Torquay weather and temp in Fahr.

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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TIDES

KESTREL CALLING

BUZZARD IN MY GARDEN

RESERVE

NST

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, August 30, 2014

CHRISTMAS IS A COMIN' IN

Yes, unashamedly I promote a Christmas event on August 30th, but it is a special event for Maidencombers all. 

It is the fourth running of the Thatched Tavern Christmas Carol Singalong and ALL are welcome.

For those unfamiliar with the format, song/carol sheets are provided and there will be Advent calendar prizes.

The singalong commences at 7pm on Friday December 19th. 

The countdown begins ...

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

SANKO US BOUND

As anticipated, the Star Minerva made a brief stopover in Tor Bay before heading off across the Atlantic US bound.  Her scheduled destination is Camden, New Jersey and she's due to arrive on September 5th.  Let's hope her paperwork is in order as the US authorities are strict and have a long memory ...

Monday, August 25, 2014

STAR MINERVA BACK IN TOR BAY

Well, the old  ex Sanko Mineral duly arrived back at her identical mooring off Paignton in Tor Bay before breakfast today.  The MTS Valonia joined her from Brixham just after 7 am and is currently alongside.  It appears that the Star Minerva is undergoing another underwater inspection.  Keep you posted on this.

Sunday, August 24, 2014

WAIT FOR IT - THE SANKO'S COMING BACK

Star Minerva en route back to Tor Bay
Our shipping correspondent, Graham has contacted me with this news:

'After a five day stay in Bremen the Star Minerva (ex Sanko Mineral) left there in the early hours of yesterday morning. She is currently off Dover and her AIS is showing Torquay as her destination with an ETA of breakfast time tomorrow! I have no idea what this visit is all about – we will have to wait and see!'

It could be a case of a brief stopover before moving on to another destination.  However, the long-running saga  of this vessel carries on.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM

This day, ninety two years ago, my mum was born.  Here she is, sitting on the stile into the cider orchard after taking a walk down Brim Hill.  Virtually house bound nowadays, it was quite an adventure for her but she was adamant that she wanted to have a walk, unaided, to see the orchard again.  More a true Maidencomber than many,  happy birthday Mum.

Saturday, August 16, 2014

SHE'S FINALLY GONE

Our old friend the Sanko Mineral (Star Minerva) left Tor Bay late yesterday evening and is currently en route to the German port of Bremen.  She now sails under the flag of the Marshall Islands.

So ends an eleven month saga which saw the vessel virtually permanently moored off Maidencombe in various positions - Babbacombe Bay, Tor Bay and Lyme Bay, making a few journeys to Falmouth for bunkering and under 'impulse power' around Lyme Bay in heavy weather.

It all came about when the Sanko Steamship Company - one of Japan's oldest shipping companies - became embroiled in financial difficulties and was forced to file for bankruptcy, leaving a number of its vessels 'stranded' around the world as creditors sought payment for unpaid charters.

The Sanko Mineral had other difficulties, however, and was allegedly involved in the ramming and sinking of a barge in US waters and managed to escape internship by the US authorities.

What an adventure,  I'll miss her.   Bon voyage, Sanko ...

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

VIDEO FOOTAGE OF SANKO MINERAL IN TOR BAY

Too much of a mouthful to keep on putting Star Minerva, former Sanko Mineral - she'll always be the Sanko Mineral while she's off our shores.

I saw her make her initial approach into Tor Bay from Maidencombe but she gradually disappeared from view behind the Babbacombe peninsula.  Footage attained by driving up to the Ilsham Marine Drive.

RETURN OF THE SANKO MINERAL!

Star Minerva formerly the Sanko Mineral
Our shipping correspondent, Graham, has reported that the renamed Sanko Mineral - now the Star Minerva,  left her mooring off Falmouth just after lunchtime today and is en route back to Tor Bay!

The vessel first arrived off Tor Bay on October 15th last year and has been the subject of much discussion on marine forums.  Such was the interest that she departed on May 15th to take up a new mooring near to Falmouth.  She was subsequently sold at a sealed bid auction   (see previous post).

Graham speculates that the vessel may be returning for an underwater hull inspection and clean after accumulating much marine growth on her keel over the past eleven months.

Her ETA is 1830 UTC – 1930 local time.  We'll be keeping a lookout for her here at Maidencombe.

Sunday, August 10, 2014

TROPICAL STORM BERTHA JUST A PUSSYCAT

With all the usual media hype about the dreaded 'Hurricane Bertha' swooping across the Atlantic via the jet stream, precautions had to be taken - just in case they were correct.

In the event, Bertha, downgraded to a tropical storm on making landfall in the US and subsequently further downgraded to just a 'vicious low depression', turned out to be just a pussycat for us in Maidencombe after veering sharply northwest after hitting Ireland.

I had spent the evening battening down the hatches and checking the guys on our giant Eucalyptus tree.

The wind (gusts of over 60 mph expected) started up at about 3:50 am but then died away, giving way to some fairly sustained rainfall (an inch in all - 25 mm).

Better safe than sorry and I'm quite relieved we got off so lightly.

Saturday, August 09, 2014

SANKO MINERAL SOLD AT AUCTION

News coming in from Graham, our reliable and knowledgeable source, that the long running saga of the Sanko Mineral now appears to be at an end.  Graham informs me that the Sanko Mineral has been sold at auction for a reported $17.2 million - some $4 million less than she changed hands for in March of 2012 to a Greek buyer.

The vessel has been renamed Star Minerva and is currently showing on AIS as that name.  It is my belief that the purchasers are Minerva Marine Inc.  a private and independent Greek shipping company that has  established long term business links with Major Oil Companies.

Graham says that  it appears that the vessel is heading up into Falmouth Bay in the morning (presumably for bunkers) and will be sailing again at teatime.

So ends the near eleven month  self-imposed internment of the Sanko Mineral off the Devon and Cornwall coast. 

I am sure it will come as a huge relief to the crew and their families.  It is a matter of conjecture what remuneration the crew members have received on what had become virtually a 'prison ship'.
Star Minerva - formerly the Sanko Mineral

Wednesday, August 06, 2014

FORGET THE DAY JOB JOE!

Forget the day job Joe - you've got serious talent!
UPDATE FROM JOE OUR POSTIE

Hi all 
Just thought you would like to know that the plaster is finally off!
Leg is still bruised and swollen, but can finally put my foot on the ground, just waiting for a appointment with the physio.
Still not sure how long before I am back.

Attached is a photo of one of my paintings - what do you think - 
good enough to put in the loo?

Joe the postman

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

STAT

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.