View
289
Download
18
Category
Tags:
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
Regional magazine for the East Devon area
Citation preview
COAST & COUNTRYEAST DEVON
A Celebration of Life in East Devon
FREE
2011AUTUMN
2East Devon Coast & Country
2 1A Celebration of Life in East Devon
8. Property CommentaryWith Fiona Howell and Phil Keddie.
10. Forthcoming EventsWhat's not to miss over the Autumn.
14. Live Music RoundupFind out where it's happening!
16. Art ExhibitionsArt gallery events for Autumn.
22. Fashion and BeautyFashion and beauty in East Devon.
25. Business AdviceValuable tips from Katina Styles.
26. Eating OutOur roundup of East Devon eateries.
30. Salem ChapelBy Stephen Chilcott.
34. Topsham VisitedAn historical amble around Topsham.
45. Follow that Acorn!Cec Hardy's coastal path tales.
48. Tapping into the SunCathy Debenham discusses PV systems.
52. Fly Fishing on the OtterNigel Jones fishes for brown trout.
56. Walk on the WildsideArtist Mike Hughes talks about wildlife.
61. Greyhound RescueWith greyhound fan Suzy Bailey.
62. Equine - Riding AidsBy Natalie Bucklar-Green.
64. Aggressive or FrightenedBy Animal Communicator, Kerry Hornett.
65. Tales of A YokelFCR Esgen contemplates life.
66. Motoring MemoriesA farewell to Colyford's unique museum.
70. ShipwrecksBy noted local historian, Ted Gosling.
71. The Plague in HonitonRose Millard takes Honiton back to 1349.
72. Life MattersOur section on health & wellbeing issues.
76. A Truly Inspirational PersonThe passing of Dr Elisabeth Svendsen by Guy Peters
80. Managing your MoneyExpert tips from Independent Financial Adviser Helen Mulvaney.
Sept-Nov ISSUE NO 8
Contents
Cover photo: N.JonesOtter Valley from East Hill 2009
CONTRIBUTORSNigel Jones, Steve Chilcott, Mike Hughes, Katina Styles, Helen Mulvaney, Cec Hardy, Ted Gosling, Sali Mustafic, Cathy Debenham, Rose Millard, Guy Peters, FCR Esgen, Natalie Bucklar-Green, Suzy Bailey, Kerry Hornett, Fiona Howell, Phil Keddie.
MAGAZINEEditor and publisher: Nigel Jonestel. 01395 513383tel. 01395 512166email.nigel@prestige-media.co.uk
Advertisers call: 01395 513383 By post: Beech Royd, 6 Bennetts Hill, Sidmouth EX10 9XH.
All images copyright N.Jonesunless otherwise credited
COAST & COUNTRYEAST DEVON
A Celebration of Life in East Devon
River
Ex
e
Riv
er C
lyst
exe st.
greatwood terr. nelson close
FER
RY
RO
AD
FER
RY
RO
AD
stran
d
HIG
H ST
REET
FOR
E STR
EET
STATION RD. ELM
GR
OV
E R
OA
D TO EXM
OUTH ->
sun
hill la
ne
VICTORIA RD.
majorfield rd.
par
kfield
rd
follett rd.
globe
lane glovefield
WHITE STREET
HOLMAN WAY
H
OLM
AN
WAY
MONMOUTH ST.
h
igher shapter st.
lower sh
apter st.
B
OW
LIN
G G
REEN
RD
.
B
OW
LIN
G G
REEN
RD
carpark
THE QUAY
THE BRIDGE
INN
Ex
eter
Ship C
an
al
LOCK
SAINT MARGARET’S
CHURCH
Nature Reserve
M
Topsham Pharmacy
Brights of Nettlebed
Carter Derrick Carpets
TheArt
Room
Nigel Jones
Topsham
6166
1634
30
52
2East Devon Coast & Country
Editor's LetterA warm welcome to East Devon Coast and Country Magazine.
Autumn can be glorious in East Devon, especially when the wind drops to a standstill and the sun makes an appearance in clear blue skies.
Of course, autumn heralds the end of the summer which is always sad to ponder, but there's lots to do and personally I prefer it for walking, as you don't suffer so much if the sun is out.
The magazine has been running for 2 years now, and we've been taking stock. We know the magazine has become extremely popular with readers, the main comment from them being that there's a lot to look at and read about, it's not just full of adverts. Readers also comment that they particularly like the photography and walks, so we'll continue with these and to this end, we've built up an extensive photo library of East Devon over the last couple of years.
Within the magazine, we are quite keen on event information.it's always easy to read about events after they've happened, but what's really useful is advance notice of all those really interesting events that you don't want to miss. We've included a new Live Music Roundup section, so you can see which venues in East Devon have live music events, particularly at restaurants and pubs. It's great when you go out for a meal or a pint, if you can enjoy live entertainment, it makes an outing much more memorable.
This issue sees Steve Chilcott visit Topsham which is a quirky and interesting place with much history attached, it's certainly has one of the best museums in the region with great cakes and tea.
I managed to prise myself off my apple mac this summer and get out onto the river Otter up at the Deer Park hotel. It was great fun and I actually managed to catch some fish!! Wonders never cease.
Nigel Jones
Curious to know if you have something of value? It could pay to talk to Bonhams.
- Insurance and Probate Valuations - Home Visits - Specialist Valuation Days
01392 425 264 exeter@bonhams.com
A George II mahogany open armchairSold for £10,200
International Auctioneers and Valuers- bonhams.com/exeter
Kitchens, Furniture and Bespoke Joinery.
I can make to your specifications whether fitted or free standing.
2 3A Celebration of Life in East Devon
Your Kitchen Ltd Showroom3 Thorntree Units
Liverton Retail ParkExmouthEX8 2NX
Mon - Sat 8am - 1pm
Actual kitchen fitted - not showroom Tel: 01395 567280 www.yourkitchen.comshowroom@yourkitchen.com
We design, make and install beautiful fitted kitchens
Traditional or contemporary
Everything is taken care of
1000s Happy CustomersSee for yourself
www.yourkitchen.com
wwwYOURKITCHEN.com
Designed for you...
K i t c h e n E x c e l l e n c e
4East Devon Coast & Country
savills.co.uk
Refurbished 5 bed farmhouse adaptable outbuildings 78 acres - wildlife haven woodland, pasture, streams, ponds holiday cottage in woodland setting triple garage with 1 bed annexe above
TRANQUIL, SECLUDED WILDLIFE HAVENhawkchurch, axminster, devon
Guide £1.495 million
Contact:Chris Jarrett
cjarrett@savills.com01392 455743
Savills ExeterThe ForumBarnfield Road EX1 1QR01392 455755exeter@savills.com
Buying or selling this summer? Talk to Savills.
4 5A Celebration of Life in East Devon
savills.co.uk
Edge of village old rectory with views 4 reception rooms 4 bedroom suites withbathrooms 3 further bedrooms & 2 bathrooms leisure complex with billiards, games& cinema rooms 2/3 bedroom cottage parkland, pasture, gardens, about 25 acres
south of honiton, offwell
Contact:Richard Addington
raddington@savills.com01392 455755
Savills ExeterThe ForumBarnfield Road EX1 1QR01392 455755exeter@savills.com
Buying or selling this summer? Talk to Savills.
6East Devon Coast & Country
Welcome to chesterton humberts country
chesterton humberts country�e ultimate combination
With our local knowledge and international network, we have the expertise and reach to provide you with the very best level of service, combined with global exposure for your property.
Che 1430 East Devon coast 297x210 v2.indd 1 12/08/2011 21:33
Seaton Hole, East Devon EX12£732,500 freeholdA handsome well proportioned detached Victorian Villa set on the World Heritage Jurassic Coast with sea views. Sitting room, living room, dining room, large kitchen & conservatory, 6 bedrooms, detached double garage, in all approximately 2/3 acre on a number of levels.
Membury, East Devon EX13£1,300,000 freeholdA restored period farm set within gardens and grounds of approaching 36 acres in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 2 reception rooms, kitchen, principal bedroom with en-suite, 3 further bedrooms, bath/shower room, delightful gardens, outbuildings, farmyard with span building & stabling, pasture, woodland, 2 large ponds.
Branscombe, East Devon EX12£1,200,000 guide priceA particularly handsome Grade II listed period residence with holiday cottage & delightful gardens in this highly desirable village. 3 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, conservatory, 4 �rst �oor bedrooms (1 en-suite), bath/shower room, 2nd �oor bedroom suite, barn/stable, garage, paddock, about 4 acres.
Plymtree, East Devon EX15£799,000 guide priceA handsome listed period farmhouse of great antiquity with separate 2 bedroom holiday cottage, outbuildings & paddock. 4 reception rooms, 2 with inglenooks, country kitchen with Aga, sun room, utility, 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, extensive range of buildings, delightful gardens, paddock, in all about 2 ¼ acres.
Honiton office 01404 42456 honiton@chestertonhumberts.com Honiton office 01404 42456 honiton@chestertonhumberts.com
Honiton office 01404 42456 honiton@chestertonhumberts.com Honiton office 01404 42456 honiton@chestertonhumberts.com
Uk Large Lettings Agency of the Year 2011 Gold AwardLarge Lettings Agency of the Year 2010 Gold AwardLuxury Lettings Agency of the Year 2010 Silver AwardNational Estate Agent of the Year 2010
chestertonhumberts.com
Che 1430 East Devon coast 297x210 v2.indd 2 12/08/2011 21:33
6 7A Celebration of Life in East Devon
Welcome to chesterton humberts country
chesterton humberts country�e ultimate combination
With our local knowledge and international network, we have the expertise and reach to provide you with the very best level of service, combined with global exposure for your property.
Che 1430 East Devon coast 297x210 v2.indd 1 12/08/2011 21:33
Seaton Hole, East Devon EX12£732,500 freeholdA handsome well proportioned detached Victorian Villa set on the World Heritage Jurassic Coast with sea views. Sitting room, living room, dining room, large kitchen & conservatory, 6 bedrooms, detached double garage, in all approximately 2/3 acre on a number of levels.
Membury, East Devon EX13£1,300,000 freeholdA restored period farm set within gardens and grounds of approaching 36 acres in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 2 reception rooms, kitchen, principal bedroom with en-suite, 3 further bedrooms, bath/shower room, delightful gardens, outbuildings, farmyard with span building & stabling, pasture, woodland, 2 large ponds.
Branscombe, East Devon EX12£1,200,000 guide priceA particularly handsome Grade II listed period residence with holiday cottage & delightful gardens in this highly desirable village. 3 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, conservatory, 4 �rst �oor bedrooms (1 en-suite), bath/shower room, 2nd �oor bedroom suite, barn/stable, garage, paddock, about 4 acres.
Plymtree, East Devon EX15£799,000 guide priceA handsome listed period farmhouse of great antiquity with separate 2 bedroom holiday cottage, outbuildings & paddock. 4 reception rooms, 2 with inglenooks, country kitchen with Aga, sun room, utility, 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, extensive range of buildings, delightful gardens, paddock, in all about 2 ¼ acres.
Honiton office 01404 42456 honiton@chestertonhumberts.com Honiton office 01404 42456 honiton@chestertonhumberts.com
Honiton office 01404 42456 honiton@chestertonhumberts.com Honiton office 01404 42456 honiton@chestertonhumberts.com
Uk Large Lettings Agency of the Year 2011 Gold AwardLarge Lettings Agency of the Year 2010 Gold AwardLuxury Lettings Agency of the Year 2010 Silver AwardNational Estate Agent of the Year 2010
chestertonhumberts.com
Che 1430 East Devon coast 297x210 v2.indd 2 12/08/2011 21:33
8East Devon Coast & Country
So what has happened to the property market and perhaps
more importantly, what is going to happen next? This is the question that everyone is asking and there seems to be no consistent response.
One thing we know for sure is what the market has done to date. Prices in June 2011 were 3.5% lower than in June last year, but this was better than the annual reduction of 4.2% recorded from May 2010 to May 2011. House prices between April and June were 0.5% lower than in the previous quarter, but this was the smallest quarterly fall since the same period in 2010. The average UK house price in June was broadly unchanged from that in December 2010, on a seasonally adjusted basis.
There is, therefore, no question that property prices have dropped in the last year, but the rate of decline appears to be slowing. This slowing could be partly attributed to interest rates remaining at their lowest level for many years. This has helped to improve affordability, with mortgage rates having fallen dramatically and one lender has even offered the lowest ever five-year fix in history, at under 3.5%.
So if you are looking for a bargain, now is the time to buy. Confidence is returning and demand in some areas remains strong. The South West remains popular for people
looking to retire as well as those seeking that elusive work life balance. There has also been influx of foreign investment into the area, possibly due to the escalating Eurozone debt crisis, increasing uncertainty and reducing investment in those countries. Some investors are looking towards traditional bricks and mortar which remain a tangible asset.
But what about the number of properties on the market? Anecdotal evidence suggests that people are not putting houses on the market for fear of not securing a good price. However, if you are trading up in the market, a 10% reduction in the price of the property that you are buying will equate to more in cash terms, than a 10% reduction in the price of that you are selling. Additionally, surveyors report an increase in building work and renovations, as owners seek to add value to their properties. This can make a house more saleable in a slow market and make a property the best of breed, reducing the risk of low offers being made.
Finally, Savills are now forecasting price growth for prime Central London property in 2011 to increase by 8%, a change from its earlier original prediction that values would fall by 1% this year. This is a positive sign as the market in central London is seen as the benchmark for what the regions will do in the coming months and so perhaps we can be more optimistic after all. Where one person sees a crisis, another sees opportunity!
Fiona Howell MRICSThe County Homesearch Company
As reported across the news, increased numbers of people
are renting property as opposed to buying. The statistics point to a figure that was unthinkable a few years ago, with up to 24% of the population set to be renting in ten years time.
This trend can also be seen across the East Devon area, with reports suggesting that there are 75% more tenants looking than there are properties available to rent. This has created a bottleneck for availability which is impacting on supply and demand; driving rents ever higher.
It would appear that there has been no better time to be a landlord, either for prospective landlords who have owned the property for some time (having seen a significant equity increase in the value) or for those coming to the market with cash to purchase and not requiring a mortgage. Indeed, in some cases it is possible to achieve a better return by renting a property than by leaving the money in a bank account earning negligible interest.
The problem comes if a buy-to-let mortgage is required, as there are several hurdles to overcome; the most notable being able to borrow the amount of money required at a figure that makes renting the property a viable commercial prospect. No one is certain what will happen in the property sales market in the next few years, but history has shown that it is likely to bounce back.
In this market of supply scarcity, the dichotomy is that some existing landlords of older properties, who have not been prepared to reinvest in the condition of their portfolio, may find that it takes longer than
expected to re-let their property. One key reason for this is that a growing number of newer tenants, who would otherwise be first time buyers, are bringing their purchasing preferences into the rental market.
This, in turn, has caused concern for some landlords and has been a boon for others as the best properties now can be let within hours. However, older properties are witnessing longer void periods and suffer from a lack of movement at this end of the market.
The market has started to divide into three sectors with the top price bracket letting quite easily; primarily to house owners who have sold, are between properties or are returning from abroad. The middle price sector is being taken by the many young people who are primarily disenchanted first time buyers unable to get on to the first step on the housing ladder, or by people coming out of relationships choosing to rent alone for a while. The lower sector is being filled by tenants who often rely on the state to either fully or partly support their rent payments. In such a market, with a dearth of property, this group may struggle to find either property or landlords that are willing to allow them to rent, meaning they turn to social housing – a sector already under pressure.
There is no Government-led regulation of letting agents and, a growing number of people – who may or may not have training or experience – are becoming letting agents. Therefore it is important that both landlords and tenants protect themselves by obtaining the best possible advice – we would urge people to only use an agent associated with a national body such as ARLA.
ARLA agents are licensed, which means clients have access to benefits like client money protection, and a redress scheme if things go wrong. Now, more than ever, if you are looking to rent or let a property, it is critical to protect your investment.
We do.Call 01404 42051 for a quote or popinto the office to talk to Mrs DT Venner at NFU Mutual Office, The Manor House,High Street, Honiton, Devon EX14 1LJ
Agent of The National Farmers UnionMutual Insurance Society Limited. We do right by you
Curious,but not all insurers provide specialist homeinsurance for high value homes and lifestyles.
ADBLK123_21 Honiton 91x64:Layout 1 21/07/2011 10:36 Page 1
The Rental Market Continues to ExpandBy Phil Keddie
STOP PRESS: Property prices set to crash (or should that be rise?)..
8 9A Celebration of Life in East Devon
for doors n’more
Doors of Distinction
Dorset Showroom 63 Cobham Road Ferndown Ind EstateFerndownDorset BH21 7QF
01202 872211
Devon Showroom The Old Sawmills Hawkerland Road Colaton Raleigh Devon EX10 0HP
01395 567348
www.doorsofdistinction.co.uk
-
Pre-Finished White‘Sierra’ inlaid PVC
‘Galica’ & ‘Gomera’ ‘Ibiza’ & ‘Menorca’
‘Catalonia’
10East Devon Coast & Country
MAIN EVENTS
3-4th Sept - Brownies, Guides, Rainbows, Cubs, Scouts & Beavers Weekend, Crealy Country Park; includes free Bushcraft and Survival Skills Adventures
9th Sept - RAMM Development Trust Jurassic Coast Cruise, leaving from Exmouth Marina, 4.45pm-8pm
10-11th Sept - SelfBuild and Design Show: for anyone interested in convert-ing, extending, renovating or self-building, Westpoint, Exeter
15th Sept - Tour of Britain Cycle Race 2011, Stage 5, finishes in Exmouth
18th Sept - The WHOTT Historic Bus and Commercial Vehicle Rally: classic buses, coaches, and lorries, Westpoint, Exeter
25th Sept - Creative Stitches & Hobbycrafts: hundreds of new and established crafts, and you can watch the experts in action, Westpoint, Exeter
1-2nd Oct - The Static Caravan-Touring Caravan & Motorhome Show: all that is new and exciting in Holiday Lodges
and Caravan Holiday homes, Westpoint, Exeter
5th Oct - South West Growers Show, The Matford Centre, Exeter
8-9th Oct - The Wedding Show: the South West's Premier Bridal Experi-ence, Westpoint, Exeter
3rd Nov - The Round Table Charity Fireworks Display, Westpoint, Exeter
25-27th Nov - Christmas Shopping Fayre, Westpoint, Exeter
Festivals
16-18th Sept - Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival
16-17th Sept - Acoustica Festival, all-folk, Americana and folktronica, Exeter Phoenix
17-25th Sept - Lyme Regis Arts Festival
14-16th Oct - Beer Rhythm and Blues Festival
Carnivals
3rd Sept - Seaton Illuminated Carnival
10th Sept - Colyton Illuminated
17th Sept - Axminster Illuminated
24th Sept - Sidmouth Illuminated
1st Oct - Newton Poppleford Illumi-nated
8th Oct - Exmouth Illuminated
22nd Oct - Honiton Illuminated
29th Oct - Ottery St Mary Illuminated
LOCAL EVENTS
1-7th Sept - While The Sun Shines by Terence Rattigan, Charles&Imogen Vance Season, Manor Pavilion, Sid-mouth, 8pm
3rd Sept - Brass Band Festival, Ex-mouth Pavilion
3-4th Sept - Wiscombe Park Hill Climb -The Five Clubs
5-10th Sept - Duets by Peter Quilter, Salterton Drama Club, The Playhouse, Budleigh Salterton
8th Sept - Sidmouth Garden Club Au-tumn Flower Fruit and Vegetable Show, All Saints Church Hall, Sidmouth
10th Sept - Tudor Living History, St Nicholas Priory, Exeter, 10am-4pm
10th Sept - Uplyme & Lyme Regis Horticultural Show
10th Sept - Wiscombe Park Hill Climb -The M.G. Car Club (S West)
10-11th Sept - Blast from the Past: relive the atmosphere of the American War of Independence, À la Ronde, Exmouth, 11am-4pm
13th Sept - Okay for Croquet! (free tuition from Sidmouth Croquet Club), À
la Ronde, Exmouth, 12 noon
18th Sept - Bridgend Male Voice Choir, St Michael's Parish Church, Lyme Regis, 3pm
23rd Sept - Meet the author: Rachel Billington, Kennaway House, 7.30pm-10pm
24th Sept - Archaeology and Astrono-my: an atmospheric evening combining
history and stargazing, Dumpdon Hill, near Luppitt
7th Oct - Meet the author: Michael Hol-royd, Kennaway House, 7.30pm-10pm
12th Oct - Three Tales on Wednesday by Thomas Hardy, The Town Mill Malt House, Lyme Regis
22nd Oct - Slovenian Ladies' Choir, St Michael's Parish Church, Lyme Regis, 7.30pm
22-30thOct - Branscombe's War: Life in Branscombe during World War II, exhibition in Branscombe Village Hall
24-29th Oct - Hallowe'en Tram of Terror, Seaton Tramway, dep 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 3.30pm
30th Oct - Chris Gradwell & Friends, An Evening of Poetry, Music & Sketch-es, Kennaway House, 7.30pm-10pm
4th Nov - Sidmouth Music Club Orchestra, Concert, Sidmouth Parish Church
5th Nov - Sidbury Bonfire & Fireworks Display
5th Nov - Bangers on Bonfire Night, Seaton Tramway, dep 6pm
5th Nov - Fireworks and Bonfire Night, The Harbour, Lyme Regis
5th Nov - Flaming Tar Barrels, Ottery
13th Nov - Remembrance Day March and Service, Sidmouth Town Band, from the Co-op to the Parish Church, Sidmouth
Killerton House
Forthcoming EventsSept, Oct & Nov 2011
10 11A Celebration of Life in East Devon
Theatrical Plays
8-14th Sept - Something To Hide by Leslie Sands, Charles&Imogen Vance Season, Manor Pavilion, Sidmouth, 8pm
To 10th Sept - The Fair Maid of The West by Thomas Heywood: rarely performed Elizabethan epic, Creative Cow Touring Repertory Theatre, Cygnet New Theatre, Exeter
8-17th Sept -Oliver!, Barnfield Theatre, Exeter, 7pm
15-21st Sept - Doctor In The House by Richard Gordon, Charles&Imogen Vance Season, Manor Pavilion, Sid-mouth, 8pm
22-30th Sept - Is Your Honeymoon Really Necessary by E.V.Tidmarsh, Charles & Imogen Vance Season, Manor Pavilion, Sidmouth, 8pm
1-8th Oct - Iolanthe, Sidmouth Arts Club Operatic Society, Manor Pavilion Theatre, Sidmouth
10-15th Oct - Cash on Delivery by
Michael Cooney, Exmouth Players, Blackmore Theatre, Exmouth
11-15th Oct - Private Lives by Noel Coward, Sidmouth Amateur Dramatic Society, Manor Pavilion Theatre, Sid-mouth
9-12th Nov - Johnny Jack's War: WWI Community Play, Sidbury Village Hall
21-26th Nov - Make Way for Lucia by John van Druten, Salterton Drama Club, The Playhouse, Budleigh Salterton
Fairs
11-15th Sept - Sidbury Fair Week
24th Sept - Colyford Goose Fayre
Musicals
30th Aug-10th Sept - Grease - The Musical (Touring), Princess Theatre, Torquay, 7.30pm
20-25th Sept - Mr Stink: Live on Stage, David Walliams, Musical adaptation
of book illustrated by Quentin Blake, Northcott Theatre, Exeter
Tribute Bands
9th Sept - Roy Orbison and Friends 75 Special & The Beatles, tribute by Barry Steele and The Compleat Beatles, Exmouth Pavilion, 7.30pm
24th Sept - UKU2, Europe's premier U2 tribute band, Seaton Town Hall, 7.30pm
3rd Oct - Ralph McTell, singer-guitarist-songwriter, with songs and Bob Dylan tribute, Barnfield Theatre, Exeter, 7.30pm
7th Oct - Rock N Roll Paradise, bring-
ing to life the giants of the Rock 'n Roll years, Exmouth Pavilion, 7.30pm
13th Oct - Country Roads: Wayne Den-ton Tribute to John Denver, Exmouth Pavilion, 7.30pm
Childrens'Entertainment
25th Oct - Bob the Builder Live!, new stage show from the children's favour-ite, Princess Theatre, Torquay, 1pm
Comedy
15th Sept - Reginald D Hunter, one of UK comedy's best known and most distinctive performers, Exeter Phoenix, 8pm
18th Sept - Fascinating Aida: The Cheap Flight Tour, Britain's best loved comedy cabaret trio, Northcott Theatre, Exeter
Forthcoming EventsSept, Oct & Nov 2011
!tttaaatttiiiooonnn rrroooaaaddd !XXXMMMIIINNNSSSTTT!RRR eeexxxeeettteeerrr EEEXXX666 888DDDZZZ
wwwwwwwww...tttooobbbyyy!rrreeeccclllaaammmaaatttiiiooonnn...cccooommm
£££111555,,,000000000 pppllluuusss VVVAAATTTTTThhhiiisss gggaaarrraaagggeee cccooommmpppllleeettteee
TTTOOOBBBYYYSSS hhhaaavvveee bbbeeeeeennn !uuupppppplllyyyiiinnnggg QQQuuuaaallliiitttyyy nnneeewww aaannnddd rrreeeccclllaaaiiimmmeeeddd bbbuuuiiillldddiiinnnggg mmmaaattteeerrriiiaaalll! !iiinnnccceee 111999888555 tttooo pppeeeooopppllleee
wwwhhhooo aaarrreee ppprrrooouuuddd ooofff ttthhheeeiiirrr hhhooommmeee! aaannnddd wwwaaannnttt tttooo iiinnn!tttaaallllll ttthhheee bbbeee!ttt qqquuuaaallliiitttyyy PPPeeerrriiioooddd fffeeeaaatttuuurrreee! aaannnddd mmmaaattteeerrriiiaaalll!...
OOOaaakkk BBBuuuiiillldddiiinnngggsss mmmaaadddeee fffrrrooommmDDD!VVVOOONNN OOOAAAKKK ooonnn dddiiisssppplllaaayyy
!OOOBBBYYYSSS
rrreeeccclllaaammmaaatttiiiooonnn
OOOPPP!NNN 777 DDDAAAYYYSSS AAA WWW!!KKK
000111333999222 888333333444999999
111000000000 DDDOOOOOORRRSSS --- FFFIIIRRR!PPPLLLAAACCC!SSS --- BBB!SSSPPPOOOKKK! PPPIIINNN! KKKIIITTTCCCHHH!NNNSSS &&& mmmooorrreee
OOOnnn ttthhheee AAA333777999 fffrrrooommm !xxxeeettteeerrr tttooo DDDaaawwwllliiissshhh RRRoooaaaddd
rrreeeccclllaaammmaaatttiiiooonnnrrreeeccclllaaammmaaatttiiiooonnn
CONTINUED OVERLEAF
12East Devon Coast & Country
Forthcoming EventsSept, Oct & Nov 2011
Comedy
9th Oct - Ed Byrne, 'The long-haired comedian', Princess Theatre, Torquay
ClassicalConcerts
3rd Sept - Cologne Ensemble, Sidmouth Parish Church, 7.30pm
5th Sept - Organ Recital, John Scarfe, Musical Director of the Parish Church, Broadclyst Parish Church, 10am-12noon
7th Sept - Roger Judd, Organ Recital, Exeter Cathedral, 8pm
17th Sept - The Coffee Cantata, J.S.Bach, Broadclyst Parish Church, 10.30am-12noon
23rd Sept - Axe Vale Wind Ensemble, Sidmouth Parish Church, 12 noon
15th Oct - ISCA Ensemble, Men-delssohn's Violin Concerto, Sidmouth Parish Church, 7.30pm
28th Oct - Sam Armstrong, piano, (pic above) see Honiton Festival display box for further details.
29th Oct - Emperor String Quartet, Manor Pavilion, Sidmouth, 7.30pm
10th Nov - John Lill, piano, Seaton Town Hall, 7.30pm
12th Nov - Classics Galore! Concert by Exeter Symphony Orchestra, Lympstone South West Telecoms Brass Band and others, in aid of FORCE, Great Hall, Exeter University, 7.30pm
16th Nov - Flavio:Handel, English Touring Opera, Northcott Theatre, Exeter, 7.30pm
17th Nov - The Fairy Queen:Purcell, Eng-lish Touring Opera, Northcott Theatre, Exeter 7.30pm
18-19th Nov - Xerxes:Handel, English Touring Opera, Northcott Theatre, Exeter, 7.30pm
18th Nov - Margaret Phillips Organ Recital, St Michael's Parish Church, Lyme Regis, 7.30pm
19th Nov - Tenebrae Music:Gesauldo, English Touring Opera, Southernhay United Reformed Church, Exeter, 4pm
25th Nov - James Turnbull, Oboe, Craig White, piano see Honiton Festival box.
