AGM Minutes The meeting was held at Galmpton C of E Primary School at 7.30pm on the 9th June 2008.
Report and Minutes
Dear Resident,
As the incoming Chairman I wanted residents to receive a copy of this summary and to thank members for their support, especially those who attended the 50th AGM. The celebration was very enjoyable and informative and the presentation by Mr John Risdon was beyond doubt truly fascinating. This Association was started 50 years ago by Mr Raymond Gould, whose vision was to draw upon the strengths of community endeavour for the benefit of local residents, and this undertaking continues today through the voluntary work of the Committee and support of Its members. I am sure that Mr Gould would be very proud to see his work still playing a part in the community 50 years on. Our motto: ‘Preserving the past, protecting the present, planning for the future’, is not just a glossy reference. I think it actually means something quite important. Changing values present new challenges, and it is increasingly difficult to preserve the past, but surely there is a great deal about our heritage in this area that is worth protecting. Escalating pressure for more homes, the need for greater employment opportunities and the increasing desire of individuals to develop in various ways can present complex and sometimes uncomfortable issues for us to address, but in spite of this we shall continue to do our best to uphold those sentiments. Steve Freer
The Chairman welcomed members to the meeting and introduced the guest speaker Mr J Risdon, a well known local speaker who has a tremendous knowledge of the history and archaeology of Torbay. John’s well researched and wide ranging illustrated talk ‘Broadsands and Elbury: a changing landscape’ was very much appreciated.
2. Concerns about Elbury Cove and Beach parties were discussed
A current topic of interest to many local people was the unease about Beach parties at Elbury cove. Mrs M Butler spoke of her concern for the welfare of teenagers and their use of alcohol at the beach.
PCSO Paul Martin (Our Neibourhood Police Support Officer) explained the Police response to the issues of teenagers and use of alcohol at Elbury Cove and has since provided us with a summary of what he said at the meeting.
“It is obvious that modern technology is playing a major part in the numbers attending Broadsands and Elberry, the use of mobile phone text messaging, video sharing websites along with internet based chat rooms have made the 'organisation' of the gathering of groups very easy. With this in mind I have used the video sharing website 'You tube' as a means of reaching some of the persons involved in the activities at Elberry and to date some 600 hits (numbers of people viewing) have been recorded. The video describes what the Police expect and points out the
concerns of residents and quotes recent offences of Criminal Damage and intimidation. Most of the persons involved are from Churston Grammar or Brixham College and a few are coming form Paignton and Torquay. Generally most are well behaved but there is a minority intent on abuse of alcohol.
As a PCSO I have the power to search for alcohol and of late I have used this power intercepting youths and seizing alcohol before they get down on the beach. This results in names and addresses being obtained and a follow up letter and visit to the parents of the children concerned. This is more effective than going down onto the cove to find groups and 'abandoned' alcohol on the beach with no owners forthcoming! Torbay Council has been approached and with the consent of the farmer a gate will shortly be erected at the entrance to the farm. This should make life a little harder for those driving up the lane
