 Photo credit: Hal Barker
In this issue...
- Quick thinking recycling crew save elderly resident from toxic black smoke
- Last chance to register to vote and sign up for a postal vote
- Take part: what can be done to encourage more children to walk and cycle to school?
- Time set for UK Emergency Alerts test
- Temporary closure of Yonder Street, Ottery St Mary Post Office
 News and updates:
Quick thinking recycling crew save elderly resident from toxic black smoke
 The heroic SUEZ recycling crew: Ross Williamson, Sarah Henley, and Dave Mills
This week, a SUEZ recycling crew noticed that an East Devon house they were collecting from had black smoke billowing out from the boiler vent. Ross Williamson, Sarah Henley, and Dave Mills all acted quickly, alerting the elderly resident who was inside and unaware anything was wrong.
After letting the resident know there was an issue, they continued to make the situation safe by turning off the boiler and went to great efforts to help her during this scary time. The boiler was seriously malfunctioning due to a bird nest getting sucked into the vent. If the crew hadn’t acted, there would have been a significant risk to the resident and her home.
The grandson of the resident wrote a heartfelt compliment to Ross, Sarah and Dave saying how grateful he was for them going over and above to help his grandmother out of danger. The team were nominated for a SUEZ award and were given vouchers for their local farm shop, Greendale.
A big thank you to Ross, Sarah and Dave!
Last chance to register to vote and sign up for a postal vote
To cast your ballot in the 4 May local elections, you must register to vote by Monday 17 April. Don't forget you'll need voter ID if you're voting in person on polling day. If you want to vote by post, you'll need to submit your application by 5pm on Tuesday 18 April.
Take part: what can be done to encourage more children to walk and cycle to school?
Walk to School Week takes place from 15 to 19 May, celebrating the environmental and health benefits of active travel
East Devon District Council is interested to know what barriers are stopping children walking and cycling to school. Help us encourage more active journeys by sharing your thoughts in the short survey below.
Time set for UK Emergency Alerts test
 A UK-wide test of the Emergency Alerts system will take place at 3pm on Sunday 23 April
At the time of the test, you will receive a message on the home screen of your mobile phone, along with a sound and vibration for up to ten seconds.
Temporary closure of Yonder Street, Ottery St Mary Post Office
 When the store reopens it will be operated by One Stop Stores and will retain the Ottery St Mary Post Office
Due to extensive building work at the Post Office on Yonder Street in Ottery St Mary, the branch and store will need to close temporarily. The work will take approximately 3 weeks to complete, after which the Post Office will re-open on Friday 26 May 2023 at 8am.
Join an online forum to help nature recover and flourish in your local community
 Photo credit: Devon Local Nature Partnership
Thursday, 20 April, 7pm-8.30pm
This online forum includes an update on Devon Local Nature Partnership's work, an inspiring talk from Ogwild, and guidance for successful applications for wildlife community grants and awards.
This weekend's biodiversity action: make a bird bath
 Head to our Biodiversity webpages for guides that'll help you to attract wildlife to your garden
Are you taking part in biodiversity starts on your doorstep? This weekend create your own bird bath with a pot, a saucer and some glue. Not only will you attract more wildlife, but on hot summer days, bees can use it to regulate their colonies' temperature.
Latest news, consultations and newsletters
East Devon District Council hold regular consultations and also produce regular newsletters and news on different topics, in the last week we have issued the following which may be of interest:
Have your say:
External newsletters that may be of interest:
 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.
19 April
 Recycling news
Make your gardening easier with green waste collections
 Why not join 18,500 households across East Devon who subscribe to our popular fortnightly green waste kerb-side collections?
To sign up, call 01395 571515 or
Have you downloaded our free East Devon App yet?
Join over 50,000 people using our smartphone app and get simple personalised collection reminders, the latest collection updates and tell us about a missed collection.
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 Thelma Hulbert Gallery
Learn new creative skills through Thelma Hulbert Gallery's May workshops
 Places for these workshops are free for 15-25 year olds
Friday 5 May, 11am-1pm. Tree Dowsing Workshop. £25
Artist Gordon Field introduces the mindful process of tree dowsing.
Tuesday 9 May, 10am-12pm. Making Oak Gall Ink. £25
Discover the process of ink making with Liz Gregory and create oak gall ink.
Friday 12 May, 5pm-6pm. Curator’s Talk: A Brush with Nature. £5
Insightful talk about current exhibition Paradise Found.
Saturday 13 May, 11am-3pm. Walk & Talk in the Blackdowns. £65
Observe, listen, sketch and gather on this special walk with artist Luke M Walker. All materials/transport included.
Tues 16 May, 10am-2pm. Drawing with ink in the Blackdowns. £65
Draw the landscape at Applehayes iconic site for the Camden Towners.
Sat 20 May, 10.30am-4pm. Charcoal landscape drawing. £50
Learn how to use charcoal to create subtle and dynamic drawings.
 Wild East Devon
Learn about local wildlife on a guided woodland walk
 The walks will be taking place at Holyford Woods on 25 April and Knapp Copse on 28 April. Tickets are £5 per person.
Join our rangers on a guided walk around either Holyford Woods or Knapp Copse and learn all about the fascinating variety of wildlife that call the woodlands home.
To keep in touch with the Wild East Devon Team follow them on Facebook and Twitter
#ActNow: April is Stress Awareness Month
 Join the 30 Day Challenge by taking one action daily this month for your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. To find out more and download free resources
Next edition
We plan to send out our next bulletin on Friday 21 April 2023.
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.
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