Herald Express

A DRUNKEN Brixham man pulled a knife and threatened a teenager during a scuffle in a house, a court has heard.

Mark Thompson, 36, of Overgang, Brixham, pulled the 12inch kitchen blade on the youth and said, 'Go on, be a man', Exeter Crown Court was told.

Thompson is standing trial accused of one count of assault causing actual bodily harm on July 20 last year, which he denies.

He also denies two further counts of common assault against a woman and another youth who were in the house at the same time.

On the first day of his trial the jury heard prosecution evidence that Thompson had drunk around eight pints of beer before attacking the youth.

Prosecutor Nigel Wraith said Thompson had been drinking in the Red Lion during the early evening.

Mr Wraith said Thompson later met up with the female victim at her address and 'started being abusive'.

"He pulled a mirror off the wall and smashed it to the floor," said Mr Wraith.

When the teenager arrived at the house he told Thompson to leave but he refused, the prosecutor said.

Mr Wraith added: "He went to the kitchen and once in the kitchen took out a knife and started to attack [the youth] with it.

"He cut his arm and the inside of his palm and neck," said Mr Wraith.

The jury was told that when a second youth grabbed Thompson in a bear hug the defendant executed a 'backward headbutt' to free himself before landing a punch to his face.

Thompson was later arrested at the scene and interviewed by police. He denied using a knife saying the youth, who cannot be named, had brandished it at him. The trial continues.

A FIENDISHLY fishy false trail will lead Agatha Christie fans a merry dance next month.

To mark the Queen of Crime's 120th anniversary, 120 special red herrings will be hidden across the three towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.

A series of clues will be provided to encourage amateur sleuths to rise to the bait and discover the red herrings' whereabouts.

The participants who find the most red herrings by the end of the week stand a chance of reeling in one of an amazing haul of prizes.

These include a two-night stay in the deluxe Park Plaza Victoria Hotel in London, with tickets to see Dame Agatha's play The Mousetrap.

Other prizes include a trip aboard the British Pullman or Northern Belle Orient Express Train and a full series of Agatha Christie interactive computer games.

The fun-filled trail was inspired by Christie's novels, which are littered with deliberately misleading literary red herrings that put readers off the narrative scent.

Lydia Stone, tourism officer at the English Riviera Tourist Board, said: "Many of the fish will be hidden in places that featured in the life and works of Torquay's most famous literary daughter, providing the perfect hook for visitors to explore Agatha Christie's Riviera."

A clue sheet will be available to collect from Tourist Information Centres and libraries in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham from September 12.

They will also be available to download from www. englishriviera.co.uk/agatha christie.

The treasure hunt is one of more than 50 Agatha Christie-themed events that will be taking place across the English Riviera throughout the festival, which runs from September 12 to 19.

These include theatre productions, film screenings, walks, talks, a period fete, a tea dance, a cream tea day, a cocktail masterclass and a lunch at Burgh Island.

A very special fireworks display has also been organised on what would have been Christie's 120th birthday on September 15, with a special party from the Bay's best vantage point at the Grand Hotel in Torquay, where Christie spent her honeymoon in 1914.

Award-winning actress Julia McKenzie, who plays famed Christie character Miss Marple, will be among guests at the birthday bash — although she will not be wearing her Miss Marple costume or giving a talk, as previously reported.

For more information on the many events that will be taking place throughout the festival, visit www. englishriviera.co.uk/agatha christie

A 23-YEAR-OLD man with a 'bad record' has been sent to prison for two years for stealing from the staff lockers at a Torquay hotel.

Leon Hippolyte, of Torquay Road, Paignton, was also sentenced for stealing a purse and cash from the home of an elderly woman when he appeared at Exeter Crown Court yesterday.

Judge Philip Wassall said he could see 'absolutely no reason to avoid' passing a mandatory prison sentence as it was the third time Hippolyte had been convicted for burglary.

The father-of-three was convicted, after a trial in July, of two counts of burglary dating back three years.

He stole an MP3 player, mobile phone and cash from staff lockers at the Grand Hotel on Torquay seafront on July 27, 2007.

The trial was shown CCTV footage of him walking around the hotel on the day of the theft. He denied being the man caught on camera.

