Newsletter - Sid Vale Association

sid vale association
past • present • future
Newsletter
Number 84 July 2016
The Association promotes conservation and heritage,
the museum, and facilities for recreational
and cultural activities in the Sid Valley
www.sidvaleassociation.org.uk
Sid Vale Association
Cover photo: Bluebells at Soldiers Hill Copse – Val Huntington
Executive Committee Officers
President
Rev Handel Bennett 01395 514211
campsbay2@tiscali.co.uk
Chairman
Alan Darrant
Trent Cottage, Kestell Road, Sidmouth, EX10 8JJ
01395 519848
a.darrant@tiscali.co.uk
Vice Chairman
Ed G. Harrison
Idene, Lower Wheathill, Sidmouth, EX10 9UA
01395 514430
egharrison12@yahoo.co.uk
Honorary Treasurer
P Neville Staddon
79 Woolbrook Road, Sidmouth, EX10 9XD
01395 516158
septembertree@btinternet.com
Secretary
Liz Warren
01395 576998
ejw01@talktalk.net
Points of contact
Conservation and Planning
Richard Thurlow
01395 513171
r.j.thurlow@btinternet.com
Footpaths
Di Fuller
01395 576669
di_fuller@hotmail.com
Heritage Centre/Museum
Nigel Hyman
01395 579815
nigelhyman@live.co.uk
History Group
Prof. Brian Golding 01395 578474
bwgolding@aol.co.uk
Keith Owen Fund Grants
Chris Woodruff
01395 597780
veldandchris@btinternet.com
Meetings
John Ridgley
01395 579819
jridgley44@gmail.com
Brendan Lee
01395 513102
brendan.frances.lee@gmail.com
Membership
Andrew Scott
01395 519797
andrewscott@sidford.orangehome.co.uk
Newsletter
Val Huntington
01395 519350
valeriehuntington@yahoo.co.uk
Publications
John Dowell
01395 568681
jd@rockfordgraphics.co.uk
River Warden
Peter Brookes
01395 597461
peter@peterbrookes.plus.com
Walks
Elizabeth Cotton
01395 514690
lizcotton@cooptel.net
Woodlands and Estates
Richard Huntington 01395 519350
richardjhuntington@yahoo.co.uk
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership
Brian Hall
01395 515787 brianhalldevon@gmail.com
2
A word from the Chairman…
I am aware that there are a number of subjects I wish to
address, so I apologise if this piece is rather disjointed!
THE NEWSLETTER
In its early days, this publication was called an
Information Sheet, subsequently being renamed
Newsletter. I haven’t researched how many editors we
have had in the last 40 years or so, but I would like to
thank Val Huntington, whose first newsletter this is, for a
great issue with a fascinating collection of items.
PROVIDING THE MEANS FOR THE ASSOCIATION TO FUNCTION
Volunteering is what the Sid Vale Association is about – none of our ‘army’ gets
paid for the hours of effort that go into providing the services we do. However, we
clearly need money, for example, to maintain our flower meadows and
woodlands, and to maintain, heat and light our museum; both of these are
responsibilities that few other civic societies have. So my thanks to those longer
standing life members who have recognised how valuable our activities are, and
volunteered to ‘top up’ their subscription – raising over £1000 so far. Any further
donations would be welcome, of course.
On the subject of our volunteers, look out for the high visibility SVA vests being
worn by many of them – helping to highlight for residents and visitors some of the
invaluable voluntary work they do.
SNIPPETS
Our Fore Street premises have taken longer than we hoped, but Richard Thurlow
brings you up to date in his article.
SVA member, John McCarthy, with the help of Ian Simpson, has produced a
fascinating publication on servicemen and women who have been identified by
memorials in Sidmouth Cemetery, as well as those with local connections found
through the Commonwealth War Graves Commission or on the Sidmouth War
Memorial. In due course, a copy will be available for research in our new premises.
Meanwhile our new website is to be launched on July 1st: do visit
www.sidvaleassociation.org.uk
PLANNING
As I write, we are responding to the planning applications for the Knowle and the
Sidford employment site. The following are two examples, of many, where we
question the applications:
3
become Deputy Keeper and then
Keeper of Mineralogy at the NHM.
A word from the Chairman continued
The current Knowle application proposes some buildings that appear to be
between five and seven metres higher than those they replace – that’s between
16 and 23 feet! We have challenged this.
As to the Sidford site the newly approved Local Plan specifies the site should have
‘an onus on B1’ use. Looking at definitions, an onus is a burden, responsibility or
obligation, and B1 use is offices, or such light industrial establishments that would
be appropriate for a residential area. However, the application provides for just
40% of B1. The remainder of the site is split 30% B2 use, which is heavier
industrial, and 30% B8 – storage and distribution. We think the applicants are
failing to take the ‘onus’ seriously, and have challenged this also.
Alan Darrant
Dr Bob Symes
Soon after his retirement to Sidmouth he accepted the
post of honorary curator in the Museum. One of his first
tasks was to modernise the Land and Man Room which
houses the natural history, archaeology and geology
collections. More recently modern display techniques
have been used to illustrate the Sidmouth Red Rocks.
In 2015, at his retirement, the room was re-named after
him in his honour.
