Dave
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Post by Dave on Aug 2, 2009 18:55:40 GMT
I will put up a few photos later on in the week on this thread; I will let those already in the last 100 drop out of it.
I have always banged on that Torbay needs to go back to basics, get itself cleaned up and learn how to welcome its visitors so much better. Its fine having some new big tower block on the harbour, but no good if it is surrounded in muck and decay.
Getting the streets clean, getting everything such as railings painted up nicely and charging respectable parking charges and not subjecting the visitors to the NCP would start to turn the Bays fortunes around.
The Mayor wants to drop the name Torbay, he wants it changed to The English Riviera, sorry but we are not and we have a seaside town nearby, who the name would suit so much better.
Torbay Council need look no further that the next door council Teignbridge, to see how to make a place not only spotlessly clean but so welcoming. Carol and I love it there and prefer to spend our time there, or in the South Hams another place that has a very good council in my mind, than go to Torquay.
This afternoon we decide to go there and grab a meal there, three car parks we had to try before we found a spot to park in. Only £2.40 for four hours parking, no wonder they are full and Torbay’s seldom are.
We did not fancy and posh food today; we love our carverys, but today wanted something simple. I know Barton loves the Whistle Stop café at the train station and after parking the car, we headed there. I went for steak and kidney pudding with chips and peas, just over £4 in cost. The dear lady asked if I would like at no extra charge some other veg. Soon I had swede and cauliflower on my plate as well. The pudding was not one of those small one, but one that surly must be for two people (no rude remarks please)
I had to leave some on my plate; fully stuffed we headed for a walk on the seafront. It’s so clean and we came through the place known as the Triangle, the fist thing that greets you on the seafront is the bowing green. It was fully in use and we stopped a while to watch a few shots being played.
There was a small Rowland fair next to the bowling green, it was not very busy and we walked through it. Some of today’s rides really are so scary; you have to be the bravest or the maddest to want to ride on them.
You then come on to the most wonderful new play area for kids, everything they could want is in there, even a few water features that form no more than puddles on the floor, but the kids sure looked like they were having such fun playing in them.
We carried on our walk toward the point where the river Teign flows into the sea. A loud speaker was calling people to come and have a look at the Lifeboat and meet the crew. We walked over but as we got there they got a shout and it was all action then for a while, until they got it launched. We moved back over to the sea side rail and watched it come out of the mouth of the river and head across the sea.
Heading back the other way now we went onto the pier, this is the only part that lets Teignmouth down a bit in my view. Well it’s the end of it really, the old kid’s rides look sad and tiered and hardly anyone seems to want to pay to use them, maybe a rethink is needed to improve the pier a bit.
We stopped and looked out at the sea many time and enjoyed having a good old natter together, so much so, we did not really have time to walk along the seawall further down, where the trains run beside the sea.
You will not find cleaner or smarter public toilets anywhere I don’t think, we saw council workers on a Sunday keeping the bins empty and the whole place was buzzing with people, even on the beach, sand castles were being made. I said to Carol the good old bucket and spade holiday was not dead in Teignmouth.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2009 19:46:12 GMT
Well Dave, I'm glad the Whistle Stop did you proud. I was there briefly around 3.30pm for a slab of bread pudding on my way back from seeing Antony Gormley's Field for the British Isles at Torre Abbey. I know the arts - and culture in general - may not be everybody's cup of tea but it's good to see something like this in the area. I'm not a great arts person myself but even I'd have to admit Torbay is something of a cultural desert. And don't give me Jim bloody Davidson (he'd call me PC; I'd call him a ****). I do think councils should spent money on the arts in the same way as they should be sprucing places up and providing recreational facilities. But let's not forget that, for a unitary authority such as Torbay, there's a hell of a big emphasis on having to provide and maintain services in areas such as education and social care (and quite rightly so). Although Torbay clearly has the bigger budget, we must remember the Teignbridge area gets many key services from Devon County Council (which Torbay doesn't) so any comparisons between the two councils must be made carefully. Torbay council's choice of course.... Having said that, I'm a big fan of Teignmouth myself and it does have a good feel and appearance these days (or is it just me getting old?). In many ways it's a classic south coast seaside resort - with a superb geography to match - and it's one which often features in academic and architectural histories of the English seaside. And, as I watched the coaster Fast Sus (pictured below from www.coasterphotos.co.uk - it's now painted red) enter the Teign today, I was reminded that Teignmouth remains a working port. Lastly, to return to creative things, I also like some of the sculptures in Teignbridge's T.R.A.I.L project: www.trail.org.uk (although some philistines are sure to call it a load of old rubbish).  |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Aug 2, 2009 20:04:09 GMT
You must have been close to myself and Carol barton, maybe you saw me and hid away  we watched that ship come over from Torbay way and thought it was too close to Teignmouth. We then saw the pilot boat go out to her and then guide her into the mouth of the Teign. We were on the pier at this time. I have never confessed to know much about how the different types of authorities work, all I know is I pay my money and it just seems so much gets waisted. Yes the cafe would not suit everyone, it seems to have its regulars, who go to eat and sit and chat, some today did look the lonely sort, not putting you in the bracket mind you ;D but on the whole its clean, the food is good, as is the service and the price, we will go again. I have to anyway as I told the boss lady I would, she got to have a proper Dave R chat today |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Aug 2, 2009 21:37:28 GMT
All I know Barton is, the change was sold to us and stated it would be better, as the Bay would control its own spending. I just found out I live in Torbay, but my MP is the Totnes one.
