News courtesy of Kevin Foster
(MP for Torbay)
TSB Branch To Close
The TSB branch in Union Street, Torquay will be closing in early to mid-July of this year. The branch in St Marychurch is staying open and will be refitted around the same time. The explanation was that they did not see it as commercially viable to keep both branches open at the same time and they have sent letters out to their customers.
Don’t Forget To Have Your Say on Thursday
On Thursday voters are going to the Polls to elect a new Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon & Cornwall and decide whether the bay should continue to have an Elected Mayor.
Six candidates are standing to be our PCC, including Alison Hernandez a former Torbay Councillor. From checking the nomination sheet Alison is the only candidate who lives in the bay. You can find out more details about all the candidates standing for election on a dedicated website by clicking here.
Polling stations will be open from 7am till 10pm and if you have not yet had chance to return your Postal Vote you can take it (Completed and in the envelope) to any polling station on the day. You do not need your Polling Card to vote, although taking it to the Polling Station with you it does assist the clerks at the station.
In addition to the PCC vote and Referendum a Council By-Election is taking place in Tormohun Ward in Torquay.
Oxygen Masks For Animals
We have all heard the story about the Fire Service being called out to rescue a cat stuck up a tree, yet local pets now have a better chance of surviving a fire after new equipment was donated to Torquay Fire Fighters.
New oxygen masks that are specially designed to fit on to the snouts and over the ears of family pets providing life-saving oxygen in the event of a blaze are now being carried on Torquay’s Fire Engines. The funding for them has been provided by Pat Preston from the Feline Network, a registered charity based in Devon.
You can read more about this on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
Looking for £1,000 to Kick Start Your Business Idea?
SOUP is an international crowd-funding phenomenon that brings communities together to raise small-scale investment to kick-start new businesses or ideas.
The concept is simple. Come along, pay for a bowl of soup, and listen to four investment-hungry businesses pitch their idea.
Attendees will network with other business start ups and then have their say by voting for the idea which is most deserving of investment. The business with the most votes gets the takings from the event plus a package of support from the TDA and GAIN. The event takes place at Torre Abbey in Torquay on Wednesday 18 May 2016, 12:30 – 14:00.
If you’re interested in pitching your business idea at SOUP or would like to attend the event you can find further information by clicking here.
Call For Stone Age Volunteers
Project Firestone, a project to teach children more about the Stone Age, is looking for volunteers to help out with an event on Friday 3rd June.
The Stone Age Games is being held at Kent’s Cavern as part of the annual Geopark festival week and volunteers are needed to help run the activities on the day and to get involved with the preparation in the run up to the event.
Once selected, all volunteers will be provided with the appropriate training for their roles as well as the health and safety training required for working on and off site.
If you would like to get involved with this event, send an email to firestone@kents-cavern.co.uk to express your interest or to find out more about volunteering with the heritage team at the caves
Wellswood & Torwood CP Needs a Secretary
Wellswood & Torwood Area Community Partnership is looking for some help.
Here is the e-mail received from the Secretary Sue Kenway setting out their need for someone to fill the pivotal role of Secretary:
Dear All,
We are still looking for someone to take on the duties of the Secretary for the Partnership from May onwards, or if not all the duties, at least to maintain the Database and ensure that our 236 members are kept informed about local activities.
Please put your hand up or try and locate someone from your various contacts who would be able to take on this pivotal role.
Contact John Rawson rjrawson@btinternet.com for more information.
Many thanks,
Sue
Events
BMAD Friday 29th, Saturday 30th April and Sunday 1st May
Local Charity, Bikers Make A Difference, are hosting a 3 day festival on Paignton Green, with all profits going to good causes. There will be a mix of bands, stalls and displays to keep everyone entertained.
There is too much happening to list it all here, but handily you can find all the details you need on their dedicated website by clicking here.
Brixham Pirate Festival Friday 29th, Saturday 30th April and Sunday 1st May
There will be plenty of fun on offer this weekend in Brixham as the annual Pirate Festival is underway.
See the dedicated website by clicking here.
May Day Treasure Hunt, Cockington Village, Monday 2nd May
The Annual Save the Children Treasure Hunt will take place on Bank Holiday Monday from 10am till 3pm on the green in front of the Drum Inn. It promises to be a lot of fun and a great day out for the family.
There is a £1 entry fee or £4 per family.
