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CYCLISTS will get chance to ride part of the route of the Tour of Britain next month. To celebrate the Tour's route through Crediton to Exeter, a bike ride, starting from the Town Square, will give cyclists a chance to follow the route of the sport's biggest stars. The event takes place at 10.30am on Saturday, September 6. Experienced riders may opt for the A377, at their own risk, while others will prefer the lanes, along which they are insured through both Sustainable Crediton and CTC the national cycling charity. The event has been arranged jointly by Sustainable Crediton's Boniface Trail Group and Exeter CTC, and will involve cyclists from both Crediton and Exeter who will meet over coffee at Quicke's Farm Coffee Shop. The Quicke family welcome a cycle route across their land, so cyclists are keen to celebrate their decision and their business. The ride will end at Crediton Farmers' Market giving cyclists, a chance to explore and shop at the market before the event.

Scott Barlow reeled off a career best seven-wicket haul as Sidmouth humbled Exeter in the Tolchards Devon Cup final at Torquay. The Devon seamer picked up seven for 16 in 7.5 overs as Exeter were hustled out for a paltry 37. Partner-in-crime Dan Babula had the other three wickets at a cost of 21 runs. Sidmouth needed just 4.4 overs to knock off the runs – Devon captain Josh Bess making most of them in a quickfire 28 before he was dismissed four runs short of victory. Exeter skipper Miles Lenygon gambled on batting first after winning the toss and it was a decision that backfired on him. "I was relieved when Miles said he would have a bat as that took the pressure off me to make a decision, not knowing what the right one would have been," admitted Sidmouth captain Will Murray. "The forecast was for rain by four o'clock, which would have meant run rates coming into play if there was any sort of delay. "Batting first in those circumstances can go wrong on you if it comes down to run rate and the opposition have a 10-over thrash for a lowered target. "It wasn't the best wicket I have seen this season, but it certainly wasn't a 37-all-out wicket either. The fact is Scott and Dan bowled brilliantly and we backed them both up with some great catches, either caught behind or at slip or gully." Lenygon said his decision to bat first was based on two factors: previous experiences at Torquay and a desire to play positive cricket. "When we played at Torquay in the league, the pitch was worse after tea than before so it made sense to bat first anyway," said Lenygon. "Also, against a side with a confident batting line up like Sidmouth, you don't want to let them set the agenda. "I was hoping to get a respectable total, look to get a couple of early Sidmouth wickets then put pressure on the middle order. "There was always a risk with the threat of rain about, but we shouldn't have been dismissed for 37. We didn't perform with the bat against what is a very good bowling attack." Lenygon opened the batting for Exeter and was out first ball – leaving a delivery from Barlow that swung in and hit the stumps. Babula snared Rob Holman in the second over, then Barlow took a return catch off his own bowling to account for Neal Prowse. Sean Morris was caught in the gully by Liam Lewis off Babula as Exeter stumbled to 22 for four. In the space of 11 balls, Barlow took four more wickets for no runs at all. With Babula getting one as well, Exeter were well and truly sunk. Bess grabbed two catches at slip, Will Sobczak had one next to him and keeper Pete Randerson claimed a couple. Will Steward was not out on 11 – Exeter's only score in double figures – when Barlow had Adam Gribble caught at long-off to conclude the city side's innings. It had lasted just 14.5 overs. Bess and Lewis looked like knocking off the total unaided – and Bess smote boundaries like a man possessed in at attempt to do it single handed. With victory a couple of heaves away, Bess got the cover drive out of the locker and was superbly caught by a diving Prowse in the covers.

Cricket: Sidmouth thrash Exeter in Devon Cup final

EXETER'S Unexpected Festival starts this weekend with a host of events around the city. Building on the festival's launch in the city last year, Exeter City Council won a major grant from The National Lottery's Grants for the Arts, led by Arts Council England. This year's festival, which starts on Friday, will have a First World War centenary theme. It features an artistic interpretation of a First World War recruitment centre; The Great Fete, featuring an Edwardian music hall, a tea dance, costumed characters including recruitment officers and plenty of themed activities. On Saturday, August 30, from 4.30pm to 7.30pm, Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Rougemont Gardens will be alive with the sights, sounds and clarion call of the recruitment drive that took place after Britain entered the First World War. Organisers say the Great Fete is an opportunity to share the optimism of this time, but also to reflect and commemorate. People will be able to enter the recruitment zone, be examined by the Sergeant Major, grab an enlistment pass and participate in games and activities designed to be fun as well as informative about the practical realities of military life. Activities include an obstacle course, map reading skills, agility tests and a show of strength, with visitors interacting with characters of the period, including recruitment sergeants and enlisting nurses, all presented by Le Navet Bete, Nuts and Volts Theatre and Promenade Promotions. There will be a tea dance to the romantic strains of The Tasty Music Palm Court Trio, and people can join in a sing song on the music hall stage – a contemporary look at this popular entertainment including many of the songs that suggested joining up to fight was every man's duty. The festival has been created by Exeter City Council with partners, RAMM, Exeter Library, Exeter Phoenix and artists Promenade Promotions, Le Navet Bete, Nuts and Volts Theatre and Devon Carousel. A spokesman said: "They have created a dramatic reinterpretation of the enthusiastic, optimistic recruitment events that encouraged the men and boys from Exeter to enlist in 1914." Also open during The Great Fete will be: RAMM Courtyard – An embroidered hanging has been created by artist and embroidery tutor Adrienne Howells. The 6ft-high, black-and-white artwork depicts scenes from the trenches, with red silk poppies appliquéd onto banners on either side, honouring those who died in the First World War. Poppies are available for visitors to write the name of a family member who served. Each poppy will be sewn around the main image. All donations will go to support the work of the British Legion. Exeter Library – an exhibition of items related to the First World War drawn from the Library and Heritage collection. Exeter Phoenix – Archive film footage will be shown in the café/bar. For a full programme of events at Unexpected Exeter visit www.exeter.gov.uk/unexpected.

