Herald Express

BAY-BORN explorer and mountaineer Lee Farmer has returned from a hair-raising trip to Africa where he suffered major vehicle troubles and big cat encounters.

The intrepid adventurer, a former Torquay Boys Grammar School pupil, led a group of Home Counties teenagers on the five-week expedition in Nambia, Botswana and Zambia.

The 38-year-old took his party through the arid desert environment of the 50,000 sq km Namib-Naukluft National Park, on the remote 120km Naukluft trail renowned as the toughest trek in Southern Africa.

The trail, set in the oldest desert landscape in the world, is totally uninhabited.

Lee said: "There's a common misconception that nothing lives in the desert, but while humans cannot live there, there's so much wildlife.

"From tadpoles and frogs in natural springs, to bigger animals such as zebras, rhinos, and even leopards."

One night the group experienced a close encounter with wild animals when a herd of rare mountain zebra took a shine to their tents, rubbing themselves up against them and keeping the tired youngsters awake for hours.

"Another night we heard a leopard calling near our open camp," said Lee. "Its roar reverberated around the whole valley, which was pretty chilling."

Exhilarated at completing the trail, the group boarded a 4x4 vehicle to transport them along the dirt desert roads, but were shocked when one of the front wheels broke free.

The vehicle skidded for 300m on its axle before grinding to a halt, Lee said, adding: "It was a real white-knuckle incident.

"Fortunately, there were no injuries so we evacuated the vehicle and I set about a rescue plan via my satellite phone."

The vehicle troubles did not end there, though. After completing a community project at a small village in the Kalahari Desert, a pre-arranged coach came to pick the team up in the late afternoon.

Lee said: "As darkness fell we realised the coach had no lights and this made driving on the dirt roads extremely dangerous because of the high risk of hitting obstacles — even cattle or antelope."

The group abandoned the ride and ended up camping in the playground of a local school for the night, while locals attempted to change the coach's battery and alternator.

Transport improved when the group entered Botswana and explored the reed beds of the Okovango Delta by Mokoro — a type of open canoe.

Switching over to Jeeps, the party spent a few days in one of the national parks and discovered ancient Sans Bushmen rock paintings which are around 1,500 years old.

Camping nearby in the bush, they experienced another encounter when a pack of spotted hyena circled the camp.

Lee said: "We were surrounded with yellow eyes reflecting back in our torchlights and in the morning their tracks were all around our tents."

Crossing the mighty Zambezi River, the group entered Zambia and visited the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls.

Lee was invited to visit a breeding programme charity for lions and cheetahs, both of which are listed as a vulnerable species and given the golden opportunity to walk with three 20-month-old lions and play with a five-year-old cheetah.

Lee enthused: "It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with these beautiful cats but I was sad to learn that in some African countries the cheetah is classed as vermin and can legitimately be shot by farmers."

Next year Lee will attempt to tackle North America's highest mountain, Denali, in Alaska.

If successful he will become part of an exclusive club of 200 mountaineers worldwide who have completed the Seven Summits Challenge, of scaling each continent's highest peak.

For more information, visit www.leefarmer.co.uk

BOMB disposal officers carried out the controlled explosion of a Second World War incendiary device yesterday morning.

Police were called to Brixham, between Mansands and Sharkham Point, late on Saturday after reports of a bomb-like device found in the ground.

The rusting metal object was described as being about 30cm in length and having a tail fin.

It was spotted by a member of the public, who notified the authorities at 10.20pm on Saturday.

A trained officer went to the scene and cordoned it off. He photographed the explosive and emailed the picture to explosive ordnance disposal officers.

A team arrived at Brixham early yesterday to inspect the wartime device.

It was deemed a potential danger, so EOD officers undertook a controlled explosion at 7.50am.

A loud bang was heard and a plume of black smoke, sand and debris rose metres in the air.

A police spokesman said: "There was no threat to the public. The incident was dealt with in a safe and controlled manner.

"The incendiary device had probably been lying around for a long time. They often lie buried for years and then sometimes work their way to the surface."