Hippolyte was also found guilty of entering the flat of an elderly woman in Torquay Road on September 15, 2007, and stealing a small amount of cash and bank cards.

Defence counsel Sean Brunton said yesterday that Hippolyte 'still maintains his innocence' despite his convictions.

He said his client was epileptic and dyslexic and had tried to turn his life around since the incidents.

Judge Wassall said: "You've got a bad record for burglary of dwelling houses and you now face a mandatory three years in prison."

He added: "It would be entirely wrong to impose anything other than a custodial sentence, it's simply that serious."

On the day of sentence Hippolyte also pleaded guilty to two further thefts committed in Brixham on March 7 this year and a burglary in Paignton on the same day.

Small amounts of carpets, cable and scrap metal were taken.

Judge Wassall said it would be unjust to impose the full three-year term considering efforts Hippolyte had made to turn his life around.

He was sent to prison for a total two years for all the offences and told he would serve half of that time behind bars.

Firefighters acted out a mass decontamination in a training exercise to plan for the threat of a terrorist attack.

Dozens of fire crews responded to the mock attack in which they also practiced rescuing 15 foreign casualties who could not speak English.

The crews set up emergency decontamination tents before testing their equipment and their response to test their procedures in the event of chemicals being used by terrorists.

More than 30 firefighters from Bovey Tracey, Ashburton, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot and a standby crew from Wellington took part in the exercise at South Dartmoor College in Ashburton.

It was the first time non-English speaking casualties were included.

Firefighters were presented with the scenario that Bangladeshi casualties had been contaminated by something in the air conditioning at the college.

The exercise lasted about two hours and provided the firefighters with vital training in the event of a chemical or biological attack.

Steve Horrill, Wellington station commander, said: "It's something that we could be called to deal with in multi cultural areas.

"It was a big test of how we get people to understand what we need them to do."

Jahed Rahman, from Tavistock, who acted as one of the casualties and who speaks a little English, said: "They did a really good job. It was an interesting experience for us because if there was a problem we would know what to do."

A hospital paid an undisclosed sum in an out-of-court settlement to the family of a 52-year-old father who died after a consultant missed early signs of lung cancer.

The case at Torbay Hospital involved Dr Graham Urquhart.

Torquay primary school teacher Lynn Biddick brought a claim for damages "in excess of £300,000" against South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust following the death of her husband Martin. The Trust admitted full liability.

Mrs Biddick, who lives in Chudleigh with the couple's 14-year-old daughter, made the claim after consultant radiologist Dr Urquhart, from Churston Ferrers in Torbay, failed to diagnose from an X-ray in 2005 that Mr Biddick was suffering from the early stages of lung cancer. Dr Urquhart and a colleague had been found guilty of serious professional misconduct after X-ray cancer screening blunders between 1991 and 1997 when 82 women were wrongly given all-clears. Eleven later died. When he saw Mr Biddick, the radiologist had just finished a re-training and supervision period and was allowed to practise, though not in the breast screening unit.

A battle had loomed at the High Court in London, with Mrs Biddick suing the Trust. But she confirmed that both parties had reached a settlement prior to trial.

She said after the settlement she believed her non-smoking husband would be alive today if the early, operable signs of lung cancer had been picked up in 2005. By the time cancer was diagnosed in 2009 it was too late. Mrs Biddick says she wants to warn other cancer patients given the all-clear by Dr Urquhart between 2004 and 2009 to get a second opinion.

She would not reveal the settlement's financial details.

In August 2005 Dr Urquhart gave Mr Biddick the all-clear after inspecting a chest X-ray. The writ claimed the trust, as the liable party, should have spotted early signs of Mr Biddick's illness in the X-ray. It claimed the failure caused a delay in his treatment which proved fatal.

A hospital statement said: "South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust wishes to express its profound regret and deepest sympathy for the circumstances leading to the death of Mr Biddick.

"Liability has been admitted in full and settlement has been achieved."

Dr Urquhart, who retired early and is no longer registered to practise, had no comment to make.

TORBAY Hospital has paid an undisclosed sum in an out-of-court settlement to the family of a 52-year-old father who died after a consultant missed early signs of lung cancer.

The case involved Dr Graham Urquhart (pictured below) who was at the centre of an earlier breast screening scandal after which 11 women died.

