 In this week's newsletter, read about these stories and more:
Local people choose Marlcombe as name for East Devon’s new town
 More than 1,700 people took part in the consultation to name the new community, with Marlcombe emerging as the clear favourite, winning 54.5% of first-choice votes.
The name Marlcombe appeared on 17th-century tithe maps describing part of this exact site. Restoring it brings back an authentic local place name, giving the town a strong identity rooted in its history while looking to the future.
The new town is a vital part of East Devon’s ambitious plans to create a self-sufficient community, complete with new homes, schools, green spaces, sports facilities, and job opportunities.
You could win a free wildlife cruise while helping to protect local birds
 Nature lovers and day trippers have the chance to win a free Stuart Line Guided Bird Watching Cruise for two – just by learning and understanding a little more about the amazing birds that visit the Exe Estuary every year.
From Monday 1 September to Sunday 30 November 2025, a winner will be randomly chosen each month. Simply answer the online questions and submit the entry form. If you don't win, you can try again next month.
UK-wide test of the Emergency Alerts system
Tributes paid to Exmouth councillor
 Sadly, on Sunday 31 August 2025, Councillor Andrew Toye passed away following an illness.
Councillor Toye was a dedicated public servant who gave many years of service as an Exmouth Town Councillor and an East Devon District Councillor.
The flag at East Devon District Council’s Blackdown House headquarters was flown at half-mast on Tuesday 2 September 2025 as a mark of respect.
Our thoughts are with Councillor Toye’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.
Plan to build 500 new homes approved
 At this week's Cabinet meeting, councillors approved the Build and Buy Housing Investment and Delivery Plan – one of the most significant housing commitments ever made by the council. The plan proposes a dual approach to delivering 500 new affordable homes in East Devon over five years:
- 250 homes built on council-owned land by regenerating existing estates and developing underused sites.
- 250 homes acquired through Section 106 agreements, off-the-shelf purchases, and collaborative deals with developers and housing providers.
The first phase of acquisitions is expected to move quickly, with new homes potentially available as early as 2026, while larger-scale build projects will begin from 2027/28 onwards.
 Do you have any old, worn out, small electrical items that are beyond repair?
 If you do, and can fit them inside your recycling box, East Devon's Recycling Team can collect them from the kerbside. Small electrical items include most products that have a plug or need a battery. The valuable components within the electrical items are stripped out and recycled.
Visit the A-Z search tool to see what else you can recycle.
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Have you downloaded our free East Devon app yet?
Join more than 60,000 residents 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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 Events in East Devon
Success for Seaton Wetlands Summer Holiday Club
 Once again proving immensely popular, all places for the annual Summer Holiday Club sold out rapidly. Children aged 7-11 connected with nature, taking part in activities including stream dipping, minibeast hunts, den building, wildlife trails, nature crafts, and campfire cooking.
Explore upcoming events by visiting the Countryside Team's website, and for more updates, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Take part in Second Hand September
 Did you know that the in the UK, clothing items spend 99% of their time in the wardrobe – only being worn for less than five days on average?
To tackle the problem of overproduction and overconsumption of clothing, and the impact that this has on the environment, Oxfam is encouraging people to try shopping second-hand this month. You could also host or attend a clothes swap, and if you'd like to refresh your wardrobe, donate or upcycle your old clothes.
If you're in interested in hosting a clothes swap, you can book and borrow Recycle Devon's clothes swap kit (clothes rails, hangers, and mirrors) from East Devon District Council's Blackdown House headquarters.
If you have any clothes that need mending, volunteers may be able to help at a local repair café, such as in Axminster or Exmouth between 10am and 1pm on Saturday 6 September 2025.
 Autumn is here, but it's not too late to see the Sidmouth Summer Play Festival
 In Sandy Rustin’s sparkling comedy The Cottage, scandal and seduction run riot in a 1920s English country house. A cheeky homage to Noël Coward, it’s full of tangled affairs, unexpected arrivals, and perfectly timed chaos. Brimming with wit and charm, this is high-stakes hilarity where the only thing more fragile than the teacups? The truth.
Book your place for one of the performances taking place between Monday 8 and Saturday 13 September 2025 from 8pm.
Get creative at a Thelma Hulbert Gallery workshop
Free family workshop for all ages
Drop in between 10am and 2pm on Saturday 13 September 2025 and draw together in the Wild Art Garden.
Join this relaxed workshop with artist-explorer Karen Howse, take part in a collaborative drawing, and create drawings to take home. Suitable for ages 7-99.
Funded through the Blackdown Hills National Landscape – Festival of Heritage: a range of events are taking place across the region. Pop along for a tour of Dunkeswell Abbey after this workshop!
 Explore oil painting techniques to create a still life
Suitable for beginners or artists developing their practice, this workshop will take place from 5.30pm to 7.30pm over two consecutive Tuesdays (16 and 23 September 2025).
Book your place for £60 (£55 for THG Friends) including materials and refreshments.
Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Dowell St, Honiton EX14 1LX thelmahulbert.com
Pawsitive Impact comes to Exmouth
 Join us at The Strand, Exmouth on Saturday 17 September 2025, 10am-2pm, for a day of expert advice and plenty of cuddles for your dog.
Take advantage of microchipping (cash payments only please), health checks, parasite prevention tips, weight clinics, behaviour and dental advice, plus free services from White Lodge Vets and walking recommendations from Devon Loves Dogs.
It’s the paw-fect day for pets and their owners! Got any questions? Email the Environmental Health team.
Discover more events in the local area by heading to the East Devon Excellence website
 Active consultations and surveys
If you, or someone you know, is unable to complete an online consultation or survey, request a paper version, by emailing us. Please submit this request at least four days before the consultation closes, so the response is received before the deadline.
 Council meetings in the week ahead
Over the next week the following East Devon District Council meetings are taking place:
You can watch public meetings live on the council’s YouTube channel.
 You may be interested in
Next edition
We plan to send out our next bulletin on Friday 12 August 2025.
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