Teignbridge Crisis Support Service

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

Vivre Le Jumelage Orbec and Kingsteignton

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.

Dartmoor Cycle Race

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.

Congratulations Harry !!

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.

Stover Canal

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

Swine Flu and what to do.

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.

Kingsteignton goes to Orbec

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