Dr RF (Bob) Symes died on May 23rd at the age of
77. He was very well known, popular and respected
in Sidmouth, and further afield.
Bob attended Bishopshalt School, a forward thinking
co-educational grammar school, in Hillingdon,
Middlesex from 1950 to 1957. He played the trumpet
with the Bishops Jazzmen and after leaving school
continued to play football for the Old Uxonians – old
boys of the school.
His career at the Natural History Museum (NHM) started in 1957 as an assistant
Scientific Officer but was interrupted by National Service (1959-1961). He
resumed his work at the NHM and gained a BSc Hons in Geology after evening
studies at Birkbeck
College. He then
completed his PhD at
Queen Mary College,
London. Bob was to
Bob, with Roger Le Voir
(left) and Prof. Ian
Stewart (centre) in the
Museum during the
Science Festival 2013
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His research interests were in mineral
deposits in Europe with especial
expertise in the mining history of
Cornwall and west Devon. He was the
author of popular publications include
two Dorling Kindersley EyeWitness
Guides, one for Rock and Mineral, and
the other, Crystal and Gem. Bob was
awarded an OBE for his services in
London. Later he became a member
of the Council of Exeter University and a Trustee of the Cambourne School of
Mines, part of the University.
He built up the already well established Museum to
become one of the main visitor attractions and he was
delighted to report annual visitor numbers of between
13,000 and 15,000, remarkable figures for a small town.
His good-natured personality was such to attract not only
many people to work with him but also to establish both
loyalty and great affection. His experience and
Bob with his wife Carol
knowledge were very evident.
A popular local speaker, he had widespread interests. He was a Trustee of the Sid
Vale Association, chairman and then president of the Sidmouth National Trust, a
member of the Sidmouth Pickwick Club and a long standing associate of the
Norman Lockyer Observatory. He had a life-long interest in philately.
He remained at the helm at the Museum until last year and, despite increasing ill
health, remained a ready source of advice.
Bob will be greatly missed and our sympathies extend to his wife, Carol and their
family.
Nigel Hyman
5
Woodlands and Estates
Soldiers Hill Field is looking good
but one sad note is the amount of
dog excrement that is deposited on
the field, especially on the public
footpath. This can be avoided by
dog owners either bagging it and
taking it home, or at least as far as
the dog poo bin outside Salcombe
Regis Recreation field. An
alternative is to use the stick and
flick method which moves the
offending excrement into the
bushes at the side of the path. The
field is rented by a farmer who uses
the meadow for hay and he
definitely does not want dog
excrement in that.
The same applies to Margarets
Meadow. When the brambles were
cut back to enable fence repairs, a
large number of discarded dog poo
bags were found. There are many
bins positioned for the collection of
this waste. Please use them.
At Peaslands Knapp the meadow is
fenced off and dogs are not
permitted.
We need YOU to volunteer!
6
Volunteers tackle the latest problems
Margaret’s Meadow
Woodlands and Estates
Interested in joining a working party?
Everyone welcome – Every Monday, except Bank Holidays 9:30-12:00
For details contact Richard Huntingdon 01395 519350
richardjhuntington@yahoo.co.uk
7
The Keith Owen Fund
The Keith Owen fund has supported numerous organisations and events
throughout the Sid Valley. The SVA Newsletter is starting a series of articles on
what happened next.
Sidmouth gig club was formed in 2009 when a group of like-minded people came
together, determined to embrace the sea and bring gig racing to the town. A fibre
glass gig (named Alma) was bought for training but the ultimate aim was to buy a
competitive wooden gig. With a very generous matched funding grant from the
Keith Owen fund, a wooden racing gig was commissioned in 2011 from Keith
Hunkin, a well known gig boat builder in Fowey. The gig was named Keith Owen
in honour of its benefactor and launched in 2012. To date, it has competed in
many regattas in the men’s, ladies and veterans classes and been to the World
Championships in the Isles of Scilly three times. The club is going from strength to
strength and now has sixty rowing members. At the moment, sessions are held on
two weekday evenings and Sunday morning. The club is affiliated to the Port
Royal and has full use of its facilities. In order to keep rowers fit through the winter
when sea rowing time is limited, the club runs gym sessions. Again, the Keith
Owen fund was approached for some financial help and an ergo rowing machine
was purchased. New members are most welcome – google Sidmouth Gig Club
for details. No experience necessary, any age 18-80!
A brief history of gig racing
Cornish Pilot Gigs were designed to transport pilots to sailing ships arriving in
British waters in the South West Approaches in order to help them to navigate the
difficult and treacherous waters around the Cornish coast. The earliest record of a
gig dates from about 1666 and the design evolved and was perfected in the 19th
century. Pilots would compete for business by racing to meet incoming ships and
this resulted in the design becoming one of the fastest, strongest and most
seaworthy craft ever constructed. Gigs also served other purposes along the
English coast; salvage, smuggling and lifesaving – sometimes under sail but more
often rowed by a crew of six. Gigs needed to
have length, lightness and flexibility to be
manageable in extremely heavy seas.
Above: The club organised it's first
home regatta in 2013 – the first time
gig racing had ever been seen in
Sidmouth.
