Herald Express

AWARD-WINNING actress Julia McKenzie will be donning her familiar Miss Marple costume when she visits Torquay to mark Agatha Christie's 120th anniversary.

Ms McKenzie, star of ITV's popular Miss Marple series, is due at the Grand Hotel on September 15 to talk about her life as the world's favourite spinster sleuth.

The actress took over the Miss Marple role from Geraldine McEwan, featuring in episodes such as A Pocket Full of Rye and Murder is Easy.

Ms McKenzie said: "I am delighted to be taking part in this wonderful festival."

The fictional character of Miss Marple appears in 12 of Agatha Christie's crime novels.

Lydia Stone, of the English Riviera Tourist Board, said: "I am very pleased that Julia McKenzie has confirmed she will be making a guest appearance and sharing the festivities with us here on the English Riviera.

"The birthday event at the Grand Hotel, together with the fireworks display, is set to be the real highlight of the festival.

"We wanted to organise something really special this year, and we are delighted that the Grand Hotel is supporting it in this way."

Agatha Christie was born in Torquay in 1890, and she went on to sell four billion books around the globe.

Interest in Ms McKenzie's event — at 8pm on September 15 — has already been huge, but tickets are still available from the Grand Hotel at a cost of £15 each.

Emily Rogers, hotel general manager, said: "The Grand has a unique association with the much-loved authoress, as the place where she spent her honeymoon in 1914.

"We're all looking forward to welcoming Ms McKenzie to our celebration, particularly as she and the hotel enjoy a special relationship with Agatha Christie, the world's most popular crime author."

POLICE were today continuing investigations into suspicious caravan blazes at a travellers' site in Paignton.

It emerged yesterday that both vans destroyed in the Sunday afternoon blaze had been unoccupied for some time.

One owner has been traced, while the other has yet to be contacted.

A police spokesman confirmed that the fires — just 60 metres apart at the travellers' site on the old Nortel complex off the Brixham Road — are being treated as suspicious as they happened at the same time and so near to each other.

A gas cylinder in one of the vans exploded as the emergency services arrived at the scene after the alarm was raised just before 3pm on Sunday.

Both vans were destroyed in the blaze.

Police are appealing for anyone with information about the incidents to contact them on 08452 777444, quoting log 646 of August 29.

A spokesman said: "We are not able to say how the fires started because any evidence was completely burnt out. There will be no supporting forensic evidence because the vans were so badly damaged."

Two fire crews from Paignton attended the incident where they used two hosereels to extinguish the blazes.

Thermal imaging cameras were also used to check the scene.

Fire investigators as well as police are making inquiries.

A CARAVAN was destroyed in a suspicious fire in Totnes early yesterday.

Arsonists are thought to be behind the blaze which destroyed a 10ft caravan in the car park of the derelict Smugglers pub in Steamer Quay Road.

Neighbours raised the alarm just before 1am.

A fire crew from the town attended the scene where they used two hosereels and a main jet to tackle the flames.

"Watch commander Paul Chambers said: "The fire was going end to end when we arrived. It also damaged about half of a 25ft-high fir tree."

A gas cylinder was recovered from the van before it had a chance to explode.

The cylinder was cooled down in a water dam constructed by the fire crew.

Mr Chambers said it appeared the caravan had not been occupied for at least a fortnight, which fuelled suspicions the blaze was of doubtful origin.

"It was fortunate that the gas cylinder did not explode," he added.

WOULD-be investors have been told to get moving on the fate of Torquay's Palm Court hotel site — or Torbay Council will buy it itself.

Deputy Mayor Chris Lewis said he wanted to see the current seafront property knocked down by winter and rebuilt soon after.

Cllr Lewis said: "We're not going to hang around for another three years.

"A compulsory purchase order is the last resort. We're hoping that developers will put a bid in and will get on with it.

"I want to see the Palm Court knocked down by winter and a new hotel built soon after.

"There is planning permission in place for a new hotel so there is no reason why developers can't get on with it."

The call for developers to "get on with it" and sort out the prime location eyesore comes as several bids have been received by administrators PriceWaterhouseCoopers to buy the run-down Palm Court Hotel.

The prominent seafront site was put on the market after the company behind a project to redevelop it went into administration in February.

