Devon fought back from a disappointing first day at the LTA Winter Indoor County Cup to beat Durham & Cleveland (5-4) and North Wales (5-4). It was enough to see them finish third in Group 4b at Barnstaple. The men recovered well after losing 7-2 against Bedfordshire to beat Oxfordshire 5-4. Exeter's Andrew Norton and Exmouth's Oskar Wynne sealed a 7-2 defeat of Hereford & Worcester and second place in Group 5b. Justin Kraushar, from Exeter, and Sampford Peverell's Alfie Flatters were also in the men's squad. Exeter's Kate Brown was proud of her team after fighting back so well after Devon were beaten 7-2 by Somerset. Brown won 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 and later teamed up with Seaton's Emma Hurst to win 6-2, 7-6 (7-4). On the final day, Hurst won 6-4, 6-1 and Isabella Brown, from Budleigh Salterton, had a 6-4, 6-2 success. The match of the day was a fabulous 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 12-10 win for Exmouth's Nikki Trelease and Rebecca Ley.

Devon County Council are reminding residents in the Torbay Council local authority area that from Monday 15 December, they will no longer be able to use the recycling facility at the Brunel Road site in Newton Abbot. They are asked to use the Torbay household waste recycling centre at Tor Park road in Paignton. Cabinet Member for Community and Environmental Services, Roger Croad says; "Devon County Council tax payers help to contribute towards the costs of running the recycling centre in Newton Abbot and in the present economic climate, we feel it's important to prioritise our own residents at the facility. We are facing extreme pressures on our budget and simply cannot afford to process waste from outside the county's local authority area without any financial contribution." "Regrettably we must ask residents from Torbay to understand our position and to please take their household waste for recycling to their own facility in Paignton which they have paid to use through their own council tax rather than Newton Abbot. "Security Staff will be applying this restriction and we would not want people to have wasted trips or the inconvenience of being turned away."

Teignmouth coach Simon Morrell knows what's coming this Saturday when Kingsbridge visit Bitton Park. It's a second-against-fourth tussle as the promotion race starts to heat up approaching the halfway stage of the season. The two sides fought each other to a standstill last season and Morrell expects the same again. "Both games last season were settled in injury time and it doesn't get much tighter than that," said Morrell. "Personally, I think it is between us and them who are the second-best team in this division, although Truro might disagree. "We have had a pretty good start to the season, apart from the poke in the eye Penryn gave us, which someone always does. "I would like to get this one out of the way with the right result, then get through to Christmas unbeaten. "Team-wise we will be stronger after Christmas. I don't want to drop any unnecessary points before the new year though." Teignmouth have got this far in the season despite selection problems week in and week out, problems that show little sign of easing just yet. Morrell expects to be without prop Paul Scott, centre Will Sowden, flanker Ben Parrett and fly-half Joe Simmonds due to injuries. Prop George Mowson is 50/50 and utility back Henry Raby is in the United States. Depleted or otherwise, the Teigns were still just a bit too good for Withycombe last time out in the Devon Intermediate Cup, running out 14-5 winners. Teignmouth turned around 5-0 up thanks to a try from Chris Sherlock, which new signing Sam Fellows converted. The Teigns were unable to turn pressure into points in the second half, other than when Colin Aldworth crept over for a try. Fellows converted that one as well.Tiverton return to league action this Saturday with a derby date against Okehampton. It is hard to pick an obvious favourite for the clash between two sides whose seasons appear to be going in opposite directions. Tiverton have lost four of their last five matches as they have slipped down the table from second to sixth. The Okes are on the up with four wins in their last five starts, which has hoisted them up to seventh in the standings. Tiverton were on Devon Intermediate Cup duty last Saturday, winning 19-17 at Paignton after a real struggle. Paignton, who play in the division below, are an improving side and at 17-14 up with less than five minutes to go looked like springing a minor upset. Tiverton drove a line-out over to win the game with a late try, but team chief Charlie Burt was the first to admit it was a close-run thing. "We had 80 per cent of the territory and possession for most of the match so I was disappointed that we didn't execute our game plan better," said Burt. "Take nothing away from Paignton, their defence was superb, even if some of their methods pushed the laws to the limit. "They played very well without the ball, chasing and harrying us all the time, not allowing us to settle. We got the right result in the end, but it was close." It looked like being a stroll in the park at first as Tiverton shot into a 14-0 lead with Jimmy Atkins converting his own try and one by Sam Smith. Bit by bit Paignton got back in the game and midway through the second half went 17-14 up but their penalty count crept up as the defending got more desperate and there was a certain inevitability about the way it ended. Atkins pumped a penalty into the corner, Tiverton won the line-out and set up the drive for Richard Tucker to claim the try. Okehampton were without a game for their first XV last Saturday, as were league leaders University of Exeter, are away to Torquay Athletic.Sidmouth host Wellington on Saturday looking up the table on the back of two successive wins. The Blackmore Field outfit didn't have a game last weekend as they had a bye in the Devon Intermediate Cup but will be looking to make it three wins on the trot.