Left: Veterans crew
heart of gig racing for sport, was
reformed and racing revived. In June
1986 Ralph Bird, the celebrated gig
builder, and Newquay’s George
Northey agreed with 14 interested
parties that because the sport was growing in popularity, a specification for gig
builds should be agreed. The only officer elected was the Chairperson, who
would also do the measuring. Ralph Bird’s specification (based on those of the
gig Treffry built in 1838 by William Peters) was adopted as standard and the
association was christened the Cornish Pilot Gig Association. Membership of the
CPGA today stands at over 70 clubs, with 150 registered gigs.
Below: the extra hard wood on the keel – designed to withstand landing on a
shingle beach.
The gig is a clinker built craft with six oarsmen
and a coxswain. They are traditionally
constructed from elm and are 32 feet in length
and 4 feet 10 inches at their widest point. This
shape enables them to be manageable in
rough seas. The advent of steam ships and war
saw pilot gigs dying out but in 1947, the
Newquay Rowing Club, which had been at the
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9
sid vale association
past • present • future
We are actively seeking a volunteer to
work alongside our
TREASURER
with the view to taking over from him
in due course.
The ideal person would have a background in accountancy or similar.
The Association now has stewardship of: • The General Fund
• The Trust Fund • The Landscape Fund (with the National Trust)
• The Keith Owen Fund (an endowment).
An investment committee oversee the Keith Owen Fund under our
Treasurer’s chairmanship.
Please contact the Chairman or Treasurer for information.
Latest news – The Hopper Bus has a slightly different route this year as it
will include a stop in Salcombe Regis village. See local press for timetables.
The SVA have given £7,500 towards running the Hopper.
The SVA funds occasional projects directly from its own funds, for example
Sundial and Toposcope Restoration
In the 1980s the SVA commissioned two objects on the Esplanade; a
toposcope and a sundial. They give the distances and directions to such farflung places as Roscoff and Budleigh Salterton. They were each made with a
reinforced concrete plinth and stainless steel top to last indefinitely.
Weathering and sea spray has taken its toll and at an inspection last year,
“spalling” was discovered – the
reinforcement rods inside the plinths had
corroded, expanded and split the
concrete, letting in more water. It was
agreed with EDDC that SVA would pay
half the cost of repairing and resiting
them, as they were obviously popular with
visitors. The original top plates were
restored and plinths made with denser
concrete. We hope that the toposcope
and sundial will endure the rigours of the
sea for many years to come.
10
Fish in the River Sid
The River Sid is a one of Devon’s smallest
rivers yet has a rich biodiversity. The River
rises at Crowpits Covert (OS grid reference
SY 138963) just below the road from the
Hare and Hounds to Ottery St Mary. From
its source, which is some 206m (630ft)
above sea level, the river flows southwards
for some 6 miles before entering the sea at
the Ham in Sidmouth. There are three
main tributaries, the Roncombe, which
meets at Sidbury, the Snod brook which joins at Sidford, and the Woolbrook,
which enters at the top of the Byes.
The River descends steeply above Sidbury prior to levelling out through Sidford,
downstream of which there is a series of spectacular meanders whose position is
constantly changing, before entering the Sid Vale Association owned land
adjacent to Gilchrist Field and Margaret’s Meadow, and then the artificial channel
through the Byes until it meets the shingle bar below the Ham.
Fish require a succession of different habitats in order to survive and reproduce
as they progress through the various stages of their life cycles. Suitable
spawning substrates (such as clean, loose gravel for salmon and trout) are
essential for successful breeding. Fortunately the Sid is generally unencumbered
by sediments and pollutants and is so capable of hosting good fish populations,
with our varying range of habitats.
A survey in 2013 identified the river to have a population of both migratory and
non-migratory fish. The former included Atlantic salmon, European eel and sea
trout, along with the more static lamprey, brown trout, bullhead and others.
However there are a number of impassable fish barriers which do significantly
impede the free movement of fish upstream. The most significant of these is
School Weir which is situated at the southern end of the Byes and is some 3
metres high. Since 2007 local volunteers, led by the SVA river warden, have
carried out regular “fish rescues” over a period of weeks each autumn. In autumn
2015 a report was received that fish were trying to jump up the weir. In order to
assist their passage up river, a number of fish “rescues” were arranged whereby
fish were carefully netted below the weir and then transported (by wheely-bin!!) to
the higher level above the weir, for them to continue their journey up stream to
spawn. This year we netted 93 larger fish including three salmon (two female and
one male), along with 90 sea and brown trout, and numerous smaller elvers and
younger fish.
Peter Brookes
11
Trumps News
Nearly a year ago, we let you know
that we were proposing to buy a
property in Sidmouth to fulfil our need
for expanded Museum space and an
HQ for the SVA.
The Museum, in Hope Cottage, is
occupied on a long lease from
Sidmouth Town Council, but space is
very limited. Because of the Museum’s
success, we now have a great
problem in storing archive material
and providing a space which can be
used by the staff for research and
meetings, and suitable space which external researchers may use.
The SVA has no space where we can store our documents and support material,
hold meetings and use as offices. This makes us very inefficient in our
administration. How we have managed over the last few years I do not know, as
we operate quite a business from the member’s homes.
Accordingly we looked for a property in the centre of the town, close to Hope
Cottage, and of the right ambience, at the right price. After a search, we found
that the former “Trumps” building was suitable for our needs. This is a Grade ll
listed building in Fore Street.
