News in Exmouth

A new exhibition has opened at Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG) featuring well-known East Devon beauty spots including Fire Beacon Hill, Harpford Woods and Woodbury Castle.

The exhibition is the culmination of a year-long collaborative project between East Devon District Councils' THG and East Devon AONB, marking 25 years of the East Devon Way, the 40 mile footpath running from Exmouth to Lyme Regis.

An offender who refused to do community payback work unless the probation service paid his travel costs has been told to change his ‘silly attitude’ or go to jail.

Woodbury residents have slammed the ‘ecological act of social vandalism’ of allowing a plan to expand business units at Blackhill Quarry.

Noise, pollution and traffic congestion complaints have prompted a developer to amend its routing of heavy vehicles to a large Exmouth development.

Officers said over 40 vehicles were pulled over and the drivers spoken to during the day

Posted on: 11 September 2018

Mid Devon District Council and Devon County Council have announced a public consultation that will allow you to have your say on the proposed relief road options for Cullompton.

Both Councils recognise the need to address congestion, air quality and road capacity issues in Cullompton. A relief road will tackle these issues while also providing an opportunity to enhance the attractiveness of the town centre environment and unlock planned housing growth.

At the meeting of Mid Devon District Council's Cabinet in August 2018, a report was considered that set out three different route options for the town centre relief road. Options A and B are located on the western side of the motorway following a broadly north –south route between Station Road and Duke Street in the area of its junction with Meadow Lane. Option C takes a more east – west route across the motorway and railway linking Honiton Road with Duke Street.

It has been decided to take these options to public consultation which shall run over a six week period from Thursday 13 September to Thursday 25 October 2018.

A series of local exhibitions have been arranged where people can find out more about the proposals, the different route options and can ask questions.

Friday 14 Sept  12.30pm – 4.30pm  Town Hall, Cullompton Saturday 15 Sept  9.30am – 1.30pm  Town Hall, Cullompton Wednesday 26 Sept  4pm – 8pm  Hayridge Centre, Cullompton (1st floor) Friday 28 Sept  2pm – 6pm  Hayridge Centre, Cullompton (1st floor) Tuesday 2 Oct  4pm – 8pm  Village Hall, Kentisbeare

From Thursday (13 September) information about the consultation will also be available at the following web address: https://new.devon.gov.uk/haveyoursay/consultations/cullompton-town-centre-relief-road/

There are a variety of ways to provide feedback on the consultation:

* Complete one of the feedback forms available at the consultation events and either place it in the box provided, scan/photograph the form and email it to [email protected] or post a copy to: Transport Planning Team, AB2 Lucombe House, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter, Devon EX2 4QD

* Complete the online feedback form on the Devon County Council website https://new.devon.gov.uk/haveyoursay/consultations/cullompton-town-centre-relief-road/

Councillor Richard Chesterton, Cabinet Member for Planning, Economy and Regeneration said: "This is an important opportunity for everyone to make their views known. I would urge people to get involved so that as the project goes forward, it does so in the knowledge of the views of the community."

Councillor Andrea Davis

Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council's Cabinet Member responsible for Infrastructure said: "A relief road would directly benefit local people by helping to reduce congestion and improving air quality in the town centre. This consultation is an important next step in delivering this scheme and we want to hear what local people think about these route options."

Iain Emmett, Mayor of Cullompton said: "The town has asked for a relief road for a long time. This is a real opportunity to achieve much needed improvements to the environment of the town centre by reducing the impact of traffic upon it."

A relief road for the town centre will improve air quality and traffic flows, reduce queuing through the town centre and release motorway junction capacity. Significantly a relief road will provide an opportunity to enhance the attractiveness of the town centre environment and unlock planned housing growth.

A dramatic scene unfolded in Exmouth earlier this week after an RSPB tractor got stuck in sand during a beach clean and ended up completely underwater.

Take a look at this collection of superb carnival photos from Exmouth’s procession 20 years ago.

Posted on: 11 September 2018

Devon's five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) will be helping people to make the most of the UK's finest landscapes during a nine-day programme of events starting this weekend (15 September).

AONBs across the country have organised a series of events to help people explore the great outdoors, starting on Saturday (15 September) and continuing through to Sunday 23 September.

Devon's AONBs are in East Devon, South Devon, the North Devon coast, the Blackdown Hills and the Tamar Valley, with these last two extending into adjoining counties. The AONB designation aims to conserve and enhance their outstanding landscapes, whilst also taking account the needs of their local communities and supporting opportunities for access, enjoyment and understanding of these unique areas.

Events include –

Blackdown Hills

Otterhead Lakes Heritage Open Day from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 15 September at the Otterhead Estate.

Uffculme Green Day, from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 22 September at Magelake Hall in Uffculme.

East Devon

East Devon AONB Harpford Woods

Sidmouth Blue Plaque Walk on Saturday 22 September from 2pm – 4pm, meeting at Kennaway House in Sidmouth.

An 8.5 mile walk on Mutter’s Moor, Sidmouth on Sunday 23 September from 10:30am – 3:30pm. Meet at the car park at The Knowle, EDCC Council Offices. Booking is required for both walk on 01395 516441 Email:[email protected]

Harpford Woods Family Map Event on Saturday 22 September. Drop in between 10am – 4pm, no booking required. Contact Emma or Anna at Thelma Hulbert Gallery: 01404 45006.

North Devon Coast

North Devon Coast AONB Cockington mouth beach clean

Beach clean at Cockington at 2pm on Saturday 15 September, meeting outside Greencliff Farm (Abbotsham EX39 5BL), and a beach clean at Welcombe at 3pm on Monday 17 September, meeting in the Welcombe Mouth car park (EX39 6HL).

Braunton evening bat walk at 7pm on Tuesday 18 September at Braunton Countryside Centre. For more information contact [email protected] or 07968 079436

South Devon

South Devon AONB Radio Devon walk Start Point

Big Night Out on the Beach at South Milton Sands from 4pm on Saturday 15 September, with watersports taster sessions, rockpooling, children’s activities and a lantern-lit sundown parade.

Beach clean around Scoble point on Sunday 16 September. Meet outside Harbour office, Whitestrand, Salcombe, at 1:30pm. Booking is essential 01803 861384 or email [email protected]

Tamar Valley

Tamar Valley AONB Bere Alston walking group

The Bere Alston Walking Group. Meet in the free car park at the end of Pilgrim Drive, Bere Alston, at 10am for a 30-40 minute stroll. Free tea/coffee will be provided at the end of the walk at Hope Cottage Cafe.

Drawn to the Valley Open Studios – starting from 10am on Saturday 22 September. Artists open the doors to their studios and other venues throughout the Valley, to showcase the very best of locally produced arts and crafts.

Councillor Roger Croad

Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Environment, said: "The coast and countryside of Devon's AONBs is beautiful all year round, but Autumn is a particularly special time in the county and Outstanding Week provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate our finest landscapes. There are a range of events to enjoy across Devon and to explore what our AONBs have to offer."

For more information go to – www.landscapesforlife.org.uk/events/outstanding-week/

The Exmouth Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) held a ceremony for the arrival of a special baton touring the country to mark the Royal Air Force’s centenary.