Dawlish Lights up for Christmas

Friday 5th December saw the switch on of the Dawlish Christmas lights by the Town Mayor. The weather wasn't kind but ithat didn't dampen the spirits of the residents of Dawlish who turned out to join in the carol singing led by Westcliff School choir.

The Town is looking very festive with the shop windows decorated and Christmas trees above the shops.The lights along the stream are now switched on again until the New Year. The reflections of the lights in the water create an almost magical feel

Saturday 6th December The Dawlish Branch of The Royal British Legion In the lovely Church of St Gregory's presented The Salamanca Band of the 6th Rifles. This was The Poppy Appeal Christmas Concert.It was a varied programme of Christmas music and carols. Later in the programme the Bugles were introduced and combined See Amid the Winters Snow with the Last Post which was a wonderful combination.

Mulled wine and mince pies were served in the interval and the evening finished with the Regimental March. It was a bitterly cold evening but we were all glowing on the journey home

Thursday December 10th was the Mayor's Civic Evening held at the Manor House. We enjoyed a cold buffet followed by entertainment of Songs from the Shows sung by Mark Price and his wife. This year the Dawlish Town Councillors have decided not to exchange Christmas cards but to put the money towards a Shelter Box.

Each box costs £490 and provides shelter and warmth for up to 10 people for a prolonged period. It contains a high quality 10 person tent manufactured from modern lightweight but robust and resilient materials, 10 quality durable sleeping bags, plus ancillary equipment such as a multi fuel cooker, spade and rope.

Sunday December 14th The Christmas Market was held on The Strand in Dawlish. This fantastic event organised by Dawlish Carnival Committee is the ideal opportunity to purchase your Christmas presents There were a good variety of stalls selling jewelery,slippers,fresh meat from locally reared pigs.It was a glorious winter day but cold. The stalls selling hats gloves and scarves were all doing brisk trade. It was good to see the residents out in force and supporting the traders.



At 6.30 in the evening it was the Carol Service in the Avenues. Coronation Avenue in Dawlish comes alive at Christmas with lights and houses decorated. Lots of houses in the street all join in. Carols are sung, hot soup and mince pies are served.

All money collected goes to charity. This year it is Richards Wish, a charity set up in the memory of Richard Cridge who lived in Coronation Avenue but sadly died of cancer earlier in the year aged 17yrs. The money goes to the Bramble Ward at the R.D and E Hospital in Exeter to help other patients

Sunday December 21st Our Church has a Chrismas Celebration of music and carols with more mince pies Really will have to start the diet after all the festivities
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My Christmas will be spent with family. Christmas Eve will be carols around the tree at our Church. If all goes well we shall join our family in Australia via the web cam around 9pm on Christmas Eve which will be their Christmas morning. Hopefully to watch the children opening their presents.

We miss them but with today's technology we can all feel closer together Early Christmas morning a large chicken will go into the oven and after a short service at Church the rest of the day will be spent with the family enjoying lunch and exchanging presents.We expect to be twelve this year.

I wish you all a very Happy Christmas a Healthy and Peaceful New Year. May God Bless you especially to anyone who is spending Christmas alone.

Exe Estuary Coastal Management Plan

Proposals for a new Shoreline Management Plan to help address the long term coastal defences at some of Devons best loved coastal resorts and amenities have been unveiled.

The outcome of these events will help to inform a full public consultation due to take place in March 2009. Among the local issues to be covered is the future of Dawlish Warren and Exmouth sea front
The Exe Estuary Coastal Management Study has been completed by specialist consultants Halcrow, and has helped guide the S.M.P 's preferred options for a long term
sustainable stratergy for Coastal defences around the Exe Estuary.


Coastalinitial findings suggest that to best protect the Exe Estuary area from flooding it is necessary to plan for long term changes to both Dawlish Warren and Exmouth seafront.
These changes will help protect the Estuary from tidal flooding and could prevent significant damage to the resorts' beaches,tourist industry and local businesses.

Dawlish Warren has always been recognised as a bucket and spade beach but the sand has been disappearing at an alarming rate over the years.Powderham and Starcross need the protection from Dawlish Warren.

Over the next twenty years this work would involve working to recharge the beachs at both locations. This could involve dredging sediment from Pole Sands and creating noticeably improved amenity beachs. Both locations would be better placed to withstand tidal pressures and contiue to attract tourists to the area.

