MEMBERS of Crediton Town Council spent some time discussing the latest development at Crediton Hospital and will be investigating further what steps to take.

At the meeting on Tuesday evening it was felt that a lot of people in Crediton would be interested to know how the different models of community hospitals work elsewhere.

It was suggested the town council sets up a public meeting with someone from the Community Hospitals Association.

Councillors were told the council could “begin the ball rolling” by the end of this week.

BLOOMING JUDGING

The Mayor, Cllr Frank Letch, reported having visited 24 gardens that day with Bert Jewell who was judging entries in the town council’s Floral Crediton competition.

Cllr Mike Szabo reported that Newcombes Meadow was entered in the Britain in Bloom’s new category, Pride in Parks. This is the second year of that section.

MEMORIALS

Ideas for memorials for 21 years old Lance Corporal Jamie Fleming, the Crediton soldier who died in a motor cycle accident last year, and for 10 years old Samuel Crocker who died after a road accident this spring were looked at.

Jamie’s family had asked for a four foot park seat to go at the War Memorial on Union Road, for which they were paying, but there was a shortfall .

Because it was felt many people might like to donate towards the bench, councillors agreed for a comment to be posted on the Crediton Town Council’s Facebook page.

For those not on Facebook, cheques should be made out to Crediton Town Council, the envelope marked “Jamie Fleming Memorial” and posted or delivered to: Crediton Town Council, Market Street, Crediton EX17 2BN. Cash can also be delivered.

The council was told that Crediton Scouts, Landscore Primary School and the Newcombes Meadow Community Group were all planning a memorial for Samuel.

Each will use part of a tree at Queen Elizabeth’s Academy that was felled, the wood being held by a local wood sculptor.

Landscore Primary School wanted the larger part of the tree, a V-shape weighing about 1.2 tons, to become a feature with seating. The school’s PTA has raised £1,200 towards the £1,800 cost, with the town council being asked if it wished to make a contribution to the funding gap.

It was agreed the town council would like to contribute in some way.

The town council was told that the Scouts and Newcombes Group were still discussing ideas for using other parts of the tree.

It was understood that there was a plan for the three memorials for Samuel to become part of a geocache trail.

WIDENING

Cllr Nick Way, also a county and district councillor, reported that negotiations were still going on with Devon County Council over widening Marsh Lane on Lords Meadow Industrial Estate.

Dealing with the bends at the corner at the bottom of the road by Commercial Road would probably be a scheme on its own.

Cllr Way added that he was unhappy that the Link Road was opened before this work was done.

The town council was asking that the county council consulted with it over this.

TOWN CRIER

It was reported that although no-one had come forward for the competition to find a town crier that was held during the Crediton Festival, someone had shown an interest since then.