Friday, November 30, 2012
UPDATE ON 'PROWLERS & THEFT' IN THE VILLAGE
Just had a report by a resident in Sladnor Park that a silver Subaru Impreza was seen entering the lodge car park area and leaving without stopping a few days ago. I have looked at a photo of this make and it is very similar indeed. If you see this make and colour of vehicle driving in or around Maidencombe, please take a note of the registration number and forward it to me at preconcruiser@aol.com
Thursday, November 29, 2012
PROWLERS IN THE VILLAGE
So Cruise and I were walking past the Thatched Tavern at about 12:50 am this morning when we encountered two men - in their twenties, both wearing dark jackets - walking towards us from the direction of the Court House. Neither looked at me as we passed each other, but I did venture a 'good evening' (can't really say good night at that time of the morning) and they replied in similar vein. I thought it odd as they were strangers but assumed they were occupants of Suite Dreams. I looked back and saw them walking down towards the beach car park. There was a high powered silver sports type car parked opposite the Court House. It was only later today that I learned that two prowlers had been chased off Maidencombe Farm by a very alert resident - some 10 minutes or so after my encounter. Apparently some tools were also stolen from a nearby property. Counter measures have now been put into place by a concerned community to augment/assist local police.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
A respite
Our dedicated weather chart shows a dry week ahead - fingers crossed that this is accurate. Water still flooding down Rock House Lane and Steep Hill. Cattle present in the orchard before presumably being put into the barn adjacent to winter.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Beach waterfall a 'no-show'
Reportedly back in action after the recent rains - but no evidence of this when I inspected an hour ago. However, there is cause for concern as parts of the cliff face are in the process of slipping as seen here.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Monsoon Maidencombe
Another very wet day and I cannot recall such sustained rainfall in one year such as we have encountered here in Maidencombe. I have spent much of the afternoon and evening cleaning up after my outside shed was swamped by near liquid mud on Saturday evening. Yet, all things considered, we have got off lightly compared with other areas in Devon and Cornwall. The inordinate rainfall in June and July was blamed by forecasters on a southward meander of the jet stream though that reason has not been cited this time round. My garden is currently a sea of mud and a journey to replenish the bird table is now a perilous mission.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Thursday, November 22, 2012
PROPOSED NOTICE BOARD FOR VILLAGE (as posted on MRA website)
Plans are afoot for placement of a notice board on or near the village green adjacent to the Thatched Tavern public house. Approval has been sought and readily given from the Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust and Hal Bishop on the Torbay Council. Siting proposals are in progress but would probably be at the northern end of the green facing Steep Hill lane. Councillor Ray Hill has been notified at a meeting of the Neighbourhood Steering Group held on Monday November 19th. There is an existing covenant on the green and planning permission will be needed though it should be noted that there was a notice board on the green several decades ago.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
TORRENTIAL RAIN FORECAST THURSDAY
From 3 pm Thursday afternoon further bursts of heavy/torrential rain forecast. Flooding into properties down Brim Hill/Steep Hill/Rock House lanes owing to leaves blocking the flow of water. Just finished clearing the road outside my bungalow which was blocked and directed water down my entrance. House holders in these lanes should ensure their entrances are clear.
THE COMBE SATURATED ONCE AGAIN
No sooner had the combe nearly dried out from sustained rainfall, a further four inches has fallen over the past 72 hours with watercourses once again inundated. The natural bowl of the combe will always pose serious problems with heavy rainfall and care of the maintaining of hedges and trees is essential.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Maidencombe Cross leviathan
Five days and counting ... presumably awaiting pick-up - the rather large digger cat parked next to the bus shelter at the cross. Suspect that it may be damaged as it was leaking oil when down the bottom of Steep Hill. It isn't lonely, however, as the infamous Pink Horse Lorry is within chatting distance ...