Exeter's Unexpected Festival starts this weekend

DEVON Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT) is calling on businesses and groups of friends throughout the county to join them in a great fundraising event in Exeter to mark the end of National Air Ambulance Week. The Dragon Boat Festival on Exeter Quay will feature a dramatic fleet of up to 20 highly colourful vessels, each paddle-powered by 16 rowers straining at the oars to the beat of a drum under the watchful eye of a Chinese dragon head. Two local businesses who have already got on board are South West Highways and Crisp Marketing Associates. Shaun Durham of Crisp Marketing Associates said: "We supported DAAT last year as our charity of the year and we are always interested in hearing about fun and exciting ways to support local charities – the Dragon Boat Festival fitted the bill perfectly." Lauryn Mann, business development co-ordinator at South West Highways, said: "The Dragon Boat Festival provides the perfect opportunity for our staff, and other DAAT supporters, to get together and raise money and awareness for a local charity." DAAT fundraising director Caroline Creer said: "We want as many teams as possible to enter. "Each boat takes 16 rowers plus a drummer. But you can have up to 20 in your team, so you can mix and match. Team members can pledge to raise a minimum sponsorship sum of £60 per person which includes boat hire or businesses can sponsor a boat at £300 plus VAT with team members pledging to raise a minimum sponsorship of £40 per person." The DAAT Dragon Boat Festival takes place on Exeter Quay on Saturday, September 27. Information packs are available at www.daat.org or by calling 01392 466666.

THE success of Exeter's summer of table tennis – or Ping – is being celebrated at an event in the city. The event, called Ping of the Castle, takes place at Exeter Castle, on Thursday, September 4, from 6pm to 8pm. It will feature a workplace table tennis tournament, music and entertainment. There will be food on sale as well with a chance for everyone to get active, have fun and enjoy a celebration of Ping! Exeter. All abilities and all ages are welcome, and there will be free for all Ping after 8pm at the castle. For more information go to www.activedevon.org/pingofthecastle or www.pingexeter.co.uk Ping! Exeter has been in full swing since July 17, and has seen thousands of people across Exeter and the surrounding areas play table tennis in landmark locations including Exeter Central station, Northernhay Gardens, Exeter Library, Princesshay shopping Centre, Southernhay and the quay. James Bogue, senior development manager at Active Devon said: "The buzz from Ping Exeter has been incredible, everywhere you look people of all ages are having a go and enjoying the game."

Police have released CCTV of a biker they are trying to trace in connection with an alleged theft in Axminster. The image – released under Devon and Cornwall Police's Caught on Camera initiative – is in relation to an allegation of theft from the Mole Avon store in the town on June 11. A police spokesman said a male entered the store and stole an inverter welder that had been concealed in clothing after being removed from its packaging. The suspect police are looking to trace is described as a white male aged late 40's to mid 50's with short dark very receded hair, greying beard and moustache, of large build and wearing a black leather motorcycle jacket. He also had blue jeans and was carrying a black full face motorcycle helmet. Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting ref cr/080549/14

Police release CCTV of biker wanted in connection with alleged theft

Exeter Airport owner the Rigby Group Plc has strengthened its presence in the South West by snapping up Capital Air Charter Ltd. The acquisition by Rigby Group Plc's aviation division for an undisclosed sum follows a year in which the group has invested £50 million in the region, including the purchase of Exeter Airport and British International Helicopters. Operating both the Capital Air Charter and Capital Air Ambulance services, the Exeter-based company was founded in 1991 and provides executive corporate and private chartered flights, medical repatriation and urgent freight services throughout Europe. Both services are based at Exeter Airport, with 35 full time staff and a roster of more than 70 part-time medical staff available on call. They currently operate eight aircraft, and will continue to operate under their own brand as plans for new growth are finalised. "This is a hugely significant announcement for both companies, one that will allow us to develop and realise its potential in a way that simply wasn't possible in the past," said Capital Air Charter managing director and chief pilot Malcolm Humphries. Rigby Group, which under its British International Helicopters (BIH) brand already represents one of the UK's largest domestically owned commercial aviation and offshore helicopter services company, plans to grow Capital Air Charter's market share extensively over the next few years and to develop both its aero medical services and its contracted charter capabilities. Group chairman and chief executive Sir Peter Rigby said: "Regional aviation is vitally important to the economic development of regions, not just in the UK but across the world. I am delighted to welcome everyone at Capital Air Charter to our fast growing team. "Over the last two decades they have worked hard to establish the company as the South West's largest air ambulance and private air charter operator with an enviable reputation, and I am very much looking forward to working together as we continue to expand operations and build on that success."

Exeter Airport owner Rigby Group targets growth after takeover of Capital Air Charter

A world record attempt for the largest gathering of witches takes place in Exeter this weekend - and the event is being used to re-ignite calls to pardon three women hanged in the city more than 300 years ago. Rougemont Castle is the venue for the largest ever gathering of witches together, which is being called The Grand Witches Tea Party. Organisers need to attract more than 765 to beat the record set two years ago at Warwick Castle. The date has been chosen to mark 322 years since three women were hanged for the crime of being witches on August 25, 1682. Temperance Lloyd, Susannah Edwards and Mary Trembles, all from Bideford, are regarded as the last women in England to be hanged for the offence. Apparently, the women were convicted on hearsay evidence, which included one of them being accused of turning into a magpie. Even the Assizes Justices at the time did not believe they were guilty but were forced to respond to an angry mob that was baying for a hanging. Last year author Christine Nash set up an online petition to call for their public pardon but despite support, which included Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw, it was unsuccessful. Modern witch Jackie Juno, 51-year-old, who lives in Bovey Tracey with her husband and daughter, hopes this second attempt will persuade Exeter City Council to take them seriously and reconsider. "By getting them pardoned we are making a statement that this bigoted behaviour should not be tolerated nowadays. It would prove that humanity could change for the better," she says. "It would also be laying the women to rest in a way that resolves the mistakes of history." Anyone attending the tea party will be able to sign their names in a book, which will then be presented to city councillors. Jackie feels an empathy with these women whom, she says, may have been guilty of simply being different. "If you were unmarried or childless or sometimes simply owned a cat you were regarded with suspicion," she says. "What these women suffered really struck a chord with me."

