Crab Pot Cottage B&B & Model Shop Flamborough

2006-10-31T11:14:00.000-08:00

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(Shop selling most things in miniature - especially OO & N gauge railways, ornaments, toys and doll's houses and "boat" wall planters)

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Crab Pot Cottage is a small well appointed bed and breakfast in the centre of Flamborough on the Heritage Coast of the East Riding of Yorkshire.

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20/08/2011 - 28/08/2011
Flamborough Scarecrow Trail

This year's theme is "Occupations" and the Crab Pot Crab is "Fisherman's Surprise" at the size of the crab he caught.

13/07/2011
Car Driver Rescued at Thornwick Bay
BBC Radio Humberside reports:

A driver has been rescued by emergency crews after her car went over a cliff edge in East Yorkshire.

Emergency services were called after a car was seen going over cliffs at Thornwick Bay, near Flamborough Head, shortly after 0700 BST.
The woman was cut free from the vehicle and a spokesperson for Humber Coastguard said the woman was injured and airlifted to hospital.
It is not known why the car went over the cliff edge.
Watch manager, Andrew Mahood said the car stopped in a reasonably safe place and went down on its wheels.
He added the car was still in a "steep and dangerous" position and had to be secured before the woman could be removed from the vehicle by the fire service.
The extent of the woman's injuries is not known.
The coastguard have handed the investigation over to the police.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-14133377

18/03/2011
Some sun at last!

12/03/2011
Hanging About Between Beacon Hill and Sewerby Top

11/03/2011
Looking for Signs of Spring!

A bird in a tree - I might need a more powerful telephoto lens?!

26/12/2010
Major events in the village on boxing day. The stalwart landlord of the Rose & Crown dared to submerge himself in the North sea (along with others) in order to raise over £700 for the Flamborough Pre-School 2nd Annual Boxing Day Dip!

After everyone had returned to the village to warm through the Flamborough Longsword dancers performed around the village pubs

27/11/10. The snow that started earlier in the week seems to be here for a while and makes for Christmas Card vistas!

(Walt) the dog goes absolutely ape in the snow - he loves it!!

Friday, September 17, 2010

Bempton Cliffs From Filey

As the season changes into Autumn the weather becomes more interesting!

22/08/2010

Crab Pot Crab in his latest disguise:Crabman & Robin meets The Joker

Flamborough RNLI Scarecrow is in full swing again for 2010 and the Crab Pot Crab reappears in his latest guise!

18/07/2010

Family of seals spotted at Flamborough Head

16/07/2010

Hull & Humber rounds the marker buoy at Flamborough Head during 2010 Clipper 09-10 Round The World Yacht Race

30/05/2010
Rose & Crown Returned to an Earlier Livery

Choppy seas around Flamborough Head for a Puffin Cruise!

South Landing and Lifeboat House

22/05/2010
Paragliding with engines over Flamborough

Puffins spotted by one of our guest earlier in May 2010 at Bempton Cliffs:

Some other images taken on the same trip. Would any more of our guests like to post their pictures on our blog - we could maybe start a series of featured bird/landscape shots?

14/05/2010
"Kite" flyers spotted on The Sculpture Trail at South Landing taking advantage of the change of wind direction - also a warmer wind!

Bempton Cliffs from Reighton Sands

08/05/2010

Still waiting for leaves, although a few more have appeared!

01/04/2010
Just waiting for some leaves...........

02/03/2010
Brilliant to see that there is a sun in the sky, rain can stop and that the birds can still sing....!!

09/01/2010

26/12/09
Like the rest of the country we have had a fair amount of snow and ice recently. However, this didn't deter the Flamborough Longsword Dancers performing their annual traditional dance. They started in Bempton village and then proceeded to Flamborough and performed outside the Rose and Crown (which reopened last Easter and is now doing a well deserved roaring trade), the Seabirds, the Victoria Club and finally in Dog and Duck Square.
The ancient Yorkshire ritual of longsword dancing has a history in the village dating back to around the beginning of the 12th century. All proceeds collected go towards Flamborough School.
This Boxing Day had a new event this year in the form of the first "Dip" in the sea at South Landing! Volunteers who were in fancy dress braved an exceedingly chilly North Sea and plunged into the water in aid of Flamborough pre-school based at St Oswald's church.

