This is the second in our series of neighborhood photo essays by Shawn Poynter. In our first foray, we toured Bearden in West Knoxville
For many serious eaters in the greater Knoxville Area
the section of State Route 33 variously known as Old Knoxville Highway and Maryville’s own East Broadway is an important stretch of road because it leads to the Foothills Milling Company Bakery
a destination spot for the gourmand and serious sandwich lover
But on the way to this well-known foodie icon located at the roundabout in Maryville’s Five Points area
which is home not only to a fascinating strip of buildings that appear much the way they did 50+ years ago
but it’s also the locale of a wondrous and strangely concentrated array of food experiences
this trail of disparate cuisines is not well known
So we decided to plot our own foodie roadmap to Eagleton’s off-the-beaten path commercial district full of mid-century vernacular architecture
and eateries worth making the drive to explore
If you approach this section of Maryville from Alcoa Highway
you’ll take a very brief journey south on Pellissippi Parkway until it abruptly ends at SR33
Turn right onto 33 and pass by the entrance to a developing commercial area called Pellissippi Place
which is marked by stately columns of stacked stone; it sits opposite another planned development cleverly named The Shoppes at Pellissippi Place
But keep driving west on what is now Old Knoxville Highway and that flash of newness will soon fade—just about the time you notice the Roll Arena on your right
The flat windowless building of blonde brick sits down from the road as it has for almost 40 years; it opened as Skatetown
the place where many young folk of Blount County first did the Hokey Pokey on wheels
the road passes through a lushly green (but brief) tree-lined stretch before opening to a big sky and a stretch of commercial area
Businesses vary from Dynabody Fitness to James’ Custom Upholstery
but most of them occupy buildings that have stood in their parcels for decades
sit close to the road with parking right up front—it’s something that appears convenient until you try to pull out and realize that you’re only a foot or two from the often busy highway
That proximity is also part of the charm and nostalgia of this neighborhood
especially when there are a couple of riding lawn mowers parked right at the edge of the road’s shoulder in front of Little River Feed and Hunting Supply
Your first impression may be that Eagleton Village is an old and almost continuous strip mall left over from 1950
one that’s still breathing but populated by dusty businesses that remain locked in mid-century demographics—but that’s not the case
The businesses are owned and operated by an eclectic mix of folks from an array of different backgrounds and cultural influences
Among the sprinkle of new buildings is La Lupita
a Mexican Store that locals recommend for good tacos
It occupies a building with sparkling glass
But new buildings are the exception in this commercial strip time warp
Ashley Barner has workded at Richy Kreme for three years
The Richy Kreme doughnuts shop has been in Eagleton for 68 years
Eagleton Ballpark sits just off the road and to your left in this introductory section of Eagleton and, arguably, constitutes the heart of this census-designated place. It’s home to baseball and softball leagues and hosts weekend tournaments during the season; but keep your eyes to the right because across from the field you’ll want to keep a sharp look out for Richy Kreme Donuts (2601 E
Like many of the food adventures that wait ahead
the place isn’t particularly inviting to the uninitiated—parking is limited and the signage isn’t easy to see
Fresh donuts have been made here daily since 1948 (though nowadays a few products
are shipped in) and include a variety of expected styles and flavors; but there’s also a selection of filled donuts with flavors like peaches and crème
These selections are messy and a little floppy (or perhaps I just caught a batch that didn’t fully rise)
but they won’t last long anyway—just grab an extra napkin
but you’ll want to move along anyway; there’s lots more to eat ahead
Just about 2 minutes up the road is Aroma Café (570 E
Aroma Café is set back a bit with a little courtyard parking lot
But this restaurant is easy to see—the colors of its signage are among the boldest in this community
yet the café’s many regulars will tell you that the ramshackle appearance belies the good food inside
The entrance is cluttered with 25-cent candy machines and various printed materials; a countertop warmer case filled with sweet and savory empanadas
and other fried delights sits like a gauntlet before the register where you order and pay
The Cuban sandwich with rice and beans gets high praise
but I opt to try the papa rallena—a deep-fried potato ball stuffed with ground beef
The large golden orb caught my eye in the warmer case—I suppose
It arrived at the table a few minutes later sitting in a little Styrofoam cup and adorned with a soupçon of picadillo stew
but the star was the savory picadillo—seasoned ground beef with olives and raisins
you‘ll pass a remnant of fast food history; on the left side of the road sits an old Kentucky Fried Chicken building featuring the false mansard roof and cupola that distinguished the restaurant’ 1968 design style
and now it’s the home of the Power and Praise Tabernacle
Rocky’s Jamaican Sunrise drive-through
Williams has owned Rocky’s Jamaican Sunrise drive-through for six years
Technically, once you pass that building you’re about to cross the imaginary border that marks the end of Eagleton Village. But for our gustatory adventure, we’ll stretch those boundaries a little, because just ahead, painted in bold swaths of green, yellow, and red, lies Rocky’s Jamaica Sunrise (2162 E
is a family business led by Rocky Williams
He and his wife Cheryl met while she was vacationing on the island