Torquay primary school teacher Lynn Biddick brought a claim for damages 'in excess of £300,000' against South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust following the death of her husband Martin. The Trust admitted full liability.

Lynn, who lives in Chudleigh with the couple's 14-year-old daughter, made the claim after consultant radiologist Dr Urquhart, from Churston Ferrers, failed to diagnose from an X-ray in 2005 that Mr Biddick was suffering from the early stages of lung cancer.

Dr Urquhart and a colleague had been found guilty of serious professional misconduct after a series of X-ray cancer screening blunders between 1991 and 1997 when 82 women were wrongly given the all-clear. Eleven later died. At the time he saw Mr Biddick, the radiologist had just finished a period of re-training and supervision and was allowed to practice at the hospital, though not in the breast screening unit.

A battle had been looming at the High Court in London, with Mrs Biddick suing the Trust. Mrs Biddick has now confirmed that both parties have reached an out-of-court settlement prior to trial.

She said after the settlement that she believed her fit, non-smoking husband, who was a project manager for British Telecom, would be alive today if the early, operable signs of lung cancer had been picked up in 2005.

By the time cancer was diagnosed in 2009 it was too late; tumours had spread to the brain and lymph nodes.

Now Mrs Biddick says she wants to warn other cancer patients who were given the all- clear by Dr Urquhart between 2004 and 2009 to get a second opinion.

"Martin died on the ninth day of the ninth month of 2009, which is like a 999 warning sign to other people,," she said.

She would not reveal the financial details of the settlement.

In August 2005 Dr Urquhart gave Mr Biddick the all-clear after inspecting a chest X-ray.

The writ claimed the trust, as the liable party, should have spotted early signs of Mr Biddick's illness in the X-ray.

It claimed the failure caused a delay in his treatment which proved fatal.

Mrs Biddick said: "If I'd been someone who had gone to the hospital and had an X-ray between 2004 and 2009 I would want to know whether it was by Dr Urquhart and would want another opinion.

Mrs Biddick now plans to write a book about her experiences.

A statement from the hospital said: "South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust wishes to express its profound regret and deepest sympathy for the circumstances leading to the death of Mr Biddick.

"Liability has been admitted in full and settlement has been achieved."

Dr Urquhart has since taken early retirement and is no longer registered to practise. He said he had no comment to make on the matter.

A WOMAN was rescued by firefighters after her car flipped over on its roof in the South Hams over the weekend.

The casualty, who escaped with slight injuries, was in a 4x4 vehicle when it overturned after clipping a hedge at Brakemoor Farm, Harberton, on Saturday evening.

Two fire crews from Totnes attended the incident at just after 8.30pm.

Small tools were used to extricate the woman, thought to be in her fifties.

She was treated at the scene by paramedics.

A 32-YEAR-OLD man from Buckfastleigh has admitted possessing and dealing £7,000 worth of cannabis.

Phillip Wilson of Elmbank, appeared at Exeter Crown Court and pleaded guilty to possessing and supplying 813gms of the Class B drug on June 8, 2009.

He also admitted possessing with intent to supply 817gms of cannabis resin on the same day.

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report.

Wilson was granted unconditional bail.

A PARAGLIDER from the South Hams died in a flying accident at Plymstock over the weekend.

The man who has not been named, was middle-aged and from the Yealmpton area, police revealed yesterday.

The accident happened just before 6pm on Saturday while the man was paragliding at Staddon Heights.

A police spokesman said: "The police are now investigating the cause of the incident with the assistance of the Air Accident Investigation Board."

FIREFIGHTERS had to remove butane cylinders when a fire broke out on a nearby yacht in Dartmouth.

The blaze occurred in Creekside Boatside Ltd, Old Mill Lane, at 2pm on Sunday while the yacht was on dry land.

The fire crews, wearing breathing apparatus, moved the cylinders to open air so they could cool down, and then two hose reels were used to extinguish the fire.

FIRE engines from Chagford and Moretonhampstead were called to a house fire on Sunday.

When they reached the scene at 1pm, in Lower Street in Chagford, the crews found there had been a small electrical fire involving a hair dryer and socket.

The flames were already out, but the firefighters ensured the scene was safe before they left.

TORQUAY firefighters were called to a car blaze in Torquay on Sunday.

