Local Information

St John's Church

The church of St John the Baptist dates to pre-Norman times, although the current building is predominantly Norman, with the original font still in use, and the "Adoration of the Magi" stone carving on the outside wall also being Norman. For those who are interested in architecture, St John's is one of the best examples in Devon of a Norman church. The bell tower was added in the 1800s. The church bells were cast in the same foundry as the "Bow Bells", which were destroyed by bombing in London during the Second World War. Villagers refused to allow their church bells to be taken to London to replace those destroyed, so the village still retains its "Bow Bells". The Garden of Rest at the rear of the church was originally a Sanctuary Chapel, which was established in 1350 by Bishop de Grandisson as a sanctuary for criminals.

Full details of church service times for the current month can be obtained from church noticeboards around the village. Sunday Services are at 8:00am for Holy Communion and 9:30am for the Parish Eucharist.

Further information about St John's and the local ministry is available from the Haldon Team Ministry website.

Bishopsteignton Methodist Church

The Methodist Church was built on Fore Street in 1908. Prior to this date there was a Methodist chapel further down Fore Street, on the raised pavement, next to what was then a forge. The village's War Memorial is located next to the church.

The Sunday Service is held at 10:30am.

Immanuel Gospel Hall

Services are held at the Immanuel Chapel at 6pm on Sundays. All are welcome.

Bishopsteignton Pre School Playgroup

A small and friendly pre-school with highly qualified staff and lovely indoor and outdoor play environments. 'Good' Ofsted report.
We offer all day care sessions Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9 am to 3 pm.
Morning session Monday 9 am to 11.30 am.
Lunch Clubs every day 11.30 am to 12.30 pm.

Find out more on the Bishopsteignton Pre-school website.

Bishopsteignton Pre-school Playgroup
Horn's Park
Bishopsteignton
Devon TQ14 9RP
Telephone: 01626 777672

Registered Charity Number 1023772

Bishopsteignton Primary School

Bishopsteignton Primary School is located off Cockhaven Close. The school has its own website, where you can find further information. Bishopsteignton Primary School.

Local GP - Bishopsteignton Surgery

Bishopsteignton Surgery is part of Channel View Medical Practice, which also has surgeries in Teignmouth and Chudleigh. As a patient of the practice, you can attend any of the surgeries. Morning surgeries are run on Mondays to Fridays from 8:30am until 1:00pm at the village surgery, and there is also a surgery on Monday afternoons (2:00pm to 6:00pm). Full details of the services of the practice are available on their website. The contact number for Bishopsteignton Surgery is 01626 775256 and the surgery is located at "Green" on Shute Hill.

Bishopsteignton Police Surgery

The closest police station to Bishopsteignton is in Teignmouth, however regular police surgeries are held at the Community Centre in Bishopsteignton (Every other Thursday 10:00am to 12:00pm). Residents can attend to raise any concerns regarding crime, safety and policing within the village. The Community Support Office for Bishopsteignton is Colin Rider, who can be contacted on 0845 6566935, or via email. For general contact with the police, please use the non-emergency number: 101.

Dates for police surgeries in 2011 are: December 1st, 15th and 29th.

Dates for police surgeries in 2012 are:

January 26.  
February 9, 23.  
March 8, 22.
April 5, 19.
May 3, 17.    
June 14, 28.
July 12, 26.
August 9, 23.    
September 6, 20.
October 4, 18.    
November 1, 15, 29.
December 13, 27

The police report book is held at Bishopsteignton Post Office. Pop along to make any reports yourself, or contact Charles Morgan via email to update the book for you.

Use the contact details given above for PCSO Colin Rider, or for general police enquiries, call 101, or email teignmouth@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk, and call 999 in an emergency.

Winter Woes

Driving in Winter Conditions
If this winter is like the last, motorists need to be prepared. Bad weather is often blamed for collisions when the real cause is inappropriate driving. Bad observation, poor anticipation, inappropriate or excessive speed as well as inadequate braking distances, are all major causes of crashes. Reduced visibility will be caused by fog, mist, heavy rain, snow, sleet and bright sunshine low in the sky. Reduce your speed. Such conditions can make it difficult to judge speed. Be able to stop within the distance you can see to be clear.