Witches world record attempt in Exeter hopes to re-ignite calls to pardon three women hanged in the city

Tributes have been paid to a father of two who died after his car ended up in a nature reserve. Jethro Alsop, 38, who had moved from his home in Devon to live in Holland with his partner and two children, died after his vehicle entered the water at Slapton Ley near Kingsbridge. Emergency services were called to the nature reserve at Torcross after reports that a car had travelled across grassland and come to rest in the water. Jethro was treated by paramedics but was pronounced deceased at the scene a short time later. Following his death, his family have released the following tribute to him: Jethro was born on December 20th 1976 in the Norfolk and Norwich hospital. The first child of Jon Grosvenor Alsop and Susan Alsop. When he was three years old, his parents sold up their house and sail making business in Norfolk to move on board their new home, Camelot, a gaff rigged teak ketch they bought in Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. Jethro learned to row, swim, drive an outboard motor, sail a lateen-rigged dinghy and free dive to check the anchor was holding well in up to 20 feet of water before he learned to ride a bike. Always a mischievous character, when living on a boat the equivalent of the naughty step was to hoist him up the mast in a bosun's chair and not uncleat him until he said he was sorry. From up there he would wave to all his friends on other boats – so not much of a punishment. He attended Passea Kindergarten school and St Georges infant schools in Road Town. When Camelot sailed down the Caribbean Island chain Jethro would go to any other local school where they were based for more than a few weeks. When Jethro was four and a half his new baby brother Oliver joined the crew of Camelot. As he grew into a toddler he provided endless swimming and diving practice for Jethro who would put on a mask and fins to retrieve dinky cars and belaying pins thrown overboard from the porthole in his playpen/bunk. By the age of seven, Jethro was responsible for most of the navigation up the Intra coastal Waterway from Fort Lauderdale in Florida right up to Annapolis – following the magenta line on the charts, calling out the numbers on the marks as we worked down to zero in Virginia. The floating home was sold in Annapolis in 1985 and the family moved to Devon where Jon set up a sail loft in Salcombe, and Jethro went to Malborough primary school. Still not very skilled in kicking a ball or riding a bike due to lack of such experiences, it took a while for him to settle into the discipline of regular school, and his tales of whale spotting or swimming with turtles seemed like crazy fantasies to his classmates and teachers. Having to sit in the corner with the Dunce's cap in Mr Lapthorn's class became a frequent occurrence. That was probably the start of him playing the role of class clown and funny man to the amusement of his class mates but not the staff. By the time Jethro was fourteen years old, it was apparent that he had a form of dyslexia, and was still not reading or writing fluently. Extra private coaching helped tremendously, but he was disruptive in class. The headmistress summoned Jon and Sue to school to say "something must be done" or he would be expelled. Salvation came in the form of Pete Morris who had a home in Malborough and skippered an 80 foot yacht called Natasha based in Camden in Maine in the summer and Antigua or Bahamas in the winter. He agreed to take Jethro on as unpaid deck hand and act in loco parentis until Jethro reached the official school leaving age of sixteen. So off he went to the USA and learned at first hand the skills he would need to be a useful member of a boat's working crew. He also treated himself to a pierced ear and driving lessons out of the tips he earned. Back in Devon, he went to night school to study for Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper and eventually Yacht master in the RYA system to help with his chosen career. With extra time allowed for the written exams, he doggedly managed to pass on the theory. He then worked on various yachts including a two year stint on Thallia, a 160 foot yacht based in Palma Majorca. He saved up enough to buy an old school bus converted into a camper van in Perth in Western Australia . With his good mates John Glover and Andrew Beech they spent a year working and travelling around Ausralia clockwise from April 2000 until March 2001. In the Spring of 2003 Jethro was working on a yacht in Dartmouth when casting director of a feature film being made locally asked if he would be prepared to a small speaking part in the movie Churchill The Hollywood Years. With his 6'4" height and blond hair he made garet.a perfect Price Ludwig and danced with the actress playing Princess Margaret. In Antibes in the South of France in 2003 he fell in love with Louise, who has been his partner and mainstay ever since. They went back to Australia together where he worked for a company called Dreamboats on the Swan River skippering and maintaining a fleet of five boats. Jethro managed to get back from Australia just in time to spend the last few days with his father before his death in February 2011. And only a couple of weeks after that funeral, Louise gave birth to Mia Isabella Alsop in Amsterdam. Their son Alexander was born there in October 2013. Any witnesses to the collision or anyone with information to assist the investigation are asked to contact police on 101, quoting log number 10 of 22/08/14.

