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3 Days of Wonder

Newton Abbot Town Council

UP and coming rock band, 3 Days of Wonder, have been added to the entertainment line-up for Newton Abbot’s Christmas lights switch-on on Saturday November 25.

The Devon outfit, led by frontman Luke Notman, are scheduled to perform some of their latest material in front of St Leonard’s Clock Tower from 10am – 11pm.

Their recent number, Younger Days, has been nominated as Album Track of the year by Smart Radio while their list of gigs around the region and beyond continues to grow.

The new EP, Eyes Wide Open, is on sale at Phoenix Sound, Queen Street.

Luke said: We’re often described as having music that is mature for such a young band. We take inspiration from The Police, U2, Foofighters, The Script and Big Country.  Our ultimate goal is to play to a packed out rock stadium!

‘We love playing our energy filled shows and connecting with our audience and followers.’

Town Development Manager Sally Henley said: ‘It’s great that the band has found time in their hectic schedule to play for us live on the day of the Christmas lights switch-on.

‘They are storming the music scene at the moment and I’m sure they’ll go down really well with the Newton Abbot audience.

‘We’ve also got live music from Simon Prince who will be performing in Courtenay Street 10am – 2pm, what a great start to our seasonal festivities and it’s all completely free.’

Other attractions on the day include walkabouts by town mascot Newton, free activities for children, Taiko drumming and stilt walkers.

The Christmas Parade from The Avenue to the Clock Tower is set to start at 5pm, featuring Father Christmas, Newton’s Float, the Ipplepen Winter Carnival Float, cars from Prestige Events plus The Mayor and his Consort.

Also expected to take part, operations permitting, is one of the town’s fire engines and crew.

All eyes will be turned skywards at 5.30pm when Mayor Cllr David Corney-Walker and Santa throw the switch to illuminate the town for the festive season.

There will be free giveaways for children in the afternoon and evening while stocks last, plus the chance to meet and greet Santa on his sleigh after the lights switch-on until 6.30pm.

Images of the band are available at https://3daysofwonder.com

New hope for derelict site after backing from Newton Abbot Town Council

A DERELICT eyesore in the heart of Newton Abbot could at last have a brighter future after the Town Council offered no objections to a scheme for 38 apartments and flexible retail space.

The former Seymour Howell car dealership site in Wolborough Street has been empty for 17 years.

It has become an overgrown wasteland and was unlawfully occupied by a caravan dweller.

Now, Newton Abbot Developments Ltd has submitted plans for a four-storey building which, if approved by Teignbridge District Council (TDC), would transform a blighted gateway to the town centre.

The firm said its 38 one and two bedroom apartments were ‘aimed at the retirement market’ and that the ground floor units would suit a number of uses.

The scheme differs from an earlier one which gained planning permission by increasing the number of flats but within a smaller footprint.

In its application, it said: ‘The design responds to local character and context of the built setting so that layout, scale, form, massing, height, density, colour, materials, detailing and impact on the built and natural heritage are all successfully addressed.’

A key consideration among Town Councillors was the scheme’s impact on the historic St Leonard’s Tower.

The firm said: ‘The prominence of the clock tower building is respected throughout and will remain the dominant form on the skyline.’

It added: ‘The proposed development will ensure the beneficial use of the site, improving community safety and surveillance and bringing life back to the street scene.’

Heritage expert Rhiannon Rhys at Historic England said St Leonard’s Tower would ‘retain a level of prominence within the streetscape’ and added: ‘The new building will also provide a sense of enclosure and finality to the varied street scape, “bookending” Wolborough Street and better framing the views.’

Welcoming the Town Council’s position, Town Development Manager Sally Henley said: ‘This derelict site is a high priority for the town and my personal view is that the proposed building will complete the gateway to our town.

‘Hopefully TDC will be happy with the changes, which they requested to the originally approved plan.

‘A developer will only be interested in buying this land from the current private owners if it comes with planning permission in place.

‘Should they reject this application there is a real possibility that we might be looking at this eyesore for another decade.’ 

The above image is from the applicant’s submission, reference number 22/00579/MAJ, which can be viewed on the Teignbridge District Council website.

Newton Abbot Town Council’s Planning Committee considered the application at its meeting on November 21. As a statutory consultee in the planning process, it cannot ‘support’ any application but is limited to offering ‘no objection’ or objecting because of concerns that a scheme does not accord with planning policy.