As you will know, Bye is on a short list of three to become the Totnes MP. he did say if he got the job he would carry on as mayor of Torbay. After complaints he has changed his mind and will give up the mayors job, if he wins the vote to become the Totnes MP.
He has delivered nothing of what he said he would, but I understand all those in Totnes are not voting for him, they don't want him. Around here where I live, everyone is voting for him, as we want to get rid of him ;D
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2009 6:01:02 GMT
All I know Barton is, the change was sold to us and stated it would be better, as the Bay would control its own spending. I guess the question was asked at that stage " do you want services such as education and social services delivered from Oldway/Torquay Town Hall instead of County Hall, Exeter?" In that situation people like to opt for the local and I even seem to remember there was a "Home Rule for Torbay!" chant at our League Cup game against Wimbledon at Selhurst Park in 1994 (had it just been confirmed?). Tongue in cheek - or not - we're back to issues such as identity and the warm, cosy glow of things "local". It's the same the world over and it's fine until the local becomes short-sighted parochialism (but we better not go there!). The Tories' use of the "primary" system in Totnes - the first time we've seen anything like this in the UK apparently - is indeed a delicious irony given Nick Bye is one of the candidates and a fair chunk of the southern half of Torbay is in the Totnes constituency. Voting for him now (and you can do even if you're not a registered T**y) and against him in the General Election must be a temptation.... |
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Post by aussie on Aug 3, 2009 7:52:02 GMT
Go out in Tiegnmouth on a Friday or Saturday evening/night and you will change your mind about the place due to it`s inhabitants, I agree during the day it`s great until early evening then it`s time to get out of there or face up to some proper knuckle dragging chest beaters! When I lived there you had to escape to Shaldon for a beer in the evening at the Ferryboat or stay in unless you were up for confrontation, maybe it`s changed lately but I doubt it! There is nothing to do for local lads so they get hammered and take each other on to establish some kind of pecking order, I`ll bet there are a few places just like it, Torquay Harbour recently springs to mind, a no go area for families and the like in the evenings. The mentallity of younger people nowadays has changed dramatically, they are used to having things given to them to do, whereas we had to create our own things to do, laziness has been bred into them so when there is nothing offered to them they get p1ssed up instead and look for trouble. A lot of not so young people go to The Downs for a pint because you just don`t get the grief of down town, pubs and clubs that offer entry for £8 and you get a free bar all night, these establishments should be shut down and the owners charged for all the grief that spews out into the street because of them, let them pay the extra police bill and street tidying!
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Post by Budleigh on Aug 3, 2009 8:02:03 GMT
As one or two of you may know Teignmouth is my home town. My parents still have a shop there (the jewellers opposite WH Smith) and a cafe in the Triangle (Scoopys).
I went to the Grammer school up the Exeter hill. What a superb school it was then, the sports facilities were excellent, a certain Rusell Musker was in my class.
I worked for a summer or two on the pier as a youngster... and in the now-gone Beach Hotel on the sea front... happy days!
After moving back from London I lived across the river in Shaldon, a short two minute ferry ride from Teignmouth back beach, and still have a flat there on the beach which I rent out but my well come in useful in my retirement. Even though I know reside in East Devon I socialise in Teignmouth & Shaldon more than my new area.
