Latest news with #JackieThomas
BBC News
19-05-2025
- BBC News
Devon beach awarded Blue Flag status for 38th year in a row
A popular shingle beach has won an internationally recognised Blue Flag award for the 38th year in a Beach in Torquay has been featured by the programme, which recognises well-managed beaches with excellent water quality and environmental education programmes, since it began in other beaches in Torbay also earned the award for 2025, including Broadsands Beach and Torre Abbey Jackie Thomas said the accolades "would not be possible without the continued hard work" of the harbour authority and other partners. 'England's favourite' She said: "There's a reason the English Riviera remains one of England's favourite resorts, thanks in part to the quality of diversity of our coastline."Torbay's continued recognition from Keep Britain Tidy reflects the ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, water quality, safety, education, and beach management.""I'd also like to thank all of you who visit and enjoy our beaches for doing your part to keep them safe, clean, and beautiful." To qualify for the Blue Flag award, beaches must satisfy standards in four categories with 33 individual targets covering environmental education and information, water quality, environmental management, and safety and Flag beaches also have to run a minimum of five educational activities each year making people aware of the importance of looking after the natural environment.A spokesperson for Torbay Council said: "All six of the Blue Flag winners have also been awarded the Seaside Award, alongside Goodrington Beach in Paignton."55 sites were awarded both a Blue Flag and Seaside Award, meaning 11% of England's best beaches are here in Torbay," they added.
BBC News
20-03-2025
- BBC News
Torbay airshow 2025 to feature Red Arrows and memorial flight
The Torbay airshow has announced the RAF Red Arrows and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will lead its line up this RAF Typhoon will also feature among the aerial displays taking to the skies above Paignton in the free event on 31 May and 1 Council said the English Riviera Airshow had a "significant impact" on "the local economy and community" with it expected to attract thousands of visitors to the Jackie Thomas said: "Each year of the airshow we aim to make it bigger and better than the year before." 'Bigger and better' The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which was cleared to fly again on Friday after the planes dating back to World War Two were grounded following a fatal crash, is expected to include the Dakota, Spitfire and the cabinet member for tourism, culture and events and corporate services, added: "We are absolutely thrilled that we have secured three of the best RAF display teams for both the Saturday and Sunday of the event."The event is organised by Torbay Council with support from local Custerson, chief executive officer of English Riviera BID Company, which sponsors the airshow, said: "The event keeps growing and attracting tens of thousands of people to the area every year."What makes the English Riviera such a special place to host this event, is the natural amphitheatre, surrounded by dozens of viewing points."
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Surveys seek views on conservation area updates
Views are being sought on proposed updates for three conservation areas in part of south Devon. Torbay Council said online and paper surveys had been set up for the new conservation area appraisals for Torquay Harbour, Paignton Old Town and Brixham Town. In October, the council said it had decided to update the appraisals - which analyse elements of an areas' special architectural or historic interest - through a partnership with the National Lottery Heritage Fund's Heritage Places scheme. The council said the surveys would remain open until 7 April and public events to discuss the plans had been arranged in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. Council bosses said the authority had entered into a 10-year partnership with the lottery in a bid to support the bay's heritage. It was decided to review the three chosen appraisals as they had not been updated for at least 15 years, the council said. The authority added the updates to the conservation area appraisals would include a review of the boundaries of each area. Councillor Jackie Thomas, cabinet member for tourism, culture and events, said the council would "love" to hear local views. She said: "As a council we are committed to protecting and celebrating our local heritage. "This work will also complement a range of other projects currently taking place in the Bay, such as the public realm works in Torquay and Paignton and investment in Brixham Harbour, as well as the delivery of the Torbay Heritage Strategy 2021-2026." The council said the first two public events to look at the plans would be held from 10:00 GMT to 14:00 in Unit 24 at the Fleet Walk upper gallery on Wednesday and Saturday. Events had also been planned at Paignton Library and Community Hub on 25 and 28 March from 10:00 to 14:00, officials said. Two sessions in Brixham had been organised at the Scala Hall on 1 April and in Fore Street on 4 April, both running from 10:00 to 14:00, they added. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Dartmoor given funding boost for its heritage and nature Lottery grant funding set to boost heritage sites Totnes church wins £965k grant for restoration Torbay Council - New conservation area appraisals National Lottery Heritage Fund
BBC News
17-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Surveys seek views on Torbay conservation area updates
Views are being sought on proposed updates for three conservation areas in part of south Council said online and paper surveys had been set up for the new conservation area appraisals for Torquay Harbour, Paignton Old Town and Brixham October, the council said it had decided to update the appraisals - which analyse elements of an areas' special architectural or historic interest - through a partnership with the National Lottery Heritage Fund's Heritage Places council said the surveys would remain open until 7 April and public events to discuss the plans had been arranged in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. Council bosses said the authority had entered into a 10-year partnership with the lottery in a bid to support the bay's was decided to review the three chosen appraisals as they had not been updated for at least 15 years, the council authority added the updates to the conservation area appraisals would include a review of the boundaries of each area. 'Celebrating local heritage' Councillor Jackie Thomas, cabinet member for tourism, culture and events, said the council would "love" to hear local said: "As a council we are committed to protecting and celebrating our local heritage."This work will also complement a range of other projects currently taking place in the Bay, such as the public realm works in Torquay and Paignton and investment in Brixham Harbour, as well as the delivery of the Torbay Heritage Strategy 2021-2026."The council said the first two public events to look at the plans would be held from 10:00 GMT to 14:00 in Unit 24 at the Fleet Walk upper gallery on Wednesday and had also been planned at Paignton Library and Community Hub on 25 and 28 March from 10:00 to 14:00, officials sessions in Brixham had been organised at the Scala Hall on 1 April and in Fore Street on 4 April, both running from 10:00 to 14:00, they added.
