Councillor Anne Lonsdale's personal blog
Welcome to my blog†.
My name is Anne Lonsdale, Teignbridge District Councillor and Kingsteignton Town Councillor. I am a Liberal Democrat Member for Kingsteignton West Ward in South Devon, which comprises the Parishes of Kingsteignton West and Teigngrace.
My committee membership within the District Council includes the Overview & Scrutiny and Development Control Committees. I am also a member of the Licensing Act 2003 Committee and a substitute for the Licensing Sub Committees.
My responsibilities within the Parish Council include Recreation & Footpaths and Community Hall & The Fountain.
The purpose of this site is to try and keep you informed about my role and provide you with information about developments in Teignbridge District Council and our local Ward Kingsteignton West.
I will clarify my responsibilities in future blogs...
Merry Christmas to all my 'Blog' Readers. December has ascended in a rush with many organisations arranging fund raising events. Saturday 5th December was exceedingly busy. I helped at Rydon Community Hall where we were fundraising for the Swimming Pool which needs a new boiler. I called into the URC church hall where they were setting up for their Christmas Fayre. My next visit was a fundraising event for Kingsteignton/Orbec Twinning Association.
On Wednesday 2nd December I attended the Victorian Evening at Newton Abbot. It was well attended even though the rain persisted. It was good to see such a community event where all ages could take part. The children dressed up in victorian clothes had smiles and eager faces in anticipation. I took a break to listen to the Newton Abbot Ukelele Band. Lastly the Mayor David Howe and Deputy Mayoress Carol Bunday ( who is a personal friend) gave a tour of the stalls.
Much more news throughout December.....Keep in touch
I have found a new exercise helping me lose weight and also a great way to destress. I set out this week, with new found friend Cilla. We had met early september on the course previously arranged by Dartmoor National Park with Ranger Elaine Sylvester at Two Bridges. We set out this week, and chose to walk to the granite railway at Haytor this time. This was easier walking so that we could practice our walking with nordic poles properly using our correct muscles. The walking poles give balance and confidence and aid walking in a faster, rythmic system. We stopped along the way to view the beautiful scenery of the moor. It was an ideal day for walking, a cool breeze, a little warm sunshine at intervals. People were out walking their dogs, people seeking out the moorland letter boxes, others climbing Haytor Rock.
We came across the lake near the quarry at Haytor. We met a professor with his geological students. They were from Bridgewater College and enjoying their studies looking at the structure of the granite rocks. On the way back we passed moorland cows with their calves. We called in at the newly built Moorland Information Centre and viewed the countryside we had enjoyed on the VDU film. The centre is much better than the caravan it had replaced. Outside we enjoyed a cup of coffee on the new decking area seated on a bench given by Dartmoor National Park and Ilsington Parish Council. We listened to the birdsong and looked for wild life in the nearby copse. Watch out for our November walk which will be around Princetown.
Saturday 10th October saw me at Two Bridges on Dartmoor on a course learning to walk with Nordic Poles. I am retired and not the most agile but I thought walking with poles would give me better balance. I met our trainer and Dartmoor Guide Elaine Sylvester. We started with exercises to stretch our muscles and then through the gates and off up a hill. I was terribly out of condition but Elaine encouraged me and I was able to go at my own speed, stopping occasionally to get my breath. This was a good excuse to take in the scenery. We saw Wistan Woods and the Tors, two huntsmen exercising their dogs and various parties of people taking in good fresh air of the moors. The poles Elaine explained were to help us walk faster. Moor/More News next time....
Just to say that the Liberal Democrat Party had 'green' policies before any other party. Teignbridge District Council encourage recycling and have a record 57% success rate for 2008/2009. This is a rise from the low 13% when we joined with Independent colleagues to run Teignbridge in 2003. Nationally Teignbridge is 6th for its recycling and second for the low amount of waste we throw away.
Teignbridge also took part in the national 'No Car day'. My Teignbridge colleague and Devon County Councillor Gordon Hook (instigator of Composting , recycling of tin and introducing the kitchen caddy programme) is champion for Liberal Democrat Green Issues. So before voting for another party click here and see just what the Liberal Democrats stand for.
