In a record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award, Bicclescombe Park in Ilfracombe and Yeo Valley Community is celebrating award success again this year.The news that Ilfracombe’s green space has achieved the Green Flag Award is testament to the hard work and dedication of those who look after them. 2021 is the 17th consecutive year that Bicclescombe Park – owned and managed by North Devon Council with help from the Bicclescombe Park User Group – has achieved Green Flag status.The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.Ward member for Ilfracombe West, Councillor Geoffrey Fowler, says: “In yet another difficult year where outside space has been a haven for a lot of people, Bicclescombe has come up trumps once again.The limited staff, all credit to them, have maintained the park in extremely good condition under the circumstances, as several of our late influx of visitors have testified. Well done to all concerned.” Local News – The Ilfracombe Magazine…

Whilst Ilfracombe and North Devon Sub Aqua club celebrated it’s 60th anniversary in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic meant that members could only get together and celebrate in style this November.Old members and new came together to commemorate the club’s big birthday and to remember founder members and friends. Club president, Brian Watts, has been associated with the club since its inception and only gave up diving in the last couple of years.Current club members benefit from the fundraising and pioneer spirit of former members. Club assets include a clubhouse on Ropery Road complete with compressors and a training facility, and two boats – Neptune which sits on a mooring in Ilfracombe harbour and Combe Diver, a RIB which is used for local diving and trips away.ILFSAC is part of the British Sub Aqua Club and was formed when BSAC had only being going for four years. It is one of the oldest BSAC dive clubs in the country, has been consistently active all those years and remains a vibrant SCUBA diving club for members in Ilfracombe and beyond.The North Devon coast boasts world beating diving with historic shipwrecks, reefs and wildlife. If you’re interested in learning to dive in a club environment, or in joining as an established diver, get in touch by emailing us on ilfracombediveclub@gmail.com or you can make contact through the Club’s Facebook page by visiting www.facebook.com/ilfracombeandnorthdevonsubaquaclubLocal News – The Ilfracombe Magazine…

If you ever wondered what the mysterious ‘Mens Shed’ sign pointing down the alleyway behind the Ilfracombe Chocolate Emporium was indicating then follow the arrows and you might find you become a “Shedder”!The Ilfracombe Mens Shed meets every Wednesday from 10am to 1pm and would welcome anyone interested in joining. The Shed was launched in December 2019 with support from One Ilfracombe, funding from the Ilfracombe Lions and space generously donated by the Chocolate Emporium.The workshop is fully equipped (including all PPE) and the space includes a quiet breakout room, a kitchen and a toilet. The remit of the Shed is to create a place for men to get together in a fun, social atmosphere and share DIY making and repairing skills for the benefit of local community projects.It’s equally welcoming for just a chat over coffee or tea. As well as operating in the workshop, members have also been involved in outside projects at the Ilfracombe Junior School, the Straw Patch project and have other such projects in the pipeline. The Shed is managed by a number of “sensible shedders” who ensure the environment is a safe and welcoming place to be.If you are interested in finding out more then drop by any Wednesday morning or contact us at ilfracombemensshed@gmail.comLocal News – The Ilfracombe Magazine…

Ilfracombe is one step closer to having its own watersports centre, as the construction project at Larkstone is showing signs of progress. The site was visited recently by local district councillors and members of North Devon Council’s project team to check on progress of the development. Councillors Daniel Turton, Netti Pearson, Geoffrey Fowler, Jim Campbell, Paul Crabb and Malcolm Prowse gathered with council officers and project managers from Pearce Construction to inspect progress on site. Latest developments include foundations for the new seawall and the removal of the old canoe store. Pre-cast blocks for the sea wall were due to be installed in late October. Lead Member for Economic Development and Strategic Planning Policy, Councillor Malcolm Prowse, says “The council hopes that this centre will bring more tourism, which in turn will bring more money and more jobs to the town. None of this would be possible without funding for the project which came from the Government’s Getting Building Fund after a bid by The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership and we are extremely grateful to them for their help in getting this project off the ground.”Lead Member for the Environment at North Devon Council, Councillor Netti Pearson, says: “I was particularly keen to find out how much work is being done to mitigate the impact of the works on the environment. I was pleased to hear that a specialist consultant was brought in during the design stage to ensure that there was an environmental management plan in place.Pearce Construction have built nooks and crannies into the sea wall to encourage marine plants to take hold and grow. They are also building crab houses and man made rockpools for sea creatures to live in. I was also very happy to find out that most of the materials that need to be removed will either be reused in the new build, or have been sent away for recycling, with very little going to landfill.”In order to mitigate the impact of the building, areas around the site will be identified for bird nesting, bat boxes and natural homes for insects.Local News – The Ilfracombe Magazine…

