An appeal for voluntary drivers in the Tavistock area to take patients to appointments in Plymouth has been made by healthcare authorities.

Transport Access People is a service which allows people to book transport to healthcare appointments with the Plymouth Healthcare Trust and Plymouth Primary Care Trust through a single telephone call.
People in both Cornwall and Devon can obtain this service to their appointment through a local call number 0845 0539100.
Ann Lewis, assistant director of TAP said: ‘We make it easier for patients who have no access to transport to book a voluntary car to get them to their appointment.

‘We now have collaboration with the Plymouth Healthcare Trust and Primary Care Trust to provide this service, which can be invaluable for those in isolated areas without their own transport or easy access to transport.

‘We will give you advice about the cost of this service, the reimbursement policy and whether there are cheaper options when you book.’
However, TAP is in need of more voluntary drivers in the Tavistock, Yelverton and Bere Alston areas.

‘Expenses remuneration is given,’ said Ann, ‘and for those who have time on their hands that they wish to fill, this can be an extremely rewarding and satisfying vocation. Without the help of volunteer car drivers many people would simply not be able to go out of their own front door.’

Those interested can ring 01872 266388 for further details or write to Ann Lewis, TAP, Age Concern in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Boscawen House, Chapel Hill, Truro TR1 3PN.

http://www.yelverton-today.co.uk/tn/news.cfm?id=47082

In an unobtrusive portacabin tucked away down Pixon Lane, the Youth Café is a hive of activity. All week, groups of young people from a range of backgrounds come to learn new things, receive support or help, or simply to get together in a warm, safe environment to make new friends.

“We’re very much young people-led,” says Vicki Lloyd, who runs the facility. “I don’t know how many volunteers we’ve got now but they’re all young people −lots of 18- and 19-year-olds.”

The café’s board consists of people working in different areas and with a variety of groups. On Monday evenings, for example, Tavistock Youth Café Plus meets – a group for young people with special needs, and their parents.

“On Tuesdays it’s hired out to Link tutors, who work with young people that aren’t in education, so although they’re not in school anymore, they’re still getting tutoring.

“Women-Only Wednesdays, a girls’ group, is from 3.15 til 5.30 on a Wednesday. They’ve nearly competed a babysitting course so they’ll have accreditation for that. They also have make-up parties, and we recently took them to the ballet.

“After that on a Wednesday we have a bit of a chill-out session for seniors, the users who’ve been here for about five years. Lots of them have grown up with the Youth Café and many of them have turned into volunteers here.”

Equipment and facilities available for use include a pool table, a widescreen plasma TV, a PS2 with Guitar Hero and, of course, food and drink. There are even musical instruments and PA equipment. In the summer there is a full programme of trips and outdoor activities.

“On a Thursday we have the Quids In Music Project,which starts at 6 and finishes at 8.30. That’s young people teaching other young people to play instruments. We’ve got two drum kits here and countless guitars. They pay a pound and that goes back into their project so that when they need more amps and leads they’ve got the money for it.”

On Fridays the Young Parents’ Group meets in the café, and there is also a Survival Session, which is “young people learning some navigation skills, doing some first aid, cooking outside, moorland walking − that kind of stuff. Again, that’s 11 to 19s. Later on a Friday, 6.30 to 9, we have an open, generic session. It gets really busy. We do all sorts of things – making tee-shirts, painting mugs, they go on the games consoles, we have a film night.

“Anyone can come. They just turn up and if they like it, they register themselves so we’ve got their details and parental consent for activities, and that’s it.”

To find out more, contact Vicki on (01822) 612851 between 12 and 3pm on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays. Or email office@tavistockyouthcafe.co.uk.

http://www.tavistockpeople.co.uk/news/Youth-Caf-Rocks/article-1588336-detail/article.html

A Tavistock photographer was highly commended for several of his picturesque images in the Landscape Photographer of the Year Awards.

Alex Nail narrowly missed winning first place in the ‘Classic View’ category of the award but was highly commended for two of his images entitled, Burrator Plantation in Summer and Broken Skye, and was commended for another three.

