Town meeting honours some of the best of Barnstaple

Barnstaple’s Annual Town Meeting has once again recognised the hard work of community organisations and volunteers throughout the town, often helping those who would otherwise have no voice.

The ceremonial event at The Guildhall hall is a highlight on the Barnstaple Town Council calendar and was presided over by the Mayor, Councillor Louisa York.

It included the awarding of the prestigious RAF Community Plate, which each year is given to an individual or group who have made an outstanding contribution to the wellbeing of the town.

For 2024 the plate has gone to dementia support group Sound It Out, which sees a team of volunteers help dementia patients across North Devon, using music and singing to help them with cognitive and memory stimulation.

The service is free and chair Rebecca Bartlell told the meeting how research had shown a clear connection between music and improvements in cognitive and memory capacity.

Grants totalling some £23,000 were also awarded to eight different community groups and charities who strive to make a difference for local people: Barnstaple Bridge Trust Charity, North Devon and Torridge Life After Stroke [LAS], 1st North Devon Scout Group, North Devon Voluntary Services, Barnstaple in Bloom, Citizens Advice, Waymakers and Action For Children.

In addition, Strategic Community Funds were granted to Clarity Counselling and The Voice North Devon.

Alexandra Don from North Devon LAS spoke warmly of how the grant of £1,000 would help to continue vital recreational activities for stroke victims, often a key factor in their recovery.

Above: Alexandra Don and colleague from North Devon LAS with therapy dog Nigel, Mayor Louisa York and a grant of £1,000 for the group. Credit: BTC

Victim of a stroke herself, and accompanied by her therapy dog Nigel, Alexandra said the funds would help not just stroke victims themselves but their families and loved ones.

Alex Kelly from Waymakers explained how their grant of £1,700 would provide support for young people with a variety of neuro-diverse conditions, as well as help to train volunteers.

Jess Foy, from Action for Children, said their £4,000 grant would go towards delivering vital children’s services in the area, such as helping children who have limited access to outdoor recreation and facilities, a crucial aspect of their mental health and wellbeing.

Above: Jess Foy from Action For Children is presented with a grant of £4,000 at the Barnstaple Town Meeting. Credit: BTC

Jenny Mcloud, from Barnstaple in Bloom, said their £5,000 grant would continue to improve the lives of residents and visitors by keeping the town, tidy, clean and attractive, which also helped to make residents feel safer.

Mark Etheridge from the 1st North Devon Scout Group and Marie Gould from North Devon Voluntary Services also said a few words about how their grants, £1,500 and £2,000 respectively, would benefit their organisations.

Claire Fowler from the charity Clarity Counselling said their Strategic Funding of £24,000 over three years was a vital resource in helping them to continue to offer essential mental health services.

She said they were now able to offer help and support to 200 individuals over a total of 2,000 hours, via 20 counsellors.

Above: Local charity Clarity Counselling will receive £24,000 in funding from Barnstaple Town Council over three years. Claire Fowler from the charity is pictured with the Mayor, Cllr Louisa York. Credit: BTC

The meeting also heard from Town Clerk Rob Ward, who gave an update on the Guildhall renovations. He said work was going well and the 200-year-old building had been in real need of renovation.

Mr Ward said the Gable End roof, above the town crest, needed to be rebuilt but fortunately the main roof as a whole was in good condition.

The Guildhall bell, rediscovered during the repairs, was also being renovated, as was the clock face. Mr Ward said all the work was on track and being funded with the help of substantial grants from Historic England and The Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.