Their popular eatery occupies a distinctive two-story building that looks to be the former home of a drive-through hamburger joint
may park behind the restaurant and walk up to the drive-in window
You’ll find seating behind the restaurant at weathered
The place gets busy at lunchtime with folks who come get their fix of jerk chicken and Jamaican jerk barbecue
Both goat curry and oxtail stew are on the menu
and Rocky’s may be the only outlet in driving distance for the Jamaican Patty—a round of lightly spiced ground beef that comes encased in a distinctive yellow pastry crust that gets its color from the inclusion of a little curry powder
Rocky’s marks an unofficial waypoint between the close-quartered strip behind and the more open cluster of business ahead
new development sits prominently among more scattered bits of the past: A Food City reigns as the anchor tenant of a strip center
a gleaming Hardee’s sits near the top of a small hill
and other newish buildings stand along the route separated by grassy lots
mostly well-tended with some evidence of a lingering battle with kudzu
like the beautifully flat-roofed and rectangular home of Broadway Vapors and the Blount Chiropractic Center
if you take this journey one bite at a time
it’s easy to have already eaten more than your daily allotment
It occupies the remains of a Sonic Drive-In
but if you don’t know to stop it’s easy to bypass the place owing to its understated signage—except for the presence of a car or two
the place often looks abandoned by mid-morning
But it’s a testament to the quality of the sweets inside that almost everyone in Blount County seems to know about it
It’s an old fashioned donut shop—to date there isn’t any commingling of bacon and maple or matcha and black sesame or any other concession to the hipster’s flavor ennui
exceptional (and locally famous) apple fritters
The selection really diminishes by lunch time—the best things go fast
It’s a happy oddity that not just one but two locally owned donut shops live and thrive in this community—let alone the fact that they thrive within a mile of each other
Both Donut Palace and Richy Kreme have a loyal fan base
and a few gluttons like yours truly who stop at both
the simple charms of a well-crafted and old-fashioned donut are worth celebrating
you’ll pass many interesting buildings with longevity and distinctive features
including Dorolee’s Carpet House—you’ll know it when you see it—and the fading red
and blue striped awning of Maryville Fastener & Hardware
You’ll notice this store due to a sign that includes a large nut and bolt
and also because it displays many of its wares right outside
including shiny blue wheelbarrows as well as colorful rakes
Misosky owns and runs this combination used book store
and restaurant with her partner Catherine Frye
It’s also the only spot on this side of town to get a good cup of coffee
They offer a full slate of barrista items with artsy nomenclature—there’s the Boo Radley (white mocha)
the Eartha Kitt (iced coffee with pumpkin and caramel flavor)
It’s a fascinating stop with a loose hippie vibe and food that has the feel of a Southern tea room
The menu includes an earnest chicken salad that’s redolent of rosemary and tastes of freshly roasted bird
and a biscuity cinnamon roll lovingly smeared with cream cheese-style icing
But there’s also respectable hummus and a fine hamburger that’s grilled on a Green Egg in the back
The bookshop primarily handles used books with a slight
but welcome bias for Southern and local Lit
but there’s also an erotica section and a fulfilling selection of mysteries
Southland stocks about 60,000 titles—the store sells and trades but only buys books on rare occasions
And I’m told that Misosky is a tough negotiator
Southland sits right at the roundabout that brings together East Broadway, Everett High Road, and Harper Avenue. Here’s where you’ll also find Maryville’s Mother Earth Meats (1431 E
At first glance it’s an average-looking market with shelves of assorted sauces and some sorghum
but the excitement is in the meat case and cooler—and there are tons of different cuts from the usual suspects
as well as breasts and tubs of rendered duck fat
But the real star of the show is the collection of harder to find proteins; Mother Earth offers grass-fed elk chops
either whole or stuffed inside a rabbit tenderloin
The most well-known inhabitant of this intersection is the aforementioned Foothills Milling Bakery (1420 E. Broadway Ave.) that occupies a building that for years has housed one or another country cooking restaurants. It’s an offshoot of one of East Tennessee’s finest dining destinations, Foothills Milling Company in Maryville
But where the Milling Company is only open in the evenings and almost always requires reservations
It only takes a moment for you to realize that this is no ordinary sandwich shop
Even before your eyes reach the menu boards that hang on the wall above the counter and bakery case
you’ll notice that there’s a kitchen full of people in chef’s attire
The sandwiches here get the same kind of intensive care as a dish of tempura-fried lobster tail does at the mother restaurant: the meats are smoked in-house; the bread
including seven or more varieties and a bread of the day
is baked on-site; and local suppliers get a lot of attention
My eyes leapt immediately to the bologna and truffle cheese sandwich—and what a little miracle it is
Foothills’ bologna is sliced thin and piled high and dripping with a house-made truffle cheese
A dab of Calabrian peppers and a scattering of crunchy
deep-fried onions add both flavor and textural contrast to this extravagant reinterpretation of a simple (and often repulsive) country sandwich
If you’ve ever wondered what the fuss about truffles is
here’s an approachable and affordable opportunity to taste it for yourself
The flavor of this sandwich lingers like well-made wine
There are a few sides available to add to your meal
including a selection of potato chips and a rich potato salad
