Sidmouth go into their second-against-third meeting with Plymouth at the Fortfield boosted by a six-wicket win over Exeter at the County Ground.
Exeter were held to 167 for eight in their 50 overs – Nathan Prowse coming to their rescue with 50 off 62 balls after going in at 73 for five.
Plenty of batters got started – Zak Bess made 17, Ben Green 20, skipper Miles Lenygon had 16 and Will Steward 18 – but until Prowse and Matt Hicks (20) put on 72 for the seventh wicket there was no sizeable stand.
Sidmouth’s battery of seamers kept Exeter in check, with Josh Bess (2-36) and Scott Barlow (2-34) the most successful.
Openers Josh Bess and Liam Lewis got the visitors away to a 120-run start and that was, all but, game over for Exeter.
Bess went first for 48, followed by Anthony Griffiths (12) then Lewis for 80 off 97 balls, with nine fours and three sixes.
By the time Lewis went the target was 15 to win. Only Adam Gribble (2-28) had much success with the ball for Exeter.
For Sidmouth skipper Will Murray said it was a bonus win over a side that under-performed.
“Exeter were strong with Rob Holman and Matt Hicks back in – so strong they could drop Billy Searle and George Greenway into the second XI,” said Murray. “It was very pleasing to beat a side that strong so convincingly. Our bowlers contained their batters, then Josh and Liam made it easy for us with another big stand.”
Lenygon admitted his side were ‘completely outplayed’, but offered one mitigating factor.
“Sidmouth bowled great areas and none of our batters could get on top,” said Lenygon.
“Defending only 167, we felt we might have had a slight chance if we struck early. We dropped Liam first ball, but it was a sharp chance and to be honest he looked a class apart from any other batting we’ve come up against this season.
“We’ve got a lot of batting, but someone in that top order – myself included – needs to put their hand up and get a meaningful score.”
Exeter make the short trip to Budleigh Salterton on Sunday in the Devon Cup.
Sidmouth should prove too strong for Chudleigh, who are winless at the bottom of the A Division.
Young paceman Ollie Dawe will miss Exmouth’s league and cup double header as he is recovering from an operation.
Dawe helped mop up the stragglers last time out as Torquay were thrashed by 164 runs.
Since then Dawe has been into hospital for minor surgery, which will stop him playing against Exeter in the league and Paignton in the Devon Cup on Sunday.
“Ollie has had a operation as he had a bone sticking out of his wrist,” said Exmouth skipper Richard Baggs.
“He is going to be out for couple of weeks, which is a shame as he’s done a fantastic job for us since breaking into the side a couple of weeks ago.
“Matt Webb is back on Saturday – and we will have Ian Bishop on Sunday in the cup tie.”
Exmouth signed former Surrey, Somerset and Devon seamer Bishop in time to play against Torquay as cover for Webb.
He hasn’t appeared in the Devon League since 2010, when he was with Budleigh, but current club Staplegrove had no game last Saturday and he responded to an approach from Baggs to help out.
Sandy Allen carried his bat for an unbeaten century as the Premier Division leaders racked up 278 for four in a rain-affected 48 overs.
The Devon keeper-batter shared stands of 53 with Bob Dawson (20), 40 with David Lye (13), 49 with Seb Benton (26) and 114 with skipper Baggs. Baggs made a brisk 62 off 63 balls with seven fours and two sixes.
Torquay needed a solid start to be competitive – and 51 for four in the 20th over wasn’t it!
The damage was done by Bishop on his Exmouth debut as he took three for 27.
Dawe (2-19) and Gary Chappell (3-13) got stuck into the middle and lower order as Torquay subsided to 114 all out.
“We played some really good cricket at times and are getting better,” said Baggs. “It is another tough game against Exeter – and rubbish weather all week, which never helps.”
Heathcoat, who take on North Devon this Saturday, lost the toss and lost the match at Bovey Tracey, where they had to bat first in poor conditions and were bundled out for 98.
Bovey found runs almost as hard to find and at 70 for six were getting anxious.
Qaasim Adams, who bowled seven overs for 11 runs, and Jamie Drew (2-14) gave Bovey little to hit. Jack Menheneott (3-36) started picking up wickets and when he removed Peter Bradley (23) then Malcolm Lake (19) it was game on.
However, a skipper’s knock of 21 not out by Bovey’s Andy Fairbairn saw the home side over the line in the 32nd over. It was hardly convincing.
Heathcoat opener Toby Lochead made 16, Smith got 22 coming in at third wicket down and only Jason Parr (14) joined them on double figures.
There were three wickets each for Nathan Roberts and Malcolm Lake, and two for six from nine overs for Sam Hickenbottom, who really bogged Heathcoat down.
Sandford beat North Devon by four wickets to lift themselves off the bottom of the table ahead of the visit of Torquay this weekend.
Results elsewhere mean Sandford aren’t even in the bottom two as Cornwood, Torquay and Exeter have all slipped below them.
North Devon were dismissed for 158 in the 45th of 50 overs as the last seven wickets fell for 23 runs, with Ryan Glass (3-28) and Russ Discombe (3-27) inducing a selection of rash shots.
Skipper Jamie Palmer (3-16) came back at the end to knock over the last wicket.
Discombe made 25, Adrian Small chipped in with 20 and by the time Laurence May was dismissed for 27 Sandford were almost there.
Luandre van Wyk (11) and Shaun Hawkins (18no) pretty well wrapped things up.

Exeter City have released a further statement regarding the £100,000 loan they received from the Professional Footballers' Association, saying they intend to pay the money back by early August. The statement read: "The club had budgeted for the summer months as usual, however, due to many reasons; with the postponement of the New Year's Day fixture v Wycombe, quickly followed by the Morecambe postponement being major elements, along with a lower than expected Season Ticket income through March and April we realised that with limited working capital available, a number of outstanding debts and no ability to borrow from the bank the Club was left with no other option than to take a loan of £100k from the PFA in early June. "There will be no impact on the day to day running of the club as the loan is required only to assist with cash-flow. "The budget for the coming season has been set on the basis that we will establish a return to our more usual funding pattern for the year as a whole. The loan will be repaid to the PFA in early August. "Finally, none of the loan will be to assist with the historic return to Brazil in July, which is entirely self-funding, or any other out of the ordinary projects."

Exminster police are appealing for information after a fishy theft. The team are looking for infoamtion following the theft of four large gold fish from a fish tank located at the front of a property in Old Matford Lane, Matford near Exeter. The incident occurred between 7.00am and 8.00am on Wednesday 21st May. If anyone has any information they are asked to contact the police on 101.

