By David Gledhill, Marketing and Communications Officer

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 50’s

In fact there is so much, we are this year doing 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 20^th 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^th – 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 1970’s 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 1970’s dance party with Torbay teacher, Anne George.

If you would rather watch others than get involved yourself then, there is music from a 70’s rock band, or if that isn’t your thing then perhaps the songs of Riviera Sound are for you.

Donald Knaack is a classically trained percussionist, graduating from the Manhattan School of Music who now calls Brixham home. Over time, he’s developed a new kind of Junk Music based upon the sounds of objects he has found. One to definitely look out (or should that be, listen out) for.

Sport and exercise are well featured both in the form of demonstrations and things to try from table tennis to pilates and from yoga to walking football and walking netball.

There is a variety of food to choose from good old fish and chips through vegetarian options to meaty sandwiches.

And finally just a heads up THERE IS NO PARKING on site other than pre-booked disabled blue badge spaces please 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. Alternatively, the site is well served by the number 22 bus from Paignton and Torquay.

See you there.

For more details and updates go to our website ageingwelltorbay.com/awf18/