Call Back

How Hawkers Restaurant was named

In 1999 when the Naylor family purchased The Camelot Hotel they decided to carry out a complete refurbishment including the creation of a new restaurant. A competition was held amongst the Bude craftsmen working on the job as to what the restaurant should be called. The winner was our plumber, Terry Bale, who is a Cornish patriot with a great knowledge of Cornish history who was born in a house at the end of the hotel car park.

His recommendation was the restaurant should be named after Parson Robert Hawker

Hawker was born in Plymouth in 1803 and as an undergraduate at Pembroke College, Oxford, aged 19 he married his godmother, Charlotte, aged 41. She had money of her own and the marriage, along with a legacy, helped to finance his studies at university. He graduated in 1827 and won the prestigious Newdigate Prize for poetry. He took Anglican orders in 1831, and became  in 1834 vicar of the church at Morwenstow, a scattered and isolated community some 5 miles from Bude. There he remained as Parson Hawker until he died in 1875.

The early years in Morwenstow

When Hawker arrived at Morwenstow there had not been a vicar in residence for over a century and he found his isolated church half in  ruins and the vicarage used for contraband storage. Using his wife’s money he repaired the church. He also built himself a remarkable vicarage, with chimneys modelled on the towers of the churches in his life: those where he had been curate, plus that of Magdalen College, Oxford. The vicarage’s kitchen chimney is a replica of Hawker’s mother’s tomb. The tiny hut he built out of driftwood, where he wrote his poetry, still stands on the cliff edge and is now renowned as the National Trust’s smallest property.

The compassionate Parson Hawker

Along the Bude west facing coast line, fierce winter gales drove many a sailing ship onto the rocks below the church. Prior to Hawker’s arrival the bodies and remains of shipwrecked sailors were buried on the beach where they were found or left to the sea. Hawker, however, insisted that  his parishioners help him carry the remains of drowned sailors up the steep cliffs and to bury them in designated ground at the entrance to the churchyard. It was a job that only the strong of nerve and stomach could handle. There still stands the figurehead of the ship ‘The Caledonia’ which foundered in September 1842. Nearby stands a granite cross marking the grave of 30 or more seafarers of the ‘Alonzo’, also wrecked in 1842.

The eccentric Parson Hawker

There are many stories of Hawker’s eccentricities and it is difficult to judge which are true and which are false. He is famed as being dressed in a claret coloured coat, blue fisherman’s jersey, long sea boots, a pink brim less hat and a poncho made from a yellow horse blanket, which he claimed was the ancient habit of St Padarn. The only black things he wore were his socks! Other eccentricities included dressing up as a mermaid and excommunicating one of his cats for mousing on Sundays. He talked to the birds, invited his nine cats into church and kept a huge pig as a pet.

Hawkers Restaurant

For more than forty years Parson Hawker admonished and ministered to his flock and waged war against the establishment  and the social injustices of the day. The stories about him abound and today he is revered as a great and colourful Cornish personality. Who better to give his name to our restaurant?

Today’s featured golf course is St Enodoc, a first rate course which is always a favourite amongst Golfing parties at the Camelot.

Finest links course in the South West?

Ranked 55th in the World for 2009 by Golf Digest for courses outside the United States, St Enodoc has one of the finest links golf courses in the South West of England with everything you would expect from a James Braid design; undulating fairways, firm greens, some blind shots and all with the added bonus of some of the greatest sea and estuary views on any course in the world. With its hilly terrain no two holes are the same; it may not be long by today's standards but it is tight with punishing rough and so requires courage and accuracy to cope with some of the problems posed.

The Church course

St Enodoc's Church course enjoys a justified reputation as one of the West Country's finest links layouts. It may not look it but the par 5 1st is one of the easier holes even if you have to thread your way carefully between the sand dunes. Pars are harder to come by on the long par 4 2nd and 3rd holes.

