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, January 31, 2016

MOON DANCING WITH THE PLANETS O'ER BABBACOMBE BAY


Impression of the Moon dancing with planets over Babbacombe Bay.
A rare coming together of five planets in the ecliptic has been visible since January 25th.  They appear with the waning gibbous Moon to create a poets' delight of 'A Moon Dancing With The Planets'.  The best time to witness this phenomenon (last seen over a decade ago) is in the twilight before dawn.  My impression of what Maidencombers might see tomorrow morning looking to the southeast over Babbacombe Bay is shown above.  One vital and possibly elusive element that is needed is of course - clear skies.

Saturday, January 30, 2016

GAS MAINS REPLACEMENT AT SOLOMON'S POST JUNCTION

Work is ongoing replacing the gas mains at the junction of Claddon Lane and Teignmouth Road and is due to continue for most of February.   Temporary traffic lights are installed opposite Sladnor Park, Torquay side, Ridge Road and on the bend just past Allways and Boevallon House. 
Wales and West Utilities are the contractor and can be reached on 0800 9122999.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN & VILLAGE ENVELOPE MEETINGS

The Maidencombe Community Group reported earlier that meetings are being planned with Andrew Gunther, Senior Planning Officer, Torbay Council, to hear about the proposed Village Envelope and what it will mean to residents and also to discuss the forthcoming Neighbourhood Plan.

The authors of the current Maidencombe submission to the Neighbourhood Plan will be present at the forthcoming meeting with the MCG in February.

Andrew Gunther has also very kindly agreed to appear at the MCG meeting to explain the processes and answer residents' questions.

It has been pointed out that the recent letter circulated by the MRA is not accurate. The MRA meeting at Brunel Manor is NOT ‘the only chance for community members’ to discuss the Village Envelope and the Neighbourhood Plan. The MCG meeting will provide residents with an opportunity for discussion with Andrew Gunther and members of the community who have been involved in the development of the Neighbourhood Plan. There is also a consultation period which will commence February 8th and last for six weeks.

If residents cannot attend the meetings or if they have specific questions, they can contact the MCG, who will ensure that everyone is represented and any questions are passed on to Andrew Gunther.

The MCG will continue to post information about the Village Envelope on its website.  Residents are urged to register on the site to stay informed and view any information that is posted.

Wednesday, January 06, 2016

OPEN LETTER TO RESIDENTS

Dear members, dear residents

You may or may not be aware that there is an ongoing  process of defining a Village Envelope for Maidencombe. This could potentially increase the boundaries of Maidencombe and have an impact on development within Maidencombe.

Jim Campbell, Secretary of the Maidencombe Community Group, has held discussions with Andrew Gunther (Senior Planning & Public Health Officer) to ensure that ALL residents are heard and  that any consultation is not just with ONE group, but with all members and representatives of the community.

Jim has raised a number of questions and concerns about the VE and we are awaiting a response to these.

Jim has pointed out that the make-up of the village has existed for nigh on a century and is well established. Expanding the envelope with a view to increased development would contradict  Council policy.

Residents may also be curious to know why the initiative is being taken by the Council as development within Maidencombe is already carefully controlled and further housing quotas are not required.
Andrew Gunther has stressed that the initiative is forum led (Neighbourhood Planning forum) and not exclusively by the Council.

The consultation period will commence from February 8th and last for six weeks.. Andrew Gunther has offered to meet with the relevant groups that represent the village. This INCLUDES the MCG.  We will be holding a meeting, therefore, with Andrew in the coming weeks. 

Furthermore, if you have specific questions or concerns about the VE, or if you cannot attend a meeting, please direct your questions to Jim and he will ensure that they are passed on to  Andrew. 

We will keep you informed of potential dates. We have already posted relevant information about these developments in the members’ area of the MCG website. Please log in to read them.

We will also be holding an MCG meeting at the beginning of February and members are welcome to attend and discuss this matter before the consultation period ends.

Please note that this initiative concerns everybody and we would like to ensure that your voice is heard.
Kind regards,
MCG committee

Monday, January 04, 2016

MAIDENCOMBE COMMUNITY GROUP WEBSITE CHANGE

As of January 1st, certain updates and articles of specific interest (e.g. in relation to Sladnor Park) will be available to registered members only.
In order to continue to be updated immediately of important news and developments, you will need to register by clicking on the members tab at the top of the website at www.maidencombeunity.org.
By registering, you will also be included in our mailing list and will receive email alerts when the website is updated with the latest developments, planning applications, security alerts and events.
Membership to the MCG is completely free and is open to residents of Maidencombe as well as anyone working within the coombe.
The Maidencombe Community Group has been established since May 2014 and has kept members and residents regularly informed of relevant news stories. The Group has also been steadily compiling a database of articles and history pertaining to Maidencombe.

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.