19/11/09
Early Morning Rescue off Flamborough Head
The local morning news reported a sea rescue off Flamborough Head involving a tug that had lost its engines and drifted onto rocks. I jumped into the car and headed up to the lighthouse to see the Flamborugh and Bridlington lifeboats and what looks like a Navy patrol boat standing off the stricken vessel as they tried to rescue the crew. Extremely high winds are hampering their attempts.

15/11/2009
Not bad for mid November!

Clear blue skies and mild temperature - what better than a walk round the Sculpture Trail at South Landing.
Here is the "White Lady" - representing the ghost of Danes Dyke.

This bridge was fashioned when the Young Roots project created the Sculpture Trail and is in the shape of a fishing coble and a whale. As you walk towards the sea the names embedded in the ribs are those of local cobles, some of which are still working. As you walk in the other direction the names ar all of whale species

05/09/09
On a brilliantly clear and sunny day quite a swell is breaking on the shores near Thornwick Bay

25/09/09
BEMPTON is to be home to England's first national seabird centre, reports the Bridlington Free Press.

The autumnal migration can be exciting at Bempton RSPB owing to its coastal location and being on a headland. The main interest is in the arrival of migrants such as willow warblers, chiffchaffs, whitethroats, lesser whitethroats, reed warblers, sedge warblers, goldcrests, stonechats, whinchats, wheatears and redstarts.

30/08/09
The Crab Pot Cottage crab made another appearance at the Flamborough Scarecrow Trail from 22nd August to 30th August!

01/08/09
A brilliant rainbow lights up the sky after a day of drizzle and rain!

27/07/09
The episode of "The Royal" that had sections filmed at North Landing in August 2008 finally went to air last night!
17/07/09
Visit Britain carried out their annual inspection and we had our 4 stars reconfirmed with many positive comments along with our "Walkers Welcome" and "Cyclists Welcome" schemes.

27/06/09
The Flamborough Community Environmental Action Group along with the Flamborough Youth Council refurbished the bird feeding station in torrential rain today! Having had such beautiful weather through the week the downpours on Saturday were not expected!

21/06/2009
The crops may not be as "high as an elephant's eye" but they are certainly leaping out of the ground with the current mixture of warm days mixed with showers! Dryer days ahead predicted!

07/05/09
A memorial service was held in St Oswald's church in memory of those who lost their lives 25 years ago on the vessels Carol Sandra and North Wind.

21/03/09
A new season begins as the wet cold winter seems to be becoming a radiant sunny spring! The fields are being planted for this years crops and although the sun is still a little chilly people are out enjoying the Spring air as a change from huddling the warmth indoors!

The East Riding of Yorkshire Council has been busy copsing tidying up the Needles Plantation adjacent to Danes Dyke.

07/03/2009
Volunteer members of the Flamborough Community Environmental Action Group spent a couple of hours this afternoon on one of their seasonal beach clean-ups at South Landing. Flotsam and jetsam from passing boats and other rubbish blown on the wind accumulates in the curve of the bay and spoils an otherwise pristine area. The volunteers give a couple of hours of their time several times a year in different parts of the village to maintain the natural beauty of the area.

05/02/2009
There was a memorial service around the Flamborough Fisherman's Memorial to remember those lost in a disaster 100 years ago. Six local fishermen were lost whilst in sight of the shore at North Landing in heavy seas on February 5th 1909. Three were lost from the cobble "The Gleaner" and three from the vessel that tried to rescue them "Two Brothers".

28/01/09
The Flamborough RNLI crew and family/supporters performed their annual pantomime with their usual irreverence and unique style! This was the opening night and as such a few slips and unplanned incidents were to be expected. In reality it was hard to tell what was in the script and what wasn't! An hilarious time was had by all and much needed funds were raised for the RNLI. There was also a serious side to the event when a graphic description was read out describing one the crew's recent rescue in terrible seas when any self respecting sailor would have stayed well on shore. However, to some it might have been hard to believe when this night the coxswain was wearing a dress....!!)

