News in-brief from East Devon. Email your community news, photos and what’s on to newsdesk@eastdevonnews.co.uk
Sidmouth
Supermarket giant Aldi is keen to open new stores in Devon, and has identified Sidmouth as a location to develop, saying the move would create new jobs in the area.
The supermarket wants to hear from landowners with suitable freehold or leasehold sites.
Branscombe
The beach hut on East beach, Branscombe, has an auction guide price of £50,000-£60,000. Photo: with permission.
A Branscombe beach hut in need of repair is set to go under the hammer on Thursday (September 24) with a guide price of £50,000 to £60,000.
The two-bedroom detached cedarwood holiday chalet with a veranda overlooking the beach, with a sea view, has a kitchen, an open-plan living and dining area, plus bathroom.
Auction house Clive Emerson said the holiday chalet has suffered some structural damage.
Any buyer must be prepared to repair the damage on the orders of the Branscombe Parish Council.
The beach hut, named Kestrel, on East Beach, is being sold with the remainder of a 99-year lease. It is described as ‘well-maintained’ inside with a pine interior and ‘spectacular outlook’.
Audrey Smith, senior auction appraiser, said: “The chalet has suffered from some structural damage and now requires repair although its internal accommodation has been well-maintained with the principal rooms taking advantage of the spectacular outlook.”
The beach hut is being auctioned jointly with Humberts.
Broadclyst
The emergency service were called to Broadclyst village. Photos: with permission.
The emergency services were called to Broadclyst on Wednesday evening (September 16) resulting in a patient being taken to hospital by ambulance.
Multiple police vehicles on blue lights along with paramedics, plus hazardous and critical care response teams were called to the B3181 shortly before 7pm.
Police were seen directing the traffic on the main road past the entrance to Broadclyst Primary School.
A Broadclyst motorist, who did not want to be named, said: “We heard siren after siren going up the main road, one after the other. There were about seven police cars and also ambulances. They all ended up at the main entrance to the primary school.
“I was driving past and saw police directing the traffic on the main road. I could see someone lying on the ground close to the road and the paramedics with them.”
A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said: “We were called at 18:43hrs on Wednesday 16 September to an incident in Exeter.
“We sent one double-crewed land ambulance, an operations officer, a critical care car, a rapid response vehicle, a first responder, and the hazardous area response team to the scene. We conveyed one patient by land ambulance to Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.”
Devon and Cornwall Police was contacted for a comment.
Exmouth
A shop selling handmade fudge in Exmouth celebrated winning a Great Taste Award for one of its flavours.
Roly’s Fudge Pantry scooped a one-star awards for its raspberry pavlova fudge after being judged by a panel of industry experts.
Ottery St Mary
The new kit donated to Ottery St Mary’s Under-9s footballers. Photo: with permission.
Ottery St Mary FC U9s are playing in new kit this season after a developer donation from Baker Estates.
Adam Connett, Ottery St Mary FC U9s manager, thanked the housebuilder saying the boys were ‘thrilled’ with the new kit.
He said: Support from local businesses makes a huge difference to grassroots football clubs like ours, helping us provide opportunities for young players to develop their skills, build confidence and, most importantly, enjoy the game.”
The young team can be seen on the pitch in their new colours competing in the Exeter & District Youth League East.
The developer said the donation was to support the community through grassroots football.
Annie Williams, sales and marketing director, said: “We wish the team every success for the season ahead and look forward to following their progress.”
Honiton
Pictured here are the new solar panels on the oof of the East Devon Business centre, in Honiton. Photo: EDDC.
New solar panels installed on the East Devon Business Centre, in Honiton, are expected to save around seven tonnes of carbon each year.
East Devon District Council (EDDC) said the ‘investment’ would pay for itself within four or five years, supporting the authority’s aim to decarbonise its estate.
Councillor Richard Jefferies, EDDC portfolio holder for environment, nature and climate, said: “Our environmental goals should be reflected in the everyday decisions we make about council-owned buildings.
“Projects like this show how existing public assets can be used more responsibly, while supporting the transition to locally generated clean energy.”
East Devon
East Devon food and drink producers are weeks away from learning if they have been named winners at the 2026 Food and Drink Devon Awards.
Product finalists include Taste of Sidmouth, Anton’s Butchers, in Colyton, Bar Buoy, in Exmouth, and Good Game Charcuterie, in Topsham.
Since entries closed at the end of March, a panel judges and industry experts have sampled more than 280 products, visited 110 hospitality venues, 12 retail outlets and five training schools across the county in their hunt to find Devon’s best in food and drink production, retail and hospitality.
The winners will be announced at an awards’ ceremony in Exeter in early October.
Jack Pickering, Food Drink Devon board director, said: “It’s a privilege to unveil this year’s shortlist, particularly as we mark the 15th anniversary of the awards. The standard of entries in 2026 has been truly exceptional, showcasing the sheer breadth of innovation within Devon’s food and drink scene.”
He added: “The shortlist highlights the remarkable passion, creativity and sustainability that defines our county’s industry. We are incredibly proud of all our finalists and look forward to celebrating their success.”
East Devon
Pictured here, L to R: are community champions Andre Lambert, Niall Lambert, a Tully Gardens’ resident with Cllr Dan Ledger, who presented the awards. Photos: EDDC.
East Devon community champions were recognised at a recent awards ceremony celebrating residents, groups and staff who had gone above and beyond to support others and improve community life.
Award winners included Andre Lambert, from Lympstone, named Community Contributor for helping elderly neighbours with online admin, Rosie Dale, from Honiton, recognised with the Engaged Tenant Award for keeping residents and the community connected, and Margaret Whitehouse, who received the Officer of the Year Award.
L to R: Manor Close residents were presented with an award by Cllr Dan Ledger, and Maya-Jane Hannay-England was named a young community champion. Photo: with permission.
Residents living at Tully Gardens in Sidmouth and Manor Close Gardens in Seaton, jointly won the Group Award for their work maintaining the communal gardens.
The Young Person Award was also jointly awarded to Maya-Jane Hannay-England for her young carer role, and Niall Lambert, for his kindness and help towards elderly neighbours.
Councillor Dan Ledger, presenting the East Devon District Council tenant recognition awards at the annual Resident Connect Festival in Honiton said: “What struck me most about this year’s nominations was the incredible generosity, kindness and dedication shown by so many people across our communities.
“Whether it’s supporting vulnerable neighbours, volunteering time to help others, caring for family members or creating welcoming places for people to come together, every nominee had made a real difference to the lives of those around them.”
He added: “The award winners represent the very best of our tenants. Their stories remind us that strong communities are built by people who care about others, and it was a privilege to recognise and celebrate their achievements.”