An iconic Ilfracombe church has launched a £175,000 fundraising bid to pay for urgent repair work. St Philip & St James Church – fondly known as Pip and Jim’s – is a beautiful, grade 2* listed church and a prominent landmark on the Victorian seafront. It has been exposed to the salt and storms of the Atlantic since 1856 and, as a result, it now requires urgent repair and restoration work to bring the building into a functional and safe condition.Members of the church have begun a major Heritage Protection Project to ensure that this important building at the entrance to Ilfracombe’s harbour is made weathertight and fit for multi-purpose use for future generations of the community. The restoration work is phased, with priority given to making the building safe and weatherproof. The initial fundraising target of £175,000 will be used for the first two phases of the Heritage Protection Project – the safety and future use of the building with urgent repairs to the roof and stonework, followed by work to prevent structural damage to the tower from ringing the bells, and preserve the bells themselves. Phases 3-6 will follow on, as future funds are raised. Phase 3 will see work on the roofing, leadwork and masonry as well as the stained glass windows in the West wall. Phase 4 will add full disabled access and a modern hygienic kitchen area, while phase 5 will create an interactive heritage arts trail for tourists, schoolchildren and the wider community. Finally, phase 6 will see the installation of a more efficient heating system that meets national climate change targets. There are a number of ways you can help. Cheques can be made payable to St Philip and St James Church, Ilfracombe. Cash donations or BACS transfers can be made to our Treasurer or you can text PIPJIMS £5 to 70085, PIPJIMS £10 to 70085, PIPJIMS £20 to 70085. You can also donate online at www.combetocombechurches.co.uk. If you are a taxpayer and would like Pip and Jim’s to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation, please include your name and address. For further details and enquiries please contact our Project Coordinator and Treasurer on mail2vince@talktalk.net.Local News – The Ilfracombe Magazine…

You’ve got to love this time of year in Ilfracombe. Winter is not yet upon us and the clocks have not quite gone back (though by the time you read this, that will no longer be the case). So, for a couple of months each year, we end up in this inbetween stage where it’s all of the seasons (and none) at the same time. One minute you’re gazing out upon a wintry misty sea in your thick coat and scarf (perfectly illustrated in the image above), the next you’re digging out your shorts and sunglasses as the sun beats down. There is no other time of year quite like it! Local News – The Ilfracombe Magazine…

A host of spooky and paranormal events are being held at Ilfracombe Holiday Park. From October 8 to 10 the park will host the town’s very first Paranormal Fayre.All things spiritual and psychic will be on offer, as well as stalls, mediums, tarot readings and crystals. On the Friday evening Haunted Cornwall will host a Q&A session which will also include a demonstration of mediumship with Haunted Cornwall FM. The event will boast three international mediums and Huett from ghost walks Ilfracombe will be talking about the paranormal goings on right here in Ilfracombe. The Saturday will be an evening of mediumship with various mediums demonstrating their talents. Entry to the evening events comprises a donation to towards the mediums while all the other attractions are free.From October 29 to 31 the park hosts the Halloween Ball, Beer and Cider Festival. The Friday is 70s fancy dress and the Sunday is halloween fancy dress with prizes for the best adults and children. It will also see the debut of the Batlle Zone Arena which will be a house of horror with zombie chases and ghostly goings on. This event is specifically designed for Ilfracombe locals with the ridiculously low entry cost of just £5 for the entire weekend.Finally, from November 5 to 7, the park hosts the Legends of Rock festival. This event is a popular fixture of the park’s calendar and boasts live music from some of the top tribute acts in the country, including tributes to Foo Fighters, Green Day, Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath. Entry is £35 for the weekend. For details visit ilfracombeholidaypark.net. Local News – The Ilfracombe Magazine…