In this Winter Issue we are highlighting the role of schools in our community. Both Barton Hill and Watcombe Primary Schools have new Head Teachers enthusiastic to work with the local community.
Leading up to Christmas, Barton Hill Academy pupils sang carols at St Martin's Church and at two of our local care homes. I’m delighted to include an article by David Gray, music teacher at Barton Hill. Also in December, the school signed up for an allotment on Beechfield Road where they will interact with and learn from other allotment holders.
In November, free from Covid restrictions, Watcombe Primary School entertained locals with their fireworks display. In December I was pleased to help Year 6 students clear the raised beds ready for planting in 2023 – see before and after pictures. This is the start of a major regeneration project of the school gardens as a ‘community garden’.
But we begin with highlights from the Christmas activities - a great effort, demonstrating the community coming together to help those in need and bring joy through carols, good food and fellowship.
Unite Community have been a major sponsor for the last three issues of our Magazine. What is ‘Unite Community’? Sean Brogan, Chair Unite Community Plymouth and South Devon provides an introduction. Thank you Sean and your executive committee for your support.
In March, our Community Builders Helen and Theo are organising a ‘cost of living event’, looking to identify ways we, as a community, can alleviate the pressures on many families in our community. Check out the agenda in their write-up and bring your ideas to the table. I also describe the growing role of schools in our community, and some of the opportunities for you to work with the schools. I believe their garden projects can make a significant contribution, reducing the cost of healthy food, if we all work together on greater selfsufficiency.
In December, the CiA Magazine was registered as a CIC (Community Interest Company). As such, we urgently need to have a formal Steering Committee. We need: a Deputy Editor, a Treasurer - Banking, an On-Line Editor and a Distribution Co-ordinator. Interested? Please contact me for more information…
John Hough - Newsletter Editor: 07455 193373 or editor.ciamagazine@outlook.com (The editorial does not necessarily reflect the views of the Magazine committee members or the Community Partnerships.)
Email me, putting ‘LETTER TO THE EDITOR’ in the subject line.
Send
first two correct
1. Name the music teacher at Barton Hill Academy.
2. What is the date of the ‘Cost of Living Event’?
3. How many people ‘flocked in’ to the Christmas Messy Church?
4. How many people appear in the picture on page 8?
5 Where is the Barton Hill Academy allotment?
CONGRATULATIONS TO CHARLOTTE AND SAM WHO WON PRIZES IN THE AUTUMN QUIZ!
Many thanks to all those community groups and organisations who gave time and resources to foster community spirit. Here we provide just a sample of events in our area.
The Willows Coffee Group / Community Carvery and the Willow Tree Pub are great providers of friendly support throughout the year. And Christmas is no exception – good food, fellowship and carol singing with St Johns Carol Singers.
A busy December but such lovely times!
Over 100 people of all ages flocked in for our Christmas Messy Church on Saturday 3 December – that’s more than twice our usual number but somehow it was ok! We had fun making mince pies, Christmas cards, collages and decorations, and constructing our own Christmas tree with paper cups. We talked about the Christmas story, got glo-bracelets and sang 'Away in a Manger', then we all had Christmas dinner together – thanks to our amazing kitchen team! It was a lovely way to start the Christmas season. At our
ALIVE! Christmas all-age service we sang lots more carols and the children made bouncing bean nativity people, and we enjoyed a Christmas buffet lunch including turkey, pigs in blankets and lots of Yule log. More Yule log and mince pies at our traditional Carols by Candlelight. We had a traditional service of readings and favourite carols, and “passed the light” by lighting our own individual candles along the rows.
Thank you to everyone who came along to any of these events – we loved sharing Christmas with you – and thanks to everyone who worked really hard to make these events truly worthwhile.
(Messy Church)
“I liked making mince pies we made circles in pastry and we took them home”
(Messy Church)
“A beautiful, atmospheric service, and lovely to be together”
(Carols by Candlelight)
“A really special night”
(Carols by Candlelight)
Christine Fry (Chris) Minister Barton Baptist Church
This event was run by Chelston Action Group and some very generous volunteers who gave up their Christmas Day to help provide a Christmas meal to those less fortunate, homeless, elderly people, younger people with no family, and people who would otherwise have been on their own. We helped a family who needed hot food because their cooker had broken, a young man who had been living in his car for four months and still is, guests and
“It was fun and Christmassy”
volunteers who had recently been bereaved. This event takes over 6 months to organise and this is done by Amanda Martin, Chloe Martin, Julia Briscomb and Hannah Parsons. The selflessness of these individuals is what makes this event able to take place.
