Busy

Last week I had an informative meeting with Families for Children in Buckfast to discuss adoption. This was followed by a tour of the Rotary charity exhibition at Buckfast Abbey. I attended a meeting to review the exciting plans for the South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh.

In Okey I met West Devon Community and Voluntary Services, who support local voluntary organisations, followed by Dartmoor Rescue Group and Wren Music. All impressive organisations. Then I toured the site of the proposed new community garden in Okehampton.

I addressed a Holcombe and Burnell Parish Council meeting. A useful morning was spent with the Citizens Advice Bureau in Newton Abbot.

In Ashburton I hosted a meeting for the League of Friends of Ashburton Hospital and the local healthcare trust. An interesting trip was made to the recycling centre near Yeoford.

Time in Bovey Tracey included visiting the Information Centre, followed by giving a talk to 130 members of the local Activities Trust.

In Hatherleigh I met a community interest company providing gardening experience to people with disabilities. This was followed by a very useful meeting with Okehampton's Dave Rickwood to consider his ideas on how, in the wake of our magnificent Olympics, I might press for improved terms for sports clubs trying to claim Gift Aid. I will approach the Chancellor shortly.

Back in Buckfastleigh I visited the Valliant Soldier. A pub preserved exactly as it was the day it closed in 1965 — even the cash is still in the till.

I visited the Crediton Citizens Advice Bureau and the Chagford Show. Afterwards I visited Chagford swimming pool. I also spent time at Exeter livestock market to listen to farmers and held advice surgeries in Shillingford St George and Exminster. I met residents at Pathfinder to discuss council tax and visited Hospicecare in Exeter.