Thorverton  go into Saturday’s derby clash against Shobrooke Park second in the B Division table after beating Braunton by 75 runs.
The Thors recovered from 75 for six to make 185 all out in the last of their 45 overs – Dan Beatty top-scoring with 71.
After Jake Crouch had been and gone for 29, the Thors collapsed and a stand of 77 between Beatty and Harry Choules (32) got them a target the bowlers could defend.
Braunton were all out for 110 in reply – their last five wickets falling for 17 runs as they collapsed against Jake Choules (4-21). Beatty (2-15) and the impressive Stuart Tait (2-18) backed up Choules.
Thorverton trail leaders Tavistock by 12 points and will be looking to narrow the gap against Shobrooke.
Skipper Graham White said the day started badly by losing the toss, but thanks to some gritty displays it worked out well. White said: “We were put in on a wet one and at 75 for six I am thinking ‘lost the toss, lost the game’.
“Having got a total, we then set about defending it. Jake did well for us, but I have to mention Stuart Tait, who came on as first change and bowled exceptionally.”
<b>Shobrooke Park</b> came a cropper against bottom side Stoke Gabriel, who sneaked home by one wicket in a thrilling game.
Veteran Richard Pyle top scored for Shobrooke with 47 in a total of 197 all out. Jon James (33) and Chris Simpson (29) weighed in with some support.
An unbeaten century from Seb Ansley – he made 103 off 125 balls – saw Stoke to their first win of the season.
Simpson (3-42), Alvin Pollard (2-44) and Nick Prell (2-55) all put Stoke under pressure at times, but could not budge Ansley.
<b>Axminster</b> beat Bideford by 42 runs in the clash of the prompted sides.
Axminster were runners-up to Bideford in the C Division last season, but there was nothing second rate about them in their win.
A stand of 62 between Joel Seward (33) and Paul Miller (20) pointed Axminster towards their final total of 185 for nine after opener Johnny Hurford had made 52 in a 72-run partnership with Gary Larcombe.
With wickets in hand in the last five overs, Axminster swung the bat.
Bideford were soon in trouble at 23 for three as Nick Taylor (2-25) took wickets while Seward was bottling them up.
Alex Wraight (3-18) and Dan Fuzzard (2-11) removed the lower-order batters to give Axminster a comfortable win.
Axminster, who gave a debut to new signing Dave Field against Bideford, are away to Braunton this weekend.

Thousands of people have been watching shows and movies using the latest free cartoon and movie streaming App, Cartoon HD. However users have today raised fears that the app could be coming to an end after the application appeared down. The site that the app was downloaded from, GappCenter, also appears to be down. Some suggestions have been made that users can change the date on their device to two days ago and it will start working again but this has not been proven successful in all cases. The App which offers users free streaming of both cartoons and movie releases could be found on the Apple App Store over Christmas, but then was pulled. Users then started downloading it via a website Downloads are said to include latest releases from the cinema, including ones currently being shown in movie theatres Cartoon HD remains free, the creative industries are worth £8million an hour to the British economy. The main internet providers in the UK have said they will send letters to people who download copyrighted films without paying for it. Under the new code bodies will monitor IP addresses of downloaders. The first letters will be sent from next year and it is thought that at first they will have an educational tone, rather than be penalty led.

A charity is calling on local residents to help ensure Exeter is part of a national music festival this summer. 'Our Big Gig' is England's largest interactive music celebration, showcasing local talent and providing opportunities for people to make their own songs free-of-charge. But while almost £500 has been pledged towards the comment event at Belmont Park on July 12, it will not go ahead unless more money is raised by next week. A campaign has been launched by Magic Carpet, the city's arts for health charity, to raise the necessary funds for the event to take place. Hannah Mumby, Magic Carpet's opportunities worker, said: "Our fun day will be a great time for people to come together and celebrate creativity, get involved and learn more about music. We need your help to fund workshops led by talented musicians and artists, and all it takes is your donations." People are being asked to give the money through Spacehive – the world's first 'crowdfunding' platform for civic projects. The charity says the event will help supports its work with local vulnerable people, including those with mental health issues and learning disabilities. Hannah added: "We know through our work over the last 30 years that taking part in art and music activities can bring a massive boost of confidence, offer a chance to meet new people and have fun, and can be a way of exploring talents and skills you never knew about before. We want to share this creative spirit with everyone through our arts and music fun day, and at the same time raise money to help us continue our valuable work with local vulnerable people, in a time when funding is scarce." The day will include a variety of music and drawing workshops, an art exhibition, and a performance from a community choir. Organisers hope more than 200,000 people will attend various events across England and Wales between July 11-13. Katharine Lane, director of Superact, said: "Just as football will unite thousands of people this summer at the World Cup, so too will music and we hope Our Big Gig will again offer a unique way for communities to come together." Established in 1981, Magic Carpet seeks to enrich and enhance the lives of hundreds of local people every year, many of whom would otherwise feel isolated from society. To donate money to the Exeter event, visit this page: https://spacehive.com/magiccarpetfunday

The University of Exeter has narrowly missed-out on a top 10 national ranking in an influential league table. The Guardian University Guide named the city institution as the 12th best UK university in its newly released 2015 edition. It is the second year running the university has been given the number 12 position in the countrywide guide after being ranked 10th in 2012. The latest guide also placed Exeter as the second best university in the South West, beaten by the University of Bath in 4th place. The University of Exeter praised its "significant success" in the guide, saying it was "strengthening its position as one of the best universities in the country". Professor Sir Steve Smith, University of Exeter vice chancellor and chief executive, said: "I am delighted by these superb results, which are a testament to the dedication, commitment and hard work displayed every day by students and staff across all our campuses. "We pride ourselves on providing the very best environment in which our students can truly flourish, and these results reflect that ambition. These latest rankings in the influential Guardian league table cements our status as one of the best universities in the country." A number of its subjects were ranked in the top 10, including Sport and Health Sciences (2nd), Medical Imaging (2nd), Engineering: materials and mineral (2nd), History (4th), and Theology (4th). Among the biggest climbers were Politics (up from 25th to 8th), Philosophy (22nd to 10th), Mathematics (15th to 8th) and Psychology (19th to 8th). The Guardian University Guide ranks universities according to a number of factors, including academic excellence and how happy students are with their courses, based on the National Student Survey. Exeter's overall position was out of 116 UK higher education institutions in the 2015 Guide, published on June 3. Liam Byrne, shadow minister for higher education, said: "The Guardian university guide is a powerful weapon in the prospective student's arsenal. Its unrivalled analysis of university performance is complemented by a rigorous dataset – from student satisfaction rates to employability statistics – enabling young people to make an informed choice on where to study." Last month Exeter University was awarded the number 10 position in The Complete University Guide for the second successive year. It climbed two places to 8th in the in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2014.