With Christmas on the way there will be certain individuals who are out to make a quick "quid" at your expense. For example check your change whilst out shopping. The Elderly are an easy target.
During October councillors were alerted by Consumer Direct to Scams around the country. For our area one scam was an alert at Race Courses. The British Horse-racing Authority alerts punters and tries to ban phoney tipsters from courses. Most scams are short-lived and the perpetrators move on and change details.
Prize Draws, we are told do not participate and on no occasion send money for your prize to be "processed.
Phony Psychics and Spanish or Canadian Lottery were another two examples of what is there to take our money under false pretentions.
For the full story click
here for the link
In my capacity as a school Governor of Rydon School I am particularly interested in this piece of news to pass on to my readers.
It has just been announced that from Monday 19th October 2009 Devon Schools will launch a campaign to persuade Government to tackle the inequalities in funding for schools and end the post-code lottery that affects the country's young people.
A website promoting the campaign's aims, the facts about government funding of schools in Devon and the latest news about the issue is now available at this
link.......
The issue of 'Litter' has become more than a problem for Kingsteignton, especially in the area of the Fountain. At night time youths congregate to meet their friends and unwind after college or work. What nicer venue in the fresh air to chat, eat fish and chips from our local 'chippie' or sandwiches from Tesco Express. When night time comes this little area comes alive with music from the Kings Arms Pub and lit up from the Oakford Club......AND THEN THE SCENE IS SPOILT BY THE LITTER LEFT BEHIND!!!!!!!!!
All we are asking of you is .....to find the bin to put it in. If not..... £75 fine to pay if you are caught
KEEP KINGSTEIGNTON TIDY PLEASE
I would also like to remind you that your local Citizens Advice Bureau is on hand in Newton Abbot, Teignmouth and Dawlish open to everyone, irrespective to where you live. They give free advice but a donation is always acceptable.
The CAB do visit people who are home-bound.
Another help is the new arrangement of Credit Unions. Teign Reach Provides financial Services in Teignbridge and they are part of Plough & Share Credit Union Ltd. I noticed a lot of these credit unions were used in the smaller communities I visited around Beacon and Poughkeepsie areas north of New York, along the Hudson River.
People are asked to save regularly for 12 weeks. This enables applying for a loan three times your savings. The interest rate is 1% on the reducing balance whatever the size of the loan. (APR 12.68%)
More information here about Teign Reach.
On Sunday 16th August I attended the Classic Car Show in Support of 'Help the Heroes' at Olde Forde House. My very first visit to a car show of any discription. It was a beautiful day which must have been a help to my neighbours Nigel and Jenny Preece who organise these events. At 10am there was a short service held by the Reverend Tim Woods from URC church Kingsteignton and Avenue Road. We took a turn around the stalls to Devon Air Ambulance. Also paid a visit for some advice on training dogs from the Devon German Shepherd Dog Rescue Stall. A touch of nostalgia when I remembered my Uncle Wilf Beckley from Winkleigh North Devon with his Ford and my Grandad Stanley Hearn from Devonport Plymouth with his Austin both in the 1950's.
Unfortunately I had to leave for another venue, with a promise to be back for the prize giving in the afternoon where the Mayor of Newton Abbot David Howe would be in attendance.
Stover Canal
At 12noon my daughter and I visited the site of the Stover Canal which had been cleared over the period of three years. We took a walk along the towpath which had been mown especially for this weekend. Along the towpath are information posts about the history of Stover Canal, the Templar family and the clay being transported by barge to Teignmouth Docks. We enjoyed a cream tea on our return to the exhibition area. We had been there on the previous day and had attended the tent with photos presented by the Barn Owl Trust at Stover and bought a Christmas Pudding in aid of their fundraising. I know it will be money well spent!!
On Saturday 18th July Teignbridge Liberal Democrat Party held a dinner in honour of Dr Vince Cable, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party and MP for Twickenham.
Grace and the Gladstonian Toast was given by the Reverend Tom Bush. A welcome speech was given by Dawlish Councillor Wally Protheroe.
