
The Alphington Ponies in Torquay
In a recent article on Torquay fashion, in passing we mentioned the Alphington Ponies. There was some interest in the two ladies, so here's a short history.Twins Arabella and Eliza Durnford were born …
Kevin Dixon went to Audley Park – now Torquay Academy – and South Devon College when it was at Torre. After studying at Birmingham City University, he returned home because there’s nowhere else quite like Torquay. He then became involved in community and adult education, completed a PhD at Exeter University , and started writing about the weird and unknown side of town. He now Chairs Healthwatch Torbay and is involved in health and social care in the Bay.
In a recent article on Torquay fashion, in passing we mentioned the Alphington Ponies. There was some interest in the two ladies, so here's a short history.Twins Arabella and Eliza Durnford were born …
In many nineteenth century images of Torquay we see women's clothing that exaggerates the posterior - below are a few examples from the Strand in 1870. This fashion feature was the bustle and could be…
The English Riviera website comments that Torquay's, "famous seven hills provide the backdrop to a waterfront scene that matches anything you'll find on the French Riviera"; and Devon Live claims that…
Torquay’s many ghosts and paranormal happenings have evolved along with our town. They tend to appear as we expect them to and change as we change.As a town, Torquay really began in the early ninetee…
Making Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Lives Matter in TorbayOn Thursday 15th October at 6pm, the second panel meeting will be held on the review into: How do we make Black, Asian and Minority Ethn…
During the Seven Years War (1756-63) Admiral Hawke and the Western Squadron had just left Torbay when the French fleet made a sortie from the port of Brest. This led to the Battle of Quiberon Bay …
Need a small grant for your community project?Funding is now available for small community-led schemes to improve people’s health and wellbeing. This could be to helping people get more active, look a…
The Legendary Ten Seconds have just released a collection of songs inspired by Torquay's' varied and fascinating past.The Legendary Ten Seconds started off as the solo music project of Ian Churchward.…
We've mentioned before that Torquay’s site for public executions was Gallows Gate. Our town’s place of terminal justice is just by the roundabout at the top of Hamelin Way on the A380. At around 49…
Many towns have an origin myth- a story that tells of how their community began.The origin myth of Torquay was that our small rural communities were transformed by the families of Royal Navy officers …
Author Julia Joyce has just published an E book, Five Devonshire Murderesses. It covers the stories of five women who went to trial in Exeter in the 1860s, and who were all incarcerated in Exeter Pris…
In February 1688 the famous diarist and MP Samuel Pepys predicted that England would soon attack France. He wrote, "Everybody doth think a Warr will follow". The cause of the looming hostilities was …
Are you the next king or queen of crime?You’ve got less than 10 days to enter the International Agatha Christie Festival mystery short story competition for children and young people between 8 and 18…
For over a thousand years the folk of Torbay feared the sea and what it might bring- invaders, raiders, slavers and pirates.And come they did, though not at first by sea. The Anglo-Saxons took 300 yea…