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 A word from the Chairman… Executive Committee Officers I am aware that there are a number of subjects I wish to President Rev Handel Bennett 01395 514211 [email protected] address, so I apologise if this piece is rather disjointed! Chairman THE NEWSLETTER Alan Darrant Trent Cottage, Kestell Road, , EX10 8JJ 01395 519848 [email protected] In its early days, this publication was called an Vice Chairman Information Sheet, subsequently being renamed Ed G. Harrison Idene, Lower Wheathill, Sidmouth, EX10 9UA Newsletter. I haven’t researched how many editors we 01395 514430 [email protected] have had in the last 40 years or so, but I would like to Honorary Treasurer thank Val Huntington, whose first newsletter this is, for a P Neville Staddon 79 Woolbrook Road, Sidmouth, EX10 9XD great issue with a fascinating collection of items. 01395 516158 [email protected] Secretary PROVIDING THE MEANS FOR THE ASSOCIATION TO FUNCTION Liz Warren 01395 576998 [email protected] 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 Points of contact clearly need money, for example, to maintain our flower meadows and Conservation and Planning woodlands, and to maintain, heat and light our museum; both of these are Richard Thurlow 01395 513171 [email protected] responsibilities that few other civic societies have. So my thanks to those longer Footpaths standing life members who have recognised how valuable our activities are, and Di Fuller 01395 576669 [email protected] volunteered to ‘top up’ their subscription – raising over £1000 so far. Any further Heritage Centre/Museum donations would be welcome, of course. Nigel Hyman 01395 579815 [email protected] n o t History Group On the subject of our volunteers, look out for the high visibility SVA vests being g n i Prof. Brian Golding 01395 578474 [email protected]

t worn by many of them – helping to highlight for residents and visitors some of the n u Keith Owen Fund Grants invaluable voluntary work they do. H l Chris Woodruff 01395 597780 [email protected] a SNIPPETS V Meetings –

e John Ridgley 01395 579819 [email protected] Our Fore Street premises have taken longer than we hoped, but Richard Thurlow s

p Brendan Lee 01395 513102 [email protected]

o brings you up to date in his article. C

Membership l l i Andrew Scott 01395 519797 andrewscott@.orangehome.co.uk SVA member, John McCarthy, with the help of Ian Simpson, has produced a H s r Newsletter fascinating publication on servicemen and women who have been identified by e i

d Val Huntington 01395 519350 [email protected] memorials in Sidmouth Cemetery, as well as those with local connections found l o through the Commonwealth War Graves Commission or on the Sidmouth War

S Publications t

a John Dowell 01395 568681 [email protected] Memorial. In due course, a copy will be available for research in our new premises. s l l River Warden e Meanwhile our new website is to be launched on July 1st: do visit b Peter Brookes 01395 597461 [email protected] e

u www.sidvaleassociation.org.uk l Walks B

: Elizabeth Cotton 01395 514690 [email protected] o

t PLANNING o Woodlands and Estates h p

As I write, we are responding to the planning applications for the Knowle and the

r Richard Huntington 01395 519350 [email protected] e v Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership Sidford employment site. The following are two examples, of many, where we o

C Brian Hall 01395 515787 [email protected] question the applications:

