We attended our first official function last week, which was the Great Torrington Mayor’s Introduction. Attended by local Councillors and visiting Mayors and Dignitaries, the evening was to thank Councillor Phil Cloke for his two years as Mayor and introduce Councillor Dave Parish as the new Mayor and Councillor Bruce Ashley-Martin as the Deputy Mayor. An interesting talk from the Great Torrington Town Crier Big Al, about the Rolle Canal was followed by cheese & biscuits.
The following evening Bideford Town Council met to consider quotes for the repairs to Bideford Pannier Market roof and structure. It was agreed to accept one of the contractors quotes and work will start shortly. Once this initial first phase is completed the Market Hall will be refurbished in Phase 2 for use as a community space and events venue. Already provisionally booked for later in the year is the return of the Oktoberfest and the Jigsaw Puzzle Festival.
The same evening we attended the Barnstaple Mayor Introduction. Again thanks were given to the outgoing Mayor Councillor Janet Coates, before Councillor Loki Dawson was introduced as the new Mayor along with Councillor Julie Hunt as Deputy Mayor. A passionate speech about community by the new Mayor was followed by a Hog Roast in the Barnstaple Pannier Market.
Plans are now being finalised for my Mayor’s Introduction Ceremony on the Thursday 4th June and Bideford Fair on Saturday June 6th. This year we are including a Cream Tea Festival in the Fair and there are competitions to choose the best local bakers, both amateur & professional (entry forms can be downloaded from the Bideford Town Council website). A Sheep Drive across the Old Bideford Bridge, Flyboarding on the River Torridge, classic cars, dog show, donkeys, Exmoor Zoo and The Mayor’s Procession through Town will also feature in a packed day of events in Bideford’s Victoria Park and beyond.
Preparations have also started for the annual Chudleigh Fort Picnic in August and The Light Switch On at the end of November, which will be organised by a different events team this year, so watch this space for more details. We are also working with Torridge Disrtict Council and local traders to help bring back he Christmas Frost fair in December.
The Bideford Maintenance Team managed to replace all the bulbs in the lights on Bideford Bridge in record time taking just one full night and a couple of hours on the second, instead of the planned 4 night closure. So our thanks to them and the contractors, who helped, DS Electrical and Nick Samson. The view is now impressive after dark, when the tide is in and I am sure will be a photo opportunity for many visitors and locals.
