People's Republic of South Devon

Exeter Vegan Pledge a great success!

PRSD — Sat, 19 May 2012 06:00:04 +0000

Vegan pledgers at their first meeting with Exeter Friends For Animals members

March 2012 saw the launch of the first ever Exeter Vegan Pledge, in which the public were invited to try an animal-free diet for a month.

About 30 people of all ages and backgrounds took part in the challenge, which was organised by Exeter Friends For Animals (EFFA) and was inspired by similar initiatives around the country. Motivating factors ranged from concerns about animal suffering and environmental degradation to the desire to lose weight and improve overall health.

Pledgers attended free workshops at the beginning and end of the month, consisting of talks, films, discussions, nutritional advice from a registered dietician, cookery demonstrations, vegan cheese and chocolate samples, and a delicious vegan lunch. They were also each assigned a vegan “buddy” who they could contact with any queries or problems, and there were opportunities to meet up socially and compare notes during the month.

At the final meeting, over half of the participants said they intended to remain vegan, while another significant proportion said they would eat more vegan food in future. Comments included “It was mainly about nutrition for me, but the more I learn the more I don’t want to contribute towards animal cruelty”, and “It is a learning curve – over time I will move towards veganism, as I learn about different products and change my habits gradually”.

Most agreed that the month had proved much easier than they had expected, and that they had found EFFA’s support highly valuable.

The organisers are keen to repeat the pledge next year. In the meantime, anyone wanting advice on going vegan or recipe ideas is welcome to contact Exeter Friends For Animals at m...@effa-uk.org (website www.effa-uk.org).

The Vegan Society also offers a wealth of information, including an online Vegan Pledge, at www.vegansociety.com/become-a-vegan

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Totnes’ ‘new look’ Baltic Wharf on show

PRSD — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:59:20 +0000

Baltic Wharf, a development that's unique in its ongoing engagment of the public

The new designs for the development of Baltic Wharf, Totnes, have been on display in the first of a two-day drop-in event, which is the culmination months of local input in shaping the look and feel of the riverside site.

Up to 95 homes including affordable homes and a co-housing scheme are being built as part the first phase of development.

The new detailed designs will show a winding main street and a public square at the heart of the scheme.

Many of the new homes will reflect the wharf’s marine character. Some key elements of Totnes’ architecture such as gabled frontages and projections are also echoed.

The layout works with the contours of the hillside and will maximise sunlight, views and open spaces. Traffic is shown as one way, with clear priority given to pedestrians and cyclists.

Also on display at the exhibition will be a proposed Landscape and Wildlife Strategy for the entire 26-acre site.

The designs are being held up for public scrutiny on Friday, May 18 11am-8pm and Saturday, May 19, 10am-6pm at the Totnes United Free Church, Fore Street, Totnes TQ9 5RP.

If given the thumbs up, Baltic Wharf’s owners TQ9 Partnership and developers Bloor Homes expect to put in a detailed planning application in summer 2012.

However, both have stressed improvements can still be made before the plans are finalised.

Outline proposals for the former timber yard include more than 300 job spaces, up to 190 homes, a fully modernised boatyard, retirement village and riverside plaza and around 12 acres of public open space. The site is being developed in phases, with the entire project likely to be completed by 2016/17.

Details of the consultation so far, including steering group minutes, architects’ presentations, drop-in event and workshop plans and reports are available at www.balticwharf.co.uk/revival.

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Groundwork South West administration shows government’s approach to unemployment is ‘fundamentally flawed’

PRSD — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:49:47 +0000

Groundwork South West, placed in administration

Commenting on the news that environmental employment charity Groundwork South West is to go into administration, the South West TUC’s Nigel Costley said: “This is further evidence that the government’s approach to supporting the unemployed is fundamentally flawed.

“We need a transparent and accountable programme that embraces the potential of voluntary and community organisations but has effective public control.

“Promises of Big Society involvement have proved false. The system should put the needs of unemployed people first not private profit and we must have proper checks and balances to avoid corruption and poor financial management.”

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Torbay Council under fire about treatment of disabled resident

PRSD — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:49:29 +0000

Torbay’s health and scrutiny meeting suffered a mass walk about as the council and the Care Trust came under fire for the lack of discussion surrounding the treatment of a disabled resident at Occombe House care home.

Torbay Care Trust is panning to move the resident, who doesn’t want to move, but is refusing to explain its reason, saying the decision is ‘confidential’.

According to thisissouthdevon ‘health scrutiny vice chairman Bobbie Davies and committee member Julien Parrott walked out arguing the committee was failing to act as a watchdog over health matters’.

It also says that other councillors who walked out were Darren Cowell, Mike Morey and Vic Ellery.

But there is an underlying feeling that the process itself is at fault. And the future of Occombe House itself is unsure.

