Babbacombe Cliff Railway has received national recognition in the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE), annual awards.

112 Dogs took part in the event.
The Weather was very kind and the Cliff Railway was open.
The BCR did good business and the Beach Cafe was busy.

Pictures from the Dog Day October 2008.

Council Dog Warden Janice Pople was there to give advice and judge the Ruff Dog Show. Blue Cross Animal Rescue brought their stall and invited people to join their sponsored dog walk later in the year. The Pet Shop Buoys from Torquay also came along and gave out lots of samples from their store.

'A very informal but most enjoyable day' to quote one visitor from out of town.

Best Dog in Show - 'Scoobi' with Mrs Lee

Best Looking Dog - 'Samba' with Mark Tipper

Best Matching Dog and Handler - 'Priest' with the Melrose family

Cutest Dog - 'Harry' with Chloe

Dog with Most Character - 'Casper' with Fiona Sage

Most Agile Dog - 'Rosie' with Jessica Baker

We will lay it on again bigger and better for Sunday 5th October when the beach opens to dogs again. Dogs are still welcome through the season on the hardstanding at Oddicombe, Babbacombe Beach and all the paths in between.

The Friends Comittee were Shocked at the extent of the Tree Felling.

Dog Days On The Beach.

David Cameron Leader of the Conservative Party took some time during his recent flying visit to Torbay to visit the Babbacombe Cliff Railway and meet some of The Friends

For more pictures Click Here.

Friday 17th November 2006 the date of the auction. However, it all started a couple of months previously when Bill Becher rang me and asked if I would him help him organise the auction. The first problem finding a safe venue to store the items prior to the auction, solution was my house as there are a couple of unused rooms on the ground floor. The next worry whether we would receive enough saleable items to make it worthwhile. Well as Bill knows just about everyone in Babbacombe, St Marychurch and Torquay he started his mammoth task of persuading businesses, acquaintances, friends and family to donate something.

We aimed for around fifty lots but eventually given eighty all saleable. One evening two days before the auction Richard Bearne the auctioneer came round to my house and gave advice on the best sequence of lots, which I duly lotted, and then later I typed the sale catalogue.

Friday morning the day of the auction the 7.30am weather forecast was frequent and heavy showers and possibly thunder. Oh great, fortunately Bill arrived early at my house and we were able to load both cars with all the items and deliver them safely to the Trecarn Hotel before the heavens opened. The management and the staff of the Trecarn were most obliging and allowed us to deposit the goods well before the agreed time. After the hire company had delivered the tables, we were able to set out the lots. Gail and Adele Farrell arrived and decorated the tables in the seating area everything looked appealing.

At 6.30pm people began to arrive and at 7.00pm the delicious buffet supper started and we all tucked in. At 8.00pm, Richard Bearne got to his feet and the auction started, there were eighty lots with one extra. The Trecarn Hotel had donated an upright piano. There were several lots with meals for two at various locations and there was some competitive bidding for these. There were eager bids for the prints of the cliff railway carriage (three in all and the original).

Some lots a little more difficult to sell nevertheless Richardss enthusiasm and masterly auctioneering won the bidders over and everything sold. For Bill and I as we had both worked for Bearne for several years it was an opportunity to work together once again.

You could say Been there done that and got the apron. Rachel Ives.

John Ayres, the chairperson, began by welcoming the forty or so of those present at the meeting and then offered congratulations on behalf of all to the St Marychurch & District Action Group for their work in achieving Silver Gilt award in this years (2006) South-West Britain in Bloom Competition organised by the Royal Horticultural Society

John Ayres spoke on the progress of the lease arrangements. A draft lease should be available for the FBCR committee by 20th September (no details to date). He went on to explain that the legislation involved in the takeover is still being investigated with help from Richard Hutchings of Kitsons Hutchings (FBCR solicitor who has given clear and precise advice at no cost so far) to ensure that there are no future problems. see: update above.

Charles Blake then explained progress on the selection of directors for the new Community Interest Company (CIC). He suggested in order to retain continuity, as recommended by the committee, the new CIC board should include Arthur Christian, and David Cooper for his technical expertise on cliff railways. David previously made it clear he would be unable undertake a directors position until after the completion of the refurbishment programme due to a possible conflict of interest.

Charles then presented an update on the selection of directors. Applications for directors had been publicised as agreed and six applications were received - Penny Crump, Les Jennings, John Ayres, Gayle Farrell, Adele Farrell and Lindsay Yelland see update above. All six were selected subject to ratification by FBCR members.

As eight of the nine planned directors places were filled, John Ayres asked members to vote that they approve those selected by the panel. The motion was carried by a majority show of hands. On behalf of the members he thanked Charles and Bob Hunt for their time and commitment to the selection process.

John Ayres briefed members on a business plan, a draft would be ready for board members at their next meeting on Monday September 18th. In addition, it was hoped to have the management agreement for discussion shortly.

Although some strategic marketing of the Babbacombe Cliff Railway by Babbacombe Bay Marketing Group and Attractions Marketing Partnership is currently in place and planned to continue under the new management, further advance marketing is required - for obvious reasons. Various options would be examined over the next few months for office, storage and retail premises in order to run the CIC professionally from its inception.