2 3 A word from the Chairman continued become Deputy Keeper and then Keeper of Mineralogy at the NHM. The current Knowle application proposes some buildings that appear to be between five and seven metres higher than those they replace – that’s between His research interests were in mineral 16 and 23 feet! We have challenged this. deposits in Europe with especial expertise in the mining history of As to the Sidford site the newly approved Local Plan specifies the site should have Cornwall and west . He was the ‘an onus on B1’ use. Looking at definitions, an onus is a burden, responsibility or author of popular publications include obligation, and B1 use is offices, or such light industrial establishments that would two Dorling Kindersley EyeWitness be appropriate for a residential area. However, the application provides for just Guides, one for Rock and Mineral, and 40% of B1. The remainder of the site is split 30% B2 use, which is heavier the other, Crystal and Gem. Bob was industrial, and 30% B8 – storage and distribution. We think the applicants are awarded an OBE for his services in failing to take the ‘onus’ seriously, and have challenged this also. London. Later he became a member Alan Darrant of the Council of Exeter University and a Trustee of the Cambourne School of Mines, part of the University. Dr Bob Symes Soon after his retirement to Sidmouth he accepted the post of honorary curator in the Museum. One of his first Dr RF (Bob) Symes died on May 23rd at the age of tasks was to modernise the Land and Man Room which 77. He was very well known, popular and respected houses the natural history, archaeology and geology in Sidmouth, and further afield. collections. More recently modern display techniques have been used to illustrate the Sidmouth Red Rocks. Bob attended Bishopshalt School, a forward thinking In 2015, at his retirement, the room was re-named after co-educational grammar school, in Hillingdon, him in his honour. Middlesex from 1950 to 1957. He played the trumpet with the Bishops Jazzmen and after leaving school He built up the already well established Museum to continued to play football for the Old Uxonians – old become one of the main visitor attractions and he was boys of the school. delighted to report annual visitor numbers of between 13,000 and 15,000, remarkable figures for a small town. His career at the Natural History Museum (NHM) started in 1957 as an assistant His good-natured personality was such to attract not only Scientific Officer but was interrupted by National Service (1959-1961). He many people to work with him but also to establish both resumed his work at the NHM and gained a BSc Hons in Geology after evening loyalty and great affection. His experience and Bob with his wife Carol studies at Birkbeck knowledge were very evident. College. He then completed his PhD at A popular local speaker, he had widespread interests. He was a Trustee of the Sid Queen Mary College, Vale Association, chairman and then president of the Sidmouth National Trust, a London. Bob was to 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, with Roger Le Voir (left) and Prof. Ian Bob will be greatly missed and our sympathies extend to his wife, Carol and their Stewart (centre) in the family. Museum during the Nigel Hyman Science Festival 2013

4 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 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 Volunteers tackle the latest problems 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 Margaret’s Meadow bins positioned for the collection of this waste. Please use them. At Peaslands Knapp the meadow is Woodlands and Estates fenced off and dogs are not Interested in joining a working party? permitted. Everyone welcome – Every Monday, except Bank Holidays 9:30-12:00 For details contact Richard Huntingdon 01395 519350 We need YOU to volunteer! [email protected]

6 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 Above: The club organised it's first in honour of its benefactor and launched in 2012. To date, it has competed in home regatta in 2013 – the first time many regattas in the men’s, ladies and veterans classes and been to the World gig racing had ever been seen in Championships in the Isles of Scilly three times. The club is going from strength to Sidmouth. 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 Left: Veterans crew 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 heart of gig racing for sport, was Owen fund was approached for some financial help and an ergo rowing machine reformed and racing revived. In June was purchased. New members are most welcome – google Sidmouth Gig Club 1986 Ralph Bird, the celebrated gig for details. No experience necessary, any age 18-80! builder, and Newquay’s George A brief history of gig racing Northey agreed with 14 interested parties that because the sport was growing in popularity, a specification for gig Cornish Pilot Gigs were designed to transport pilots to sailing ships arriving in builds should be agreed. The only officer elected was the Chairperson, who British waters in the South West Approaches in order to help them to navigate the would also do the measuring. Ralph Bird’s specification (based on those of the difficult and treacherous waters around the Cornish coast. The earliest record of a gig Treffry built in 1838 by William Peters) was adopted as standard and the gig dates from about 1666 and the design evolved and was perfected in the 19th association was christened the Cornish Pilot Gig Association. Membership of the century. Pilots would compete for business by racing to meet incoming ships and CPGA today stands at over 70 clubs, with 150 registered gigs. this resulted in the design becoming one of the fastest, strongest and most seaworthy craft ever constructed. Gigs also served other purposes along the Below: the extra hard wood on the keel – designed to withstand landing on a English coast; salvage, smuggling and lifesaving – sometimes under sail but more shingle beach. often rowed by a crew of six. Gigs needed to have length, lightness and flexibility to be manageable in extremely heavy seas. 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

