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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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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

Saturday, December 27, 2014

LPG GAS ARCTIC ON MAINTENANCE 'CRUISE'?

The liquefied petroleum gas carrier (LPG) Gas Arctic is currently prescribing multiple circles within the confines of Lyme Bay, presumably on a maintenance 'cruise'.  Sea conditions are calm so it is not a question of movement to avoid dragging anchor.

The vessel first arrived off Hope's Nose on July 11th and has remained there constantly apart from one or two bunkering (refuelling) transits.

There is no destination listed for the Gas Arctic and it may be a possibility that the ship is waiting for a contract to be arranged.

The Gas Arctic (length 89 metres, width 32 metres) is less than half the size of the Sanko Mineral (189 X 32) which anchored in Babbacombe Bay for nearly a year and so will afford the crew a far less comfortable platform for a lengthy stay.

Friday, December 26, 2014

A PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS DAY

Remy inspects one of his presents.
After fearing the worst on Christmas eve,  Christmas day passed peacefully for my household.
A peaceful Christmas day and I am most grateful  ..

Monday, December 22, 2014

LPG TANKER GAS ARCTIC - ANOTHER SANKO TYPE SAGA?

The Gas Arctic off Hope's Nose
I've been slow on the uptake, but the continuing presence of the Maltese flagged LPG Tanker Gas Arctic raises the question - what is she waiting for exactly?

The vessel first took up station off  Hope's Nose over five months ago on July 11th from Aveiro, Portugal. She is owned by Ventspils Gases Ltd of Malta, a subsidiary of Stealthgas, Greece.

The Gas Arctic was in collision with CV Spring Bok  some 6 nautical miles south of  Dungeness on March 24, 2012 and suffered minor damage to her stern.  The fault lay with the Spring Bok.

The vessel has departed for bunkering on a couple of occasions but has always returned to virtually the same position off Hope's Nose.

Could this be the start of another Sanko type saga?

Sunday, December 21, 2014

SPIRITS OF THE GREEN MAN AT MAIDENCOMBE

Framed ghostly in the entrance to Ye olde Thatched Taverne, the Spirit of the Green Man is revealed in manifold forms.  On closer inspection, the apparitions bear a passing resemblance to the mysterious 'Bluebird' (top left), Sharon 'Whitey Cat' (top right), the become legendary 'Zigmeister' (bottom left) and Debby 'de Devon' (bottom right) - but I could be mistaken and it all be revealed as a Badger beer induced dream .....

Friday, December 19, 2014

LEGENDARY ROY DOG SPOTTED

The likeness is unmistakable ...
The legend goes that the Roaming Roy Dog has his lair in the Caves of Dorset and is a 'fearsome red and green eyed beast with the eyes of his victims entangled in his wild mane of fur'.

Well, he has certainly roamed afar, for he has been sighted outside the Thatched Tavern at Maidencombe - as can be verified in the photo above.

I think I have your attention now and can remind you that this evening is the Christmas Carol Singalong from the Thatched Tavern pub from 7 pm.

The Roaming Roy Dog may not be there - but everyone else will be!

Thursday, December 18, 2014

'COVES OF MAIDENCOMBE' FAVOURABLY RECEIVED BY TEIGNBRIDGE

Front cover of First Edition
Copies of the first print run of the 'Coves of Maidencombe' booklet have been requested by Teignbridge District Council.  A number of associated agencies, including Devon County Council, will have file copies.  The booklet was presented at a steering group meeting and members expressed interest in the publication which covers a stretch of coastline not previously documented.
Copies of the first edition are going quickly.  The 32 page full colour A5 booklet is on sale at £4 or £5 with P & P.  Orders can be placed with either the Thatched Tavern or the Orestone Manor.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

THREE CONTAINER SHIPS CAME A SAILING BY ...

Unusual sight of three container ships off Maidencombe
Rather startled to see the container ship Ara Atlantis anchored close in - just over a mile off Maidencombe today.  Also visible in my little sea window were two other container ships, Morning Laura and Nyk Diana. 

Thursday, December 04, 2014

WOULD YOU HAVE BUILT A HOUSE THERE?

The dramatic redrawing of the map and loss of features at Oddicombe and Little Oddicombe  are the result of the catastrophic landslip above Little Oddicombe in 2013.  The postcard (above) by Charles Thomas Howard would, in hindsight, have afforded builders and Torquay Corporation vital clues for the future demise of the once beautiful tourist destination.  The question has to be asked: Would you have built a house at letter B on the postcard?

Charles Thomas Howard's (1865-1942) interpretation is most interesting.  The presence of the cliff railway (letter A) dates the postcard as post 1926 but the absence of the ill-fated Ridgemont House (built 1930's) on the headland (letter B) narrows the date of painting to around 1928. The breccia and red sandstone division (letter C) has gone as has the interesting geological  breccia stack (letter D) slightly offshore of the Gentlemen's Bathing Place.  The sea-stack was swept aside by a horizontal, high velocity run out lobe.

The geological fault line running down the valley (directly behind B & C) was long known and despite the open cast, inherently unstable red sandstone cliff, no measures were put into place before the slip commenced in February of 2010.  By then, it was too late to halt the forces of nature.

THE NEXT ADVENTURE

Clues aplenty in an old postcard of Oddicombe
With the completion and publication of the 'Coves of Maidencombe', the temptation of resting on one's laurels was briefly considered, but now the next adventure beckons ...




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

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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.