Ways With Words

An absolute joy to interview the amazing John Simpson at Ways with Words on his extraordinary career, the courage of journalists, Russia, the state of politics and his novel, Moscow Midnight

The Samaritans

I met with the Torbay Samaritans today, where they have had extensive alterations in order to improve the conditions for this wonderful bunch of volunteers. The volunteers are there for everyone and anyone in the toughest of times. Find out more about joining and how you can help.

Laywell House, Brixham

Thank you to all the team at Laywell House, Brixham for inviting me to your fair today and to Friends of Laywell and trustees for taking the time to share your views on Social Care funding and workforce.

The Lamb Totnes

Thank you Sue and all the team at Gardening For Health for all you are doing for the community. I agree that Social Prescribing has so much to offer for wellbeing.

Crafty Fox Cafe

Thank you so much to all the team at the Crafty Fox Community Cafe for all you do for wellbeing and mental health in Foxhole. there was also an opportunity to share community concerns on proposed changes to Fire Services.

Wave Project

On International Surfing Day I met the team of Wave Project to see how social prescribing of surf therapy is boosting confidence and supporting young people  https://www.waveproject.co.uk

Torbay Prostate Support Association

Great fun today at Torbay's Velopark. Many thanks to Rotary Clubs from across Torbay for arranging a charity ride for Torbay Prostate Support Association. ( Thanks also to Jonathan, a new tandem partner! ) find out more here http://www.tpsa.org.uk

Carers Week

Thank you to all the carers who came to Totnes today to discuss their experiences . The next Prime Minister must focus on resolving the crisis in social care.

The Mansion, Totnes

Thank you to Anna and Dave for catching up at The Mansion to talk about future plans for the Totnes Community Development Society

Dr Paul Johnson

I met this morning with Paul Johnson the clinical chair at NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group to discuss tackling pressures in primary care and mental health.

Advice Surgery

This morning I attanded a busy Advice Surgery. If you would like to meet to discuss personal or political concerns, please email nina.smith@parliament.uk to arrange an appointment.

Brixham 75th Anniversary of D-Day

It was an honour to join Brixham in remembering all who fought and those who gave their lives for our freedom on D-Day

Farm Visit

Thank you Louise and the NFU southwest⁩ for hosting a wonderful farm visit today to discuss current issues for farming and the environment.

Advice Surgery

Thank you to everyone who visited me today at my Advice Surgery. If you would like an appointment to discuss local and national concerns, please email nina.smith@parliament or telephone 01803 868378.

Broadband

I know how frustrating poor broadband can be for those in rural communities and I am glad that Connecting Devon and Somerset are working constructively with locals to find a solution. I visited Lower Combe to celebrate the success of the CDS Challenge Fund pilot scheme where the CDS team has worked with the community to explore creative solutions to deliver to the hardest to reach, Out of Programme communities. Hopefully the Challenge Fund scheme will be developed over the summer in order for other communities to benefit with a good broadband coverage.

Brixham Trawler Makers

Today I was in Brixham to visit Brixham Trawlers Makers for a discussion on the marine environment and in particular the campaign to reduce marine pollution including plastics and old fishing gear. I have always been supportive of protecting our seas and it was great to catch up with local lead for Fishing for Litter and hear about the incredible work from the team of volunteers working alongside the local industry to clean up our seas. Both the industry and volunteers now need more space to sort and recycle the marine debris that is being brought ashore by fishing boats rather than returned to the sea.

Rural Crime

I met with PC Martin Beck to discuss how the Police Force deals with rural and wildlife crime in a partnership approach supporting nighbourhood officers

Totnes Museum

It was lovely to revisit the wonderful Totnes Elizabethan House and Museum to thank curator Kate and the volunteers and to see their new exhibition on local suffragists and women in politics.

Totnes High Street

Lovely to be in Totnes during recess, our bustling street looks fantastic in the afternoon sun!

Torbay Hospital

A huge thanks to the surgical teams at Torbay hospital. Thank you for inviting me to visit to see the building work underway and to hear about the great teamwork alongside daycase theatres.

Paignton

It was lovely to be in Paignton today meeting Indiana from the fabulous Lions Monocle and catching up with Pat and Liz to discuss the Select Committee's Report on Regenerating Seaside Towns and Communities and the future of seaside towns. and supporting the Future High Streets Fund

Play Torbay

Play Torbay do amazing work for children locally and it was good to catch up with their team to follow up on progress after the visit I arranged from the Children's Commissioner, Anne Longfield. I was glad to hear that their funding is now far more secure and that their Easter Play Activities Programme is now here, with lots of activities for children and young people of all ages. Playground activities are free to anyone who would like to join in. There are three playgrounds: Wildfox in Paignton, Indigos in Brixham and Fort Apache in Torquay.

