• Shirley Simmons reports on the town council...

KINGSTEIGNTON mayor, Councillor Ron Peart, has given huge congratulations to schools and charities, as well as welcoming foreign visitors to a local group within our town this autumn.

Cllr Peart and mayoress Mrs June Peart attended the Kingsteignton-Orbec Twinning Association’s reception supper held at the community hall, having given an extended welcome to the 51 French visitors who had arrived for the first time in three years and presented gifts to some.

The KOTA twinning group have a very strong bond and have been taking part in exchange visits for over 43 years.

Cllr Peart also visited St Michael’s Primary School to meet and congratulate the children for their achievement of getting the highest award of the UNICEF UK’s Right Respecting School programme.

Some of the Year 6 children proudly stood in their garden of the school grounds to show off their ‘UNICEF Gold Award’ banner and certificate. UNICEF is the world’s leading organisation working for children and their rights.

The Rights Respecting Schools Award is granted to schools that show commitment to promoting and realising children’s rights and encouraging adults, children and young people to respect the rights of others in school.

On November 5 Cllr Peart and mayoress Mrs Peart had been invited to judge the ‘Best guy’ competition at the Kingsteignton Athletic Football Club’s firework display and ‘Penny for the guy’ competition.

The evening went with a bang and prizes were presented for the first, second and third best guys! A presentation in the clubhouse also took place with Cllr Peart presenting a cheque for £300 to KingsCare League of Friends in honour of the #DoItForDeaks mental health charity, from funds raised by the Kingsteignton Athletic Football Club’s ‘RamFest’ beer and cider festival held in August.