News courtesy of Kevin Foster
(MP for Torbay)
It’s Critical Appeal Reaches £1.6m Target
There was a mood of celebration in the air as the League of Friends of Torbay Hospital reached the £1.6m target for their “This is Critical” fundraising Campaign
The money will be used to support the £15m project to build a state-of-the-art new critical care unit (CCU) with dedicated facilities for relatives. This major investment project will see a 14-bed CCU that will have all the latest technology and equipment required to provide a modern, patient focused environment. The project also includes a new main entrance for the hospital with a café, a shop and additional public amenities.
This is a tremendous achievement and congratulations are due to everyone involved with it from those who helped lead the fundraising efforts to every single person who donated what they could to it. You can read more on the Hospital website by clicking here.
Join the 22 Push Ups Campaign
Recently, Social Media sites have been full of videos of various people taking part in the “22 push ups” campaign to raise awareness of mental health issues and PTSD amongst military veterans.
The figure of 22 represents the number of veterans who commit suicide every day in the United States of America where the campaign started. The original idea was to nominate someone to do 22 for 22 days.
On Sunday, former serviceman Rich McDonald has organised a mass press up at 1pm in the Torbay Leisure Centre in Paignton where you can get down and “give 22”. Just show up suitably dressed.
Don’t worry if you have not exercised in a while as you can take your time doing them.
Torbay Airshow Dates Set
After the success of this year’s event it is time to pop in your diary next year’s Torbay Airshow.
It will take place on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th June 2017. There are no further details yet, but we will post more information as it becomes available.
Bit Nippy For A Dip?
After some wonderful weather this summer it has been a little bit cold if planning to take a dip this week – yet that did not put off one group of swimmers who really would have felt a nip in the air.
On Saturday the Great British Skinny Dip reached Hollacombe as some swimmers headed into the sea for a no costume swim. You can read more on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
Bypass Office Leaves
Over the last four years the works at Kingskerswell have helped transform our infrastructure and bring a wave of potential new investment into the bay.
Yet the team that delivered the bypass is finally nearing the end of this massive project and the large project office that was the hub of the works is being removed. You can read more on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
Grammar Schools Debate,
Yesterday the Prime Minister made a major policy speech on education that included proposals to lift the legal ban on new Grammar Schools that was introduced in 1998.
Much of the debate in the national media appears odd when looked at from a Torbay perspective, given that we already have 3 Grammar Schools (Plus a Grammar Stream at The Spires College). These work well in partnership with other schools in the bay and in recent years we have seen the Studio School focused on Health & Social Care open in Shiphay. There are also a range of courses available at South Devon College for those aged under 19.
The Government is clear there will be no return to a compulsion to take the 11+ or that any area will be required to restart a Grammar School system. There will be a range of other conditions any new school will be required to meet in relation to ensuring pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds are able to benefit from it.
It is very unlikely a new Grammar School will be built in the bay despite this announcement, given the ones we already have. Yet the point Kevin Foster made in the House of Commons this week was that he sees no reason why other areas should not be able to choose to have the same mixture of schools we already benefit from. You can read what he said here.
Carry on Nurse!!!!
The title of the famous comedy film from the 1960’s was given a new meaning this week as one Nurse indicated her intention to carry on, after already completing 64 years with the NHS.
Torbay Hospital Nurse, Monica Bulman, is still working 15 to 20 hours a week on the Endoscopy Ward having just celebrated her 83rd birthday, with no plans to retire anytime soon. Her only complaint? She is not a fan of modern Nurses Uniforms, preferring the style of those she first wore in the 1950’s.
In her time Monica has helped tens of thousands of people and it was great to see her achievement getting national recognition in the media this week. You can read more on the BBC website by clicking here.
Events
Corner Care Coffee Morning
10th September 2016, 10:30-12:00, Sacred Heart Church Hall, Paignton, TQ3 2SH
Cost: £1.50 including refreshments
Booking: No booking necessary
For more information, click here
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust – Glass Etching with Nature
15th September 2016, 10:00 – 13:00 – Occombe Yurt, Preston Down Road, Preston, TQ3 1RN
Cost: £15
Booking: Book in advance here
For more information, click here
Agatha Christie International Festival 2016
14th September 2016 – 18th September 2016
Various Times and Locations
Cost: Varies
For more information, click here and here
