This book comprises a selection of poetry and prose inspired by my holidays in the West Country, illustrated with colour photographs of some of my favourite haunts.
I have always loved this part of England, some of my earliest childhood holidays being spent in West Bay, Dorset where I stayed with my parents and brother at the George Hotel, over-looking the quay. Later holidays were spent in Cornwall, and at Exmouth and Sidmouth in Devon, and most of the anthology features these locations, especially the delightful Regency town of Sidmouth.
“Would you like clotted or pouring cream, Sir?” asked the waiter politely. “Why do they have to ask so many questions?” demanded the elderly gentleman guest irascibly to his lady companion after the waiter had gone. Over-heard conversations in a restaurant can be funny, fascinating and revealing. The above was spoken by a guest at the Victoria Hotel, Sidmouth in May 1987. My brother Anthony and I were staying there for 10 days and there was an interesting variety of visitors there at that time. Many of them knew each other and returned for the same week year after year. We often speak of that particular holiday.
We first visited the Victoria Hotel in May 1982 when the Falklands War was on. All the guests were watching the progress of the war on the television in the sun lounge. Our mother was alive then and she loved the hotel immediately. The luxury of the surroundings, although not too opulent and overwhelming, the beautiful flower arrangements, the excellence of the cuisine and the friendliness of the staff all combined to make it a perfect holiday hotel. The very building itself has a solid, welcoming appearance, inspiring confidence and ease as one enters the revolving door into the panelled warmth of the hall. Afternoon tea is a favourite at the Vic, when everything stops for that special pot of freshly-brewed tea with accompanying home-made cakes and scones.
“Bemused passers-by watched as the tidal wave of terriers swept up the front path, through the front door into the hall and out into the small back garden”. We have owned dogs in the family since I was eight. At the time of acquiring our house in Temple Street we owned five and of course they all accompanied us there on each holiday; it would not be the same without them, and we wouldn’t dream of leaving them behind. When we had holidays at The Victoria we always took Thomas our wire-haired fox terrier; he became very well known to the regular guests and staff.
My interest in writing poetry began in 2002 after a short stay in hospital. I found writing to be very therapeutic and enjoyable. All of my poems are easy to read and understand, and I hope they appeal to people who like poetry to be light, descriptive and at times amusing. I do not write gloomy, dark poems with a depressing miserable theme.
People come on holiday to relax, unwind and enjoy themselves, and these are the people to whom I hope “Tea at The Victoria” will appeal.
Future project. I have recently featured in an article in the “Sidmouth Herald” requesting readers to send in stories and photographs of rescued dogs in the East Devon area to enable me to prepare a book describing these re-homing tales. The response has been good and I thank everyone who has written to me, but I still welcome more stories to put in this book. I am also hoping to get sponsorship from local businesses in order to keep printing costs low. Proceeds from the sale of the book will go to ARC (Animal Rescue Centre).
The Byes Riverside Park walk in Sidmouth from the Toll House.
This time of year is a great time to be out and about walking in the beautiful area of Sidmouth. There are acres of countryside to explore so why not begin right in the heart of the town in the Byes.
The Byes Riverside Walk
The Byes Riverside Park The Byes Riverside Park, between the village of Sidford and The Old Tollhouse, is one of Sidmouth's most important green spaces. About 2km in length, The Byes is made up of the many fields and meadows surrounding the River Sid, which is the smallest river in Devon at just over 6 miles long. The Sid Vale Association (SVA) Natural Reserve forms a major part of The Byes. It was purchased to encourage wildlife conservation and to provide free public access for residents and visitors to enjoy in perpetuity.
Useful information The paths through The Byes are shared by both pedestrians and cyclists. Well-controlled dogs are welcome everywhere, apart from in the Community Orchard, which is a dog-free area. If you would like to find out more about the Byes Riverside Park, then please contact The Friends of the Byes, on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or phone the Parks Department at East Devon District Council. For information on the SVA, please visit http://www.sidvaleassociation.org.uk/
The Toll House
You are standing lust inside the most well-used part of The Byes Riverside Park, called The Lawn. The Toll House here is thought to have been built for the Honiton and Sidmouth Turnpike Trust in 181 7, with the new bridge alongside providing a more accessible crossing than the ford Oust 5 minutes walk downstream).
The Lawn has a more formal character, with a wide variety of specimen trees complementing the elegant villas along the boundary, mostly now hotels and guest houses. The oldest trees might have been planted as much as 300 years ago and are now being supplemented with a wide variety of younger trees, which will one day take their place.
The Byes are used for orienteering as well as informal recreation and maps of the course can be obtained from the Information Office, the Museum or the National Trust shop.
Where can I go next?
A 5 minute walk north along the River Sid into The Byes will take you into Sid Meadow and The Community Orchard, where a variety of apples trees specific to the West Country has been planted. Walking onwards in a northerly direction will take you to the tranquil meadows owned and managed by The Sid Vale Association.
It will take you around 35 minutes to walk as far as Sidford, at the other end of The Byes, or turn off earlier, towards Fortescue, to explore Soldiers Hill, Enjoy the tranquility of this peaceful stretch of river landscape, look out for kingfishers, and dippers, or watch for trout jumping.
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