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Drawing on the past

AN ARTS project that allows free after-hours access to Newton Abbot Museum is attracting a growing number of participants.

The Twilight Sketching sessions are for people of all abilities and have been taking place each fortnight for the past 18 months.

Those attending are encouraged to use the 17,000 objects in the collection as their inspiration.

Now the organisers are hoping to increase the number who enjoy the opportunity even further as they ramp up plans for a new museum extension providing better storage and improved public access to the treasured items.

‘Everything we do is about the collection,’ said Community Outreach Worker Kate Green.

‘Having people come in after hours creates a new means of allowing them to interact with the objects, interpret them in a unique way and produce artworks which themselves become part of the museum’s story.

‘Our What’s in Store project will deliver much better facilities for the collection and public alike and as we embark on that journey we’d like as many people as possible to help shape the outcome.

‘Museums aren’t stuffy silent places, they’re alive with inspiration from the past that can help shape our future.

‘Come and be part of this exciting opportunity, we’ll even provide the paper and pencils plus a free cuppa.’

For the November 11 session Kate brought out items dating back to the First World War.

They included postcards from the front line, a bugle, medals and trench art, none of which is usually on display.

Among those capturing their stories on paper was David Bailey who only started drawing again earlier this year after a break of 30 years.

He said: ‘You look at things differently when you draw them. Standing in front of them for a while, you look at it, really understand how it’s made and what it’s made of.

‘The light that shines on it, the textures it has, the colours, it all means you enjoy the objects more.’

In addition to the artistic pleasure the sessions bring, there’s companionship and support too.

Former Museum Curator Felicity Cole is also among those who take part.

‘It’s that common denominator of art that appeals to me, it doesn’t feel clubby,’ she said.

‘It just feels natural and as someone said to me, you’ve found your tribe.’

All ages attend including seven-year-old Ernest and his brother Arthur, 11.

‘We come because we like drawing, we like being creative,’ said Arthur.

Ernest drew a World War Two American checkers set and himself wearing a vintage top hat, an act that took him to a past he never knew.

‘It felt really good,’ he said.

Mum Hannah Couch added: ‘There’s always something to sort out clean or cook, but actually just coming here and doing something creative is more important. And the only cost was a a three-minute walk down the road.’

The fortnightly 4pm – 6pm Twilight Sketching sessions are free to attend and booking is not required.

Visit www.museum-newtonabbot.org.uk for details.

Above: Details of a Felicity Cole drawing

Below: Tina Fox studying the Sandford Orleigh Screen

Below Hannah Couch

Above Therese Rowe and David Bailey

Below Arthur Couch

Above: Ernest Couch drawing the American WW2 checkers set

Town criers turn up the volume in Newton Abbot

Crowds turned out in force on Saturday when Newton Abbot staged its annual Town Criers’ Competition.

The action got under way near St Leonard’s Tower at 10.45am with the first of two rounds featuring criers from communities across the South West.

A second round was staged at 12.45pm with the public providing plenty of applause while the judges kept their thoughts private until decision time.

First place and the Devon Championship Title were eventually awarded to John Pitt from Plymouth with Calne’s Mark Wylie taking second and also the Top Volume award.

Roger Pinder of Kingsbridge was given third place.

Phil Northcott from Penzance was named Best Dressed Crier while the Best Dressed Escort title was awarded to Michael Davies representing Newton Abbot Borough.

Robert and Heather Graham from Dawlish were named Best Dressed Couple while Rosalind Charlton-Chard from Hatherleigh was given the Best Second Cry award.

Newton Abbot’s own crier, Nigel Kenneison, hosted the event but the rules prevented him from taking part.

Mayor Cllr Alex Hall was also present. He said: ‘It was marvellous to see a centuries-old tradition alive and well in our town centre on Saturday, I congratulate all those who took part and provided such great entertainment. ‘One thing’s for sure, no one could accuse Newton Abbot of being a sleepy old town on the day!’

Restoration work gets under way on iconic Newton Abbot railway gantry

VOLUNTEERS from the South Devon Railway are busy restoring one of Newton Abbot’s best loved landmarks.

The British Rail Western Region signal gantry on busy Torquay Road is being given an overhaul courtesy of the rail buffs and Newton Abbot Town and GWR Museum.

Among the tasks involved are the rubbing down and repainting of the 70-year-old steel structure, replacing arms and fitting new glass.