Eric Collar: A Man of the Trees

NEWTON Abbot Town Council has bid a fond farewell to its Voluntary Tree Advisor Eric Collar who stepped down in October aged 94.

In more than 20 years with the authority, Eric advised members on planning applications which threatened to remove trees, probably saving hundreds from the axe.

Despite understanding little about the subject at first, he accumulated a vast body of knowledge and learned to appreciate the importance of trees to both society and the environment.

‘Trees are life and we need more of them,’ he said.

Before volunteering with the Town Council, Eric spent 40 years as a bus controller in his native Home Counties.

Later, with wife Janet, he opened a guesthouse in Aller and their successful ten years on the busy road between Newton Abbot and Torquay was followed by Eric returning to the transport industry for another short stint.

By 2001 Eric was in his 70s and assumed retirement was on the horizon.

But the then Town Clerk, Rod Tuck, had other ideas.

He knew Eric through the Chamber of Trade and appreciated his methodical approach and attention to detail.

‘Rod said to me, now you’ve retired I’ve got just the job for you and it’s to do with trees,’ recalled Eric.

‘I knew nothing about them at the time.’

According to wife Janet, Eric rose to the challenge by immersing himself in all things arboreal, reading books and asking questions of professionals.

‘He really, really put himself into it,’ she said.

So extensive did Eric’s knowledge become that he was dubbed ‘Wood Man’ by the late Henry Cole, a town councillor for many years and later made an Honorary Freeman for his services.

Eric championed the cause of the town’s trees with vigour, challenging the need to fell anything other than diseased or damaged specimens.

‘Quite a few people move into this area and then the autumn comes,’ he said.

‘Leaves fall down on the ground and they say “oh dear” and all the rest of it, so they say “fell them, fell them” but I was dead against it.

‘We need trees, sorry but we do, and I was very forceful on it.

‘If it’s diseased that’s it, it’s finished.

‘If it’s struck by a vehicle there’s not a lot you can do about it, you’ve got to lose it.

‘However, if the ground isn’t affected by fungus or other problems I’d always recommend that it was replaced, that was a condition of saying yes to felling.’

Asked why protecting trees had become a passion he said: ‘Because it’s nature. We need it, the air we breathe. The mere existence of a tree, it’s a cycle, we need them as human beings.

‘One of the things I always remember as a boy, we used to cycle down to Chichester through the South Downs and there, in the autumn, the broad leaved trees, colour, really cracking!’

Janet added: ‘You’ve also got to think of the birds, think of the insects, they’ve got to live somewhere.’

Asked if it felt good to have done his bit for the town’s trees Eric said, without hesitating, ‘Oh yes, good lord yes.’

Mayor Cllr David Corney-Walker expressed his gratitude, saying:

‘Most people in their 70s decide to sit back and take it easy, not Eric however.

‘He took it upon himself to delve deeply into the subject and provided the council with sound advice for more than two decades, all on a voluntary basis.

‘We are extremely grateful for all he has done and his sense of civic duty is an example to us all.

‘May Eric and Janet continue to enjoy many happy years together without the demands of serving the public, month in month out.’

Eric, who endured a spell of poor health earlier this year, still intends to attend his regular Probus meetings and keep his mind active with interests such as rail and the campaign to re-open the line from Buckfastleigh to Ashburton.

Asked how he felt about his 22 years as Tree Advisor he said: ‘It’s been interesting, always, oh yes. It was worth the effort, definitely.’

The attached photo shows Mayor Cllr David Corney-Walker with Mr and Mrs Collar during a farewell presentation at the November 15 meeting of the Full Council

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

Christmas Lights Switch-on nears

Excitement mounts as Newton Abbot Christmas lights switch-on nears

ORGANISERS of the November 25 Christmas lights switch-on in Newton Abbot have said excitement is mounting as the big day approaches.

The fun and games are due to get under way at 11am when St Leonards’s Clock Tower opens its doors for fireside selfies until 1pm.

Also at 11am, town mascot Newton will start the first of his walkabouts and, if previous years are anything to go by, youngsters of all ages will be queuing up to have their photos taken with him.

At 12 noon, free children’s entertainment will begin with face painting, balloons and crafts from Creative Newton Abbot.

