointing out some intriguing historical facts to look out for. Her second booklet is ‘A Walk rough the History of Paignton’.

“

Fur Tor on Dartmoor is their most remote walk being the furthest tor from civilisation and 7 rugged miles from Postbridge – this is a once a year challenge for members. In spite of its remoteness, there is a visitors’ book to sign around the back of the tor. Karen recalls a time when six of them undertook the challenge in pouring rain. ey ended up wet through but felt a huge sense of achievement. Such conditions are not for everyone of course; going out in inclement weather is entirely optional!

Karen’s other big interest, (some would say obsession apparently) is spotting and identifying red post boxes

Karen’s other big interest, (some would say obsession apparently) is spotting and identifying red post boxes. She tells me that when walking near Exmoor she noticed a newly painted wall postbox from the era of George V, which was a source of fascination. From then on she started to look for them and spotted lots more.

She says, “I’ve now got the whole rambling club spotting post boxes whose design suits their era - Victorian ones were ornate; Edward VII’s always had a ‘ owery’ cypher, George V’s are plain and austere; I can’t wait for a King Charles!”

To participate you’ll need to sign up with the main Ramblers, a registered charity, via their website. You can then attend local groups including South Devon Ramblers.(southdevonramblers.com)

You can meet up with Karen and other fascinating guides at the hugely popular English Riviera Walking Festival which runs from 22-29 April. She’s leading Shipwrecks, Steam & Seascapes on 22 & 29 April.   rivierawalking.co.uk

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Fur Tor- Dartmoor’s most remote tor

Tribute to Paignton Zoo Keeper

Paignton Zoo has named their baby orang-utan in

Brian worked as part of the mammal department for many years before specialising in great apes, including gorillas and orang-utans. He retired from the zoo in 2017, leaving a lasting mark thanks to his bright personality and passion for wildlife.

When the zoo’s baby Bornean orang-utan was born towards the end of last year, keepers wanted to make a tribute to Brian, who had passed away just over a month earlier. ey decided to name the baby in memory of him, choosing to go with the name ‘Ranbi’ which is an anagram of ‘Brian’.

Anne Lunt, Ape Keeper at Paignton Zoo who worked with Brian for a number of years said, “Brian played an important role at Paignton Zoo for many years. He saw female orang-utan Chinta arrive at Paignton as a two-year-old from London Zoo, and he was still here when Chinta had her rst born, Natalia. As he passed away so recently it seems only tting that we should honour Brian’s legacy by naming Chinta’s second baby after him.”

Brian Baxter’s family also planted a tree at Paignton Zoo in his memory, co-ordinated by the botanics department, where Brian’s son works.

Gemma Keohane, Senior Keeper at Paignton Zoo who fondly remembers Brian said, “Brian was such a character, always the life and soul of any party and could talk the hind legs o a donkey! In the years I worked with Brian I learnt so much, not just about Paignton Zoo, but about the wider zookeeping world. He loved working with the great apes, and the orang-utans in particular had his heart, so there was no better way to remember Brian than to name our precious new arrival in honour of him. As we celebrate Ranbi’s milestones – his rst tooth, his

rst taste of solid food – we’ll think of Brian. I couldn’t think of a better way to keep our memory of Brian alive.”

You can support the zoo’s vital conservation work by sponsoring an animal for yourself, or as a gift. You can also make a donation, leave a gift in your will, become a corporate supporter or volunteer.

Paignton Zoo, together with Newquay Zoo and three nature reserves including: Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve, Primley Park and Clennon Gorge are all part of the charity Wild Planet Trust. Wild Planet Trust co-ordinates wildlife conservation projects both in the UK and overseas, as well as research projects on topics such as animal behaviour, nutrition, enrichment and ecology. e Trust is helping to halt species decline and acts to protect at-risk animals and plants from the impacts of biodiversity loss. It believes that every species is important, everything is connected and every action matters.   paigntonzoo.org.uk

tribute to the late Brian Baxter, a keeper who worked at the zoo for almost 50 years.

TORBAY from above

With thanks to Chris Slack Photography for these wonderful photos high above our beautiful Bay. To buy photos and photo gifts please visit chrisslack.com or pop into his lovely gallery on the harbourside at Brixham

of the South West’s most sought-after holiday homes.

Rowcroft Hospice

that its much-loved fundraising walk ‘The Male Trail’ is back for 2023 with an awesome new name, ‘The Big Tackle’.

The popular local charity is asking local people to join this fun and lively eight-mile sponsored walk on Saturday 18 March 2023 to raise vital funds for the hospice. Open to all, the walk will be followed by a free pint and a pasty, and the screening of the Six Nations Rugby at Torquay Rugby Club.