When last marketed in 2005 the former hotel was priced at £5million but did not sell.

PriceWaterhouseCoopers have since invited sealed bids for the prime site in Torbay Road.

A company spokesman said: "The process was successful. We have had a number of offers, some of which will be put to the bank."

Development plans have been on the table for eight years, but work never started.

Cllr Lewis confirmed Torbay Council is not and never was one of the bidders.

He said: "We haven't got the money for it.

"The main thing is that it went out for tender. It's better if we get the private sector to get involved. It was never on the cards for the council to put a bid in.

"But we want to see things moving and we will look at taking action such as a compulsory purchase order if things don't progress."

Cllr Lewis said should Torbay Council be forced to purchase the Palm Court Hotel money would be spent on tidying and cleaning up the seafront property in conjunction with a developer before selling it on.

The building is owned by KC1 Ltd which went into administration owing HSBC £3.1million.

KC1 was part of Newton Abbot-based residential and commercial property company Riviera Group Ltd, which has owned the building since 2001. According to the adminstrators report the directors are named as Ian Mitchell and David John Pollard (resigned).

According to the latest report the Riviera Group Limited may have no recoverable assets and total liabilities are likely to be around £6million.

The report states its principal assets on its balance sheet included the shares in subsidiary companies.

However the administrators believe no value is recoverable from these shares with the exception of one company called Demoujour Property Company. Following negotiations with parties interested in Demoujour, the administrators say they cannot comment further at this stage.

Of KC1 and another subsidiary KC2, whose director is named as Ian Mitchell, the administrators said they had initially received little information about the planning applications for the Palm Court Hotel and a site in Great Torrington.

Having put the Palm Court up for sale, the administrators said they were now assessing the options for the other site at Great Torrington which would be advertised for sale.

The report goes on to say that a review of conduct of directors of the company has been carried out which will be reported to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The report says that 'for confidentiality reasons we are unable to give any further information'.

The debt to HSBC is secured by charges over the assets of the companies, says the report. The bank is expected to get a dividend following the sale of properties owned by KC1 and KC2.

"However it is unlikely that the bank will recover its lending in full," says the report.

Neither Ian Mitchell nor David John Pollard was available for comment regarding the new bids for the Palm Court Hotel.

Award-winning actress Julia McKenzie will be donning her familiar Miss Marple costume on a visit to the Westcountry to mark the 120th anniversary of Agatha Christie's birth.

Ms McKenzie, star of ITV's popular Miss Marple series, is due at the Grand Hotel, Torquay, on September 15 to talk about her life as the world's favourite spinster sleuth.

The actress took over the Miss Marple role from Geraldine McEwan, featuring in episodes such as A Pocket Full of Rye and Murder is Easy.

Ms McKenzie said: "I am delighted to be taking part in this wonderful festival."

The fictional character of Miss Marple appears in 12 of Agatha Christie's crime novels.

Lydia Stone, of the English Riviera Tourist Board, said: "I am very pleased that Julia McKenzie has confirmed she will be making a guest appearance and sharing the festivities with us here on the English Riviera.

"The birthday event at the Grand Hotel, together with the fireworks display, is set to be the real highlight of the festival."

Agatha Christie was born in Torquay in 1890, and she went on to sell four billion books around the globe.

Interest in Ms McKenzie's event – at 8pm on September 15 – has already been huge, but tickets are still available from the Grand Hotel at £15 each.

Emily Rogers, hotel general manager, said: "The Grand has a unique association with the much-loved authoress, as the place where she spent her honeymoon in 1914.

"We're all looking forward to welcoming Ms McKenzie to our celebration, particularly as she and the hotel enjoy a special relationship with Agatha Christie, the world's most popular crime author."

PAIGNTON Zoo has rejected a call for a ban on the importation of elephants into the UK.

The call, by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, follows the latest report into the keeping of elephants in captivity.

The report has been produced by independent scientists on behalf of Defra's Zoos' Forum, an independent advisory body on licensing matters.

The RSPCA said it is "extremely disappointed" the report did not recommend an outright ban on importing elephants as it claims they are suffering in captivity and until welfare issues were addressed properly no more should be bought to the UK.

A Paignton spokesman said: "The RSPCA position is an extreme one and we do not share it."