Street food stalls are set to start trading at 1pm in Courtenay Street and an hour later, DJs from Torbay Hospital Radio will spin their first discs by the Clock Tower.

At 2.30pm the Taiko Drummers will begin an hour-long performance followed by the ever-popular stilt-walkers from 4pm – 6pm.

The Christmas Parade from The Avenue to the Clock Tower is set to start at 5pm, featuring Father Christmas, Newton’s Float, the Ipplepen Winter Carnival Float, cars from Prestige Events plus The Mayor and his Consort.

Also expected to take part, operations permitting, is one of the town’s fire engines and crew.

All eyes will be turned skywards at 5.30pm when Mayor Cllr David Corney-Walker and Santa throw the switch to illuminate the town for the festive season.

There will be free giveaways for children in the afternoon and evening while stocks last, plus the chance to meet and greet Santa on his sleigh after the lights switch-on until 6.30pm.

‘It’s been a lot of hard work but endless fun putting together this year’s Christmas programme and we can’t wait for the lights switch-on on Saturday November 25,’ said Natalie Hicks, Events Co-ordinator for Newton Abbot Town Council.

‘The excitement is mounting and we’re sure everyone will love our month of free family fun and games as December 25 gets ever nearer.

‘We look forward to welcoming thousands of people and, dare I say it already, happy Christmas everyone!’ The full programme is listed at www.newtonabbot-tc.gov.uk

The Kings Coronation – weekend celebrations

LIVE music and free family-friendly activities will be at the heart of Newton Abbot’s celebration of the King’s Coronation weekend.
On Saturday May 6 Courtenay Street will host morning performances by The Hot House Combo, a much-loved four-piece whose repertoire features foot-tapping jazz and swing from the 1930s.
In the afternoon the equally popular Cahoots will take to the stage while walkabout characters will mingle with the crowds and free balloon modelling can be enjoyed.
St Leonard’s clocktower will be royally equipped and open for ‘Coronation selfies’ with visitors also able to sign the book of congratulations for King Charles and the Queen Consort.
On Sunday May 7 the festivities will move to Courtenay Park with a 12 noon – 4pm Party in the Park featuring a band concert, face painting, magical bubbles, balloon modelling, make and create children’s activity stall, Coronation selfie frame and free giveaways.
Families will be encouraged to bring picnics in line with the Coronation Big Lunch theme and there will also be a cocktail bar and ice cream van.
All the attractions, except the refreshments, are being provided free of charge by Newton Abbot Town Council.
Mayor Cllr Carol Bunday said: ‘A Coronation is a rare event in our national life and we want to ensure that the people of our town have the opportunity to share the experience.
‘The beauty of modern technology means we’ll all be able to watch the events at Westminster and Windsor Castle at a time of our choosing yet also come together to enjoy the party atmosphere.
‘And we’re fully aware of the tough economic times which is why we wanted to create a truly affordable weekend with no charge for any of the activities.
‘We’ve also learned from our Jubilee celebrations last year and booked an extra face painter as it proved to be so very popular then and we don’t want any disappointed children this time.
‘We hope, of course, for good weather and to see Newton Abbot coming together to experience this wonderful milestone in our country’s history.
‘God save the King!’

Coronation of King Charles III – weekend celebrations

Newton Abbot Town Council to provide free family fun for the Coronation weekend

LIVE music and free family-friendly activities will be at the heart of Newton Abbot’s celebration of the King’s Coronation weekend.
On Saturday May 6 Courtenay Street will host morning performances by The Hot House Combo, a much-loved four-piece whose repertoire features foot-tapping jazz and swing from the 1930s.
In the afternoon the equally popular Cahoots will take to the stage while walkabout characters will mingle with the crowds and free balloon modelling can be enjoyed.
St Leonard’s clocktower will be royally equipped and open for ‘Coronation selfies’ with visitors also able to sign the book of congratulations for King Charles and the Queen Consort.
On Sunday May 7 the festivities will move to Courtenay Park with a 12 noon – 4pm Party in the Park featuring a band concert, face painting, magical bubbles, balloon modelling, make and create children’s activity stall, Coronation selfie frame and free giveaways.
Families will be encouraged to bring picnics in line with the Coronation Big Lunch theme and there will also be a cocktail bar and ice cream van.
All the attractions, except the refreshments, are being provided free of charge by Newton Abbot Town Council.
Mayor Cllr Carol Bunday said: ‘A Coronation is a rare event in our national life and we want to ensure that the people of our town have the opportunity to share the experience.
‘The beauty of modern technology means we’ll all be able to watch the events at Westminster and Windsor Castle at a time of our choosing yet also come together to enjoy the party atmosphere.
‘And we’re fully aware of the tough economic times which is why we wanted to create a truly affordable weekend with no charge for any of the activities.
‘We’ve also learned from our Jubilee celebrations last year and booked an extra face painter as it proved to be so very popular then and we don’t want any disappointed children this time.
‘We hope, of course, for good weather and to see Newton Abbot coming together to experience this wonderful milestone in our country’s history.


