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.
Blog Directory & Business Pages - OnToplist.com

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, March 27, 2015

SECOND ANNUAL SCARECROW WEEK


How quickly a year goes by.  Here's advance notice of the Maidencombe Scarecrow Week which proved to be so popular last year.  With only a couple of weeks to prepare, it was a splendid effort of villagers to assemble some thirty scarecrows to display in a prominent part of their gardens.
It is suggested (weather permitting) that scarecrows be brought down to the Village Green on the final Saturday to create a 'grand display'. 
This time round, there's plenty of time to prepare your scarecrow, so get cracking!
More details to follow.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

DOMESDAY BOOK ENTRY FOR MAIDENCOMBE

The first draft of the Domesday Book was completed in August of 1086 and contained records of 13,418 settlements in England.  Even though Medenecome had but a three line entry, a wealth of information can be gleaned upon closer examination.  My evaluation follows below.


MEDENECOME

Bernard (probably a sub-tenant knight who had sworn an oath to his lord and superior) holds Medenecome (Maidencombe) from Baldwin the Sheriff of Exeter (or Viscount).  

Cniht (old English for knight?) held it at the time of King Edward (King Harold II not mentioned by the scribe as the Normans wished to have all references of the 'perjurer' Harold as king removed from history).
 
William the Conqueror commissioned the Domesday Book

  
It paid geld (Anglo-Saxon tax system retained by the Normans) for half a hide or some 60 acres and half a ferding (a ferding  is the farthing  or supposedly a fourth part of a virgate or yardland - usually 30 acres).

There is land for three ploughs (the taxable amount of land that can be ploughed by a team of eight oxen)

There is one plough, with one slave (man or woman who was the property of his or her lord and had no lands)  and one villan or villein (one who owed service to his lord but who also farmed land for himself so was among the better off of unfree peasants) and two bordars (less well off than a villein).  

With only four persons named by the scribe, it can be estimated that the 11th century settlement had a population of about two dozen men, women and children.

Formerly (of the value) 30 d. now it is worth 5s. A silver penny in 1086 would have been roughly the equivalent to £210 today so 30 pennies would equate to £6,300 and 5 shillings (60 pennies) would be a 100% increase in value.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

A STRANGE COINCIDENCE

A repeat of the excellent three part documentary series 'The Normans' was shown last night on BBC4.  By some strange coincidence, I have been researching Maidencombe's Norman connection from the Domesday 'Medenecome' extract of  1086.

The research had started from an obscure direction.  One of my hobbies is the collecting and renovation of 54mm lead knights  (see my website 'Metal knights' at http://www.timpoknights.blogspot.com)  and the associated subject of heraldry.  Whilst browsing coats of arms, I came across those of Baldwin or Baudouin de Meules, who accompanied the Duke of Normandy (King William I) on his Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

The Medenecome or Medenecoma story of Norman subjugation  is clouded in mystery and intrigue and is far more complicated than the usual (and only) reference line: 'Medenecome (Maidencombe) was held by Baldwin, Sherrif of Exeter'.  More to follow ...

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

REINSTATEMENT OF VIEWPOINT ABOVE MACKEREL COVE

There had been a partial viewpoint from this position (before the bench was put in) quite a few years ago but now there's been a dramatic clearing of trees and screen hedging.
Viewpoint above Mackerel Cove now reinstated.


Wednesday, March 04, 2015

INTENSE WARSHIP ACTIVITY IN LYME BAY & CHANNEL

Norwegian warship Nansen, HMS Portland, Dutch warship HNLMS Tromp, German warship M1063 Bad Bevensen, RFA Lyme Bay, RFA Black Rover and two British warships adds up to quite a large naval operation or exercise currently underway. Also spotted our River-class patrol warship off Maidencombe yesterday (AIS turned off) so there may be even more warships involved.

Sunday, March 01, 2015

FIRST TUG OPERATION OF 2015 OFF MAIDENCOMBE


The MTS Vanquish and Ntugbu 1 lying 4 kms off Maidencombe.
Noticed the tug MTS Vanquish with barge in tow this afternoon.  Her destination is showing as Las Palmas (bunkering) before proceeding to her buyer in Nigeria.  Martin, our shipping friend and expert, says the vessel is now named Ntugbu 1 and displaces 6600 tons.

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

Search This Website

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.