26th Nov - Andreas Boyde, piano at St Paul's Church, Honiton at 7.30pm. Contact Honiton Tic for tickets.
26th Nov - Daniel Tong, piano, The Knowle, Sidmouth, 7.30pm
Ballet
25th Nov - The Nutcracker - Vienna Fes-tival Ballet, Princess Theatre, Torquay
Pecorama
3-4th Sept - Dolls' House Display by the Exeter Dolls' House and Miniaturists Club, Station Halt Gallery
11th Sept - East Devon Kit Car Display
24-29th Oct - Beer Frights Ghost Train for Hallowe'en
POWDERHAMc a s t l e
27th Aug-2nd Sept - Wonderland Week, Powderham Castle, 11.30am, 1pm, 2.30pm
11th Sept - FORCE 10K Run: raising money for cancer charities, Powderham Castle
18-20th Nov - Antiques Fair & Fine Arts Fair, Powderham Castle, 11am-5pm
Escot Park
To 31st Dec - Artists exhibiting at Coach House Restaurant
Sept - Birds of Prey Display, every Tues, Thurs, Sat and Sun, 2pm
Oct - Birds of Prey Display, every Tues, Thurs, Sat and Sun, 2pm; plus every day 24-31st Oct, 2pm
FARMERS &Country Markets
Axminster Country Market - Masonic Hall, Axminster, Thursdays 9am-12
Budleigh Salterton - Rolle Car Park: last Friday of every month, 9am-1pm.
Mon 12th Septuntil Sat 22nd Oct
Model Railway Exhibition & Train Ride Tickets still apply
Mon 24th - Sat 29th October Ride the spooky BHLR Ghost Train
Plus – Children’s Entertainment (Mon-Fri),Treats for Children in Fancy Dress & much more
OPENING TIMESUntil 16th September
Daily 10 - 5.30
From 17th SeptemberMon - Fri 10 - 5.30 Sat 10 - 1 Sun ClosedFrom 31st Oct - Model Shop & Exhibition only
For entertainment dates see the website
Sunday 11th SeptemberDrive a kit car? Bring it along!
Weather permitting.
12 13A Celebration of Life in East Devon
Forthcoming EventsSept, Oct & Nov 2011
Cullompton - Station Road Car Park: second Saturday of every month, 9.30am-12.30pm.
Exeter Farmers Market - South St/Fore St. Every Thurs. 9am-2pm.
Exmouth Country Market - Glenorchy Church Hall, Exeter Road, Exmouth, Fridays
Exmouth Farmers' Market - The Strand Gardens, Exmouth, alternate Wednesdays, 29th June-14th Dec, 9am-1pm
Honiton Women's Guild Country Market - Mackarness Hall, Honiton, Fridays, 9.30am-11.30am
Honiton Local Produce Market - High Street, Honiton, third Thursday (April-Oct)
Killerton Farmers’ & Local Produce Markets - every third Saturday of the month from Mar-Oct.
Ottery St Mary Farmers' Market - Canaan Way Car Park, Ottery St Mary, first Friday, 9am-2pm
Ottery St Mary Community Market - The Institute, Ottery St Mary, last Saturday
Seaton Farmers' Market - Seaton Town Hall, third Friday, 9am-1pm
Topsham Community Market Held every Sat 8.30-1pm at St Matthews Hall.
A La Ronde
To 30th Oct - Compelled to Collect: RAMM Exhibition of cob artworks, À la Ronde, Exmouth
30th Sept - Just Add Water, Jackie Abey & Jill Smallcombe (AbeySmall-combe)The Art of Cob, A la Ronde, Exmouth, 2pm-3pm
Killerton
2nd,9th & 16th Sept - Garden Guided Walk, 2pm-3pm
10th Sept - Coffee and Music in the Chapel, Killerton House, 11am
11th Sept - Heritage Open Day (free entry) and Special Vintage Car Day, 11am-5pm
International Steinway Artist
AndreasBoyde
The Joanna Leach Memorial Recitals in aid of
St. Paulʼs Church, Honiton, East Devon7:30pm, Saturday 26th November 2011
Tickets: £15 & £12 (reserved) £10 (unreserved) fromHoniton Tourist Information Centre Tel: 01404 43716Tickets available from 1st October honitontic@btconnect.com
Brahms: Scherzo, Op. 4 – Intermezzo, Op. 117 No. 1Haydn: Sonata in C major Hob. XVI:50Liszt: Nuages gris – Unstern! – La lugubre gondola (I)
– Orage – Les Jeux d’Eau à la Villa d’EsteSchumann: Schubert Variations (reconstructed from the manuscripts by Andreas Boyde)
Carnaval, Op. 9
“Monsieur 100,000 Volts” - Badische Zeitung
“Wonderful performances... Poetic inspiration” - BBC Music Magazine
“A stroke of luck for the music of Robert Schumann”
- Leipziger Volkszeitung
CONTINUED OVERLEAF
Honiton Festival 2011/12 Winter Lunchtime Concerts 1pm at including our popular buffet lunch on sale in the foyer from 12 noon 28th October Sam Armstrong, Piano 25th November James Turnbull, Oboe & Craig White, Piano 17th February Yuka Ishizuka, Violin & Nadav Hertzka, Piano
Sponsored by The Tillett Trust
March 2012: Opera Gala Evening English Touring Opera May Mini Festival 2012 dates to be announced (see press or website) Honiton Festival Winter Lunchtime Concert Tickets: £9 unreserved Bookings: Honiton Tourist Information Centre 01404 43716
www.thehonitonfestival.co.uk
14East Devon Coast & Country
GENERAL
Friday evenings – Live Music, Dolphin Hotel, Beer
1st Jan-31st Dec - Live Intimate Music Gigs, Mama Stone's Exeter
3rd Sept – James Hollingsworth, 'one of the best song writers in the country', Double Locks Hotel, Exeter, 3pm [free event]
9th Sept – The Maccabees, London-based indie band, Exeter Phoenix, 7.30pm
1st Oct – Tenchi Shinmei: Wadaiko Ensemble Tokara, Taiko drumming group, Barnfield Theatre, Exeter, 7.30pm
8th Oct – Kit Holmes, 'sultry vocals and virtuoso guitar playing', Barnfield Theatre, Exeter, 8pm
14th Oct – Roots Manuva, British hip-hop, Exeter Phoenix, 8pm
22nd Oct – Cornwall's '3 Daft Monkies' bring foot-stomping Celtic, World, Spanish and good old tiddly-wink rhythms to Seaton Town Hall, 7.30pm
JAZZ
Regular - 2nd Wed of month 7.30pm. Live Jazz at The Five Bells, Clyst Hydon. City Steam Jazz Quartet play easy to listen to Jazz in the relaxed surroundings of The Five Bells.
9th Sept - The Charlie Hearnshaw Trio
at The Bowd Inn - 8pm til 10.30pm.
11th Sept - Jazz on a Sunday After-noon, Pete Allen, Kennaway House, Sidmouth, 3pm-5.30pm
25th Sept - Chris Gradwell & Friends, Le Jazz Quartet Kennaway House, Sidmouth, 7.30pm-10pm
9th Oct – Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon, Pete Allen, Kennaway House, 3pm-5.30pm
21st Oct - Take 4 at The Bowd Inn - 8pm til 10.30pm.
27th Nov – Chris Gradwell & Friends, Jazz Cabaret Evening, Kennaway House, 7.30pm-10pm
FOLK ROOTS & ACOUSTIC
7th Sept - Ian Anderson - Exeter Corn Exchange. Tickets £24
9th Sept - Steve James - Bridge Inn Topsham
16th Sept - John Richards Band - Seven Stars Folk Club, Kennford nr Exeter
23rd Sept - Davey Arthur & Friends - Barnfield Theatre, Exeter
25th Sept - Hannah James & Sam Sweeney - Topsham Folk Club, Globe Hotel
25th Sept - Steve Knightley - Route 2 Café Bar, Topsham
27th Sept – Carthy & Swarbrick, an
evening of outstanding folk music, Exeter Phoenix
29th Sept - Ruarri Joseph - Exeter Phoenix
14th Oct – When the Bell Tolls, Laura Marling: hauntingly beautiful acoustic folk-pop, Exeter Cathedral, 7.30pm
20th Oct - Chris Wood - Exeter Phoenix
30th Oct - Coope Boyes & Simpson - Topsham Folk Club, Globe Hotel
2nd Nov - Carrie Rodriguez - Globe Hotel Topsham Tickets £12 01392 877895
13th Nov - Oysterband & June Tabor - Exeter Corn Exchange
18-20th Nov - Folk South West’s West Country Carols Weekend - Sidmouth
20th Nov - Bob Fox - Topsham Folk Club, Globe Hotel
BLUES
1st Sept - Kent Duchaine, Otterton Mill, outdoor gig, 8pm
ROCK / H-METAL
11th Sept – White Wizzard & Jett Black, heavy metal, Cavern Club, Exeter, 8pm
11th Oct – The Answer, 4-piece rock band from Northern Ireland, Cavern Club, Exeter
Live Music Roundup
Take 4cool jazz with a touch of class
This quartet comprises the group’s founders Ric White (saxes and flute) and Ted Draper (drums) along with Paul Barnham on keyboard and Mike Thorn on double bass. Ric started out playing with concert bands when he was young and went on to play jazz, rock, reggae, funk, avant garde and free-form before returning to jazz. Ric and Ted got together five years ago to cre-ate an unusual duet of sax and drums. After a while, they decided a keyboard player would help provide a more well rounded sound and pulled in Paul Barnham. At this point they were known as Take 3. Three years ago, they added bass player Mike Thorn and changed the groups name to Take 4. Since then they have gone from strength to strength.
They play a mixture of mainstream, cool and early jazz which they adapt to appeal to a wide audience. It’s an arresting concoction of show
tunes from the 30s, 40s and 50s which can be moulded to provide a restful and melodic back-ground atmosphere in restaurants and special private functions or up tempo for bars and music
festivals or for dancing. They can provide a trio where space or budget is limited or add an ex-cellent female singer for those who want more fun and a touch of glamour.
A quartet for all seasons, it can be hot in the win-ter, cool in the summer, mellow in the autumn and fresh in the spring. For year round pleasure, you need nothing more than Take 4!
The quartet play regular gigs at The Beach pub in Exmouth, The Quay Brasserie in Topsham and The Bowd Inn on the A3052 near Sidmouth.
For a full list of upcoming venues and dates checkout their website: take4jazz.com The web-site also provides a chance to hear Take 4 in action with a sample link. To book the group, phone Ted Draper on: 01395 277428 or email: info@take4jazz.com
To get your band featured, call Nigel on 01395 513383
FEATURED BAND interviewed by Guy Peters
left to right: Ric White, Ted Draper, Mike Thorn and Paul Barnham
LIVE MUSICSept, Oct & Nov 2011
14 15A Celebration of Life in East Devon
Saturday 1st October 8pm - Black Umfolosi 5 - Exeter Corn Exchange
Zimbabwe’s greatest ambassadors performing music inspired by the traditional song and dance of their native southern Africa with a beauty and enthusiasm that is unrivalled. Black Umfolosi 5 have become firm favourites, with people of all ages and cultures, due to their natural ability to communicate passion and feeling in their explosively colourful performances. Their excit-ing blend of hypnotically rhythmic African dance and beautiful-ly-crafted a cappella harmony singing has seen them performing sell-out tours all over the world. BU5 will be joined by some very special local guests raising money for Christian Aid’s ZimPro fund and a proportion of the ticket price is being donated to this essential humanitarian work on behalf of the people of Zimba-bwe. Box office 01392 665866 or cornexchange@exeter.gov.uk
IF YOUR VENUE HAS LIVE MUSIC, get added to our events by emailingnigel@annuity-rate.co.uk
Wednesday 7 September 2011 7.30pm Ian Anderson - Exeter Corn Exchange
An evening with Jethro Tull's front man. Jethro Tull is usually found sharing the same shelf as Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin etc., but it is all too often forgotten that a large part of the Tull repertoire is, in fact, acoustic music. After 43 years of leading Tull to 54 countries, Ian Anderson's new acoustic tour with a band consisting of German guitar virtuoso Florian Opahle and pianist/accordionist John O'Hara will play Tull acoustic classics as well as other specially-rearranged Tull rock material and, in addition, some new material specially written for these tours. Drawing on Folk, Classical, Rock and Jazz music styles, Ian blends elements of many world music cultures to delight his fans. Throw away the ear-plugs, sit back, relax and savour Anderson's musi-cal smorgasbord. Tickets £24 Box office 01392 665938 cornexchange@exeter.gov.ukto this essential humanitarian work on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe. Box office 01392 665866 or cornexchange@exeter.gov.uk
Sunday 30 October 2011 8pm - Coope Boyes & Simpson - Topsham Folk Club, Globe Hotel
Since their first appearance in 1993, Coope Boyes & Simpson’s powerful and distinctive unaccompanied singing and songwriting have taken English roots into radical new directions. Described as "quite simply the best pur-veyors of acappella song on these Islands", their first CD, Funny Old World, was the rock magazine Q’s Roots Album of the Year. These days they nor-mally only appear in concert halls and at festivals so this is a rare chance to see them in an intimate setting. Call Brian Lewis on 01404 44498 to reserve tickets. www.topshamfolkclub.co.uk
LIVE MUSICSept, Oct & Nov 2011
Sunday 25 September 2011 8.15pm - Steve Knightley - Route 2 Café Bar, Topsham (below)
Last night of Steve's solo autumn tour. £12 adv / £14 door. Small venue so book early, 01395 267029 or 07771 558914 (lodge music promotions).
17th Sept - Farmers' & Local Produce Market
20th Sept-2nd Oct - Devon Guild of Spinners and Weavers 60th Anniversary Exhibition, Killerton House, 11am-5pm
15th Oct - Farmers' & Local Produce Market
MARKET DAYS
Axminster Street Market at Trinity Square every Thur 8.30-3pm.
Axminster Country Market - Masonic Hall, South Street: every Thurs, 9am-12pm.
Cullompton Indoor Market - Town Hall every Wednesday, 9am-1pm.
Exeter Craft Day on 1st Sat in Month May-Sept. Fore St/South St, Exeter.
Exeter Livestock and Pannier Market, Exeter Livestock Centre - Fridays
Exmouth Country Market, Glenorchy Hall, Exeter Road, Friday 8.30-11.15am.
Honiton Weekly Street Market - Honiton High Street: Tuesday and Saturday, 9am onwards.
EXHIBITIONS
3-18th Sept - Devon Open Studios: see work of the Devon Artists' Network in locations across the county; seewww.devonartistnetwork.co.ukwww.devonartistnetwork.co.uk
17-25th Sept - View from the Beach Huts, Brian Matravers and Philip Clayton: exhibition of original plein-air paintings, The Inn Plaice, The Pilot Boat, Lyme Regis
Continued page 25
Disclaimer - you are advised that before attending any of the events listed in the "Forthcoming Events" and 'Live Music Roundup' section of this magazine, you should contact the venue in advance to double check that the dates and times are correct.
FREE ENTRY
A charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales No. 264818
01395 578222www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.ukSidmouth, Devon, EX10 0NU
Forthcoming Events (continued) Sept, Oct & Nov 2011
16East Devon Coast & Country
GALLERIES
Until 22nd Sept - Anje Yelf - solo exhibition at East Devon Business Centre.
Sept - Five Gallery Artists - on show at Artwave West - see display box.
3-18th Sept - Devon Open Studios - artists from all over Devon open their doors to the public. Guides available from TIC and libraries.
To 10 Sept 2011 - Evolver Prize 2011Selected entries from annual open
‘Evolver’ arts mag cover competition at Thelma Hulbert.
Forthcoming Art ExhibitionsSept, Oct and Nov 2011
51 High StreetHoniton
t. 01404 43201www.hybrid-devon.co.uk
art & designfor your home and garden
hybrid
A Place in Time 17th Sept - 22nd OctPaintings by Sam Hewitt and Mary Sumnerand ceramic vessels by Rosanna Martin
Home to Roost Sunday 2nd Octfor one day only - new work by Richard Adams at Combe House, Gittisham
Wish 12th Nov - 24th DecA mixed exhibition of painting, print & craft
Old Fore Street, Sidmouth EX10 8LSwww.eastdevonart.co.uk 01395 516284
EastDevonArt.co.uk
Devon Open Studios 3rd - 18th September
Featuring work by Catherine Osbond, Matt Culmer and Richard Wilson. A diverse collection of expressive landscapes and animal paintings.
Autumn Exhibition 22nd-30th OctoberA new collection of landscape, wildlife and
figurative paintings from local artists.
Art tuition available throughout the year.
Open every day 11am-5pm, including Sunday
7-17th Sept - Honiton Art Society Annual Exhibition - 10.30-4.30, £1 admission, children free. Mackarness Hall, Honiton.
10th Sept-6th Nov - Tim Nicholson, Andrew George, Svend Bayer and Peter Southall at Sladers Yard - see box.
15th Sept to 9th Oct - The late John Buckland-Wright - illustrations - Brook Gallery.
17th Sep-22nd Oct - A Place in Time - Hybrid Gallery, Honiton.
17-30th Sept - Mike Bernard RI solo show at Marine House. Steam Gallery hosts studio glass by Peter Layton and London Glassblowing colleagues on same dates.
23-25th Sept - Narrative Bodies - paintings, drawings, sculptures screenprint, etc at Salem Chapel (see our feature on Salem). 10-5, free admission.
24th Sept - 12th Nov - Cleo Mussi: Pharma’s Market - Engaging mosaic installation re-interpreting agricultural themes - Thelma Hulbert.
Oct - Stephen Bishop - solo show at Artwave West - see feature page.
2nd Oct - Home to Roost - new work by Richard Adams at Combe House. Hybrid.
Donna Goold - 'First Light' - artwavewest
My studio and gallery is situated in the quiet village of Buckerell (3 miles from Honiton) and is open on a daily basis, but please ring.
I paint in oils and acrylics, incorporating gold leaf & mixed media. My inspirations are from nature: sky, sea, birds & butterfiles to name just a few.
cristina.ulander@btopenworld.comtel: 07900 891315
Cristina Ulandercontemporary art
www.cristinaulander.co.ukstudio-gallery
From September 3rd-18th, I will be taking part in the Devon Open Studios event, and will be open daily 11am to 6pm, guides are available from many outlets including TIC and libraries
AUTUMN EXHIBITIONS
15th Sept to 9th OctThe late John Buckland-Wright in support of the Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival, a retrospective of one of the most important illustrators of the early 20th century.
15th Oct to 9th Nov“The Life of Brian” - a Brian Hanscomb retrospective. Living in Cornwall, copperplate engraver, acknowledged as the best living engraver by Resurgence magazine.
Open Tues – Sat 10.30 – 5.00 Sun 2.00 – 5.00
Tel: 01395 443003
Ray Balkwill - 'Sunlit Creek, Lerryn'Mixed Media
Susanna Lance - 'High Seas' - ISCA Gallery
Mary Sumner - 'Blocking the Path'Hybrid
Feona Ness - 'Light on the Brushwood' - Artwave West
Original Paintings, Limited Edition Prints, Books, Cards
Next Show - Christmas Exhibition‘UNDER WESTERN SKIES’
Recent paintings from Co. Kerry to Cornwall by Ray Balkwill, SWAc. Ceramics by Andy Morley.
Sat 3rd & Sun 4th December. 10am - 5pm.For invitation to Preview please telephone 01395 270278Otherwise Studio Gallery open strictly by appointment only.
www.raybalkwill.co.uk
Ray Balkwill’sSTUDIO GALLERY
Thistledown, Marley Road,Exmouth, EX8 4PP Tel: 01395 270278
Rebecca Greenwood - 'Rusty Ring'Open Art Studio
Alan Cotton - 'Spume off Hartland Coast'
16 17A Celebration of Life in East Devon
AUTUMN EXHIBITIONS
September: 5 Gallery Artists
October: Stephen Bishop - Solo Show
November: Autumn Mixed Exhibition
Open Wednesday to Saturday 10am-4pm
info@artwavewest.com | artwavewest.comartwave west | 01297 489 746
morcombelake | dorset | DT6 6DY
Work in oil, collagraphs, etchings, and mixed media. Prices between £50 and £500
Studio/Gallery 1/4 mile from Art Wave West along the road signed to Whitchurch Canonicorum. Open at all times but please check first by telephone.
www.barbaragreen.co.uk
Studio/Gallery, Manscombe Abbey, Taylors Lane,Morcombelake (1/4 mile from A35)
T: 01297 489438barbara.green4@btinternet.com
www.iscagallery.co.uk
Autumn Exhibition Sept to Nov 2011
New works by Susanna Lance and selected West Country artists.
Opening Hours:Monday-Saturday 11am-5pm (Autumn)(Closed Thursday)
01395444193
ISCA
3 Chapel StreetBudleigh SaltertonEX9 6LX
GALLERY
www.marinehouseatbeer.co.ukwww.steamgallery.co.uk
AUTUMN EXHIBITIONS17-30th Sept - Mike Bernard RI solo show at Marine House. Steam Gallery hosts studio glass by Peter Layton and London Glassblowing colleagues on same dates.
29th Oct to 11th Nov - Charlie O’Sullivan solo show at Marine House and Amanda Popham at Steam Gallery on same dates.
Contact the gallery for a catalogue on:01297 625257 or 625144
www.sladersyard.co.uk 01308 459511
Sladers YardContemporary British Art,
Furniture, Craft and Licensed CafeWest Bay Bridport Dorset DT6 4EL
EXHIBITIONS :Tim Nicholson, Andrew George, Svend Bayer & Peter SouthallNew paintings, ceramics and furniture.10th Sept - 6th Nov
Gallery Artists Group ShowIncludes Julian Bailey and Vanessa GardinerFrom 13th Nov
Gifts by leading British designers
’15th Oct to 9th Nov - “The Life of Brian” - a Brian Hanscomb retrospective - Brook Gallery.
22-30th Oct - Autumn Exhibition - collection of landscape, wildlife and figurative painting - East Devon Art Academy - see box.
29th Oct to 11th Nov - Charlie O’Sullivan solo show at Marine House and Amanda Popham at Steam Gallery on same dates.
OPEN ART STUDIO
AUTUMN EXHIBITION
Working artists Studio and attic gallery hosting contemporary artwork by selected local artists, including photography, fine art paintings and limited prints.
Open everyday 10am - 5pm
Contact: Rebecca on 07896 187548Libra Court | Fore Street | Sidmouth
Barbara Green - 'Patches of Sunlight'
Charlie O'Sullivan - 'Hillside Retreat' - Marine House at Beer
Stephen Bishop - '4 Boats - Lyme Cobb' - Artwave West
Nov - Autumn Mixed Exhibition at Artwave West, Morecombelake.
12th Nov-24th Dec - Wish: mixed exhibition, painting, print & craft, Hybrid.
From 13th Nov - Gallery Artists Group Show including Julian Bailey and Vanessa Gardiner at Sladers Yard, Bridport.
26th Nov - 23th Dec - Present Makers - Xmas selling exhibition by South West designer/makers - Thelma Hulbert.
3 & 4th Dec - Under Western Skies - recent paintings from Co. Kerry to Cornwall by Ray Balkwill, SWAc. Ceramics by Andy Morley. See box display.
3-6th Dec - Exhibition - Alan Cotton - opens his studio in Colaton Raleigh for an exhibition of paintings and prints. 10am to 5pm daily. This is the first tie Alan has opened his studio for some years and includes paintings from Devon, Cornwall, Provence, Piemonte and the West Coast of Ireland.
Peter Goodhall - 'Liberty I'www.thelmahulbert.com
To 10 Sept 2011 - EVOLVER PRIZE 2011Selected entries from annual open ‘Evolver’ arts mag cover competition - free.
24th Sept - 12th Nov - CLEO MUSSI: PHARMA’S MARKET - Engaging mosaic installation re-interpreting agricultural themes - free.
26th Nov - 23th Dec - PRESENT MAKERSChristmas selling exhibition by South West designer/makers - free.
01404 45006
Peter Barker "Sea Trout Hooked on the Teign" - Marine House at Beer
Catherine Osbond - 'Red Umbrella'East Devon Art Academy
Marine House and Steam Gallery at Beer are staging four very special exhibitions this autumn presenting works by Mike Bernard, Peter Layton, Charlie O’Sullivan and Amanda Popham.
From Saturday 17th September – Friday 30th September Marine House hosts their sixth solo show by Mike Bernard RI, one of the West Country’s most acclaimed artists. On the same dates Steam Gallery host beautiful studio glass made By Peter Layton and London Glassblowing colleagues.
From Saturday 29th October – Friday 11th November Marine House host the second solo show by Charlie O’Sullivan, the hottest new artist to emerge in the region for some years. On the same dates Steam Gallery stage the eagerly anticipated solo show of sculptural pottery by Amanda Popham. This will be her largest show to date.
All these artists are leaders in their fields so, should you wish to meet them at the private views held from 11.00am on the first Saturday of the shows, please contact the galleries for a colour catalogue and an invitation.
www.marinehouseatbeer.co.uk 01297 625257
www.steamgallery.co.uk 01297 625144
Mike Bernard ‘Borough Fruit & Veg Market, London’ - 20”x 40”
Peter Layton ‘Lagoon’ Charlie O’Sullivan ‘Together’ 90”x 90”
Mike Bernard ‘St. Michael’s Mount’ 16”x 22” Amanda Popham ‘ Pensive Teapot’ Charlie O’Sullivan ‘Garden Treasures’ 36”x 81”
AUTUMN EXHIBITION AT BEER
www.marinehouseatbeer.co.uk01297 625257
Works will also be displayed on our website www.marinehouseatbeer.co.uk approximately three weeks before the exhibitions and are then available for sale.
www.steamgallery.co.uk01297 625144
Artwave West concentrates its exhibiting around a collection of selected artists who have shaped a distinctive personal vision around the discourse between abstraction and figuration. Featuring in a series of exciting shows, these
are professional artists who have an impressive national and international exhibiting profile.Visiting artists are selected to exhibit in mixed shows, bringing diversity and new ideas to the programme. With exhibitions changing
frequently, visitors can always be assured that there will be something new and exciting to see. With a coffee bar to relax in and soak up the ambiance, it really is a stunning place to be able to look at and appreciate art.
artwave west | 01297 489 746morcombelake | dorset | DT6 6DYinfo@artwavewest.com | artwavewest.com
Martin Goold - ‘Pool of London’
The next three monthsat Artwave West!
September’s Exhibition features new work by five of the top Gallery Artists:
Martin Goold: Original paintings depicting the iconic skyline of London with incredible meas-ured accuracy.
Edward Kelly: Powerful, expressive paintings composed of rhythmic marks and gestures.
Sonia Stanyard: Beautiful and quietly con-templative landscape paintings with subtle shifts of colour.
Jon Adam: Expertly crafted works where the abstract activity of paint finds equivalents to the artists observations.
Jeannette Hayes: Fresh works of pastel on paper symbolize a personal record of places recently visited.
Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 5pm
October will see a solo show by one of Dor-set’s most well loved artists, Stephen Bishop. His familiar richly textured surfaces of paint, full of energy and movement and alive with vivid colour will adorn the walls. Featuring striking new works using Lyme Regis as a focus, this highly anticipated exhibition is not to be missed.
Open Wednesday to Saturday 10am - 4pm
November’s Exhibition will be a stimulating and diverse show that will continue right up to Christmas. Wonderful new paintings inspired by light, weather patterns and colour by Feona Ness will be revealed. Ten additional artists will fill the large gallery with breathtaking new pictures.
Open Wednesday to Saturday 10am - 4pm
For further information about any of the exhibi-tions or to be added to the mailing list, please contact Donna at the gallery.
Jon Adam - ‘Untitled’
Feona Ness - ‘Atlantic Eve Light’
Stephen Bishop - ‘Shining’
Edward Kelly - ‘Cosmos’
Jeannette Hayes - ‘Spring Green’
Edward Kelly - ‘Pineapple Glory’
Sonia Stanyard - ‘Alveolar’
18East Devon Coast & Country Art Galleries
Marine House and Steam Gallery at Beer are staging four very special exhibitions this autumn presenting works by Mike Bernard, Peter Layton, Charlie O’Sullivan and Amanda Popham.
From Saturday 17th September – Friday 30th September Marine House hosts their sixth solo show by Mike Bernard RI, one of the West Country’s most acclaimed artists. On the same dates Steam Gallery host beautiful studio glass made By Peter Layton and London Glassblowing colleagues.
From Saturday 29th October – Friday 11th November Marine House host the second solo show by Charlie O’Sullivan, the hottest new artist to emerge in the region for some years. On the same dates Steam Gallery stage the eagerly anticipated solo show of sculptural pottery by Amanda Popham. This will be her largest show to date.
