East Devon and Exeter in brief – a round-up of community news, photos, what’s on and events, including Exmouth, Cranbrook, Seaton, Honiton, Ottery St Mary, Sidmouth. Send your stories to newsdesk@eastdevonnnews.co.uk
Cranbrook
Planning permission has been granted to build 92 new homes in Cranbrook town centre, with around 25 properties available to rent by council house hopefuls.
Persimmon Homes South West has announced approval was granted by district planners to build 61 homes, plus a further 31 properties, including electric vehicle charging points.
A plan of the town centre layout at Cranbrook.
Image: with permission.
The developer said more than 28 per cent of the properties on site will be transferred to a local housing association partner ‘for affordable rent and shared ownership, directly addressing local housing need’.
The house-builder said: “With 4,750 households currently on East Devon’s housing waiting list, this allocation will help dozens of families secure a home.”
The image shows the Cranbrook town centre Masterplan.
Image: with permission.
Seaton
Huge rocks have been craned into the water off Seaton beach in a bid to protect nearby clifftop homes from erosion.
Some 6,500 tonnes of rock were this week unloaded from a barge in the sea onto Seaton beach as part of a £1.4million project at Seaton Hole.
The rock barge is seen here unloading at Seaton beach.
Photo: with permission.
The work is expected to end in November, and Seaton Hole beach will be closed periodically while the rock armour is put in place.
Repairs to the existing seawall and refurbishing or removing existing gabions – wire cages filled with stone – also make up part of the works.
Pictured here is the rock barge at Seaton beach.
Photo: with permission.
An East Devon District Council spokesperson said: “These operations will be visible from West Walk. Access to the beach from West Walk will be temporarily restricted to allow the rock to be safely moved to the works area.
“These improvements will strengthen the coastal defences between Seaton Hole and West Walk, reducing erosion risks and shielding 41 homes, including a care home, from cliff falls and sea damage.”
They added: “The work is expected to be completed by November, with sections of Seaton Hole beach closed periodically for public safety.
“Local businesses will remain open and accessible throughout.”
Exmouth – what’s on
Unpaid carers are invited along to a talk and free support in Exmouth on Thursday, September 25.
Raleigh Manor Care Home, in Drakes Avenue, Exmouth, is hosting the discussion at 2.30pm
The discussion is being led by Hayley Buscombe from Devon Carers for anyone supporting someone who would not manage without their help.
There is no booking required to attend. The session will be a friendly, informal discussion for anyone interested in finding out how Devon Carers can support them.
Edmund Courtney, general manager at the care home, said: “We welcome this important discussion to be had. We encourage everyone to come and find out what free resources and support is available in the community for them. And we will be providing the tea, coffee and cake of course.”
Ottery St Mary
Wing-walking in aid of Hospiscare is a challenge facing 80-year-old Martin Jenkins, from Ottery St Mary.
The pensioner daredevil is swapping his motorcycle for the skies on September 27, in a bid to raise funds for the end-of-life charity, providing care and support for free in East Devon, Exeter and Mid Devon.
Wing-walking in aid of Hospiscare is a challenge facing 80-year-old Martin Jenkins, from Ottery St Mary, pictured here.
Photo: with permission.
Martin has set up a JustGiving donation page, where he has already raised more than £1,600 for the charity.
So determined is Martin to help Hospiscare, he found an alternative wing-walk location in Dorset when his original August plans were cancelled.
He said: My main interest is motorcycling, but flying has always been a hobby of mine. I used to fly regularly, from planes and helicopters to air ships and hot air balloons.”
He added: “I’ve flown on most things, but I’ve never flown on the outside of
an airplane. Fortunately, I’m fit as a fiddle and strong as anything, so I thought, why not do it and raise money for Hospiscare.”
Martin said: “I’ve always admired what hospices do – looking after a complete stranger at the end of life – it’s something not many people could do. We’ve created a world where we’ve got more old people than young and services like Hospiscare’s are in high demand and need our support.”
- See more about Martin’s challenge, and donate, here.
Sidmouth
An East Devon charity has been involved in the rescue of hundreds of animals kept in ‘appalling conditions’, resulting in their owner being jailed.
The Donkey Sanctuary, at Sidmouth, was one of eight charities involved in the rescue of 450 animals from a farm near Nottingham.
Donkeys were found in ‘appalling conditions’ alongside other animals.
Photo: The Donkey Sanctuary.
The Sidmouth-based charity said 29 donkeys were discovered in ‘the most appalling conditions’, resulting in some being euthanised.
Donkey Sanctuary staff said some were in such a bad state and suffering, they had to be put to sleep on site, including a female donkey who had a four-month foal at foot.
Hannah Bryer, head of welfare at charity, said: “It was utterly heart-breaking to see the conditions and suffering these animals had endured. Our objective is always to do the best we can for any donkeys and mules. Sadly, in this case, one of the donkeys was so severely underweight and unable to stand comfortably due to lameness that the kindest option was euthanasia to end her suffering.”
She added: “Her foal has since gone on to form a strong bond with other young donkeys, and we are working with the RSPCA to find them suitable new homes.”
The owner of the farm, where more than 450 animals were kept in ‘harrowing’ conditions, appeared at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court, and was jailed for 12 months plus given a lifetime animal ban, after pleading guilty to 25 offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Around 70 horses and donkeys, plus dogs and puppies, guinea pigs, small rodents, cats, poultry, exotic birds, reptiles and three alpacas were seized after they were found living in squalor in filthy hutches, sheds, outbuildings, barns, and two fields.
Ottery St Mary
The hammer has come down on a former solicitors’ office in the centre of Ottery St Mary, after it was sold at auction for £108,000.
The Old Manse, in Mill Street, was this month sold by Clive Emerson Auctioneers and Hall & Scott Estate Agents after it reached £20,000 above the £90,000 guide price.
