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suitable healthcare, accessible to all sections of the local population, is not adequately understood. This is causing severe anxiety. We need a sensible talk without emotion and away from the influence of vested interest groups.” Another big issue for the D&K Society is the lack of a neighbourhood plan. Robert says they will keep on asking the authorities, as every town should have one. It’s a way of helping local communities influence the planning of the area where they live and work and can be used as a tool when lobbying the authorities about future development proposals. “Work was being done to create a plan for Dartmouth but it has ground to a halt, I think the last meeting was July 2017. A public survey shows the top concerns are healthcare, parking and employment.” The society has 258 members with 10 on the committee. They have a meeting once a month, but much of the rest of Robert’s time is spent researching as he says he can’t go to the local


authorities if he doesn’t have all the correct information: “My wife would say I spend too much time on the society! I suppose it is all encompassing. I do get to play tennis on occasion and we hope to buy a small boat to potter about on, I used to do a bit of sailing.” When he retired Robert went on a


“I’ve been asked to


rejuvenate the group in 2018 and beyond and I really hope I can bring something new.”


round-the-world yacht race. He says it was his chance to have some fun and take a late-life gap year! “It was amazing but hard work, and I lost a finger due to a freak wave near Tasmania. Two of us were injured. We had to be motored back to Australia where we were picked up by a helicopter. But I was able to re join the race and make it back to Britain safely. It took 10 months in total with six stopovers. My wife and


children joined me in various places including New Zealand and South America. I really enjoyed South America; we stayed in Buenos Aires and travelled north to visit the wine region and the Iguazu Falls. I will never forget watching the water at these most phenomenal falls on the Brazilian border.” Robert says the Dartmouth and


Kingswear Society may be a little different under his reign, as there will be more emphasis on the important issues and less time spent planning social events. “I’ve been asked to rejuvenate the group in 2018 and beyond and I really hope I can bring something new.” They used to arrange talks for members, but are aware there are many other organisations in town offering these kinds of activities like the U3A. “We will have one keynote speaker each year and of course there’s the AGM to look forward to! Anyone can join the society, you just need to have a passion for Dartmouth, Kingswear and the surrounding area.” If you are interested go to www.dandksociety.org.uk


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