8 9 sid vale association We are actively seeking a volunteer to Fish in the River Sid work alongside our The River Sid is a one of Devon’s smallest rivers yet has a rich biodiversity. The River TREASURER rises at Crowpits Covert (OS grid reference with the view to taking over from him SY 138963) just below the road from the past • present • future in due course. Hare and Hounds to . From its source, which is some 206m (630ft) The ideal person would have a background in accountancy or similar. above sea level, the river flows southwards The Association now has stewardship of: • The General Fund for some 6 miles before entering the sea at • The Trust Fund • The Landscape Fund (with the National Trust) the Ham in Sidmouth. There are three • The Keith Owen Fund (an endowment). main tributaries, the Roncombe, which An investment committee oversee the Keith Owen Fund under our meets at Sidbury, the Snod brook which joins at Sidford, and the Woolbrook, Treasurer’s chairmanship. which enters at the top of the Byes. Please contact the Chairman or Treasurer for information. 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 Latest news – The Hopper Bus has a slightly different route this year as it adjacent to Gilchrist Field and Margaret’s Meadow, and then the artificial channel will include a stop in Salcombe Regis village. See local press for timetables. through the Byes until it meets the shingle bar below the Ham. The SVA have given £7,500 towards running the Hopper. 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 The SVA funds occasional projects directly from its own funds, for example essential for successful breeding. Fortunately the Sid is generally unencumbered by sediments and pollutants and is so capable of hosting good fish populations, Sundial and Toposcope Restoration with our varying range of habitats. In the 1980s the SVA commissioned two objects on the Esplanade; a A survey in 2013 identified the river to have a population of both migratory and toposcope and a sundial. They give the distances and directions to such far- non-migratory fish. The former included Atlantic salmon, European eel and sea flung places as Roscoff and . They were each made with a trout, along with the more static lamprey, brown trout, bullhead and others. reinforced concrete plinth and stainless steel top to last indefinitely. Weathering and sea spray has taken its toll and at an inspection last year, However there are a number of impassable fish barriers which do significantly “spalling” was discovered – the impede the free movement of fish upstream. The most significant of these is reinforcement rods inside the plinths had School Weir which is situated at the southern end of the Byes and is some 3 corroded, expanded and split the metres high. Since 2007 local volunteers, led by the SVA river warden, have concrete, letting in more water. It was carried out regular “fish rescues” over a period of weeks each autumn. In autumn agreed with EDDC that SVA would pay 2015 a report was received that fish were trying to jump up the weir. In order to half the cost of repairing and resiting assist their passage up river, a number of fish “rescues” were arranged whereby them, as they were obviously popular with fish were carefully netted below the weir and then transported (by wheely-bin!!) to visitors. The original top plates were the higher level above the weir, for them to continue their journey up stream to restored and plinths made with denser spawn. This year we netted 93 larger fish including three salmon (two female and concrete. We hope that the toposcope one male), along with 90 sea and brown trout, and numerous smaller elvers and and sundial will endure the rigours of the younger fish. sea for many years to come. Peter Brookes

10 11 Further renovations are now being undertaken on the upper Trumps News floors, including the removal of asbestos found in some of the Nearly a year ago, we let you know interior walls. that we were proposing to buy a property in Sidmouth to fulfil our need Once this has been dealt with, we expect to complete the for expanded Museum space and an purchase. Our space will be on two floors, (on the left hand HQ for the SVA. side of the building from Fore Street). The remaining space will be sold by the owner as apartments. The Museum, in Hope Cottage, is occupied on a long lease from It will then take about 6 months to fit out the interior in order to Sidmouth Town Council, but space is make it suitable for Museum storage and office uses. We very limited. Because of the Museum’s expect to be using the building in late autumn. success, we now have a great We are disappointed that we have not made faster progress, problem in storing archive material but repairs to a Grade II listed building, (which could not be and providing a space which can be assessed in advance of work, and which needed extensive used by the staff for research and negotiations with EDDC), the incorporation of the requirements of the Fire meetings, and suitable space which external researchers may use. regulation, and change of use from residential to office space, have taken much The SVA has no space where we can store our documents and support material, more time than expected. hold meetings and use as offices. This makes us very inefficient in our Richard Thurlow 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. The new SVA website goes live on July 1st Over the past years extensive Have a look and let us know what you think renovations have been carried out by the owner, as the building had not www.sidvaleassociation.org.uk 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 Museum walks building was not fit for any purpose). Western Town – Tuesdays 10.30am The attached photos show the state of Eastern Town – Thursdays 10.30am the interior, including an interesting Geology walk – Wednesdays 2pm late 19th century range, which we will Accompanied by knowledgeable guides, discover some of leave in place and restore. Sidmouth’s fascinating landmarks and historic locations, or The repairs have made the building take a leisurely stroll along the Esplanade to see the evidence watertight and structurally sound, and of Sidmouth’s geological past over the last 240 million years. the lower floor is now occupied by All walks depart from and return to the Museum and last Coffee#1. about 1½ hours. No booking required. All walks are free, our guides are all volunteers. All donations are welcome.

