JulyEbookV2Pages

page 

1

yourcentralmagazine 

contents. 

www.yourcentralmagazine.co.uk 

Summer 2017 

Pets Corner 

Geordie’s story 

Community 

news & information 

Dartmoor 

A Photographers Paradise 

28 14 

What’s on? 

the best Live bands and Theatre 

10 

16 

04 

A message from OUR 

WHAT’S ON GUIDE - MUSIC & 

10 16 

06 

BEAUTIFUL TORQUAY 

community page and 

12 18 

08 

GARDENING TIPS FOR 

MORE COMMUNITY NEWS & 

14 20 

travel days out 

featuring dartmoor 

COOKING & BAKING 6 

WONDERFUL RECIPES 

torquay, paignton, 

brixham & totnes 

page 

2

Health & 

Beauty 

Improve your image 

24 

32 pages 

creative 

content! 

Full of absolute 

dynamic 

Art & 

Literature 

The local scene 

30 

Summer 

here at last 

Dave’s Gardening tips 

08 

Our 

local towns 

Torquay, Paignton, Brixham & Totnes 

Best food 

Cooking & Baking 

18 

LIVE MUSIC - FEATURING 

22 TOP LOCAL BANDS 28 

health & BEAUTY some 

24 fresh ideas 30 

26 

THINGS TO DO AROUND THE 

AREA 

20 

pets corner - GEORDIE’S 

STORY 

ART & LITERATURE 

Gallery 

pics 

13 

page 

3

Your Central Magazine 

Understanding your Local Community 

July / August 2017 Issue 01 

from the 

editor. 

Sandra Blackmore. 

Welcome to the Summer issue of YourCentral magazine 

contributors. 

Michelle Bell. 

ummer is here at last 

and it’s lovely to feel 

the hot sunshine - and 

we’re feeling really 

excited in the office 

here at YourCentral 

magazine; a brand new 

venture dedicated to 

breathing new life, and 

a fresh look, into the 

local communities of 

Torbay. We have put 

together a team of vastly 

experienced and highly 

qualified individuals who 

specialise in this type of 

magazine production. 

They all bring their own 

styles and qualities that 

will enable us to really 

produce something that 

will benefit everybody 

within each community. 

Our magazine is also 

closely linked to our 

dynamic website and 

Business Directory, 

perfect for today’s 

mobile generation. 

Sandra Blackmore 

Editor-in-Chief 

Freelance journalist and writer specialising 

in the Travel Industry. Michelle lives in 

Totnes but is a true jetsetter in every sense 

of the word, having visited every continent 

including the Antarctic. 

Graham Ingram. 

No he’s not a film star or model - he’s 

our very own Scientist - and he’s here 

to answer all those tricky questions to 

help you get the best from your gadgets. 

Graham has a BSc in Physics. 

Joanne Dempsey. 

Our fashion specialist has published articles 

in many magazines and has appeared on 

The Fashion Show. She also has her own 

fashion blog and social media sites. 

Michael Oatley. 

Michael plays guitar and keyboards in a 

local band. His talent doesn’t stop there 

because he also designs websites and 

writes about music & computers. 

credits. 

PUBLISHER 

OFFICE MANAGER 

ART DIRECTOR 

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR 


Michelle Burns 

Steve Munns 

Bradley Turner 

PRINTING 

ADVERTISING 

PROJECTS MANAGER 

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER 

Printing Projects UK 

Anthony Meredith 

Keith Maddox 

Jon Watts 

MARKETING MANAGER 

EDITOR-in-CHIEF 

PROJECTS COORDINATOR 

WEBSITE DESIGN 

page 

4 

Mike Holloway 


Johnathan Reed 

PinkPigs.co.uk



inside 

issue. 

this 

let’s 

Issue 01: July 2017 

get 

social. 


08. 

John Spencer. 

Summer is here and there’s plenty 

to do in the garden. Dave gives you 

hints and tips as well as advice to 

get started 

YourCentral twitter 

“The YourCentral team really helped 

“It’s so nice to see a local magazine full 

our business with an online entry in 

of interesting articles and with nice 

their Website Directory. Absolutely 

photographs that catch the eye.” 

fantastic service and very friendly.” 

@adam_jones 

@dave-ingle-23 

Susan Winstanley. 

Our Music page highlights all the 

best bands, including The Darkside 

of Pink Floyd, one of the UK’s 

top tribute acts - see them at the 

Babbacombe Theatre in August 

22. 

“At last, a community magazine for the local 

community. A great start.” 

@wayne_smith 

“YourCentral offers the complete creative marketing solution for your business.” 

@miryam_alexander 

“This is a designer who really takes 

the time to understand the client 

needs.” 

@moghees 

YourCentral facebook 

16. 

Peter Jones. 

One of the true wonders of 

Devon; Dartmoor National Park 

is a photographers dream. Enter 

our competition to have your own 

images published 

“Wonderful community magazine 

that really understands the needs 

of local people. Well done to all 

the staff and designers” 

Dave Jones 

“YourCentral community mag is 

the best of its kind. A Fantastic 

achievement and definitely of benefit 

to our local area.” 

Jim Kimol 

“Keep up the good work. An 

excellent first edition. Well 

done to the team.” 

Brendan Samuel 

“Top quality magazine.” 

Mary Sindole 

Natalie Alexander. 

The best Restaurants and places 

to eat in the area. There are some 

amazing hidden gems out there, 

and Natalie aims to find them all 

and share their little secrets. This 

month it’s Recipes 

18. 

“Having a Business Directory on the website is a definite bonus . . .” 

Keep in touch . 

Martin Freeman 

theUSUAL 

suspects. 

08. dave’s garden tips 10. music & theatre 

12. community news, events and much more 

16. days out 18. food 

22. featured band 24. health & beauty 

28. pets corner 30. art & literature 

www.twitter.com/ www.facebook.com/ 

www.pinterest.com/ 

yourcentralmag 

yourcentralmagazine yourcentralmagazine 

We thank you for your support. 

page 

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Beautiful Torquay 

CHIC, 

ECLECTIC, 

ICONIC . . 

Torquay is a cosmopolitan 

tourist town on the south 

coast of Devon and, since the 

19th century, a fashionable 

seaside resort in the English 

Riviera. 

page 

6 

The basics 

The town is made up of a number of small 

settlements that amalgamated into the 

town of Torquay. The town’s historic core 

consists of Tormohun (also historically 

known as Tormoham), Wellswood, The 

Warberries, Upton and Ellacombe and is 

based upon what was once the holdings 

of the Palk family. In 1900 Chelston and 

Livermead, part of the Cockington estate 

owned by the Mallocks, were annexed 

The inner harbour has plenty of bars and restaurants 

the for town al-fresco and dining this was in the followed summer by by 

the absorption of the former borough 

of St Marychurch. In this period St 

Marychurch covered Plainmoor, Watcombe, 

Babbacombe and Kingskerswell. In 1928 

the Mallocks’ last holdings in Cockington 

were integrated into the town borders. 