Dawlish Warren is arguably the most important wildlife site in the District.The Reserve covers 505 acres with an exceptional number of rare plants..The large area of mudflats attracts thousands of birds throughout the year, and is a magnet for keen bird watchers

If the defence line is held for the next twenty years by the management of the groynes and gabion defences at Dawlish Warren .plus sand brought back to the beach this will buy time.

Hopefully then a 20-50 year plan will be in place

The prediction for sea level rise and increase in stormy weather around the coast mean that the identification of long term measures for flood protection is of key importance

Bringing Local Produce to Local People

The market is specifically designed for the small local producer, and is held every 3rd Friday of every month.

To help the producer, the Council is providing covered stalls which will be erected on the day of the market. This is a perfect opportunity for residents to obtain quality goods that have been produced locally and for the Dawlish people to show their support for local producers.
Produce such as fruit and veg., meats, local wines and beer, quality cakes, jams, pickles and hand crafted goods.

This an exciting development for the Town Council and the Chamber of Trade to be involved in, and could see the start of the Regeneration of Dawlish!

Dawlish Railway Line Under Threat

The Railway line through Dawlish is one of the most picturesque in the Country, and also the most expensive stretch of line to maintain. This line was built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel who changed the face of Britain with his viaducts, bridges and railway lines . It has been managed by various rail companies over the years, Great Western, London South West the line is now maintained by Network Rail who say it is in a better condition than it has been for years.

If the railway line is lost, the whole spit (promontory) at Dawlish Warren would be changed. If the experts are to be believed the South West is gradually subsiding and the sea is rising 2 milimetres per year. At present there are no plans to reroute this line inland.

Another concern we have in Dawlish is the termination of South West Trains Services West of Exeter. There is currently a regular two hourly weekday service (four per day)beyond Exeter from Waterloo/Salisbury to either Paignton or Plymouth.This service is hugely popular especially during the holiday season.

The reason being this is the only reasonable rail route between the South West and the South Coast via Salisbury and the route to and from London via the Andover, Basingstoke, Woking and Clapham Junction 'catchment' areas benefiting millions.

Users, particularly the elderly, disabled,and families do appreciate this through service who are often apprehensive about the uncertainty of changing trains and possibly platforms

Terminating this service could have a devastating effect on the holiday trade in the South West.

We know of no comprehensive user survey nor impact assessment that has been conducted prior to this decision.

A Snapshot of My Week

Monday October 13th
Meet with fellow Councillors at the Manor House Dawlish and inspect Plans prior to Planning meeting on Tuesday. During the afternoon I met with members of Teignbridge Development Control committee for a site visit to land east of Secmaton Lane Dawlish. This is only outline at present but ,has quite a lot of issues with highways, loss of trees,etc so a lot of discussion is needed.

Tuesday October 14th
Visited the R.D.and E hospital in Exeter for removal of a tooth so had to rest for the day and missed the Planning Meeting at Dawlish Town Council

Wednesday October 15th
Went with friends to the Alexandra Theatre to see 'The Other Boleyn Girl' All seats £3.00 plus tea. or coffee. Good value for money in these present times

Thursday October 16th
This was quite a full day. Had problems with my P.C so had a visit from Dave our IT expert from Teignbridge who soon had everything up and running again.

At 10am was the opening of the Skate Park at Sandy lane Dawlish. It has taken 10 years to get this up and running but thanks to a lot of hard work by the Youth Forum, Councillors and the people of Dawlish it has finally happened. Money came from the Town Council, Devon County Council, and the Peoples Lottery. Lots of young people were at the opening and keen to try the park.

Next stop was the Mount Pleasant Inn, which is our local pub at Dawlish Warren for the Luncheon Club again to meet with friends and locals for an enjoyable meal in pleasant surroundings with a wonderful view of Dawlish Warren. Themed coffee mornings are held once a month as well at the luncheon club with lots of opportunities to meet with people who perhaps live alone and look forward to a chat.

Friday October 17th
Visited the residents of Carhaix Way Dawlish they have asked for some seats to be situated in the area. Teignbridge have two available so we have chosen the sites where the residents can have a rest before continuing on their way up the hill.

Contacted Stagecoach in Exeter regarding the double decker buses which we now have passing through Dawlish Warren. Since the introduction of the bus pass lots of the residents have been enjoying free bus travel. But some residents think the buses too large for our narrow roads especially over Cockwood bridge.