A COMMITTEE has been formed in a bid to save the 100 Club in Countess Wear. More than 50 people attended a meeting on Thursday of last week where a group of local residents was formally constituted. They want to save the 100 Club after the Devon County Council announced it was cutting its funding by offering to run it. Lesley Robson said they were hoping to attract more people to the committee. Contact her on 01392221369.

An appeal has gone out to find the owners of a tortoise in Devon – after it travelled 500 miles to King's Lynn. Workers at a paper recycling plant in the Norfolk town were stunned to see the tortoise buried under a pile of newspapers which were just about to be pulped. They think it travelled on a lorry after being picked up from a recycling depot in Silverton, in Mid Devon. Joe Cooper, who has taken the tortoise in and given it a home since finding it, said he was shocked that it survived the journey along the length of the country. "It's been scooped into the back of at least two lorries and has been buried under tonnes of paper, but looks happy and well," he said. "I've brought it home and it's living in my spare room, in a box. My wife doesn't mind and if no-one claims it then I'll give it to my grandson. We've become quite attached to it. "It's been out in the garden a few times and likes it out there – it seems very happy and probably has a better life than me! We believe it's a female, so we've called her Tina." The 47-year-old said he had no idea how Tina the Tortoise came to mixed up with the papers at Palm Paper in King's Lynn on Monday. But he said it was a miracle that she survived. "I've been here for five years and I've never seen anything like it," he said. "You get the odd little creature in with the papers sometimes, but nothing like this. At first I thought it was a shoe, but then I realised what it was. It's amazing that it has lived. If I hadn't spotted it would have been pulped with the papers. "To survive being picked up and dropped off with tonnes of papers and come out unscathed is amazing really." He said the depot, which makes pulp from paper for newsprint, gets deliveries from up top 80 lorries a day, from across the country and abroad, but Tina is believed to have been picked up in Silverton. It is possible she crawled into a recycling box, and could be from just about anywhere in Devon. "We love the little thing but I would love it even more if someone comes forward and the tortoise can be returned to the environment where it came from," said Joe. "That would make me very happy." If you are missing a tortoise or know someone who is, and can prove Tina is yours, contact the Echo newsdesk on 01392 3442239.

A HUNDRED of the region's best bloggers and aspiring journalists will gather in Exeter on Saturday, June 7. The 2014 South West Blogger Event will take place at the Oddfellows in New North Road from noon to 6pm. The event is being organised by local bloggers Jodie Dewberry, of A la Jode, and Albertine Brandon, of Dippy Writes. Jodie said: "There are always big blogger events in London so we thought we would take the action outside of the capital." Tickets can be purchased at www.southwestblogsocial.com The first major event of its kind to take place in the South West, it has been well received by a number of Exeter based independent businesses keen to make their mark amongst the UK blogging community. The event will have a strong local business presence providing an opportunity for bloggers to not only network, but also hear talks from PR specialists, social media experts and some of the best bloggers around. "The event will be a fantastic networking opportunity for bloggers and local businesses alike. We have worked hard not only to make sure that the event is as much fun as possible- but also to give it a real South West flavour." Blogger events are never going to happen quietly, they know how to create some serious buzz! Not only will the event feature wall-to-wall beauty, cocktails and networking but also the forth cornerstone of any self-respecting blogger event- an impressive goodie bag. Including gifts from a host of local innovative businesses including Erin Cox Jewellery, The Real McCoy, Urban Burger, No Guts No Glory, Bon Gout Delicatessen, Exeter Trails and Cafe at 36 as well as full size Yves Rocher products supplied by Baobella, giving bloggers significant inspiration for future blog posts. Erin Cox, owner of Erin Cox Jewellery on Castle Street commented "As an ambitious Exeter based business we are keen to network not only locally, but also on a national level. We see blogging as a natural expansion of word of mouth marketing and are really interested in exploring the value bloggers can add to our business" The South West Blogger Event will be taking place on Saturday June 7th at the Oddfellows in Exeter from 12pm midday to 6pm. Local independent businesses interested in participating in future South West Blogger events should contact Jodie Dewberry, hello@alajode.com