Torquay expanded throughout the century 

leading to the development of Shiphay, 

Hele Village, Barton and since the 1990s, 

The Willows and since 2010 onwards 

Edginswell and into Kingskerswell giving 

the town its current layout as well as 

Maidencombe up to the Gabwell’s. 

Wellswood and the Lincombes were built 

up by wealthy Victorians who, influenced 

by their travels around the Mediterranean, 

built large villas with Italianate features 

and towers. There are many pine trees, 

Bay bushes and trees (Laurus nobilis), 

various palm tree species and Phormiums. 

Cabbage trees or “Torbay Palms” are a 

notable feature of the area; the trees were 

introduced into the area from New Zealand 

in 1820 and since then have flourished. 

The vegetation gives Torquay a look of a 

more exotic climate than its high latitude 

cool oceanic location. 

Torquay’s advantages as a seaside resort 

and destination are obvious, with no less 

than nine sandy beaches and extremely 

high standards of water quality. Torbay 

enjoys a warm micro-climate. 

Torquay is (in)famous as the setting of 

Fawlty Towers, the hotel owned by Basil 

and Sybil Fawlty in the classic 1970s British 

television comedy. 

The writer Agatha Christie was born in the 

town and lived here during her early years 

and there is an “Agatha Christie Mile”, a 

tour with plaques dedicated to her life and 

work. 

The water sport events of the 1948 

Summer Olympic Games were held in 

Torquay, and the Olympic flame brought 

from London to Torre Abbey Gardens. 

The coastal area of Torbay which includes 

Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, was given 

the nickname ‘English Riviera’ because of 

the large amount of sandy beaches and 

the relatively warm climate compared to 

the rest of the country. Officially known 

as Torbay it is almost completely made 

up of tourist resorts and small fishing 

communities. It is in a natural east facing 

harbour.

BRIEF 

TORQUAY 

THE PERFECT DESTINATION 

TORQUAY, DEVON, UK 

KENTS CAVERN 

Home to early man 

for some 700,000 

years and where 

tourists can visit 

this subterranean 

wonderland. The 

Caves have attracted many famous 

people, among them Agatha Christie, 

Beatrix Potter, & King George V of the 

United Kingdom. 

www.kents-cavern.co.uk 

Beaches, shopping & food... 

Torquay is also set along a coastline 

renowned for its beaches, having no 

fewer than nine popular beaches. The 

high standards of water quality and beach 

facilities mean that many carry coveted 

awards. There are nine main beaches of 

Mexican and Lebanese cuisine. 

Accolades like AA Rosettes, Michelin Stars 

and Les Routiers can be found, while 

even several of the fish and chip shops 

are award winning. From restaurants with 

stunning views across the emerald bay, to 

TORQUAY 

MUSEUM 

The oldest in 

Devon, was 

founded in 1844 by 

The Torquay Natural 

History Society. 

The museum contains extensive 

geology, natural science, archaeology 

and ethnography collections of 

international importance. The story 

of the English Riviera Geopark is told 

through exhibitions about geology, 

fossils and archaeology. 

Torquay, beautiful beaches and coves 

Country pubs offering hearty fare, Torquay 

www.torquaymuseum.org 

stretched out along the palm lined coast. 

has it covered. 

Union Square and Fleet Walk shopping 

centres are located near to the Harbour. 

They offer a wide range of high street 

shops, ranging from independent 

boutiques to large chain stores. 

Chefs in the area are spoilt for choice 

when it comes to locally sourced seafood 

and meat. Adventurous diners can take 

a culinary journey around the world, 

sampling everything from French, Italian 

and Spanish, to Indian, Thai, Moroccan, 

There are numerous pubs, clubs and bars 

close to the harbourside, ranging from 

traditional English pubs to classy wine 

bars. 

NEED TO KNOW MORE 

For more detailed information, visit 

www.torbay.gov.uk 

LIVING COASTS 

A coastal zoo 

owned by Paignton 

Zoo. The stone 

arches of this 

public bath have 

been incorporated 

into the shop at Living Coasts. 

Development of the site as a marine 

animal exhibit was first proposed 

in early 1999 in response to a call 

from Torbay Council for submissions 

from interested parties. The project, 

developed by Kay Elliott architects, 

included an exhibit to house marine 

birds. 

www.livingcoasts.org.uk 

page 

7

SUMMER 

is Here at last 

Dave’s Gardening Column 

1. Dead heading 2. Bug busting 3. Vegetables 

Welcome to the new 

gardening column. 

Where possible 

the organic approach is used 

to keep your produce and 

garden child, pet and nature 

friendly. The hot sunny days 

are here. We can look forward 

to a very busy time in the 

garden, hopefully seeing the 

fruits of our labour. Whilst the 

sun works its magic, there are 

some immediate jobs for your 

attention. Now is the time to 

dead head flowers especially, 

roses, geraniums and dahlias. 

Gently snip below base of 

flower head to make way 

for new shoots and prolong 

flowering. 

Garden pests are about 

such as, aphids, green 

fly and black fly, 

especially on peas and beans. 

Eradication can be achieved 

through an organic bug mix 

or slightly diluted Ecover 

washing up liquid, sprayed 

onto the diseased plants. 

Snails and slugs are plentiful, 

wet weather is a favourite. Be 

vigilant and check your plants. 

Lawns need raking, weeding 

and a feed. If the sun 

discolours the grass, feed with 

any quality lawn product and 

water well. Any bare patches 

can be revitalised with seed. 

The vegetable patch 

should be flourishing 

with lettuce, radish, 

early peas, beans, spring 

onions and new potatoes. 

Keep well watered and 

organic feed with chicken 

manure or liquid seaweed. 

A gentle hoe helps to remove 

weeds. Berries and currants 

need to be tied and netted. 

Trees should be fruiting. 

Until next time, enjoy your 

gardening. 

Any questions or queries 

contact: Dave’s Gardening 

Services 07722 389031. 

page 

8

Getting back into your 

garden and enjoying a 

moment of pleasure 

3 Reasons for Growing your own Herbs 

1. Variety 2. Good for You 3. Stress Relief 

One of the best benefits 

of growing your own 

herbs is having fresh 

herbs right at your fingertips, 

whenever you want or need 

them. When you have your 

own herb garden growing 

right outside — or inside — 

your door, you’ll always have 

the right ingredients waiting 

for you to make dinner time 

magic. Adding a few different 

herbs to a simple chicken 

dinner makes it a whole new 

meal. Your simple side dishes 

become the main feature. 

Potatoes are a new adventure 

on a nightly basis. The results 

are only limited to the types of 

herbs you decide to plant. 

Adding fresh herbs to 

your diet is a great way 

to boost your meal’s 

vitamin value, but that isn’t 

the only health benefit you 

can obtain. Gardening is a 

wonderful form of exercise. 

All of that digging, bending, 

and stretching will pay off 

in tightly toned muscles, 

and if you keep at it, you’ll 

also achieve a bit of weight 

loss and healthily glowing 

skin. Let’s face it, fresh herbs 

can be expensive when you 

purchase them individually at 

the greengrocer every time 

you need them, and the local 

shops don’t always stock all 

the herbs you are looking for. 

