SPRING 2021

2021 is shaping up to be a really positive year in Maidencombe. We have an abundance of beautiful flowers in gardens & hedgerows and are finally seeing the sunshine which, let’s face it, makes us all feel better.

So why do I say this? Let’s look at what’s happening in our lovely village.

The beach café, now to be named Café Rio, has undergone a fabulous transformation and the new owners are looking to be open in the next few weeks. I know we have all missed the days when we could go and enjoy a coffee or ice cream (to say nothing of Angie Harvey’s amazing cakes) and it will be great to enjoy this once again. Linzi is also looking to add the opportunity to enjoy a variety of water sports such as SUPs to the mix which will complement Ziggy’s Rock Solid Coasteering adventures. 

On the subject of the beach, a huge thank you to all those who do regular beach cleans. It’s incredible to see how much rubbish & especially plastic is collected on a weekly basis. The sign warning of potential rock falls which used to be at the far end of the beach has disappeared, and we have requested that it is re-instated before visitors come and picnic under the unstable cliff. 

Many of you will have seen the Devon Live article concerning Sladnor Park. As you know, the planning application was defeated at the end of last year, but the developer continued to insist that their permission to build from 2008 was still live. This argument was heard recently by the Planning Inspectorate, and it has been ruled that this application is definitely out of time! I’m sure this fight is far from over, and of course we will keep everyone posted, but for now, the bats, cirl buntings, badgers, deer & other wildlife are safe, and the village (Flood Zone 3) is not living with the threat of becoming another Boscastle or Coverack.

We were recently gifted 400 more native trees by the Devon Wildlife Trust, which a team of us have planted around the boundary of the village green. It was a lot of work to clear the area of weeds & other growth and a big thank you for those who came armed with shovels and clippers. In years to come, we will hopefully see a lovely mixed native hedge mature and grow to enhance this valued public space.

Thanks also to all those who joined in to help look for Savannah the young spaniel who was missing after a walk along the coast path. Huge effort again from members of our community, and the wonderful Devon Lost Dog Search & Rescue CIC, rangingacross the fields and lanes in the dark to find her. Great news that she was found at 1am on Teignmouth Road – one lucky dog!

We were also alerted to an attempt to cut off part of the walk across the coastal fields on the way to Shaldon. A notice saying that there was no public access had been put up & trees cut to block the entrance. Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust responded very swiftly and confirmed this is indeed public access and are taking appropriate action – another positive result of us all working together. TCCT have also repaired & replaced some of our stiles and fences. Thank you to them for this and please let us know if you see any issues that need to be reported to them.

Well, it’s taken almost a full page for me to mention Covid 19! Many residents have now had their first jab and with restrictions being lifted over the coming weeks, we can again look forward to meeting up again although for me a visit to the hairdresser is pretty high up on my wish list! The Maidencombe Residents Association have organised a wide variety of social events in the past from quizzes to barn dances, river boat trips to Safari Suppers. It would be great if we can arrange some social events over the months ahead but need to hear from YOU what YOU would like to see. Please do let us know. 

Our AGM on 26 May will probably be held by Zoom this year, and details will be sent to members shortly. It would be good to have your views and especially for the new members to meet others. We are also hoping to have new members join the committee, and so if you feel that you have an area of expertise, a skill or experience, or just want to make a difference to support our community, please let us know.

So much of our lives have been lived vicariously through our computers over the last year and sadly there has been so much negativity in the press and on line. It’s been so good that this has not been evident in our community and we have all pulled together in these strange times. People often don’t realise the damage they can do, but to quote the inestimable Don Henley, “Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can break your heart”. In a world where we can be anything, let’s continue to be kind.

Finally, just a bit of fun, can you guess which of the homes & locations in Maidencombe are listed here? For example, Home Orchard could perhaps be “Apple House”. 

Answers

1. Rodent’s Abode = Mouse Cottage

2. Cobalt Aqua = Blue Waters 

3. Many Fields = 5 Meadows 

4. Miss Darling = Wendy

5. Pooh’s Delight = Beehive

6. Copacabana eatery = Café Rio

7. Frond Valley = Ferndale

8. Small Reed Roof = Little Thatch 

9. Flower Climber = Rose Vine

10. New Day = Dawn

11. Little Beach = The Cove

12. Legal Residence = Courthouse

Best wishes & take care,

Chris Davies

Chair, Maidencombe Resident’s Association

Home Orchard, Brim Hill,  Maidencombe. 01803 316655