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Minutes of the Annual Assembly of the Kingswear Parish Meeting Held in the Trust Room on Tuesday 22nd March 2011
Cllr.J.Hawkins (Chairman of the Parish Council) welcomed all to the meeting and thanked all for their contribution and hard work for the community. He said that it was a great honour to the Chairman of the parish council and thanked all for their support. There were representatives or reports submitted from the following organisations in attendance: Carlow Bequest Trustees District Councillors, Bastone and Stone Friend of Saint Thomas of Canterbury Junior Sailing Group Kingswear Combined Charities Kingswear Historians Kingswear Parish Council Kingswear Primary School Kingswear Regatta Committee Kingswear Village Hall Kingswear Womens’ Group Maxey Trust Royal Dart Yacht Club Sarah Roope Trustees Save the Children Women’s Institute In addition, Mr E Cranmer gave a presentation on the Localism Bill and its likely implications and Mr B Ayres from Active Villages Community Sports Programme.
APOLOGIES Apologies were received from PC R Hewett, Mrs R Rowe, Badminton Club, Mr M Oakshott, Kingswear Primary School, Ms G Davies, Kingswear Regatta Committee, Mrs A Kelsey, Waterhead Creek Preservation Society, Mr J Holman, Kingswear Combined Charities, Mrs A MclLrath, Save the Children and the Sarah Roope Trustees.
MINUTES The minutes of the last APM on the 4th May 2010 were signed as a correct record.
KINGSWEAR AWARD The recipient this year is Lt. Col. James Treglown. The chairman presented the Kingswear Award to Lt. Col Treglown, thanking him for his hard work and loyalty to the village. He is has been the organiser of the Remembrance Service each year in the parish for many years. Cllr Hawkins said that the 11th November is a very important date, which we must never forget. He felt that the service unifies people in remembrance. He was delighted to present the award.
LOCALISM BILL Mr Cranmer has been working with MP Dr Sarah Wollaston on the implication of the bill which aims to give power back to the people. Mr Cranmer has written a paper on the subject, some details of which have been highlighted below: The Big Society and the Localism Bill is currently going through Parliament and the House of Lords and possibly will come into affect later this year. It aims to pass some power from central government into the hands of local people. This will allow communities to determine what they want to do. It will enable a place for local decision making and therefore local leadership to engage. It will provide a framework for local government and enable community wishes. It aims to devolve power to local groups. In order to achieve this there are six suggested steps form central to local organisations and finally individuals: There are several advantages: 1. Lift burden of bureaucracy and red tape 2. Create rights for development of communities 3. Local financial control 4. Public sector anolomies will give more choice 5. Government expenditure will be open 6. Enable people to change services available to them.
Local authorities will have a vital role as more power will be passed to them from central government and therefore to local communities. This will spread power more widely. It is recognised that aspects of public life have disappeared and Localism is an attempt to put this right through the Big Society. Mr Cramner explained the main aspects of the changes. There appears two ways to bring Big Society into operation. These include enforcement by government edit. It was suggested that there will be PR Campaigns to explain the Big Society to people. It is important to raise awareness before Localism gets to Statute books. There could also be a referendum concerning the Big Society and it will be important for people to take part.
Cllr Hawkins thanked Mr Cranmer for his presentation and hard work, explaining that Mr Cranmer is an expert on the Localism Bill. He explained that councillors cannot always achieve what is wished for or required and he felt that Localism will give more power.
ACTIVE VILLAGES Mr Ayres works for Tone Leisure who is responsible for the Active Village Programme for South Hams District Council. This is a £1 million sports programme between Devon County Council and Sports England. It is running for 3 years until September 2013. The aim is to raise participation levels in Sports and activity in the rural community. For a parish there is a maximum budget of £3k for a sports project, but not capital investment. One example of use is coaching costs. It could also be used to support an existing group for example to increase membership. Tone leisure could provide coaches training and equipment. In some cases training sessions have been organised in the region of 8 to 12 sessions.
The programme aims to build sustainability into a club or activity to ensure continuation after the funding has been made. The community needs to show that the activity is needed and wanted and good value for money. Local schools can apply for after school clubs, lunch or breakfast clubs. Any organisation that is interested can contact Mr Ayres at ben.ayres@devon.gov.uk or 01392 263674, 07958013314. More information is also available on the Active Villages website www.activevillages.co.uk. A factsheet is also available from the parish clerk, which will be sent out with minutes.