but I found the main attraction so rich and filling that any room I had to spare was better used for dessert
which includes a variety of goodies such as a lovely sweet potato scone
It’s a little strange to eat so well and so diversely in this neck of the woods where it’s easy to think you’ve stumbled upon the land that time and developers forgot
But part of what seasons an eating adventure along this bit of SR33 is the nostalgia that comes from being around untouched moments of the past—and that is something that Five Points and Eagleton Village both still have in spades
Chocolate torts in the baked-goods case at the Foothills Bakery & Cafe
Maryville’s East Broadway strip contains not only surprising foodie destinations
but also a plethora of thrift stores and odd shops
Here are some noteworthy places to also check out
Dennis Perkins' Home Palate is a tasty exploration of local options for eating out and eating well by way of restaurant reviews
and interviews with local food purveyors and tastemakers
It’s a candid and personal look at what’s right (and sometimes what’s wrong) with eating
in Knoxville and its environs
He is also the artistic
director of the Knoxville Children’s Theatre
has directed and performed at the Actor’s Co-op and Black Box Theatre
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RENOVO — The Eagleton Mine Camp Trail offers area hikers
bikers and equestrians the chance to take a stroll through historic landmarks and enjoy the gorgeous scenery Clinton County has to offer
The trail was create in 2006 by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and named after the mining village of Eagleton
The village existed sometime between 1845 and 1870 in the Tangascootac watershed
According to information provided by Sproul State Forest officials in Renovo
built the village to house miners in the Eagleton bituminous coal fields
Several mining towns existed at this time in Clinton County and were even funded by the royal family of Spain
Not only was Eagleton set apart from the rest because of its railroad
it was also the site of Central Pennsylvania’s bituminous coal fields first labor strike
About 200 workers revolted due to unfair wages
with Sheriff John Smith of Lock Haven arriving with 20 riflemen to defuse the situation after a few days
The Eagleton Railroad climbed the Tangascootac Valley in the area of Farrandsville to the village on the plateau
A series of switchbacks were used to reach the village known as the “Seven Switches.” Some of the trail still follows the railroad grade
Fans of Prince Farrington will be interested in a site along the trail
one of many sites where the famous Prohibition-Era bootlegger created his covetted spirits
Farrington is well known in Clinton and Lycoming counties
with many former sites located throughout the area
Farrington would continue to bootleg after Prohibition to avoid paying taxes
The trail is slightly under 20 miles with trailheads on Eagleton Road
one at Little Buckhorn Trail and the other at Shear Trap Trail
And for those who are feeling a little competitive
you can take part in the annual Eagleton Trail Challenge
The Eagleton Trail Challenge was created in October 2016 by Blake Cohen as a 25 and 50k event
In 2018 the event expanded to include a 10k option
Hundreds of trail enthusiasts hit the EMCT to take part in this yearly event
some traveling from across the country to take part
MILL HALL — The Keystone Central School District will consider approving its $92.6 million 2025-2026 budget — ..
scientists have mapped groundwater variables nationally to understand which aquifers are most ..
LOCK HAVEN — Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced this week more than $4 million of unclaimed property is owed to ..
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or is the big one just waiting around the corner?
scientists say there is a 24% to 40% chance of a magnitude 6 or greater quake in West Tennessee’s New Madrid Seismic Zone within 50 years
East Tennessee is part of a seismic zone of many small faults that aren't connected to New Madrid out west. The zone that shapes East Tennessee stretches from Kentucky to northern Alabama
professor and distinguished scientist of structural geology and tectonics in the University of Tennessee Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences
He’s been researching this region's seismic activity for the past 11 years
way back — to look for patterns
“What we’ve been looking at is the prehistoric earthquake history
as much as we can resolve from geologic record,” Hatcher said
A quake the size of the massive 1811-1812 New Madrid earthquakes
which reshaped the land, strikes West Tennessee roughly every 600 years
But that doesn’t mean they’re necessarily 600 years apart
East Tennessee has not seen a major earthquake in the area’s recorded history
The biggest one recorded here was about magnitude 4.8
a noticeable jolt but not tremendously damaging
But he’s found evidence in the rocks that big
destructive quakes — magnitude 6.5 or 7 — have hit here in prehistoric times.
“We are pretty certain that we have had at least two large earthquakes in East Tennessee in the last 10,000 years,” Hatcher said
the important question is: How often does that happen
and it’s going to take awhile to do that,” Hatcher said
More than 3 million people in 14 states registered to participate in earthquake drills Oct
17 as part of the “Great Central U.S
ShakeOut.” More than half a million of those people were Tennesseans
The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance took advantage of the ninth annual event to promote not only earthquake safety but earthquake insurance
“We’re interested in raising awareness about all forms of insurance in order to help consumers,” he said via email
“We saw considerable interest on our social media accounts every time we posted an earthquake awareness graphic after news of earthquakes in Tennessee.”
