The Museum is now closed and will re-open to the public on Tuesday 23rd January 2024
Newton Abbot Town Council News
Victorian Evening – we are amused
A GREAT night was had by all at the Newton Abbot Victorian Evening on Wednesday December 6, despite the rain which fell throughout.
With 25 charity stalls in Market Square, entertainment from Elfic the Jester, an appearance by Squirrel Nutkins, the antics of a stilt-walking policeman and Santa in the Clock Tower, there was something for everyone.
Taking a £50 prize for best dressed stall was Newton Abbot Community Shed whose members have recently created a ‘meet and greet’ table top in Courtenay Street using the trunk of a felled alder tree as its base.
The evening was arranged by Newton Abbot Town Council. Events Coordinator Natalie Hicks said: ‘It was a great evening with lots of people enjoying themselves despite the weather.
‘Queen Victoria might be well known for the expression “We are not amused” but that definitely didn’t apply here.
‘I’m very grateful to everyone who helped, took a stall or just turned up for some festive cheer, it was a great atmosphere.
‘And of course, each stall raised money for its charity which is brilliant.
‘We look forward to the rest of our Christmas calendar which includes the Doggy Carol Service on Saturday December 9, the Lantern Parade and late night shopping on Wednesday December 13 and the Mayor’s Christmas Carols with more late night shopping on Wednesday December 20, all subject to last-minute change depending on the weather conditions etc.
‘All the details are on the council website, www.newtonabbot-tc.gov.uk, where you can also scan a QR code to check out all our social media updates and learn about forthcoming events.
‘You don’t get anything like this with online shopping, Merry Christmas everyone.’
The below image shows Mayor Cllr David Corney-Walker presenting the £50 cheque to Community Shed members.
Below images show some of the antics and smiling faces at the event.
Understanding the past to preserve stories for the future
Science of Collections Exhibition
A CANADIAN lynx that went on a killing spree in Newton Abbot and whose stuffed remains lain forgotten in a Bristol store for more than a century is among the artefacts set to star in a new exhibition at Newton Abbot Museum.
Also going on show as part of the Science of Collections event are fossils dating from 96 million years ago when Newton Abbot would have been lying under the warm waters of a shallow tropical ocean.
Curator India Jolly is hoping the month-long expo will help people understand the scientific processes that uncover the hidden natural history stories which lie beyond the exhibits.
‘From determining the lifestyle of a lynx raised in Newton Abbot, to supporting climate change data with 17th century butterflies, scientific processes can help uncover secrets of the past beyond the stories associated with the object,’ she said.
‘Science is used to conserve the items we look after. From fighting bug infestations to analysing the chemical make-up of materials, science helps us ensure that our museum collections are still here for future generations to discover.’
Complementing the exhibition are events throughout August, including family craft activities and evening talks. All explore history’s connection to the natural world,
The Lynx shot in 1903 had reportedly killed two farm dogs and ended up forgotten in the stores at Bristol Museum.
Scientific analysis of its DNA and bones confirmed it had lived at least part of its life in Newton Abbot, was raised in captivity and was between 11-17 years old at the time of its demise.
The 96 million-year-old fossil brittle stars were buried alive under the sea floor and have been preserved in spectacular detail.
‘The collection contains new species and provides information about their evolution and the ancient environment they lived in.
‘The exhibits are fascinating in their own right but the science which helps us understand them even more so,’ said India.
The exhibition runs from August 1 – September 1, admission is free. Visit https://museum-newtonabbot.org.uk for more information about summer events.
The below image shows the unfortunate lynx and other items from the exhibition
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For more information email [email protected] or call 01626 201121.
Local Plan 2020 – 2040
Have your say on the Teignbridge Proposed Submission Local Plan 2020 – 2040 Addendum
For more information visit https://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/localplanaddendum
The Tunnels of Love – Transforming the subways in Newton Abbot
The Tunnels of Love Project is an exciting art project, led by local artist Kate Green. The project has been managed by Newton Abbot Community Interest Company and has engaged local schools, community groups and artists in creating artwork which is being installed in the subways around the town.
The focus of the project is currently on the subways at Penn Inn roundabout where the themes of water, air, earth and fire are being used as a focus for the art installations in the four subways. The tunnels have been repainted and have been resprayed by graffiti artists. Large photo panels and ceramics reflecting each of the themes have been installed in the tunnels. The water tunnel includes a number of information panels reminding visitors of the connection that Penn Inn has with water – prior to the construction of the roundabout, the site was a very popular community paddling pool. One of the subways is intended to offer interaction and playfulness. The Air tunnel has many thought-provoking questions to ponder on your day’s journey, a selfie opportunity to become a bird, a treasure hunt to find iron age bronze animals as well as some fun, fairground mirrors.
In addition to the work at Penn Inn, the subway by the River Lemon at Asda has been resprayed and further works will be taking place on this subway in the coming months.
The Project is funded by Arts Council England and Teignbridge District Council.
Newton Abbot Community Interest Company would like to acknowledge the contribution of Newton Abbot Town Council in delivering the Project, their help in installing the artworks has been invaluable.
Emily Farrell from Newton Abbot CIC commenting that “it’s been really exciting to see the transformation of the subways through our ‘tunnels of love’ project. We hope that everyone will enjoy the beautiful art installations, as well as feeling more safe and secure when walking through the subways. We’d like to thank everyone who has made the project possible”.
Kate Green artist commented that ” What we have created in these four subways is unique. We usually expect murals in these spaces and what the Tunnels of Love project has done is to also use photography and pottery workshops to not only create unusual artworks, but to involve local people in the creation of the public art around them. The local community will see artworks made by someone they know, rather than by anonymous artists. The subway artwork is made by them and belongs to them “.
