Folk Fest for Teignmouth

It is always a delight to see and hear traditional English music and dance all around the town and doubly pleasing for me to receive an invitation to the opening concert at the Carlton Theatre. The Folk Festival receive support from the Councillors' Community Fund and Teignbridge residents and visitors certainly get full value for money from this fantastic weekend. Everything was laid on from Punch and Judy for the children, Sea Shanties, Folk Groups, and Morris dancing in the streets. Quirky names like The New Rope String Band, The Widders and Paddy's Whiskers appeared with traditional Morris groups including Shuffle the Deck, Heather and Gorse, Green Willow Clog and Knockhundred Shuttles among the many non-stop performances.

Party in the Park

Saturday, 13th June proved to be a very lucky number for the Teignmouth Hospital League of Friends who held their bi-annual Party in the Park Fete to raise funds for patients in the Community. I have had a long association with the Teignmouth League of Friends and was delighted to be invited to open the Fete and even more pleased when I heard that over £1,000 had been raised. The focus of patient care within the NHS has shifted considerably over the past decade with more priority given to helping people stay in their own homes. Volunteering in Health work hard to meet the needs of patients and are always looking for more willing folk to assist in this vital work.

Lest We Forget

Remembering Comrades: The weekend of 6th June 2009 marked the 65th Anniversary of D-Day and the Normandy landings and we saw on our televisions Piper Bill Millin of Dawlish, immortalised in the archive films of that Day, being given back the original bagpipes he doggedly played as the troops poured on to the beaches whilst facing the onslaught of enemy guns.

On Sunday, 7th June I represented the Council at a moving ceremony called Decoration Day held in Wolborough Cemetery, Newton Abbot. The timing had to be exactly precise as an identical ceremony was taking place across the world by Comrades in Arms in a town called Medicine Hat, in Alberta Canada, organised by the Royal Canadian Legion. Tributes were paid to the fallen by the Mayor of Newton Abbot, Cllr. David Howe, Armed Services and representatives from local organisations planted simple wooden crosses at the foot of each white headstone lined in military precision within a peaceful memorial garden area.

Future Olympians

Sails Away! An invitation to the Starcross Yacht Club based at Powderham Point for the presentation of the Volvo Champion Club Status flag and plaque. The Club occupies an idyllic position on the Exe Estuary, perfect for introducing young people to the skills of dinghy sailing. The Volvo Award is hard won and to achieve this highly valued recognition the Club had to satisfy a very strict criteria of team work, respect for others, and sailing proficiency under RYA rules. Especially important is that the young trainees are supported totally by a backup team of dedicated volunteers. The Commodore and Flag Officers organise training, sailing races and events throughoughout the year for all the family to join in. To see so many children and young people,their faces shining with delight at the Club's achievement was a real tonic. They listened enraptured to visiting Olympians Ben Rhodes and Stevie Morrison who came along for the presentations and to give the children inspiration that sailing excellence at international level was achievable. Well done everyone!

Respects to a former colleague

The start of the month saw my official attendance at the funeral service of former Teignbridge District Councillor Bill Oxburgh who served the residents of Moretonhampstead, Devon for a number of years. Tributes from his family remembered the long life of a highly respected professional engineer, farmer, devoted family man and stalwart of the community.