co-owner and agent at the Newton Jones Agency
said several local tremors over the summer prompted people to ask about coverage
“We’ve done several quotes for earthquake (insurance),” she said
Earthquake damage is not covered under regular homeowners insurance
though specialty carriers might include it for a high price
Walters said earthquake insurance can cover debris removal
damage repair and even interim living expenses
but doesn’t cover land damage from erosion or sinkholes
or water damage from external sources such as sewers or runoff flooding
Asbury said it’s important to note that most earthquake policies have a high deductible — 10% of a house’s value
at least — on both the house itself and its contents
Some homeowners insurance customers add earthquake insurance
but since damage would have to be really heavy for the coverage to kick in
I’ve been here over 30 years and we’ve never had an earthquake claim at this agency,” Asbury said
Hatcher said most quakes in East Tennessee are 5 to 15 miles down into the earth’s crust — "way down.” That means minimal damage for homeowners
“East Tennessee has lots of faults at the surface
but these are dead faults that formed 300 million years ago,” he said
They’re not related to the faults causing today’s deep-seated earthquakes
related faults in the East Tennessee Seismic Zone
The ones Hatcher is finding that have moved about 3 feet from their original position are the ones to worry about
“Most earthquakes are centered around Maryville
and down south of Maryville around Vonore,” Hatcher said
but it makes sense to look for one where seismic activity is most common
a magnitude 5.7 earthquake in north-central Virginia damaged the Washington Monument and National Cathedral
If one that powerful struck East Tennessee
“we’d see some real damage,” Hatcher said
Current building codes don’t support “rigorous preparation” for earthquakes
Dams and nuclear plants would probably survive a magnitude 7 quake
“They were over-designed on purpose for anything that might come along that’s hazardous,” he said
But big-box stores and private houses in this part of the country generally don’t have sufficient reinforcement to survive anything above magnitude 5.5
Each whole-number increase in earthquake magnitude — going from 1 to 2
or 2 to 3 and so on — means the release of 32 times more energy
So a magnitude 7 quake is nearly 2,000 times stronger than a magnitude 4.8
Earthquake insurance premiums get more expensive closer to the New Madrid zone
homes with crawl spaces and multi-story houses cost more because they’re more likely to sustain damage
Asbury said she’s working on a policy for a $570,000 house
earthquake insurance will cost $446 a year
But it can cost that much to insure a cheaper house
Some companies won’t issue a policy on houses built before 1970
probably due to replacement costs or outdated building standards
“Not all companies have that requirement
Hatcher gives public talks on earthquake hazards and said he’s sometimes asked if he has earthquake insurance
“It does not cost that much to add on to your homeowners policy,” he said
The state urges consumers to make sure they’re buying from a licensed provider
Companies or agents can be researched at https://sbs-tn.naic.org/Lion-Web/jsp/sbsreports/AgentLookup.jsp
For further questions call the state Consumer Insurance Services Division at 615-741-2218 or 1-800-342-4029
who walked back into the life of her wartime sweetheart
Both Betty and Seth were widowed when they reunited
although she had left her scrap-dealer husband Wally before his death
she told Wally to choose between her and his old rag-and-bone horse; he chose the horse
In the village of Emmerdale – formerly Beckindale – Betty found a job as a cleaner and more than 10 years of happiness with Seth
knowing that he was a free spirit and would sometimes keep the truth from her
perhaps she wished she had chosen him first time round rather than the man she did,” said Tilbrook
“I liked the idea of two people in their autumn years.”
The couple planned a wedding in December 1994 but called it off at the last minute
deciding they were too old to be exchanging vows
and turned the wedding breakfast into a 1940s fancy-dress party for villagers.They lived together until Seth’s death in 2005
then Betty battled on alone – apart from taking in Alan Turner as a lodger – until she emigrated to Australia 10 years later
Acting was her ambition from the age of four
when she played Jill in a Sunday-school production of Jack and Jill
“Something came from the audience that I will never forget – approval and warmth,” she once told me
Tilbrook started in repertory theatre as an assistant stage manager in Colwyn Bay and soon landed acting roles
but she took a career break after marrying Leslie Hall in 1952 and giving birth to their son and daughter
She performed with amateur dramatics societies – “there was something missing in my life without it” – before returning to the stage once their children started school
She appeared on television from 1969, dipping in and out of sitcoms and dramas. There were parts in the director Mike Leigh’s play Hard Labour (1973), as the friend of the cleaner played by Liz Smith
the writer Alan Bennett’s All Day on the Sands (1979)
as one of the Morecambe boarding-house guests
had just become the first woman to hold that position
Tilbrook had regular roles in Sharon and Elsie (1984-85) as the scatty Mrs Tibbett and in Andy Capp (1988) as Flo
the slothful hero’s rolling pin-wielding wife
she joined Brookside as Betty Hughes (1984-85)
helping with the “Free George Jackson” campaign
and was seen as five characters in Coronation Street: customers at Miami Modes (1967) and the Kabin (1973); Annie Walker’s pub licensee friends Estelle Plimpton (1977) and Olive Taylor-Brown (1980); and Vivian Barford
who took a shine to Alf Roberts (1991 and 1993)
job-hopping Malcolm Atkinson (Mike Goddard) in Malcolm (1978) and Iris Bickerdyke (Su Pollard) in For Better Or for Worse (1993)
She was also a favourite of the comedian Ken Dodd
appearing with him first in the TV series Ken Dodd & the Diddymen (1969-73)
For Ken Dodd’s Palace of Laughter (1986-87)
billed as his “travelling theatre company setting off on another Tickle Tour”
they broadcast from theatres in the north of England
