Latest update 3rd September

DUE TO HOLIDAY NO UPDATES UNTIL 11th SEPTEMBER

Temporary home for Library

THE library and education centre in Newton Abbot has been re-housed for 12 months while the building undergoes a major multimillion pound transformation. The library building in Market Street has shut completely for lengthy redevelopment work and its services have been relocated half-a-mile away to Teign House, Kingsteignton Road. The temporary move has been described as the 'perfect solution' while the upheaval of construction work to transform the historic Market Street building into a 'modern library' takes place Devon County Council's Cabinet member for libraries, Cllr Stuart Barker, said: "We are keen to avoid any disruption to library users while the work is underway and believe that the new temporary site at Teign House will provide the perfect solution. I would encourage everyone to continue to use the library at its temporary location, where staff will be working hard to make sure the library and learning service in Newton Abbot continues as normal during the redevelopment." The council approved plans to press ahead with the redevelopment at the end of last year. It has said the transformation will see the library become one of Devon's 'new generation' of libraries that will provide more than traditional library services. It held a public consultation last month to find out what people would like the new facility to provide.

Delay to trial of man accused of burning girlfriend's house

THERE will be a delay in the trial of a Dawlish man who is accused of attacking his girlfriend and trying to burn down the couple's home. Jason Jerome, 39, whose address is in the High Street, was due to face trial at Exeter Crown Court on September 22 but a new date is now going to be arranged. Jerome, who is in custody, was not required to appear when his case was listed for mention. At an earlier hearing, he pleaded not guilty to three charges involving an incident at the house on March 11 last year. These are attempted arson which was reckless about whether life could be endangered, assaulting Ellen Jones, occasioning her actual bodily harm and an offence of affray. The arson charge stated that the house belonged to Miss Jones, while the affray charge alleged that Jerome's behaviour involved, used or threatened unlawful violence towards another and would have caused a person to fear for their personal safety. Prosecutor Mary McCarthy asked for the trial to be adjourned for administrative reasons. The hearing was also attended by defence counsel Bathsheba Cassel. Judge Barry Cotter QC agreed to adjourn the trial, which is estimated to last for three days, but did not set a date at this stage. He said a new date would be arranged once the administrative issues were resolved.

Sun shines on Shaldon as regatta ends on high

SHALDON'S popular regatta celebrations ended on a high note, bathed in glorious August sunshine. And this year's event, which came to a close on Monday, has been declared a resounding success by organisers. The week-long calendar of festivities has been crammed with 100 different events including beach sports, boat racing, live music and traditional games. The grim wet weather finally gave way to bright blue skies as the regatta reached its climax on Monday with the pillow fight, sailing, beach cricket, a grand draw and the annual prize giving. Regatta spokesman Leigh Extence said: "The pillow fight took place in wonderful sunshine bringing out a record crowd to watch. "It saw many old rivalries revisited, at one point even two brothers found themselves nose-to-nose as they aimed to do battle." The prize-giving ceremony in which all the cups and trophies from the week were handed out to winners was conducted by Newton Abbot MP Anne Marie Morris. Mr Extence said: "Regatta chairman Mark Pile thanked various members of the community, visitors and others who work so hard as helpers, committee members and participants, not only for the help given but also for the enthusiasm with which they participated in the events."

NHS Devon Officials hope more people will get screened for bowel cancer

It's thought that more people in Devon will now get themselves screened for bowel cancer following the death of Adam Stansfield last month. The 31 year old Exeter City striker died from the illness after being diagnosed in April. Health officials at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital say everyone over the age of 60 is entitled to a free screening.Anyone showing symptoms of bowel irregularity or blood in their waste can also apply for a check. Steve Mansfield, a consultant surgeon at the RD&E, says it was unsual for someone as young as Adam to develop the disease.

 

Plan for facelift of Teignmouth fish quay welcomed

A MILLION-POUND vision to extend and enhance Teignmouth Fish Quay looks set to go ahead after planners recommended its approval.Teign Fisherman's and Waterman's Association has applied for outline permission to create the £1.6 million new fish quay and fishing storage enclosure area. The sprucing-up of the area would help to safeguard local jobs and allow other marine businesses in the town to thrive. The application site, on land in Teignbridge Council's ownership, includes part of the existing foreshore and the south-western end and part of the northern end of the existing fish quay. Teign Fishermen's and Waterman's Association chairman Derek Bladon said: "The proposed new fish quay would give immediate benefits to both the fishing community and the wider community, and provide facilities for retaining current employment and creating jobs for the next up and coming generation. "It will also provide employment expansion opportunities from existing and possible new businesses. "If outline planning approval is given, this is only part way to the success of the scheme. "Regulatory conditions — even with full co-operation of all the parties concerned — still have to be met. "Strict conditions on grants, together with the current government economic constraints and pressures on other sources of funds, make the challenge tough, but possible." The harbourmaster, Commander David Vaughan, said: "The Harbour Commission welcomes this plan. We see it as a very positive step forward for the maritime businesses and fishermen associated with the port and the town.

Dawlish Swimming Club thank Dawlish Co-op for their support

Dawlish Swimming Club gave up their free time recently to raise vital funds for the club. Swimmers of all ages packed customers bags at the Co-op in Dawlish in August, and raised a fantastic £633.54 which will go towards the training of new teaching staff. The club would like to thank the Co-op in Dawlish, the manager and staff for allowing us to work alongside them.

 

Sea Swim South Devon

Rowcroft Hospice is on the look out for challenge seekers to sign up for its brand new event; Sea Swim South Devon. Taking place on Sunday 12th September 2010 at 2pm the hospice hopes to see two hundred swimmers take to the sea off Teignmouth Beach in this one mile sponsored swim. Laura Carus, Events Fundraiser for Rowcroft said: ‘We have a diary jam packed full of new events this year and we hope that the Sea Swim will appeal to those with an adventurous side; whether you are an experienced triathlete or a novice swimmer. This event is certainly no walk in the park but we’ve got an information pack, for those that sign up, which is full of top swimming and training tips from Triathlon Coach of Year, Rob Moore.’

Fire safety training for Teign housing staff

A HOUSING association is leading the way in making sure that tenants are safe from the risk of fire in their homes. Staff from Teign Housing have been given specialist training by the fire service in a pioneering new partnership. They will now be able to assess the risk of fire when they visit tenants in their homes. It comes in the wake of a blaze which claimed the lives of Torquay children Stephanie Wojak and Ben McAuliffe last October Their deaths sent shockwaves across South Devon and it was revealed that the Riviera Housing Trust property where the youngsters lived did not have a fire alarm. Teign Housing has always fitted hard-wired smoke alarms in its 3,600 homes, but it has now gone a step further with a new scheme aimed to protect tenants at risk from house fires. Fire officers have provided Teign Housing staff with fire safety training so that when they visit tenants they are more aware of any potential fire risks and hazards. It can include cigarettes not being extinguished correctly, overloaded extension leads and helping residents create an escape plan in the event of a fire.

Sainsburys wins approval new foodstore

SAINSBURY’S has been given unanimous approval for a second time by Teignbridge Council Development Control Committee to build a foodstore and petrol filling station adjacent to Shutterton Industrial Estate, Exeter Road, Dawlish. At the end of March members granted the application by Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd, while rejecting rival Tesco Stores’ proposals for a store at Lady’s Mile.