War-time effortsĭuring the first world war Agatha worked as a nursing auxiliary at Torquay Town Hall which was used as a Red Cross hospital. It was whilst attending a Wagner concert at The Pavilion in 1913 that Agatha accepted a proposal of marriage from her first husband, Archie Christie. The Pavilion, once a thriving art nouveau styled concert hall and theatre attracted celebrated artistes such as composer Sir Edward Elgar, pianist Rachmaninoff and ballerina Anna Pavlova. She enjoyed roller-skating at her favourite spot at Princess Pier, surfing and swimming at Elberry Cove and Ladies' Bathing Cove, now known as Beacon Cove, and played golf at Churston and Torquay Golf courses.Īgatha attended many social functions at many locations in Torquay: The Imperial Hotel The Athenaeum Rooms, once located at 43 Fleet Street The Royal Theatre, now the home of the Central Cinema in Abbey Road and The Pavilion on the harbourside. He was also a regular visitor to Royal Torbay Yacht Club and president of Torquay Cricket Club.Īgatha enjoyed many hobbies including taking dance, piano and singing lessons and took part in amateur theatricals at with the Mallock family, at their home, Cockington Court. Her father was a member of Torquay Natural History Society, later to become Torquay Museum and he supported William Pengelly’s excavations at Kents Cavern. Ashfield was demolished in the 1960’s but today a blue plaque on Barton Road, Torquay marks the spot where the original building once stood.Īs a child, Agatha enjoyed writing short stories, accessing her father’s extensive library and taking inspiration from her mother, who was an excellent storyteller. She spent an idyllic childhood at the family home with her upper-middle class American father, Frederick, and her English mother, Clara, and older siblings, Monty and Madge. The Early YearsĪgatha Mary Clarissa Miller was born at Ashfield, a large Victorian mansion in Torquay on 15th September 1890 and she was christened at All Saints Church. Whether you are a first time visitor or are returning to the English Riviera, you may be surprised by just how many Torquay landmarks have an Agatha connection. Details of this year's programme will be published on the festival website. The English Riviera is immensely proud to be associated with its best-known resident and to have played a part in Agatha’s formative years when the experiences, places and people that she encountered provided the inspiration for many of the characters and plots she created within her much-loved stories and plays.Įvery September, to mark her birthday, the International Agatha Christie Festival takes place across the English Riviera. She remains unrivalled and is also the most successful female playwright of all time, as well as a respected authority on travel, archaeology and pharmacology. Her books have sold more than two billion copies and have been translated into over 100 languages. Dame Agatha Christie, known throughout the world as the ‘Queen of Crime’, is a literary genius.
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