Maddie Maishman
Dart Marina Hotel receptionist
"I enjoy working at the Dart Marina with its beautiful views. It’s great talking to all the guests who have come to visit the town. I live on a boat on the river and have done for 17 years. It’s lovely being part of life on the water. The area is perfect for all my hobbies, which include running, canoeing, walking and sailing. I love it!"
Christopher Helyer
Director of Music for the Church of England parish
"I like the fact that Dartmouth is like a large village. People know each other and care about each other. I grew up in Australia so Dartmouth is a very different experience! I love travelling but it’s a wonderful feeling when you want to return home because you live in such a lovely place. There is always so much to watch on the river, no two days are the same. "
Robyn, 4
"The ice creams are great here. It’s also good fun playing in the bandstand. I like living near the water."
Ben Shippey
Ferry crew for Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company
"I’ve worked in Dartmouth for almost a year now and I’ve found it to be a nice change from a big city. The town is small enough to get to know people but big enough to retain a level of anonymity and it’s working well for me. I’ve enjoyed working in the hospitality industry but the best days are definitely on the river when the sun shines."
Nicola Chapman
Owner, Gifts From The Heart
"I’m relatively new to the town and have only recently opened my card shop in Foss Street. It hasn’t been difficult to settle in - everyone has been so welcoming. Dartmouth is very relaxed and people often want to talk when they come in which is a great part of the job - sometimes people stop for half an hour for a chat. It’s a lovely town."
Sisters Sheila and Linda
from Rochdale
"We’ve never been here before, it’s lovely - it’s even beautiful on a bad day. Anywhere that sells ice cream all year round is alright by us! It’s also really dog friendly in the shops and cafés which is nice to see. There’s so much history here. We will definitely visit again."
Daisy, 6
"I like Dartmouth because of the good playgrounds - there are great slides. I like going on the ferry to school everyday in Kingswear. I think the new swimming pool is really good as well, we go a lot."
Christine Brooker
Assistant Parish Administrator, St Saviour’s Church
"I love walking to work early on a spring morning, when the streets are quiet and the air is still and cool - especially when there’s a beautiful sunrise casting a pink glow across the river. At other times the mist hangs low in the valley with the treetops peeping high above. Summer arrives and the town bursts into action; the river alive with boats and children crabbing. Then autumn turns to winter and Dartmouth becomes tranquil once more, it’s always changing."
Elizabeth Handle
born and bred in Dartmouth
"I’m from a third generation Dartmouth family. My father was in the special constabulary in the town during World War Two. I haven’t always lived here – my husband was in the Navy so we travelled around a bit in our younger days! We lived in East Africa for a good few years, but we wanted to come back here to retire and be by the water again. I’ve seen a lot of changes in the town over the years, but it has always remained a happy, friendly town."
Ronnie
Owner, Gifts for Gentlemen
"Working in Dartmouth makes you feel like you’re permanently on holiday! This year will be my 30th year running the shop. I’m now serving people who I used to see coming in here as little children holding their parents’ hands 20 years ago. One of the best parts of the job is meeting customers. Whether it’s locals, people from Australia or repeat visitors who come in just to say “you’re still here then!” As I walk around town nearly everyone says ‘hi’ - you don’t get that in a city."
First published in By The Dart magazine March 2018