Police and one fire engine went to the incident on Babbacombe Road at 11.16am, where the car was found to be severely damaged.

The crew, wearing breathing apparatus, used two hose reels to extinguish the fire.

A DAWLISH fire engine was called to a vehicle leaking petrol at Barton Hill on Sunday.

The fire crew reached the scene at 10.30am and used one hose reel to make the road safe.

STOKE Gabriel's 70th annual horticultural show has been hailed a success.

The event took place in the village hall and was co-ordinated by Paul Firth, the show's secretary.

The total number of entries was down on previous years but the vegetable and fruit classes were both slightly up. Organisers says this may have been due to the recent bad weather having an effect on the some classes. The apples and soft fruit, however, benefited from the rain.

The entries in domestic, photography and floral art classes were significantly down.

Lesley Etheridge said: "The committee has worked hard over the last few months to organise the show."

Liza Gibbon presented the awards to the winning competitors in the 17 categories. The G Lewis memorial cup was won by Daphne Johnson for her floral art entry.

THREE years' hard work has paid off in style for a group of people who have worked together to transform Goodrington's Young's Park.

They have been awarded the first Green Flag for a Paignton park.

After a tremendous effort over the last three years from the council gardeners, council officers, local councillors and not least the park's volunteer groups, they have managed to secure this prestigious accolade for the park's quality.

Enthusiasm was not dampened by the weather as the unfurling ceremony took place in driving rain.

Present at the raising of the flag were Councillor Nicole Amil, Richard Taylor, Torbay Council leisure community development manager, council gardeners, park warden and members of Young's Park People and Goodrington Action Group.

For further information about Young's Park People contact Ruth Gorman on 01803 558771 or visit their website www.ypp.me.uk

HUNDREDS of beer lovers attended an ale festival in style by boarding a special steam train.

Organisers of the Staverton Beer Fest said more than 200 enthusiasts boarded the South Devon Railway train at Buckfastleigh heading for Staverton to sample some of the 34 beers and ciders on offer.

The station and the old waiting room hosted the festival.

Dick Wood, a train driver and festival organiser, said: "We've been phenomenally busy over the Bank Holiday weekend. A lot of people used the railway to come and sample the beer. They did the sensible thing by taking the train home again."

Mr Wood said combining the classic trains and ale was a perfect match and allowed rail enthusiasts and ale lovers to have a pleasant day.

He added that among the steam train attractions was the number 1450 locomotive, known locally as the Bulliver when it used to carry passengers on the South Devon line.

Built in the 1930s, it last operated in the area in 1984 when it was based at Buckfastleigh.

Mr Wood added: "It's my second favourite engine and it's the first engine I ever worked on as a volunteer.

"It looks very old, but it is actually a pretty modern piece of kit."

HISTORICAL riches and architecture in South Devon are set to be celebrated in a series of popular open days next month.

Medieval Dartmoor longhouses, Bay stately piles and fun days based on Celtic traditions can be enjoyed and explored in English Heritage's Open Days, starting on September 9.

Many of the buildings and places are normally closed to the public but for the scheme they are open free of charge — meaning anyone can explore unique places right on their doorstep.

Recent additions include Coleton Fishacre, in Kingswear, and Whiteway House, in Newton Abbot.

The days include tours, events and activities that focus on local architecture and culture.

More than 3,000 places across the UK are taking part.

English Heritage's Dr Simon Thurley said the days were a chance for local places to be celebrated.

He said: "Open Days this year is set to be even bigger than last year, so even if you are a regular Heritage Open Days goer there will be something new for you to see and do.

"Heritage Open Days is about people and places. It celebrates community and reflects the importance of the built environment in our lives and to our quality of life.

"It is organised by local people who dedicate their spare time to opening properties and staging activities, and it is their knowledge and enthusiasm that makes the events happen."

To find out about what is open in Devon visit: www.heritageopen days.org.uk

A MUM is to face her greatest fear to raise money for research into a condition with a potential to disable four members of her family.

Joanne Hornby, of Great Headland Crescent, Preston, Paignton, who fears heights, is to take to the air in Torquay's HiFlyer balloon to highlight a medical condition that hits children and can lead to severe disability.