Tilbrook’s best part was the title role in Effie’s Burning
about an elderly woman who claims to be suffering from spontaneous combustion
She performed it in 1987 at the Library Theatre
and the Cottesloe auditorium at the National Theatre
Leslie died in 1985 after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease
news of her death was not released by her family until July 2020
born 16 January 1930; died 1 December 2019
but the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of India’s prime minister
is still winning control of state legislatures
who took office at the head of a coalition formed to stop the BJP
jumped ship—to join his erstwhile enemies in a new coalition
which dominated Indian politics until a generation ago
This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “Gobble them up”
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Ahead of the vote on May 3rd, politics has flipped
The country is making it first big bet on semiconductors
This one could be riskier than their last major crisis in 2019
After the Kashmir attack, military action is possible but comes with huge risks
This story has been updated with revised attribution of Whole Foods' dissolution of its partnership with Instacart
Whole Foods will deliver groceries in the Knoxville area through Amazon’s Prime Now service
Prime Now touts delivery in a maximum of two hours
began delivering for the grocer through Prime Now in a few major cities last year
It has steadily expanded; the latest announcement adds 13 cities for a total of 88
Nashville and Memphis were already eligible for Prime Now delivery; Knoxville and Chattanooga are on the new list
Further expansion is expected throughout the year
“Prime Now delivery continues to be a hit with our customers and we’re excited to introduce the service to even more Prime members across the country,” Christina Minardi
Whole Foods Market executive vice president of operations said in the announcement
“It’s just another way we’re making it even easier for more customers to enjoy Whole Foods Market’s healthy and organic food.”
Through subscription delivery services such as DoorDash
many – though not all – Knoxville-area shoppers can get groceries from CVS
“Whole Foods Market and Instacart have mutually agreed to end their partnership for delivery services effective May 15,” Minardi said via email
“The companies are working together to ensure a smooth transition.”
in Papermill Plaza at 6730 Papermill Drive NW
“With our goal to cover as many Prime customers as possible with this new service in Knoxville
our coverage is expansive,” Tanvi Patel
head of business development for Prime Now, said in the announcement
“Today we’re excited to reach customers from Corryton in the north
and from Oak Ridge in the west to Kodak in the east.”
the Knoxville store’s delivery radius is about 15 miles
Amazon bought Whole Foods for $13.7 billion in August 2017
quickly announcing plans to expand its grocery business and cutting prices on many Whole Foods items
Amazon said it would offer special benefits to its Prime customers and sell Whole Foods brands through Amazon.com
Grocery delivery through Prime Now is free on orders of $35 or more
according to Supermarket News – but Prime Now itself is only available to Amazon Prime members
That membership costs $119 a year if paid all at once
or $155.88 a year if paid in monthly installments
Prime members get weekly discounts on some products
When using an Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card they can also get 5% back on Whole Foods purchases
For more information, go to www.primenow.com. Alexa users can see if Whole Foods delivery is available to them by saying “Alexa, shop Whole Foods.” They can shop for specific items and check out with the Prime Now app for pickup or delivery.
Tilbrook starred as Betty Eagleton on the soap for 21 years
Emmerdale legend Paula Tilbrook has passed away at the age of 89
The actress died in December last year but the news was only officially announced today
with an obituary being posted on the theatre industry website The Stage
And her family confirmed the new in a statement to Entertainment Daily
\"The family of Paula Tilbrook are sad to confirm the peaceful passing of their beloved Paula
\"She died of natural causes a few months ago at home with her loved ones beside her
The family respectfully requests privacy at this difficult time.\"
Tilbrook starred as village gossip Betty Eagleton on the soap for 21 years from 1994 to 2015
and also had an extensive career across TV
Some of her other credits included starring in eleven episodes of Coronation Street back in 1973
appearing alongside Ian McKellen in the TV film Walter in 1982
and roles on popular TV shows including Last of the Summer Wine
When she left Emmerdale back in 2015, Tilbrook told RadioTimes.com that she requested for her character Betty Eagleton not to be killed off.
You’re better off in the Bronx than Emmerdale village
which saw her leave the village to live with a man she'd met on her travels in Australia
I’m over the moon and I fill up every time I think about it
And it’s the same for me – I’ll miss the people desperately.”
Find out what to watch with our TV Guide.
And her family confirmed the new in a statement to Entertainment Daily
"The family of Paula Tilbrook are sad to confirm the peaceful passing of their beloved Paula
"She died of natural causes a few months ago at home with her loved ones beside her
The family respectfully requests privacy at this difficult time."
When she left Emmerdale back in 2015, Tilbrook told RadioTimes.com that she requested for her character Betty Eagleton not to be killed off.
which saw her leave the village to live with a man she'd met on her travels in Australia
Find out what to watch with our TV Guide
Patrick CremonaSenior Film WriterPatrick Cremona is the Senior Film Writer at Radio Times
and looks after all the latest film releases both in cinemas and on streaming
He has been with the website since October 2019
and in that time has interviewed a host of big name stars and reviewed a diverse range of movies
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By DAILY MAIL REPORTER Updated: 13:28 BST, 5 November 2008
An Emmerdale actress has won a four-year legal battle against a neighbour who complained about her garden fence.