SEARCH and rescue crews from across South Devon were scrambled on Saturday night after reports that a young woman had gone missing.

Teignmouth and Exmouth inshore lifeboats, Teignmouth and Torbay coastguard, police officers and the police helicopter were called out at 11pm to search for the 19-year-old.

She was thought to have disappeared somewhere between Teignmouth and Dawlish, but an extensive search of the area was unsuccessful.

However, at 5am she turned up safe and well at her home, and the search crews stood down.

The incident was the culmination of a busy night for Teignmouth lifeboat, with two other calls coming in on Saturday.

The lifeboat crew's first incident of the night happened at about 9.13pm after reports of a kayak floating in waters off Teignmouth pier.

An extensive search of the area failed to find the kayak's owner, but he was later located by phone, safe on land.

A coastguard spokesman said: "It seems he left the kayak unattended and had forgotten about it. The tide then came in and floated it out to sea."

The lifeboat crew's other call came after reports of a man unconscious at Sprey Point in Teignmouth.

When they found the man he was asleep on the ground. He was taken to the National Coastwatch Institution tower in Teignmouth.

The man, thought to be homeless, met ambulance staff who checked him over and then released him.

A CAKE maker who used a worker's child maintenance money to prop up the business has been fined more than £5,000.

Barbara Heath, 52, a partner and book-keeper in Buckfastleigh-based Auntie's Handmade Cakes, made 142 weekly deductions from baker Shawn Fell's pay packet for his child support.

But instead of passing it on to the Child Support Agency, it propped up the business for three years. It has since closed.

Heath, from Kingston Close, Kingskerswell, was sentenced by Torbay magistrates to 150 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £4.084 compensation and £300 costs.

She pleaded guilty to fraud in acting against Mr Fells and dishonestly abusing her position as a partner in the business.

Martin Symonds, prosecutor for the Child Maintenance Enforcement Commission, said that Mr Fells owed £8,002.55 to the agency.

But investigations found that only £3,918 had been paid up.

"It meant that £4,084.06 was unaccounted for.

"Investigators visited the proprietor and she accepted that she had taken the money from Mr Fells but had failed to pass it on to the Child Support Agency.

"The CSA made a visit to Mr Fells and he confirmed that sums of money had been deducted from his pay."

The court heard that the fraud took place from August 2006 until June 2009.

In mitigation, solicitor Richard Porritt said: "You have never met a more contrite or remorseful defendant before you in the courts."

He said that Heath had not taken any money from the business.

Speaking after the case a spokesman for the Child Support Agency said: "Tens of thousands of children depend on regular maintenance payment deducted for salaries.

"Unscrupulous employers who deduct the money and then keep it themselves are cheating both the children and the parents."

PAIGNTON will be going green for an environmental event in September.

Torbay's Go Green on the Green event will feature a range of exhibitors covering public transport, cycling, low-carbon vehicles, recycling, water efficiency, fair trade, energy efficiency, climate change, renewable energy and local food and drink.

The annual event began three years ago when an environmental event was held to recognise In Town Without My Car Day.

The aim was to encourage people to use more sustainable forms of transport to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, which are the main cause of climate change, and improve local air quality.

The event was a great success.

The event organised by Torbay Council was re-branded Torbay Green Day in 2008, and attracted nearly 2,000 visitors.

Every visitor will receive a free reusable shopping bag. Over 70s and benefits claimants will also get a free low-energy light bulb. In addition people can try their skill at making their own smoothie using pedal power.

They can also make their own musical instrument out of rubbish at a junk band workshop with Big Beat.

There will also be the chance to play Carbonopoly and win some prizes. The Rubbish Heads will also be out and about, and other attractions will include music and stunt bikes.

Torbay Council Cabinet member Councillor Chris Lewis said: "This year's event provides an excellent opportunity for people to come along and find out how they can play their part in tackling climate change.

"We must all work together to reduce carbon emissions through such measures as increasing the use of public transport and reducing the amount of energy we use."

The event takes place on Sturday, September 18, from 10am to 4pm on Paignton Green between the pier and the cinema.

