"Marvellous May! At last, we can see and feel that summer is on its way. The Devon hedgerows are full to bursting with the most beautiful wildflowers and, of course, all the trees have come into leaf, and the whole of the county is the most glorious, lush green.
"It’s also the time of year that the events calendar really starts to fill up. If some things are beyond your financial reach, then there are lots of things to do for no more than the price of a cup of coffee, if not completely free..."
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“This is what communities should be like”, said Rachel, as we packed up after the Community Sing. She’s right. If this group were a representation of society, the world would be a better place.
It is a joyous group that welcomes everyone who walks or wheels through the door (it has excellent disabled access). A lady who came this week for the first time was told as a child that she should mime rather than sing. It was a delight to see her join in and sing her heart out.
Another lady came, who has health and mobility problems and has consequently become very isolated, but, regardless, she turned up on her scooter and joined a table. They made space for her and ensured she had a song sheet. The joy on her face was a pleasure to witness.
She always says, “Well, I can’t sing, but I can come to this because it doesn’t matter”. The truth is, it doesn’t matter; it is never perfect, yet I can tell you from standing at the front, the sound produced is amazing! And we laugh a lot...
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"I often sit and stare at a black screen, not knowing where to start when it comes to time to write this article. Then I will just start typing pretty much anything, which gives me a place to start. Do you struggle to know where to begin sometimes? Maybe you have an idea for a big project, maybe you have a small task to do; often, knowing where to start is key. As the weather gets better, I think most of us would like to be outside more, to go out, meet people, and enjoy the sunshine together. But, where to go and what to do?
"There are a plethora of things that happen in the bay that you could go to, both large and small, and there is something to suit almost every taste. If you like crafting, then there are groups of people that meet together to do their own crafts, and there are people who offer workshops teaching a specific craft.
"Maybe you want to go for a walk and enjoy our wonderful coastline or venture a bit further afield to Dartmoor? It doesn’t matter how able you are or what part of the bay you live in; there is a walking group near you. On that note, let me tell you about the Willows Wanderers, a walking group that is starting in the Willows at the end of May..."
-Beth Upham, Community Builder for The Willows
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Looking at the news these days, it isn’t hard to see why so many can become so easily demotivated. With the prevalence of modern technology, of social media, algorithms and non-stop content being so readily available, it can be harder to escape, especially if you have little in the way of alternatives. But if we can peel ourselves away from the drip-feed of doom and gloom, even for a short while, some may be surprised to find out how easy it is to make a difference for the better, especially in your own neighbourhood.
From radio shows and coastal walking fundraisers, to heritage consultations and family fun, there's opportunities to get more involved, have your say...
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"Torbay Council has unveiled updated Conservation Area Appraisals for Torquay Harbour, Old Paignton and Brixham Town - capturing the unique charm, history and character that make these places so special, and setting the stage for their future protection. Now, the next exciting chapter begins: creating a Conservation Area Management Plan, and the community is at the heart of it.
"This plan is more than policy—it’s a dynamic, practical guide to celebrating and safeguarding the best of our local heritage. From historic buildings and picturesque streets to coastal views and distinctive details, it will define what truly matters and how these treasured areas can be preserved and enhanced for generations to come. Think of it as a shared roadmap, helping residents, businesses and decision-makers work together to keep Torbay thriving.
"To bring this vision to life, local residents are invited to take part in a series of engaging local events and/ or fill in an online survey. We’re asking, 'What makes this place special?'”
-Ceri Silk, Community Builder for Torquay Town Centre
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Each town that makes up Torbay is unique, and the reasons for local pride are quite different. All have assets of great beauty, both natural and man-made.
Communities have been making the most of their natural assets for centuries, and it is down to the current generation to recognise and respect the heritage whilst also facing forward and preparing for the future.
The local council has a duty to recognise areas which have special architectural or historic interest and is required to designate them as conservation areas that need to be reviewed from time to time.
Across the Bay, there are three Conservation areas – Torquay Harbour, Old Paignton and Brixham Town, all of which are now being reappraised, and that is where you come in.
What do you like? What do you think needs to be preserved or enhanced? Are there particular buildings in need of some TLC? Heritage does not have to be historic, but it must earn its place in the future...
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"I would like to share with you this amazing project in Babbacombe that is breathing new life into our forgotten lanes. Members of Reclaim Our Lanes tell us their exiting story.
"Reclaiming Our Lanes: Our Community Transformation. Take a walk around the lanes surrounding Enfield Road in Babbacombe, Torquay, and you will notice a remarkable change. Once unloved, overgrown, and strewn with litter, these lanes have been transformed into valued community spaces, abundant with plants and wildlife.
"We are a group of local residents known as The Laners. Over the last twenty months, we have worked together to Reclaim Our Lanes (ROL). Our mission was simple: clean up the lanes, sow wildflower seeds and plants, encourage pollinators, and create tranquil spaces and walkways for our community to enjoy.
"Our journey started in August 2024 when we tackled the tough job of clearing countless bags of rubbish, rubble, and green waste. With instrumental support from SWISCo for waste removal, we began breathing new life into four specific lanes..."
-Jennie Langridge, Community Builder for St. Marychurch, Babbacombe & Maidencombe
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Tickets are now available for our next annual ball, The Snow Ball, which will be held on Saturday, 21st November, at The Imperial Torquay.
Join us for an evening of fine dining, fun and festivities, with an auction and live music by The 60s Explosion.
Black tie & party dresses, with a welcome drink & three-course meal included.
See booking details on our website, link in bio/on poster
📷 by @oceanyouthradio : We’ve partnered with @imaginethistorbay to bring a brand-new section to our Ocean Youth Radio app!
Your go-to place for discovering what’s on in Torbay for young people 📲 🎉 #WhatsOn #Torbay #Youth #OceanYouth
Each year, there are hundreds of fundraising events all designed to raise money whilst having fun. Everything from concerts to walks, from dancing to running, to tabletop sales held across the Bay.
Most smaller charities can only watch on in awe, but that does not stop them organising their own versions, and here at Torbay Communities, we are grateful to fundraisers at Kitson Boyce who are marking their bicentennial with an incredible 200km walk to raise money for us.
If walking does not appeal, we are organising lots of other events throughout the year, including another sea shanty concert by the Harbour Buoys, a silent disco featuring 80’s music, and a brand-new version of our annual ball...
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Torbay Council has recently updated its conservation area appraisals for Brixham Town, Old Paignton and Torquay Harbour. These explain what makes these conservation areas special and why they deserve protection. They set out what matters in the conservation area, so that future decisions can be made in a way that protects its special character.
This video focuses on the Old Paignton area. We've already shared a similar video for Torquay Harbour and Brixham Town.
The next step is the production of a Conservation Area Management Plan for each area. Join us for a series of events, coming to each town in Torbay, and have your say. /camp/
"When I began community building in Wellswood in 2016, I started a weekly Tuesday coffee morning at Me and Mrs Jones Café. Mr Jones wanted a ‘community table’ – where people could come in for a cup of coffee at a table where everyone was happy for others to join them. We started with one person, then three…until it grew to 22 people in the back room! We had to move to the Kents pub to fit everyone in! Over the years that followed, more than 50 people attended, and a core group of twelve now meet up there around a table every week..."
-Marianne Parker, Community Builder for Wellswood
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