Over the past years extensive
renovations have been carried out by
the owner, as the building had not
properly been maintained for nearly 20
years, (the building leaked, the upper
floors had been used as a series of
short term lets and generally the
building was not fit for any purpose).
The attached photos show the state of
the interior, including an interesting
late 19th century range, which we will
leave in place and restore.
The repairs have made the building
watertight and structurally sound, and
the lower floor is now occupied by
Coffee#1.
12
Further renovations are now being undertaken on the upper
floors, including the removal of asbestos found in some of the
interior walls.
Once this has been dealt with, we expect to complete the
purchase. Our space will be on two floors, (on the left hand
side of the building from Fore Street). The remaining space
will be sold by the owner as apartments.
It will then take about 6 months to fit out the interior in order to
make it suitable for Museum storage and office uses. We
expect to be using the building in late autumn.
We are disappointed that we have not made faster progress,
but repairs to a Grade II listed building, (which could not be
assessed in advance of work, and which needed extensive
negotiations with EDDC), the incorporation of the requirements of the Fire
regulation, and change of use from residential to office space, have taken much
more time than expected.
Richard Thurlow
The new SVA website goes live on July 1st
Have a look and let us know what you think
www.sidvaleassociation.org.uk
Museum walks
Western Town – Tuesdays 10.30am
Eastern Town – Thursdays 10.30am
Geology walk – Wednesdays 2pm
Accompanied by knowledgeable guides, discover some of
Sidmouth’s fascinating landmarks and historic locations, or
take a leisurely stroll along the Esplanade to see the evidence
of Sidmouth’s geological past over the last 240 million years.
All walks depart from and return to the Museum and last
about 1½ hours. No booking required. All walks are free, our
guides are all volunteers. All donations are welcome.
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Membership Application Form
Please send completed form, with payment if
applicable, to The Membership Secretary (SVA)
67 Malden Road, Sidmouth EX10 9LZ
sid vale association
past • present • future
I/We wish to become Member(s) of the Sid Vale Association
Title
Surname
(BLOCK LETTERS please)
First name(s) 1
Second member
Address
Post Code
Phone
E-Mail Address
EITHER I/We enclose my/our Annual/Life Membership subscription of £
Please delete as appropriate and make cheques payable to The Sid Vale Association
OR I/We have completed the standing order mandate opposite (Please 3)
GIFT AID SCHEME
I wish to make payments under the Gift Aid Scheme. I want the Charity to treat as
Gift Aid ALL donations and subscriptions I make to the Association, from the date
of this declaration, until I notify you otherwise. I confirm that I pay an annual
amount of Income Tax which is not less than the amount of tax which may be
redeemed by the Sid Vale Association.
Signature
Date
The Sid Vale Association is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registration number 1154749
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
By cheque or cash – or
cheaper by standing order!
ANNUAL MEMBER an individual
2 at same address
LIFE MEMBER
an individual
2 at same address
Area
Date
Receipt
Outside the Sid Valley
Within the
including postage
Sid Valley
Cheque/ Standing Cheque/ Standing
cash
order
cash
order
£12
£18
£120
£180
Memb.Card
£10
£16
-
WG
£10
£16
£100
£160
NMM
£8
£14
-
GA
Help us – and make new friends at the same time!
I/We will be happy to help (as and when available) and would like more
information about one (or more) of the following: (Please 3)
Membership
o Local delivery of newsletters to members
Newsletter
o Writing articles and editorial
Museum
o Stewards o Archivists o Computer Operators
o Administration o Shop
Meetings Team
o Planning o Setting up in the Manor Theatre
IT Presentations o Powerpoint presentations
Website
o Updating of content o Technical management
Social Activities o Planning for social events
Excursions
o Planning
Walkers
o Monthly walks in East Devon
Youth work
o Contact with schools and young people
Keith Owen Fund o Grants to community projects o Investment planning
Footpaths
o Monitoring and maintaining access on country paths
River Patrol
o Monitoring rivers and streams
Woodlands and Estates o ‘Hands-on’ managing grass, hedging, trees, wild-life
Conservation and Planning Team o Monitoring planning applications
STANDING ORDER MANDATE
To The Manager
Bank
Branch Address
Post Code
Please set up the following Standing Order from my/our account
Name(s) of account
Sort Code
Account Number
Recipient Sid Vale Association CIO
Recipient’s Bank CAF Bank (Charities Aid Foundation)
25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ
Sort Code 40 - 52 - 40 Account Number 00016416
Please pay the sum of £
First payment date
Quoting SVA reference
Regular payment date 1st January, yearly until further notice
Signature
Date
John Tindall – ‘A Fine Type Of English Gentleman’
Anna Sutton described John Tindall (1846-1933) in this fashion in her 1953 Story
of Sidmouth. He was born in Scarborough and studied art at the Bradford School
of Design where the director was a well-known Victorian artist, James Lobley.
Many years later, in 1907, he wrote a short book, Sketching Notes, and
acknowledged Lobley’s influence. Tindall was also an accomplished string player
but his career was neither in art nor music but in banking. He moved, with his
wife Isabella, to Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire in the 1870s to become a
partner in the Quaker founded Leighton Buzzard Bank. The couple had six
children, four boys and two girls. In the 1890s, when the bank became Barclays,
he retired to Sidmouth. Initially he lived at The Marino (now Pauntley) and then
Cotmaton House.
