East Devon Radio

Many of us are planning to push the boat out this year and why not?  It’s been a difficult time and we’re looking forward to treating ourselves and others. But whether it’s meals, drinks or gifts, the costs – and the waste – can soon stack up. So if you’re concerned about Christmas expense and excess, you can still treat yourself and your family without it costing the earth. Up until 21st December, Recycle Devon’s “21 Day of Christmas” is sharing a range of daily tips and ideas to help families keep waste and costs to a minimum.

There was cross-party support for a range of measures to try to deal with the growing issue It comes as new figures show house price rises in some parts of Devon are among the highest in the country. At the same time the lack of affordable rental properties means key workers in care, health and education can’t fill job vacancies because they can’t find anywhere to live. And more and more long-term rental properties are being converted to short-term holiday lets or sold off to take advantage of rising prices.

The initiative runs from Wednesday 1 December 2021 to Saturday 1 January 2022 and is a modern approach to the annual Christmas campaign.  On the purchase of their first soft drink, drivers will be able to receive a voucher to have their second free of charge at participating venues.  During the month-long operation officers will be raising awareness of the inherent dangers involved in drink driving by encouraging people to take responsibility for their actions this Christmas. Breath tests will also be requested from all drivers who commit a moving road traffic offence, irrespective of wheth

Police are investigating the circumstances that has led to a pedestrian being hospitalised following a collision in Exeter. At around 11:40pm on Wednesday 1 December, a collision occurred on Western Way, Inner-By-Pass in Exeter between a Red Ford Escort and a pedestrian. As a result of the collision, the pedestrian who is a woman in her 20’s was taken to Derriford hospital with serious leg injuries.

The UK’s farmers, gamekeepers and land managers are being urged to get involved in the GWCT Big Farmland Bird Count from 4 – 20 February 2022, and make a crucial difference to wildlife. “2021’s GWCT Big Farmland Bird Count was record-breaking, and we want to thank all those who took part. Now we are challenging the UK’s land managers to beat their own record and make 2022’s count bigger than ever,” said Dr Roger Draycott, organiser and head of advisory services at the GWCT.

​​​​​​​Property developer Akkeron Group, on behalf of South West Lifestyle Brands, is launching a public consultation of its plans to restore Exeter’s Grade II listed Royal Clarence, which occupies an important site facing Exeter Cathedral. Proposals have been prepared following more than 12 months of detailed consultation with conservation architects, heritage consultants, Historic England, and Exeter City Council. The £17 million scheme proposes to restore the historic buildings original façade and exterior and would retain as much of the building’s history as possibleProposals have been p

A spat at a Teignbridge council meeting which involved one member trying to drag another away has led to an apology two months after the event. In September, a full meeting of Teignbridge District Council descended into chaos in an incident involving Councillors Gary Taylor (Lib Dem, Dawlish South West) and Liam Mullone (Newton Says No, College) during a question on planning procedures.

A highly controversial 100-acre quarry in Ottery St Mary has been refused by Devon County Council (DCC) following significant concerns surrounding the safety and environmental impact of the project. The decision will come as a delight for campaigners, a headache for the applicant and a surprise to many.  Council officers had recommended approval for the plans which would have seen up to 1.5 million tonnes of sand and gravel dug up at Straitgate Farm on Exeter Road over the course of 10 to 12 years.

The number of people with covid in Devon has continued to increase across many areas, but by a lower amount than recent weeks. In the week to Thursday 25 November, rates in Plymouth and the Devon County Council area rose by eight and seven per cent respectively, while Torbay’s reduced by five per cent. It means the county continues to have significantly higher rates of covid than the national average of 429 cases per 100,000 people. Plymouth and Torbay’s figures now stand at just over 600, with the Devon County Council area’s rate being 676.

Their commemorative planting supports the call for everyone to ‘Plant A Tree for the Jubilee’. Vice Lord Lieutenant Lady Arran, who, with four Deputy Lieutenants, is helping the Lord Lieutenant with the Queen’s Green Canopy, was joined by Deputy Lieutenant, Philip Jenkinson, County Council Chairman, Jeff Trail BEM, and County Council Leader, John Hart. It also coincides with National Tree Week (Saturday 27 November – Sunday 5 December) which aims to encourage people to celebrate and get involved in tree planting at the start of the winter planting season.

