Many of us go about our business each day unaware there’s a society constantly looking out for the town and its surrounding villages – a group of self-appointed guardian angels.
The Dartmouth and Kingswear Society concerns itself with protecting our historic buildings, fighting to keep our green spaces and asking difficult questions of local authorities about issues like losing our cottage hospital. New chairman Robert Brooke says there’s plenty to keep them busy at the moment. Steph Woolvin went to meet him…
Robert is no stranger to sitting at the head of a meeting room table holding court. He was a chartered accountant and started his career in a small firm in Southampton. He soon moved to London and took up a job with PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he stayed for 36 years. He became a practice partner in 1973 and was asked to do a partner exchange in the Netherlands for two and a half years working with the consumer goods giant Unilever which owns brands such as Persil, Dove, Magnum and Marmite.
“We lived in The Hague and thoroughly enjoyed it. I became involved with the chamber of commerce out there and continued the work when I got home as part of the Netherlands British Chamber of Commerce.” His Dutch links didn’t end there, as Robert soon became chairman of the Anglo Netherlands Society. The social and cultural group organises a number of events and visits throughout the year including trips to the Thames Barrier, Westminster, art galleries and dinners with ambassadors. “I’m not chairman anymore, but I’m still a member and enjoy going to the events!”
In the 90s, whilst still working as an accountant in London, Robert was singled out to work on the project to build Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre on the South Bank. “When I first came on board there was literally just a hole in the ground! It was our job to find the money to create the building and make it viable. It was a huge project, which I juggled with my job at PricewaterhouseCoopers. It took a good many years but it finally opened in 1997 and every time I go past now I always think ‘I helped build that!’” Robert is still on one of the Globe’s committees.
Robert and his wife Cathy moved to Dartmouth from Surrey over two years ago. The couple allowed themselves the first year to settle in and find their feet. Then in year two Robert was asked to become Chairman of the Dartmouth and Kingswear Society as he thought his previous experience could come in useful. The society, formed over 50 years ago, aims to protect the local area by closely monitoring any proposed development making sure it doesn’t negatively affect the character of the area and is always in the interests of local people. “I think we are a force to be listened to. We will take positive action to consult and lobby where necessary, whether that’s about healthcare services being taken away or the development of the neighbourhood plan. We keep a close eye on planning applications and make sure we are on top of any new activities. If a new housing development is on the cards we want to know if the correct infrastructure is in place; roads, parking, jobs, school places.”
At the moment a large amount of Robert’s time is spent investigating the need for proper facilities for wellbeing and social care, which he says is a big issue for all age groups after the loss of Dartmouth hospital: “We’re concerned that the debate regarding the need for suitable healthcare, accessible to all sections of the local population, is not adequately understood. This is causing severe anxiety. We need a sensible talk without emotion and away from the influence of vested interest groups.”
Another big issue for the D&K Society is the lack of a neighbourhood plan. Robert says they will keep on asking the authorities, as every town should have one. It’s a way of helping local communities influence the planning of the area where they live and work and can be used as a tool when lobbying the authorities about future development proposals. “Work was being done to create a plan for Dartmouth but it has ground to a halt, I think the last meeting was July 2017. A public survey shows the top concerns are healthcare, parking and employment.”
The society has 258 members with 10 on the committee. They have a meeting once a month, but much of the rest of Robert’s time is spent researching as he says he can’t go the local authorities if he doesn’t have all the correct information: “My wife would say I spend too much time on the society! I suppose it is all encompassing. I do get to play tennis on occasions and we hope to buy a small boat to potter about on, I used to do a bit of sailing.”
When he retired Robert went on a round-the-world yacht race. He says it was his chance to have some fun and take a late-life gap year! “It was amazing, but hard work and I lost a finger due to a freak wave near Tasmania. Two of us were injured. We had to be motored back to Australia where we were picked up by a helicopter. But I was able to re join the race and make it back to Britain safely. It took 10 months in total with six stopovers. My wife and children joined me in various places including New Zealand and South America. I really enjoyed South America; we stayed in Buenos Aires and travelled north to visit the wine region and the Iguazu Falls. I will never forget watching the water at these most phenomenal falls on the Brazilian border.”
Robert says the Dartmouth and Kingswear Society may be a little different under his reign, as there will be more emphasis on the important issues and less time spent planning social events. “I’ve been asked to rejuvenate the group in 2018 and beyond and I really hope I can bring something new.” They used to arrange talks for members, but are aware there are many other organisations in town offering these kinds of activities like the U3A. “We will have one keynote speaker each year and of course there’s the AGM to look forward to! Anyone can join the society, you just need to have a passion for Dartmouth, Kingswear and the surrounding area.”
If you are interested go to www.dandksociety.org.uk
First published By The Dart Magazine October 2018