A BAY animal charity is facing a kitten crisis after being inundated with unwanted pets.

The Blue Cross centre has had to close its 40-long waiting list and its centre at Ashley Priors Lane is fit to burst with 39 kittens and 21 cats.

Centre bosses are pleading with cat owners to get their pets neutered to prevent future problems.

Manager Tim Sillis said: "As well as kittens being handed in, we have taken in several pregnant cats, who have had their litters on site.

"It's heartbreaking that all these gorgeous kittens are struggling so hard to find homes.

"If you think that you can offer a good home, please come and visit the centre — we're sure you'll find the right cat for you as we have some real little characters here."

Last August, the centre found homes for 54 cats.

But this year, the centre is predicting that it will rehome half that number.

That is only if all reserved pets are rehomed.

The kitten crisis is a national problem for the Blue Cross.

There are more than 200 kittens being cared for at centres nationally.

The problem is being caused by people failing to get their cats neutered.

Some people have been struggling with the costs of keeping a pet.

Mr Sillis said: "The centre has also been taking in large numbers of older cats, who are now struggling to find homes when competing for attention with tiny kittens."

He is urging people to think twice before giving up their cat.

Mr Sillis said: "If your cat has developed a behavioural problem, please ask us for advice before giving them up.

"We may be able to offer advice which will help remedy their unwanted behaviour and save them the upheaval and stress of having to find a new home."

If you can offer a good home to a Blue Cross kitten or other animal, call the centre on 01803 327728 or visit the website to see some of the animals looking for homes: www.bluecross.org.uk

All animals rehomed from the charity are neutered, microchipped, fully health checked including vaccinations, worm and flea treatments, and come with four weeks' free pet insurance to keep initial costs as low as possible.

FIGURES show nearly 22,000 people live in deprivation in Torbay and more than 5,600 children are living in poverty.

Numbers for teenage pregnancy, smoking and alcohol-related harm are all higher than the national average on the English Riviera.

Against the background of such statistics, the Government is consulting on one of the biggest changes to the NHS since its creation in 1948.

The Torbay Local Involvement Network is committed to consulting local people on how they feel about proposed changes in any health and social care services and will feed these views back to commissioners and service providers for services to be shaped in the future.

Torbay LINk and the Torbay Care Trust Lifestyle team have joined together to present a Good Health Roadshow next month.

This will not only help get people talking about local health and social care services, but will also offer free advice on the day for people with questions about their own health.

The Healthy Lifestyle Team will be on board offering free advice about how to stay healthy, deal with stress and get fit.

The Good Health Roadshow will be open from 10.30am until 3.30pm at Paignton, Victoria Street, on Thursday, September 2; and Brixham, Fore Street on Wednesday, September 10.

THE annual cream tea held by the Torbay Hospital League of Friends has raised more than £2,000.

The event organised by chairman Lynne Hookings and the committee took place at the Palace Hotel, Torquay, and attracted about 130 supporters and their guests.

There was entertainment from vocalist Mac and an address of thanks by the hospital's chief executive Paula Vasco-Knight.

A spokesman for the league of friends said: "The work done by the league's districts over the past months in the selling of tickets for the summer draw was gratefully acknowledged, as was the support of Sainsbury's, represented by recently-appointed clothing manager, Kiri Bigwood."

He added: "Together with the sums raised by the league in the recent past these new funds will generate additional patient comfort and support.

"They will contribute also to major donations for the hospital's research, training and clinical projects which the league continues to provide."

TWO South Devon lads are taking part in their own Tour de France and raising money for Pakistan flood victims.

Matt Ireland and Jake Turbett, 23 and from Buckfastleigh, are cycling from Roscoff, through France on down to the south coast and up into Italy, ending in Genoa, to raise money for ShelterBox.

The intrepid explorers will spend about three weeks cycling 1,100 miles.

Matt and Jake said the challenge is to complete the full distance, in good time and in high spirits.

"We will be trying to survive along the way with whatever equipment we can carry on the bikes, a few euros for food and an extremely limited knowledge of either the French or Italian languages," they said.