In 1919 he wrote his memories of the war years in a slim
publication, The Sidmouth Volunteers, a valuable record of
the Home Front. Soon after war was declared there was a
very real perceived threat of invasion. Tindall attended a
meeting in the Manor Hall (Pavilion) whose purpose was to
establish a Town Guard of voluntary recruits, mainly for those
over military age. He wrote, ‘I was sitting by old George
Woolley, who had been listening closely. He looked at me
and said, “Us be too old, I think, sir.” I answered, “George,
I think I shall give in my name.” I went up to the table. “Your
name sir? Your age next birthday?” “Sixty-eight”, I replied.
“A shilling, if you please.” And the thing was done!’
Tindall was keen to learn signalling but, in addition, had to attend general training
in the Drill Hall and on the cricket field as well as strenuous route marches. After
being marched to the top of Salcombe Hill he proudly remembers, ‘Yet we
flinched not at the steepest gradient of that very steep ascent.’ Duties included
being sent out in pairs to explore villages and report back about the state of
railway lines, roads and bridges. Eventually, in 1917, he was able to learn the
skills of signalling using semaphore and Morse. He became proficient with flags,
buzzers and lamp signals. It is clear that many of the older local men were
anxious to be involved in their own way. The book describes important details
about the town a century ago. For
example War Shrines were
inaugurated by the vicar in October
1916. These were located round the
town and recorded the deaths of local
men. Peak House was generously
Drill Hall (early 19th century)
16
transferred to the Red Cross, rent
and rate free, by the owner Sir
Thomas Dewey. This ad hoc
hospital cared for convalescing
wounded soldiers. Church
services were shared with the
invalids in ‘an atmosphere of soap
and oil and leather’. Similarly, the
Manor made use of its Marine
Baths
(Kingswood Hotel) for
Signallers, 1918, Tindall second from right,
disabled
officers. We learn about
front row
the importance of allotments and
the rationing of some foods and coal. Good prices were maintained for fish
catches as meat became scarce. The town roads deteriorated mainly due to the
lack of labour. Women were now very evident working the allotments, doing
postal duties and acting as telegraph messengers. He recalled that the town’s
two orchestras were ‘mute’ and that his viola lay untouched in the case.
Camouflaged convoys came close to the shore accompanied, ‘by sea-planes like
big dragon-flies, or airships like monster guinea-pigs’.
Tindall felt a strange sadness at the time of the celebration
of the Armistice. Almost certainly, although he didn’t
mention it, this reflected the death of his daughter, Mary, a
year earlier. She had been working as a Red Cross nurse
in Exeter when she developed an acute illness and died
following surgery. Tragically, one of his sons, Noel, a
Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy on HMS Egmont
was killed off the coast of Malta in 1919. Both their names
can be seen on the church plaque just inside the western
entrance to the Parish Church; Mary is the only woman on
the memorial.
Between 1922 and 1931 John Tindall, now 75, devoted 10 years to an
extraordinary, even obsessive, endeavour. Almost every day he would walk down
to the beach and record ‘careful observations of the foreshore’. These included
wind speeds and directions, rainfall
and, most importantly and in very
great detail, the state of the ever
changing shingle. Also recorded
were fish hauls (by number, month
and type) and cliff falls. There are
numerous photographs of every
aspect of his work. On one
occasion he slipped and injured
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himself, whilst on the beach. He required several weeks convalescence at home
but he sent his nurse to continue the daily observations; her personal views are
not recorded. The bound volumes are archived in the Museum and provide rich
data for further analysis as well as being this remarkable man’s lasting legacy.
Nigel Hyman
SVA Publications
Sidmouth’s Literary Connections
by Nigel Hyman
Jane Austen had a romantic attachment; Elizabeth Barrett
was lulled to sleep by the noise of the sea; JRR Tolkien
found the inspiration to continue writing Lord of the Rings;
Rupert Brooke wrote a poem for his new young love;
Beatrix Potter wrote about a pig; John Betjeman wrote a
poem Still Sidmouth; RF Delderfield spent his later years
here; Stephen Fry wrote about the town whilst filming
Jeeves and Wooster; and there are others… On sale now
at the Museum. £2.50.
The Time Capsule
SIdmouth Scouts are building a time capsule, to be
opened in 100 years time, into their new headquarters
and asked the Museum for
ideas for something to show
people what Sidmouth was like
in 2016. They chose three of our
publications: The newly updated
edition of Sidmouth – A History,
Roger Trend’s
Sidmouth
Rocks and Louise Woolley’s
The Natural History of the Sid Valley.
Fancy Writing an Article?
We welcome any article that has a relevance to the Sid Valley area and may
interest our members. The maximum word count is about 800 words and
accompanying digital pictures are much appreciated.
This newsletter is published twice a year in July and November and articles are
required two months prior to publication. We cannot guarantee that all articles
submitted will be published.
Send your articles to Val Huntington: valeriehuntington@yahoo.co.uk
18
It would be interesting to know what
those red cliffs will look like in 2116!
