Residents' update - Friday, 12 August

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Residents' Update masthead

In this issue...

  • It's hot in East Devon! Here's our top tips to stay safe during the heat

  • New Tramway halt at Colyford Common provides unexplored access to Seaton Wetlands

  • Thank you to all those involved in this year's Sidmouth Folk Festival 

  • East Devon awarded four coveted Green Flag Awards

  • Win £200 by completing a survey on how you manage your energy costs


News banner

News and updates: 


It's hot in East Devon! Here's our top tips to stay safe during the heat

beat heat

This week the Met Office have issued an amber extreme heat warning as temperatures are set to reach high levels for the South West. Make sure to:

  • Close curtains on rooms that face the sun.
  • Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol.
  • Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.
  • Try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm, when the UV rays are strongest.
  • Walk in the shade, apply sunscreen (even when it is cloudy) and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Avoid physical exertion in the hottest parts of the day.
  • Make sure you take water with you, if you are travelling.

Check latest forecast


New Tramway halt at Colyford Common provides unexplored access to Seaton Wetlands

tramway

Invitees from East Devon District Council, Seaton & Colyton Councils, Fine Family Foundation and National Lottery Heritage Fund experience a tram ride and the new halt at Seaton Wetlands

A new halt at Seaton Tramway has opened, providing undiscovered access for all to the award-winning Seaton Wetlands nature reserve.

The new halt gives visitors the chance to explore Seaton Wetlands, providing views never seen before across the salt marshes of Colyford Common. The halt and 4km of level trails which extend throughout the reserve are fully accessible for all to enjoy.

Read more


Thank you to all those involved in this year's Sidmouth Folk Festival 

sidmouth folk

Sidmouth Folk Festival took place this year from Friday, 29 July until Friday, 5 August. There were multiple events taking place across lots of different venues in Sidmouth, attracting thousands of visitors to the area.

Thank you to everyone involved in making the Festival such a huge success.

The additional visitors and events have a big impact on the StreetScene teams, with the need to increase toilet cleansing and additional bin emptying. There are 650 hours of work that need to be covered operationally during Folk Week and this year we had nine staff starting at 6am, covering until 11pm.

In a ‘normal’ week during the summer, we would have two skip collections. During Folk Week, we have to increase this to eight, due to the additional waste produced.

Our Grounds, Trees and Horticulture team work hard to support Folk Week during the set up and take down of the event. They make sure the grounds can support each event and trees are inspected to make sure they are safe and not obstructing marquees. They also have to deal with additional footfall, trying to work safely around the additional members of the public during this time. When the events are over, our Grounds team support with grass recovery in Blackmore Gardens as well.


East Devon awarded four coveted Green Flag Awards

geoff

Cllr Geoff Jung visits award-winning nature reserves at Seaton Wetlands

In a record-breaking year, four of East Devon’s parks and green spaces including Sidmouth’s Connaught Gardens and Peak Hill Slope, Exmouth’s Manor Gardens, Seaton’s Seafield Gardens and the jewel in the East Devon crown, Seaton Wetlands Nature Reserve, are raising their prestigious Green Flag Awards.

The awards are the result of the hard work of EDDC StreetScene and Countryside teams, with valuable help from ‘in bloom’ groups and the many volunteers. 

The staff and volunteers that work together are already busy on exciting new improvements, including a further phase of planting in the autumn which will see the introduction of sustainable perennials and wildlife attracting plants in abundance.

Read more


Win £200 by completing a survey on how you manage your energy costs

devon heating

Devon residents are being asked what the cost of energy means to them and what steps they take to ensure/adapt their homes to keep warm.

And whilst the current challenge is about keeping cool, in just a month or two, residents across the county will be turning their attention to keeping warm – whilst managing the costs of heating.

The survey will run until 26 August, with the findings used to inform local council plans to support residents.

And whilst the questionnaire is anonymous, all those that complete it are eligible to win shopping vouchers worth £200, plus two runners-up of £100. A prize sure to make a dent in those ever-increasing bills.

Lead researcher, Toby Blume said:

“The cost of living and rising energy prices is a big concern for lots of Devon residents. But we know that there are some important steps that can reduce energy costs and help people to live better.”

Fill out survey here


Campaign launched to raise £350k for Honiton community building

community use building

Chris Doran from Honiton Community Spaces and Alex Higgins EDDC community development worker

Honiton Community Spaces have launched a major campaign to raise £325,000 to revitalise a much-loved Honiton community building.

Big plans for the town’s Community Use Building [CUB] have now been revealed – with a dream to transform the site so it can host up to 400 people each week.

The vibrant community hub is the home of numerous groups which focus on helping local residents on low incomes, supporting those with special needs and hosting mental health support groups.

All money raised will provide vital upgrades for bringing the building up to new regulations; installing a new fire escape and disabled ramps, upgrading and insulating the roof, external walls and windows as well as upgrading the heating and lighting to reduce energy consumption.