The gantry and the land it sits on are owned by Newton Abbot Town Council which funds Newton Abbot Museum.

Curator Dr Charlotte Dixon said: ‘This very much needed work is kindly being carried out by volunteers at South Devon Railway. It is being restored to how it was in living memory and this will ensure the longevity of this iconic landmark for Newton Abbot.

‘The project has been made possible by donations, in particular from Denis Lewis from the Railway Studies Group who sadly passed away.

‘Donations to the museum will now be allocated to go towards this project for the duration of the work.’

The gantry originally stood in the neighbouring railway station but became redundant when modernisation works were carried out in the 1980s.

Author David St John Thomas, co-founder of the David and Charles publishing business, bought it from British Rail and had it moved into its current position which was then part of his company’s headquarters.

Among the volunteers carrying out the restoration is Trevor Hodgson, a former Assistant Linesman who worked on the gantry when it was still in service.

‘I never thought I’d be back here working on it again,’ he said from his lofty position on the scaffolding that now enshrouds the structure.

‘I was based at Newton Abbot and helped maintain this for a while, it was right up outside the west singal box.

‘Its job was to control movements from the down platform to the through line out of Newton Abbot station towards Aller Junction.

‘It was an important bit of kit.

‘Of course, it was replaced by modern colour light signalling.’

Fellow volunteer Bill Gadd is part of the Signal and Telegraph Team at South Devon Railway.

‘When the scaffolding was going up a lot of people were concerned that the gantry was being taken down, we’ve had one or two comments like that,’ he said.

‘I’m pleased that it’s being refurbished although rusty bolts are proving to be a bit of a problem.

‘Hopefully though if you come back in a few weeks it will all look a lot smarter.’

The David and Charles business was sold to Reader’s Digest in the early 2000s and eventually moved out.

In 2018 Aldi was given planning permission for the site, despite concerns that the scheme would involve demolishing a Victorian carriage and wagon repair shop.

The gantry, however, was retained.

Clerk Phil Rowe said: ‘The Town Council is very grateful for the invaluable assistance of volunteers and donations to the museum which will help fund this project.

‘The gantry is important to the people of Newton Abbot and I’m very pleased that it’s getting the attention it needs.’

The project is expected to take approximately eight weeks to complete.

The below images show Bill Gadd (left) and Trevor Hodgson (right) working on the gantry.

Classic car show attracts bumper crowds to Newton Abbot

CROWDS flocked to Newton Abbot on Saturday May 25 for the town’s latest and largest gathering of cherished vehicles.

The event saw almost 70 classic cars, motorbikes and vans park up in Courtenay Street, Wolborough Street and Bank Street with Market Square pressed into action for the first time to accommodate the display.

Live music from three different acts and market stalls added to the atmosphere, while the weather played ball too, attracting what is thought to be the biggest audience yet for such an event.

Town Development Manager Sally Henley, employed by Newton Abbot Town Council, said: ‘What an amazing turn out of both vintage vehicles and people coming to see them, it’s been a brilliant day.

‘My thanks go to the Teignbridge Classics car club for organising such a well-run event, also to the owners for showing off their prized motors.

‘It was great to see some familiar models on show as well as new ones, I was particularly taken with an American station wagon which was big and brash but I just loved it.

‘We began these classic car gatherings before the pandemic and knew they were becoming popular but today we’ve had the largest number of entries ever and more people in town than I can remember for a long time.

‘Some people are very quick to write off our nation’s high streets but it’s clear to me that if we stage the right events, and maintain a healthy mix of big brands and independent traders, then Newton Abbot at least has a very healthy future ahead of it.

‘I’m already looking forward to our next Sunday market, in conjunction with The Plot Deli, on June 5 and a whole summer of events including the next classic car show on September 14.

‘All the details are on the town council’s website, www.newtonabbot-tc.gov.uk.’

A New Mayor for Newton Abbot

NEWTON Abbot’s youngest ever Mayor has been sworn into office.

Cllr Alex Hall is 22-years-old and has served as Deputy Mayor since 2023.

On Wednesday May 15 he took over the reins in a ceremony at Newton’s Place, Wolborough Street.

Looking forward to the year ahead he said: ‘It is an honour to be entrusted as Mayor by my fellow councillors.

‘To have the opportunity to represent my hometown, and being the youngest Mayor Newton Abbot has ever had, is a role I take very seriously. 

