Holiday Walks

Thought I'd share with regular and irregular readers a few notes on a little exercise, lots of fresh air and the enjoyable coastal scenes experienced over the last week.

The first was along the beach at Teignmouth, and with the tide being very low, was able to walk the whole length of the beach including rounding Spray Point.

The second, a little more challenging, was a walk from Torquay to Brixham - a little up and down with a number of steps to say the least. The return journey was by bus! 

The end - phew:)

War Horse Further Update

A further update on the Rotary Club of Ashburton/Buckfastleigh showing of the 'War Horse'  - the target of 700 ticket contributions has been reached in 10 days. Thank you to all who have been so generous.

War Horse update

Thanks to the generous support of so many, after a week the Rotary Club of Ashburton/Buckfastleigh has received contributions for over 500 seats, for Monday 9th January showing of the War Horse.

Out target is to fill two screens amounting to 700 seats. The chosen charities are shown on the previous Blog.

Thank you.

Rotary Club of Ashburton/Buckfastleigh - War Horse - SW Premiere

With my Rotarian hat on, regular, even irregular readers of this Blog might be interested in the flyer below. Filmed down here its got to be a must, and on the day after the UK premiere.

Ashburton ad Buckfastleigh Town Councils

This week has seen both Ashburton and Buckfastleigh Town Council monthly meetings. If you have not attended your Town Council meetings, I urge residents to do so. The volume of local issues covered, and the time your local Councillors give to your towns, all on a voluntary basis, is amazing. For details of their agendas and minutes go onto the appropriate web sights.

Harewood House, Buckfastleigh new affordable housing development

Thanks to Teign Housing and developers Coyde, and Teignbridge District Council Housing for the opportunity to view the new affordable housing scheme of 10 houses and bungalows at Harewood House Buckfastleigh. I understand these houses are built to Code 4 and include air source heat pumps.

These homes are located in Buckfastleigh within Dartmoor National Park, and the design and layout of the Close captures the ambiance of the National Park.

The first occupants are due to move in on Monday.

When Two or Three are Gathered Together...

...We live in challenging times, as well many of our local communities are all to well aware. So it has been a pleasure and privilege to be able to be part of the celebrations in the communities of Ashburton and Buckfastleigh over this last week, at the commencement of this festive season.

Last Friday night, the Rotary Club of Ashburton/Buckfastleigh put on its annual charity Christmas Concert at St Luke's Church, with music provided by the Newton Abbot Orchestra under Maestro Rob Young. They played a selection of seasonal works, carols and even a couple of world premiere pieces. A lovely evening well attended by local residents, with even some of the audience coming from Chudleigh. Thank you to all who participated, their families and the audience, and members of the St Luke's who helped  raise £738 for the chosen charities.

Sunday night, the Mayor of Ashburton Cllr. Donald Distin held his Civic Service in the Methodist Church. An evening of carols and readings, performances by the Primary School and members of the In-Con singers. A joyous but reflective celebration of this time of year, into which a lot of volunteers had put a lot of their time to make the evening such a memorable success. Thank you one and all.

Last but by no means least, on Tuesday night the Mayor of Buckfastleigh Cllr. Denise Rudgley held a 'Carols by Candlelight' event in the Town Hall. The residents attending together with members of the local youth club, joined in a selection of favourite carols and a brilliant rendition of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas'. Again than you to everyone who made this such a special evening...

'The Game's Afoot' - TDC Draft Core Strategy - Goes out to Consultation

As at 10.00hrs today Tuesday 6th December 2011 the TDC Draft Core Strategy can go forward for public consultation. In the previous Blog I have shown the process, but basically public and parishes can start to engage.

Again, it is a consultation process, and its not for me to predict the outcome, or suggest pathways that should be followed during the process, but to present the final outcome to the Planning Inspector in the fullness of time.

However, as this is a Blog and purely random thoughts can escape into the ether; were I still a Parish Clerk, I would be looking to advise Council first and foremost at which green space and lungs within the village envelop, or adjacent to it, that should be preserved for future generations to enjoy.

Having established what is the bottom line, then look at what may be needed in the future to service the community - i.e. keep the local school, shop, services etc. and then consider where both housing and employment can be located i in terms of first, second and third preferences.

Then finally work up a 'wish list' of projects, needs and requirements, that are needed to sustain  the Parish into the future. This could even be by CICs or similar Trusts.

Without any bias, one such example is Chudleigh's  Master Plan and Conservation Design Guide.

But as I say these are merely random thoughts for which no weight should be attached.

Draft Plan Takes Step Closer To Public Consultation (published 29.11.11)

Teignbridge Draft Core Strategy - a link to the latest Press Release and ways to get involved can be found at:

http://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15299

As I have stated before, this is a consultation, and there are a number of ways responses can be logged with TDC, so watch this Blog.