THE annual Holsworthy Town's Meeting took a slightly different format this year. As well as the town council presenting their grant cheques, the meeting also received reports from local organisations and groups.

First to speak were three pupils from Holsworthy Primary School. As members of the school council they spoke confidently about the different upcoming events and achievements at the school, including the funding recently obtained from the Balsdon Trust for a new playship and traversing wall.

On receiving a grant from the council, Mrs Cathy Withall, representing the Holsworthy Scouts and Guides, said: "Thank you very much for your continued support." She said the money would go towards the running of the hall.

She explained that it had been a "turbulent couple of years" for the group due to a lack of leaders, fortunately though this seemed to be "calming down", she said. However, Mrs Withall did say that the group still had places in all sections if anyone was interested.

Chris Thain, chairman of Holsworthy Phoenix Camera Club said the group, which meets on the first Monday of each month at the Skills Centre, had doubled in size over the last year. He said the group covered "a wide and varied" programme.

Holsworthy Majorettes also received a grant and Rachel Phillips, who helps run the group, said the troop had "become much stronger." As well as taking part in local carnivals, this year the group had entered their first competition, and they hoped to build on the success they had achieved. Rachel said: "If anyone would like to join we have still got places."

Russell Dymond wore two hats last Thursday. Firstly he accepted a grant on behalf of Holsworthy Museum which over the past ten to 15 years had "gone from strength to strength," he said.

He said that the museum tried to "provide as much cover as possible for the local area in terms of history." The museum now also provides facilities for

people tracing their family tree.

Mr Dymond also picked up a grant cheque for the St Peter's Fair Committee. The committee were able to put on a free week's worth of entertainment, costing around £7,000, thanks to the generosity of local

businesses.

As well as inviting a member of the council onto the committee, Mr Dymond said they were always looking for "extra pairs of hands" to help with all the work involved. This year, St Peter's Fair week will run from July 4 to 11.

He said: "The money received will help no end with the provision of entertainment during St Peter's Fair week."

Presenting a cheque to St John Ambulance, the Mayor, Cllr David Smith said: "Without them very few events in this town would be able to take place."

Robbie Prentice, who runs the Holsworthy Carers Support Group, which meets at the hospital on the first Thursday of every month, said: "The aim is to provide a break for carers. They need it as much as the people they care for."

Former Pretty Maid Gemma Isaac was presented with a grant for the St Peter and St Paul's Sunday Club which meets in the Market Hall on the second and fourth Sunday of the month. Each session includes song, readings from the Bible and craft activities.

The final presentation was from Pam Johns, secretary of the Holsworthy Chamber of Trade and Commerce. Mrs Johns informed the meeting of the various events the Chamber are organising this year including a meeting with MP Geoffrey Cox tomorrow (Friday), a garden party at Badock Gardens on Sunday, May 3, a barn dance and hog roast the weekend of Holsworthy Show, the Sunday roast in November, and late night shopping in December.

Speaking on behalf of the Rotary Club, of which she is also a member, Mrs Johns said the Chamber's garden party in May would also act as a finishing point for the Rotary's Childsplay Walk in aid of the Children's Hospice South West. The walk will begin at the cattle market at 2.30pm and anyone interested can join in. 

Mrs Johns also said the Chamber had worked very hard to produce a pocket finder for the town which will hopefully be distributed before the end of the month.

One of the Chamber's biggest tasks were the Christmas lights. This year they had secured a grant from Torridge District Council, with the help of Cllr Richard Brown, and therefore they "should be able to have new and improved lights this year to add to the ones we've already got," Mrs Johns said.

The Mayor then gave his report of the year and informed the meeting that the consultant who will carry out the development brief for the proposed new cattle market was to be appointed this week. He said the brief was not just for the cattle market but also for an agri-business park including education facilities, and the uses for the existing market site.

Cllr Smith said following a public consultation, the final document would hopefully be ready by the end of the year.

James Morrish from Kivells confirmed that a consultant was to be selected shortly. He said that once the development brief had been completed and public consultations held, it "should then leave a relatively clear run for putting in a planning application early next year."

He said it was a "very positive step."

The reorganisation of local government in Devon was also touched on by the Mayor who said: "Holsworthy Town Council and Torridge District Council will be working together to secure the best possible result for this area."

He said the Holsworthy Information Centre was going from strength to strength, the town council were in the process of building a new website, and the results of January's recreation study would hopefully be made available soon. He also reported that invitations to tender for work on the war memorial had been sent out which would hopefully avoid a reoccurrence of last year's complaint.