UPDATE TUESDAY NOVEMBER 20: Now collected and Maidencombe Cross clear in front of the bus shelter.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Sunday, November 18, 2012
THE FOLLY AT SUNSET SUNDAY NOVEMBER 18
An updated video was taken earlier this evening and will be posted after compressing from the very large 1920 HD MOV format.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
UFC (unidentified flying creature)
Friday, November 16, 2012
Thursday, November 15, 2012
The historic Court House
Nestling deep within the combe lies the historic Grade II Listed Court House. Previous to this, it was one of the original farm houses - Court Farm. Retreating back into the very mists of time, this is reportedly the same site as the near legendary manor house named 'Mansum', owned by, amongst others, one Ralph Tregoz who was granted a licence by Bishop Grandisson of Exeter in 1330 for an oratory at the property.
The ancient Judas Tree (Cercis siliquastrum) lies within the garden and is believed to have been brought back from the Lebanon as a sapling in the mid-16th century.
The ancient Judas Tree (Cercis siliquastrum) lies within the garden and is believed to have been brought back from the Lebanon as a sapling in the mid-16th century.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Strange 'spectral' shape in Rock House Lane
Walking back home in the early hours of Sunday November 11th, I heard a low hum or buzzing sound and whirled and took a flash photo - shown above. So Cruise my collie cross was spooked and wouldn't come back to me when I called. It was only when I processed the photo that I saw this 'cloud'. It is, coincidentally, positioned outside the two labourer's cottages which were demolished in the 60's. May be a camera flaw - but it is strange nevertheless.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Impromptu notice board
Photographed inside the orchard this evening. A space had previously been made when cows grazing in the orchard knocked the TCCT map down. This was kindly retrieved by Mick, the licensee of the Thatched Tavern. Having not as yet been replaced by the trust, the 'vacancy' has been exploited, as can be seen by the photo.
Plans are already in motion for an official village notice board to be sited on the village green. I'll keep you updated on this ongoing project which has been favourably received by the TCCT and Torbay Council.
Plans are already in motion for an official village notice board to be sited on the village green. I'll keep you updated on this ongoing project which has been favourably received by the TCCT and Torbay Council.
WEEKEND FEATURE: FEATURES OF MAIDENCOMBE
As part of our history of the area, we'll take a look at some of the known, and not so well-known features of Maidencombe which I trust some will find of interest. See right hand column.
Friday, November 09, 2012
Early hours Friday November 9th
So Cruise and I heard the 'Hound of the Baskervilles' again and the sound appeared to be coming from the Teignmouth Road and behind or beyond Jon Glanvill's Garage. It still had an echoing quality as if the animal was in a large room or hall. The howl stopped after a few seconds and was not repeated. Strange ..
Wednesday, November 07, 2012
Hound of Baskervilles in Maidencombe?
A few days ago I had an enquiry from a concerned resident about a dog howling in the combe. The resident had heard this howling in the day and at night but couldn't exactly identify where the sound was coming from. I hadn't heard anything from my side of Brim Hill and thought no more of it until ... two nights ago. So Cruise and I were setting out for our Night Patrol a little later than usual at around 12:45 am and were just starting up Brim Hill when we heard the most extraordinary sound. It was a loud and echoing howl which seemed to be coming from the Orestone Drive direction, though it could have been from over the top of Glass Wood slightly to the left. It was an eery sound and we stood, transfixed for several seconds, listening intently. Then the howling stopped abruptly and there was an uncanny silence ...
Tuesday, November 06, 2012
An unusually quiet night in the combe
Well, what happened last night? Apart from a few isolated bangs mid-evening, the expected barrage never came on Bonfire Night. The weather was obliging, but apparently the wallets were not. In the midst of bleak economic conditions, the like of which have not been witnessed since the depression, folks made the wise decision to 'opt out' of sending their cash up in flames. It was particularly good news for the denizens of the night (wildlife) who are reluctant to venture abroad on this dreaded night.
Sunday, November 04, 2012
A BIRD TABLE CAN BE A DANGEROUS PLACE ..
FIREWORK DISPLAY FROM THE ORESTONE MANOR SATURDAY NOVEMBER 3RD
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