But you don’t have to wait 100 years to
read the books – they are available
now from Sidmouth Museum, or online
at www.sidvaleassociation.org.uk
Online Sales
When the Museum is closed, many of the Sid Vale
Association’s publications are now available to buy
online from our website
www.sidvaleassociation.org.uk
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Sidmouth – the steam
locomotive
Museum Volunteers
I have volunteered with the Photogroup at Sidmouth
Museum for two and a half years, and I love it. The
work is straightforward; I simply scan and index the
thousands of photographs held by the Museum. To
some that might sound rather uninteresting, but the joy
for me is the fascinating glimpses these photographs
provide of life, as it was, in this beautiful area. To give
you an example, they record the leisurely delivery of
mail in Sidbury by Postman Banks with his horse and
cart in the early 1900s and the activities of Theophilus
Charles Mortimore the last Town Crier. There are many
images of buildings that no longer exist such as the
Mason's Arms in Chapel Street, the White Hart Pub in
All Saints Road or Sidmouth's old Bath House and of
course they record how the shops in the main shopping areas have changed
hands many times. Once the Museum has all its images digitised they will be
added to the main catalogue and
then they will be far more
accessible to the public. That is
the next stage of my work and
I look forward to the challenges it
will bring.
Sarah Collins
The role of steward in the
Sidmouth Museum is not only
interesting but also very
rewarding in that one learns a
great deal about the local history,
and has the pleasure of socialising with visitors to the town. The duty rota is
extremely flexible and for an individual with time on their hands, being part of the
steward team is very worthwhile.
When you enter the Sidmouth Museum
you will notice a wall panel recounting the
working life of a ‘West Country’ class
steam loco, No. 34010 which was named
Sidmouth. When the panel was made
several years ago Sidmouth was a
collection of rusting parts in various locations, with little chance of returning to its
former glory. Happily that’s all changed, but let’s go back to the beginning…
In the 1940s the Southern Railway built a fleet of express steam locos to haul
trains from Waterloo to Devon and Dorset. These were named after the towns
the railway served. The tenth was named “Sidmouth”, and numbered 34010. It
travelled along the branch line to Sidmouth station for a ceremony on 27th June
1947 which was reported in that week’s edition of the Sidmouth Herald.
The loco hauled express trains to the west of England until it was withdrawn from
service in 1965. It was sent to a scrap yard in South Wales but escaped the
cutter’s torch until it was bought for preservation in 1982. Buying 91 tons of
rusting steel is the easy part – restoring it to working condition takes a lot of time
and money.
After several changes of ownership it was bought by Southern Locomotives Ltd,
(SLL) a not-for-profit company based in Swanage which has restored several
similar locos, however Sidmouth never quite reached the top of the restoration
Shirley Clements
We visited Sidmouth and enjoyed the museum walks. When we eventually moved
to the town, we read in the Sidmouth Herald ‘What’s On’ diary about an
introductory walk around the SVA land and ended up joining the working party!
We like the friendship, the fulfilling nature of the work and all the SVA is doing in
the area.
Mike Davies
20
34010 Sidmouth at Nine Elms depot in 1959. Photo: C Boocock
21
queue – until now. In October 2015 SLL polled its 700 supporters and received
strong backing to start work.
The frames, wheels, boiler and most other components exist in states of disrepair;
everything else can be sourced or made from new. Work is already under way; the
tender frames and axle boxes have been overhauled, new cylinder covers have been
cast, and steel ‘tyres’ for the six huge driving wheels have been purchased from
South Africa, the only place in the world where they are still made.
Parts of Sidmouth have been taken down from
the shelves where they have rested for many
years, and the long path to restoration has
started. Here SLL volunteers (ladies and
gentlemen) work in the yard outside the
Swanage workshop, removing years of
accumulated rust and grease.
The project will take at least three years and
cost well into six figures. It will be restored to
mainline standards, though it is expected to work mainly on heritage lines such as
Swanage Railway. Much of the work is done by a large team of volunteers,
though SLL also employs five highly skilled machinists and fitters. The painting is
mainly in the hands of Ron Bennett, who has been a volunteer for the last 19
years, and is now aged 89!
Sidmouth resident Nick Thompson regularly works as a volunteer and also runs
their website, www.southern-locomotives.co.uk He is a member of SLL’s board
and naturally he’s keen to see the loco restored.
“This is our best, and possibly the last, opportunity to bring 34010 Sidmouth back
into service. Big green locos with shiny brass nameplates attract people of all
ages and it will bring the town of
Sidmouth to the attention of people
from all across the country.”
Sidmouth lingered in Barry scrap yard
from 1965 to 1982, when it was bought
for restoration. It moved to Yorkshire
where it lay for a further 15th years before
it was bought by Southern Locos.
22
Those in Sidmouth who would like to
support the project can become
shareholders in SLL, or they can
sponsor individual components. For
example, the boiler will need 112
tubes, each of which costs £65. All
sponsors will be invited to attend the
recommissioning event and take a
seat on the ‘first train’. The company
runs on a not-for-profit basis and
offers members an annual “Driving &
Firing” trip on one of its seven locos.
