What’s in Store? will deliver two key developments – an accessible community space within a state-of-the art storage facility for Newton Abbot Museum’s collection. Newton Abbot Museum is an accredited, community museum that relocated in 2020 with the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and community. What’s in Store? will build on this previous project to build and fit-out an environmentally sustainable museum store and community space to bring the collection together into an accessible facility and enable community collections-based projects.
Purpose of the Role
A Project Co-ordinator is required to support Newton Abbot Town Council and Newton Abbot Museum with the development and delivery of a new museum store extension.
Funding is secured from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) to develop this project for one year. The role will start in September 2024 for 2 days a week over 7 months to co-ordinate plans for the store, to liaise with the project team and to support the delivery phase application. If the application for funding the delivery phase is successful, the role will continue until the new store is constructed and open.
VOLUNTEERS from the South Devon Railway are busy restoring one of Newton Abbot’s best loved landmarks.
The British Rail Western Region signal gantry on busy Torquay Road is being given an overhaul courtesy of the rail buffs and Newton Abbot Town and GWR Museum.
Among the tasks involved are the rubbing down and repainting of the 70-year-old steel structure, replacing arms and fitting new glass.
The gantry and the land it sits on are owned by Newton Abbot Town Council which funds Newton Abbot Museum.
Curator Dr Charlotte Dixon said: ‘This very much needed work is kindly being carried out by volunteers at South Devon Railway. It is being restored to how it was in living memory and this will ensure the longevity of this iconic landmark for Newton Abbot.
‘The project has been made possible by donations, in particular from Denis Lewis from the Railway Studies Group who sadly passed away.
‘Donations to the museum will now be allocated to go towards this project for the duration of the work.’
The gantry originally stood in the neighbouring railway station but became redundant when modernisation works were carried out in the 1980s.
Author David St John Thomas, co-founder of the David and Charles publishing business, bought it from British Rail and had it moved into its current position which was then part of his company’s headquarters.
Among the volunteers carrying out the restoration is Trevor Hodgson, a former Assistant Linesman who worked on the gantry when it was still in service.
‘I never thought I’d be back here working on it again,’ he said from his lofty position on the scaffolding that now enshrouds the structure.
‘I was based at Newton Abbot and helped maintain this for a while, it was right up outside the west singal box.
‘Its job was to control movements from the down platform to the through line out of Newton Abbot station towards Aller Junction.
‘It was an important bit of kit.
‘Of course, it was replaced by modern colour light signalling.’
Fellow volunteer Bill Gadd is part of the Signal and Telegraph Team at South Devon Railway.
‘When the scaffolding was going up a lot of people were concerned that the gantry was being taken down, we’ve had one or two comments like that,’ he said.
‘I’m pleased that it’s being refurbished although rusty bolts are proving to be a bit of a problem.
‘Hopefully though if you come back in a few weeks it will all look a lot smarter.’
The David and Charles business was sold to Reader’s Digest in the early 2000s and eventually moved out.
In 2018 Aldi was given planning permission for the site, despite concerns that the scheme would involve demolishing a Victorian carriage and wagon repair shop.
The gantry, however, was retained.
Clerk Phil Rowe said: ‘The Town Council is very grateful for the invaluable assistance of volunteers and donations to the museum which will help fund this project.
‘The gantry is important to the people of Newton Abbot and I’m very pleased that it’s getting the attention it needs.’
The project is expected to take approximately eight weeks to complete.
The below images show Bill Gadd (left) and Trevor Hodgson (right) working on the gantry.
CROWDS flocked to Newton Abbot on Saturday May 25 for the town’s latest and largest gathering of cherished vehicles.
The event saw almost 70 classic cars, motorbikes and vans park up in Courtenay Street, Wolborough Street and Bank Street with Market Square pressed into action for the first time to accommodate the display.
Live music from three different acts and market stalls added to the atmosphere, while the weather played ball too, attracting what is thought to be the biggest audience yet for such an event.
