Over the last couple of weeks we have seen dramatic scenes as our firefighter colleagues from across the country have battled wildfires and worked to protect homes and businesses nearby.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue service have attended a high number of 'fires in the open' so far in July, totalling 195 (compared to an average of 148 for the same period over the past four years).
Most wildfires are started by human behaviour – a BBQ, campfire, discarded cigarette, or glass lying on dry ground magnifying the sun’s rays. They can also sometimes start due to a bonfire getting out of control.
Follow these tips to help reduce the risk of wildfires:
No BBQs or campfires in the countryside, or on any grassland during very dry weather.
If you’re a smoker, please take extreme care with how you put out your cigarettes and dispose of them.
Don’t leave litter, and pick it up if you see it. Discarded litter, in particular glass bottles, pose a fire risk when the sun’s rays are magnified through it.
Avoid having bonfires. If you must have one, follow our bonfire safety advice and let us know you’re having a controlled burn (call 0333 399 0014). This is so we can check in with you if we receive any 999 calls reporting a fire in the same area, which stops us from sending firefighters out to bonfires when they’re not needed.
We've installed five new bike stands at Queen's Drive Space in Exmouth so that cycle users can securely park their bikes up and enjoy the seafront or grab a bite to eat knowing that their bikes are safe.
The works led by our Principal Building Surveyor, Jorge Pineda-Langford, were completed last week and it is hoped cyclists will find this to be a valuable asset when visiting.
Annual canvass has begun
Keep an eye out for a letter in the post, an email or a text message - the first load of canvass forms have already been sent out and the next are due to be posted on 15 August.
This communication will be from our electoral services team and is to check that all registered electors in East Devon have their details up to date.
This check – called the annual canvass - is to ensure that everyone entitled to vote in local and national elections can do so and that people don’t lose the ability to vote because they have for example changed address within the district or moved into the area from another location.
If you don’t hear from us, it could mean that you are not on the electoral register but you can ensure you don’t lose your right to vote by going online and registering
Information on registering to vote is available on the Electoral Commission website.
Take a look at the renovated changing rooms and new cafe in Sidmouth Leisure Centre
The changing areas at Sidmouth Swimming Pool have been given a makeover thanks to the financial support of East Devon District Council.
The changing, shower, and locker facilities have all been updated. There are now new locker doors and locks, new shower panels fitted over the existing tiles, and new pipe work and toilets as well as additional cubicle space in the female changing room.
Work began on 14 February this year and took around three months to complete.
In addition, in the reception area as you walk in, the seating area has been given a new look and now features a Cove Coffee Pod with self-serve hot drinks, ice creams in a space for people to work.
What could your local area look like in a future net-zero Devon?
Net-Zero Visions is part of the attempt to create a resilient, net-zero Devon where people and nature thrive. It is rooted in the idea that we cannot achieve change unless we also try to imagine it; and that imagining it can both raise a wider awareness of what is at stake and encourage action.
We are encouraging people across Devon to submit their own Net Zero Vision of where they live, an image accompanied by an explanatory paragraph of text; these will be uploaded to the project webpages and plotted on an interactive map of the county, to create a grand collaborative mosaic of aspirational Devon futures.
Love Parks starts today - here's our schedule to find out how you can get involved
Monday, 1 August - Take a Walk with Wildlife around The Glen, Honiton at 10am and be ready to identify plenty of plants and insects! And at 2pm, an artist will be leading a Draw in the Park session, where you can have a go at capturing the beauty of The Glen yourself!
Tuesday, 2 August - Having trouble getting your sweet peas to grow? Or have a plant taking over your garden and you're just not sure what it is? Our two events in Connaught Gardens, Sidmouth are here to help! At 10am, there's a Plant Walk to teach you how to identify plants, flowers and shrubs. And at 2pm, come along to our Gardener's Question Time!
Wednesday, 3 August - At Manor Gardens, Exmouth there's 'Give it a Go' Tai Chi from 10am. Plus a storyteller, giant garden games and croquet. Bring the family and try something new
Thursday, 4 August - Is Exmouth too far out for a visit? Fear not, because our Tai Chi event will also be happening at Seafield Gardens, Seaton! Happening at 10am, we also have mini golf, giant garden games and our storyteller throughout the day
Friday, 5 August - On our last day of Love Parks, head over to Phear Park, Exmouth from 10am, where you can find a whole host of nature-based activities, including a visit from the RSPB and their wildlife activities.
Please monitor Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more information about the above, including meeting points. If you do not follow EDDC on these platforms and are keen to take part in Love Parks Week, please do so now. ALL events and activities are free and celebrate our green spaces and our communities.
Sidmouth Folk Festival returns today, Friday, 29 July
A week-long celebration of music, dance and song in stunning Sidmouth, the festival includes workshops, live performances, crafts and children's activities.
