Festival base has changed

WE ARE in the final throes of organising this year’s Ageing Well Festival, which I can say, as the new kid on the block, is no mean feat.

Bringing together talent from across the Bay is an awesome challenge even when there is as much of it as there clearly is – particularly among the over 50s.

In fact there is so much, we are this year doing our own version of a popular TV show, which has been renamed as Ageing Well’s Got Talent, so if you haven’t got your name down for it, read on.

But before I go any further please get your diaries out turn to October 20th between 10 am and 6pm and change the venue to Paignton Community and Sports Academy – and here is the kicker – in BOROUGH Road.

Unfortunately, someone at the other site forgot to tell everyone that they were having major and essential building works done during half term making the entire building inaccessible.

All of which means a communications nightmare for the whole team. We’ve had the posters printed. Wrong. We have had the first banners printed. Wrong. We have made endless references to it on social media. Wrong. We have even mentioned it several times in the columns of this newspaper. Wrong.

So not only have we had to switch the venue, we have had to replan the whole thing – literally dozens of events spread across nearly 20 rooms and spaces. Nightmare.

So with just six weeks to go it is all hands on deck. Spread the word, please!

But back to the festival – did I mention it is now being held in Borough Road? – we have a superb line up alongside the Ageing Well’s Got Talent competition, and we have a few workshops coming up if you want help preparing.

We are also looking for poets, budding and established, to perform their work during the festival so if you would like a little help with your paean then come along to our free workshop at the Bright Bean Coffee Shop, 319 Torquay Road, Paignton, TQ3 2EY between 2 and 4 pm on October 11. Please email Melanie Crump on rivierawriting@gmail.com if you need more detail.

Our indefatigable organising committee – all of whom are over 50 themselves - has put together a smorgasbord of entertainment including, talks, sports, music, comedy, workshops and displays all pulled together under a 1970s theme.

Come along and meet the cuddly robots, in particular, Paro the seal, a Japanese designed robot seal that moves and responds to touch that may well be part of a future care package for older people in care homes at a presentation given by Plymouth University.

Or why not try something new – perhaps Tai Chi or learn to play the ukelele or put on your dancing shoes and join the 1970s dance party with Torbay teacher, Anne George.

If you would rather watch others than get involved yourself then, there is plenty of music.And There is a variety of food to choose from.

And finally just a heads up THERE IS NO PARKING on site other than pre-booked disabled blue badge spaces contact us in advance on 01803 212638. For the majority, we will be running shuttle buses from South Devon

College car park in Long

Road, in Paignton. Or catch the number 22 bus.

Visit ageingwelltorbay.com/awf18/