Around Exeter area by area, the news down your street edited by Anne Byrne. Contribute by emailing Anne on abyrne@expressandecho.co.uk or give us a call on 01392 442233 Alphington School parking THE go-ahead has been given for the painting of double yellow lines close to the primary school in Wheatsheaf Way. At the moment, apart from the yellow zig-zags, there are only single yellow lines and problems are being caused by parents on the school run stopping to drop off and pick up their children. Councillor Roy Hill told Community News that he supports the change and added that the headteacher has been having to police parking, going out to try to stop parents parking because she is so concerned about the safety of the children who are walking to school. Cllr Hill said: "Other parents are also very pleased about this. "It means there will be no parking allowed between 8.30am and between 9.30am and 3.30pm and 4.30pm. "It is only a minority of parents who are causing a problem." Beware! bodies POTENTIAL developers of a field on the edge of Exeter have been urged to watch out for old dead bodies. Earlier this year a public exhibition revealed of a proposed 214-home development just south of Alphington along the Chudleigh Road. Waybrook Lane is the northern boundary of this development. One landmark building along the Chudleigh Road is The Gables which is nearly 300 years old. Harry Pugh of Exeter said that in its early days The Gables was used as a prison for people who were going to be hung. In those days the death sentence could be imposed for horse stealing and housebreaking. Known as the Bloody Code, at its height the criminal law included some 220 crimes punishable by death, including "being in the company of gypsies for one month", "strong evidence of malice in a child aged seven to 14 years of age" and "blacking the face or using a disguise whilst committing a crime". Mr Pugh said: "After they were hung their bodies were buried in the field opposite. "If you are going to build a residential estate on that field I hope that care is taken when you are exhuming the bodies and their remains are respected. "Also should the future owners of the houses be informed that their houses are built on ground where possible murderers were buried?" The story is in part confirmed in David Cornforth's Exeter Memories which reports: "For the locals, justice was hard – a house now known as the Gables, in Chudleigh Road, was built in 1730. "During its early years, it was used as a prison for those sentenced to death, and due to be hanged at the Old Oak Tree on the Shillingford Road. "The Gables had a tunnel that was also used as a wine cellar –- the prisoners would be led through the tunnel to their execution, and their bodies brought back along Hangman's Lane, to be buried opposite the house, on the other side of the Chudleigh Road." Scheme update CLLR Hill also tells Community News that highways engineers are still working on a scheme to solve the rat running problems in Doctors Walk/Balls Farm Road. The road is closed to traffic at certain times of the day but the restriction is being ignored by some trying to avoid traffic queues on Dunsford Road. Cllr Hill said: "I had a site meeting with highways but a solution is still being worked up. "As soon as I hear anything I will let residents know." City-wide Part-night delay DEVON County Council's programme of introducing part-night street lighting across the whole of the city has been delayed. A Devon County Council spokesman said: "The provisional schedule to convert street lighting to part-night operations in Exeter has been delayed. "Our contractors are having to clear a backlog of faulty street lighting before re-commencing further work on the programme in the city, which should resume by September." The scheme was due to start in Duryard and Pennsylvania this month. St David's and St James' were due to start in July, followed by Priory and St Leonard's in September, Newtown and Polsloe in November, Pinhoe and Mincinglake in January, Heavitree and Whipton Barton in February and finally St Loye's and Topsham in March. Now the rolling programme, with residential street lights switched off between 12.30am and 5.30am, will begin in September. Hair today... EXETER schoolgirl Emily Pring is preparing to shave off her lovely long hair to raise money for the Exeter Leukaemia Fund. Emily, 13, has lost her grandmother and grandfather to leukaemia and is determined to do all she can to help ELF. The Clyst Vale Community College student said: "Before I was born, my nan died of leukaemia and, recently, my grandad has passed away after being diagnosed with the same condition for over ten years. "Since then, I have felt like I have wanted to give back something to the charity that has helped them and that is why I am going to shave my hair off for ELF." The big cut is set for July 18 and the event will be held at the school in hope to raise as much money as possible. Emily said: " My hair will go to the Little Princess Trust which is a charity that makes real hair wigs for children. "My target is to raise £1,000 and I am doing whatever I can to maximise the amount of money that is raised for the charity. "Please donate via my just giving page (Emily's Head Shaving) or via a text donation. Please text ELFF80 and the amount you wish to donate (£1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10) to 70070 which will send your money straight to ELF." Bloomin' best EXETER will need to be looking its best on Tuesday July 8 – for the arrival of the Britain in Bloom judges. The city comes under the green microscope when the two judges arrive at the Guildhall for a cup of tea with the Lord Mayor, Cllr Percy Prowse, before setting off on a tour of the city, that starts at Rougement Gardens. From there it is on to High Street and the flower displays outside McGahey's before heading across to the wonders of Southernhay Gardens. After lunch at the Guildhall the examination continues with a visit to Stoke Hill Infants School which has been a leading light in school gardening and landscaping. This will be followed by a comprehensive tour of Exeter University's renowned campus gardens. SAFE funds EXETER historian and author Dr Todd Gray organised a fundraising lecture in support of a campaign to establish a new women's refuge in the city. The lecture at Exeter Guildhall, entitled Exeter's Women and the Great War, was filled to capacity and raised £1,055. He said: "I found this very encouraging. "I know very little about the refuge but I just can't understand how we can not have one. "What was great about the talk was that it was clear that the majority of people wished it well." "I appreciate that we live in financially-pressed times but I cannot bear to think that there are women today in Exeter who would be uncertain as to where they can go to be safe." Charity tread EXETER cleaner Wayne Hill is taking to the treadmill to help raise money for Exeter's Hospiscare. Wayne, 40, works at Exeter University and has been a long time supporter of the city charity. He said: "I have lost family members with cancer, my grandad passed away in 1982 with cancer, and a few years ago, I lost two of my uncles with cancer, and some friends who passed away in Hospiscare. "The staff work so hard, and it is a worthy cause, which is deep in my heart." To help raise money Wayne will be running of a treadmill for six hours and is hoping as many people as possible will come forward to sponsor him. If anyone would like to back Wayne they can do so through www.justgiving.co.uk/wayne-john-hill1 River Plate THE 75th anniversary of the Battle of the River Plate falls this December. According to Lord Mayor, Cllr Percy Prowse, the city council is planning a commemoration event. Watch this space for details! The Battle of the River Plate took place on December 13, 1939, when HMS Exeter, Ajax and Achilles took on the might of Germany's battleship Graf Spee east of the River Plate – an estuary between Argentina and Uruguay. After being badly damaged the Graf Spee was scuttled in the River Plate on December 17. The battle brought the first Royal Navy victory of the Second World War and gave a much needed lift to the country's morale. In Winston Churchill's regular radio broadcasts to the nation, he said: "This brilliant sea fight takes its place in our naval annals and in a long, cold, dark winter it warmed the cockles of the British hearts." Torture victims THE Devon supporters group of Freedom from Torture is currently raising awareness of the charity's latest report which shows that rape is used routinely by state officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo to punish politically active women, both in the capital Kinshasa and other regions. The report analyses medical reports written by doctors at Freedom from Torture which clearly indicates that rape is being used as torture by state security forces in prisons. The Devon group, which has more than 40 members, raises funds to help Freedom from Torture provide medical assessments, therapy and support to survivors of torture at five centres around the UK. Kate Hannan, from the local group, said: "This report shows why the fundraising efforts of our local supporters group are badly needed by Freedom from Torture and torture survivors in this country. "The brutal and repeated sexual violence these women experience while being held in state facilities in