AROUND KINGSWEAR Around Kingswear NEWS FROM THE SUNNY SIDE
FULL STEAM AHEAD As many will have noticed, the Steam Packet has re- opened after a refurbishment. Men with planks were seen crawling all over the place and even in to the ferry queue a week or two back. Now the pub has a fresh look all ready to welcome the summer visitors and the regulars alike. The new licensee is Jamie Felton (pictured) who
doubtless will be pleased to welcome all.
WI LADIES At their usual meeting time of 2:15pm on the third Wednesday afternoon of the month, this month being 19th August, the WI ladies are in for a treat. They have engaged the services of Maggie Duffy who I would call the ‘Brixham Nightingale’, but if I did she’d probably poke me in the eye! For those of you who know Maggie she has a lovely voice and her songs about local characters and places are moving and often very witty. She has become a firm favourite on Radio Devon and often sings on the Judy Spires programme. Maggie’s set is to be called ‘Historical and Hysterical’ and I’m sure it will be. Let’s hope the ladies turn-up in force, they’ll love it.
President Mandy Gateshill has asked me to let all of you know, NOT just the ladies, that there is to be a Celebration WI Centenary Tea on Wednesday September 16th between 2:00pm and 4:00 pm in the main village hall. This is a biggie with enough cakes, buns, biscuits and scones to sink the Higher Ferry so come along all ye of little cake, ye know whom ye may be and join in a celebration of !00 years of the WI. See you there I fervently hope.
PARISH COUNCIL We live in turbulent times at the parish council. As most will know there has been a great deal of disagreement in the village generally about the proposed plans to site a children’s playground in Jubilee Park at the head of the creek. There had been wide agreement , both within the council and around generally about the desirability of such a playground. The council was approached initially by the group set- up to promote the playground to ask the opinion of our village councillors, then, after mature and reasonable discussion and study of the proposed plans, the council
by Mike Trevorrow
voted almost unanimously (one dissention) to support the playground group. Since this time there have been two opportunities for the community at large to voice its feelings regarding the playground. On both occasions there have been some objections but a large majority of residents supported the playground. As far as the parish council was concerned that was the end of the decision-making process and all that remained was for the funds
to be collected and the works to begin. But a small groundswell of anti-playground residents have voiced subsequent objections, based on the size and character of the proposed playground. In order to give fair hearing to the objectors the council held two further meetings (in council) to hear both sides of the argument. It should be stressed at this point (and here I speak as a journalist and as a councillor myself) these meetings were very acrimonious and have created great divisions in the village, which is a great shame. Some abuse was hurled at the council by people frustrated by the way things were opening out. I stress that the council carries no guilt in following these procedures and was not responsible for the result of consultation. However, the very unpleasant consequences of this affair have cost the council the loss of the services of an absolutely excellent parish clerk and the resignation of a very experienced chairman who has served our council well for 16 years, 11 of them as chairman. All this can only be deeply regretted and the community is the worse for it.
There is to be yet further consultation on the matter
and I guess by the time you read this the events will have moved forward. It is to be hoped that a few people who have prompted the anger and division that we are experiencing might pause to reflect that the methods employed to air contrary views have consequences and that, in this case, things have gone wrong. There are casualties – both personal and communal. It is also worth pointing out to people who allow themselves to vent their disagreements in a negative way that the councillors who represent them (apart from the salaried clerk) do so week-in and week-out, winter and summer, completely unpaid; they are only noticed by some when a personal issue comes-up but business continues all the year in a dedicated fashion by amateurs giving up their time to serve their community. I do wish this could be appreciated... End of the sermon!
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