The Big Tackle’s route takes in Torquay Seafront, the Coast Path to Meadfoot Beach, Ilsham Valley, Babbacombe Road and heads out to Shiphay before looping back to the rugby club. The day starts from the club at 11am and beer, pasties and Six Nations Rugby will be awaiting your return.

Rowcroft’s Events Manager Alexia Croft said, “We’re switching it up a bit this year with a new name, ‘The Big Tackle’ which not only resonates with the game of rugby but also highlights the need for us to tackle issues around grief and bereavement that affect us all.”

Many of the people who take part in Rowcroft’s fundraising events do so in memory of someone they love and miss and it is moving to see the names of loved ones written on the memory plates that some people wear, or as dedications on the magnolia tree at the event. The Big Tackle offers all the elements

of a fantastic day out with friends while supporting Rowcroft’s specialist care in the local community. Last year, over 600 walkers took part in The Male Trail, raising over £80,000 for the hospice.

In recent months, a drop in donations due to the cost-of-living crisis has hit the hospice. With pressures on services ever increasing as the need for Rowcroft’s care continues to rise, they really hope that as many people as possible will get behind them by taking part in The Big Tackle.

Torquay Rugby Club, WBW Solicitors, Torbay Clearance Services and Bays Brewery are all supporting The Big Tackle this year. Money raised from the event will be used to fund Rowcroft’s specialist care and support to people with lifelimiting illnesses. Rowcroft’s services are provided free of charge to adults across South Devon - from Dartmouth to Dawlish and up onto Dartmoor. Anyone over the age of eight years old can take part in The Big Tackle. In addition to the registration fee, Rowcroft asks participants to either raise or donate a minimum of £20 to support the hospice. Alternatively, you can sign up as an event volunteer.   thebigtackle.org.uk

has announced

Trekking ChallengesRowcroftfor

You can sign up for one of three fabulous fundraising adventures: a magical moonlit night walk to the top of Mount Snowdon in Wales; a beautiful five-day hike through the spectacular Mont Blanc region of the Alps; or a stunning Jurassic adventure taking in the breath-taking vistas of the Dorset coastline. Whichever challenge you choose, you’ll have experience of a lifetime while raising vital funds to care for patients and their loved ones with life-limiting illnesses across South Devon.

Rowcroft’s Events and Projects Fundraiser Georgie Harris says, “If you’re seeking an exhilarating challenge to kickstart your New Year, then look no further!”

The Snowdon at Night challenge takes place on 5 August with a memorable hike up the highest mountain in Britain by moonlight. You’ll complete the 9.5-mile journey along the Llanberis track to the Welsh summit using a torch to light your way. On summiting you’ll be rewarded with unforgettable views of the sun rising across the Snowdonia National Park.

or 6 – 10 September and offers a magnificent 30-mile hike exploring the stunning Mont Blanc region of the Alps. You’ll visit three countries, Italy, Switzerland and France, over three days; this long weekend challenge will open your eyes to the beauty that lies within the Alps mountain range.

The Jurassic Coast Discovery takes place from 7-9 July. You’ll explore England’s only World Heritage Site on the Dorset coastline over a delightful two days. Taking in dramatic seaside views and worldfamous landmarks, this 24-mile trek follows the stunning South West Coast Path, passing by the famous Lulworth Cove and iconic Durdle Door - a limestone arch formed more than 10,000 years ago.

Money raised from the challenge events will be used to fund Rowcroft’s specialist care and support to people with life-limiting illnesses. Rowcroft’s services are provided free of charge to adults across South Devon - from Dartmouth to Dawlish and up onto Dartmoor.

Rowcroft’s Georgie Harris says, “As a charity providing essential care, we are funded predominantly by our local community.” Global Adventure Challenges manages all the fundraising treks. For booking information please see Rowcroft’s website or contact Rowcroft’s Georgie Harris.01803 217419 georgina.harris@rowcrofthospice.org.uk rowcro hospice.org.uk/events

The Alps Trek takes place between 14-18 June

Watching the sunrise on Snowdon

Rowcroft Hospice has announced three exciting new trekking challenges for 2023 to give you the scenic thrill of a lifetime.

The Templer Loop

This issue we go further a eld to Stover Country Park for a ve mile walk through its lakes and plantations, along the River Teign and across the still waters of the historic Stover Canal. is is a straightforward trek with virtually no hills and very good way-marking. e Stover Estate was bought by a wealthy merchant, James Templer, who had made his fortune in India in the 18th century. He built Stover House (now Stover School), the lake, landscaped the grounds and created the lake, planted many exotic trees and shrubs opening up some wonderful views.