The zoo's female Asian elephant Gay was put to sleep in March after a long battle against abscesses and arthritis, leaving it with female African elephant Duchess.

Zoo director Simon Tonge said: "Keeping one elephant on her own is not ideal but, given her poor eyesight, doing anything else — sending her to another group or bringing new animals here — could be much worse.

"Duchess has lots of attention and lots to do. She is in the best possible place. Meanwhile, the long-term keeping of elephants at Paignton Zoo is under review."

FIGURES for the amount spent by tourists and residents on parking in Torbay confirm that this year is only marginally better than 2009.

The council is expecting to reach its target of £4.55 million income from both car parks and parking meters.

Deputy Mayor Chris Lewis said income from parking meters was up on the year to date compared with 2009, though ticket sales were slightly down.

"This is mainly because we kept Paignton Esplanade open for parking longer this spring at the request of traders and we are opening it earlier, on September 15, after the schools go back," he said.

The BMAD bike nights will then have road closures for that evening and Wednesdays September 22 and 29 for their Bike Fests.

Extra meters will come on-stream when the road below Rock Walk in Torquay is reopened for parking.

June was the busiest month for the car parks, and so far 7,000 more tickets have been sold that this time last year. Income is marginally up, by about £17,000.

In July and August some 4,000 extra tickets were sold, but income was about the same.

Mr Lewis said: "We think it is because people were using town centre car parks more but not staying for so long as they would if they were parking at a beach.

"That was the pattern last year, and this is the third year we have had bad weather during the school holidays."

PLANS for a sports stadium in Paignton should not be affected by Torquay United's decision to redevelop its Plainmoor site.

The club had been approached by a potential developer for a sports and community centre at Clennon Valley in 2008.

Officials at the time said it was too early for such a scheme to be considered as they were concentrating on getting back in the Football League which they later achieved.

Following the announcement on the £1.5 million plans for Plainmoor, Torbay Council reconfirmed its commitment to pursue a sports and leisure development at Clennon Valley, if possible including an upgrade of the Torbay Leisure Centre.

A council spokesman said: "The proposal to relocate Torquay United to a new stadium in Clennon Valley was a concept put to the club and the council by a private sector developer who approached the club and the council with the concept.

"The council is keen to support Torquay United wherever and whenever it is possible and appropriate to do so.

"We will continue to work closely with the directors of the club to help the club to improve its sporting facilities.

"The council was therefore willing to consider the approach that was received.

"It was made clear to the developer that no decision to back the scheme had yet been made and it was also made clear to the developer it was for the club to decide if it wished to relocate and if so where to.

"No doubt the club will consider that issue in the best interests of the club. Any proposal for a stadium development would then have been considered on its merits.

"The council is committed to seeing Clennon Valley develop as a centre for sport and healthy living. The council makes no secret of the desire to see the community sports facilities improved in Clennon Valley.

"Any proposals would need to be considered along side any other interest that is received and also in the context of many other very important considerations.

"Any proposal that the council or others bring forward would require proper public consultation."

The council has agreed to defer consideration of the proposal because of the uncertainty surrounding the possible flood risk issue.

The spokesman said the council is still awaiting the outcome of the next stage of its strategic flood risk assessment before it can consider how to advance the investigation of sports and tourism development in the area.

TORBAY councillors have been accused of being 'too chicken' to come to Brixham for a meeting about the controversial Wall Park planning application.

The authority's development management committee will discuss the proposed development of the former holiday village at Oldway Mansion, Paignton, on September 27.

Brixham ward councillor Mike Morey requested the meeting be held in Brixham to give local people the chance to express their views.

Torbay Council says this is not possible as all development management meetings are held at Oldway.

A spokesman said the extra costs involved in transporting PA equipment required to record the meeting, which is stored at Oldway, are too high to warrant holding the meeting in Brixham.

He also said the Paignton venue has plenty of parking for members and the public.

However, Mr Morey claims this is 'twaddle' and any extra costs would be 'minimal' and worth paying as the issue has sparked a huge interest in the port.

In July, 200 residents attended a specially convened Brixham Town Council meeting where the application for 231 homes, 14 holiday chalets, a care home, two bat barns and use of land for caravanning and camping on the Wall Park site was the only item up for discussion.

