HEAD ON CAR CRASH AT MAIDENCOMBE

There was chaos at Maidencombe Cross this afternoon as rescue vehicles galore arrived to deal with a head-on car crash on the bend (Teignmouth side) before Maidencombe Cross. Two fire engines, two ambulances, five police cars and a police dog team were at the scene just after 3 pm and the busy Teignmouth Road was shut, causing serious disruption for motorists.

 

The sight of a police dog handler and Alsatian searching the fields alongside Stoke Road gave rise to a suspicion that someone had fled the scene of the accident between a car - on the wrong side of the road - and taxi.

A short time later, a police helicopter appeared overhead and began circling. A police officer at the scene confirmed that it was searching for someone who had run off.

 

Two people were injured and taken to hospital, the extent of their injuries not known. Devon Live carried the story but failed to comprehend that there was a police search underway.

A REFURB TO END ALL REFURBS

Well, it was a long time coming and we had waited, wondered and hoped but finally, the doors of our beloved pub were opened for us, the locals, to come on in and see what the new owners had wrought.

Some tantalizing sneak previews had been posted on their facebook page and the wow factor was plain to see, this was evidently a refurb to end all refurbs with great attention to detail and no expense spared. And we were not to be disappointed when viewing it 'in the flesh' Saturday evening.

James (left) and Stephen

Arriving a little after eight, the pub was already in full swing and a party atmosphere was evident with a mini barbie operating by the notice board on the green. Entering the hallowed portal I was surprised to see a gentleman sitting at the bar! What? Normality restored? Why yes, and there they were, four sumptuous, sink in and be supported in your supping bar stools, outfitted in plush royal red upholstery.

Three banks of pumps assailed my eyes with the reassuring real ales at centre. The de rigueur Jail Ale stood proud and tall - the first non Hall and Woodhouse ale on offer at this free house for many a moon - hurrah!

A novel sight at the TT - a pint of Jail Ale

Recovering from a previous tipple tasting, I plumped for the Bob (Wickwar Brewery in the Cotswalds), as endorsed by Paul of the Linhay (of course pronounced Blackadder style). It was a strange, malty and lively hopped 4.0 abv session ale to keep my senses semi-alert. As Andy Maltas, beer supper cum connoisseur elite remarked: 'A typical Yorkshire style ale.'

However, enough of the minutiae, back to the Thatched Tavern set-up. Residents aplenty were present, including the curious from far-flung Stoke and the beer garden accommodated the overspill and the keen to stay in the open air set.

The first drink was on the house after you had filled in a covid form with contact details - cheers to the management for that welcome.

Behind the bar were James, Jo (formerly of the Orestone Manor) and General Manager Stephen.

There was suddenly a round of applause as three of the four chefs entered - apparently for their nibbles assortment which had been distributed earlier - so an early indication of the quality and preparation of the food that would be on offer in the restaurant.

A round of applause greeted the chefs

Sue Austin gave her seal of approval and she echoed the general thumbs up approval of the locals. The hard work by the new owners had not been in vain and they must have breathed a collective sigh of relief at clearing the first hurdle of their proud new venture.

Thumbs up from Rob Austin as Andy Maltas reclines
in luxury at the bar.

Time was called at 10 pm and the locals drifted away - all with a positive take on the born again Thatched Tavern. It's early days and let us fervently hope that our local will prosper in these terrible times.

Ziggy Austin looking sharp and dapper in the TT

The bottom line from beer drinkers Andy and myself was one of joy and great relief that we would be welcome to drink beer at the bar - something we took for granted but which now seems a privilege.

Good luck to the new management and fingers crossed everyone.

Jim Campbell

Posting on behalf of the Maidencombe Community Group

UNUSUAL VISITOR OFF MAIDENCOMBE

 Data supplied by: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/royal-fleet-auxiliary/tankers/rfa-tidespring

RFA Tidespring’s role

RFA Tidespring is predominantly deployed on replenishment at sea operations. These involve refuelling Royal Navy ships while they are on operations, delivering vital supplies, and transporting specialist personnel, including Royal Marines Commandos.

RFA Tidespring undertakes a range of other maritime operations, including policing shipping lanes and providing humanitarian aid. It also has capacity for a large Chinook helicopter on the flight deck, making it more versatile than previous tankers.

A LONE MAIDENCOMBER'S CORONAWAR DIARY

My situation is tricky but not desperate - yet.  A ninety eight year old mother, six rescue cats and a tortoise who didn't want to hibernate are wholly dependent on me for the duration of the Corona war. Resourcefulness must be brought into play if my household is to be kept functioning at 'normal' capacity. Here then is my CoronaWar Diary..