A concerted campaign of action to tackle Devon’s housing crisis will be debated by county councillors this week. It comes as new figures show house price rises in some parts of Devon are among the highest in the country. At the same time the lack of affordable rental properties means key workers in care, health and education can’t fill job vacancies because they can’t find anywhere to live. And more and more long-term rental properties are being converted to short-term holiday lets or sold off to take advantage of rising prices.

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, has welcomed a tightening of the law around mobile phone use while driving. It is already illegal to text or make a phone call (other than in an emergency) using a hand-held device while driving, but next year, laws will go further to ban drivers from using their phones to take photos or videos, scroll through playlists or play games. Anyone caught using their hand-held device while driving will face a £200 fixed penalty notice and 6 points on their licence.

The newly restored Dartmoor Line was officially opened by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps MP yesterday. The reinstated rail line between Okehampton and Exeter is the first to reopen under the Government’s Restoring Your Railway programme, and regular passenger services on the Dartmoor Line will start from this Saturday (20 November). This weekend’s launch will mark the return of the first regular service on the line for almost 50 years. Yesterdays official ceremony saw invited guests, including Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, arrive on the first train into Okehampton.

Devon has seen a “really good uptake” of the covid booster jab, according to a health boss. Nearly a quarter of a million doses (240,000)  have been given out so far to around 58 per cent of eligible people, Dr Paul Johnson, clinical chair of the NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, told a monthly Team Devon meeting of local authority leaders.

Covid infection rates have fallen across most of Devon for the second week running, reflecting national trends.

Plans to close Teignmouth Hospital will be reviewed by independent experts after an intervention by the health secretary.

The Heart of the South West Better Business for All partnership (Hot SW BBFA) has won the Better Business for All award at the Office for Product Safety & Standards (OPSS) Regulatory Excellence Awards ceremony. Better Business For All is a partnership of the region’s local authorities – including Devon County Council – business groups, regulators and trading standards services.

In local football on Saturday Exmouth Town travel up the M5 to take on Clevedon Town at the Hand Stadium hoping to get back on track after last weekends surprising 4-0 defeat at Millbrook, while in the Peninsula League East, Honiton Town have a visit from local rivals Elmore to Mountbatten Park

In local rugby on Saturday Exmouth Cockles face another difficult game after last weekends surprising home defeat by Weston Super Mare when top of the table Hornets are the visitors to the Imperial Ground. The Somerset side replaced Exeter University at the top last week with the students hoping to bounce back when they face Ivybridge at Topsham Road.

In Local Rugby on Saturday Exmouth Çoçkles fell to their worst home result of the season when they were well beaten 31-0 by visiting Weston Super Mare at the Imperial Ground and now drop to fourth in the Premier Division.

In local rugby this Saturday Exmouth Cockles will be looking to bounce back from their 27-7 defeat at the University when Weston Super Mare visit the Imperial Ground while last week's winner's and league leaders travel up the M5  to take on Second placed Hornets with an unbeaten records at stake.

In local football this Saturday, Western League Exmouth Town travel to Jenkins Park home of Millbrook on the back of last weekends 3 - 0 home victory over Brislington at Southern Road, while in the Peninsula League East Axminster Town take on Ivybridge Town at Tigers Way, Sidmouth Town will be looking for points when inform Torpoint Athletic visit Mainston Road and Crediton Utd host Bovey Tracey at Lord's Meadow.

In local rugby on Saturday Exmouth Cockles held a 7-3 halftime lead against Exeter University at Topsham Road but were eventually beaten 27-7 by the current Premier League Leaders after they fell away after the break.

In local football on Saturday Exmouth Town replayed their game with Brislington at Southern Road which was abandoned two weeks ago due to a visiting player breaking a leg. The largest crowd of the season 370 saw Town defeat a dogged Brislington team 3-0.

Find out all the weekend fixtures in our local football leagues...