The Chairman thanked Mr Ayres for his input and attendance.
ANNUAL REPORT FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL Councillor Jonathan Hawkins, Chairman, gave his annual report of the Council: It has been a busy, challenging and eventful year. Cllr Hawkins thanked the councillors for all their hard work for the community. This is the last year for this particular council, being an Election Year, so he explained that we are now looking to the future. We have a vibrant and exciting community and Cllr Hawkins extended his thanks to the organisations for all their hard work. He stated that parish residents are lucky that organisation contribute so much to the community. Addressing the participants he said that in this ever busy world it is often hard to find time to think and help others, but the dedication and time you put into your organisations shows that Kingswear has a caring community. A community for each other, its environment and for future generations. Conservation Area SHDC are currently reviewing the Conservation Area. The documentation is in the Post Office and on the website inviting public comment. It is suggested that the conservation area be extended to Beacon Road and Church Hill. The parish council has been supportive of the comments in the documentation. Local Development Framework The response wanted unfortunately was not received. The parish council was not supportive of the Brixham Road SHDC Preferred site which will provide some affordable housing. The parish council recommended the site known as ‘wilful murder’, based on accessibility of a footpath and provision of allotments. In the months ahead there may be a possibility to bring this site forward to address any identified need for affordable housing. Waterhead Creek The provision of the pontoon and turning circle have been contentious issues. Cllr Hawkins reassured that the Parish Council does what it can to protect it, but all people have different views and therefore inevitably some do not agree with the PC’s actions. The majority of people on consultation supported the pontoon remaining in situ. Lime Kiln This restoration project is under consideration along with a circular path. Noss The planning application is currently awaited. The scheme proposed is believed to be beneficial to the community. There is concern that the development could be a gated enclosure. The developer does not want this to happen and we must ensure it does not. The Marine Academy provides an exciting opportunity. Mrs Jude Stone, Retired Post Mistress Jude has been a stalwart of the community for many years and will be a hard act to follow. The parish council are intending to acknowledge her commitment. Kingswear School Mr Oakshott Headteacher works tireless for the school. Permission has been given to take the roll of the school up to 80 pupils. Playing Fields The Playing Fields Trust has folded, having worked for 20 years. The school have taken on the changing rooms and wish to take on the lease from SHDC of the field. The playing field has been supported by the Maxey Trust. Thanks were extended to the former Playing Field Trust. Kingswear Regatta Congratulations were given to the committee and all involved for the success of the event. Car Ferry SHDC will be conducting a survey amongst users over works to the slip. Passenger Ferry A new roof was constructed this year which was partly funded by the railway. Cemetery Following works, the Cemetery is greatly improved. Thanks were given to the parish councillors for their work on this. Improvements are planned to the Lodge. Footpaths/ Bridleways Cllr Hawkins thanked Cllr Lovell who has worked tirelessly on footpaths in the community. It is hoped that a full footpath will be constructed and existing sections improved from Noss to Hillhead in the near future. The Toll House to Penhill Lane, Noss to Hillhead and Hillhead to Brixham. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty It is hoped in the future that a play area can be constructed in Hillhead. This may be achieved by local councils working together. Royal Wedding The Women’s Institute are organising a Cream Team in the Village Hall. The bunting and lights will be organised in the village. Diamond Jubilee A working group of interested members of the community will be suggested. Lighthouse Beach This project is continuing. There is a special meeting of the council to discuss tomorrow. There is s proposal to submit an application to register the beach as a Village Green. The parish council is in discussions with the landowner hopefully for a suitable conclusion.
Finally Cllr Hawkins thanked everyone in the council for all their hard work. Those councillors who will not be standing for re election were thanked. He explained that the role was both fun and hard work. He expressed his gratitude to the new members for their work and all for supporting him as Chairman. He said that it was honour to serve as Chairman. He also recognised that it is not always possible to achieve what we all want, but we have tried hard. Thanks were also given to PC Roger Hewett, Ian Putt for his maintenance in the village, District Councillors Bastone for his audit advice and Cllr Stone, both for their community work, the clerk for her hard work and effort.