The day itself was a massive success! We had a feedback box for people attending to give us their views and all of these feedback slips were extremely positive! Everyone that attended thoroughly enjoyed themselves and have asked to come again next year. The people who attended told us how much it meant to them to have a day where they are not on their own, hot food, a chance to make friends and a day that they will look forward to again this year. It was such a lovely atmosphere with Lea singing and watching them sing and dance and knowing that what we do makes a difference not only to the guests attending but also the volunteers who give up their time to help.
We would like to say a MASSIVE THANK YOU to everyone who gave us money towards Christmas and also those who gave us donations for gifts and raffle prizes. These people include: Sanctuary Housing, Susie Colley from the Chambers of Commerce, The Wine Box, Co-op in Barton, Acorn Centre (Barton), St. Peter's Centre (Chelston), Medway Centre (Watcombe), Sainsburys Torquay, Costa 2 Torquay, Paul's Plaice Barton, Seams Perfect (Chelston), Crispins
Chelston, Cafe Del Mar, Chelston Post Office, The Rotary, Day Lewis
Pharmacy in Chelston, St. Martin's (Barton), Sally Farrent, Lydia and Browella and finally to all the generous members of the public who also donated towards the day.
We would also like to say a MASSIVE THANK YOU to David Martin for the use of the Acorn Centre, all the community builders that helped with the preparation (especially Dan Best who also helped on the day - we couldn’t have done this without him!), Kim Todd from K Michelle Design who kindly designed all our posters and menus for free do this event, the cooks Chloe Martin and Hannah Parsons who went above and beyond to make sure everyone could get fed, Lea Millman who spent the day singing and entertaining the guests, Carisse who provided her glitter bar to guests and volunteers completely free of charge, Gavin Macey for carving the meat, Angela Macey for creating us some wonderful vinyl pieces completely free of charge from her vinyl business, Niki from the board of trustees for the Acorn Centre and finally all the drivers that gave up their time to bring people to and from the event (two came from Exeter and Plymouth to help!). We also had two girls wanting to volunteer on the day who were doing their DofE and two teenage boys who volunteered with their parents.
We would also like to thank Kevin and Hazel Foster for attending the day and making a generous donation. And Steve Darling and his wife for attending to show their support on the day.
Thank you from
Amanda MartinThis Christmas was a very special Christmas for the children of Barton Hill Academy because it was the first time they were able to put on a performance to a live audience. Children from Years 3 and 4 showcased their singing and instrumental playing to two packed out audiences at Saint Martin’s Church next to the school - see front cover. They performed a mixture of traditional and modern Christmas songs including a Liberian song called African Noel and a Ukrainian song called Minka.
Every child at Barton Hill Academy has the opportunity to learn to play a variety of instruments including keyboard, guitar, ukulele, violin, djembe, brass instruments, recorder, beginner flute and beginner saxophone, samba, junk band and tuned percussion. This year, Year 3 played a range of Christmas carols on handbells and Year 4 accompanied some of the songs on ukulele and tuned percussion.
As well the annual Christmas concert held in Saint Martin’s, 14 children from Year 6 visited two local care homes, Erith House and Hatt House, to sing Christmas songs to the residents. This is always a very humbling experience for the children and staff and it’s always lovely to see the joy it brings to both young and old.
NOTE: The events and activities are correct at time of printing but always check at the relevant website, Facebook page or by phoning.
The Windmill Centre
• TURNING HEADS COMMUNITY CAFE - Open 12.30-2pm
• INFINITY MEDIUMSHIP DEMONSTRATION - 6.30pm - £4, refreshments, £1 raffle, free healing and mini readings at £4.
