Podcast 'Fitz in the Community' uncovers revelations and heartwarming stories

Fitz in the Community is a podcast attached to this paper and basically does what it ‘says on the tin’. I wander around the county talking to anyone about anything which encapsulates the community in which we live.

I usually get wet, as well.

Launched every Monday on the website of this paper, we have already taken in celebrities and sausages, birdwatching, and beer.

You can listen back to all the podcasts at your leisure and thank you for listening as we know so many of you do.

This week I run into an old friend of mine, Simon Drew, artist, and satirist of the highest order.

His shop in Foss Street in Dartmouth is a wonderful cabin of comedy and his magnificent drawings have entertained generations of people who just need a smile. His gallery was founded in 1981 specialising in diverse crafts, ceramics, prints and greeting cards, all with his own slant on life.

He has always enjoyed offbeat humour and ridiculous images normally featuring ‘runner’ ducks! But the shocking truth behind this man will come out in the podcast.

‘I’ve never had a cup of coffee’, he told me quietly …but then again, I’ve only had six cups of tea in my entire life. The last cup I sipped at was in 1984! More startling revelations to come in the podcast.

The Fisherman’s Mission is at the heart of our community and this week I caught up with Helen Lovell Smith from the mission to look back at her work on what she has
achieved and who she helps.

‘At the moment I’m doing quite a lot of funeral planning,’ said Helen on the Brixham waterfront.

‘The mission can give welfare support, pastoral support and is basically there for any member of the family from the fishing industry who has passed away.’

The 12th May has now been marked as National Fishing Remembrance Day. ‘This will be marked for the first time this year.’ said Helen. ‘It is vitally important and there will be a lot going on at Brixham quayside so contact me at
helenlovell@fishermensmission.org.uk

The Army Benevolent Fund have a special event each year at Exeter Cathedral raising money for this military charity. I met with events Executive for The ABF, Philip Hutchens at Wyvern Barracks in Exeter.

Philip is a former member of the Coldstream Guards and on April 22 will be welcoming down the Band of the Coldstream Guards to the Exeter Corn Exchange.

This is not the first time that I have seen the guards in Exeter, in fact I have seen the regiment more in Devon than I have in London but why?

‘The founder of the regiment was actually born in Merton in North Devon, said Philip in his offices at the barracks.

‘General George Monck raised the army in Coldstream in the Scottish boarders and marched to London to assist Cromwell. However, he did change sides and without him, we wouldn’t have the monarchy as we have it today.’

Fitz in the Community, a podcast coming to your community … why not get in touch?