L-R; Toby Russell, Devon Air Ambulance; Linda Sampson, South Zeal Recreation Ground Committee; Andrew Sampson, Chairman of South Tawton Parish Council; Jane Warren, neighbour; Ray Souness, South Zeal Recreation Ground Committee; Councillor Paul Warne, South Tawton Parish Council and South Zeal Recreation Ground Committee.

South Zeal welcomes lifeline to Devon Air Ambulance

South Tawton Parish Council is delighted to announce that the Night Landing Site at South Zeal Recreation Ground is now operational. The facility allows the Air Ambulance to land during the ‘hours of darkness’, which is of vital importance for such a rural parish.

The clerk to the Parish Council, Rebecca Walker, says: ‘We are so pleased that this project has been completed and that the parish will have access to the wonderful service of the Air Ambulance at any time. It has taken a lot of work and we are very grateful to everyone who has helped, and the parishioners who have been so supportive of the project.’

Jane Warren, who lives near the Night Landing Site, says: “The Parish Council are to be congratulated for initiating this project and carrying it through to completion. The Air Ambulance is such an important service to our community and the addition of night-time lighting will enable extended cover, for the benefit of all parishioners.”

The Parish Council would like to thank Devon Air Ambulance for all the help and support during the process, also acknowledging the landowners, South Zeal Recreation Ground Association, for their continued support and willingness to work with the Parish Council, which has been crucial to the project’s success.

The Parish Council received grants from Devon Air Ambulance (from the Bank LIBOR fines), Councillor James McInnes’ Devon County Council Locality Budget, West Devon Borough Council’s TAP fund (now the Communities Together fund), the Chagford Show Fund and donations from David Jeffery (who raised money with his annual Christmas lights). Also, a donation from, and now in memory of, June Alcock, mother of local resident Shirley Denford. Such generous grant givers and donors are vital to allow this kind of project to proceed and the Parish Council is very grateful for the generosity.

Toby Russell, from Devon Air Ambulance added: “We are extremely grateful to all those who helped to develop and fund the Community Landing Site at South Zeal recreation ground, which now means we can reach patients in the area until 2am every day. Our thanks to South Tawton Parish Council, South Zeal Recreation Ground Association and the numerous local people and organisations who made this night landing site become a reality”.