Local Events
Friday 29th August 2008
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The cliff railway closed for a short while between 11.30am and 12.30pm on Friday the 29th August 2008.
Registrars from Torbay Council, Oldway Mansion conducted the wedding ceremony of Dave and Chantal.
Congratulations Dave and Chantal
Saturday 10th May 2008
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On a warm and sunny afternoon, registrars from Torbay Council, Oldway Mansion conducted the marriage ceremony for Shad and Claire at the top station of the Babbacombe Cliff Railway.
The cliff railway was closed between 13.30pm and 14.30 whilst the special event took place.
Congratulations to Shad and Claire.
St Marychurch and District Community Partnership
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Torbay's Crime Reduction Team: Police, PCSO's, Neighbourhood Beat Officers and the Community Partnership stand at the road show held outside Sainsbury's Torquay store at the Willows on November 3rd 2007.
The twelve Community Partnerships within Torbay are open to everyone. The opportunity to ensure the democratic participation from all sectors within the Torbay. The right for the people to voice concerns on local community issues. Torbay's future is the responsibility of all of us, for the benefit of all. If you are interested in your local area, why not join. See Links information page.
Special Occasion
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Saturday the 5th of May 2007 a special day for James and Eleanor their wedding took place on the Babbacombe Cliff Railway.
The young couple and their guests celebrated the occasion on Oddicombe Beach with champagne toasts after the marriage ceremony at the base station.
The railway was closed at 2.45pm for a short time then reopened to the public.
Congratulations James and Eleanor.
81st 2007
Volunteers and FBCR member’s expectations were lifted on April Easter Bank Holiday Saturday 2007 for the cliff railway 81st event. The early morning sun rose on what turned out to be a warm sunny day.
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Volunteers at the top of the road leading down to Oddicombe beach directed on arrival the classic and vintage cars to their parking destinations. Jenny Richman unveiled the FBCR notice board. Stefan plus 172 crew from the Devon and Somerset fire Brigade spent the morning collecting for charity and showing interested people around the fire appliance.
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The children’s art competition and the under seven’s egg hunt was well supported.
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The display of polished vintage and classic cars and a Green Goddess attracted attention throughout the day.
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Dart Valley Stompers as always played great Jazz. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution and local Lions Club collected donations. The stall manned by FBCR members attracted new members.
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Star of the day Babbacombe Cliff Railway continually ferried passengers to and from Oddicombe beach. At the busiest times journeys were approximately every three minutes. In fact it was so busy the council staff operating the railway barely had time to take a break!
Tasar Nationals
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Wedding Carriage
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Since 1st April 1995 following its Royal Assent in 1994 the Marriage Act allows suitable approved premises licenses for marriage ceremonies. Babbacombe Cliff Railway is one of sixteen licensed premises in Torbay. For a list of approved premises licensed for marriage ceremonies in Torbay see - Links & Constitution
An historic event for Babbacombe & St Marychurch. On Friday the 8th September 2006 Denise Arnold and Graham Boulter from Fleet in Hampshire were the first couple ever to be married at Babbacombe Cliff Railway. The BBC and local radio/press were present to report on their special day.
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Denise with Sue Wheatley deputy superintendent registrar for Torbay.
Bride and groom along with their guests travelled down in a carriage bedecked with white and yellow ribbons.
Sue Wheatly conducted the marriage ceremony in the carriage at the bottom station.
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Followed by a champagne toast to the happy couple on Oddicombe beach.
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Torbay Council's seasonal manager of the Babbacombe Cliff Railway Bill Becher with Denise and Graham at the upper station after the wedding.
Congratulations to Denise and Graham best wishes to you both.
Roman Invasion of Babbacombe 2006
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The Roman Invasion of Babbacombe began Saturday 29th July 2006 rain did not dampen the spirits of all taking part. Around 100 runners some from afar as New Zealand all dressed in Roman costumes participated in the coastal run. The ‘Iron Horses’ (coaches) halted near Kents Cavern, legionnaires assembled in a nearby location to receive orders before setting off at a fast march (running) towards to their objective.
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Many of the local inhabitants out and about in the area were bemused to see the army of invaders in full costume running across Anstey cove and Walls Hill. It was hilarious to see the looks on the faces of some of the onlookers as they passed bye!
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The legionnaires re-grouped at ‘The Buccaneer’ (inn) Babbacombe Downs to consume their liquid rations (essential fluid replacement!) before the second stage of the planned invasion.
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Once refreshed, fortified the cohorts headed onward, commandeered the four wheeled chariots (Cliff Railway) to transport the by then weary legionnaires down to Oddicombe Beach to a waiting vessel.
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After all had boarded the galleon (Stuartline Cruise) anchored off Oddicombe beach they set sail for the homewards journey. Or maybe another part of the coastline to continue the invasion!
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Some of the extremely shy participants were spotted around Topsham Exeter on the night before the invasion (Friday 28th July 2006) wearing red dresses, collecting donations for FORCE a major local cancer charity in Exeter Devon. The charity has supported clinical and scientific research for twelve years through the provision of laboratory facilities, equipment also funded project grants, doctoral post-doctoral and MSc studentships. FORCE-Friends of the Oncology and Radiotherapy Centre in Exeter.
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Next time you see a FORCE collection box on your travels (running or walking) or even a red dress, remember the Topsham Red Dress Night and the Roman Invasion Day please donate. ”Veni, vidi, vici.” most apt, all participants of the event were determined to enjoy themselves and liven up a wet day. You certainly did and brought smiles to many a face. Did I really say shy participants! Thanks guys!
