Breakfast on the Morning Tram - Stacey Kent

From the very first note she sang it was clear that those of us lucky enough to be in the audience at the Plough Arts Centre, Torrington last night were about to experience two hours of the most sublime singing from Stacey Kent along with husband, composer, producer and saxophonist Jim Tomlinson and backed by an accomplished trio on piano, bass and drums.

Never knowing whether an artist performing live will match up to the expectations created by recordings, I have to say a shiver went down my spine in these opening seconds and on other occasions during this performance.

The set list was broad and varied from American show standards, such as ‘Easy to Remember’ and ‘If I were a Bell’, to the Latin ‘Samba Saravah’ and ‘Corocovado’.

The sign of a great performer is the appearance of effortless and Stacey made every song sound so easy with her perfect vocal control and diction a joy to hear. Another accomplishment is her ability to create her own version of songs, such as ‘Surrey with the Fringe on Top’ and ‘What a Wonderful World.’

Much of the material was from Stacey’s most recent album, ‘Breakfast on the Morning Tram’ including the title track as well as ‘I wish I Could go Travelling Again’ and, one of my favourite numbers of the night, ‘The Ice Hotel’. Jim got an opportunity to shine with an instrumental version of the theme from ‘Alfie’.

Songs were interspersed with Stacey’s often rambling, bubbly accounts of her life, experiences of recording, learning Portuguese, her new album currently being recorded and lots more. I’m certain the audience could have sat entranced for another two hours as the time passed so fast.

Did the night live up to its promise? With a mix of American, Latin, French and Portuguese songs all performed with enthusiasm, sensitivity and emotion, I’d say it did. I’ll definitely look out for future performances in North Devon.

With all the gloomy news in the papers and on the television, I opened the North Devon Journal to find rays of light shining out from the pages this morning.

Apparently, the Capstone Hotel has been bought and is to be refurbished as a boutique hotel, while Whitbread is apparently looking at a site for a new hotel or an existing hotel to redevelop. Following on from Damien Hirst’s bed and breakfast venture and Wetherspoon’s go-ahead to redevelop the Collingwood Hotel, this is very good news for the town, which needs investment in its dwindling hotel stock.

While the setting is beautiful, the town has great charm and the community is wonderful, there is no denying that Ilfracombe needs hefty investment to re-invigorate it. This news could not come at a better time. We have some fantastic businesses here, including some very good hotels, B&Bs, restaurants and shops – and many of the owners work tirelessly at what they do – but this should good everyone a boost.

And just before Christmas too!

A new recipe and wonderfully delicious, we tried these new sausages from Mike Turton Family Butcher in Ilfracombe High Street.

Now, I’m a bit of a stick-in-the-mud when it comes to sausages and find some of the exotic recipes over the top, but I love these orange and ginger sausages.

We’re so lucky to have adventurous retailers who not only sell excellent quality, local food, but are also innovating.

Definitely worth trying next time you’re passing through town.

It wouldn’t be Christmas in Ilfracombe without a festive show at the Landmark Theatre. After last year’s smash-hit production of The Vicar of Dibley, this year Small Pond Productions presents It’s Christmaaas, a home-grown mix of song, dance and comedy for the whole family on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th December.

It's Christmaaas at the Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe

Book your tickets today by calling the box office on 01271 324242 or book online at www.northdevontheatres.org.uk. All tickets £9.

Sometimes it’s there, sometimes it isn’t: Lundy Island.

The other evening, the cloud appeared to end over Lundy as it rose up out of the sea.

Lundy Island seen rising out of the sea from Ilfracombe, Devon

It was a murky evening, a bit like tonight, but the view was still stunning. The wind was blowing and the sea lashing at the rocks. Beautiful.

It wasn’t my fault. Someone else started talking about pies and the conversation moved on to plunge pies made by Mike Turton Family Butcher in Ilfracombe High Street. It’s a pie outer filled with mince and baked beans and topped with mashed potato.

So what did I want for lunch today?

Delicious plunge pie from Mike Turton Family Butcher, Ilfracombe, Devon

You’ve guessed it!

A lovely meal in itself on a chilly November day.

Anyone who is involved in theatre will know what goes into producing a show, so it’s quite exciting when everything starts coming together as it is for Me And My Girl at the Landmark Theatre this week.

The Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe under a full moon

All the line learning, all the preparations, all the singing practice, all the dancing, all the costumes, all the rehearsals: everything is now coming together for Thursday.

The set of Me And My Girl at the Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe, Devon

Suddenly, the magic is appearing and everyone is being transformed into the 1930s world of Hareford where the show is set. Even the seafront at Ilfracombe took on a magical appearance under the moonlight . . .

The promenade at Ilfracombe, Devon in the moonlight

I just can’t wait until Thursday night!

