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Free ice cream among laws suggested at annual town meeting

TONGUE-IN-CHEEK laws suggested by youngsters at the Newton Abbot Annual Town Meeting on Saturday [May 19] included free ice cream, daughter and mother days every day, and for strawberries to rain from the sky on Fridays.

A more reflective idea was to plant three trees for every one felled while one dad, Sean Kirby, called for the legalisation of pot… hole filling.

The proposals were captured on rosettes created by the children who wore them with pride to spread the ‘vote me’ message.

The free fun activity reflected the more serious aim of the day which was to gather public opinion about services and facilities in the town.

Each community is legally bound to hold an annual meeting but most take place in halls or council chambers, often during the evening, meaning very few residents attend.

For several years Newton Abbot Town Council has instead erected a gazebo in the main shopping centre during the busiest part of the day, resulting in thousands of people having their say on countless topics.

Saturday’s event was another success with hundreds of conversations taking place between elected members, council staff and passers by.

‘I’m thrilled with the number of people we’ve engaged with, yet another very worthwhile exercise with the town council reaching out to the public,’ said Mayor Cllr David Corney-Walker.

‘Most comments I heard were about our changing high streets, something being seen across the country of course, as more businesses go online.

‘But the good news in Newton Abbot is that our shop vacancy rate is well below the national average and the Town Council is constantly adding to the events programme so people still have plenty of reasons to visit.

‘We’re listening to the public and will do everything we can to keep Newton Abbot streets ahead of the web.’

Town Clerk Phil Rowe said more than 150 engagement forms had been handed out, in addition to the face-to-face conversations.

‘There’s not a council chamber in the country that would attract an audience that size,’ he said. ‘Staging the Newton Abbot Annual Meeting in the street is here to stay.’

The Annual Town Meeting is not a council meeting, but one hosted by the authority to enable residents to quiz members and officers on their past year’s work or raise matters of interest to electors.

It is a requirement of Local Government Act 1972 for town and parish councils to stage such events between March 1 – June 1 inclusive.

Below: Facilities Maintenance Officers Tony Little (L) and Steve Ryan show off some of the low and high tech cleaning kit

Below: Families enjoy the rosette and law-proposing activity with Mayor Cllr David Corney-Walker in attendance

Below: Mayor Cllr David Corney-Walker prepares to meet with the public

Below: Sean Kirby and three-year-old son Ellis wearing their rosettes. Sean wanted to legalise pot… hole repairs while Ellis asked for free ice cream.

Congratulations to Councillor David Corney-Walker on being elected Mayor of Newton Abbot for 2023 – 2024. We wish you a very enjoyable year of office.

Free family fun with Santa in Newton Abbot this Christmas – and a seasonal visit from the wondrous Ipplepen Carnival Float.

MARK the date on your calendar – Saturday November 25 is Christmas lights switch-on in Newton Abbot!

FREE children’s entertainment, a parade of more than 250 lanterns, a visit by the spectacular Ipplepen Carnival float, character walkabouts and chances to meet Santa are all part of this year’s month-long Christmas celebrations being organised by Newton Abbot Town Council.

Also being promised are a dog-friendly carol service, free craft events and balloons, stilt walkers, live music, fireside selfies in the Clock Tower and more besides.

Events get under way on Saturday November 25 with free face painting between 12 noon – 4pm and selfies in the Clock Tower 11am – 1pm.

The town centre will also host walkabout appearances from larger than life town mascot Newton, performances from the Taiko Drummers, stilt walkers and presenters from Torbay Hospital Radio.

The day’s events will climax in the fun-filled festive parade, starting in Queen Street at 5pm and leading on to the 5.30pm Christmas lights switch-on at the Clock Tower.

Accompanying Santa and his sleigh will be the amazing frost-fair themed Ipplepen Carnival Float, ‘Jack’s Back!’, and the specially-illuminated Stagecoach bus together with mascot Gary the Rabbit.

The Mayor and Consort will be riding in an open-topped car and for the first time Newton will be having his own float.

Operations permitting, a crew from Newton Abbot Fire Station will be rolling out one of their gleaming red fire engines for fans to admire.

Every following Saturday up to and including December 23 there will be plenty of entertainment and activities.

The ever-popular Victorian Evening will take place on Wednesday December 6 with street food, charity stalls in Market Square, another appearance from Santa, walkabout acts, shows by children’s entertainer Elfic and carol singing with pupils from Bradley Barton Primary School.

On Saturday December 9, pet lovers are encouraged to come into town for the doggy carol service in partnership with the Animals in Distress charity.

There will also be live music from the Forte singing group and free craft activities with Creative Newton Abbot.

Drawing in the crowds on Wednesday December 13 will be the parade of more than 250 lanterns created by children across town, starting at Bearnes Primary School and gathering at the Clock Tower at 6.30pm.

A storyteller will offer festive tales at 7pm with Santa happy to meet and greet 6pm – 8pm.

Late night shopping will be complemented with live music, street food, stilt walkers and fireside selfies in the Clock Tower.

On Wednesday December 20 a 6pm performance by the Rock Choir will precede the Mayor’s Christmas Carols at 6.30pm, all taking place by the Clock Tower.

Santa will again be in town 6pm – 8pm with more walkabout entertainment including giant illuminated roller-skating Christmas presents.

‘We’re really looking forward to this year’s fantastic programme of free festive events,’ said Mayor Cllr David Corney-Walker.

‘It won’t cost families a penny to enjoy the celebrations so relax and enjoy everything on offer and support our traders if you can.

