Community news in-brief from East Devon, photos, what’s on from across the district. Email your community news to newsdesk@eastdevonnews.co.uk
Exmouth
A plaque has been presented to a retired Exmouth community champion after a tree was planted in Exmouth as a mark of thanks for her 30 years’ service.
Pictured here, centre, is Christine Channon,
L to R: Exmouth deputy mayor Councillor Dianne Conduit, town council facilities, assets and civic officer, Mollie Carey, town maintenance, Tony Slinn, town clerk, Lisa Bowman, Councillor Mark Williamson, Littleham ward.
Photo: with permission.
Retired county councillor Christine Channon was recently invited to visit a silver birch tree planted in Cranford Avenue as a nod to the Littleham area she championed during her three decades of authority work.
Also at the plaque presentation was Littleham councillor Mark Williamson, who spoke about Christine’s work, her support for residents and colleagues, plus ‘unwavering encouragement’ of local organisations.
Pictured here is the commemorative plaque for the tree in recognition of retired county councillor, Christine Channon.
Photo: with permission.
Christine thanked the council and community for her time of ‘rewarding’ work.
Exmouth – what’s on
Live poetry and spoken word celebrating LGBTQ+ voices is coming to Exmouth library on Friday, July 17 at 7.30pm.
Tickets are £4, featuring award-winning visiting poets alongside local talent, with audiences invited to get involved in the Spork! Devon Limerick Competition.
Exmouth Pride and Villages in Action is supporting the Out Loud in the Library Arts Council England-funded event.
The poetry and spoken word is suitable for over-18s.
A spokesperson for the events said: “The artists promise spoken-word poetry that’s heartfelt, hilarious, thoughtful and fun.
“Each event will be rooted in the local landscape, while providing support and new opportunities for local emerging creatives.”
Topsham
Topsham pool was targeted by burglars in June. Photo: with permission.
Topsham outdoor pool was targeted by burglars and had cash stolen when it was targeted overnight in June.
Police confirmed officers investigating the break-in were working to identify the culprits.
Cash locked away in two safes was stolen in the raid. Photo: with permission.
Money locked overnight in safes was stolen in the raid, prompting pool staff to vow ‘absolutely no money on site again’.
Pool staff vowed ‘absolutely no money on site again’. Photo: with permission.
Swim supporters turned to Topsham pool’s JustGiving page to donate in a bid to help recoup what was stolen.
A notice on the pool entrance door, warning no cash would be left overnight on the premises. Photo: with permission.
‘Devastated’ organisers of the pool sessions thanked all who rallied to help after the break-in. They said: “The outpouring of support has been amazing and we are truly grateful.”
Budleigh Salterton
Care home residents in Budleigh Salterton recently took part in a neighbouring scarecrow festival, with a creation called Sir David.
The residents visited East Budleigh scarecrow festival. Photo: with permission.
The Firs residents visited East Budleigh scarecrow festival, where their own creation attracted the attention of visitors.
The care home residents created Sir David scarecrow. Photo: with permission.
A spokesperson for the care home said: “Residents and team members were delighted when several festival volunteers approached them to share kind words about the scarecrow, praising the creativity and effort that had gone into making him.”
They added: “It was lovely for our residents to be part of such a special community event and to see their scarecrow being enjoyed by so many people.”
Poltimore
Poltimore village is celebrating the installation of a new defibrillator outside its community hall after a developer donation helped fund the equipment.
The lifesaving equipment was made possible after David Wilson Redrow South West gave the village £400, which was added to funding from the village hall committee.
The new defibrillator is on the outside of Poltimore village hall. Photo: with permission.
The equipment, now mounted outside on cabinet the front wall of the village hall, is for all to use.
Poltimore Parish Council said the new unit replaces the original defibrillator from 2017.
The equipment was recently needed when an elderly resident fractured their wrist at home.
Richard Smith, Poltimore Parish Council chair, thanked the developer for the donation, saying the defibrillator ‘enhances the safety and wellbeing’ of residents.
He said: “Training in the use of defibrillators has been offered to local residents. A recent session was attended by nine participants who all reported feeling much more confident in their ability to operate the device.
“Given the relatively high age profile of the parish, ensuring that residents are aware of the defibrillator’s location and feel confident in using it is a high priority. The unit is also listed on a national database, making its availability known beyond the immediate community.”
Sidmouth
The free-to-hire mobility scooter means greater visitor access across The Donkey Sanctuary site. Photo: The Donkey Sanctuary.
The Donkey Sanctuary at Sidmouth has announced new all-terrain mobility scooter hire, giving greater access around the site.
Visitors can hire the Tramper for free, using it to reach the outer areas of the 130-acre site.
The electric vehicle is part of Disability Together’s Countryside Mobility service, funded for use at the animal sanctuary by East Devon National Landscape and provided in partnership with Pebblebed Heaths and National Trust East Devon.
John Crouch, The Donkey Sanctuary visitor engagement manager, said: “We hope the new scooter will open up parts of the sanctuary that had previously been unreachable for some of our less-mobile visitors.”
South West
Former Royal Marines aiming to raise £100,000 for The Royal Marines Charity (RMA) have completed one of the world’s toughest treks.
Taking part in the Royal Marines Brotherhood Walk were Aldo Kane and Al Chambers, both from Bristol, and Billy Perham, from Taunton, who all previously trained at Lympstone, in East Devon.
Pictured here are the trio of former Royal Marines crossing a high pass, taking part in the Snowman Trek in aid of charity. Photo: with permission.
The trio successfully took part in the Snowman Trek, a 362km high-altitude mountain trail across Bhutan, central Asia, finishing in 27 days.
In addition to fundraising, the men were raising awareness of the RMA suicide prevention campaign.
Billy, aged 53, who has 32 years’ service, said: “Like many people, I’ve been impacted by suicide. A number of friends of mine have taken their own lives.
“This expedition was about showing people that they don’t have to face life’s challenges alone. Some of the toughest battles are the ones no one sees. A small conversation with a friend or family member can be just as important as climbing any mountain.”
He added: “Mental health challenges don’t discriminate. They can affect anyone. The charity’s Lifting the Lid campaign is about breaking down stigma, encouraging open conversations and creating an environment where people feel able to seek support early.”
Billy said: “The Royal Marines Brotherhood Walk may be over, but the reason for undertaking it remains. If sharing our journey encourages just one person to start a conversation, seek help, or check in on a friend, then every step we took through the Himalayas of Bhutan was worthwhile.”
