Bowing Out

The AGM and the end of my year as Chairman has arrived. What a year it has been and I hope those friends who have dipped into my blog have gained an insight into the work of the Civic Head of a Local Authority. Some Authorities such as Exeter and Plymouth have ancient traditions and a bit more pomp to follow but throughout this last year all of us in the Devon "Chain Gang" have had a wonderful time and have ended our terms of office as firm friends, already planning a reunion dinner. My Chairman's Charity Sense supporting the deafblind benefitted from my fundraising efforts and I was delighted to present a cheque for £3,651.64 to Peter Holman. (pictured) Thanks to my Chaplain, the Rev. Graham Stones and my Secretary Alison Beckenham for supporting me during my Chairmanship and to all colleagues and staff at Teignbridge District Council for cheering me on! I handed over the Chain to my successor, Cllr. Stephen Purser (pictured) who represents the Teign Valley, a glorious area of Devon and I wish him every success. My husband Bill handed the Consort's Chain to Mrs. Clare Purser. Without Bill's support by my side throughout the year I could not have done the job. He kept the conversation flowing when I was entertaining guests and drove me to all engagements. No Official Jag for the Chairman of Teignbridge!

The role of Civic Head and Prayers before a formal Council meeting are under threat as never before and it is up to all of us to make sure that Civic pride and our national heritage as a Christian country with our Soverign at it's head stays strong and protected through these turbulent and troubling times.

A Soiree for SENSE

My Charity for the year has been Sense - Devon which cares for children and young people born deafblind. As part of the Teignmouth Harp Festival I held a Soiree at historic Bitton House, Teignmouth and Florence Sitruk, Harp, Christoph Bunzendahl, Cello together with Mezzo Soprano Nicola Smedley and pianist Stephen Lea generously gave their services free of charge. The evening was a black tie event followed by a buffet supper and the event raised over £1000 for Sense. The setting and atmosphere was perfect with music by Vivaldo, Bach, Meldelssohn, Chopin and Debussy floating from the Salon over the grounds of the former home of Lord Exmouth. Photo by media photographer Alan Craig - alancraig@blueyonder.co.uk

Elias Parish Alvars Festival

Teignmouth rolled out the red carpet once again for Harp Virtuoso Florence Sitruk, Cellist Christoph Bunzendahl and her team of classical musicians from all over Europe. Parish Alvars was born in Teignmouth and was the master of the Harp and it's influence on the music of the 19th century. Despite a nail biting few days when Florence made a frantic overland dash to reach Teignmouth when the Icelandic Volcano shut down all air travel, they arrived safely to perform a series of concerts in St.James' Church where Parish Alvars father played the organ. Seminars and workshops for young students were held around the town. Supporting the Festival with Florence and Christoph were Olga Polonsky Violin, Agne Keblyte, Giula Ott and Jana Bouskova Harp, Jaap Kruithof Cello and and a lecture by Peter Francois, President of the Servais Society on the life of Francois Servais (1807-1866) "A Touring Cellist in the Golden Age of Virtuosity". An unforgettable performance by Harpist Jana Bouskova (pictured) a regular guest of the world's foremost conceert platforms, was the highlight of the Festival. http://www.eliasparishalvars-festival.com/

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution

A service of Evensong was held at Exeter Cathedral to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of this charitable organisation. Guests were led by the Lord Lieutenant, the High Sheriff of Devon and South West Civic Heads. The Cathedral was full and farming families from all over the South West gathered together to acknowledge the work of the Institution and in particular the help given to struggling farmers in these difficult times.

Play England

The achievements of the Environmental Play Spaces Project in Teignbridge supported by the Big Lottery concluded with an exhibition at Forde House demonstrating the various play features created in six areas of the District all joined together in a Play Trail from Haldon Forest through to Bridford. All the play structures had been built from natural materials and will continue to be used in years to come. The project was supported by Devon County Council and Teignbridge District Council in partnership with primary schools and environmental groups. For more information contact Jane.Sharp@teignbridge.gov.uk

"The Great Patriotic War"

Russia refers to the Second World War as "The Great Patriotic War". The ex-patriat Russian community in South Devon gathered at a service of Remembrance at the War Memorial in Northernhay Gardens, Exeter on the 65th Anniversary of the end of the War to honour those who fought and died in the Stalingrad Battle. The ceremony was supported by Standard Bearers of the British Legion, The Embassy of the Russian Federation, English veterans of the Artic Convoys, the Twinning Associations of Exeter-Yaroslavi and Plymouth-Novorossiysk, Russian compatriots and many other Russian organisations linked to the South West. The Lord Mayor of Exeter attended and I was invited to represent Teignbridge District Council and our increasing links with Russian business and educational interests. An Offical Letter from the City of Violgograd (Stalingrad) was read by Liubov Jeffs of Russian Touch Ltd. (pictured) At the end of the ceremony a dove of peace was released along with pigeons to remember the many who owe their lives to those feathered messengers who carried news and codes back to the Allied forces.

Enquiries to Liubov at victoryday65@gmail.com

Arts and Crafts on Polling Day

Just to prove that there are other things to focus on besides Opinion Polls the congregation at St. James' Church, West Teignmouth set up it's first Arts and Crafts Exhibition with displays of painting, craftwork, jewellery, embroidery and much more. The sheer volume of exhibits was quite unexpected for such a small band of dedicated people to gather together and there is no doubt that this will become an annual event to rival the Flower Festival at St. Michael's East Teignmouth. The opening of this three day event on the day of the General Election was a master stroke ensuring a constant supply of people leaving the Polling Station next door to pop and see what the exhibition was all about.