Singing for my Supper

It was a pleasure to accept an invitation to dinner with the Dawlish Water Rotary Club and to speak about my 31 years experience as a local Councillor. When I got around to thinking what I was going to say I was surprised just how much I could talk about. It was also concerning to realise that in spite of all the information available about local Councils people are not fully aware of how local government works in this area, and particularly the separate responsibilities of each tier of Town, District and County. As far as most people are concerned, they are not so much bothered as to who delivers the services as long as they are value for money. I ranged through my responsibilities over the years with tourism, planning, housing, refuse collection, social services and also as Chairman of a local NHS Trust. My current role as Civic Chairman of Teignbridge District Council and the opportunity to attend many special events, including Royal occasions was of particular interest. A lively question and answer session rounded off a stimulating evening.

Teignmouth Science Festival

Young and not so young science enthusiasts crowded into Teignmouth's Carlton Theatre to experience a day of experimentation and demonstrations on show to spark an interest in science and it's relevance to us all in everyday life. Pupils from local primary schools submitted entries for the Earth Art competition with lots of hands-on experience to interest everyone. The highlight of the day was TV Science presenter Adam Hart-Davis leading his audience through a journey around the Earth and the Universe with a talk entitled Frontiers of Cosmology. The event concluded with the premier of a song cycle by local composer David Haines about the universe of magnitudes entitled Powers of Ten sung by Communty Choirs from Teignmouth and Ivybridge. Plenty to think about there!

The Queen visits Exeter

The 150 year Anniversary of the Cadet movement in the South West was celebrated by over 1000 Cadets from all disciplines, Sea, Army Cadets and the Air Training Corps who were on parade at Wyvern Barracks, Exeter before Her Majesty The Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of Devon. I was very pleased to be invited as President of TS Cannonteign, together with a group of our Sea Cadets and their Officers. The Queen and Duke were greeted by Wing Commander Brian Wills-Pope, Officer Commanding Devon & Somerset Air Cadets who escorted her Majesty when she inspected the Cadets on parade and with the Duke spent over an hour looking at the various displays and activities enjoyed by all the young people. Wing Commander Brian Wills-Pope was a former Councillor and colleague at Teignbridge and Devon County Council.

Am Drams - Top of the Pops

The 14th Annual Drama Festival held at the Carlton Theatre, Teignmouth attracted a record number of entries including a strong Youth section. The Festival is open to any bona fide amateur dramatic society, run under the auspices of the All England Theatre Festival (AETF). www.aetf.org.uk The standard was very high and the one-act plays gave the amateur actors a great opportunity to perform before a knowledgeable audience with the critique delivered by Bev Jenkins, well known throughout the amateur theatre circuit. The group going forward to the quarter finals is Ampersands from Sands School with their thoughtful and dramatic performance of "Cagebirds" by David Campton.. Information about the Teignmouth Festival can be found on www.teignmouthdramafestival.org.uk

Regency Sidmouth

This elegant seaside town was the setting for the Civic Service of East Devon District Council: The Civic heads were welcomed by the Chairman, Cllr. Graham Liverton first to Kennaway House, formerly known as Church House, adjoining the Parish Church of St. Giles and St. Nicholas. Recently restored at a cost of £1M supported by a Heritage Lottery Grant and public appeal this gracious Regency House is now Sidmouth's centre for the arts, exhibitions, events, lectures and learning. The service at the Parish Church was conducted by Prebendary David James and I was able to bring him greetings from St. James Church, Teignmouth where David served as a Curate some years ago.

More about SENSE

Another milestone day for SENSE - Devon Branch: Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal, Patron of SENSE formally opened Cafe 55 at Providence Court, Exeter, the new resource centre for deaf/blind young people. Cafe 55 is bright with a well fitted kitchen and serves the dual purpose of helping students to become independent and able to undertake cooking and other domestic skills whilst at the same time offering coffee and home-made cakes and buns to customers dropping in for a break from shopping. Alongside the valuable skills and IT training students are supported by dedicated staff to reach their full potential and many go on to experience a degree of independence with outreach support. This is a very worthy charity working quietly and without fuss to achieve the most amazing results for young people so cruelly robbed of sight and hearing.

If you would like to donate to my chosen Charity SENSE then please forward your cheque payable to "The Chairman's Charity" c/o Teignbridge District Council, Forde House, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 4YR