Cllr Dave Trigger

I was born and bred in Plymouth, in quite a rough area. I soon recognised the need for community cohesion, support for youth and people with disabilities. I became a youth worker in Ford. At 18 I became involved in a charity working with able-bodied and people with disabilities to teach them to swim and volunteered with Dame Hannah Rogers School in Ivybridge. I had trained as a life guard and discovered a love of the South Hams through surfing and life guarding at Bigbury and Bantham. I joined the Modbury Young Farmers for the social life. It opened my eyes to rural community. I met and married Janice, who’s interests were in wildlife and animal welfare. Throughout this time, I was working for the MOD at Plymouth Naval base and the stores Depot at Wrangaton, where Janice and I set up home. I became a Parish Councillor for Ugborouigh and also a District Councillor for Ivybridge. My real passion has always been working with people and trying to help solve problems and fill gaps wherever I can, to support the rural communities, especially farmers. Being a district councillor in Ivybridge meant that I was able to follow another of my passions and that is Rugby. I helped to get the club house built which put the Rugby club on the map.

I also review cases for prospective foster carers.

We moved to California Cross, where Janice’s parents had a small holding and which we took over when they sadly died. I enjoyed tinkering with farm machinery, taking apart tractors and putting them back together in good working order. We have quite an entrepreneurial life, turning our hands to all sorts. We have our roadside stall selling veg and flowers, we dry flowers and make pictures from people’s wedding bouquets, we advise people on farming practices, provide manure from our horses. We are horse and dog lovers.

I am a founder member of the South Hams Community and Voluntary Sector (now South Hams Communities in Action).I find this work particularly rewarding, it is a great opportunity to fill a need.
You would find me life guarding at weekends, working as an Auxiliary Coastguard for Bigbury Bay or manning the lifeboat in Plymouth.

I can also skateboard- who knew! I have been able to help set up skateboard parks for youngsters, and the not so young, across the South Hams.

I was a Modbury Parish Councillor back along and then re-joined in 2023 because I recognised that there was still a need for the rural community to be represented, especially those in remote locations. I work as their advocate and enjoy finding solutions to really, common sense problems.

I worked for the MOD for 50 years plus and still work as a ships chandler, which takes me to places like Falmouth, Torbay, Belfast, sourcing the stores needed on board ship- it is interesting and varied work. I am also passionate about Naval History , well any history, the history of Modbury is fascinating- did you know that Elephants were used up in the old Barracks?

I am still involved in many charities:

I am a trustee for Modbury caring and for South Hams Communities in Action
I sit on the MARS association committee as the Parish Council representative.
I am chairman of the Small Farms Association

I have been privileged in life to meet some amazing people and to have the opportunity to attend the European Parliament and the UK parliament to speak on Rural affairs and have spoken at the House of Lords Select Committee.

I attended Buckingham Palace where I received an MBE in 2006 for services to the Ministry of Defence and then this year, 2024, I received the Imperial Service Medal for my work as a civil servant.