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Geo-politics talk at Schumacher College offers reasons to be optimistic

PRSD — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:13:38 +0000

The Secret History of the American Empire cover detail, one of John Perkins' books

John Perkins, New York Times best selling author of Confessions of an Economic Hit Man and Hoodwinked, is giving a talk at Schumacher College, Dartington, where he will share the reasons why he is optimistic that we can create human societies our children will be proud to inherit.

John, who has a shed load of books to his name, is the founder and board member of Dream Change and The Pachamama Alliance, nonprofit organizations devoted to establishing a sustainable, just, and peaceful world; and has lectured at universities on four continents

During the talk he will discuss his experiences as an economic hit man, the empire that resulted, and the plan presented in his book Hoodwinked for creating a sustainable, just, and peaceful world, on Wednesday, May 23.

The talk takes place at Schumacher College, The Old Postern, Dartington Estate on May 23, between 8pm–10pm. £4/£3 concessions.

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South Devon anti-racist collective Rural Racism Project to hold AGM in Torquay

PRSD — Fri, 18 May 2012 08:31:20 +0000

Rural Racism Project AGM on Thursday, May 24

The Rural Racism Project is holding its Annual General Meeting in Torquay.

The event is free, kids are welcome and includes a Citizenship Test Pub Quiz along with an Anti-Austerity Sounds System – pop along to the Rural Racism Project site to find out what this is.

The Rural Racism Project AGM is at The Cool House, 17 Morgan Avenue, Torquay, TQ2 5RP on Thursday, May 24 and begins at 6pm.

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Tea Total Tour offers up a refreshing musical brew

Katie Marie — Thu, 17 May 2012 08:53:17 +0000

Katie Marie Photo taken by Lisa (Indigo Blue Photography) and edited by Sandra (Soul Photography)

After much planning and pulling my hair out – I’m happy to announce that the Tea Total Tour has finally begun…

YAAAY!

Even though the tour is underway I still seem to be stupidly busy each day sorting out various promo bits and bobs, but it’s all good. I have to say It’s been a massive learning curve for me and has really shown me the importance of being organised (which between you and me, the words ‘organised’ and ‘Katie’ very rarely appear in the same sentence).

The first gig of the tour was last Friday (May 11) at a lovely little venue called Bayards Cove Inn in Dartmouth. It was part of the Dartmouth Music Festival and the main stage is the band stand up the other end of town. I was hoping that peeps would mosey on down to where we were to take a listen, as I’d never been to Bayards Cove Inn and had no idea what it would be like.

For this gig I was joined on double bass by James Kirk (no, not the chap from the Starship Enterprise) who did a super cool job of adding bassy loveliness to my tunes.

Bayards Cove has a really warm and chilled out atmosphere and the peeps who run it were super friendly and very complimentary about the music (always a bonus). Thankfully lots of really lovely people came along and listened. It was a super fun night and a great way to kick off the tour.

Katie Marie in Dartmouth

After Dartmouth I spent the next few days chained to the ‘pooter’ and telephone trying to get things ready for the gigs ahead, the main one being The Boston Tea Party in Honiton where I’ll be next Friday (May 25).

For those of you that don’t know The Boston Tea Party is a chain of lovely cafes dotted around the country. They normally only open in the day and only stay open in the evening when events are happening – so it’s mega important I try and advertise this one as much as possible and hope that peeps will come along. I dropped up a load of posters on Monday and they seem really on the ball with promo (which is refreshing!).

Posters for Katie Marie's tea total tour

So fingers crossed!

The next three gigs coming up should be good. Tonight (Thursday, May 17) I’ll be playing at The Acoustic Cafe which is a charity event held at The Tavistock Wharf – I’ve not played there before but it looks a lovely venue and there’ll be lots of other peeps playing which is always good.

Then Friday night (May 18) it’s the Eden Cafe in St Austell and Saturday I’ll be at one of my fav little venues in Cornwall Miss Peapod’s. Both Friday and Saturday I’ll be supporting a Canadian singer/songwriter called Joanna Chapman-Smith. I checked out her tunes yesterday and she sounds really great – so I’m looking forward to it!

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Devon Humanists say reform the Public Order Act to protect free speech

Kevin Dixon — Thu, 17 May 2012 07:53:36 +0000

Reform Section 5: what exactly constitutes 'insulting'?

Devon Humanists have joined with human rights campaigners and religious groups in a major new campaign to reform the 1986 Public Order Act, after mounting evidence suggests it is strangling free speech.

Currently, Section 5 of the Act outlaws ‘insulting words or behaviour’. However, what exactly constitutes ‘insulting’ is unclear and has resulted in many controversial police arrests.

Now influential think-tanks and campaign groups including Big Brother Watch, The Freedom Association and The Peter Tatchell Foundation have joined The Christian Institute and The National Secular Society in the campaign to reform Section 5 in favour of freedom of speech.

