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News from the Geopark

Geoparks most famous resident Agatha Christie celebrated with new signs

The English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark is embracing it's history and the Queen of murder mystery with new signs which celebrate the area's most famous resident - Agatha Christie. 

The gateway signage has been sponsored by the English Riviera BID Company. The locations of the new signs are: 

• Torbay Road in Hollicombe
• Marldon Road in Shiphay
• Riviera Way, Torquay
• Great Hill Road, Barton
• Teignmouth Road, Maidencombe

The new signs, which have now been installed, welcome visitors to Torquay with 'The birthplace of Agatha Christie' written below, and follow on from the new blue plaque which was put in place in Barton Road over the summer by Torbay Civic Society. 

Councillor Mike Morey, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture, said "It's fantastic to see the new signage in place, which is a fitting tribute to Torquay's best known resident, Agatha Christie. Whether you are a resident or visitor to the English Riviera, you may be surprised by just how many Torquay landmarks have an Agatha connection. It is important that we continue to support her legacy which also contributes significantly to tourism in the Bay". 

Chairman of the English Riviera BID Complany, Tim Godfrey said "The English Riviera BID Company is immensely proud to be associated with promoting one of our most famous residents and we are delighted to sponsor the production of the new boundary signs. Dame Agatha Christie is know throughout the world as the 'Queen of Crime' and is considered a literary genius. Born in the heart of the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geoaprk the English Riviera BID Company fully recognises the continuing importance of the Agatha Christie Legacy in growing Torbay's global tourism industry". 

The creator of much loved characters Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot, Dame Agatha Christie is known throughout the world as the 'Queen of Crime' and considered a literary genius. Her books have sold more than two billion copies and have been translated into over 100 languages. She remains the unrivalled, most successful female playwright of all time, as well as a respected authority on travel, archaeology and pharmacology. 

The English Riviera played a large part in Agatha's formative years when the experiences, places and people she encountered provided the inspiration for many of her fictional characters and plots that she created within her much-loved stories and plays.