East Devon Radio

Works to create a brand new free-to-use Exmouth car park will begin on Monday, 21 June. East Devon District Council (EDDC) will be creating the 12-space parking area in Phear Park.

At 12:07pm today Friday 18 June 2021 the Exmouth RNLI All Weather Lifeboat 13-03 R & J Welburn was tasked by H.M. Coastguard to a report of a male person who had taken to a life-raft after his 40ft fishing boat had started to take on water in Lyme Bay about 6 miles south of Budleigh Salterton.

On the 11th June 2021 in the Queen's Honours List Claire Louise Austin was awarded the BEM (British Empire Medal) for services to the community in Exmouth, Devon during Covid-19. Claire Founded Exmouth Friends in Need in 2018.

Police investigating an assault on a man in Exeter are appealing for information to help with their enquiries. Officers were called to reports of an altercation outside St Sidwell’s Chapel, on Sidwell Street, between 3.30pm and 4pm, on Tuesday 15 June.

Digby is a three year old Labradoodle who volunteers for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service supporting the delivery of critical incident defusing. The purpose of defusing is to reduce the risk of developing post-traumatic stress and where necessary, supporting individuals to gain access to counselling or other support.

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is urging people to learn what to do if someone collapses or stops breathing normally. Only around 1 in 10 people survive a sudden cardiac arrest in the UK, although bystanders can make a big difference if they take the right action fast. According to Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK), “every person should learn to provide the basic skills to save a life”.

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is rolling out body-worn cameras in a bid to reduce violence and aggression against colleagues. All frontline ambulance crews in Cornwall & Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire will be able to wear the cameras, following a significant increase in verbal abuse and physical assaults from patients and other members of the public.

Yesterday at 4pm Devon & Somerset Fire Service received a call to a person in difficulty in Vineycroft Lane, Salcombe Regis. Fire Engines from Ottery St Mary, Colyton and Sidmouth attended an incident following reports of a person on a ride on lawn mower having dropped 15 feet over a bank.

Roadside verges, roundabouts and various patches of land in Exeter have broken out in a riot of colour as wildflowers have started to bloom. Wild flower seeds have been sown throughout the city as part of the Wild City project. Wild City – now over ten years old - sees Exeter City Council work closely with Devon Wildlife Trust to encourage nature into the city.

Does your Uncle James move like a whirlwind? Does your best friend cause an impact wherever they go? Now you can give them the recognition they deserve, by naming a storm after them. The Met Office is searching for the next round of names ahead of the next storm season, and the UK public are once again being asked for their input.

Researchers in Devon are recruiting around 150 participants to a world-first clinical trial which assesses the effect of a third ‘booster’ dose of Covid-19 vaccine. The Cov-Boost study will give people a third dose of a vaccine to see whether it offers better protection against the virus than the standard two injections. The government funded study is being run at 16 National Institute for Health Research sites, including the former NHS Nightingale Hospital Exeter site, and is being led by University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.

Plans for the next section of the Teign Estuary Trail between Newton Abbot and Teignmouth that will provide a safe cycling and walking route between the two towns have been unveiled. Devon County Council has been supported by Teignbridge District Council in preparing the proposals to develop a 5km section of multi-use trail between Passage House Inn in Newton Abbot and the A381 at La Roche Maurice Walk, east of Bishopsteignton.

After a two-year wait, the Government have published the highly anticipated ‘end-to-end’ review of Criminal Justice System (CJS) handling of rape cases in England and Wales. Devon Rape Crisis acknowledges the recognition of need for a cultural shift but says the plans lack urgency, detail and resourcing, and key equalities issues remain unaddressed.

The Awards judges deemed Parental Minds CIC, an organisation founded by Sarah-Lou Glover, the worthy winner of this year’s award.  Sarah-Lou has been a mental health caregiver her whole life and knows what a lonely journey it can be. This was the rationale for establishing Parental Minds in September 2019, which includes an initiative designed to support and empower parents who are acting as caregivers for friends and family. 

Hosting the meeting of world leaders at Carbis Bay on Cornwall’s Atlantic coast was a massive operation with some 6,000 officers from forces across England and Wales drafted in to support. Only a handful of arrests were made during the operation, and pleasingly no officers were injured as protests and demonstrations from several groups largely took place peacefully.

Member champions to help understand and tackle the impacts that domestic abuse and sexual violence in Devon are set to be appointed. Devon County Council’s cabinet last Wednesday morning heard that domestic abuse is the largest single category of crime in Devon, accounting for over 20 per cent of all offences and 40 per cent of violent offences. But while domestic abuse and sexual violence continues to impact thousands of adults and children in Devon each year, often the crimes are hidden, the meeting heard.

More than £2.3 million of Government funding has been awarded to a partnership of councils in Devon to help deliver five local regeneration schemes to boost economic recovery. The One Public Estate programme aims to support councils to deliver initiatives which create economic growth through unlocking land for new homes and jobs; providing new opportunities to save on running costs or generating income funding; or transforming services.