Town Development Manager Sally Henley, employed by Newton Abbot Town Council, said: ‘What an amazing turn out of both vintage vehicles and people coming to see them, it’s been a brilliant day.
‘My thanks go to the Teignbridge Classics car club for organising such a well-run event, also to the owners for showing off their prized motors.
‘It was great to see some familiar models on show as well as new ones, I was particularly taken with an American station wagon which was big and brash but I just loved it.
‘We began these classic car gatherings before the pandemic and knew they were becoming popular but today we’ve had the largest number of entries ever and more people in town than I can remember for a long time.
‘Some people are very quick to write off our nation’s high streets but it’s clear to me that if we stage the right events, and maintain a healthy mix of big brands and independent traders, then Newton Abbot at least has a very healthy future ahead of it.
‘I’m already looking forward to our next Sunday market, in conjunction with The Plot Deli, on June 5 and a whole summer of events including the next classic car show on September 14.
‘All the details are on the town council’s website, www.newtonabbot-tc.gov.uk.’
NEWTON Abbot’s youngest ever Mayor has been sworn into office.
Cllr Alex Hall is 22-years-old and has served as Deputy Mayor since 2023.
On Wednesday May 15 he took over the reins in a ceremony at Newton’s Place, Wolborough Street.
Looking forward to the year ahead he said: ‘It is an honour to be entrusted as Mayor by my fellow councillors.
‘To have the opportunity to represent my hometown, and being the youngest Mayor Newton Abbot has ever had, is a role I take very seriously.
‘My ambition as Mayor is to always do my best to represent our town and sell it to its fullest potential at every official engagement and opportunity I can.’
He added: ‘Over the last 12 months, being Deputy Mayor has filled me with great pride. Witnessing all the brilliant work that goes on within our community can so often go unheard.
‘Gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation is something I continue to look forward to over the forthcoming year and being able to share my experiences with everyone on my social media.
Thinking back on his year in office, Cllr Corney-Walker, said: ‘Your council is continuing to take on the jobs the bigger councils find they can no longer afford. We have invested in high quality machinery to extend our ability to maintain the cleanliness of our town centre and residential areas and have recently appointed a fourth Facilities Maintenance Officer.
‘The regeneration plans for Queen Street have proved very controversial. It has to be emphasised, however, that Newton Abbot Town Council has no control over this and many other issues that affect us.
‘My year has concluded with a succession of happy events. On March 1st Austins celebrated their centenary. The store has become synonymous with our town and attracts visitors and shoppers from a very wide area. Long may it continue to do so.
‘In April we marked the 50th anniversary of the formation of Newton Abbot Council by planting two oak trees in Courtenay Park. The three days of the annual Maltingsfest drew long queues of attendees and the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) made a very generous contribution to my charity for the year – Devon Air Ambulance.
‘Finally on the 5th of May we had the first of our monthly Sunday Markets. Though the weather was not kind attendance showed these are likely to prove a successful innovation.
My sincere thanks to all the officers at the Town Council for all their hard work and support for this Mayoral year and to all those councillors who have given me their support and encouragement at throughout the whole of this year.’
The above images shows Cllrs Hall and Corney-Walker at the Mayor-Making ceremony.
ALL roads will lead to Courtenay Park throughout the weekend of July 13 – 14 when Party in the Park comes to Newton Abbot.
The two days of affordable family fun will kick off with the gruelling Rotary Club wheelbarrow race, the dramatic Taiko Drummers plus performances from the Shining Stars Academy and Newton Abbot Martial Arts.
Trade and charity stalls will be accompanied by a paid-for bouncy castle and although everyone is encouraged to bring picnics, those wanting something extra can take advantage of the food and drink stalls.
On Sunday families will be able to enjoy free live music, balloon modelling, face-painting and a hula hoop show.