Tending, or just visiting 

a herb garden can do a 

world of good towards 

relieving all that built-up 

stress that daily life likes 

to give us. The sights and 

scents that abound in a herb 

garden delight the senses and 

revitalise the soul. Having 

one at your own home makes 

it that much easier. Herb 

gardening is an educational 

experience for adults as well 

as for children. There is always 

something new to learn, 

whether it be a new gardening 

technique, a different recipe, a 

new and improved use for the 

herbs you thought you knew 

so well. 

page 

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What’s On 

Feature guide 

For all the latest live music & theatre events 

Featuring Scott McGowan 

Scott is a full-time musician who performs throughout the southwest as either a solo 

guitarist/vocalist or as the frontman of his own band. With many years of gigging 

experience behind him, playing in both pubs and clubs and at weddings, functions and 

parties, Scott has a vast catalogue of songs in his repertoire covering several different 

styles of music. As well as playing a general mixture of music at his gigs, Scott can also 

provide themed nights in a particular style such as reggae, rock, country or rock ‘n’ roll, 

depending on what is required, and he also performs regularly in more intimate settings 

such as cafe bars where he plays a more laid-back acoustic set. 

In addition to performing locally, Scott is also a full-time member of Les McKeown’s Bay 

City Rollers playing both guitar and keyboards and providing backing vocals for Les, and 

he has spent the last eight years performing shows all over the world including regular 

tours in Japan, Canada and Australia and UK theatre tours in the autumn and festivals 

throughout Europe in the summer 

Scott runs a very busy guitar tuition practice in Paignton where he provides lessons for 

students of all ages and abilities, and for the last twenty years he has worked full-time as 

a guitar teacher in many schools throughout Torbay and east Devon. 

Please visit Scott’s website, www.scottmcgowan.co.uk for more information. 

MAGIC OF THE STARS 

LEGENDS OF THE WEST END 

THE OPERA BOYS 

page 

10 

This all new family variety show 

features extracts from Broadway 

and West End shows. Tuesdays and 

Wednesdays until 18th October 

Babbacombe Theatre 

Performing songs that span eight 

decades. Thursdays until 28th 

September. Box office 01803 328385 

Babbacombe Theatre 

For the past 5 years, The Opera Boys 

have been delighting audiences all 

over the world. Saturday 22nd July 

7.30pm. 

Babbacombe Theatre

BANDS 

get pro-active 



Calling all local 

bands within the 

Bay. Please contact us 

if you would like to be 

interviewed. 


We can produce articles about your band enabling you to fully promote your music to a 

much wider audience. Photographs can be included and you can even have video links 

appearing on a dedicated Live Music page on our website. 

There is even a Live Music directory that you can be included on. Many local bands are 

finding that this enhances their marketing and advertising efforts, it really is a perfect 

promotional tool. So get in touch TODAY and be part of our dynamic live music scene with 

Featured Musician slots in each magazine publication. We have a list of many satisfied artists 

that will tell you how they benefitted from the extra exposure. 

The Darkside of Pink Floyd, one of the UK’s top tribute 

bands, performed at this years BMAD Festival at the end 

of April. They are back in Torbay at the Babbacombe 

Theatre on Saturday 18th August and they’re bringing 

their amazing light show with video screen & lasers. 

Tickets are £18 seated, available online or through the 

Box Office on 01803 328385 

www.thedarksideofpinkfloyd.co.uk 

Thank You For The Music 

The World of Flying Drones 

SUMMER EVENING GHOST TOUR 

The ultimate tribute to ABBA. Amazing 

international smash-hit show. Friday 

11th August 7.30pm 

Princess Theatre, Torquay 

Come and learn about drones with Up 

and Away Vision at Torquay Museum. 

Fly the latest technology simulator and 

mini drones. 

3rd-5th August 

Do you think you can make it around 

the cave system? You never know who 

might appear from the dark. 

Not recommended for children under 

the age of 8. 

Tickets from Kents Cavern 

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Your Community Page. 

Share your news, events 

and stay in touch. 

THIS IS YOUR COMMUNITY PAGE 

Humanity 

Torbay is 

a non-profit 

charitable 

organisation. 

We specialise in 

helping people who are 

homeless and vulnerable. 

We run three drop-in centres 

and we have a permanent base 

in Torquay at 1a Castle Road. 

At the drop-in centres presently, we 

offer housing advice, benefit advice, 

advocacy, employment support and 

assistance in reading and writing as well as 

managing household bills. As well as this, we 

offer the opportunity to have a hot meal, clothing 

and a food parcel. We also give lots of love and hugs. 

We are all volunteers and we have no funding. Therefore, 

we would like to be able to apply for grants so we can do 

even more work in helping those who need it the most. We 

hope that there will be no homeless in Torbay, that is our aim 

and mission. 

We would love for the public to donate food, clothing and furniture 

for people whom are going into new homes. We just want people to 

realise their preconceptions of homelessness is not what they think it is. 

People can be homeless for so many reasons. Homelessness and poverty can 

affect anyone. We have had a 20-year-old sleeping in a shed, who was recently 

housed by us and is presently being assisted in finding a job. We have also helped 

two people in their 40’s find accommodation and work in other parts of the country. 

Please see the full article at www.yourcentralmagazine.co.uk 

page 

12 

Ellie Waugh – Chairman of Humanity Torbay

Reader’s Gallery 




page 

13




More community 

news & information 

across Torbay 

We 

need 

YOU 

Welcome to Your 

Central Magazine, 

a community magazine with a 

difference. We are about to launch 

the very first interactive community 

magazine in Torquay. With your help, we 

are creating a central hub for all businesses, 

charities, organisations, and residents, all under 

one roof. WE NEED YOU . . . Tell us what you want 

in your magazine. Send in YOUR stories, news, views, 

what’s on, helpful hints & tips, grandma’s recipes, your latest 

band video, funding award, achievements . . . the list goes on. We 

can’t put everything into our printed magazine, but we have plenty of 

space online at www.yourcentralmagazine.co.uk 

page 

14



Around our community 

Coffee mornings for people that suffer in silence. Mondays 9.30 - 11.30am at The Chronic Café at 

The Windmill Centre, Pendennis Road, Torquay. 

Foxhole Community Centre. Wednesday afternoons 2 - 4pm: WAGS (Wednesday afternoon gossip 

& scrabble). A chance for anyone who likes a good old gossip and playing board games or cards 

to come along, meet up for tea and cake. All ages welcome. Wednesday evenings 4:45 - 8:15pm: 

Karate contact Sensai Jack on 07528839591. Thursdays 9 - 11:15am: Family learning, a chance for 

anyone to brush up on English/Maths skills plus Family values (creche provided). Thursday evening 

5 - 9pm: Homeless night off, an opportunity for Torbay’s homeless to come along to the centre and 

have a shower, find clean clothes, play games, watch TV and get a hot meal and drinks. Thursday 

Evenings 6 - 9pm: American football training. All welcome. Friday evenings 6 - 

hours. 