There was fierce opposition to the plans.

Mr Morey said: "Despite trying to get the meeting held in Brixham, Torbay has decided to hold it at Oldway.

"The reasons they gave were that there is insufficient car parking in Brixham, insufficient sound system and the Scala Hall and the Theatre were not conducive to meetings.

"You name it, they gave excuses but I pointed out there is no problem parking here because we could hold it at the community college and there is no problem with the acoustics because we could set up the town council's acoustics.

"At the end of the day I've got no doubt they were talking a load of twaddle.

"A precedent was set when the development management committee came to Brixham on a previous occasion to discuss the Wishings Field application, and when it went to Torquay to discuss two planning applications."

Mr Morey claimed: "The decision to hold the Wall Park meeting at Oldway was taken purely for political reasons and I have heard that certain members would feel intimidated if it was held in Brixham. They are too chicken to come here.

"They have made excuses because they don't want to come here.

"The decision has yet again shown contempt towards the people of Brixham.

"Having the meeting at 10am is a stupid time. Normally, these meetings are held at 2.30pm.

"The college breaks up at 3pm and we could have everything ready for the meeting by 4pm to give the public the chance to attend.

"They've used any old excuse to not come to Brixham. This is a major development for the town and, as 200 people in the public gallery when we held a meeting about it shows, there is a lot of interest in it."

The Torbay Council spokesman said: "This meeting is an extra meeting added after the calendar of meetings were scheduled for the year, therefore it had to be planned around member, officer and room availability.

"This was the only convenient time and date we could offer the committee chairman for her approval.

"All development management meetings are held at Oldway.

"The only exception to this is when the Chess Congress has booked the ballroom during the first week of September.

"Not only does Oldway have sufficient room and parking capacity, the PA equipment required to record the meetings is stored there.

"Transporting and setting up this equipment elsewhere increases costs significantly and in light of budget cuts this is something we are desperately trying to avoid.

"If we were to hold the meeting at Councillor Morey's suggestion at Brixham College, additional resources, at possible additional cost, may also be required to ensure the security of the school and safety of the students as members of the public would be on the premises."

A TORBAY JP has claimed residents were not consulted or forewarned enough over the great Torbay rubbish revolution.

Magistrate John Kiddey saw red when he came home from an overseas trip to find 'an array' of black plastic bins in his driveway.

He was even angrier when he received what he considered an unsatisfactory response from Torbay Council chief executive Elizabeth Raikes to his complaint about lack of consultation and practical problems with the new system.

Mr Kiddey, who lives in Whidbourne Avenue, said: "I knew the council was planning a change in the bin system only because I read about it in the Herald Express. I have received nothing in the post from the council, not a leaflet through the door — nothing whatsoever."

He said he wrote to his ward councillor, Neil Bent, who said he would ask the relevant officer to make contact.

Meanwhile, Cabinet member for community services, Dave Butt, also got in touch with the same promise.

But Mr Kiddey said that after two weeks he had not had a response.

He wrote to Mrs Raikes asking why officers had failed to respond to the councillors' requests.

"Please also explain why I have not been consulted about this dramatic change of refuse collection," he said.

He described the changeover as 'presumptive and pre-emptive' and asked why he has not been told on which day his bins will be emptied; asked how his wife is to move these wheel-less bins to the boundary especially when full of wet newspaper, and who will pay for the extra water used to clean items as instructed for recycling.

Finally he asks: "Who is to pay me for all the extra work in preparing waste for collection?"

"May Gurney is a private company which is surely in this business to make money from refuse.

"If they want householders to sort rubbish, drag boxes full of waste and wash items, then we should be told how much the going rate is for the job and we should be asked if we are prepared or, able, to do so."

He said he was also unhappy at the response he received which stated: "Mrs Raikes does not get involved with complaints at this stage as initially, complaints are dealt with by the service area concerned as they are best placed to deal with any queries or concerns raised by customers."

It said his complaint would be dealt with through the council's Corporate Complaint Procedure 'which ensures that customer's complaints are dealt with appropriately and within the correct time frame'.

Mr Kiddey said: "It smacks of arrogance. They did not even have the courtesy to copy in the two councillors who took it up on my behalf."