There will also be free activities from Creative Newton Abbot and the Bubble Fairy plus, for those wanting to splash out a little, there will be a cocktail bar, ice cream van and coffee truck
Saturday’s fun and games will take place 10am – 4pm and Sunday’s 11am – 4.30pm.
The first day is being organised by the Rotary Club of Newton Abbot and the second by Newton Abbot Town Council whose Events Coordinator Natalie Hicks said: ‘We’re so excited about Party in the Park and cannot thank Rotary enough for what they’re doing.
‘Their members are utterly dedicated to supporting the community so we know it’s going to be a brilliant day.
‘On Sunday the town council will be taking the lead with plenty of free activities and for both days there’ll be no need to book places or buy tickets, just turn up and enjoy the party.
‘It’s so important to us that as the summer gets properly under way, we provide some really good and properly affordable family fun.
‘Unless people wish to take advantage of the bouncy castle or caterers, there’ll be absolutely no need to put their hands in their pockets, just relax and enjoy the atmosphere.
‘So get the dates in your diary, Party in the Park is coming to Newton Abbot July 13 – 14.
‘See you there!’
All the event details can be viewed at www.newtonabbot-tc.gov.uk.
The below images are from Party in the Park 2023, courtesy of the Rotary Club of Newton Abbot.
Kate Green, Community Outreach Worker with Newton Abbot Museum, set up her stall in Courtenay Street on Wednesday [April 17] to share information about local events and organisations.
Dubbed ‘Creative Newton Abbot – What’s Happening?’, the pop-up gazebo attracted plenty of interest from people ranging from aspiring authors to film-makers and those simply looking for something to do other than stay at home watching television.
Kate’s arrival was announced by Town Crier Nigel Kenneison whose sonorous tones soon had passers by stopping to find out more.
‘Creative Newton Abbot – What’s Happening?’ really started out as an idea that the museum should have a presence in the town centre on market days which is why I’ve brought some items from the collection with me,’ she said.
‘I talk to so many people who say they didn’t realise what events were taking place in the town or that they’re lost for something to do in the evenings or at the weekend, so this is a brand new initiative to fill that gap.
‘We’ll be in Courtenay Street every Wednesday between 11am – 1pm with information about workshops, exhibitions and any other creative or cultural opportunities people tell us about.
‘For example, today we’ve got loads of information about Teign U3A who have 60 different interest groups, Irish ceilidh dancing at The Jolly Farmer, the next performance at the Alexander Theatre, a new local film about cycling, plus leaflets about the museum as amazingly some people still don’t realise we have one in town.
‘Hopefully on future stalls we’ll be joined by members of the arts community who can tell the public all about their projects and in time this will be known as the go-to place for knowing what’s on, all the more important now we have no tourist information office.
‘Already on the first day I’ve talked with lots of people which is great start and I look forward to meeting many more.’
Anyone wanting to join Kate or have information on display at the weekly stall can leave leaflets at the museum or call 01626 201121.
TWO native oak trees have been planted to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Newton Abbot Town Council.
On Saturday April 14, Mayor Cllr David Corney-Walker was joined by colleagues past and present for the ceremony in Courtenay Park.
Following a proclamation by Town Crier Nigel Kenneison, Cllr Corney-Walker and Deputy Mayor Cllr Alex Hall scattered mulch over the Quercus Robur specimens before heading to Newton’s Place for a civic reception.
The audience was addressed by former Town Clerk, Rod Tuck, who highlighted some of the many extra responsibilities the Council has taken on in its 50-year history.
The current Clerk, Phil Rowe, added to the list including items such as increased street cleaning and the development of Newton’s Place with its museum and community rooms.
Both men’s observations chimed with those in a national news report published in The Guardian. The article quoted Councillor Keith Stevens, chair of the National Association of Local Councils, who said: “England’s parish and town councils are the unsung heroes of local government, stepping up to play a more active role in improving their communities, and increasingly taking on more responsibilities from financially challenged larger local authorities.