All these artists are leaders in their fields so, should you wish to meet them at the private views held from 11.00am on the first Saturday of the shows, please contact the galleries for a colour catalogue and an invitation.
www.marinehouseatbeer.co.uk 01297 625257
www.steamgallery.co.uk 01297 625144
Mike Bernard ‘Borough Fruit & Veg Market, London’ - 20”x 40”
Peter Layton ‘Lagoon’ Charlie O’Sullivan ‘Together’ 90”x 90”
Mike Bernard ‘St. Michael’s Mount’ 16”x 22” Amanda Popham ‘ Pensive Teapot’ Charlie O’Sullivan ‘Garden Treasures’ 36”x 81”
AUTUMN EXHIBITION AT BEER
www.marinehouseatbeer.co.uk01297 625257
Works will also be displayed on our website www.marinehouseatbeer.co.uk approximately three weeks before the exhibitions and are then available for sale.
www.steamgallery.co.uk01297 625144
Artwave West concentrates its exhibiting around a collection of selected artists who have shaped a distinctive personal vision around the discourse between abstraction and figuration. Featuring in a series of exciting shows, these
are professional artists who have an impressive national and international exhibiting profile.Visiting artists are selected to exhibit in mixed shows, bringing diversity and new ideas to the programme. With exhibitions changing
frequently, visitors can always be assured that there will be something new and exciting to see. With a coffee bar to relax in and soak up the ambiance, it really is a stunning place to be able to look at and appreciate art.
artwave west | 01297 489 746morcombelake | dorset | DT6 6DYinfo@artwavewest.com | artwavewest.com
Martin Goold - ‘Pool of London’
The next three monthsat Artwave West!
September’s Exhibition features new work by five of the top Gallery Artists:
Martin Goold: Original paintings depicting the iconic skyline of London with incredible meas-ured accuracy.
Edward Kelly: Powerful, expressive paintings composed of rhythmic marks and gestures.
Sonia Stanyard: Beautiful and quietly con-templative landscape paintings with subtle shifts of colour.
Jon Adam: Expertly crafted works where the abstract activity of paint finds equivalents to the artists observations.
Jeannette Hayes: Fresh works of pastel on paper symbolize a personal record of places recently visited.
Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 5pm
October will see a solo show by one of Dor-set’s most well loved artists, Stephen Bishop. His familiar richly textured surfaces of paint, full of energy and movement and alive with vivid colour will adorn the walls. Featuring striking new works using Lyme Regis as a focus, this highly anticipated exhibition is not to be missed.
Open Wednesday to Saturday 10am - 4pm
November’s Exhibition will be a stimulating and diverse show that will continue right up to Christmas. Wonderful new paintings inspired by light, weather patterns and colour by Feona Ness will be revealed. Ten additional artists will fill the large gallery with breathtaking new pictures.
Open Wednesday to Saturday 10am - 4pm
For further information about any of the exhibi-tions or to be added to the mailing list, please contact Donna at the gallery.
Jon Adam - ‘Untitled’
Feona Ness - ‘Atlantic Eve Light’
Stephen Bishop - ‘Shining’
Edward Kelly - ‘Cosmos’
Jeannette Hayes - ‘Spring Green’
Edward Kelly - ‘Pineapple Glory’
Sonia Stanyard - ‘Alveolar’
18 19A Celebration of Life in East Devon Art Galleries
MARTIN BENTHAM RWA8th October to 6th November 2011
8a The Strand, Topsham EX3 OJBDirector: Deborah Woodwww.theartroomtopsham.co.ukemail theartroom@eclipse.co.uk
OPEN WEEKENDS 11am to 5pmMonday and Wednesday 1pm to 5pm
Selected works by this outstandingly gifted observational painter who learnt his craft from Michael Garton and Clifford Fishwick at Exeter College of Art and Design during the eighties. He has been exhibiting professionally for over 30 years and was elected an Academician in 2009.
Martin lives and works in the beautiful Mendips and these surroundings have inspired much of his pastoral work which he often paints in situ. Other pieces are like ‘time capsules’ portraying the every day life of a rural community such as busy market stalls or meat preparation in the butchers shop, both of which are being threatened by the ever encroaching presence of the supermarket.
Now in his 50th year Martin is moving away from realism, recognising that in a world constantly bombarded with ‘real’ images, painting must present an alternative way of seeing and it is the paint itself, the surface, which has its own voice. This exciting celebration of paint and mark making is the essence of Martin’s new and invigorated practice. He quotes Lucien Freud ‘the picture in order to move us must never merely remind us of life but must acquire a life of its own’
This exceptional exhibition is being held in the newly acquired and refurbished gallery on the Strand in Topsham.
THE ART
ROOMTHE ART
ROOM
20East Devon Coast & Country Art Galleries
MARTIN BENTHAM RWA8th October to 6th November 2011
8a The Strand, Topsham EX3 OJBDirector: Deborah Woodwww.theartroomtopsham.co.ukemail theartroom@eclipse.co.uk
OPEN WEEKENDS 11am to 5pmMonday and Wednesday 1pm to 5pm
Selected works by this outstandingly gifted observational painter who learnt his craft from Michael Garton and Clifford Fishwick at Exeter College of Art and Design during the eighties. He has been exhibiting professionally for over 30 years and was elected an Academician in 2009.
Martin lives and works in the beautiful Mendips and these surroundings have inspired much of his pastoral work which he often paints in situ. Other pieces are like ‘time capsules’ portraying the every day life of a rural community such as busy market stalls or meat preparation in the butchers shop, both of which are being threatened by the ever encroaching presence of the supermarket.
Now in his 50th year Martin is moving away from realism, recognising that in a world constantly bombarded with ‘real’ images, painting must present an alternative way of seeing and it is the paint itself, the surface, which has its own voice. This exciting celebration of paint and mark making is the essence of Martin’s new and invigorated practice. He quotes Lucien Freud ‘the picture in order to move us must never merely remind us of life but must acquire a life of its own’
This exceptional exhibition is being held in the newly acquired and refurbished gallery on the Strand in Topsham.
THE ART
ROOM
THE ART
ROOM
20 21A Celebration of Life in East Devon
ALAN COTTON STUDIO EXHIBITIONBrockhill Studio Colaton Raleigh Devon EX10 0LH
3rd – 6th December 2011 10am to 5pm Daily
For some years past it has given Alan Cotton great pleasure to open his studio for a few days to welcome friends, collectors and anyone interested in painting to come along to see some of his latest works and enjoy a pre-Christmas drink. Alan has been represented by Messum’s Fine Art in London for the past 21 years and has annual exhibitions in their Cork Street Gallery. His work can be found in important collections throughout Europe and North America, including the Royal Collection. This has been a very exciting and eventful year for Alan. In May he travelled to the Himalayas as Ex-pedition Artist with David Hempleman-Adams when his team climbed to the summit of Everest by the North Face. Alan and David flew out again in October, to trek to Base Camp, where Alan’s drawings and watercolours of Everest will form the basis of his 2012 London Exhibition. In September this year he was appointed the first Professor of Arts at the University of Bath. In this new exhibition Alan shows his delight in landscape from the many different parts of the world to which he has travelled. Art Historian, Jenny Pery, writes, “The irrepressible optimism of Alan Cotton’s art cannot fail to lift the spirits...His paintings communicate his sense of awe in particular places and the thrills of being in wild countryside.”
North Cornwall – Ebb Tide at Yoel Mouth 71 x 91cm
Piemonte – Rows of Vines at Montelupo Alabese 61 x 61cm Provence – Bonnieux From the Terrace at Lacoste 61 x 61cm
www.alancotton.co.uk
22East Devon Coast & Country
Autumn 2011The Fashion & BeautyAutumn 2011
SandwichAs the first leaves start to fall from the trees, relax in warm and deliciously comfortable layers that are both feminine and easy to wear. Tops, tunics and skirts have autumn red flowers on fine netting that combine casually or elegantly with chunky knits in soft neutral tones.
Cobalt blue gives a jolt of electricity to grey cloud patterns with a tactile feel.
Stripe combinations with a touch of navy and chunky knits are ideal to help you unwind in casual comfort and style.
Marie MeroA versatile collection in which timeless elegance and contemporary details go hand in hand.The palette of colours is rich and quite varied and is made up of colours with a soft, warm undertone. Emerald green is given a hint of espresso while black is combined with warm bronze. Soft, warm and comfortable fabrics have been used. Chunky knits in warm wool, skirts in timeless tweed and classic jacquards. And finally dresses in butter soft jersey to give a silky look.
Marie Mero offers a ‘total look’ for every type of woman.
Sandwich
Autumn Collection
Sandwich � Fred Sabatier � Marie MeroPause Café � Mado et les Autres � Adini Passport � Brax � Seasalt � Simclan Epicea � NYDJ
Tel: 01395 579181 email: info@chapterclothing.co.ukChapter � Church Street � Sidmouth � Devon � EX10 8LZ
f or a r e laxed & en joyab l e shopp ing exper i ence
Stockists of the incredible FitFlop sandals and boots.
New expanded shop to now include a mens department.
New online shop www.polkaonlinefashion.co.uk
Alterations department whether you’ve bought your itemfrom us or not, fast turnaround service available.
Labels to include Scotch and Soda, Hudson Jeans, Desigual, Fly London, Geox, Unisa, Traffi c People and many more....
23, Fore StreetSidmouth
Devon EX10 8AHTel 01395 513255
info@polkaonlinefashion.co.uk
22 23A Celebration of Life in East Devon
Winner of 9th. consecutiveCrown Salon
Award.
Essential TherapiesHEALTH & BEAUTY SALON
115 High Street, Sidmouth, Devon, EX10 8LBTel/Fax: (01395) 578600
Winner of 9th. consecutiveCrown Salon
Award.
OPENING HOURSTues-Friday: 9am-8pm Sat: 9am-5.30pm
Stockists of: GuinotThalgo, Jane IredaleNailtiques, Sixtus Moor Spa, St.TropezAustralian Organics.
Essential Therapies Ad 91x133mm:Layout 1 9/2/11 10:09 Pag
face mapping®
freeskin analysis
®
available now
face mapping® free
skin analysis
®
available now
westminster house | west street | axminster | tel 01297 32211www.boltshairandbody.co.uk
micro-zoneskin treatment
£20.00
dermalogicaskin treatment
£36.00
advanced dermalogicaskin treatment
£44.00
h a i r & b o d y
Invites you to a ‘FASHION SHOW’
to present ourAutumn/Winter
Collections
All proceeds toMACMILLAN CANCER
SUPPORT
100+ Go the extra mile for our centenary
To be held at SIDMOUTH GOLF CLUB
On Thursday 6th October arrive 7.30 for 8pm
TICKETS £18.00 TO INCLUDE A GLASS OF
‘BUBBLY’ ON ARRIVAL, BUFFET AND DRINK
RAFFLE & GOODIE BAG
Tickets available from Chapter, Church St,
Sidmouth Tel 01395 579181
Chapter ‘FASHION SHOW’
Marie Mero
24East Devon Coast & Country
From the inherent natural beauty of Wood to the cool chic of Stone, there’s an Amtico to suit every taste, each offering outstanding performance, reassuring longevity and a stunning finish.
Start creating your dream look by visiting our Amtico showroom today.
92a Old Tiverton Road, Exeter.
Tel: 01392 493084 www.exetercarpet.co.uk e: info@exetercarpet.co.uk
24 25A Celebration of Life in East Devon
Recruitment is serious business we are not talking X Factor here but a process which will take you bang into the middle of the employment law minefield. As with everything, get it right and it will bring huge benefits, get it wrong and you could well find yourself playing the Alan Sugar boardroom game.
The key to successful recruitment is preparation. It is well worth taking time to decide exactly what role you want a recruit to undertake and to visualize the person who will be the best fit both for the position and your business. The first step is to draw up a job description which in its simplest form is just a list of tasks
that will be the responsibility of the successful candidate. It does not have to be all encompassing and indeed some flexibility would probably be beneficial to both parties. Secondly, a person specification - not as scary as it sounds. Basically, decide what skills and attributes are required to fulfill the job functions and then decide whether these are essential or desirable.
Armed with these two documents you will be well equipped to successfully navigate the recruitment route; the (very) basic steps being as follows:
Decide how you are going to advertise the vacancy – local newspaper, specialist publication, notice boards, recruitment agencies are a few avenues you can use. Your advertisement could well be the first impression of your Company for many people and will go a long way to determining interest in the job opening. Ensure the wording clearly sets out what the position is and in no way infringes any discrimination laws especially in respect of disability, age or sex.
Once you have all the applications to hand (a closing date is useful here as it gives you a definite cut off point) you then have the difficult job of sifting through the good and the bad. This
is where your job description and person spec really come into play as you have a blueprint to match up to. Whilst there may be obvious applicants to invite to interview and obvious ones to reject, there will be some who fall somewhere in between and these are the ones you will have to make a judgment call on. A word of warning – do not take too many through to the interview stage; it is a time consuming process and can muddy the waters; a few good ones are all you need.
As a matter of courtesy write to those you are rejecting; there is nothing more soul destroying than applying for jobs and having no response.
On to the interviews – best done at a time when you won’t be distracted in any way. Prepare a list of questions you want to ask; especially ones which will give you evidence of your essential and desirable skills. If your business demands it you may want to devise a practical test. On the other
side your interviewee will probably want a tour of the business and will want to ask you questions – no doubt salary and benefits being top of the list so ensure you are well prepared to field all enquiries.
Finally, make your choice! Don’t reject the others until you have an acceptance (preferably in writing) from your chosen one. Take up references and you’re away!
Of course, there is quite a lot more to it than that but space is limited, another time maybe. The golden rules are to be well prepared, go through the process step by step, make copious notes at all stages and the perfect employee should result. At all costs it should prevent you from finding yourself in the unenviable position of pointing a (crooked) finger and uttering ‘you’re fired’ at some stage in the future.
Not all accountants are the sameLet us lift the burden of financial administration and compliance with prompt, professional and proactive services backed up by meaningful advice that adds up.
Call us to arrange a free consultation
Honiton 0845 293 0521 (local rate)Taunton 0845 293 0520 (local rate) www.churchill-co.net
Not all accountants are the sameLet us lift the burden of financial administration and compliance with prompt, professional and proactive services backed up by meaningful advice that adds up.
Call us to arrange a free consultation
Honiton 0845 293 0521 (local rate)Taunton 0845 293 0520 (local rate) www.churchill-co.net
Not all accountants are the sameLet us lift the burden of financial administration and compliance with prompt, professional and proactive services backed up by meaningful advice that adds up.
Call us to arrange a free consultation
Honiton 0845 293 0521 (local rate)Taunton 0845 293 0520 (local rate) www.churchill-co.net
Not all accountants are the sameLet us lift the burden of financial administration and compliance with prompt, professional and proactive services backed up by meaningful advice that adds up.
Call us to arrange a free consultation
Honiton 0845 293 0521 (local rate)Taunton 0845 293 0520 (local rate) www.churchill-co.net
Honiton 01404 43360Taunton 01823 321177
Business AdviceR E C R U I T M E N T How you attract, screen and select talent to join your Company
Written by Katina Styles, a director at Axminster Tool Centre Ltd.
17th Sept-14th Oct - Maritime Lyme Photographic Exhibition, Lyme Regis Museum
22-30th Oct - Favell Bevan Arti, Ken-naway House, Sidmouth
Antique & Flea
Budleigh Salterton Flea Market - Public Hall, High Street, Thursdays, 10am-1pm
Devon County Antiques Fair, The Matford Centre, Marsh Barton, Exeter 1st Oct & 26th Nov, 9am-4.30pm
Exeter Flea Market - Exeter Livestock Centre, Marsh Barton, 3rd Sept & 15th Oct, 7.30am-2pm
Exmouth Craft Fair, The Pavilion, Esplanade, Exmouth, 25th Sept,16th Oct & 20th Nov, 10am-4pm
Honiton - Textiles, Costumes, & Deco-rative Items Fair, Mackarness Hall, 4th Oct 10am-4pm
Lyme Regis - Art and Craft Fair with Children's Activities, Woodmead Halls, 17th Sept, 10am-4pm
Topsham - Falling Leaves Craft Fair, Matthew's Hall, 9th Oct, 10am-4pm
Westpoint - New International Antiques and Collectors Fair: up to 400 exhibi-tors from all over the UK, Westpoint, Exeter, 5-6th Nov
26East Devon Coast & Country
Tel 01884 277288 fi vebellsclysthydon.co.uk
The Five Bells Innat Clyst Hydon
EX15 2NT
For high quality food produced from fresh local ingredients, visit the relaxed atmosphere of
12-2.30pm, 6.30pm-11pm/10.30 SundayClosed Monday lunchtimes, food last orders, 2.00pm & 9.00pm gfvEDL
OPEN
As featured in The GOOD PUB GuideFrom Honiton, come through Fenny Bridges, turn right at Fairmile, and through Talaton.
From Sidmouth come through Ottery, past Cadhay, across the old A30 at Fairmile, and through Talaton.
From Exeter, come via Pinhoe and Broadclyst towards Cullompton; opposite Fagin’s turn right, follow the road for 2 miles, turn right at T junction, and then one more right turn at Clyst Hydon village sign to reach pub.
Welcome to East Devon Coast & Country's eating out section
which we hope you' ll give you inspiration, after all, everyone enjoys a meal out - it's a real treat. We're so lucky here in the south west with many lovely country pubs and also the chance to enjoy our meal with a sea view.
Eating Outin East Devon
Lakeview Manor Hotel & Restauranttel 01404 891358 www.lakeviewmanor.co.uk
Dunkeswell, Honiton, Devon EX14 4SH
Manor Hotel & Restaurant
Head Chef, Andrew Deam, takes pride in sourcing local, high quality produce at a reasonable price.
R Example Dishes RSteamed West Country Mussels in a lemon, garlic and
coriander broth
Pan Fried Duck Breast with Winter Berry & Port Sauce, Sweet Potato Parmentier
Warm Chocolate & Roasted Hazelnut Brownie, Served with Chocolate Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce
Lakeview Manor near Dunkeswell, a hidden gem set in 45 acres of beautiful gardens and lakes.
The candle-lit restaurant overlooks the front lake and gardenand is open to non-residents seven days a week.
Open daily from 10am for Italian coffee, freshly baked pastries and cakes.
Excellent food served daily from 12 noon.
Central town location with full disabled access.
“The trendiest joint in town!”The Times.
E AT. . . D R I N K . . . S TAY. . .
26 27A Celebration of Life in East Devon
By night...By night...
By day...By day...Great Entertainment. Delicious Food. Fantastic Wine.
By the Bay... more than just a restaurant
Dedicated to delivering freshly produced dishes with flair and a smile, By the Bay is an unmissable Lyme Regis dining experience.
Open all year round for drinks, traditional seaside meals, afternoon teas and evening dining.
Check out our website or visit us on Facebook for our current opening hours and forthcoming events.
restaurant & wine barMarine Parade, Lyme Regis, Dorset. DT7 3JH
Tel. 01297 442668 www.bythebay.co.uk
BTBAd10_194x133:Layout 1 03/02/2010 18:31 Page 1
Bed & Breakfast of the Year 2008/2009
The Salty MonkRestaurant with Rooms
y Dinner every eveningy Lunch - Thursday to Sundayy Sunday Afternoon Teay Small Weddings & Private Partiesy Boutique Accommodationy Cream teas
Tel: 01395 513174Church Street, Sidford,
Sidmouth, Devon EX10 9QPwww.saltymonk.co.uk
2 AA Rosette Restaurant
THE JACK
IN THE GREEN
Telephone: 01404 822240. www.jackinthegreen.uk.com
Rockbeare, Near Exeter, Devon EX5 2EE
Try our ‘Totally Devon’ menu still only £25 for 3 fantastic courses.
Celebrating
and still getting better.
20 years
28East Devon Coast & Country
teas/coffee
Lopen for lunches
EDopen for eveningdinner
vvegetarian options on
menu
gfgluten free on menu
child friendly
dog
friendlyoutdoor eating
fresh fish specialist
Eating Outin East Devon
The StrandLympstone01395 272644/270403
www.theswaninn-lympstone.co.uk
The Swan
Restaurant open 7 days a week including Sunday EveningsLunch 12-2.30/3.00 weekend, dinner 6.00-9.30pm.
• Pit Stop for Estuary Cycle Path• Cycle racks outside pub• Excellent selection of Cask Marque Real Ales• Excellent lunchtime and evening menu• Daily Fresh Fish Board• Yards from the waters edge
vEDL
Pyne’s Bar & Restaurant
Going out? Head for Sidmouth’s premier Bar and Restaurant.Pyne’s off ers a choice of eating styles with extensive menus prepared using fresh and local produce, much of which is sourced from the family farm.Open daily for morning coff ee, lunches and evening meals. Speciality curry night every Wednesday and pie night every Thursday (booking advisable).
The Bedford Hotel, Esplanade, EX10 8NREmail: info@befordhotelsidmouth.co.uk or call 01395 513047
SIDMOUTH DEVON
The Royal Lion Hotel 01297 445622 www.royallionhotel.com
Food 12-2.30pm, 6pm-9pm.Drinks - 11am-11pm. Open 7 days.
OPEN vEDL
Now serving morning coff ee and cake in Monmouth Room, Sunday lunch served in the Oak Room. Broad Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3QF
TROPICALTEA GARDEN
and
Liddon’sDairyStation Road
Colyton01297 551559
(15O yards from tram station)
Have lunch or a snack whilstenjoying the surroundingsBring the kids, they’ll enjoy watching the llamas, horses, rabbits, Guinea pigs, exotic birds and chickens whilst you relax with a cup of tea and a cake.
South facing patio with palms and parasolsTea Rooms & Patio
Teas, freshly ground coffee, chilled drinks, home-made cakes, scones baked daily
Savouries & Light LunchesBaguettes, paninni,fresh crab & smoked salmon. Salads freshly prepared with herbs from our garden.
Real Devon Ice cream
Open until End of OctoberOpen 10am-5pm 7 days a week.
Call for early April opening days & times
Don’t miss our End of Season Palm Clearance Sale
Pal m CENTREPal m CENTRE
We now have Rare Breed Chickens
28 29A Celebration of Life in East Devon
Open daily for lunch, afternoon tea & dinner
Wine Tasting Evening: 14th September 2011
Wedding Fair: 24th September 10.30am-4pmA chance to win £500 off a marquee wedding!
Buckerell Village, Weston, Honiton, Devon, EX14 3PG Tel: 01404 41266 www.deerparkcountryhotel.co.uk
To get your eaterie included in this section, call Nigel on 01395 512166/513383
NEW! Brazzerie DiningWITH MOUTHWATERING MEALS (Mon ‒ Sat)Starters from £ 4.60 Mains from £ 9.50 Desserts from £ 5.00
OVER 60ʼSLUNCHES
Every Wednesday
2 Courses @ £11.503 Courses @ £15.50
HAWKCHURCH, NEAR AXMINSTER, DEVON EX13 5TX
To book, please call 01297 678349
email: info@fairwaterheadhotel.co.ukwww.fairwaterheadhotel.co.uk
AWARD WINNING FOODPANORAMIC VIEWSWEDDING LICENCE01297 678349
FAMILY SUNDAY CARVERY & BRAZZ LUNCH
With Two Roastsof the Day
Adults MainCourse Carvery £10.00
Childrenʼs MainCourse Carvery £5.00
LIVE MUSIC AT YOUR VENUE?Do you have live music planned for your public house or restaurant. Did you know we now have a Live Music Roundup section, where you can promote your musical events free of charge?
All we need is the event date and name, the venue and the genre (e.g. Jazz, blues, folk, etc). Email to nigel@prestige-media.co.uk
30East Devon Coast & Country
‘…the Law’s arm is weak in these parts against the contraband, and must be strengthened by some wholesome hangings.’
J. Meade Faulkner,‘Moonfleet’, 1898.
The delightful Salem Chapel stands on Vicarage Rd, on the northerly
extremity of East Budleigh village (grid reference SY070851), a few hundred yards from the ancient and mysterious stone cross standing at the intersection
of old London Road and the almost dead-straight Roman Road leading from Otterton up onto Woodbury Common.
The building audibly groans with echoes and apparitions from its past; the ghosts of long-dead hellfire preachers and cutlass-rattling contrabandiers.
Salem was originally a Presbyterian cha-pel, later hosting the Congregationalists before briefly falling into the ownership of the Assembly of God. It is built on the
edge of the village, as required by law, on ground formerly used, from 1709, by Presbyterian worshippers whose clandes-tine meetings had previously been con-vened in a barn in nearby Frogmore Lane.Although the literature would appear,
surprisingly, to deny a connection, one Roger Conant, baptized in East Budleigh church on April 9th 1592, later became founder and first governor, in 1626, of a struggling New World colony at the mouth of the Naumkeag river, soon to be re-named Salem, in the State of Massachusetts.
Roger, as a young man had reputedly served an apprenticeship with the Worshipful Company of Salters in London, having doubtless first learnt
the rudiments on the briny tidal estuary of the River Otter.
Grade II* Listed, Salem is one of twenty such buildings owned and maintained by the Historic Chapels Trust* and its
ambitious restoration was completed in 2006, at a cost of £700,000. The construction is largely of local Beer stone and cob supporting a hipped slated roof above a central steel post which recently replaced one of cast-iron manufacture, which in turn replaced a wooden post - some say a living tree.
When this cast-iron post was removed a small purse containing coins and other artefacts was uncovered.
Anchored securely to the central pillar tastefully inconspicuous steel cables now stabilize the four external walls and a vaulted plaster ceiling springs out to the wall plate, but the true, intriguing mystery lies overhead…
Concealed from view from below on all four sides, an external, central well, sufficiently large to conceal a considerable stash of contraband plus look-out, with 360 deg vision, lies immediately above, supported by this central column, access being by a concealed trap-door well out of view of anyone at ground level.
Here it was that barrels of liquor and cases of valuable excise-free goods, illicitly landed, as likely as not, at nearby Ladram Bay, were stored awaiting transport up country to be fenced anonymously in the bustling markets of London or Bristol.
Smuggling is the swashbuckling derring-do stuff of the ‘Eagle’ comic or ‘Boy’s Own Paper’ of my youth, or, bang up-to-date, a Johnny Depp movie. But it was an everyday part of seventeenth century life for the inhabitants of the quiet coastal regions of East Devon.
Secluded beaches and coves and a remote coastline indented by myriad river outlets, backed by a sparsely-populated hinterland of woods and pastures, criss-crossed by cart tracks and green lanes,
SALEM CHAPELTales of religious dissent, smuggling & hauntings....
at East Budleigh by Steve Chilcott
The chapel has a spartan but elegant feel to it!
30 31A Celebration of Life in East Devon
make for fine wrecking/smuggling terrain; all are still clearly marked on the Tithe Map of 1840.**
‘Five and twenty ponies Trotting through the dark – Brandy for the parson, ‘Baccy for the Clerk; Laces for a lady, letters for a spy, And watch the wall my darling, while the Gentlemen go by!’***
Fat merchantmen from the America colonies, packed with tobacco, gin and cotton, rode the Gulf Stream driven by prevailing on-shore winds, and heavy-laden East Indiamen crammed full of silks, saltpetre, indigo dye, spices, cocoa, opium, and, prized perhaps above all else, tea, tacked daily up the Channel along this craggy coastline, making for safe haven in the lee of Portland Bill.
The proximity of France offered fine lace from Brittany and wines, brandy, liqueurs and perfumes from further South, all of which carried a heavy excise, and in return there was an insatiable demand for English wool.
So much so that restrictions were introduced as to who could trade in or indeed own this valued commodity within a 15-mile band right along the south coast.
Jack Rattenbury, Beer’s most infamous son, worked this coast for many years and together with his confederates, would have known the leafy lanes and byways of East Budleigh like the back of his hand. We know this because together with a ghost-written account of his exploits (a kind of prototype ‘Smuggling for Dummies’) he also left a signed document, now in the Records Office in Exeter, agreeing to pay a yearly sum to store contraband in the roof of Salem Chapel. Nowadays the roof space
is merely home to the rare horseshoe bat where, unlike Rattenbury, it is afforded statutary legal protection.
Seventeenth century England was of course also ripe with religious dissent - the abortive Monmouth Rebellion of 1685 was largely about dissent **** - and the suspicion amongst the common people for the overtly Papist James II was manifest in the support given to the allegedly illegitimate Protestant Pretender however ill-conceived his impetuous enterprise would soon prove to be.
As the seventeenth moved into the eighteenth century everyone still lived in dread of a return to the religious turmoil and sectarian persecution of living memory, and, rightly or wrongly, dissenters were perceived to be trouble-makers…
‘Protestant!’ railed a demonic Judge Jeffries, passing sentence on one hapless Monmouth rebel at the Bloody Assizes in the autumn of 1685, ‘ you mean Presbyterian. I’ll hold a wager of it. I can smell a Presbyterian forty miles!’