Museum’s early £2,000 Christmas gift courtesy of Persimmon Homes
NEWTON Abbot Museum has been awarded £2,000 by Persimmon Homes who are busy developing sites in the town such as that at Bradley Barton.
The cash is part of the firm’s Community Champions Scheme and will help staff cover operational costs.
‘In the areas we develop we like to leave a positive and lasting legacy,’ said Calum Davies, External Affairs Manager for Persimmon.
‘Part of that is donating money to local good causes and valued organisations like Newton Abbot Museum.
‘It’s in the centre of town and much loved so something of a focal point. Our donation is about making sure that good causes such as this can still be around for the future residents who will be living in our developments in the years to come.’
The gift has been welcomed by Mayor Cllr David Corney-Walker as the museum is funded mainly by Newton Abbot Town Council.
‘Awards such as this are very important and since we moved into Newton’s Place the museum has become a major attraction in the town,’ he said.’
‘Any contribution that assists with costs such as new exhibits is very much appreciated.’
Curator India Jolly said: ‘The money will help us look after the items we already have in the collection as well as going towards new exhibitions about the town.
‘It will also support more community engagement so there’s lots we can do and we’re very very grateful.’
With the 2023 season due to end in a few weeks Curatorial Assistant Lucy Cokes is busy preparing for next year.
‘The winter closure is very important for us as we get to change out some of our display cases and this type of funding helps with making sure we’ve got all the right equipment and material we need, and it helps train staff and volunteers too,’ she said.
Among the treats promised for 2024 is a board game creation activity.
For details visit www.museum-newtonabbot.org.uk.
The above image shows left -right Persimmon Planning Manager Ollie Thorogood, Calum Davies, India Jolly, Lucy Stokes and Cllr David Corney-Walker.
3 Days of Wonder
UP and coming rock band, 3 Days of Wonder, have been added to the entertainment line-up for Newton Abbot’s Christmas lights switch-on on Saturday November 25.
The Devon outfit, led by frontman Luke Notman, are scheduled to perform some of their latest material in front of St Leonard’s Clock Tower from 10am – 11pm.
Their recent number, Younger Days, has been nominated as Album Track of the year by Smart Radio while their list of gigs around the region and beyond continues to grow.
The new EP, Eyes Wide Open, is on sale at Phoenix Sound, Queen Street.
Luke said: We’re often described as having music that is mature for such a young band. We take inspiration from The Police, U2, Foofighters, The Script and Big Country. Our ultimate goal is to play to a packed out rock stadium!
‘We love playing our energy filled shows and connecting with our audience and followers.’
Town Development Manager Sally Henley said: ‘It’s great that the band has found time in their hectic schedule to play for us live on the day of the Christmas lights switch-on.
‘They are storming the music scene at the moment and I’m sure they’ll go down really well with the Newton Abbot audience.
‘We’ve also got live music from Simon Prince who will be performing in Courtenay Street 10am – 2pm, what a great start to our seasonal festivities and it’s all completely free.’
Other attractions on the day include walkabouts by town mascot Newton, free activities for children, Taiko drumming and stilt walkers.
The Christmas Parade from The Avenue to the Clock Tower is set to start at 5pm, featuring Father Christmas, Newton’s Float, the Ipplepen Winter Carnival Float, cars from Prestige Events plus The Mayor and his Consort.
Also expected to take part, operations permitting, is one of the town’s fire engines and crew.
All eyes will be turned skywards at 5.30pm when Mayor Cllr David Corney-Walker and Santa throw the switch to illuminate the town for the festive season.
There will be free giveaways for children in the afternoon and evening while stocks last, plus the chance to meet and greet Santa on his sleigh after the lights switch-on until 6.30pm.
Images of the band are available at https://3daysofwonder.com
Fired for Royalty Exhibition – Right royal celebration of potter at Newton Abbot Museum
NEWTON Abbot Museum is set to host a collection of historic pottery souvenirs created locally for key royal events of the past.
The Fired for Royalty exhibition is being staged by the Torquay Pottery Collectors Society with doors due to open on Saturday June 10 and the items on display until July 6 as a celebration of the recent coronation of King Charles III.
The Exhibition showcases more than 100 commemorative pieces produced for events including Queen Victoria’s Golden and Diamond Jubilees, the Coronation of King Edward VII in 1902, the Coronation and Silver Jubilee of King George V, the Coronation of King George VI and the Coronation and Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
Also commemorated in pottery is the abdication of King Edward VIII who gave up the throne in 1936 so he could marry divorcee Wallis Simpson.
Project Curator Andy Violet said: ‘The establishment of the first pottery, the Watcombe Terracotta Company in 1869, in the Torquay area, spawned a number of potteries in the immediate locality and the south Devon area. ‘These potteries, using clay that equalled and even surpassed the Italian clays, produced a number of royal commemoratives for the prominent royal events of the late nineteenth century.
‘The royal commemorative souvenirs produced in south Devon differ from those produced by the Staffordshire potteries in that they were not factory produced with transfer decoration, but were hand thrown on a potter’s wheel and hand decorated in earthy coloured slips with roses, thistles and shamrocks with sgraffitoed inscriptions, and incorporated a crown and the heads of the monarchs.
‘They have more artistic merit than those decorated with simple transfer designs produced by the Staffordshire potteries.’
Museum Curator India Jolly said: ‘It’s wonderful to have this collection of Devon commemoratives on display so close to where they were produced.
‘We’re very grateful to the Torquay Pottery Collectors Society for arranging the exhibition which I’m sure will prove to be very popular given the interest in the recent coronation.’
Entry to the museum is free, visit www.museum-newtonabbot.org.uk for details.
The above image shows Andy Violet with a piece of the commemorative pottery.
For more information email [email protected] or call 01626 201121.
New hope for derelict site after backing from Newton Abbot Town Council
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.