The 6th really sticks in the mind - a 378-yarder that kinks left at driving distance then climbs up to the green. A hidden fairway bunker may catch out longer players seeking a view of the green but laying up short and right leaves a blind shot over the cavernous "Himalaya" bunker you simply don't want to be in.

The 10th hole is often described as the course's signature hole as it winds its way towards 11th Century St Enodoc Church where John Betjeman lies buried beside his favourite course. It is Stroke Index 1 for good reason! A good drive needs to be followed by an even better second to avoid the lateral hazard which runs the length of the hole which creeps ever close to the left side of the green.

Over the memorable final stretch it is hard to find the right club on the downhill par 3 15th, while the par 5 16th boasts a roller-coaster fairway and potentially distracting sea views all the way down the right. The hole has been lengthened to 560 yards with a two-tier green surrounded by deep bunkers and has now become a stern test particularly into wind and sets the tone for the closing three holes.

You'll need to conjure up your best strikes to make par on the long par 3 17th and tough 446 yard 18th. As you putt out in full view of the clubhouse, you'll probably have total recall of all the magnificent holes you've just enjoyed - a sign of a truly great course. Any visitor who plays to their handicap here can leave feeling that they have done really well.

The Holywell course

The 4082 yard Par 63 Holywell course is also maintained to a very high standard and while it may be less demanding on stamina, it still provides a real test of skill for golfers of any handicap.

 

Bude is proud of: the Cornwall Air Ambulance

A familiar sight in the skies above Bude is our own distinctive red and yellow helicopter, the Cornwall Air Ambulance.

First introduced as an integral part of Cornwall’s ambulance service in April 1987, the Air Ambulance is charitably funded by the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust and it is the fantastic support given by the people of Cornwall and local businesses that keeps the Air Ambulance flying.

 

The Air Ambulance can reach any part of Cornwall in 20 minutes

The County of Cornwall has a widely scattered population with remote communities and many narrow lanes, often making the use of conventional ambulances more difficult. Our beaches, cliff tops, moorland and the sea attract many people who participate in water sports and extreme sports which also increase the incidence and severity of accidents. Bude is an hour's drive from the nearest major hospital so having the Air Ambulance on call is a great benefit to the town. And although no-one from the Camelot Hotel has ever required the Air Ambulance's services it's a comfort to now it's only a few minutes away.

From its base at Newquay Airport, Cornwall’s Air Ambulance can reach any part of the county within 20 minutes, and the Isles of Scilly in 28 minutes. This purpose-built aircraft flies at 140mph, and on average arrives on scene within 12 minutes of a 999 call so although it is expensive, its use can significantly reduce the time taken to convey seriously ill and injured people to hospital. In very many cases over the last 23 years, this has simply been the difference between life and death.

 

The Air Ambulance attends about 1000 incidents a year

In its 21st year, the helicopter attended its 20,000th 999 emergency call, and statistics for recent years show that the service is attending around 1000 incidents each year. This is one of the busiest helicopters in the UK, and is tasked several times every day, giving Cornwall a hardworking value for money service.

Space inside the Cornwall Air Ambulance is limited but it is fully equipped like a road ambulance. Equipment carried on board includes a range of monitors, which give the paramedics and the emergency teams in the hospitals important information about the patient.

There are many other carefully stowed bags and containers, each containing equipment, dressings and drugs used to save lives and manage the patient’s condition at the scene, and during the journey into hospital.

 

The Cornwall Air Ambulance was the first

The Cornish people are extremely proud of the air ambulance, and especially of the fact that it was the first of its kind in the UK, a successful model that has been envied and copied across the majority of the country, where there are now 26 air ambulance helicopters, the majority funded by charitable donations just like ours in Cornwall. The helicopter bears the wording “Funded by the People of Cornwall” along the fuselage, because whether through donations, legacies, the lottery or the collection jars, it is the people of this county that have remained steadfastly supportive and passionate about their air ambulance.

