THE first veterans event at a Newton Abbot community centre has been described as a ‘great success’ by a town councillor.

Cllr Mike Joyce (Bushell Ward) was among the many attendees at the Courtney Centre on Wednesday, March 11 for Templer Wellbeing’s inaugural armed forces events as part of its monthly ‘Community Support Service’.

The event brought together several organisations, including but not limited to: Newton Abbot Police, Andy’s Man Club and Devon Carers.

Cllr Joyce said: ‘The event was the brain child of Nadine Freestone, who, through her association with the local Patient Participation Groups and Devon Carers, saw a gap that in her view needed to be attended to.

‘While discussing this on Wednesday with Nadine, she admitted that in setting this up, it did cross her mind whether it would be well attended or whether there would a lack of interest.

‘Well, fear not Nadine, from the buzz, it showed there was a need and it was well attended’.

‘It also gave an opportunity for those organisations attending to network, providing further opportunities to co-operate and communicate, ensuring that veterans and their families know where to reach out for support and advice.

‘None of these sessions are able to go ahead without a considerable amount of pre-planning, so a big shout out to Nadine, the team from Templer Wellbeing, staff from Cricketfield and Devon Square surgeries and some lovely volunteers all helping to bring these sessions together’ Cllr Joyce said.

‘In addition, a thank you to all those different organisations who attended and were on hand with advice and support, not forgetting the Courtenay Centre whose co operation and use of their facilities, allows sessions like this to go ahead’, Cllr Joyce added.