Rule 1 supermarkets are to be avoided*, there's more available from your previously much maligned and ill-used corner shop.  A visit to Sainsbury's at the Willows last night amply demonstrated the point. Only three of anything (two for the toilet rolls and #1 Hoarder items) seemed like a good idea but most shelves were still forlornly empty and 'serving' [sic] to ratchet up the panic levels even more.

Pet food non-existent and my shopping basket (don't bother with a trolley) consisted of two cans of red salmon; a bottle of sunflower oil to bake my unavailable potatoes; a six pack of white finger rolls (still available on a daily basis - thumbs up) and two packets of basics digestive biscuits for when we go into bunker mode.

Asda next and a bit of luck - an employee is unpacking the pet food stocking trolley and three boxes of Felix senior sachets are like gold dust in my basket. Strawberries (Mum's favourite) and bananas are available but as was the case at Sainsbury's:

No milk today, it wasn't always so
The company was gay, we'd turn night into day

How right you were Herman.

Up to the Coop at St Marychurch and though a hefty £1.50, 4 pints of skimmed milk and two chocolate eclairs (another Mum's favourite) are the last shop of the day.

DAY 1 done and the confidence number (out of 100) is 90.

* The reserving of the first hour for the elderly/at risk at some supermarkets not helpful (yet) for me as I tend to be up until the early hours most nights tending for Mum and 7am is usually when I get my head down for three hours or so shuteye. Also not sure if queueing in close proximity with other shoppers a good idea.

COVID-19 IN OUR COMMUNITY

And so it begins. A brief visit to my local post office to take out money and a member of staff, usually friendly, is standing back from the counter and seems ill at ease. Small talk is rebuffed and monosyllabic comments are forthcoming.

The seriousness of the situation for all is clear, the emergence of Covid-19 is a threat not seen since 1939 and the start of the second world war.

For the next few months at least, lifestyles will be drastically changed and social interaction will be curtailed, almost to the point of extinction for some of the most vulnerable.

For the elderly among us, the threat is even more serious, so what can we do to make ourselves as safe as possible?

With an ailing and exceedingly frail mother of ninety eight, my courses of action are clear and without resorting to panic measures, I have ceased going out Mondays for my social activities on the hash or having a beer or two at the Church House down the road.

The 'hot spot' of Torbay with cases reported from pupils at Churston Grammar and health workers from Chelston Manor practice, mean that the virus is close by and inevitably spreading.

My groceries were being delivered twice weekly, however, the selfish panic buyers have now used up all slots for over a week and that option is no longer available. This is a great hardship for carers and the elderly who will now have to venture out in order to buy essential items. 

If there is a vulnerable resident near you, please be kind enough to ask them if there is anything you can get them when you go out. THIS MAY BE VITAL FOR THEM in the near future. 

I make sure that I do not touch my face for the duration of any outing and until I have thoroughly washed my hands on returning home. Ensure regularly washing hands after that as the virus can survive on surfaces for some time and you might have brought contaminated items with you back into your home.

The best time to visit shops is about half an hour before they close when few shoppers are out.

One vital activity that is unaffected is my running, a saving grace indeed and the opportunity to stay reasonably fit and maintain the immune system.

As a community, it is incumbent upon us to look after the elderly and infirm around us. If you live near such a neighbour, please enquire regularly if they are in need of assistance. Such an enquiry would also be deeply reassuring.

Although not guaranteed, the young and healthy have a significantly better chance of shrugging off the virus, whereas the elderly with health issues are at far greater risk. For us, it will be a severe test of our resolve.

I have never known such a potential threat to life and normality is a commodity that may not be restored for many months to come.

Take care out there.

GRACE 1 TUG and ALMERODE OFF MAIDENCOMBE

Video shot on 7th March: Thank you Martin Pols for identifying the barge as the Almerode being towed by Grace 1 (Vanuatu flagged).  The vessels are now underway and making 5.2 knots some 20 miles southeast of Salcombe. We haven't seen  these type of dubious sorties for some time but this inlet is a well-used location for sheltering en route for their destinations off the African coast.

SLIPPAGE DOWN ROCKHOUSE LANE

Rockhouse Lane slippage

Bottom of Brim Hill slippage

By the side of Five Meadows, Rockhouse Lane, NOT Byways as stated on commentary.