FOREWORD by Julia Clark, Chairman of the Working Party

In the summer of 1995, a Working Party was set up to look at ways of improving facilities in Combe Martin. As the Working Party went through possible options for the village it was agreed that it would be an excellent idea to fnd out what the people of Combe Martin thought the village needed. After all, it is your village.

In March 1996, the Working Party developed the questionnaire which was duly distributed by a brave band of volunteers (no mean feat in a village this size). Since then, we have been analysing all the information collected and this report seeks to give an overview of all those answers.

It only quotes some of the answers to the questions as it would take a very large report to print all your valuable replies and comments. We would like to thank everyone who took the time and trouble to fill in the form. A copy of all the results is available for viewing in Combe Martin Library.

I would like to thank Mike Knight of the Community Council of Devon for his help in guiding the steering group and organising the printing and analysis of the report. The Appraisal is supported by Combe Martin Parish Council, the Community Council of Devon, North Devon District Council and Devon County Council.

26 parishioners indicated that they would be prepared to sell or donate land to help extend the Riverside Walk. The questionnaire was anonymous so the only way we can fnd you is if you contact Michelle Beaumont on 883403.

If the Appraisal is to be of real value, then the most important part of the work is yet to come.

The recommended action plan at the back of the report suggests areas at which the community might like to look, in the next few months and in future years. The action plan will only happen if you and organisations in Combe Martin take suffcient interest to do something about your issues of concern.

Finally, I would like to thank the Working Party, who have given their time freely and generously over the last year, to all those valiant volunteers who delivered and collected the forms.

Members of the Parish Appraisal Working Party