East Devon Radio

Police are appealing for information following a collision between a car and a cyclist in the Blackhorse area of Exeter yesterday morning [Thursday 13 May]. It happened between 7am and 8am and involved an unknown vehicle and a purple-coloured mountain bike. The cyclist, a woman aged in her 20s, was travelling from the Pinhoe area to Cranbrook.

East Devon Pebblebed Heaths, stretching between the village of Woodbury towards Budleigh Salterton on the Jurassic Coast, is the latest site in the county to join the UK’s list of nationally and internationally important landscapes.

Landing the helicopter safely requires the skill and expertise of an experienced pilot but this isn’t all that is needed. The safety of the crew and anybody in the vicinity of our aircraft is our main priority and it’s essential that people who are near to the helicopter when it is either landing or taking off understand how and why they need to maintain a safe distance. 

Sidmouth Town Council has today announced that the world famous RAF Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows will return to the town’s skies at the Sidmouth Airshow on Friday 27th August 2021. They will also be joined by an RAF Dakota of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Rare butterflies and birds could benefit from hedge restoration work at animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary as part of a wider scheme to improve water quality and reduce flooding across parts of East Devon. Staff from the sanctuary have planted more the 500 young hedge trees so far to help restore and extend hedgerows at the charity’s Woods Farm site near Sidmouth, East Devon.

BAM Construction has been appointed to create the new facilities. The work will see a large proportion of the Green Close rebuilt and includes a new three-storey teaching block which will house a large hall with 450 seats for performances.

Devon & Somerset Fire Service received a call regarding a person in the brook next to the Railway Station One fire engine from Dawlish, one from Teignmouth and a specialist rescue team from Exmouth were all sent to the scene.

Police investigating a road traffic collision at the junction of the A30 and James Lane, near Honiton soon after 8am, on Tuesday 11 May, are appealing for witnesses to come forward. A motorbike rider went on to a grass verge and collided with a small wall near a commercial garage.

Police are appealing for information about a one-vehicle collision on the A380 near Newton Abbot yesterday, Tuesday 11 May, during which five occupants of a car were seriously injured. The incident involved a maroon Peugeot 207 and occurred at around 10.30am on the southbound carriageway at Mamhead Cross. Five occupants were taken to Torbay, Derriford and the Royal Devon & Exeter hospitals for treatment.

A number of small green spaces across East Devon will remain uncut and left to flourish, allowing nature to thrive. Information sign boards will soon be put up in the selected areas where vegetation and grass will be left to grow wild. EDDC is inviting residents to keep a look out for longer vegetation in our green spaces and see what wildlife they can spot. Residents are also being encouraged to take part in the ‘No Mow May’ campaign.

The occupant of a property in Dawlish had a lucky escape after neighbours heard the smoke alarm sounding and became concerned after trying to alert them by ringing their doorbell and getting no reply. 3 fire appliances from Dawlish and Teignmouth were mobilised and on scene within minutes of the initial call.

‘Share this Space’ encourages everyone to Be alert, be patient and be nice. This will help create a pleasant environment for everyone and hopefully reduce potential conflict or collisions.

DEVON ELECTION RESULTS ANALYSIS The Conservatives retained control of Devon County Council last week – but they saw their vote share drop and their majority slightly reduce. Under John Hart’s leadership, they have been in charge of the council since 2009, and Thursday’s local elections saw them stretch that reign until 2025.

Coronavirus case numbers in Devon have risen slightly again this week. That’s to be expected though, because of the increase in regular testing of people without symptoms identifying cases that otherwise would have gone undetected. These cases are picked up through routine rapid, lateral flow device (LFD) testing, either at our assisted mobile testing sites, or by people self-testing at home. 

Despite being home to some of the most beautiful beaches in England, many children in the county have never been to the seaside. But that could soon be set to change after Devon County Council voted to back exploring plans to see how to help youngsters access the natural environment that the county has to offer.

Across Devon, there has been a fall in the number of patients in hospital, down to 11 from 13 as of last week, based on the figures showing the position as of Tuesday morning (April 27), with all 11 at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (down from 12 as of last week).

The Heart of the South West LEP (HotSW LEP) Digital Skills Partnership has announced the first of its Train4Tomorrow virtual jobs fairs, which will connect hundreds of newly-trained and highly-skilled digital and technical learners with employers in the South West.

Spring has well and truly arrived with wildlife bursting into life. It’s the perfect time to get out and explore our woodlands, which are awash with spring flowers… – and whilst you are there you could help with wildlife conservation. You don’t have to be an expert to make a valuable contribution to local wildlife. The East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty have organised a simple Violet hunt to run throughout May and June and would love you to join in.

The Deaf Academy has been recognised for its outstanding use of technology in delivering remote teaching and learning in a national education award.                 The Exmouth-based academy has been shortlisted in the TES FE Awards for 2021, and as the only SEN provision shortlisted in this category, it has set the standards of what is possible for Deaf providers all across the country.

The Chief Executive of a leading South West children’s charity is calling on people to continue to support ‘vital’ local hospice care for children and families. Eddie Farwell, who co-founded Children Hospice South West (CHSW) with his wife Jill 30 years ago this month, said lifeline support for families is as important in 2021 as it was in 1991.

A parliamentary debate was held recently to discuss a petition presented to Government for air ambulances across the UK to be centrally funded. However, Devon Air Ambulance (DAA) is extremely proud of its independence and wants to remain that way. In recent years our local air ambulance charity has worked incredibly hard to become clinically independent and now operates a fleet of 2 aircraft and 2 rapid response Critical Care Cars, carefully tailoring an emergency medical service for the people they serve in Devon and the Southwest.

The Donkey Sanctuary is inviting people to become part of its intrepid team of runners in this year’s London Marathon, which takes place on Sunday 3 October. With four participants already signed up, the international animal welfare charity has five places still available for the Virgin Money London Marathon, with another five places available in the Virtual Virgin Money London Marathon.

To celebrate “Bluebell Week” starting this week, East Devon District Council has launched a photo competition to find the best spring photographs of 2021. It could be photos of landscapes, wild flowers or wildlife you have spotted this spring. Simply submit your entry by email to wild@eastdevon.gov.uk or tag your image on social media with @eastdevon and #springeastdevon before the closing date on 31st May.

As coronavirus restrictions ease there’s never been a better time to join this popular and relaxed ensemble. Whether you’ve been playing for 20 years or just 2 the band welcome musicians of all ages and ranges of experience and have a particular need for trombone players at the moment.

With local cricket now entering its third weekend all teams will hope for better weather than last weekend as games were called of or abandoned. In football there are a few local fixtures this weekend.

Topsham beat Withycombe Colts by 33 pts to 12

Bristol Bears 12 Exeter Chiefs 20 Defending champions Exeter Chiefs demonstrated their title credentials by beating Premiership leaders Bristol and ending their six-match winning run.

Exeter City 0 Newport County 0 Yet another disappointing afternoon for Exeter City with a third goal less draw on the trot with play off rivals Newport County at St James Park. Exeter have not scored a goal since the 13th April which doesn't seem very long ago but it's 270 minutes of football.

The Newton Abbot born man was the first Exeter City graduate to play for England since Cliff Bastin in 1938 when he made his debut against San Marino in March, and with his first shot on target he got in on the act scoring the fifth of the five goals in the win for the Three Lines.