Barnstaple Town Centre

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National Lottery Reforms to Generate an Extra £182m for Good Causes - Philip J Milton, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for North Devon has today learned of Conservative proposals for some major reforms that will transform the National Lottery and provide lots more money for arts, sports, heritage and charities.

A Conservative Government would restore its independence from Government and politicians and maximise returns to the original good causes. These reforms could release an additional £182m per year which in turn could mean that our local charitable organisations, who have suffered due to lack of funding in recent years, could benefit.

The Freedom Centre which is run by the Freedom Trust (a Church-based charity that works with the homeless of North Devon) has already this week been awarded £443,164 over five years from the Big Lottery Fund. “Let us hope that many more similar organisations based in North Devon can also benefit from extra Lottery money becoming available and not being used for government infrastructure projects instead” said Philip.

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Doves Christian Bookshop / Christian Centre, St Peter’s Churchyard :: Good news! The Christian Centre Trustees were sad to have to close the Christian Centre after twenty-one successful and solid years’ service in the lower hall in St Peter’s Churchyard. However, the costs were mounting and in fact even now the Trust still has liabilities to meet which appear beyond the assets available. It was felt that the longer the Centre remained open then the larger the costs and bigger the liabilities and that was something the Trustees could not countenance.

However, there is some interesting and good news! Philip Milton, who was one of the Centre Trustees previously and who has owned Doves’ Christian Bookshop since 1988, has seen a vision for the premises which were once the Christian Centre.

Philip has taken responsibility for the Lease (with the blessing of the Parish Hall Trustees, who Philip is very keen to note have been very helpful with all of the arrangements) from 3 December 2007 and the vision entails moving Doves’ Bookshop there! This was a possibility he shared with the Christian Centre Trustees but opportunity of merging the two activities was a step too far at the time. Consequently, under Philip’s ownership and direction, he will look to establish Doves, offering light refreshments (at least to begin with) and we shall see how it goes from there. He has made an offer to the Centre Trustees to buy all of the fixtures and fittings at a price in excess of the independent valuation secured, to ensure that the Trust is not insolvent.

Philip, who is also the Prospective Member of Parliament for the Conservative Party in North Devon, holds an exciting vision for the premises. Whilst passing custom will decline over that enjoyed at Doves’ present premises at 60 Boutport Street, the opportunity for people who visit Doves to enjoy light refreshments (including the lovely garden at the rear of the property, when the weather is good!) will combine to create a vibrant enterprise in the heart of the Town and from which other activities will emanate ultimately.

Doves itself has never been a profit-making entity and has been one of Philip’s personal “charities” every year. It provides an invaluable resource to Christians across North Devon, as well as having an excellent reputation for good quality cards, tourist books and other gifts but pressures on trade have been intense and the costs have continued to increase. Relocating Doves will enable the venture to reduce its outgoings but consider expanding into other areas which would be suitable for the new premises and Philip will have Doves’ old premises, a very attractive freehold shop, available to sell to an investor or for a new shop owner.

Some improvements and redecoration are required to the lower hall but it is hoped that Doves will be moving in January. It will be hoped, too, that there may be opportunity for volunteers to assist in some of the activities undertaken in the premises, especially if some of Philip’s ideas for the future take hold!

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PHILIP MILTON BLASTS SOUTH WEST TRAINS OVER ‘ABOVE INFLATION’ FARE HIKES - Philip J Milton (Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for North Devon) has reacted with anger following the news that South West Trains is reported to be considering an above inflation hike in fares.

Philip said:

“Whilst our branch line is trying hard, commuters already feel that they’re getting a rough deal. Peak-time trains up the line are already packed and I think most people will feel these fare increases are adding insult to injury. 29/11/07

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Philip Milton Blasts Government Over Council Tax Plans: Voices across the political spectrum are warning of inflation-busting hikes in council tax following the publication of the Government’s new tax and spending plans for the next three years – the so-called ‘Comprehensive Spending Review”.

• The cross-party Local Government Association has forecast that the Chancellor's announcement will mean above inflation rises in bills for council taxpayers.
• Insufficient resources have been given to local authorities to tackle the soaring costs of care for the elderly, waste collection and disposal, and other burdens imposed by Whitehall.
• Independent commentators have said that the Government’s claim that council tax bills will be kept down do not look plausible.
• The small print of the Government’s report reveals that council tax revenues are forecast to rise by 5 per cent this year.

Speaking after the announcement Philip said:

“Council Tax has gone through the roof over the past 10 years due to lack of Government money. But following the Comprehensive Spending Review, we are now going to see more difficult choices for councils – cuts in services or increases in Council Tax. This will hit local people really hard with the most vulnerable in our local community, particularly pensioners on fixed incomes – and they are the people that often need Council Tax services most – suffering the most. What we are seeing is Government Ministers using Council Tax to raise more money but its local councillors that have to take the blame when the Council Tax bills hit the doormat.”

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Barbara Clark to Support Fund Raising Event - Barbara Clark, who led a high profile campaign for women in England to receive the drug, Herceptin on the NHS, is lending her support to the staff at Zena’s on Saturday, October 20.