‘It will be a real treat for us to see faces new and old filling the streets of Newton Abbot this Christmas.’

The full events listing can be viewed at www.newtonabbot-tc.gov.uk.

THE Newton Abbot War Memorial has been decorated with 800 hand-knitted poppies in advance of this year’s Remembrance Sunday service on November 12.

The task was carried out on Friday October 27 by volunteers from the Town Council, Museum and local Royal British Legion.

Newton Abbot Town Council Events Co-ordinator Natalie Hicks is delighted with the results and said: ‘A big thank-you to my team of volunteers who helped me attach all 800 knitted poppies to the railings around the War Memorial this morning. 

‘Also of course to all those who created these stunning poppies.

‘As always this creates a big impact and visually looks remarkable.’ 

The parade through town and service are due to take place 10am – 11.30am and will be streamed live via the Town Council’s Facebook page.

Details can be found on the Newton Abbot Town Council website, www.newtonabbot-tc.gov.uk

‘We would be honoured should anyone choose to join us on Sunday November 12 to remember the fallen, either in person or via our Facebook page,’ said Natalie.

THE motoring clock is due to be turned back a few decades in Newton Abbot on Saturday May 27 when the town centre plays host to its latest classic car show.

From 9am – 4pm scores of cherished vehicles are expected to gather around the Clock Tower and neighbouring streets in a free display that has always wowed the crowds in previous years.

While proud owners swap notes with fellow enthusiasts and chat to visitors, the retro atmosphere will be boosted further by live performances from The Liberty Sisters and popular local vocalist Simon Prince, singing a selection of hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

The event is being organised by members of local car club, Teignbridge Classics, in partnership with Newton Abbot Town Development Manager Sally Henley.

‘There has been a great deal of interest in the show already, our town centre is a popular destination for classic car owners as we know from past events,’ said Sally.

‘It is a great day out for both them and shoppers, there’s always a great atmosphere in town.

‘This will be the second year that Teignbridge Classics is in charge of the show and I know that, weather permitting, it’s promising to be a full house.

‘It’s going to be a real treat for everyone and I’m sure the town will be buzzing all day.

‘But if you can’t make it, or one show just isn’t enough, don’t forget that we’ll be staging another classic car gathering in September, again thanks to Teignbridge Classics about whom you can find out all at their website, www.teignclassics.co.uk.

‘Parp parp, as Mr Toad would say!’

For more information please email sally.henley@newtonabbot-tc.gov.uk.

The above image shows members of Teignbridge Classics with a selection of Minis outside Austins!

Make your own lantern and join the “Wild Creatures Come to Town” Lantern Parade

Tickets available from Newton’s Place, Wolborough Street

HEDGEHOGS in Newton Abbot are being given a helping hand by the town council.

The authority has thrown its weight behind a scheme to create ‘hedgehog highways’ meaning the threatened creatures are able to roam freely to find food and life’s other essentials.

All they need are holes in garden fences, large enough to let them pass through.

To encourage householders to get busy with the saw, Newton Abbot Town Council is offering 50 free hedgehog highway frames to give the gaps a funky look.

Town Clerk Phil Rowe said: ‘The council was approached by the ELM Wildlife Rescue charity who gave a presentation on the threats faced by our hedgehog population and we decided to get behind their call for help,’ he said.

‘We know that Britain has lost as many as 75 per cent of its native hedgehogs in just the last 20 years so it’s critical we all do our bit.

‘Creating a highway is as simple as cutting a 13cm x 13cm gap in the bottom of your fence. Decorating the hole with one of our funky frames will help get children interested and might encourage them to take other steps such as creating bug hotels or planting flowers that attract bees and other pollinators.

‘What’s more, we’d love to see photos of the hedgehogs and other wildlife in Newton Abbot gardens and share them on our Facebook page.

‘So please, come on over to Newton’s Place in Wolborough Street and pick up one of our free highway frames.’

The frames will be given away free of charge on a first come first served basis, proof of residency will be required.

The council offices are open 8.30am – 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

The above image shows Phil Rowe with the box of hedgehog highway frames.

Newton Abbot Mayor Cllr Carol Bunday has officially opened new beehives named in honour of King Charles III whose coronation takes place on May 6.

The colony is cared for by Newton Abbot Beekeeping Association and located near heathland in Chudleigh Knighton.

The group’s aim is to strengthen the species’ presence in the area and encourage more people to take up the hobby with support and guidance from experts.

Cllr Bunday was shown inside one of the hives and taken through some of the detailed aspects of successful beekeeping.

‘I was made very welcome by the Newton Abbot Beekeepers and was amazed to find out hard these little pollinators work to sustain their colonies,’ she said.

‘We all know just how much our lives depend on bees and them having access to a healthy natural habitat so it’s wonderful to see people prepared to spend time and energy on projects such as the King Charles III hives.

‘It was really fascinating and we owe a debt of gratitude to both the bees and those who promote their welfare.’

As the official mayoral engagement took place outside Cllr Bunday’s own patch she first sought approval from Hennock Parish Council.

‘It’s only correct that I respect another council’s jurisdiction and I thank them for allowing me to wear the chain of office beyond Newton Abbot’s boundaries,’ said Cllr Bunday.

‘After all, I don’t anyone thinking that I see myself as queen bee everywhere I go!’

The attached images show Cllr Bunday at the hives

Please Note : Neither Cllr Bunday or Cllr Hocking are seeking re-election.