Community news in-brief from East Devon – Budleigh Salterton, Axminster, Exmouth, Sidmouth, Whimple, Cranbrook, Ottery St Mary. Email your news, photos and what’s on to newsdesk@eastdevonnews.co.uk
Budleigh Salterton
Some four golf carts were destroyed when they caught on fire at East Devon Golf Club on Tuesday morning (August 18).
Firefighters from Exmouth and Middlemoor, in Exeter, were called to the club in Links Road, Budleigh Salterton, at around 9.30am where they found three golf carts on fire.
Exmouth firefighters said the cause of the blaze, which spread to a fence and hedge, was unknown.
A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Fire control received multiple calls to a report of a fire involving a number of golf carts on fire and mobilised one crew from Exmouth and one crew from Danes Castle, Exeter.
“On arrival of the Exmouth pump crews confirmed that three golf carts were involved and got to use with hose reels. Shortly after the fire was surrounded and the second pump from Danes Castle was stood down.”
East Devon
Exmouth and Exeter East Conservative MP David Reed has criticised the move to consult just one member of the district council to support the government’s reshuffle of local council wards.
Mr Reed said the government’s ‘rush’ to create new councils was ‘ignoring the voices of local communities’.
The MP said it was a ‘farce’ how the formal consultation to back the four new separate unitary councils – with East Devon divided between the new Exeter and Devon authorities – depended on one East Devon District Councillor, with one vote.
Exmouth and Exeter East Conservative MP David Reed has criticised the move to consult just one member of the district council to support the government’s reshuffle of local council wards.Photo: with permission.
Mr Reed said the ‘wholly insufficient democratic input’ made a mockery of voters.
He said: “The ward boundaries used at next year’s local elections will determine how local communities are represented on the new unitary councils, if Parliament approves their creation. This process has been a farce — approved by one councillor with one vote. That is wholly insufficient democratic input, and it neglects the needs and wishes of the people of East Devon.”
The Exmouth and Exeter East Conservative MP revealed how a letter from East Devon District Council’s chief executive confirmed one EDDC cabinet member was consulted.
Mr Reed said the government had slapped short deadlines on councils to submit plans for wards, where councillors on the new unitary authorities will be elected to represent.
Axminster – what’s on
Axminster is gearing up for a free community day on Tuesday, August 25, where a host of family fun, games and activities are planned at the Axe Valley Academy, in Chard Steet.
The picnic in the park and family fun starts at 10am and will be officially opened by Axminster town mayor, councillor Jack Price.
The event has been backed by the Axminster neighbourhood policing team and Nourish.
On the days visitors will be challenged to beat the speed gun, plus take part in games on the school field. There will be displays of emergency service vehicles and a craft table, plus other exhibits by groups and organisations local to Axminster. All are welcome.
A spokesperson for Axminster Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Join us for a few hours of fun in the sun, there will be lots of activities and games to keep you occupied and food will be provided by Axe Valley Academy canteen.”
Exmouth
The family of ‘much-loved’ retired teacher who died after her car crashed in Exmouth have paid tribute to their ‘wonderful, kind’ grandmother.
Patricia Sparks, aged 79, from Windsor, died on July 12, after the car she was driving was involved in a crash with a stationary vehicle on Exmouth seafront.
He family said: “Pat was a very much-loved mum, nanna and friend. Pat was a wonderful, kind retired teacher who brought cheer to others, and always offered a helping hand. Pat is deeply mourned by her family and friends who are devastated by her tragic passing.”
Police investigating the crash continue to appeal for information and dashcam footage.
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said: “Officers were called to Queens Drive at around 8.45am following a report of the collision involving a blue Ford EcoSport and a parked car.
“Mrs Sparks had been driving the EcoSport and despite best efforts of emergency services, she was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
If you have information to help police, report it through the force website, or call 101 and quote log number 329 of 12 July.
East Devon
Firefighters from across two counties on Monday night (August 17) tackled a blaze on the A303 near Honiton after a hay lorry caught fire at Yarcombe, spreading to nearby woodland.
The fire service said the fire involved a lorry and trailer. Hay covered the A303 carriageway, resulting in the fire spreading to a nearby hedge.
Crews from East Devon and Somerset wore breathing apparatus while fighting the fire.
A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Fire control received multiple reports of a lorry carrying hay on fire on the A303. Attending crews quickly requested a further two fire engines once in attendance due to fire spread to the surrounding woodland areas.”
They added: “The crews requested a further two fire engines and an environmental unit, making the total fire engines six plus the protection unit.”
East Devon firefighters from Axminster, Colyton, Honiton, Ottery St Mary, Sidmouth, Clyst St George were joined by Somerset crews from Taunton, Wellington, Yeovil, Chard, Crewkerne, Ilminster and Martock.
Budleigh Salterton
Care home residents in Budleigh Salterton are pictured here on the cruise off Exmouth. Photo: with permission.
Care home residents in Budleigh Salterton celebrated summer with a cruise off Exmouth, reminiscing about holidays past.
A spokeswoman for The Firs, in Budleigh, said: It was such a lovely afternoon for everyone. There is something really special about being by the sea, and our residents thoroughly enjoyed the cruise, the views and the wonderful care shown by the captain and crew.