the DRC is a deliberate attempt to humiliate, punish and control not only these individuals, but also the whole group to which they belong. The survivors have described feelings of hopelessness, powerlessness and despair. "They need Freedom from Torture's services, such as psychotherapy, to have a hope of rebuilding their lives." If you would like to find out more about the Devon support group email the co-ordinator on snierhoff@freedomfromtorture.org Cranbrook Planning money Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey has paid more than £80,000 to the community as part of its new Cranbrook development near Exeter. The builders contributed £59,330 towards a play area, while other payments have also included nearly £6,000 towards a community development worker at Cranbrook and £22,231 towards youth facilities, including a temporary youth centre and a youth worker. The investment forms part of the planning agreement with the local authority which will ultimately see community funding totalling around £12.5m provided by the housebuilder during the lifetime of the development. Peter Bowden, county councillor for Broadclyst and Whimple said: "These contributions are made in the interests of the community and add considerable benefit to all residents in more ways than one." Janine Copleston, regional sales and marketing director for Taylor Wimpey, said: "This investment reflects our belief that building new homes is about more than just providing high-quality properties for people to live in – it is about giving homebuyers the chance to be part of a thriving and sustainable community." Heavitree Coffee morning THE congregation of St Paul's Church, Burnthouse Lane, is holding its next monthly coffee morning in the Rifford Room at Heavitree Parish Church in Church Street on Saturday, June 7. The event will run from 10am to 11.30am and the cost of admission is 20p. There will be the usual cake and craft stalls and draws. Pinhoe Early birds EVERYONE living around the Harrington Lane area has been keen to have the drains in the road cleared – but at 6am? A resident, who did not wish to be named, told Community News: "I heard a strange noise about 6am and looked out and there was a South West Highways lorry cleaning the drains. "They really needed doing, as residents had to do it themselves last winter to prevent flooding but this was a bit early, especially as it was during the week when the schools were off." Panto dates COMMUNITY News has been asked to point out that we were given the wrong dates for the forthcoming performances by Pinhoe Pantomime Association. The correct dates for One Fine Day, which is a light-hearted trip through 24 hours, are from Thursday, July 3 to Saturday, July 5 at the America Hall, Pinhoe. Performances will support Hospiscare which the association has chosen as its charity for the year. Polsloe Bright new lines RESIDENTS in the Ladysmith Road area have been dazzled – but shiny new double yellow lines around the road junctions. And that has to be good news as councillor Richard Westlake has been receiving complaints from residents about the dangers caused by cars parked on junctions. Although there have been complaints about roads right across the ward, most of them have concerned the junction of Bonnington Grove and Goldsmith Street. Cllr Westlake told Community News: "If the yellow lines are not clearly defined then there are difficulties about enforcement. "I have had lots of complaints as it is becoming a real worry. "The biggest moan is when you get high sided vans parked on the junctions so that you have to creep out as you really can't see if there is anything coming." RD&E Hospital It's OK to ask FOR patient Elena Lilley, taking part in a clinical trial to improve her kidney function has proved life changing. She told her story on International Clinical Trials Day last month to staff at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, which hosts the National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network: South West Peninsula. Clinical research is, and has always been, at the very heart of the NHS. A spokeswoman for the hospital explained: "Only by carrying out research into 'what works' can we improve treatment options for patients." As part of the wider celebration of International Clinical Trials Day, the CRN is supporting the 'Ok to Ask' campaign, encouraging people to ask their doctor or local hospital if they are interested in taking part in research. Elena was first diagnosed with atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome in 2005, which left her needing to travel from her home in Barnstaple to Exeter three times a week for plasma exchange treatment. Her kidney function had been badly affected and she would soon need haemodialysis treatment. In April 2010 doctors at the RD&E suggested to Elena that she would be a good candidate for a clinical trial run by the CRN using a new drug called Eculizumab. She said: "It was quite daunting and there was no evidence that it would work, but I was always positive about it. "I just thought – do it and see. I couldn't carry on the way I was." Throughout the three-year trial, Elena received the drug intravenously at the RD&E every two weeks. She has since seen a remarkable improvement in her kidney function – from five per cent to 20 per cent – and continues to receive the drug. Elena said: "It has made an indescribable difference. I don't think of myself as poorly any more. I've got more energy and was able to take on a full-time job. It really has completely turned my life around." Thanks to her own positive experience, Elena is keen to raise awareness of the importance of clinical research. She is supporting the campaign, despite being approached by doctors herself. "I always thought, if it doesn't work for me then it might help someone else. If you don't try then you won't know." Ana Juett, NIHR CRN: South West Peninsula said: "Thanks to research such as this, we are able to compare and evaluate different treatments in a safe and relevant way to help make patients better. "If people are interested in taking part in clinical research, we would like to encourage them to ask their doctor, practice nurse or local hospital staff." International Clinical Trials Day was marked at the RD&E with public information stalls manned by the research team, as well as a poster display for clinical staff. The displays showcased research that is on-going throughout the Trust, including Orthopaedics, the Emergency Department, Paediatrics, Neurology, Diabetes and collaborations with the University of Exeter. For more information about taking part in clinical trials at the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust please contact Alison Potter, nurse manager – clinical trials, on 01392 406901or alisonpotter@nhs.net St David's Funds concert POPULAR chamber choir ExeVox are helping to raise much-needed funds for St David's Church. The west end of the church is subsiding and to help meet the cost of repairs the choir is to preform in the church on Sunday, June 15. The concert will begin at 5pm, having been preceded by tea, which is included in the ticket price, at 4pm. Tickets are priced at £10 (£7 for students and £3 for under 16s) Tickets are available now by ringing 01803 782669 or emailing info@exevox.org.uk The church has recently submitted a bid for a grant from the heritage Lottery Fund and is waiting to hear if it has been successful. Student flats PLANS for 12 student cluster flats, to house 34 students in Eagle Yard in Tudor Street have been registered with the city council. If given the go-ahead the present buildings would be demolished. The buildings are partly sited over Higher Leat, a medieval water course. Eagle Yard was first settled in the 17th century by those involved in Exeter's cloth industry and it is likely that some of the building were used in the dyeing process. From the mid 19th century to the early 20th century the buildings were used as an iron foundry. Fete opening ONE for the diary – St David's Church fete is on July 5 between noon and 2.30pm and it has just been announced that it will be officially opened by Lord Mayor of Exeter, Cllr Percy Prowse. Performing will be the City of Exeter Railway Band. Topsham Parking spaces PLANNING permission has been granted for the removal of three sycamore trees at the doctors' surgery in Holman Way. The trees will make way for additional car parking spaces. Exeter City Council took the view that the removal of the trees 'would not have a significant detrimental impact on the visual amenity of the surrounding area'. West Exe Playground talk THEY will be the talk of the playground. They will be coming soon to primary schools across West Exe. What are they? Watch this space! Wonford Garden help? IS your garden proving too much for you? If the answer is yes, then help is at hand in the shape of youngsters fromWynstream Primary School. Andy Shiach, the youth and community worked with the Wonford and St Paul's Youth and Community project (WASP), is working with the school and is looking to take six children into the Burnthouse Lane estate every Monday afternoon. Initially the group will be doing mini garden make-overs. The scheme is being supported by Exeter City Council which is providing bags and removing the garden waste. If you would like your garden tended contact Andy on 077401 07600 or email andy@heavitreeteam.org.uk

