News courtesy of Kevin Foster
(MP for Torbay)
More Cruise Ships Heading For The Bay
The sight of large cruise ships pulling into the bay will become a lot more frequent next year.
This week it was reported that 8 ships are booked to visit the bay next year, a welcome boost for our local attractions. You can read more on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
Mayoral Forum Date Booked
Residents, and all with an interest in the bay, are being invited to attend the seventh Mayor’s Forum, which is taking place on Thursday 29th October.
The forum will cover a variety of subjects, including the following:
• An update on the South Devon Highway by the contractors, Galliford Try.
• Details about the new Torwood Street development by Peter Tisdale from That Group.
• Information about the EPIC Centre and Hi-Tech Forum from the TDA.
The Mayor’s Forum will take place in the Rosetor Room, Riviera International Conference Centre starting at 6pm. You can just turn up on the night as the forum and parking for the event is free. For any other information please call Hellen Jones in the Mayor’s office on 01803 207001 or email hellen.jones@torbay.gov.uk.
Apple Day Is Back
Cockington Court and its staff are gearing up for the biggest day of the year at Cockington with this year’s Apple Day promising to be a show stopper.
On Sunday 18 October between 10am and 4pm, Cockington will be awash with all things apple, and visitors can taste or take home a variety of locally sourced, delicious food and drink. The traditional cider press will be in action as it turns the autumn windfall into juice and the demonstrators will educate the crowds by showing them how to transform apple juice into scrumptious scrumpy.
All the family can take part in a range of activities from creative crafts to apple themed challenges and games, while being wowed by children’s entertainers and cooking demonstrations.
For more information on the event or for a Stall Holders Enquiry Form visit the Apple Day page on the Cockington Court website by clicking here.
Tickets are available on the day at just £3.50 per adult and £1.50 for children.
Tessier Gardens Scoops Award
Tessier Gardens is a hidden gem in St Marychurch that is well looked after.
The Friends Group takes real pride in it and works hard to maintain it. All their hard work was recognised this week as they scooped an award from the RHS & South West in Bloom.
The It’s Your Neighbourhood Award is a real achievement.
Poor Survey Result
A survey this week indicated that people in Torbay were the most unhappy in Devon.
The survey showed Torbay had the lowest average score when compared to other districts. Yet given the scale of 0 to 10 (Happiest) showed an average of 7.36 it was still a sign most are fairly happy with their lives. The Devon average was 7.70.
You can read the full details on the Herald Express Web site by clicking here.
Have Your Say on Gleneagles Application
Many were disappointed when earlier this year the iconic Gleneagles Hotel closed for business, the hotel being famous for its role in inspiring the “Fawlty Towers” series.
A developer is looking to demolish the hotel and build retirement flats on the site. The first plans were rejected by the Council earlier this year, but as mentioned in my update a couple of weeks ago new plans have now been submitted. You can view them and send a comment to the council on them, by clicking here.
The developers have indicated that if given planning permission the development would be completed in early 2017. My own view is that the current design looks out of keeping with the area and if a conversion is allowed something more closely resembling the terraced houses next to it would be a lot better.
Charity Gets Stuck With Waste
Many people across the bay regularly make donations of items to charity shops that raise valuable funds for the causes concerned.
Yet one local charity, Animals in Distress, has revealed that it is now spending thousands of pounds each year getting rid of “donations” that are unsaleable. Items left at its shop include boxes of soiled or broken items that nobody would wish to buy. You can read the full story on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
If you have finished with something that could raise a few pounds then many Charity Shops across the bay will be pleased to receive it. Yet the simple rule is if it is something no-one would buy, why dump it on a charity?
The Brixham Job?
Those who have seen it will instantly recall the, literally, cliffhanging ending to the Italian Job as the coach is balanced on a cliff edge.
There was a similar scene this week in Brixham when an Ambulance that had been on a call out was allowed to roll away and ended up perched on the edge of a drop. You can see the pictures on the Western Morning News Website by clicking here.
In this story though there is not a cliffhanging ending or a clever idea needed, a crane moved the ambulance and no-one was hurt.
Events
Wed 30th Sept: BMAD biker nights, Paignton seafront from 6pm
Saturday 3rd Oct Apple Blackberry and Apple Fayre, 10:30am – 2:30pm St Matthias Church, Babbacombe Road, Torquay.
Sun 18th Oct: Apple Day, 10am-4pm, £3.50 adults £1 children, Cockington Court, Torquay
Friday 23rd Oct: Trafalgar Ball in Aid Of Torbay Hospital League of Friends. 7pm till 1am Grand Hotel. Tickets £40. Contact: lynne@websitevision.co.uk
Thurs 29th Oct: Mayor’s Forum, Riviera Centre, from 6pm, free