Joanne fears four members of her family — three of her children and husband, Craig — may have neurofibromatosis, a condition that causes tumours to grow on nerve tissue, producing skin and bone abnormalities.

It is often diagnosed in childhood and its effects vary widely. Some children live almost unaffected by the condition. Others might be severely disabled.

Joanne said: "I did not know about it when I was pregnant. Three of the children have it, and it seems Craig may have it too, as he is starting to show signs of it.

"He has had nodules on his body all his life but he did not know what it was."

Joanne said Lyam, five, Lyamber, four, and Jaycee, one, have the condition and only son Jackson, ten, does not.

She wants to raise money for research and to highlight the disease.

That's why she is taking a ride in the Torbay HiFlyer on Torquay seafront.

She said: "People are sponsoring me as they know I am terrified of heights but I prepared to do this for my family."

She hopes to take the ride sometime in September.

IT IS good to hear that Torbay Council is considering getting tough over the Palm Court Hotel site on Torquay seafront.

What should be a glittering jewel in the seafront's crown has been an unloved eyesore for too long now, and it is high time some action was taken.

It is good news that a number of bids have been received from people who want to take the Palm Court forward.

There had been fears that the bidding process might not attract the interest it should, but that appears not to be the case.

Now the council is ready to lay down the law over the future of the site.

A 'get a move on' edict has gone out from the Town Hall, with the warning that unless something happens quickly, a compulsory purchase order will be slapped on the building, bringing it into public ownership and precipitating some kind of development.

Normally we would urge caution over the use of a CPO, which can be a lengthy and expensive process.

But in this case it might be exactly the right thing to do.

The Palm Court was once, and could be again, a beautiful building.

It is the first thing a visitor sees when approaching Torquay harbourside, and leads naturally into Rock Walk, the Princess Gardens and the harbour itself.

It has been, and should be once again, a genuine gateway to the very best of Torquay.

We await with interest the plans drawn up by those who want to develop the site, which currently sits forlorn and unwanted.

They will, we trust, be schemes befitting the importance of the site.

They should encompass the hopes of residents and tourists alike.

If they do not, then we should back our council in taking control of the situation and making sure the Palm Court once again flies the flag for everything that is good about the tourist areas of the English Riviera.

TEIGNMOUTH husband and wife, Mike and Linda Slade, are getting on a bike made for two and will ride from Honiton to their home town.

Retired policeman Mike, 56, will ride up-front on their tandem with his visually impaired wife, Linda, also 56, in a pro-ride ahead of the Tour of Britain stage finish in Teignmouth.

The keen cyclists want to raise the profile of a charity while indulging in one of their favourite past times.

They will be riding the 70km Challenge Ride, which forms part of the Prostate Cancer Charity's South West Tour Ride.

The ride takes place on Sunday, September 5, ahead of the Tour of Britain's stage four finish in Teignmouth on Tuesday, September 14.

In the Tour Ride, cyclists can tackle three routes across the South West: a 175km from Minehead to Teignmouth, a 70km route from Honiton to Teignmouth, or a gentle family-friendly 2km around the seaside town.

The couple, who have been married for 34 years and have two children Matt, 31 and Tim, 30, have cycled on their tandem bike together for over a decade and are part of the Teign Valley Pedal Bashers cycle club.

They have been helping to promote the Tour Rides by cycling around the area, distributing leaflets and flags to passers by.

Both are particularly keen to get people involved in the family ride which will also see some entertainment laid on at The Den.

Mike said: "After cycling with Linda for 13 years we have managed to synchronise perfectly with each other and I can tell if she is struggling.

"Riding a tandem is much more difficult than a normal bike, especially when it comes to hills. But the extra weight helps us build up speed downhill, which gives us the chance to catch up with the other cyclists.

"We are proud to be supporting The Prostate Cancer Charity, as we feel that men don't talk about prostate cancer as much as they should."

Linda developed Macular Disease when she was 15 years old, which has resulted in her being visually impaired for the majority of her life.

She now volunteers at the Macular Disease Society.

She said: "I have always loved cycling and I have refused to let my sight stop me from getting on my bike.

"Riding tandem with Mike is really good fun and is something that we can still do together.

"It is a very different way of cycling as you have to work as a team.