Devon's Crealy Great Adventure Park has welcomed its latest addition to the family. To celebrate we're offering readers the chance to name the new foal and win a family day pass to the South West's number one family attraction. The little filly lives in The Animal Kingdom which is home to Devon's Crealy Great Adventure Park's animal friends include ponies, goats and guinea pigs. And there's hissing cockroaches and giant land snails at Bugz Unlimited, the new creepy crawly attraction. The choice of foal names is Tilly, Tallulah, Trixie, Topsy or Toshi. Vote below and include your telephone number for a chance to win:

Christopher Dunn, 34, of Abbeville Close, Exeter, was given a suspended prison sentence after unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm upon a person in the city on New Year's Day. He was committed to prison for 26 weeks suspended for 12 months. The offence was deemed so serious because it was an assault on a vulnerable person while the defendant was under the influence of alcohol, resulting in significant injuries. Mr Dunn was told to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work over the period of 12 months. He was also fined a total of £425. Sam Kirby, 19, of Kingsmead Drive, Torrington, admitted driving a vehicle without due care and attention and without an adequate license on the A3072 in North Tawton on November 28, 2013. He was fined £245 and given five penalty points on his driving licence. Stephen Ringrow, 29, of The Furze, Yeovil, was banned from driving after admitting driving on the M5 in Exeter at a speed exceeding 70mph on February 8. He was disqualified from holding or obtaining a license for 28 days and fined a total of £461. Danny Berner, 18, of no fixed abode, Exeter, admitted drunk and disorderly behaviour at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital in Exeter on April 21. He was fined £15. Tori Fletcher, 24, of Victory Street, Plymouth, admitted assaulting two police officers in Exeter on April 2. She also stole alcohol valued at £10.97 from a Co-operative store in the city on the same date. Ms Fletcher was given a community order, including drug rehabilitation. She was also fined £60. Charlotte Proctor, 26, of Chestnut Avenue, Burnthouse Lane, Exeter, was given a suspended prison sentence after committing a number of offences in and around Exeter. She stole two leather jackets to the value of £400 from Fat Face in Princesshay on February 20. Proctor was found with two foil lined bags in connection with the theft on February 27. Then on March 8 she stole food items, to the value of £99.99, belonging to Darts Farm, Topsham. And on March 13 she stole food items, to the value of £135.93, belonging to Co-op in Exeter. She was found with foil lined bags, a wig and sunglasses for use in connection with theft in Exeter on March 28. She was also in possession of a quantity of the class A drug methadone. Then on April 19 in Exeter she stole items of clothing to the value of £96 belonging to Mothercare. Ms Proctor was committed to prison for eight weeks, suspended for 12 months. The reason for custody was that the theft offences were pre-meditated and pre-planned, and the defendant appeared unable or unwilling to respond to non-custodial sentences. She was given a supervision order for 12 months, including a drug rehabilitation requirement and a requirement to participate in Thinking Skills for 19 sessions over 19 days. She was also fined a total of £180. Paul Steer, 53, of Fernworthy Gardens, Copplestone, was given a suspended prison sentence for drink-driving. He drove a car on Western Road, Crediton, on February 22 after consuming so much alcohol that he exceeded the prescribed limit. Mr Steer was committed to prison for 12 weeks suspended for 12 months. The reason for custody was that the defendant was three times over the legal limit and it was his second conviction of the year. He was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for three years, reduced by 36 weeks subject to the completion of a driving course. He was also fined £165. Graham Gibson, 51, of Rushall Lane, Corfe Mullen, Dorset, was fined a total of £791 after driving a car on the A35 in Honiton, East Devon, without due care and attention. He was also penalised with six points added to his licence. Jemma Rose, 33, of Esther Community, St David's Hill, Exeter was given a suspended prison sentence of six weeks after committing a string of offences in Exeter. She stole a bottle of Smirnoff vodka, to the value of £19.99, belonging to Marks & Spencer on April 28. She stole a Power Force drink, an art case and a sketch book, to the value of £2.57, belonging to the 99p store on April 29. A suspended sentence order was made on a number of previous offences committed in Exeter. She assaulted a female police constable during the execution of her duty on November 27, 2013. She stole a bottle of Prosecco, to the value of £10, belonging to the Co-op on Heavitree Road on June 26, 2013. She stole eight cans of lager, to the value of £8.50, belonging to Co-op on February 22, 2013. She stole two packets of sausages worth £5 from Costcutters on the same date. Oscar Phillips, 35, of no fixed abode in Exeter, contacted a woman breaking a restraining order imposed on December 27, 2013. He was fined £15. Matthew Lockyear, 44 of Buddle Lane, Exeter, was banned from driving following a number of offences. On October 30, 2013, he failed to give information relating to the identity of the driver of a vehicle that was allegedly involved in an offence in Truro. He was disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence for six months due to repeat offending. He was given six penalty points on his licence. Mr Lockyear was fined £745. Samantha Mackenzie, 25, of Bridge Court, Exeter, was banned from driving following a number of offences. She was found to have used a vehicle without adequate insurance or a licence on St David's Hill roundabout on December 8, 2013. Ms Mackenzie was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for six months due to repeat offending. She was given six penalty points on her licence. Ms Mackenzie was also fined a total of £855. Janet Power, 58, of Manvers Street, Bath was found to have behaved in a disorderly way while drunk at Kings public house on Cowick Street on February 18. Kieron Hulatt, 18, of Bilbie Close, Cullompton admitted driving a motor vehicle, namely a white Ford transit, on November 24, 2013, on the B3181 in the town without an adequate licence, without adequate insurance, and without the consent of the owner. He was given six penalty points on his driving licence. Mr Hulatt was also fined a total of £210.

Paul Tisdale says he is not currently looking to replace Matt Gill and Eliot Richards after the two players turned down deals at Exeter City to sign for League Two rivals Tranmere Rovers.
Both players were out-of-contract, but had been offered deals to stay at St James’s Park next season having performed well in the 2013/14 campaign.
Richards played 17 games for the club scoring five goals – including the winner in a 2-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle at Home Park in March – while Gill played 26 times for the club last season despite only joining in October.
However, following former Grecians assistant manager Rob Edwards’ appointment as boss of Tranmere last week, both players signed for the Birkenhead club in a matter of days.
City officials were this week forced to take out a short-term loan out with the Professional Footballers’ Association and, as a result, Tisdale is not in a position to replace them.
“At the moment I’m not looking at anybody else as we are not in a position to move on anybody else,” he said. “We have lost those two players but I’m not looking for anyone else at the moment.”
Having just come down from League One, Tranmere will have had more financial clout than City, who already reduced their playing budget at the end of the campaign because of falling crowds at home games last season.
Therefore it is reasonable to assume that both Richards and Gill, who has signed as a player-coach, were offered better deals at Prenton Park. It is a problem Tisdale is used to having to deal with.
“I assume they have had a better offer, but I don’t know that for sure,” he said. “They were both very gracious in declining our best offer and taking the opportunity at Tranmere and that is their prerogative.
“We are limited and we can only offer so much and that is the way it is. I’m used to dealing with this kind of problem, but it doesn’t make it any easier. However, that is life. We just have to accept it.
“Anybody I offer a contract to I am keen to sign so clearly I would have rather they would have signed for us, but I can only do so much.
“It is one of the issues at Exeter City. It happens year after year after year.
“We lose players that we have, who move on that we can’t keep, or we don’t get to recruit players in the first place.
“So it is a continuing issue, but we accept it. Until things change at Exeter it will continue to be the same and it is not easy trying to build a side when you can’t keep hold of players.”
Tisdale added that currently there was no change in the situations regarding Matt Oakley, James Hamon and Jimmy Keohane.
All those players have been offered contracts but are currently considering their options.
Arron Davies, who is also out of contract, has not been offered a new deal but discussions with him were described as ‘on-going’ in early May. That situation has not changed either.