Be Prepared and Stay Safe

Antifreeze
Antifreeze costs only a few pounds, but a cracked engine block will cost hundreds of pounds to repair. If you're not sure how much antifreeze is in your car engine, have it checked by your garage.
Vision
Through the winter months dazzle from the low sun can be a particular problem.
Improve vision significantly by making sure that thewindscreen is clean – inside and out. Scratches, abrasion and chips on the outside can also worsen the dazzling effect of the sun.
Use air conditioning for faster demisting and to reduce condensation on cold windows. Is your car heater effective?
Keep thewindscreen and other windows clear – if your vision is obscured through dirt, snow or even stickers you are at risk.
Check windscreen wipers and replace if necessary. Make sure the blades haven't frozen to the glass as motor effort could blow a fuse.
Windscreen washer fluid should be topped up and treated with a proprietary additive to reduce the chance of freezing in frosty weather. Don't use ordinary engine antifreeze as it will damage paintwork and never use household washing up liquid.
Clear snow from the roof as well as from windows. Snow piled up on the roof can fall onto the windscreen obscuring your view and can also be a hazard to other road users.
Visibility
Check that all bulbs are working and that headlights are clean and aimed correctly.
You must use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced. You may also use front or rear fog lights but these must be switched off when visibility improves as they can dazzle other road users and obscure your brake lights.
Keep the number plates clean too, as you can be fined if they are dirty and illegible.
Tyres
Check all tyres for condition, pressure and tread depth. At least 3mm of tread is recommended for winter motoring, and certainly no less than 2mm.
Don't reduce tyre pressures to get more grip – it doesn't work, and reduces stability.
Check you have a working jack andwheel brace, and that you know how to change a wheel if necessary.Remember breakdown services use the same roads and suffer the same delays.
It's rare to need snow chains unless you live in an isolated area hit with heavy snow, and where the roads are not cleared. They must be removed to drive on a metalled road without a reasonable covering of snow.
Buy snow chains from a specialist supplier to ensure that they're right for your vehicle, and practice fitting them in good dry conditions.
Consider changing to winter or all season tyres – these have a higher silica content in the tread which prevents it hardening at lower temperatures, and therefore gives better grip in cold wet conditions.
Preparing to travel
Get up at least 10 minutes early to give you time to prepare the car. Never be tempted to start your car and go back inside to finish your breakfast. Not only is this an offence, if the car is stolen your insurer is unlikely to pay out as you effectively gave the vehicle away.
Don't drive off like a tank-commander, with a tiny hole cleared in your windscreen. Clear all windows of snow and ice using a scraper and de-icer. Never use hot water, it will crack frozen glass.
Use a cigarette lighter to warm a key for a frozen lock. Don't breathe on the lock, as the moisture will condense and freeze.
Besides an ice scraper and de-icer, it's worth carrying a mobilephone with fully charged battery, torch, first aid kit, tow rope, blankets, warm coat and boots, jump leads, snow shovel, warning triangle, an old sack or rug (to put under the wheels if you do get stuck) and water repellent spray.
Plan routes to favour major roads which are more likely to have been gritted.
Put safety before punctuality when the bad weather closes in. While it's always a good idea to allow extra time in winter for your journey, drivers must accept the inevitability of being late for work if they are caught up in an unexpected delay. Don't be tempted to use your mobile phone while driving to advise if you are going to be late.
Driving in snow and ice
Stopping distances are 10 times longer in ice and snow.
Gentle manoeuvres are the key to safe driving.
Wear comfortable, dry shoes: cumbersome, snow-covered boots will slip on the pedals.
When climbing a hill it's important to avoid having to stop on the hill by waiting until it is clear of other cars or by leaving plenty of room between you and the car in front. Try to maintain a constant speed, choosing the most suitable gear well in advance to avoid having to change down on the hill.
When driving downhill, reduce your speed before the hill, use a low gear and try to avoid using the brakes. Leave as much room as possible between you and the car in front.
Always apply brakes gently. Release them and de-clutch if the car skids.
If you have an automatic, then under normal driving conditions (motorways, etc) it's best to select 'Drive' and let the gearbox do the work throughout the full gear range. In slippery, snowy conditions you can make driving much safer by selecting '2', which limits the gear changes and also makes you less reliant on the brakes. Many modern autos have a 'Winter' mode which locks out first gear to reduce the risk of wheel spin. Check the handbook if you're not sure.
If you do get stuck, straighten the steering and clear the snow from the wheels. Put a sack or old rug in front of the driving wheels to give the tyres some grip. Once on the move again, try not to stop until you reach firmer ground.
Floods and standing water
Only drive through water if you know that it's not too deep for your car.
Drive slowly and steadily to avoid creating a bow wave. Allow oncoming traffic to pass first and test your brakes as soon as you can after leaving the water.
Don't try driving through fast-moving water, such as at a flooded bridge approach – your car could easily be swept away.
Driving fast through standing water is dangerous & inconsiderate to other road users in particular cyclists and pedestrians– tyres lose contact with the road and you lose steering control in what's known as 'aquaplaning'. Watch out forstanding water, trying to avoid it if you can, and adjust your speed to the conditions. If you do experience aquaplaning, hold the steering wheel lightly and lift off the throttle until the tyres regain grip.
Driving fast through standing water can cause expensive damage – the air intake on many cars is low down at the front of the engine bay and it only takes a small quantity of water sucked into the engine to cause serious damage. All engines are affected but turbo-charged and diesel engines are most vulnerable.
As you drive slowly through standing water keep the engine rev's high by using a lower gear, otherwise water in the exhaust could damage the catalytic convertor.

PCSO Colin Rider colin.rider@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk

GENERAL POLICE ENQUIRIES: 101
EMERGENCY : 999
EMAIL: teignmouth@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk

CRIMESTOPPERS:0800 555111

Local Councils

Currently there is a three tier council structure covering Bishopsteignton: Bishopsteignton Parish Council, Teignbridge District Council and Devon County Council. Each of the councils has different responsibilities, which are described on this page.