John Ayres asked members to be aware that as so many of the committee had been approved to become directors of the new CIC, the possibility of future difficulties or conflicts of interest could arise. He asked members to consider taking an active part on the committee.

He congratulated those members who attended the first wedding on the Babbacombe Cliff Railway on the 8th of September 2006 and hoped for more such occasions in future. In particular, Gayle and Adele Farrell for decorating the carriage and organising the drinks and savouries at Oddicombe beach for Denise and Graham and their guests after the service.

Arthur Christian the FBCR secretary gave members a brief summary on the proposed forthcoming Winter Social and auction event on Friday 17th November. He made a request for quality items donations to be deposited with Bill Becher at the top station as soon as possible. Donations totalling £60 enabled Penny Crump, Gayle Farrell and himself to attend funding application courses at St Annes Hall within the next few weeks.

Jill Gillon gave an update on present membership; 416 individual members, 9 under sixteens and 9 corporate members. As Treasurer Kerry Gillon was unable to attend, a summary of the accounts was read out by John Ayres. The secretary would prepare a report to Awards For All regarding their funding of the 1st April celebration day with a request for any surplus funds to be retained to help with current projects.

John Ayres spoke on the recent and planned forthcoming series of lectures presented to clubs and nursing homes that had resulted in additional corporate membership applications. It is hoped that Jim Gills archive of film along with activities since March 2005 would be available for presenting at future lectures.

The meeting concluded at just after 9pm.

At the Extraordinary General Meeting held at St Annes Hall, Babbacombe, Torbay, South Devon on Tuesday 20th June 2006, John Ayres FBCR chairperson, presented details to those present for the setting up of a not for profit Community Interest Company (CIC). Proposal details see below. Following the presentation to those present, a vote on the proposal to operate and manage the Babbacombe Cliff Railway Babbacombe, South Devon, Torbay, United Kingdom as a CIC was unanimously accepted.

The proposed Babbacombe Cliff Railway Community Interest Company will be a not for private profitorganisation with Limited Liability operating under the close scrutiny of the FBCR, the Local Authority and will report to Companies House.

CIC Information : www.cicregulator.gov.uk

Local Authority : www.torbay.gov.uk

Companies House Information : www.companieshouse.gov.uk

The Main points of Heads of Terms and the Management Agreement forming the Lease are as follows:

Heads of Terms

• Lease to cover land within current fencing and top and bottom stations.


• Length - 40 years.


• Non renewable.


• Council to retain responsibility for any cliff subsidence and for the maintenance of the bridge across the roadway.


• Existing guarantees on rails and cars to be passed on.


• Rent to be £ 1.


• All buildings, plant, and equipment to be fully insured.


• Public liability of minimum £ 10,000,000.


• Unable to sublet.


• Work to continue on the present refurbishment contract during the next two winters.


• Permit to operate the cliff railway and for the sale of goods depicting the railway.


• Responsibility for the maintenance and when necessary the replacement of all plant and equipment.


• Alterations to buildings or equipment permitted without landlords consent.


• Right to break if substantial breach of the lease or management agreement.

Management Agreement

• Unfavourable conditions.


• Complaints.


• Recording of injuries.


• Evacuation.


• Contacts with emergency services.


• Staffing and competence of staff with one person appointed to oversee the operation.


• No smoking in stations and cars.


• Compliance with all statutory requirements.


• Quarterly monitoring meetings.


• Establishment of sinking fund.


• No one on premises if under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Members will be invited to submit applications to become a director and a selection procedure is to be put in place. Some of the qualities required are listed below.

The FBCR are grateful for the legal and financial advice received for the above proposal to operate the Babbacombe Cliff Railway. A great deal of administrative paperwork needs to be prepared for the formation of a not for profit Community Interest Company (CIC) to set out the proposed framework to operate and manage Babbacombe Cliff Railway for the next 40 years.

This annual fayre is organised by the Rotary Club of Babbacombe and St Marychurch and held on Babbacombe Downs. Among many charity stalls who raisied funds at the annual Fayre on Wednesday 21st June 2006 were friends who sold suns hats, badges and signed up new members.

Following the visit to Lynton and Lynmouth in February 2006 Arthur Christian FBCR secretary came up with the idea to establish a physical connection between the two funicular railways. A four day 125-mile trek along the Two Moors Way John Musgrave Trail a memorial to a well respected local rambler.

http://www.countryside-trust.org.uk/John_Musgrave_Heritage_Trail.htm

Nuggit and I met with Ashley the General Manager at the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway on Thursday 15th June 2006. We chatted about their excellent business then posed for a few publicity photos with him and the operators together with three of our own Friends, Jill and Ted Gillon and Emily, my daughter (and driver). Just after mid-day, Ashley and the gang walked us to the start of the Two Moors Way and waved us off in glorious sunshine.

