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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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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

Friday, January 30, 2015

LITTLE ARMADA OFF MAIDENCOMBE

Seven cargo vessels currently sheltering in Babbacombe Bay.  An impressive light display as I went on the Night Patrol with So Cruise, giving the impression of a little armada off Maidencombe. 

Thursday, January 29, 2015

SQUIRRELS BRAVE THE HAIL

Just before the light snow shower, driving hail drove the small birds away. Only the hardy squirrels braved the elements.

FIRST FLAKES OF SNOW FOR THE COOMBE

16:15 hrs Maidencombe: First flakes of snow for the coombe.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

PERCY PARROT REMEMBERED VIDEO REMIX

Well, I have taken great care in replacing the background music so it does not violate any copyright law.  A poignant and absolutely true story from 2012.

The credit is:
Background music Creative Commons-license by Chris Zabriskie: Album Undercover Vampire Policeman, Track #1 The Temperature of the Air on the Bow of the Kaleetan.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

THE SAD SAGA OF PERCY PARROT - REMEMBERED

My beloved Percy went missing on March 4th 2012 after I let him outside in the garden.  A true story and I had even lost the video appeal I made for his safe return (removed by the officious powers for sad background music copyright infringement). Mentioned by my old Mum to this day, Percy is still sorely missed.  He was abducted by a squirrel in broad daylight whilst I was working on my PC.  A huge parrot hunt was mounted - to no avail - and Percy's fate remains a mystery to this day, some three years later.

We have another parrot now, named Pedro and he will be going out into the garden in the next few days.  Fingers crossed, he will not suffer the same fate as Percy ...

The remix video will also be re-aired on this site to tear at the heartstrings ...

Saturday, January 17, 2015

POPULAR POSTS ON MAIDENCOMBE.NET

Just taken a look at some of the more viewed posts on here.  I already knew that the 'Maidencombe Toll House at Solomon's Post' was far and away at the top of the leader board and, thanks to the Dutch shipping enthusiasts kustvaartforum, the various tug sagas were well represented.  Rather a surprise was the interest registered by over 500 different readers viewing of the December 18th 2014 post 'Coves of Maidencombe Favourably Received by Teignbridge' in the past four weeks.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

RESPLENDENT IN RED

Well, the shocking (to residents as well) pink didn't last long, 24 hours to be exact.  Now the Maidencombe Cross pillar box is freshly attired in a resplendent red with glossy black base. Somehow, I doubt whether the raised lettering will be outlined in gold, but never mind, our post box is looking very smart indeed.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

SHOCKING PINK PILLAR BOX!

Pretty in pink - our pillar box at Maidencombe Cross
Residents at Maidencombe Cross will be surprised to see the Royal Mail pillar box by the bus stop has been painted pink.  But don't worry, it's only the base coat and will return to the original red eventually.  I've seen two other undercoat colours over the decades - grey and light brown, but pink 'Shirley' suits our friendly pillar box better.

Monday, January 12, 2015

TALES OF THE COOMBE

A private little website has surfaced which we find greatly entertaining.  

TALES OF THE COOMBE

Far, far away lies the mythical Coombe, home to divers creatures. Uneasy peace has reigned for many a year since the arrival of powerful and influential creatures whose raison d'etre has always been to exert pressure to dominate what they see as lesser creatures.
Now war has broken out and the Coombe is a dangerous place, full of malevolent creatures who will stop at nothing in their quest to rule over all.
  
(with grateful thanks for permission to post by the authors.)

Sunday, January 11, 2015

HMS MERSEY'S FIRST VISIT OF 2015

Our frequent visitor, HMS Mersey (P283 River-class patrol vessel) moored today directly off Maidencombe.  As usual, on ops as her AIS (Automatic Identification System) is turned off.  She is seen here, at dusk, just after turning her vast array of lights on.

Thursday, January 08, 2015

NO CHEER OR BEER IN THE COOMBE

With the annual closing of the Thatched Tavern and the Orestone Manor, all is quiet in the coombe.  Until February, there will be little cheer and no beer in the coombe.

Hopefully, there will be more posts forthcoming after illness in my house right the way through the festive period.

Thursday, January 01, 2015

A NEW YEAR

With my good old drinking buddy Andy Maltas enjoying a wee dram.
A last minute arranging of timetable was needed when my Mum developed a streaming cold on New Year's eve.  She was pretty miserable after being ill all over the Christmas period.  It was only after watching the familiar countdown to the New Year on the soaps that she had enquired  "It's not tonight, is it?"
The re-arranged timetable read:  9:45 pm film Ziggy's firework display from Gypsy field, south  of the village;  a quick drink in the Thatched Tavern and then back up to my house.
Unfortunately, I slipped and fell over coming back down the very muddy field and so had to go back home and change.  I got a 'waiver' to have an hour in the pub and be back for 11:45 pm.
Worked out well and Mum (who hadn't expected me to keep to my word) was considerably cheered up - even giving me a high five as Big Ben began to chime. She then departed to bed and I was able to have a couple of New Year's drinks in the pub.  A good result all round, I think.  Happy New Year everyone.

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
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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.