Paula Tilbrook, 77, who plays village busybody Betty Eagleton in the soap, was asked by Samuel Reid after to remove a 33ft trellis between their homes.
But when she refused he brought in workmen to do it anyway.
Fence wars: Soap star Paul Tilbrook sued Samuel Reid for removing her trellis
Ms Tilbrook, who has acted in Emmerdale since 1994, then sued him for trespass and was awarded £2,850 in damages by Manchester County Court in July this year.
Mr Reid appealed against the ruling, but has now lost his case at the Civil Appeal Court in London.
After the hearing yesterday he said: ‘I feel sorry for her at the end of the day. I think she’s playing her own character.’
Mr Reid, 45, from Altrincham, Greater Manchester, said: ‘I tried to settle it amicably. I didn’t want to fall out with them.
‘I think she was a bit miffed that I don’t watch her show. I tried to make an offer, but she wanted to take me to court.
‘It’s cost me money and it’s cost them money. It’s been a complete waste of time.’
A spokeswoman for Emmerdale said: ‘Paula does not want to comment on the dispute.’
Battle scene: Mr Reid called in builders to remove the fence at Ms Tilbrook's home, above, in Altrincham, Greater Manchester
Ms Tilbrook and her husband Leslie Hall moved into their luxury home in Altrincham in 1962.
The Civil Appeal Court heard that when the garage was built more than 30 years ago, their then neighbour gave them permission to put up a trellis to block off the what would be an ‘eyesore’ garage.
But a dispute began four years ago when Mr Reid, a software engineer, moved in next door and decided to demolish it the old 1970s garage and to put up a smaller modern structure.
He needed to move the trellis and asked his neighbour for permission to do so.
Ms Tilbrook - referred to in court by the name Paula Hall -refused, saying she and her husband had maintained the trellis and plants for three decades.
She claimed that the strip of land belonged to her property, but stating that the boundary between the two gardens ran along the edge of the old garage wall.
But Ms Tilbrook insisted said that, even if the original boundary was in his favour, she and her husband now owned the land through 'adverse possession' - also known as ‘squatters’ rights’ - because their trellis had been standing for more than 30 years.
Village busybody: Ms Tilbrook playing Betty Eagleton in the soap
In 2004 Mr Reid then asked his contractors to go ahead with the work anyway and he was sued by Ms Tilbrook.
She was awarded £2,850.80 damages, plus costs, by Judge Tetlow at Manchester County Court in July this year.
Yesterday Sebastian Clegg, for Mr Reid, asked Lord Justice Rimer at the Appeal Court for permission to appeal against that decision.
Mr Clegg argued the original boundary was in Mr Reid’s favour and that adverse possession by the trellis could not be claimed, because the guttering of the 1970s garage had always overhung the trellis, thus 'possessing' the disputed strip.
But Lord Justice Rimer came down on the side of Ms Tilbrook - who was referred to in court by her married name Paula Hall - the soap star, refusing Mr Reid permission to appeal against the county court ruling.
Mr Reid said: ‘I tried to settle it amicably. I didn’t want to fall out with them.
‘I think she was a bit miffed that I don’t watch her show. I tried to make an offer, but she wanted to take me to court. It’s cost me money and its cost them money. It’s been a complete waste of time.’
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Paula Tilbrook will leave Emmerdale this year after playing Betty Eagleton for 21 years
After 21 years playing iconic Village gossip Betty Eagleton
Paula Tilbrook will be retiring from Emmerdale
Betty first appeared in April 1994 for just three episodes when she ordered a sweet sherry in the Woolpack
she soon put down roots in the Village and even fell prey to wheeler dealer Eric Pollard
Seth proposed at the end of her first year but the marriage never happened as they postponed it indefinitely - remaining a couple until Seth's passing on a trip home from Australia
As she finished filming at the Emmerdale village for the last time
Today is both the saddest and the happiest day of my life
Happy because I've got everyone here with me but the sad part is I'm leaving
But there is a great atmosphere and it is nice to go out on a high
Commenting on Paula's decision to retire
Series Producer said: "It's impossible to overstate how much everyone at Emmerdale will miss Paula."
she is an integral part of the Emmerdale family: an inspiration to those she works with
as well as a fabulous raconteur and hilarious storyteller
but wish her the happy retirement she so deserves."
