Besides his responsibilities as owner of Austins Department Store, David Austin is a gifted pianist and keen supporter of the cultural life of Newton Abbot, writes Anne White of NADSA.

He has been long associated with nadsa (Newton Abbot and District Society of Arts) concerts (Austins Department Store having sponsored a significant number of concerts over many years).

At the Nadsa annual meeting, held at the Courtenay Centre, David accepted the role of President.

He follows in the footsteps of Colin Power who had been treasurer of the society almost since its inception 75 years ago, and its president for at least thre decades.

David told members that he felt ‘honoured and privileged’ to have been approached, and he acknowledged ‘Nadsa’s tremendous heritage’.

He also spoke of the committee’s hard work, the society’s role in maintaining musical communication and its support of young performers.

Guests at the meeting were Councillor Carol Bunday, Mayor of Newton Abbot, Councillor Mike Hocking and Councillor Mike Joyce with his wife, Sue.

Carol told the members that she had enjoyed many concerts over the past nine years, and that she would certainly attend as many as possible during the following one.

She congratulated David on his new position, saying she would definitely inform the council.

She was particularly pleased to find that the society was in a strong position despite having experienced numerous issues owing to the Covid pandemic.

Mike Joyce, the town’s previous mayor, said how welcoming the society was, and that he and his wife were looking forward to the next season’s concerts.

Once the official business had been completed, members and guests enjoyed an afternoon tea and piano recital.

PICTURED LEFT: David Austin is welcomed as new president by Nadsa chairman Jim Putz.