PLANS to build three town houses at the rear of Market Street in Ilfracombe have been approved by North Devon Council.

The plans were submitted by Ilfracombe developer David Hutchings in November last year.

The application says the three-bedroom houses would be of modern design and would incorporate solar panels and secure cycle parking.

Did you get fed up with waiting for this page to load? You know what we need in Ilfracombe...faster broadband! North Devon Council and Torridge District Council are trying to get just that for our local area, but they need all of our help to achieve it.
From last Monday (6th February) a month-long campaign began to encourage us locals to complete a short survey to reflect the demand for faster broadband in the area.
The 'Keep up to Speed: Get Connected' campaign is led by Devon and Somerset County Councils, who have £50m of funding to provide superfast broadband in the area. However, to secure further investment from broadband suppliers, the councils need evidence that there is strong demand from local people for faster broadband.
The aim of the project is to have improved broadband (>2mbps) to every business and community across Devon and Somerset by 2015 and superfast broadband (>24mbps) to at least 85% of the area by 2015, with 100% by 2020.
North Devon Council Leader, Brian Greenslade, says: "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for communities and businesses to have their say in the services that they need. The survey is very quick and every response will make a difference. We want to ensure that North Devon is an attractive location for businesses, and not at a disadvantage because of its rural location."
Torridge District Council Leader, Barry Parsons, says: "It's vital that we get as many people and businesses to take part in this survey. We need to build a picture of where the worst areas are and what the demand is for better broadband in those areas. Getting faster broadband will allow local businesses to compete with others, regardless of location. It's also important to ensure that rural communities have the same access to services as urban areas and it will give much greater support too for our children in terms of education."
To complete the survey, go to connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk before 29th February. The survey asks for current broadband speed, the types of activity limited by current speeds and what improved activity might mean. You can register both your work and home speeds. Faster broadband would enable our local businesses to be more competitive and help our community to save money, as well as being able to offer more information and learning opportunities.
Not many people in our town are showing up on the map of areas that have registered a need for faster broadband so far. This is our big chance to shape the future of our digital services, so make sure you take a couple of minutes to get involved and help us get connected and get our broadband up to speed in Ilfracombe.

Ilfracombe People get your videocameras and iphones at the ready as The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon is looking for some of the region's most talented filmmakers to exhibit their work for a showcase of local film, to be held at the museum from June 30th until July 7th 2012.

The exhibition is open to anyone living in North Devon with a passion for filmmaking and will be divided into three categories: under 16s, over 16s, and local business or organisation.
Julian Vayne from the Museum said:
 "People now have ready access to the technology required to create high quality, engaging films and we would like to offer a physical space to draw attention to our local film makers, display their work and to celebrate how creative the region is."
Films can be any style or genre, but must be suitable for public viewing by anyone of any age. Entries must be no longer than 10 minutes in length and submitted to the museum on a data CD/DVD in an appropriate file format. Films should be saved as a single data file and multiple formats of the same film may be included on your CD to ensure accessibility. No more than one film per entrant and films must be recently created and not previously exhibited at any venue in the South West of Britain.
 The North Devon Movie Bus will be part of the celebrations and the exhibition continues the museum's interest in documenting the region.
All entries must arrive at the museum by the June 16th 2012, in order to be considered. Once all the entries are in, a panel of judges will view each film and decide whether or not to include it in the exhibition. 
For more information on how to submit your film click here or e-mail museum@northdevon.gov.uk
 

ILFRACOMBE Museum is hosting a bird themed event during the school half term.

The event, on Friday, February 17 from 10am midday, will include a talk from the RSPB's John Wrigglesworth as well as plenty of bird themed activities.

The event costs £1.50 per child and there is no need to book.

For more information contact Ilfracombe Museum on 01271 863541 or email ilfracombe@devonmuseums.net.

ILFRACOMBE Indoor Market has come up with a novel way to express your undying love to your Valentine.

Visit the market from Saturday onwards and paint a heart, made specially for the occasion from salt dough.

For more information about Ilfracombe Indoor Market and stall enquiries, call Kate on 07843 295803

Struggling for things to do with the kids next week? Read on for our guide on what's on in and around Ilfracombe over the February half-term.

