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23 Oct 2025

Oldway volunteers open new tea hut and life-saving defibrillator

Pauline Baker, trustee and assistant secretary of the volunteer group, made it her mission to replace the tea hut with one that had access to an electrical supply

Oldway volunteers open new tea hut and life-saving defibrillator

The Oldway Gardens Volunteer Group has triumphed in their fundraising efforts, raising enough money to install a new tea hut and defibrillator in Oldway Mansion’s famous heritage gardens.
On July 22, volunteers, Torbay council leader Dave Thomas and deputy leader Chris Lewis, and representatives from Beardsmore and Veasey Electrical Contractors (BVEC) in Paignton gathered in Oldway Gardens for the official opening of the tea hut and defibrillator.
The event was officially opened by Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom South West Judge, John Wheatley, who showed King Charles and Queen Camilla around the Chelsea Flower Show just two months before.
Jo Jones, secretary and trustee of the Oldway Gardens Volunteer Group, told the Torbay Weekly that the previous tea hut, which was a main source of funding for the gardens, was very old and in desperate need of an update. 


Pauline Baker, trustee and assistant secretary of the volunteer group, made it her mission to replace the tea hut with one that had access to an electrical supply. 
Alongside her husband, Andy, Pauline made the tea hut their main role alongside introducing children’s trails around the grounds.
Both ventures were extremely successful, not only in raising funds for the volunteers but also in encouraging families to explore the beautiful grounds that the volunteers have diligently maintained since Torbay Council ended its stewardship in 2019.
Pauline said: “The Oldway Garden’s volunteers are amazing, and without them, the grounds would be an abandoned area. We are so pleased we joined in 2021 and are now a part of this remarkable, friendly group of volunteers who give so much so everyone can enjoy the grounds.”


Pauline, who Jo described as “the salt of the earth”, came from a medical background and was acutely aware of the risks of not having a defibrillator on site after someone fell ill by the tea hut last year.
There is a higher risk of people having heart attacks whilst playing tennis, so installing the defibrillator next to the garden’s tennis courts ensured that the life-saving equipment was quickly accessible. 
Pauline has had a lot of support from Martin Copeman who runs the Preston and Paignton Defibrillator project, a registered charity providing ongoing maintenance for defibrillators in the area. 
The tea hut defibrillator is now linked to the local ambulance service and will be monitored by Martin’s charity going forward.
Jo said: “It is fantastic that the defibrillator is up and running, but hopefully we won’t ever have to use it.”
The volunteers originally hoped to have the defibrillator powered by solar panels, before discovering that this wouldn’t be possible due to the cost.


Pauline raised a significant portion of the fundraising after insisting that rather than receive presents for her and Andy’s 50th wedding anniversary, they’d prefer family and friends offer donations to this worthy cause.
This, coupled with a special Halloween trail around Oldway, has enabled the Oldway Gardens Group to purchase and install the defibrillator.
“Thanks must go to BVEC who gave their time and equipment to ensure there was an electrical supply to the Tea Hut.” 
Commenting on the official opening event, Jo said: “It was a lovely afternoon with a glorious spread of food prepared by some of the volunteers. 
“Jon Wheatley and John Davies, RHS judges for Britain in Bloom South West, had a glorious day starting at Oldway, exploring the delights of the gardens and meeting and chatting with many of the volunteers.
“They were shown around some of Paignton’s gardens before returning to Oldway for a light lunch.”


She added: “Both judges were very impressed with our use of sustainable planting, in particular the flower beds on the main drive which we reopened in April 2021.”
Because these flowers bloom year-round and don't require unnecessary replacement, they are considered sustainable.
Reflecting on the day overall, one volunteer said: “I see this as a friendship group.”
Another added: "Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy.  When you volunteer you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in."

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