9pm: Youth training for the youth American football team, again all ages 

welcome. Sunday mornings 11 - 2pm: Breakfast club, 5 item breakfasts start 

from as little as £2.50 - We also offer a full party package which includes the 

hire of the main hall & kitchen, bouncy castle, ballpool & 10 didi cars £100 for 3 

Play Torbay 

Play Torbay is an incorporated charity launched on 7 October 2010, previously and since 1999 

known as Torbay Play Forum. Our aim is to improve the quality and quantity of play provision 

for children and young people living in Torbay and raise awareness about the importance of play in 

children’s lives. Our core activities are: Free holiday and half-term activity programmes. Adventure 

Playgrounds – developments in Brixham: Indigos Go Wild, Paignton: Wild Fox and Torquay: Fort 

Apache. Bay Play Rangers free sessions in parks and open spaces 

across the Bay. Play Days. Quest Builders. Inclusion Programme. 

Training and CPD. Skills Bank Scheme. We raise funds to provide 

free activities and transport for children across the Bay particularly 

for those who may not be able to access opportunities otherwise. Our Vision - We provide: New 

facilities for children and young people. More facilities and opportunities for playworkers and people 

who work with children and young people. Continued delivery, maintenance and support for existing 

community facilities and play opportunities for children. Promotion of accessible play opportunities 

for all children and young people in Torbay. A new membership play association supporting children’s 

play in Torbay: PLAY TORBAY. 

We mainly work with children and families who are disadvantaged for a number of reasons including 

poverty, disability or marginalisation; we explore the potential of offering play to local children and 

look at ways to develop community cohesion. 

Our adventure play areas have brought together 

parents and local people and built new social 

networks helping us to get families to know each 

other and give parents more confidence to let 

their children play outside. In Torbay there is a 

significant older population and some evidence that 

children are regarded with hostility. We want to 

raise the profile of play, the importance of children 

in the public realm and the vital importance of play 

children’s social and physical well being. 


page 

15




DARTMOOR 

Mysterious Dartmoor, dimly seen, and prized 

For being distant and untrod; and still 

Where’er I wander’d, - still my wayward eye 

Rested on thee! 

LETTERBOXING 

The activity of Letterboxing originated 

on Dartmoor – it was started in 1854 

when James Perrott of Chagford set 

up a small cairn at Cranmere Pool on 

north Dartmoor. Inside he put a glass 

jar where visitors who had ventured to 

the lonely, bleak spot could leave their 

visiting cards. 

From this hikers on the moors began 

to leave a letter or postcard inside a 

box along the trail, hence the name 

“letterboxing”. The next person to 

discover the site would collect the 

postcards and post them. 

Letterboxing combines orienteering 

with treasure hunting and puzzle 

solving and is a great way to introduce 

children and young people to the joys 

of exploring Dartmoor and improve 

navigation skills. 

TAKE IT ALL IN 

Dartmoor is an area of moorland in 

southern Devon, England. Protected 

by National Park status as Dartmoor 

National Park. 

The granite which forms 

the uplands dates from the 

Carboniferous Period of geological 

history. The moorland is capped 

with many exposed granite hilltops 

known as tors, providing habitats 

for Dartmoor wildlife. The highest 

point is High Willhays, 621m 

(2,037ft) above sea level. The 

entire area is rich in antiquities and 

archaeology. 

Try the Dartmoor Prison museum, 

for example (dartmoor-prison.co.uk, 

adults £3, kids £2). 

MYTHS 

Dartmoor is reputedly the haunt 

of pixies, a headless horseman, 

a mysterious pack of “spectral 

hounds”, and a large black dog, 

among others. During the Great 

Thunderstorm of 1638, the 

moorland village of Widecombein-the-Moor 

was even said to have 

been visited by the Devil. 

Many landmarks have ancient 

legends and ghost stories 

associated with them, such as the 

allegedly haunted Jay’s Grave, the 

ancient burial site of Childe’s Tomb, 

the rock pile called Bowerman’s 

Nose, and the stone crosses that 

mark former mediaeval routes 

across the moor. 

page 

16




COMPETITION: 

If you have 

taken some 

wonderful shots of 

Dartmoor and would 

like them published 

in the YourCentral 

magazine - please 

send us an email 

COMPETITION 

Send your photos using our File 

Transfer link on our website. Our 

editorial team will choose the 

winners from each category and 

notify each person. 


LITERATURE 

Dartmoor has inspired a number 

of artists and writers, such as 

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in The 

Hound of the Baskervilles and 

The Adventure of Silver Blaze, 

R. D. Blackmore, Eden Phillpotts, 

Beatrice Chase, Agatha Christie, 

Rosamunde Pilcher, and the 

Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould. 

In Harry Potter and the Goblet of 

Fire, the fictional 1994 Quidditch 

World Cup final between Ireland 

and Bulgaria was hosted on the 

moor. The park’s main visitor 

centre is located in Princetown 

and features exhibits about 

Dartmoor’s history, culture 

and wildlife. They 

stock maps, and 

guidebooks. 

PRE-HISTORY 

The majority of the prehistoric 

remains on Dartmoor date back to 

the late Neolithic and early Bronze 

Age. The large systems of Bronze 

Age fields, divided by reaves, cover 

an area of over 39 sq miles of the 

lower moors. 

The climate at the time was 

warmer than today, and much of 

today’s moorland was covered 

with trees. The prehistoric settlers 

began clearing the forest, and 

established the first farming 

communities. Over the centuries 

these Neolithic practices greatly 

expanded the upland moors, and 

contributed to the acidification of 

the soil and the accumulation of 

peat and bogs. 

page 

17



If you enjoy these recipes then please let us know & spread the word 

Cooking & 

Baking 

From recipes submitted by Mrs L. Wren 

who has been a resident of Torbay for 20 

years now. Mrs Wren moved from London 

to Torbay to enjoy a more laid back 

lifestyle; and from Marie Beck who has 

been collecting recipes for the last 40 years. 

According 

to our 

Readers 

CHEESECAKE 

You will need: Loose bottom tin, Rolling pin, 

Tablespoon, Small cup, Mixer or whisks. 

Ingredients: 454g of curd cheese, 113g of soft 

cheese, 2 Medium eggs, Small cup of caster sugar, 

1 tbsp of custard powder, Squeeze of lemon juice, 

Whole pack of digestive biscuits. 

Method: Pre-heat oven to 160C, Crush biscuits with 

rolling pin and leave to one side. Then mix caster 

sugar and custard powder together. Slowly add 

the curd cheese, soft cheese, egg and a squeeze 

of lemon. Mix together in a folding motion slowly 

until smooth. Place crushed biscuits into a greased 

or lined 7” cake tin. Pour the mixture onto the base 

and give a gentle shake to level the ingredients. Put 

the mixture into the oven for 10-12 minutes. Check 

periodically throughout cooking until the mixture is 

stiff. Add raspberries on top. 