Salem Chapel was built some 30 years after the Act of Toleration became law under the overtly Protestant co-regents William and Mary (‘An Act for Exempting their Majestyes Protestant Subjects dissenting from the Church of England from the Penalties of certaine Lawes’); hastily enacted within weeks of their joint accession to the throne, perhaps as a knee-jerk reaction to the upheaval caused by the Monmouth fiasco, four years earlier.
Dissidents had finally been legitimised albeit with certain fail-safe-strategy conditions; primarily, acceptance of the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Supremacy, without which religious
dissent could still prove to be a potential source of political and social discord.
William and Mary were clearly determined to avoid the two principal scourges of the previous century at all costs; civil war and religious turmoil.
QOne of the treasures of Salem Chapel is undoubtedly the clock.
Now restored to full working order, the movement is almost certainly the work of one John Murch of Honiton, silversmith and clockmaker, responsible also for the clock in the nave of Sidbury church.
This intricate handmade movement has been dated to around 1760, whereas the painted face, although attributed to John Murch, has been dated to 1820 and would probably have been a factory-produced replacement.
John’s grandfather was one William Murch, linen draper of Exeter. His father was apprenticed for 7 years, in 1684, to one Thomas Corey, a goldsmith who plied his trade in London and Warminster, where John senior almost certainly learnt his trade.By 1694 records show that he was based in Plymouth and that in 1699 was fined by the Goldsmith’s Company of London for shoddy work!
His son John was born in Plymouth in 1713 but by 1717 the family was domiciled in the then prosperous market town of Tiverton where John junior attended Blundells.On leaving school we find John working in Honiton, where he took over the business of one Francis Pile, continuing as silversmith and clockmaker until his death in 1785.
continued overleaf >
The centre post where a
living tree once supported the
roof
Kathy Moyle - Chairman of the Friends of Salem Chapel, one of
dedicated team of people involved with fund raising and restoration
alongside the Historic Chapels Trust who bought the building and completed the restoration.
P.BOW
LER
An old aerial photo showing roof top entry
used for smuggling
Need help with your retirement options?
Your local specialist annuity & retirement adviser
The Pension Annuity Advisory Service is a trading style of Richmond Independent, which is an appointed representative of John Ellis IFA Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the FSA
www.pension-annuity.co.uk
Visit our comprehensive website at:
Ask for Helen Mulvaney on 01395 512166
We happy to help you with your retirement choices and our experience can help ensure that you donʼt miss out on all the options available.
We can:
Ensure you have considered all the options available to you.
Research annuity rates to get you the best deals on the market.
Check whether you qualify for enhanced rates.
Take on the burden of paperwork & liaise with your annuity and pension provider.
Advise on draw-down and other options.
Help you work out if investment annuities are suitable for you and to pinpoint the advantages.
Advise on new EU rules which mean that male annuitants will get less income (eff ective from Dec 2012) and a new directive on capital adequacy will also have a downward eff ect on rates.
32East Devon Coast & Country
Colyton Antiques Centre
Old Station Yard, Station Road, Colyton EX24 6HA
FURNITURE COLLECTABLES STAINED GLASS
LINEN BOOKS PRINTS PORCELAIN TOYSTel 01297 552339
We have a number of dealers on site off ering an interesting variety of stock.Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am-5pmSundays and Bank Holidays 11am-4pm
Also on site: DOWNSIZE for Dolls House furniture. www.modelgarage.co.uk
We areSeeds of Italy
Stockists
For lovely plants, cards & gifts and everything for your garden!KING STREET, COLYTON, DEVON EASY PARKING Tel: 01297 551113Open Mon-Sat year round, also open spring and summer Sundays
THE GARDEN SHOP
A little off the beaten track....
Interestingly his descendants continued in this trade in the town well into the 20th century.On a sunny day in July, when the editor and I visited, we had little thought of
ghostly apparitions, but stories abound and I feel sure that the ghouls of Salem will again be abroad once the nights
have closed in and the winter storms once more rattle the leaded spun-glass window-panes.Criminals were reputedly hanged at the nearby Brick Cross at the junction that leads down to Otterton village and many former miscreants, barred from Christian burial in consecrated ground as a consequence of their crimes, lie buried in the meeting house field outside the chapel walls.
Within the chapel children have been heard laughing or crying where no children were, the organ has been heard to play the verse of a hymn where no organist could be seen and a mysterious lady dressed in black has often been seen sitting quietly at the back of the chapel before, equally mysteriously, disappearing…
‘On Tuesday 17th inst. a most shocking outrage was perpetrated in the churchyard of Otterton, Devon. The grave of the late Rev’d Samuel Leat, a venerable dissenting minister of Budleigh, who was interred about 10 months since, was opened, both coffins torn asunder, the corpse mangled, the
SALEM CHAPEL
shroud torn to pieces and the cloth which covered the outer coffin carried away. Great exertions are making to discover the atrocious offenders and a handsome reward is offered on their conviction.’
Trueman’s Exeter Flying Post, 26th March, 1818.
Salem Chapel is available to book for weddings and makes for a really memorable wedding venue.
Further details from Kathy Moyle whose help in compiling this article is greatly appreciated. Tel 01395 445236.
* www.hct.org.uk
**www.eastdevonaonb.org.uk
*** Rudyard Kipling.
**** The freedom to worship according to the dictates of one’s own conscience rather than the prescribed orthodoxy of the Catholic Church or the Church of England.
Elder planted inside a yew to ward off evil was apparently
quite common practice
The architecture of Salem Chapel is sober but charming
Perrott Hill, North Perrott, Crewkerne, Somerset TA18 7SLvisit us at: www.perrotthill.com or call us on: 01460 72051
Perrott HillTime and space for a full education
A boarding and day preparatory school for girls and boys from 3 -13.Please contact the school for Open Morning dates.
Need help with your retirement options?
Your local specialist annuity & retirement adviser
The Pension Annuity Advisory Service is a trading style of Richmond Independent, which is an appointed representative of John Ellis IFA Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the FSA
www.pension-annuity.co.uk
Visit our comprehensive website at:
Ask for Helen Mulvaney on 01395 512166
We happy to help you with your retirement choices and our experience can help ensure that you donʼt miss out on all the options available.
We can:
Ensure you have considered all the options available to you.
Research annuity rates to get you the best deals on the market.
Check whether you qualify for enhanced rates.
Take on the burden of paperwork & liaise with your annuity and pension provider.
Advise on draw-down and other options.
Help you work out if investment annuities are suitable for you and to pinpoint the advantages.
Advise on new EU rules which mean that male annuitants will get less income (eff ective from Dec 2012) and a new directive on capital adequacy will also have a downward eff ect on rates.
32 33A Celebration of Life in East Devon
34East Devon Coast & Country
Off on my rambles again, camera and notepad in hand, I recently joined a
cheery group of like-minded folk, on a town walk through Topsham, known variously throughout its his-tory as Apsham, Apsam, Toppeshore, Toppeshant and Toppesham but now pronounced Tops-hum, as I was straightway and perfunctorily informed.
Topsham was, once upon a time, simply the ‘ham’ or farm, of a man known as Topp. Village-sized, with a current population a smidgen over
5,000 Topsham was designated a ‘town’ by royal charter in 1300, but has now been a ward of the City of Exeter since 1966.
William Webb Follett, lawyer and parliamentarian was born here in 1796, and his statue, executed by William Beynes, stands in Westmin-ster Abbey.
The novelist Thomas Hardy’s cousin, Tryphena Sparks, beneficiary of local fisherfolk and the inspiration for Hardy’s poem ‘Thoughts of Phena at News of Her Death’, lived and is buried here.
Footballer Dick Pym, goalkeeper for Bolton Wanderers, winners at the chaotic, first-ever FA Cup Final at Wembley in 1923, was born here in 1893; Pym died in Exeter in 1988, aged 95.
Officially an all-time record crowd of 126,000 was admitted to; in truth anything upto 300,000 could have been present as turnstiles were abandoned and the massive crowd poured through into the ground unchallenged, in what one spectator described as ‘a bloody shambles’.
Novelist and journalist Philip Hen-sher (Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature) still lives here and his 2011 book ‘King of the Badgers’ is set in a fictional town based on Topsham.
In addition newsreader Trevor McDonald, as everyone delights in telling visitors, is also a past resident of the town.
But far and away Topsham’s most famous, albeit admittedly, occasional resident was actress Vivien Leigh, star of ‘Gone with the Wind’ and of the stage and screen versions of Ten-nessee Williams’ ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ - both Academy Award-winning roles.
She reputedly met Leigh Holman, barrister and member of the Topsham - Holman shipping dynasty, in the Two Bridges Inn on Dartmoor, mar-ried him, took his name and promptly became a global superstar.
Nine years later, after a much-pub-licized and torrid affair, she married Lawrence Olivier, but remained friends with her former husband, returning many times to Topsham where his sister, Dorothy, lived at 25 The Strand, now home to the excel-lent Topsham Museum, which she had started as a private collection.
The nightdress - or most of it - that Vivien Leigh wore in ‘Gone with the
‘Do ‘ee come from Tops-hum?’ (1)
Previously Apsham, Apsam, Toppeshore, Toppeshant and Toppesham but now pronounced Tops-hum
By Steve Chilcott
Topsham
One of the great exhibits at Topsham
Museum
34 35A Celebration of Life in East Devon
Wind’ was donated by her daughter, Suzanna, and is a much-prized star exhibit.
Students and hardened ale-drinkers apparently refer to the watering hole circuit as the ‘Topsham Ten’ with ten such hostelries within a comfortably do-able mile circuit. Hoskins advised ‘…nor should the visitor fail to visit the Passage House Inn, the Steam Packet, the Lighter, the Lord Nelson and the Bridge…’ as long ago as 1954 (2), although sadly, a further recommendation, the once impres-sive Salutation, stands semi-derelict awaiting the developers.
Jolly local folksters ‘Show of Hands’ (the hugely popular trio of songwriter
Steve Knightley (see music pages), multi-instrumentalist Phil Beer and vocalist/bassist Miranda Sykes) take in many of these on their eccentrical-ly entrepreneurial ‘Tour of Topsham’ every March, ahead of their now semi-regular ‘Royal Albert Hall’ gig at Easter, followed by a summer of headlining at festivals the length and breadth of the land…
But it is to ships and shipping that Topsham owes its fame, and indeed its very existence, and reminders of this proud heritage spring out at every road crossing.
The Romans first used Topsham as a port for Isca Dumnoniorum (their Castra on the Exe) from the 1st cent. A.D. and the two were connected by means of a road beside the estuary, entering the city, along the line of Magdalene Rd, by the old South Gate (demolished in 1819) straight, smack into the Roman forum. It does not brook any hesitation, deviation or repetition along its 3-mile length and, to judge by the map, is visible evidence of the Romans’ apparent fixation with straight roads.
‘Build a dam across the river! Cried the fury in her pride,And she built it, God forgive her! Built her monument and died.’Thus, with this in mind - so legend has it - did Isabella de Fortibus
(1237 – 1293), the crotchety and, by all accounts, litigious Countess of Devon seal the river over at Countess Wear, thereby severing an already-
centuries-old umbilical cord between Exeter and its downstream tidal port Topsham.
In truth she merely built two weirs across the river leaving a 30-foot gap between them so that shipping could still pass up to Exeter. Her purpose was less for reasons of commercial sabotage but rather for self-gain; she wished to drive her new grinding mill at Topsham.
Already one of the richest heiresses in the kingdom by her twenties, she owned large chunks of Devon, Hampshire and the entire Isle of
Wight – most of which Edward I had been coveting for the previous twenty years and only acquired by transfer as this formidable harridan lay on her deathbed.
She evidently felt sufficiently sure of her standing to throw her weight around even in the presence of royalty, a precedent eagerly upheld by her posteriority.
East Devon Coast & Country visits Topsham
Overleaf
This fine Georgian house was built for the
Holman family
Architecturally interesting features everywhere
36East Devon Coast & Country
It was in fact Isabella’s successor in title, Hugh de Courtenay who, in one brazen and unashamedly unilateral act of bravado, blocked up the gap in 1311 ‘… at a great expence, by cutting down a great number of trees, which, being chained together, were laid in the channel, with great quanti-ties of stones and gravel; these, in time, so united together as to make their removal impracticable.’ (3).
Having completely barred access to the city by river, Hugh thenceforth diverted cargoes intended for onward dispatch, directly into his waiting and cavernous cellars, for which he extorted a hefty toll.
Riding rough-shod over all-comers the Courtenays, quite content with this iniquitous, one-sided arrange-ment, held sway for the next 250 years until one Henry Courtenay, marquis of Exeter, crossed swords
with the irascible eighth Henry and had his head removed for an alleged conspiracy against the monarch. The city fathers, somewhat relieved at his fortuitous stupidity, promptly dug a canal to by-pass the blockade in 1564-67.
Daniel Defoe, novelist, agitator and latterly, secret agent, notes that the canal had been widened and deepened from its original and rather unsatisfactory 3-foot, and extended to Topsham by the time of his visit to the ‘large, rich, beautiful, populous’ city of Exeter, in 1714.The terminal lock still stands al-though in 1827 the canal was further extended to Turf Lock, thereby pro-viding the excuse for yet another pub.
Despite this Topsham remained the main outport for the greater part of the vast Exeter woollen trade throughout the 16th, 17th and 18th cen-turies, and inport for huge quantities of salt cod from the Newfoundland banks and of coal from South Wales to drive paper mills, the ubiquitous lime kilns and iron foundries produc-ing tools and weaponry. In addition there was wine and fruit from the Continent, the merchants of Exeter having extracted a profitable charter from Good Queen Bess to handle this lucrative trade on a reasonably exclusive basis.
In 1588 with the Duke of Medina Sidonia’s mighty Armada hacking up-Channel, Topsham built and fitted out 3 of the 200 sent to repulse the Spaniards; The Rose, The Batholomew and The Gyfte (actually built at Lympstone) - a snip at £447 16s 0d for the three…
Holland, being the largest customer for Devon serges, sent back bricks by the shipload as ballast – evidence of which is clearly visible throughout the town to this day - whereupon the wealthy merchants of Topsham built court-yarded houses, principally
along the Strand, after that distinc-tively curly-gabled ‘Dutch’ style, and used any bricks left over to patch up their garden walls.
By the 16th century a vibrant ship-building industry had taken root along the estuary together with the concomitant trades of rope-making, chain-making and sail-making, and Topsham must have been a bustling, noisy, dirty place with clankings and hammerings up every cobbled alleyway and the smoke and stench of hot pitch hanging thickly across the roof-tops.
Famous amongst ships built at Topsham was HMS Terror, which, together with HMS Erebus, sailed for Arctic waters in May 1845 under the ill-omened Sir John Franklin, with orders to gather magnetic data and to complete a crossing of the fabled Northwest Passage. This had already been charted but never entirely navigated.
Both ships were fitted with top spec. 20 hp steam engines and iron-plated against ice-pressure below the waterline, but to little avail.
The expedition famously failed because food stores in tins sealed with lead proved to be less than airtight in addition to being highly toxic, rendering the crew a) mad
and/or b) extremely unwell - in no particular order.
A salutary lesson in how not to store foodstuffs.
Neither the ships nor the crew have
Elegant and quirky buildings abound in Topsham, it really is worth a good few hours pottering about. Topsham has many excellent restaurants, coffee shops and pubs where you can recuperate.
Topsham Pharmacy in Fore Street, the oldest pharmacy in the South West which was established in 1823 by a pharmacist called Marler Troak. It's still an independently owned business today
36 37A Celebration of Life in East Devon Overleaf
River
Ex
e
Riv
er C
lyst
exe st.
greatwood terr. nelson close
FER
RY
RO
AD
FER
RY
RO
AD
stran
d
HIG
H ST
REET
FOR
E STR
EET
STATION RD. ELM
GR
OV
E R
OA
D TO EXM
OUTH ->
sun
hill la
ne
VICTORIA RD.
majorfield rd.
par
kfield
rd
follett rd.
globe
lane glovefield
WHITE STREET
HOLMAN WAY
H
OLM
AN
WAY
MONMOUTH ST.
h
igher shapter st.
lower sh
apter st.
B
OW
LIN
G G
REEN
RD
.
B
OW
LIN
G G
REEN
RD
carpark
THE QUAY
THE BRIDGE
INN
Ex
eter
Ship C
an
al
LOCK
SAINT MARGARET’S
CHURCH
Nature Reserve
M
Topsham Pharmacy
Brights of Nettlebed
Carter Derrick Carpets
TheArt
Room
Nigel Jones
Topsham
38East Devon Coast & Country
ever been seen since although after 175 years including 18 years of tedious and painstaking search by the Admiralty in the immediately aftermath, they are now assumed to be dead.
Inuit oral tradition relates that they ate each other, which really only prolonged the inevitable.
‘In Baffin Bay where the whale fishes blow
The fate of Franklin there no man may know
The fate of Franklin no tongue can tell
Lord Franklin alone with his sailors do dwell’
(Broadside ballad attributed to) Jane, Lady Franklin (1791 –1875)
Also built at Topsham in 1806 was the 22-gun HMS Cyane, rather ignominiously captured by the USS Constitution off Madeira in 1815, two
days after the Treaty of Ghent had been proclaimed declaring an end to hostilities.
Nobody had bothered to say anything, and they gaily fought the Battle of New Orleans, the Second Battle of Fort Bowyer and the eccentrically-named Battle of Sink Hole before they were all told to jolly well stop it and go home!
Equally ignominiously HMS Cyane was pensioned off and duly sank one day while she lay at anchor in Philadelphia Navy Yard.
Dredged up, but somewhat the worse for wear, they decided to call it a day, admittedly slightly prematurely, and she was sawn up for firewood - albeit rather soggy firewood - in 1836.
Topsham became an important Royal-ist stronghold during the Civil War.
Wide Range of Carpets , Rugs and
Floor Coverings
• Own Skilled Fitters & Estimator
• Over 40 years Experience
• Backed by Carpet Foundation
36 Fore StreetTopshamNear the Quay
01392 874505www.
Carter-Derickcarpets.co.ukOur Quality is Your Comfort!
Carter-DerrickTHE CARPET SPECIALIST
NEW online HEALTH CHECK bookings
Health foods & vitamins
Topsham Pharmacy Luxury Skincare Range
Photo processing & passport photos on-site
Care Home service
www.topshampharmacy.co.uk
Open Monday to Friday 9.00am to 6.00pm
Saturday 9.00am to 5.00pm
The oldest pharmacy in the South West!
Est 1823
18 Fore Street, Topsham EX3 0HE Right next door to the post o�ce. Tel 01392 873063
Topsham
You Can get across the river if you fancy walking down the ship canal
38 39A Celebration of Life in East Devon
Monday 21st November, 1642:
‘The rest of the Army coming up next day, Sir Bevill Greenvile and Coll. Godolphin with their Regiments were sent upon Topsham and tooke it, where two nights after the Enymie made a strong sally upon them out of Exon, but were gallantly repulsed.’ (4)
Parliament reported this at the time as a ‘rout’ claiming that the Royalist commander Sir Ralph Hopton suf-fered losses of 1,500 men, nobly con-ceding, in the gentlemanly fashion of that otherwise savage internecine conflict, that he and Sir Bevil Gren-vile ‘like men of resolve, stood it out to the uttermost’.
Undaunted, Hopton clung tenaciously to Topsham, slowly squeezing the lifeblood from the hard-pressed Roundhead garrison upstream at Exeter. When the Earl of Warwick attempted to release the stranglehold from the seaward approach he was vigorously repulsed from the gun bat-tery stationed alongside the church, leaving two lighters sunk in the estu-ary, two captured and a fifth well and truly ablaze.
After a siege of some 11 weeks the city once more fell to the Royalists in September 1643.
Not until October of 1645 did Fairfax’s ‘New Model Army’ drive the war-weary garrison from the port, finally taking the city’s surrender in April of 1646.
‘Monday October 27th (1645), the general and army reached Topsham; and that night the enemy fired the houses in the suburbs of Excester, to the number of about eighty,
which sent many out of the city, complaining of the cruelty….’(5)When William of Orange, soon to reign with his wife Mary as numeri-cally incompatible co-regents Wil-liam III and Mary II, finally landed at Brixham in November of 1688, after several false starts, his supply column and support for a large artillery train
of twenty-one 24-pounder cannons came ashore at Topsham.
A prudent man, he had paid his troops - largely mercenaries - up front, and brought food and supplies
sufficient for 21,000 men so as not to upset his potentially hostile, future subjects by stealing theirs.He was apparently oblivious to the fact that his cold and hungry troops were safely ashore in Brixham whereas their supper was piled up on the quayside beside the estuary some 30 miles distant, and the wrong side of Torquay.
William, who had been abominably seasick for the entire crossing, didn’t much feel like eating. His ravenous army however reached Exeter in double-quick time intent on fighting at least, if not marching, on well-lined stomachs.
St Margaret’s Church, which Prof. W.G. Hoskins reckoned rather uncharitably to be one of ‘…the least interesting…of all the buildings of the town’ does contain some impressive marble wall tablets celebrating various local luminaries, including Robert Davy, founder of the important Davy Shipyard, and two by Sir Frances Legatt Chantrey RA (1781-1841), honouring the Duckworths, which, in Hoskins’ words ‘save it from complete non-entity...’ (idem).
No lightweight, Chantrey’s other
Overleaf
Tea in the Topsham Museum garden, a visit makes for a really interesting and enjoyable outing
40East Devon Coast & Country
masterworks are variously distributed in Westminster Abbey, Salisbury, Lichfield, Norwich, and St Paul’s Ca-thedrals, with an equestrian statue of King George IV in Trafalgar Sq, Sir Joseph Banks in the Natural History Museum, William Pitt in Hanover Sq, and George Washington in far-flung Boston USA.
Out in the churchyard a secluded gravestone marks the burial-site of one Thomas Randle, quartermaster aboard HMS Victory at Trafalgar, and, as legend has it, one of three sailors who carried the fatally-wounded Nelson below decks.
Captain Hardy, aware that his Admiral was lying sprawled at his feet in some obvious discomfort, told Thomas (who was not doing anything particularly important at the time) to take him somewhere slightly quieter.
Nelson was carried down to the Orlop where he died three hours later, having ordered Thomas back up on deck with the words ‘Go, Bold Randle!’ much to the latter’s disap-pointment.
Nelson’s diminutive body was stuffed into a barrel of brandy tinctured
with myrrh and camphor, issued, in all probability, by quartermaster Randle, and once the badly-stricken and storm-battered Victory reached Gibraltar this preservative brew was replaced with one of Aqua Vitae, which the tars later quaffed patriotically in preference to their customary rum ration. Appropriately perhaps, news of the great victory and of the Admiral’s demise was carried to England aboard the fast schooner HMS Pickle…
On the environmental front, just downriver of the town, at the conflu-ence of the Exe with the Clyst is the
RSPB’s Bowling Green Marsh, an SSSI, where hawk-eyed twitchers may be lucky to spot Osprey, Avocet, Teal and, rarely, migrating Barrow’s Goldeneye and King Eider. Occasion-ally otters are spotted floundering in the mud pools, hunting for stranded fish, eels and other delicacies.
Our town walk, taken at a leisurely pace, lasted just over two hours. Starting at Holman Way car park (Holman Way itself marks the line of the pre-Beeching branch line down to the quay), we explored White Street, Fore Street, High Street before branching off down to the water-
Simply Stunning
The home of beautiful oak furniture for every room...
www.theoakloft.co.uk
Opening HoursMon-Sat 9am - 5pm,Sun 10am - 4pm
Unit 2a,Darts Business Park,
Topsham,Devon,
EX3 0QHTel/Fax: 01392 877321
Simply Stunning
BedDepartment
Brand New
Deluxe DivansDunlopillo, Relyon,
Kozee Sleep
MANY SPECIAL OFFERS IN STORE...
40 41A Celebration of Life in East Devon
front, the quay itself and along The Strand, ending at the museum for a well-earned cuppa and a slice of home-madeVictoria sponge.
‘I sat on the little churchyard terrace, and watched the evening tide come up the estuary. I have a great liking for Topsham, and that churchyard, overlooking what is not quite sea, yet more than river, is one of the most restful spots I know.’
George Gissing, ‘The Private Pa-pers of Henry Ryecroft’. 1903.
1). A saying used throughout Devon, if doors are left open, due to the inhabitants of the infamous White Street - smugglers, privateers all - who would slip out of the back door when the excisemen came knocking at the front…
2). ‘Devon’ by Prof W.G. Hoskins. David & Charles, first published 1954.
3). ‘The History and Description of the City of Exeter and its Environs’. Alexander Jenkins (1806)
4) Sir Ralph Hopton’s Narrative of his Campaign in the West 1642-1644. Somerset Record Society XVIII, 1902.
5). ‘Anglia Rediviva; England’s Recovery: Being the History of the Motions, Actions, and Successes of the Army Under the Immediate Conduct of Sir Joshua Sprigg’
1854, 2009 General Books.
www.exceptional-furniture.co.uk
EXETER SHOWROOMThe Old Gaol . Strand . Topsham . Exeter . EX3 0JBTel. 01392 877443 . Open Tuesday to Saturday 9am - 5:30pm
The Althorp Patent Table
in the manner of the famous Robert Jupe
Item ref. AL54008
EastDevonCoast&CountryIFC*.indd 1 15/02/2011 15:28
The Old Gaol Strand Topsham01392 877443
Family run specialist of exceptional classic furnishings in historic listed premises with 3 fl oors showcasing examples from our full collections
kFor further details see our adver-
tisement on the inside back cover
A view of the Topsham Quay and the river Exe
People enjoying refreshment at the Lighter Inn. Brights of Nettlebed is housed in the very historic stone building on the right. It said to have been built by the Earl of Devon in 1316 and was built against what was originally a cliff (which is now the road running directly behind the building). It's thought that French prisoners of war were held in this building when it was a gaol, ready for deportation to the new world.
42East Devon Coast & Country
By Appointment to Her Majesty The QueenSupplier of Coach Paints
Wilsons Paints Ltd, Exmouth
Wilsons Paints LtdThe Old Fire Station,
1 Church Road,Exmouth, Devon EX8 1RZ
Tel No: (01395) 267972Fax No: (01395) 268041
Email: info@wilsonspaints.co.ukWeb: www.wilsonspaints.co.uk
The Home Of Devon Wood Oiland Coach-Kote.
At Wilsons Paints you will fi nd professional products for discerning customers and the very best advice.
Est. 1971WEBBERS INTERIORS
y Bespoke curtains made in our Devon based workroomsy Designer fabrics & wallpapers y Home Consultancyy Carpets and fl oorcoverings y Complete fi tting service
y Full range of blinds and shading systems.
t. 01395 272595 9A High Street Exmouthwww.webbersinteriors.co.uk
Out and About in Exmouth
health & fitness clubL i f e s t y l e
INDOOR POOL
DEVONCOURTHOTEL
&APARTMENTS
Beautifully situated ‘Guest Accommodation’ set in four acres of sub-tropical gardens overlooking Exmouth’s two miles of golden sandy beaches, looking out to Lyme Bay and Start Point.
All rooms have en-suite facilities, tea/co ee, free wi- throughout, TVs with Freeview & DVD player. Some rooms have kitchenettes.
All residents have full use of the leisure facilities in our health and tness club. � e facilities are open daily, from 7am to 9pm and are available 365 days a year to guests and members of our leisure club alike.
Our sub-tropical gardens have direct access to the beach.
To view the facilities, please call or pop in to see us anytime.
• Fitness Gym• Indoor Heated Pool• Outdoor Heated Pool (May-Sept)• Far-Infra Red Sauna• Cleopatra Steam Room• Whirlpool Spa• Aqua Fitness Classes• Aerobics Classes• All-Weather Tennis Court• Sunshower (extra charge)• Snooker Table (extra charge)• Putting Green (May-Sept)
SAVE ££S - bring this advert with you and save the joining fee.
Memberships are available from as little as £5.29 per week.
www.lifestyleleisureclub.co.uk
Restaurant Food Available 8-10am, 12-2pm, 6.30-9pm
DOUGLAS AVENUE EXMOUTH01395 272277
www.devoncourt.comOUTDOOR POOL
FAR INFRA RED SAUNA
GARDENS
42 43A Celebration of Life in East Devon
44East Devon Coast & Country
The Old Vicarage, OttertonResidential care in a country house setting.
Rated as “Excellent” by the Care Quality Commission.Professionally qualifi ed staff on duty seven days a week.We also provide for convalescence, respite, and holiday breaks.
For a brochure or appointment to view, please callthe duty matron on:
01395 568208or email: tovotterton@btinternet.com
44 45A Celebration of Life in East Devon
Follow that Acorn!A beginner’s guide to theSouth West Coast Pathby Cec Hardy Cartoon by Karen MacGarvie
630 miles … 1014 kms … and not exactly flat: it’s es-timated that anyone completing the longest of Britain’s fifteen national trails will have climbed nearly four times the height of Everest, without benefit of oxygen. It might take a relatively fit walker the best part of two months. The South West Coast Path is not for those of a nervous disposition.