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL ACCOUNTS Emma Illingworth, the Clerk to the Council reported: The most recent audited accounts were presented for the year ending 31st March 2010, as signed off by the District Auditor. In addition the current balance sheet was presented clarifying the KPC financial situation up to 31st March 2011. The clerk advised that the balances now included the Carlow Bequest figures. This was to show the complete financial situation. However it was pointed out the all Carlow monies are keep separate from KPC and would only used in accordance with the Bequest instructions. The balances show a deficit of £4675. The council has seen drops in come from the Cemetery Line over the last few years. A working group has been set up to ensure that local funeral directors are aware of the facility. The precept for this year has been increased to offset shortfalls in income from £15k to £18k. A through cost reduction exercise has also been conducted on the budget, with savings made where possible. The council has regular finance meetings with reports to the full council for decisions. Balances will be monitored carefully. The income and expenditure figures were distributed for the financial year 2010 to 2011. Projects planned for this year: Bathroom modernisation, Cemetery Lodge. Balances as of the 28th February 2011, stood at £24445.75. (Including Carlow Bequest £10219).
REPORTS FROM OTHER ORGANISATIONS Verbal reports were given/ submitted by the following organisations:
Kingswear Primary School, Mr Mark Oakshott, Headteacher Kingswear Primary School is continuing to go from strength to strength. Our roll currently stands at 64 the highest it has been for many years. Our reputation as a good school is firmly established within our community and within Dartmouth town and Brixham. We have seen a significant number of interested parents visit the school from Brixham recently due to uncertainty surrounding one of their schools. We are predicting that our roll could rise to 75 by September 2011. Obviously this is brilliant news as it keeps the school viable for a number of years. We are thankful to the Maxey Trust for our new classroom, without which we wouldn’t be able to accommodate these new children. We are working hard to develop our curriculum and utilise this wonderful location as much as possible. We are delighted to offer our older children sailing sessions in the summer and our children love attending the rowing sessions provided by the rowing club. We are also extremely lucky to have use of a piece of land on Fountain Violet Farm. This land has a garden where we will grow fresh veg, a fire pit, a willow outdoor classroom and a camping area. We intend to spend a couple afternoons a week on the land encouraging our children to work and learn outdoors. With sustainability such a big issue it is essential that our children recognise that food can be grown and that carrots and potatoes don’t come from Sainsbury!!!! Finally can I take this opportunity to thank the Parish for their continued support of our school . Also can I thank Jonathon for his continual support and championing the small school cause. It is brilliant for us to have such an influential person supporting us . Thank you Jonathon.
Trustees, Carlow Bequest, Parish Clerk The Clerk reported: Mrs Carlow left sums of money to eighteen different village organisations. For Kingswear Parish Council the instruction “The Chairman and other officers for the time being of the Kingswear Parish Council for the use at their discretion in helping and benefiting the old people living in the Parish of Kingswear”. When the estate was finally wound up the money amounted to £13,000 to each organisation. The money is quite separate from council funds and cannot be used to reduce the precept. The Councillors and the Clerk are the Trustees. The current funds stand at about £10219, inevitably reducing. We are as always looking for appropriate uses for the money. Each year the Bequest funds the Senior Citizens’ lunch in the Village Hall, with the catering this year being provided by the Royal Dart. This year’s event was again a very enjoyable occasion. The Bequest this year has financed the installation of Benches in the Cemetery. The parish council have not yet had the opportunity to look at other suggestions of how to spend the money. There is however a necessity to preserve some capital for future lunches. Bank accounts are being researched for an improved return.
Combined Charities, Secretary, Mr P De Burr
To Parish Council from the Wishing Well Fund £862.40
Friends of Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Mrs Penny Noble There have been several fund raising events this last year, including an evening at Kaywana Hall and a foreign currency bucket collection. A coin dated 1795 was found. This in total raised £250 in order to purchase new pew cushions and safety ropes for the tower. Future plans include work on the glass windows and the wiring for concerts. Mrs Anne Leask has joined as a new Trustee. Alot of the community is involved with charities so it is wonderful that so many charities do get money. The church is the centre of the community and it is important that we all believe in supporting others.