BROWNIES 

page 

18 

Ingredients: 100g Butter, 1 Cup of 

Granulated white sugar, 2 Eggs, 1 

splash of Vanilla essence, ¾ Plain Flour, 

1 tsp Baking powder, ½ cup Cocoa 

powder, 1 pinch of Salt. 

Method: Pre-heat the oven to 180°C 

then grease or line the brownie 

tin. Melt the butter and pour into a 

medium sized bowl. Mix the melted 

butter and white sugar together till 

combined. Next add the eggs, one at 

a time and beat into mixture, then add 

the vanilla extract. Now sift the flour, 

baking powder, cocoa powder and a 

pinch of salt into the mixing bowl until 

mixed in well. Once this is done, pour 

the mixture into the pan and cook 

for 15 mins if you like your brownies 

gooey or 20-25 mins for a crisp 

outside edge. Makes 12 brownies.



SHORTCAKE 

4 ounces of soft margerine, 2 ounces of 

sugar, 5 ounces of flour, 1 blancmange 

powder, a little milk. 

METHOD: Mix margarine and sugar 

until smooth, mix flour and blancmange 

powder add to the smooth butter mix 

using your hands to make a dough, if 

a little dry use some milk. Line the tin 

of choice and gently press the mixture 

into the tin, gently score the mix into 

segments and prick the top. Cook until 

slightly brown and still soft to the touch, 

sprinkle with sugar and gently slide onto a 

wire tray, cut when cool. Lovely with real 

strawberries and clotted cream. 

HOT POTATO LOAF 

You will need: 2lb loaf tin, potato peeler, 

large saucepan, whisk, ladle, tin foil. 

Ingredients: 907g of potatoes, 3 large eggs, 

113g of cream cheese, 500ml of milk, pinch 

of salt and pepper, pinch of mixed herbs, 

parmesan cheese to taste. 

Method: Pre-heat oven to 190C, Grease 

loaf tin, Peel potatoes and dice, Add 

boiling water to saucepan and add salt 

and potatoes, Par boil potatoes. Whilst 

potatoes are par boiling, beat cream 

cheese and eggs together. Stir in rest of 

the ingredients excluding potatoes. Once 

potatoes are par boiled remove from heat 

and spoon into the loaf tin. Pour mixture 

over the top. Cover tin with tin foil. Place 

into oven for 10-12 mins or until the 

mixture is firm and golden brown on top. 

200g softened butter, 200g of 

castor sugar, 175g s/r flour gluten 

free, 250g mashed potatoes, zest 

of 3 lemons, 2 teaspoons of gluten 

free baking powder. 

METHOD: Mix butter and sugar 

until smooth add beaten eggs, fold 

in the cold mashed potato, mix the 

flour and baking powder add to the 

mix, finally add the zest of lemons; 

this mix should be quite wet, pour 

into a lined baking tin. 

Cook until firm to the touch and 

golden brown. Turn onto a wire 

rack upside down leave to cool. 

Drizzle topping 4oz of sugar, juice 

of 1 lemon. Warm the juice and 

add the sugar until dissolved, 

liberally drizzle this over your cake. 

Yum Yum 

LEMON DRIZZLE GLUTEN FREE 

RING DOUGHNUTS 

You will need a large pan with a 

litre of oil. 

1 cup of sugar, 2 eggs, 1 cup 

of milk, 2 tablespoons of lard, 1 

pound of flour, pinch of salt. 

METHOD: Mix eggs and milk until 

smooth,lard next finally add flour 

and salt. When mixed it should 

resemble pastry. 

Roll out about an inch thick, using 

two sizes of cutters, cut one circle 

then a smaller one in the middle. 

Deep fry in the hot oil until golden 

brown, roll in sugar and enjoy. 

page 

19




Torquay 

lively and 

cosmopolitan 

shopping 

Paignton is mentioned in the 

Domesday Book of AD 1086. The 

name is derived from Paega’s town, the 

original Anglo-Saxon settlement. 

There are a variety of safe, sandy beaches in and around Paignton. Ideal 

for family holidays with plenty of attractions such as; Paignton Zoo, the Steam 

Railway, Splashdown Quaywest Waterpark and Greenway, the former home of 

Agatha Christie, now owned by the National Trust, situated in Galmpton. 

Brixham still 

a fishing port 

quaint harbour 

Totnes has a long recorded history, 

dating back to AD 907 when its first 

castle was built. 

page 

20 

Today, the town is a thriving centre for music, art, theatre and natural 

health. It has a sizeable alternative and “New Age” community, and is 

known as a place where one can live a bohemian lifestyle. Ruins of the 

Norman Castle overlook the town & Totnes is said to have more listed buildings 

per head than any other town.



Torquay, a fashionable seaside 

resort in the English Riviera. 

Torquay’s advantages as a seaside resort and destination are 

obvious, with no less than nine sandy beaches and extremely high 

standards of water quality. Torquay is (in)famous as the setting of Fawlty 

Towers, the hotel owned by Basil and Sybil Fawlty in the classic 1970s British 

television comedy. Torbay enjoys a warm micro-climate that allows palmlike 

trees to grow readily, though these are not true palms but rather Cordyline 

australis - Cabbage Tree. 


Paignton 

perfect for 

families great 

beaches 

Brixham, a small fishing town. 

Brixham is one of the largest fishing ports in the UK. Around 

the harbour, layers of colourful old fishermen’s cottages rise up on 

3 sides, giving a unique and picturesque view of the town. It’s fun to 

explore the narrow old streets and alleyways. There are plenty of cafes, 

restaurants, historic pubs and fish & chip shops. The town is always busy - in 

the summer it seems like there’s an event every week; ranging from the Pirates 

festival to the Fishstock music festival.. It has a focal tourist attraction in the replica of 

Sir Francis Drake’s ship Golden Hind that is permanently moored there. 

Totnes mystical 

and magical 

individual 

page 

21




Our very own highly successful national 

touring band with seven members living 

in Torbay. Definitely destined for the 

Big-Time. See them at the Babbacombe 

Theatre on August 18th 

LIVE 

MUSIC 

page 

22 

THE DARKSIDE OF PINK FLOYD 

More than just an ordinary Pink venues, festivals and theatres. 

Floyd tribute band, The Darkside They were also the first band to 

of Pink Floyd entertain audiences play a live public performance 

with a fantastic light show and inside the prehistoric caves of the 

passionate performances. 

world famous Kents Cavern and 

Due to the demand for their they’ve had four sell-out concerts 

exquisite reproduction of Pink deep underground at Carnglaze 

Floyd’s classic music, The Darkside Caverns in Cornwall as part of 

of Pink Floyd are a regular 

their highly acclaimed ‘Echoes of 

feature at major National music the Past’ tour. 

