News courtesy of Kevin Foster
(MP for Torbay)
Paignton Hospital Closure Consultation Delayed
There was surprising news today about the consultation on proposals to close Paignton Hospital.
Originally the consultation process was due to start next Friday (13th May) and many of the questions being asked were ones that could only realistically receive one response. Yet, yesterday, the Trust indicated the start of this consultation will be delayed. The reason given was that NHS England and the Trust were still considering the detail of the proposals before they could be put to a consultation.
Whilst they are clear about closing Paignton’s Hospital, they give little to no detail about the services they propose to replace it.
Trust may now be having second thoughts about its plans, as rather than delay the consultation they might completely rethink their proposals and instead confirm how services will be maintained and not removed from Paignton.
Sainsbury’s Abandon Wellswood Store Plan
You may recall the discussions about the potential for a supermarket in the Wellswood Village Shopping Centre.
Sainsbury’s had expressed an interest in a double unit that is currently vacant. Yet in an email sent to the Chair of the Wellswood & Torwood Community Partnership they have now indicated they are no longer pursuing this. The e-mail:
Dear John,
Thank you for your email. Yes, I can confirm that we are not longer going ahead with our plans for a Sainsbury’s Local in Ilsham Road, Torquay. Such decisions are not easy to make but we will continue to support our other stores in the area.
Best wishes
Angharad
You can read more on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
Get Your Trainers Ready for the Torbay Half Marathon
Nearly 1,500 runners have already registered to take part in the Torbay Half Marathon, but there is still time to do so if you fancy putting your trainers on and going for a run.
The Half Marathan is taking place on Sunday 26th June with both the start and finish line on Paignton Sea Front, with a route that takes runners along the sea front to Torquay.
You can find out all the details, as well as register to take part, on the event’s special website by clicking here.
Torbay Climbing Obesity League
Whilst those running the Torbay Half Marathon are looking to set personal bests for fitness, sadly this week the bay was also revealed to be one of the highest areas for overweight people being treated in hospital.
Figures relating to people in Torbay sadly show we are more than twice as likely as the national average to have hospital treatments where medics make a note of an obesity issue. Our area also had the fourth highest rate of admissions in the UK, with 1,897 admissions per 100,000 people.
You can read more on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
TBID Business Plan Published
Recent updates have covered the ongoing progress with work to create a Tourism BID aimed at promoting the bay as a destination.
This week a major stage in the process was reached as the business plan for the TBID has been revealed. If successful, the initiative will raise £3million to promote the English Riviera brand worldwide and comes at a time when future Torbay Council funding for such work is being ended.
A number of other UK resorts including Bournemouth and Great Yarmouth already have a TBID in place to promote their tourist industry. Unlike the TRTBID that was voted on last year the new proposal only covers tourism businesses.
You can find out more about the TBID, plus download a copy of the business plan, on the dedicated website by clicking here.
Torbay Rapist Jailed
A man was this week sentenced to 13 years in prison after being convicted of raping two women and sexually assaulting another in South Devon.
The rapist had denied the charges but was convicted after a trial at Exeter Crown Court.
You can read the full story on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
Is Your Business Into Wellbeing?
Businesses are being invited to take part in a new FREE Wellbeing event at the Town Hall next month.
Torbay Council is running Wellbeing event from 10am to 3pm on Wednesday 18 May. It’s inviting organisations to set up a stall at no charge if they provide a product or service which could be used to support other companies and their staff lead a healthier and happier lifestyles.
The event has been run previously just for council staff. It has been so successful that this year it has been expanded and members of the public and local employers are welcome to come along on the day.
Those attending will be able to visit different stalls and speak to representatives providing information on products and services available in the Bay. These will include:
• Local gyms
• Leisure centres
• Slimming clubs
• Holistic & massage therapists
• One You
• Devon Doctors
• The Fire Service
• Torbay Domestic Abuse Service
For more information click here
Where Can You Have a Doggie Paddle This Summer?
Sunday 1st May marked the start of the summer restrictions on dogs visiting a number of local beaches, with many of the most high profile beaches now out of bounds for our four legged friends.
Dogs are not allowed on the following beaches between 1 May and 30 September 2016:
Breakwater Beach, Broadsands Beach, Corbyn Head, Goodrington Sands (South Sands), Hollicombe Beach, Meadfoot Beach (South western part), Oddicombe Beach, Paignton Sands, Preston Sands and Torre Abbey Sands
Yet your dog can still enjoy a chance to get their paws wet on the following beaches:
Ansteys Cove, Babbacombe Beach, Beacon Cove, Churston Cove, Elberry Cove, Fairy Cove, Fishcombe Cove, Goodrington Sands (North Sands), Institute Beach, Livermead Sands, Maidencombe Beach, Meadfoot Beach (North Eastern part of the beach), Oyster Cove, Peaked Tor Cove, Saltern Cove, Shoalstone Beach, St Marys Bay and Watcombe Beach.
The peak season for visitors is still some time away and this has provoked a debate about whether the Dog Ban has come in too early. One resident posted a video on Youtube giving his views on the timing of the ban starting which showed the beach empty at one end (where Dogs are banned) and a busy beach where they were not.
Few would argue that it would be sensible to allow dogs to run along the busiest beaches during the height of the summer peak season.
Geo Opera Cast Call Out
In September 2016 an expected 1000 delegates will be coming to Torbay from the one hundred and twenty UNESCO Global Geoparks around the world.
The conference will start with an opening ceremony and this could star you!!!!
You could join local musicians and players from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) to open the conference and welcome international visitors and VIPs to Torbay.
The production team has launched a call for performers to join the cast. Artistic Director, Mark Laville, said: “We are looking for Performers, Musicians, Singers, Choirs, Rappers, Dancers and Actors – aged 8-80!”
Anyone and everyone interested is invited to come to the Palace Theatre Paignton on Wednesday 1 June at 6pm to find out more from Artistic Director Mark Laville, BSO Devon Associate and GeoOpera Musical Director, Hugh Nankivell, and the rest of the creative team.
If you want to find out more about the GeoOpera then head for its Facebook page by clicking here.
EU Referendum Information Hub
The House of Commons Library has recently set up an online information hub where you can find all the research documents it has produced on issues related to the Referendum debate. This followed a large number of requests from MPs for briefing documents on individual subjects related to it.
The researchers who work for the House of Commons Library are required to be politically neutral, (as such they cannot take a position on the referendum question itself) and many are recognised experts in their field. They are also employed by parliament directly and are not part of the Civil Service to ensure their independence.
You can visit the online hub by clicking here.
Events
YellowFest 2 – Party on the Pitch
7th May 2016 -8th May 2016, 12.00 noon – Plainmoor, Torquay, TQ1 3PS
Tickets only: Early Bird (first 500) £20 for both day, £15 per day, £25 for both days
For more information, click here
Seasons of Love – A Variety Show raising funds for Rowcroft Hospice
7th May 2016 – 19:30 – Babbacombe Theatre, Babbacombe Downs Road, Torquay, TQ1 3LU
Tickets: £10 Box Office, £11 Online
For more information, click here
Coffee Morning and Sponsored Haircut
Saturday 7th May 10am -12noon Preston Baptist Church, Old Torquay Road
A coffee morning and sponsored haircut is taking place in Paignton on Saturday to raise awareness and funds for the MPS Society. The haircut is due to take place at 11:15am.
Charity Dress Rehersal
The TOADS Theatre Company will be doing a special charity dress rehearsal performance in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society on Saturday 7th May. The performance starts at 7:30pm, with doors open from 7pm. Tickets are £10 each.