Junior Sailing Club, Mr Kit Noble, Royal Dart Yacht Club, Rear Commodore The membership of the sailing is up. There is a vibrant social programme and including links with 3 schools. The children are having a great time. Support has been received from the Maxey Trust, Regatta Committee and Ladies Afloat. As a result Vision Dinghies have been purchased with thanks. At the Yacht Club, work will be done at the end of the season regarding flood boards to protect from freak tides. The sailing club works with Dart Sailability and have raced with them in the regatta. It is important to use the river.
National Coastwatch Institution, Froward Point, Mr Bob Tozer, Station Manager, Mr Tozer emphasised the importance of the Brixham Coastguard Station, in view of the uncertainty of the future. He also explained that the station at Froward Point gave great flexibility to the community to support if something goes wrong. He thanked everyone for their support making the area successful and safe. He advised the group that MP Dr Sarah Wollaston will be walking the coastal path and will be in the Village Hall on the 12th April if anyone wishes to speak with her concerning the local Coastguard.
Kingswear Historians, Chairman Dr David Williams Kingswear Historians have now been in existence for nearly 8 years, a time that has seen many results of the group’s efforts. The committee has inevitably changed over these years but our goal remains the same. The group was set up to foster an interest in our local history and to promote relevant research thus creating a substantial archive of material. We feel this helps in preserving an interest in our past and hopefully stimulates members to delve a little deeper. Trevor Miles and Tessa Gibson as Archivists continue with a colossal amount of research, Trevor into the documents, maps and photos that paint an amazing picture of our area, while Tessa’s family history of the village now amounts to 2000 families! At our Monday evening meeting next week, 7.30pm in the Village Hall, all welcome, Tessa is going to describe one or two families in some detail to highlight her achievements. Before that we will hear about the history of BRNC. Later meetings include the history of the Torbay lifeboats, the Dartmouth Museum, a visit to Lower Greenway Farm with Mike Ingram and more. Please do join us! I believe that the Historians have made a difference to Kingswear. The wonderful coat of arms you can see on show in the main hall is the result of Don Collinson spearheading negotiations to bring it to the hall. Again our influence has helped the upgrading of the cistern outside the hall, the recovery of the old fire engine now on display on the station and the adjacent impressive information board, the board that highlights the WW2 activity at the Coleton Camp Radar site, and ongoing discussions about revitalising the lime kiln in the creek. Many of you enjoyed the ceremony on the quayside last autumn to unveil the Kingswear cannon. David Evans worked very hard to achieve that moment, and with the help and generosity of John and Melanie Holman and their staff, we now have another feature for Kingswear to be proud of. Another difference we hope we make in Kingswear is the production and distribution of our newsletters. The next edition is due in April. We are grateful to Mark Simpson who distributed our last edition with your By the Dart. If you do not receive a By the Dart, copies of our newsletter are available in the PO, Village Stores and at our meetings. As well as our newsletters, which do attract positive feedback, we also have other publications and are hoping to see the light of day this year. For more than 3 years I have been collating a much larger work than we have attempted before. It is the story of village life during the war years as remembered by the locals. There are many stories you have never heard before, documents which have never seen print before, records of the WI, ARP and Parish Council and much more, and will be well illustrated by many photographs and images. I hope it achieves publication as a record of the history of our community at that time and as a testament to the locals who will not be here forever. Thank you
Kingswear Regatta, Ms Gill Davies Last year the fifth Kingswear Village Regatta of present times was held in July, in tandem with an ‘Auction of Promises’ at Kingswear Village School. The weather remained fair despite some initial worry on that score and both days brought crowds and lots of fun. As usual the event was held over two days with rowing heats, a vintage car display and a dog show on the Saturday and rowing finals, the famous duck race, stalls and entertainment for and by the local children on the Sunday. Prize-giving took place outside the Village Hall for the first time and was followed by an end of Regatta party with a barbecue and a group playing at the Ship.
Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, local residents and visitors the Regatta Committee were very pleased to be able to donate over £2,800 to local organisations and charities. £800 was donated towards outdoor activities at the school who also raised an amazing £5000 to this end from the auction. £1600 was raised for clubhouse renovation and boat maintenance for Kingswear Rowing Club. £300 was given to the Friends of St. Thomas Church and over £100 to Dartmouth Lifeboat. This means in the brief 5 years of Kingswear Regatta’s recent history we have been able to distribute almost £19,000 to local charities and organisations. Mrs Sam Furneaux, outgoing Chair of the Regatta Committee, was presented with a large bouquet as a thank you for all her hard work for the Regatta over the past few years. The Regatta Committee would like to say an enormous thank you to the many local people whose efforts and support make the weekend possible. This year, due to the choice of suitable tides, the Regatta will be held on July 23rd and 24th. The format will be similar to last year with, we hope, a few surprises. We can already promise a traditional Punch and Judy show. Monies raised this year will go primarily towards support for Froward Point and the charity Help for Heroes.
