Ashley the baby donkey was born at the Sanctuary on Tuesday 20th October 2009. Sadly, his mother died giving birth and he is currently receiving veterinary care as well as being bottle-fed round the clock by the sanctuary staff. Take a look at just how cute is:

The sanctuary says:

It’s quite a rare occasion for a foal to be born at the Sanctuary as we have a no breeding policy. This has been an exceptional year with mares coming into our care who were already in foal. Not only their mothers, but each foal is guaranteed sanctuary for life.

So at least little Ashley will have a home for life. If you’d like to support him, or other donkeys at the sanctuary, follow this link:

http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/donations

The Donkey Sanctuary is a UK based charity working worldwide to improve conditions for donkeys and mules. Visit their website here:

http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/

Photos © Jan Marshall. B A hons

Today was the official re-opening of the magnificent Grade II listed Kennaway House, after the completion of the one million pound restoration project (£554,000 of which was provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund) that returned this wonderful building back to it’s former glory. The House was officially opened by Hugo Swire, MP for East Devon. The celebrations included performances by the Sidmouth College Drummers, Sidmouth Town Band, the Diam0nd Cheer Squad and the Sidmouth Steppers. There was also a series of playlets performed by Sidmouth Amateur Dramatic Society, and live jazz playing courtesy of the Exeter City Steam Jazz Band. The House is now to be a centre for arts, learning and the community and will also be available for family celebrations.

Hovver the mouse of the photos for more information  …

Hugo Swire talks to the Mayor (inside Kennaway House):

 The restoration work is magnificent and all those concerned should feel very proud in deed of what they have achieved. Kennaway House is now truly beautiful again.  So from me, a local resident, thank you!

Kennaway House is Registered Charity No: 1122667

Find out more HERE

See my photographs of the restoration history below:

April 2009

February 2009

December 2008

August 2008

July 2008

See my photo of Kennaway House before restoration started here

Kennaway House (previously known as Fort House and Church House)

The Trust office is now open and the manager in charge of marketing can contacted on 01395 515551. The official opening is July 4th 2009. As a local, with a real interest in the preservation of beautiful buildings, I am delighted. Well done to everyone involved.

Kennaway House is Registered Charity No: 1122667

Find out more HERE

See photographs of the restoration history below:

April 2009

February 2009

December 2008

August 2008

July 2008

See my photo of Kennaway House before restoration started here

I love it! Thank you to which ever gardener created it!

Photos all taken today …

Photos taken today …

The quiet before the storm – it’s  a Bank Holiday weekend coming up!

Below: The Clock Tower Cafe – ready for business. The flower beds will be planted up soon,  and the tables and chairs spread out so holidaymakers can enjoy the food and the view:

All photos taken this afternoon.

Weather:

Light showers, 13 degrees Celcius, White cloud, wind SW ~21 mph, pressure 1003mB rising, visibility very good.

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Below: It’s a rubbish bit of film I took with my digital Coolpix – but the tide is in! And it was a cold day (brrrrrrr …) which is why everyone is so wrapped up.

Kennaway House (previously known as Fort House and Church House)

According to the Sidmouth Herald, the first occupants of Kennaway House moved back in to the restored Regency building last week. The Trust office is also now open and the manager in charge of marketing can contacted on 01395 515551. The official opening is July 4th 2009. As a local, with a real interest in the preservation of beautiful buildings, I am delighted. Well done to everyone involved.

There’s still a bit of finishing off going on outside though (I took these pics 28th April 2009):

Kennaway House is Registered Charity No: 1122667

Find out more HERE

See the restoration progress here:

February 2009

December 2008

August 2008

July 2008

See my photo of Kennaway House before restoration started here

One of our favourite places to have afternoon tea in Sidmouth is The Victoria Hotel:

Why? Because this is the view from your table  (if you sit on the terrace):

And if you want to exercise off the “cream tea” calories – you can play mini golf

On the other hand … if you’re feeling lazy you can watch someone else play mini golf …

Seagulls – you either love ‘em or hate ‘em” – I love them.  The pics below were snapped Easter weekend:

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Below: OK you’ve got to look close to see them …

On Friday 3rd April Sylvia Brownlee launched her book  Sampson’s Sidmouth in Blini’s (a favourite wine/cafe bar of mine in Sidmouth) and as the photographer, I was invited along to celebrate. I’m wearing dark specs in the picture that appeared in the Sidmouth Herald (our local newspaper) – not because I wanted to look mysterious (LOL!), but because I was suffering from the most awful allergic reaction and could barely open my eyes! Just my luck to be afflicted on the day we were being photographed by a newspaper! (The quality of the photo is poor because it’s been scanned from the newspaper).

One of the photos I took for the book: Marycourt, Sidmouth (1914) ©

Considered Sampson’s most outstanding house – a “mini” mansion with a handsome facade.

Sylvia’s book (A Sid Vale Association Publication) will be available to purchase at The Sid Vale Heritage Centre  (Sidmouth Museum) and Paragon Books, High Street, Sidmouth @ £4.99  -  it’s an interesting and informative read. Sylvia is also holding an exhibition at Kennaway House commencing August 15th to 31st, 2009.

The exhibition at Kennaway House will include:

An exhibition of Sampson’s paintings, and artifacts, including a glass paperweight from Mr and Mrs Kennet-Weare: “for the music room at Cotlands” – which was demolished to build Cotland flats.

I’ve long been fascinated by architecture so I was delighted when Sylvia Brownlee approached me via this blog and asked me if she could use one of my photos for a book she was in the process of researching and compiling on R W Sampson’s architecture. I agreed, and then to my delight, Sylvia invited me to take a whole series of photos for her book. It was a double pleasure for me, combining my love of architecture and my obsession with photography. It was fun to do and in the process I made a new local friend.

Below: Burnside in Bickwell Valley (1896) – Architect R W Sampson

(one of the photos I took for the book)

Sylvia’s book (A Sid Vale Association Publication) will be available to purchase at The Sid Vale Heritage Centre  (Sidmouth Museum) and Paragon Books, High Street, Sidmouth @ £4.99  -  it’s an interesting and informative read. Sylvia is also holding an exhibition at Kennaway House commencing August 15th to 31st, 2009 -  so do pay a visit and you can admire the superb restoration of Kennaway House at the same time as learning about  “the man responsible for practically the whole of the architectural layout of Sidmouth in the early 20th century”.  And while you’re there, look out for me – I’ll be visiting the exhibition and admiring Kennaway House at the same time!

The exhibition at Kennaway House will include:

An exhibition of Sampson’s paintings, and artefacts, including a glass paperweight from Mr and Mrs Kennet-Weare: “for the music room at Cotlands” – which was demolished to build Cotland flats.