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MAIDENCOMBE.NET AUTHOR Jim Campbell

MAIDENCOMBE.NET AUTHOR Jim Campbell
Maidencombe resident since 1960. Local historian and author of the 'Coves of Maidencombe'.
Copyright © 2013 . All Rights Reserved.
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BUZZARD IN MY GARDEN

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The bowl of the coombe as seen from Sladnor heights

The bowl of the coombe as seen from Sladnor heights

Maidencombe point

Maidencombe point
as seen above Maidencombe cove.

Blog Archive

Saturday, April 26, 2014

SLADNOR'S LIGHTNING TREE

One of those rare events - a fine Bank Holiday Monday April 21st to be out and about enjoying life in the combe.

Saturday, April 19, 2014

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LEGENDARY WHISKY TASTING!

£950 for a litre bottle of Lagavulin 1979 - A 'legendary' bottling.
I bought this Lagavulin 1979 Distillers Edition single malt in the early 90's from a Carrefour outlet near Paris.  I paid the equivalent of £31 for it - after considerable deliberation as most single malts could be purchased for around £10.

A few months ago, I looked for the bottle online and mistakenly thought it was valued at around £240 and was prepared to take it to local resident Ziggy Austin's whisky tasting last December as part of his birthday celebration.

I was (now seen as fortunately rather than the opposite I relayed to Ziggy) unwell at the time and could not attend.  I think that I would have been even more unwell if I had gone ahead ...

Saturday, April 12, 2014

GONE FOR A BURTON!

Single deck halfcab outside Brunel Manor 
I was fortunate to spot this Burtons single decker halfcab parked outside Brunel Manor yesterday lunchtime.  They were a common sight on Devon roads in the fifties and I used to travel on the Totnes to Staverton service as a little tacker.   Now sadly 'Gone for a Burton'  ... boom boom!

Thursday, April 10, 2014

AN UNWELCOME SIGHT

I couldn't quite make out what was showing atop the caisson clad waterfall down on Maidencombe Cove.  A zoom up revealed the unwelcome sight of debris washed down the ravine and trapped above the grille.   I'll inform the relevant bodies.
Once renowned as the 'Wonder of Maidencombe',  the original twin cataract was sealed in the late sixties after raw sewage was seen coming over the falls. 

Wednesday, April 09, 2014

A DOT ON THE HORIZON UNTIL ...

Down on Maidencombe Cove yesterday and could just make out the ever present (arrived September 15th last year) Sanko Mineral as a dot on the horizon.  She is currently at anchor just over six miles offshore.

A much closer look with the staggering 200 X zoom of my Sony HX300 ....

Saturday, April 05, 2014

THE FRAGILITY OF THE CIRL BUNTING POPULATION IN MAIDENCOMBE

Cirl bunting - heavily protected 
So often cited as protection from development within Maidencombe, the Cirl bunting population census may surprise quite a few people.
Torbay has an estimated 60 breeding pairs in total with 19 of those pairs residing within the Maidencombe coastal strip.  A further 5 pairs are known to be located within the RSPB reserve at Labrador Bay, though this number is expected to rise considerably when appropriate habitat improvements are undertaken.



Thursday, April 03, 2014

MAIDENCOMBE TIMELINE

Village elder Alan Hunt studies the Timeline with Fiona Bruckin

Part 2 of Ziggy Austin's Maidencombe Timeline was held at the Thatched Tavern Wednesday evening.  Intended to chart the complete history of Maidencombe with contributions from residents new and old.  Postcards, cuttings, photos, documents, maps and text have come in and the manuscript is gradually beginning to fill out.

Tuesday, April 01, 2014

APRIL FIRST JOKE (AGAIN!)

A few residents will probably be looking for an 'April Fool' posting on our gentle site today but will be disappointed.   After our celebrated (by most) 'Wind Farm for Maidencombe'  spoof last year, there was a long-running 'saga'  as a committee member of the Maidencombe Residents Association sought to apportion blame and discredit the author of the light-hearted exercise.

So, reluctantly,  the two authors of this website have decided that the traditional English pastime should not be attempted this year.

Our regret is that some seek to achieve their dubious aims this way.


BLOG CONTENT

BLOG CONTENT
The twinning of Maidencombe with Comeinbemad reflects the light-hearted nature of this gentle blog. The articles posted are written by the author alone and have no connection with any official body or association.

SLADNOR PARK CHALETS

SLADNOR PARK CHALETS
Eerily shrouded in mist, two of the lower chalets of Sladnor Park.

BURNING OF THE BAMBOO MAN JUNE 5 2016

AN ODE TO SLADNOR PARK

(sung to the tune of 'Home on the Range')

Oh give me a park where the badgers can roam
Where the deer and the wildlife reside
There never is heard the developer's word
To disturb where the denizens abide

Oh give me a park where the diggers are banned
And the architect can't earn his fee
Where the noise of the town
Is a far distant sound
And conservation is all it can be

For when houses are built
The council covered in guilt
And all the animals forlorn
Now the only sounds to be heard
Are vehicles absurd
And the cries of a motherless fawn

Jim Campbell

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OUR MAIN LINK - CLICK ON IMAGE TO REDIRECT