27/01/09
North Landing at Low Tide

26/12/2008
The population of Flamborough swells on Boxing Day to watch the Flamborough Long Sword Dance Team perform the Flamborough Long Sword Dance at various locations around the village. They start at the Rose and Crown (which, unfortunately may well close in the New Year as the current owners are retiring and no new manager/owner has been found to date). They are followed by a local folk band who play all sorts with guitar, wash board and tea chest etc and whose output varies along the way as they progress from one pub to another....!

21/12/08
Winter Solstice. Beacon Reappears at South Landing

08/12/2008
Whilst Caroline was exercising Walt (our dog!) on the beach at South Landing she came across a Transit van that started to drive down the steep incline to the beach and then start reversing slowly back up again. On spotting Caroline the girl driving stopped and asked her if there was any way of turning around at the bottom as she didn't fancy having to reverse all the way back up again!

The driving and her passenger explained they were from the RSPCA and were about to release a few guillemots back into the wild after tending to their injuries. After Caroline reassured them they could manoeuvre at the bottom they proceeded with their task!

24/11/08

21/11/08
Winter often makes for the most dramatic views of the coast and shoreline and today's blustery weather at Selwick Bay proves the point!

2/10/08
Autumn is here and the farmer's straw bails are waiting to dry out (again) before being taken in.

Low tide at South Landing
looking over the lifeboat station

14/09/2008
After all the rain a "spring-like" day comes along and everyone takes advantage - from fishermen to hang gliders!

Being surrounded by sea on three sides it easy to lose the focus on the surrounding countryside! Most of the rolling paddocks have recently had their crops harvested in the dry moments between rain and the chaff bailed up for straw.

16/08/08 The King Rules at Crab Pot Cottage!

The Flamborough Scarecrow Trail 2008 starts today and lasts until 24th August. Crab Pot Village Shop has entered "King Alaska (Crab)" as our contribution. Have fun tracking all the scarecrows in the village and vote for your favorite. All money raised goes to support our vital lifeboat station. The Scarecrow Trophy will be awarded to the winner at the RNLI Fun Day, August Bank Holiday Monday 25th August.

03/08/08
How many people does it take to make an episode of "The Royal"? A crew from ITV have taken over half the car park at North Landing in order to film a scene that involves a rescue from the cliffs. Filming is believed to be taking place today, Monday and Tuesday and is providing a great spectator attraction.

Walt (The Guard Dog) feels he should be suitable as an extra!

20/06/08
Poppies adjacent to the clifftop near Dane's Dyke add a nice splash of colour to the view of Bridlington from Beacon Hill.

19/05/08
The fine and sunny weather of the last week has presented opportunities for great walks along the headland. Walt (The Guard Dog) has had a severe hair cut due to the tangled nature of his long coat. His grooming had not been so thorough after his operation and combined with his forced swimming hydrotherapy the knots in his undercarriage had become impossible! However, he was getting hot walking in the sun so a good haircut was probably a good thing!

27/04/08
Whilst walking the dog (Walt) from Flamborough Head to South Landing I spotted a crowd silhouetted on the headland on the south side of South Landing all staring out to sea. I later learned they were looking at King Eider Duck which is a rare site on English coasts.

26/04/08
Today's low tide and mild weather must be providing fishermen with the hopes of good catches as it would seem nearly every charter boat is offshore around Thornwick Bay and North Landing!

3/04/08
The remains of the mysterious cairn at South Landing turns into a mysterious nest of giant bird's eggs!

18/03/08
Walt had a check-up with the vet on the 11/03 and she was concerned he was not yet putting his weight on the poorly leg. In order to encourage him to use it he has been referred for hydrotherapy where he has to swim. This should increase the muscle in his leg as he will instinctively want to swim and hopefully encourage him to start using the leg properly. It may take 5 -10 sessions to be effective.
27/02/08
Sometime recently the mysterious cairn at South Landing was finally demolished by the sea. However, the giant seahorse now has a small friend next to it!