"With not a lot of tour cycling experience between us, the two weeks of training have been rigorous, Matt having once cycled down the hill from a mate's house and Jake having spent at least an hour in total on the spin bike at work between appointments.

The pair added: "To help give us a boost during those long days in the saddle when we're sick of the constant muscular pain and even sicker of each other's company, we would like to add an extra purpose to the ride.

"That is why we are asking people to donate a small amount to this extremely worthwhile cause.

"It would be helping out these people who really are in desperate need and therefore helping us to keep on going."

Matt's mum, Helen, said: "Despite Matt's legendary skills as a mountain biker, neither have ridden a fully loaded bike. Jake has allegedly never been camping. They have hardly a word of French between them and their map only reaches as far as south Brittany, so a steep learning curve lies ahead."

The pair met as youngsters at a bus stop and have been best mates through Buckfastleigh Primary School, South Dartmoor Community College, college, work, travel and setting up in business.

Matt set up an architectural services company, Deanburn Designs, with his brother, and Jake trained as a personal trainer and has a string of clients in London wishing him a speedy return.

Both the lads will be going back to full-time study in September — Matt studying architectural technology at Brighton University and Jake reading sports science at the University of East London.

The trip was the brain-child of Virginia Turbett, Jake's mum, who raised £700 for after the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004. Helen was part of the team in Scorriton that raised £10,000 for Haiti in March.

If you would like to donate log on to www.justgiving.com/mattandjakestourdefrance

More than £300,000 of publicity has seen record ticket sales for the 120th anniversary Agatha Christie Festival.

Many events have already sold out, with crime fans coming from as far away as the US, Australia, Sweden, Austria and Bermuda.

Organisers say this is as a result of high-profile articles in national newspapers and magazines. In September's edition of Lonely Planet magazine, the festival is listed among the best in the world. Organisers estimate the articles are equal to £309,198-worth of advertising, not including those in German, Swiss, Austrian, New Zealand, Spanish and US publications.

Katie Lusty, chairman of the Agatha Christie Partnership, said: "This year's festival has really captured people's imaginations. The partnership has worked really hard to increase the range of activities and this year there really is something for everyone.

"The legacy of Agatha Christie is a wonderful gift and this year's festival is a real 120th birthday celebration of the life and work of the world's best-selling author."

Agatha Christie was born in Torquay on September 15, 1890 and in her lifetime was acclaimed as the Queen of Crime.

For further information about the festival, which runs from September 12 to 19, go to www.englishriviera.co.uk/ agatha christie.

A cake maker who used a worker's child maintenance money to prop up the business has been fined more than £5,000.

Barbara Heath, 52, a partner and book-keeper in Buckfastleigh-based Auntie's Handmade Cakes, made 142 weekly deductions from baker Shawn Fell's pay packet for his child support.

But instead of passing it on to the Child Support Agency, it propped up the business for three years. The firm has since closed.

Heath, of Kingston Close, Kingskerswell, was sentenced by Torbay magistrates to 150 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £4,084 compensation and £300 costs.

She admitted fraud in acting against Mr Fells and dishonestly abusing her position as a partner in the business.

Martin Symonds, prosecutor for the Child Maintenance Enforcement Commission, said Mr Fells owed £8,002.55 to the agency.

But investigations found that only £3,918 had been paid up.

SALCOMBE Harbour Authority is cracking down on boat owners who flout the law and use the Salcombe and Kingsbridge Estuary for racing.

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. It 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."

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.

THEY'RE on a roll at Dartmouth Regatta.

Fresh from the success of yesterday's fun-packed festivities, the regatta heads for its crescendo today.

Fireworks filled the sky over the Dart on Thursday night, with another display due to take place tonight at 9pm.

Yesterday the barrel rolling competition drew the crowds to the Boatfloat, and charity rowing races kept river-watchers entertained.

Other events due to take place today include a Sea King helicopter demonstration at noon, the Black Knights parachute display team at 12.45pm, running races and the closing ceremony.