‘God save the King!’

Newton Abbot Town Council silenced on huge development plans.

Newton Abbot Town Council silenced on huge development plans

NATIONAL planning rules are preventing Newton Abbot Town Council from representing residents and businesses who face huge changes in the shape of thousands of new homes and other developments.

The claim has been made as the March 13 deadline approaches for consultation on the draft Teignbridge Local Plan 2020 – 2040.

The scheme would result in large swathes of countryside being lost to housing, plus extra building on the livestock market and town centre car parks.

Teignbridge District Council, as the authority charged with drawing up a Local Plan, has been encouraging the public to have its say on the proposals.

Town and parish councils have also been asked to comment but have discovered rules which prevent any meaningful exchange of ideas.

Newton Abbot Mayor Cllr Carol Bunday said: ‘There are many aspects of the draft we want to share our thoughts on but we’re simply not allowed to.

‘For example, we cannot express our opposition to the loss of town centre car parking or make a call for infrastructure to come before housing.

‘Instead, we are only allowed to say if we believe the consultation has been carried out in accordance with national policies and that the plan’s proposals are lawful.

‘We’re being silenced, prevented from speaking up on behalf of residents and businesses whose futures will be changed forever.

‘And if it’s difficult for us as a council with our knowledge of local government legislation to make any meaningful representations, how on earth are members of the public going to fare?’

Cllr Bunday added: ‘We’ve been told that this latest consultation has to be conducted in this very dry manner and that we ought to have made our thoughts known in the first round more than a year ago.

‘But back then, very few of the details were available, so really we’ve been given no chance at all.

‘And with only nine of the 47 district councillors representing Newton Abbot it feels like we’re having a scheme imposed on us by people who won’t have to live with the consequences.

‘The process is neither transparent nor fair.’

HMS Triumph Freedom of the Town Parade

HMS Triumph will exercise its Freedom of the Town of Newton Abbot on Saturday 1st April. There will be a parade of crew members, accompanied by TS Ramehead Sea Cadet Volunteer Band, starting from Victoria Gardens and passing through Courtenay Street.

The procession will finish with a ceremony near St Leonard’s Tower, Wolborough Street, after which there will be a reception at Newtons Place where the Mayor will perform the official opening of this community building, museum and town council offices.

HMS Triumph is Newton Abbot’s affiliated submarine. She is a Trafalgar Class, the seventh and final example of her type, and the tenth vessel and second submarine to bear the name. She is the Navy’s nineteenth nuclear-powered hunter-killer submarine.

Local Government Elections – 4th May 2023

Newton Abbot Town Council

Have you got photo ID?  You’ll need it to vote in May’s local elections

From 4 May, voters in England will need to show photo identification (ID) to vote at polling stations in local elections, Police and Crime Commissioner elections, UK parliamentary by-elections and recall petitions.  From October, photo ID will also be mandatory in general elections. 

This follows the government’s decision to require voters to show photo ID when voting in person.

A wide range of photoID will be accepted at polling stations including:

  • Various concessionary travel passes
  • PASS cards
  • Ministry of Defence identity cards
  • Photocard parking permits issued as part of the Blue Badge scheme
  • Driver’s licenses
  • Passports
  • Free Voter Cards, provided by local authorities

Details of all current photo ID options are set out on the electoral commission website. 

People who don’t already have an accepted form of photo ID, but are registered to vote, can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate on line, which will go live on Monday 16 January. The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate for the May local elections is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2023. 

Paper application forms will be available from our electoral services team and in addition to information on its website, the electoral commission has set up a helpline to support people – 0800 328 0280. 

People who don’t want to show photo ID when voting can apply for a postal vote.