21/02/08
Walt had his bandage removed but incurred the ultimate indignity of a "bucket" over his head to stop him licking his stitches. It is driving him nuts as he bangs into everything and his leg is not only sore but must be very itchy from having all that hair shaved off! He seems to manage on three legs alright - but he has had plenty of practice when his leg was "poorly". The worry is that he will be so used to three-legged walking that he will carry on with it.

18/02/08
Walt (the ferocious guard dog!) came back from the vet after his operation today and is a bit sorry for himself! His leg is tightly bandaged not only for support of the newly located kneecap etc, but also to stop him licking the stitches.

17/02/08
We took the dog down to the beach at South Landing today as a treat before his leg operation (for a luxating patella - caused by rock climbing on the beach!!) to discover that some person(s)? had enhanced the recently erected cairn with the outline of a seahorse made with embedded chalk stones from the foreshore. Unfortunately I did not have my camera with me (it was a bright sunny day!) and when I returned it had become a cold foggy day!

10/02/2008
It looks like spring has come early in time for the school half-term! After the ghastly weather last weekend when we had gales, then snow followed by a day of solid freezing what a contrast this weekend has been!
19/02/2008

Whilst walking with the dog along the cliff tops toward Danes Dyke we noticed a group of people up ahead and thought they were admiring the view when we heard the clatter of a low flying helicopter and realised it was about to land in the paddock up ahead, adjacent to the group. It turned out that the group included ambulance personnel and were attending to an unfortunate woman who had managed to trip and had a suspected broken leg. It is reassuring to know these services are on hand if needed.

29/01/08
Christmas and New Year came and went and we began to look forward to a two week holiday break. Before leaving we had spotted a cairn like construction at South Landing. We had meant to investigate further but the distraction of a holiday got in the way!

However, on our return we found that a whole mystery had unravelled around its construction and not only had it been reported in the local paper:

http://www.bridlingtonfreepress.co.uk/news/Monolith-mystery.3654339.jp

but also on the local BBC Look North News. It created enough interest that the news item is available on YouTube. It is fascinating and worth watching:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZJH7orfh-0&feature=related

The recent dry ands sometimes sunny weather has brought out many walkers and other people who enjoy the outdoors - why not come and visit us whilst we have our January & February special prices on offer?

16/12/07
The wind must have been ideal for paragliding today. However, I was once again caught out walking the dog without my camera! A pity, as the sight of these parachutes appearing over the rise in the fields on the top of Beacon Hill was very dramatic and would have made for some excellent pictures! They probably launched from Sewerby Cliffs and seemed to be making their way along the coast to South Landing and beyond.
9/11/2007
There have been strong north westerly winds and high tides recently. A walk along the cliff tops discovered a small and a not so small vessel sheltering in the lee of the bar stretching out from South Landing

06/11/07
The weather continues to be exceptional for the time of the year so every opportunity is taken for walking the dog on the wide range of walks in the area!

The day fishermen find the
weather attractive also!

13/10/07
Today a group from the Flamborough Community Environmental Action Group returned to South Landing to inspect the bat boxes erected in February this year. Unfortunately when they were put up there was no map made of their exact whereabouts so we had to trace all 15 of them, map their location and inspect their contents. Only a few showed signs of bat use, although most were home to colonies of snails! According to Geoff – the expert from the bat group – this was as expected as it takes a while for the bats to get used to their whereabouts. The next inspection is in May next year

11/10/07
There was much activity in the village last week as a multitude of bird watchers descended to try and spot a bird from Siberia. The brown flycatcher should have been migrating towards south-east Asia but ended up in Flamborough<>NT>! Seemingly it normally winters in the Philippines but arrived here due to the climate and easterly winds. It was estimated nearly 1,000 people turned up to try and gain a glimpse of the bird.

