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.

An MBE for Ron Vaulter

A special day for a well known local man Ron Vaulter who was invested with the MBE by the Lord Lieutenant of Devon on behalf of The Queen. The ceremony was held at County Hall at Ron's request, so that he could invite his family and friends to his special day. I was invited as Chairman of Teignbridge joining the High Sheriff of Devon and the Chairman of the County Council. It was a lovely sunny day, a really happy and friendly occasion followed by afternoon tea. Ron's MBE was awarded for Services to the Community. He has worked tirelessly for young people since 1953 organising sports and activities to stretch their horizons. He was a volunteer for the Red Cross for many years patrolling the sea front throughout the summer dispensing and teaching first aid. A quiet unassuming man who has made such a difference to the lives of young people and although well into his 80's has no intention of retiring! Ron is pictured above with his family and the Lord Lt. and also with me at County Hall.

Drama Festival Hots Up

Aspiring Thespian groups returned to the Carlton Theatre Teignmouth for the Quarter Finals of the 2010 Regional All English Theatre Festival. Four productions were competing to go through to the semi-finals in Warminster on 15th May. The Exmouth Players presented "The Mayor of Torontal", The Campion Players "A couple or Two", the return of Ampersands with "The Cagebirds" finishing with the hilarous comedy presented by A Few Prima Donnas "The little Box of Oblivion". The clear winner once again was Ampersands "Cage Birds" - a dramatic performance with a disturbing theme performed with dramatic effect by the pupils of Sands School with an average age of 15 years. I was privileged to be there and present the cup to the winners and send them on their way to the next heat. Further details www.carltontheatre.co.uk

Ancient and Modern

Beneath the vaulted splendour of the ancient Guildhall the Rt. Worshipful Lord Mayor of Exeter, Cllr. John Winterbottom hosted a Civic Dinner for Mayors and Chairmen across Devon. Guests were entertained during the meal by the Chamber Choir of St. Margaret's School, Exeter singing from the Minstrel's gallery and the splendid candlelit setting cast a mellow glow invoking the special atmosphere of a Chamber that had absorbed the debates and decisions of elected representatives and past Mayors over 800 years. In fact, Exeter Guildhall is still very much the seat of power for that City and is the oldest Council Chamber in use in the UK. A special guest was Cllr. Duncan Sandys, the Rt. Worshipful, Lord Mayor of Westminster, a grandson of the former Government Minister, Mr. Duncan Sandys. In his speech he recalled those special summers spent in Devon as a child with friends and family. Cllr. Sandys underlined the significance of maintaining the honoured traditions of Mayoralty in a fast changing world and that civic pride and loyalty are still relevant in today's society.

A Day in Dartmouth

Dartmouth was the setting for a Civic lunch hosted by South Hams Council. Cllr. Melvyn Stone and his wife Jeanette were the perfect hosts on a sparkling day at the Dart Marina Hotel. All the guests dressed for the occasion with many of the men wearing dinner suits - even though it was lunch time! Invited guests came from a wide area of South Hams representing the smaller towns and parishes in this idyllic part of South Devon. The Dart Marina Hotel and #Spa has undergone a recent refurbishment and the quality and high standards of the surroundings made this a very special occasion. A superb choice for that perfect holiday and of course if you come in your yacht the River Dart and it's Marinas offer yotties the very best for most discerning skipper and crew. http://www.dartmarina.com/

Teignmouth Film Society

Teignmouth film enthusiasts dismayed by the loss of the Riviera Cinema got together and formed the Teignmouth Film Society, a non-profit making organisation run by volunteers. The Society meets once a month at the new Arts Centre at the Community College and the aim of the Society is to bring the best of British, independent and foreign films to the screen and return the joy of cinema to Teignmouth and the surrounding area. Screenings are held in a comfortable environment - at an affordable price and films are hired from official distributors. http://www.teignmouthfilm.org/

A Gift from Jason Pope

Jason's Garden on the Eastcliff at Teignmouth is a garden created by the parents of Jason Pope kidnapped in Angola over nine years ago. Jason a Geologist was kidnapped by Unita rebels from the Yetwene Diamond mine in Northern Angola in 1998. His parents, Alan, Nev and brother Damian along with help from their daughter Vashita and her husband Patrick have toiled for over five years on this garden. No word on the fate of Jason has ever reached his family, although his mother Nev still has not completely given up hope of news. The garden is now complete and open to the public at specified times during the year. The views are stunning and the garden is so peaceful with many unusual features and exhibits. Various charities benefit from the open days and lectures given by Nev about the building of the garden. It was a great honour for my Charity SENSE - Devon branch to be chosen to share in last year's proceeds. I am pictured with Damian Pope who handed me a cheque for £150 for my Chairman's Charity and I am very grateful. http://www.jasonsgarden.com/