12 13 Membership Application Form sid vale association 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 Please send completed form, with payment if information about one (or more) of the following: (Please 3) applicable, to The Membership Secretary (SVA) o 67 Malden Road, Sidmouth EX10 9LZ Membership Local delivery of newsletters to members past • present • future Newsletter o Writing articles and editorial Museum o Stewards o Archivists o Computer Operators I/We wish to become Member(s) of the Sid Vale Association o Administration o Shop Title Surname (BLOCK LETTERS please) Meetings Team o Planning o Setting up in the Manor Theatre IT Presentations o Powerpoint presentations First name(s) 1 Website o Updating of content o Technical management Second member Social Activities o Planning for social events Address Excursions o Planning Walkers o Monthly walks in Youth work o Contact with schools and young people Post Code Phone Keith Owen Fund o Grants to community projects o Investment planning E-Mail Address Footpaths o Monitoring and maintaining access on country paths River Patrol o Monitoring rivers and streams EITHER I/We enclose my/our Annual/Life Membership subscription of £ Please delete as appropriate and make cheques payable to The Sid Vale Association Woodlands and Estates o ‘Hands-on’ managing grass, hedging, trees, wild-life Conservation and Planning Team o Monitoring planning applications OR I/We have completed the standing order mandate opposite (Please 3)

GIFT AID SCHEME STANDING ORDER MANDATE 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 To The Manager Bank of this declaration, until I notify you otherwise. I confirm that I pay an annual Branch Address amount of Income Tax which is not less than the amount of tax which may be redeemed by the Sid Vale Association. Post Code Please set up the following Standing Order from my/our account Signature Date Name(s) of account The Sid Vale Association is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registration number 1154749 Sort Code - - Account Number SUBSCRIPTION RATES Outside the Sid Valley Within the including postage Sid Valley Recipient Sid Vale Association CIO By cheque or cash – or Cheque/ Standing Cheque/ Standing Recipient’s Bank CAF Bank (Charities Aid Foundation) cheaper by standing order! cash order cash order 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ ANNUAL MEMBER an individual £12 £10 £10 £8 Sort Code 40 - 52 - 40 Account Number 00016416 2 at same address £18 £16 £16 £14 Please pay the sum of £ First payment date LIFE MEMBER an individual £120 - £100 - Quoting SVA reference 2 at same address £180 - £160 - Regular payment date 1st January, yearly until further notice Area Date Receipt Memb.Card WG NMM GA Signature Date John Tindall – ‘A Fine Type Of English Gentleman’ transferred to the Red Cross, rent and rate free, by the owner Sir Anna Sutton described John Tindall (1846-1933) in this fashion in her 1953 Story Thomas Dewey. This ad hoc of Sidmouth . He was born in Scarborough and studied art at the Bradford School hospital cared for convalescing of Design where the director was a well-known Victorian artist, James Lobley. wounded soldiers. Church Many years later, in 1907, he wrote a short book, Sketching Notes , and services were shared with the acknowledged Lobley’s influence. Tindall was also an accomplished string player invalids in ‘an atmosphere of soap but his career was neither in art nor music but in banking. He moved, with his and oil and leather’. Similarly, the wife Isabella, to Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire in the 1870s to become a Manor made use of its Marine partner in the Quaker founded Leighton Buzzard Bank. The couple had six Signallers, 1918, Tindall second from right, Baths (Kingswood Hotel) for children, four boys and two girls. In the 1890s, when the bank became Barclays, front row disabled officers. We learn about he retired to Sidmouth. Initially he lived at The Marino (now Pauntley) and then the importance of allotments and Cotmaton House. 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 In 1919 he wrote his memories of the war years in a slim lack of labour. Women were now very evident working the allotments, doing publication, The Sidmouth Volunteers , a valuable record of postal duties and acting as telegraph messengers. He recalled that the town’s the Home Front. Soon after war was declared there was a two orchestras were ‘mute’ and that his viola lay untouched in the case. very real perceived threat of invasion. Tindall attended a Camouflaged convoys came close to the shore accompanied, ‘by sea-planes like meeting in the Manor Hall (Pavilion) whose purpose was to big dragon-flies, or airships like monster guinea-pigs’. establish a Town Guard of voluntary recruits, mainly for those over military age. He wrote, ‘I was sitting by old George Tindall felt a strange sadness at the time of the celebration Woolley, who had been listening closely. He looked at me of the Armistice. Almost certainly, although he didn’t and said, “Us be too old, I think, sir.” I answered, “George, mention it, this reflected the death of his daughter, Mary, a I think I shall give in my name.” I went up to the table. “Your year earlier. She had been working as a Red Cross nurse name sir? Your age next birthday?” “Sixty-eight”, I replied. in Exeter when she developed an acute illness and died “A shilling, if you please.” And the thing was done!’ following surgery. Tragically, one of his sons, Noel, a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy on HMS Egmont Tindall was keen to learn signalling but, in addition, had to attend general training was killed off the coast of Malta in 1919. Both their names in the Drill Hall and on the cricket field as well as strenuous route marches. After can be seen on the church plaque just inside the western being marched to the top of Salcombe Hill he proudly remembers, ‘Yet we entrance to the Parish Church; Mary is the only woman on flinched not at the steepest gradient of that very steep ascent.’ Duties included the memorial. 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 Between 1922 and 1931 John Tindall, now 75, devoted 10 years to an skills of signalling using semaphore and Morse. He became proficient with flags, extraordinary, even obsessive, endeavour. Almost every day he would walk down buzzers and lamp signals. It is clear that many of the older local men were to the beach and record ‘careful observations of the foreshore’. These included anxious to be involved in their own way. The book describes important details wind speeds and directions, rainfall about the town a century ago. For and, most importantly and in very example War Shrines were great detail, the state of the ever inaugurated by the vicar in October changing shingle. Also recorded 1916. These were located round the were fish hauls (by number, month town and recorded the deaths of local and type) and cliff falls. There are men. Peak House was generously numerous photographs of every aspect of his work. On one occasion he slipped and injured Drill Hall (early 19th century)

