The Annual General Meeting of the Hols­worthy Market and Coastal Towns Initiative committee was held in the Council Chamber last Tuesday evening, October 29.

Reviewing the past year the chairman John Allen said they had received good support from the district, town and parish councils and from representatives of various groups. In particular he thanked Vanessa Saunders and Maria Bailey, officers of Torridge District Council, for their regular attendance and input.

No new projects had been started during the year, but those started in previous years (the Community Property Trust, HESCO and the Ruby Country Project) were flourishing. He looked forward to the MCTi working with Des Shadrick on a project to create a wetlands and nature trail in Holsworthy.

The following officers were elected for the coming year: Chairman — John Allen; Vice-chairman — Martin Prentice; Secretary — Richard Reid. Sister Mandy of the Church Army and Holsworthy Deanery Evangelist, who is leaving the district, said her farewells. She was full of praise for the committee and the "inspirational leadership" it was providing.

The possibility of joining with Hatherleigh MCTi to create a force representing 48 parishes to work together for the benefit of Ruby Country had been explored. The majority of the committee felt separate identities would be preferred, but joining together to work on identified projects would be worthwhile. It was thought that the Hatherleigh Area Projects members were of the same opinion, but the Chairman and Secretary would be in touch with them to set up regular contact for their mutual benefit.

The AGM was followed by a general meeting at which members reported on various projects in which they were involved.

David Smith said the Holsworthy Community Property Trust now had nine houses available on a shared equity basis. It would be a good idea if developers, instead of building ghettoes of affordable houses, gave money to the Trust to enable them to acquire more houses in various locations in other parishes. Maria Bailey (TDC Community Plann­ing Manager) said they wanted to introduce some rented properties.

Martin Prentice reported that progress had been slow but a new company, to be known as the Holsworthy Wood Pellet Company, had been set up alongside HESCO (the Holsworthy Energy Supply Company Ltd), which would operate on a commercial basis and produce pellets locally. People had shown great interest at the Holsworthy Show and they had had a lot of enquiries. As a special promotion they had sold pellet baskets and given away free bags of pellets.

Charles Clarke of the Holsworthy Senior Council said an important meeting on health and welfare issues for the over-50s was to take place later in the week. He also reported on the newly formed Ruby Cycle Way Action Group. Graham Cornish, National Cycleway Project Manager of Devon County Council's Environment Directorate, had attended a recent meeting. They were now going to concentrate on the section from Lambs Lane to the Cornish border and negotiations were in progress for the purchase of Coles Mill viaduct. Various opinions were expressed as to whether horses, cyclists and pedestrians mixed.

Richard Reid reviewed various Ruby Country events and initiatives that had taken place. One hundred and five businesses had been set up and they now had 200 private supporters. There were now information points at the Holsworthy Information Centre, the Hatherleigh Community Centre and at Roadford.

He said that Tom Dixon, the Ruby Country Coordinator, who had started work last January, was leaving to work at Devon County Hall. He would, however, continue to work for them part time for three months. They were looking for funding beyond April 2009 and applying for a share from the sale of Exeter Airport. The next four to five months were crucial. They were considering holding meetings around the parishes asking for ideas for the next ten years.

Vanessa Saunders, Torridge District Council Special Projects Manager) said progress towards a new livestock market was moving on apace.

Commenting on the recently presented proposals for the old show field, David Smith said the Catesby Property Group were only allocating two hectares for recreation and were not taking account of local needs. There had to be adequate provision for the next 20 years.

Maria Bailey said when Torridge were proposing new housing they planned the infrastructure from the start. With regard to the old show field site, she saw no robust evidence for changing the local plan. Recreational space needed to be close at hand to where people were, not remote.

There had been no analysis of traffic flow at the Trewyn Road junction with the proposed entrance into old show field ­development. Vanessa Saunders said there would be a specific allocation of spaces for housing in the district for March 2009. People who had had ­planning applications turned down in the past were encouraged to ­resubmit plans.