POLICE launched a series of special 'reassurance' patrols around Torquay in response to a spate of robberies in the resort.

Officers were out and about on Wednesday evening in the localities affected by the run of attacks — the seafront area around the Princess Theatre, Penny's Hill off Teignmouth Road, St Pauls Road in Plainmoor, Audley Avenue and Chatto Road.

There were five street attacks in as many days just over two weeks ago. The worst was on the seafront where a man was punched to the ground by two assailants and robbed of his mobile phone and a wallet containing £20.

Two suspects were later arrested and questioned before being released on police bail pending further inquiries.

It is not known if the robberies are linked.

A police spokesman said the night-time patrols were organised to reassure the public in the wake of the crimes.

TORBAY Family Church is holding Ark in the Park on Saturday, September 4.

The day of fun-filled family activity is jointly organised by the Chelston-based church, Lower Chelston Residents' Association and the Community Partnership.

Bill Allen, from Torbay Family Church, said the event would be held in what is known as Pretty Park in Old Mill Road, Chelston, starting at 11am.

There will be a bouncy castle, craft stalls, games, competitions, music and a barbecue.

A special puppet show will also take place, and the stage will be built in the shape of the ark.

Children will be able to have their faces painted as well as a chance to race an ark down the river too.

"The event is designed to be a celebration for the kids before they go back to school," Mr Allen said.

MESSY Church will take place on the last Friday of every month, except during the school holidays, between 4pm and 6pm at Central Church, Torhill Road, Torquay.

BRIXHAM Rotarians are raising money for Pakistani flood victims by selling bric-a-brac and books in the town centre.

Members have taken over the Fore Corners shop on the corner of Fore Street and the Strand to raise cash for the ShelterBox appeal to supply extended families with a tent and lifesaving equipment.

Each box costs £490 and is distributed by ShelterBox, working closely with aid agencies and Rotary clubs.

Rotary member David Sharpe said: "ShelterBox is sending 5,000 water filtration units and 2,500 water carriers to Pakistan in response to the need for clean water.

"A family-sized water filtration unit or Lifestraw can filter a minimum of 18,000 litres of water — providing safe and potentially life-saving drinking water for displaced families.

"The Lifestraws and water carriers are being flown out this week and will join the 1,900 ShelterBox tents already deployed in the country and the 624 ShelterBoxes which are on their way to Pakistan.

"In addition to Pakistan, ShelterBoxes are at present being actively deployed in Guatemala and Brazil.

"Obviously the stocks need constant replacement.

"Nobody knows when or where the next disaster may fall.

"In 2010, ShelterBoxes have been sent to 15 different incidents in 12 different countries."

The Lifestraw and the contents of the ShelterBox are on display at the shop until today.

A SOUTH Devon woman is believed to have escaped unhurt in a pile-up which closed the M5 for 11 hours.

Almost a dozen people were injured, some seriously, in the crash on Thursday night.

Seven cars, including one belonging to the driver from Bovey Tracey, were involved in the smash which happened at 9pm on the northbound carriageway near Cullompton.

A 21-year-old woman was taken to Plymouth's Derriford Hospital where her condition was later described as critical.

Altogether seven casualties were taken to hospital, some of them by helicopters which landed on the closed southbound carriageway.

A fleet of ambulances and fire engines was also in attendance at the scene.

Police said there were several walking wounded who did not need hospital treatment.

A police spokesman said the occupants of a Ford Mondeo from Bovey Tracey appeared to have escaped unhurt.

A number of casualties had to be cut from the wreckage of their vehicles by firefighters using lifting gear.

Helicopters used to ferry some of the injured to hospital were from police headquarters in Exeter and RMB Chivenor in north Devon.

Among those taken to hospital were a one-year-old baby girl and her parents from Essex, a woman from Bristol, a man from Cullompton and a 26-year-old man from Okehampton.

The affected section of motorway — two miles south of junction 28 — was re-opened early yesterday.

RAIL and ale enthusiasts will have the chance to enjoy both over the August Bank Holiday weekend when the South Devon Railway puts on a special event.

