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)

Vision of Teignbridge - 2031

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.

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.