A Torbay Council spokesman said: "This complaint about a service will be dealt with through the council's complaints system. We are unable to comment on an individual's complaint."

A spokesman for Tor2, the joint council and May Gurney company, said: "We have put a lot of effort into communications about the improvements."

She said the boxes are deliberately designed to be easy to carry, as has the kitchen waste caddy to transport recyclable materials to the kerbside for collection or to the kitchen waste bin.

Residents are being advised to store the boxes indoors so they will not be full of rain and materials soaking wet when being carried to the kerbside.

Weekly collection of recycling (rather than the current fortnightly service) will also reduce the amount collected each week.

There will be less need to carry heavy bin bags of residual waste to the wheeled residual waste bin.

As to the request to wash some items, the spokesman said: "We would encourage residents to see this as something that is done as part of the normal food preparation and washing up tasks which will mean that no extra water is used. Recyclable materials could be washed last.

"While some residents may feel they are being asked to do more, the council [Tor2] will be providing more services for residents [weekly recycling and a collection of kitchen waste] and, due to the kerbside sort system, recycling collectors will be taking each and every recycling container and putting materials into separate compartments on the collection vehicles to ensure any contamination is isolated at source rather than causing problems in the automatic sorting process associated with the current co-mingled system.

"This will ensure purer materials and a better recycling rate.

"This is a positive outcome for all and we hope that residents will do their part to embrace the new services to ensure Tor2 can deliver the increased recycling rates and reduced waste to landfill that is needed in Torbay."

TOR Bay resounded to the roar of high-velocity powerboats yesterday for the 50th Cowes-Torquay-Cowes race.

Thirty of the world's finest drivers sped across the waters off Torquay from 11.30am on Sunday, having set off from the Isle of Wight an hour earlier.

The world-renowned endurance race was eventually won by the Italian entry of Fabio Buzzi, Emilio Riganti and Simon Powell.

They were competing in Red FPT, which completed the 178-mile course in a time of three hours 25 minutes, travelling at an average speed of 60mph.

Nick Burns, Torbay's assistant harbourmaster, said: "There were no real problems. It all went very smoothly.

"However, there was one competitor who had to retire with engine problems and was escorted back to Torquay.

"There were a number of people on Haldon Pier to watch the race, with the boats coming within half a mile of the shore."

Another Italian, Mario Invernizzi, and Britain's Peter Dredge were second, driving Kerakoll, with Southampton racers Vee Ganjavian and Gareth Williams third in Fury.

A MAN was taken to Torbay Hospital after losing consciousness and being kicked in the head during a violent assault in Newton Abbot.

The victim, who has not been named, was severely beaten by two other men, leaving him needing stitches.

Police officers and an ambulance crew were called to the scene after reports of a savage attack in the early hours.

A police spokesman said the attack happened on August 22, although they have only now released details.

The victim was punched to the ground by one man. He is thought to have lost consciousness before then being kicked in the head by another man, believed to be in his 20s.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the assault, which they say happened near the Enigma nightclub on Newton Road.

The man who punched the victim is described as in his early 20s, skinnily built, with black short spiky hair and a black goatee, wearing a black shirt.

A second assailant, who kicked the victim, was of stocky build with black hair, wearing a black and white striped T-shirt.

The police spokesman added: "The incident took place at around 12.25am on August 22 in the Hush and Enigma complex on Newton Road.

"After an argument in the Enigma nightclub, a 20-year-old local man was punched to the face and knocked unconscious.

"He was then kicked to the head, causing cuts which required stitches."

When police arrived at the scene they sealed the area to carry out investigations.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 08452 777444, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting crime reference number JN/10/2246.

A POPULAR Torquay hotel and bar has been suddenly locked up after its licensee left.

Churchill's bar and hotel on Babbacombe Downs was closed for business at the weekend, with notices in its windows explaining it was shut 'until further notice'.

Licence holder Melanie Davies, an Arizona-born businesswoman who took over the premises only last year, said then that she hoped to breathe new life into the prominent hotel and pub after it had closed down previously.

But people hoping to organise wedding parties, christenings and other functions at the pub have been stunned by the closure.

Neil Stanlake, licensing officer with Torbay police, confirmed that the licensee of Churchill's had left.