Paula's last scenes will be aired mid May
so stay tuned to see unforgettable Betty say farewell to the Village forever
Steph resorts to extreme measures to change how she looks
and the hunt for Nate continues as John spirals in his web of lies
Next week: It's Jacob vs Kammy in the ultimate dirt bike showdown
and Liam becomes the target of a brutal attack
Caleb dives deeper into Joe's secrets
Leslie Knope and her colleagues in local government spend most of Parks and Recreation trying to make life a little bit better for the citizens of Pawnee
they have to deal with angry residents at town hall meetings
the mockery of wannabe shock-jock radio hosts
but the beloved sitcom's writers created a place that feels so true to life
it seems like you could stop by for a visit
What Parks and Rec fan wouldn't want to take a road trip to eat waffles at JJ's Diner
do a little grocery shopping at Food and Stuff
and enjoy a night out at the Snakehole Lounge
the writers reveal all kinds of interesting (and sometimes terrifying) tidbits about the history of Pawnee and the peculiarities of life there in the modern day
Here are a few facts about Pawnee that even devout Parks and Rec fans might have missed
As you watch Leslie and her coworkers field countless silly questions from citizens at town meetings, you might find yourself shaking your head and wondering how the writers came up with such ridiculous dialogue. As it turns out, these exchanges are based on the creators' real experiences at Los Angeles City Council meetings
which they attended to conduct research for the show
Show creator Mike Schur noted that such meetings were primarily attended by people who were opposed to a particular policy or project
the writers encountered a group of California residents who were vehemently against the construction of any new parks in their town
This provided the inspiration for the residents who fight against — you guessed it — Leslie's proposal for a new park
who served as a consultant for the first season of Parks and Rec
has also shared many stories about his dealings with the public as a government employee
"I thought that stories of interesting and bizarre community engagement events would be interesting to the producers and writers," he recounted in 2015
experience all sorts of imaginable and unimaginable experiences
the Parks and Rec folks give me that incredulous look of bewilderment or even disbelief about some of my stories
While Pawnee is not a real city in Indiana, it is based on a city that is brought up several times throughout the show. You may remember Jerry Gergich mentioning that he and his wife own a timeshare in Muncie
this prompts Tom Haverford to question his choice of vacation destinations
While you won't find Pawnee's cultural hallmarks in Muncie
the team behind Parks and Rec did look to Muncie for inspiration and research while sketching out Pawnee
In an interview with Wired
fact-checker Greg Levine explained that he kept up with small-town politics in Muncie to make sure the internal workings of Pawnee's local government seemed realistic
many of the maps of Pawnee that are shown in the series are simply maps of Muncie turned upside down
Funnily enough, at least one of the cast members had no idea that Muncie actually existed. When Aubrey Plaza, who played April Ludgate, was asked if she was familiar with Muncie, she replied
Leslie knows all about the founding of the town
Reverend Luther Howell planted the first flag on the land where Pawnee would stand
He also started the first Lutheran church in the town
the Native American Wamapoke tribe was already living there
who ended up forcing them out in pretty horrific ways
This kicked off centuries of unjust treatment from the settlers towards the Wamapoke people
But how did Pawnee get its name in the first place
Howell originally wanted to call the town "Paradise." Unfortunately
His attempt at writing "Paradise" was misinterpreted as "Pawnee." Of course
Every Parks and Rec fan is familiar with Pawnee's rivalry with the neighboring town of Eagleton
But this rivalry is not a modern phenomenon — in fact
Eagleton was originally founded by some of the wealthiest citizens who lived in Pawnee in the early 1800s
They decided to leave Pawnee because they were unsatisfied with the soil quality and detested the smell of the town
They headed off in search of greener pastures and founded Eagleton on top of a nearby hot spring
which gives the city its own "micro-climate," allowing palm trees to grow there
and the entire town smells like vanilla thanks to the local cupcake factory
When Leslie ends up in an Eagleton jail cell
she finds that even the prisoners are served herbal tea and Greek yogurt
Ever since the first Eagletonians left Pawnee
residents of both towns have held negative opinions of each other
They finally have to set their differences aside when Eagleton goes bankrupt and the town is incorporated into Pawnee
Pawnee was briefly taken over by a cult called the Reasonabilists
this strange group was far from reasonable
They believed that a giant lizard called Zorp the Surveyor would take over the world and wipe out humanity
This earned the cult the nickname "The Zorpies" from the residents of Pawnee
who wrote the groups' two foundational texts: Organize It
the group has dwindled to only a few followers and their current leader
the Reasonabilists predict that the end of the world is nigh
and they hold an all-night vigil at a park in Pawnee to await it
Scaifer is happy to adjust his apocalypse predictions based on which nights the park is available for booking
The walls of Pawnee City Hall are covered in colorful murals
but look a little closer and you'll see that the history they depict is rather depressing
but even she can't help but express shame when she describes exactly what's going on in these tableaus
there's the "Turnbill Mansion Wedding" mural
depicting a wedding between a white woman and a Wamapoke Chief ..
which turned into a bloodbath that only two horses survived
Then there's the mural of the traveling magician who wandered into Pawnee in 1973 and tried to impress the locals by pulling a rabbit out of a hat
There's also the infamous "Spirit of Pawnee" mural
which includes stereotypical caricatures of practically every group that has lived in Pawnee over the centuries
but when all of the new design proposals proved unsatisfactory
it was simply renamed "The Diversity Express."
we see just how strange it can get behind the scenes when you're working for local government
just "being Indian" was considered a crime that was punishable by death
Women were also banned from showing their elbows — it was considered a Class-A felony
she had to endure a cruel punishment: She was sent adrift on Lake Michigan on an ice floe to become a "human popsicle."
