News courtesy of Kevin Foster
(MP for Torbay)
Any views expressed in this news post are those of Kevin Foster, unless stated otherwise.
Mental Health Treatment Closer To Home
One of the worst aspects of mental health care in our area has been the number of people who end up being placed outside our area when they need specialist care.
New facilities are being developed within our county to help put an end to this and ensure that those needing help can still be close to their loved ones. This includes those needing to be treated in secure accommodation.
The Devon Live website did an interesting piece on these plans this week and you can read it by clicking here.
Capital Funding Boost For A&E
There was welcome news today when it was announced that Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust will receive £897,000 of capital funding to ease pressure on A&E services.
The funding is part of an allocation being made by the Department of Health of £55.98 million of the £100 million A&E capital funding outlined in the spring Budget to ease pressure on emergency departments in time for next winter.
This funding is welcome news given recent changes to health services in the bay and will help ease the pressure on our NHS. You can read more on the Department of Health website by clicking here.
Diesel Cars Scrappage Call
There has been a lot of talk about the future for Diesel Cars in recent weeks following the Mayor of London suggesting they may be banned from parts of London.
The Prime Minister is very conscious of the fact that past governments have encouraged people to buy diesel cars, and Ministers will take this into account when they look at what to do in the future.
For many drivers this could be a double whammy of seeing their car fall in value whilst at the same time facing higher costs. Earlier this week fellow Devon MP Neil Parish called on the Government to consider a scrappage scheme to take older diesels off the road. You can read the Herald Express report on the debate by clicking here.
We hope that once the Election is over, a decision is made, by whatever government is in office, to look at such a scheme.
Debenhams Store Review
The news that Debenhams is reviewing the future of some stores prompted some concerns this week about the future for its three stores in Devon.
There are no specific indications that the stores in Torquay, Plymouth and Exeter are under threat but a watchful eye is being kept for any further developments as this is a major anchor retailer for Torquay. You can read the Herald Express report by clicking here.
Tall Ships In The Bay
This week our bay provided a spectacular backdrop for the start of a Tall Ships Race.
You can see some fantastic photographs and video of the event on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
Baby Giraffe Born
There was excitement at Paignton Zoo this week as Sangha, one of the Zoo’s Rothschild Giraffes give birth to a new calf.
The Zoo’s giraffe house is likely to be closed for a few days while mother and calf bond. It’s hoped that visitors may be able to see the calf from this coming weekend. The rest of the Zoo’s herd will be out and about.
The birth was captured on video by keepers and you can watch it, plus some rather cute footage of the Giraffe, on the Zoo’s website by clicking here.
Torre Abbey Family Sundays
Torre Abbey has undergone a major rebrand which includes the provision of a packed programme of exhibitions, events and activities for all ages.
On Sunday 30th April, from 10am to 5pm (last admission 4pm), the museum will kick start the beginning of this new era with a new family programme called Family Sunday, with children and teenagers now free to enter the Abbey (with a paying adult).
Family Sundays include free activities in the house and gardens and also incredible bookable workshops featuring theatre, technology for kids, forest school, dance and play across selected Sundays. You can find the relevant dates and further information on the Abbey’s website by clicking here.
40th Anniversary of Exchange
Later this year, the Torbay & District Lifesaving & Lifeguarding Club will be celebrating the 40th Anniversary of its exchange scheme with the DLRG, a Lifesaving Club in Hameln, Germany.
This is now one of the longest running Exchanges with Hameln involving generations of families and creating lifelong friendships. Torbay will be hosting the 40th Anniversary visit from 7th-14th Oct 2017.
The club is keen to reach out to as many past club members as possible who have been a part of the Hameln Exchange over the last 40 years – For sharing photos, stories but in particular so that they can invite them to a special celebratory evening during that week.
Past members are being asked to contact the club via email: torbaylifesaving@gmail.com.
Watcombe Robbery
Torquay Police are appealing for witnesses to an armed robbery that took place on Easter Sunday at the Watcombe Service Station.
A man threatened the shopkeeper with a claw hammer and made off with £1,500 in cash. You can read more details on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
Looking For Lara.
If you have ever imagined yourself as the star of the Tomb Raider series, Lara Croft, then an amateur photographer would like to hear from you.
The Bideford based snapper has been recreating film and video game characters for the last three years and now he’s looking for a Tomb Raider. He is looking for a woman in her mid to late 20s or early 30s to “show an older, wiser Lara”. The would-be Tomb Raider will be put through her paces on Westward Ho! Beach, with Trevor planning an action shoot involving running, jumping, climbing and fighting
If this sounds like you, you can find all the details on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
Events
World Penguin Day
Tuesday 25th April – Living Coasts, Beacon Hill, Torquay, TQ1 2BG
Time – 10:00-16:00
Cost – Usual charges apply
SCI Football Festival
28th April-1st May – Clennon Valley, Pencil Way, Paignton, TQ4 5JR
Time – Matches throughout day
Click here for more information
Powerboat and Water Ski Racing – Aqua Adrenaline
28th April-1st May – Beacon Quay, Torquay, TQ1 2BG
Cost – Free to watch
