The 3 imprisoned anti-fracking protesters …have now been released, having previously been given custodial sentences on “manifestly excessive” punishment terms, by a judge with alleged links to a firm profiting from fracking. One of the protesters, Rich Loizou, a nature connection and land-based learning facilitator at Schumacher College in Dartington and a tutor at a primary…
Devon County Council seems to have given up on Totnes. Was it as a result of losing the legal battle over its High Street scheme that went to the Court of Appeal in April 2016? Some say it cost Devon County Council over £100,000 in legal fees. As a result of this does the County…
Contributing Editor Perspective Whatever finally happens to the proposed cargo container commercial/retail space at Puddavine Yard, it has so far provided an interesting glimpse into the strange machinations that attach themselves to the planning process. For the uninitiated, a planning application has been submitted to South Hams District Council to use buffed up shipping containers…
As you would expect in a land of crystals, generic healing and wooden mushrooms, Totnes’ very own Bob the Bus is considerably more than two yellow mini buses chuntering around town. Totnes Pulse decided to find out more and during October, we will be highlighting this truly innovative service. We sought out the coordinator, Lyn…
Last of a dying breed?You may be lucky enough never to have seen behind the long, yellow-grey frontage of Totnes Hospital on Coronation Road. You might be happy just knowing it’s there, with the Fire Station in front and a view to St Mary’s behind – a reminder that when things go wrong, there are…
Never The Twain Shall Meet.There are times when living in Totnes feels like you’re in a submarine moving along underneath a whole flotilla of destroyers. You know that any minute, a depth charge could be launched with your name on it. In our town, the destroyers are the South Hams District Council and the depth…
We’re in an age where that is rare. By John Anderson Contributing Editor The announcement earlier this month that Steve Peacock has retired as a reporter and editor at the Totnes Times should be viewed with more than a little alarm. In an age where regional journalism has been by and large reduced to cursory…
TOTNES – A TOWN UNDER ATTACKFIRST ATTACK – POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT AT CO-OP SITE I have been informed that Churchill Retirement Homes is in the process of purchasing the Co-op site with a view to demolishing the building and redeveloping it with 40 or so retirement apartments extending into the car park but leaving the small…
You’re 16-17, you’re just starting out at Sixth Form. It’s all good, bar the acne of course. But wouldn’t it be great if besides lessons studying for exams in your specific subjects, you could also spend some time interacting with other students THINKING about and discussing together some BIG life issues, which the standard curriculum…
The future of the car parks in town are just one of the issues facing Totnesians as they seek to maintain the town’s unique character while at the same time allowing for growth. In keeping with the editorial mission of the Totnes Pulse, Contributing Editor John Anderson takes a look at the political challenges inherent…