Alex, 22, a semi-professional photographer, is the first in the competition to have five entries shortlisted for the award. His images along with the other winning and shortlisted images will be exhibited in London.
This was the first year Alex had entered the competition, and he did so to get his work seen by a wider variety of people.

He said: ‘It was a really nice surprise to have my work commended. It is going to be great seeing it at the National Theatre. It’ll be good for it to be exhibited in a serious location — normally I arrange my own exhibitions.’
The Landscape Photographer of the Year Award is in its third year and was set up by landscape photographer Charlie Waite, to celebrate the landscapes of the UK and show the country through the eyes of the photographers.
The images will be exhibited in the National Theatre in London until January and have been made into a book, ‘Landscape Photographer of the Year Collection 03’, more of Alex’s work can be found at www.alexnail.com

http://www.yelverton-today.co.uk/tn/news.cfm?id=47097

One of Tavistock’s oldest buildings is about to begin a new chapter in its history as a restaurant.
The building which adjoins Bank Square between King Street and Market Street has just undergone a £500,000 refurbishment by Tavistock property company Wessex Heritage and is about to be taken over by Dukes Catering who will be opening a new restaurant there early in the new year.

It will be called Taylor’s after Tavistock’s famous 18th Century engineer John Taylor who built the Tavistock canal, and will be jointly run by Lisa Hair, who runs Dukes Catering and Dukes Coffee Shop in the town, and her daughter, Katherine. ‘We are very excited about this new project,’ said Katherine.  ‘It is such a beautiful old building and it deserves to be used by as many people as possible. We can’t wait to invite the first diners in and get their feedback.’

John Taylor, of Wessex Heritage, has overseen the two-year renovation of the building. He said it had been ‘a wonderful job restoring this important Listed Building, in the centre of Tavistock, to its former glory’.
The 400-year-old structure was allegedly once stayed in by King Charles II but more recently has been a newsagent and pizzeria.

Twelve schemes were submitted to English Heritage before the final plan was approved, such is the sensitive nature of the project. Many original features have been uncovered during the work, including ancient chimney breasts and fireplaces forged by Tavistock Foundry. Among the new features is a spiral staircase.
The restaurant is expected to be open by mid-February.

http://www.yelverton-today.co.uk/tn/news.cfm?id=47106

Organisers of one of the most traditional events in Tavistock’s calendar have hailed it as a roaring success.

The market town welcomed record numbers for its Dickensian Evening, and businesses also reported record profits.

Nigel Eadie, chairman of the Tavistock and District Chamber of Commerce, hailed one of the best Dickensian evenings in recent years.

“Once again, the event was absolutely brilliant,” he said.

“We believe there were 10 to 15 per cent more people than last year. There were literally thousands of people in the town.

“A lot of the businesses also recorded record profits year on year for the evening which is great. It’s lovely because every year more and more people want to get involved.

“It’s a really brilliant opportunity to advertise the town and its unique features.

“The weather wasn’t great but it was OK and it really didn’t deter people.”

As well as street entertainers including jugglers and stilt walkers, Tavistock Dickensian Evening this year also featured the Stannary Brass Band, local bands, choirs and lots of other entertainment.

The event culminated in a traditional carol service in Bedford Square.

Dickensian Evening is traditionally held on the first Friday in December.

http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/Hard-Times/article-1587594-detail/article.html

Tavistock College students have put a unique spin on The Friends of St Eustachius’ Christmas Tree Festival – by covering an entire tree in recyclable handmade decorations.

The college purchased a seven foot pine – representing each year of college life – with one foot being decorated by each year group. In their tutor groups, students designed and made Christmas ornaments from recycled and recyclable materials as part of the college’s drive to become sustainable.

Organiser Eva Pearson said: “As the largest educational institute and employer in the area, we wanted to ensure as many people as possible had a chance to be involved in this festive tree decorating.

“Key Stage 3 students designed and made decorations for the first three feet of the tree, Key Stage 4 students for the next two feet and Post 16 students the top two feet. Staff also joined in and made decorations to be interspersed around the tree.”

