Thursday, February 28, 2013
Entrance to Maidencombe Church
Pictured above is the stone entrance which led down to the 'fabled' Maidencombe Church which existed in 1906. Research still ongoing to the denomination and history of this building which is rumoured to have been of wooden construction and only lasted for a few years. You would walk past this historical entrance without a passing glance but it is, however, the last remnant of a very important structure within Maidencombe.
SEAFOX-7 GONE!
Speculation regarding the presence of the sophisticated Seafox-7 rig in Babbacombe Bay close to the Emsstrom has ended as the rig is now en route to Holyhead. Apparently the seating of the vessel on the seabed was down to stability while the vessel was cleared to her destination. Exciting while it lasted though ..
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Seafox-7 appears to be operational
As well as being suitable for supporting installation activities in the offshore wind farm market, the unit can be used for the installation and construction of platform ‘decommissioning activities’. It can also be utilised by oil and gas industries.
The state of the art accommodation includes a gym, satellite entertainment system with hospital and laundry facilities as well as a helicopter deck.
It is possible that the rig is merely passing through but the destination appears to be Torbay
Strange vessel anchored close by the wreck of the Emsstrom
Bit of a mystery with the mooring of the Seafox 7 (pictured above) about a nautical mile north of the exclusion zone around the wreck of the Emsstrom. The rig is able to extend to 40 metres - well within the scope of the wreck which lies in 23 metres of water. Unable to find any news at the moment of the orders of the vessel but the coincidence of the proximity to the Emsstrom is intriguing to say the least.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Maidencombe Manor in Claddon Lane
Formerly named Parkfield, Maidencombe Manor is situated on the east side of Claddon Lane below the English House. I dropped by for a chat with the owners, Dave and Jenny who have been in residence for some eleven years. Unsure of the age of the main house, but the window configuration and chimney stacks suggest turn of the 20th century.
After the boundary changes of 2001, Maidencombe Manor now rests on the south western boundary of Maidencombe (St Marychurch Ward). And as Dave reminded me, it is the first and last place in this part of Maidencombe selling free range eggs! Livestock also available at times. Thank you again, Dave and Jenny for receiving me so kindly.
After the boundary changes of 2001, Maidencombe Manor now rests on the south western boundary of Maidencombe (St Marychurch Ward). And as Dave reminded me, it is the first and last place in this part of Maidencombe selling free range eggs! Livestock also available at times. Thank you again, Dave and Jenny for receiving me so kindly.
Monday, February 25, 2013
The Slopes cleared again
Top photo looking down from Brim Hill, western side.
Bottom photo looking from Cades Path, eastern side.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Oberleutnant Bieber - scourge of South Devon shipping
Anyone strolling Maidencombe beach on the evening of September 16th 1918 would have witnessed the sinking of the Lord Stewart - a 1445 ton armed merchantman (converted collier) - en route from Cherbourg to Barry. At 8 pm in the evening, she had just passed Hope's Nose, some 11 kilometres offshore when a torpedo hit her on the port side. The merchantman sank in just four minutes but with only one fatality. The author of her destruction was the infamous Kaiserliche Marine U-boat commander Oberleutnant Thomas Bieber who prowled the South Devon coast and was responsible for 35 ships being sent to the bottom of the sea in the First World war.
Any lesser U-boat commander would not have attacked the Lord Stewart on sighting no less than three Royal Navy warships escorting her across Lyme Bay. When you consider that there were 134 U-boats operational in WWl and a total of 192 ships sunk by them, it is nothing short of remarkable that Bieber notched up 35 'kills'.
The Lord Stewart was, however, the last ship to fall foul of Bieber as he and all of his crew were lost just two days later when UB 104 struck a mine in the North Sea and the scourge of the South Devon coast joined his victims in Davy Jones' Locker. Bieber was just 28 years old.
Bitterly cold out on the cliffs
'One Eye' approaches 1 am this morning for some chicken scraps. (Photo courtesy of Myfoxesandbadgers site)
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Maidencombe Toll House at Solomon's Post
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.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
BRIM HILL TIMELINE
Prior to 1924 the swathe of land to the east of Brim Hill (then named Maidencombe Road South) was predominantly orchard and woodland with no dwellings to clutter the landscape.
To the west of the lane, Osborne Villa (now Bowden Close) and Brimhill Villa viewed the sea and were only overseen by the majestic Applegarth Villa (now Orestone Drive).
Then on May 14th 1924, an application was received from a Mr G J Nickels for a bungalow 'The Bungalow' in Maidencombe Road South. This was subsequently renamed 'Wendy' by Mrs Nickels and is the sole remaining prefabricated bungalow in the combe today.
On December 10th 1924, another application for a prefabricated bungalow (with a larger footprint than 'Wendy') was submitted. This was 'Croft' now demolished and is the existing site of 'Coombe Hayes' - immediately below 'Wendy'.
