A Pep Talk and a Route March!

Teignbridge Council is a major employer in this area. All staff take part in the many training and personal development courses operated by our organisation and periodical Induction Days are organised for new staff or those changing departments. It was therefore a particular pleasure to be invited to give the opening address to the 26 staff attending a recent Induction Day. Teignbridge Council has a reputation as an excellent organisation and a working environment based on teamwork, customer care, individual responsibility and enthusiasm. I was impressed by the obvious abilities of the staff taking part and I learnt something about the training involved. One surprise was that all staff undertake what is called the Teignbridge Walk over Dartmoor involving challenges to test initiative and decision making out of their comfort zones. Now I call that a Route March! Something that Councillors might like to try..............................

Back to Business in 2010

Things have been quieter than usual at the start of the New Year: The severe winter weather took everyone by surprise and many rural roads throughout Devon were either blocked or treacherous with black ice. Despite all the difficulties, our Council refuse collectors managed to get through to collect rubbish, and the postmen and women got through to deliver (you've guessed it) all the New Year bills! The snowy landscapes across the moorland areas were spectactular and children were more than pleased to have some extra holiday time as many schools were closed because school buses could not get through. Motorists were not too pleased when faced with spending many hours trapped on Haldon Hill. Cars had to be abandoned and the police worked hard to get people, including babies and children, to emergency centres for a hot drink and something to eat. One of those centres was Chudleigh Town Hall in our District and I know that local people there would have made everyone warm and comfortable in no time. Local Authorities throughout the country were rapidly running out of salt and grit to treat the icy roads, but no-one was blaming the grit lorry drivers who turned out in appalling conditions to keep the roads open. We should be more prepared but conditions like this do not come along to sunny Devon very often.

He's Behind You!!

Yes - it's Panto time again all over the District. Thigh slapping Principal Boys, Good Fairies, Wicked Witches, Whacky Dames, Magic, Mystery and Song. For friends living in far away places around the world who are not familiar with these annual goings on, Panto is short for Pantomime and each is based on a traditional fairy story or legend. The format is always the same - a handsome Prince (usually played by a girl) a pretty girl from a poor family, an impoverished kindly Baron Hardup, an outrageous Dame of ample proportions (played by a man over padded in all the right places) a scheming Adversary bent on mayhem, song and dance performed by local children and lots of bangs and laughter. Cinderella is the favourite and there has been a good choice this year. Teignmouth Players presented Little Red Riding Hood with unusual scenery and the Prince morphing into a scary Werewolf at the most inconvenient moments. Newton Abbot Musical Comedy Society put on Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves based on one of the legends from Arabian Nights http://www.nadmcs.org/ Shaldon Theatre Company are offering Mother Goose and there will be shows on stage in village halls and local theatres until March then all the toys are put away in the Magic Box until next year.

Christmas anticipation

Carol services come thick and fast as the festive season draws near. Teign Choral Society held their annual Carol concert at St. James' Church in aid of the Teignmouth League of Friends. I sing with this group and a very useful sum is raised for the League boosted by a bumper raffle. At the end of all that singing the glass of mulled wine tastes really good. I attended Trinity School's end of term Carol Service, and the Teignmouth Masonic Lodge Carol service among many others. All benefit local charities in one way or another.


Lord and Lady Clifford of Ugbrook House, Chudleigh generously open up their lovely home for the annual Christmas Evening in aid of Hospicecare, Exeter. Over 100 guests were greeted by our hosts personally and we all enjoyed wonderful hospitality with entertainment by Exe Vox Chamber Choir. This evening is a real Christmas treat and raises a substantial sum from generous sponsorship for the charity.

Rowcroft Hospice

Christmas is the time for thinking of others. We have always been pleased to give support to charities and voluntary organisations who work so hard so give additional support and care to those in our District throughout the year. Rowcroft Hospice is a Torquay based charity caring for the dying and it has become a tradition over the past few years for the Charity to invite people who have lost loved ones in the past year to register names in a Book of Light. The names are read out at services in local Churches around the District in a service called "Light up a Life". All attending the service carry a candle and the Services are led by a Rowcroft chaplain. Rowcroft Hospice, Avenue Road, Torquay TQ2 5LS 01803 210800.
http://www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/

Singing with the Shaldon Singers

Christmas is the busiest time for Choirs. I sing with two local choirs and The Shaldon Singers performed a superb concert presenting a wide range of pieces to suit all tastes. We sang all Handel's Coronation Anthems including Zadok the Priest. The audience were invited to join us singing The Hallelujah Chorus for the BBC's "Sing Hallelujah" website.
See us on www.bbc.com/singhallelujah This concert was extra special for me. I wore my Chairman's chain as the retiring collection was dedicated to my Charity SENSE - Devon Branch and I was pleased to introduce Peter Holman the founder who gave an insight into the work of SENSE and what had been achieved for his son. The result was a record collection of over £500 towards the charity.

Chairman's Civic Lunch

Chairman of Teignbridge Council I fly the flag for the District. Hosting the annual Civic Lunch in the 400 year old setting of Old Forde House was a special occasion and an opportunity to return the hospitality of my fellow Chains throughout Devon. The party was entertained with carols and seasonal songs by children from Canada Hill primary school and it was a pleasure to host such a prestigious event. Lunch was enjoyed in the oak panelled Long Room with it's superb plasterwork restored by a master craftsman brought out of retirement to do the work.

Words for Voices

Powderham Castle home of the Earl and Countess of Devon was the setting for an evening of Christmas verse and music on behalf of The Helen Foundation. Roaring fires, mulled wine and grand rooms decked with holly and a giant Christmas tree set the scene for a delightful performance raising nearly £1000 for the good work of the Foundation to help aspiring young actors and musicians get a foothold on the ladder of fame. http://www.thehelenfoundation.org.uk/

Christmas is coming ...........

Devon grasslands produce some of the best fatstock in the country. Welcomed by Show President Herbert Vallance, the annual Newton Abbot Christmas Show paraded the finest cattle and sheep around the ring to be judged. Dressed turkeys ready for the table were on sale, plus the most amazing displays of fruit and vegetables, home-baked cakes and other Christmas goodies. It seems curious to be blaming the livestock industry for global warming when one solution is to reinstate local abbatoirs to save livestock the stress of being driven hundreds of miles away to slaughter and then the carcases driven back again to the areas they were reared. A lot of carbon footprint to be saved there! Following the Show we attended the dinner and Prize Giving at Dainton Park Golf Club and the hospitality, food and the warmth of welcome kicked off the festive season in fine style