Later Templer’s son, also James, exploited the area’s rich ball clay deposits and built the Stover Canal that took the raw material, via connection with the Teign, to Teignmouth docks. After the death of James Templer II, his son George further utilised the local resources and built the Haytor Granite Tramway that brought stone from Templer’s quarries at Haytor to the canal head at Ventiford.

e estate fell into decline in the early 20th century when it was sold to the Forestry Commission and was then bought by Devon County Council in 1979. e council turned it into a country park in recognition of its diverse ora and wildlife. e park is now designated a Site of Special Scienti c Interest and has its own Nature Interpretation Centre, an aerial walkway for wildlife viewing and a poetry trail featuring the work of Ted Hughes.

is walk takes in a loop section of the Templer Way. e more adventurous might want to walk its entire length of 18 miles from Teignmouth to Haytor. e route can be walked in either direction. 

Distance: 5 miles

Exertion: Easy, all flat Time: Allow 2 hours

Dogs: On leads in lanes and where there is livestock and water fowl. Refreshments: At Stover Park

Accessibility: Gravel pathways and field paths. Not suitable for pushchairs or mobility scooters

Start: TQ12 6QQSX 83253 75003 /// export.betrayed.convey

1 From the information centre in the car park take the path left to follow the lake shore around its most westerly point. Follow the lakeside path along its length until the first humped footbridge.

2 Cross the bridge and turn left at the first Templer Way sign and follow this waterway until it stops at a cascade where the path turns right into the plantation. Follow the path until it reaches the far corner of the planted woodland and a kissing gate onto the road.

3 Turn right then almost immediately left into Summer Lane. After 100 metres follow the road right and over a railway bridge. At the T-junction at Ventiford Cottages turn right and follow the road until it reaches another T-junction.

4 Turn right and then right again onto a track that runs beside a brook under a railway bridge and follow the path, through a kissing gate, straight on into open pasture towards the banks of the meandering Teign. Follow the river bank

5 Follow the riverside for another 100 yards then as the river takes a 90 degree turn to the left follow the way-marked path across the open fields to a kissing gate and bridged ditch then across this pasture to another gate.

6 Turn right then left over a narrow bridge that crosses the Stover Canal. Follow the pathway through the cottages on the edge of Teigngrace. At the road turn right then right again 50 metres up the road through a metal gate. The path crosses a field then onto a plantation fire road adjacent to the clay works. Turn right and follow the main trail all the way back to the country park, passing the school on your left and enjoy the fine views of Haytor.

7 As the path reaches the lake once again turn left and follow its southern shore to return to the car park.

Note: When we walked this route some parts were waterlogged, Wellington boots strongly advised!

BAY What’s On

AROUND

THE

Please check before travelling as events are subject to change.

A History of Amateur Astronomy

1 February

A Torquay Museum Society talk by John Stapleton, astronomer for over 50 years; he has lectured widely and shared the stage with good friend Sir Patrick Moore. Time: 10.45am12noon, cost: £5 (non-members) payable on the door.

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

Quantum Recognition 7 February

A Torquay Museum Society talk by David Wills reviewing our cognitive evolutionary destiny. Where are humans being? Where are humans going? Time: 10.45am-12noon, cost: £5 (non-members) payable on the door. Torquay Museum, 529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HG torquaymuseum.org

Angels of the Floods 8 February

A Torquay Museum Society talk by Marilyn Bishop on lorence oo s an art restorat on. me . am noon cost: £5 (non-members) payable on the door. Torquay Museum, 529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HG torquaymuseum.org

Around the World in 60 Minutes 9 February

An Arts Society Torbay talk on Letters of the 19th century by John Scott. The Victorians, for many reasons, were inveterate travellers. Their

letters ome from t e ste es of As a to t e attlefiel s of the American Civil War bring their stories to life most vividly. Time: 2.15pm, cost: £8 (non-members) including tea. St Matthias Church Hall, Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HW 01803 526942 theartsociety.org.uk

Cockington Ranger Nature Club

14 February

Explore nature with Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust in Cockington Country Park. Enjoy an outdoor activity and a hot chocolate to warm up. Suitable for ages 5-10 years and families; cost: £3.50 per person; all children must be accompanied by a paying adult. Babies in arms go free; booking essential; not suitable for dogs. Please wear suitable clothing and stout footwear for walking. Time: 10am-11.30am.

Cockington Visitor Centre, The Linhay, Cockington Lane, Torquay TQ2 6XA countryside-trust.org.uk

Kieron Garrett Quartet

14 February

Live jazz presented by Fougou Music. Time: 8-10.30pm, cost: £13. Tickets on website. enquiries@fougoumusic.com Preston Conservative Club, 299 Torquay Road, Paignton TQ3 2EY 07967 790358 fougoumusic.com

Sabine Baring Gold

14 February

A Torquay Museum Society talk by Bob Mann on this remarka le Devon an w o was a rol fic novel st folklor st antiquary, traveller, hymn writer, theologian and father of 15

children. Time: 10.45am-12noon, cost: £5 (non-members) payable on the door.