Kingswear Village Hall, Dr Barrie Tulloch, Chairman Verbal report given
Kingswomen, Mrs Jan Cattel Kingswomen was formed in October 2008 as a social networking group for women in the area. It is managed by a steering group and currently has 32 members with a further 30 on the data base giving them access to newsletters and copies of minutes Kingswomen meet monthly, usually in the Sarah Roope Trust Room but also in different outdoor locations during the summer months. The activities this year have been varied and generally well attended. Members are encouraged to put forward ideas and suggestions so that a wide variety of activities and interests can be catered for. There is also a thriving book group which convenes on a regular basis. Since last March we have been involved in a fund raising event held in the Village Hall when we held an African Evening to raise money and collect books for the Zambuko Community Library Project in Zimbabwe. This was very successful. 100 people attended the event where they were given and African themed supper and entertained by Zambo. £1000 was raised and a large quantity of books was donated to the project. The Theatre Group attended a production of The Rocky Horror Show in Torquay and The Diners Group had a meal at The Weary Ploughman in Churston. Members also had a demonstration of fascinators by Margaret Duffy. In April Kingswomen member Liz Canham spoke to the group about her recent experiences as a volunteer in an orphanage in Thailand In May, Lieutenant Commander Trish Koln from BRNC gave a fascinating talk on a Woman’s Changing Role in the Royal Navy. June saw our group up at the Berry Head Hotel on a freezing midsummer evening playing petanque in the teeth of a gale and swapping jugs of Pimms for mugs of hot chocolate. We took to the water in June when Wendy Ryan organised a rowing evening for us in the creek followed by a fish and chip supper in The Ship In August we went on an evening boat picnic to Stoke Gabriel where the tide was so high our picnic spot was virtually underwater; but the evening was glorious and a company of cheerful ladies motored back downstream in the spectacular sunset. We kicked off our 2010/11 session in September with ‘A Taste of Devon ‘ when a selection of local cheeses and ciders were sampled and we continued our alcoholic theme in October when Red Field presented a wine tasting with a difference with a boozy quiz called ‘Who wants to be a Wine Expert’ (we all did!!) We also held a Coffee Morning in aid of Samaritan’s Child in the Lower Hall on October 16th We went all creative in November when our meeting was held at Bead Solutions in Paignton and we were given a bead making workshop. Everyone finished the evening with a fine piece of handcrafted bling. Our Christmas Party was held on December 2nd in the trust Room and was well attended as was the annual Christmas Dinner which took place in The Ship on December 16th We had a couple of Skittle evenings in The Ship and are now ready to take on any other willing groups in the village –as a friendly contest you understand! Our January meeting took place in Dartmouth when Fabric artist Rachel Carter invited us to her studio where she talked about the history and culture of kimonos and demonstrated her exquisite silk fabric pictures. In February, by popular demand we went again to Manna from Devon Cookery School where David and Holly Jones, recently returned from a trip to SE Asia, demonstrated a mouth watering array of recipes which we were then invited to sample. Strange how our most popular evenings seem to revolve around food and drink! We were back in the Trust Room in March for an evening of ‘Wine, women and Song, when members brought their favourite music or song and shared significant memories. The Cinema group also met at The Flavel to watch a screening of The Black Swan. The Diner’s Group will be out in force again in March-this time to Annabelle’s Kitchen in Dartmouth when Jude Stone will be our guest of honour to mark her retirement after 16 years as Kingswear Post Mistress. We have a variety of activities planned for the summer months. We have another bead workshop in April, an evening garden walk at Collaton Fishacre in May and The Countess Wear Theatre Group are returning on July 9th when they will perform Romeo and Juliet on Jubilee Park-an event that cries out for a Kingswomen ‘Posh Picnic’ Our group was formed to provide an opportunity for all women in the area to get together for shared activities and friendship. We have members from Dartmouth, Brixham and Galmpton as well as women from the village and second home owners with the power of the internet bringing us together to enjoy the excellent facilities in our village.
