Residents left to clear mess left by Churston and Broadsands travellers
FURIOUS Torbay residents have been left to pick up the pieces after a visit by travellers.
A convoy of caravans and cars has now left Churston Common and the public car park at Broadsands.
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Richard Haddock
But they have left piles of rubbish and dozens of seething residents have vowed not to let the situation happen again.
A call for action is being led by farmer Richard Haddock (pictured).
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Tensions between residents and travellers threatened to get out of control with rumours of dog attacks and assaults.
But police said there were no substantial reports of anti-social behaviour or attacks on animals.
Other residents have complained about damage to the car park and the fact rate payers will pick up the cleaning bill.
A public meeting will now be held to discuss what measures can be taken to stop problems being repeated with a suggestion that a local farmer might be prepared to offer the travellers land on which to settle for short periods.
Mr Haddock says he has spoken to 'a farmer in Torbay' who is prepared to offer a site, providing he is supported by the council.
Meanwhile, Mr Haddock has used his tractors and lorries to place large boulders around the common to stop another visit.
He said: "The council officers themselves have done everything they can but the councillors have to take responsibility.
"They were elected to do a job but they are not doing it.
"A lot of people are pretty upset."
He said most councillors were just hoping the problem would go away quickly and grateful that travellers do not turn up in their wards.
But he also criticised people who employed travellers to clear gardens.
He claimed rubbish from paid clearances has been dumped on the common.
He said: "It is the residents in the area who give them work and pay them in money that gives them the biggest incentive to keep coming."
A Torbay Council spokesman said court proceedings to get the travellers evicted had been put in process before they moved on.
He added: "The people who occupied the site at Broadsands have now moved on and the site is being cleaned.
"We are not aware of any incident involving dogs at Broadsands.
"However, we have received a report of an incident on Churston Common, but we do not have the full details. We have not received a complaint in respect of this incident, but if we receive one we will investigate it."
A meeting of the community partnership will take place on Wednesday, May 30, at Churston Ferrers School starting at 6.30pm.
Comments
by DevonJanner
Sunday, May 27 2012, 11:08AM
“Apparently,there is a band of 300 Spartans heading this way ,the Greek climate is not very agreeable at the moment and any charity would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
by wiscot
Saturday, May 26 2012, 4:52PM
“As far as I am concerned, SteveTorbay, I have followed the rules.
Rules for the correct use of the apostrophe.
The apostrophe is used:
1.To indicate the possessive.
2.To indicate missing letters.
3.Sometimes to indicate the structure of unusual words.
Where do your rules differ from mine?”
by SteveTorbay
Saturday, May 26 2012, 1:25PM
“@wiscot...and if you check you grammar books you will find that the use of apostrophes with the single letter is incorrect too....;p”
by Corsham999
Friday, May 25 2012, 8:47PM
“If this sort of thing happens again move the bums on quickly (and before some smart ass asks "oh but where shall we move them to) I don't give a flying F. Get um out of Torbay for a start.And they could be asked to clear-up the mess that they leave behind and maybe pay taxes.NB I think I will get my caravan with my family all 6 of them and tow it onto Barton Downs and live there for a week and chuck all the waste and **** on the grass and let my two dogs off their leads to roam where they want!!! It would last no more than 3-4 hours before Police turned up and arrested me or at least moved me off with a warning, wait I'm white, work as a skilled tradesman pay tax married with kids and drink beer I'll be hammered by everyone u nose it!! (no do gooder PC looking after my type u no that to be true just can't admit it).”
by Nippie
Friday, May 25 2012, 5:37PM
“I do hope the travelers are back again next year and the year after until the bigots who live in the area learn to have some tolerance. I assume this Haddock owns Churston Common? Lets hope the Romanians make an appearance in the near future to really give the suede's something to really moan about. If it is not the Liverpudlians, Scots or flash Cockneys it is another minority. I sincerely hope this issue does not go away and the people concerned learn they cannot have it their own way all the time oh and finally see what the police are really about."
CarltonClub, shows how much you know about the area or laws in general. Mr Haddock own the common?? hahahahahahaha.
What are suedes? and what do they have to do with this debate? Maybe I have missed something. Do Travellers wear suede shoes??
At the moment it is the travellers who are having it "all their own way" No taxes, no rent and the best camp site in England.”
by hughanchor
Friday, May 25 2012, 2:20PM
“@"CarltonClub" (or is is this just another ID for youknowwho?). So we are "bigots" are we? And what are you then, a wonderful, tolerant human being? Go on then, put your money where your mouth is, make some space for the so-called "travellers" in YOUR garden. If they are so lovely, and we Torbay residents so bigoted and horrible, then you will have a lovely time together. You'll have to ignore the mess, the mad dogs, the scrap, the men in vests and the threatening behaviour, but being such a tolerant soul I'm sure you will love it.”
by reiwruwiou
Friday, May 25 2012, 1:03PM
“Why should we "learn to tolerate" people who feel that the law doesn't apply to them? Perhaps Carltonclub would be prepared for them to go and stay with him/her...”
by CarltonClub
Friday, May 25 2012, 3:38AM
“I do hope the travelers are back again next year and the year after until the bigots who live in the area learn to have some tolerance. I assume this Haddock owns Churston Common? Lets hope the Romanians make an appearance in the near future to really give the suede's something to really moan about. If it is not the Liverpudlians, Scots or flash Cockneys it is another minority. I sincerely hope this issue does not go away and the people concerned learn they cannot have it their own way all the time oh and finally see what the police are really about.”
by wiscot
Friday, May 25 2012, 1:00AM
“Hardly a moron Chelseymay when he has created a thriving business and a 'need' from absolutely nothing. Perhaps you could list your achievements to show how clever you are?
By the way - Devon has a capital letter 'D'.”
by Nippie
Thursday, May 24 2012, 6:44PM
“I would rather Mr Haddock dug up access to the common than the Heritage Trail at Churston which he has all but decimated.”