WHILE celebrating Newton Abbot's history, including the bicentenary of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the town could not live in the past, the newly-elected mayor of Newton Abbot, Cllr Daphne Watts told the annual town council meeting on Wednesday. 'As in Brunel's time, this town now faces a time of change. 'We have the opportunity through the ongoing public consultation on the local development framework to ensure that the town develops in a way that will meet the needs of future Newtonians,' said Cllr Watts. She promised that the council would continue to examine and debate all proposals which will affect the town, and welcomed residents to meetings. Referring to Asda's imminent arrival, Cllr Watts said she hoped 'we will welcome the opportunity this will bring to expand the Newton Abbot shopping experience'. 'It already boasts many interesting and diverse retail outlets between the railway station and Wolborough Street,' she added. Cllr Watts, one of four councillors representing Bradley Ward, served on the council between 1995-1998, and again from 2003. She has been a leading light in the campaign to save the town centre post office. She announced that her mayor's charities would be devoted to the Stroke Association and the Teignbridge Young Carers. Her chaplain is the Rev John Mitchell, of the Parish of Highweek, Abbotsbury and Teigngrace, and the mayor's cadet is Richard Nott, of the 1322 (Newton Abbot) Squadron ATC. Cllr Watts concluded with a quote attributed to Margot Fontaine. 'It is imperative that you take your job seriously but disastrous if you take yourself seriously,' she quoted. She addded: 'I am sure that my friends on this council will be pleased to remind me of this should the need arise.'