Tributes to father of two from Devon who died when his car ended up in nature reserve

The first evidence of the planned remodelling of Exeter's Guildhall Shopping Centre has appeared in the shape of vinyls in the windows of vacated shop premises. The Ambulatory – also known as Higher Market – between Queen Street and Market Square is to be transformed into a haven for food lovers, with a cluster of 13 cafes and restaurants offering a wide variety of cuisine. While some retailers in this area will continue to trade until the end of this year before relocating within the centre, others have already closed – with Hawkins Bazaar and ShakeAway the latest to go this week. The vinyls herald the first part of the process of rebuilding the former shops leading to Market Square in preparation for their transformation into what is being billed as "a unique dining destination". This part of the centre, together with the former Poundland building, will become home to national restaurateurs and local food businesses with a mix of cuisines, creating a "best-in-class dining destination providing quality, choice and variety from breakfast to dinner". Centre owners Aviva Investors intend to appoint a contractor in the coming weeks and works are due to begin early in the new year, with the new restaurants opening in time for Christmas 2015. The Guildhall Shopping Centre will remain open for business throughout the remodelling, which will also include a new-look High Street entrance and improvements to public spaces. Simon Green, associate director of Aviva Investors, said: "Vinyls represent the first step in our exciting plans for the Guildhall Shopping Centre. "During the remodelling period we will be working hard to transform the existing building into space which will attract dynamic restaurateurs and food businesses and create an area Exeter can be proud of. "We will keep disruption to a minimum and we hope that the people of Exeter will bear with us during the remodelling period – the end result will be more than worth it."

First hints of foodie destination at Exeter's Guildhall Shopping Centre

Elizabeth Bryant, 40, of Smythen Street, Exeter, admitted stealing in Exeter on June 26. She stole two ice creams and two packets of Nerds to the value of £6.16, belonging to WH Smith. Ms Bryant was fined £86. Darren Welton, 35, of Roseway, Exmouth, was banned from driving after using a car while under the influence of drugs. On October 17, 2013, in Exmouth he drove a Red Honda Civic while unfit to drive through drugs. He was disqualified from holding or obtaining a license for 12 months and fined £165. Richard Copley, 23, of George Street, Exmouth, was fined £85.80 after admitting damaging a Devon and Cornwall Police custody cell in Exeter on June 11. John Dolley, 50, of Deepway, Tiverton, was given a suspended prison sentence after committing fraud totalling thousands of pounds. On February 12, 2013, in Tiverton he dishonestly made a false representation intending to make a gain of £1,750. On February 17, 2013, in Tiverton he dishonestly made a false representation intending to make a gain of £900. On February 21, 2013, in Tiverton he dishonestly made a false representation intending to make a gain of £2,000. On March 7, 2013, in Tiverton he dishonestly made a false representation intending to make a gain of £3,000. Mr Dolley was committed to prison for a total of 12 months, suspended for two years. The reason for custody was there was multiple offending that involved an element of pre-planning. There was also a breach of trust. He was also ordered a pay a total of £8,135. Darren Watts, 21, of no fixed address, was sent to prison after committing a number of offences in Exeter. On July 21, 2014, he stole six steaks to the value of £30 belonging to the Co-op on Buddle Lane, Exeter. He was committed to prison for six weeks because 'no other sentence' could be justified. Between June 4 and June 6, 2014, he entered the Fish Supper House on Okehampton Road, Exeter, as a trespasser and stole two charity pots of an unknown value. He was given a prison sentence of 20 weeks, suspended for 12 months. Curtis Soutar, 27, of Belmont Terrace, Exmouth, admitted stealing in the town. OnJuly 5, 2014, he stole a bottle of Big Chill Wine to the value of £5.25 and a bottle of Gallo wine to the value of £5.49 belonging to the Co-op, Exeter Road. He was fined a total of £10.74. Ryan Fearnley, 26, of no fixed address was sent to prison after committing a number of offences in Exeter and elsewhere in Devon. On July 27, 2014, he behaved in a violent manner at Exeter's Heavitree Road police station including swearing at a sergeant and throwing a set of bongos at an office. On July 27, 2014, he also threatened to smash the windows of a car belonging to an unknown person. He was committed to prison for a total of six weeks because of the nature and seriousness of the offences as well as his failure to comply with court orders. On June 26, 2014, in Plymouth he stole a Blackberry curve phone of an unknown value belonging to First Great Western. On June 26, 2014, he also had in his possession a quantity of cannabis. He was given a prison sentence of four weeks suspended for six months. Matthew Swallow, 26, c/o Cathedral Close, Exeter, was fined £9.99 after stealing a gas stove to that value belonging to This Is It in Exeter on May 19. Thomas Tigwell, 23 of no fixed address, was fined after stealing from shops in Exmouth. On March 8, 2014, he stole two bottles of wine to the total value of £9.98, belonging to the Co-op on Exeter Road. On March 4, 2014, he stole a bottle of vodka and a bottle of wine, to the value of £23.44, belonging to Co-op on Exeter Road. He was ordered to pay a total of £15. Gemma Small, 38, of Mossop Close, Ottery St Mary, was banned from driving after failing to provide police with information about a car driver. On December 9, 2013. she failed to give information about the identity of a driver of a Volkswagen Golf who was alleged to be guilty of an offence. Ms Small was disqualified from driving for six months because of repeat offending. She was also fined a total of £745. David Clayton, 67, of Exeleigh House, Starcross, was banned from driving after being found to have exceeded a speed limit. On January 6, 2014, at Broadclyst he drove a Mercedes on the B3181 at a speed above 50mph. Mr Clayton was disqualified from driving until a test of competence to drive had been passed. He was also fined a total of £525. Sarah Murphy, 47, of Headland Crescent, Exeter, was banned from driving after failing to provide police with information about a car driver. On February 14, 2014, she failed to give information about the identity of a driver of a Vauxhall Corsa who was alleged to be guilty of an offence. Ms Murphy was disqualified from driving for 12 months because of repeat offending. She was also fined a total of £745. Teri-Anne Davey, 41, of Chard Avenue, Whimple, was fined after failing to inform two authorities of a change to circumstances affecting her eligibility to benefits. Between June 23 and December 9, 2013, she failed to notify East Devon District Council and the Department for Work and Pensions of a change in circumstance that affected her entitlement to housing benefit and income support, namely that she was living with her husband. She was ordered to pay £100. Robert Welsman, 22, of Oxford Road, Exmouth, was given a suspended prison sentence after admitting assaulting a man. On May 9, 2014, in Exmouth he assaulting the man by beating him. Mr Welsman was committed to prison for 12 weeks, suspended for 12 months. The reason for custody was that the offence was a 'vicious, sustained assault resulting in serious injuries'. He was told to participate in a Thinking Skills Programme for 19 days as part of a 12-month period of supervision. He was also ordered to pay a total of £680. Stephen Qahwaji, 35, of no fixed address, was given a suspended prison sentence after admitting harassing a man in Exmouth. On January 17, 2014, in the town he made a number of abusive phone calls to the man. He was committed to prison for 12 weeks, suspended for 24 months. He was also fined a total of £230.