Mr Michael Stevens, Maxey Trust The late Mrs Cecelia Maxey donated land in Wood Lane with the kind thought of providing a recreational area and a trust was set up to manage the land. However the ground is on a steep slope and it proved not suitable for the intended purpose nor was there any finance to develop the site.
The trust was able to obtain outline planning permission for the land which increased its value considerably and the land was sold. The resulting capital has enabled the Trustees to help the community in a more useful way. The stated objectives of the Trust are: To support the recreation, education and welfare of the people of the parish of Kingswear and its vicinity with the primary beneficiaries being the children of the Kingswear Primary School.
The objectives are quite general although there is an emphasis on children and the school. The Trustees will consider any application on its merits but on the whole we wish to support capital projects rather than day-to-day running costs. In the past the Trust has given substantial sums to the school for improvements and the building of a new classroom. In fact without this support little of this could have been achieved. The Sports Field lease ended in December last year and management of the field itself has reverted to South Hams District Council who owns the field but not the changing rooms. We have paid significant sums over the years to help complete the rooms and make them available to the people of Kingswear, but they are still not finished. This year we have promised a further and final £2000. Hopefully this will now see the end of this project. We have also promised £500 towards the cost of displaying Kingswear’s cannon on the quay.
Save the Children, Mrs Aubrey MclLrath We have had an enjoyable and successful year of events in 2010 and are looking forward to producing an entertaining programme of fund-raising events for this year. On Sunday the 10th of April from 2.00 pm we will be continuing the tradition of providing Devon Cream Teas and home baked cakes at the Ridley Hill Open Gardens in Kingswear. The gardens at Mulberry House and the Charthouse will be open; David Molloy will be happy to give advice on the nurturing of camellias and will have plants for sale. During Save the Children Week at the end of April we will be serving home made sandwiches, savouries, cakes and hot drinks from THE KIOSK in Dartmouth. If you are in Dartmouth on Wednesday the 27th of April, drop by for a cuppa and cake, we would be delighted to see you. We are in the early stages of planning a Buffet and Dance for July and repeating the popular Lunch and Bridge session later in the year. Ideas for entertainment in the autumn are still on the drawing board but we will keep you informed. Save the Children is working worldwide transforming children’s lives in more than 120 countries and is currently responding to emergencies in Japan, Libya, Ivory Coast and the Horn of Africa. The sum raised last year was £3,169.14. We can’t do this without the help we receive from our friends in Kingswear and the surrounding area and we would like to thank you all for your generous support for this very worthy cause. We look forward to welcoming you at our future events.
Kingswear Women’s Insitute, Mrs Sandra White KINGSWEAR WI REPORT to PARISH COUNCIL FOR 2010 to 11 Kingswear WI is a group of about 30 ladies. We have been meeting monthly since 1926. The meetings currently take place on the third Wednesday for a variety of activities some of which I will enlarge on later. We also involve ourselves in many village activities. You are most likely to have come across us in the tea tent at the Kingswear Regatta. Our little WI is part of a World Wide organisation which helps to support women in many parts of the globe. At a more local level we are part of the Kingswear group which includes Brixham, Stoke Gabriel, and Churston and Galmpton. The Group organises talks, outings and a yearly Carol Service. In 2010 we enjoyed a varied programme which commenced in January with a talk from Mrs Jean Cuss on Acupuncture and Natural Health Procedures. Our very Popular Pudding evening was held on 30th January this was again a great success and some of the profits helped to pay for a our donation of a whole shelter box. In February we had a talk on the Wild Life of Dartmoor given by a park ranger. On March 11th the Spring Group meeting was held at Churston Golf club this event was enjoyed by a large contingent from Kingswear the food was excellent and we enjoyed a hilarious talk on Goat Keeping by Jacky Smith (the other one!) In March we were treated to The History of Faberge Eggs by Anne Pagliero the skill and detail that went into the eggs was fascinating and would certainly challenge even our most nimble fingered members! In April John Risdon enthralled everyone with the history of Greenway reminding us all that long before Agatha Christie it was owned by the Gilbert and then the Raleigh families. In May we enjoyed a fascinating talk on Jane Austen in the West Country. Many of