The band are regulars at the 

World’s Biggest and Best Tribute 

Festival, having played to capacity 

crowds at Glastonbudget for 

five years in a row. They have 

also headlined at BMAD, one of 

the biggest Music & Motorbike 

Festivals in the UK. Nominated as 

Best Tribute Act in the South West 

Music Awards. To top it all, three 

concerts have been arranged 

inside a Roman Amphitheatre on



THE DARKSIDE OF PINK FLOYD 

and some lovely words from a 

Devon fan, “saw these guys at the 

BMAD festival last summer, I’d 

gravitated to the beer tent drawn 

by the opening chords of Floyd’s 

Speak to Me that some enlightened 

soul was apparently playing 

through the PA. Not until inside 

did it become apparent that this 

was not the CD but being played 

live on the stage! The band was 

The Darkside of Pink Floyd, and 

they were stunning, delivering a 

cultured, authentic and beautifully 

produced set of Floyd classics to a 

packed and enthusiastic audience 

that just kept growing throughout 

the performance as people young 

and old were drawn to the large 

marque stage. Highlight of a 

great show . . . it’s tough to pick 

one out, but if pressed then the 

emotionally crushing solo work 

from Comfortably Numb was the 

standout moment for me and a lot 

of others going by the audience 

reaction. You will have to travel 

a long way to see a better Floyd 

Book Tickets NOW 

Glastonbudget 


Tribute”. 

The Darkside of Pink Floyd 

are currently organising a 

Cyprus for 2018. 

hundred-date UK tour for 2018 

and improving their Show with 

“The music took you to planet Floyd 

theatrical effects, more lighting, 

and kept you there” - Music in Leicester. 

extra equipment and new songs to 

add to the already extensive set list. 

“The best tribute of all for one of the 

Exciting ? Absolutely . . . 

world’s greatest groups” - North Devon 

Journal. 

“A more intense tribute band than 

The Darkside of Pink Floyd is hard to 

imagine” - The Stage. 

Carnglaze Cavern 

page 

23




Your smile can light up a room, so it’s important to maintain positive oral health. There 

is a reason why teeth whitening is a multi-billion £GBP industry — people want a whiter, 

brighter smile. Many individuals seek whiter teeth, yet treatments can be fairly expensive 

and in many cases, increase your exposure to harsh chemicals. 

Luckily, there are highly effective, all-natural solutions available. Not only are these alternatives cost-effective, 

but they reduce toxin exposure and best of all, they work. If you would like to boost your confidence by 

achieving a whiter smile, here are three all-natural options. 

Whiten your 

teeth for a 

natural solution 

to effective 

oral hygeine 

What the Research Has to Say: 

Before we dive into natural solutions, it’s 

important to focus on why alternative methods 

are so highly recommended. If you visit a 

holistic dentist, you are probably already aware 

of the potentially harmful ingredients found in 

conventional teeth whitening products. Most 

often, these products contain two key chemical 

agents — hydrogen peroxide and carbamide 

peroxide. 

Just in case you’re wondering — yes, the 

hydrogen peroxide in teeth whitening products is the 

same chemical used to bleach hair. Research has confirmed that adverse effects are evident and the use of 

these products could potentially threaten your health. 

Within one study, published in the British Dental Journal, it was stated that cervical root resorption is a 

possibility, leading to tooth sensitivity. Researchers concluded that until hydrogen peroxide’s carcinogenic 

effects are examined in greater detail, teeth whitening should not be performed without gingival protection. 

Do you have any health & beauty tips? then why not let us know 

Although research is still being conducted to determine the true dangers associated with chemical teeth 

whitening agents, it’s best to avoid using hydrogen peroxide internally. Instead, give the following three 

natural alternatives a try. 

Say goodbye to expensive, toxic 

products and hello to a naturally whiter 

smile. 

page 

24




Activated Charcoal 

When using this powder in your mouth, the last thing you would think of is ‘whiter’ teeth. In fact, the first 

time you use activated charcoal to whiten your teeth, it may look slightly frightening. This natural powder 

is highly absorbent, removing stains, such as those from coffee and tea. Not only will activated charcoal 

remove stains, but it also helps balance the pH of your mouth. In turn, bacteria is reduced, decreasing your 

risk of tooth decay and gingivitis. Simply dip your toothbrush into some activated charcoal powder and brush 

as usual. Rinse thoroughly and avoid contact with your clothing. 

Coconut Oil 

When using coconut oil to whiten your teeth, you need to 

practice oil pulling — a method that requires you to swish 

coconut oil in your mouth for approximately 20 minutes, 

before spitting it out. The idea is that as you swish, the 

coconut oil ‘pulls’ bacteria out of your teeth and gums. 

This method has been utilised for centuries, helping 

individuals maintain whiter teeth and a healthier mouth 

overall. 

Check out our website too . . 

Baking Soda 

A simple combination of baking soda and water, acts as 

a naturally abrasive substance. As you gently brush your 

teeth with baking soda, it helps to remove surface stains 

from your teeth. Once again, baking soda will also address 

low pH, or acidic levels in your mouth. As your mouth 

becomes more alkaline, it’s easier to maintain a healthier 

oral environment. 


page 

25




Events and things to do during July 

A selection of interesting and more unusual activities that will appeal 

to a wide range of people living in Torbay and the surrounding areas. 

There are many more events at www.yourcentralmagazine.co.uk 

Music Rhythm & Rhyme held at Libraries across 

Torbay - for specific times, phone your local library 

or go to the Torbay Council website www.torbay. 

gov.uk/event-list/ 

This free event introduces babies and toddlers to the 

magic of books with songs, stories and fun. These 

sessions are very popular, so be sure to book in 

Falconry at Torre Abbey Gardens 

See our chief seagull scarer ‘Derek’ the Harris Hawk, 

glide around the Abbey Gardens. Watch Derek patrol 

from our web site we now run a number of festivals 

of different sizes as well as creative holidays abroad. 

Ways With Words has always existed to promote 

both the written and the spoken word. We want to 

bring people together in beautiful surroundings to 

make contact with writers, journalists and experts in 

various fields - to talk, to argue, to listen, to engage 

and to learn. 

For more information and to talk through the various 

options and prices, phone 01803 867373 and ask to 

talk to Phil in our office. 

advance at your local library. Children under 8 years 

old must be supervised by a parent/carer at all times. 

Pre-booking required. FREE 

Lego Club for children of all ages 

Come down to Torquay Library and join our themed 

the gardens in all his splendour, soaring through the 

ruins, and putting on a display for all his fans. Derek 

will be at the Abbey every Sunday at approximately 

1pm (unless there’s heavy rain as he doesn’t like to 

get too wet!) 

Ways With Words at The Dartington Hall Trust, 

Dartington, Totnes, TQ9 6EE (costs vary) 

The Rowcroft Sleep Walk 

Ahoy me hearties! Join Babs the Buccaneer for 

South Devon’s swashbuckling ladies-only night 

walk and raise all the loot you can for families in 

South Devon who need your help to make precious 

memories together. Set sail on your choice of five 

or ten mile walks that start and finish at Torbay 

Leisure Centre on Saturday 8 July 2017. Whichever 

route you be walking, your voyage will begin from 

7.30 – 9pm and take you past Goodrington Sands, 

around Roundham Head along to Paignton Seafront. 

