A difficult year ends on a festive high

ONCE again Extinction Rebellion protesters gather at Barclays Bank in Newton Abbot, this time forcing the bank to shut its main doors a half -hour early on its final day of trading.

Bank customers were still able to gain access to the Courtenay Street branch via the side door before the shutters came down forever, avoiding the activists protesting against what they say is the bank’s slow progress to achieve net zero carbon, a claim denied by the bank.

FANTASTIC support, superb entries and with great weather saw the ninety-nine and a half ‘nearly but not quite’ Newton Abbot Christmas Show take place.

The show, held at Higher Humber Farm, Bishopsteignton, saw a great rural farming community turnout, with visitors and spectators attending to experience the atmosphere and be part of this truly unique annual spectacle.

VOLUNTEERS running Newton Abbot Hospital League of Friends have reluctantly had to close their stall at Newton Abbot’s indoor market.

After running for many years, a lack of volunteers needed to man the stall six days a week has prompted the decision to close.

The Friends had previously run a stall inside Newton Abbot hospital but the Covid-pandemic meant they had to move out due to infection control measures and they don’t know when they might be allowed back.

=WET weather did nothing to dampen the festive spirit at Newton Abbot’s dog-friendly carol service.

The Rev Gareth Regan led the Christmas carol service, which was in association with the Anglian churches of Newton Abbot, and was held in aid of Animals in Distress.

THE first eight months at Newton Abbot’s £2.2 million museum and community hub have been hailed ‘an absolute triumph’.

Newton’s Place, housed in the former St Leonard’s Church, Wolborough Street, opened in May as lockdown restrictions eased.

Since then almost 6,000 people have visited and school parties have flocked in as have groups representing interests as diverse as the town itself, keeping the community rooms almost fully booked.

ORGANISERS take the shock decision to cancel this year’s Boxing Day RNLI Walk in the Sea festive dip event.

This is due to a high tide at 10.24am with an easterly wind forecast. The beach conditions have been further impacted by recent erosion caused by the easterly winds.

Teignmouth Mayor Cllr Peter Williams said: ‘This is such a shame for the town it was one of our biggest events and I know so many people were looking forward to it. Let’s hope for its return next year.’