The college’s Senate, comprised of student representatives, arranged the recycled ornaments after collecting them from the tutor groups.

Senator Jess Batten said: “I really enjoyed decorating the pine, the church looked fantastic with all of the festive trees.

“We used all recycled decorations, so that we showed a message as well as having a well decorated tree. Our tree was certainly different compared to the rest in the church but I am very proud of our achievement.”

Mrs Pearson said the decorations reflected the diversity of interests, experiences and achievements within the college community.

She added: “The tree represents our festive wishes to the community. From all at Tavistock College we wish you a happy and peaceful festive season.”

http://www.tavistockpeople.co.uk/news/Tavistock-College-students-sustainable-community-approach-Christmas/article-1574239-detail/article.html

The first Christmas Food Fayre in Tavistock  was called off today as safety fears were sparked by the weather conditions.

Festival Chariman Jeffery Stackhouse said that at this wind speed the marquee erectors declined to set up the units.

Disabled people will find shopping in Tavistock a lot easier with the launch of a new mobility scheme.

In a three-month pilot project, funded by Devon County Council, people can borrow electric scooters, power chairs, wheelchairs and walking aids.

“This is an excellent service being provided by dedicated people who hope to make shopping and getting around Tavistock easier for those who are disabled or have mobility problems,” said Cllr Alison Clish-Green, the Mayor of West Devon Borough Council. “Tavistock is fortunate to be a pilot for this scheme and I hope it will be well supported.”

Mandy Govier, the Mayor of Tavistock, said: “I hope this pilot is a success and becomes a permanent facility for the residents of Tavistock and beyond.”

The scheme is run by Tavistock Area Support Services (TASS) from the Anchorage Centre in Chapel Street.

http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/Tavistock-shopping-mobility/article-1576493-detail/article.html

Tavistocks first Christmas Food Fayre has been cancelled by organisers, because of safety concerns.

Festival chairman, Jeffrey Stackhouse: “The Met Office weather forecast for Saturday night suggested wind speeds of 30mph, gusting up to 36 mph. Unfortunately, at this wind speed, the marquee erectors declined to set up the units as they would certainly move and more than likely overturn.

“A week ago the Farmers Market, who own the marquees, experienced strong wind problems which resulted in two stands overturning and an exhibitor being hospitalised, albeit briefly.

“Clearly under these circumstances we had no alternative but to cancel this weekend’s Fayre in order to ensure the safety of both visitors and exhibitors alike.

“Naturally we are very disappointed but hope to explore the options of a safe venue in Tavistock so that we can hopefully hold our first Christmas Fayre in Tavistock in a year’s time.”

http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/Tavistock-s-Christmas-food-fair-cancelled/article-1577192-detail/article.html

Those involved in the new Forum, which was set up by West Devon’s Community Safety Officer, Louisa Wall, and the South Devon and Dartmoor Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership, include licensed premises, taxi/private hire drivers, take-aways, hotels, restaurants and convenience stores.  They are working together to form an effective network for sharing information between establishments, which will enable them to identify problems, have a consistent approach to dealing with them, and to have a collective voice when enlisting the help and advice of local agencies such as the Police and the Licensing Authority.

The launch of the Forum coincides with the introduction of a Street Pastors scheme in the area, where church volunteers patrol the streets of Tavistock during the late nights and early mornings.  The Pastors bring care and understanding to the streets, from helping people to organise their own transport home, to dealing with those people who might just have had a little too much to drink.

The recent Place Survey shows that anti-social behaviour, late-night noise problems and issues relating to binge-drinking are high on the agenda for many residents.   The Late Night Economy Forum is hopeful that their new measures will make evenings out in Tavistock a better experience for all.

West Devon Borough Councillor Mandy Govier, Chair of the South Devon and Dartmoor Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, said: “We are looking forward to working together to reduce anti-social behaviour in the town.”

Anyone with an business interest the late night economy of the town is welcome to join the Forum, which intends to meet three or four times a year as well as forming a realistic information-sharing network.  For further details contact Louisa Wall, Community Safety Officer, on 01822 813720, or lwall@westdevon.gov.uk.