There five milers can return to where you cast off 

Lego builds! Take part in a teamwork project then let 

your imagination fly on your own creation! 

Saturdays 2-3pm Torquay Library, 9 Lymington Road, 

Torquay, TQ1 3DT Phone: 01803 208300 

We started Ways With Words in 1991 and thought 

we would like to run a one-off literature festival 

at Dartington Hall. One festival was obviously not 

going to satisfy the large number of people who 

came to the first festival and so Ways With Words 

became an annual event. 

Word about the festival spread quickly and we 

and ten milers continue to Torquay before returning 

to Paignton with your ship mates. Once signed up 

to take part, your quest will be to raise as much loot 

page 

26 

received invitations from all over the place to run 

festivals in other parts of the country. As you can see 

as you can for local people who need your help. 

Every pound you raise will help local families just like



your own to share precious time together and make 

memories to treasure. We also have good news for 

ye little lassies, as for the first time ladies as young 

as eight-years-old can sign up to take part in The 

celebrations. Throughout the two day event you’ll 

get to see plenty of live entertainment from local 

bands, touring tribute bands, theatre acts, school 

performances, dance acts, amateur dramatics, food 

money that is uses to aid local in international 

charities and causes. So come along, have a giggle 

and see what the racers have install for us this year. 


Rowcroft Sleep Walk. 

stalls, licensed bar, the list is too big! 

Paignton Festival / Torbay Carnival Week 

Saturday 22 July to Sunday 30 July 

GeoPark Triathlon, Goodrington Sands 

Sounds of the Summer, Sunday 16th July at 

Paignton Green and other locations. 

Sunday 9th July. This challenging event takes place 

Newton Abbot Racecourse 

You may be surprised to know that Torbay Carnival 

in the beautiful Global GeoPark of Torbay on the 

has been running for over 100 years. It was originally 

English Riviera, the perfect location for an endurance 

held on one night - procession night - but over the 

event. This event starts with a great sea swim in the 

years we have grown and now we run over nine 

warm waters of Goodrington Sands. Then it’s onto 

days of free entertainment for all the family. We do 

all this to help raise money for local charities and 

organisations. The 2017 Carnival Procession will be 

We’re delighted to announce that on Sunday 16 July 

2017, we will be bringing you our new concert for 

this year - Sounds of the Summer - headlined by 

UK reggae royalty, UB40, plus All Saints, Fine Young 

the bikes for a loop around the Torbay area and 

Cannibals and China Crisis. Tickets are £30.25 

finally a stunning out and back off-road coast run 

over towards Brixham. For more details www.shtri. 

Pedal Car Grand Prix at Torre Abbey Meadows, 

held on Wednesday 26th July departing Paignton 

co.uk/geopark-triathlon/ 

Avenue Rd, Torquay 

Green at 7.45 pm. Roads will be closed while the 

16th July at 10-4pm 

procession is on route. 

Brixham Hap’nin 2017 

Hosted by Rotary Club of Babbacombe & St 

Friday 14 July to Saturday 15 July. Location St Mary’s 

Marychurch. 

BMAD Bike Nights, on Paignton Sea Front 

Park, Vicarage Road, Brixham. 

Come rain or shine the Pedal Car Grand Prix is a 

Paignton Bike Night takes place on Wednesday 

great fixture in the summer calendar. Local teams of 

nights between June and the end of September on 

ladies and gents get together to earn the prestigious 

title of ‘Teams with the most laps’. 

This fun filled day for all ages is well established 

in Torbay events and promises to be full of 

The main Summer attraction in Cowtown is Brixham 

Hap’nin (Party in the Park). It takes place each year 

the sea front at Paignton. Bike Night is intended to 

in July at St Mary’s Park, Brixham and is the perfect 

be a place to get together with like minded people 

event for all ages. In previous years the variety of 

and at the same time raise money for charity. The 

music has ranged from local Primary school choirs 

event has become very popular with both locals and 

to rock bands! The main cornerstone of this unique 

entertainment, speedy and gently kind. Stalls from 

tourists who are just amazed to see so many bikes 

culture is the warm and open welcome extended to 

all visitors who wish to join locals in their festival and 

local charities, entertainers and social clubs. 

The Rotary club will be running stalls itself to raise 

in one location. All the money raised goes to BMAD’s 

chosen charities. 

page 

27




Pets Corner >>> 

Due to illness I have blackouts and also suffer with a lot of pain, 

Geordie keeps an eye on me and follows me everywhere. He makes 

life bearable and really cheers me up with his quirky personality. 

page 

28 

Top tips for cat health 

Cats have similar pain thresholds as people. They 

are vulnerable to a range of infectious diseases or 

illnesses. Try to check your cat for signs of injury or 

illness daily. 

If you notice any unusual symptoms in your cat, 

seek advice from your vet promptly. 

Consider pet insurance to protect you from 

expensive vet bills. 

Help your cat live a calm and relaxed life because it 

could decrease the risk of illness or disease. 

You need to protect your cat’s health. Ask your vet 

about vaccination, parasite treatment (e.g. fleas 

and worms), having your cat spayed or snipped 

(neutered), etc. 

Owning a pet is a long-term commitment so 

consider it carefully. Some cat breeds have 

exaggerated physical features which can cause 

suffering and reduce quality of life; some are also 

prone to inherited disorders/diseases. If unsure 

consult your vet for advice. 

To keep your cat’s coat in good condition, regularly 

groom them. 

Road accidents are the most common cause of 

injury or early death in cats. Microchipped cats are 

more likely to be reunited with owners and receive 

prompt veterinary care if injured. 

Pond care & maintenance 

Ten minutes each week is all you need to keep your 

pond in great shape over the summer months. 

Unless it rains all summer long, the level in ponds 

will drop during windy or hot weather as the water 

evaporates, leading to a reduced surface area and 

less oxygen for the fish. 

Dead, dying or diseased leaves of pond plants can 

rot and discolour the water and also unbalance the 

water parameters leading to algae. 

Remove any plant weeds or pond weed that has 

grown too quickly and place at the side of the pond 

to allow wildlife to get back into the water. 

It’s important to keep the right amount of fish for the 

pond size, feed properly, and monitor the water. 

Keeping fish is very rewarding, just keep regular 

checks on both the pond and the fish. 

When buying fish check very carefully for diseases 

such as fin rot, fungus and parasites. 

Lastly, remember to keep both children and pets 

safe with netting or other safety equipment. 

Enjoy your little bit of nature in your garden.



Woman’s Best Friend 

by J. Simmons 

Going back some years we decided to adopt a 

dog from Animals in Distress. 


It’s easy to buy a puppy, but there are some 

beautiful dogs with no problems they are just 

unlucky I guess. 

We spotted an advert for a border collie in the 

Animals in Distress charity shop window. It 

read: Geordie border collie in need of a home, 

needs someone with experience of collies. 

Looking down the page was a sorrowful 

Charlie), he also came from Animals in Distress 

but after many years died at the age of 14 years. 