"It is great news that the Tour of Britain is coming to Teignmouth and the Prostate Cancer Charity is giving bike enthusiasts the opportunity to ride the same route as the professional cyclists.

"I am sure that the people of Teignmouth will come out in force to show that the Tour of Britain made the right choice with our town."

The Prostate Cancer Charity's head of community fundraising, Claire Walsh, said: "Mike and Linda are an inspirational couple who have shown that nothing can stop them from enjoying their favourite sport.

"We are delighted that they will be joining us for the South West Tour Ride and we are looking forward to seeing them in action on their tandem."

To sign up to take part in The Prostate Cancer Charity's South West Tour Ride, visit www.tourride.co.uk.

It costs £40 for the full stage distance, £30 for the 70km distance and £25 for a family of four to do the 2km family ride.

A DECADE of achievements are being celebrated by Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust.

Charged 10 years ago with caring for some of the Bay's best loved open spaces and coastline and its wildlife, the trust has developed into a charity whose work is recognised around the country as ground-breaking.

The independent, purpose-built charitable trust was set up by Torbay Council which put many of its most prominent sites into its care, such as Cockington Country Park, Berry Head and half of its coastline. A dedicated team of staff were transferred to the trust together with equipment and buildings.

Trust chairman Tim Key said: "This was unique and was a bold move by any standards. "The aim was firstly to safeguard the sites and secondly to unleash the potential that charitable status could bring to this sphere of work — stimulating greater community engagement, accessing specialist funding streams and focusing on the key work of heritage conservation and people's enjoyment of that heritage."

For every £1 received from the council in maintenance grant, the trust has generation an additional £4, having attracted more than £6.2million from external funders during the decade.

Over the years the trust has grown, taken responsibility for more areas. Today it looks after 1,750 acres of coast and countryside, as well as a network of nature reserves, farms, woodlands, historic buildings, footpaths and recreational spaces.

Some 45,000 people have taken part in the different activities at trust sites over the years. Their aim is to help local residents and visitors discover and appreciate the many natural and historic gems in the Bay, but also to help to look after it themselves.

Around 70,000 school children have also visited trust sites for organised events learning about not only the natural world, but history, citizenship and other curriculum-link subjects.

Mr Key said: "When the trust was set up our aim was to protect Torbay's wonderful natural heritage and find a better way of caring for it. Everyone involved — the staff, trustees and officers and members of the council — believed that charitable status would help us achieve this, because we would be better able to access funding, and to win support from the community.

"However, I can truly say that I did not, at that time, envisage the amount that would actually be achieved in the first 10 years; both in the amazingly wide range, and depth of activity undertaken, and in the value the trust has contributed to the Bay and its residents.

"This is all thanks to the support we have received from funders, government bodies, the council, local people and visitors, and as a result the trust has been able to establish a strong base and lasting framework for continuing its work into the future."

More than 130 local people currently give their time voluntarily to help the trust, the equivalent to the trust employing six full-time staff. Some past volunteers have gone on to new careers thanks to their experience. Several friends groups and other forums have been established to consult and involve people in the management of their local areas.

Major achievements include securing £1.8million from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the Berry Head On the Edge project to preserve the Napoleonic war fortifications but also the rare plant and animal colonies in the nationally recognised nature reserve; working with the council to win £2.7million of Government funding to regenerate Cockington Court as well as winning 12 consecutive Green Flags for the park; establishing an £1.9million organic demonstration farm at Occombe Farm in Paignton with farm shop and cafe visited by more than 250,000 people a year. The trust has recently won £200,000 grant funding to trial various 'green' projects in Torbay.

A community garden and kitchen has been established and education facilities expanded as part of a £600,000 grant-funded project promoting local food.

The trust is also playing a leading role in researching and mapping the marine life in Tor Bay, as well as setting up the Seashore educational centre in Goodrington which offers a series of educational activities. It also runs the Bay's only green burial site at Gallows Gate.

In 2003 the trust started working with Torquay's Kents Cavern and other partners which culminated in Torbay being granted international Global Geopark status.

In 2004 the trust won a national award in recognition of the quality of its management of sites of special scientific interest.

The trust also holds fundraising activities, such as the Occombe Beer Festival and Music Festival. Additional income is made by the trading arm Torbay Coast and Countryside Enterprises, which includes car parks and the farm shop and cafe at Occombe. Legacies have also been made and it is hoped more people will remember the trust in their will.