Feniton will be hoping to upset the odds this Saturday when they travel to Peninsula League side Holsworthy in the Devon Premier Cup. Feniton, who are third in the Devon & Exeter League Premier Division, warmed up for their quarter-final clash with a 2-0 win over Bow AAC. Charlie Selley, with a penalty, and Ben Ede netted for Fenny. Tiverton Town retained their two-point lead at the top of the section with a 5-0 win at home against Beer Albion. Jesse Howe and Richard Groom both scored twice. Tivvy's nearest challengers Heavitree United settled for a 1-0 victory at home to the University. Kenny Smith was the Heavies' match-winner. Sidbury United are up to fifth after a 3-0 win at Budleigh Salterton. Dan Green scored twice and Jamie Bayliss once, but Robins keeper Dean Rawlings stole the show. Thorverton were a goal down to Topsham at half-time, but recovered to win 4-2. Lee Radford (2), Lee Riggs and Aaron Street scored for the Thors. Jordan Bastin and Rian Antat replied for Topsham. Willand Rovers stormed to a 6-1 win against Seaton Town, with Luke Durham and Jason Kennard both scoring twice. Ashley Matthews and Joe Vittles added singles. Newtown won 2-1 at Chard Town, with Dale O'Donoghue getting both goals on his return to the club. Catch us if you can is the message from Honiton Town as the Division One leaders overran Heavitree United 7-0. Goals came from Joe Mulhall (2), Darren Witt, Lewis Couch, Matt Brown, Chris Long and Brett Sellick. The University had to work harder to edge Westexe 3-2, with Jack Bardrick and Harvey Owen scoring for the Students to add to an own goal. Lee Dixon scored both of Rovers' goals. Witheridge also won 3-2, with Tom Williams (2) and Lee Radford scoring, and the same margin saw Exwick Villa home against Wellington as Steve Morrish (2) and Mark Saunders scored. Lympstone won 1-0 at Alphington, with man-of-the-match Mark Hobbs netting, while draw specialists Clyst Valley and Exmouth Amateurs shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw. Beacon Knights have withdrawn their team after their manager and many players left and their record has been expunged. The University replaced Colyton at the top of Division Two after their 4-2 win against their rivals. Darren Ofoe, Luke Jewers, Luke Taylor and Matt Barker scored the goals. Sidmouth Town are up to third after winning 3-1 at Culm United, but Upottery are looking dangerous following their 6-1 win at Tipton St John where Steve Morris scored twice but also missed a penalty. Joe Jones, Dan Scadden, James Girton and Sam Farmer added singles. Division Three leaders Exmouth Town surprisingly drew 3-3 with struggling Thorverton. Woodbury enjoyed a 6-1 win at Pinhoe, with Wayne Rowsell and Sam Schaefli both scoring twice. Richard Higham and Dann Tapp were also on target. Axminster Town won their derby clash at Axmouth 3-2. Adam Cowling (2) and Ben Williams were the Tigers' scorers. Henry's Cronies beat Cheriton Fitzpaine 3-0, with Mike Benyon, Liam Carey and Billy Rouse on target. Tedburn St Mary lost 9-1 against Lyme Regis. Countess Wear Dynamoes came from a goal down to beat Newtown 2-1 in Division Four. Goals from former Newtown player Aaron Matthews and Richard Gilbert turned things around. Lapford were 3-0 winners against Amory Park Rangers, with Ben Tucker, Mark Tucker and Harry Leach scoring and keeper Matt Parsell keeping a third clean sheet. Morchard Bishop slipped from second to sixth after crashing 6-2 at St Martins, who are now third. Sandford took over as the new leaders in Division Five despite only drawing 2-2 with Honiton Town. The visitors scored through Lewis Grant and Kieran Conway. Former leaders Sampford Peverell were beaten 2-1 by strugglers Hatherleigh. Uplowman moved into the top three with a 4-1 win against Halwill, with Rob Hanna (2), Ricky Lee and Brian Redwood scoring, while Otterton had to battle to edge Priory 2-1. Dink Thomas and Lee Mitchell netted for the Rollers. In Division Six, Ottery St Mary got back to winning ways with a 6-0 romp against the Railway Club. Connor Swingler (2), Sean Ford (2), Nick Feeney and Toby Harris were on target. Kentisbeare remain on the Otters' heels after winning 3-1 at Exwick Village. Tom Beddows (2) and Carlos Paiva scored. Woodbury won a battle royale with Beer 4-3 after goals from Wayne Gooding, Michael Simpson, Ryan Pearson and a Steve Hunt penalty. The top score of the day came from Winchester in Division Seven with an 11-1 hammering of Amory Green Rovers, for whom Dan Stone scored. Leaders South Zeal needed just one goal at Cheriton Fitzpaine to claim the points. Hemyock and Central drew 3-3, with the hosts' Paul Moralee (2) and Phil Bell netting. St Martins retained their Division Eight leader by beating Ottery St Mary 4-1, the Otters goal coming from Barry Wood. Open Space International won 4-2 at Moretonhampstead, with Oli Omrani (2), Lamin Fofana and Josh Cooper scoring.