16 17 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 SVA Publications 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. Sidmouth’s Literary Connections by Nigel Hyman 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.

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 Fancy Writing an Article? at www.sidvaleassociation.org.u k 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. Online Sales This newsletter is published twice a year in July and November and articles are When the Museum is closed, many of the Sid Vale required two months prior to publication. We cannot guarantee that all articles Association’s publications are now available to buy submitted will be published. online from our website Send your articles to Val Huntington: [email protected] www.sidvaleassociation.org.uk

18 19 Museum Volunteers Sidmouth – the steam locomotive I have volunteered with the Photogroup at Sidmouth Museum for two and a half years, and I love it. The When you enter the Sidmouth Museum work is straightforward; I simply scan and index the you will notice a wall panel recounting the thousands of photographs held by the Museum. To working life of a ‘West Country’ class some that might sound rather uninteresting, but the joy steam loco, No. 34010 which was named for me is the fascinating glimpses these photographs Sidmouth . When the panel was made provide of life, as it was, in this beautiful area. To give several years ago Sidmouth was a you an example, they record the leisurely delivery of collection of rusting parts in various locations, with little chance of returning to its mail in Sidbury by Postman Banks with his horse and former glory. Happily that’s all changed, but let’s go back to the beginning… cart in the early 1900s and the activities of Theophilus In the 1940s the Southern Railway built a fleet of express steam locos to haul Charles Mortimore the last Town Crier. There are many trains from Waterloo to Devon and Dorset. These were named after the towns images of buildings that no longer exist such as the the railway served. The tenth was named “Sidmouth”, and numbered 34010. It Mason's Arms in Chapel Street, the White Hart Pub in travelled along the branch line to Sidmouth station for a ceremony on 27th June All Saints Road or Sidmouth's old Bath House and of 1947 which was reported in that week’s edition of the Sidmouth Herald. 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 The loco hauled express trains to the west of until it was withdrawn from added to the main catalogue and service in 1965. It was sent to a scrap yard in South Wales but escaped the then they will be far more cutter’s torch until it was bought for preservation in 1982. Buying 91 tons of accessible to the public. That is rusting steel is the easy part – restoring it to working condition takes a lot of time the next stage of my work and and money. I look forward to the challenges it After several changes of ownership it was bought by Southern Locomotives Ltd, will bring. (SLL) a not-for-profit company based in which has restored several Sarah Collins similar locos, however Sidmouth never quite reached the top of the restoration 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. 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 34010 Sidmouth at Nine Elms depot in 1959. Photo: C Boocock

