Celebrations, milestones, and llamas!…A round-up of news stories from East Devon: Exmouth, Cranbrook, Honiton and Tithebarn…
Exmouth Men’s Shed’s decade of community and craftsmanship
Exmouth Men’s Shed has marked its 10th anniversary.
The group held a celebratory breakfast to toast a decade of bringing the community together through camaraderie, creativity, and craftsmanship.
It is one of six services run by Open Door Exmouth.
Photo: Exmouth Men’s Shed
Founded in January 2014, Exmouth Men’s Shed has grown from a small group of like-minded individuals into a vibrant community hub.
Men of all ages come together to work on projects, share skills, and support each other.
The shed has become a cornerstone for many, offering a space for social interaction,
It is actively recruiting new members to join its volunteer team and is particularly keen to welcome men in their 50s and 60s looking for a fulfilling way to give back to the community, stay active, and make new friends.
Shed leader Peter Banks said: “We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the past decade, but we are even more excited about the future.
“We have big plans for the shed, and we are looking for enthusiastic individuals to join us on this journey and help shape the next chapter of our story.”
For more information on joining Exmouth Men’s Shed and to find out about upcoming events and activities, contact Tim Chappell on 01395 224218, email menshed@opendoorexmouth.org.uk or visit www.opendoorexmouth.org.uk
Newcomer title and top-ten spot for Exmouth council worker Zoey
An Exmouth Town Council staff member behind a string of environmental successes has been named ‘newcomer of the year’ in an industry recognition initiative.
Zoey Cooper, who is the authority’s climate and ecological emergency resilience officer, was also ranked number nine in the prestigious Resource Hot 100.
Zoey Cooper is the climate and ecological emergency resilience officer at Exmouth Town Council. Photo: Contributed
The scheme celebrates individual achievements in the waste and resources industry – inviting professionals to nominate and vote for those who have made significant contributions.
Some 17,500 votes were cast this year.
Zoey swapped a career in marketing for the waste resources sector and has made a rapid rise to prominence in just 18 months.
Her exceptional work in the town has included reusable cup, real nappy and clothes-swapping schemes, as well as Samudra the plastic-eating sea serpent, Magpies Thrifty Festival and ‘Treading More Lightly’ at Exmouth Festival.
Zoey said: “When I woke up to the severity of the climate and nature emergency, I threw myself into climate action.”
New agritech centre is UK-first at Bicton College
Bicton College has officially opened the UK’s first Agritech Advanced Engineering Centre – a state-of- the-art facility that will shape the future of agricultural education.
The launch event was attended by industry leaders, students and stakeholders.
Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Devon, John Lee OBE, cutting the ribbon to officially open Bicton College’s Agritech Centre with Rob Bosworth. Photo: Bicton College
Bicton College says the development positions it ‘at the forefront of agricultural engineering training in the UK’.
The new centre equips students with hands-on experience using the latest agricultural technology and tools.
It will aim to address an identified skills gap in Devon by offering advanced training for pupils and apprentices.
The hub has been developed in partnership with Electude, a global provider of technical education.
Rob Bosworth, principal and chief executive of The Cornwall College Group, said: “We are proud to launch this sector-leading agritech engineering facility at Devon’s premier land-based college.
“This centre will give students the skills they need to thrive in an evolving industry. It shows how when employers, colleges and suppliers work together, government funding can be maximised and we can grow the rural skills economy.”
Help shape East Devon anti-poverty strategy
East Devon District Council (EDDC) has launched a public consultation over an anti-poverty strategy.
The authority wants to help people who ‘don’t have enough money or resources to meet basic needs’
It says that increasing foodbank use and the need for other emergency support ‘illustrates that some residents cannot afford food, energy, or a decent home to live in’.
Between April 1 and September 27 this year, EDDC distributed nearly £285,000 of UK Government Household Support Funding to more than 1,400 low-income households.
Feedback is being sought on the council’s anti-poverty strategy to help its ensure ‘services meet the needs of our communities, addressing these financial challenges’.
Take part in the consultation here.
‘Dragon’ devices is a flaming success fixing Devon potholes
A dragon patcher in action. Image: Devon County Council
A ‘dragon patcher’ device has seen 5,000 potholes fixed on Devon roads in just six months.
The flame-emitting machines are being used across the county’s vast highways network to tackle the huge number of damaged surfaces, writes Local Democracy Reporter Bradley Gerrard.
Since April, more than 33,000sq m of material has been laid to fix potholes and road damage across 5,250 patches.
Councillor Jerry Brook told the county council’s corporate infrastructure and regulatory services scrutiny committee he had been ‘criss-crossing’ Devon recently and had seen clear improvements on the roads.
“There has been an enormous amount of work and therefore improvement to our network in quite a short space of time,” he said.
“Some places are diabolical still and they may never get done, but I want to say congratulations to the team as there has been quite considerable improvement.”
In the first four months of this financial year, more than 24,000 potholes were recorded – a 54 per cent increase on the same period last year.
The council’s highways department was helped by an extra £12million in funding.
More than £7million of this has been put towards capital funding, which has allowed the council to double the number of patching teams from two to four.