Bude lifeboat station has operated for over 125 years and the crews have been presented with awards for gallantry. It's different from other Lifeboat stations in as much as it has to launch into the surf by tractor and with the often treacherous weather conditions of the unpredictable Atlantic Ocean, the crew, who are all volunteers, have to be very skilled! {p style="text-align: left">For years the Bude Lifeboat Station was only open during the summer and dealt with mainly beach safety issues and the rescue of people who, for example, had been cut off by the tide. These days Bude Lifeboat Station is open all year with both the Boat crew and a hard working Shore crew who maintain and prepare the lifeboat. These guys deserve to take just as much of the glory as the Boat crew because without them the Bude Lifeboat wouldn't be float. Did you know that under strict RNLI guidelines, if the lifeboat capsizes and the engine is flooded, that engine is never used again? It is sent off to be repaired and sold on, and a new engine is fitted to the lifeboat.

 

During the Summer season you can watch their exercise days every Thursday 5pm - 7pm & Sunday 10am - 1pm. On occasions our Lifeboat has the opportunity to exercise with the Search and Rescue Seaking Helicopters from either RNAS Culdrose or RAF Chivenor.

New lifeboat station on Summerleaze beach

In 2004 the Lifeboat station relocated to Summerleaze beach. A new boathouse for the lifeboat, carriage and launching tractor was completed, also providing new crew facilities and a souvenir shop. The funding for the boathouse was donated by Bridget Blundell OBE. On May 11th 2004 a new D class lifeboat (ILB 1) Henry Philip -D617 - was placed 'On Station'. The D class has been the workhorse of the service for 40 years and has continued to evolve since its introduction. It is small and highly manoeuvrable, making it ideal for rescues close to shore in fair to moderate conditions. It has a single outboard engine and can be righted manually by the crew following a capsize.

Volunteer fundraising

Bude Ladies Guild was reformed on 21st June 1971 and is fortunate to have one of the original members of that committee, Mary McMahon as President. The Guild works very hard to raise funds for the RNLI and support Bude Lifeboat. They have a very successful new souvenirs shop which is built into the Lifeboat Station and to show how dedicated they are they raised over £20,000 in 2004. The last Lifeboat quiz raised a further £1009. Bude Lifeboat Day on August Bank Holiday Monday is one of the busiest in the South West and the Guild raises over £5000 with it's stalls in the marquee and outside the shop. Thirty volunteers keep the shop open for six days a week from 10am to 4pm. If you think you would like to help then pop into the shop and meet some of the Ladies who will give you any information you need.

Early Bude Crew - Lifeboat and Boathouse c1850

The original Lifeboat House can still be seen in the car park opposite The Falcon Hotel and Brendon Arms Public House. Over the entrance is the inscription: "The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea"

Cycling Around Cornwall and Devon

If you love the fresh air and fancy taking in some of our beautiful countryside, why not try cycling? There are some beautiful and easy rides, so round up the kids, pack a picnic, get on your bike and follow the Camel and Tarka trails.

 

The Camel Trail in North Cornwall

The Camel Trail wends its ways through some of England's most beautiful and relatively unknown coastal scenery and countryside. There are 11 miles of disused railway beside the River Camel that have been converted from the rail track bed to trail way, thus linking the towns of Padstow, Wadebridge and Bodmin. An offshoot of the trail follows the river through North Cornwall's rugged moorland village landscapes and idyllic wooded valleys, towards the picturesque market town of Camelford. The hub of the Camel Trail can be found at Wadebridge and from here poses two possibilities:

• One is to head west and follow the trail to Padstow. Just over five miles of cycle trail are waiting to be discovered. The trail passes through some of the most beautiful countryside in England, with stunning views out over the Camel estuary, complimented with little tributaries that disappear into the heart of the fabulous north Cornwall countryside, as well as revealing little inland coves and beaches at low tide.
• The other option is to head inland, east towards the town of Bodmin, with equally inspirational surroundings and various interesting diversions along the way.

