Openers

Record Booking Success

Award-winning holiday letting agency Coast & Country Cottages is seeing a continued surge in enquiries and bookings for 2021. Managing Director Jon Doyle says, “We are delighted to see our property occupancy rate for July and August is already well over 90%. With a massive interest in the autumn months and October half term, indications suggest the 2021 season will last longer than ever – a real boost for the region.” To meet the continuing demand for accommodation in Brixham, the agency has further expanded its portfolio in the area. Recently added is the romantic retreat Pilchard Cottage, which has achieved 22 bookings after just three months of being live on the website. Thinking of letting your holiday home? There has never been a better time to join Coast & Country Cottages. To find out more, please call Rachel Farley on 01803 227990 (option 3) or visit coastandcountry.co.uk 

Queen Mary 2 Marathon

Crewmembers of Queen Mary 2, which became a familiar and iconic sight in Tor Bay, have completed a marathon round their splendid decks in aid of the Torquay-based Disabled Sailing Association. The crew raised £1000 to support the charity, which runs two modern oceangoing yachts Freedom and Free Spirit out of Torquay Harbour. It is a voluntary association of the abled and disabled, all unpaid, which provides a unique opportunity for disabled people to enjoy the excitement, freedom and companionship of sailing. No sailing experience is required. Ship’s Chief Doctor, Gerry McCabe organized the marathon event and 40 members of the crew undertook the challenge. Disabled Sailing Association’s President (and founder) Dave Musgrove and the Chairman Peter Turner warmly thanked the crew of the Queen Mary 2 for their amazing achievement.   disabledsailingassociation.org.uk

Barnstorming Donation

Paignton Rotary raised an impressive £1540 for Torbay Holiday Helpers Network in spite of having to cancel their fundraising barn dance. Most ticket holders donated their refunds to the charity and a hamper raffle also contributed to the total. Torbay Holiday Helpers Network (THHN) is a charity, which provides memorymaking holidays to families struggling with serious illness or bereavement. To learn more please contact enquiries@thhn.co.uk or John Bunce 01803 900101. The Rotary Clubs In Torbay are always on the lookout for new members. Besides the charitable side of Rotary, they also have great fun and friendship whilst participating in activities. Please contact Sue Kirkham 07944 410719 or mrsk03@icloud.com for further details. 

New! Fire & Ice Experience

The Aztec Spa in Torquay is excited to be launching a brand new Fire & Ice Experience to enhance their 5 treatment room ELEMIS Spa and Aztec Leisure facilities. Based on the ancient ritual of bathing, where the body is treated using a series of hot and cooling experiences, Aztec Fire & Ice is designed to stimulate all the senses and can be booked as a standalone experience or as an addition to spa treatments. The new development is due to open later this summer and includes an 8-person hydro pool, a herbal sauna, a Finnish sauna, an aroma treatment room, a drench bucket, an ice fountain, a shower experience, heated loungers and a Zen relaxation area and juice bar. For further details contact the Aztec Spa on 01803 400190.   tlh.co.uk/aztec-spa

Reader Competition

The winning entry to our recent reader competition was Victoria Bowen of Brixham who correctly identified 1976 as the year Torbay Civic Society was launched. She wins a copy of Famous Devon Figures by Torbay Civic Society’s Chairman Ian Handford. 

TORBAY CIVIC SOCIETY

60 short biographies of famous fi gures, past and present, associated with Devon DEVON FIGURES Famous VOLUME II

Compiled by Ian L. Handford

Published by Devon Magazine Company Ltd

Torquay Museum – Residents’ O er

Torquay Museum has reopened its doors after almost five months of closure due to the Covid19 pandemic. To celebrate, local people will get a 50% discount on the admission price, and their ticket will entitle them to visit the museum free of charge for a whole year. Torquay Museum’s Director, Basil Greenwood says, “We have really missed our visitors, with the hustle and bustle of people enjoying everything the museum has to offer.” Despite being closed for such a long period, museum staff have been beavering away sprucing up the displays, building exhibitions and planning events, the core of which will focus on a celebration of the Museum’s 175th anniversary. For more details see our What’s On section in this issue. 

