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.
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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

Sunday, September 29, 2013

AN AUTUMNAL FEEL

A distinct autumnal feel in the combe was brought in via a thunderstorm in the early hours of Saturday accompanied by heavy pulses of rain.  More heavy rain forecast for Monday so hatches need a battening down.

The Project Coves is now nearing completion with all text and photos in place.  Intensive checks have to be made to ensure accuracy of information and Grid Reference points.  More updates on this shortly.



Saturday, September 28, 2013

UPDATING SUNDAY

Monday, September 23, 2013

LOST IN THE MIST

The weather forecast got it right.  A heavy mist hung over the upper reaches of the combe as So Cruise and I ventured out for our Night Patrol.

Entering the top meadow, visibility plummeted to a few yards and I was forced to turn my head lamp off as the beam bounced back off the mist droplets.  Waves of even heavier mist floated in and I was very much lost in the mist.

A comedy of errors ensued as man, fox, badger and rabbit got hopelessly mixed up.
Becbla, the totally blind vixen only got her nightly ration of chicken thighs by coming in very close.  The old blind badger boar literally bumped into me and was rewarded with two bananas and chicken scraps.  It was with some relief that I exited the meadow.

Down in the village, visibility was much improved and we completed our rounds without further incident. 

Sunday, September 22, 2013

POSTING LATER


Apologies for lack of posting due to illness the past few days.  I hope to resume posting later today.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

KANDAA & THE LAMB BONE (CLIP COURTESY OF MYFOXESAND BADGERS)

A leftover treat for a favourite vixen - the humorous antics of Kandaa as she eyes the huge lamb bone carefully.  Foxes are very wary of bones as they imagine they might be still alive and can fight back!  Note the classic paw in the air - the classic animal sign of uncertainty.

BRIM HILL OPEN

Council operatives removing cones and barriers. Brim Hill is open once more.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

BRIM HILL SHOULD REOPEN THURSDAY

Brim Hill should be open again by Thursday lunchtime.  I've lost count of the cars that have repeatedly ignored 'ROAD CLOSED' signs and driven down the hill only to be forced to back up when they see that it really is closed. 
One driver actually hit the barrier around the ditch and then got out of his car and started to dismantle the barriers!  He beat a hasty retreat when I went up the path to investigate.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

LIGHT AT LAST

Activated by a photo-electric sensor, the 'Wendy light' came on at dusk.  Strangely, even with a 'ROAD CLOSED' sign at the top of Brim Hill and another 'ROAD AHEAD CLOSED' further down the hill, cars are still coming round the corner and the drivers look most surprised (and put out) to see that the road is actually closed!

BRIM HILL CLOSED FOR REPAIRS TO 'WENDY LIGHT'

This is where the cable blew out and the repair by Western Power.  Now awaiting return of engineers to fill the hole in and reopen Brim Hill.  What a palaver!

THE 'RELIEF' OF BRIM HILL

A return to the 'Dark Ages' as half of Brim Hill has been in darkness since August 26th with the failure of the mid-point light standard.  So dark has it been that I had to wear a head torch to get back into my property when I ventured out in the lengthening hours of darkness.
So it was good to hear the merry sound of diggers outside this morning.  The arrival of Western Power in some force heralded the relief of Brim Hill.
Let there be light ... please. 

Sunday, September 15, 2013

KANDAA THE VIXEN

Just went out to get the washing in and met Kandaa the vixen strolling up my path. She's in beautiful condition and will be coming into season in a few weeks time.

Friday, September 13, 2013

LIGHT STANDARD MYSTERY SOLVED

The failed light on Brim Hill
Just over a fortnight ago, the light standard outside my property in Brim Hill failed and Street Lighting were informed.  Their initial visit found no fault with the bulb or timer and yellow paint marks were left on the road to identify the standard for another visit.
Further investigations were carried out Tuesday and Wednesday with checks made at the Thatched Tavern in case the fault originated from their supply.
It had long been thought that the pub had control of some of the village street lighting and even footed the bill for some of the standards.
After extensive tests, it was conclusively proved that this was not the case.
The matter has now been reported to Western Power who supply cabling to all standards.
Under National Guidelines, they have four weeks to rectify the fault.  Mystery solved at last.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Bees on Onopordum acanthium

A relaxing little video clip of two genus of bee settling on  a Scottish thistle (Onopordum acanthium) in the grounds of Brunel Manor.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS FROM THE ORESTONE MANOR

Saturday September 7th saw the live feed of the Last Night at the Proms from the Orestone Manor.  The restaurant was at full capacity for the event as diners were entertained with rousing renditions of British songs.  

HEAVY WORKLOAD

My apologies for the lack of posts.  My workload has been heavy lately, representing the interests of Maidencombe.  After tomorrow's visit to the Town Hall and a committee meeting in the evening, I hope to have some time to myself and the completion of the Project Coves. 

Monday, September 09, 2013

HEATING ON

Sunday September 8th and the first time that the gas fire was turned on in the day.  The previous night had seen the search for the hot water bottles and an extra duvet for me and another for So Cruise.
Now thoughts turn towards Christmas. 

Wednesday, September 04, 2013

ON THE LIMIT

Four hours into the expedition, the strain shows on young James's face as he hauls himself up the roped ascent at Border Cove.  All the more meritorious as he's only thirteen years old. 

MACHETE TIME ABOVE THE COVE

Searching for an escape route above Babred Cove, the intrepid trio realise that they might be fortunate to survive the expedition ... time for me to break out the machete.

Tuesday, September 03, 2013

PAN AROUND THE HOBO HUT

We left everything undisturbed.  Not sure how recently the hut was occupied.

HOBO HUT

An afternoon full of adventures, especially with the discovery of the hobo hut we came across on our way back from Labrador Bay.  The hut was here when last I trekked this path - but that was a decade ago.  Short video clip following.

Monday, September 02, 2013

FOUND - THE SITE OF THE LABRADOR BAY HOTEL WHICH WAS GUTTED IN 1938

A tricky ascent and descent but well worth the effort.  The clip doesn't do justice to the haunting magic of the wooded glade which was the site of the former Labrador Bay Hotel until the fire of March 1938 destroyed it.  The history of the site goes back to 1643 when a cod fisherman, Captain Trapp settled there.

SUMMER'S GONE

But the memories linger on ...

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.