A COMMUNITY art project is celebrating after receiving a surprise donation – from Coldplay. The multi-platinum selling band have just celebrated their sixth UK number one album with Ghost Stories. But they still found time to show their support for The Day We Played Brazil, a new musical staged at the Exeter Northcott Theatre. The band, whose lead singer Chris Martin hails from Exeter, sent a commemorative album disc engraved to Exeter City Football Club to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the club playing Brazil. The disc will be auctioned at the charity gala performance of The Day We Played Brazil in aid of Exeter Community Arts Project, Exeter City Football Club and Supporters Trust, Exeter Northcott Theatre and the Bike Shed Theatre. Jenny Hogg, Exeter Northcott Theatre's media officer, said: "We are absolutely delighted Coldplay took time out of their very busy schedule to send us this amazing commemorative disc. "It means a lot to everyone involved in the show that a band of Coldplay's stature has supported the show in some way." The Day We Played Brazil will be performed by more than 100 local people telling the stories of the players and their wives, sweethearts and families back home. There will be plenty of music, tears and laughter along the way as well as some great footballing moments. "It's a story of adventure and excitement both on and off the pitch and it will take the audience through the highs and lows of the hundred years since the outbreak of the Great War." The Charity Gala performance will take place on Saturday, August 2, and is being staged to welcome back Exeter City Football Club and their fans from their 2014 tour to Brazil which marks the centenary of the clubs' first visit on the eve of the First World War. Tickets for the Gala Performance will cost £45 and includes drinks, a hot supper served in the University of Exeter's Forum, accompanied by live music and the performance of The Day We Played Brazil which will be followed by the charity auction. The Day We Played Brazil will open on Wednesday, July 16, at Exeter Northcott Theatre.

The club board and supporters' trust at Exeter City have come in for heavy criticism following the news that the Grecians have taken out £100,000 loan from the Professional Footballers' Association. The club issued a statement on Monday saying it had taken out the short-term loan because it had been adversely affected by falling match attendances and a lower than anticipated uptake of season ticket renewals. City's chief executive Guy Wolfenden told Echo Sport that the loan had been given to the club to help them with their running costs and it was their intention to pay it back as soon as possible. "The size of the loan was £100,000," he said. "That loan was to help with the running costs of the club through the summer months. "It will help in June, July and through into August. There isn't necessarily a time limit on it, it is just paid back as we go. "However, it is our intention is to pay it back as soon as possible." Wolfenden also confirmed that the loan did come with a transfer embargo. The loan from the PFA comes after the supporters' trust, the club's majority shareholder, lent the St James's Park outfit £30,000 at the end of January, which is due to be repaid this summer. And manager Paul Tisdale has already revealed he will have a 'considerably' smaller playing budget next season than he had in the 2013/14 campaign. The latest news of the club's financial plight has been greeted with anger by the majority of Grecians supporters, who blame the club's board for allowing City's bank balance get into such a poor state. They have also heavily criticised the supporters' trust, which owns a 53 per cent stake of the club and has a representative on the club board. Fans say the trust have not been monitoring the club well or reporting back to its members. Pete Martin, chairman of Exeter City Supporters' Club, was a member of the supporters' trust board in the 2004/05 season and again for a 12-month period starting 2010. However, he says the trust has lost its way. "The supporters' trust seems to have lost all direction and I think that is part of the problem," he said. "I was on the trust board in 2004 and again for about 12 months from 2010 to 2011, but I resigned because I didn't think we were actually doing what we should be doing in many ways. We just became a talking shop, with lots of meetings but no action. "I still support the trust ownership model, but I think they need to be a lot more proactive in monitoring how the club board operate. "I'm a complete outsider, so I haven't got any involvement with the board. However, if you have got a club, which is supposedly being monitored by the majority shareholder, and that business then gets to the point where it has to borrow money, you have to question if it is being run efficiently." Sarah Willis, co-editor of fanzine Some Sunny Day and a supporter of the club for 25 years, said: "Many people have warned both the club and the trust about too-high expenditure on the non-footballing side of the club coupled with falling attendances. "It makes me very concerned for the future of our club as we've been in administration before and, with little income over the close season, the situation is going to get worse over the coming months. "The buck stops with the club board members, who oversee the day-to-day running of the club. "They have been burying their heads in the sand, planning trips to Brazil, when they should have been drastically cutting costs in reaction to last season's falling attendances and poor results. "The major shareholder, the supporters' trust, is in place to oversee the club board and, in an ideal world, should have known the full scale of the financial situation and forced the club to act." Paul Sussex, a supporter for 40 years was also less than pleased with the club blaming falling attendances for the problem. "Those excuses are not acceptable," he said. "The club has been doing this for the past year and a bit, blaming the fans. It seems to be an easy cop out for the club." A statement from the supporters' trust said they would be meeting this week to discuss the situation. However, the trust board were unable to comment further.