‘While their small share of council tax is just 1.9 per cent of overall council tax, they are investing five times more in local communities than they were two and half decades ago, helping tackle some of the biggest challenges our communities face – from health to housing, the climate and cost of living crisis, and supporting younger and older people.”
Cllr Corney-Walker added: ‘Another significant initiative from Newton Abbot Town Council was the creation of our Town Development Manager role.
‘Retailing has changed beyond recognition in recent years and our decision to appoint Sally Henley has meant our town centre is fairing so much better than many other communities.
‘I thank her and all our officers for their tireless work on behalf of our town, and of course all councillors past and present whose time is given willingly with no financial reward in return.’
Newton Abbot Town Council came into being in April1974, at the same time as Teignbridge District Council was formed.
Both came about as as a result of the Local Government Act 1972.
The below image shows the ceremony in Courtenay Park.
A DERELICT eyesore in the heart of Newton Abbot could at last have a brighter future after the Town Council offered no objections to a scheme for 38 apartments and flexible retail space.
The former Seymour Howell car dealership site in Wolborough Street has been empty for 17 years.
It has become an overgrown wasteland and was unlawfully occupied by a caravan dweller.
Now, Newton Abbot Developments Ltd has submitted plans for a four-storey building which, if approved by Teignbridge District Council (TDC), would transform a blighted gateway to the town centre.
The firm said its 38 one and two bedroom apartments were ‘aimed at the retirement market’ and that the ground floor units would suit a number of uses.
The scheme differs from an earlier one which gained planning permission by increasing the number of flats but within a smaller footprint.
In its application, it said: ‘The design responds to local character and context of the built setting so that layout, scale, form, massing, height, density, colour, materials, detailing and impact on the built and natural heritage are all successfully addressed.’
A key consideration among Town Councillors was the scheme’s impact on the historic St Leonard’s Tower.
The firm said: ‘The prominence of the clock tower building is respected throughout and will remain the dominant form on the skyline.’
It added: ‘The proposed development will ensure the beneficial use of the site, improving community safety and surveillance and bringing life back to the street scene.’
Heritage expert Rhiannon Rhys at Historic England said St Leonard’s Tower would ‘retain a level of prominence within the streetscape’ and added: ‘The new building will also provide a sense of enclosure and finality to the varied street scape, “bookending” Wolborough Street and better framing the views.’
Welcoming the Town Council’s position, Town Development Manager Sally Henley said: ‘This derelict site is a high priority for the town and my personal view is that the proposed building will complete the gateway to our town.
‘Hopefully TDC will be happy with the changes, which they requested to the originally approved plan.
‘A developer will only be interested in buying this land from the current private owners if it comes with planning permission in place.
‘Should they reject this application there is a real possibility that we might be looking at this eyesore for another decade.’
The above image is from the applicant’s submission, reference number 22/00579/MAJ, which can be viewed on the Teignbridge District Council website.
Newton Abbot Town Council’s Planning Committee considered the application at its meeting on November 21. As a statutory consultee in the planning process, it cannot ‘support’ any application but is limited to offering ‘no objection’ or objecting because of concerns that a scheme does not accord with planning policy.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Section 87(2) of the Local Government Act 1972, that a vacancy exists in the office of Councillor for the Bradley Ward of Newton Abbot Town Council.
If, within fourteen working days after the date of this notice (i.e. by no later than 28th October 2020) a request to fill the vacancy by election is made in writing to the Proper Officer, Forde House, Brunel Road, Newton Abbot, TQ12 4XX by TEN electors of the Parish then an election will be held to fill the vacancy, otherwise the Parish Council will take steps to fill the vacancy by co-option.
IMPORTANT: Please be advised that in accordance with the Coronavirus Act 2020 and The Local Government and Police and Crime Commissioner (Coronavirus) (Postponement of Elections and Referendums) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020, if an election is requested to fill this vacancy it will not take place before May 2021.
