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.
A PUB quiz night in Newton Abbot on Monday July 8 will raise funds for The Life Chance Trust, a youth charity adopted by Mayor Cllr Alex Hall for his first year in office.
The venue for the event will be the Richard Hopkins in Queen Street with the entry fee for teams of four set at £5.
The general knowledge and specialist round questions will come thick and fast from 7.30pm onwards.
Organiser Cllr Mike Ryan said: ‘When Newton Abbot Carnival was still running we always had a quiz night around this time of year and I’m pleased to keep that tradition going.
‘I’m also delighted that the night will support Alex’s charity as it does great work helping to boost the morale and confidence of our young people.
‘Alex is only 22 himself and the youngest Mayor Newton Abbot has ever had.
‘He’s a great example to his peers, showing just what is possible if you’ve the right people keeping your back.
‘So come along on Monday July 8 and enjoy a great night out while at the same time supporting a very worthwhile cause.’
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.’
THE new Mayor of Newton Abbot, 22-year-old Cllr Alex Hall, had his first official outing on Saturday [May 18] when he attended the Annual Town Meeting in Courtenay Street.
Hundreds of shoppers took the opportunity to quiz Cllr Hall and his fellow members on a wide range of matters including pot holes and town centre regeneration.
Also present at the event were maintenance staff showing off the new £160,000 street cleaning machine the town council has invested in following service cuts by the district and county councils.
‘It was great to meet so many people and most had some very good things to say about Newton Abbot, including those folk who regularly travel into town from other communities to enjoy our shops and facilities,’ said Cllr Hall.
‘Quite a few people don’t understand the different roles undertaken by town, district and county councils and I get that, all residents want is to have the services they need delivered at a fair price.
‘We were able to amplify our concerns about Teignbridge Council’s plans to reduce on-street parking and introduce traffic restrictions in Queen Street.
‘It also appears that many residents are yet to be convinced about Teignbridge’s plans for the regeneration of the Market Hall and Market Walk.
‘Those doubts aside, it was clear to me that Newton Abbot remains a much-loved town by its residents and a favoured destination for people in places like Torbay who told me there’s so much more life and vitality here.
‘I congratulate our Town Development Manager, Sally Henley, and the business community for their incredible efforts in the face of an economic storm.
I also applaud our Events Co-ordinators, Natalie Hicks and Kelly Burridge, for compiling a wonderful year-round events programme that we know is popular with residents and visitors alike.
‘Finally, hats off to museum staff, including Kate Green and Lucy Cokes, who entertained families during the annual town meeting with their free craft activities.
‘I cannot say how proud I am to be Mayor of Newton Abbot and am already thoroughly enjoying the job of championing our fantastic town.’
The above image shows Cllr Alex Hall at the Annual Town Meeting
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.
Tell the Mayor why you love Newton Abbot and help him light the D-Day 80th anniversary beacon
What does Newton Abbot mean to you?
Why do you love to call it home?
Capture those feelings in a photo, drawing or essay of no more than 100 words and share them with Newton Abbot Town Council.
Mayor Cllr Alex Hall, who takes up office on May 15, will choose the entry he loves most and ask its creator to help him light the D-Day 80th anniversary beacon in Highweek.
Here’s why.
At 6.30am on Tuesday June 6 1944, the Allied liberation of occupied France began.
Operation Neptune, more commonly known as D-Day, was the largest seaborne invasion in world history.
It cost the lives of more than 4,400 troops, the Battle of Normandy that followed claimed another 70,000.
As a whole, World War Two took the lives of perhaps more than 80 million people.
This unimaginable sacrifice provided the foundations for the liberty we still enjoy today.
On the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Newton Abbot, along with communities the length and breadth of Britain, will commemorate the moment with the lighting of beacons.
The ceremony at Highweek, one of three set to take place at the same time in Newton Abbot, will be led by Cllr Alex Hall.
He said: ‘As we all know, there’s no place like home, and for me that is Newton Abbot.
‘It’s a town that means so much to me and one I will be very privileged to serve as its Mayor.
‘It’s also a community that has, largely, known nothing but peace for a number of generations and that isn’t something we should take for granted.
‘The sacrifices made, not only on D-Day but throughout the Second World War and other conflicts, has allowed us and our town to grow and prosper.
‘Whatever the challenges we face today, they pale into insignificance compared with how life could have been had our forebears not fought to preserve our independence.
‘So I’d like to know why other people are glad to call Newton Abbot home and to remind ourselves of the good fortune we enjoy simply by living here.
‘There’s no place like Newton Abbot, there’s no place like home.
‘Tell me why and, hopefully, you can join me in Highweek on June 6 to light a very special beacon of hope and remembrance.’
Newton Abbot’s three beacons will be near All Saints’ Church at Highweek, the junction of Firestone Lane and Stoneman’s Hill in Wolborough and Shaldon Road in Buckland, south of the Centrax factory
The public are welcome to attend although please be courteous when parking and do not enter private land without permission.
Submit entries by emailing [email protected] or dropping them off at Newton’s Place, Wolborough Street.
The deadline is 5pm Monday May 27, entrants must agree to publicity photographs being published.
Ensure your contact details are clearly marked and state if you want the entry to be returned.
The below image shows then Mayor, Cllr Carol Bunday, at the 2022 Highweek beacon for the Queen’s Jubilee.
For more information please email [email protected] or call 01626 201120.
A Devon ‘making, mending and meeting’ group is hoping to celebrate its first anniversary with a clutch of new helpers as demand for places continues to grow.
The Newton Abbot Community Shed was established in June 2023 and now has more than 50 members.
Initially they met just one morning a week in a former pottery studio in the town’s library but after a grant of £1,000 from Newton Abbot Town Council that has since risen to three times weekly and now a fourth session is on the cards.
There are also plans to find larger premises, launch a repair café and gain charitable status.
Chair Peter Stevens said: ‘A large proportion of our members are very active ‘Shedders’ and many of those are happy and able to work on their projects with little or no assistance.
‘Some members however need additional support and would benefit from one-to-one working with a helper.
‘We’re interested in attracting half a dozen or so volunteers with a bit of time to spare and an interest in people.
‘We don’t necessarily need qualified tradespeople or engineers, just those with patience and a smattering of practical skills they’re willing to share.
‘We’re a group for all men and women aged 18 and above and that’s our only eligibility criterion.
‘Becoming part of the Community Shed is as rewarding for helpers as it is members and we look forward to growing our numbers as the first anniversary approaches.’
In addition to making goods for sale, such as bird boxes and key cabinets, the Shedders have created a ‘pop-up’ bistro table on the stump of a felled tree in the town centre.
They also crafted props for the Town Council’s free Easter family activities and are busy with plans to build Santa a new sleigh in time for his visit at Christmas.
Another project in the pipeline is the restoration of a doll’s house, scratch built on Dartmoor some 60 years ago.
Mayor Cllr David Corney-Walker said: ‘The Newton Abbot Community Shed is clearly going from strength to strength and is a wonderful example of a town supporting its own.
‘I do hope they can attract some additional helpers in time for the first anniversary as that will mean they can achieve their aims, aims that will benefit not only members but Newton Abbot and its surrounding communities as a whole.’
The Community Shed meets each Friday morning and afternoon as well as Saturday mornings. Monday sessions are being planned.
The below image shows left – right: Tim Faulkner (NACS Secretary) Peter Stevens (NACS Chair) Ollie Doughty – the Shedder responsible for designing and painting the tintamarresque boards.
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.