In Parliament, David Davis, the former Shadow Home Secretary, is leading the cross-party calls for reform. Mr Davis, a strong supporter of civil liberties, said the campaign is “vital to protecting freedom of expression in Britain today”.

A Humanist spokesman said: “Devon’s Humanists are committed to free speech and open debate.

“This campaign will press Home Secretary Theresa May to amend the law to remove the ‘insulting words or behaviour’ phrase from Section 5. We believe that this section restricts free speech and penalises campaigners, protesters and preachers.

“We agree that the law should protect the public against unjust discrimination, incitement and violence. However, the law does not need to protect us from having our feelings hurt.

“The law must be fair to everybody and we support the right of religious and non-religious people to freely criticise and exchange opinions without fear of arrest.

“The future will see a range of faiths and beliefs competing for influence and privilege in our county. The open exchange of ideas is a vital part of a free and democratic Devon. That’s why Devon’s Humanists are joining this important campaign.”

Visit the campaign website at www.reformsection5.org.uk

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Volunteers sought for Ipplepen Spring Clean

PRSD — Wed, 16 May 2012 08:39:49 +0000

Ipplepen: spring clean imminent

There’s an opportunity for people to help give Ipplepen a spring clean on Saturday, May 19.

Kicking off at 10am at the Millennium Centre, the two-and-a-half hour litter pick will see councillors from Teignbridge District Council and Ipplepen Parish Council join members of the public to give the village some extra attention.

Equipment for the day is being provided by Teignbridge District Council, which loans equipment to communities all over Teignbridge to help them run similar events.

Ipplepen’s last community litter pick took place in 2006, when 17 bags of rubbish were collected.

Anybody who’d like to take part should wear strong footwear and suitable clothes, and should register in advance with Cllr Alistair Dewhirst on 01803 812958 or alis...@yourtdc.org

Anyone who’d like to arrange their own local litter pick can email anna...@teignbridge.gov.uk or call 01626 215839 for advice and equipment.

(from a press release)

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Groundwork South West – major redundancies? (updated)

PRSD — Wed, 16 May 2012 08:13:45 +0000

Groundwork helps people build skills, find work and create sustainable communities

We’re hearing that the employment and community agency Groundwork, which has a centre in Plymouth, is facing up to considerable job losses.

Groundwork aims towards a ‘of a society of sustainable communities which are vibrant, healthy and safe, which respect the local and global environment and where individuals and enterprise prosper’.

It gets funding by from the government to improve the economy and reduce unemployment by providing trailing, mentoring to provide people with the skills, training and support they need to move into employment.

The news that the organisation is facing major redundancies is another major blow to Plymouth and the signs of recovery in the region.

UPDATE • Unfortunately the news from Groundwork was far worse – here’s the BBC story: Groundwork South West goes into administration with 150 jobs lost

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TUC calls for end to exploitation of South West’s food workers

PRSD — Wed, 16 May 2012 08:00:27 +0000

Joseph Rowntree Foundation report on forced labour in the UK based some of its research in the South West

The South West TUC is calling on the leaders of the region’s food industry to end the exploitation of their workforce.

As the Joseph Rowntree Foundation publishes a report on forced labour in the UK – some of it based on research in the South West – the TUC wants employers to work with unions to eradicate the practice.

Regional secretary Nigel Costley said: “We want to ensure people employed in the local food industry are treated fairly and with respect, and paid properly. Too many ministers think the vital protections that vulnerable workers need are no more than red tape, but this is an industry that is in no danger of over-regulation.

“And with workplace inspections also being cut, the problem of horrific exploitation is only likely to get worse, not better.”

The report highlights the ‘underwork scam’ in which too many workers are recruited and then given just enough employment to meet their debt to the gangmaster, excessive productivity targets and workplace surveillance, low wages, a significant proportion of interviewees paying fees to secure work (creating indebtedness and dependence), and workers being threatened, bullied and racially or sexually abused, with some employers using the fear of dismissal to ensure workers remained compliant and deferential.

The report states: “The intensity of work in the food industry, driven by economic pressures throughout the food chain, contributes to such exploitation.”

Nigel Costley said: “The food industry is an important part of the South West’s economy, yet employers seem to sanction horrific exploitation. This cannot be allowed to continue.”

(from a press release)

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Chinese flag dresses and a large robot triffid: Sinopticon

PRSD — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:19:58 +0000

Sinopticon is at Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery, Plymouth College of Art, Plymouth Arts Centre and Saltram House

The Sinopticon exhibition is running in Plymouth at the moment, exploring chinoiserie – that’s Chinese-eque-ness in western art – a various venues throughout the city.

Plymouth art aficionado and all-round good egg (we’re reliably informed) Lorenzo Bianchi popped along to the opening night and found Chinese flag dresses and a large robot triffid, among other things.

Click over to Lorenzo’s review on our ArtsCulture site and find out what to wonder while over-stimulated by a Grayson Perry pot.

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