The railway will include special train services and other services running from Buckfastleigh to Staverton to connect into the Real Ale festival being held at the idyllic former Great Western Railway country branch line station.

More than 30 beers will be on offer at Staverton station.

There will also be late trains running to take visitors to and from the festival.

The main bar will be located in the old goods shed adjacent to the main platform, and additional seating will be provided in a coach stabled in the dock platform.

Some of the local brews will be well known, while others have come from much further afield and are rare in the South West.

Organisers said the Real Ale festival would help to generate funding for the Devon Diesel Society's continuing restoration work on its biggest locomotive — the 117-tonne Class 50 No D402.

Opening times for the beer festival are today and tomorrow from 11am to 11pm, and on Monday from 11am to 6pm.

Dick Wood, of the South Devon Railway, said: "On the rails, the highlight will be the special guest visit of tank locomotive 1450.

"Previously based at Buckfastleigh during the 1970s and 80s, the loco last ran over the scenic seven-mile line to Totnes in November 1984."

For more information on what is going on over the weekend visit www.sdronline.org.uk

WITH the summer exhibition at Torre Abbey soon coming to an end, organisers are asking visitors to take a look at some rare modern art.

TACO 3D, which shows some of the best contemporary art in the South West, runs until Bank Holiday Monday.

The exhibition features as its centre piece one of Damien Hirst's most iconic works, Mother and Child, Divided, which is a cow and her calf cut in half and preserved in formaldehyde tanks.

TACO 3D is made up of 19 other works by various regional and national artists.

The exhibition has taken over both the Spanish Barn and Torre Abbey's museum and garden.

Exhibition curator and Torre Abbey keeper of the arts Amelia Marriette said visitors and residents were quickly running out of time to enjoy this unique exhibition.

She said: "We are urging everyone, locals and tourists, to come to Torre Abbey this Bank Holiday weekend and vote for their favourite piece."

All pieces forming the exhibition were chosen from more than 90 entries by British sculptor Peter Randall Page, the art historian Claire Donovan and Ms Marriette.

The theme of the exhibition is Tamed and links with the free exhibition in the Spanish Barn of the same name, featuring Damien Hirst's piece.

Helen Snell, whose laser-cut paper sculptures are forming part of the exhibition, said she had been thrilled to be chosen and have her work stand next to Hirst's.

She said: "It really is an amazing venue and what has been happening here is really exciting.

"I first saw the Hirst in the old Tate Britain. It's like a beacon really and to have it here set a totally different agenda, I've been thrilled to bits."

TACO 3D and the free exhibition at the Spanish Barn runs until August 30.

For more information visit www. torre-abbey.org.uk

AFTER ten weeks of disruption, All Saints at Thurlestone has a £50,000 new roof that will ensure the 13th century village church stays dry and keeps the congregation a little warmer during Sunday services.

"We thought we would be a little green while we were at it, and sought permission from the diocese to have part of the roof insulated to keep the heat from disappearing through it," explained churchwarden Graham Worrall

He and fellow churchwarden Liz Webb have supervised the repair work, which has complicated activities in the church, with dust covers having to be removed each Sunday for services. They now have the satisfaction of seeing a job well done — and completely paid for.

Legacies and donations have helped, but most of the money has come from the Friends of Thurlestone Church, a body set up several years ago when it seemed there was a possibility that All Saints might be declared redundant.

On the contrary, the church has progressed and is full of life, with good attendances at Sunday services, including many holidaymakers during the summer.

Its notable features include the font, which is believed to date from the 10th century and to have been made in Paignton.

It was installed in the original church, which was made of wattle and daub. The straw roof was frequently blown away by gales — but the font survived.

With the roof secure, the churchwardens now have to turn their attention to the next project — repairs to the tower, which needs repointing at an estimated cost of £100,000.

"That will be a very big enterprise and we shall need all the help we can get, official and otherwise," Mr Worrall said.

He hopes that anyone interested will contact him on 01548 562016 — particularly if they have fundraising ideas.