MEMBERS of Bovey Tracey Horticultural Society were warned to check their car exhaust pipes before driving home, after their meeting was disrupted by youths banging on the doors and windows of the Methodist Church Hall. Organisers advised them to make sure paper had not been stuffed into their car exhaust pipes, after one member spotted the youths tampering with parked cars. Horticultural Society member Trevor Hiorns, of Crokers Meadow, reported the incident to the town council on Tuesday and asked if the perpetrators might have been captured on CCTV. Mayor Cllr George Gribble confirmed that the cameras were working but that they did not cover the car park in Le Molay-Littry Way, which belonged to Teignbridge Council. Cllr David Wisdon said that he had passed the youths in his car that evening. 'They were throwing sticks and stones at each other and going over into the new housing. They were quite out of order,' he said. It was suggested that the police should be contacted, whereupon clerk, Terry Westwood said: 'I've contacted the police on numerous occasions recently. They haven't returned my calls. It's getting quite frustrating.' After the meeting, Mr Hiorns, 76, told of a previous occasion when he and his wife Wendy had been 'ramdozed' by a crowd of youths. 'They walked along along the street towards us as though they were going to knock us over.' He said they did not alter course and the youths streamed passed, brushing his shoulder as they went. 'That seems to be the best way of dealing with them,' he commented. q THERE were grumbles at Bovey Tracey Council on Monday about the revised model code of conduct, which imposes more stringent conditions on declaring interests. In common with other parish and town councils, members were particularly exercised at the definition of 'friend', in a small community where everyone knows everyone else. The fear was expressed that there may be occasions when nobody can vote, everyone having declared an interest. District councillor Anna Klinkenberg said they had been advised that the definition of a 'friend' was someone who you might dine with in your home or theirs. Otherwise, the many contacts councillors had came under the heading of 'acquaintances'. Cllr Fernley Holmes queried: 'Do they want us to do our job?' Mayor Cllr George Gribble said: 'Every other council is as concerned as we are.' Cllr Klinkenberg observed that on the one hand parish and town councils are being urged to take on more powers, while on the other obstacles are being placed in their way. Cllr David Risdon said: 'If anyone stood for council on a particular issue they would almost disenfranchise themselves from speaking on it. It seems absolute nonsense.' qCOUNTY Cllr Sally Morgan urged Bovey Tracey Town Council to oppose Exeter's bid for unitary status, saying that the consequences could be costly for the rest of Devon. She said Devon County Council had condemned Exeter's bid as wasteful, costly and disruptive. The council is sending an all-party delegation to Westminster to express its reservations. If so minded, Bovey Tracey could write to Ruth Kelly, secretary of state for communities and local government. When Plymouth and Torbay became unitary authorities, she said, the cost to the taxpayer was £15m and £12m respectively. Estimated costs of £6m for Exeter going unitary, were she suggested, an underestimate. Cllr David Risdon said: 'This is a serious matter. If Exeter does go unitary, the cost to Devon proper will be astronomical.' Mayor Cllr George Gribble suggested the matter be referred to committee for discussion. q BOVEY Tracey is holding its first youth fair to encourage young people to find out what activities are available in their town. The fair will be held on Saturday April 21 from 10am-noon at the town hall. It has been organised by the town council and Bovey Tracey Youth Action, with representatives from many youth and sporting organisations who provide activities for young people from the ages of six to 18. As an extra incentive, every young person attending will receive a voucher for a free tennis coaching session at the tennis club. q THE upper end of Fore Street, Bovey Tracey will be closed to traffic for up to three weeks after Easter, to allow work to relay pavements and painting new road markings. Town clerk Terry Westwood told councillors at Monday's meeting that work was due to start this month. Phase I will start in Lower Fore Street and extend to Abbey Road. After Easter, work will progress from Cromwells Way and Union Square to the town hall. The fountain will be removed for four to six weeks while work is underway and replaced on a granite plinth. q BOVEY Tracey Council will be holding its annual town meeting on March 28. In hope of stimulating voter interest in the upcoming local elections, town clerk Terry Westwood will be giving a short talk on Life as a Councillor and What Does Your Council Do. The meeting will provide an opportunity to find out what the council has done over the past year and to ask any questions. qBOVEY Tracey Council is to write congratulating the town's primary school on its recent Ofsted performance. Cllr Avril Kerswell said at Monday's meeting she thought they deserved congratulations after their 'excellent' report. Inspectors visiting the 293-pupil school described it as happy and thriving with some outstanding features.