Seven hours later (most of it walked backwards to take in the stunning views) we arrived hot and tired in Withypool having stopped briefly in the outdoor store in Simonsbath for a well earned ice cream (before she shut up shop to watch the England match). The man in the Royal Oak phoned Andrew who, without hesitation gave us permission to pitch in his field by the river excellently located just behind the immaculately clean public toilets. We awoke in the night to see the moon beaming into the far end of our canopy before drifting off again and being rudely awakened by Nuggit launching out after an early rabbit!

Army rations provided a fat-boys breakfast for us before we hit the trail arrived nine hours later much hotter and much more tired at Witheridge. Glory be we were welcomed by a man who turned out to be the landlord of the Mitre he brought out a complementary ice-cold lager because he was not open! After waiting just long enough for the bar to open, recommended the old vicarage where some lovely people let us camp in their back garden for £1, and given access rights to the downstairs loo and an outside tap luxury! No guessing which pub we went to for a big steak dinner and several more lagers.

Next morning off to Drewesteignton a ten-hour trek that took in more astounding scenery and beautiful villages including Morchard Bishop on the day all their gardens were opened for public visits for charity sadly not enough time to stop for more than an ice cream though. The Drewe Arms landlord let us set up camp in the bottom of his garden and when we had cleaned up and bought food and drink he and the locals proceeded to tell me ghost stories including the one about the wartime US solder who haunts the back garden!

After a somewhat restless night hiding behind the dog we set off bright and early past Castle Drogo in the mist and across the moor to Widecombe where we stopped too long in the pub with cider and ploughmans lunch Nuggit jealous of me and my food, spent two hours sleep in the shade. Arrived in Holne at six after being chased by cows, taken a serious wrong turn with stinging nettles, lost my multi-tool (including can opener) sunburned my nose, only to find the pub shut. "Opens at 9-10.30 FOR DRINK ONLY," said the sign but that would be good enough. We divvied up on the kids football pitch at the camping barn and had a hot shower there all for only £3.40. The lady was good enough to open my last can of tuna (missing multi-tool) and we feasted on rice, fish, and dog biscuit! On the doorstep of the pub at nine and fell out at ten thinking myself a real lightweight.

Breakfast of hot chocolate for me an oatmeal block for Nuggit then made our final assault on Dartmoor at seven. Straight into wind, which turned into sideways rain that soaked us in minutes despite the waterproof hastily thrown on. Every time I wiped the glasses to read the map, the map case obscured and vice versa so, we took a simple compass bearing and headed into the clouds. Before long, I found a streambed with my entire right side but got no wetter! The bearing (and Nuggits intuition) brought us square onto the granite MW marker at the top of the seven kilometre track into Ivybridge which we marched along drying on the way.

All Day Brunch for me and tin of dog food for Nugs then the bus to Totnes (roads between too tiresome and dangerous) then three hours walking into Babbacombe. We were joined by Ashley from Lynmouth who provided excellent company for the last leg. We stopped for some rough cider in the Fortune of War before arriving dead on time for the photo call at the top station pleased to see our Friends who had taken the trouble to be there. Nuggit was especially pleased to see "er" indoors in whose arms he promptly fell asleep! We had to wake him for the photo but he soon bucked up at the smell of fish from Drakes on the way home to a well-deserved bath and beer (me not the dog).

We will do it again next year but with others, more slowly, carry more rations and beer tokens, picking a slightly different route and to raise some money for deserving causes. Anyone for Walkies? Oh, come on Nuggit stop hiding under the stairs!

Sunday 30th April 2006 many people with their dogs enjoyed the final day dogs were allowed on Oddicombe beach until September 2006. As long dogs were kept on leads owners were still able to use the hard standing on Oddicombe beach during that summer. The three dog races provided entertainment. Chairperson of the FBCR John Ayres chose three winners from the fifty dogs entered for the canine beauty contest. Each was rewarded with goodie bag provided by the sponor of the event Gilberts Pet Shop St Marychurch.

Proposals to increase membership fees to £5.00 per year, a new £20.00 corporate membership fee, free membership for under sixteens and the re-election of all FBCR committee members were agreed at the first FBCR AGM on 8th April 2006.

A small number of friends members due to adverse weather gathered at the top station on 30th September 2005.

It was an opportunity for a final trip in the familiar yellow and turquoise cars before the commencement of the cliff railway refurbishment programme.

The railway has a fascinating history a secret BBC broadcasting station during the second world war contains some of the old operating equipment preservation work currently underway. Contact Maggie Shapland e-mail at Maggie.Shapland@bristol.ac.uk

The funicular railway in Aberystwyth is at the north end of the promenade. It lay derelict for many years but has been taken over by a group which now operated it using volunteers. Originally a water powered railway it now uses electricity. Entry to the cars is from flight of steps alongside the track as the floor inside the cars rises in the same profile as the steps all passengers are treated to amazing views as the car ascends. This arrangement has given rise to the nickname Toastracks for the cars.

The train moves at 4 mph and half way up the track levels out for a distance to assist in maintaining this speed. The ride takes the passengers to a hilltop, which provides wonderful views across the town and up to Anglesey in the north and opens up an area for walkers. At the top is a camera which provides a detailed view of the town, new cafe and gift shop. The latter has been built using money from Objective 1 (supporting development in less prosperous regions) funds from the Lottery.