Armed Forces Day in Teignmouth

The Royal British Legion in Teignmouth work hard to raise funds for the welfare and support of veterans of past and present conflicts. Armed Forces Day in Teignmouth was a day when the town turned out in force to celebrate and commemorate shared memories of personal bravery and sad loss when parts of the town received a direct hit from enemy aircraft. Two special presentations were made. One to a member of the French Resistance, Ferndnand Davoult, whose couragous actions saved the lives of many servicemen trapped in occupied France. The other was to our own local hero Piper Bill Millin, who on D-Day, armed with nothing but a set of bagpipes and Scots determination, marched along the beach in Normandy playing his pipes encouraging our troops forward in the face of ferocious enemy firepower. The German forces manning the guns thought he was raving mad but respected his courage. Bill's actions on that day are immortalised in the film Saving Private Ryan. The picture shows Bill receiving his Town Plaque from Lord Clifford of Chudleigh in his capacity as Honorary Colonel, Royal Devon Yeomanry.

More about the Chairman's Charity

S.E.N.S.E. in Devon supports and campaigns for children and adults who are deaf/blind. My Blog so far has recorded the many occasions I have attended which have been full of colourful spectacle, wonderful music and singing, the sound of children laughing and playing - everyday events taken for granted by the majority but cruelly denied to children who grow up isolated by this double sensory loss. 2009 is the 25th Anniversay of the Devon Branch of S.E.N.S.E. started by Peter and Mary Holman, whose son was born deaf/blind and who now enjoys independence and purpose through the help of the inspirational work of this Charity.

S.E.N.S.E. provide specialist information, advice and services to deaf/blind people, their families, carers and the professional staff who work with them. A new facility in Exeter, Providence Court, provides an Outreach base, services and activities to people living at home. Working with the deaf/blind requires particular and specific skills which although rewarding and fulfilling is very expensive to provide, particularly keeping up with specialist technology.

I hope the work of S.E.N.S.E. touches you and maybe you would like to help. There are two links on my web-page with more information and contacts or you can send a donation direct to The Chairman's Charity, Teignbridge District Council, Forde House, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 4XX. Thank you for reading this

Thanks to our Armed Forces

Armed Forces Week: The start of this week was marked with the raising of the Armed Forces Flag at Forde House. Members and veterans from the Royal British Legion joined myself and Cllrs. Mike Walters and Joan Lambert to honour the flag which will fly over Forde House during the week. Major events to mark the week were also taking place in Exeter and Plymouth.

Afternoon at Ugbrook House

Garden Party at Ugbrook House: Bill and I attended Ugbrook House and gardens where theProvincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire held a garden party by invitation of Lord and Lady Clifford of Chudleigh. The Royal Masonic Trust raise many thousands of pounds for charity and one of the charities to benefit from this wonderful event is my own Chairman's Charity S.E.N.S.E. for the deaf/blind. A full programme of events included concerts in the Chapel, a Marine Cadet display and the Soundhouse Brass Band were followed by a scrumptious Devon tea

An amazing day

Exeter has seen nothing like this: a crowd of 5000 gathered on the Cathedral Green to commemorate the sending of Bishop Eadwulf to Crediton in 909. His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams led the Celebration Eucharist in a joyous ceremony of renewal with songs, hymns and drama and the Bells of the Cathedral's South Tower rang out to mark the occasion. The welcome was given by Bishop Michael of Exeter who was joined by the present Bishop of Crediton, Bishop Bob and Bishop John of Plymouth plus a whole army of clergy drawn from Devon parishes who helped disribute the bread and wine to what can only be described as a biblical multitude!

A significant tradition in Exeter Cathedral Church is the choral tradition which has provided music at the daily services for over 800 years. The singing and music was specially composed to mark the occasion by the Cathedral Director of Music. Everyone was entranced by the skill of the puppet operators bringing the giant ecclesiastical puppets to life . Formalities over, the day continued with lots of entertainment to suit all ages. Evening saw some rousing songs of praise from a crowd still wanting more, ending with the ever popular swing music of A.J.'s Big Band. Truly an Amazing Day and I was privileged to be there.

Singing by the sea

Songs of Praise: "Bishop Bob" comes to Town! Sunday, 14th July continued the Exeter Diocese 1100 year Anniversary celebrations with a programme of hymns and songs on the Den, Teignmouth. The weather was glorious and a good crowd sang along with Bishop Bob and the Rev. Graham Stones of Teignmouth

Christianity in Devon 909-2009

"Heaven in Devon": This month sees the celebration of 1100 years of Christianity in Devon with the arrival of Eadwulf, first Bishop of Crediton in the year 909. To commemorate this significant event a full programme of visits was arranged throughout the Exeter Diocese which includes a large area of the Teignbridge District. I represented the Council at Bitton House, Teignmouth for a discussion afternoon with the current Bishop of Crediton "Bishop Bob". All sections of the community were present including our Member of Parliament, Councillors, voluntary and uniformed organisations, Youth Forums and the Senior Council. The theme of the afternoon was how to engage and interact with all sections of the community in a rapidly changing world