Newton Abbot Round Table will be all at sea in the coming year since appointing Simon Young as chairman. Mr Young, a tabler for nine years, is skipper of a P & O Line ferry plying to and from France and Spain, He succeeds solicitor Warren Douglas, who completed a third term in the chair at the annual meeting, held at the Cockhaven Manor Inn, Bishopsteignton. Accepting office, Mr Young said he looked forward to a busy year fitting Table duties around his working maritime schedule. Pledging himself to a forward-looking policy, he said a strengthened Round Table had much to offer the local community, something it had successfully accomplished in the Newton abbot district for more than half a century. As the 55th holder of table chairmanship at Newton – where table was chartered in 1951 – he thanked Warren Douglas for the work he had done in his second spell of chairmanship since 2004. it was important for table to be seen as a fun organisation for members and their families as well as the charitable work it undertook in support of a variety of clubs and groups. Stuart Gray was elected vice chairman and Steve Clemence will continue as secretary. Reports by treasurer Paul Collings showed table funds to be healthy. About £3,000 had been realised at last year's Newton abbot Carnival which table had run – now with support by Newton Abbot Town Council and other organisations – for more than 30 years. This year's week-long carnival will commence on Saturday, July 1, with the queen crowning ceremony. It would continue throughout the following week, culminating with carnival procession day in the evening of Saturday, July 8. Secretary Steve Clemence was awarded the chairman's Abacus Award for services to the club during 2005 and a past chairman's jewel was presented to Warren Douglas by president Colin Hewes.