‘My ambition as Mayor is to always do my best to represent our town and sell it to its fullest potential at every official engagement and opportunity I can.’

He added: ‘Over the last 12 months, being Deputy Mayor has filled me with great pride. Witnessing all the brilliant work that goes on within our community can so often go unheard. 

‘Gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation is something I continue to look forward to over the forthcoming year and being able to share my experiences with everyone on my social media.

Thinking back on his year in office, Cllr Corney-Walker, said: ‘Your council is continuing to take on the jobs the bigger councils find they can no longer afford.  We have invested in high quality machinery to extend our ability to maintain the cleanliness of our town centre and residential areas and have recently appointed a fourth Facilities Maintenance Officer. 

‘The regeneration plans for Queen Street have proved very controversial.  It has to be emphasised, however, that Newton Abbot Town Council has no control over this and many other issues that affect us. 

‘My year has concluded with a succession of happy events.  On March 1st Austins celebrated their centenary.  The store has become synonymous with our town and attracts visitors and shoppers from a very wide area.  Long may it continue to do so.

‘In April we marked the 50th anniversary of the formation of Newton Abbot Council by planting two oak trees in Courtenay Park.  The three days of the annual Maltingsfest drew long queues of attendees and the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) made a very generous contribution to my charity for the year – Devon Air Ambulance. 

‘Finally on the 5th of May we had the first of our monthly Sunday Markets.  Though the weather was not kind attendance showed these are likely to prove a successful innovation.

My sincere thanks to all the officers at the Town Council for all their hard work and support for this Mayoral year and to all those councillors who have given me their support and encouragement at throughout the whole of this year.’

The above images shows Cllrs Hall and Corney-Walker at the Mayor-Making ceremony.

Here comes the summer – Newton Abbot gears up for Party in the Park ’24!

ALL roads will lead to Courtenay Park throughout the weekend of July 13 – 14 when Party in the Park comes to Newton Abbot.

The two days of affordable family fun will kick off with the gruelling Rotary Club wheelbarrow race, the dramatic Taiko Drummers plus performances from the Shining Stars Academy and Newton Abbot Martial Arts.

Trade and charity stalls will be accompanied by a paid-for bouncy castle and although everyone is encouraged to bring picnics, those wanting something extra can take advantage of the food and drink stalls.

On Sunday families will be able to enjoy free live music, balloon modelling, face-painting and a hula hoop show.

There will also be free activities from Creative Newton Abbot and the Bubble Fairy plus, for those wanting to splash out a little, there will be a cocktail bar, ice cream van and coffee truck

Saturday’s fun and games will take place 10am – 4pm and Sunday’s 11am – 4.30pm.

The first day is being organised by the Rotary Club of Newton Abbot and the second by Newton Abbot Town Council whose Events Coordinator Natalie Hicks said: ‘We’re so excited about Party in the Park and cannot thank Rotary enough for what they’re doing.

‘Their members are utterly dedicated to supporting the community so we know it’s going to be a brilliant day.

‘On Sunday the town council will be taking the lead with plenty of free activities and for both days there’ll be no need to book places or buy tickets, just turn up and enjoy the party.

‘It’s so important to us that as the summer gets properly under way, we provide some really good and properly affordable family fun.

‘Unless people wish to take advantage of the bouncy castle or caterers, there’ll be absolutely no need to put their hands in their pockets, just relax and enjoy the atmosphere.

‘So get the dates in your diary, Party in the Park is coming to Newton Abbot July 13 – 14.

‘See you there!’

All the event details can be viewed at www.newtonabbot-tc.gov.uk.

The below images are from Party in the Park 2023, courtesy of the Rotary Club of Newton Abbot.

Celebrate 80 years of liberty in Newton Abbot and help the Mayor light the D-Day Beacon on June 6

No Place Like Home

Celebrating 80 years of liberty in Newton Abbot

Tell the Mayor why you love Newton Abbot and help him light the D-Day 80th anniversary beacon

What does Newton Abbot mean to you?

Why do you love to call it home?

Capture those feelings in a photo, drawing or essay of no more than 100 words and share them with Newton Abbot Town Council.

Mayor Cllr Alex Hall, who takes up office on May 15, will choose the entry he loves most and ask its creator to help him light the D-Day 80th anniversary beacon in Highweek.

Here’s why.

At 6.30am on Tuesday June 6 1944, the Allied liberation of occupied France began.

