November - a month to remember

The 8th November was dry this year and every service so very well attended. Remembrance Sunday is not just remembering the wars of the past, but also those who have died in wears which are very much in the present. The events in Afghanistan have touched most of us in some way. Along with the other political parties I laid a wreath in Newton Abbot and later in Dawlish. My final visit was to Shaldon for a very moving evening service.

Talking to local businesses the recession is still far from over. I had a long meeting with the Federation of Small Businesses who are still very concerned about the future of small businesses in the area. The biggest issue by far the impending rise in business rates where the South West has been very heavily hit. I joined the Newton Abbot Chamber of Trade for an excellent wine tasting at the Jolly Farmer. At our Newton Abbot Networking Group meeting which I chair we had a very constructive meeting about banking relationships and how these have changed.

I was delighted to have been invited to Forde Park Care to join their dementia training course - it was trully excellent. Jonathan and his team have embarked on a journey to become a leading dementia care provider and this four day course has been a great stepping stone. Mental health care for the elderly needs a thorough review. A number of constituents and care homes come to me with issues which need sorting out. This month I had one such call from Bessmount Residential Care in Kingskerswell and went to visit to see what I could do to help.

I was lucky enough to meet up with Will Fitzgerald at Kingsway Meadow Centre in Teignmouth and hear about the good work they do for young people in the area - giving them the support and advice they need and a host of activities. Better still the centre is closing the generation gap and many activities see young and old getting stuck in together - a bingo night is one good example. I then dropped in at Shopmobility in Teignmouth where I was made very welcome. A new shopmobility will be opening in Dawlish soon which is fantastic.

It has certainly been a busy month with school governors meetings at Rydon and Newton Abbot College and Senior Council for Devon meetings to plan our programme in Newton Abbot for next year. I was invited to a coffee morning in Abbotskerswell, a Spanish evening in Cofton, a Martinmas supper in Mamhead, a wine tasting in Haccombe and bangers and mash evening in Newton Abbot - so I shall need to lose a few pounds before Christmas! The Christmas lights in Newton Abbot are lovely-and it was a good ceremony to watch as they came on.

I am looking forward to the Christmas season! Carol services and mince pies!