01/10/07
After some wet days we are enjoying some glorious Autumn weather! The spring tides at the moment provide great opportunities for exploring some of the caves that are normally full of water and walking on the seaweed covered chalky sea bed at low tide and watching dramatic breakers crashing onto the shore at high tide when the wind is from the north.

Some interesting birds, including a yellow browed warbler, have been spotted recently as the birds start their migrations (full details on: http://www.scarboroughwildlife.org.uk/flamborough.htm ). It really is a fine time to visit the area for anyone who enjoys fabulous surroundings and a bit of peace and quiet!

16/09/07
Can you see the QE2 in this picture? No? Neither could we!! On Sunday 16th September the ship was scheduled to pass close inshore to Flamborough Head on her last voyage before becoming a floating hotel in Dubai. However, we decided to take a longer walk round to the Head and when nearly there we were told by people coming in the opposite direction that we had missed it. So, thoroughly disappointed we took a short cut back towards the village. As we emerged on to the road from the headland path we could just make her out off Filey Bay heading north. If we had stuck to our original; plan we would have seen her as what a lot of people had seen was a ferry from Northumberland keeping close to shore because of strong northerly winds - so they hadn't seen the QE2 either!

07/09/07
What better pastime at this time of the year than a walk along the beautiful Flamborough Heritage Coast between Thornwick Bay round to Dane's Dyke. The weather this week has been perfect and now the children are back at school it is an ideal time for a bit of peace and tranquility?

August Bank Holiday

For once the weather was great for all three days and Flamborough was full of visitors and holidaymakers keen to blow away the last couple of weeks of rain and high winds!

The village was running its annual RNLI sponsored Scarecrow Trail which ran from the previous weekend. Those people who explored the trail in the early part of the week unfortunately had to persevere with the wind and rain. However, there were plenty of folk exploring the village and the scarecrows in the glorious sunshine of the weekend.

On Bank Holiday Monday the RNLI put on a dramatic display of an air/sea rescue in their new inshore lifeboat. Initially we witnessed the tractor tug push the lifeboat into the sea (until the tractor was nearly fully submerged itself!) and gave us some high speed demonstrations of the boats agility, although not quite achieving the 360 degree-on-the-spot power turns of the New Zealand jet boats!

They dropped one of the crew into the sea to simulate a man overboard and left him for a while before announcing that the RAF helicopter was on its way to assist. There then followed a very interesting demonstration of the lifeboat men retrieving the man from the sea and the RAF lowering someone into the boat, attach himself to the rescued person and then being winched back into the helicopter. Ironically, after the end of the demonstration the helicopter was called to assist with a real incident at nearby Sewerby cliffs!

The beach and hard standing around the lifeboat shed were packed with visitors enjoying the gala and many bought picnics and sat on the beach – gradually moving back nearer the shoreline as the tide started to come back in! Unfortunately, on a day full of photo opportunities I had left my camera behind so you will have to imagine the wonderful scenario of good weather, entertainment, and a beach full of happy people!

Meet "Walt" - our ferocious guard dog (seen here guarding the Crab Pot Village Shop)!? We acquired Walt a couple of weeks ago from the local RSPCA pound. Caroline has wanted a dog since we moved in so on her birthday we went to find the ideal dog - a short haired bitch but Walt chose her - a long haired, male Bearded Collie cross! He has a beautiful nature but under all that hairy fringe lurks a pair of mischievous eyes! He has settled in well although he has a poorly back leg which will need fixing soon - along with other "bits" that need fixing. He is also due a full service with a grooming expert in the very near future.

CRAB POT VILLAGE SHOP
A WORLD OF MINIATURE.

We now have a small shop in the grounds of Crab Pot Cottage that sells model railway items, dolls house miniatures, toys, model kits and ornaments in fact anything in miniature. Some of the stock is pre loved whilst others are boxed and new at bargain prices.

Visit Crap Pot Village Shop
Visit Our ebay Shop

For all children at heart we have a OO gauge train layout and for 50p a go you cane see the trains on the track. If you purchase any of the trains or rolling stock, of course you will get the 50p refunded.