Cullompton go into Saturday's basement battle against Clevedon boosted by a 29-15 win at St Austell. Cully had gone a while without a win – three defeats on the trot since beating Bideford 31-30 – and were bottom of the table. Victory lifted Cully ahead of Matson and put them just a point behind Clevedon, another team they have to get ahead of on the way out of the bottom three. Head coach Chris Wall said it was a bit early to talk about turning the season around, but confidence is definitely rising. "After we beat Drybrook we thought it was a corner turned then, but it wasn't," said Wall. "The players feel they have taken a big step forward by winning at St Austell, and that is the important thing. "We started tentatively at St Austell, but as the game went on we played more and more rugby. "Our set-piece went well, we ran the ball well and you could see the confidence coming back. "Clevedon is a big game and, at home, we need to win it. "We haven't been making it hard enough for sides at Stafford Park and it is time to turn the place into a fortress." Wall shifted Alex Brooks from 10 to 12 against St Austell in the absence of the injured Mark Harold and the move worked well. "Alex at 12 gives us a bit more distribution and an extras kicking option as well," said Wall. Cully shot ahead at St Austell with two tries from Matt Handford in the second row, both converted by Adam Pearce, who then added a penalty. Saints got back to 17-8 down at half-time but had their comeback hopes dashed virtually from the restart. Marcus Busch scored a try on his return after injury and there was another for Alex Ford. A late St Austell try did nothing to change the outcome.

A lorry containing sea salt has overturned on the M5 near Exeter. Police and ambulance crews are at the scene of the collision after emergency services were called at around 11.20am to the M5 at junction 31, Southbound at the A30 slip road. The Daf lorry has a container with sea salt on board and has overturned. Two other vehicles were involved in the collision, namely a Blue Ford Transit van and a silver Saab. None of the drivers are seriously injured. The A30 on slip is currently closed and traffic tailbacks are building up. Motorists are advised to avid the area and to use the A38 if travelling South.

Exmouth head coach Jon Hill doesn't want to talk about the Cockles' aims for this season, even though they are sitting in the National Three play-off place. The Cockles won 50-10 at Old Patesians last time out to move past Brixham and into second place behind leaders Redingensians. It's mid-table Oxford Harlequins away this Saturday, followed by a big home double-header leading up to Christmas. Redingensians visit the Imperial Ground next Saturday, with Devon rivals Barnstaple the guests on the Saturday before Christmas. Three wins will almost certainly have Exmouth twinkling away at the top of the tree for Christmas – well placed for a promotion push in the second half of the season. As far as promotion is concerned, Hill is playing it cagey. "There are no targets here for the end of season," said Hill. "We set ourselves a minimum points target for the five games leading up to Christmas and, so far, we are certainly on course to meet that target. "We will not, ever, be talking in the Press about anything other than the short term, as the challenges we face are huge each week." Hill may be saying little but the team did the talking on the pitch away to Pats. Exmouth had the four-try bonus point in the bag five minutes before half-time and carried on scoring in the second half. "Unusually, we scored more points going up the slope in the second half, which is quite an achievement up there," said Exmouth director of rugby Chris Wright. "The ground is in Everest Road and that is aptly named!" Wright said Exmouth were not at full strength for the trip, which made the margin of victory all the more impressive. "Pats were massive up front and the first 15 minutes looked a bit ominous," said Wright. "The players who came in had to step up a level and, once they did, we started to score tries." Veteran second row Stu Lowe led the way with a hat-trick. There were tries for Garry Hopper, Matt Ryan, Ollie Rice, John Aplin and Ollie Pyne, with George Meadows landing five conversions. Hill said: "It was a pleasing victory and by a much bigger score than anticipated, showing when it clicks, we can operate against anyone." Of the Everest Road absentees Hill hopes to have Nigel Berry, Chris Bentley, Ross Morshead, Richard Cadywould and Richard Bright available for Quins away.Newton Abbot have re-signed utility back Rob Avery-Wright from Exmouth and are poised to bring him straight into the first team against visiting Chard this Saturday. Avery-Wright originally joined Newton Abbot from Launceston at the start of the 2011/12 season and spent two years at Rackerhayes before leaving for Exmouth. Avery-Wright's versatility – he can play wing, full-back or fly-half – meant he was generally in the match day plans at Exmouth, either from the start or on the bench. Only last month he played on the wing for Exmouth in their defeat at Newton Abbot. Newton need a full-back and goal kicker now that Josh Smith has made himself unavailable and Avery-Wright fits the bill nicely. "We are glad to welcome him back into the club and are looking for him to make the 15 shirt his own," said Roy Henderson, Newton's director of rugby. "There isn't quite so much pressure on our goal-kicking as, since Josh left, Will Castleton has been doing great things at fly-half. "What we didn't have was a back-up kicker, and now we have a fine one. Rob Avery-Wright kicks goals – lots of them – and is a welcome addition to the squad." Avery-Wright is likely to play against Chard this Saturday, which will release Stephen Ward to revert to the centre. Newton's other new signing, winger Jack Bond, is unlikely to play against Chard but it won't be long before he starts to feature. Bond, 19, took an 18-month sabbatical from the game after breaking a bone in his neck playing for Ivybridge College against London Irish academy. The Teignmouth youngster had played for England under-16s the season before and is back playing rugby with Bicton College. Henderson said: "Jack won't play until the college term ends next week, but it won't be long before he is in contention again." Bond's arrival is well timed as he looks a likely replacement for wingman Kevin Dennis, who is out until further notice with a hand injury. Farmer Dennis sliced through a finger at work and has needed extensive surgery to keep it. "Had he cut it off he could have returned to playing almost immediately, but because they have done some reconstruction work it will be a while before he has healed sufficiently to play again," said Henderson. The All Whites slipped to defeat at Brixham two weeks ago in their last outing, but would appear to be too strong for a Chard side bumping along the bottom of the table. Henderson said appearances can be deceptive. "Brixham played Chard a few weeks ago and were behind until stoppage time when they scored the winning try," said Henderson. "Brixham told us Chard are a better side than their results show and we would be advised to remember that."