Torbay Carnival
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The carnival procession began at 7.45 on Wednesday 26th July 2006. FBCR members dressed in maroon and cream outfits accompanied the newly reconditioned Babbacombe Cliff Railway advertising trailer handing out cliff railway information, leaflets and copies of the Cliff Railway Times. Money collected along the route went directly to the carnival organisers and distributed to charities. In 2005 Torbay Carnival organisers paid out over £15,000 in donations to local charities.
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Carnival Route: procession left Paignton Green turned right onto Esplanade Road into Manor Road at the traffic lights turned left into Torquay Road, then into Hyde Road and left into Torbay Road at end turned left into Esplanade Road and back to Paignton Green. Sponsors for reconditioning of Cliff Railway trailer Oddicombe Beach Cafe, Beach Activity Centre, Beach Shop and the FBCR.
Abseil Challenge
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One of the main events at the St Mary the Virgin Church at the St Marychurch summer fete on Saturday 22nd July 2006 abseiling down the 140-foot church bell tower. The aim of the charity abseil to raise funds to replace the worn steps of the bell tower and towards helping Paignton Zoo’s conservation programme. The vicar and his wife were two of many who abseiled down the bell tower to ground level to the applause of onlookers.
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Organised by U Can UK and overseen by fully qualified instructors from the Chudleigh Rock Centre well over eighty participants undertook the challenge. All participants were required to raise a minimum of £75 in pledges each received a commemorative certificate and those who raised over £115 received a special T-shirt. Arthur Christian secretary of the FBCR one of the many participats descended to ground level carrying a toy dog. His dog Nuggit advised by the organisers to stay on terra firma and keep all four feet firmly on the ground. Wise dog!
80th 2006
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Prior to the event volunteers freely gave up their spare time overseen by professional painters Mike and Dave Bailey. Working from the scaffolding errected around the building painted the top station in as (near as possible) the original maroon and cream colours. The volunteers continued to work on unperturbed by intermittent heavy showers. Thanks to Mike and Dave’s expertise, encouragement occasionally their equipment, the tenacity of all involved completed the work in time.
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They were unable to paint the front of the station overlooking the tracks due to restricted access on health and safety grounds. However, to the workers laying the new tracks it presented no problem. They painted it themselves! Thanks Guys! Tony Mason from AJM Windows supplied and fitted a FBCR notice board near the top station, unveiled on the day.
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The previous days of rain and wind disappeared. Perfect conditions- blue skies, sunshine. It was as if the weather had decided to join the celebration! From 6.30 am onwards on the morning of the event, FBCR members were active, finalising the preparation of the top and bottom station areas. Flags and buntings decorated the top station area, tables set up, paths swept. All was ready.
1st April 2006 photograph ©J.M.L.
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Upon arrival at the top stations Rev. Peter Killick Chairman of Torbay Council was greeted by David Cooper, then gave the opening ceromany speech. Many photographs were taken at this point. Mr Richard Harris replicated as near as possible the 1926 photo.
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Left: Mr Richard Harris Photograph 2006 . Right: Original 1926 photograph courtesy of A Pictorial & Historical Survey of Babbacombe & St Marychurch.
Copies of Mr Harris 2006 photograph available £1.50 each including postage, contact FBCR secretary.
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Left: Two ladies who remember the 1926 opening day Jenny Richman and Phyllis Tillman at the top station. Right: The eighty maroon and cream balloons released drifted upwards the days celebration activities commenced.
The free bus service supplied by Torbay Council and cliff railway contractors well used continually ferrying visitors to and from Babbacombe Downs and Oddicombe Beach throughout the day.
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Some visitors walked to Oddicombe beach via the cliff path to view the renovation progress. The thought of a strenous walk back up the cliff pathway influenced a majority to use the bus which was available daily as the Cliff Railway was not then fully operational.
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A collection of classic vintage motor vehicles were on display at Sunningdale Holiday Apartments car park and at Oddicombe beach. Also at Oddicombe beach was a Green Goddess fire engine.
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Members of the TOADS, a local amateur dramatic and operatic society, sang a selection of songs from Summer Holiday at the cliff railway top station and toured the area in London 1960's Routemaster bus. Fire, Ambulance, Coastguard and St Johns vehicles were present.
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During the morning The Torbay Brass Band in their first public appearance of that year (2006) played a selection of stirring music.
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Dart Valley Stompers jazzed up the afternoon, their traditional jazz music set many a foot tapping and a few visitors dancing. Babbacombe Lions organised an evening quiz at the Buccaneer Inn. Another page to add to the long history of Babbacombe & St Marychurch.
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2006 Event Sponsors & Contributors
AJM Windows, Awards For All (Heritage Lottery), Babbacombe & St Marychurch Traders & Hotel Association, The Cliff Railway Cafe, Babbacombe & St Marychurch Local History Society, Brian Maxwell (model Maker), Charles Blake, David Cooper (LEGS UK) Ltd, Friends of St Annes Hall, Herald Express, Horizon Day Opportunities Centre, Jim & Jackie Rowley, Lions Club of Babbacombe & St Marychurch, Mike & Dave Bailey (professional painters), Norman Drew, Norcliffe Hotel, Oddicombe Beach Cafe, Peter Aunger (Torbay Council), Prographica Printers, Richard Harris, South Devon Residential Landlords Association, St Marychurch & District Action Group, St Marychurch Precinct Centre, St Marychurch Rent Agency, Sunningdale Holiday Apartments, Torbay Council, Torbay Development Agency, Torbay Attractions Marketing Partnership, Torbay & District Funeral Services and FBCR Members.
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