Both Ilfracombe and Combe Martin Library are having a "Magic in the Library" event on Tuesday 14th February. At Ilfracombe Library from 11am until 12.30pm children can watch a magic show with magician Dave Hendy and then make a rabbit in a hat to take home. If an afternoon session suits you better, the same event will be held over at Combe Martin Library from 1.15pm. Booking in advance at the Library is essential for either event and tickets cost £2 per child.

Ilfracombe Museum also have an event on during half-term week. On Friday 17th February fly down to Ilfracombe Museum and investigate their feathered collection. Pop in anytime between 10am and 12noon. There will be lots of bird themed activities to keep you busy throughout the morning. John Wrigglesworth from the RSPB will be present with his expertise and knowledge to answer all your questions about bird life. There is no need to book but there will be a small charge of £1.50 for each child.  If you have any queries, please contact Ilfracombe Museum on 01271 863541 or email ilfracombe@devonmuseums.net

Local National Trust property Arlington Court has several events taking place over the half-term. Take part in their Great Sheep Dip, a game of chance to see if you can pick which ewe will give birth to their first lamb of the season with winners receiving a special prize. Staying with the sheep theme, another activity on throughout the week is Arlington Needs Ewe. A fast paced family trail around the grounds to be followed anytime between 11am and 3pm. Can you round up all the lost sheep in record time? Small prize for those with the fastest time each day. Finally, Monsters under the Microscope is also available between 11am and 3pm daily during half-term week. Discover a disgusting world of microscopic monsters and tiny terrors that spend all their days chewing up our precious objects. For more information on any of these events give Arlington a call on 01271 850296 or e-mail arlingtoncourt@nationaltrust.org.uk

Wistlandpound are also catering for kids next week. Half term fun for families at Wistlandpound will take place on Wednesday the 15th and Friday 17th February. On Wednesday 15th they are running a nature detectives session from 10am until 12.30pm and a five minute fires and shelter building session from 2pm until 4.30pm. On Friday 17th the activities will be reversed and from 10am until 12.30pm you can take part in five minute fires and shelter building and then from 2.pm until 4.30pm you can be a nature detective! Activities are suitable for children aged 4 -12 years old and their families. Activities cost £6 per child and all children must be accompanied by an adult.  Booking is essential call 01598 763 706 or email info@discoverwistlandpound@hotmail.org.uk.
What will you be getting up to over the half-term holiday? Let Ilfracombe People know what's on next week by adding your comments below or to our What's On section.
 

ILFRACOMBE Lions Club is holding its annual Swim Marathon fundraising event at Ilfracombe swimming pool this weekend. The event on Sunday, February 5 will see 30 teams swim for 55 minutes at a time to raise money for various local charities. The event runs from 10am to 4pm. Anyone wishing to enter can call Tony Denby on 01271 862971.

If you like nothing better than an intimate meal out for two to celebrate Valentine's Day then read on for Ilfracombe People's guide to what's on offer in Ilfracombe on the most romantic night of the year.
If you're not feeling flush enough to whisk your loved one away to the Med for the weekend, you can still experience a saucy Spanish soiree at Gazpacho's at the Boathouse on Valentine's Day. Their set 3 course menu costs £20 per person and includes the option of sharing "The Lovers Paella" as well as discounted offers on bottles of bubbly. See the full menu here and remember to book your table before you dine as walk-ins won't be accepted on the night. 

Combe Cottage Restaurant on the High Street has a special romantic menu planned for the evening with the 3 courses renamed as "The First Kiss, The Proposal and The Marriage". Dishes include "Passionate Pasta", "Perfect Pate Partnership" and "Sensual Salmon Fillet". The menu is available on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th as well as on Valentine's Day itself at a cost of £16.95 for two courses and £19.95 for three. Bookings must be made in advance, to help you decide click here to see the full menu.

The Terrace Tapas bar is always a popular choice with locals for the friendly welcoming atmosphere and purse-friendly special offers! This Valentine's Day there will be the usual complimentary roses for the ladies and some other little surprises for couples dining on the night. Their new menu starts from this Thursday (2nd February) and will be available on February 14th, with all you can eat extended to last all night and with more choice of dishes for just £14 per person or £12 before 7.30pm.

If you're looking to spend a bit more and really impress your other half then Clarets is a great choice for spoiling your special someone. The stylish and intimate setting is sure to create the mood for love and the food is divine. Make sure you book your table early as it is extremely popular with local people!