Third bungalow to be built in 1925 was 'The Cove' above 'Wendy'. The framework of the original semi-prefabricated structure still exists after refurbishment.
'Home Orchard' came into being in 1929 and was the largest of the prefabricated bungalows. It was demolished and the house built near to the original structure bears the same name today.
Just above Home Orchard, another bungalow 'Byways' came into being in 1931. This was a more substantial building and stands today renamed 'Mouse Cottage'.
The following year, 'Bryn' was built next door to 'The Cove'.
In the same year, 1932, 'Barnhayes' (one word) was built by one Mr H Nickels. Subsequently renamed 'Barn Hayes Country Club' and then Barn Hayes Country House, as it is today.
In 1933, 'Headlands' was built and at the same time, 'Dawn' came into being, courtesy of Messrs Nickels and Sanders.
A few months later, the last house to be built in Brim Hill (as it was now named) was 'San Souci' which is now renamed Coombe Close.
So, there you have it, the time line and brief history of the evolution and order of buildings in Brim Hill Lane.
Maidencombe in 1904 showing the absence of any dwellings in Brim Hill or Maidencombe Road South as it was then named.
To the west of the lane, Osborne Villa (now Bowden Close) and Brimhill Villa viewed the sea and were only overseen by the majestic Applegarth Villa (now Orestone Drive).
Then on May 14th 1924, an application was received from a Mr G J Nickels for a bungalow 'The Bungalow' in Maidencombe Road South. This was subsequently renamed 'Wendy' by Mrs Nickels and is the sole remaining prefabricated bungalow in the combe today.
On December 10th 1924, another application for a prefabricated bungalow (with a larger footprint than 'Wendy') was submitted. This was 'Croft' now demolished and is the existing site of 'Coombe Hayes' - immediately below 'Wendy'.
Third bungalow to be built in 1925 was 'The Cove' above 'Wendy'. The framework of the original semi-prefabricated structure still exists after refurbishment.
'Home Orchard' came into being in 1929 and was the largest of the prefabricated bungalows. It was demolished and the house built near to the original structure bears the same name today.
Just above Home Orchard, another bungalow 'Byways' came into being in 1931. This was a more substantial building and stands today renamed 'Mouse Cottage'.
The following year, 'Bryn' was built next door to 'The Cove'.
In the same year, 1932, 'Barnhayes' (one word) was built by one Mr H Nickels. Subsequently renamed 'Barn Hayes Country Club' and then Barn Hayes Country House, as it is today.
In 1933, 'Headlands' was built and at the same time, 'Dawn' came into being, courtesy of Messrs Nickels and Sanders.
A few months later, the last house to be built in Brim Hill (as it was now named) was 'San Souci' which is now renamed Coombe Close.
So, there you have it, the time line and brief history of the evolution and order of buildings in Brim Hill Lane.
Maidencombe in 1904 showing the absence of any dwellings in Brim Hill or Maidencombe Road South as it was then named.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Nickels Reach clear-up
A major hedge-cutting and tree-felling operation underway in Nickels Reach, Brim Hill. Several mature trees have been felled.
Zoom to the wreck of the Emsstrom
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
NEW PC INSTALLED
Bear with me, my ancient Windows XP PC with impulse power RAM only has upset me for the last time. Just installed a brand new Windows 8 system and though it works brilliantly, I am stumbling around trying to learn the new functions. Updating later ..
Gritting lorry cruises the combe
Returning from our nightly walk around the combe, So Cruise and I had reached our gate when we heard a large vehicle coming up Brim Hill at 12:50 am. I was surprised to see that it was a council gritting lorry spreading the road. This is the first time that the roads in the combe have been gritted this winter to my knowledge. Presumably the council must have strong weather information to initiate this expense. I would have bet against it.
Saturday, February 09, 2013
Strange lights off Hope's Nose
A few residents have remarked on the strange flashing lights approximately one nautical mile east by north of Hope's Nose. A configuration of four lights flashing orange and blue every second has been observed for many nights now. These lights are in fact warning marker buoys directly over the site of former German Naval training ship Emsstrom which sank at 1 pm on Monday January 14th. The wreck lies in fairly shallow waters at about 23 metres with only nine metres clearance and might possibly be a hazard to shipping. A statement has been issued by the Secretary of State's representative establishing a temporary exclusion zone in a radius of 500m
around the 80m long shipwreck.
Local divers have expressed keen interest in the new wreck but have been warned that they will be breaking the law if they dive on this wreck. There is a possibility that a salvage attempt may be attempted.
Local divers have expressed keen interest in the new wreck but have been warned that they will be breaking the law if they dive on this wreck. There is a possibility that a salvage attempt may be attempted.
This evening the Greek flagged cargo vessel Anangel Ocean is moored awaiting orders a mere quarter of a mile east of the marker buoys which seems to be a deliberate choice by the captain. How long these 'ornamental' lights have to stay is debatable at this stage.
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