Police Scotland is issuing a nationwide appeal for information on a man missing from Drumchapel since 10 September 2014. Jonathon Kelly (pictured in a forensic artist's drawing) had his licence revoked after failing to comply with imposed conditions following his release from Lowmoss Prison on 21 August 2014. Kelly has served time in prison for a number of violent offences, including a machete attack which left his victim ¬paralysed. The 34-year-old, who has featured among BBC Crimewatch's Most Wanted, was released from Low Moss Prison, near Glasgow, on 21 August. Police have undertaken extensive enquiries to locate Mr Kelly, however attempts so far to trace him have proved unsuccessful. There have also been no confirmed sightings of Mr Kelly. Officers believe he may have travelled further afield than Scotland and may be in England or Dublin. Detectives working on the inquiry are in close contact with other law enforcement agencies and partner organisations to help trace Mr Kelly. Detectives are convinced Kelly is receiving assistance from people to evade police. His appearance when he was last seen is white, around 5 ft 11 inches in height with short brown hair and a heavy build. However, officers believe his appearance may have changed and he may have grown a beard. Detective Superintendent Stephen Grant said: "We are issuing this image today with a plea to the communities across the UK for their assistance in tracing Jonathon Kelly. He has been unlawfully at large since 10 September 2014, and it is imperative that we trace him. "A number of police officers continue to work on this inquiry with assistance by specialist colleagues from within our organisation, and we are assisted by colleagues in other law enforcement agencies across the UK. "I would advise people not to approach him but to contact police if they see him – any sightings should be reported to police or give your information to Crimestoppers."

A youth football coach has denied sexually assaulting players during the 1970s and told a jury he would never harm boys because they were his family. Anthony Mitchell ran a junior football team in Exeter from 1954 to 1980 but told Exeter Crown Court he had never sexually assaulted any of the boys who played for him. Mitchell, aged 78, was jailed for a year in 1980 after he admitted drugging boys with Mogadon sleeping tablets and indecently assaulting them but he now insists he was innocent of those offences. He says he only pleaded guilty because he felt like a father to the boys who had made the allegations and could not bear the thought of them having to give evidence against him in court. Mitchell is on trial over serious sexual allegations made by two boys who played for his team in the 1970s, a few years before the other complaints were made. The victims have told how they were abused while on overnight trips t in a converted ambulance which Mitchell used as a team bus. One says he was repeatedly assaulted while sharing a sleeping bag with Mitchell while the other says he was drugged and abused during a team trip. He has told the court he woke up in a semi conscious state to find himself stripped naked and being bent over a table in Mitchell's van. Unmarried Mitchell, of Foxhayes Road, Exeter, denies two serious sexual offences which would now be classed as male rape, one of assault with intent to commit a similar offence, and three indecent assaults. All the allegations date back to the late 1970s and involve boys who were aged 11 to 13 at the time. Mitchell told the jury in the current case that he made admissions in interview because he was confused after being held in custody and moved from Dawlish to Exeter, Teignmouth and Newton Abbot. He said he pleaded guilty to offences which he did not commit on the advice of a solicitor and because he wanted to spare the boys having to go to court to tell lies about him. Mitchell denied abusing either of the two complainants in the current case, saying he had never touched them inappropriately. He said:"That football club was my life. People used to say I always had youngsters around me. I always told them I did not need to get married to have a family because they were my family and they would never grow old because when the older ones left, younger ones took their place. "When the first allegations were made I knew my world had come to an end. I admitted them because my mother was sick and I did not want a big court case, which it would have been because the club was very well known at that time. "If the children had gone in the witness box the tears would have run down their eyes. I would not have dragged the boys into court because I was like a father to them and I could not image a father dragging their child into court and accusing them of lying." He said he had rubbed linament into boys' legs but there was nothing sexual about it and had shared a sleeping bag with boys in his converted ambulance to keep them warm on winter nights. He said he had given boys sleeping tablets because he was worried they would be kept awake by the cold and he wanted them to sleep on in the morning so they did not disturb him. At the time he was working night shifts with a newspaper delivery company and he went on to work for a printing company in Exeter after his release from jail.

