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Could you help keep Bridford Village Hall going?

The hall belongs to the village, and it only keeps running because a handful of local people give up a bit of their time to look after it. One of our trustees is stepping down, and we’re looking for someone to take their place.
We’re not after anyone with special experience or qualifications — just someone who cares about the hall and is willing to lend a hand. A small committee means every pair of hands counts, and without enough trustees the hall simply can’t operate.
If you’ve ever been to a booking, a party, a class or an event here, this is your chance to help make sure it’s still here for the next lot.
Interested, or just want an informal chat about what’s involved? Get in touch with Melinda Dowding on [email protected].
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Children’s Commissioner for England: Big Future Survey

The Children’s Commissioner for England has launched The Big Future, a national survey giving children and young people the opportunity to share their experiences of growing up today.

The survey covers topics including school, online safety, local communities, voting, the challenges young people face and the changes they would like to see in the future. Responses will help build a national picture of children and young people’s views and experiences.

The survey is open to all children and young people aged 0-18 and takes around five to 10 minutes to complete. It closes on 23 October 2026. Please click on the link below (which opens in a new window) to complete the survey:

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/TheBigFuture 

 

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DNPA Scoping Consultation on new Dartmoor Local Plan

Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) have asked us to share the details of their Scoping Consultation about the new Dartmoor Local Plan.

This is an early opportunity for communities, organisations, businesses and other interested parties to help shape the matters the new Local Plan should address and the way the Authority engages people during plan preparation.
The Authority is seeking views on:
• the vision for the new Local Plan;
• the scope and content of the new Local Plan, including how well the current Local Plan is performing;
• how the Authority should engage with people throughout the plan-making process, and what could be improved.

Further details and ways to respond to the consultation can be found here (link opens in new window).

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Housing needs survey Bridford

Devon Communities Together are carrying out a survey of housing needs on behalf of Teignbridge District Council, in connection with the proposed development of affordable homes on part of the Bridford play park, to find out if there is a need for affordable homes in the local area.

Please only complete the survey if you have a need for affordable housing and:
• need to move in the next 5 years
• wish to live within Bridford parish

If you know someone who wants to live in the parish but has had to move away because of the cost of housing, or someone working in the parish who can’t afford to live here please pass on the QR code or website address below to enable them to complete the survey.

Please see the poster here (link opens in new window) for the link and QR code for the online version of the survey. Paper copies of the survey are also available from the phone box and the Village Hall in Bridford.

Even if you are already registered with Devon Home Choice, please complete this new survey.

If you have any queries about the survey you may email [email protected] or call 01392 248919

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Bridford to Christow back lane: update from DCC Highways

We understand from our colleagues at Christow PC that DCC Highways have updated them that they are due to start remedial work on the retaining wall by the stream next week (week commencing 6th July 2026) with a view to returning the road to use by vehicles as soon as possible.

We will pass on any further updates as we receive them.

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Bridford Play park update

Please see the relevant part of the text taken from the Chair’s report in the minutes from the recent Annual Parish Meeting regarding the play park in Bridford.

The Parish Council will be at Bridford Fete on 11th July if anyone would like to discuss the situation or you’re very welcome to attend the Parish Council meeting on Monday 6th July at 7pm in the Village Hall.
If you would prefer to email then you can contact Judy Topley, Chair on [email protected] or myself (Tamsin Mowat, Clerk) on [email protected]
Chair’s report from the Annual Parish Meeting on 7th May 2026
Our main consultation for this year is to do with the Playpark. For those parishioners who don’t know, the land for the Playpark is on an annual lease to the Parish Council from Teignbridge District Council (TDC), as TDC actually owns the land. Bridford Parish Council has the responsibility of maintaining the Playpark in all respects.
Recently, TDC contacted the parish council with a proposal for a small affordable housing scheme to be developed on part of the play park. TDC has affordable housing targets to meet and there is an identified need for five affordable houses in the village (taken from sign-ups to the Devon Home Register).
As things stand, the Parish Council feels this an opportunity for the village; we need homes that is clear and at the same time there is no desire by TDC to take away the play park altogether: there is an appreciation that health and well-being are vital to children and young people and community cohesion is important (parents who are still in the village were indispensable in bringing the Playpark to the village about 20 years ago).
The Playpark will soon be in need of a revamp (the total cost of which over time is estimated to be around 50K) and at the moment, without any grants, the parish council does not have that kind of money.
If affordable housing were to be built on the Playpark land, the parish council understands there would still be room for a Playpark which would likely receive funds through Section 106 Funding, where local councils can secure money from developers to improve or create infrastructure, including playgrounds.
⁠TDC asked if the parish council could quantify the degree of use of the Playpark, which equipment is preferred and the ages of those using it. Cllr Gallagher has developed a consultation with a QR Code for this purpose which will shortly be up on the play park gate. The Fete has agreed that the QR Code can be put on to fete programmes, and there will be some door-to-door leafleting. By the end of the summer holidays, we should be in a position to analyse this information.
TDC say they have some proposals for community engagement including aiming to provide some drawings for layout options for residents to comment on. They will write an article for Unity and will commission some technical surveys of the playing field. They feel they will then be in a position to come up with some realistic options for further comment in due course, including arranging a drop in event at the VH.
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Surface dressing update July 2026

We have received an update from Devon County Council Highways that the surface dressing due to take place on the Teign Valley road (B3193 Teign House Inn to Bridford Bridge junction, Bridford) is due to start on 21st July 2026.

We will post any further updates as we receive them.