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

Kids Cookery 15 February

Get cooking on the farm with this winter warmers cookery day for children aged 8-12 years. Children can be left at the event once essential booking and paperwork complete.

Time: 10am-4pm, cost £36.

Occombe Cookery School, Preston Down Road, Paignton TQ3 1RN countryside-trust.org.uk

Snowdrops at Huccaby 15 February

A Torquay and District Gardening Club talk by Tony Parker. Time: 7.30pm, cost: £5 (or £30 annual membership). Contact: nickibaker@gmail.com

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

Gerston Chapel, Torquay Road, Paignton TQ3 3DT paigntonheritagesociety.co.uk

The Artemis Mission

21 February

A Torquay Museum Society talk by Dave Norman; he looks at multinational missions to return humans to the moon later this decade. Time: 10.45am-12noon, cost: £5 (nonmembers) payable on the door. Torquay Museum, 529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HG torquaymuseum.org

The Story of My Garden

15 February

A Torquay Museum Society talk by Jacquie Felix-Mitchell of Oasis Garden Design; she discusses the design and development of her new garden on the edge of Dartmoor. Time: 10.45am-12noon, cost: £5 (non-members) payable on the door.

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

Paignton Heritage Society

16

February

Enjoy a talk by Mark Criddle Coxswain of the Torbay Lifeboat on the RNLI. Time: 7pm, cost: £4 (£3 members) to include tea/coffee.

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Inside Lady Katherine’s Wardrobe

22 February

A Torquay Museum Society talk by Rosemary Griggs; she explores 16th century clothing and its social, economic an ol t cal n uences w o wore w at an w me 10.45am-12noon, cost: £5 (non-members) payable on the door. Torquay Museum, 529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HG torquaymuseum.org

Coffee Morning With A Difference!

24 February

Torbay Civic Society’s monthly coffee morning - catch up with local news and planning, mystery items, a u an a famous Devon figure talk. All welcome. me 10.15am, admission: £4 per person on the door. Palace Theatre, Palace Avenue, Paignton TQ3 3HF torbaycivicsociety.co.uk

Tots Go Wild

28 February, 7,14, 21, 28 March, 4 April Experience growing vegetables in the garden, exploring the nature trail and discovering more about Occombe Farm’s animals. Join Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust on

Tuesdays with your toddler, come rain or shine and enjoy the great outdoors. Activities will vary each week and may nclu e lant ng an grow ng n t e gar en en u l ng fire lighting, minibeast and megabeast hunting, natural crafts and much more. Time: 10am-11.30am, suitable ages 1-5 years (children must be accompanied by a single adult), babies in arms go free. Cost: £42 for 6-week term. Occombe Farm, Preston Down Road, Paignton TQ3 1RN countryside-trust.org.uk

Coleridge in Nether Stowey 28 February

A Torquay Museum Society talk by Helen Boyles; she looks at Coleridge’s sojourn in the Quantocks and the inspiration it supplied for his most celebrated and engaging poems. Time: 10.45am-12noon, cost: £5 (non-members) payable on the door.

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

Brass Band and Instruments 1 March

A Torquay Museum Society talk by Philip King and Bob Baddeley; they give an introduction to modern brass instruments and the science of music. Time: 1045am12noon, cost: £5 (non-members) payable on the door. Torquay Museum, 529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HG torquaymuseum.org

Filming & Photographing Devon Marine Life 7 March

A Torquay Museum Society talk by Dr Paul Naylor; he shows t e colourful un erwater worl from cra s to cuttlefis an blennies to barnacles through his underwater photos and videos. Time: 10.45am-12noon, cost: £5 (non-members) payable on the door.

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

Place Names: A Torbay Tour 8 March

A Torquay Museum Society talk by Dr Kevin Dixon; he unveils the truth of places names like Vansittart Road, said by Edwardian guides to mean ‘fancy tart’ and referred to Torquay most exclusive brothel. Was it true? Time: 10.45am-12noon, cost: £5 (non-members) payable on the door. Torquay Museum, 529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HG torquaymuseum.org

Summoned by Betjeman

9 March

An Arts Society Torbay talk on Betjeman’s description of famous buildings by Christopher Chanter. A light hearted resume of the life of Sir John Betjeman, perhaps our most popular poet laureate, through his favourite architecture and poetry. Time: 2.15pm, cost: £8 (non-members) including tea. St Matthias Church Hall, Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HW 01803 526942 theartsociety.org.uk

