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Browsing: East Devon

The RMT union is part-way through 27 days of strike action.

Trains back on track – for now

By Belinda Bennett on 23rd June 2019 East Devon, Honiton

After five days of disruption, trains running to and from Honiton Railway Station are returning to normal. Members of the rail union RMT staged strike action from Tuesday to Saturday inclusive in a row over the future role of guards on South Western Railway trains. The company currently employs around 900 guards with an additional 61 in training. A strike ballot saw 425 voting for action. A total of 753 guards are members of the union. Andy Mellors, managing director of South Western Railway, said in a statement that the industrial action had been “challenging”. He explained South Western Railway…

Public rights of way being reviewed

By Belinda Bennett on 20th June 2019 East Devon, Honiton, Uncategorised

Public rights of way in an East Devon parish are currently being reviewed and a consultation is under way. Devon County Council is carrying out the review, relating to public rights of way in and around Talaton. If you are interested in this this topic, you can be part of the discussion. A short talk will be given about the Definitive Map of Public Rights of Way and how changes can be made. It is being staged in the village early next month. The event will be immediately followed by a discussion, which you can participate in. The talk will…

Fire stations across East Devon are at threat of closure or slashed services under new proposals to save cash with flexible firefighting.

East Devon fire stations under threat of cuts and closure

By Becca Gliddon on 20th June 2019 East Devon, News

Fire stations across East Devon are at threat of closure or slashed services under new proposals to save cash with flexible firefighting. Exmouth, Sidmouth, Honiton, Budleigh Salterton and Topsham fire stations have come under fire in Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service’s (DSFRS) plans to deliver ‘targeted prevention’ – focussing fire cover to high risk areas. So-called ‘low risk-low-activity’ fire stations face closure, on-call only crews, or changes to night time cover. Under the proposals Budleigh Salterton and Topsham fire stations face closure; Exmouth will lose its second fire engine, will be manned 24/7 but with an on-call crew…

Arson probe after stolen vehicle set on fire

By Belinda Bennett on 17th June 2019 East Devon, Honiton, News

An arson investigation is under way after a vehicle stolen from Honiton was deliberately set on fire and abandoned. Firefighters from Sidmouth and Seaton were called to a report of a blaze involving an overturned vehicle at the weekend. The vehicle was reported to be on fire at Buddlehayes in Southleigh at 6.39am on Saturday. Two appliances were sent to the scene. Crews found the vehicle on its roof and “well alight”. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: “Crews got to work to extinguish the fire with four breathing apparatus wearers and two hose reel jets. “Early indications…

Mumps warning to East Devon parents

By Belinda Bennett on 15th June 2019 East Devon

Devon County Council has issued advice to parents across East Devon following a rise in cases of mumps. Young people aged between 15 and 24 account for more than half of recent cases. The council says many of those impacted currently attend local schools and nearby universities. It has teamed up with Public Health England to raise awareness about the highly contagious infection. In a joint statement sent to parents via schools, the authorities say: “If your child has not been vaccinated, we would recommend they receive two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to ensure they…

The Clean Air Strategy could pose problems and add costs for East Devon farmers

Clean Air Strategy to hit East Devon farmers

By Belinda Bennett on 14th June 2019 East Devon, Farming

The Government’s Clean Air Strategy could end up costing East Devon farmers thousands of pounds. Proposals have been announced to regulate the industry to reduce ammonia emissions. This means farmers could one day be forced to adopt low emission techniques. New regulations could also be imposed to minimise pollution from fertiliser use. Levels of ammonia in the air were highlighted nationally earlier this month. Experts claim thousands of lives could be saved in the UK every year – if more was done to stop potentially dangerous particles from being breathed in. We will require and support farmers to make investments…

Devon County Show manager Sam Mackenzie-Green is already looking ahead to next year’s special anniversary event, celebrating 125 years.

Devon County Show 2020 plans underway to celebrate 125th anniversary

By Becca Gliddon on 14th June 2019 East Devon, Exeter, Farming, News, What's On

Devon County Show organisers are already looking ahead to next year’s special anniversary event, celebrating 125 years. Organisers say they already have a number of ideas planned for the 2020 county show’s milestone birthday – but are remaining tight-lipped for the time being. It will be our 125th show and we have a number of ideas up our sleeve to celebrate this milestone, which will be revealed in due course. Show manager Sam Mackenzie-Green, who took up the helm in 2019, said: “We are already turning our attention to the 2020 show. “It will be our 125th show and we…

Cranbrook junior Parkrun director, Matt Rowett

Cranbrook developer defib donation is a runaway success for kids’ Parkrun

By Becca Gliddon on 13th June 2019 Cranbrook, News

A developer donation of £600 will pay for lifesaving equipment for a Cranbrook kids’ keep fit session. House builder Taylor Wimpey’s donation means the town’s junior Parkrun can go ahead safely because the funds have paid for a portable defibrillator. Matt Rowett, Cranbrook resident and founder and chairman of Exeter College Running Club, said the donation hit the fundraising target for the essential equipment needed for the Sunday run. To have this boost to our fundraising has been fantastic and we couldn’t be more thankful He said: “We’d been working hard for some time to raise the funds needed to…

Fears over roll-out of plan for farmers

By Belinda Bennett on 10th June 2019 East Devon, Farming, News

The National Audit Office is urging the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to ensure a plan for UK farming is in place to give farmers time to prepare for changes. It says, the government’s new farming policy will be a significant departure for farmers across England. Every farm in East Devon will be impacted by the plan. Fears have been expressed that Defra is already under considerable pressure, making preparations for the UK’s exit from the EU. The National Audit Office warns that the government “must approach its roll-out carefully to ensure farmers can prepare in the…