 In this week's newsletter, read about these stories and more:
There is also a round-up of events taking place in East Devon this week.
Have your say on East Devon’s future in new Local Plan consultation
 Everyone who lives and works in East Devon is urged to share their thoughts on eight new topics for the Local Plan, the document used to make planning decisions for future developments.
These topics include conserving the natural environment and ensuring retail, leisure, and community spaces reflect residents’ and visitors’ needs. Additional housing and employment sites have been submitted for consideration since East Devon District Council’s previous Local Plan consultation in early 2023.
Share your thoughts online before the deadline of 5pm on Thursday, 27 June 2024.
Five East Devon beaches win national awards
 Beer, Exmouth, Seaton, and Sidmouth Town beach have been awarded the Blue Flag and Seaside Award, with Budleigh Salterton also receiving a Seaside Award.
Are you planning on having a barbecue on the beach?
 For the safety of all beach users, please dispose of single-use barbecues and hot embers responsibly (don't leave them lying around or buried out of sight). Once you have finished with your barbecue, allow it cool down. You will also need to cool down the ground underneath the barbecue with sea water, to prevent other beach users being burned.
We recommend using a reusable (rather than a disposable) barbecue, raised above the ground. Open fires are banned on East Devon's beaches.
Visit Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service's barbecue safety page for more advice.
Prevent battery fires when you're recycling
 When recycling your batteries, please place them in a clear plastic bag, so they can easily be seen by our crews in your recycling box and put in the correct compartment in the vehicles.
This helps prevent fire risk in our vehicles, at our depot and the Energy from Waste Plant (EFW) in Exeter.
Please do not put your batteries inside a cardboard box or wrap them in paper, as they can get missed and mixed up with paper and cardboard in the recycling vehicle, the depot and the plant.
Please visit the East Devon District Council website for an A - Z of recycling and disposals.
Thank you for recycling your batteries with care, to help prevent risk to our staff, vehicles, depot and plant.
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Have you downloaded our free East Devon App yet?
Join more than 60,000 people using our smartphone app and get simple personalised collection reminders, the latest collection updates and tell us about a missed collection. You can download the app through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
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Last chance to nominate Arts & Culture East Devon Volunteer of the Year
 Credit: ACED
Do you know a local volunteer at an arts, cultural or heritage organisation that deserves recognition? Don’t forget to nominate them before the deadline of 5pm on Tuesday, 21 May 2024.
Just submit up to 300 words about your nominee and three words to describe them.
The winner will receive a stunning glass trophy at Arts & Culture East Devon's Summer Network Meeting.
 Help record wildlife at our nature reserves
 Credit: iNaturalist
Next time you’re out enjoying a local nature reserve, take a few moments to snap some flowers, trees, insects, or birds using the iNaturalist app on your Android or Apple device.
The app is free to use, and no scientific knowledge is needed. Observations within the boundaries of Wild East Devon's reserves allow the Countryside Team to see where and when species were seen.
Keep in touch with the Wild East Devon team on Facebook and Instagram .
Olly Swayne announced as new Chief Executive of LED Community Leisure
Olly Swayne, Chief Executive of LED Community Leisure
Olly will lead LED Community Leisure in its mission to provide exceptional services and promoting active lifestyles for communities across East Devon and beyond.
Events in East Devon
Celebrate International Museum Day in East Devon
 Credit: International Museum Day
It’s International Museum Day on Saturday, 18 May. There’s no better time to experience the wonderful collections and learn about some fascinating history.
Free community festival returns to Sidmouth
 Credit: Charlie Fawell
The lineup for Sidmouth Sea Fest's free community day on Saturday, 18 May, has been released. Come along for a variety of activities, entertainment, art, community stands, food and drinks. There's also a fundraiser event tonight (Friday, 17 May).
Experience an evening of music in Honiton
 Classics from The Beatles, Adele, Pink Floyd, Springsteen Guns N' Roses, Billy Joel, and more, will be performed by the Sweet Honi Choir at The Beehive from 7.30pm on Saturday, 18 May.
Create balloon models and print textiles at your local Community Hub
 There are lots of free, fun, and creative events planned for the rest of May at East Devon's Community Hubs, with lunch included.
Learn how to shape balloons into sculptures such as flowers and dogs at sessions from 11am on Monday, 20 May in Exmouth, and Wednesday, 22 May in Broadclyst.
Add a new design to textiles with fabric paint at an Indian Block Printing Workshop at Millwey in Axminster on Monday, 20 May, at Morgan Court in Exmouth on Wednesday, 22 May, at Yonder Close in Ottery on Thursday, 23 May, and at Lymebourne Park in Sidmouth on Thursday 30 May.
Visit the Community Hubs page for more details of opening times and locations.
Aspiring entrepreneurs invited to free workshop
 The workshop will guide you through the process of setting up a new business and give you the confidence to turn your ideas into a reality. There will also be guest speakers and a networking lunch. Get your tickets to join the event at the Beehive in Honiton on Thursday, 23 May from 10am - 2pm.
Stay up to date with the latest news about grants, opportunities, funding and training for businesses, by subscribing to the East Devon Business newsletter
 Join the preview of the THG Open Winners' exhibitions
 © Sharon James, A Light Breakfast
Preview new work by THG Open 2023 winner, Sharon James, featuring large, strongly figurative paintings presenting vibrant scenes of domestic family life, from 3pm - 5pm on Saturday 25 May. In the lower gallery is an exhibition by Sidmouth photographer Kyle Baker, winner of Best Emerging Artist in the THG Open 2023.
Read more about Thelma Hulbert Gallery's exhibitions and events in their latest newsletter.
Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Dowell St, Honiton EX14 1LX thelmahulbert.com
Sidmouth Summer Play Festival smashes previous records in early ticket sales
 Credit: Manor Pavilion Theatre
Last year's Play Festival surpassed expectations, showing a positive post-Covid recovery trend. This year, when tickets were launched in April, the opening day sales more than doubled last year's numbers. So far, this year is shaping up to be the most popular Play Season since records began.
Discover more events in the local area by heading to the East Devon Excellence website
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 Council meetings dates
Over the next week the following East Devon District Council meetings are taking place:
21 May - 10am - Planning Committee
You can watch public meetings live on the council’s YouTube channel.
Next edition
We plan to send out our next bulletin on Friday, 24 May 2024
Please forward this email to anyone you think would find it useful and encourage them to sign up.
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