He said: "The lady licence holder has only been in place since September 2009. She lived upstairs with her daughter and parents.

"We were alerted to a commotion outside Churchill's on Wednesday when dozens of people wanted to go in."

A notice left on the windowsill beside the front door of the premises from the owners, Dorset brewery Hall and Woodhouse, says they have reason to believe that Ms Davies has abandoned the property.

The laminated letter, dated August 27 and addressed to Ms Davies, says: "H&W has reason to believe you have abandoned the property.

"This is a breach of the lease. You must remedy this on or before September 3, otherwise H&W will take further action to forfeit the lease."

Following the disturbance at the property it is understood that a security guard employed by Hall and Woodhouse is living on the premises until the situation can be sorted out by brewery officials.

The forced closure means that all employees have been left out of work.

Mr Stanlake said: "It is possible that she has returned to the United States."

He said an investigation had now been launched into the Churchill's licence holder and Hall and Woodhouse had been made aware of the situation.

A company spokeswoman said all money paid to Churchill's for bookings had been paid to the tenant rather than to the brewery itself.

"We've only found out about this on Thursday afternoon," she said. "We have had several calls from angry people who had bookings with Churchill's.

"We have got hold of a copy of the diary and we have been trying to get in touch with people and place them in other premises when possible."

The brewery spokeswoman also said Hall and Woodhouse was trying to get in touch with and locate Ms Davies.

There was a wedding due to be held at the hotel on Saturday.

Neighbouring pub the Babbacombe Inn was aware of this, and stepped in at the last minute to make sure that the happy couple weren't left without a venue.

Martin Strange, proprietor of the Babbacombe Inn, said it was an "awful situation" and that they had wanted to help.

But he stressed that they had no connections with Churchill's and were not honouring their bookings.

"We feel for everybody who may have lost money in this," Mr Strange said.

"We were able to step in at the last minute for the wedding at the weekend.

"We knew there was a wedding planned and we knew they didn't know it had closed, so we did what we could to help."

THE focus moved from the water to the skies over Dartmouth as the port's regatta came to a spectacular close.

After a week of events on the river, with large crowds cheering rowing crews down their courses in front of the Embankment, the weekend belonged to the air displays.

The RAF Red Arrows, whose scheduled display in Torquay last week was wrecked by the weather, more than made up for that absence with a thrilling display over the Dart.

Spectators lined every possible vantage point for the full display of loops, rolls and breathtaking manoeuvres.

The Royal Navy played their part in the weekend's airborne festivities with a search and rescue demonstration involving a Sea King helicopter, while the Navy also provided a Lynx helicopter display.

The Army got in on the act with the Royal Artillery's Black Knights parachute team dropping into the river before the RAF brought in their show-stopper, the amazing Typhoon Eurofighter.

The regatta ended with a fireworks display on Saturday night and an official closing ceremony.

A MAN failed to attend a court hearing because he was ill after eating bad crab, a court heard.

A warrant was issued for Jonathan Fisher's arrest after he did not attend his trial at Torquay magistrates court.

The 21-year-old, of New Road in Teignmouth, faces an charge of theft, which he denies.

Ben Darby, defending, addressed magistrates on Fisher's behalf saying his trial started in his absence on Tuesday.

He said he could not attend the hearing because of shellfish food poisoning.

Mr Darby added: "On Monday a fisherman friend of his gave him some crab.

"He had never prepared crab before or did not cook properly or perhaps the crab was not fit for human consumption, but he was violently ill and could not attend court."

Mr Darby said that even though Fisher was still unwell he handed himself in to the nearest police station as soon as he was able and was arrested.

Fisher was ordered to attend Torquay magistrates court on Thursday for a pre trial review.

He was told to produce a medical note proving he was ill or face a breach of bail charge.

Magistrates, who remanded Fisher on unconditional bail until then, told him: "In future if someone gives you a kind gift of crab make sure you know what to do with it."

THE villagers of Teigngrace held their annual produce show with the growers of the best produce rewarded with gleaming trophies.

The rain failed to dampen spirits as people joined in with the fun and games that were on offer during the event.

Wellie throwing, skittles, target golf and side shows kept everyone busy and the display of vegetables was "excellent", said organisers.

