A round-up of community news from across East Devon and Exeter – including Exmouth, Sidmouth, Honiton. Send your news, events, and photos.
Email: news desk@eastdevonnews.co.uk
East Devon
A sculpture created by an East Devon artist aims to be ‘uplifting and optimistic’ for residents living close to a new community centre near Exeter.
The sculpture, at the Tithebarn Local Centre, named ‘Chaetonotus’ (pronounced ‘key-toe-no-tus’), was designed by East Devon artist Martin Staniforth to reflect the creatures found in the development’s ponds – part of the estate’s flood water run-off drainage, near Hutchings Drive.
The unveiling of the new sculpture.
Photo: EDDC.
Martin Staniforth, also known as Morth, said: “I find it inspirational to think how tiny things, like Chaetonotus, make a difference.
“I hope that people find this organic sculpture to be uplifting and optimistic, that they can enjoy a moment of reflection and appreciate the power of nature to grow and restore.”
Pictured here is the artist with his sculpture.
Photo: EDDC.
The sculpture, funded by an Exeter-based developer, took months to create, and was cast near Axminster.
Exeter
Police investigating an assault on a festive market stall holder in Exeter at the end of 2024 are appealing for help to identify a teenage girl.
Officers said a woman was reported to have attacked a stallholder in Princesshay on Friday, November 29, between 6pm and 7pm.
A woman stall holder had her hair pulled out, a tooth chipped and was left with a bloodied nose after she challenged a teenager over payment.
Police seeking to identify the teenager have described the suspect as being a ‘teenaged white female’ with long black hair, freckles and a naval ring. She was wearing a black belly top with baggy blue trousers.
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said: “Police are seeking to identify a suspect following an assault at a Christmas market stall in Exeter.
“The incident took place on Friday 29 November at Princess Hay, between 6pm and 7pm.
“It was reported a female suspect approached a stall, and when challenged over payment assaulted a woman working on the stall, causing injuries including a bloody nose, pulled out hair and a chipped tooth.”
If you can help police, call 101 or report information online, quoting 50240302116.
Exmouth
Work has started to build a new ‘congestion-busting’ road in Exmouth to extend Dinan Way.
A recent turf cutting ceremony to mark the start of the work was attended by David Reed, MP for Exmouth and Exeter East, plus the county council chairman, councillors and the contractor.
Devon County Council said the extension will ‘provide the opportunity’ to close Summer Lane – a known rat-run – to through traffic, ‘supporting improved links to the Exe Estuary Trail’.
Work starts on Dinan Way extension.
Photo: DCC.
- The 830-metre Dinan Way extension will link with the junction at Hulham Road to the A376 Exmouth Road.
- The work is expected to take around 12 months, finishing at the end of 2025
- Work to build a new roundabout between Dinan Way and Hulham Road was due to start in January 2025, until the summer.
- Temporary traffic light s will be in place, 7am until 6pm.
- Overnight road closures are expected in the summer, for resurfacing work.
- A new roundabout will be built between the A376 and the Dinan Way extension, with temporary lights expected.
- Work on a two-metre-wide shared path for cyclists and pedestrians is in progress.
- Funding for the extension has come from the Government, Devon County Council, East Devon District Council and Exmouth Town Council.
Richard Scott, Devon County Councillor (DCC) for Exmouth, said: “It is exciting to see the new link road start to take shape after many years of hard work to secure the funding and planning. We look forward to the positive impacts of this scheme which should reduce vehicle numbers through Woodbury, open up the North of Exmouth to the Exe Estuary and Trail for walking and cycling. We expect to see new and better bus services to and from Exeter and a reduction in the use of minor roads from the A376. This is a huge investment into our community, and we are proud to deliver it.”
Councillor Joe Whibley, Exmouth Town Council chairman, said: We hope that the road will provide a respite from heavier traffic in the town, and make life easier for those visiting and living here.”
John Hart DCC chairman, said: “It was always originally planned for Dinan Way to connect to the A376 and this scheme does that. This extension itself may not be that long but it has the potential to be transformational for Exmouth and the wider area, offering better access to business parks and employment areas which can boost the local economy and supporting housing development planned on the northern outskirts of the town.”
