Support and Friendship for Families

Home-Start, Teignbridge was formed 20 years ago and is part of a national charitable organisation of 15000 volunteers who visit families at home each week supporting parents facing difficult situations. Teignbridge Council gives a grant each year to this organisation and I went along to their AGM to hear about the year under review. The Teignbridge Group has 76 volunteeers who supported 282 families last year and some of the case studies highlighted in the Annual Report reflect the hard fact that many families and single parents are struggling just to get through each day and benefit from the visits and group activities available. Contact by phone 01626 353700 or e-mail homestart@teignbridge.eclipse.co.uk

French Leave

The lovely Breton town of Morlaix set the scene for the bi-annual twinning get-together between the Rotary Clubs of Teignmouth and Morlaix, an occasion that has been taking place for over 40 years. Morlaix with it's famous bridge and cobbled streets was bathed in mellow autumn sunshine as our hosts gave us the warmest of welcomes and of course their famed Breton hospitality. I was welcomed to the imposing Hotel de Ville by M. Jean-Charles Pouliquen Adjoint au Maire, Madam Agnes le Brun and in the splendid Tristan Corbier Library I conveyed greetings and best wishes from Teignbridge. To mark the occasion I presented a Teignmouth Town Plaque and a History of Old Forde House (built 1610).

Samba! Samba!

The beat of Brazilian Samba bands on the Den set everyone swaying and swinging hips to the hypnotic rhythm of visiting Samba Bands to Teignmouth with exotic dancers bringing vibrant colour and a touch of Mardi Gras to this little seaside town. In between a dance teacher got groups of mums, dads and little ones in a circle to teach the steps and movements of the Samba. The event was brought to Teignmouth by a local resident in support of Childrensaid a Charity who rescue and support the street children of Brazil.

Civic Services

Autumn signals the start of the Civic Service season. The Civic Heads of the various local authorities in Devon (known as "The Chain Gang") visit each area for their annual Civic Service. This gives us all a chance to get to know the home ground of the Civic head and is held generally in the local Parish Church or Chapel. Last week we were invited by Cllr. Roy Lucas, Chairman of North Devon District Council to his service at the ancient St.Brannocks Church in the lovely village of Braunton, followed by lunch in the spacious Isaac Hall at Braunton Community College. Civic duties over, Bill and I set off for a drive around the spectacular beaches in the area, Braunton Burrows at Saunton Sands, Croyde Bay and Woolacombe full of surfers making the most of the surf and wonderful autumn weather.

A Royal Visit

HRH The Princess Royal opens new £80M extension at British Ceramic Tile Ltd. It was a privilege to be represent the District Council on such a prestigious occasion and even more of an honour for myself and my husband to be presented. What a success story this is and one with an important message for our times. The Chairman of BCT Konrad Goess-Saurau and his fellow investors had vision and saw the potential in combining access to an unlimited supply of ballclay on the doorstep with the manufacture of top quality ceramic tiles. First he had to modernise an old fashioned plant and set about creating a fully automated operation. This enabled him to challenge his competitors in Europe by cutting out the need to import raw materials and specialist tiles. Now there is a complete turnaround and BCT supply major developers and household name retailers, plus the lucrative DIY markets as well as reducing his company's carbon footprint considerably.

Armadas Beware - Bowlers About!

The summer season is drawing to a close. We have enjoyed a lovely Indian Summer of warm sunny days and balmy evenings. The Den Bowling Club on the sea front is making the most of playing their final fixtures before the woods are packed away, at least for the outside games. Many still keep bowling during the winter in one of the indoor facilities we have in the area. It has not been like this all the time and we have endured some very unseasonal monsoon-like downpours this year causing havoc to many outdoor events. Undeterred our bowlers are made of sterner stuff and carried on their matches enveloped in white plastic macs and wellies to make sure the Club's position in the League did not suffer through any missed fixtures because of the weather.

Creative Communities

Summer sees the regular calendar of Art and Flower Festivals, crafts and music. I had the privilege of judging the Teignmouth Art Festival and choosing a picture I liked best as a prize for one of the categories. I chose a cheery abstract of sails jostling for position at the start of a yacht race, colourful and full of movement evoking a sunny sparkling sea and the anticipation of taking part. Guaranteed to bring sunshine into a winter's day.

Recently I visited a village Arts and Crafts Exhibition Holcombe near Dawlish. We were basking in a very welcome Indian Summer and the village hall was filled with colour and creativity. Every kind of craft work was on display and the Exhibition was opened by Radio Devon's popular presenter Judi Spiers (pictured) who with myself and other local invitees toured the exhibits and afterwards enjoyed a cream tea in the garden overlooking the tranquil meadows behind the village. A perfect Miss Marple setting!

Battle of Britain Week

2009 has been one of wartime commemorations and anniversaries. The death of two revered veterans from the First World War, Henry Bellingham and Harry Patch received national respect. Teignmouth started the town's Wings Appeal Week by remembering Gerald Henry Edworthy, an old boy of the former Teignmouth Grammar School (now Community College) who as one of The Few with 46 Squadron R.A.F. died in combat over the Thames Estuary on 3rd September 1940, aged 25 years. Mick Florry of The Royal Air Force Association joined me to lay floral Roundels by Gerald's memorial plaque in the College main hall. An official report of the events leading up to the operation, and the graphic descriptions of the dog fights between the Spitfires and the Luftwaffe Messerschmitts was read by pupils in turn bringing home to a new generation the bravery of the young pilots. The official figures of the time reveal "that pilot losses were disproportionately high". Air Commodore Don Harrison OBE Rtd. addressed the pupils on his memories of the iconic Spitfire and presented the school with a model of the plane.

