Community news in-brief from East Devon, photos, what’s on from across the district. Email your community news to newsdesk@eastdevonnews.co.uk
Sidmouth
A barbecue on wooden decking sparked a blaze on Fire Beacon Hill, Sidmouth. Photo: Sidmouth Fire Station.
Firefighters this week tackled a blaze on Fire Beacon Hill after flames spread from a barbecue lit in the woods.
Crews from Sidmouth, Ottery St Mary and Seaton fire stations had to carry firefighting equipment over a long distance, and find water, as the blaze was in remote location.
Firefighters said the blaze was caused by a barbecue lit on wooden decking in the woods, where flames spread to the structure and woodland.
The blaze was in a remote location, forcing firefighters to carry equipment and search for water to take the blaze. Photo: Rachel King.
A Sidmouth fire station spokesperson said: “The fire was caused by a barbecue being used on wooden decking within the woods. The flames spread from the decking into the surrounding structure and vegetation.”
The spokesperson added: “Access was extremely difficult because of the remote location and steep terrain. Firefighters had to carry equipment and establish a water supply over a considerable distance, making this a physically demanding incident for everyone involved.
“Thankfully, crews brought the fire under control, but it could very easily have developed into a much larger wildfire, threatening surrounding woodland, wildlife, property and people.”
Firefighters from three East Devon stations tackled the blaze, stopping it from spreading out of control in woodland.Photo: Sidmouth Fire Station.
The fire service warned against lighting fires or barbecues amid the ongoing dry conditions.
East Devon
Police are keen to trace a caravan worth around £50,000 stolen from a farm in East Devon in an overnight raid at the start of July.
Investigating officers said the 2025 Coachman Lusso II was towed from a farm at Awliscombe, near Honiton, along with another high-end caravan that was stopped by police at Dover.
CCTV footage tracked the caravans and three vehicles to Honiton, through Dowell Street and the town centre.
Police said the culprits targeted the farm at around 1.10am on Friday, July 3, leaving with two caravans just after 2am.
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said: “They were seen heading towards Honiton on the A373 and through Dowell Street in Honiton, and possibly the High Street.
“One of the caravans has since been recovered after being intercepted by police at Dover.
“However, the second – a 2025 Coachman Lusso 2 – is still missing.”
The force is urging any witnesses with dashcam or CCTV footage to get in touch, warning caravan owners to be aware thefts are on the rise in East Devon.
Police Constable Lily Orchard said: “We are appealing for people to be vigilant following the theft of the two caravans and due to multiple posts online of high-end caravan thefts in Devon and Cornwall, as well as the Avon and Somerset area.
“We would urge anyone with any information or becomes the victim of theft in the local areas to report it to us.”
If you have information to help police, report it through the force website, or call 101 quoting 50260176541.
Cranbrook
Cranbrook pupils dressed in wartime clothing and learned about ration books as part of lessons on World War Two. Photo: with permission.
Youngsters from Cranbrook Education Campus learned about life during World War II during a hands-on museum visit.
The Year 2 pupils visited Tiverton Museum, where dressed in wartime clothing, they saw how families used ration books, learned about air raids, evacuees and how households repaired and mended clothing and equipment.
Pupils learned about wartime rationing during their museum visit. Photo: with permission.
Stephen Farmer, Cranbrook Education Campus head, said: “It was wonderful to see our pupils so engaged in their learning and really stepping into the experiences of children during the Second World War. Opportunities like this bring history to life in a way that captures their imagination and helps deepen their understanding back in the classroom.”
Cranbrook Education Campus pupils learned about ‘make do and mend’. Photo: with permission.
The Cranbrook youngsters took part in workshops during the hands-on history lesson. Photo: with permission.
East Devon
Police were called to the A303 at Marsh, near Honiton, on July 10 after a van spotted driving in the early hours of the morning was reported to have crashed into another vehicle and left the scene.
Devon and Cornwall Police said the van was later involved in a crash with a vehicle at a roundabout near Exeter Airport shortly after 2am.
The driver of the other vehicle was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Police said the van driver was arrested on suspicion of driving above the legal drink drive limit. He faces court later this month.
East Devon
Freedom of Information Act (FOI) requests submitted by Exmouth and Exeter East MP David Reed to Exeter City Council, East Devon District Council and Devon County Council revealed £1.1m of taxpayers’ money has been spent by the authorities responding to the Government’s change to council boundaries.