A ROYAL Marine dubbed the "commando who refused to die" has had his leg amputated three years after being blown up in Afghanistan – to allow him to play with his children. Cpl Paul Vice suffered more than 100 significant wounds during the blast and "died" twice as he was airlifted back to Camp Bastion after the explosion in Helmand in 2011. The 31-year-old from Exeter miraculously took 400 pieces of shrapnel in his body, suffered a broken neck, a stroke, a damaged left eye, was deafened in one ear, and has an enduring brain injury causing paralysis. His life was saved after a colleague stuck his knee into his neck to stop the bleeding. Paul's subsequent miraculous recovery and determined spirit saw him win two medals in the cycling and archery events at the Invictus Games organised for wounded servicemen by Prince Harry earlier this year. But enduring problems with his left leg have stopped him from enjoying life with his wife Tessa and four children, Honey, Frankie, Alfie and Harley. Paul made the decision to remove the troublesome limb and cameras followed him throughout the process for a documentary that will be screened on Forces TV later this month. He told the programme: "The leg is crap – it does not do anything and I call it the wet fish. It does not do anything but cause me gip and pain and it cannot get any worse." Paul is filmed during the documentary leaving a parting message on the soon to be detached limb. He wrote: "Dear leg, thanks for all the misery and admin you have caused over the last three years. See you later pal." And he said: "I have gone through the stage of being depressed about why it happened and I have got over it. "More importantly this is about my children. I cannot interact with them how I want. I want to be running and playing football with them. But at the moment I have problems just walking after them. "As a family, we have all agreed that the best way forward for me is to have the leg amputated. "I live in the here and now and my sole aim is to look after and give my children and family the best life they can get." Paul was one of six injured during the blast, the others suffering broken bones, a brain injury and shrapnel wounds. Recalling the incident, he said: "I lay there checking myself over to make sure I still had my limbs. I couldn't move my neck because it was broken but I remember seeing a massive pool of blood coming out of me and then felt and heard blood spouting out from my neck like a hose pipe. "I didn't feel pain, just red hot – I thought I was on fire. "When I felt the hole in my neck I knew it was an arterial bleed, so I thought that was it. "That's when Richie came ploughing through the dust and stuck his knee into my neck." Paul fought to stay conscious, at one point losing vision so all that was left was a pin prick of light while chest compressions were administered to bring him back. He was evacuated back to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. A month later Paul embarked on his gruelling rehabilitation journey at Headley Court, the tri-service rehabilitation centre in Surrey. During his tour with 42 Commando in 2011, Paul was filmed for the documentary Mission Afghanistan and became friends with filmmaker Chris Terrill. Chris returned to visit Paul to follow him through his amputation and to see how life has changed for him since his injuries. The amputation, which is filmed throughout, provides the baseline for the film, which continually flashes back to Paul's recent past. This includes footage of him from the frontline and at the Invictus Games. The documentary, entitled The Commando Who Refused to Die, will be broadcast on Friday, December 12, at 9pm on Forces TV on Sky 264, Virgin 244 and Freesat 652.

Exeter City's teenage sensation Ethan Ampadu is set to join Arsenal after Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United have all reportedly shown an interest. The Exeter City academy player was called up to the Wales under-16 squad for their friendly internationals against France in September. At the time Ampadu had just entered the under-14 level and therefore will played against players up to 21 months older than him He also came off the bench in Wales under 16's 1-0 Victory Shield win over England on Friday night. And The Daily Star reports a few representatives from Premier League clubs may have been present to watch the young star. Ampadu is favourite to join Arsenal because of the fact his father, Kwame, is currently a coach at Arsenal's Hale End academy. The news follows further rumours linking Exeter and England Under-20's star Matt Grimes with a link to Premiere League clubs including Swansea, Southampton and Liverpool. Grimes and Ampadu both came through the ranks at the Exeter Academy.

The National Lottery results have been drawn for Wednesday, December 3. The balls were picked with the jackpot standing at an amazing £2,100,000 and a raffle draw with a guaranteed 50 prizes of £20,000 each. The winning numbers are: 4, 17, 19, 25, 35 and 37. The all-important bonus ball is 7. The National Lottery has given away more than £53 billion in prizes and made 3,700 people millionaires since it began in 1994. The next draw will be on Saturday, December 6, 2014.

A woman has been rescued from a car after a collision in Bow. Just before 2.30pm today, two appliances from Crediton and North Tawton were called to assist with the release of a lady trapped in her car following collision with a wall in Bow. On arrival crews assisted with stabilisation of the vehicle and awaiting the arrival of the ambulance service. Police were requested to assist with traffic control at the scene. One woman was released from the vehicle using small tools.

THE next General Election result is impossible to predict. One reason is obvious. If a party is to win a majority it has to own a sizeable share of the national vote. This used to come naturally to the major parties. In the 1951 election no less than 98 per cent of voters pledged their allegiance to either the Conservatives or Labour. The polls today suggest this has tumbled to 60 per cent. The rest has fragmented. Insurgent 'none of the above' Kippers, rapidly resurgent Greens, the remnants of the Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru, the SNP, Irish Unionists and Nats, English Democrats, Monster Raving Loonies, the Bus Pass Elvis Party carve up the rest. These parties vary in support – Ukip on 15 per cent, the Greens and Libs at eight and six per cent. Under our electoral system converting these numbers into seats is tough. The reality is that unless you can achieve a concentration of votes in particular seats you are not going to gain much of a parliamentary presence – for this reason I predict that Ukip will win fewer than six seats next year and the Lib Dems will perform much better than many predict. For Conservatives there are the challenges of the parliamentary boundaries that were due to be more fairly redrawn but for our Lib Dem chums. We have much ground to make up in the North and Scotland. Labour have the problems of leadership and strategy. Ed Miliband just hasn't cut it, with even a high proportion of his own supporters unable to see him as Prime Minister (a third of Labour voters actually think that Cameron would be a better PM). The leadership problem has destroyed the strategy which has been one of old style Labour talking to its traditional core vote while absorbing austerity weary Lib Dems – to deliver victory on just 35 per cent. But traditional Labour voters are peeling off to the Greens, to Ukip and the ranks of the undecided. Post referendum Scotland too looms with the SNP threatening many Labour seats. The issues battleground is, as ever, fragmented too. Labour want the focus on health, the Greens on… well, green matters, Ukip on the EU. What Conservatives must continue to remind people of is that the biggest issue of all is the one that supports all the rest – the economy. Our record is strong – we have cut the deficit by a third, we have the fastest growing economy in the industrialised world, unemployment has fallen off a cliff, inflation is low and real wages are starting to rise. But there is much more to do and a Conservative government is needed to finish the job. Without it – with our economy sliding backwards we will all quickly discover that the other things that politicians promise are all for the birds – because they will be unaffordable. We may be in new territory in this fragmented multi-party world – but the lessons of our profligate past still hold true – this must be the message that prevails next May. Busy Recently I dropped in on Guy Sheppard, who owns the Exe Valley micro-brewery near Silverton. I have developed a growing interest in micro-breweries and enjoyed helping Guy fill some of the early barrels with his award winning 'Winter Glow' – early morning is not usually the time I start drinking but it was good to have some of this marvellous ale. I'm also a great fan of local ciders and my next stop was Barny Butterfield in Crediton who produces some of the greatest cider on the planet. Many of his apples are from his orchards in Sandford. In Crediton I also caught up with local farmers to discuss Bovine TB. I held surgeries in North Tawton and Crediton. At Okehampton Medical Centre I met with the head of the local Patient Participation Group and others to discuss the CCG's new health plans for the area. Also in Okehampton I was delighted to spend time with some of the children at Okehampton Primary School. Hazel Fox is an outstanding and positive headteacher and she and her team continue to do an outstanding job. The children I met had taken part in the Green Schools Awards and were the regional winners. I was in Bovey Tracey for a speaking engagement and also dropped in to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Lustleigh Home Guard Rifles. Outside Bovey I met with members of the New Park Residents Association – an impressive organisation that has established a very positive working relationship with their park home site owner. Afterwards I visited another site. Buckingham Orchard has had many difficult years with a number of site management issues. I was grateful to Sandra Statt who showed me around. There are a number of issues that I will be taking up with the local authority.