Contact details for each of the councils covering Bishopsteignton are:

Bishopsteignton Parish Council

Mrs Claire Colyer, Clerk to the Parish Council, 01626 870170 (Tuesday and Thursday 1000-1200). The Parish Council is run from the Community Centre, Shute Hill, Bishopsteignton, TQ14 9QL and the council offices are open on Tuesday and Thursday mornings between 10:00am and 12:00pm.

Parish Council meetings are held in the Community Centre, usually on the first Monday of the month starting at 7.30pm. Villagers are welcome to attend and give their views - they often do! Planning and Countryside, and Recreation Committee meetings are usually held at the same time on the third Monday of each month, also at the Community Centre.

If you have an issue that you would like to raise at a Parish Council meeting, please notify one of the parish councillors, or Claire Colyer, to ensure the matter is raised.

More information is available on the Bishopsteignton Parish Council page, where you can find details of council meetings, agendas and minutes.

Teignbridge District Council

The telephone number for the council switchboard is 01626 361101. The contact numbers and email addresses for each of the council departments can be found on the district council website. The postal address is: Teignbridge District Council, Forde House, Brunel Road, Newton Abbot, TQ12 4XX.

Devon County Council

The telephone number for general enquiries is 0845 155 1015. Again contact details for the various council departments are available from the county council website. The postal address is: Devon County Council, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter, Devon, EX2 4QD.

Your Councillors

If you wish to contact your local councillors directly, here are their contact details:
Alun Williams (Teignbridge District Councillor, Bishopsteignton Ward)
45 Fore Street
Bishopsteignton
Teignmouth
TQ14 9QR

Chris Clarance (Devon County Council, Teign Estuary Division)
5A Marine Parade
Shaldon
Teignmouth
TQ14 0DP

Telephone: 01626   873792

Email: chris.clarance@devon.gov.uk

Member of Parliament

The Member of Parliament for Newton Abbot constituency is Anne Marie Morris (Conservative).

Address: Templer House, Sandford Orleigh, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 2SQ

Telephone: 01626 368277

email: annemarie@annemariemorris.co.uk

Anne Marie's website is www.annemariemorris.co.uk.

Anne Marie is holding a number of surgeries in the local area. Please contact her if you would like to make an appointment.

Libraries

The mobile library times are changing from January 2011. The library will then call in Bishopsteignton fortnightly. It will call at Wear Farm from 9:15am to 10:00am, Cockhaven Road 10:10am to 10:55am, Grange Park 11:05am to 11:50am and Bishops Avenue car park from 12:00 to 12:45 pm.

Dates: Jan 5th, 19th, Feb 2nd, 16th, Mar 2nd, 16th, 30th, Apr 13th, 2th, May 11th, 25th, Jun 8th, 22nd, Jul 6th, 20th, Aug 3rd, 17th, 31st, Sep 14th, 28th, Oct 12th, 26th, Nov 9th, 23rd, Dec 7th, 21st.

You can now borrow up to 12 books for four weeks. Find out more about our local libraries on the Devon County Council website.

Other Contacts

How many times have you had a great idea for the village, or, unfortunately, needed to make a complaint? Here is a list of contacts that you might find useful.

Dog Warden

The dog warden is responsible for dealing with stray dogs, emptying dog bins and enforcing "no fouling" regulations. You can find full details of the service at Teignbridge Dog Warden. The Dog Warden is usually available from 8.30am to 5.00 pm Monday to Thursday and Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm. Please contact: 01626 215881 or 01626 215859 or E-mail srollinson@teignbridge.gov.uk.

Parking

If vehicles have been parked in such a way that they are causing an obstruction, you can notify Teignbridge District Council on 01626 215859 between the hours of 09:00 and 17:00. Outside of these hours, obstructions of the highway are dealt with by the local police (08452 777444).

Broadmeadow Sports Centre

Broadmeadow Exercise Programme

Click here to find out what exercise classes are available at Broadmeadow.

Choose from Zumba, Thighs, Bums and Tums, X-Biking, Yoga and many more.

Physique Fitness Suite

We have a Cardiovascular Training Room and additional Resistance Training Room. Our air-conditioned CV room offers a choice of fourteen pieces of equipment, and also provides a soft mat and mirrored area for flexibility and core stability work. Ten fixed resistance machines provide strength training options in the Resistance Room, complemented by a range of 2kg to 30kg dumbbells, for exercising a cross section of large and small muscle groups.

Creche

We have a crèche which is open on Tuesday and Thursday. Ofsted registered, children are supervised by qualified, experienced and friendly staff.  The creche offers colourful, stimulating play equipment in a safe environment.

New Junior Activities!

Junior Zumba is new class that offers 12 – 15 year olds the chance to have fun and exercise to a mix of Latin, Salsa and Pop music.

Wednesday 5pm to 5.45pm

Junior Fitness League is non competitive, yet challenging. These classes will build confidence and a foundation for a lifetime of healthy activity. Youngsters will be motivated through the use of games, with rhythm and music, suppleness, agility and body awareness.a45pm – 4.30pm

Tuesday 3.45pm to 4.30pm (7-9yrs old)

4.30pm to 5.15pm (10yrs +)