The trust is celebrating with an Occombe Local Food Celebration on September 19, with fun activities for children, tours of the new garden, food tastings and a barbecue. It runs from 10.30am to 4pm and is free.

ATTENDANCE figures in Torbay secondary schools improved by seven per cent last year — the highest figure for four years.

Torbay Council launched a new attendance strategy in the summer of 2009 after which performance improved across all secondary schools in the summer term.

Attendance reached 93 per cent.

A council spokesman said the strategy involved early identification of children at risk of poor school attendance, agreeing plans with schools to support families, penalties and prosecution.

More attendance improvement officers have also been employed, based in the council's teams working with other organisations such as health, police, schools and Connexions youth service.

A spokesman said: "We still have progress to make, but the figures are moving in the right direction and if children are not at school, very obviously their attainment is jeopardised."

Jane English, joint head of schools leadership at Torbay Council, said they had made a real effort to make sure more children attended school, even down to supplying alarm clocks and offering rewards for good attendance.

"These figures are good news. It's like the lottery, if the children don't take part they don't win.

"We have had a concerted effort by the schools and the local authority and we are committed to ensuring children are in schools and involved in learning."

She said Torbay had particular problems because of the size of its transient population with some children moving into the area who had poor attendance in their former schools.

"We do have a tough job in some cases to break habits which have built up over time," she said.

But she said often children who stay away from school miss out on the opportunities to socialise and make friends which gives them more incentive to attend and can become worried about going to school.

They also support parents where necessary.

"We have been known to supply alarm clocks," she said.

Schools also have a lot of support from senior staff working on attendance as well as the council's attendance improvement officers.

However, she said there were some children who had good reasons for their absences, such as carers who needed flexibility and support and they also believed in recognising good attendance with rewards, such as attendance at the David Beckham academy.

"Children need to experience the reward of success," she said. "Nothing breeds success like success."

New figures show that the performance of pupils at Kings Ash primary school in Paignton has improved.

Kings Ash is under notice to improve from Ofsted, and despite recent successes will remain in this category until the next Ofsted visit.

The pupils recorded an eight per cent rise in their scores for Key Stage 2 tests for children aged 11 as well as a two per cent rise in school attendance.

The council spokesman said this was due to a number of factors including getting every child in to do the test, which hadn't happened in previous years.

"The leadership of the school is also more rigorous, with increased local authority input and improved consistency and monitoring. Our measures show quality of teaching and learning is much improved, which is a consequence of better attendance, better curriculum and quality of lessons.

"The school carried out the Key Stage 2 test as recommended, which gave it opportunity to show their improvement," said the spokesman.

Last year Kings Ash was one of four Bay primary schools picked out by former education secretary Ed Balls for failing to hit the 'floor target' of 55 per cent of pupils reaching level four in both English and maths national curriculum tests. Kings Ash was one of those asked by the former education secretary to turn the corner with its English and maths results or be branded as a 'failing school'.

DAWLISH library is closing due to major refurbishment work from tomorrow.

The work on the library is aimed at updating it, and the building is scheduled to reopen on Monday, December 13.

Devon County Council has put plans in place for alternative arrangements to minimise any inconvenience to users.

There will be mini library sessions at the Open Daw community information centre, Brunswick Place.

These sessions will run from tomorrow until Friday, December 10 and a mini-library will be open between 10am and noon on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Customers will be able to return items and choose from a small library collection.

Library members will also be able to make full use of the facilities at neighbouring libraries.

The nearest public internet access point will be in Teignmouth library, Fore Street.

THE NEW million-pound Teignmouth and Shaldon museum is taking shape, with work on target for opening in October.

The transformation to create an iconic new building from an 18th Century premises is well underway and is on target for completion within budget.

When open it will be a 'fantastic' family attraction and community facility said the project manager for Teign Heritage, the governing body for the museum.

The new building will create a landmark feature in a highly prominent roadside location.

A new aspect includes the addition of a spectacular feature to the front façade, a 'Kings Tower', a multi-function community space and a roof terrace.

Rok's contract includes altering, extending and refurbishing the building in French Street, adding the tower and roof terrace and incorporate a new foyer with lift for those with mobility problems.

