Reflections on a testing but positive year for Bovey Tracey

WE can look back on 2025 with some pride and, perhaps, a little disappointment.

Let’s deal with the grumbles first and get them out of the way.

This summer our wonderful Mill Marsh Park became a temporary home to an unauthorised encampment of vans, caravans and cars.

While it is important to recognise the rights and cultural characteristics of a travelling community, it feels like our rights to enjoy an open public space took second place.

The cost and effort to regain control of our property was unwelcome, as was the clean-up that followed.

Measures are now in place – at tax payers’ expense – to improve security.

The second disappointment was the announcement that improvements to the main Bovey to Newton road would require its closure for two years.

The A382 is a vital link and we’ve yet to see what impact its loss will have on our town.

So far, we seem to be weathering the storm so let’s keep everything crossed that it stays that way.

Now onto the good stuff.

We were delighted to win yet another Gold Medal in the South West in Bloom competition so thank you to everyone who helped us keep up the standard.

As a gesture of our gratitude, a cherry tree has been planted in Mill Marsh Park under which, in good time, families will hopefully enjoy summer picnics.

We also had a wonderful response to our Great Big Green Week in April, then in November residents turned out in force for a community litter pick and bulb-planting day.

A special thank-you must go to our Town Clerk Mark Wells who, despite finding himself short-staffed at our Riverside Community Centre HQ, managed to steer our council to a National Association of Local Councils (NALC) Silver Quality Award.

The title means the authority has met standards which, according to NALC, ‘signifies that a council excels in governance, community engagement, and continuous improvement.’

Well done Mark!

As we look ahead to 2026, the Town Council will continue to maintain momentum on issues in Bovey - but also have a fresh focus on Heathfield.

As a whole, our community has benefited from some welcome investment in recent years and could even be said to be thriving.

But we want to achieve more for Heathfield and the families who live there.

Better facilities are needed and residents must know that their Town Council is listening - even more important if the current structure of District and County Councils is replaced in the Local Government Review.

It is hoped that the first Heathfield project in 2026 will be refurbishment of the playground - if Teignbridge agrees to transfer the land to us.

We are keen that our work reflects what matters most to those we serve so we want to hear their views, ideas and priorities as we shape our plans for the year ahead. 

Thanks to everyone who makes our community such a wonderful place to live and I wish you all a happy, healthy and positive New Year. 

Cllr Sheila Brooke Town Mayor