In Court: Cases heard by Central Devon Magistrates' Court

EXETER City Council is set to launch a major consultation in partnership with Exeter University to help draw up a new housing strategy for the city. The authority revealed there are currently 4,100 families waiting for a council or housing association home in Exeter. The council is considering doing away with its band E category on the housing register. And it says a balance needs to be struck between homes for residents and accommodation for students. According to Councillor Rob Hannaford only one per cent of those in Band E are ever likely to get a council property. "I know of someone who is adequately housed and has been in band E for 30 years," he said. "There are many reasons why people want to be council tenants – the rents are lower and they have security, in that leases are longer than they are in the private sector. If you have a young family you don't want to be worried about having to renew a six-month lease all the time. Also, with a council property you can rely on the management and maintenance. "However, for those in B and E who have housing, it could be that another scheme would benefit them more." The city council is currently consulting with those on the housing register about its proposals for band E, as well as removing those who refuse three properties deemed suitable for them, giving priority to working households and only registering applicants who have lived in Devon for two years. The council's policy is that on any new development, 35 per cent of the homes should be reserved for social housing. It is also working to bring more empty homes back into use. Mark Jolly, the city council's housing performance manager, said: "We have brought back a total of 51 long-term empties between April 2012 and July this year." This means Exeter now has fewer long-term empty properties than at any time for the last five years. There have also been 126 households who have downsized, both council and housing associations, between January 2012 and June this year. And the city council is pressing ahead with plans for co-operative home ownership which would allow people to live in self-contained homes but on a more communal basis. Emma Osmundsen, the city council's housing development manager, said: "We have been working with Exeter Eco-housing Co-operative for the last two years, assisting them in the endeavours to secure land to develop a housing scheme. "We have reviewed a number of council-owned sites, but given that most of the sites are small, the co-operative have decided to pursue a site through the S106 route and the city council is supporting them in this. "For commercial sensitivity reasons, the details of this site cannot be revealed at the present time. We would hope, subject to the land negotiations being favourable, a co-operative housing scheme will be forthcoming in the near future." Over the last three years a total of 1,667 new student bedrooms, either in cluster flats or studios have been built but there are some residents who believe that student accommodation would be better confined to the university campus rather than spread across the city. Cllr Hannaford disagrees. He said: "We don't want the city centre to be hollowed out in terms of housing. We need a balance between students and residents. We don't want huge tracts just for students because there are then issues about when they are there and when they are not there."

PEOPLE in Exeter are being asked to give their views on how the city's air quality can be improved. It is estimated that poor air quality will contribute to the deaths of 42 people in Exeter this year alone. Exeter City Council has commissioned a brand new city-wide initiative – a Low Emission Strategy – to improve Exeter's air quality. Its main aim is to protect people, especially the vulnerable, from respiratory and other potentially life-threatening illnesses related to poor air quality caused by traffic. Councillor Keith Owen, lead councillor for environment, health and wellbeing, said Exeter was no worse than other locations but air quality was an issue that needed to be addressed. He said: "Air pollution can be a hidden killer and Exeter is no different to most cities throughout the UK. "However, we mustn't be complacent and that's why we're trying to address the problem before it gets any worse." Cllr Owen said car use was the single biggest factor in causing pollution. "The main source of local air pollution in Exeter is from traffic," he said. "The strategy will set out positive steps to address the issue." We feel it is essential to examine all suitable courses of action now to reduce risks to health and ensure continued sustainable growth for the city. "This will keep Exeter clean and beautiful for everyone – both now and for the future." The strategy will look at the impact of travel and transport on air quality. The findings will help the council to implement the most effective measures for reducing air pollution. Future measures may include: Helping people to switch to less polluting transport methods; Encouraging the use of electric vehicles; Changing the way deliveries are allowed to be made; in and around the city Fitting buses with emission-reducing equipment. A public consultation is to begin on September 1. Details are on the council's website. and residents can complete a survey, and city residents can provide their input by completing a survey. For more information on the Low Emission Strategy, including details of the public consultation visit www.exeter.gov.uk/les

A couple from Tiverton campaigning "in despair" for a change to the rules governing the conversion of civil partnerships into full marriages said they had a "very positive" meeting with the minister responsible for equal marriage. Jakki and Sheila Livesey-van Dorst presented a 40,000-strong petition to Nick Boles who they said "listened well" to their views. After laws enabling same-sex marriage in England and Wales were passed last year, couples are to be allowed to convert their partnership into a marriage from December this year But those applying have hit out at regulations that they say have "no heart", which do not allow for a formal ceremony and can only take place at register offices during business hours on Monday to Friday. Jakki Livesey-van Dorst, 61, from Tiverton, in Devon, has been with 58-year-old Sheila for 22 years and the pair entered a civil partnership in 2006. She said: "I think it was a very positive meeting. "We found out about the regulations from our local registrar and understood that this took place as a desk exercise, in an office, Monday to Friday, nine to five, with no one else present. "We could have a party afterwards, but that moment of marriage of equality couldn't be shared with people who loved us. "And so we were in despair about this." Jakki said she had been assured by Mr Boles that the proposed certificate will be a marriage certificate and not a "certificate of conversion". It will give an explanation of why there are two dates – one for the marriage and one for the civil partnership, Jakki said. "That's a really great thing," she added. "We're not asking for anything more than everyone else can have." A Government spokesman said: "We have listened to a range of views on the conversion process and we are looking again at the draft regulations."