Acorn Centre
• SOCIAL BADMINTON - 9.30am-12.30pm - £5 per session with hot drink
• MOVE IT OR LOSE IT - Gentle chair-based exercises with ANNE GEORGE1.45-2.45pm - Cost £6 - Booking essential: ann@stairwaycoaching.co.uk
Medway Centre
• TAI CHI - 11.15am-12.15pm
• AUTUMN CLUB - Fortnightly 2-4pm
• PUPPY SCHOOL - Booking essential, contact Claire at brightbarks@yahoo.co.uk
Woodend Project
• MINI GROWERS - 4-5pm
• BUSH COOKERS - Fortnightly lunch club - £3 - Booking essential, c all Denise on 07598 461386
The Windmill Centre
• WREN MUSIC FOLK CHOIR - 7pm
Medway Centre
• LITTLE MESS MESSY PLAY - 11am-12 noon from - Booking essential, contact Lauren on 07769 187059
• MONTHLY CASH BINGO - 18+ only - 6pm
Acorn Centre
• WALKING NETBALL - 10.30-11.30am - £4.50 including refreshmentNo booking required
• TABLE TENNIS - 2-4pm - £3 per person
• BOUNCE - Trampoline Exercise - 7.30pm - Cost £6.95 - Booking essential via www.bouncebodyfit.com
Barton Baptist Church
• RENEW WELLBEING CAFE - 9.30-11.30am - FREE - A safe space to talk, sit, do some colouring or a puzzle, tea, coffee and biscuits. Open to the whole community.
• MUMMY AND ME! - Come and join us. Make friends, relax, continue postnatal education… and have fun! 0-12 months, all welcome - Term time only: 9.30-11.30am - delivered by Kate Hancox, Daisy Foundation trained - for further details: Lena Fearnley: 01803 295268
Cricketfield Community Garden, Cricketfield Road
• OPEN GARDEN SESSION - 10am-2pm - FREE - Contact Dan Best on 07905 765263 for more details
St Martin’s Church Hall, Barton Hill Road
• WILLOWS COMMUNITY LUNCH CLUB - 12 noon - Connect, chat, socialise, all welcome. Tea and coffee (free of charge, donation if desired); lunch and pudding for £3 (MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE by calling Eunice: 01626 367469)
The Windmill Centre
• TURNING HEADS COMMUNITY CAFE - Open 12.30-2pm
Medway Centre
• FORTNIGHTLY LUNCHEON CLUB - 2 Courses, tea and coffee, draw with great company - £4pp - Booking essential contact the centre 07942 373904 or via facebook page.
• MONTHLY COFFEE MORNINGS - Free tea and coffee - pop along for a natter, check out the table top sale, meet the team, bring along a friend.
• LINE DANCING - 8-10pm
Acorn Centre
• SOCIAL BADMINTON - 9.30am-12 noon - £5 per session with tea/coffee
• PILATES - 10-11am - £9 per session - No booking required
The Willow Tree Pub, The Willows
• THE WILLOWS COFFEE GROUP - Weekly (except the first Weds of the month) - 10.30am - Meet new people and make new friends.
COMMUNITY CARVERY - Monthly - Enjoy company and friendship at local carvery venues on the first Wednesday of each month at 12.30pm. Booking in advance: e-mail communitycarvery@aol.com or call 01803 916338 - Wed
1st Feb: The Willow Tree Pub, Wed 1st March: The Royal Hotel & Carvery
Babbacombe, Wed 5th April - The Willow Tree Pub
Cricketfield Community Garden, Cricketfield Road
• OPEN GARDEN SESSION - 10am-2pm - FREE - Contact Dan Best on 07905 765263 for more details
The Windmill Centre
• WELL-BEING & CHRONIC PAIN CAFÉ - 10am-12.30pm - Craft and chat to promote positive wellbeing
• YOUNG YOUTH GROUP - For 8-11 year olds - 4-6pm - FREE
• YOUTH CLUB - 6.30pm-8.30pm - Youth club activities 11 years + (secondary school age) - FREE
• YOUNG PEOPLE BIKE SESSION - 6.30pm-8.30pm - 11-19 year olds - Run by Cycle Torbay CIC.
