News in brief from East Devon and Exeter – community stories, what’s on, photos from across the patch. Got a story you want to share? Email: newsdesk@eastdevonnews.co.uk
Exeter
Hospiscare has given a new home to Men in Sheds Exeter, which was forced to shut shop in 2023 amid premises closure.
The group, formed 15 years ago with the aim of curbing male loneliness and boosting friendship through practical skills, can now meet at Hospiscare’s warehouse, in Trusham Road, on Marsh Barton trading estate.
The members plan to sell items they make or repair in Hospiscare’s charity shops in a bid to show support for their new home.
New members are welcome at £1 on the days attended, which is used for the refreshment kitty. The group meets Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10am-4pm.
The group is also keen for donations of equipment and tools that can be used for work or to refurbish to sell at the hospice, such as drills, planes, chisels and DIY equipment.
Men in Sheds Exeter has been without a place to meet since October 2023, when its former supporter’s premises closed.
John Wilson, a retired schoolteacher and member of Men in Sheds Exeter, said: “We can’t express how grateful we are to Hospiscare for providing us with a place where we can restart the group.
“For many of our members, coming to Men in Sheds is a social lifeline. Some are going through grief and separation and feel lonely and isolated, others find they’ve lost their sense of self after retirement and want to regain a sense of purpose and community.
“Some members just come along because they want to hone their skills and enjoy themselves.
“Whatever the reason people come to Men in Sheds, what they find is a listening ear, a chat if they want it, laughter, something to keep their hands and brains occupied – and tea on tap.”
- For those interested in joining or donating equipment or goods, contact John Wilson on 07876 575361 or drop into Men in Sheds at the rear of the Hospiscare Warehouse Shop, accessed via Christow Road, on Marsh Barton Trading Estate.
Pictured here (L-R) are Men in Sheds Exeter members Peter Pooley, John Bridges, Tony Butterworth, John Wilson, Nick Jarman.
Photo: with permission.
East Devon
Volunteers keen on the great outdoors are invited by the district council to lend a hand at an East Devon nature reserve over the summer.
East Devon District Council (EDDC) countryside team, which manages the Seaton Wetlands nature reserve, is calling for ‘enthusiastic’ volunteers to join the Discovery Hut team, to work in pairs, greeting visitors, providing up-to-date information about recent wildlife sightings and serving simple refreshments.
Discovery Hut volunteer Jasmine Burges.
Photo: EDDC.
No prior experience or expertise is needed to become a volunteer – just an interest in wildlife, plus enthusiasm, and a willingness to engage with the public.
Volunteers are needed to cover shifts from 10am to 1pm or 1pm to 4pm, with a particular need for weekend help.
All volunteers will receive training and have access to an online rota to schedule their sessions.
For more information, email wild@eastdevon.gov.uk
Exmouth
The Exmouth RNLI family past and present were joined by a host of supporters to capture an historic moment in time.
To mark the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, the sea safety charity photographed its volunteer crews and supporters up and down the country, at the exact same time and date, 18:24, on 1.8.24.
The photographic record on Exmouth beach, captured around 100 people for the One Moment for One Crew anniversary picture.
The Exmouth RNLI One Moment for One Crew photo.
Photo: RNLI.
Anniversary celebrations included a parade of the town’s RNLI volunteers and inshore and offshore lifeboats.
Steve Hockings Thompson, Exmouth RNLI volunteer coxswain and the marina harbour master, said: ‘This has been a great way to bring together Exmouth RNLI volunteers, our partners, HM Coastguard and the local community to mark 200 years of saving lives at sea.”
What’s On
Lyme Regis Pilot Rowing Club Regatta takes place on Saturday, August 10.
The festival of sea rowing marks the end of the Lyme Regis regatta week.
Spokesman Bruce Kahn said: “We will be setting up on Monmouth Beach by the power boat club.
“We have sixteen of the best teams attending including our local rivals Bridport, Swanage, Weymouth, Sidmouth and Exmouth.
“We will be racing west, from the Cob end, along Monmouth Beach, which makes it very easy to see the races.”
