Josh, a shining star for others and reason we do what we do

Well, those palm trees - or whatever they were - certainly caused a stir.
No surprise really except, perhaps, to the chain-saw gang who chopped them down in the first place and who were no doubt following orders!
Axing 40 trees of any sort in the middle of a prime location like Torquay seafront is going to get everybody jumping up and down even if it is all linked to a grandiose, super-planting scheme to celebrate the Italian Gardens' 100th birthday next year... which was first mooted almost four years ago and nobody remembered!
It's something I pointed out to local councillor Nick Bye who was at pains to point out: “These are Cordyline Australis, New Zealand Cabbage Trees, which became a kind of pretend palm tree popular in seaside places from the mid-20th century and like so many along Torquay and Paignton sea fronts are susceptible to frost damage and disease.
“Quite why this story has made the national media headlines is something of a mystery to me but there will be some thoughtful readers of daily newspapers who might reflect here's a council which isn't going bankrupt (which seems to be the theme of most local government stories) and actually spending some money on a new planting scheme in a prominent park. They might even be thinking 'hats off to Torbay Council.”
Good point, Nick, but I still maintain communication, perception and common-sense is key - to avoid those worldwide headlines!
I do have to agree, though, that the felling of some trees should in no way over-shadow what a momentous year it has been for the English Riviera.
Yes, hats off to the council for its strategy to focus on the Bay as a 'place' with a Torbay Leadership Board and its Torbay Story initiative and Torbay Champions network bringing together the private, public and community sectors together to sell and promote the resort to investors. The result? More than £200m of government and private regeneration funding partner cash to make our beautiful Bay fit for the 21st century with game-changing projects.
A brighter, healthier, happier and more prosperous future for our younger generation like 14-year-old Josh Page-Smith from Chelston, Torquay. The St Cuthbert Mayne School pupil delivers almost 400 Torbay Weekly newspapers in and around Chelston every week. Mum Zoe, stepdad Jason and brother Matt, 18, accompany him if it's dark.
Josh decided to write and enclose Happy Christmas cards to every single one of his customers.
One, Paul Mitchelson, was particularly impressed and said: “Young people in this day and age get such a bad rap from the public. Receiving this card truly touched us as a family as my five-year-old son opened it and said how nice this was.”
Paul wanted us to trace Josh - “I know it’s a long shot but I hope somehow you manage to give Josh a heartfelt thank-you from us. You’re a credit to yourself and the people who raised you.”
That's just what we did and nobody was prouder than mum Zoe who said: “When my boys were at primary school we used to love sitting down and writing all their Christmas cards to their school friends but now they are older it seems it’s a little ‘uncool’ so we thought it would be lovely for Josh to send to all the residents on his paper rounds instead. He did an amazing job.”
Josh said: “I started my first paper round in July and although hard work I have enjoyed getting out and doing something for our local community. Earning my own money is obviously a bonus. I was keen to take over another round which I did in November. Thanks to my supportive family it’s a great way for us to get out, get fit and see everyone’s seasonal decorations!”
See, Josh is the reason we do what we do and I hope others are reading
Have a great Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.