Devon School of English 40th at the Redcliffe

Perhaps my favourite watering hole in Torbay is Paignton’s Redcliffe Hotel. It somehow captures all that is good about Torbay and simply wraps its warming atmosphere around me every time I visit. It is family business, like so many in the area and Stephen Twigger leads from the sharp end.


Another family business, The Devon School of English, recently held its 40th birthday celebration at the Redcliffe and kindly invited me to come and play. It was the most wonderful evening complete with drinks and jazz. How good is that? Congratulations to the Hawthorn family on a job done well.

The huge birthday cake was baked by local family bakers Hallett’s and Helen Hallett was there to watch it being cut. I have to say that it was a shame to cut it at all because it really was a work of art and you can see why Hallett’s celebration cakes are so popular. Yummy yummy yummy!

Anyway, back to the Redcliffe and the Devon School of English. Now one thing that always amazes me is how little notice is taken of the positive impact of language schools on the local economy. The students bring a wonderful ambiance and much needed cash for local the families providing accommodation. Something in these challenging times that our local leaders need to promote.

Celebrating with the Hawthorn family I found Matthew Clarke of the Torbay Bookshop leaning against the wall clutching a large glass of white wine. The Torbay Bookshop is of course yet another family business! Matthew’s bookshop also has perhaps the best selection of gift wrapped Thornton chocolates in the area.