East Devon District Council is delighted to announce that the 2017 events guide for Countryside has been published.
The guide, which runs from April through to September, is jam-packed with outdoor events and activities for all ages, which will take place across the district.
As well as over 60 events delivered by the Countryside team there are nearly 100 other events delivered by partner organisations to choose from.
Whether you fancy foraging for a wild lunch, trying out Tai Chi in the countryside or want to learn more about local wildlife on a guided canoe tour...
History of much loved East Devon parks and gardens will be captured for posterity thanks to Heritage Lottery Fund award of £9,500
Interpretation panels for each of East Devon District Council’s eight parks and gardens are currently being developed by the council using information provided by local museums and local community members/groups. East Devon’s in-house design team are currently producing these ready for installation this spring.
The panels and a trail leaflet for this project have been made possible thanks to a £9,500 grant, which East Devon District Council...
Following a competition and public vote, the East Devon District Council Countryside team are pleased to announce that the winning name of the Seaton Wetlands off-road mobility tramper is the Wetlands Wanderer.
The competition to name the vehicle received over 50 entries. The Countryside team narrowed this down to their top ten and opened the competition up to a public vote. Over 70 people voted for their favourite name.
The winning name which was suggested by three people was the Wetlands Wanderer! The name was announced on March 12th in celebration of Disabled Access Day...
Jacqui and Mike Down, owners of the Volunteer Inn in Ottery St Mary, are celebrating a successful first five years at the pub.
The couple, who took on the Volunteer with a view to revitalising it as a traditional town centre pub, first opened the doors as landlords in March 2012.
Jacqui said: “So much has changed since we decided to give the Volunteer a new lease of life; from a rather rundown location the pub has turned into a vibrant meeting place for people from all walks of life.
“Some customers just want a pint and a chat, others come for a meal with friends...
Police are investigating the theft of catalytic converters from nine vehicles in Exmouth and Sidmouth over the weekend.
Thieves singled out people carrier-type vehicles, mostly Ford Galaxy cars, specifically for the converters and exhaust filters. On each occasion the vehicle part was removed with a tool such as a pipe cutter.
In Exmouth four thefts happened from Ford Galaxy vehicles in Salterton Road, Phear Avenue, Phillips Avenue and Withycombe Road. Other vehicles targeted included a Seat Alhambra in Ashleigh Road and a Volkswagen Sharan in Partridge Road.
Volunteers and Countryside rangers welcome nesting kestrels to Seaton's local nature reserve
In the spirit of spring cleaning, the East Devon District Council Countryside team, with the support of three volunteers, has replaced a kestrel box at Seaton Wetlands. Seaton Wetlands is a popular breeding ground for kestrels and has several boxes located across the reserve. These boxes are mounted high on poles and are therefore challenging to check, clean and repair. Site Manager for Seaton Wetlands, James Chubb said: "Each year checking the kestrel boxes is a tough task, so I set out to...
Lympstone Manor, the most eagerly awaited hotel launch in 2017, is offering the limited opportunity to experience the hotel and restaurant at 40% off during its soft opening period from the 20th March to the 2nd April. This soft opening will set the stage for Lympstone Manor’s grand opening, which follows on Monday 3 April, and promises to be an outstanding showcase of the hotel. Michael Caines MBE, Chef Patron and one of the UK’s most acclaimed chefs, has spent the past two years personally overseeing the complete transformation of the Georgian grade II listed mansion overlooking the Exe...
East Devon District Council is making eight changes in the way it provides financial help towards the council tax of residents who are on low incomes.
It’s the first time that the working-age Council Tax Support Scheme has been changed since it was introduced in 2013. The changes bring the scheme in line with the Government’s latest welfare reforms to housing benefits and Universal Credit and will also reduce the council’s administration costs.
The changes, which come into force on 1 April 2017, do not effect pensioners as their discount scheme is set nationally by central...
Farmers in East Devon are being praised for their “stellar effort” in helping the endangered Cirl Bunting to increase its population in Devon tenfold in the past 25 years.
Now, the initiative has been shortlisted for the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards in the Wildlife Success Stories category and voters are being asked to consider the Cirl Buntings alongside the River Otter beavers as their favourite wildlife project.
image004.jpgThe Cirl Bunting is a small farmland bird related to the yellowhammer, but is much rarer. Once formerly widespread across southern England and...
Stroke patients in Eastern Devon will benefit from more joined up services this spring when a rehabilitation unit relocates to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.
This move is the final stage in completing recommendations from a 2013 consultation led by Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the Stroke Association.
In April, inpatient stroke rehabilitation facilities at Ottery St Mary Community Hospital will be transferred to Yealm Ward at the RD&E, next to the Trust’s acute stroke care inpatient facilities on Clyst Ward. Stroke...