Wife Christine and I are not averse to a stroll provided there is a pub lunch and a teashop involved but we subscribe to the ‘slow walking’ movement, especially when she’s armed with her trusty camera. Unless, as usually happens, we start out late and have a sweaty rush to the pub before they stop serving food. Over the years we’ve maybe done Sidmouth-Branscombe 20 times, so we’ve been treading that well worn coastal path for years without realising.
Many years ago the Beatles sang ‘When I’m 64’. Youth-ful me never expected to be … that old … but the pigs have flown home to roost. Our New Year resolu-tion was to holiday in England this year since I’d be far too ancient to travel to foreign parts after that dreaded birthday. So we’d settled for relaxing in a sunlounger in glorious Devon.
Until we encountered Russell Smith at rehearsals
for ‘Johnny Jack’s War’, a community play (9th -12th November in Sidbury Village Hall, since you ask) and heard he’d be missing a few to go walking. We consid-ered this a pretty feeble excuse until we discovered the walk was the whole 630 miles in one go, in aid of Children’s Hospice South West. He set off from Minehead on Easter Monday along with Liz Hayman and her dog Fizzy. All crossed the finish line at South Haven Point near Poole just 51 days later. An astonish-ing achievement, especially for a man of … 64.
‘We could do that’, we simultaneously mused, ‘but not all at once’. After all neither of us was a chiropodist as had been Russ. Moving with incredible speed for once we organised a project meeting for the very next evening - Saturday - in between Dr Who and Casualty (we’re very sad people) and devised a ten year plan. We calculated we’d already completed, in small bits, Exmouth-Seaton (23 miles). OK, maybe we hadn’t always followed the official path but I reckoned clambering over the rocks from Sidmouth and wading ashore at Ladram Bay was about as close to the coast as possible. I had for once checked the tide tables to ensure we wouldn’t trouble the lifeboat, though stop-ping at Jacob’s Ladder for coffee and a large slice of cake meant we got wetter than we should have done.
Then we remembered the day of Christine’s 5?th birth-day when we’d crossed the border to West Bay in Dor-set for lunch at a fish restaurant. Slightly inebriated and having eaten too much we felt the need to walk it off. We’d actually made it as far as Seatown, another three miles, leaving just 604 untrodden. As we’d com-pleted approximately 4.127 % of the walk without even trying we figured the rest could be polished off within the deadline if we upped the pace a bit.
Attempting the whole path in one go calls for careful planning. That’s not our strong point. Hardy trekkers carry tent, sleeping bags and cooking stuff – not these Hardy’s. We’re more B&B types and there are many good ones along the route. So we decided on a two pronged attack. One prong involves strategi-cally placed handpicked organic B&Bs, a stay of two or three nights in each allowing us to fill in the gaps between; the other employs skilful use of public transport enabling us to do sections on a daily basis without spending the night in a strange bed. The X53 coastal bus between Exeter and Poole is a godsend for the dedicated walker.
NB It’s best to wait until you attain the coveted bus pass; child bride Christine is costing a fortune in bus fares. She would have received one in nine month’s time but I’ve heard she won’t now qualify on her 60th birthday, not that I should really be disclosing her age so don’t tell anyone.
The train journeys are a treat in themselves. From Exmouth we can take the Avocet Line along the Exe estuary to connect up with the spectacular Riviera Line to Paignton and the Tarka to Barnstable. The only snag with the Tarka Line is the ‘real ale trail’– visiting ten pubs can earn you a T shirt so we may have to use this line several times.
We decided we’d have to plan - just a bit. I conceded that I’d wear walking boots instead of flip flops provided we didn’t have to carry a map and compass. I regard maps as expensive and an unnecessary weight to carry and our compass has never been quite the same since emerging from the washing machine. It’s only effective if you already know where north is and tap it a few times, preferably with a hammer. As I pointed out to a suspicious spouse all we have to do is follow, like a pair of hungry squirrels, the acorn signs which mark the path.
To me, water bottles are for wimps and mobile phones taboo. But I agreed to try out those pointy sticks we’d felt obliged to purchase ten years ago during a vegetarian walking holiday in the Lake District in return for sheltering in an outdoor supplies shop for a couple of hours waiting for the rain to abate to a mere downpour. I always thought they were just for posing but have now discovered the real purpose is for ward-ing off cows, horses and particularly vicious sheep.
So June 14 (spookily the exact day on which Russ, Liz and Fizzy the wondercollie ended their ‘walkies’) saw us poised like coiled springs ready to begin the walk. Once we’d located the start. We had to resort to the Tourist Information Office who told us we couldn’t miss the enormous structure of two hands holding a map. We already had – twice! But we eventually got the obligatory photos taken and stumbled into the unknown with a marathon 26 miles already under our belts … (to be continued, perhaps). We hope to publish a book of our epic journey; if you care to place an advance order expect delivery around 2020, give or take a few days. As for the intrepid trio, I believe they’ve raised more than £12,000 so far – read all about it on www.witterthewalk.wordpress.com. I’m far too lazy to bother with writing blogs so if I’ve whet-ted your appetite for an update on our progress please email, online petition or otherwise pester the editor.
Another 50 or so miles should be under our belts before the snow sets in. We’re sure you want to hear about the amazing Undercliff walk from Seaton to Lyme Regis, our first faltering steps from Minehead, why we’ve developed a violent dislike of Dawlish War-ren and whether we ever bumped into the mysterious topless walker.
46East Devon Coast & Country
AMOSLIGHTING
Creative lighting for private homes, interior designers, architects and developers.
Cornice Repairs & Matching Services
Comprehensive Stock Interior Plaster Products
Exterior Cement Mouldings
All Aspects Plastering Int/Ext Undertaken
Tel: 01626 830500www.abbymouldings.co.uk
Manufacture | Install | Mouldings | Ornamental plaster | Total Refurbishment
www.peterquinain.co.uk
High quality real wood veneered floors, and a superiorrange of traditional & contemporary veneered doors.
Tel: 01404 891713
LUIS TORRES DESIGN CONSULTANCYwww.luistorres.co.uk
a r c h i t e c tu ra lde s i g n
Extensions, Renovationsand New builds
Planning & Building Regulations
Professional, friendly service atcompetitive rates
46 47A Celebration of Life in East Devon
Open Monday – Saturday, 9am-5pm. Closed SundaysTel: 01392 825940 www.bradburysltd.co.ukBradbury’s, Denbury Court, Matford Park, Exeter EX2 8NB
Bradburys. Be inspired.
Devon’s only source for the very latest designer kitchens
The south-west’s most dazzling showroom with over 12 roomsets
Creative kitchen design, project management and installation by experienced specialists
KBSA and Charter Mark status, so buy with confidence
Serving satisfied customers for over 12 years
Fireplace Specialists
SIDMOUTH DESIGN ALEXANDRIA ROAD SIDMOUTH DEVON EX10 9HE
01395 577558 www.sidmouthdesign.co.uk
48East Devon Coast & Country
CONSIDERING TAPPING INTO SOLAR ENERGY?Cathy Debenham from YouGen gives some useful pointers for photo voltaic systems
A combination of government incentives and falling prices mean that there’s never been a better
time to consider installing solar panels to generate electricity. The feed-in tariff pays out a set amount for every unit of electricity generated over 25 years. It is linked to the retail price index and is tax-free for domestic installations.
The scheme was designed to give a 5-8 per cent return on investment, but because solar panel prices globally have fallen rapidly, it is more likely to give a 10% return (see table below). However, the window of opportunity is relatively short, as the government is expected to reduce the tariff level for people who install after 1 April 2012, when returns will not be quite as good.
Sunlight is all that you need to produce electricity from solar panels. Even though it doesn’t always feel like it in the UK, it’s an unlimited resource that’s never going to stop shining. Although more electricity is produced on sunny days, the panels also work on cloudy days too.
Most UK installations of solar panels are connected to the national grid. When the sun is shining, and the panels are generating electricity, the system calls on that free electricity first if you turn on any electrical appliances. If you switch on an energy-guzzler, like a kettle, your home-generated electricity will be supplemented with mains power. If you are generating more than you are using, then the surplus will be exported back into the grid.
The feed-in tariff is designed to encourage you to use the electricity that you generate at home, so the largest element is the generation tariff. This pays up to 43.3p for every kWh you generate. You will also get 3p per kWh exported, and your electricity bill should show savings thanks to the home-generated electricity you have used.
There are also free solar schemes, sometimes known as rent a roof schemes. The installer will get paid by claiming the feed-in tariff on the system, and you will benefit from savings on your electricity bill. The amount of these savings is often overstated, and will depend on how much electricity you use during the day when the sun is shining. It makes sense to check with your mortgage company, and to read the small print very thoroughly before going into one of these schemes. Especially check the conditions around what happens if you want to sell your house.
Is solar PV suitablefor my house?
1. How close to south does the roof face?The closer to south your roof faces (or your site is), the more suitable it is likely to be. But there are some other questions you need to consider.
2. Does shade fall on the roof at any time during the day?This is really crucial, and can make a huge difference to the performance of the panels. At worst, it can prevent the system working at all (like putting a resistor in the circuit). Hard shading, such as a chimney or a dormer window, is the worst, but it’s also important to look out for neighbouring buildings or trees. Shading will vary at different times of the year, depending on the height of the sun. Some installers will have gizmos, to predict the shading on a roof, but it’s also worth watching where shade falls over time.
3. What angle is your roof?For best performance, solar panels should be angled at 30-40 degrees, although you will still catch a reasonable level of sunlight at angles between 20 and 50 degrees. Steeper angles will perform better in winter when the sun is low in the sky, and shallower ones in summer.
4. Is your roof strong enough to hold them?This is something your installer should check when they do the survey.Solar panels are a permitted development as long as they do not extend above the ridge line of the building. However, if you live in a conservation area or in a listed building, or want a ground-mounted system, restrictions will apply.
How does it work financially?The feed-in tariff (also known as the Clean Energy Cashback) is an incentive to install microgeneration technologies up to 5MW in size. It consists of:• A fixed payment from your electricity supplier
for every kilowatt hour (kWh) your system generates. This is called the generation tariff. This is currently 43.3p per kWh for installations up to 4kW in size.
• A guaranteed price for any surplus electricity that you do not use on site, and export to the grid. This is called the export tariff and will also be paid by your electricity supplier. This is currently 3.1p.
• In addition, as you use electricity generated on site you will need less from the national grid – so your energy bill will be lower.
The rates are indexed to the retail price index for the 25 year life of the tariff, and are tax free for domestic installations. The rates are likely to go down for new installations after 1 April 2012, as the price of panels has come down considerably over the past two years.See table for economics of a typical installation.
Choosing an installerSadly there are a few cowboy companies around, so
it’s worth choosing with care. The YouGen website
has a directory, where you can find local installers,
many with customer feedback (www.yougen.co.uk/
search/). If any friends or neighbours have installed
panels, ask them whether the installer did a good job.
If you can’t get a recommendation, you can search on
the Microgeneration Certification Scheme website
(MCS): www.microgenerationcertification.org. It’s
vital that you choose an MCS accredited company. If they aren’t you won’t get the feed-in tariff, and the financing of it changes radically for the worse. It’s also worth checking that they are
a member of the REAL Assurance Scheme. I’d also
advise getting three quotes.
Cowboy tactics to avoid are: • companies that insist your husband/wife/
co-decision maker is present before they make an appointment;
• companies that send sales people (not surveyors), and so give a quote subject to survey
• anyone who offers a discount if you sign on the day, or for displaying a signboard at your gate
48 49A Celebration of Life in East Devon
Cost Income/saving
Cost of 2.5kW solar PV system £10,500
Estimated generation: 2,250kWh per year
Generation tariff (2,250 x 43.3p) £974
Export tariff (1,125 x 3.1p) £35
Savings on electricity bill for using generated electricity (this will depend on your usage, and whether you’re home during the day – this figure is an average estimated by EST)
£100
TOTAL £1,109
Payback time nine and a half years
Return on investment 10.5% a year for 25 years
Questions to ask them1. Find out how long they’ve been in the business.
2. Ask if they will subcontract any of the work out, and if so, who to.
3. Check whether they are qualified electricians?
4. Ask for recommendations from previous installations - either find them on YouGen, or ask for names and contact numbers of previous customers and follow them up.
5. Make sure the quotation is comprehensive - it should itemise all the equipment.
6. Get companies to give an estimate of how much the system will generate. They should do this as standard.
7. Ask for advice on the size of the system, don’t be sold on a system on a standard size kit.
8. There are a variety of different types of solar pv module. Ask about the benefits of the modules they are proposing, and why they suggest that type.
9. Get a really good feel for what the person’s like. Talk to them and make sure you feel they really understand what they are talking about, and are an engineer, not just a salesman.
10. They should look at the fuse box and at the structure of the roof.
11. Are they MCS accredited? (see above).
Cathy Debenham, founder of YouGen (http://www.
yougen.co.uk). The website provides information for people interested in installing renewable energy, and a directory of local installers with feedback from their customers.
50East Devon Coast & Country
HAVILLS VOTED ‘THE BEST SMALL CONSUMERELECTRONICS RETAILER’ IN BRITAIN 2010 / 2011
Your friendly electrical shops
1400 spin, 6 kg load, A energy rated
Model: WNF6341
FREE 3 YEARGUARANTEE
ONLY
£329.99
BLOMBERGWASHINGMACHINE
8kg load,B energy rated
Model: TKF8439
FREE 3 YEARGUARANTEE
ONLY
£349.99
BLOMBERGCONDENSER
TUMBLE DRYER
12 place settings,AAA energy ratedModel: GSN9120
FREE 3 YEARGUARANTEE
ONLY
£299.99
BLOMBERGDISHWASHER
55cm wide, 130 litres,auto defrost, A energy rated
Model: TSM1551
FREE 3 YEARGUARANTEE
ONLY
£189.99
BLOMBERGLARDERFRIDGE
55 cm wide, 85 litres,A energy rated
Model: FTM1531
FREE 3 YEARGUARANTEE
ONLY
£219.99
BLOMBERGFREEZER
frost free, 55cm wide,A energy rated
Model: KGM9550
FREE 3 YEARGUARANTEE
ONLY
£379.99
BLOMBERGFRIDGE
FREEZER
You must see THE HAVILLS COLLECTION
of EXCLUSIVE domestic appliances
only at Havills in Honiton & Exeter
SHOP LOCALLY... ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE...ALPHINGTON
01392 273 095TOPSHAM
01392 873 964HONITON
01404 446 09
WWW.HAVILLS.ORG
Havills Blomberg A4 Advert_Havills Blomberg A4 Advert 16/08/2011 13:41 Page 1
50 51A Celebration of Life in East Devon
B U I LT I N : Attention to detail
Contact us for a free initialhome visit to discuss yourrequirements.
01392 879320info@sapphireinteriors.co.uk
www.sapphireinteriors.co.ukKITCHENS, BATHROOMS AND WET ROOMS CREATED FOR YOU BY SAPPHIRE INTERIORS.
DC&C 7/3/11 09:08 Page 1
The Pine Store
Quality Pine & Oak Furniture in a paint,wax or lacquered fi nish
Freestanding Painted Bespoke Kitchens & FurnitureEmma Bridgewater stockist
POpen 10am - 5pm, Monday to Saturday
Showroom : 01404 811133 Workshop : 01404 811538
The Square, Ottery St Mary EX11 1BY
Personalised Safe Secure Storage
Fantastic Introductory Off ers
Tel 01395 239400info@house-it.co.uk
www.house-it.co.ukWoodbury Business Park, Woodbury, Nr Exeter
PHAS
E 2 N
OW O
PEN
Units from £6 per week
Wide Range of Carpets , Rugs and
Floor Coverings
• Own Skilled Fitters & Estimator
• Over 40 years Experience
• Backed by Carpet Foundation
36 Fore StreetTopshamNear the Quay
01392 874505www.
Carter-Derickcarpets.co.ukOur Quality is Your Comfort!
Carter-DerrickTHE CARPET SPECIALIST
EAST DEVONʼS LEADING INTRUDER ALARM INSTALLER
Bespoke systems designed to suit your business or homeIntruder Alarms Maintained & Updated, CCTV installation, Emergency Lights, Door Access Systems, Fire Extinguisher Supply & Maintenance.
CALL US FOR A FREE QUOTATION ON01395 222999 or 01395 577250
A qualifi ed engineer is only a phone call away 24 HOURS A DAY, EVERYDAYwww.tamarsecurity.co.uk
52East Devon Coast & Country
Fishing has been a passion of mine since
as a boy I learned the great craft of fly fishing on the spate rivers of North Wales.
The main quarry was undoubtedly the migratory seatrout, which is basically the same fish as the brown trout, but it takes to the sea for richer feeding, returning every year to spawn. The mighty seatrout are Jeckyll and Hyde fish that change character as the sun lowers in the sky. They're shy and reclusive in the daytime, becoming ferocious hunters in the hours of darkness.
Brown trout in these acidic streams are beautiful gems to catch, but they never amount to any great size, a ½ pounder being a real specimen.
By the time I'd taken on fly fishing as my main hobby, the aim had became to catch a specimen. By this I don't mean one of those overgrown pellet fed, brash Yankee rainbow trout, no - a proper specimen wild brownie.
Brown trout are our indigenous species, they can be slow growing but are more suited to our UK environment. It's interesting that although brown trout as a species are all the same, travelling up and down the UK (and Ireland) fishing for them reveals that there are many variations on a theme.
For instance, when I visited Loch Watten at the top of Scotland, I'd heard that these fish were famous for their fighting abilities (which they were), but what's interesting is how
pretty these fish were - like newly cast bars of silver.
Conservationists talk about many aspects of our wildlife, but it's pretty much unheard of for them to discuss our river fish, particularly the brown trout. This is a pity, as these fish are little time capsules as each river and lake have their own distinctly unique variants, resulting from thousands of years of breeding and adaptation to environment. Trout are particularly important fish, as they're very
sensitive to water purity - as such they are great indicators of river health. In fact, I think I'm right in saying that if it wasn't for fishermen, many of the rivers up and down the country would probably be polluted. As a local example, without managed trout fishing on the river Otter, the requirement for high-quality river water would be lower. Invertebrate life would be impoverished, trout probably wouldn't flourish and then there'd certainly be no Otters.
Fishermen are very aware of river life and are the first to notice signs of pollution. Angling associations are also responsible for much habitat management along riverbanks, so again a valuable ecological function is carried out as a result of the requirement for fishermen to catch fish.
Recently, the opportunity came up to fish the river Otter at the Deer Park Hotel waters (located just outside Honiton). I'd read in an old "Where
A deerhair dry fly, ideally buoyant, especially when
dressed
Nigel Jones fishes the river Otter at the Deer Park Hotel waters for wild brown trout
Two beautiful wild brown trout caught on a dry fly, 1¼lb and ¾lb (below), returned unharmed to the river
One of the lovely Otter brownies
caught on a dry fly in July
Fly Fishing on the Otterby Nigel Jones
52 53A Celebration of Life in East Devon
Brown trout markings, red and brown spots with paler outer ring.
Also notice distinctivered adipose fin
Plants around the riverbank were full of damsel flies
The Deerpark Hotelnear Honiton
to Fish" book (circa 1960s) that the Otter was one of the Westcountry's finest trout rivers, holding good sized fish throughout the river". It certainly would be interesting to fish some 50 years after this directory had been printed to see whether the river Otter's reputation was still valid, especially in light of current modern intensive farming practices which are widely blamed for pesticide leaching from agricultural land into river systems, poisoning aquatic life.
I'd picked a warm evening in July and arrived at the Deer Park Hotel at about 6pm, happy to find hatches occurring and fish sporadically taking flies off the surface. Upstream dry fly was the method of choice and the smooth, overgrown glides on this stretch were perfect. It's a great way to fish, casting the fly to a rising fish and waiting for the 'take'. I mainly fish dry fly now (after decades on wet fly and nymph), as it's both highly productive and very entertaining. Most times, if the fish you cast to are interested, the 'take' will occur fairly quickly, with perhaps a flick of the tail and a flash of gold. You realise it's time to strike and tighten the line into the fish.
When new to a stretch of water, it takes time to identify 'fishy' spots, I'm sure if you're an angler you'll know what I mean, you build up a map of these spots inside your head so that your subsequent visits becomes increasingly productive.
One of the key issues with fishing smaller rivers is that of free casting space between the trees, which can
dictate where you're able to cast. Equally important is background cover, which can make a big difference to your catch. Luckily, these aspects were not too much of a barrier to enjoyable fishing. This stretch of the Otter offers the angler plenty of fishable pools, with lots of deep glides breaking into streamier water.
The banks are well maintained on the upper beats, providing good bank side casting as well as access points to pools in the shallows. In terms of rod length, I took a 7ft rod although I wish I'd taken my 8ft rod which would have been just about perfect.
There are plenty of picnic tables along the upper stretch, ideal for partners to sit and read a book or perhaps do a spot of painting. Alternatively, refreshment is only a short walk away at the hotel.
I started my fishing session by walking downstream to the lower beats with the intention of working my way up slowly, exploring all the pools in the process. The first pool I fished was excellent, as I approached I could see plenty of fish rising. The worry is that as you approach the pool, your outline spooks the fish, but the bank side tree cover was perfect, enabling me to wade in pretty much unnoticed. Once activity returned, casting upstream resulted in a healthy take, followed by a fairly hectic run by a fish of about three quarters of a pound. After several minutes, the trout was landed to much joy.
After releasing the fish and returning
to the water, I discovered a border collie enjoying the cool water, nonchalantly wading past on his way upstream. This pretty much put all the fish down on this pool, but let's not forget that dogs have as much right to get in the river as do us humans, especially when it's warm. You have to wonder how some of these animals cope in the heat with their thick fur coats, luckily my terrier Jack has a short coat, so it's not a problem - just as well really, as he's not a keen swimmer.
Getting back to fishing, I decided to walk on to the next pool, a certain amount of wading through undergrowth was required to reach the casting point. A nicely positioned fly in the run under a tree on the other bank produced a swift splashy rise and once more, another good fish was taken.
After about four hours of fishing, the largest fish of the night was landed, a 1¼lb beauty that savagely took my fly and proceeded to cartwheel across the river, trying to shed the hook. Luckily all held and the brownie was beached in the shallows.
I'd had a thoroughly good evening of wild trout fishing and proved to myself that the river Otter was still capable of living up to its reputation as a fine brown trout river.
If you're considering booking a session on the Deer Park waters, day tickets are available for £30, with evening tickets at £20.
Many thanks go to the staff at the Deer Park Hotel for a thoroughly enjoyable session. Nigel Jones
The river Otter in the early evening
54East Devon Coast & Country 54
HonitonI f you're looking for somewhere unique and
interesting to visit, Honiton has an much to offer the shopper. Of course it's well-known as an antiques centre, but did you know it has some really interesting galleries, shops, eateries, not least a fascinating museum and some very elegant Georgian architecture which can be enjoyed from the High Steet.
If you wish to find out more about Honiton, you can visit our Honiton Feature pages online, where there's quite a lot of information to be had about Honiton including a shopping map of the town.
www.honitonshopping.co.uk
Honiton – A Glimpse Back...is a 400 page book encapsulating every aspect of the history of the Devonian market town. With a focus on the settlement in Victorian times it attempts to take the reader back to a time when the area’s main industries were lace, pottery and farming and how the town has changed since its medieval roots.The social history of the town can be found with a breakdown of the people who were living and working there nearly two centuries ago.The book covers virtually all of the town’s history, from trade to local businesses, pubs to farms, early travel to the railway, the workhouse to the rich and local customs to festivities.With over 200 colour illustrations and photographs, this work is set out in easy to read, short digestible chapters; a must for the coffee table of anyone interested in local history.
SEE DISPLAY ADVERT DIRECTLY ABOVE
155 High St Honiton
EX14 1LJ
01404 44399
www.yarrow155.com
...is a 400 page book about the history of Honiton with a focus on the social environment of the Victorian era. �e publication incorporates a wide range of aspects from the poor to the rich,
farming to folklore and travel to trades.�e book focuses, among other things, on the everyday people who worked and lived in the town in the 19th century and how
the town has changed from those times to today.
�e book is available from the following retailers in Honiton: Bennetts • Honiton TIC • Dimond & Co • Patina • Countrylines
Honiton Pottery & Milkshake Bar • High Street Books Graham York Rare Books • Upstairs, Downstairs Antiques
Pilgrim Antiques • Liquid Assets • Leesons Also available at Paragon Books in Sidmouth
and �e Curious Otter Bookshop in Ottery St Mary.
£14.99
All profits are to be donated to the Church of St Michael’s, Honiton and Honiton Hopiscare.
54 55A Celebration of Life in East Devon
Also House, Garage & Attic ClearancesUnit 3, Dolphin Court, Honiton, EX14 1HT
01404 549860 tatandtreasure@live.com
Collectables & Second Hand Emporium
You’ll �nd everything except food!You’ll be amazed at what you discover in
We specialise in the installation and manufacture of top quality, custom built garden timber buildings, from sheds, stables, summerhouse
Call 01404 851444 www.atlasfencing.co.uk
We also install and supply top quality
fencing
TIMBER BUILDINGS & FENCING
ATLAS
TheTea Room
Vine Passage, Honiton, Devon Tel: 01404 42889
56East Devon Coast & Country
AUTUMNAs Summer turns into Autumn and the days start to shorten there is a bumper harvest for our native wildlife. With its crisp
clear mornings and with the afternoon sun lower in the sky, it is the perfect time for getting out and about to see wildlife.
Autumn is perhaps the best season for visiting our local woods, particularly the beech woodland of East Devon, which produce a spectacular display of colour both up in the canopy and as a carpet of fallen leaves on the ground. The shortening day length triggers the trees to lose their leaves, during the summer they produce green Chlorophyll which uses sunlight to turn water and carbon dioxide into food, through a process called photosynthesis. As there is too little light in winter for photosynthesis to take place, during Autumn the production of chlorophyll is stopped, this turns the leaves orange, brown and yellow and they eventually fall off. The leaf litter on the ground provides a wealth of food for our native invertebrates.
Along with their leaves trees also produce and disperse their seeds, a short walk through a deciduous wood can produce an incredible diversity of berries, nuts, fruits and cones. These seeds are the harvest which a great deal of our wildlife rely on to get them through the winter months and to fuel their journeys to warmer countries further south. Creatures such as the Dormouse, which can hibernate for over six months of the year, can almost double their body weight in Autumn and will use these fat reserves to survive through the colder part of the year.Even though most flowers have gone over by the arrival of Autumn it is a great time to go in search of fungi. In the UK we enjoy over 6,000 di� erent species which produce a staggering variety of fruiting bodies.
Who’s eaten the Hazelnut?Only a handful of British mammals feed on hazelnuts, with a bit of simple detective work you to can � nd out who has been feasting.
1. Grey Squirrel: with its powerful jaws, the squirrel can split the nuts from top to bottom leaving two halves.
1.
2.
2. Wood Mouse: gnawing a round hole in the centre of the nut, the Wood Mouse also leaves a ring of tooth marks surrounding it.
3. Dormouse: usually including some of the end of the nut the hole made by the Dormouse has distinctive spiral shaped grooves. Like the Wood Mouse, Dormice will also have a ring of tooth marks around the hole.
4. Bank Vole: gnawing a neat hole with vertical grooves the Bank Vole has no tooth marks around the hole.
4.3.
Left: Nut from a Sweet Chestnut tree
Walk on the Wildsidewww.mikehugheswildlifeart.co.ukBy wildlife artist Mike Hughes
56 57A Celebration of Life in East Devon
Many of our summer visitors need to head o� to the continent in search of food, birds such as the hirundines (swifts, swallows, house martins and sand martins) all feed on insects which they catch on the wing and with the end of summer comes the end of this food supply. These are not the only species to leave during the Autumn, many of our warblers depart for central and southern Africa, as do some of our heathland breeding birds such as the Nightjar and Hobby.But all is not lost, for as many birds that we lose, plenty more arrive from the Arctic, Iceland and Scandanavia to spend the winter here. Large numbers of waders and waterfowl will feed on our rich estuaries from Autumn onwards.