There has been a small increase in the number of patients in Devon in hospital following a positive Covid-19 test – but Cornwall’s hospitals are again Covid free. The latest Government figures, which give the position as of Tuesday, June 8, show that across hospital trusts in the two counties, there are only five patients currently in hospital – up from the one as of June 1.

Any proposals to remove local responsibility for Dartmoor and Exmoor will be strongly opposed in Devon, the leader of the county council has declared. There has been considerable speculation that the Government is planning to centralise the management of Britain’s national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty in a new National Landscape Service. But Cllr John Hart, Devon County Council’s leader, has written to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, George Eustace, and Devon’s MPs urging them to keep the management local.

MPs from Exeter and East Devon have been left surprised by proposals that would see a major shake-up of their electoral wards. Burnthouse Lane, parts of Countess Wear, and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital are set to be moved ‘out of Exeter’ under proposals for a shake-up of England’s electoral map in 2023.

Plans for a new transport hub, two relief roads, and town centre improvements for Exmouth will be put forward in a bid to get nearly £100m of Government cash. Devon County Council’s cabinet, when they met at County Hall in person on Wednesday morning, unanimously agreed with the recommendation to give approval for the council to work with the relevant district councils to submit bids to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

For the first time since mid-September, no deaths relating to coronavirus in both Devon and Cornwall have been recorded in the most recent weekly figures. The figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) which relate to the week of May 22 to May 28 but registered up to June 5, show that none of the 269 deaths registered in the two counties had Covid-19 mentioned on the death certificate. It is the sixth week in a row where there were no deaths in a care home in the two counties, and the 11th consecutive week where the total number of Covid related deaths was in single figures.

Exeter is now ranked 149th in the prestigious QS World University Rankings 2022 – a rise of 15 places compared to last year – placing it among the very best institutions worldwide. This is the 18th year that QS has published its World University Rankings. They are based on six indicators and were compiled by considering more than 1,300 universities. 

This Carers Week Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Newton Abbot and Councillor for Dawlish North East is calling on the Government to provide emergency funding to give carers a break from dramatically increased caring responsibilities during the Covid pandemic:

A team of 10 Coaches and Players from the University of Exeter Demons American Football team are going to lift the equivalent of the Statue of Liberty in a day.  That's 225 tons! or a 37kg lift every minute for ten hours! Originally planned for November many lockdowns ago. This is our second attempt to complete this challenge on Friday 25th June 2021.

A popular East Devon community project based in Honiton will receive nearly £7,500 from East Devon District Council, and £5,000 from Devon County Council in a crowdfunding campaign worth more than £20,000.

Exmouth Museum has reopened after lockdown restrictions were eased – and now its trustees can focus their efforts on generating the funds to repay the loan that enabled them to buy their premises.

Volunteer Steve Randell went above and beyond in his role to help when he was called to Jon Jackson’s home, in Lower Crooked Meadows, Okehampton, and spotted a host of Royal Marines memorabilia.

Devon Air Ambulance recognises that our world is facing a serious and urgent threat to climate change. The journey towards environmental sustainability is ongoing, but sadly it is not something which can be resolved instantly. Instead it is about making a meaningful commitment to addressing the reality of climate breakdown, by acting to radically reduce carbon emissions.

The two intrepid young cousins who set their sights on completing a full mile along Exmouth seafront to raise funds for the lifesaving charity in the RNLI MayDay Mile challenge, proudly fulfilled their pledge this afternoon. A mayday call is the most urgent plea RNLI lifesavers receive, and is used when life is in immediate danger. Usually our lifesavers answer calls for help. But today, with a busy summer on the horizon, it’s they who need YOUR help.

Exeter Chiefs scraped a one-point victory on Saturday (12 June) in a stunning comeback after a brutal first half against Sale Sharks.

Patricia Garcia says exciting times lie ahead for her, on and off the field, after she today agreed a new contract with the Exeter Chiefs Women for next season. The 31-year-old Spanish international has confirmed she will again be part and parcel of Susie Appleby’s squad as they look to attack their second season in the Allianz Premier 15s.

Josh, who signs on a two-year contract, was born in Stevenage but began his career with York City and progressed through the youth side, before moving back down south, featuring for the likes of Hitchin Town, Histon, Arlesey and Baldock Town before joining Norwich City in 2018. He featured heavily for the Canaries under-23s, before making his way to Scottish Championship outfit Dunfermline Athletic. After a short stint at Stotfold in the Spartan South Midlands League, he joined Alan Devonshire's Maidenhead. 

Scott will focus on his coaching career at the club but will be registered as a player, providing goalkeeping cover if required. He joins the club having played every single league match for fellow League Two side Port Vale last season and will be also be progressing his coaching career with the Grecians. 

In the Sunday afternoon Sunshine, for the first time in six years, Exeter City were crowned Devon County Champions following a hard fought 2-1 victory over near rivals Plymouth Argyle. There will be post match interviews with Manager Abbie Britton and midfield maestro Steph Beck (the daughter of East Devon Radio presenter Sheila Beck) will be played out this coming Saturday between 2pm and 6pm on the Radio Allsports show.