Medway Centre
• Daytime slot available, hopefully looking to fill with an exercise class such as Zumba, please get in touch if you can help
• EVENING BRIGHT BARKS PUPPY SCHOOL - Booking essential brightbarks@yahoo.co.uk
Acorn Centre
• EXERCISE CLASS FOR 50+ - 10-11am - £5.00 - Booking essential billwaughart@aol.com
Woodend Project
• CROCHET CLUB - 10am-12 noon - All welcome
• BUSTED BIKES - 6-8pm - 14-18 year olds
St Martin's Church Hall
• STRENGTH & BALANCE CLASSES - 11.30am and 2pm. Self refer by calling 0300 456 1006.
The Windmill Centre
• TURNING HEADS SOCIAL GROUP - 9-11am - £2.50
• TURNING HEADS COMMUNITY CAFE - Open 12.30-2pm
• DORYOKU RYU KARATE - Various sessions - Contact www.doryokuryu.com
Barton Baptist Church
• CRAFT GROUP - 9.15am term time only - FREE
• LITTLE FEET TODDLER GROUP - Every Friday in term-time - 9.30-11am - £1 per family - Play and friendship for 0-4s and their carers.
Acorn Centre
• NOT JUST ANOTHER PARENT TODDLER GROUP - 9am-12 noon - £3 per family
• SOCIAL BADMINTON - 9.30am-12.30pm - £5 per session with tea/coffee
• ONE HEART SPIRITUAL CHURCH - 6-9pm - No booking required - Donation basis, £5 for healing
Medway Centre
• MOVE IT OR LOSE IT with Becca - 10-11am and 11.30am-12.30pm - All sorts circuit training - For anyone 60+
• MOVE WITH BECCA - 1-2pm - Only £4 per person - All abilities
• WOODEND YOUTH CLUB - at Medway Centre for the winter months - £1 per person
• EVENINGS available for Party hire!
Woodend Project
• JUNIOR YOUTH CLUB - 4-6pm - Primary age (under 8's must be accompanied by an adult) - £1 per person - at Medway Centre for winter months
• SENIOR YOUTH CLUB - 11 years + - £1 per person - at Medway Centre for winter months
St Martin's Church Hall, Barton Hill Road
• CLASSICAL MUSIC APPRECIATION GROUP - Monthly meetings on the first Friday of the month - New Time & Venue for 2023 - 7-9pm - Launches Friday 3 March: An Introduction to Classical Music. Friday 7 April: The Symphony. Listen, discuss, enjoy. Contact Frank Reed: 07769 693655.
WILLOWS SOCIAL CONFIDENCE GROUP - Meeting weekly a variety of locations/activities. e.g. crafts, day trips. Build your confidence slowly in this supportive, friendly group. Contact Helen 07548 704876. Updates and details also posted on the Watcombe, Willows & Higher Barton facebook page.
Barton Baptist Church
• MESSY CHURCH - First Saturday of the month - 4-6pm - Free meal included. PURPLE ANGEL DEMENTIA CAFÉ - 1.30-3.30pm - Every Saturday afternoon, except the first Saturday of each month. Contact Elaine on 07707 048595.
Medway Centre
• BRIGHT BARKS PUPPY SCHOOL - Contact Claire Luscombe for more information, booking essential - brightbarks@yahoo.co.uk
• AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE BOOKINGS ON SATURDAYS - Contact Michella on 07456 834300
Acorn Centre
• ONE HEART SPIRITUAL CHURCH - Sundays 5-8pm - No booking requiredDonation basis, £5 for healing
• YOGA - Saturdays 10-11am - £7 - No booking required
AT THE WINDMILL CENTRE:
• 1 TO 1 COUNSELLING - with one of our placement trainees - due to demand this currently has a long waiting list
• TURNING HEADS run a range of paid for sessions at The Windmill Centrewww.turningheads.org.uk
• A WARM HUB is available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11am2pm and Thursdays from 10am-1pm, with free refreshments
AT ACORN CENTRE:
• POLE DANCE - Monday, Wednesday & Thursday - various classes catering for various abilities therefore different prices for each. Pre-booking essential via www.devonpoledance.com
• SAINTS SOUTH WEST FOOTBALL - lessons for different ages and abilities, booking essential via www.saintssouthwest.com
• PRIVATE HIRE - Also available for private hire for parties, football and badminton. Please contact us on 01803 328819 or contact us on Facebook.