Where will you be eating out in Ilfracombe this Valentine's Day? Let us know by commenting below, and don't forget to leave a review of your experience on Ilfracombe people.

With temperatures rapidly dropping and reports of more than a mere sprinkling of powder up at Mullacott Cross last night, we decided to check out the forecast for the next week to see if any of the white stuff is likely to hit Ilfracombe any time soon!

Last winter was a real result for snow fans with several days of snow in Ilfracombe, but so far this winter has been more of a washout than a whiteout. According to the BBC weather forecast for Ilfracombe any rain, sleet or snow is going to pass over by the end of tonight and head down towards Cornwall. Colder and drier conditions will follow, allowing a widespread frost and perhaps some icy stretches to develop. The next three days are forecast dry with sunny spells but temperatures could drop to lows of around -2 degrees celsius at nighttimes.

So it's unlikely we'll see any snow in town in Combe over the next few days, but it's still best to be ready for icy weather on the roads. Devon County Council has this advice for preparing yourself for winter weather when driving on local roads: 

Make sure you car has Anti freeze in it and that your tyre pressures are correct.
 
When the weather starts to get colder make sure you check weather forecasts and allow more time for journeys. If you car is kept outside make sure you allow time to clear the windows properly.
Listen to the noise your car makes on the road. If you are driving on ice the tyre noise will almost disappear completely. Watch the cars in front, are they sliding on any particular parts of the road?
 
If you do hit ice and feel the car start to slide immediately take your foot off the accelerator, don't be tempted to brake (this will increase your risk of spinning) and steer gently into the slide. The best way to avoid sliding in the first place is to make sure your speed is right, it may need to be slower than you think, at just 30mph you are travelling 30ft every second! To reduce the risk further make sure you are very smooth when you accelerate, brake or turn.
For more information, including how to keep yourself and your home protected against chilly temperatures this winter read the articles on Ilfracombe People on Winter driving safety tips, Getting help to insulate your home with the CosyDevon scheme and How to keep warm in the home during the winter months in Ilfracombe.
 
 

Looking to get fit in 2012? Fight the flab and raise money for a good cause by taking part in Ilfracombe Rotary Club's annual charity Star Trek Night Walk-now in its 20th year! 
 
Teams of 4 or 6 people negotiate the course which is approximately 16 miles in total and held in a top secret different location on Exmoor every year! This year the walk will take place on Saturday 3rd March 2012, so there's still plenty of time to train and raise sponsorship.

Each section of the course is timed and walkers orienteer between checkpoints searching for answers to cryptic questions along the way. The walk is not a race however but a test of initiative, stamina and team building, with points being awarded for completion time, questions answered and amount of sponsorship money raised.

Anyone over the age of 16 is welcome to take part, but the team leader must be over 18 and team members must have some knowledge of map and compass reading so they don't get lost on the moors! Even if you do stray off the route slightly, you can rest assured that you are in safe hands with various radio-linked manned checkpoints and a doctor, paramedic and St John Ambulance as well as Search and Rescue all on hand to ensure the wellbeing of the walkers.

All team members will receive a free breakfast and hot drinks along the way and there will be a presentation evening at The Woolacombe Bay Hotel to say thank you to all those who participated in the event and to award The Star Trek Challenge Shield to the winning team as well as £500 to give to their nominated charity or good cause. 2nd and 3rd places are given £300 and £150 respectively. A prize is awarded to the team who can raise the most sponsorship.

Only 100 teams can participate based on a first come first served basis. An entrance fee of £7 is payable to cover basic costs and refreshments as 100% of the sponsor money raised is guaranteed to go to the Rotary Club of Ilfracombe designated projects. The main beneficiaries are the Hospice movements and other local charities. So don't miss out and register your team NOW by visiting the Rotary Star Trek website.

Ilfracombe Rotary Club President Ann Doody had this message for anyone considering taking part in Star Trek 2012. "It is an amazing event that is meticulously organised by a very experienced team and is great fun for the walkers whatever the weather. The 2011 event was a great success with 74 teams and 408 walkers taking part. The amount raised through the sponsorship of walkers is in the order of £40,000. This is an outstanding achievement and bodes well for 2012. I invite all of you who have taken part in this great event in the past to register again for the night of 3/4th March, and I encourage those of you who have not yet taken part also to register for this challenging and rewarding night walk across Exmoor. You won't be disappointed and you will gain a tremendous sense of achievement!"