Pawnee did not even have a proper law enforcement system
because local sheriffs had either quit their jobs or died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds after drinking too much
the locals would settle all of their problems by brawling
a bare-knuckle fight was your only option for seeking justice
Every town has to deal with local critters
Pawnee has had a serious raccoon infestation
Leslie resents the fact that she was born at a hospital in Eagleton because when her mother went into the labor
the hospital in Pawnee was overrun by raccoons
This means that Pawnee has been struggling to deal with the raccoons for decades
the local raccoon population has begun evolving
While raccoons are typically nocturnal animals, the raccoons in Pawnee are active during the daytime as well. They're also more aggressive than your average raccoon. As the Parks Department prepares for a local Christmas celebration, Ron Swanson remarks that if the raccoons are not removed from the Christmas village
The town's ineffective animal control department also has to contend with a local opossum problem — when they're not getting high and ignoring their duties
Pawnee has had many different town slogans throughout its existence
previous mayors took some unorthodox foreign policy stances with slogans like "Welcome German Soldiers" and "Welcome Vietnamese Soldiers." When the Reasonabilists were running the show
town slogans included "Engage with Zorp" and "Zorp is Dead
Fourth in Obesity." Since the local Sweetums candy company employs so many people in the town
obesity has become a public health crisis in Pawnee
the town hosts a public forum where residents can voice their opinions on a new potential slogan
our heroes have to listen to quite a few nonsensical suggestions before hearing anything with potential
One lifelong resident comes up with the slogan
even this process doesn't go smoothly: When she presents her idea
It seems like every old building has a haunted floor or room that you feel hesitant about entering
Pawnee City Hall is no different: Employees try to avoid the fourth floor at all costs
This is where the DMV and probation offices are located
It's also where people go for divorce filings and marriage licenses
Leslie finds out that Tom is getting a divorce from his wife
when she runs into them on the fourth floor
The Parks Department employees prefer to stay away from the fourth floor
someone set up a popcorn machine on the fourth floor
and everyone who ate the popcorn had to get throat surgery
Although nothing supernatural goes on in Parks and Rec
it does seem like the fourth floor of City Hall is basically cursed
Most people think of librarians as kindly people who just want to encourage a love of reading in others
ruthless bunch of bureaucrats." Her anger towards them only grows when they put in a bid for the Sullivan Street pit
They want to build a library on the lot instead
One reason Leslie can't stand the library and tries to stay away from the librarians? Ron's ex-wife, Tammy
She's a manipulative woman who Ron loves to hate – every time she comes around
he falls under her spell and turns into another
Tammy hopes that rekindling her relationship with Ron will help her secure the lot
and she brags to Leslie that this is how they get things done at the library
Ron and Leslie both agree that even accounting for all of her other flaws
the worst thing about Tammy is simply the fact that she works for the library
she needs to come up with creative ways to promote her campaign
As she wrote a book entitled Pawnee: The Greatest Town in America
she hopes that local talk show host Joan Callamezzo will choose it for her book club
boosting sales and bringing more attention to Leslie's campaign
But Joan sets off a controversy when she reveals that Leslie was actually born in Eagleton
she does select it for her book club — but not without putting a big "Gotcha!" sticker on the book
Pawnee: The Greatest Town in America wasn't just a prop for the show — it's actually a real book
and the author really is listed as "Leslie Knope." In her book
Leslie takes the reader through the entire history of Pawnee
She also lays out an itinerary for the perfect day in her hometown
with commentary from other citizens of Pawnee
If you catch yourself wishing there could be another season of Parks and Rec
Paula played village favourite Betty Eagleton..
Emmerdale star Paula Tilbrook
who played iconic villager Betty Eagleton for 21 years
The actress actually passed away last December, but the news was officially announced today with an obituary posted on The Stage website
Paula is best known to soap fans as gossip-loving
Betty soon found herself at the centre of many Emmerdale storylines and was the former lover of Seth Armstrong
WHAT IS ON TONIGHT? Check out our NEW and improved TV Guide
reviews and unmissable series to watch and more
The pair eventually went to stay in Australia
but Betty got homesick and returned home without Seth
but sadly Seth died of a heart attack on the plane journey back to the UK
Paula was a firm favourite in Emmerdale for more than 20 years before retiring from the soap in 2015
The last time Betty was mentioned in Emmerdale was back in February this year when the character called Laurel to tell her Sandy Thomas had died
Paula also appeared in Coronation Street in 1973 as Estelle Plimpton
and reappeared on the cobbles as Olive Taylor-Brown in 1978 and 1980
Paula later starred in Last of the Summer Wine and Open All Hours
Her film credits include Yanks and Alan Bennett's A Private Function
Her family announced her passing with a statement made via Emmerdale today..
"The family of Paula Tilbrook are sad to confirm the peaceful passing of their beloved Paula
She died of natural causes a few months ago at home with her loved ones beside her
The family respectfully requests privacy at this difficult time."
Emmerdale will temporarily air a reduced schedule of three episodes a week
Claire CrickAssistant Managing Editor at What To WatchClaire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years
writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty
After starting her career at a soap magazine
and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return
sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall
and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia.
After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film
She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan
swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs
and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes
There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz!
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