12- 5 FRI, SAT, SUN. 12- 4 TUES
OTHER HOURS BY ARRANGEMENT
01262 850555.

13/08/07
Things have picked up now and we are taking an increasing number of guests. It is now time to turn our attention to the shop we are opening behind the cottage - "Crab Pot Village Shop" - a miniature world that is selling new and pre-loved doll's houses and fittings, OO/HO, N & O gauge model trains and ornaments. In fact, anything in miniature!

26/07/07
Everything proves to be working fine - we are just sorting out our own belongings now!

However, the weather is not helping anyone. People with flooded properties cannot leave them for a break as they have to try and salvage their belongings and battle with insurance companies. It may be that shortly they will need a break to hang on to their sanity, even if it is raining wherever they go in the UK.

7/07/07
Whoever said "7" is a lucky number is correct! In true Spanish style we were still applying the final licks of paint on the day our first guests arrived, but we did it! Although we have one room still off-line as the custom made beds were made totally incorrectly we are finally open with our other two rooms occupied. In fact, buying items from new has its drawbacks as virtually everything we bought new has had to be replaced or go back under warranty. Quality control seems to be a thing of the past these days!

30/06/07
Finally! Our first guests are booked from the 7th July and we are busy fitting-out the rooms ready to receive them. After such an (unplanned!) length of conversion it will be strange getting back to our main purpose - providing friendly, quality B&B accommodation!

08/06/07
Well things are finally moving forward. We have a fixed date for the builders to have finished of the 16th June…(?!?) It will then be down to late nights painting and fitting out. There is still the matter of passing a sound test before all the work can be signed off with building regulations and the carpets laid. The plumber is back off holiday and the sanitary fittings are going in. Now the electrician has gone on holiday. We should have thought ahead and had ‘no holidays allowed’ written into the contract. Still we are managing to keep reasonably sane. The fire doors are now going on and the place is beginning to feel a bit more normal. In the hallway we found the original tiles under all the layers. There are a few places where they are missing but we have managed to source some that should tie in. Just need to get all the plaster and paint off them!

The car parking area has been started but we still don’t have any gates. We are confident though that we are going to finish the cottage soon and so are taking bookings for July onwards

21/05/07
Things have taken a backward step due to lack of communication/coordination! Carpentry second fix was underway when it was realised hardboard had to be laid on the floor before the skirting went on. However, there was no hardboard (or window boards or new windows) on site so that work stopped. The kitchen is about to go in and second fix electrics and plumbing proceeds. When more tiling is completed the sanitary ware will be fitted. The closer we get to finishing the project the further away it seems!

11/05/07

Although work is generally progressing well there is still an awful amount still to complete! It now looks as if a realistic opening time will be early June (2007!) The upstairs en suites are being fitted out as well as second fix electrics and decorating where possible. However, we have proved you can get too far ahead with decorating as one of the trades comes along and damages it....!

27/04/07
Some of the myriad of pipes and wires that are being installed prior to the false ceiling being finished! We had no idea of the amount of pipework and cabling that would be required!

17/04/2006
We have activity on site again! The builder and plumber have returned and work has recommenced in earnest! Central heating pipes are going in and the builder is rectifying a new wall lining that ended up in the wrong place. Hopefully by the end of the week the upstairs of the cottage should have most of the construction work completed.

04/04/07
At this stage it is hard to believe that out of chaos can come order! On Monday the main builder had to leave our job for two weeks(?) to complete a job that had been booked when the start of our work was delayed due to waiting for a Planning Committee. He has left a plasterer and an apprentice to carry on with work in his absence. However, as door frames were not in place he cannot complete any rooms until these are built. The electrician is working but as the property is so full of builder’s materials he is being slowed down by having to shift materials from one place to another. The plumber was to have been working this week, but as he would get in the way of the electrician he is completing other work elsewhere………

30/03/07
Work is now pushing on and the forming of the dividing walls complete with plaster board gives a feeling of progress. Like all projects of this scale though, the big hurdles get dealt with but the inability of a trainee builder to put used teabags into the bin bag as opposed to the floor escapes us! We were putting these religiously into the compost but the sheer volume would mean it would be full by now and the mixture for the garden next year might give the plants caffeine overdose!