There will also be space for education and child's play.

Rok invited representatives from CABE and Heritage Lottery Fund South West, to an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at the museum.

They joined Teignmouth mayor Cllr Ian Parkes, his councillors, Teign Heritage representatives and Architect's Harrison Sutton Partnership for a site tour.

Teign Heritage's project manager Ian Blackwell said: "We have developed many partnerships with local, regional and national organisations, all of whom have contributed in some way to make the volunteer's dream a reality.

"This was a wonderful opportunity to show our supporters around the building as it nears completion.

"It also allowed us to show funders how their money is being well spent in developing what will be a great new museum, a community facility and a fantastic family attraction."

The new centre received funding from the Government's SeaChange programme. Led by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, it is aimed at regenerating England's seaside resorts by investing in arts, public space, cultural assets and heritage projects.

Sarah Gaventa, director of CABE Space said "It is great to see such community involvement and partnership working in what promises to be a major and exciting new asset for the town."

Architect Chris Cunningham, of the Harrison Sutton Partnership, said: "It is very exciting for us to see this new building now entering the final stages of construction and very soon to make both a dramatic addition to the Teignmouth townscape and to provide a fantastic community facility."

Rok area leader Andy Braund, said the exciting project gave his team the opportunity to use their skills to refresh an old building, leaving a new legacy for the town.

Opened in 1982, the museum is set in a converted 18th century building in the middle of the town. By 2002 it was clear the space available was too small and a bid was launched to secure funds for an expansion.

Teign Heritage, the museum's governing body,

worked for seven years to secure funding.

Other major donors include Ugbrooke Environmental, the Foyle Foundation and English Heritage.

A number of smaller trusts and charities also contributed, as have local residents.

The museum houses an important collection of artifacts and archive material including assemblage from the Church Rocks Wreck site and Admiral Pellew's flag from the 1816 Battle of Algiers.

When complete, the new building will be capable of showcasing its most precious artifacts, some of which have been unable to go on display because of limited space.

Land adjacent to the site was secured from Devon County Council and Teignbridge Council to accommodate the expansion plans.

TWO people were rescued after their yacht capsized during races off Dartmouth on Sunday afternoon.

A 25-year-old woman and 51-year-old man from Exeter were recovered from the water by the Dartmouth Inshore Lifeboat crew.

Both were taken to Torbay Hospital suffering from hypothermia and shock.

The pair ended up in the water out towards the channel off Dartmouth Castle.

A spokesman for Brixham coastguards confirmed the 16ft yacht flipped over with two occupants ending up in the water.

"Both suffered mild hypothermia and shock and were taken to hospital for a check-up." he said.

One witness said the yacht capsized about two miles out to sea.

"I was told the yacht's centre plate dropped down so they could not right it," she said.

She added: "I know that two people were in the sea and were picked up."

The capsized yacht was towed back to Dartmouth by the harbour authority's boat.

OCCOMBE Farm's first music festival drew the crowds over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Paignton-based brewery Bays supported the event which was headlined by South Devon indie rockers The Quails.

The idea for the festival came following demand for a something similar to the massively-popular Occombe Beer festival which takes place at the start of the summer.

There were a total of 16 acts playing music over the two days of the inaugural festival.

Rachel Tapper, from Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, said 1800 people attended the event over the two days.

"I think this event will grow and we will do it next year," she said.

"It went really well, and the family activities were popular.

"The turnout was lower than we hoped for compared to the beer festival, but overall it was a great success."

Late summer weather blessed both days of the event that saw The Quails joined by The Iconyx, Afrika Fuentes and former X-factor finalist Laura White.

Laura has recently toured the UK supporting pop star Peter Andre.

Her exit from the reality show was named the 'biggest controversy in TV history' with over 50,000 people petitioning for her return.

On the Saturday and Sunday music started at 2pm and finished at 11pm.

There was also loads of local food on offer for hungry punters, with burgers from Occombe Farm, a hog roast and BBQ from Poole Farm Pork and Indian food from Ock's Kitchen and Lemon Jelli.

There was plenty of fun for all the family at the inaugural music festival at the farm run by the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust.

Children could make there own gnocchi or use the farm's very own clay oven to make pizzas, while there were also willow working workshops and chances for children to learn circus skills.