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 New Skoda PLANNING permission is being sought for a 1,000sq m new Skoda car dealership. It will include a one-storey showroom, MOT station, workshop, valet building and car parking areas. There will be parking for 98 cars and, according to the plans lodged with the city council, it will employ 22 full-time and four part-time staff. If given the go-ahead it will be built on the corner of Silverton Road and Thorverton Road. City centre Paris Street A SPECIAL presentation about the proposed road layout changes to Paris Street has been requested by the chairman of Exeter's highways committee. Councillor Jill Owen, who is also the county councillor for St David's and St James' said: "I think we should be consulted as we want to give our views on this." Under plans for the re-development of the bus and coach station it is proposed that the top end of Paris Street, beyond its junction with Dix's Field, would be closed to all traffic. A turning circle for the park and ride buses at this junction is also on the cards. New blue EXETER-born actresses Violet and Dame Irene Vanbrugh are to be honoured with a Civic Society blue plaque. Theatre director and playwright Paul Jepson, who is on the board of Exeter's Northcott Theatre, will unveil the plaque at Broadwalk House, Southernhay. It is on the walkway to the Exeter Blitz Memorial between Roman Walk and Broadwalk House. This is the site of 35 Southernhay Place where the elder sister Violet was born in her grandmother's house in 1867. Irene was born in Heavitree Vicarage five years later. They were two of six children of the Rev Reginald Henry Barnes, a prebendary of Exeter Cathedral and vicar of Heavitree, The plaque is to be unveiled on Thursday, December 4 at 11.30am. City-wide IKEA nears FOR those across the city who are keen for Exeter to have its very own IKEA – here is the latest from the company. An IKEA spokeswoman said: "Following the recommendation of our outline planning application in January we have been working closely with Exeter City Council to tie up the legal agreements needed to allow them to issue the planning consent for the site, which we expect shortly. "Once the planning consent is issued we will work towards providing detailed final designs to the council for approval." A spokesman for the city council told Community News that 'expect shortly' was correct. IKEA is to be built off the A379, just up from Sandy Park and off the Tesco Extra junction on Newcourt Way. Gritting roads RICHARD Westlake, county councillor for Newtown and Polsloe, is seeking answers as to what impact study the county council undertook before recommending a reduction in road gritting and not filling grit bins. He has filed a series of questions and is expecting written replies to them when Devon's cabinet next meets on December 10. In particular, Cllr Westlake wants to know what impact such a policy would have on the RD&E Hospital's accident and emergency unit, school attendance and what would be its economic impact on Exeter. Cllr Westlake said: "This is a very important issue. "I purchased a number of grit bins from my community budget purely because of the problems we had in the bad winter in 2010 because of a lack of grit bins. "There are many steep roads in Newtown and Polsloe and if the bins are not going to be filled then we are going to be in real trouble. "It will be dangerous for the public." Bridge Road TO tackle queuing traffic and reduce journey times from Countess Wear to the Matford roundabout Devon County Council wants to provide two continuous outbound lanes on Bridge Road. Construction is planned to start in late summer 2015. A spokeswoman for the county council has assured Community News that access to all of the existing footpath and cycleway in the area will be maintained throughout the works, with temporary routes constructed where necessary. The spokeswoman added: "Access to all facilities in the area such as the boat club and access to residential properties will be unaffected. The small car-park area at the Riverside Valley Park entrance on the upstream side of Bridge Road will be unavailable for parking but will remain accessible for pedestrians to pass through. "Most of the land affected is owned by bodies such as the Environment Agency and Exeter City Council, although there are numerous small areas of unknown ownership, despite many enquiries. As such a Compulsory Purchase Order process is the only way for us to ensure we can obtain the necessary legal rights to work on this land." Don't forget! A REMINDER that time is running out if you would like to donate to the Salvation Army's Christmas toy appeal this year. Gifts will be distributed to referred children and families in the local area. The gift should be taken along unwrapped, before December 15, to Superdrug in the Guildhall Shopping centre or to Morrison's in Prince Charles Road. Gifts for all ages of children up to 16 are needed. Fiesta time! TO celebrate communities doing innovative economic projects across the UK and Europe, there is to be a fiesta held in Exeter. The event will be held on Thursday, December 11 at 8pm in St Matthews church hall, Lower Summerlands, Exeter. The organisers are Transition Exeter and special guests will be Inez Aponte, facilitator and storyteller, and Jay Tompt, green business consultant. Both are from the UK and have founded the Well & Good Project which aims to spread innovations in community-led economics, based on genuine human needs and wellbeing. Over the last few years they've been travelling to offer training courses and workshops in social and economic regeneration with community groups in many countries across Europe. The event is an opportunity to gather, share food and drink, enjoy local musicians, and gain inspiration. The fiesta will also reflect stories of economic innovation in Exeter, including the Exeter Pound project and Exeter Community Energy Company. For further details see www.transitionexeter.org.uk Exwick Last chance A