As far as is known Sidmouth only made one visit to
the town of Sidmouth. On 27th June 1946, it’s by
the platform canopy of Sidmouth station for the
naming ceremony. A copy of the Sidmouth Herald’s
report can be found on the SLL website; Only the
‘OU’ of the name is visible, and it’s hard to tell
who’s who, except for driver W E Dubbs, and Rev.
E F Ball, the Vicar of Sidmouth. Photo by I.
Broughton, Courtesy: Amberley Publishing.
The 34010 Sidmouth panel is still on the wall of the museum, and there are
leaflets describing the restoration project. Before too long we’ll need a new panel,
showing Sidmouth once again hauling trains full of passengers, and being
admired by all who see it. If you’d like to find out more about Sidmouth’s
restoration pick up a leaflet at the museum or contact Nick on 01395 519335,
send an email to nicksidmouth@gmail.com
Nick Thompson, Southern Locomotives Ltd.
The Sidmouth line
Trustees of the Balfour estate funded a
shareholding scheme in cooperation with
London and South West Railway to build a
light railway running from Sidmouth junction
near Feniton, on the busy Waterloo to Exeter
line, to Sidmouth. It opened in 1874.
L.S.W.R. took it over completely in 1922 and
at its peak in
1938, eleven
trains ran daily carrying passengers, freight and
coal for the gasworks.
In 1967, it was closed under the Beeching cuts.
It is difficult to believe that the ‘Sidmouth’ steam
engine could have possibly made its way along
the track looking at it now. The photo shows a
section of the disused line – part of a circular
walk – at the back of the Bowd recycling centre.
The extraordinary feats of Victorian engineering
can be seen in the ornate brickwork on the
bridge, the height of the embankment and the
depth of the cutting through the valley.
23
History Group
Excursions into the history
of Sidmouth Station
During a meeting last year, a question was
raised by a member whose friend is creating
a model of Sidmouth Station as it was in
1959. He wanted to know if the street lights
outside the station were electric or gas. The
station buildings occupy the corner of Alexandria Road and Bulverton Road, the
latter having been diverted from its old route through the Whorlands fields, now
the Alexandria industrial estate and Pathwhorlands housing estate, in order to
accommodate the railway in 1874. Most of the old station buildings are still in
place and a keen eye can still identify the locations of the platforms and sheds
and the railway line curving away to the north. Sidmouth got its first gas supply in
the 1830s from a works in Water Lane. This was bought out by Mr Dunning in
1870 who then transferred it to the Ham, where it continued to operate until the
second World War, when a new works was built close to the station and the Ham
works was decommissioned. However, the station works had only a short lifetime
before Sidmouth was connected to the mains gas supply from Exeter. The railway
closed in 1967 and it is believed that the station lights continued to operate from
gas until then. However, the council opened an electricity station in the town in
1926, and the street lights were subsequently converted. So in 1959, we believe
that the station lights were gas but the street lights were electric.
Brian Golding
The Sidmouth local history group meets every second Monday of every second
month at 7pm in the Darlington Room and welcomes anybody with an interest
in local history. Discussions evolve from issues raised by members and
occasional guests.
Have we got your email address?
We would like to make sure we have up to date email addresses for all our
members. We promise not to bombard you with unwanted messages, but there
are occasions when we would like to contact you between newsletters with up to
date information about events, or when we need your support. We know that
some of you will have changed your email addresses since you joined, and
indeed many of you were members long before emails existed! So please email
andrewscott@sidford.orangehome.co.uk with your latest address. Thank You.
24
SVA Excursion – Wednesday 7th September 2016
Visit to North Devon, Dartington Glass and Tapeley Park
Our tour travels through some of Devon’s most attractive green scenery, following
the Torridge river valley northwards to Dartington Glass. Here we will join the
Visitor Factory experience, and from the ground floor or the viewing platform,
watch molten glass from the furnace, become elegant hand-made crystal. Now
the only remaining hand-made glass factory in Britain! Time for shopping, light
refreshments, or a visit to the attractive glass museum.
Afterwards we continue northwards to the historic town of Bideford, and stop in
nearby Westward Ho! for a sandwich or pasty and a drink at a local café. Then we
join the Atlantic Highway, high above the Torridge river, to reach Tapeley Park.
The afternoon is spent here, and includes a guided tour of Tapeley Manor by the
resident Custodian. Gathered in the public rooms is the nation’s largest collection
of William Morris’ furniture inspired by the Arts & Crafts movement.
You will have time to visit the Italian garden terraces; discover
something about Perma-culture and the environment; and enjoy a
Devon cream tea before your homeward drive. We expect to
spend two hours here.
Tapeley Manor from
the lily pond
SVA Coach Excursion to North Devon
Wednesday 7th September 2016
Price Includes:
l Coach
Straight from
l Dartington Glass Factory
the furnace
Experience
Dartington
l Gardens at Tapeley Park with
guided tour by the House
Custodian.
l Devon cream tea in the grounds
l Driver’s Gratuity
Our tour starts at 8.20am from the
Three-Cornered Plot, with pick-ups en
route. This is to enable us to arrive in
time for the Dartington Glass Visitor
centre morning tour at 10.00, to view glass blowing and ‘finishing’; refreshments
and shop (1½ hours). We return around 6.30pm.
l Booking Form: please send to Revd. Handel Bennett,
2 Victoria Road, Sidmouth, EX10 8TZ. Tel. Enquiries (01395) 514211
l Bookings will be confirmed from July 31 and remain open until filled.
l Payment. Please make cheques payable to ‘SID VALE ASSOCIATION CIO’
l Envelope Please enclose s.a.e postage paid. Thank you
We regret that the Association cannot accept responsibility for any loss, damage or injury that may be suffered by
anyone taking part in this event. Tickets cannot be ‘reserved’. Refunds will only be given if tickets can be re-sold.
