Maidencombe Community Group
wishes friends and supporters
a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Dear Member and fellow Maidencombers,
Since our inauguration in May 2014, the Maidencombe Community Group has gone from strength to strength and, after only eighteen or so months of existence, stands today as a respected and recognised body in Torbay.
We have established strong ties with the TCDT as well as our existing links with the Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust, our Ward councillors and other Torbay council departments – including Planning.
Our website is regularly updated and continues to expand, taking in current topics of interest and concern such as Sladnor Park and the Village Green, as well as historical articles on Maidencombe with the assistance of Alan & Bob Hunt, whose knowledge stretches back to the late 1920s. Indeed, our database now commands the attention of various council bodies, who look upon the information as having substance and authority. In October 2015 we had 1600 unique visitors to the site and in November 1300.
Our existing membership enjoys constant updates via our website as well as email shots whenever deemed useful.
Our membership is, remarkably, completely free and when registered, members enjoy a dedicated members area and also the full support of the group to listen to your concerns, and if necessary, to follow up on your behalf.
Our group has been involved in a number of activities during 2015. Some are listed below. However, we would also like to mention some of the wonderful times the members have enjoyed in Maidencombe, such as: barbecues in Sladnor, work days around the Combe, catch-ups in the pub and cream teas in the Orestone – a real highlight!
Maidencombe Village Green
We are greatly indebted to Carl Taylor & Jim Campbell of the MCG, who were the joint architects for the ultimately successful strategy of applying for voluntary registration by the landowner, Torbay Council.
Members of the MCG held extensive discussions with Chris Bouchard (Torbay Council), Councillors and the Mayor Gordon Oliver concerning the Village Green. We attended discussions with the Mayor and the representatives of the MRA at Brunel Manor to find a mutually beneficial agreement and we supported the Mayor in his decisions following advice from the Legal Department. Thanks to our efforts and with the support of the Mayor, Torbay Council agreed unanimously to voluntarily register the Village Green on February 26, 2015.
Community maintenance
Our chairman, Doug Palmer, removed fly tipping on several occasions. Jim and Neal cleared branches, strimmed overgrown areas with permission from the relevant authorities.Jim also cleared litter at Maidencombe Cross and kept the telephone kiosk clear. Members worked with the Coast & Countryside Trust to maintain the footpaths along the coast. We still have apple trees waiting to be planted!
Meetings
We attended Torbay Community Development Trust meetings at Torquay as well as Neighbourhood Plan meetings. Regular MCG committee meetings were held once a month, open to all.
Planning
We monitor planning applications and upload the latest planning news that affects Maidenombe to the website on a regular basis.
Sladnor Park
Of particular concern to residents is the ultimate fate of Sladnor Park, which was recently put onto the market after Torbay council removed it from their designated housing quotas. The MCG continues to monitor the ongoing situation and liaises on a regular basis with appropriate bodies to ensure that overdevelopment does not take place and that wildlife is protected. We have created a dedicated page about Sladnor Park on our website:
Social Events
Members attended events in the area (Sharpham Open Days, Embercombe Farm Open Days). Doug Palmer organised a Coffee Morning Charity Event at his home for Macmillan Cancer Support. This was well supported. We also held social meetings in Maidencombe at members’ homes. Cream Tea events at the Orestone Manor were particularly well received.
Social Media
Daily updates are posted on this website and on our Facebook page.
Publications
Coves of Maidencombe by Jim Campbell was published and copies were requested by 5 national libraries including Bodleian Library Oxford.
Our next publication – A Guide to Maidencombe – is in preparation and will be published in 2016. This will contain historical information about Maidencombe and walks around the area.
Maidencombe Community Group welcomes new members.
Membership is FREE. Register at www.maidencombeunity.org