Speaking at a meeting of Holsworthy Commu­nity Forum at the Hospital last Thursday, Nicola Quill, Programme Manager (Access) at Torridge, said that Torridge District Council were committed to keeping open the Manor Office which in the past had been under threat of closure, writes Christine Williams, our Holsworthy correspondent.

Indeed they wanted to provide a wider range of services there by inviting other agencies to share the office space.

"As part of Torridge District Council's Access Strategy vision we want all Torridge residents to have better access to our services and information," she said.

Therefore, on the first Wednesday of every month during the weekly coffee morning in the Memorial Hall, the residents of Holsworthy and district will now have an opportunity to chat with some staff members who provide the services. She said she would also be attending a number of events in the area such as the Vintage Rally, the Holsworthy Show and the Community Fun Day. In this way the council hoped to get to know and understand issues faced by local residents in the hard to reach rural areas.

Aprille Eaton of Devon Wheels To Work, which is based at Halwill Junction, said they were gearing up for students who in the next few weeks would be finishing their courses and needing transport to look for a job. She said that although the actual cost of loaning a scooter or motorbike was £60 per week, the young person would only pay £20. They were able to cover the difference by income from MOT testing. A young man had recently completed a period of work experience learning to

service the bikes.

Dawn Bewes of Holsworthy Playgroup said they needed to raise £3,000 to install heating in their premises and would be holding some fundraising events. Tomorrow (Friday) they're holding a 'toddle round the park' and picnic and on Sunday, July 5 at the start of St Peter's Fair Week, a teddy bear's picnic will be held in the Square.

PCSO Andrew Elston said the town was going through a quiet period. They were now making preparations for the Community Fun Day in September.

Chay Mckenzie of the Princes Trust said two young people from Holsworthy had joined one of their courses running in Bude. He would welcome projects for the young people such as gardening and painting. They were always ready to help, he said.

The chairman, Crispin King reported that the Forum's first fundraising coffee morning had taken place on the previous day in the Memorial Hall. Proceeds were £141. The next meeting of the Forum will be on Thursday, July 16.