The YMCA Sleep Easy Fundraising Challenge

10 March

Hardy souls are being challenged to sleep out under the winter night-time sky to raise money to help keep young homeless people off the streets. Using the strapline ‘Sleep Out, so Others Don’t Have To’, Sleep Easy is in aid of Nightstop. It provides emergency, temporary accommodation for young people using volunteer hosts who provide a bed for the night until their needs can be properly assessed. Tennis Courts, YMCA South Devon, Dartmouth Road, Paignton TQ4 6NX 01803 551578 ymcasouthdevon.org.uk/sleep-easy.html

Tomasso Starace Organ Trio

14 March

Live jazz presented by Fougou Music. Time: 8-10.30pm, cost: £13. Tickets on website. enquiries@fougoumusic.com

To promote your business to our readers email sales@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Preston Conservative Club, 299 Torquay Road, Paignton TQ3 2EY 07967 790358 fougoumusic.com

Art of the Devon Garden 14 March

A Torquay Museum Society talk by Todd Gray; he looks at the history of Devon gardens through art. Time: 10.45am12noon, cost: £5 (non-members) payable on the door.

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

Growing Tea on Dartmoor 15 March

A Torquay and District Gardening Club talk by Jo Harper. Time: 7.30pm, cost: £5 (or £30 annual membership). Contact: nickibaker@gmail.com

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

Squidbox – A Comedy Poet’s Exploration 15 March

A Torquay Museum Society talk by Robert Garnham; he erforms s oems on t e su ect of r am s fis ng industry and talks about the industry’s effect on the town and himself. Time: 1045am-12noon, cost: £5 (nonmembers) payable on the door.

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

Paignton Heritage Society

16 March

Enjoy a talk by John Keohane entitled Yeoman Warder of the

englishrivieramagazine.co.uk

Tower of London. Time: 7pm, cost: £4 (£3 members) to include tea/coffee.

Gerston Chapel, Torquay Road, Paignton TQ3 3DT paigntonheritagesociety.co.uk

A Thousand Years of Cockington 21 March

A Torquay Museum Society talk by John Risdon; he explores a 1,000 year thread of English history as experienced by the people of the manorial estate of Cockington. Time: 10.45am12noon, cost: £5 (non-members) payable on the door. Torquay Museum, 529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HG torquaymuseum.org

The Immortal Gardener

22 March

A Torquay Museum Society talk by Ali Marshall, Head ar ener of orre A e s e ves nto t e ealt enefits of gardening both physical and psychological. Time: 10.45am-12noon, cost: £5 (non-members) payable on the door. Torquay Museum, 529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HG torquaymuseum.org

Charged Particles with Tod Dickow

28 March

Live jazz presented by Fougou Music. Time: 8-10.30pm, cost: £13. Tickets on website. enquiries@fougoumusic.com Preston Conservative Club, 299 Torquay Road, Paignton TQ3 2EY 07967 790358 fougoumusic.com

Torquay Museum Society –

28 March

The Future

A Torquay Museum Society special meeting, an informal forum to discuss activities the society should undertake moving forward. Time: 10.45am-12noon, cost: £5 (nonmembers) payable on the door.

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

The Mysterious World of Orchids

29 March

English Riviera Food & Music Festival

26- 29

May

Celebrating the best of the Southwest, this exciting festival is billed as “Four Days That’ll Leave Torbay Rockin’.” Acts already announced for the main stage include: UB40, The Feeling, Fleur East and Scouting for Girls. There will also be local artists, outstanding DJs and a scrumptious Daily Food Market. A lineup of talented chefs will cook up a storm live on stage. Tickets are now on sale. Times: daily from 11am10.30pm. Suitable for the whole family.

Torre Abbey Meadows, Torquay TQ2 5JG rivierafoodmusicfest.co.uk

A Torquay Museum Society talk by Graham Sclater; his family were nurserymen and market gardeners in Exeter from the 18th century and he explains how the city was responsible for the introduction of orchids from around the world and how they were hybridised to create today’s beautiful blooms. Time: 10.45am-12noon, cost: £5 (nonmembers) payable on the door.

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

Coffee Morning With A Difference!

31 March

Torbay Civic Society’s monthly coffee morning - catch up with local news and planning, mystery items, a quiz and a famous Devon figure talk. All welcome. Time: 10.15am, admission: £4 per person on the door. Palace Theatre, Palace Avenue, Paignton TQ3 3HF torbaycivicsociety.co.uk

Email the details to: editorial@englishrivieramagazine.co.uk Deadline for submissions is 10 March.

ROUND UP. Arts

lease c eck efore travell ng as events are su ect to c ange.

