15 May What is the identity of Paignton?

What is the identity of Paignton? That’s a question I was asked recently.

It sometimes feels like Paignton is the overlooked ‘middle child’, and yet our town is bursting with life and opportunities. We have an important history, and a book to prove it! ‘Paignton, Our Home Town’, produced by our Heritage Society with editing advice from Oldway Primary School children is a beautiful book we are very proud of. And you can tour Kirkham House, the Coverdale Tower, and Clink on bank holiday Monday 26^th for free, although donations are always gratefully received.

We have the beautiful Victoria Park where the swans are nesting again, and the pretty harbour, bursting with activity at weekends, where you can enjoy food and drinks with stunning views. Then the beaches and the level accessible prom.

With the tide out, we have acres of sand for everyone to relax and enjoy alongside the sea. They say the era of bucket and spade holidays is over, but tell that to the hundreds of families on the sand! Or the new classic roundabout and the Geoplay Park, where families jostle for space in the holidays, and that’s before Children’s Week in August.

Yes, we miss Lidl and the skate park in the centre of town, but we still have five banks/building societies, extremely rare breeds these days, plus the bus and train stations. For a small town, we punch above our weight. And we also have a plethora of groups to get involved in, always with the opportunity to start another if required. Yet, above all this, what I think Paignton offers is kindness.

I live and work in Paignton, amongst the people every day, and what I see is a genuine offer of friendship or help to both friends and strangers. People welcome newcomers and look out for one another in their groups. If you fall, someone will give you a hand up, and when life is a bit tough, someone will notice and quietly offer a kind word. Please don’t underestimate Paignton; let’s be proud of our town. Do get in touch if you would like to know more.

Joanna can be contacted via email [email protected] or by phone: 07716 074903