Operation Neptune, more commonly known as D-Day, was the largest seaborne invasion in world history.

It cost the lives of more than 4,400 troops, the Battle of Normandy that followed claimed another 70,000.

As a whole, World War Two took the lives of perhaps more than 80 million people.

This unimaginable sacrifice provided the foundations for the liberty we still enjoy today.

On the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Newton Abbot, along with communities the length and breadth of Britain, will commemorate the moment with the lighting of beacons.

The ceremony at Highweek, one of three set to take place at the same time in Newton Abbot, will be led by Cllr Alex Hall.

He said: ‘As we all know, there’s no place like home, and for me that is Newton Abbot.

‘It’s a town that means so much to me and one I will be very privileged to serve as its Mayor.

‘It’s also a community that has, largely, known nothing but peace for a number of generations and that isn’t something we should take for granted.

‘The sacrifices made, not only on D-Day but throughout the Second World War and other conflicts, has allowed us and our town to grow and prosper.

‘Whatever the challenges we face today, they pale into insignificance compared with how life could have been had our forebears not fought to preserve our independence.

‘So I’d like to know why other people are glad to call Newton Abbot home and to remind ourselves of the good fortune we enjoy simply by living here.

‘There’s no place like Newton Abbot, there’s no place like home.

‘Tell me why and, hopefully, you can join me in Highweek on June 6 to light a very special beacon of hope and remembrance.’

Newton Abbot’s three beacons will be near All Saints’ Church at Highweek, the junction of Firestone Lane and Stoneman’s Hill in Wolborough and Shaldon Road in Buckland, south of the Centrax factory

The public are welcome to attend although please be courteous when parking and do not enter private land without permission.

Submit entries by emailing [email protected] or dropping them off at Newton’s Place, Wolborough Street.

The deadline is 5pm Monday May 27, entrants must agree to publicity photographs being published.

Ensure your contact details are clearly marked and state if you want the entry to be returned.

The below image shows then Mayor, Cllr Carol Bunday, at the 2022 Highweek beacon for the Queen’s Jubilee.

For more information please email [email protected] or call 01626 201120.

Success spurs community group’s expansion plans

A Devon ‘making, mending and meeting’ group is hoping to celebrate its first anniversary with a clutch of new helpers as demand for places continues to grow.

The Newton Abbot Community Shed was established in June 2023 and now has more than 50 members.

Initially they met just one morning a week in a former pottery studio in the town’s library but after a grant of £1,000 from Newton Abbot Town Council that has since risen to three times weekly and now a fourth session is on the cards.

There are also plans to find larger premises, launch a repair café and gain charitable status.

Chair Peter Stevens said: ‘A large proportion of our members are very active ‘Shedders’ and many of those are happy and able to work on their projects with little or no assistance.

‘Some members however need additional support and would benefit from one-to-one working with a helper.

‘We’re interested in attracting half a dozen or so volunteers with a bit of time to spare and an interest in people.

‘We don’t necessarily need qualified tradespeople or engineers, just those with patience and a smattering of practical skills they’re willing to share.

‘We’re a group for all men and women aged 18 and above and that’s our only eligibility criterion.

‘Becoming part of the Community Shed is as rewarding for helpers as it is members and we look forward to growing our numbers as the first anniversary approaches.’

In addition to making goods for sale, such as bird boxes and key cabinets, the Shedders have created a ‘pop-up’ bistro table on the stump of a felled tree in the town centre.

They also crafted props for the Town Council’s free Easter family activities and are busy with plans to build Santa a new sleigh in time for his visit at Christmas.

Another project in the pipeline is the restoration of a doll’s house, scratch built on Dartmoor some 60 years ago.

Mayor Cllr David Corney-Walker said: ‘The Newton Abbot Community Shed is clearly going from strength to strength and is a wonderful example of a town supporting its own.

‘I do hope they can attract some additional helpers in time for the first anniversary as that will mean they can achieve their aims, aims that will benefit not only members but Newton Abbot and its surrounding communities as a whole.’

The Community Shed meets each Friday morning and afternoon as well as Saturday mornings. Monday sessions are being planned.

For details visit https://newtonabbotshed.co.uk.

The below image shows left – right: Tim Faulkner (NACS Secretary) Peter Stevens (NACS Chair) Ollie Doughty – the Shedder responsible for designing and painting the tintamarresque boards.