Artizan Galleries

e Art an team runs a non rofit soc al enter r se w t galler es at uc us treet an leet alk n or ua . t ons for w ll e announce . ollow t em onl ne an su ort arts culture an well e ng n or a . artizan gallery.co.uk

The GALLERY @Cockington Court

10.30am-4.30pm daily ngo ng sell ng e t on s ow ng t e reg on s lea ng art sts an makers. tems rang ng from scarves eweller ceram cs metalwork art sts car s metalwork collages a nt ngs an r nts. e fa ulous craft stu os are a must-see too! 01803 607230 Facebook @cockingtoncourt

o t ons ava la le .

Dartington Hall, Totnes TQ9 6EL dartington.org

Expose and Disclose, Dartington 6-10 February

D scover t e o s of e ng full mmerse n our wr t ng n t s five a course. utors lla rears an eena atel w ll enl g ten ou to t e elements t at make u oems an ns re ou to wr te an evelo our own. o e er ence nee e . ost ursar es an res ent al

Love Letters to Trees, Dartington 11 February or 14 February o n mma a er an Anna el for a creat ve morn ng craft ng earts from w llow an enn ng oems an love letters to t e won erful trees of t e Dart ngton estate. ost

er erson ever one nee s a t cket e ce t a es un er . Dartington Hall, Totnes TQ9 6EL dartington.org

Utopia – Everyone’s Invited,Dartington 18 February-26 March ou are nv te nto m l owell s v s on of to a.

Artist James Murch painting live at Cockington Court

Poet and artist Ella Frears

Working in the grounds en plein air and in the studios, Powell’s evocative use of colour aims to open up the spirit and essence of Dartington for all to experience. Times: 11am-4pm Tuesday-Sunday.

The Gallery, Dartington Hall, Totnes TQ9 6EL dartington.org

Pen and Ink Book Art Convention Newton Abbot

24

& 25 February

A comic and book art convention held at Newton Abbot Library with tickets via Eventbrite. There will be: Panel Discussion, Comic workshop, Bookquest Workshop, Encanto Workshop and Artist Talks. Entry mostly by donation. Passmore Edwards Centre, Market Street, Newton Abbot TQ12 2RJ c Newton Abbot Library

CURTAINS UP! Theatre

Princess Theatre, Torquay

Box Office 0844 8717615

Editor’s pick

FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS: THE MUSICAL 4-8 April

Based on the true story of the chart-topping Cornish singing sensations and their hit 2019 movie, Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical is a feel-good voyage about friendship, commun t an mus c w c smas e o office recor s n ornwall. en a grou of orn s fis ermen came together to sing the traditional working songs they’d sung for generat ons no o least of all t e fis ermen e ecte t e stor to en on t e ram tage at laston ur . A fis out-of-water’ music manager on a trip from London (who must learn that there is more to life than selling your ‘sole’ for fifteen m nutes of fame s ots t em an t s lea s to brilliant & riotous fun. The star cast includes James Gaddas oronat on treet ll ll ot t e us cal ar sa a m r amma a o ert Duncan Dro t e Dea Donke Anton te ans e actor an usan en al gon (Bouquet of Barbed re . o cl m a oar fin our sea legs and allow yourself to fall for this critically acclaimed musical – hook, line and sinker!

Book by Amanda Whittington; based on the screenplay by Nick Moorcroft, Meg Leonard and Piers Ashworth; directed by James Grieve.

Also worth seeing…

The Cher Show – 14-18 February

The Tiger Who Came to Tea – 28 & 29 March

Little Theatre, Torquay Box Office 01803 299330

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST 7-11 March

Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy is as fresh and funny today as the day it was written. Jack and Algy create alter egos, leading double lives to escape their social obligations. When the enchanting Gwendoline, the romantic Cicely, the mouse l ke ss r sm t e terr l correct Dr asu le and the formidable Lady Bracknell are brought into the m c aos ensues an t e fun eg ns. A ADs season production. Also worth seeing… Youth Drama Week – 14-18 February

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Box Office 01803 665800

Editor’s pick

RELATIVELY SPEAKING 22-25 February

Relatively Speaking is a delightful comedy by Alan Ayckbourn. Greg and Ginny are living together but Greg is becoming suspicious that he is not the only man in her life. He won ers a out nn s lan to v s t er arents an ec es to follow her. Ginny is in fact going to see an older lover who Greg mistakes for her father with hilarious results. A Bijou Theatre Production. Pre-show supper available.

