THERE was a bumper turn out of community groups, charities, statutory bodies and representatives of the town council on Saturday when the Annual Town Meeting took place in Courtenay Street.

Among those who showcased their services were Newton Abbot Community Transport, Space Youth Services, Citizen Advice, Green Futures Newton Abbot, Newton Abbot CIC, The Environment Agency, Teignbridge District Council and The Cwtch Hub.

Also taking part were Creative Newton Abbot, the Newton Abbot Community Shed, Royal British Legion, Newton Abbot and District Co-operative Allotment Association, Newton Abbot Museum and Green Newton.

The event was organised by Newton Abbot Town Council on behalf of the community, providing residents and passing shoppers the opportunity to gather information and quiz those in authority.

It was Mayor Cllr Lousie Cooke’s first official engagement since taking up office just three days earlier.

She was thrilled not only with the number of groups represented, many of which have been supported by the Town Council, but the public’s reaction to their presence.

‘It’s been wonderful,’ she said.

‘The people I’ve met have been so positive about Newton Abbot. I actually met someone from Bristol who comes down once a fortnight, they love the town, they love the feeling of community.

‘And I’ve just met a guy who said we must do this more often so we are, in October.’

Museum Community Engagement Officer Kate Green asked people to name the one thing that would make life in town better.

‘It’s been a real mixture of answers,’ she said.

‘But the most thing people have talked about is the people of the town, and the sense of community in Newton Abbot.

‘And when I’ve asked what it is they’d improve, they’ve struggled to think which I think might be a good sign.’

Andrew Rothery of Green Futures Newton Abbot was delighted with the opportunity to promote his group’s activities

He said: ‘I think it’s great. We need to do more of this because it’s about community, it’s the town council showing what it can do, that it can bring people together, showing that it cares, so I think it’s really positive.’