Classic Car Show 2009

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!!

An Evening with Vince Cable MP

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)