Looking back, I realise how lucky we were to 

get Geordie, he is such a character and by the 

time we took him on he had been through 

a terrible life and was still only 2 years old. 

Geordie lays on the bed with me when I am ill, I 

also suffer with blackouts which he picks up on 

and will lay on my feet and then will go to get 

help from my husband. 

looking dog. We later discovered that he had 

been in the home for nearly two years. As a pup 

the farmer had killed his siblings and a worker 

there took him on, unfortunately the man 

was a drunk and left Geordie with no food or 

drink, eventually he gave Geordie to his elderly 

mother who then gave him up to the home. He 

had been through a lot. 

We called Animals in Distress and were invited 

to go and see him, he was in a local field being 

exercised, we walked up and I bent down at 

eye level to him to say hello. He had the most 

beautiful brown eyes. I knew there and then he 

was the one. 

He makes a good gardening buddy and follows 

me everywhere, if I call my husband and he 

cannot hear me Geordie will run into him and 

bark to let him know I need help. He is so clever 

and intelligent. 

I think all people should consider an adopted 

pet, Animals in Distress also have cats, rabbits 

and guinea pigs as well as dogs; most of them 

have done nothing wrong just people move on 

or grow tired of them. 

Geordie is my best friend in the world to me, I 

would be lost without him. 

I am badly disabled and am home all day. 

I missed our previous dog (a collie called 

page 

29



ART 

in association with Haddon Galleries, Torquay. 

BRAD JACKSON 

Like most children, Richard liked to draw. He that he would become but, rather, who he 

remembers being in hospital when he was was! 

five and to relieve the boredom of the long Richard was born in Torquay and naturally, 

stay (which seemed endless, he recalls), he the sea figured prominently in his young life. 

passed the time drawing. There was a lot 

of positive feedback both from school and 

parents with regard to his seeming ‘gift’. 

These affirmations proved to be the spark 

that lit the fire, as from then on he says, 

“Drawing seemed to be as natural as eating”. 

Trips to Dartmoor with the family proved 

to be a source of inspiration. Those early 

images of the rugged hills and streams 

provided the prima materia for his affinity 

with nature and landscape. 

As Richard went through his schooling he 

seemed to come to the natural conclusion 

As a result the sea is a constant source of 

subject matter. Richard is an intuitive artist, 

preferring to paint from ‘feeling’ rather than 

an academic standpoint. 

“I love the poetry of the land and the sea. 

The associations are strong and deep and I 

try to convey this in my work”. 

The reasons for choosing to paint in 

watercolour are vague but he was never 

the less attracted to the medium because it 

retained the drawing and sketching elements 

that were so intrinsic in his art. 

that being an artist was not just something 

RICHARD THORN 

Artist Spotlight 

Renowned local artist Richard Thorn 

has been producing commanding 

works of art, capturing the Devon 

and Cornish landscapes and 

coastline since he started painting 

in the 1980s. The South West has 

a quality of light that attracts many 

British artists and Richard Thorn is 

no exception. 

“Composition and contrast inspire me to 

paint a subject. As I get older, I feel an 

increasing need to incorporate drama into 

my work. Light and dark passages, contre 

jour and strong composition serve to help me 

achieve this end. I feel too that my drawing 

has gradually become more expressive which 

adds vitality to this dramatic motivation. 

I have never been a watercolour ‘purist’, 

although I greatly admire the exponents 

of this genre. My prime objectives are not 

purely technique but a desire to convey the 

myriad textures that exist in nature, and to 

achieve this I like to incorporate other media 

into my work such as acrylic, gouache, pastel, 

ink, coloured crayon and even the humble 

biro. Some of these media are relatively new 

to me but they are increasingly becoming the 

norm in my paintings.” 

I think that art is a moving thing, not only 

from a technical point of view but also 

from an emotional one. My intention is to 

move with these changes and hopefully 

make statements that are relevant to my 

perceptions of the world and who I am.’’ 

page 

30 

Richard’s much sought after work is published as signed limited edition prints and distributed countrywide by Devon’s premier art publisher, Haddon Fine Art Editions. Richard’s entire 

collection of over 100 prints can be viewed at Haddon Galleries on Torquay’s historic harbourside. In addition to this, Richard’s Artist Studio Collection is now live on the Haddon 

Galleries website and offers a large selection of Richard’s original paintings at studio prices. Visit www.haddongalleries.co.uk for full details or call 01803 213000.

LITERATURE 

DAN METCALF 

Dan Metcalf was born and raised in 

Torquay and now lives in Mid-Devon. 

His latest book CODEBUSTERS is 

out on 13th July from Bloomsbury 

Publishing. 

Daydreaming for a 

Living, by Dan Metcalf 

Writers are often asked what age they 

started writing and for me the answer is a 

little vague; I started when I was in infants 

school in Torquay, making up wild tales of 

dragons and wizards (heavily influenced 

by children’s TV of the time). But more 

pertinent a question is ‘When did you start 

telling stories?’. Because the answer is 

simple, for all of us. We have been using our 

imagination since we were born. Working 

with children in schools now, I see some 

brilliant storytellers and it is clear they 

have worlds and amazing places in their 

heads. The question I want to ask to nonstorytellers 

is: ‘When did you stop telling 

stories?’ 

I never did, of course. I continued to tell 

stories throughout my childhood, teens and 

into adulthood. I even went to university to 

study screenwriting. There was a lull after I 

got my degree when I was forced to take a 

‘proper’ job (apparently you have to pay for 

food and rent when you’re grown up. Tsk!) 

but I continued to think up tales in my head 

and on the commute to work. I meandered 

my way into a career as a librarian and found 

the silence of the library at lunchtimes 

a perfect place to start writing, It was my 

love of authors like Philip Reeve and Philip 

Pullman that led me towards crafting 

children’s books. I love writing. At this point 

in my life though my dream of becoming a 

prospect. 

The book I wrote in those hundreds of 

lunchtimes is, unsurprisingly, awful. I 

was learning how to write a long novel, a 

discipline completely different from short 

stories and screenplays and mistakes were 

made. I sent it to publishers but they 

rejected it. All of them. 

But, as your parents always told you, 

practise makes perfect. So I wrote another 

novel. And another. Then eight short years 

after I started writing books, I finally got one 

into print at the age of 33. I worked for a 

while in book packaging, writing pieces for 

a flat fee, but once I had around five books 

under my belt under pen names, I had snuck 

under the radar into the land of publishing. 

My series The Lottie Lipton Adventures 

was published in 2015 and promotion for 

the book has taken me up and down the 

country, appearing at festivals, schools and 

libraries. It’s now sold internationally, having 

been translated into different languages 

including French, Polish, Hungarian and 

Japanese. 

July 2017 will see my 13th book in print, 

the exciting adventure CODEBUSTERS 

and the deadlines for more books are 

stacked up in my diary like air traffic control 

guiding planes into land at Heathrow. I 

finally achieved my goal of being a full time 

writer, albeit by a slightly circuitous route . . 

full time writer seemed like a very distant 

http://danmetcalf.co.uk 

page 

31

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