the members listened whilst wearing a fetching regency bonnet. In June the meeting on wheels took 12 members to Cothele by mini bus. A cream tea and the guided garden walk were felt to be the highlights. In July Tessa Amies entertained us with a talk on African arts followed by a practical session where the more gifted of us tried out various craft techniques. On July 18th the ladies organised their famous tea tent at the Kingswear regatta. The gazebo stayed up the refreshments were delicious and sold very well and the helpers enjoyed a glass of pimms at lunchtime. In August the summer garden party was hosted by Jane Bolton in her delightful gardens at Hoodown House. It was attended by 26 Ladies and a cream tea was provided by the committee. Some of the ladies enjoyed a gentle game of boules. In September the group was somewhat challenged when due to ill health the speaker cancelled at the last moment. In place of the speaker Maggie Biggs Margaret Dyer and Sandra White provided a variety of quizzes. A lively and sometimes hilarious afternoon then ensued! The WI is never stuck when improvisation is called for! The autumn group meeting was attended by Virginia Stevens and Connie Scammel, Tony Beard gave an interesting talk and Brixham provided an excellent tea. The evening of the 22nd saw 14 ladies enjoying a glass of bubbly and a range of culinary treats in a cookery demonstration at Manna from Devon. On 24th September the WI held a Macmillan Coffee morning despite a poor attendance from the general public a total of £239.10 was raised. During September and October we held three craft sessions in the hall where cards and a variety of gifts were made for the Xmas Fair. These were hugely enjoyable and the ladies enjoyed a productive and very sociable afternoon. In October Genealogist Mary Hyland gave a fascinating and sometimes gruesome talk on Family ancestry. On November 27th we held our Christmas fair this was a very popular and successful event and raised over £800. On December 8th our Xmas lunch was held at the Ship Inn and 18 ladies enjoyed a delicious Xmas lunch. On Dec 17th the group Carol Service was held at Churston Church followed by mince pies and coffee at Churston Court Inn. The year ended with our Xmas party on Dec 15th with guests from other WI’S in our group attending. We enjoyed a selection of Carols and festive songs sung for us by Ell’s Angels followed by a delicious buffet supplied by the members. Already this year we have held another successful pudding evening this is an open social event that the gentlemen of the village seem particularly to enjoy and although this is not run with profit in mind we did manage to raise over £350.00. We have enjoyed talks from Nigel Smallbones on Birds and Napoleon at Berry head and from Linda Carew on Curacao an Island and a drink. Our future events include a visit to an Alpaca farm and a trip to Powderham Castle. We will also be in our regular spot manning the tea tent at Kingswear Regatta. Kingswear WI has been thriving for 83 years and we hope this may long continue but we are aware that times are changing and we hope to change with them. I hope that this list of our activities shows that we are not all about jam and Jerusalem. This year we will be attempting to recruit new members and if anyone here has been tempted you are very welcome to join us as a guest at one of our meetings.
DISTRICT COUNCILLOR The District Councillors are Cllrs Bastone, Hawkins and Stone, (Chairman, SHDC). Cllr Stone addressed the group: He gave an interesting report on his political career highlighting the most memorable dates for the group. In 1991 he became a District Councillor and thanked Cllrs Bastone and Hawkins for their support. He felt that they work well as a team for Kingswear and Dartmouth. Last year he was Chairman of SHDC. He had the honour of welcoming Her Majesty the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh to Dartington Hall. Cllr Bastone addressed the group: It is good news that the District has not raised the Council Tax. SHDC is in the best place not to cut front line services. The concession fares for ferries will come into force on the 1st April. The election questionnaire has highlighted some priorities for Kingswear Residents, being speeding vehicles in Brixham Road and Higher Contour Road and the poor condition of roads. This will be taken up with the County Council. However overall residents felt safe and the community was caring. There was support for the restoration of the Lime Kiln and circular path. Regarding affordable housing, most questionnaires returned were in favour of the ‘wilful murder’ site. This is a good example of Localism.
Chairman’s final comment The Chairman thanked all for attending and their input. He invited the attendees to give any feedback regarding the format of the evening to the Clerk, as the council is very keen to make the meeting what the community wants.
He congratulated all on a fantastic community.
There followed a cheese and wine party.
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