Civil partners from Tiverton campaign for equal marriage rights

Rob Baxter has selected on form for Exeter Chiefs' final pre-season match against Worcester – and challenged them all to nail down a start in the league opener next weekend. The head coach takes his side to Sixways on Friday evening for their third and final warm-up match. That comes nine days before they start their Aviva Premiership campaign against newly-promoted London Welsh so places are up for grabs. And after recording wins against Cardiff and Ulster, both away from home as Sandy Park undergoes a major redevelopment, Baxter says the players who start against Worcester have earned the right to wear the jerseys. "What we've done is we've looked at the performances in training and over the last couple of weeks at guys who deserve a start this weekend, now it's up to them to show they deserve to start against London Welsh," he said. "Other guys are training well, there'll be guys who feature off the bench and there's still a lot to fight for for those players as well." He added: "We'll take 28 or 29 players and look to run it using 23. The other guys there will be as additional cover if the guys have taken knocks or are fatiguing to the extent where they might get injured." The likes of half-backs Gareth Steenson and Will Chudley and props Carl Rimmer and Tomas Francis come into the starting line-up, with Micth Lees named at lock and a fit-again Dave Ewers back on the flank. However, one player who won't be featuring at Sixways or against London Welsh is Phil Dollman, who injured an ankle early on against Ulster last Friday. The Welshman has had a scan to assess the extent of the damage but Baxter said the initial signs were that it was not too bad. As is the way in sport, one person's bad luck is another's good luck and summer signing Chrysander Botha grabbed his chance off the bench against Ulster. The Namibian full-back starts against Worcester and Baxter has been impressed with the way he has settled into life with the Chiefs. "Dolly has done his ankle. We're waiting on the results of a scan but initially it doesn't look too bad, it may be a couple of weeks," said Baxter. "Chrysander went really well, the extra game time for him was fantastic. He had some really good moments, with breaks and offloads that led to points for us. "He's looked more and more comfortable the more he's been here, he's looked very good in training this week and he'll start at full-back this week against Worcester. "He looks a good footballer and decision maker, which we knew he would be, but the longer he's been here the more comfortable he's looked." While pleased with Botha's impact, Baxter has been less happy with some of the Chiefs' attacking play this month. He thinks they have been a little too conservative at times and not forced themselves on the game the way they want to. That includes the first half at Ulster, as they found themselves 14-5 down at the break, and also the second 40 minutes against Cardiff. The former club captain is looking for an improved showing on Friday evening, with his side on top for longer. "Having a look at Worcester, they're performing very well in pre-season and they seem to have a lot about them," he said. "They're defending with line speed, they're playing with physicality, the set-piece and driving game is going well so in a lot of ways it's an ideal challenge for us going into London Welsh because there's a fair few similarities. "What we've got to do is force ourselves on the game. That's what we didn't do against Ulster in the first half and what we didn't do against Cardiff in the second half. "It's about pulling together 40 minutes into more like 60 or 70 minutes where we're driving the pace of the game."Exeter Chiefs: Botha; James, Slade, Hill, Jess; Steenson, Chudley; Rimmer, Yeandle, Francis, Lees, Welch, Ewers, White, Waldrom. Reps: Taione, Sturgess, Low, Caldwell, Armand, Thomas, Sweeney, Whitten, Bateman, Johnson, Horstmann, Townsend, Hughes, Arnott

Worcester Warriors v Exeter Chiefs: Match preview

Centre Ian Whitten says Exeter Chiefs will be looking to iron out a few things in their final pre-season match at Worcester. After beating Cardiff Blues and Ulster in their first two warm-up games, the Sandy Park outfit will be looking to make it three from three. But after being disappointed with their display for 40 minutes in both matches so far this month, Rob Baxter's men will be looking for better against the Championships outfit. The Chiefs' Aviva Premiership campaign starts away to London Welsh on Sunday, September 7, and Whitten is looking for a confidence-boosting performance against Worcester. "There's still things we need to work on and things we're not quite happy with, so it will be nice to go to Worcester and see those things ironed out so we can be confident going to London Welsh next week," he said. "Things are looking very sharp defensively, it looks like it's knocked on from last year, so hopefully we can bring that into the games. "Attack-wise as well we're working on a couple of new things so hopefully we can have an exciting start to the year." Whitten is hoping Exeter's success so far this month can be maintained and give them some momentum going into the start of the league campaign. They have some tough matches in the opening few weeks of the term, with the visit of Leicester and Harlequins to the revamped Sandy Park and a trip to Gloucester as well as the match against the Exiles, as they look to get off to a decent start. Whitten said: "It's been good so far, two wins is pleasing and you want to build momentum that way. "It's a good habit to get into, because we know you can get on a losing run as well like we did last year. "If we can get on a winning run at the start of this season that would be really nice." Against Ulster, Exeter found themselves 21-8 behind in the second half before converted tries from Matt Jess and Henry Slade saw them win in Belfast. Former Ulster player Whitten was pleased with the way the Chiefs turned things around in the second half. "It was a good comeback against Ulster," he said. "There were a few things in the first half we weren't happy with, having scored early we let them back into it. Defensively it was still a good performance. "It was nice to get those couple of good tries at the end. We talked about attacking the game a bit more and it worked out for us."