The move, championed by Devon’s three Labour MPs and two Labour-led councils, will result in Devon having four new Unitary Councils from April 2028 – Torbay and South Devon, Greater Plymouth, Exeter Council, Devon Council. And Devon County Council and all district councils will be scrapped and 49 parishes will be added to the City of Exeter, with the new authority being responsible for all local services.
The Conservative MP slammed the announcement a Greater Exeter Unitary Council will be imposed on Exmouth, Budleigh, Whimple and other rural communities surrounding Exeter.
Mr Reed said a survey caried out by him showed ‘little appetite’ for local government reform, claiming 60 per cent canvassed disagreed with the need to change council boundaries.
The Exmouth and Exeter East MP said: “News Labour ministers have accepted the plan for Devon produced by the two Labour councils and backed by the three Labour MPs will surprise no-one.
“This process is being driven by and for the interests of the Labour Party, not the people of Devon who now face a £70.1m bill to implement these plans.”
East Devon
Green Flag Awards have been announced for four East Devon parks and green spaces in Exmouth, Sidmouth and Seaton.
The internationally-recognised accolade was scooped by Connaught Gardens and Peak Hill Slope in Sidmouth, Manor Gardens in Exmouth, Seafield Gardens in Seaton, and Seaton Wetlands.
Pictured here are Green Flag Award winners Seafield Gardens, top left. Connaught Gardens, right. Bottom left Manor Gardens. Bottom right Seaton Wetlands. Photos: EDDC.
Green Flag judges were impressed by the horticultural standards in Exmouth, sustainable planting, wildflower and sensory garden areas in Seaton and biodiversity in Sidmouth.
East Devon District Council, who manages and maintains the areas, said the achievement reflects the dedication of its team and volunteers.
Councillor Geoff Jung said: “Achieving Green Flag status for all four sites once again is a fantastic accomplishment and reflects the hard work, care and enthusiasm of our staff and volunteers.
“These green spaces play an important role in supporting wildlife, wellbeing, and recreation across East Devon, and we are delighted to see their quality recognised through these awards.
“My thanks go to everyone who contributes to their success, and we look forward to continuing to enhance our parks and green spaces in the years ahead.”
Honiton
Honiton College students learned the importance of maths skills in the workplace. Photo: with permission.
Maths skills were given a boost at Honiton Community College when students were given an insight into the world of work.
Honiton pupils had a hands-on maths lesson. Photo: with permission.
Staff from Core Highways, a temporary traffic management firm, showed students the importance of maths skills at work with a hands-on lesson.
Core Highways visited students and gave an insight into how maths skills are needed at work. Photo: with permission.
Caroline Brothwood, Honiton Community College headteacher, said: “We want our students to see the connection between what they learn in the classroom and the opportunities available to them in the future.
“This project with Core Highways has been a fantastic example of careers education in action, bringing maths to life and helping students understand how these skills are used every day in a professional environment.”
Honiton College students had a maths lesson with a difference to earn how the skill is needed at work. Photo: with permission.
East Devon
Police are appealing for information and witnesses after spate of electric vehicle charging points from towns in East Devon.
The equipment was stolen overnight on Tuesday, June 16, from Premier Inn, Harbour Road, Seaton, Dolphin Street Car Park, Colyton, West Street Car Park, Axminster, and Town Centre Car Park, in Beer.
If you have information to help police, report it through the force website, or call 101 quoting 50260155271.
Cranbrook
Cranbrook Town Council is celebrating the country park winning a 2026 Green Flag Award. Photo: with permission.
Cranbrook residents are celebrating the town’s country park retaining its Green Flag Award for the third year running.
Cranbrook Country Park was awarded top marks by judges in recognition of its management and care,
Cranbrook Town Council said additions to the 35-hectare park over the last two years included planting more than 5,670 new trees to boost biodiversity, and creating a mindfulness trail.
The town council credited the win to ‘a team effort’, praising the ‘amazing volunteers and community’ who help care for the green space.
Tree planting has taken place at the country park over the last two years. Photo: with permission.
Councillor Vikki Wright, Cranbrook Town Council chair, said: “To be awarded the Green Flag for a third consecutive year is a monumental honour for our town. This success is a direct reflection of our community’s spirit. It belongs to the volunteers who give up their time, our hardworking staff and the residents who treat this beautiful park with great respect.
“Our long-term environmental commitments, including our extensive tree-planting schemes and ground maintenance, are really shaping the landscape for the future. We are dedicated to keeping up these high standards, ensuring that Cranbrook Country Park remains a vibrant, safe and welcoming jewel in the heart of Cranbrook for generations to come.”
