Who is Wendy RUOCCO?
A Paigntonian from 4months....born in Enfield, mum a Londoner and dad the Paigntonian .
My love for Paignton is from growing up in a safe and lovely environment when fields and woods and the local zoo were our playground. During a glorious childhood no farmers land was off bounds, they were for us vast desserts, and imaginary mountains dotted with shacks and isolated barns..each with resident owl. These hedge divided fields were known always by the owners name, Ridds farm, Blanks,Tuckers, Aish, Hunts.
The local reservoir, a dangerous and forbidden place was within easy reach and fences easy to scale. The reservoir lay within easy reach of Sunday school, a short walk through Great Parks path fields, hopefully no cows! A large housing estate exists there now. My parents were oblivious to how we played...balancing precariously on narrow walkways between deep holding tanks,and me a non swimmer! Impossible when living so close to the sea!
The beach was my other love, anyone growing up in Paignton will be familiar with The harbour end, Preston sands,The green and the pier. The seafront safe and family friendly made Paignton a must go to holiday destination, every Easter time came an influx of families who’d made the trip from cities on the smoky steam train. How daring it was for us kids to stand high on the foot bridge beside Woolworths as the train belched its all entombing soot over us!
These are just a few memories of a free and innocent childhood which formed my sometimes idealistic view of a ‘perfect world’ my art hopefully reflects this....
Wendy Ruocco...Later life
Trained in horticulture my interest has never waned, I sometimes wonder how I came to catering, but by marrying an Italian chef come to it I did! With 3 children running a restaurant has at times been hard, but always fulfilling and the knowledge gained from the catering industry, fascinating. Owning our restaurant Quo Vadis in Paignton is another story and one I’m working on.
The restaurant walls became a great gallery for showing off my artwork . Selling the occasional piece of work fired my enthusiasm and created some lively conversations with customers. It’s a great feeling to know someone wants a piece of your work on their wall.
This is an informative platform only to highlight my interest in writing and painting.
I went to Hayes rd school followed by Curledge street secondary modern for girls.
Leaving school at 15 various employment opportunities followed but not until getting a job in horticulture did I find my professional field, horticulture became my passion while still allowing time for art. I continued courses at Paignton art school learning a lot.
Projects for the future include more painting, and finishing writing already started.
QUO VADIS our restaurant in Paignton since 1986 is now soon to close due to our retirement, however we can still be followed on social media and any announcements or newsworthy items will be seen there. Images of new paintings will also be posted on Facebook or this website for those who may be interested.
will be seen there. New paintings also will be posted there and on this website for those who may be interested.
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