Happy New Year

A cold start to 2010 but nevertheless I wish my readers a 'successful' New Year. Ice and snow in Kingsteignton has been a worry. Should I clear the path or leave it as it is? Crunchy snow seemed better for a grip when walking. Salt seemed to work but I was only able to get one dispenser of table salt but soon the supermarket was out of it.



I have written to our new Leader of the County Council Councillor John Hart to have more grit boxes for our side roads. I noticed our Doctors' Surgery had a supply of grit but not on the pavements of Whiteway Road. I also notice that my milkman is able to get milk to my doorstep. I have my radio on listening to the weather reports but my advice is to stay at home, keep warm and have plenty of hot drinks. I will be in touch with more news soon....

Compliments of the Season

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

Nordic Walking

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.

Two Bridges, Dartmoor National Park

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....

Lib Dems are 'Green'

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.

Scams - Be on the alert

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

Fairer Funding for Schools

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.......