Now, a lot of people criticise the Landmark Theatre, calling it a blot on the landscape or looking like a nuclear power station, but for any faults with its external appearance (apparently, the choice of brick used causes an unsightly lichen to turn its cones black!), ‘Madonna’s Bra’ is a wonderful facility for any town, let alone a small seaside town. 

The Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe, Devon

From Thursday 16th to Saturday 18th October 2008, two Ilfracombe theatrical groups, Small Pond Productions and Studio Theatre, will be staging a spectacular version (we think) of Me And My Girl. With a hired stage set, a cast of 37 and an 11-piece band, it should be a great evening’s entertainment.

See Me And My Girl at the Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe, Devon

I’m biased, of course, because I’m playing Parchester, the family solicitor, but I genuinely do think this will be a great show and appeal to many people with such songs as The Sun Has Got His Hat On, Leaning On a Lamppost and The Lambeth Walk. Oi!

Book your tickets from the Landmark Theatre box office.

. . . up Hillsborough as another beautiful sunset develops over Ilfracombe . . .

September sunset over Ilfracombe

I know I posted photos of sunset and sunrise only a few days ago, but after a wet and cloudy July and August, it seems like the summer we feel we have missed . . .

Breathtaking September sunset in Ilfracombe, Devon

. . . truly spectacular.

A similar sight introduced me to Ilfracombe in 1969 when my family arrived by train and at the hill-top station were greeted by the sun dancing on the sea: a powerful image, both then and now.

It was a wonderful, dry evening and people lined the streets without coats as we waited for the 2008 Ilfracombe Carnival procession to leave Hillsborough.

I got the impression that there were less floats than previously, but the standard was superb. It was a great spectacle for holiday-makers and residents alike and all in aid of St John Ambulance Brigade.

So I was waiting for some of the cast of the Studio Theatre and Small Pond Productions joint production of Me And My Girl to arrive with our advertising banner – the show is on at the Landmark Theatre from 16th to 18th October 2008.

And here they are . . . 

Here’s Uncle Tom Cobbleigh . . .

And Steptoe and Son’s horse . . .

Are they on their way to the Notting Hill Carnival?

Followed by an original Olympic hero . . .

And the drummers of Humdrumconundrum . . . .

Is that fire-breathing dragon from across the Bristol Channel?

And the Youth Band . . .

There were bagpipes, drummers, majorettes, youngsters and old’uns alike.

Ilfracombe should be proud to put on such a great spectacle and well done to all who built the floats, made their costumes, drove the vehicles and stewarded on the day.

Here’s looking forward to next year’s Ilfracombe Carnival!

Rescue Day in Ilfracombe, Devon on Wednesday 13th August is Britain’s biggest emergency services live charity display day, featuring:

Coastguard. Police Force. Fire Brigade. RAF 22 Squadron Rescue Helicopter. RNLI Lifeboat. Lifeguards. Exmoor Search and Rescue. Ambulance Service. Red Cross. Devon 4×4. National Blood Service. Devon Air Ambulance. Maritime Volunteer Services. North Devon Animal Ambulance. RNLI boating sea safety roadshow.

Meet the real-life professionals and learn what it takes to keep us safe. 

Live air-sea Rescues with RAF helicopter, RNLI lifeboats, Coastguard cliff rescue. Drugs dog. Huge chip-pan fire. Lifeguards jet-ski surf rescue. See the roof being cut off a car. Handheld flare demonstration. 75^th Mountain-rescue anniversary “Then and Now” enactment. Birds of Prey Display.

Read full details of Rescue Day at Ilfracombe Round Table web site.

A good question. Many think of the town as well past its sell-by date with Victorian and Edwardian buildings crumbling, hotels closing down and shops looking shabby. Superficially, this is true.

But underneath it remains a fascinating town with much to offer. Yes, it has rowdy youths (where else in England doesn’t?), but it also has a very warm, strong community. The outer shabbiness of the High Street conceals some of the fine produce on offer: locally produced fruit and veg, meat, dairy products, bread and cakes, chocolate and sweets. 

And wherever you are in town you can look up to see the sea, beautiful hills or the ever-changing sky.

Wildersmouth Beach in Ilfracombe, Devon

It all depends on what you want in life, but if you’re sick of the brutal environments created by town planning in many parts of the country, it’s a breath of fresh air here.

The biggest challenge is preserving what’s good and regenerating what has decayed in a sympathetic manner that avoids the mistakes made in many other towns.

View of Ilfracombe harbour from Larkstone Beach

The RNLI is hosting its Summer Splash at the Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe on Sunday 6th July 2008 from 1pm. There’ll be rescue demonstrations in and around Wildersmouth Bay plus fun and refreshments inside the Pavilion.

Pity I can’t find any details at www.rnli.org.uk as the volunteers deserve as much support as possible.

Hope the weather keeps dry!