A speech of introduction was given by Teignbridge MP Richard Younger Ross. We then settled down to a very delicious meal in the dining room of the Langstone Cliff Hotel. Over coffee, Dr Cable gave a very interesting and encouraging speech which to a new councillor such as myself, in the middle of my first term, was encouraging to hear. He pronounced that although there was an economic downturn we should not stand still. Questions were asked about funding for new roads and Low Carbon transport.
Dr Cable who read Natural Science and Economics at Cambridge University and his PhD at Glasgow University. He has published several books on international economics, trade and the environment. His most recent book which I intend to borrow from the library, "The Storm" The World Economic Crisis (Atlantic) 2009.
Afterwards there was time to be introduced to Dr Cable where I enlisted his help for a constituent. (See photographs)
A Seminar of two day workshops took place at the Racecourse on Thursday and Friday 16th and 17th July was hosted presented by: Teignbridge Strategic Partnership, Teignbridge District Council and Consultants Homes & Communities Atlas.
I went along armed with Kingsteignton Community Plan and the Ward Profile. Leader of the Council Alan Connett was there briefly and I explained to him that my idea was to try and fuse the Survey Analysis for the Kingsteignton Area to the Vision of Teignbridge .
I realised this was going to be a difficult undertaking. Alan introduced me to Mary Elkington, Growth Point Officer of Teignbridge District Council and she arranged to sit at my table next to me throughout the first workshop.
This was a thrilling exercise to try and do. The people at my table for this workshop had to make their contribution also. They were John Collier Marsh Service Lead for Development Control; Alison Galby, DCC. Adult Services; Sue Craythorne Equality officer DCC and along side me, Mary Elkington, Neil Blaney Facilitator TSP and Marie Stainwright TDC.
During the second session Roger Harding joined our table and gave his perspective from the Stover Canal and Bovey Basin including Teigngrace. Also with us was a delegate from the University of Plymouth giving his perspective from Seale Hayne.
Feedback from these sessions is promised during the month of August.
Age Concern Devon are piloting and promoting a three year project, unique to Teignbridge, thatoffers initial practical support for people over the age of 50 who find themselves facing somepersonal difficulty.
The service can arrange for a trained and CRB checked Volunteer Advocate to make a homevisit to help and support residents to manage some practical tasks such as:
- Organising funeral arrangements
- Offering support and guidance to help adjustment to living alone – for example help withhousehold correspondence.
- Assisting with making arrangements for people to view residential or nursing homes if apartner or spouse has to consider long term care.
As an elected councillor I am promoting this valuable service within my community!
The service can be contacted on:
0845 296 7810
Lines are open:
Monday – Thursday 9.00am – 4.30pm
Friday ..................... 9.00am – 4.00pm
If you would like any further information on how the Council is working with Age ConcernDevon please contact Steve Matson, Service Lead for Community & Culture on 01626215110 or email
steve.matson@teignbridge.gov.uk
On Wednesday 9th July at 1.30am our troup of Kingsteignton Twinners returned from Orbec.
We enjoyed a heavy itinerary. Orbec had asked us to take part in a programme that would gain them an award from Europe. By visiting different sites in Le Pays D'Auge we would be able to discuss and learn from each other how we live Europe locally.
We walked to the River Orbiquet's tributary of la Touques to see how river cleansing aided the Trout swimming upstream to spawn. Five Communities have signed up to a committment to reach a good ecological state by 2015. This includes development of works crossing or blocking the streams and the management of cattle and effluence.
Our second tour was to a Recycling Centre. The last European Directive in August 2008 asked for Waste Disposal as a last resort. The centre is a collection point for specialist organisation to collect refuse kept in containers and taken to be treated and made use of in other areas. For instance Tyres are used as material for road making. Wood waste is crushed and massed and used for fuel.
On we went to visit a farm managed to European Standards. Managed by a family of three brothers with 20 years farming experience. In 1996 an agreement was set up to manage a farm of 210 hectares for 96 cows including breeding, up to 120 female calves and 100 bulls.
There were other European Business we went to see including Furniture Manufacture where a subsidy is given for 3 years to employ 25 people.
After the first day we were all exhausted but we had to save our energy to see Monet's Garden, The Cathedral at Evereux and ofcourse to the Mairie in Orbec to see our Mayor Mike Walters and Mayor Ettiene Cool sign the Twinning Seal, followed by a banquet and a display of National Dance and singing.