Right: Migrating Willow Warbler heading south, pausing to feed on an old apple tree
Birdwatching for BeginnersThursday 8 SeptemberThursday 22 SeptemberThursday 6 OctoberThursday 27 October 10am - 12 noon at the Axe Estuary Wetlands, SeatonCall 01395 517 557 for details
Axe Vale & District Conservation Society - Beach Clean-upSunday 18 Sept 10am - 12noonSeatonCall Donald Campbell on 01297 552945 for details
Birds from the TramWednesday 7 September 5pm - 7pmSaturday 17 September 5pm - 7pm Sunday 9 October 9am - 11am Sunday 23 October 9am - 11am Seaton, £10 per headCall 01297 20375 to book/pay
Otter Valley Association WalkSaturday 12 November 10am2 hour walk from ExmouthCall 01395 568576 for details
Otter Valley Association WalkSaturday 26 November 10am5 hour walk tking in Woodbury Castle, Hates Wood and Blackhill QuarryCall 01395 443141 for details
Things to do in theEast Devon Countryside
As vast numbers of birds are on the move all across the northern hemisphere there is always a chance for a rarity from a far � ung part of the world to turn up. Last year at the Axe Estuary Wetlands a Solitary Sandpiper arrived in the middle of October, this small wader is actually an American bird which breeds in Alaska and across Canada and spends the winter months in Central and South America. It didn’t stay long but it became quite an attraction with twitchers from all over the UK travelling down to see it!
For all the birdwatchers and twitchers out there Autumn is, perhaps surprisingly, the most exciting time of year. The Autumn migration, a seasonal movement of birds from one location to another, involves huge numbers of birds passing to and from the British Isles.
Wildlife Art ExhibitionMike Hughes
3 - 17 SeptemberThe Gallery, Hind Street, Ottery St Mary
(open everyday except Sunday & Monday)
Mike Hughes - Wildlife ArtI am a wildlife artist living and working in East Devon. If you would like to view more artwork, check availability of prints or commission a painting please go to www.mikehugheswildlifeart.co.uk. I am a signature member of Artists for Conservation.
Devon Open StudiosFrom the 3rd September to 18th September I will be exhibiting at The Gallery, Hind Street, Ottery St Mary as part of Devon Open Studios. During this two week event work by 370+ artists and makers can be seen in 146 di� erent venues throughout Devon. For more details visit www.devonartistnetwork.co.uk. Other artists to visit in the East Devon area include Sarah Bovey & Ann Janes - Upottery, Kathy Ramsey Carr - Kerswell,Clare Schmidt Norris - Cullompton, Cristina Ulander - Buckerell, Jane Page & June Harvey - Weston.
Autumn Migration
Wildlife Art ExhibitionMike Hughes
3 - 17 SeptemberThe Gallery, Hind Street, Ottery St Mary
(open everyday except Sunday & Monday)
58East Devon Coast & Country
Newton Abbot
Open 7 days a weekMon-Sat 9am-5.30pm / Sun 10am-4pm
So much choice, so many suprisesAt the Garden Park, we’ve brought together Britain’s widest range of plants and gardening products. You’ll find everything that the discerning gardener could possibly need and all at Trago’s famous everyday lowest prices. And for bulk purchases, why not try our unique drive through service. There’s no need to leave the comfort of your vehicle, simply follow the signs and we’ll do the rest!
Chelsea in the heart of DevonNo visit to Newton Abbot would be complete without experiencing our beautifully landscaped gardens. Famous Westcountry garden designer and multiple Chelsea Gold Medal winner, Paul Stone has created a haven of tranquility amid the hustle and bustle of Trago’s retail store. Why not take a few moments to relax and meander through our nine stunning, individually themed gardens. You’re bound to be inspired.
58 59A Celebration of Life in East Devon
Newton Abbot01626 821111
off the A382 to Bovey Tracey
TQ12 6JD
60East Devon Coast & Country
FIRES, FIREPLACES & SOLID FUEL STOVES
HUGE SELECTION OF FIRES, FIREPLACESAND STOVES.
FROM TRADITIONAL TO CONTEMPORARY DESIGNS IN GAS, ELECTRIC AND SOLID FUEL.
ALL INSTALLATIONS UNDERTAKEN BY OUR OWN HETASAND GAS SAFE REGISTERED ENGINEERS
FREE SURVEYS AND QUOTESGrandisson 26/28 Finnimore Industrial Est,
Ottery St Mary, EX11 1NRTEL: 01404 812876
WEB: www.grandisson.biz
60 61A Celebration of Life in East Devon
FIRES, FIREPLACES & SOLID FUEL STOVES
HUGE SELECTION OF FIRES, FIREPLACESAND STOVES.
FROM TRADITIONAL TO CONTEMPORARY DESIGNS IN GAS, ELECTRIC AND SOLID FUEL.
ALL INSTALLATIONS UNDERTAKEN BY OUR OWN HETASAND GAS SAFE REGISTERED ENGINEERS
FREE SURVEYS AND QUOTESGrandisson 26/28 Finnimore Industrial Est,
Ottery St Mary, EX11 1NRTEL: 01404 812876
WEB: www.grandisson.biz
GREYHOUND RESCUE
Have you perhaps reached that stage in your life when you feel you have the time
and energy to welcome a dog into your life and home. If so, why not consider a retired track star, the canine equivalent of Linford Christie, or more recently Usain Bolt - I am talking about the elite athletes of the dog world, the graceful, gazelle-like greyhound.
Unfortunately, there is a huge welfare issue around what actually happens to these beautiful creatures when their racing days are done. Sadly, the greyhound’s grace and speed became its downfall. In the 1920s greyhound racing and its associated betting became a huge spectator sport, these noble animals were no longer running for fun, but running for their lives. Those who weren’t fast enough or sustained track injuries were regarded as disposable commodities and more often than not, condemned to a cruel and ignoble death.
This grim fate only began to change when a few enlightened individuals began to adopt these ex racing dogs. They took them into their homes as pets and so began a process of public enlightenment to the point where, these days, pet greyhounds are a common sight in our towns and villages.
I am a life- long lover of greyhounds and when I learned there was a greyhound rescue kennels just outside Honiton, I knew I just had to pay them a visit, so on a cold sunny day in January, I ventured up into the wilds of Upottery to meet Vicky Gregory, the lady who runs the kennels. It was a Sunday morning and most of the dogs were about to be walked by a dedicated team on volunteers. The dogs were all wrapped up in snug brightly coloured coats and made a wonderful picture as they set off up the hill. Vicky, who turned out to be a warm and friendly person, runs the kennel on behalf of the Retired Greyhound Trust and is assisted by her partner Paul and son Joe, however both men work so the lion’s share of the work is down to Vicky. The Retired Greyhound Trust, a registered charity, provide the funding for the dogs’ food and ever increasing vets’ fees but Vicky provides her time and, most important of all, her love free of charge.
Like myself, Vicky’s background was in the greyhound racing industry and it was only as she grew older that she realised the failed racers were being callously disposed of. One of the racers in her charge was a lovely, bouncy dog named Rocky. Rocky ran his heart out for his owners but when he sustained a bad leg injury that meant
SUZY BAILEY SAYS GREYHOUNDS MAKE REALLY GREAT PETS
he could no longer race, his owners went off to buy another younger dog and left him to be “disposed of.”Horrified, Vicky blurted out “I’ll have him” and thus began her long career of caring for abandoned ex-racing greyhounds
Vicky initially came to Devon with the intention of retiring but a chance phone call from a friend in London asking her to take in two rescued greyhounds led her to her current situation where she has about ten dogs in her kennels. Her rehoming scheme has been very successful and last year she homed forty-three dogs. Prospective owners call at the kennels and Vicky encourages them to take time getting to know the dogs, taking them out for walks etc. New owners are always vetted by Vicky herself or partner Paul and once the dogs are placed in their new homes, excellent back up and support is provided by Vicky.
These lovely dogs are amazingly adaptable, affectionate, easy going and placid, gentle creatures. They also make ideal pets for older people as they rarely pull on the lead and do not require a huge amount of exercise. They also love their home comforts and to curl up on a duvet, or sofa by the fire is their idea of greyhound heaven.
Because Vicky’s rehoming policy is very successful, dogs do not remain in her kennels for long. However, this was not the case when it came to Amy, a lovely little girl dog.. Amy remained in the kennel for a year, all the other dogs attracted the attention of would be owners but not poor Amy, she was gentle and shy, hiding at the back of the kennel while at the same time doing a little “please pick me” dance. Vicky pondered as to how on earth was she to get a home for Amy. She came up with this little poem and bravely went on local radio with it.
Amy’s DreamAs is sit in my kennel and waitI see all the others leave by the gateTo a home they go one by oneTo have a life full of fun
“Oh Why can’t that be me”
One day soon I may have that chanceBut all I can do is my little danceI jump up and down and do my pranceBut no, its not to beMy kennel mates all come and goWith kind humans who love them soPerhaps one day soon it will be meWho leaves by the gate at half past three.
As a direct result of this going out on the radio, little Amy got a home and is now with people who love her dearly. Vicky receives regular updates on her life of fun and mischief.
So, please dear reader, if you are thinking of taking in a homeless dog, please consider the lovely greyhound, a more faithful loving gentle creature you could not hope for. He or she will repay your kindness with a lifetime of unconditional love and devotion.
Vicky can be contacted on 01404 861160Or check out the website to see photos of the dogs on rgthillview.co.uk.
62East Devon Coast & Country
Riding Aids
The natural riding aids are the seat, legs, hands and voice. Rather than using aids like an on-off switch, with minimal sensitivity and adjustment, it is preferable to think of using them like a dial, with varying amounts of pressure. The extent to which each aid is used is dynamic and dependant on the individual horse and the situation. Consider this a bit like driving a car, where the accelerator is used to a varying degree depending on numerous factors such as the engine type, road conditions, the weather, volume of traffic, speed required, etc. The driver is continually considering these factors and feeling what the car is doing, so the accelerator is not just used on or off but rather with varying degrees of pressure from the foot dependant on the circumstances and the required result.
So when riding, consider using each aid in a manner appropriate to the situation and be prepared to vary its use as the situation changes (or not!). The aids are inter-linked and so you will often have to use more than one aid at any one time but not necessarily to the same extent.It is important to use aids subtly at first, i.e. just turn the dial slightly. Again, using the car as an example, it is rare that you need to put your foot flat to the floor on the accelerator. When riding, turning the dial up to the maximum levels on a regular basis is not only inappropriate but it also causes the horse to become numb to the aid. In order to get a response the rider then has to turn the dial even more but eventually there is only so far the dial can be turned before the rider cannot go any further. In practical terms this can be explained
by using the leg aids as an example. If the rider always kicks the horse to ask it to move forward, what happens if the horse does not respond? If the rider has to continually kick to keep a horse moving, what happens when you want to go faster? If the rider always kicks to ask a horse to move or go faster, what happens in an emergency situation? By asking subtly first, you can always increase the aid if and when required and the horse will also more readily respond to a stronger aid.
Why shout when a whisper will do?!
It is important to consider the communication from the horse
when selecting the aid to use and the extent to which you will use it.
• Firstly, the horse must be physically and mentally capable of doing what you are asking it to do. If it isn’t, and the rider hasn’t listened, then it is a common mistake to then inappropriately increase the aid.
• Then consider the response that you get from an aid. Has the horse responded correctly? Responded incorrectly? Not responded at all? Then ask yourself WHY have you got this response? It is common for the rider to think the horse hasn’t listened or has chosen to ignore or disobey the rider. Instead, the first thought should be has the rider asked correctly and clearly so the horse understands? Have any mixed signals been given by the rider? Have the aids been given at an appropriate time? Sometimes this can be hard to ascertain, particularly without help.
• If a rider is repeatedly feeling that the horse is not doing what it is being asked to do then step back and consider why this may be. For example, if a rider is kicking repeatedly to ask a horse to move, yet the horse still won’t increase its pace, is this because the horse is ignoring the rider? The answer may be yes, but not because it is a conscious thought from the horse but because the horse has become numb to being kicked, so the horse
switches off from that aid. Or it may be because the rider continues kicking even when the horse has increased its pace (however slight), so the horse is confused as to what the kick actually means. So the horse doesn’t respond in the way that the rider intends because it doesn’t know what the aid actually means.
• Once the dial has been turned up high on a regular basis, it is hard to turn it back down again. Sometimes the dial cannot ever be turned down again. For example, if a rider always pulls the reins to stop, then gradually the rider will have to pull harder and harder to get the same response. From there the horse may need a different bit and/or a different noseband to get a response. This is not because the horse is consciously choosing to ignore the rider but because its mouth has become hardened to the pressure so the rider has to find ways of increasing the pressure. This damage can be irreparable. Teaching the rider not to pull and the horse to slow down from a more subtle aid takes much longer than just pulling the reins, so it is easy to see why pulling becomes normality. However, a quick result from a strong aid should be saved for emergencies and not to replace hours of practice!
To summarise, riding should be about building a harmonious partnership between horse and rider. This takes time, patience and practice, just like learning any other skill properly; but it could be argued riding is harder because there are two brains and bodies, not one! By having the ability to communicate with the horse in numerous ways, rather than in an ‘all or nothing’ fashion, the rider will be more skilled at getting the best from a horse and have a safer, more enjoyable ride. The horse’s welfare will also be improved. If a rider just says what they want to do and does not allow or listen to feedback from what they are sitting on, then they should stick to riding a bike!
Natalie Bucklar-Green gives valuable advice
on various aspectsof horse care and
welfare...
Natalie Bucklar-GreenBSc (Hons), MSc (Equine Science)
Natalie has owned horses for over 20 years and owns East Devon
Riding Academy near Sidmouth. She has previously lectured in
Equine Science to degree level and produced research for preparing Great Britains' equestrian teams
for the Olympics. Natalie provides consultations in all aspects of
Equine Science, including bitting and saddle fitting and has fitted
saddles for competitors at Badmin-ton International Horse Trials.
Horse Care
Riding Aids by Natalie Bucklar-Green
Think of your aids like a dial, not an on-off switch
Try to use as subtle an aid as possible first; you can then increase the aid to
the next step if required. Remember, each aid itself
can be used at differing amounts of pressure.
The summer competition winner, Amy Bodfish from Honiton
62 63A Celebration of Life in East Devon
EQUESTRIAN EVENTSSept, Oct & Nov 2011
4th September- Exe Equestrian Club ODE, Nutwell Court
4th September- Shetland breed show (including miniature ponies) Crealy Park, Exeter
4th September - East Devon Hunt Hunter Trial, Straitgate Farm, Ottery St Mary
4th September- Fun dog show, Ferne Animal Sanctuary, Chard
11th September- South West Welsh Pony and Cob Association Championship show, Crealy Park
16th-18th September- Affiliated Show Jumping, Bicton Arena
18th September- Sidbury Fair pleasure ride
24th-25th September- Affiliated Dressage, Wellbeck equestrian
25th September- Exe Equestrian Club Hunter trial, Nutwell Court
1st-2nd October- Affiliated Show Jumping, Bicton Arena
2nd October- Combe St Nicholas fun ride, Chard
8th October- East Devon Pony Club Hunter Trial, Bicton Arena
23rd October- Exe Equestrian Club fun ride, Woodbury Common
26th October- Halloween Open Day, Ferne Animal Sanctuary, Chard
www.
htpa
intin
gsan
dpor
traits
.co.uk
Prof
essi
onal
Ani
mal
Por
trai
tsHa
nnah
Tw
ine
Equi
ne &
Can
ine
com
miss
ions
0140
4 85
1333
07
912
6270
71
For a special giftthat lasts a lifetime
Jorrocks
Kingsdown Business Park, Salcombe Regis, Sidmouth, Devon EX10 0PD
TEL: 01297 680660E-mail: nikki.jorrocks@btinternet.com
UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP
EVERTHING FOR HORSE & RIDER
Cremtor Equine Services
Cremtor offers anefficient andexperienced service,including collectionand cremation ofhorses/ponies anddomestic animals.We also collect anddispose of all farmanimals too. All calls are dealt withpersonally by Sally.
Telephone: 01626 353990or email sales@cremtor.co.ukwww.cremtor.co.uk
cremtor new:Layout 1 14/11/2010 18:16 Page 1
64East Devon Coast & Country
Aggressive or Frightenedby Kerry Hornett
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS SUMMER ISSUE
Another example is Poppy, the fox terrier, who appeared very
aggressive when she interacted with other dogs. She would strain at the lead and pounce and bark very angrily. When off the lead she would behave as if she was frightened. When I first met Poppy she behaved very submissively, rolling over and showing her stomach. It became very apparent that Poppy was very confused about her role in the household. Like many owners of small dogs (and I include myself in this) Poppy had been treated as a child of the family. She slept on the bed, came up on the chairs and was generally treated as the most important member of the household. Poppy was naturally an alpha female with a strong personality. She had left her birth mother before important canine leadership skills had been taught and she didn’t know the safe way to interact with other dogs.
Poppy is now being treated as an adult dog and shown her correct place in the household. Amongst other things she sleeps in her bed, sits on the floor, is praised when she does something good and she is always fed after the human members of the household.
Animal communication was used to explain to her the role she has with this family and safe behaviour to display when greeting other dogs.
When I last met her she was calmer and more confident. She now greets most dogs by ignoring them. She is still a work in progress, but the owners have done exceptionally well with her.
Behaviour which is labelled as aggressive can often be connected with fear, grief, loneliness or just a lack of self-worth. When living in a pack, herd or colony it is the strongest, most assertive animals that thrive because they have the first choice of food, shelter and mate. Fearful animals will often lash out aggressively rather than appear vulnerable. If this behaviour is misread and treated accordingly it will only make the problem worse. When you take on a new pet, particularly if it is a rescue, with unknown history, make sure that you know whether it is aggressive or frightened before you try to solve the behavioural problems.
Poppy the fox terrier
A Unique Learning ExperienceRiding Lessons for Adults & Children
from 3 Years of Age.
www.ridingacademy.co.uk
• Approved Pony Club Centre.• Correct, Progressive Tuition with Well Cared For
Horses & Ponies.• Pony Mornings.• Lessons On Your Own Horse or Pony.• Video Lessons With Motion Analysis.
Situated near Sidmouth, East Devon 01297 553599
We are a friendly veterinary practice which has been established for over 30 years, serving both the local and surrounding towns, villages and farming community.
Surgery opening hours* Monday–Friday 8.00am-6.30pmSaturday 8.30am-1.00pm*Appointment only
Visit our website for more information on our services
www.newstreetvets.co.uk
Honiton Branch 62 New StreetEX14 1BZ Tel: 01404 42750
Hemyock Branch 29a Station Road EX15 3SE Tel: 01823 681067
Celebrating
30Years
Kerry HornettAnimal Communicator
Helping animals with emotional behavioural
problems
Reiki MasterReiki healing
MediumReading for individuals
and groups
Call01404 43522
www.linkwithanimals.co.uk
64 65A Celebration of Life in East Devon
A PEASANT LIFEIt has been said that when the land loses its peasantry, the beat of its heart is never the same again.
So in these days of food security and allotment waiting lists it occurred to me recently that in the long gone days of my youth people were far more adaptable and self-sufficient than in today's fast paced world. The woods , fields and streams of yesteryear were filled with all manner of good things that people could and did use as nutritious food. The good news is that all these things are still there, free for the picking for anyone who wishes to put his or her wellies on and go out and find them.
My last salad, for instance, consisted among other things of wild onions, jack by the hedge, dandelions, land cress and ransomes or wild garlic as it is sometimes called, and it is only early April.
There are other advantages too, such as picking everything in season. This means that all your food will have optimum freshness and high vitamin levels. There are no food miles either, only food minutes.
The physical effects of wandering off into the countryside for a food ramble are obvious as this type of exercise is incredibly good for you but it also gives you the emotional and mental well-being associated with living and eating in tune with nature and earths yearly cycle of food production. You also gain more control of your own life as you decide along with nature what you will eat and when, rather than have the supermarkets decide for you.
This bounty, of course, is greatest at harvest time in late summer and early autumn, with the such delicacies as blackberries, crab apples, elderberries, rose-hips, and mushrooms only a pick away. Still you will find that the natural world is very good at providing what is nutritionally needed for us human beings at any given time of year.
Tales of a Yokel
Yarns from the inimitable FCR Esgen
CRAB SALAD
One must not forget the rich beneficence of the sea of course. Her wealth of mineral packed, healthy food offerings is seemingly endless. Fortunately living here on the East Devon coast this is never more apparent than in the summer when mackerel, bass and pollack abound. Though good things can be caught or picked from the shoreline at any time of the year, weather permitting. If your taste buds run to crustacea you can treat yourself to a free banquet whenever you feel a fishy mood coming on.
Moule mariniere prepared with de-bearded fresh mussels picked from clean unpolluted waters is hard to beat. I always steam mine in fresh herbs, garlic, olive oil and a splash of white wine.
For my last supper though, if it had to be a fish dish, I would plump for a luscious crab salad. Brown crabs can be bought very reasonably from the fishing boats that sell from the shore if you are willing to prepare it yourself and indulge in a little bit of fish heaven, marvelous!
FCR Esgen
Whether you are on a shooting / fi shing break, attending a local fi eld trial or just seeking a quiet get away in the country, we are able to accommodate you and your dogs. We have a secure gun cabinet if required and comfortable kennels. The facilities at Irelands include 2 double rooms, shower room, sitting room with television, broadband and tea and coff ee making facilities. A generous cooked breakfast in our lovely dining room will set you off for the day. We are surrounded by accessible farmland and woodland and there are good footpaths with immediate access from our property.
Tel. 01884 277968 Mob. 07713 329164Irelands, Clyst Hydon, Nr Cullompton,Devon EX15 2NF Ian Nex & Nicola Grellis
BOARDING KENNELS & DOG FRIENDLY B&B IN LOVELY RURAL LOCATION
www.smalegundogs.com
Fairmile
at Hotel
Luxury boardingand 5 star service
for your catin our acclaimed
Cat Hotel
Phone now for abrochure or to visit us
01404 812233Or visit
www.fairmilecattery.co.uk
D.B.Photography
66East Devon Coast & Country
The end of September sees the closure of Motoring Memories at Colyford, Robin Barnard's unique museum of motoring memorabilia, housed in an historic 1920s petrol station
Motoring Memories was the conception of Robin Barnard, who, having owned and run the Colyford Filling Station for a number of years, decided to preserve it for posterity.
What's notable about this 1928 petrol station is the pleasing architectural style. Very often, travelling through some pretty rural village, it's staggering how often a beautiful amble back in time can be violently punctuated by a 'modern' petrol station. Not so in Colyford, the Tudor style facade melds beautifully into this village.
Originally, this station was the foresight of a local farmer, a Mr Davey, and it was in a day and age when hand operated petrol pumps could appear on roadside barns. Mr Davey, having seen the timber framed station at Countess Wear, commissioned a local architect to produce a design along the same lines. The station was completed in 1928, with four hand-operated pumps being fitted. Fuel was supplied by Shell, National Benzole and BP.
At the time, Devon County Council considered this petrol station to be a model of design, many petrol stations at the time being totally unplanned and haphazard with gaudy signs dominating the roadside.
In the early 1930s, one of the station's famous visitors was Lawrence of Arabia, who regularly called in to have a chat and fill up his mighty Brough Superior en-route from his Dorset home at
Cloud Hill to the Royal Airforce site at Mountbatten, Plymouth.
With the outbrake of the 2nd World War, pooled petrol was rationed and this didn't end until the 1950s, when Mr Davey's son returned from service to re-join his father's business. The 1950s saw a steady increase in petrol sales.
As the early 1960s approached, many petrol stations tied to single petrol suppliers such as BP, Shell, National Benzole, etc. Again the 1960s saw a steady increase in fuel sales with increasing affluence and car ownership.
The 1970s saw the station change hands to a Mr Stevens, however fuel volumes were low and consequently Shell ended its contract. The station continued in to the 1980s with Mr Stevens deciding to sell the site for development , the plans including the total demolition of the site and station. Luckily, Robin Barnard appeared, having many memories of station, came to the rescue and
MOTORING MEMORIESA Fond Farewell to Colyford's
Right - Robin Barnard surveying his collection. If you haven't
already visited, make sure you get there before it closes at the end
of September 2011
66 67A Celebration of Life in East Devon
managed to prevent the demolition by purchasing the site off Mr Stevens.
In 1999 Shell offered to revamp the station in line with their unified corporate design, fortunately Robin declined and decided to go against the grain by returning the station forecourt to a 1950s appearance.
Petrol sales continued until 2001, when the low margins meant that it was no longer viable to continue trading. This conclusion thankfully, was not the end for the filling station, as Robin was able to indulge his passion for motoring by turning this historic petrol station into a motoring memorabilia museum.
I visited the museum in July and chatting to Robin, I was struck by his sheer dedication to the collection and the petrol station's history. I it was fairly evident that Robin held many happy memories of his days both of motoring in East Devon and also of his time at this site. Speaking personally, I think we owe a great debt to people like Robin, he's really gone out of his way, not to cash in, but to take the difficult route to preserve something that both himself and many of us find extremely evocative.
The sad news is that Robin, after many years of dedication, has decided to sell the collection of memorabilia. He's going to keep hold of and preserve the station building, but in his retirement years he's recognised that his extensive collection needs a secure home to preserve it safely. If you're a collector, particularly if you're based in East Devon, then please contact Robin, as he's keen for the collection to say in this part of the world. Most of the items in the collection have a local connection, for instance as we were walking round the museum, Robin pointed to one of the petrol pumps retrieved from a farm in Whitford, apparently farms used to have these old pumps to supply their farm machinery. He also pointed to a petrol pump that had come from a station in Axminster, which he said had been in operation for many years. Who knows how many of Axminster's motorists had pulled up alongside for their supply. What's particularly impressive in the museum is the collection of old signs, many are the old enamel ones which are particularly vibrant, event now. It's provides a very interesting insight into the marketing tactics of companies in the early 20th century.
It really is a fascinating collection and I urge you to see it before it closes at the end of September. May I thank Robin on our behalf for preserving these items which he saved from being lost forever. - Nigel Jones
Lawrence of Arabia used to refill at Colyford Petrol Station on his way
to Mountbatten in Plymouth
Below - Motoring Memories site at the historic Colyford petrol station
If you're based in the area and could host Robin's collection, then please make contact as Robin's very keen for the collection to say in this part of the world.
68East Devon Coast & Country
BEECH ROYD 6 BENNETTS HILL SIDMOUTH DEVON EX10 9XH
Richmond Independent is an appointed representative of John Ellis IFA Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
VISIT OUR PENSION ANNUITY WEBSITE AT:
www.pension-annuity.co.uk
OR CALL
01395 512166
Providing Specialist Retirement and annuity Advice for the last 20 years in East Devon
PanacheI N T E R I O R S
Bespoke Fitted KitchensBedrooms Home Offi ce Bathrooms
01404 813590www.panacheinteriors.co.uk
see our display at Darts Farm, Topsham
68 69A Celebration of Life in East Devon
Established in 1984, we’re experienced bathroom specialists providing a comprehensive and reasonably priced professional service. We’re so confident you’ll be happy with our service that our work comes with long-term guarantees, giving you total peace of mind.
Our range of service includes:- wetrooms, exclusive and unique projects, disability conversions, additions & modifications. We’re also available to correct unsatisfactory work carried out by other contractors.
We survey, then provide an advice and design service in conjunction with the latest photorealistic 3d imagery which allows you to visualise almost any combination of branded products available in the marketplace. We don’t compromise on the quality of installation and the work is sequenced by our friendly and considerate team.
Please view our website for a more in-depth explanation of our services, visit our website or why not try us for a comparison by calling and asking for Simon Campbell.
- bathroom specialistsNEW LOOK DESIGN
www.newlookdesign.co.uk
01395 223345 or 07973 561055
Writers and contributors wanted!
Do you have any interests that you would like to write about and do you live in east Devon?
If so, we pay for articles from contributors, so why not give us a call on 01395 512166 or emailnigel@prestige-media.co.uk
Distributors wanted
If you have time on your hands and you'd like to be paid for delivering magazines to outlets, please call 01395 512166 or emailnigel@prestige-media.co.uk
70East Devon Coast & Country
A n estimation of wrecks along the Devon coast
is difficult, records and names are often confused but there is little doubt that more ships are found off East Devon than are recorded.
The Berar was an Italian three-masted barque which ran ashore on the rocks near Rousden. She was laden with about 1,200 tons of planking. The ship soon broke up and the load of timber was scattered all along the shore. No loss of life occurred but the crew suffered terrible hardships and privations. The figurehead of the Berar can be seen in Seaton Museum.
Another ship wrecked on Seaton beach during a storm in February 1922 was the Malpas Belle, a Polish
registered barque laden with iron ore, here again fortunately, no lives were lost.
The pleasure steamer the Duchess of Devonshire conveyed passengers to Bournemouth and Weymouth from Torquay, calling on its way at Sidmouth, Seaton and Lyme Regis.
Although these towns had no pier, passengers got ashore via a small bridge thrown out to the beach from the boat.
In 1934 the Duchess was wrecked at Sidmouth, having got into difficulties because of a heavy swell and came into Sidmouth beach broadsides. All the passengers were taken off safely but the old and faithful steamer was dismantled where she lay.