“We will all be dressed up in pink outfits with pink wigs next Saturday”, explained Amanda Brayley, who heads up Zena’s Patisserie and is coordinating the event, “including all our male members of staff.”

“Barbara’s visit happens to coincide with her autobiography, “The Fight of My Life” coming out in paperback. She has agreed to hold a book signing here between 11am until 2pm, giving half the proceeds from each book she sells on the day to breast cancer charity. When you see her on television, she is a real inspiration, and everyone at Zena’s is looking forward to meeting her.”

Barbara, who recently was awarded ITV’s This Morning Wonderwoman of the Year, is a familiar face in the media and has met many famous people during her fight for Herceptin, including Sharon Osbourne, who wrote the foreword in Barbara’s book.

“I always find it very inspirational when people undertake all these different fundraising ideas to help raise the profile of breast cancer,” said Barbara, “and I’m really looking forward to coming to Zena’s. It should be a fun day and all in a very good cause.”

In the meanwhile, Zena’s is busy selling small fairy cakes and biscuits with white icing and pink ribbons for £1 throughout the month of October, with all the money going to help breast cancer awareness.

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Devon's Blue Flag beaches - Devon has 16 Blue Flag beaches in 2007 - that's three more than in 2006. Here's where you'll find them.

Flying the Blue Flag... Devon has fared better than ever in 2007, with Blue Flag awards for 16 of the county's beaches. That's three more than in 2006 - although there was bad news for Preston Beach in Paignton, which boasted the Blue Flag in 2006 but missed out in 2007.

The four new beaches on the list are Sandy Bay, Exmouth; Salcombe South Sands; Bantham Beach in the South Hams; and Goodrington South Sands in Paignton.

The award of a European Blue Flag is a symbol of high environmental standards as well as good sanitary and safety facilities.

The full list is:
Bantham (South Hams)
Bigbury on Sea (South Hams)
Blackpool Sands (South Hams)
Breakwater Beach, Brixham (Torbay)
Broadsands, Paignton (Torbay)
Challaborough (South Hams)
Croyde Bay (North Devon)
Dawlish Warren (Teignbridge)
Goodrington Beach, Paignton (Torbay)
Meadfoot Beach, Torquay (Torbay)
Oddicombe Beach, Torquay (Torbay)
Salcombe Sands (South Hams)
Sandy Bay, Exmouth (East Devon)
Tunnels Beach, Ilfracombe (North Devon)
Westward Ho! (North Devon)
Woolacombe Sands (North Devon)

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Controversial goat cull discussed

A £40,000 cattle grid failed to keep some adventurous goats out. The controversial culling of goats at a Devon beauty spot is to be discussed at a public meeting. Some residents of Lynton are upset that the town council went ahead with the cull at the Valley of Rocks despite national and local opposition.

The council said a vote had been carried out to cull 20 billy goats after complaints from residents whose gardens were being damaged.

Town Mayor Suzette Hibbert insisted the goats were humanely killed.

The cull was carried out earlier this month. The wild animals, who roam the 300-acre Valley of Rocks in Exmoor National Park, have been escaping regularly and causing damage to trees and gardens in the town.

Even a £40,000 cattle grid, installed to keep them out of Lynton, failed to deter some of the herd who learned how to "tiptoe" over it.

The valley's wild goats are mentioned in the Domesday Book and have divided public opinion for many years.

Some locals describe them as "destructive and dangerous pests", while others say they are a major attraction for the many tourists who visit the area. Earlier this year, vegetables stuffed with poison were left in an area grazed by the goats.

When the animals were culled the RSPCA said it was "disappointed" as it was unaware of any research that demonstrated the cull was needed.

Friends of Lynton Goats described the cull as "sad and unnecessary".

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'Delayed' ambulance investigated
An investigation has been launched into why an ambulance took more than an hour to arrive at the scene of a serious accident in Torrington, Devon.
One person died and three were injured, two of them seriously. One was treated for head injuries, the other for burns. A member of the fire services said a properly crewed ambulance arrived one hour 15 mins after the call was made.

Southern Western Ambulance service said it sent the appropriate response to the initial information it had received.

Chris Wyatt from the ambulance service said it subsequently turned out that the incident was more serious.

The accident, involving two cars, happened on the A386 near Beam House in Torrington at 2200 BST on Monday. The police sent at least five officers travelling in five vehicles and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service sent 18 firefighters in three vehicles.

The 20-year-old driver of a grey Ford Fiesta, which caught fire, died at the scene. His male passenger was airlifted by an RAF helicopter from RMB Chivenor to hospital in Salisbury, where he remains in a critical, but stable, condition with serious burns.

The driver of the red Mitsubishi Colt who travelling towards Bideford, was airlifted to Derriford Hospital with serious head injuries. He has now been released.

In a statement, the service said it received the call to attend the accident at 2159 BST.

"Although a response was dispatched to the scene immediately, South Western Ambulance Service is currently conducting a preliminary investigation in relation to internal information dissemination issues, which were highlighted with this particular incident."

The Fire Brigade Union is also investigating the incident.

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