Sailing through Life

Shaldon Sailing Club is riding the crest of a wave after they were awarded a £4000 by Devon County Council.The early Christmas present will fund the capital costs of refurbishing the clubhouse. I’m very pleased to have helped the club win this funding, and putting them in touch with other funders.

The DevonC.C. grant is the last part of an ambitious plan by Shaldon Sailing Club to increase participation in sailing. Shaldon Sailing Club, working with Teignmouth Community Association, will be providing young people, from all walks of life, a sailing experience during the summer holidays. Many young people from Teignmouth Shaldon and Bishopsteignton will now get the chance to sail, especially those who do not ordinarily get the opportunity. Learning to sail is great fun, but also can help to develop character, build self-esteem and teamwork.”

Boxing Day Dip

With about a hundred other people, many in fancy dress, I went for a for a Boxing Day ‘dip’ in the sea by the pier. My daughter and niece, dressed as Hawaiians, and fellow councillor Terry Falcão -dressed in a suit (well he is a solicitor!) braved the cold and went into the sea; all to raise money for the RNLI. Our MP Richard Younger-Ross judged the best fancy dress costume – Richard chose a couple dressed as Adam and Eve, though there wasn’t much of a costume to judge!
Then it was over to Shaldon to watch the three-legged race around the village, my nephew was taking part in the children’s race; a really great event with some amazing costumes. The three-legged racers have to drink a pint at each pub in the village, sadly there was one less stop this year, the popular Shipwrights’ Arms having closed.

Keep it local

Teignmouth, has a host of unique and friendly shops, Bishopsteignton and Shaldon are fortunate to have thriving local shops. Both villages have a chemist, general store and post office, it is always a case of use them or loose them.

Teignmouth Traders' Association have made a great effort to brighten up Teignmouth for Christmas; I've supported them with 1,000 grant and the town council agreed to match their fund raising. Our local shops and businesses need our support more than ever. Local shops boost the local economy, provide genuine choice and are a good environmental option. The most important thing you can do is to buy more from your local shops - choosing local products wherever possible.

You can find out more about your local shops by clicking on the link for the Teignmouth Traders site; the Bishopsteignton and Shaldon village sites list village businesses. (on the right under 'Links')