In 1992 when most of the shingle was swept away and scoured down to bedrock along the main sea front, and again the keel and rudder of the old steamer were uncovered.
The Grindon Hall was another vessel wrecked off Sidmouth beach. It was on Friday 3rd of November 1916 the Grindon Hall
(2,360 tons) bound from France to Barry Docks encountered terrible weather and ended up drifting helplessly off Sidmouth at the eastern end of the town near the shore. Volunteers were asked to help Stephen Reynolds to rescue the crew. First to communicate
with the ships captain Brewis were H. Burgess, W.Yeo and others. It was hoped to lower a rope down the cliff to the beach but, owing to the
violence of the wind, it had to be abandoned. A Mr Bunner carried a rope over the river and the crew left the ship and landed on the beach. They were saved with the help of Messers Skinner, Haselock, J.Hayman, W.J.Govier, A.L.Smith, W.Turner, A.C.Drewe, Tom and
Bob Wooley, T.P.Syres, H.Spencer, F.Russell, T.Smith, W.Hook, W.Ware, T.W.Harris, W.Yeo, D.Hook and J.Tapley.
Vessels such as the 73 ton schooner the Friends and the brigantine Julia were wrecked off Exmouth but the most spectacular ship wreck was the MSC Napoli, a United Kingdom flagged container ship.
On January 19th 2007, the ship was taken under tow by the salvage tug Abeille Bourbon to be towed to Portland harbour from off the coast of the Lizard following gale damage. Unable to reach Portland, the Napoli was beached at Branscombe. After containers from the wreck began washing up at Branscombe, around two hundred people went onto the beach to scavenge goods which included new BMW motorcycles. A salvage free-for-all followed until the police closed the beach. The wrecked Napoli became a much photographed subject until mid summer 2009 when she was finally removed.
Ted Gosling
Local historian Ted Gosling discusses maritime disasters in East Devon
Shipwrecks
Recently shipwrecked Napoli
The figurehead of the Berar
The Berar on ther rocks 1896
70 71A Celebration of Life in East Devon
This document was found during recent
excavations in the Beggars Lane area of Honiton and has been reliably dated to 1349 when the Black Death was sweeping across England. As the name Beggars Lane suggests, this area was a haunt of the homeless and desperate in the night before they could enter the Leper Hospital attached to St Margaret’s Chapel. This, in the fourteenth century was a
“hospital” in the oldest and loosest sense; there was no real healing here but some comfort for those with no hope of anything more. This very rare document was from one poor soul such as this.
What a way to go. I was hoping for a glorious
death in the Holy Lands or even on a Flemish merchant ship. I know that sounds dull now I write it down, but bleeding gums and pirate attacks on a ship carrying the world’s second best cloth would be better than sitting here with a black lump oozing pus waiting for a pauper’s lonely and miserable death. Admittedly the glorious stuff was always going to be unlikely given I was born in a mill in Honiton and my family are millers and I was supposed to be a miller. Don’t get me wrong, running a fulling mill is an important job and I was proud to be a part of the wool trade. But doesn’t really add up to much now does it?
I found the first lump this morning. Night has fallen now
and the swellings are under both arms and my right thigh. They are getting bigger and blacker and the coughing is keeping me awake. They may not even let me in by morning when it’s more obvious that the Great Pestilence has me in its grip. I know enough to see the end is mere hours away. I haven’t got long to write everything I need to leave behind; all the memories and vital bits of information I want to leave to my boys. I told Joan this morning, when I left, to look after them and keep them safe from the Mortality but I want to pass something on to them. It seems the greatest gift I can give them today is to stay away from them and leave them to their own fate. Better to take myself off while they are sleeping than suffer the humiliation of being left to die by your own family. I’ve seen the fear and revulsion of the Great Pestilence make people do terrible things and it’s not pretty.
So, first things first. Boys, you will never find a woman as
good as your mother. She has been my helpmeet since we married ten years ago. And she looks as good today at 25 as she did that day at All Hallows. She loves God and me and you, in that order and that is the way it should be. She makes a mean pottage out of the last of the cabbage and has brewed up a small beer storm every year. We lost six babies on the way to keeping you two and she was always up and working the next day. You won’t find another like her but you can try. It’s a bit like finding a good horse; young but biddable and broken, strong and with good teeth, at least when you wed her. Actually, while we are on the subject, make sure you get a good horse for the mill to transport the marl down from the pits. Your mother will keep you and the mill safe; you must help her as much as you can.
The mill is everything. It was my first home and I thought
it would be my last. I don’t know how to sleep without the sound of water slipping through the wheel. Up in town they like to think they are the be all and end all with their market days and the fair but we know down Littletown that the mill at the Bottom is what made Honiton. We were the first town to make serge, boys, and we still make the best in the south west. Our fulling mill uses the finest marl from the marl pits and the softest Devon wool. Learn the
trade well and it will look after you. I know you have watched me many times but remember; only the best wool should be used, then add the marl and let the mill do its work, pounding and bashing until you have the finest serge. It’s stronger than wool and it’s good stuff. We’ve always had food on the table and wood on the fire. I hear some of the merchants and burghers in town have houses with two rooms, even a separate water closet with drainage straight down onto the street. There’s no need, my boys. The family that eats, works, sleeps and looks after its animals together, stays together. There’s no harm comes from a bit of wildlife in the house and a quick walk in the middle of the night to the midden heap. I don’t know how they even keep warm without a cow or two in with them at night. There’s no accounting for people with too much money. Everyone knows that urine keeps disease away. Usually anyway; hasn’t worked for me this time of course.
Go to Church, my sons. All Hallows is the house of God
and God is the only one who can protect us all now. There have been bad harvests before and diseases amongst the sheep but the Great Pestilence is the worst thing and we must have been really bad to deserve it. Make sure you pay your tithe on time to Father John and help with the roof repairs when they need doing and they do always need doing. Your mother always dragged me to the plays outside church every year. Awful stuff but she likes them so you’d better take her. She likes it if you cheer and boo in the right places and tell her you’re going to be a better person afterwards. It makes her happy.
Look out for the Courtenays. They are a good family and
they look after Honiton, but just make sure you stay on their right side. It’s all theirs and we live at their pleasure. The Portreeve is a grumpy old sod but it’s his job to keep law and order. I always obeyed the call for hue and cry. There will always be some who actually enjoy going on a hue and cry because they like the excuse for a chance of a chase and a bit of a fight, all in the name of law and order. I get enough excitement from digging marl and keeping you two in order. But that’s how we work, boys. We all look after each other round here, and protect each other and our property. What’s the alternative exactly? I mean, you’d have to pay people
to watch over the town if we couldn’t trust each other to do the right thing. Mind you, watch out for strangers especially in these dangerous days. Stick with what and who you know.
Take St. Michaels, for instance. It’s only a small chapel, not
fancy, but it’s ours. It’s nothing like All Hallows down in town and it is a bit of a walk up the hill from the mill but the view over the marl pits down to Honiton Bottom to the west and All Hallows and the market due east makes the walk worthwhile. Value this land boys; the woods and copses provide wood and warmth, the fields give you the wool you need and the odd rabbit for the pot, the water of the Gissage gives power to our mill. This Mortality is still going and the land gets emptier. Stay alive boys and the future is yours; the fewer men to work the land the better they will have to treat us. And they will always need good serge. This land is built on wool, and long may it stay that way.
I can’t believe I’m going to die at 26. I thought I had a good
four years left to hand over to you two. And I always thought I would die in my own mill, not at the Hospital. I will ask St Margaret for a quick end. She is the saint for the dying, they say. Mind you, I’ve heard down in town about a new treatment, maybe I should ask them to try it. All you need is a young pigeon’s tail feather to stick in the swelling and then you cut the pigeon open and put its still beating heart against the lump. That should draw the poison out apparently. Perhaps I could be home to help with the days fulling yet.
The Hospital kept no records in the fourteenth century so we can have no way of knowing what happened to the miller of this document. However, the Great Mortality or Black Death as we now know it, took the lives of somewhere between 25 – 45% of the English population in two years and it is only with modern antibiotics that any kind of cure has been possible. It was no respecter of class or money and did, as the Miller suggested, make a real difference to the social structure of England and the lives of those left behind. The Mill at Honiton Bottom continued to be a very important part of Honiton and Devon life for many years and wool was indeed the life blood of the English economy for centuries. - Rose Millard.
PH
By Rose Millard
72East Devon Coast & Country
Did you know, for instance, that you could try foraging in Budleigh Salterton? The intrepid Robin Har-ford guides groups or families into re-discovering the lost art of for-aging. His courses have delicious titles such as Autumn Bounty along The Riverbank; Nature’s Larder; and Acorns and Berries & Baskets. Robin is a professional forager who har-vests wild edible plants on a daily basis for his family, as well as sup-plying local restaurants. Some of his courses take the foraging to its logical conclusion, cooking and eat-ing delicacies such as nettle soup. Analysis of nettles, by the way, has shown that they are 3 times as nutri-tious as any cultivated foodstuff so, as well as being an original and fun way of spending a day, these are real health and wellbeing experiences.
Across East Devon there are groups, classes and workshops to suit all ages, tastes and abilities. We have
courses on everything from rec-reation, hobbies and pastimes to opportunities to retrain for a new career and everything in between. For instance members of the Brit-ish Sugar Craft Guild organise skills schools, workshops and exhibitions.
Life MattersEditor - Sali Mustaficsali@prestige-media.co.uktel: 01404 45848
It’s not only children who will be going back to school in September. All over the country there will be adults picking up pens or paintbrushes; shaking out loose fitting clothing or warming up their voices as they prepare to try something new.
Whether it’s because you have retired, changed your job, your
children have left home or simply that you want to try something new, here in East Devon we have an exciting array of courses and choirs, trainings and taster sessions, workshops and classes to choose from.
Balancing the stresses of work and living with health and relaxation
Life MattersI love the autumn and beauty of our coast and countryside. No wonder many of us think of joining an art class.
Not all of us are aspiring artists of course and there is an amazing range of classes and workshops. I have signed up for poetry school, a choir and a graphic design course. I don’t know how I will find the time but I can be sure of an interesting few months!
What about you? Have you found something interesting or unusual, or something that is making a difference in your life? Please let me know so that we can share the news across the whole of East Devon
Courses: Try Something New!
Local Birth Preparation ClassesLed by Midwives at Honiton & Exeter
Small classes preparing you for labour, birth and the early days with a newborn.
contact 07733 327 161email info@parent-wise.co.uk
www.parent-wise.co.uk
Book early to avoid disappointment
Outdoor painting classes
WANT TO FEEL FULL OF ENERGY & VITALITY?TRIED ACUPUNCTURE?
WHY NOT BOOK AN APPOINTMENT NOWVal Davis, B.Sc., Lic.Ac. (Member of the British Acupuncture Council)
Clinics throughout East Devon
(01395) 578050
It is well-known that Acupuncture is very eff ective for physical health problems. However, you don’t have to be ill, in the conventional sense, to benefi t from Acupuncture.Many clients come to me for help with low energy levels, fertility issues, weight management or
addictions such as smoking. Alternatively you may just feel unwell in yourself with no ‘get up and go’ or enthusiasm for life.The good news is that Acupuncture can help restore emotional and physical well-being, so that you can get on with enjoying your life.
Excellent for back pain, sciatica, arthritis,digestive conditions, insomnia, meno-pausal/menstrual symptoms, anxiety anddepression.
Boost your energy levels and strengthen yourimmune system.
Boosts fertility and enhances the effectivenessof IVF.
– reduces finelines and wrinkles leaving you looking radiant.
Stop smoking with my 5 day StopSmoking Course
Look Good – Feel Good with FacialRevitalisation Acupuncture
HOW CAN ACUPUNCTURE HELP YOU?
Contact Val Davis, B.Sc., Lic.Ac., on(01395) 578050
(Clinics in Sidmouth, Exmouth & Axminster)
£5 OFF TREATMENTSBOOKED WITHTHIS ADVERT
BAcC Memberwww.acupuncture.org.uk
BritishAcupunctureCouncil
SPECIAL
OFFER!
? Wondering which way to turn?when you reach a crossroads, it can help
to get a new perspectivecontact Sali on 01404 45848
to discover how life coaching can help
...change works
sali@nlpdevon.co.uk
72 73A Celebration of Life in East Devon
What begins as wanting to decorate one special cake for a particular oc-casion can often turn into a delight-ful hobby or even a new occupation. Exeter has a branch which meets every 3rd Friday or your local col-
lege may run courses. I also dis-covered photo reading with Clare Whiston, where you can learn how to double your reading speed in just 2 days; Honiton Lacemaking and interior design for beginners, paint-ing, drawing, sculpture, lip reading and communication skills, modern
CLASSIFIEDAcupuncture
For general health problems, fertil-ity, addictions, sports injuries, facial revitalisation acupuncture Val Davis, B.Sc., M.B.Ac.C., Lic.Ac. 01395 578050
Birth Preparation
Parentwise Birth Preparation Classes are led by midwives and run in Exeter and Honiton. Contact info@parent-wise.co.uk
Chiropractic
For gentle, effective holistic chiroprac-tic treatment for the whole family, the Chiropractic Health Centre 01297 35844 or 01404 549270
Chiropractic (McTimoney)
Headackes, neck & back pain, hip pain, sciatica, arthritis, joint pain. April Rose 07973 202441
Cognitive Hypnotherapy
Let Michelle Hague help you gain control of your life. Tel 01297 20144. See display advert.
continued on following page
poets, and philosophy.
If you are looking for a career change, the newly opened Devon Academy in Exeter specialises in massage therapies and one of their courses can open up a new career possibilities.
Professional Reflexology training is available in Buckerell; NLP and hypnotherapy at the Devon School of NLP, just outside Exeter; and Reiki training in and around Exeter. For a more unusual training you could consider sound healing or gong practitioner training with Sheila Whittaker in Sheldon near Honiton.Of course not everyone wants to be a therapist. Pitman shorthand or sage accounting might be more your style. If so check out organi-sations such as the Pitman train-ing centres in Exeter, Trowbridge and Taunton or, if you are looking for something heavier, you might consider electrical, plumbing, gas and oil, plastering, carpentry or con-struction training. It’s all available with providers such as PGL Exeter.
With our wonderful beaches and spectacular Jurassic Coast, first aid, beach lifeguard, powerboat courses, and powerboat training are always in demand and East Devon Train-ing can provide them all while the beautiful environment continues to be an inspiration for the growing number of art classes throughout the region.
Many of us are looking for an op-portunity to develop our creative talents and art classes continue to be one of the most popular forms of adult education. Cathy Osbond opened East Devon Art Academy in Sidmouth last September offering classes for artists of all levels with courses in drawing, watercolour, oils, acrylic, mixed media, printing and sculpture. For those of us who don’t live in a town or city it good to
know that artists, such as Mike Mc-donald take their classes to village venues at reasonable prices, and the WEA runs art courses, amongst many others, in a variety of venues across the region.
Joining a choir has become very popular following recent TV pro-grammes and competitions. Sing-ing is great fun, good exercise and can boost self-confidence. Sweet Honi ‘n’ Soul is a Rock choir that rehearses in Honiton on Tuesday evenings. Andy Hague who formed the choir in February 2011 believes very strongly in the liberating power
Robin Harford runsforaging courses
Chiropractic Health CentreGentle eff ective holistic
treatment for the whole familyRichard Stenning D.C. Michael Norris D.C.
Louisa Wootton D.C.
www.wellbeingdevon.co.uk
HONITON193 High Street
01404 549270AXMINSTER
Chard Street
01297 35844
A Course in Happiness
An experiential, 8 week course in happiness run for small groups.Starts 27th September (Sidmouth), 28th September (Axminster).
Encompassing Hypnotherapy, Mindfulness and Positive Psychology.Contact: Deborah Pearce, Hypnotherapist.
01404 813388 or 07939 840788 dpearcehypno@gmail.com
Clinics in: Exeter ~ Sidmouth ~ AxminsterMichelle Hague BA(Hons)Cert ed D Hyp PDC Hyp PDCBHyp MBSCH
michelle@haguemail.co.ukwww.takecontrolofyourlife.co.uk
01297 20144or 07761 773563
Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy Clinical Hypnotherapy
Helping you to take control of your life
Help with: Anxiety, Depression, Habits, Phobias, Confidence, StressInsomnia, Pain, IBS, CFS/ME, Trauma, Relaxation, Panic
Fear, Smoking, Self-Esteem & Weight Control
APRIL ROSE McTimoneyChiropractor (BUPA)
07973 202441. Headaches. Neck & Back Pain. Hip Pain & Sciatica. Arthritis & Joint Pain. Muscle & Nerve Pain
Book your FREE 30minSpine Check today
3 Major Terrace, Seaton EX12 2RF
seatonchiropractor.co.ukseatonchiropractor.co.uk
74East Devon Coast & Country
Life Matters
Health & Wellness:Local hypnotherapist welcomes
200th client
East Devon Hypnotherapist Deborah Pearce reached a significant milestone recently this week by seeing her 200th client.
Deborah qualified as a Solution Focused Hypnotherapist in 2008 from the prestigious Clif ton Practice Hypnotherapy Training school in Bristol, gaining experience under supervision by seeing 50 volunteer clients at the therapy rooms at Ottery Health Store (now The Good Life delicatessen).
Shortly after qualifying Deborah was invited to join the therapists’ team at Ebdons curt Natural Health in Sidmouth and last November further expanded her practice when she joined the complementary therapists’ team at the Awareness Centre in Axminster.
With a thriving practice in East Devon, Deborah has gained a
reputation for helping clients with a wide range of emotional issues. She reflects:
“Seeing so many volunteer clients during training gave me a solid foundation on which to build the practice. It enabled me to gain experience and the confidence to use the techniques I had been taught.
“I keep my skills updated by attending regular supervision sessions and specialist courses and workshops.
“I’m still absolutely fascinated by the power of Hypnotherapy, and it’s amazing to see how clients have been able to overcome debilitating anxiety, phobias or unwanted behaviours.”
Clients seek hypnotherapy because there’s some aspect of their lives that they want to change. Using solution focused psychotherapy techniques Deborah helps them to develop a clear picture of how they want their lives to be –
their “preferred future”. Hypnosis reinforces this positive image.
Deborah points out: “Hypnotherapy acts as a catalyst for change and, provided clients are willing to make the necessary shift in thinking or behaviour, the therapy can have a powerful impact on a person’s ability to cope with life’s ups and downs.”
Deborah offers a free initial consultation without obligation, and can be contacted on 01404 813388 or 07939 840788, email dpearcehypno@gmail.com.
CLASSIFIEDCounselling
Going through difficult times?Contact Sally Hunt, BACP Accredited Counsellor at space2talk, Gandy Street, Exeter 07944 377310
www.space2talk.com
Promote your practice
Appear in this section for only £12Call Nigel on 01395 512166 or email nigel@prestige-media.co.uk
Hypnotherapy
Pat Hoare provides therapeutic coun-selling, hypnotherapy and supervision. 01392 410090. See display.
Anxiety, stress, fears, phobias, weight issues? Contact clinical hypnothera-pist Deborah Pearce. See display.
Nordic Walking
Burn 20-40% more calories than nor-mal walking, tone up, lose weight, get fitter in beautiful locations. Call Rob Deere on 07920 090453.
Rooms for hire
Does your facility have rooms for prac-titioners to rent, or are you a prac-titioner looking for space. Advertise your requirements here for only £12.
Promote your practice
Appear in this section for only £12Call Nigel on 01395 512166 or email nigel@prestige-media.co.uk
HypnotherapistDeborah Pearce
Pat HoareSENIOR BACP ACCREDITED COUNSELLOR AND SUPERVISORSENIOR G.H.R. ACCREDITED HYPNOTHERAPIST
24A GANDY STREET, EXETER EX4 3LSTel. 01392 410090 pat@pathoare.eclipse.co.uk
THERAPEUTIC COUNSELLINGHYPNOTHERAPY AND SUPERVISION
Anxiety, Stress, Fears and PhobiasSelf-hypnosis for ChildbirthFree initial consultation includes free relaxation CDAppointments available atEbdons Court Natural Health, Sidmouth,The Good Life, Ottery St MaryThe Awareness Centre, AxminsterTel: 01404 813388 or 07939 840788
Deborah Pearce HPD Clinical Hypnotherapistdpearcehypno@supanet.com www.calmerminds.com
Hypnotherapy
Exercise in beautiful locations Burn 20-46% more calories than normal walking Have fun exercising with like minded people Tone up, lose weight, get fi tter and healthier in
the outdoors
Contact Rob Deere on 07920 090453 orrobdeere@rocketmail.com
74 75A Celebration of Life in East Devon
Recent statistics show that one in three people will be affected by cancer at some stage in their life.
But, while living in one of the most beautiful parts of the country doesn’t make us immune, it can be comforting to know that we have had the dedicated and internationally recognised FORCE Cancer Charity playing a vital role in local cancer services for nearly 25 years.
Advice and information
Did you know that FORCE is a Devon based charity committed to local people? And that they have a purpose built centre in the grounds of the RD&E hospital offering advice, support and information? Anyone who has been affected by cancer can drop in without an appointment or referral.
Complementary therapies
And where else would you find 6 free sessions of a therapy such as aromatherapy, reflexology, Indian head massage, Bowen technique, acupuncture, mindfulness or relaxation available to promote physical and emotional well-being of patients and carers?
Support and Counselling
FORCE also provides time, space and privacy for counselling to
individuals, carers, couples, families, relatives or friends at any stage of a cancer diagnosis, even visiting in-patients on hospital wards.
Research And that’s not all… FORCE is at the forefront of scientific collaboration, funding internationally recognised research and providing vital training for cancer researchers of the future. Scientists and consultant physicians are working together to ensuring scientifically rigorous and clinically relevant research.
Fund Raising You may be wondering how all this provision; support, advice, information, counselling and research is funded? The answer lies with the enthusiastic and loyal FORCE supporters who organise an amazing variety of events across our area. In September look out for Roald Dahl evenings at Woolbrook and Tipton St John, a 10K run at Powderham Castle and the heritage
coast walk from Chesil Beach to Exmouth.
If you enjoy musical events there are the Pelenna Male Voice Choir in Kenton and the Exeter Chamber Concert to enjoy in October while
Have you or someone you know been affected by cancer?
Fund raising is fun!
of singing. ‘Our voice is unique to us, like our fingerprint or DNA, yet many people actually don’t think that they have a voice. When peo-ple find their voice, especially in the caring and supporting en-vironment of a choir, they find themselves; they realise a new confidence. If you feel like giv-ing it a try you can join ‘Sing the Beatles’ a workshop for all ages and abilities Saturday September 10th at St Paul’s church Honiton. Other local choirs include Ex-eter Chorale, a small mixed choir focussing on early music. Based in Topsham, membership is by au-dition, while Singing on Tuesdays is a chance for 16 to 90 year olds to join choral singing all styles of music from the 16th to 21st centuries, including classics, folk, popular standards and world mu-sic in an informal atmosphere at St Margaret’s Church, Topsham. This is just a small sample of the lifelong learning opportunities available in and around East Dev-on. With a little research and a willingness to try something new there is no limit to the possibilities. Give it a go; try something new, it might just change your life.
For more information on courses, here are some of the providers:
Foragingwww.foragingcourses.com
British Sugarcraft Guildwww.bsgsouthwest.org.uk
Devon Academy of Complementary Therapieswww.devonacademy.co.uk
Professional Reflexologywww.precisionreflexology.com
Devon School of NLPwww.nlp-southwest.co.uk
Reikiwww.reiki-journey.co.uk Sound Healer www.healingsound.net
East Devon trainingwww.eastdevontraining.co.uk
Pitmanwww.pitman-training.com
Training in Constructionwww.pgltraining.com
East Devon Art Academywww.eastdevonart.co.uk
The Villages Art Schoolwww.mikemcdonald.co.uk
East Devon pop and rock choirwww.sweethoni.co.uk
More choirs and music in and around Exeterhttp://exedirectory.org/category/choirs/page/3/
Photo Readingwww.KnowledgeGateway.co.uk
Workers Education Authoritywww.wea.org.uk
November sees Masquerade Suppers in Tipton and Woolbrook; the Teignmouth Christmas Fayre; Classics Galore! at The Great Hall, Exeter; and a coffee morning in Colyton.
Over its many years of growth and change FORCE has never lost sight of its belief that anyone diagnosed with cancer deserves the best
possible support and treatment close to home. It continues to be a local charity with Devon people at its heart. If you are affected by cancer, would like to find out more or are thinking about volunteering or fundraising, visit the charity’s website http://forcecancercharity.co.uk or ‘phone 01392 402875.
FORCE provides counselling support
Scarf fitting
Continued.. Courses: Try Something New!
76East Devon Coast & Country
On the 11th May, 2011, the founder of the Donkey Sanctuary, Dr.
Elisabeth Svendsen MBE passed away aged 81. They were eighty one productive and fruitful years. A Yorkshire lass, Elisabeth was born in Elland on the 23rd January, 1930 attended St. Mary’s High School in Halifax and later went to Brighouse Grammar School. She went on to gain a First Class Froebel Teacher award from the Rachel McMillen Training College and became a teacher specialising in children with special needs at West Vale School. This was just the beginning of what was to become an amazingly varied career path. Elizabeth’s talents seemed to know no bounds. For two years, she was company secretary at W.T. Knowles & Son Ltd. Her father’s pipe works company. A further six years were spent as a director with Modern Equipment Co Ltd. It was around this time that Elisabeth and her husband developed a little clothes drier which they called the’ Nippy Nappy Drier’ and went on to build a business which was, eventually sold out to Thorn Industries. It was followed by two years as a branch director with Thorn Industries After this, Elisabeth spent three years as a consultant then a director of the Ponsharden Shipyard and finally, with her husband Neils, bought the Salston Hotel in Ottery St. Mary. Elisabeth’s fatalistic meeting with her husband took place in 1954. Her car had caught fire when Neils came to her rescue with a fire extinguisher and put out the blaze. Seven months later, they married.
It is at this point that the Donkey Sanctuary story begins. Elisabeth had always loved donkeys. One of her main reasons for buying the Salston
hotel was that it had six acres of land with it. Now, Elisabeth could own her first donkey! It was in 1969 that ‘Naughty Face’ joined the family and, according to Elisabeth, “It was a naughty face. She woke up the hotel guests at about half-past-four each morning with her braying!” In the end, they bought a friend for her. The new donkey was called Angelina. However, it was soon discovered that both donkeys were in foal. Soon they had four donkeys. Elisabeth joined the Donkey Breed Society to learn all about donkeys and ended up as their representative for the South West. It was while Elisabeth was running her own little stud that a life changing event took place. One morning, she went to Exeter Market to buy a donkey for a member of the Breeds Society. While there, she saw an appalling sight. Seven little donkeys were pushed together in a small pen. They were old, very thin and covered in lice. Elisabeth offered to buy one but the man turned down her offer of £48. Later, Elizabeth went back expecting the donkeys to have failed to sell at auction. To her surprise, the one she had offered to buy was, with it’s tail twisted, being forced into a lorry with the other donkeys. She offered to buy the donkey a second time but the man said, “you’re too late, sorry, it’s going to work on a beach.” Elisabeth was heartbroken. Some three months later, somebody came to her and said that a donkey was collapsed on the beach. It was covered with a sack and a man was beating it! Elisabeth and her husband went in their Land Rover and rescued the poor creature. The donkey was in a terrible state. It was at that moment that Elisabeth decided to stop breeding donkeys and, instead, to start looking after them.
Soon the six acres at the Salston Hotel in Ottery St. Mary provided a home to sick donkeys. All the profits from the hotel went into the little donkey sanctuary. Then, in 1973, Elisabeth registered the sanctuary as a charity. She was surprised how many sick
donkeys there were. A very elderly lady called Miss Philpin, who had a donkey sanctuary in Reading, kept asking Elisabeth if she would take donkies which were in a really bad state. Soon, Elisabeth had thirty seven donkeys in her care. One night, she came home with her husband and found her son sitting on the doorstep waiting for her. He told her how a man had telephoned from Reading and said that, no matter how late she came in, she had to ring immediately. Elisabeth phoned and the man told her that she had been left a legacy.
Dear old Miss Philpin had died and bequeathed two hundred and four donkeys to her. However, there was one problem, if she didn’t collect them by the morning they would be shot! Following this, Slade House Farm was purchased to accommodate the ever growing numbers. Elisabeth’s destiny was taking shape.