Exeter Chiefs to iron out issues against Worcester

Paul Tisdale admits he could be forced into naming an unchanged team for the match with Northampton Town on Saturday as he battles against an injury crisis at the club. Jordan Moore-Taylor, Danny Butterfield, Tom Nichols, Jamie Reid and Christian Ribeiro are all currently out of action. The City squad was already one of the smallest in League Two to begin with after the club spent the majority of the summer months under a transfer embargo. Tisdale is hoping the injury crisis will lift in a couple of weeks, but that comes too soon for the trip to the Sixfields Stadium. "The starting line-up is not too difficult to predict these days, because we have got 15 or 16 core players – and that is not counting for the young, young pros – and two or three of those are out," he said. "So unless I do something really left-field, it is about getting those players on the pitch." Tisdale made a couple of changes to the starting line-up for Saturday's 1-1 draw with York City as he moved Matt Oakley into defence and played Scot Bennett up front. It saw the side change tactics as well as they went for a more direct approach rather than the neat passing football the club has become known for under Tisdale. However, having spent most of pre-season trying to adopt a new 5-3-2 system, Tisdale admitted he has had to put some of his plans on hold as he waits for players to come back. "With Christian Ribeiro and Jordan Moore-Taylor out injured at the moment, a fair bit of the stuff that we have prepared and practised I'm prepared to shelve for three weeks until we are back at full strength," he said. "It is about giving us the best chance of being as competitive as possible, and on Saturday I put out a team that gave us a chance to be physically dependable and consistent with decision making. "I still felt we were a little bit unsure with some of our work, but that is to be expected. "I would imagine that we will be pretty close to the same line-up on Saturday. "There may be a change, but I would imagine it will be as close to that 11 as I can be." Northampton, who have former Exeter City loanee Lawson D'Ath in their line-up, will provide a tough test for the Grecians. They struggled for the majority of last season, but having appointed Chris Wilder a their boss in late January they avoided relegation and have spent the summer strengthening the squad. However, Tisdale feels it is more important that his side concentrate on getting their own game right. "Northampton are a strong side, who have strong players and they have used the summer to make some positive signings," he said. "Chris (Wilder) will undoubtedly develop his own team and we know that in a short space of time he will have a team that will be challenging for the play-off places. "But, I think at the moment we have to appreciate that every game is going to be a difficult game for us. "We have to view every game, home or away, no matter who it is against, as one which is going to need our utmost performance in order to get a result. "We will have all our reports on Northampton and we will understand the game ahead of us, but still we need 100 per cent performance again from everybody." Watch highlights from Exeter City's 2-1 victory at Northampton Town last season, which came courtesy of a late goal from John O'Flynn.

Northampton Town v Exeter City: Match preview

Having suffered the embarrassment of a 3-0 hammering at Plymouth Argyle and a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Burton Albion, Exeter City's draw with York on Saturday showed signs of improvement. For starters they managed to get a point – something that had eluded them in the previous two matches. However, the performance was also a lot better, allowing manager Paul Tisdale to declare that he was proud of his players' effort and commitment. However, does the York City game represent a corner turned as the Grecians look to improve on their poor start to the new campaign? Well if you look at it from defending set-pieces you would have to say no. City conceded a late equaliser in the match when poor marking allowed Keith Lowe to steal in at the back post and head home. Defending dead ball situations has been a problem area for City for a couple of years now. However, so far this season – if you exclude Tyler Harvey's goal direct from a free-kick at Home Park – City have let in just two goals from set-plays. Teams, no matter whether they use the man-to-man or the zonal marking system, will always concede from set-pieces. City favour the zonal system, which has more critics in England than it does on the Continent, buy the fact of the matter is that there is very little to choose between the two systems. If players do their jobs correctly both can be effective. For City's corner on Saturday, Scot Bennett gets caught under the ball at the back post and Lowe sneaks in between him and Graham Cummins to head the ball. Not one City player is attacking the ball as it drops and you also have to question where goalkeeper Christy Pym is as well. This is because the ball has travelled a long way before it drops at the corner of six yard box. Should he be claiming that ball? Another disappointing factor to come out of Saturday was the fact that the attendance for the game was only 2,741 – proving City are certainly not turning the corner when it comes to attracting fans back through the turnstiles. It is the lowest attendance seen for a home league game at St James's Park since September 2006 when City beat St Albans 4-2 in front of a crowd of 2,494. That was almost eight years ago and let's not forget it was also when City were playing in the Conference. Who knows what effect a gate below 3,000 at every Saturday home game this season could have on finances at the club. Therefore it is a problem that needs addressing and addressing quickly. In terms of positives from Saturday's game though, I thought the change in tactics showed an adaptability in the side which could prove useful at home this season. Graham Cummins and Scot Bennett put in excellent displays up front as they battled with the York centre back pairing of Lowe and Dave Winfield. They seemed to relish that physical encounter and in fairness Cummins didn't get the support he deserved from referee Stephen Martin, as Lowe fouled him on a number of occasions without punishment. Midfielder Matt Oakley, who played in the centre of defence, also deserved his man-of-the-match award. I thought his accurate long balls up field allowed City to get on the front foot quickly as the York defence got turned and put under pressure by City's attack. Often they would be rushed into a hurried clearance and kick the ball out for a throw. At which point Oakley would then dart forward and hurl the ball into towards the box to cause even more problems. As Tisdale said after the game it wasn't the prettiest football, but he was perhaps hampered into playing that way with key players missing from the side. Sometimes you have to win ugly to be successful and that is what City were trying to do on Saturday. They have been accused before of trying to play the same passing, counter-attacking football that has worked so well on the road too much at St James's Park. Saturday showed they can mix things up and have a successful plan B up their sleeve. I thought City deserved the win and if they had managed to defend from that 82nd minute corner then fans might have been talking about them turning one in terms of the season.

