Proud mum moment
Devon Life|September 2020
This month Deborah Clark is reflecting on her son’s passing out as newly-qualified Royal Marine
Deborah Clark
Proud mum moment

This story has been a long time coming. I’ve wanted to write about The Royal Marines since 2012 when my 15-year-old #1 son decided this was a life-goal for him.

One recent Wednesday, after the final Commando Challenge (a 30-mile yomp with weights over Dartmoor within eight hours - as a troop, supporting the whole not as individuals), he and his troop each received their “green lid” from their Commandant.

Long ago, #1 told me this moment would be “better than the birth of his first child”. The pride shone out in his face - you bet that moment was re-enacted for the camera, back on base. #1 looked knackered, proud, confident and, suddenly, completely grown-up.

To understand his journey (and mine) please note that he is the first of our families to join the Forces in peacetime. Many of my family have signed The Official Secrets Act but this has been a less frontline affair, if you get my meaning.

I’m not sure if this would have happened had we not relocated to Devon in 2001 and brought up both #1 and #2 here. The integration with Dartmoor and the inevitability of the sea when viewed 24/7 from rocky Burgh Island are powerful teachers.

Denne historien er fra September 2020-utgaven av Devon Life.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra September 2020-utgaven av Devon Life.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA DEVON LIFESe alt
Legends Of Lockdown
Devon Life

Legends Of Lockdown

A new online exhibition features an array of Devon’s lockdown legends exploring their lives and communities during the pandemic restrictions

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
Look Out For Intelligent Slime!
Devon Life

Look Out For Intelligent Slime!

Think you know your waxcaps from your dog vomit slime mould? Exmoor’s conservation team needs our help to record the pretty and the not-so-pretty wildlife living in this unique national park. finds out more

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
Retirement redefined
Devon Life

Retirement redefined

Millbrook Village’s Leah Jackson talks to AMELIA THURSTON about how wellbeing and quality of life are at the heart of the later living community

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020
Look to the future
Devon Life

Look to the future

SU CARROLL talks to Sir Antony Gormley about his contribution to Devon’s artistic life

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
Natural beauty
Devon Life

Natural beauty

Working with nature and the cycle of seasons, a new flower farm is blossoming in a fold of the beautiful River Teign valley

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
THE DIARY
Devon Life

THE DIARY

SU CARROLL recommends the best events across the county this month

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 2020
My kinda city...
Devon Life

My kinda city...

With the perfect balance of country and city life, Exeter still shines as the jewel of the West. STEPHANIE DARKES shares her insider insights into the city that stole her heart

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
Letting themselves in for hard work...
Devon Life

Letting themselves in for hard work...

Renovating your entire house is tough. Renovating someone else’s seven-bedroom Grade-II listed Georgian farmhouse and turning it into a high-end holiday let is even trickier. CHRISSY HARRIS went to Kingston see how it’s done

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2020
Lessons from history
Devon Life

Lessons from history

History author Ian Mortimer has taken readers on travels through time from the Middle Ages to the Industrial Revolution. STU LAMBERT asks him how our country and our county changed in Regency times

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
A Reform character
Devon Life

A Reform character

The owner of North Devon’s longest standing brewery is about to take on a new challenge, as CATHERINE COURTENAY discovers

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020