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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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KESTREL CALLING

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

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Further degradation of road surface in Brim Hill

Highways contacted Wednesday August 29th to update on proposed repairs to the upper stretch of Brim Hill.  Works should have commenced on August 22nd.  Engineers will now be visiting as a matter of urgency.  Road users are urged to use considerable caution negotiating this stretch of the hill.  The safety issues are such that barriers may be erected in the short term. 

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

The 'summer' is nearly over

Par for the course this final Bank Holiday weekend with leaden skies and heavy rain showers prevailing for much of it.  June and much of July were wiped out with extraordinary rainfall figures and the summer, such as it was, has come and departed in the blinking of an eye.
The combe now awaits the autumn and its forthcoming harvest of blackberries, apples, pears and hazelnuts. And then - Christmas looms ...

Monday, August 27, 2012

Bank Holiday video

A walk up the connecting path from Ashley Priors Lane to the Perch - the entrance into Maidencombe.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Maidencombe Farm restoration

Of historical and architectural value, this ruined shell postdates  Maidencombe (Home) Farm itself by about a century - believed to have been built circa 1830. The walls were exposed stone and the roof would probably have been made of  thick gauge corrugated iron.

The Cross at night

Maidencombe cross early hours of  August 24th.   Both photos shot with the same Canon Powershot SX40.  On the left is automatic, no flash deployed and on the right, automatic, no flash but with 64 LED camera attachment.  As utilized for the badger photo.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Unauthorized sign

Getting to be a habit this sort of thing.   The ugly direction sign is bad enough but placing further signage obstructs the view of vehicles exiting Brim Hill.  A resident has already muttered ill-will regarding this particular outrage and I have my doubts about it remaining there too long ...

Badgers love bananas

.. but be careful when offering one.  A young badger sow about to snatch a banana from my hand in the early hours of Friday August 24th.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Layby empty

The Highways notice regarding the proposed waiting restrictions just beyond the bus shelter at Maidencombe cross is posted at the gate entrance nearby.   It will also be in the Herald Express today.  It is proposed that waiting will be restricted to a maximum of 2 hours from 6 am to 10 pm daily.  The layby has been strangely empty for the past two days.

Monday, August 20, 2012

A shady spot

.. to rest awhile on our Sunday afternoon stroll.

Our resident buzzard

..perched atop the Cove's aerial looking for an evening snack.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Saturday August 18th: Water polo clip 3

From a closer vantage point ...

Saturday August 18th: Water polo clip 2


Saturday, August 18, 2012

Friday, August 17, 2012

Bowden Close entrance

Looking pretty as a picture.

Top of Brim Hill

Now cleared by the new owners of Bowden Close.  The yellow hydrant visible again.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Maidencombe Beach Olympics this weekend

Fingers crossed that the weather is kind for this upcoming event - this post from Ziggy Austin:
The beach Olympics are fast approaching, the 18th and 19th Aug. Hope everyone feels inspired by the efforts of team GB. Events will include beach volleyball, cricket, tag rugga, hurdles and waterpolo. Possibly extreme
Frizby. Hope to see you all there! (Maidencombe beach 10am onwards)

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Longpark Hill north

Made a one-way system a few years ago for safety reasons though the southern exit onto the Teignmouth Road has seen several serious accidents.  Perhaps the one-way system  should have been put in place the other way round - north to south?

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

The combe unfolds

So Cruise and I risk squeezing off a photo on the bend above Maidencombe.

Whiteway Lane

Looking up the Teignmouth Road northwards and some 80 yards from the Maidencombe sign and entrance into Torbay from Teignbridge. So named after the original resident Mr Whiteway.  A tricky exit for vehicles and pedestrians.

Sentinel knight

A modern addition landmark on the northern heights of Maidencombe.  Its position and purpose remain unknown.

Wednesday, August 08, 2012

Wing walker biplane over Maidencombe

Snapped (had about 5 seconds to zoom and click) over Maidencombe at 17:33 hrs today.  No one actually on the top so not sure what it was up to.

Thanks for the duckboard!

Some kind soul has put a duckboard down to bridge the muddy approach by the metal stile entering the far car park.  So Cruise and I availed ourselves of this luxury on Monday afternoon and were grateful!

Monday, August 06, 2012

Welcome to new residents in Maidencombe

I popped in to welcome the new occupants of Maidencombe Cottage (adjacent to the car park) on Sunday evening.  Unpacking and settling in is going well and the couple are keen to get involved in village matters. They used to visit Maidencombe for their holidays many years ago so are acquainted with the area.

Friday, August 03, 2012

Green gates are locked

The Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust has received news of cars parking day and night at the top of the village green.  This apparently had led to other residents asking the Trust if anyone could do this. The Trust  has requested the Thatched Tavern to lock the gates at this time and only to unlock them should the main car park be full to allow cars to use the 'overflow' parking option temporarily.

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.