CITY OPINION: Grecians yet to turn the corner, but showed signs of improvement against York City

Disappointing as it was not to beat York City on Saturday, having led from the eighth minute until the 82nd, I thought we did okay. David Wheeler's early goal gave us just the start we wanted but, unfortunately, we couldn't add a second and the visitors nicked a point when we failed to deal as well as we should have done with a late corner. Of course, you want to win your home games and, inevitably, people will look at the League Two table and say York are the sort of side we ought to be beating at St James's Park but, at the same time, Nigel Worthington's team are unbeaten in their last 21 League Two games – a run stretching back to the end of January – so we're not going to get too downhearted about it. What's more, there were a number of positives to take out of the game. Firstly, Matt Oakley disproved the theory you can't teach an old dog new tricks by producing a man-of-the-match performance in the heart of defence. Matt, who also provided the assist for David Wheeler's goal, looked as if he'd spent his entire career playing at the back. That aside, where has he been hiding that long throw all these years? And I can't help thinking that anyone who was seeing striker Graham Cummins in action for the first time would have gone away enthused. Clearly, it's going to be a week or two before Graham is completely up to speed, but he put in a real shift. The more I see of him the more convinced I am that he's going to be a real asset for us between now and the end of the season. On the subject of new signings, it's great that Christian Ribeiro has finally put pen to paper. As you'll be aware, Christian has been training with us for some time and played in a number of the pre-season fixtures but it's only in the last week that the club was in a position to offer him a contract. It's just our luck that Christian won't be available for a short while yet, as he completes his recuperation from a groin injury, but he's a full Welsh international who can play as a centre-half or full-back. And, like Cummins, he is a great lad who will I'm sure prove a valuable addition to the squad. The ice bucket challenge has been all the rage over recent weeks and we felt obliged to give it a go and, at the same time, raise awareness of a good cause – in our case Jessica's Sarcoma Awareness. Jessica Robson was a young woman who passed away in May, after bravely battling a very rare from of cancer for almost four years. Since then her family have been raising cash for a number of charities. It would be fantastic if anyone reading this would like to go to their web page at www.gofundme.com/9jjtcs and boost their fundraising appeal. You'll find a video of our efforts, which involved pretty much the entire squad, on the club's YouTube channel. Watch closely and you'll see Danny Butterfield comes close to missing when attempting the seemingly straight-forward task of tipping a bucket of water over his own head – no wonder Danny has failed to find the back of the net since he joined us in September of last year. We travel to Northampton on Saturday in search of our first win of the campaign. Chris Wilder did a fantastic job to keep the Cobblers up last season and the early indications are that they're going to be competing at the right end of League Two this time around. They might have crashed out of the League Cup at Bournemouth on Tuesday night, but a 3-2 victory away at Wolves in the previous round suggests they're a pretty decent outfit. Be that as it may, we believe that on our day we're more than capable of beating any side in this division and if we perform to the best of our ability it's not beyond the realms of possibility that we can return from Sixfields with all three points. For sure, while it would be great to win, we've just got to keep on eking out results where we can and with back-to-back home games against Mansfield and Oxford to follow, a draw wouldn't be the end of the world. I see Northampton have got a couple of former Grecian loanees in their squad – winger Chris Hackett, who played five times for us in at the end of 2011, and Lawson D'Ath, who made seven appearances for us in 2013. I got on well with Lawson and while it will be good to see him again, it goes without saying, I hope he has a thoroughly miserable afternoon on Saturday. For me, I'm hoping I can celebrate the birth of Sercs Jnr with our first three points of the season! He finally came into the world this week, a week after his due date, and it was the proudest moment of my life by far.

Liam Sercombe: Matt Oakley proved that you can teach an old dog new tricks

Exmouth lifeboat was launched to help the 26ft sailing vessel Mallaig, with two people on board, after it reported intermittent engine problems while unable to make sail in adverse wind and sea conditions off Sidmouth. TheExmouth RNLI All-weather Lifeboat was launched and escorted the vessel to Exmouth, and found the two sailors had been making their way across Lyme Bay when they became increasingly tired during the previous evening and had anchored off Budleigh Salterton. They contacted Portland Coastguard to advise them of their state of health and mechanical issues. A decision was made at 9.43am to task the Shannon class lifeboat R and J Welburn to assist the men, as they were unable to continue due to tiredness and fatigue. On scene within 25 minutes, Deputy Coxswain Roger Jackson assessed the situation and decided to put two of Exmouth RNLI's most experienced Crew volunteers aboard to assist the casualties to Exmouth Marina. The remaining four Crew volunteers remained aboard the Shannon class lifeboat and escorted the yacht to safety. Mark Sansom, volunteer Second Mechanic helped sail the yacht into the Marina, said: "We realised that their engine was too underpowered for the rough conditions and the casualties were exhausted. We brought the casualty drogue with us to stop the vessel from broaching, due to the size of the following sea. The sailors wisely kept the Coastguard updated, which led to the launching of Exmouth Lifeboat and prevented the situation deteriorating more. "The two men were very grateful of our assistance and were looking forward to something to eat and lots of rest."

Exmouth lifeboat aids sticken yacht off Sidmouth

Cyclists given chance to ride part of Tour of Britain Devon route