Topsham news

CLICK HERE FOR OUR FEATURED EVENTS LISTING

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Jan 19th 2012
The Express & Echo carried a news item about the controversial planned Seabrook Orchards development: 700 new homes praised as an 'exciting concept'. Criticisms were previously reported on January 5th: Golf club members object to 700 new homes bid. The Grainge Architects site has a detailed plan and artist's impressions of the planned estate: Seabrook Orchards, Topsham, Exeter.

Jan 18th 2012: PARKING FEES MEETING
You may well have seen the petition of protest in local shops concerning the news of prospective parking fee rises, with the conversion of Matthews Hall and Quay car parks to short-stay. For example, parking for more than five hours on Topsham Quay currently costs £1.80 but is to rise to £10.80. See the Express & Echo: Parking charges are set to soar.
There is a public meeting tonight - Wednesday January 18th
6.30pm in the Globe Malthouse.

Jan 17th 2012:
The Exmouth Journalfor Jan 16th reports: Topsham charity Devon In Sight is looking for new volunteers. "The charity, which provides services for blind and visually impaired people, is currently looking for people to help with a variety of tasks. These include writing press releases, compiling and putting together newsletters, promoting the charity, developing a catalogue of information about products available from its resource centre, and running activities. Anyone who can help is asked to call the charity on 01392 876666, or visit its resource centre in Holman Way".

Nov 18th 2001:
The Galley restaurant has won Gold in the Taste of the West Awards 2011, after only 10 months under new ownership, and its head chef has been made a full member of the Master Chefs of Great Britain.  See the press release for further details.

Nov 1st 2011:
As of Nov 1st, due to an amicable termination of partnership, the bookshop at 27 Fore Street is operating as The Topsham Bookshop (www.topshambookshop.co.uk) and owned and managed by Lily Neal. Joel Segal will continue to trade as Joel Segal Books (www.segalbooks.com) and will be operating from The Cafe, 76 Fore Street, Topsham.

Site changes

The featured events listing now has its own page here.

Matthews Hall now has its own website: www.matthewshalltopsham.co.uk
This is now the official contact site for Matthews Hall, the Saturday Market, Hall Bookings, etc. Matthews Hall Cafe is open daily in Matthews Hall cafe/foyer. Mon-sat 8-4, Sun 10-4. Tel: 07925304204.

Devon Museums have overhauled their website.
Visit www.devonmuseums.net/topsham to see the new-look Topsham Museum pages.

New Topsham ferry

"Shimmer", the new Topsham Ferry

As reported in various local papers - for instance, New ferry launched today - the new Topsham ferry (named Shimmer, apparently by schoolchildren) went into service on Wednesday 13th April. It runs on the same route as the old, from the Ferry Road slipway opposite the Passage House Inn to the canal bank near Topsham Lock. Upgraded to serve increased traffic with the opening of the Route 2 cycle route, it can carry six to eight bicycles and 12 passengers. It's highly stable and has side door access (no more precarious clambering); the ferryman, Mike Stevens, told me he was delighted with it.

Topsham Ten map

Luke Hanney kindly sent us an annotated map he created in Google Maps showing the location of the current "Topsham Ten". Thanks! See the Food and Drink page.

Nello's Longest Table

Nello's Longest Table Topsham. UK- 2010 from Dan Burton Photography on Vimeo.

This year's Nello's Longest Table - a charity event commemorating Topsham restaurateur Nello Ghezzo and in aid of the Topsham Community Association, FORCE, and the Shop Local campaign - was a resounding success, with no sign of the rain that slightly dampened the start of the 2008 event. Some 2000 people attended. From the organisers:

Thanks everyone for an absolutely amazing weekend! It couldn't have gone better. Truly Topsham at its best. Liz, Kim, Marc and the festival organizers.

Marc Millon has written an illustrated report: Nello's Longest Table -- a midsummer night's dream. See also the YouTtube channel for "Redquarry", who has uploaded some video clips of the Longest Table, as well as the band T5 playing on Topsham Quay on the previous evening.