Also worth seeing…

Vincent Simone Tango Passions – 17 March

Britannia Royal Naval College Concert Band – 18 March

Get Around and many more. Over 30 hits performed live by Beach Boyz Tribute Band. Also worth seeing…

The Fleetwood Mac Songbook – 17 March

The Magical Mystery Four – 4 February

Brixham Theatre

Box Office 01803 415987

Editor’s pick

THE BEACH BOYS TRIBUTE

3 March

A stunning show of glorious vocal harmonies blended with California sunshine. The hits come thick and fast - God nl nows oo rat ons al forn a rls urfin A

Babbacombe Theatre

Box Office 01803 328385

Editor’s pick STARDUST

Tuesdays & Wednesdays till 18 October

A sparkling all-new family show with a line-up of 11 stars performing some wonderful song, dance and comedy routines including hit songs from the shows including Jailhouse Rock, Mamma Mia and Moulin Rouge.

Also worth seeing...

The Little Mermaid Family Matinee – 12 March The Bohemians – 24 March

Our distribution teams deliver 12,000 copies of English Riviera Magazine to homes and businesses. If you don’t receive one in your area pick one up at one of the following outlets:

Artizan Gallery Lucius Street, Torquay TQ2 5UW Hoopers

5-6 The Strand, Torquay TQ1 2DF Kingswear Post O ce

3 The Square, Kingswear TQ6 0AA Ula Interior Gifts

19/20 The Quay, Brixham TQ5 8AW Chelston Post O ce & Newsagents 24 Walnut Road, Torquay TQ2 6HS Preston Post O ce

337 Torquay Road, Paignton TQ3 2EP Preston Down Road Post O ce 111 Preston Down Road, Paignton TQ3 1DS Marldon Cards and News Marldon Cross Hill, Marldon TQ3 1NE

Wellswood Place Post O ce Ilsham Rd, Torquay TQ1 2JG St Marychurch Post O ce Fore Street, St Marychurch TQ1 4PR Galmpton Post O ce Stoke Gabriel Road, Galmpton TQ5 0NH Churston Traditional Farm Shop Dartmouth Road, nr Brixham TQ1 2AF Stoke Gabriel Stores Paignton Road, Stoke Gabriel TQ6 6RD Torquay Library Lymington Road, Torquay TQ1 3DT Paignton Library Station Lane, Paignton TQ4 5AR Churston Library Broadsands Road, Paignton TQ4 6LL Brixham

English Riviera

L ter iter a u tur tu e F es esti iv ivaal

This year’s literature festival at the Palace Theatre in Paignton is packed with fascinating themed events, workshops and talks by well-known local and regional authors.

Stephanie Austin: Turning to Crime (Author Talk)

Thursday 16 March, 10.30-11.30am

Stephanie is the author of the Devon Mystery Series, published by Allison and Busby, a series of contemporary crime novels set in the Dartmoor town of Ashburton and featuring reluctant amateur sleuth and antique shop owner, Juno Browne. Stephanie lives in Torquay.

Emma Seaman: Mary Shelley’s Lost Torquay Novel (Author Talk)

Thursday 16 March, 2-3pm

Local writer Emma Seaman explores the mystery of how Mary Shelley, the ‘Frankenstein’ author, wrote a story set in South Devon, which lay undiscovered for nearly 200 years in the attic of an Italian villa – and how the tale illuminates details of Mary Shelley’s turbulent and tragic life.

Rachel Trethewey: Mistress of the Arts (Author Talk)

Friday 17 March, 10.30-11.30am

Born and educated in Torquay, Rachel Trethewey has written four non-fiction books. In this talk Rachel provides an insight into the passionate life of Georgina, Duchess of Bedford.

Andrew Wilson: A Life in Crime (Author Talk)

Friday 17 March, 2pm-3pm

Best-selling biographer and crime novelist Andrew Wilson talks about writing the first biography of Patricia Highsmith, his series of novels featuring Agatha Christie as detective, and his two psychological thrillers, Five Strangers and Murder Grove, written under the name E.V. Adamson.

Clare Helen Welsh: Storytelling & Crafts (Children’s Workshop)

Saturday 18 March, 10-11am and 11.30-12.30pm

Clare is an award-winning children’s author, from Torbay. She has published over 40 books with more on the way. Come along for some Saturday morning fun with thrilling storytelling and craft activities. Each session is suitable for children aged between 3yrs and 8yrs.

Christopher Wilson: TP Fielden (Author Talk)

Saturday 18 March, 10.30-11.30am

TP Fielden is the fiction-writing name of acclaimed royal biographer and commentator Christopher Wilson, who has penned biographies of Prince Charles, Camilla, Diana, and other members of the British royal family. He’s also the author of the Miss Dimont retro-detective series of novels, set in Devon, and of the wartime Buckingham Palace adventures of courtier, artist, and spy Guy Harford. He lives in Devon.