• A WARM HUB - The Acorn Centre is also a warm hub where you can drop in for a cuppa anytime
During 2022 we saw our local schools, largely released from the covid restrictions, playing a larger part in the community: visiting an allotment, hosting a fireworks night, carol singing at St Martins Church and two local care homes.
As we enter 2023, schools and teachers, like the rest of the community, are under financial pressure. But, working together we can add to the well-being of our children and the community! In this article I will highlight some of the initiatives being taken by our schools and where you are being invited to be part of a new vision.
• Have taken on a local allotment on Beechfield Road: You can help sharing your experience with the children; providing seeds, plants, tools; helping with a polytunnel, composting bins, water collection.
• Have a small childrens’ kitchen where small groups of children can learn and enjoy simple cooking. You can help sharing your experience with the children, being rewarded by the smiles on their faces. Note: the school has identified over twenty children as ‘young carers’ – taking care of a family member. You could be someone who brings a little light into their world!
• Music – see article: Do you have musical instruments you could donate? Could you share your talent and love of music one-onone or with small groups? – Maybe with after school activities?
• In 2023 the school is taking on a major regeneration project of their gardens as a ‘community garden’. You can help sharing your experience with the children; providing seeds, plants, tools; helping with a polytunnel, composting bins, water collection.
“The community garden built at the school will give the community of Watcombe a sense of belonging and inspiring the next generation of children to learn about nature, enabling interaction with others in the community they live in. We propose that the volunteers of the community garden could run afterschool clubs for children to learn about gardening, seasons and wildlife.”
David Saunders WATCOMBE PS BUSINESS MANAGER
On Friday 3rd February Combe Pafford School will be hosting our first event to allow our sixth form pupils to practice the course they are studying in front of a real-life audience! Our first event focuses on our Social Care course and invitations will be sent out via wardens of Sanctuary Housing with the support Of Community Builder Theo Tanser for the public to come in for a fish and chip lunch and game of bingo with the opportunity to win some prizes. The whole event will be hosted by our pupils and they will be responsible for meeting and greeting, serving and entertaining for the afternoon.
We are planning to host one event each month to support the pupils learning in the vocational subjects we offer which include Hairdressing and Beauty, Care, Animal Care, Horticulture, Construction, Hospitality and Catering; and, of course, we can always offer lunch!
If you would be interested in attending one of these events, please speak to community builder Theo Tanser for more information. (Refer Contacts page)
You could be part of realising this vision!
An invite to residents of Watcombe, the Willows, Barton and Hele from the Willows, Watcombe and Higher Barton Community Partnership:
Join us at Barton Baptist Church meeting rooms on Saturday 4 March 12 noon – 3.00pm
Bring the kids… we have Lego Masters Torbay to entertain them! Plus a small indoor play area
FREE COMMUNITY BUFFET
Served at 12 noon
Speakers H Stalls H Demonstrations
Local Business Special Offers H Entertainment
The cost of living is a concern for all. Come along and find out how we can support each other at a local level in our neighbourhood.
INTERACTION & INFORMATION ON: Food Production, Cooking & Growing Skills & Time Exchange
Make & Mend Schemes
Volunteering & Good Neighbour Programmes Warm Spaces
WE HAVE WHAT WE NEED WHEN WE SHARE WHAT WE HAVE. LET’S MAKE POSITIVE CHANGE HAPPEN!
Have an idea to share? Want to support on the day? Tell us! Contact Helen 07548 704876 helenkelly@torbaycdt.org.uk or Theo 07599 993987 theotanser@torbaycdt.org.uk
Unite Community Branch are proud to help sponsor events and opportunities to help communities in the Plymouth and South Devon Area – including the Community-in Action Magazine.
People can achieve so much more when they work together. Unite’s mission is to organise people to strive for a society that places equality, dignity and respect above all else.
It is with this in mind that Unite has founded its community membership scheme, making us the leading community trade union in the UK and Ireland.
Unite's community membership scheme brings together people from across our society. Those not in employment are welcomed into the union family, adding another dimension to our strength in thousands of workplaces across the UK and Ireland. Whether it is taking a stand against a service closure or coming together to improve your living environment, as a community member, Unite will be on your side. These are seriously hard times for ordinary people. Incomes, housing, our health, education and legal services – the very pillars of our society for more than 60 yearsare now under assault.