In either direction you will enjoy a myriad of sights to inspire the mind as well as the benefits of a healthy excursion. The Camel Trail is virtually level all the way due to it being laid on the old railway track. Although not quite a road surface, the Camel Trail is mostly smooth and provides safe and easy access to unspoilt countryside for those folk unable to use our undulating inland and coastal paths.

The Tarka Trail

Over 180 miles in length, the Tarka Trail takes a looping route through North and Mid Devon; from the rugged Atlantic Coast, the estuaries of both the Rivers Taw and Torridge  of Tarka the Otter fame,  through rural Devon Countryside onto the northern Slopes of Dartmoor, and the source of the River Taw.

The Trail between Barnstaple, down the Taw, upriver to Bideford, following the River Torridge to Torrington, takes the route of a disused railway line and is particularly suited for both cyclists and walkers.

Following the South West Coast Path, along the North Devon Coast, it takes in Baggy Point, Mortehoe and Lynmouth, then up Contisbury Hill to Exmoor, the legendary Lorna Doone Country.

Although the stretches of Trail from Bideford to Barnstaple are the most well-used by cyclists, a cycle ride from Bideford to Torrington and on towards Meeth is equally delightful. This takes in Salt Marsh and the mellow North Devon countryside as the Trail heads inland along the floodplain of the Torridge, beloved by Henry Williamson, the author of Tarka the Otter after which the Trail is named.

A few miles out of Bideford is the Ironbridge, offering good views along the river, upstream to ancient oak woodlands of the west bank of the river,  as it makes a wide loop. Look out for the lime kiln just downriver of Ironbridge! The River Yeo joins the Torridge at Landcross, a small village the Trail passes in a short length of tunnel. Then, following first the east bank then the west bank of the river, the route gently climbs towards the former Torrington Station- now the Puffing Billy, a good place to stop for a break and bite to eat. At Beam the Trail crosses the River no less than 3 times in less than half a mile. To reach the Cavalier Town of Torrington high on the hill leave the Trail at the Station.

Beyond the Puffing Billy the Trail yet again crosses the Torridge, this time on a high level viaduct, offering good views along the River, before heading South west towards Meeth, passing Pencleave Woods and Watergate Halt. This is unspoilt Devon countryside at its best. The Trail reaches a summit on Stowford Moor as it approaches the ball clay works at Merton and Meeth. Beyond Meeth the Trail follows footpaths and quiet country lanes to Hatherleigh, then quieter country lanes hence to Jacobstowe and Okehampton.

It’s time to break out the sparklers, wrap up warm and get out to those bonfires and fireworks displays. Here is a list of local events. If you are keen you can find a different venue for 4 consecutive nights.

Bude:

Thursday 5th November at Bude Rugby Club

The fire is normally lit at 6.30pm and fireworks approx 7pm

Thursday 5th November 10pm -2am

Bonfire Party Night @ ROGUE Nightclub, Bude

Friday 6th November at St Petroc's School, Ocean View Road, Bude
Gates open 6pm. Food available.

Saturday 7th November at Launcells, the village playing field. Fireworks & Bonfire will be lit at 7.00 pm.

Sunday 8th November at the Bay View Inn, Widemouth Bay
Treats, hot choc etc from 6pm onwards, fireworks starting from 7pm.

Hartland:

Sunday 8th November at Hescott Farm, Hartland
Gates open 6pm. Spectacular fireworks, magnificent bonfire and guy, and delicious barbecue.

Bideford:

Friday 6th November at the Pollyfield Community Centre, East-the-Water. Fireworks at 7.30pm. Refreshments and hot dogs available. Small fair rides for children from 5.30pm

Torrington:

Saturday 7th November at Torrington Rugby Club. Award-winning pyrotechnics will be entertaining the crowds from 7pm.

Wadebridge:

Saturday 7th November at Outer Retallick Farm Just off Winnards Perch Roundabout .
Gates open 7pm. Refreshments available

Tintagel:

Thursday 5th November at Tintagel Cricket Club, The Butts, Tintagel Free bouncy castle for children. Food available and refreshments.