On Saturday 27th June there was a preliminary Cycle Race to the 100mile Dartmoor Race. According to the Mid Devon Advertiser the Dartmoor Race will not include the Kingsteignton areas because of the trouble that ensued. Had this event been managed and properly marshalled everyone could have benefited.
As I see it this was a lost opportunity for the economy of Kingsteignton. Both the Sandygate Inn and the Ten Tors Inn could have been a family venue for a few hours out in the fresh air and it could have encouraged young people to take up cycling which would be good for their health, promote a cleaner environment and lessen congestion within the town.
In this time of recession Kingsteignton needs to grab every opportunity to promote its economy. With consultation with the Town Council and the wider community this could have been a good event.
Normandy Veteran Harry Leach of "Fairwaters" Kingsteigton ujndertook a parachure drop to commemorate the Normandy landings Anniversary. Harry was a member of the Parachute Regiment that landed on the beaches in France in June 1944, to liberate the French people when the German Army invaded and occupied their country. Harry disclosed to friends he would like to do it all over again. For photographs and more information click here for a link to the Kingsteignton/Orbec Twinning Association.
I attended a slide show and talk on the history of the Stover Canal and the plans for its future. This was given by the Chairman of Stover Canal Society. I had previously bought the book by Helen Harris ' The Haytor Granite Tramway and Stover Canal. Mr Harding's presentation gave the experience of "living " in the age of the 18th Century and the Templer family. My daughter accompanied me and we indulged in a delightful supper given by the committee to which we gladly gave a monetry contribution which will go towards the further clearing of the canal giving an added amenity to the community enjoying the countryside along Templer Way a walking route described in 'Kingsteignton Ways' the parish walks guide, www.stovercanal.co.uk
Only one case has been found in Devon and that was in the Torbay Area. There is no need for hysteria say our Emergency Office. His job is to make sure that the flow of business continues as usual.
If you have concerns about your family's health you may wish to contact NHS Direct before making an unnecessary visit to your doctor. Alternatively you may wish to call them on 0845 4647.
On 3rd July 2009 Kingsteignton Twinning Association will start their five day visit to their twinned town of Orbec in Normandy. This will be my second trip to Orbec where I discovered among other things that their postmen drive around in yellow vans. This year our trip includes a visit to Monet's Garden. Kingsteignton/Orbec Twinning Association (KOTA) are looking for new Members, click here for website
2009 is going to be such a challenge to many people in different ways. So instead of wishing you "A Happy New Year", here are some suggestions to help your year along in some practical ways:
Here at Teignbridge District Council we have a working Credit Crunch Commission .
I would also like to remind you that your local Citizens Advice Bureau is on hand in Newton Abbot, Teignmouth and Dawlish open to everyone, irrespective to where you live. They give free advice but a donation is always acceptable. The CAB do visit people in their own homes or make arrangements for an outreach meeting in the vicinity.
Another help is the new arrangement of Credit Unions. Teign Reach is just one of Credit Unions in Newton Abbot.
Teignbridge District Council also have information on other Credit Unions.
I will be in touch in April with further helpful information.
I would have liked to have wished my blog-readers a happy new year. For many people 2009 will be a year of disappointing issues. At Teignbridge the District council have commissioned a committee to look at ways that people can be helped along the way in the recession. It is best described in the following link. Link to Credit Crunch Support.
The Government are encouraging people to take up all their benefits. This may be difficult for the older person but benefits must be looked at as a 'right' especially if for one reason or another you have been affected by the recession. I am retired now but during my working life I have visited the Job centre on many occasions as a client.
I see this as a time for innovation, discovering new ideas for future employment. What about a band of white collar workers getting together to start their own industry?
The unexpected cold spell and snow in the first two weeks of February brought another bout of flooding to Sandygate. It had been hoped that the flood innitiatives under-gone in November would have helped and indeed it did to a certain extent. WBB gave consent for another ditch to be dug and Devon County Council gave the funding.This time KM Courtiers came to rescue immediately the flooding occurred which lessened the chances of water damage to surrounding houses.
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