 Hello,
In this week's newsletter, read about these stories and more:
Phase one of Exmouth’s seawall repairs complete
The first phase of Exmouth's seawall repair project was completed on Wednesday 24 July 2024.
Over a hundred metres of failed seawall in Exmouth has been replaced with a steel sheet pile wall, expected to last 100 years, through the £1.5 million first phase. This section of the seawall in front of Sideshore is where beach levels had dropped below the foundations, causing it to tilt forward and crack. The new steel piling goes much deeper, down to the bed rock some nine metres below.
On-site work for the second phase is scheduled for late September, meaning that beach users will not be disrupted during the busy summer season.
Residents will be consulted on the appearance of the seawall, such as cladding, in the third and final phase.
Share your thoughts on East Devon's first Tree, Hedge & Woodland Strategy
 Trees offer numerous benefits, such as enhancing both natural and urban environments and boosting health and wellbeing. Your feedback about tree, woodland and hedge coverage locally will help shape the strategy, improving and expanding the natural environment on both public and private land, including development sites.
Make sure your voice is heard by filling in the short survey before 5pm on Friday 6 September 2024.
Have your say on the refurbishment of nine East Devon play areas
 Beer's pirate-themed play area opened earlier this year, as part of a district-wide revamp by East Devon District Council
Nine play areas will receive upgraded play equipment and safety surfaces as part of a £1 million investment from East Devon District Council.
The equipment at these locations has reached the end of its life and requires replacing. Exmouth’s play areas at Baker Close, Carter Avenue, Byron Way, and Littleham Village Hall, are amongst those to be refurbished. Whitebridges, Willow Walk and Allhallows play areas in Honiton will also be upgraded, as well as Slewton Crescent play area in Whimple and Land of Canaan play area in Ottery St Mary.
Share your thoughts on what you would like to see in the refurbished play areas before 5pm on Friday 23 August 2024.
Read more about East Devon District Council's active consultations in the Community Engagement newsletter.
Increase in recycling and compost collected from households since last year
 The number crunching has been done and in 2023/2024 East Devon recycled and composted 60.1% of the material that was collected from households in the district. This is an increase from 59.5% in the previous year.
We would like to thank you for recycling so much, and the hard-working crews for collecting the huge volumes of material during the year.
Quality as well as quantity counts in recycling. Check out the improved A-Z guide on our website or on the East Devon app or ask Alexa, if you need help with what can be recycled and where it needs to go.
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Have you downloaded our free East Devon app yet?
Join more than 70,000 people using our smartphone app and get simple personalised recycling and waste 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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Extra car parking spaces unveiled in Exmouth
 The 'opening ceremony' for the 'Olympic-sized' extension of Exmouth's Estuary long stay car park
A total of 61 new car parking bays are now available in the former coach and lorry parking area of Exmouth's Estuary long stay (or jump!) car park. An additional pay and display machine be installed in this area for those who wish to pay by cash or card.
The extended parking area can be used by those with an East Devon parking permit for Exmouth, or by using RingGo code 42928. Newly marked spaces are also available for coach and lorry drivers.
For more information about car parking in East Devon, visit the council's webpages.
Events in East Devon
 Free summer trail launches at Seaton Wetlands
 There are 11 insect boards hidden around Seaton Wetlands, each containing a letter which must be collected. The bug-themed trail encourages children to explore the nature reserve, finding clues to crack a code. Participants who find all of the clues and crack the code can enter a competition to win a ride on the Seaton Tramway.
Collect your trail guide from the Lookout or Discovery Hut. The Discovery Hut will be manned by volunteers throughout the summer holidays from 10am to 4pm. Visitors can find out more about the site, purchase refreshments and hire pond dipping equipment.
Recent bird sightings at Seaton Wetlands include fledgling swifts, sand martins and kingfisher.
Keep in touch with the Wild East Devon team on Facebook and Instagram .
Are you taking part in the Big Butterfly Count?
 Whether you are enjoying the sunshine in your garden, at your local park, gardens, green space, or at a nature reserve, Butterfly Conservation is asking people across the UK to count the butterflies that they see.
On their app, and on their website, you can find a butterfly identification chart, share your findings, and look at their interactive map to see how your input helps wildlife conservation.
Sidmouth Folk Festival returns for its 70th year
The week-long (Friday 2 August-Friday 9 August 2024) festival will feature concerts, emerging talent, dance displays, storytelling, youth sessions, workshops and more at venues across the town. To read the full programme, visit Sidmouth Folk Festival's website.
Get your photography of the Folk Festival exhibited in Sidmouth
 JJ Waller
Folk Festival attendees are invited to take a photo that best describes Sidmouth. No experience, expertise, or equipment is required, and smartphone images are fine.
Submit your entry before the deadline of 5pm on Friday 23 August 2024.
JJ Waller, Sidmouth School of Art's Artist Photographer in Residence, will review the images, and the selected entries will be exhibited at a variety of sites across the town. These locations include bus shelters, telephone boxes, and the Wallspace billboard by the Ham.
 Don't miss Thelma Hulbert Gallery's latest exhibition: 'A Visible Thread'
 Discover 15 textile artists' work from the Seam Collective, which stimulates thought, connection, and conversation. Children can take part in a free self-led weaving activity in the Learning Room. Visit the exhibition before Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm, before Saturday 31 August 2024.
Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Dowell St, Honiton EX14 1LX thelmahulbert.com
Discover more events in the local area by heading to the East Devon Excellence website
 Planning applications and decisions
Discover this week's planning applications and decisions by following the links.
 Council meetings dates
Over the next week the following East Devon District Council meeting is taking place:
Tuesday 6 August 2024 - 10am - Strategic 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 9 August 2024.
Please forward this email to anyone you think would find it useful and encourage them to sign up.
You can also 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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