South Hams Authors

Network (Meet the Authors event)

Saturday 18 March, 10.30am-3pm

Come and meet friendly local authors and hear them read from their books. Readings, book signings, bookstalls and much more all taking place in Stage Left at the Palace Theatre. The South Hams Authors Network will be on hand to give advice and information to aspiring writers. Free drop in.

Helga Jensen: Writing Commercial Fiction (Workshop)

Saturday 18 March, 2-4:30pm

Have you ever wanted to write and publish fiction? Now is the chance to learn the inside tips and tricks to getting published. In this workshop, award-winning women’s fiction author Helga Jensen will discuss what it takes to get published. From the writing techniques you need for that first draft to an impressive opening line and querying publishers and agents, Helga will share her inside knowledge and experience. Helga Jensen is an award-winning British/Danish Amazon best-selling author and journalist.

 01803 665800 palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk

e Joy of FlowersSpring

Strolling amongst the snowdrops has traditionally been one of the most joyous ways of saying farewell to winter. We look at gardens to visit in February and March this year.

Greenway, nr Brixham

Agatha Christie’s holiday home, “The loveliest place in the world”, comes to life in the spring months and this is one of the best times of year to see the gardens at Greenway. Banks and woodland slopes are filled with carpets of snowdrops, daffodils, primroses and bluebells. Grand magnolias, rhododendrons and camellias bring bright bursts of colour to the woodland garden, along with a variety of blossoms from peach, almond, cherry and apple. A walk to the far reaches of Greenway’s garden could be rewarded with a sighting of grey herons nesting in the nearby pine trees overlooking the River Dart, but your guaranteed unspoilt river views. Refresh and refuel at the Barn Café or treat yourself to something from the spring range in the shop. Open daily from Saturday 11 February, 10.30am-5pm. If travelling by car, please book parking in advance through the website. nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway

Coleton Fishacre, Kingswear

The 1920s retreat of the Doyly Carte family has a wonderful RHS accredited garden that bursts into spring from January all the way through to April, beginning with early flowering daffodils and banks of snowdrops. As the days get warmer, the garden becomes a riot of blossom with Japanese Cherry Trees providing photo-worthy displays of white blossom near the house and apple blossom from the moment you arrive. Magnolias and camellias bloom throughout the coastal garden, and wide sea views provide a unique backdrop for a garden wander. Stop by the café for a tasty treat or browse the lifestyle gift shop for the new spring range. Open weekends in January and February, and then daily from Saturday 11 February, 10.30am-5pm. No booking necessary. nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre

Cherry Blossom at Coleton Fishacre

Cockington Country Park, Torquay

Cockington is a quintessentially English village with Saxon origins, which attracts many thousands of visitors each year. Some of the quaint thatched cottages and buildings in the chocolate box village date back to the 16th Century and are mentioned in the Doomsday Book. You can see snowdrops, daffodils and other spring flowers throughout the 450-acre country park and around the manor house and church. Make sure you visit the park’s 3 formal lakes, said to date back to the medieval period when monks from Torre Abbey used them to raise fish. Here you’ll find a mixture of formal garden landscapes, less formal parkland and countryside. All can be explored via a network of paths and bridleways on foot or on bike. Treat yourself to some refreshments at the Seven Dials Café at Cockington Court. countryside-trust.org.uk cockingtoncourt.org

Dartington Estate and Gardens

With its wonderful woodland walks and stunning Grade II* listed gardens developed over 1000 years, Dartington is always a lovely place to visit with its 26 acres of tended grounds, beautiful vistas and wonderful plant species. A trail map is included in the ticket price. Longer walks around the estate can be enjoyed with an abundance of public footpaths (a walk around the entire estate would be 8 miles). Enjoy a visit to The Green Table Café, 25% off garden visits until 19 February. dartington.org/visit/the-gardens

Fast Rabbit Farm, Dartmouth

Set in a secluded spot, along a country lane just 1 mile from Dartmouth, Fast Rabbit Farm occupies 43 acres of the beautiful Strawberry Valley. Here you can stroll the pretty walks and admire snowdrops, daffodils, primroses and bluebells. There is a good selection of home grown plants in the plant centre. Open daily 11am-5pm. fastrabbitfarm.co.uk

Further afield...

Snowdrop Valley, Exmoor

Snowdrop Valley at Wheddon Cross is a privately owned remote valley on Exmoor. The owners allow access to the valley while the stunning carpet of snowdrops is in bloom. There is a choice of longer and shorter walking routes Open from 28 January until 26 February 9am-4pm. wheddoncross.org.uk

Snowdrop Festival, Buckland Monachorum

The Garden House near Yelverton has over 350 varieties of snowdrop on display and is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10.30am to 3.30pm. Cafe, Book Shop and Plant Sales area will be open for visitors throughout the Festival. The festival runs until 12 March. thegardenhouse.org.uk