Two Stories Exhibition

The Two Stories - the lost history of Poland and Britain. A photographic exhibition telling the story of events that took place in Poland during World War II and how this led to the Polish settlements in the UK. The events described in the exhibition are as terrible as those of the Jewish Holocaust, but are not as well known. The photographs were taken in the last Polish re-settlement camp to remain in the UK at Ilford Park (Stover) and the exhibition was designed by local photographer Susan Young who took some of the last photographs of the camp before it's demolition this year. The poignancy of this event was brought into sharp focus as Poland declared a week of national mourning after the President Lech Kaczynski, his wife Maria and 88 other members of the country's military and political elite lost their lives in a plane crash while flying to Russia to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Katyn massacre when 20,000 Poles were slaughtered by the Soviet secret police. At the start of the exhibition, a minute's silence was observed and a Polish priest led the Prayers in memory of those who had lost their lives, not only in the plane crash but also those massacred at Katyn.
http://www.twostoriesexhibition.org.uk/

Dinner on Dartmoor

An invitation to the Two Bridges Hotel in the middle of Dartmoor was the setting for the annual Civic Dinner of West Devon Borough Council. Greeted by the Mayor Cllr. Alison Clish-Green over 70 guests, including the Lord Lieutenant of Devon, Eric Dancer and guest speaker Professor Ian Mercer. The Two Bridges Hotel well deserves it's reputation as a unique country house hotel with an AA Rosette for it's restaurant. The candelabra lit tables in the dining room coupled with excellent food and sparkling company maintained the unique ambience that is Dartmoor. Professor Mercer spoke seriously about the changes in hill farming over the years and the decline in the number of registered Commoners who have the freedom to graze their sheep and Darmoor ponies. Times are hard for hill and moorland farmers these days and this decline is measured in the changes evident in the growth of vegetation which can obscure old footpaths and bridleways across the Moor. http://www.twobridges.co.uk/

A New Home for Joshua

A very special home for a very special boy in Teignmouth. A new home at Inverteign Heights, the site of the old Inverteign Primary School, has been provided by Tor Homes and local builders Midas Homes for the family of Josh Wilby aged 6,who has cerebral palsy. The specially adapted home has been fitted out with all Josh and his family could need to ensure that he is able to stay at home with his Mum and Dad and baby brother Lewis. I felt very privileged to be shown round by proud Mum Jade who had a say in the design and fitting of Josh's bedroom and bathroom and was clearly determined that Josh should be able to enjoy a loving family life in his new home. http://www.torhomes.com/

Welcoming Past Chairmen

It has been a tradition that Teignbridge District Council ackowledges the contribution made by it's former Chairmen. I was delighted to host this year's dinner held in the Long Room of Old Forde House and especially so this year as we celebrate the 400th Anniversary of this wonderful building. It was the foresight of Chairmen in the early days of Teignbridge that this historic house was restored to public ownership. We had a wonderful evening sharing remembered special occasions from the past. Old Forde House now hosts many events, including being a popular setting for Civil Weddings, as well as earning welcome income from management seminars, training events and conferences for the wider business community.

Pictured with us are Alderman Mary Strudwick, Tim Golder of Imerys and Viv Wilson MBE Teignmouth historian.

A Civic Day at Killerton House

The Chairman of Devon County Council held a Civic day with difference. Cllr. John Berry represents the Collumpton Division which covers the lovely Killerton House, the former country seat of the Acland Family, and now owned by the National Trust. His guests included all the Civic Heads from Devon and the newly appointed High Sheriff of Devon, Elizabeth D'Erlanger, sister of Viscount Exmouth. We were all treated to a tour of the House and a splendid lunch in the restaurant. Following that we departed for St. Andrew's Church in Collumpton for the formalities of the Civic Service. It was a lovely country occasion, rounded off by yet another splendid tea and a chance to chat to friends old and new. I think we are all noticing our expanding waistlines as we near the end of our year of office! http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/

Duke of Edinburgh Awards

The Teignmouth and South Hams Committees of the DofE Award Scheme held the annual presentation evening at Newton Abbot College for the many students who had successfully completed their Bronze, Silver and Gold disciplines. The Awards were presented by Albert Knott from Natural England who gave a power point presentation about his conservation work in Yarner Woods and gave lots of tips about successfully completing the various expeditions. Many of the students are already training for the Ten Tors expedition on Dartmoor which is the most challenging . Supervised by the Army and Dartmoor Rescue the students are in safe hands but the weekend is a gruelling experience for many. The weather is often atrocious but they all persevere and it is a triumph for all when they cross the finishing line.

New Play Area

Torrential rain on the run-up to the opening of the new Play Area at Bakers Park did not deter lots of children turning out to try this new facility in Newton Abbot. Careful planning and successful fund raising including a grant of £45,000 from the Play Builder Fund and match funding from Teignbridge and Newton Abbot Town Councils transformed a tired and outdated space into a brand new imaginative area using the surrounding natural environment and materials to create play opportunities to challenge and fascinate children. With old favourites such as swings, a roundabout, a challenging climbing frame and a sliding pulley the children lost no time in trying them all out. With a wheelchair play trail and a safe space for children with special needs there is something for everyone.