Show spokesman Janice Hindle said: "Classes in cookery, handicrafts and photography produced an extremely high standard of entries. The judges found it difficult to pick the winners."

Sue Camm grabbed three trophies for best local onions, the most points in the vegetable section and most points in the show.

Shani Adams shone in the flower department for best dahlia exhibit and best exhibit in the flower section.

Other trophy winners included Alan Baker for his longest runner bean, Ann Power for her pansies, Liz Norris for her fruit cake and Lily Nowak for her potatoes.

Children to win trophies were Shaun Adams, Scott Adams and Josh Winstanley.

Mrs Hindle said: "A very good day was had by all."

STARS from the worlds of television and sport are gearing up to get 'in tandem' to show their support for South West Tour Rides.

Olympic gold medallist Daley Thompson and comedian David Schneider will be cycling to Teignmouth for the Prostate Cancer Charity's Tour Rides on Sunday, September 5.

The duo, along with DJ Mark Goodier, will all be at the start-line in the gruelling 70km challenge ride from Honiton to the South Devon seaside town.

The event offers cyclists the chance to ride the same route as the professionals in the Tour of Britain, which comes to South Devon a week later.

The Tour of Britain's stage four finish will end on Teignmouth's Den and thousands of people are expected to line the streets to cheer on the cyclists as they roll into town.

Ahead of that, the Tour Ride will take place.

Daley said: "I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the Prostate Cancer Charity's London Ride last year. It was a really great day cycling past some of the capital's most iconic sights.

"I wanted to step it up this year and do a longer ride and therefore decided to take on the full distance in the South West.

"I am looking forward to taking on something fresh. Being a decathlete, I am used to turning my hand to a number of sports and am devising my own training plan which I am confident will get me up those hills."

Daley will be joined at Tour Ride, which cuts a scenic but tough route across Devon and Somerset, on September 5, by David Schneider, who starred in the BBC comedy hit I'm Alan Partridge.

He said: "I'm really looking forward to doing this cycle ride for the Prostate Cancer Charity — if 'really looking forward' also means 'slightly bloomin' dreading it'."

The charity is staging three events across the UK as part of its Unite ByCycling initiative, which aims to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

There are three South West rides people can take part in: the full stage at 175km, a 70km ride from Honiton to Teignmouth or a family-friendly circular route around Teignmouth.

Prostate Cancer Charity's head of community fundraising Claire Walsh, said: "We are delighted that David, Daley and Mark will be joining us in the South West for the Charity's Tour Ride.

"Anyone who wants to pit themselves against the professional cyclists or who is looking for a fun day out with their family is encouraged to sign up soon."

Sign up at www.tourride. co.uk

FIRES that destroyed two caravans at a travellers' site in Paignton yesterday are being treated as suspicious.

Two fire engines were called to the blazes at the old Nortel industrial estate on Brixham Road.

Police were also called to the scene, where fire crews wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels and a thermal imaging camera while tackling the fires.

The firefighters battled the flames from 3pm until 4pm, but the caravans were totally destroyed.

Watch commander Nick Bankes-Fay said: "The blaze involved two caravans, both were destroyed. They were about 60 metres apart, so it's not as if one set light to the other.

"They were well alight when we arrived. It was relatively easy to put out, and there were no gas canisters, which is a relief when dealing with caravan fires. There was nobody at the site to assist us."

The caravans were among five based at the site, which was cordoned off while fire investigation officers and CID were examining the caravans last night.

A police spokesman said: "At this stage it seems that no one was in the caravans, so it's damage only.

"It seems to be fairly extensive damage. They are caravans that people were living in.

"The incident was reported by a passing officer, and CID and fire investigators there were trying to establish exactly what happened."

A WELL-KNOWN travel publisher is to visit Torquay to sign her latest book.

Hilary Bradt will be signing copies of her new local guide book at Living Coasts.

She will be accompanied by her co-author Janice Booth.

The book — Slow Devon and Exmoor — is the first in a series of local characterful guides to Britain's special places.

Many local people contributed to the book, including Living Coasts press officer Phil Knowling.

A range of Bradt's wildlife guides will be available, including the just-published 100 Bizarre Animals, and the Living Coasts education team will be running free activities for children in the entrance hall.