The former office in the centre of Ottery St Mary.
Photo: with permission.
Built in the 1850s as a clerical home, the property became a solicitors’ office in the mid-1970s.
It was sold with planning permission for conversion into a three-bedroom family home to include parking and a garden.
Seaton
The district council has rubber stamped a document setting out the importance of nature, heritage and leisure in Seaton.
East Devon district Council (EDDC) has adopted the Natural Seaton Interpretation Masterplan in a bid to protect the town’s identity and natural environment, while encouraging visitors.
Cllr Richard Jefferies, EDDC portfolio holder for environment, nature and climate, said: “Seaton is surrounded by a wealth of incredible natural spectacles and special places, and this document pulls them together into a starting point for bringing them to life for the town, its businesses, and its community.”
Exeter
Police want to hear from witnesses after a man was reportedly stabbed in the hand in Exeter.
A man in his 40s was taken to hospital, and later discharged, after an assault outside a property in Okehampton Road, St Thomas, at around 8.30pm on Monday, September 15.
Police arrested a 38-man from Exeter on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm without intent. He was released on police bail.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, or report it through the force website, quoting 50250240409.
Ottery St Mary
A closed bridge in Ottery St Mary has reopened after almost two years after it was hit by a fallen tree.
The Coleridge bridge was lifted back into place by a 1,550-tonne crane after its damaged sections were repaired and replaced.
Councillor Jess Bailey is pictured here re-opening Coleridge Bridge, in Ottery St Mary.
Photo: with permission.
The stricken pedestrian and cycle bridge, which opened in 2011, resulted in pedestrians navigating a route near a busy stretch of road to reach the town.
Due to riverbank erosion by the River Otter, the central pier of the bridge was reinforced.
And sheet piling was added around its foundations, plus a 200-tonne concrete slab installed, designed for smooth waterflow past the structure.
Devon County Council said the contractor will remain on site to rebuild the riverbank and return the flood plain to its previous levels.
Exeter
Steve Carrick, an infrastructure manager from Exeter, Devon, is circumnavigating the globe in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
Steve Carrick departed from Portsmouth at the end of August,.
Photo: with permission.
He recently departed Puerto Sherry, Spain, to race across the Atlantic, as he attempts to tackle the 40,000-nautical mile circumnavigation of the globe.
Steve is circumnavigating the globe in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
Photo: with permission.
Steve said: “The opening stage was brutal. It delivered everything the forecast said. It was physical, but we got there.
“My day job was in an office, usually fixing things. This is much more physical, but it is still about problem solving.”
Steve departed from Portsmouth at the end of August, racing more than 1,000 nautical miles through strong winds and big sea states across the Bay of Biscay to Spain.
Steve Carrick recently departed Puerto Sherry, Spain, to race across the Atlantic, as he attempts to tackle the 40,000-nautical mile circumnavigation of the globe.
Photo: with permission.
Honiton – what’s on
Otter Lodge in Honiton is hosting a World’s Biggest Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support on Thursday, 25, from 10.30am until 12.30pm.
All are invited to coffee and cake at Otter Lodge, in Silver Street, where Churchill Living is pledging to donate £5 to the cause for every visitor who goes along to support the event.
Photo: with permission.
Exeter
Pupils from Matford Primary School, in Exeter, were treated to a trip to Paignton Zoo in a bid to learn about endangered animals and the natural world.
Emily Simpson-Horne, Matford Brook Academy headteacher, said: “This was more than just a day out, it was a brilliant opportunity for our pupils to learn beyond the classroom.
“They were a credit to our school, showing genuine curiosity and kindness throughout the day. We’re so proud of them.”
Some of the school’s youngsters at the zoo.
Photo: with permission.
East Devon – what’s on
Visitors of all ages are invited to the Big Branscombe Apple Pick on Sunday, October 5, from 11am until 2pm, at the Old Bakery Orchard, in the village.
The free event is run by the East Devon National Landscape with the National Trust, giving visitors the chance to help with the harvest.
The orchard is next to the Old Bakery and opposite Branoc Hall. No booking required.
The apple picking event is free to attend.
Photo: National Trust Images/James Beck.
A spokesperson for the event said: “The Big Branscombe Apple Pick event offers visitors the opportunity to get hands-on by helping with the apple harvest and learning about the different apple varieties.
“The day will also feature creative apple crafts and fun nature trails for the whole family.
“If you have your own Devon apple variety at home, you’re encouraged to bring it along to display on a variety table.”
Exeter
An author penning a new book about the band T.Rex wants to hear from fans of Marc Bolan who saw him perform in Exeter 55 years ago.
Music historian Richard Houghton, from Manchester, is keen to speak to fans who saw Bolan’s appearance in Exeter in March 1970, where he played the Great Hall at the university, shortly before his band T. Rex morphed into the glam rock hitmakers who went on to have a string of successes.
Richard, whose book T. Rex – A People’s History is scheduled for publication next year, said: “’I’d love to hear from anyone who was at the University’s Great Hall show to help me record the events for posterity.”
If you can help, email Richard on bolanbook@gmail.com.
East Devon
Multiple calls were made to the fire service after a building was spotted on fire in Whimple.
Firefighters from Ottery St Mary, Honiton and Middlemoor, in Exeter, were called to the village at the start of September where an outbuilding was well alight.
The building was damaged by the blaze and smoke, the fire service said.
A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: “Upon arrival the crew from Middlemoor requested fire control send two more fire appliances from Ottery St Mary and Honiton. This was confirmed that an outbuilding was well alight.
“Crews used two hose reel jets, a safety jet, four breathing apparatus, a thermal imaging camera, bolt croppers, triple extension ladder and drag forks to extinguish the fire.”