Since that fateful day at Exeter Market, Elisabeth’s tenacity and passion have resulted in 14,500 donkeys
and mules in need throughout the U.K., Ireland and mainland Europe being given the love and care they so desperately required. Donkeys in dire situations in some of the most impoverished communities in the world have also been helped by the development of the charity’s work overseas. While, in 1980, Elisabeth herself was awarded the MBE, in 1992, given an Honorary Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery from the University of Glasgow, in 2001, awarded the Lord Erskine Award by the RSPCA in recognition of her important contribution to the field of animal welfare, particularly in donkey rescue and, in 2009, she was awarded the Degree of Doctor Honoris Causa by the University of Edinburgh in recognition of decades of pioneering work in the care and welfare of donkeys. Also, it recognised her founding one of the most successful animal charities in the world, a point of reference and centre of excellence for vets worldwide. On top of all this, Elisabeth also became an accomplished author of some thirty five books. ( one of which comes out this month: ‘D is for Donkey’ ). They spanned a number of
genres including children’s literature, poetry and biography as well as some about both The Donkey Sanctuary and The Elisabeth Svendsen Trust. A great deal of her work covered the topic of donkey welfare. Here was a life well lead. A life dedicated to a cause. Helping creatures unable to help themselves; the victims of circumstance. Dr. Elisabeth Svendsen MBE, was a true angel of mercy.
Guy Peters
The passing of Dr. Elisabeth Svendsen by Guy Peters
A truly inspirational person
76 77A Celebration of Life in East Devon
Boat launching at Lyme Boatbuilding Academy
What's On in Lyme
10th Sept - Autumn Show and Plant Sale.18th Sept - Bridgend Male Choir at St Michael's Church.28th Sept - Uplyme and Lyme Regis Horticultural Society Talk at Uplyme Village Hall.17-25th Sept - Lyme Regis Arts Fest - open studios, workshops all around Lyme.24th Sept - Mary Anning Day.22nd Oct - Rogaska Slatina Ladies Choir at St Michael's Church.26th Oct - Family evening "Celebrating the Apple".12th Nov - RNLI charity sale.18th Nov - Margaret Phelps, concert organist at St Michael's Church.26th Nov - Christmas Light Switch On at 5.30pm
LR TIC = Lyme Regis Tourist Information Centre Tel: 01297 442138.
LR M = Lyme Regis Museum Tel: 01297 443370.
CHCC = Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre Tel: 01297 560772.
50, Broad StLymeRegis
JoulesEmile et RoseWow!Lizzie Shirt
BRIGHT STUFF FOR COOL KIDS
Out and About in Lyme
1 POUND STREET LYME REGIS DORSET DT7 3HZ
01297 442499
www.1lymetownhouse.com
Luxury boutique B & B located in the heart of Lyme Regis, close to the beaches, Langmoor Gardens and restaurants.
TO MAKE A RESERVATION PLEASE CALL 01297 442499
1LYME
T O W N H O U S E
M A G A Z I N E Distribution Map10,000 COPIES AT OVER 370 OUTLETS!
Dunkeswell
Sheldon
West Hill
Broadhembury
Kerswell
Dog Village
Whimple
Westwood
Talaton
Clyst Hydon
Broadclyst
Clyst Honiton
Rockbeare
MarshGreen
Fenny Bridges
Fairmile
Godford CrossCombe Raleigh
Awliscombe
Colestocks
Feniton
Higher BuckerellCheriton
Clyst St Lawrence
LutonUpton
Payhembury
Higher Tale
Madford Smeartharpe
Luppitt
Upottery
Rawridge
Beacon
Monkton
Cotleigh
Furley
Newcott Howley
Marsh
Wambrook
Yarcombe
StocklandChardstock
Membury
DalwoodWilmington
OffwellWidworthy
Kilmington
Alston
Smallridge
Lower Holditch
HawkchurchWeycroft
Tytherleigh
South Chard
Combpyne
Musbury
Raymond’s Hill
Marshwood
DowlandsBeer
Colyton
Rousdon
Colyford
Southleigh
Branscombe
VicarageWestonSalcombe
Regis
Otterton
Pinn
Harpford
NorthleighFaraway
Putts Corner
SidburyTipton St John
Seaton JunctionChurch Green
Sidford
Harcombe
Shute
Whitford
Venn Ottery
Bowd
NewtonPoppleford
Colaton Raleigh
Yettington
Hawkerland
Woodbury
EastBudleigh
Littleham
Withycombe Raleigh
WoodburySalterton
Lympstone
Exton
TopshamClyst St George
WhiteCross
Farringdon
Aylesbeare
Clyst StMary
GittishamAlfington
Wiggaton
Axmouth
Knowle
Hamlet
Holditch
Honiton
OtterySt Mary
Budleigh Salterton
Seaton
Chard
Lyme RegisEXETER
Sidmouth
Exmouth
Axminster
Cullompton
Budlake Aunk
Colliton
LancercombeMetcombe
Salston
SouthertonPinhay
Uplyme
Coombelake
Wadbrook
Blackpool Corner
Rocombe
Abbey Gate
Area of coverage
Dawlish
78East Devon Coast & Country
MAGAZINE OUTLETSAwliscombe, Awliscombe Inn
Awliscombe, Landrover Experience West Country
Axminster, Archway Bookshop
Axminster, Axminster Power Tools
Axminster, Axminster TIC Tourist Information
Axminster, Bolts Hair Design
Axminster, Chiropractic Health Centres
Axminster, Country Covers
Axminster, Dr Evans & Partners
Axminster, Fox & Sons
Axminster, Ganesha Wholefoods
Axminster, Kerrington House
Axminster, McKinlays
Axminster, Mole Avon Trading Ltd
Axminster, Palmer Snell
Axminster, Reflections
Axminster, River Cottage Store & Canteen
Axminster, S.F.Dunn Dentist
Axminster, Sublyme
Axminster, Symonds & Sampson
Axminster, The Axminster Awareness Centre
Axminster, The Ridgeway Inn
Axminster, The Tuckers Arms
Axmouth, Axe Hill Golf Club
Aylesbeare, The Halfway Inn
Beer, Anchor Inn
Beer, Barrel O’ Beer
Beer, Beer Medical Centre
Beer, Jimmy Green
Beer, Lily Brown
Beer, Marine House at Beer
Beer, Steam Gallery
Beer, The Dolphin Hotel
Beer, The Village Hair Shoppe
Beer, Woozie’s Deli
Branscombe, Masons Arms
Branscombe, The Fountain Head
Broadclyst, Broadclyst PO & Stores
Broadclyst, Terry’s
Broadclyst, The New Inn
Broadclyst,
Town and Country Supplies
Broadclyst Station, The Hungry Fox
Broadhembury, Broadhembury PO & Stores
Broadhembury, The Drewe Arms
Budleigh Salterton, Brook Gallery
Budleigh Salterton, Budleigh Salterton TIC
Budleigh Salterton, David Rhys & Co
Budleigh Salterton, Delytes Delicatessen
Budleigh Salterton, Dog and Donkey
Budleigh Salterton, Everys Solicitors
Budleigh Salterton, Fulfords
Budleigh Salterton, Hair Vision
Budleigh Salterton, Isca Gallery
Budleigh Salterton, Jotty’s Emporium
Budleigh Salterton, Maslen & Olivelle
Budleigh Salterton, Otterton Mill
Budleigh Salterton, Palmers Whitton & Laing
Budleigh Salterton, Pinewoods Nursing Home
Budleigh Salterton, Pynes Farm Shop
Budleigh Salterton, Queen Street Dentists
Budleigh Salterton, Symes Robinson & Lee
Budleigh Salterton, Tea & Tittle Tattle
Budleigh Salterton, The Rowan Tree
Budleigh Salterton, Vanity Box
Chardstock, Chardstock Post Office
Chardstock, The George
Clyst Hydon, The Five Bells
Clyst St Mary, Cat and Fiddle
Clyst St Mary, St Bridgets Nursery
Clyst St. Mary, Kenniford Farm Shop
Colaton Raleigh, Victoria Sawmills
Colaton Raleigh, Woods Village Shop
Colyford, Colyford Post Office & Butchers
Colyford, The Wheelwright Inn
Colyford, The White Hart
Colyton, Colyton Health Centre
Colyton, Colyton Post Office
Colyton, CRW Accountants
Colyton, John Wood & Co
Colyton, Liddons Dairy Tearoom
Colyton, The Garden Shop
Colyton, The Gerrard Arms
Colyton, The Kingfisher Inn
Coombe Raleigh, Stonehayes Farm
Cotleigh, Royal Oak Farm
Dunkeswell, Dunkeswell Air Centre
Dunkeswell, Dunkeswell SPAR & PO
Dunkeswell, Inspirations
Dunkeswell, Lakeview Manor
Dunkeswell, The Royal Oak Inn
East Budleigh, Bicton Arena
East Budleigh, Bicton Park Gardens
East Budleigh, Clinton Devon Estates
East Budleigh, E.Budleigh Community Shop
East Budleigh, The Rolle Arms
Exeter, Amos Lighting
Exeter, Artisan Interiors
Exeter, Bradburys
Exeter, Carrs Ferrari
Exeter, Exeter Golf and Country Club
Exeter, Grange Aston Martin
Exeter, Matford Landrover
Exeter, Mercedes Benz
Exeter, Porsche Centre
Exeter, The Red Lion Inn
Exeter, Westerly BMW
Exmouth, Bradleys Estate Agents Ltd
Exmouth, Devoncourt Hotel
Exmouth, Exeter Fabric Centre
Exmouth, Exmouth Pavilion
Exmouth, Exmouth TIC
Exmouth, Fulfords
Exmouth, Greenfingers Garden Centre
Exmouth, Homes by Design
Exmouth, Imperial Hotel
Exmouth, Kings Garden & Leisure
Exmouth, Palmers Whitton & Laing
Exmouth, Pennys Estate Agents
Exmouth, Reflections Beauty Salon
Exmouth, Roomers SW Ltd
Exmouth, St. Johns Country Store
Exmouth, Swan Inn
Exmouth, The Point Bar & Grill
Exmouth, The Royal Beacon Hotel
Exmouth, Vine Orchards
Exmouth, Your Move
Farringdon, Greendale Farm Shop
Feniton, Dianne Mary
Feniton, Feniton Post Office
Feniton, Nog Inn
Feniton, Spar Feniton
Fluxton, H Rudham
Gittisham, Blamphayne Sawmills Ltd
Gittisham, Combe House Hotel
Honiton, Alan Bright Sawmills
Honiton, Asianart Ltd c/o Yarrow
Honiton, Beauchamp Place
Honiton, Brookvale Dental Practice
Honiton, Cafe 102 Bar
Honiton, Champers Delicatessen
Honiton, Chesterton Humberts
Honiton, Chilcotts
Honiton, Chiropractic Health Centres
Honiton, Colourwheel Plants
Honiton, Countrywide Farmers plc
Honiton, Fulfords
Honiton, Ganesha Wholefoods
Honiton, Honiton Golf Club
Honiton, Honiton Surgery
Honiton, Honiton TIC
Honiton, Hybrid
Honiton, MNR
Honiton, NFU Mutual
Honiton, Otter Windows
Honiton, Slades Countrywide
Honiton, Stags
Honiton, The Boston Tea Party
Honiton, The Heathfield Inn
Honiton, The Red Cow
Howley, The Howley Tavern
Kilmington, Hurfords Store
Kilmington, Millers Farm Shop
Kilmington, The New Inn
Kilmington, The Old Inn
Lancercombe, Sarjent and Son
Lyme Regis, Alexandra Hotel and Restaurant
Lyme Regis, By the Bay
Lyme Regis, ECO Logical You
Lyme Regis, Fortnam, Smith & Banwell
Lyme Regis, Hotel 1 Lyme
Lyme Regis, Lyme Bay Medical Centre
Lyme Regis, Lyme Regis Golf Club
Lyme Regis, Lyme Regis TIC
Lyme Regis, Making Waves
Lyme Regis, Mariners Hotel
Lyme Regis, Martin Diplock
Lyme Regis, Palmer Snell
Lyme Regis, Pelly Gallery
Lyme Regis, Primary Colours
Lyme Regis, Serendip Books
Lyme Regis, Style Inn
Lyme Regis, The Bay Hotel and Bistro
Lyme Regis, The Lyme Practice
Lyme Regis, The Old Watch House
Lyme Regis, The Pilot Boat Inn
Lyme Regis, The Royal Lion Hotel
Lyme Regis, Town Mill Cheesemonger
Lyme Regis, Town Mill Lyme Regis
Lympstone, K & M Williams
Lympstone, Lympstone P.O & News
Lympstone, St Peters School
Marsh, The Flintlock Inn
Marshwood, Marshwood Sub Post Office
Morcombelake, Artwave West
Musbury, Musbury Post Office & Stores
Musbury, The Golden Hind
Newton Poppleford, Busy Lizzies
Newton Poppleford, Country Styles Hair Design
Newton Poppleford, Newton Poppleford PO
Newton Poppleford, Popplefords
Newton Poppleford, Ronald Kirby
Nr Axminster, Fairwater Head Hotel
Nr Exeter, The Jack in the Green Inn
Nr Honiton, Sidmouth Arms
Offwell, Offwell Community Shop
Otterton, Kings Arms
Ottery St Mary, Christopher Piper Wines Ltd
Ottery St Mary, Coleridge Medical Centre
Ottery St Mary, East Hill Pride
Ottery St Mary, Escot Park and Gardens
Ottery St Mary, Halls Estate Agents
Ottery St Mary, Joshua’s Harvest Store
Ottery St Mary, Leah Marcs Hair Design
Ottery St Mary, Lovells Garage
Ottery St Mary, Otter Nurseries
Ottery St Mary, Ottery Health Store
Ottery St Mary, Ottery St Mary TIC
Ottery St Mary, Poppy’s
Ottery St Mary, Redferns
Ottery St Mary, Seasons
Ottery St Mary, The Hare and Hounds
Ottery St Mary, The Tumbling Weir Hotel
Payhembury, Six Bells Inn
Plymtree, Plymtree Community Shop
Rousdon, Dower House Hotel
Rousdon, Fringes Hair & Beauty Salon
Seaton, Axe Valley Heritage Assoc
Seaton, Bag End Bags
Seaton, Eyre Court Restaurant & Hotel
Seaton, Fulfords
Seaton, John Wood and Co
Seaton, Milkbere Cottage Holidays
Seaton, Panic Design
Seaton, Paperchain
Seaton, PB Home Solutions Ltd
Seaton, Seaton & Colyton Medical Practice
Seaton, Seaton & Colyton Medical Practice
Seaton, Starre Computers
Seaton, The Ship Inn
Seaton, Townsend Medical Centre
Seaton, Woodfield Stores
Shute, Devon Trade Centre
Sidford, Raddenstile Veterinary Surgery
Sidford, Sidford Health Centre
Sidmouth, Baraza
Sidmouth, Barnet
Sidmouth, Belmont Hotel
Sidmouth, Bradleys
Sidmouth, Chapter
Sidmouth, Clock Tower Cafe
Sidmouth, Element Creative Hair
Sidmouth, Emily’s Chocolates
Sidmouth, Essential Therapies
Sidmouth, Every & Phillips
Sidmouth, Fords of Sidmouth
Sidmouth, Fulfords
Sidmouth, Ganesha Wholefoods
Sidmouth, Gilbert Stephens Solicitors
Sidmouth, Hair Studio Sidmouth
Sidmouth, Halls Estate Agents
Sidmouth, Hamilton Garage
Sidmouth, Harrison-Lavers & Potburys
Sidmouth, Hotel Elizabeth
Sidmouth, Jorrocks
Sidmouth, Lexys
Sidmouth, Michelmore LLP
Sidmouth, Physiotherapy Clinic
Sidmouth, Redferns
Sidmouth, Royal York and Faulkener
Sidmouth, Shirley May Yard
Sidmouth, Sid Valley Hotel
Sidmouth, Sidmouth Chiropractic Centre
Sidmouth, Sidmouth Design Co
Sidmouth, Sidmouth Garden Centre
Sidmouth, Sidmouth Golf Club
Sidmouth, Sidmouth Health Centre
Sidmouth, St John’s School
Sidmouth, Tesco Sidmouth
Sidmouth, The Blue Ball Inn
Sidmouth, The Dairy Shop
Sidmouth, The Hair Loft
Sidmouth, The Hair Studio
Sidmouth, The Hair Temple
Sidmouth, The Red Lion Inn
Sidmouth, The Salty Monk
Sidmouth, The Wine Shop
Sidmouth, Total FX Hair & Beauty
Sidmouth, Utopia Hair Salon
Sidmouth, Waitrose
Sidmouth, Your Move Edwards
Stockland, Colystock Kitchens
Stockland, Kings Arms
Talaton, Talaton Village Shop
Topsham, Darts Farm
Topsham, Exeter Inn
Topsham, Fired Earth
Topsham, Georgian Tea Rooms
Topsham, Le Petit Maison
Topsham, Nest Interiors
Topsham, Panorama
Topsham, Paul Property
Topsham, Place Settings
Topsham, Suzanne
Topsham, The Art Room
Topsham, The Cafe
Topsham, The Globe Hotel
Topsham, The Passage House Inn
Topsham, Top Knot
Topsham, Topsham Museum
Topsham, Turners of Topsham
Topsham, Wilkinson Grant & Co
Tytherleigh, Tytherleigh Arms Hotel
Uplyme, Hunters Lodge Inn
Uplyme, Uplyme Stores and Post Office
Upottery, The Sidmouth Arms
Weston, Deer Park Country Hotel
Weston, The Otter Inn
Whimple, New Fountain Inn
Wilmington, The White Hart Inn
Woodbury, The Maltsters Arms
Woodbury, White Hart Inn
Woodbury, Woodbury Park
Woodbury Salterton, The Diggers Rest
Yarcombe, The Belfry Country Hotel
Yarcombe, Yarcombe Inn
Extensive and professionally controlled distribution covering ALLof East Devon(including Lyme Regis &selected outlets in Exeter)
East DevonCoast & Country
M A G A Z I N E Distribution Map10,000 COPIES AT OVER 370 OUTLETS!
Dunkeswell
Sheldon
West Hill
Broadhembury
Kerswell
Dog Village
Whimple
Westwood
Talaton
Clyst Hydon
Broadclyst
Clyst Honiton
Rockbeare
MarshGreen
Fenny Bridges
Fairmile
Godford CrossCombe Raleigh
Awliscombe
Colestocks
Feniton
Higher BuckerellCheriton
Clyst St Lawrence
LutonUpton
Payhembury
Higher Tale
Madford Smeartharpe
Luppitt
Upottery
Rawridge
Beacon
Monkton
Cotleigh
Furley
Newcott Howley
Marsh
Wambrook
Yarcombe
StocklandChardstock
Membury
DalwoodWilmington
OffwellWidworthy
Kilmington
Alston
Smallridge
Lower Holditch
HawkchurchWeycroft
Tytherleigh
South Chard
Combpyne
Musbury
Raymond’s Hill
Marshwood
DowlandsBeer
Colyton
Rousdon
Colyford
Southleigh
Branscombe
VicarageWestonSalcombe
Regis
Otterton
Pinn
Harpford
NorthleighFaraway
Putts Corner
SidburyTipton St John
Seaton JunctionChurch Green
Sidford
Harcombe
Shute
Whitford
Venn Ottery
Bowd
NewtonPoppleford
Colaton Raleigh
Yettington
Hawkerland
Woodbury
EastBudleigh
Littleham
Withycombe Raleigh
WoodburySalterton
Lympstone
Exton
TopshamClyst St George
WhiteCross
Farringdon
Aylesbeare
Clyst StMary
GittishamAlfington
Wiggaton
Axmouth
Knowle
Hamlet
Holditch
Honiton
OtterySt Mary
Budleigh Salterton
Seaton
Chard
Lyme RegisEXETER
Sidmouth
Exmouth
Axminster
Cullompton
Budlake Aunk
Colliton
LancercombeMetcombe
Salston
SouthertonPinhay
Uplyme
Coombelake
Wadbrook
Blackpool Corner
Rocombe
Abbey Gate
Area of coverage
Dawlish
78 79A Celebration of Life in East Devon
To stock free copies of East Devon Coast and Country for your customers, please call 01395 513383
To advertise in this magazine, call 01395 513383 or email: nigel@prestige-media.co.uk
You can find more information about the magazine at www.prestige-media.co.uk
Our rates start from £43 for a full colour display advert which goes into 10,000 magazines, distributed at over 370 outlets across the East Devon area (including Lyme Regis area also)
We have well over 370 outlets across the region, we now also distribute to GP surgeries, selected health food shops and complementary health clinics.
Writers and contributors wanted!
Do you have any interests that you would like to write about and do you live in east Devon?
If so, we pay for articles from contributors, so why not give us a call on 01395 512166 or emailnigel@prestige-media.co.uk
Our allocation of 10,000 + copies go out very quickly, if you require extra copies, you can find copies at one of the outlets listed.
Distributors wanted
If you have time on your hands and you'd like to be paid for delivering magazines to outlets, please call 01395 512166 or emailnigel@prestige-media.co.uk
Businesses
Do you have something really interesting to say about your business.
Call 01395 512166 or emailnigel@prestige-media.co.uk
DISCLAIMER - All material in this magazine is copyright. The publishers are not responsible for any loss or damage suffered by any person, persons, or company as a result of any advertisement or article in this magazine. Adverts are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate. All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given by the owner for use in this publication. The opinions and comments expressed are purely those of the originators. We do not endorse any products or services advertised within this magazine. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that information is correct, the publishers take no responsibility for any errors or omissions. Any person or persons undertaking the circular walk featured within this publication does so entirely at their own risk. If you take children or dogs on the walk, they will require supervision. We strongly advise that prior to travelling to any of the events listed in our What's On sections, that you call the event organisers to check that the event is running at the times and dates specified.
HOW “LOCAL” IS LOCALISM?
I bet you gave three cheers when our current government told us its aim was to stop “top down” bureaucrats telling us what to do and how to do! Not so fast - let’s examine a few of its highlights and see whether we really are getting something for nothing.
In the past, the government decided how many houses had to be built in each region, usually allowing the big regions to decide the figure for a whole region, along with lots of other things. “Banish this!” said the Good Fairy (aka Eric Pickles). “Let local people decide their own numbers!”. Then a Developer said: “Not so fast – we like these very high numbers where we are building and we want them to stay. We are going to take you to court because you have no power to do this”. So they went to court and won - until the Localism Bill becomes law, then each District or Unitary Council can set whatever figure it wants – more or less - sometimes less, sometimes MUCH more.
Neighbourhood Plans to allow towns and villages to decide what goes where. Wonderful idea isn’t it? Again, not so fast. What the Localism Bill actually allows is fast-track development. It won’t allow you to say No - it will only allow you to say Yes Please And As Soon as Possible. Oh, and developers will be able to offer your council or your industrial park owners inducements to do this. Yes, a neighbourhood can be an industrial park or even a supermarket that owns a lot of land adjoining it - if your town or parish council doesn’t understand that it needs to get a grip on its neighbourhood first (it has first choice then neighbourhoods are up for grabs). It must then nail down a use for every bit of land (and I mean every bit) that isn’t already covered in a district or unitary or regional or national plan. Oh, sorry, I forgot to mention that - the “neighbourhood” is bottom in the planning pecking order, not top.
Finally, let’s take referendums. “Local residents will have the power to instigate, via a petition, local referendums on any local
issue”. Great: we don’t want an incinerator in our town, let’s have referendum – that will show them! So, your local council (or you) spends, let’s say £1,000 - £5,000 holding a referendum. Only three people turn up to vote and, as the incinerator is not actually in their part of town, they just see the benefit of being able to take their garden waste to it every Saturday and vote for it. Others think “Well, everyone is going to say No, so I won’t bother voting”. And what do you know, the District Council is allowed to have three as the minimum number of people who can vote, so you get your incinerator. Ah, you say, but what if three of us say No – then we won’t have one!. No, sorry - the council doesn’t have to take notice of referendums!
I could go on, but I think you get the picture ….. and there's LOTS more where this came from. I am a founder member of Communities Before Developers (www.communitiesbeforedevelopers.org).
Sarah AntonioGarden & Planting Design
LandscapeConsultancy
01395 265340 / 07932 481058www.sarahantonio.co.uk
sarahkantonio@yahoo.com
• Garden design• Planting Schemes• Landscape Plans & reports
EAST DEVONʼS LEADING INTRUDER ALARM INSTALLER
Bespoke systems designed to suit your business or homeIntruder Alarms Maintained & Updated, CCTV installation, Emergency Lights, Door Access Systems, Fire Extinguisher Supply & Maintenance.
CALL US FOR A FREE QUOTATION ON01395 222999 or 01395 577250
A qualifi ed engineer is only a phone call away 24 HOURS A DAY, EVERYDAYwww.tamarsecurity.co.uk
80East Devon Coast & Country
Investing for income
Current market conditions are tough for those who need income. Very meagre interest rates on bank and building society accounts combined with high inflation have really put the pressure on as our everyday goods continue to get more expensive. Building a tax efficient investment strategy is important in these conditions.
The composition of your investment portfolio will depend on a number of factors and your age and attitude to risk are the most important. Age helps indicate your investment time horizon, and suggests whether you have the scope to ride out any short-term volatility in the equity market. Your attitude to risk determines whether you can deal with that volatility, and how much diversification you need to mitigate the effects of a potential downturn.
However, these are not the only factors for consideration. If you need an income from your investment, your decisions will differ markedly to those of someone who wants to maximise growth for a rainy day. Traditionally, investors seeking income are at, or near, retirement, or have an ongoing commitment, such as school fees, to consider. They will have completed their growth savings and are now looking for a payout from that earlier commitment.
This income could be required for a set period of time ; such as five years of a child’s education and might have to meet pre-agreed payments on specific days. Alternatively, it could be a lifelong decision, tied into your retirement. Either way, the objective is to generate an income that will meet those needs for as long as necessary. As such, an income investor will normally have a good diversity of holdings and combinations of property, equities and corporate bonds are appropriate.
Income investors also need to be aware that their income might be affected by the movements of interest rates and inflation. Accordingly, they might need to protect their spending power, particularly if their investment is for the long-term.
A well-planned portfolio can maximise the income you receive from your assets, both now and over the longer term. Capital growth will generally come second to these income requirements. You need to be sure you will not need any of that capital at short notice, or it could affect your long-term position. You can always keep an eye on market conditions, but proper preparation at the outset is much more important if your income is going to be available and maintained for as long as you need it.
Don’t forget investing via ISAs can provide tax efficiency. Taking income from an ISA is beneficial because income is non-reportable for tax purposes and in the case of some ISAs, the tax on the
interest can be reclaimed by the fund manager. Another tax break for those over 65 is to use investment bonds which allow 5% p.a. withdrawals (tax deferred). This type of income can be tax efficient as they don’t count as income
for age allowance and might allow you, in some cases, to access all your age allowance. Those over 75 might consider the use of a purchased life annuity. This can also provide tax efficient and high income. Capital protection can be obtained to guarantee the income for 10 years. However, please note annuities can be very inflexible.
Taking financial advice on these options will help you to get your strategy right and to select the most suitable products for your needs.
MANAGING your MONEY
A well-planned portfolio can
maximise the income you
receive from your assets.
Richmond Independent is an appointed representative of John Ellis IFA Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
Helen MulvaneyBA (Hons), Dip M, Cert PFS
Proprietor of Richmond Independent
Helen has been advising clients in the East Devon area for the past 18 years and specialises in the provision of retirement and investment advice.
Her firm also provides a specialist annuities service for people approaching retirement and newly retired which operates nationally.
To find out more about her practice, you can view her company websites at:
www.richmondindependent.co.uk
For pension annuities visit:
www.pension-annuity.co.uk
Specialist advice on your retirement options from a company based in East Devon
Call: 01395 512166www.pension-annuity.co.uk
The Pension Annuity Advisory Service is a trading style of Richmond Independent, which is an appointed representative of John Ellis IFA Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the FSA
80 81A Celebration of Life in East Devon
www.brightsofnettlebed.co.uk
Salisbury - £1,525 Hambledon - £1,460 Osbourne - £1,460 Coleridge - £1,315
A selection of English made wing chairs in hand dyed Scottish hide - taken from our stocks of over 1,000 items of classic furnishings
Coleridge wing chair with an English made solid beech frame and solid mahogany ball and claw legs with shell knee. Jute and hessian traditionally upholstered seat with hand sewn individual coil springs. Hand cra�ed in our Dorset workshops using traditional upholstering techniques.
Width 84 x Depth 93 x Height 109 cm
Covered in 100% Scottish wool.£1,260including feather and down �lled seat cushion
Prices to order -Fabric from £1130Hide from £1150With a choice of leg styles and seat �llings.
Matching footstools to order
EXETER SHOWROOM The Old Gaol . Strand . Topsham . Exeter . EX3 0JB . 01392 877443 Open Tuesday to Saturday View our extensive stock of classic furnishings at www.brightsofnettlebed.co.uk
EastDevonCoast&CountryIBC*.indd 1 11/08/2011 12:37
82East Devon Coast & Country
31
gThe BayLyme Regis
Open Every Day
why not stay?
Recommended