Hundreds of companies from across the region will be represented when the Devon Business Expo 2014 takes place in Exeter today. Thursday, June 5 The action-packed event gets under way at the Matford Centre in Marsh Barton at 11am with a welcome address and seminar led by Michelle Downey, head of thebestof. Her talk will be about the things that business owners can do, not only to bring out the fun aspect of their business but how to stand out from the crowd. More than 800 people have registered to attend the Expo, which concludes with an after show networking party at 5.30pm sponsored by Business Network (SW), which will help raise money for designated show charity Dream-A-Way. The official exhibition starts at 12pm. The Devon Business Expo has been organised by thebestofExeter in conjunction with headline sponsor Basepoint Business Centres, the Express & Echo as official media partner and supporting sponsors Glen King PR/Marketing, Thermalogica and GHQ Training. This year's showcase for local businesses has been so well supported that organisers have already announced the date for next year's event. The Devon Business Expo 2015 will take place on Thursday, April 30, again at the Matford Centre. Dave Barr, managing director of thebestofExeter, said: "We are delighted with the response to this year's Expo; we are now taking bookings for next year. "All of this year's exhibitors who re-book on the day will get a 10 per cent discount and the deposit of just 10 per cent of the reduced stand price will be held over for the next three months. "I'd like to personally thank all our sponsors and partners this year who have helped ensure the success of the event, and I hope they will support us again in 2015." Settings and decor for the Exeter Chamber of Commerce networking lunch, taking place from 12pm to 2pm, and seminars at the Expo have been provided by Vern Allen Entertainments, who are also exhibiting with their own stand. There is lots to see and do inside the venue and plenty of exciting things happening outside. When visitors arrive they will find the big red Calor Gas marquee by the main entrance hosting cookery demonstrations by top chef Richard Valder from @Angela's restaurant in Exeter. Exeter Segways is a leader in personal, green transportation, developing products that transform the way you work, play and live. The company will be showcasing their eco-friendly personal transporters, gliding effortlessly around the outside area of the Matford Centre. Visitors who have not pre-registered as a delegate will still be welcomed on the day with a request for a donation of £5 on the door to Dream-A-Way, a local worthy cause who are the charity of the year for thebestofExeter 2014. Dave added: "I have known chairman Jeff Merrett and his 'Dream Team' for a number of years and raising money at this event will help them to continue the great work they do providing holidays and days out for people with disabilities and their carers across the South West. Make sure you visit the charity on stand #93." For more information visit: www.devonbusinessexpo.co.uk

A party which boasts over 45,000 attendees could be held in Devon. The event, which has gone viral on Facebook, is described as 'A Project X-style party' and so far has 45.1k claiming to be attending. Suggestions have been made that the event could be held in the South West this August after fans recommended the region. The Facebook event page was launched just over a week ago with the party expected to take place on August 1st in an unnamed location in the "South/ South West". The organisers claimed to have based the idea on the 2012 film Project X with the description: 'Basically, everyone has watched the film and if you're the same as me, after you have just sat there and been like "F***, I want to go to a party like that!"' The movie is based on an out of control Australian party in 2008. A similar event took place in Essex in December 2012 and saw 800 gatecrashers cause £30,000 damages to a home after the party was advertised on Facebook. Within hours of the latest party being posted online last Monday hundreds claimed to be attending but numbers have since grown to 44.1K confirmed guests. The event has since set up its own website at http://projectx.x10.mx/ with the site claiming it is 'bringing the biggest party ever to the UK.'

THE UKIP fox is in the Westminster henhouse was how Nigel Farage described the recent electoral fallouts... not quite yet, but there are a lot of headless chickens running around Europe as a result. A new wave of popular anger at the EU and the established political class was exhibited, most notably in France where Marine Le Pen's National Front topped the poll, but austerity hit voters in Greece, Austria, Germany, Denmark and elsewhere also punished incumbent pro-Brussels parties. Even our most popular pro-EU party here, the Lib Dems, only managed to secure one seat. Official estimates showed anti-EU parties winning 131 out of 751 seats. This is all positive for David Cameron's efforts to bring about renegotiations ahead of a referendum. Thankfully, it is now clear he is not the only leader humbled by the rise of the populist right, and Francois Hollande's widely-reported comments that the European Union has become "remote and inaccessible" are a sign than even the old defenders of arch-federalism are beginning to come around to the Prime Minister's arguments. What is absolutely clear is that across Europe people have voted at these Euro elections as a way to send a variety of messages. Here, people think that the EU is not working for Britain. We need to fix that relationship, deliver real change and make it work for Britain, and then give people a say on the result through an in/out referendum. And only the Conservatives have a clear plan to do that. Labour and the Liberal Democrats do not and UKIP can't. UKIP itself told voters that the European elections gave people a 'free hit' and that they should use it. So voters have used this recent election too to send the Government a demand to deliver on the economy, immigration and welfare, in particular. But, and this is a big but, UKIP is the symptom, it is not the cure, there can be no free hit at a General Election when people have to decide the leadership and government of the country. The electorate will have to choose a party with a clear long-term economic plan to turn this country around, deal with immigration, fix the welfare system and pass the laws needed to enable an in/out referendum in Europe. I would say the Conservatives are best placed to do this. But it isn't going to be easy. The next election will be fought on the economy, because it encompasses everything. Yes, things are improving but austerity will continue until public borrowing is under control. A long-term economic plan is essential. Without a plan, the angry fringe that is mobilising all over Europe, will continue to march; which will make the business of politics much more unpredictable and ultimately more dangerous. Yes, as Conservatives, we will have to win back voters who have defected to UKIP; we will have to win back their trust. Many had felt taken for granted, their concerns ignored. There is no doubt we lost a section of the Conservative tribe in a rush to oust Gordon Brown but also because of the compromises necessary to form a coalition Government which was formed in the best interests of the country. Commentators are right when they say the UKIP genie is mostly a right wing phenomenon but results from America's Tea Party movement and from these recent European elections do make clear that this is a mood that has erupted across many advanced economies. It is to do with the absence of strong economic growth in places where many people are struggling to make ends meet. It makes people less generous to immigrants in particular, less generous to overseas aid and to welfare. From the left of politics it produces greater calls to tax the rich. And it creates cultural tensions as well in the form of religious values and integration into different societies. The next election will be fought on the economy because it encompasses everything. Yes, things are improving but austerity will continue until public borrowing is under control. A long term economic plan is essential. Without a plan, the angry fringe that is mobilising all over Europe, will continue to march; which will make the business of politics much more unpredictable and ultimately more dangerous.

CRIME is slightly up in rural East Devon this month with thefts and an argument over runner beans contributing to the statistic. The majority of crimes this May in the Seaton, Beer and Colyton areas of the district, appear to be opportunist thefts. PC Steve Speariett from Seaton Neighbourhood Beat Team is urging residents to be vigilant and where possible security mark items. In Colyton there were nine crimes in May compared to six in April which included criminal damage to a fence at Peace Memorial Playing Fields, the theft of two hanging baskets from a property on Hillhead and solar lights from a garden in Seaway Head, and the assault of a man during an argument with another over the spraying of runner beans. PC Speariett confirmed that there has been a reduction in thefts from motor vehicles at rural beauty spots where officers will continue patrolling.