Dancing Flamingos

Paignton Zoo has unearthed some unusual facts about flamingos. Steve Nash, Curator of Birds at Paignton flamingos. Steve Nash, Curator of Birds at Paignton Zoo says, “As the days lengthen and the UVA levels Zoo says, “As the days lengthen and the UVA levels strengthen, it triggers a response in birds to breed. Our strengthen, it triggers a response in birds to breed. Our male flamingos demonstrate this through dance. They male flamingos demonstrate this through dance. They dance to attract a female mate and it’s estimated that older male flamingos have a repertoire of over 130 different moves.” Female flamingos will also select a mate based on how pink he is. A pinker male flamingo is able to show that he is better at foraging. When rearing chicks both parents produce a red coloured ‘crop produce a red coloured ‘crop milk’ to feed their baby. Parent milk’ to feed their baby. Parent flamingos become paler as the flamingos become paler as the chick gets older as rearing young chick gets older as rearing young literally drains the colour out of literally drains the colour out of them. Paignton Zoo is hopeful for them. Paignton Zoo is hopeful for flamingo chicks later this year. flamingo chicks later this year. 

Torquay £1,200,000 Freehold

With outstanding rural views, superb design features and presented with fabulous contemporary style, the property o ers an exceptional home built within the last ve years. The accommodation has an open plan living room/dining, kitchen, utility, main bedroom with dressing room and en-suite, 3 further bedrooms, en-suite and separate bathroom. Gardens with a pool/terrace deck, home o ce/gym, garden room and large workshop. Garage, parking. EPC - A

Torquay

£1,800,000 Freehold

With captivating views across Tor Bay, the property combines the rich architectural heritage of Victorian design with modern amenities sitting in elegant private gardens, extensively renovated, retaining and enhancing original features. The accommodation has 4 reception rooms, country house kitchen, scullery, boot room, guest kitchen, 8 bedrooms, 7 shower/bathrooms, cellarage. Double garage, parking. EPC – D

Torquay

£700,000 Freehold

With exceptionally spacious accommodation, the property o ers a unique opportunity to acquire a home of Victorian origins, forming part of a terrace of 3 individual houses. Arranged over 3 oors with 2 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, cloakroom, utility, 3 rst oor bedrooms, 3 en-suite, 3 bedrooms to the second oor, shower room. Small gardens, balcony, garage, parking. EPC – E

01803 296500 • mail@johncouch.co.uk

43 Ilsham Road • Wellswood • Torquay • TQ1 2JG

johncouch.co.uk

Bay House BRIXHAM

Luxury Coastal is one of the fastestgrowing self-catering agencies in the South West, o ering some of the nest holiday properties in the most desirable coastal locations, including delightful Bay House in Brixham. Co-Founder and Marketing Director, James Lund, tells us more.

We’ve been making waves in the industry since we launched in 2019, and we’re now an awardwinning independent agency with a growing portfolio that stands out from the crowd. Our commitment to fairness and putting people rst has already set us apart from other agencies. As an independent company, we’re all about old school values and building a brand people can trust. With over 40 years’ combined experience, we’re a tight-knit team working hard to make our dream

- and our owners’ properties - a success.

For example, within Torbay you’ll nd Bay House; it’s an elegant period town house perfectly set above Brixham Harbour. With wonderful views over the bay, this lovely home has four beautiful bedrooms, spacious living areas, a private garden and o -road parking.

Inside the home you’ll discover a sophisticated reception room with occasional seating and a traditional replace. e tasteful sitting room furnished with a comfortable L-shaped sofa, armchair and replace is a bright and welcoming space, with superb views out to sea from its large bay window. e property’s gorgeous dining room is ooded with natural light from the overhead skylight and is open plan with a fabulous kitchen that leads out to a private courtyard garden. Furnished with a bistro table and chairs, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a morning co ee and chat about the day’s plans.

Upstairs on the rst oor is a double bedroom, a spacious master bedroom with magni cent sea views,

and a large family bathroom with walk-in shower cubicle and freestanding bathtub. e upper oor of the home has a further two bedrooms, including a bright and airy double with its own ensuite shower room, and a single that’s perfect for younger members of the family.

Luxury Coastal’s customers love Brixham and Torbay and we are looking forward to welcoming many of our visitors to this lovely part of South Devon in 2021. Do get in touch with Luxury Coastal if you have a selfcatering property to let.   luxurycoastal.co.uk 0330 113 7005