Our sanity is also being tested by having to commute 30 miles each day from our temporary abode with relatives. Living out of suitcases sharing a warm bungalow is far more acceptable though to removing great lumps of plaster from your bed before getting into it and showering under the garden hose.

The feeling of displacement is something we were not totally prepared for. Neither abode is home nor can you pretend you are on holiday as you have not got an income to fund it, the sun isn’t shining and the builder’s sand doesn’t feel the same between your toes as that of a tropical beach!

At last we are getting to the stage where we can start planning the finishing touches, go and choose the tiles and paint and start feeling useful again. We hope we will be able to rise to the challenge of working all hours to get the decorating and finishing touches completed. We have been hanging around and on a “go slow” for so long it is going to come as a shock!!

05/03/07
Work has finally started! This is the start of one of the "cosy" bedrooms. Most of the interior has to be ripped out so we can create the rooms and meet required regulations. Wherever possible we are recycling all the items taken out before refurbishment starts. Caroline has been busy de-nailing all the timber that we hope we can use for future building work. Old bricks are also cleaned and stored for the same reason.

17/02/07
Since arriving in the village we have joined the Flamborough Community Environmental Action Group which is not as radical as it sounds! (http://www.flamboroughuk.net/w.flamboroughuk.net/; email: fceag@flamboroughuk.net) The aim of the group is basically to maintain the local environment in conjunction with the many official bodies that look after specific areas. Last month we both joined volunteers to tidy up the planters round the village and plant crocus bulbs that had been donated. These are now showing their heads and adding colour to the village.

Last Saturday was an even bigger adventure as we volunteered to assist in setting-up 15 bat boxes that had been donated by a local bat group. These were placed in trees around South Landing as this is an area the bats pass through when they are feeding and it provides them with a resting place. Seemingly the boxes themselves are made by the inmates of Hull prison so their efforts are put to good use.

Planning for the B&B has gone back into top gear as we prepare for the builders. By the end of the project we will be a very environmentally sound property. All the inside surfaces of our external walls will have thick “Kingspan” insulation and the loft will have extra thick layers of insulation also. Coupled with the latest in condensing boilers and low wattage lighting we should reduce our carbon footprint considerably. We have also started making vegetable plots in all the crooks and nannies that are left. Unfortunately because we have to provide a large turning area as well as the car parking, we have very little garden left. We still hope to achieve to grow a lot of the produce for the breakfast menus ie: vegetables & fruit for smoothies, blueberry for muffins, strawberries, tomatoes, mushrooms, grapes for juice etc. Although some of it will not be ready until the 2008 season. We also hope that the local pig farmer & supplier will gain his organic licence shortly. In any event the sausages and bacon are wonderful.

Working with the builders we aim to recycle as much of the materials that come out of the building as possible. The pine cladding that came out of the front room has already been used to form a planting box for the vegetables!

13/02/07
WE HAVE A START DATE FOR THE BUILDERS! At last we are at the stage where we hoped to be at the end of 2006 - an imminent start date!! On the 5th March the builders are to start knocking the place about prior to transforming the cottage into a de-luxe B&B!

05/01/07
Success at last! We attended the planning committee meeting today and presented our case. No-one else came to oppose our application and the committee came to a unanimous decision to approve it! The sense of relief was strange as it was a mixture of elation and realising we now have to knuckle down and reorganise our life! The first challenge is to re-engage with the builder who had to reschedule his work load and has since taken other contracts. We can’t blame him as he has his business to run and with no firm decision from ourselves could not leave himself open to having no work. He now has more than he can handle! However, a meeting next week should map out the way forward and we hope to have a start fairly soon. We have started planting our vegetables ready for when we open and just hope the strange weather does not play havoc with them. With locally sourced and home grown produce we aim to provide excellent breakfasts. We can now look forward to starting our season with a fully refurbished, eco-friendly, insulated, sound proofed property that will provide a wonderful place to stay in this lovely part of East Yorkshire.