DESPERATE Exwick pet owner has set up an online fund in a last ditch bid to save the life of her spaniel. Clair Ireland is the owner of Chance, a male springer spaniel and needs help with vet bills following the onset of immune malicited thrombocytopaenic disease due to possibly having ingested rat poison two months ago. This causes internal bleeding as a lack of platelets means the blood is unable to clot. Clair, who suffers from health problems herself, has been having Chance treated at her local veterinary surgeons and at present the outstanding bill stands at £2,300. Clair is now desperate as the vets have said they can't treat him any further without the bill being significantly reduced. Sadly, as she is unemployed, Clair is unable to do this on her own, however with the help of her friends she has set up a www.gofundme.com page to enable people to help by donating towards Chance's fees in the hope that further treatment will be possible. Clair has had Chance, aged 10, since he was 10 weeks and he has been her constant companion through thick and thin. Clair doesn't want to have to make the decision to stop treatment. Clair is also a foster carer for dogs rescued from Romania and helps to provide a loving caring home for them before a permanent home becomes available. Heavitree Dog bin return THE good news for local dog lovers is that the dog poo bin by the top Hanover Road entrance into Higher Cemetery is to be replaced as a priority. The bin had to be removed for safety reasons after it was vandalised. The city council believes someone was swinging on it, so that the bin ended up bent over at a 90 degree angle. Keith Owen, lead councillor for environment, health and wellbeing, said: "We do get these acts of stupidity from time to time. "The bin should be replaced, as a priority, within the next two weeks. "In the meantime, I am appealing to dog walkers to please use the other dog bins in the cemetery, rather than just leaving the mess where the bin used to be." Christmas fayre THE congregation of St Paul's Church is holding its Christmas fayre on Saturday, December 6. The event will run from 11am until 2pm and will be held in the Rifford Room at St Michael's and All Angels in Church Street. Admission is 20p. There will be craft and cake stalls, draws and light lunches. Free concert DON'T forget the free concert at the parish church in Church Street on Saturday, December 6 from 7pm. Performing will be the Heavitree Team Handbell Ringers, and the church's junior and senior choirs, and the members of the clergy will be reprising the appearance of their band which went down such a storm at the summer concert. There will also be some audience participation in Christmas favourites. Mince pies have been provided by Waitrose. Proceeds from a retiring bucket collection will be divided between Devon Air Ambulance and the upkeep of the church. Newcourt Protest meeting RESIDENTS are planning a protest meeting after a young girl was injured in a road accident near her home. The accident happened in Omaha Drive on the Rydons estate when the child, aged four, was struck by a car as she crossed the road between parked vehicles. Mother of six Cherie Reed, who has lived on the Rydons for five years, said: "Luckily the driver was sensible and was not speeding. The little girl was knocked over and was taken to hospital but was not badly hurt. "We have been campaigning for months for something to be done about the traffic coming through the estate and all the parked cars along the roads. "It is terrible and we need double yellow lines, speed monitors and particularly a safe crossing, zebra or whatever, so children can get to the park safely." To push for improvements the residents are now planning to stage a protest on Saturday, December 13 starting at the community centre. Mrs Reed said: "It has gone on long enough and we need something done. "There are a great many children living on the Rydons. "We have decided to get together to get something done to make it safer for them to play here." Newtown Festive warning DO not hide Christmas presents in garden sheds. That is the warning from local councillor Richard Westlake, who told Community News: "There are opportunist thieves around, particularly at this time of year, and I would like to warn people to be extra vigilant. "Don't leave back gates open and don't hide presents in the garden shed. Every year people are upset because a thief has taken advantage of a back gate left open." Extended hours WAITROSE in Gladstone Road has announced that it is extending its opening hours in the run-up to Christmas. On December 22 and 23 it will be open from 7am until 11pm. Pennsylvania Tree planting VOLUNTEERS with gardening tools and enthusiasm are invited to join members of the Sylvania Environment and Community Project on Saturday, December 6 between 10am and 1pm for a spot of tree planting. SECP is a group of local residents who volunteer time and enthusiasm tow work in the local environment. The trees to be planted have been provided by the Devon Wildlife Trust. If you want to help, meet up at the zig-zag path at the bottom of Linnet Close. Everyone is welcome. For more details see the group on the internet: sylvaniaecp or email them at sylvaniaecp@gmail.com Pinhoe Better access DEVON County Council is looking to improve access to Pinhoe station. A spokesman for Devon County Council said: "There is lots of new housing at Pinhoe and Monkerton, and with just a seven-minute journey into the city centre the train is an attractive way to travel. "We are looking to improve access to Pinhoe station; however there are no firm plans for a footbridge at the moment." Polsloe Clear drains LOCAL councillor Richard Westlake reports a happy sight – two blokes cleaning drains! Cllr Westlake told Community News: "They told me they are in the area for the next month and will be looking at all the drains, which is great news. "They did, however, say to me that sometimes they can't reach the drains as people have parked over them. "I know people