Herald Express; Torquay (UK)

A BID to give Paignton Green (pictured right) village green status is to be considered by an independent legal expert. The application was lodged with Torbay Council more than two years ago by Paignton Preservation and Local History Society.

What a Difference a Mere 30 Years Makes ; Peter Moore Local Gp Dr Peter Moore Muses On Health Issues in the News Www.Thisissouthdevon.Co.Uk

APRIL 1981; Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister, Bucks Fizz won the Eurovision song contest and there were the Brixton riots in London, although surprisingly the last two were unrelated. In the previous week the political party the SDP was founded and President Ronald Reagan was shot. And, on April 1, 1981, I started my new job as a GP in Torquay.

New Boss Hopes to Escape Big Police Cuts

BAY police are bracing themselves for possible job losses as the impact of budget cuts looms closer. But their newly-installed commander Supt Jim Nye (pictured) is not ruling out the possibility his team may escape the worst ravages of the falling axe.

Force Say Frontline Figures Not Accurate

DEVON and Cornwall Police has defended its frontline police record after being lambasted as the worst force in the country by government inspectors. Force officials said the statistics used in the report prepared by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary did not give the right picture.

Shachar Claims World Records and British Title ; Powerlifting

YOUNG powerlifter Shachar Head, from Newton Abbot, competed against 16 other women in the British powerlifting championship at the Talbot campus of Bournemouth University. Competing in the 80kg category class, Shachar finished first to become British champion in herry. She also set three personal bests, four European records and three World records all on one day at the young age of 14.

Clough Likes the Look of Halpin ; Derby Boss Due to Have Further Talks About Winger

DERBY COUNTY manager Nigel Clough has hinted that he may well follow up his interest in young Torquay United winger Saul Halpin. Cornish-born former Gulls trainee Halpin, 19, scored a hat-trick on trial for Derby Reserves in their 7-1 win over Nottingham Forest Reserves in midweek.

Vardy Joins Hannah On United's Radar

TORQUAY UNITED are trying to leave no stone unturned in their scouting of talent for next season. The Gulls confirmed recent reports that they were keeping an eye on free-scoring Matlock Town striker Ross Hannah.

March Against Government Cuts Was Peaceful and Just ; Your Views

RE: TUC March For the Alternative on March 26, 2011. As a member of the retail union USDAW I represented retail workers in your readership are as did hundreds of other Usdaw representatives from all all over the country at this demonstration against the planned harshest cuts this country will have ever seen.

Candidates Vying to Abolish Mayor Post 'Sheer Hypocrisy' ; Your Views

I WISH to take issue with Brixham Town Council over several articles in the 'Brixham Signal', which is their newsletter. The first article in the March 2011 issue reminds us that we will soon be voting for a new mayor for Torbay.

Badly Injured Man Left 40m 'Trail of Blood'

A BADLY injured man collapsed in the doorway of Paignton Hospital after leaving a 40-metre trail of blood on the street. Police cordoned off an area of Church Street around the hospital after the alarm was raised just before 8.30am yesterday.

Underdog Vicki Sails to World Title After Down Under Triumph

CHAMPION Brixham sailor Vicki Sheen has achieved success Down Under after winning the 2011 World Blind Sailing Championship in Australia. The 49-year-old and her crew scooped the top prize in the international event hosted by the Royal Perth Yacht Club.