20 21 queue – until now. In October 2015 SLL polled its 700 supporters and received As far as is known Sidmouth only made one visit to strong backing to start work. the town of Sidmouth. On 27th June 1946, it’s by the platform canopy of Sidmouth station for the The frames, wheels, boiler and most other components exist in states of disrepair; naming ceremony. A copy of the Sidmouth Herald’s everything else can be sourced or made from new. Work is already under way; the report can be found on the SLL website; Only the tender frames and axle boxes have been overhauled, new cylinder covers have been ‘OU’ of the name is visible, and it’s hard to tell cast, and steel ‘tyres’ for the six huge driving wheels have been purchased from who’s who, except for driver W E Dubbs, and Rev. South Africa, the only place in the world where they are still made. E F Ball, the Vicar of Sidmouth. Photo by I. Parts of Sidmouth have been taken down from Broughton, Courtesy: Amberley Publishing. the shelves where they have rested for many years, and the long path to restoration has The 34010 Sidmouth panel is still on the wall of the museum, and there are started. Here SLL volunteers (ladies and leaflets describing the restoration project. Before too long we’ll need a new panel, gentlemen) work in the yard outside the showing Sidmouth once again hauling trains full of passengers, and being Swanage workshop, removing years of admired by all who see it. If you’d like to find out more about Sidmouth’s accumulated rust and grease. restoration pick up a leaflet at the museum or contact Nick on 01395 519335, send an email to [email protected] The project will take at least three years and cost well into six figures. It will be restored to Nick Thompson, Southern Locomotives Ltd. 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 The Sidmouth line mainly in the hands of Ron Bennett, who has been a volunteer for the last 19 years, and is now aged 89! Trustees of the Balfour estate funded a shareholding scheme in cooperation with Sidmouth resident Nick Thompson regularly works as a volunteer and also runs London and South West Railway to build a their website, www.southern-locomotives.co.uk He is a member of SLL’s board light railway running from Sidmouth junction and naturally he’s keen to see the loco restored. near , on the busy Waterloo to Exeter “This is our best, and possibly the last, opportunity to bring 34010 Sidmouth back line, to Sidmouth. It opened in 1874. into service. Big green locos with shiny brass nameplates attract people of all L.S.W.R. took it over completely in 1922 and ages and it will bring the town of at its peak in Sidmouth to the attention of people 1938, eleven from all across the country.” trains ran daily carrying passengers, freight and Those in Sidmouth who would like to coal for the gasworks. support the project can become In 1967, it was closed under the Beeching cuts. shareholders in SLL, or they can It is difficult to believe that the ‘Sidmouth’ steam sponsor individual components. For engine could have possibly made its way along example, the boiler will need 112 the track looking at it now. The photo shows a tubes, each of which costs £65. All section of the disused line – part of a circular sponsors will be invited to attend the walk – at the back of the recycling centre. Sidmouth lingered in Barry scrap yard recommissioning event and take a The extraordinary feats of Victorian engineering from 1965 to 1982, when it was bought seat on the ‘first train’. The company can be seen in the ornate brickwork on the for restoration. It moved to Yorkshire runs on a not-for-profit basis and bridge, the height of the embankment and the where it lay for a further 15th years before offers members an annual “Driving & depth of the cutting through the valley. it was bought by Southern Locos. Firing” trip on one of its seven locos.