Teignmouth really is a lovely place to live and visit, and I would urge anyone to go to Shaldon and walk up the Ness for the views, grab a sandwich in the Ness House hotel, and watch the salmon fisherman putting out the seine nets at low tide (if you recognise one of them, it's me!)
A great specatacle is open to all every other summer saturday evening when the River Teign Rowing Club hold their races. We race from out at sea into the harbour, or completely in the harbour, so it's easy to watch from the Point car park. Ten years ago I would've said watch out for our boat at the head of the fleet but time has caught up with our crew and the younger teams now occupy these front running positions!
We also have the Shaldon Regatta held during the last ten days of August and it is lovely to watch everyone, especially the youngsters, getting out and rowing, sailing, swimming etc. There are also the usual greasy pole pillow fights, re-inactments on the water of traditional local events such as the Gig & Punt race and a host of other fun events for the spectator (it's becoming obvious i'm the press & publicity officer for the Regatta? Why not visit our website for the pictures of last years events and a diary of events for this year)
If you haven't been to this delightful part of south Devon do make the effort. The summer there is lovely but to me nothing beats walking along the sea front on a cold but sunny winter's afternoon when the sea is churning up and the people have gone... that's when it's at its best...
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2009 11:24:35 GMT
I dare say you're right Aus for there's many a sedate town in daytime that's lively after dark (and you certainly see some high-spirits on the weekend evening trains between Teignmouth and Dawlish).
Leigh - I've caught parts of the Shaldon Regatta over the last two years and definitely endorse your recommendation.
And I was going to ask...Ian Twitchin and Russell Musker aside, any other footballers from Teignmouth?
Andy Best?
Up the road, Seth Johnson apparently lived in Dawlish as a kid between moving from Birmingham and signing for Crewe. Dario Gradi is said to have spotted him playing youth football in the area. Amazing to think Johnson played for England....
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Aug 3, 2009 15:16:09 GMT
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Post by Budleigh on Aug 3, 2009 15:19:01 GMT
I went to Andy Best's wedding... that was some time ago!
Peter Coffill almost counts, he didn't actually live in Teignmouth but he spent alot of his summer there with Ian Twitchin. They used to play footie on the beach just up from the pier.
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merse
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Post by merse on Aug 3, 2009 17:06:19 GMT
Peter Coffill almost counts, he didn't actually live in Teignmouth but he spent alot of his summer there with Ian Twitchin. They used to play footie on the beach just up from the pier.  Colin and Linda Lee also lived in Teignmouth in those days. |
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merse
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Post by merse on Aug 3, 2009 17:08:15 GMT
Teignmouth Back Beach is something almost unique and as I get older I appreciate it more and more. Gently lapping water and the gentle buzz of local workers and kids playing, little boats to-ing and fro-ing, a nice pint of beer from a local pub and the timeless views up the estuary of Shaldon, The Ness, the Haldon Hills and Newton Abbot in the distance backed by the heights of Dartmoor.......................pure magic, inducing laziness, relaxation and eventually sleep. Leigh's right about those brilliant winter days down on the sand.....................spray stinging the eyes, wind removing your hat and the awesome sight of those little coasters ponderously edging their way over the sand bar and down the estuary in the narrows twixt Shaldon and Teignmouth and a manic battle against the outgoing current with the majesty of the Ness looming behind. For a weary Londoner returning "home" for a weekend, that's a true example of somewhere to go to get the stress of city living out of the system!
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Post by aussie on Aug 3, 2009 17:46:44 GMT
Shaldon is great all round, I really like the place, Tiegnmouth I have lived in( about 14 years ago) and thought it a great place during the day, I`ve lived in quite a few places and the knuckle dragging oiks in Tiegnmouth seem to be one level up from the norm when it`s pub time, it`s almost like they were ahead of the times so yes Dave most places are alot like that( now) mainly because of the binge drinking culture has escaped from there and devoloped rather stupidly everywhere! I do apologise if I came over all anti Tiegnmouth as I am not anti the place at all, best place in the world for sand eels by way and peeler crab, sorry but I do like fishing!
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Aug 3, 2009 17:57:13 GMT
Auusie you told it how you saw it and we can ask no more than that ;D
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Aug 3, 2009 18:05:22 GMT
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