When Hilary Bradt and her then husband George set out on their travels in South America in 1973, little could they have realised that the journey they were embarking on would lead to the creation of what has become one of the most esteemed and specialised travel publishing companies in the world.

Events co-ordinator Kate Hall said: "It is a real honour to welcome someone of Hilary's calibre to Living Coasts. Her name is synonymous with quality travel writing."

The signing will take place at Living Coast tomorrow from 11am and 1pm.

SALCOMBE Harbour Authority is cracking down on boat owners who flout the law and use the Salcombe and Kingsbridge Estuary as a race track.

Harbour officials will be taking a tough stance with people who disregard the rules and put other estuary users at risk.

Bosses say speeding also damages the estuary's marine habitat which is designated a site of special scientific interest and a national nature reserve.

The turbulence caused by speeding boats can also wash breeding birds from their nests.

The speed limit is eight knots within the estuary with the limit dropping to six knots between the Salcombe Hotel and the Saltstone.

The eight-knot speed limit applies to an area from the harbour limits which extends from Great Eelstone, parallel to The Bar to the headland below Portlemouth Down.

Water skiing, wakeboards and the towing of inflatables are all prohibited within the harbour limits.

Councillor Julian Brazil, chairman of Salcombe Harbour Board, said: "Salcombe Harbour is a popular holiday destination and is incredibly busy during the summer. Unfortunately we cannot cater for everyone.

"The bylaw which prohibits water skiing has been in place for many years and we hope people will respect the bylaws so all the estuary has to offer can be enjoyed by residents and visitors.

"Over the past few years, Salcombe Harbour has been a real success story. There is no doubt Ian and his team have done a superb job in making Salcombe such a fantastic place to visit."

Salcombe harbourmaster Ian Gibson explained the reasons for the safety concerns. He said: "The area of sheltered water between Bar Lodge and the Great Eelstone Rock has for some time been used illegally for water skiing.

"This area is very close to the leading line into Salcombe Harbour, which is marked on navigation charts to guide vessels safely into harbour.

"Obviously the leading line and illegal water skiing are incompatible: vessels following the leading line do not expect to have high-speed craft and people on skis weaving around them."

The Salcombe Harbour Board has published its revised policy on enforcing bye-laws within the estuary.

The number of patrols within the estuary has increased this summer.

People found guilty of flouting the bylaws usually receive an initial warning. Persistent offenders could have their right to a mooring revoked.

Failing to observe bylaws could result in a court appearance and fine of up to £1,000.

VOLUNTEERS are being sought who love a Paignton park so much they would be willing to help look after it.

Paignton Town Community Partnership is supporting the idea of setting up a Friends of Victoria Park group after Victoria Park resident Michael Eccleston joined the partnership's steering group.

He kick-started the idea with a presentation at the Redcliffe Hotel in June.

The overall aim is for the community to be involved in the future of the park, its management, activities and landscaping.

Initially the aim is to find out what local people think about the park and the way they use it.

Another local resident Simon Slade has taken on the role to progress the work and a consultation exercise took place in the park in July with the community partnership setting up a marquee.

Park users were asked to complete a questionnaire and to say what their likes and dislikes were to add to an initial list of ideas.

They included better signage for the different areas of the park, more and better seating, a notice board with a map, a bandstand, and raised flower beds/vegetable beds behind youth centre.

New toilets, boules pitch, croquet pitch, adult climbing frame, a shelter and dog toilet were among the other suggestions.

Richard Kaskow, chairman of the community partnership, said: "From the people we talked to, we certainly got the feeling they cherished the park.

"Mums and dads came with their younger children from around the Bay to use the skate park and BMX jumps.

"One person said it was the best park in the Bay while another said if it is not broken do not fix it.

"I would certainly agree that the park is not broken but it does need a little TLC.

"The landscaping can be enhanced and new facilities added so that any visit to the town and the park for locals and visitors is really one to remember.

"The park was a Victorian vision for the town well over a 100 years ago and it is an integral part of Paignton's vision for the future."

The next public meeting is due to take place at 6.30pm on Wednesday, at the park's youth centre with all welcome.

The results of the consultation will be presented along with examples of how other public parks have been restored around the country.

Simon Slade can be contacted on 01803 523643, 07802 451463 or at simonmslade@hotmail.com