22 23 History Group SVA Excursion – Wednesday 7th September 2016 Visit to North Devon, Dartington Glass and Tapeley Park Excursions into the history Our tour travels through some of Devon’s most attractive green scenery, following of Sidmouth Station the Torridge river valley northwards to Dartington Glass. Here we will join the During a meeting last year, a question was Visitor Factory experience, and from the ground floor or the viewing platform, raised by a member whose friend is creating watch molten glass from the furnace, become elegant hand-made crystal. Now a model of Sidmouth Station as it was in the only remaining hand-made glass factory in Britain! Time for shopping, light 1959. He wanted to know if the street lights refreshments, or a visit to the attractive glass museum. outside the station were electric or gas. The Afterwards we continue northwards to the historic town of Bideford, and stop in station buildings occupy the corner of Alexandria Road and Bulverton Road, the nearby Westward Ho! for a sandwich or pasty and a drink at a local café. Then we latter having been diverted from its old route through the Whorlands fields, now join the Atlantic Highway, high above the Torridge river, to reach Tapeley Park. 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 The afternoon is spent here, and includes a guided tour of Tapeley Manor by the place and a keen eye can still identify the locations of the platforms and sheds resident Custodian. Gathered in the public rooms is the nation’s largest collection and the railway line curving away to the north. Sidmouth got its first gas supply in of William Morris’ furniture inspired by the Arts & Crafts movement. the 1830s from a works in Water Lane. This was bought out by Mr Dunning in You will have time to visit the Italian garden terraces; discover 1870 who then transferred it to the Ham, where it continued to operate until the something about Perma-culture and the environment; and enjoy a second World War, when a new works was built close to the station and the Ham Devon cream tea before your homeward drive. We expect to works was decommissioned. However, the station works had only a short lifetime spend two hours here. 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 Tapeley Manor from that the station lights were gas but the street lights were electric. the lily pond 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 [email protected] with your latest address. Thank You.

24 SVA Coach Excursion to North Devon Sid Vale 2018 Calendar Wednesday 7th September 2016 Photo Competition Price Includes: The Sid Vale Calendar is produced l Coach Straight from each year to raise money for the l Dartington Glass Factory the furnace Sidmouth Landscape Fund, formed Experience Dartington jointly in 1986 by the Sid Vale l Gardens at Tapeley Park with Association and the National Trust, for guided tour by the House the conservation of the Sid Valley Custodian. countryside, to ensure that it remains l Devon cream tea in the grounds unspoilt for future generations to enjoy. The Fund has contributed to the l Driver’s Gratuity acquisition of land such as Peaslands Knapp, Margaret’s Meadow and General Our tour starts at 8.20am from the Hunt’s Pond. Three-Cornered Plot, with pick-ups en We are looking for photos of Sidmouth, Salcombe Regis or the Sid Valley with route. This is to enable us to arrive in that WOW FACTOR ! If you would like to have one or more of your photos time for the Dartington Glass Visitor considered for inclusion, please submit them by email to centre morning tour at 10.00, to view glass blowing and ‘finishing’; refreshments [email protected] or on a cd to: Landscape Calendar 2018, and shop (1½ hours). We return around 6.30pm. Sidmouth Museum, Hope Cottage, Church Street, Sidmouth EX10 8LY. Please l Booking Form : please send to Revd. Handel Bennett, include your name, address, phone number, and email address if you have one. 2 Victoria Road, Sidmouth, EX10 8TZ. Tel. Enquiries (01395) 514211 The photos should be jpeg or tiff files suitable for printing at A4 size, which means l Bookings will be confirmed from July 31 and remain open until filled. they should be a minimum of 2,400x1,700 pixels and preferably 3,400x2,550 or l Payment . Please make cheques payable to ‘SID VALE ASSOCIATION CIO’ more to allow for cropping. Please note, entries are limited to three photos per l Envelope Please enclose s.a.e postage paid. Thank you person. We regret that the Association cannot accept responsibility for any loss, damage or injury that may be suffered by The 14 chosen entries will win a copy of the Calendar and everyone submitting a anyone taking part in this event. Tickets cannot be ‘reserved’. Refunds will only be given if tickets can be re-sold. 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 POSTAL BOOKING FORM 2016 on sale at Easter next year, to give visitors a chance to buy this unique souvenir Please supply ...... ticket(s) at £28.75 per person for the NORTH DEVON of their holiday right through the summer season. excursion on Wednesday, September 7 PLEASE 3 BOX CHOICE Please note that copyright on the photos remains with the photographer. By entering the Joining at The Triangle 8.20am o Radway 8.23am* o 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. *Approx. timings Exeter X 8.27am* o Green Close 8.30am* o

1...... TITLE FIRST NAME SURNAME OF EACH PERSON BOOKING TRAVEL EXPERIENCE? Have you had the pleasure of being an 2...... excursion planner? There is now an Address ...... opportunity to help arrange a small excursion programme. If you like making ...... arrangements, or researching places of interest in the South-west, please contact *E-mail ...... Post Code ...... Handel Bennett, ’phoning (01395 514211) *Will not be disclosed to third parties. or by e-mail: [email protected] CONTACT TEL. NO. OF PERSON BOOKING ...... Have you enclosed a stamped, self-addressed envelope? Yes/No 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 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 [email protected]

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