Launceston:

Thursday 5th November at Coronation Park, Launceston From 7pm. Refreshments available. Toilet facilities at the leisure centre.

Golfing parties at the Camelot play on a selection of 15 varied courses in Cornwall and Devon. Today’s featured course is Lanhydrock.

The course originally opened in 1991 as Bodmin Golf and Country Club. Purchased in 1993 by the Bond brothers (creators of St Mellion) it was renamed Lanhydrock as this is the parish where it is located. Located in central Cornwall just outside the old county town of Bodmin the club is approximately 45 minutes drive from the Camelot.

The course was designed by John Hamilton-Stutt who must be congratulated for blending his design into the natural landscape. John’s career had seen him work on over one hundred courses worldwide. Some of his favourites on home soil include Turnberry, Meon Valley and Woodbury.

By modern standards Lanhydrock is not a particularly long course. Par and SSS is 70 with the course record of 64 by Lanhydrock member Ian Jolliff. It does however require a strategic approach and intelligent shots will be fully rewarded. Protected by only eight (substantial) bunkers, trees provide a greater hazard. Many varieties including oaks, silver birch, hornbeam, lime and chestnut enhance the visual splendour that is Lanhydrock.

An eight-acre practice range with grass tees and covered bays is recommended prior to your round. The Par 4 1st Hole, downhill and 279yds from the white tees, offers an easy lay up or do you drive the water for a potential eagle? Lanhydrock’s Par 3 holes, the 6th, 11th, 15th and 17th are particularly noteworthy. To get a good score you will have to play well on these holes.

Overlooking the 1st, 9th and 18th holes the clubhouse provides wonderful views over the course: an ideal location to relax after your game and enjoy a drink. Catering is available throughout the day.

“The long wave and the thundering shores of Bude” (as Tennyson wrote in his poem ‘The Birth of King Arthur’) have long made Bude a surfer’s paradise.

Bude town overlooks a wide bay of hard golden sand flanked by spectacular cliffs and protected by a breakwater. The beaches of both Summerleaze and Crooklets, continuously pounded by the Atlantic, have been described by Australian surfers as the ‘Bondi of Britain’ and it was here in 1953 that some of them formed the first Surf Life Saving Club in the country. The club motto is ‘Vigilance and Service’ and during its time club members have saved many thousands of people from drowning.

It was also here on Crooklets beach that Alan Kennedy, an ambassador from Australia, declared “What surf and what a place for surfing!” The first Australian life guard bronze medal was awarded to Alan Brock (Chuckles) of Bude, and the rest, as they say, is history!

The Club still thrives and weekly demonstrations give an insight into its valuable role; the long and fascinating history of Bude’s local lifesaving club is well documented.

The SLSA of GB is a founder member of International Life Saving (ILS) whose members throughout the world teach lifesaving to the same high standards. There are now 82 Surf Life Saving Clubs affiliated to the SLSA, with thousands of members, from Nippers (7 - 12) to Seniors and Masters. Children learn Sea Safety in Nippers and further develop their lifeguard skills in Juniors. By Senior level most take the NARS beach lifeguard award and compete at national standard for the club in various events.

During the last 54 years well over 20,000 rescues have been made on Bude’s beaches by lifeguards, most of whom have come from the volunteer ranks of the Surf Life Saving Clubs where they learn their patrolling and rescue skills. And this figure does not include the many rescues performed by club members ‘out of hours’, such as when the club captain singlehandedly one evening rescued nearly 30 children who had been swept out in a rip current. Many a time when the lifeboat has been scrambled it has arrived on the scene to find that the casualties have already been rescued and treated with first aid by Bude Surf Life Saving Club members!

Of the lifeguards you see on our beaches 80% are home grown, having been trained as lifeguards through the surf club. Lifeguarding the beaches is a way of life, not just a job. The multiple skills and fitness required is quite outstanding. The Surf Life Saving Association expects high standards in swimming, board paddling and running as standard. The rest, such as surf boat rowing, surf ski riding and competition is optional!