The drivers do a wonderful job but some car drivers do not give way to these buses. As a result of this a spokesman for Stagecoach rang me to say the buses from January 2009 would not be going over Cockwood Bridge. They would come down the A379 turn into Warren Road and Mount Pleasant Road and turn around at Beach Road back up Mount Pleasant Road,Warren Road and rejoin the A379.

This will leave a lot of the residents of Hazelwood Park and Cofton with quite a walk to catch these buses. There is a lot of concern regarding this and having to carry shopping on their way home.

In the afternoon I attended along with fellow Councillors a Humanist Funeral Ceremony to celebrate the life of Cllr Brian Berman a Teignbridge District and Devon County Councillor who died suddenly while attending a meeting. Brian was a hard working councillor who will be missed

Saturday October 18th
Spent the day catching up with friends and family also found time to do some cooking.

Sunday October 19th
We attended our Church for morning service. In the afternoon it was the Dawlish Town Council Civic Service. This is attended by the Mayor, Councillors and invited guests . This year it clashed with the Chairman of Teignbridge District Council's Civic Service so the Dawlish members were unable to attend.

Flying the Flag for the County

The distinctive green and white Devon flag will soon be flying over the Manor House at Dawlish.

The concept of a Devon flag started a few years ago on a BBC website and the design by Ryan Healey has become a common sight across the County. At a time of change surrounding local government in Devon it is important to remember that every Town must take pride in our beautiful County and Dawlish will be flying the flag from the top of the Manor House as often as possible.

The flag is intended to emphasise the County's history, notably its Celtic roots. The green symbolises the fields,white for the sea and the China Clay industry, and a black edge to the cross to represent Dartmoor's granite mica.

The presentation of the flag will take place on October 16th at the Manor House Dawlish at 2pm.

Flood Relief Plan Agreed

The Flood Relief Plan was agreed at Teignbridge District Councul Executive meeting. Once completed, it should reduce the risk to the residents of Hazelwood and Beechwood Park.

More than 90 Residential and Holiday homes are on these sites. The last major flood event happened in December 2000 when residents were rescued by helicopter and boat.

The new pumping station will be constructed at no extra cost to the Council £28,000 will come from developer contributions held by Teignbridge Council and ear-marked for water course improvement within the Shutterton Brook catchment.

An additional £25,000 will come from the Environment Agency and £30,000 from the landowners of Beechwood and Hazelwood Park.

The Beach at Dawlish Warren

This is the beach at Dawlish Warren on one of the sunny days this summer. These days have been very few and far between but we are looking forward to an Indian Summer.

Olympic Games

We had a wonderful day at Dawlish Warren On Sunday Aug 24^th Sporting events Steel band The Olympic Flag was raised at 5pm looking forward to the 2012 Games in London

Summer Sizzlers

SUPER SUMMER SIZZLERS OFFER CUT-PRICE FUN!

There's never been a better time to get happy and healthy at local leisure centres as Teignbridge Council introduces its special Summer Sizzler passes.

At a time when it's getting ever more important to watch the pennies, Teignbridge has introduced two brand new Summer Sizzler passes for the months of July and August, helping users of all ages get the most out of their local leisure centre at an even more affordable price.

The Junior Summer Sizzler is on sale now and costs £10, entitling the holder to 10 indoor swims at either Dawlish or Newton Abbot Leisure Centre. Available to people aged 16 or under, the cards can be renewed after 10 swims and reused as many times as required throughout July and August, meaning that younger customers can enjoy a whole summer of super-cheap swims!

Young people aren't the only ones in for a treat, however, with the Adult Summer Sizzler going on sale in August. This pass, available at Newton Abbot Leisure Centre, Dawlish Leisure Centre, Ashmoor Recreation Centre and Broadmeadow Sports Centre, will cost just £14, and entitles the holder to any 14 leisure centre activities (including an induction in the New Physique Fitness suite, usually costing £8)

Among the activities on offer are use of the indoor pools, exercise classes, fitness training sessions, badminton and squash sessions and use of the sauna and steam rooms.

Cllr Anne Fry, Teignbridge Executive Spokesperson for Recreational Services said:
"This fantastic new offer is not to be missed! It's a wonderful way to start the summer - keeping the children entertained and parents busy".
"The Summer Sizzlers are a brilliant way to keep the family happy and healthy, and make the summer all the more fun. With activities working out at just £1 each, it's an ideal way to save some cash while getting the most out of the summer holidays".

"The whole family can enjoy a day of fun, from only £1 each, so why not come and join in!"