Furry first at Exmouth care home as therapy llamas delight residents
Therapy llamas paid a visit to Raleigh Manor care home in Exmouth. Photo: Contributed
Residents at Raleigh Manor care home in Exmouth enjoyed a furry first when a pair of llamas paid them a visit.
Therapy animals Harry and George received a warm welcome from smiling pensioners and staff alike.
“Llamas in the home is a absolute first for us,” said general manager Gill Pratt.
“And there was certainly a great deal of excitement leading up to their arrival. It certainly cause a very positive buzz throughout the home and a big smile to everyone’s face.
“We are so grateful to the Peak Hill team for providing this truly unique experience for our residents. I think we will be seeing them again in the future.”
Sidmouth-based Peak Hill Llamas has been offering therapeutic visits for more than a decade.
First mobility scooter is ‘milestone’ moment for Cranbrook
Civic leaders in Cranbrook have hailed a ‘significant milestone’ for the town after bagging the town its first publicly-owned mobility scooter.
The town council celebrated the accessibility-boosting amenity with a launch event on Saturday, September 28.
The new initiative ‘will allow easier travel around the town and access to key locations’ including its award-winning Country Park.
The Cranbrook mobility scooter is now available for hire. Image: Cranbrook Town Council
A trial phase proved a hit with residents and visitors and now the mobility scooter will be available for free hire on weekdays from 10am to 2pm in two-hour sessions.
The scheme has been co-funded through a partnership between Cranbrook Town Council, Devon County Council, LiveWest and Move More Cranbrook.
Bookings can be made through the Cranbrook Town Council office at the Younghayes Centre or by emailing bookings@cranbrooktowncouncil.gov.uk.
‘Little Free Library’ is a new chapter for Tithebarn residents
A ‘Little Free Library’ has marked a new chapter for readers living at a new development in East Devon.
The facility and a noticeboard at Tithebarn has been installed by Broadclyst Parish Council thanks to a £1,000 donation from Persimmon Homes.
It was officially opened with a storytelling afternoon by Tithebarn Residents’ Association enjoyed by children and parents.
Jake Bonetta, Broadclyst Parish Community ‘connector’, thanks Persimmon and said: “It’s been fantastic to see so many families using the resource, supporting community cohesion and children’s reading, and we look forward to keeping the project going well into the future.”
The Little Free Library at Tithebarn in East Devon. Photo: contributed
Honiton gallery gets £29k to boost young people in the arts
Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG) in Honiton has been handed a £29,000 boost to work with young people in the arts across East Devon.
The Arts Council England grant will help develop the gallery’s Create Our Space (COS) programme.
It will establish ‘extensive and inclusive opportunities to engage with arts, culture and climate’ and respond in particular to the needs of young people aged from 12 to 25.
This includes people with disabilities – especially hidden.
Young people will work with artists to explore engaging ways to respond to environmental themes, as well as developing a creative programme at the gallery and across East Devon.
Councillor Nick Hookway, East Devon District Council portfolio holder for tourism, leisure, sport and culture, said: “It will enable THG to build on their genuine commitment to young people, from the leadership through to the volunteers, to make sure young people feel welcome and included in THG and their activities across East Devon.
(l-r) Gemma Girvan, Thelma Hulbert Gallery curator, district councillor Nick Hookway, Tim Martin, curator at Hestercombe Gallery, artist Anne Jackson, and artist Philippa Lawrence. Photo: Simon Tutty
Exmouth interactive dog toy firm in running for ‘pet industry Oscar’
An Exmouth-based interactive dog toy company has been shortlisted for a prestigious national industry award.
Tug-E-Nuff is in the running to be named Online Business of the Year at the 2024 Pet Industry Awards.
The Tug-E-Nuff team. Photo: Pooch and Pineapple
Managing director Danny Nelis-Rouse said: “The PIF Awards are like the Oscars of the pet industry, so we’re absolutely chuffed that we’ve been shortlisted as a finalist in the Online Business of the Year category.
“Since Tug-E-Nuff launched, we have worked incredibly hard to build a strong online presence that allows us to connect with all the dog lovers, owners and professionals, businesses and charities enriching the lives of dogs in the UK and beyond. It’s great to have that recognised.”
The awards will be held in Stoke on Trent in November.
Exmouth care home resident Tony’s smile as he sets sail once more
An Exmouth care home resident and keen former sailor was able to take to the water once again in a heart-warming reunion.
Much-loved Tony Bradford, who lives at Raleigh Manor, was invited aboard a boat thanks to Exe Sailing Club’s Sailability programme.
And the occasion was made extra special by the fact that the vessel’s skipper was Tony’s old sailing friend Jon Cousens.
Raleigh Manor resident Tony with staff member Michelle and friend and skipper Jon. Photo: contributed
Staff at the home were delighted to be a part of making the moment happen as they knew how much sailing has been a part of Tony’s life.
They were delighted to see the smile on his face when he set sail once more.
Raleigh Manor general manager Gill Pratt said: “It was wonderful to see how happy Tony was – and the staff loved being a part of this as well.”