You can make the festival your own – whether that’s a full immersion in the huge programme of concerts, dances and workshops or a toe-dip in and out of selected events. The daily programme pages are a guide to creating your own custom-built festival experience.
If you do attend, please take some photos and videos and use the hashtag #eastdevonly so we can see and share these!
Grants of up to £5,000 that work towards the aims of our Poverty Strategy are now available. The first closing date for applications is 30 September 2022 and there is a match-funding requirement.
Grants of up to £10,000 for innovative transport solutions to help resolve loneliness, for older people aged 55+ and / or young people aged 16 to 24 are now available. The Connecting You Community Grants Fund will provide grants for projects and organisations across Devon to help connect people to activities that help tackle loneliness. Grants can be applied for to fund specific transport projects tackling loneliness or for transport related activities enabling people to access activities that will help.
Grants of up to £3,000 are available to projects that support Devon communities wishing to build self-reliance, tackle hardship such as food and fuel inequality, improve mental health and wellbeing, address loneliness and isolation, or respond to the climate emergency.
If you want to stay up to date with the latest news about grants for East Devon businesses, or other news about business opportunities, funding and training, you must subscribe to East Devon Business news
Latest news and newsletters
East Devon District Council also produce regular newsletters and news on different topics, in the last week we have issued the following which may be of interest:
Over the next week the following East Devon District Council meetings are taking place. Any public meetings will be streamed live to the Council’s YouTube channel, and in the event of difficulties these will be streamed on our Facebook page instead.
Extension of 6am starts for recycling and waste collections
Although the weather has cooled a bit some forecasters are predicting that we will experience more extreme hot weather during August.
While many of us will enjoy a prolonged period of lovely weather, it makes a hard job even harder for our collection crews.
Therefore, until further notice, we will continue to start recycling, refuse and green waste collections at 6am each day so that our crews are able to complete most of their rounds in the cooler part of the day.
Please put your containers out the night before your collection day or before 6am on the day.
Thank you for helping us to look after our collection crews.
Plastics Raw Materials
Please recycle as many plastics pots, trays, tubs and bottles as you can in your green recycling sack.
There is high demand from British manufactures for recycled polymers to build our circular economy. Industry sectors that need a constant supply of polymers are: healthcare, food, water supply, sanitation, transport and energy efficient building construction.
But please note, we are unable to recycle ‘film’ products such as: bread bags, bubble wrap, carrier bags, polythene, which contaminate the other plastic materials.
Your recycling benefits our environment and our economy.
Join over 30,000 people using our smartphone app and get simple personalised collection reminders, the latest collection updates and tell us about a missed collection.
Thelma Hulbert Gallery
Please join us for our new exhibition - Three Drops of Blood
This exhibition marks the first collaboration between talking on corners and THG, presenting renowned artist Ingrid Pollard to East Devon for the first time. Ingrid Pollard is recognised as one of the most influential British artists, breaking new ground and forging pathways for younger generations, shaping Britain's understanding and histories of art, society and culture.
The exhibition includes photography, print, mixed media, text, found objects and an extensive project archive. It is the culmination of a two-year research project which has seen Pollard travel across Devon. Drawing on her interests in classification, systems of knowledge, leisure, trade and money, Pollard has honed in on botanical gardens, ferns and the unique historical collections of books at the Devon and Exeter Institution. Part of Pollard's research involved exploring the representation of botanicals in local lace making, including the renowned Honiton lace.
To keep in touch with the Wild East Devon Team follow them on Facebook and Twitter
New anonymous digital mental health support service launched across Devon
A new free and confidential digital mental health and wellbeing service for adults is now available across Devon.
Qwell (www.qwell.io), delivered by mental health provider Kooth, will ensure that every adult living in the Devon has access to free, anonymous and confidential digital mental health support.
Qwell offers a safe online space for adults to access therapeutic activities and content including a peer support community. This includes self-help articles, forums, and discussion boards that are moderated by qualified practitioners.
Qwell users can also keep an online journal and monitor their wellbeing via an interactive goal tracker. This will be accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Sitting alongside the self-help and community support, is a one-on-one live text chat and messaging counselling service with a team of qualified practitioners. Appointments can be booked in advance or accessed via a drop-in text-based chat which runs from midday to 10pm on weekdays, and from 6pm to 10pm at the weekend.
How to spot bird flu, what to do if you suspect it, and measures to prevent it
Avian influenza, or bird flu, is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to public health is very low. However, please do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find.
If you find dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, you should report them to the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77).
We plan to send out our next bulletin on Friday, 5 August 2022.
Please forward this email to anyone you think would find it useful and encourage them to sign up.
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