If your child needs the support of their Play Inclusion Team for any of the activities, do contact Play Torbay as soon as possible: please email sarahgoodman@playtorbay.org.uk or phone 01803 850157. They have team of highly trained workers skilled in playwork and youth work who are able to support young people on a one-to-one basis. You can also view the programme on their website. I will continue to press for children's play and activity to be supported as I think it is a vital part of improving mental and physical health for all our children.

Brixham Fish Market

It was  great to be at the Brixham Fish Market today to thank the team organising and installing their new rooftop solar panels. The system is a 420 panel, 120Kw system that will take full advantage of fish market's location and will contribute each year to removing approximately 132,720 pounds of Carbon from the atmosphere, equivalent to the carbon absorbing ability of 687 mature trees and enough green energy to offset a significant part of the running of the high refrigeration needs of our port.

International Women's Day

It was great to pop along to the fabulous Totnes Cinema on International Women's Day ahead of their screening of Totnes Women's Voices, of which I took part. In the film you hear local women and girls from age 3 to 92 give their views on politics and voting, how life has changed and what they feel still needs to change.

Advice Surgery

Another busy Advice Surgery. If you would like an appointment to meet to discuss local or national issues please telephone 01803 868378 or email nina.smith@parliament.uk

Fair Trade Group

I actually met with the local Totnes and Brixham fair trade groups today during Fair Trade Fortnight to discuss this campaign. You may like to read about what the Department for International Development is doing to help cocoa farmers and you can do so here.

Scope Communications, Totnes

I visited to see the range and role of paging and alert systems produced by Scope Communications UK Ltd, a great Totnes based company. Thank you to Malcolm Shaw for showing me around.

Totnes Wine Company

It was good to meet with Roger Handley of Totnes Wine Company, a traditional wine merchant and one of our local independent shops where they have just introduced a Deli. Customers can now buy local cheese and other delicious deli goodies to accompany their wine.

CAB Stall at Totnes Market

Today at the vibrant Totnes Market, the Citizens Advice Bureau had a stall to raise funds for the CAB. Although their stall will not be weekly event, there may be opportunities to buy their delicious cakes later in the year! The CAB is a charity that provides independent advice on debt, benefits, housing, family and relationship, consumer and health issues. The local CAB office can be found at Follaton House

Totnes Progressive School

Thank you to Totnes Progressive School for inviting me to visit. Pupils have presented me with a petition to forward to the Minister to make all the shops in Totnes use recyclable/recycled shopping bags.

Advice Surgery

Thank you to everyone who attended my Advice Surgery today in Totnes. If you would like to meet with me to discuss local or national concerns, please telephone 01803 868378 or email nina.smith@parliament.uk to make an appointment.

Remembrance Beacon at Brixham

Thank you to Cecilia, Suzi and all at BATS for a wonderful and moving Armistice commemoration. Thank you also to veteran and historian, Robbie Robinson for lighting our Beacon For Brixham.

Remembrance Day Parade

I was honoured to join Dartmouth Remembrance Parade and Service this morning to remember all who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Soundart Radio

Today I appeared on Soundart Radio for a discussion on Brexit.

NFU

It was good to meet with Louise, Andrew and Reg from the NFU to discuss the Agriculture Bill.

National Federation of Sub Post Masters

Thank you to Stuart Rogers for meeting with me today to discuss the National Federation of Sub Post Masters' plans.

Advice Surgery

Thank you to everyone for attending my Advice Surgery today in Totnes. If you wish to meet with me, to discuss your concerns, please telephone 01803 868378 or email nina.smith@parliament.uk to book an appointment.

Advice Surgery

I held another Advice Surgery at my office in Totnes today. If you would like  to discuss local or national issues, please telephone 01803 868378 or email nina.smith@parliament.uk to make an appointment

Blackawton Community Shop

In September, Blackawton Community Shop and Post Office located to the village's main street, opposite the church and just next to the George Inn.

The shop is staffed largely by volunteers, and it was great to meet with those who have helped to bring this community shop to fruition.

Slapton Community Shop

The new Slapton Community Shop, which opened in February this year, is currently located at the end of the Village Hall car park in Wood Lane, near Slapton Ley Field Centre.

Fifteen villagers raised the funds, which amounted to nearly £30,000, mostly donated from within the community; to locating a site, sourcing the temporary wooden building. The shop is run with helpers from the village.

Community spirit at its best!