26/01/07
Last night we attended the height of theatrical brilliance in the form of the local annual pantomime with their version of Babes in The Wood called "Babes in the Dyke" - Dane's Dyke that is, a local area of attraction. This was performed with an offbeat style with what seemed like half the village taking part! Few of the local "names" avoided being lambasted in some way or another! The children performed with great enthusiasm and added that charm that only small children can. An hilarious night was had by all and everyone who performed or assisted the production should be applauded! Some good pictures of the cast appeared in the Free Press on Thursday 25th Jan.
Today we reserved our right to present our case at the planning meeting on 5th Feb. We are allowed three minutes to summarise why the proposal should be approved. At the time of enquiring we understand that no-one else has registered to speak - either for or against. People have until midday on Friday 2nd Feb to register their request to make representation.

23/01/07
We had an email today from Kathy Bousquet (nee Lidster) who used to live in the real Flamborough and emigrated to the "Other" Flamborough in Canada in 1960. She lived in Woodcock Road and knew Anita's Off Licence as Miss Sunley's Sweet Shop. Her father managed the Flamborough Golf Course in the 1950's before the club house was moved further inland to avoid it falling into the sea. Her family lived in a house known as "Dormy House" on the edge of the links, but it has since been demolished. Kathy has not been back for 50 years but is planning a trip this June and is very excited about it - we wonder how much will have changed and how much is just the same!
Meanwhile we are doing bits and pieces while we wait for February 5th and the dreaded Planning Committee meeting where our future will be decided! Properties around us are being renovated and we are itching to get on with ours!

12/01/07
We heard today from some people in Flamborough Canada that Caroline's article had been published in the (Canadian) Flamborough Review. If you would like to read it click on the link below.
http://www.haltonsearch.com/hr/fp/story/3839113p-4442177c.html

4/01/2007
Caroline has made contact with Brenda Jefferies, the editor of the Canadian "Flamborough Review"! She sent her a copy of their Flamborough Review with a request she be photographed holding the paper in view of the lighthouse. Today the sun was shining so we set off to do the deed, despite a January Westerly blowing!

We also took a picture outside the fog horn station - Caroline's hair indicates that Flamborough Head in January can be a tad blustery!

01/01/2007 After a noisy and fun New Year's Eve at the Ship Inn what better method to blow away the cobwebs, review 2006 and anticipate the positives of 2007 other than another walk along our Heritage Coast?

29/12/06
A cosy Christmas has been spent at Crab Pot Cottage and the time awaiting for planning is allowing us to take in some of the local festivities. The switching on of the Flamborough lights, complete with local radio and Santa highlighted the local hospitality with mince pies and mulled wine. They only asked for donations, but the mulled wine was so good it cost us a fortune. The lights and lit nativity scene are far better than you would expect from a small village and well worth a visit. Christmas Day we had a super meal at the Seabirds which is renowned for its food. Boxing Day was spent the traditional way, in the Ship Inn and then outside to see the Flamborough Sword Dance. We will now have to walk it all off to the Heritage Coast and headland.

22/12/06
Just in time for Christmas we learn there has been an objection for our change of use and must now wait until 5th Feb 2007 for a full planning decision!

11/12/06
We are advised all building regulation issues have been addressed and approved - we just need the go-ahead from the planners now!

01/12/06
Another issue has arisen! We now have to widen the entrance to the property to 5.5 metres and create a turning point within the property of some 11 metres.

27/11/06
We are not being granted any leeway with the building inspectors and find that not only do we have to insulate the new internal walls for sound but have to install a complete false ceiling throughout the property to reduce noise transmission through the floors.

17/11/06
We now have the planning application in the paper and displayed outside the premises so fingers crossed there will not be any objections! We just need to sort out all the building regulation issues......

09/11/06
We learn today that the expected date for planning approval is the 26th December. However, there are building regulation issues with heat and sound insulation.

More of the fireplace is revealed! This will become the main feature of the dining room.Saturday 27/11/2010