David Reed MP for Exmouth & Exeter East said: “It’s fantastic to see this vitally important project get underway. After decades of campaigning, Exmouth’s missing link road will be finally complete and will give our town much improved transport flow. Credit where credit is due for East Devon’s former MP, Simon Jupp, for leading the charge in the last parliament and securing the circa £16 million to fund the new road. Moreover, it’s been great to witness the multiple layers of local government coming together to assist with funding and project delivery. I look forward to opening our new road this year and for us all to get use out of it for decades to come.”
Exmouth
Young footballers in Exmouth are celebrating new kit and equipment thanks to the backing of a business in the town.
Exmouth Town AFC U9s Football team recently secured sponsorship from local McDonald’s franchisee, David Shawyer.
Exmouth Town AFC Under 9s.
Photo: with permission.
The sponsorship will help support the youth team by funding new kit and training equipment for the current 24/25 season, and seasons ahead.
The youngsters were invited to meet their new sponsor at the restaurant in Exmouth.
John Jackson, manager, Exmouth Town AFC Under 9s, said the team was ‘hugely grateful’ for the backing.
He added: “The support of McDonald’s will allow us to continue to keep our membership fees low and give access to youth football regardless of background and ability. We look forward to working with McDonald’s to continue to provide a safe and fun environment for children to play football.”
David Shawyer, McDonald’s franchisee, who owns and operates nine restaurants in Devon and Somerset, said: “Youth football is important for our community which is why we support local teams through each restaurant, and I am delighted to help support Exmouth Town AFC U9s by providing the new kit and training equipment.
“We hope the team enjoy playing in their new kit and can’t wait to keep track of how they do in their upcoming fixtures.”
East Devon
Schools across East Devon are invited to take part in an energy competition ina. Bid to win £500.
Little Green Change has teamed up with The Naturesave Trust to run an energy competition open to state-funded primary and secondary schools with a prize pot of £500.
Schools have to explain how they would spend the money to lower their energy consumption, or ways they would produce, or use, more renewable energy, such as heating, hot water, lighting, technology and equipment.
The funding also includes six lessons covering energy generation from solar, hydropower, wind and geothermal, and a lesson on careers in energy aimed at secondary-aged students.
For more information, and to enter, see here.
Exeter
Hospiscare’s annual Men’s Walk returns in March 2025 with an early-bird entry chance to win dinner and drinks for two, worth £80, at the Double Locks in Exeter.
A spokesperson for the charity said: “Returning on Saturday 15 March 2025 to Double Locks, Exeter, as well as ‘Your Way’ with the option of choosing both route and location, Men’s Walk is on the brink of raising £1million in its lifetime and needs as many feet – and paws – walking the route as possible to generate crucial funds for local end-of-life care.”
Sign up to take part by February 2, 2025, for a chance to win the prize.
See here for more information, and to enter.
Honiton
The Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG) in Honiton has temporarily closed until the spring for ‘long overdue refurbishment’ of the premises.
The gallery will reopen in March with Sensing the Planet, a new exhibition by artist Ashish Ghadiali.
The temporary closure will not affect THG’s work with schools and community groups, which will continue at offsite locations across East Devon.
A spokesperson for THG said: “The Honiton-based gallery will undertake essential repairs to the gallery, improvements to the gallery spaces, incorporate a dedicated new space for volunteers and improved toilet facilities.”
East Devon
Honiton and Axminster firefighters tackled a van blaze on the A35 trunk road near Ofwell, East Devon, after the public raised the alarm.
Fire crews were called to the Windmill Garage area shortly before 2pm on Saturday, January 18, where they found a transit van well alight.
Firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used water and specialist foam to tackle the blaze.
An Axminster fire station spokesperson said firefighters supported the Honiton crew with a supply of water and used specialist equipment to stop fuel and oil from reaching the drains.
Honiton
A Carrera road bicycle was seized by police in Honiton amid concerns it was stolen.
Honiton police are appealing for information about the bike, or want to hear from anyone who has had a similar one go missing.
A spokesperson for the team said: “We have checked our systems in the local area and cannot locate a report of this stolen bike.”
Email the police team honiton@dcpolice.uk or call in at the station.
Sidmouth
Crowds at the Sidmouth carnival raised £115 for the Firefighters Charity through donations of small change at the 2024 event.
Sidmouth firefighters, who collected the change during the autumn carnival, thanked those who gave at the event.