Council Rocks to MUSE

There was a new item on the Agenda at the Council Meeting! There we were, all best suits and formal, me with my Chain on, gavel in hand when clips from A Seaside Rendezvous reverberated round the Chamber as a video of the hightlights of that wonderful concert by MUSE appeared on the screens. It was tempting to go the whole hog, jump up and punch the air but instead Members gave rave reviews and thanks to MUSE for coming home to Teignmouth in such grand style. What was not generally realised was their personal generosity towards local charities, in paticular The Helen Foundation and to my Charity SENSE for deaf/blind young people who can never hear or see a performance like this. MUSE said they wanted to give something back to the town, but they have already done that in spades.

And for our Next Trick ........

Bye-Bye MUSE! Did this really happen on our seafront? Teignmouth folk are just emerging from an unbelievable weekend when a famous Rock Band came to call! Everyone is smiling. The cafes and pubs are a-buzz with gossip about MUSE - who knew the boys at school, who saw Chris Wolstenholme having a tattoo at the Ink Spot, who saw Matt Bellamy walking his dog and who drank with Dom Howard at his mum's pub. Everyone has an opinion about the performances and all want the Council do it all over again. Living on the sea front and inside the Arena area my family had a privileged grandstand view of all the comings and goings and we have been watching with a tinge of sadness as the set is dismantled and the instruments and equipment being carefully packed to go on tour with the band. All we can do now is say Thankyou MUSE - you gave us a magical weekend and our good wishes, support and of course, the fans, will follow you until you next come home to Teignmouth.

MUSE - WOW!!

They came, we saw, they conquered! Teignmouth has never experienced anything like this. Two months in the planning, one week to get the Den Arena ready, the huge stage, lighting rigs, merchandise tents, Arena Bar and of course lots of portaloos! Working with the super efficient S.J.M. Concert promoters, we proved that Teignmouth, a little seaside town in South Devon could punch above it's weight and host two gigs by three local boys, the famous MUSE Rock Band. Thousands of enthusiastic fans of all ages roared their welcome as the Band rocked out numbers from their new Album, Resistance. Two up and coming local bands from Teignmouth, The Quails and Hey Molly had the chance of a lifetime on stage as supporting acts. Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe worked the huge crowd into a frenzy of anticipation until the big moment arrived when Matt Bellamy, Chris Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard appeared on stage and launched into a stunning laser lit performance watched by their families, Teignmouth college friends, teachers, neighbours and just about everyone who had tickets for the shows or could find a perch on a balcony or rooftop to cheer the boys on. Hands punched the air and ten thousand pairs of feet stamped to the beat rattling the furniture in the stately Georgian and Victorian terraces curved around the Arena. We are all still on a high!

Hospital and patient support

Newton Abbot Hospital League of Friends has been celebrating sixty years of serving NHS patients by working to provide funds initially to provide additional patient comforts. Friends' contribution to the work of the NHS nationally now involves raising many thousands of pounds to fund the latest X-Ray machines, physiotherapy equipment, CT Scanners and in some cases complete operating theatres, working at all times with Consultants and clinical staff to prioritise the needs of a particular Hospital. Twelve months ago Newton Abbot saw the completion of a new 60 bed hospital complex at Jetty Marsh, leaving behind the much loved but unsuitable old Wolborough Hospital buildings that have served the town for so many years. The Friends have once again rallied round to fund essentials for the new Hospital and in particular the creation of a quiet room named The Sanctuary which gives relatives and patients a peaceful place away from the hustle and bustle of a busy hospital.

Devon Open Studios 2009

For two weeks 5th-20th September artists studios all over Devon open their doors to enable visitors to experience the freshness and variety of the work created by the hundreds of talented artists. Sculptures, graphics, stained glass, ceramics, wood furniture, creations in cob, felt and willow at Farms for City Children. Full details of artists studios, maps and directions are contained in the beautifully illustrated and informative Guide produced in collaberation with Devon County Council, Teignbridge District Council and other local authorities in Devon and the Devon Artists Network. For more information log on to http://www.devonartistnetwork.co.uk/

MUSE Concert build-up

Excitement is mounting in Teignmouth as the reality of the gig preparation gathers pace on the Den. Residents have seen nothing like it. Construction crews, riggers, security, huge cranes and delivery trucks are appearing daily and the "Seaside Rendezvous" set is gradually taking shape. MUSE are at a secret venue rehearsing for the Teignmouth gig on 4th and 5th September and immediately after that they leave for a mammoth tour of the UK, Europe and the USA. The weather forecast looks promising and we are all keeping our fingers crossed that the Met Office has got it right for a change!

Singin' in the Rain

Well not exactly! but at the kind invitation of the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Cllr. Ken Foster and together with other civic heads from Devon and Cornwall, we were invited to the Theatre Royal, Plymouth for a wonderful production of this popular musical built around songs composed by Arthur Freed and produced by the famous Louis B. Mayer. We all have memories of seeing the film starring those greats of the Hollywood Musical, Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds. Hearing once again those favourite toe-tapping numbers, "You stepped out of a Dream" "Make 'em Laugh" "You were meant for me" and the evergreen "Singin' in the Rain"performed in great style by Tim Flavin as Don, Jessica Punch as Kathy and Graeme Henderson as Cosmo proved that this show has lost none of it's magic over the years. For a full list of Shows and the Christmas Panto Aladdin contact the Theatre Royal www.theatreroyal.com