“Days like this mean so much. They give our residents the chance to enjoy new experiences, reminisce about past holidays and simply have fun together.”
Whimple
The cause of a blaze was accidental that totally destroyed a vehicle in Whimple on Monday afternoon (August 17), the fire service said.
Firefighters from Middlemoor were called to the village at around 3.30pm and wore breathing apparatus and used hydraulic cutting equipment to tackle the blaze.
A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue service spokesperson said: “The vehicle unfortunately sustained 100 per cent smoke and fire damage. The cause of the fire was accidental.”
Sidmouth
One of the bird’s-nest orchids spotted in woodland at The Donkey Sanctuary’s Paccombe Farm site, near Sidmouth. Photo: The Donkey Sanctuary.
Hot summer weather has been credited for the ‘bumper year’ for orchids at The Donkey Sanctuary, including one of the country’s more unusual species.
The sanctuary’s ecology officer Helen Cavilla recently spotted the bird’s-nest orchid in woodland at its Paccombe Farm site, near Sidmouth.
The leafless orchid, with its brownish-yellow flowers, grows as a parasite on tree roots instead of relying on sunlight for energy. The find is a first at the sanctuary.
Helen said a team of volunteers noted record numbers of orchids, adding the ‘lucky find’ of the bird’s-nest species was discovered in woodland.
She said: “After thinking it was an isolated specimen, one of our wonderful conservation volunteers stumbled upon four more together later that afternoon.
“We could see they were all starting to go over so we were so fortunate to see them before they died off.”
Ottery St Mary
Electrical equipment caught fire in Ottery St Mary on Monday lunchtime (August 17), resulting in the blaze spreading to a field and hedge.
Firefighters from the town were joined in tackling the blaze by crews from Sidmouth, Seaton and Middlemoor, in Exeter.
The fire service said the cause of the blaze was accidental.
A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: “Fire control mobilised crews from Ottery St Mary, Middlemoor and Seaton to a report of an electrical installation on fire that had spread to a field.”
Cranbrook
Pictured here are the organisations involved in the new development as the first spade went into the ground at Cranbrook. Photo: with permission.
Work has started to build 58 new energy-efficient ‘extra care’ flats in Cranbrook, to home older people and those with supported housing needs.
The development has been funded through £20million investment from Homes England, East Devon District Council and housing association LiveWest.
The flats, plus 27 car parking spaces, are being built in Tilhouse Road as part of planning conditions imposed on Cranbrook developers to provide land for the specialist housing.
Once complete all 58 homes will be available for social rent, the district council said.
Councillor Richard Keeling, Devon County Council cabinet member for adults services, said: “This development in Cranbrook marks an important step forward, providing much-needed extra care homes for people who want to remain independent for longer while having access to the right support.
“Developments like this play a key role in helping people stay independent and live well within their communities.
“We are pleased to have worked closely with partners and to have supported the scheme through making the land available at no cost, helping to bring forward high-quality, affordable homes for the community.”
East Devon
Axminster firefighters tackled a chimney fire on a thatched property in Musbury, East Devon, on Monday afternoon (August 17).
The fire service said cause of the blaze was accidental.
A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Fire control mobilised crews from Axminster to a report of a chimney fire in Musbury.
“Crew extinguished the fire using chimney gear, carried out investigations and provided advice to the occupant.”
Axminster
Pictured here, L to R, is: Matthew Shelley, head of commercial; Mat Ayres, head of innovation; and Dexter Neesam, head of operations at Air Control Industries. Photo: with permission.
An Axminster company specalising in fan equipment is celebrating three senior promotions of staff who all started with the firm as trainees.
Air Control Industries said Matthew Shelley, Mat Ayres and Dexter Neesam represent around 40 years of experience and now lead the company’s commercial, innovation and operations departments.
Lucy Cockerill, managing director at the firm, said. “Usually, we are talking about the movement of air. But the movement of people within our business matters just as much.
“Matthew, Mat and Dexter are excellent examples of what can happen when people are given the opportunity to learn, move and grow within an organisation. None of their careers has followed a perfectly straight line, and that is something we actively encourage. They have moved between teams, taken on unfamiliar challenges and stepped into roles that looked very different from where they started.”
Sidmouth
Comedy Tomorrow, Tragedy Tonight, by author Paul Smith, highlights the successes and challenges of the Manor Pavilion Theatre in Sidmouth. Photo: with permission.
A new book has been released charting the story behind the Manor Pavilion Theatre in Sidmouth, ahead of 70th anniversary of the Sidmouth Summer Play Festival.
Through research and interviews, the book, Comedy Tomorrow, Tragedy Tonight, by author Paul Smith, highlights the theatre’s successes and challenges over the decades.
The Manor Pavilion Theatre, Sidmouth, is home to the longest running weekly repertory season in the country.
In rep theatre, one company will produce and rehearse a season of plays in succession, meaning one play is rehearsed in the daytime while another show is being performed at night.
East Devon
A lorry transporting household rubbish on fire at a business park in East Devon was left with damaged contents after the blaze started accidentally.
Firefighters from Exeter and Newton Abbot were called to Woodbury on August 13 to tackle the blaze, where smoke was seen coming from the lorry’s trailer.
Crews tackling the blaze wore breathing apparatus and requested a water bowser, an aerial ladder platform and environmental health unit as they put out the fire.