Through Unite’s community membership we will work with you to make life better; we will give you the platform you need to create a fairer society.
Our trade unions are the biggest voluntary group in the UK and Ireland. At 6.5 million strong, we are the Big Society. At Unite we have 1.4 million members – just imagine what you can achieve with them standing by your side? You don't have to be in employment to join Unite Community - to see the range of benefits visit Unite the Union website and see 'Community Membership'.
Sean Brogan Chair UNITE COMMUNITY PLYMOUTH AND SOUTH DEVONEmail: seanbrogan2015@outlook.com
Winter has been a busy time across the Hele and Lower Barton area and spring offers us all a chance to start afresh.
If you would like to get more involved, Hele and Lower Barton Community Partnership (HLBCP) will be holding their AGM at 6pm on Tuesday 19th February 2023 at The Windmill Centre, Pendennis Road. We are keen to welcome your input and will be looking for new members to join the committee.
Emma Ellis was nominated to receive our HELE HEROES AWARD for November 2022, and we welcome your nominees for future awards. Anyone who contributes to making our community a better place; whether through big or small actions is eligible for nomination. So, let us know who deserves our appreciation.
Cricketfield Community Garden had secured a number of awards over the winter, coming runner up in BBC RADIO DEVON "MAKE A DIFFERENCE" AWARDS 2022 with a high commendation for their work with the residents of the neighbourhood, and local organisations. They were also selected by the CO-OP COMMUNITY in Barton area (for the third year running) as a local cause for 2022-2023. Funds raised will help support our 2 micro tree nurseries and the orchard, where participants learn new skills, grow fruit, and make friends.
In addition the team achieved a level 4 “Thriving” in SW BAY IN BLOOM 2022 "IT'S YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD AWARDS", for community involvement, including our organisational partnerships with Hele and Barton Lower Community Partnership, TCDT, Torquay Academy and the Thrive Project.
Funding recently secured by the Thrive Project will enable creation of a wildlife area with a series of bug hotels and a pond.
Kelly Harvey HLBCP SecretaryCommunity Builders for Hele, Watcombe & Barton
DAN BEST : danbest@torbaycdt.org.uk : 07905 765263
THEO TANSER : theotanser@torbaycdt.org.uk : 07599 993987
Community Builder for the Willows
HELEN KELLY : helenkelly@torbaycdt.org.uk : 07548 704876
Community Partnerships (CP)
HELE & LOWER BARTON CP SECRETARY : Kelly Harvey : hlbcp.secretary@gmail.com
WATCOMBE, WILLOWS, & HIGHER BARTON CP : Helen Kelly (see above)
Newsletter Editor : editor.ciamagazine@outlook.com
The Acorn Centre : 01803 328819
The Windmill Centre : 01803 314876 : info@thewindmillcentre.org
The Medway Centre : Michella Vickers : 07942 373904 via text or call, The Medway Centre : or look us up on Facebook and send us a message
The Woodend Project : Facebook messenger
The Baptist Church : www.bartonbaptistchurch.co.uk
St Martin's Church : www.saintmartinsbarton.co.uk
Hele Baptist Church : www.heleroadbaptist.org
Willows Community Association : Bruce Porter : 07710 496281
Waldon Athletic FC : Keith Aplin (Chair) : 07775 532321
Barton Cricket Club : 01803 327614
There are many more local organisations that support the community. If you’d like a mention in our Newsletter, please contact the Editor.
BARTON WITH WATCOMBE
Cllr Steve Darling : 07736 658666 : stephen.darling@torbay.gov.uk
Cllr John Dudley : 07483 228267 : john.dudley@torbay.gov.uk
Cllr Swithin Long : 07419 111618 : swithin.long@torbay.gov.uk
TORMOHUN
Cllr Mandy Darling : 07919 566606 : mandy.darling@torbay.gov.uk
Cllr Cordelia Law : 07884 391511 : cordelia.law@torbay.gov.uk
Cllr Nick Pentney : 07507 787501 : nick.pentney@torbay.gov.uk