Read more


Intriguing new exhibition by Turner Prize nominee opens in Devon

three drops of blood

L-R: Dr Ella Mills, Ingrid Pollard, Cllr Paul Arnott

An intriguing new exhibition by Ingrid Pollard, renowned artist and 2022 Turner Prize nominee, has opened at THG in Devon. This exhibition of new work commissioned by talking on corners features photography, print, mixed media, text and found objects.

Ingrid Pollard Three Drops of Blood is the culmination of Pollard's two-year research project in Devon. It draws on the history of ferns and botanicals, particularly how they are represented in local lace-making including the renowned Honiton lace, the town in which THG is based, as well as the unique historical collections of books at the Devon and Exeter Institution.

Read more


What do you think of rewilding two East Devon green spaces, allowing them to flourish and for nature to thrive?

Consultations are being ran to gather residents’ views on rewilding Lymebourne Park in Sidmouth and a green space on Old Elm Road, in Grittisham, Honiton.

Details for the events are as follows:

  • Lymebourne Park (Gazebo located by the stream), on Monday, 12 September from 2pm until 4pm.
  • Old Elm Road (Gazebo at the green space at end of Ferndale Road), on Tuesday, 13 September from 2pm until 4pm.

East Devon District Council (EDDC) has already left a number of small green spaces across the area uncut, allowing them to be more biodiverse, attractive, wildlife friendly, climate friendly and ecological (the relationship between organisms - including humans - and the physical environment).

The plan going forward is to introduce more wildflowers to areas that have had high frequency cuts for a long time, with the result being impoverished green landscapes in populated areas becoming unpolluted, beautiful and productive.

These uncut wildlife havens:

  • Provide habitats for insects and wildlife
  • Reduce CO2 emissions, by not using mowers
  • Promotes sustainable landscapes
  • Encourages native wildflowers (allowing vegetation to flower can provide up to 10x more nectar for bees and other pollinators!)

How to reduce the risk of wildfires during hot and dry weather

wildfire

© Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

There are serious concerns about the potential for large and prolonged wildfires as the hot, dry weather continues over the coming days and weeks. 

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue service had attended a high number of 'fires in the open' 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.

More info


News banner

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:

Love Parks week was a huge success throughout East Devon

Revealed: Potential new East Devon town plans will be looked at by consultants

South East Devon Wildlife Summer newsletter

Key applications received

Decision on key applications


Calendar banner

Council meetings dates

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. 

There are no meetings taking place this week. The next meetings are:

Wednesday, 24 August

Agendas


recycling  banner

Recycling news 

Plastics Raw Materials

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.

A-Z of recycling


Recycling app

Have you downloaded our free East Devon App yet?

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. 


THG banner

Thelma Hulbert Gallery

Evening with international folk singer Kate Young

kate young

Saturday, 20 August, 5-7pm

Kate Young is one of Scotland’s most innovative composers and musicians. 

£15.

Book here


Digital Photography workshops

digital photography
 

22, 29 August and 5 Sept, 5-7.30pm

Series of three workshops with artist Monica-Shanta. Take inspiration from ferns to create new artworks using analogue and digital photography.

£5 per session/ £12 for all three

Book here


Wild East Devo banner

Wild East Devon 

Seaton Wetlands summer holiday club

summer holiday club

15th August - 19th August

Adventurous outdoor holiday club for 7-11 year olds, based at Seaton Wetlands. Led by experienced education ranger Penny, each day will be different: learn about wetlands wildlife, explore the site, make crafts using small tools, cook on campfires and play. Morning fruit snack and campfire cooked afternoon snack provided.

£35 for the day or £150 for the 5 day week.

More info


Plant Medicine Walk at Holyford Woods

tony whitehead

© Tony Whitehead

Saturday, 20 August.

An informative walk focusing on the traditional medicinal use of local plants in the spectacular setting of a Wild East Devon Nature Reserve

Join Medical Herbalist Maggie Haworth on a gentle walk through Holyford Woods to explore the medicinal plants that can be found there. Hear some of the traditional stories of the plants, and learn about their historical use as medicines, as well as their current day applications.

There are currently 18 spaces available.

More info


To keep in touch with the Wild East Devon Team follow them on Facebook and Twitter


news extra

Help us to recruit on-call firefighters

firefighter

Elsie doing a breathing apparatus exercise © Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue

Most of our fire stations are crewed by on-call firefighters. On-call firefighters do the same emergency work as wholetime firefighters, but they can also have other jobs too.

We urgently need to recruit more on-call firefighters in certain places across Devon and Somerset as we sometimes do not have enough to crew a fire engine in that town.

We’d be really grateful if you could take a few minutes to fill out this survey so that we can better understand peoples' perceptions of the on-call firefighter role.

It only take a few minutes and the information gathered from you will help us with our recruitment campaign for on-call firefighters.

Fill out survey


ingrid pollard footer

Next edition

We plan to send out our next bulletin on Friday, 19 August 2022.

Please forward this email to anyone you think would find it useful and encourage them to sign up.

You can also can share this update on social media and in any online groups you're part of by using the view it as a web page link at the top of the page.