OUR MAIN LINK - CLICK ON IMAGE TO REDIRECT
THE ENDANGERED CIRL BUNTING - SYMBOL OF THE MAIDENCOMBE COMMUNITY GROUP

PUTTING MAIDENCOMBE ON THE MAP

PUTTING MAIDENCOMBE ON THE MAP
Blogging Fusion Blog Directory

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MOST VIEWED POST ON THIS SITE

MOST VIEWED POST ON THIS SITE
The old Toll House on the west side of the A379 Teignmouth Road, stands at the junction of Claddon Lane with the A379 about 50 yards from Ridge Road and the former position of the black and white Solomons Post sign (see side panel right). This early photo shows the open porch (lower left) - now blocked off and the blanked out toll-board recess (top right). Under the angled roof on the right, there is a small shop and working post office. The building probably dates from 1827 when the new road was built. Originally named Solomon's Post Gate when there was a gate across the road for the toll collector to open upon payment.

RAMBLING GROUP WRITE-UP OF WATCOMBE TO MAIDENCOMBE WALK

Found this interesting little site with a rambling group's write up of walks. CLICK HERE FOR MAIDENCOMBE WALK ARTICLE

MAIDENCOMBER SLADNOR VIDEO AND WRITE-UP

YOUR LOCAL WEB APPROVES DREAMINCOMBES

YOUR LOCAL WEB APPROVES DREAMINCOMBES
After scrutiny by a panel, this site has been added as a reputable source of information about Maidencombe.

ARCHIVE: MAIDENCOMBE TIMELINE EVENING AT THE THATCHED TAVERN

The first Timeline evening took place Wednesday evening March 20th at the Thatched Tavern. Local lad Ziggy Austin's brainchild, it was an endeavour to map out the history of Maidencombe on a ten metre paper scroll. The initiative was first mooted and widely supported on Ziggy's Maidencombe Residents Facebook page. Residents and non residents were asked if they could research local history on the area and bring along any material such as postcards or text to place on the scroll.
The first evening was well attended and as can be seen in the photos on the left, a great deal was achieved.
Longest residing villager, Alan Hunt attended to add his considerable knowledge and was supported by his 'young' student Jim Campbell with a mere 53 years of residence under his belt.
The pub opened up the restaurant area for the occasion and were most generous in providing sandwiches for the studious throng.


SOLOMONS POST AT THE JUNCTION OF TEIGNMOUTH ROAD & RIDGE ROAD

SOLOMONS POST AT THE JUNCTION OF TEIGNMOUTH ROAD & RIDGE ROAD
No known images of this iconic Maidencombe landmark exist. Post war and up to the late 1960's, sign posts were wooden posts painted black and white. This is a close reconstruction of the sign where buses would actually pull in to for passengers to alight or board.

A UNIQUE VIDEO

A video of one of my foxes being treated for Sarcoptic mange - taking the medication on the food by hand. She recovered completely and my thanks go out to the Derbyshire Fox Rescue who supplied the medication.

DRAMATIC EROSION OF THE SOUTHWEST COASTAL FOOTPATH

Worth a look as Maidencombe's section of the SWCP is also very much under threat.

From myfoxesandbadgers site

ARCHIVE: DANGEROUS STATE OF CLIFF FACE

ARCHIVE: DANGEROUS STATE OF CLIFF FACE
Photo taken from the beach cafe above Maidencombe cove and the arrows indicate the cause for concern. A minor land slip has already taken place and the Environment Agency had a look Christmas eve in case the cove had to be closed.

ARCHIVE: Entrance to Crossways at Maidencombe Cross

ARCHIVE: Entrance to Crossways at Maidencombe Cross
After a catalogue of antisocial behaviour displayed by motorists illegally entering a private area, the police recommended that the entrance be made narrower. A sad indictment of society.

THE FOLLY AT SLADNOR PARK

THE FOLLY AT SLADNOR PARK
Constructed between 1830-1833 by Mrs Groves who inhabited Sladnor Manor House at the time. The hexagonal tower and accompanying arched outbuilding were built of Devon red sandstone. A projecting castellated cornice crowned the gothic apertures and single faux crossbow slit at ground level. A most interesting aspect of the folly is the purpose-built pony and trap winding carriage-way which Mrs Groves carved through the north western woods of the estate to facilitate her passage to and from the folly. The structure is now in poor condition and it is earnestly hoped that Richmond Villages, the new owners of Sladnor, will be able to make safe the folly to enable residents to enjoy in years to come.

FEATURES OF MAIDENCOMBE

Some of the features we will be mentioning:

ROCK HOUSE GAZEBO
THE CASCADE
THE IRON STILE
THE CASTELLATED FOLLY
THE BAT RETREAT
THE PUMP HOUSE
THE PILL BOX
THE 190 OAK
SMUGGLER'S LANE

GRADE 2 LISTED ROCK HOUSE GAZEBO

GRADE 2 LISTED ROCK HOUSE GAZEBO
Circa 1850. Constructed of Devon red sandstone with unfortunately, as is the case with the Sladnor Folly, some cement patching. Sited at the eastern end of the garden, overlooking the sea. A single storey structure with faux castellated parapet. It has a one-window front incorporating a gabled porch on the front to left with a segmental headed and arched doorway. There is a matching arched window to the right. Reportedly, the structure had a flight of external steps for access to the flat roof with commanding views of Lyme Bay. The interior is clay-tiled laid.