BWhat’sEENGoing
Have you been away this past month or do you visit Dartmouth only occasionally? If so, then By The Dart will each month bring you a brief round-up of the key news stories.
Words and photos by Phil Scoble
NEWCOMEN FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGED Dartmouth came out in force to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the creation of Thomas Newcomen’s ‘Atmo- spheric Engine’ the start of the Industrial Revolution.
More than just holding one event , Dartmouth has pulled out all the stops to ensure the talented son of the town is never forgotten. The Newcomen Engine in the centre of town has seen a revamp with a beautiful square built to ensure that the engine (the only working original engine in the world) is seen by as many people as possible. The Tourist Information Centre is now adorned by the new Newcomen Logo - designed by Dartmouth artist Paul Barclay – and there is now a stunning monument, designed and built by Phil Hudson of Deep Blue Signs on the roundabout on the way into Dartmouth – ensuring every visitor to the area knows the father of the Industrial Revolution is a Dartmouth boy. •
Dartmouth Academy is bringing more students from the Bay to school on its new, cheaper Double Decker school bus. The bus has a special ‘ferry lift’ to allow it to drive safely onto the Higher Ferry at all points of the tide. Dubbed ‘Big Daddy’ by passengers, it is believed to be the first double decker on The Higher Ferry for 25 years – and many hope it could be the first move towards a new bus route to the Bay across the ferry. And its arrival, brought about after long discussions between Dartmouth Acade-
A virtual mock up of what the rebuilt Dartmouth Academy will look like ON? SCHOOL REBUILD CONTRACTOR NAMED
Dartmouth Academy has named Leadbitter as the contractor for its £8.5million rebuild. The build, which will begin in September 2012, will see three quarters of the school completely rebuilt and ALL of the teaching spaces replaced. Leadbitter’s vision includes exciting high-tech interactive classrooms, flexible teaching spaces, a single building complex with a modern vibrant design, which will inspire the learners coming through its doors. Leadbitter also impressed with their detailed plan for the construction of the new buildings, demonstrating how they could bring the project in on time, on budget, and without disrupting learning. By a combination of staggering build dates, shifting working and delivery times and other clever measures they have convinced the Academy that no student’s education will be disrupted during the rebuild. Nick Hindmarsh, Principal of Dartmouth
Academy welcomed the decision. “We are delighted to announce Leadbit- ter as the contractors for the build,” he said. “The vision they presented fits in exactly with our aspirations for a 21st Century academy which is welcoming to all and will benefit the education of all our learners. The manner in which they worked with us, responding to the challenges associated with designing a genuinely all-through school, gives me confidence that they are the right partners to translate our ideas into some- thing truly exciting for all concerned. “We were also pleased with their clear plans for the build and I’m confident that the build will not have a negative affect on our students during the 18 month build. The transformation of the facilities on offer here, combined with our improving grades, make this the most exciting period for education in Dartmouth ever.”
A consultation on the design brought many comments and also positive sup- port for the rebuild from the community.•
“BIG DADDY” BUS BRINGS MORE STUDENTS TO DARTMOUTH ACADEMY FOR LESS my, the Dartmouth – Kingswear Floating Bridge Company which runs the Higher Ferry and First Devon and Cornwall, ensures students from Brixham and Torbay have a stress-free trip to the Academy – for less. Dartmouth Academy business manager Simon Rushton, who helped convince First to bring in the specially-modified double decker, said it was a boost for the Academy and the town.•
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