The full programme of races includes under-14s, under-16s and Masters (Over 60), Super Vets (Over 50s), Vets (Over 40s) as well as A, B and C teams for Men and Women.
Bruce added: “We are also looking to recruit future world championship rowers for the future.”
On the day there will be a bar, barbecues and commentary. All welcome.
East Devon
Honiton and Sidmouth MP Richard Foord has called on the Government to ‘urgently’ restore NHS dental services after Axminster Dental Practice recently announced it was taking private patients only.
In a letter to its patients, Axminster Dental Practice confirmed from October 1, 2024, all would have to pay for private treatment because the existing NHS contract no longer covered its costs.
Mr Foord said the Government must urgently reform the NHS dental contract, in line with recommendations from the British Dental Association, ensuring the work pays fairly and giving dentists incentives to again offer NHS care.
He said: “Right across our towns and villages, people are left struggling to get the dental care they need. The news that Axminster Dental Practice will shift away from NHS work from October is yet another blow to residents, many of whom were already struggling to find NHS dental care.
“Our area has seen a swathe of dentists going private in recent years because the current NHS contract does not pay fairly for the work they do. Many dentists face no choice but to offer more private care in order to cover their costs, leaving us paying higher bills for treatment or simply having to go without.”
He added: “Having access to NHS dentistry is vital to people’s health. Too many people – including thousands of children – have been left suffering with dental pain. Some people have needed to be admitted to hospital because of undiagnosed or untreated oral health issues, and some have even resorted to DIY dentistry and removed their own teeth at home.
“The previous Conservative government offered only warm words about NHS dentistry, while also failing to take real action to stop this decay. Now, we face a situation where not a single dentist in all of Devon is taking on new NHS patients.”
Mr Foord said: “The Labour government must urgently commission a full review of the NHS dental contract, working with the British Dental Association to make NHS work pay fairly and train up a new wave of dentists. They should also make it easier while we await new dentists to come on-stream for dentists from Europe to practice here in the UK.”
Exmouth
Hundreds of metres of cracked seawall in Exmouth has been repaired with steel in a bid to give it 100 years of added protection.
The £1.5million first phase of repairs was carried out after it was found the beach levels had dropped, exposing the wall’s foundations, causing an area to tilt forwards and crack.
A further 150 metres of vulnerable seawall will be secured with a steel sheet pile wall in September in the second phase of repairs.
The newly resurfaced path in front of Sideshore, above Exmouth seawall.
Photo: EDDC.
An East Devon District Council spokesperson said: “Residents will be consulted on the appearance of the seawall, such as cladding, in the third and final phase.
“Due to the drop down in beach levels, railings are required along the new section of seawall to meet current safety regulations.
“There are no plans or requirements to fit railings to any of the existing sections of the seawall.”
Exmouth
Cigarette surveys have been introduced in Exmouth with a ballot bin designed to crackdown on littering.
Exmouth Town Council and Plastic Free Exmouth have joined forces with a cigarette butt ballot bin outside the Railway Club.
The cigarette ballot box – how do you like your scones?
Photo: with permission.
The bin – the first of its kind in Exmouth – encourages people to throw their cigarette butts away responsibly in a creative way, by offering a ballot-style voting ashtray, where smokers can choose an answer to a question, then put the butt in the corresponding side.
The Exmouth ballot bin launch invited smokers to answer how their prefer their scones – jam (Cornwall) or cream (Devon) first.
Pictured here at the launch of the ballot box is: Debbie Winton (Plastic Free Exmouth), Gordon (Manager of the Railway Club), Councillor Mike Rosser, Councillor Olly Davey, Councillor Daniel Wilson.
Photo: with permission.
Councillor Tim Dumper, Exmouth Town Council climate and ecological emergency working party chair, said: “Cigarette butts are too easy to drop on the ground. They litter our towns, countryside and beaches. But it’s not just littering that’s the problem – there is always a fire risk, and they also contain microplastics and various poisons.
“So, I am delighted with the cigarette ballot bin project, which aims to get these butts where they belong.
“Thanks very much to the Railway Club, Plastic Free Exmouth, and all those involved in getting the project up and running.”
Families urged to share views on East Devon play parks’ £1million facelift as consultation is launched