! ..........................................................................................................................................
POSTAL BOOKING FORM 2016
Please supply ....... ticket(s) at £28.75 per person for the NORTH DEVON
excursion on Wednesday, September 7
PLEASE 3 BOX CHOICE
Joining at
The Triangle 8.20am o
Radway 8.23am*
o
*Approx. timings
Exeter X 8.27am*
o
Green Close 8.30am* o
1. ................
............................................ ..........................................................
2. ................
............................................ ..........................................................
TITLE
FIRST NAME
SURNAME OF EACH PERSON BOOKING
Address ...................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
*E-mail ............................................................... Post Code .................................
*Will not be disclosed to third parties.
CONTACT TEL. NO. OF PERSON BOOKING .......................................................
Have you enclosed a stamped, self-addressed envelope? Yes/No
Sid Vale 2018 Calendar
Photo Competition
The Sid Vale Calendar is produced
each year to raise money for the
Sidmouth Landscape Fund, formed
jointly in 1986 by the Sid Vale
Association and the National Trust, for
the conservation of the Sid Valley
countryside, to ensure that it remains
unspoilt for future generations to enjoy. The Fund has contributed to the
acquisition of land such as Peaslands Knapp, Margaret’s Meadow and General
Hunt’s Pond.
We are looking for photos of Sidmouth, Salcombe Regis or the Sid Valley with
that WOW FACTOR! If you would like to have one or more of your photos
considered for inclusion, please submit them by email to
calendar@sidvaleassociation.org.uk or on a cd to: Landscape Calendar 2018,
Sidmouth Museum, Hope Cottage, Church Street, Sidmouth EX10 8LY. Please
include your name, address, phone number, and email address if you have one.
The photos should be jpeg or tiff files suitable for printing at A4 size, which means
they should be a minimum of 2,400x1,700 pixels and preferably 3,400x2,550 or
more to allow for cropping. Please note, entries are limited to three photos per
person.
The 14 chosen entries will win a copy of the Calendar and everyone submitting a
photograph for consideration will be entitled to order copies at a reduced rate.
The closing date for entries is 30th November 2016 so that the Calendar can go
on sale at Easter next year, to give visitors a chance to buy this unique souvenir
of their holiday right through the summer season.
Please note that copyright on the photos remains with the photographer. By entering the
competition you are only giving the SVA permission to print the photos in the Calendar and
use them to promote it in adverts etc, and not for any other use.
TRAVEL EXPERIENCE?
Have you had the pleasure of being an
excursion planner? There is now an
opportunity to help arrange a small
excursion programme. If you like making
arrangements, or researching places of
interest in the South-west, please contact
Handel Bennett, ’phoning (01395 514211)
or by e-mail: campsbay2@tiscali.co.uk
Dates for your Diary
Tuesday July 5th – SVA Countryside Walk
Meet at 10am in East Budleigh carpark. Grid Ref: SY 067 859 Leader: Norma
Tel: 01395 513974.
Tuesday August 2nd – SVA Countryside Walk
Meet at 10am in Newton Poppleford recreation ground carpark.
Grid Ref: SY 088 899 Leader: Vivien Tel: 01404 811267.
Explore the highways and byeways of Tipton St John.
Wednesday 3rd August – Museum – “Singing the rocks”
Geology walk with a difference. Learn the songs, then walk and sing along the
Esplanade.
Wednesday 10th August – Museum – Red Rocks Day
Celebrate our World Heritage Coast. Rocks, fossils, minerals explained by our
own experts. Fossil rubbings and dinosaur hunt for youngsters.
Tuesday September 6th – SVA Countryside Walk
Meet at 10am at Escot, in front of the restaurant. Grid Ref: SY 080 979
Leader: Margot Tel: 01395 512693
Wednesday September 7th – SVA Excursion to North Devon, Dartington
Glass and Tapeley Manor – see inside for details.
Tuesday October 4th – SVA All day Dartmoor Walk
Meet at 9am in Lidl car park for carsharing. Bring a picnic lunch. There will be an
opportunity for a cup of tea at end of walk. Back in Sidmouth around 4pm.
Leaders: Cliff and Pam Tel: 01395 578699.
14th-15th Oct– Museum – Sidmouth Science Week
Dinosaurs and fossils, and other activities
Wednesday 26th October – Museum – Big Draw Day
Everyone welcome, all ages, to help paint a masterpiece designed by local artist.
Saturday 29th October Museum closes for the winter
IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY A MEMBER OF THE SVA,
WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN NOW
Contact Andrew Scott 01395 519797 andrewscott@sidford.orangehome.co.uk
The Sid Vale Association CIO is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registration number
1154749. The Association promotes conservation and heritage, the museum, and facilities
for recreational and cultural activities in the Sid Valley
© 2016 Designed and published by the Sid Vale Association