can't always avoid doing this, but if drivers could try not to do this for the next four weeks it would be very helpful." Standing out CHILDREN at Ladysmith Infant School are set to stand out in the crowd this winter thanks to a donation of high visibility vests. The children were given the vests by the local Specsavers store to promote safety at night during Road Safety Week, an initiative by the charity Brake. Deputy head teacher Emma Brown says: "We're very grateful for these vests; they will be put to good use. "The safety of our pupils is one of our top priorities. "These vests will allow the children to walk safely in the dark, as well as be visible to cars on outings and school trips." Store director Jonathan Baumber said: "We hope our donation will help keep parents' minds at ease when they're escorting their children to and from school." Powderham Wet cycle path CYCLISTS have been left pedal-deep in water after using a newly-opened cycle path along the Exe estuary. The new Turf Locks to Powderham cycle track and footpath has been submerged in up to eight inches of flood water in recent days. The flooding had been foreseen by cyclists before the route along side the main railway line was installed, according to veteran biker Mike Bowden. Mr Bowden, of Wrefords Road, Cowley Bridge, St David's, said: "When it was said that the track would be built at the bottom of the bank I pointed out the serious flooding there and was backed up by others. "We were assured it would be catered for. "Raising the flooded parts would have been cheap done during construction. Now it would be expensive – and will probably be 'too expensive'. "The proposed solution is to have steps up the banks at various places so that cyclists can carry their bikes up and down them to bypass flooded sections. "The top path is a footpath which only walkers are allowed on. It is also the fact that RSPB don't want lots of movement on the bank top because of disturbance to birds in a such an important area. "I have seen higher flood levels there than those when it flooded recently, so the track should have been 12 inches higher in the low parts – probably about two per cent of the whole stretch. "We cyclists know from experience of other trails that the very nice Exe Estuary route will draw large volumes of users." A spokesman for Devon County Council said: "The area is constrained by its location and parts of the trail are built on a flood plain so some flooding is to be expected when there is heavy rain coupled with high tides. "We appreciate that this can be frustrating for cyclists but hopefully it won't discourage them from using the trail." RD&E Hospital All lit up! THE Christmas tree outside the main entrance of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital has been officially lit up by members of the trust's board of directors. The 20ft pine tree is donated every year by the RD&E's League of Friends to bring some Christmas cheer to the grounds of the Wonford hospital. As members of the board and the League of Friends gathered round, the festive lights were switched on by RD&E's chief executive Angela Pedder, who thanked the league on behalf of the board for their very kind donation. Cheryl Hayes, chairman of the League of Friends said: "The League of Friends of the RD&E is delighted once again to provide a Christmas tree for patients, staff and visitors to enjoy. "This has become something of a tradition over the years and we hope this beautiful tree, kindly provided by our president the Earl of Iddesleigh, will bring a smile to everyone who sees it." If you are interested in becoming involved with the RD&E League of Friends please write to: League of Friends, c/o the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Barrack Road, Exeter, EX2 5DW. St David's Richmond Court FOLLOWING on from our report last week about residents appealing to city MP Ben Bradshaw to help secure the completion of the road leading to Richmond Court, the county council has given Community News the following statement. A spokeswoman for the county council said: "Devon County Council is keen to see the entrance into Richmond Court completed as soon as possible, but it is the developer Taylor Wimpey's responsibility for undertaking these works. "To enable construction to begin, Taylor Wimpey has been liaising with Network Rail to obtain the necessary permissions required because the new entrance is being constructed over a railway structure. "Devon County Council will continue to put pressure on these organisations to resolve these permissions so that the long-awaited works can progress soon." Park reminder A REMINDER to Christmas shoppers that the Bartholomew Terrace and Richmond Road car parks are for residents only after 6pm. This means that the city council's free car parking offer over the Christmas period only applies in these two car parks between 5pm and 6pm. Crafts thanks MEMBERS of the parish church would like to thanks everyone who supported their Christmas Craft Fayre last Saturday. They had lots of compliments about the variety of stalls, the music and the atmosphere. They were delighted to have raised £1,170 towards the church's Transformation and Repair project. St Thomas Lights switch on EXETER'S Lord Mayor, Councillor Percy Prowse, will be switching on St Thomas' Christmas lights on Thursday, December 4. The switch-on will be at 6.30pm in the precinct but there will be lots of fun to be enjoyed from 5pm with carol singing, Santa's grotto, face painting, tombola, Christmas hat competition, barbecue and a drink stall. Free concert ON Saturday, December 6, the Summerland Singers will be presenting a concert of Christmas songs and carols at St Thomas Methodist Church in Cowick Street. The concert, which will run from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, will open with some special guests in the form of members of the 45th brownie pack. Harp music will also feature. Festive refreshments will be available in the interval. Entrance is free but there will be a retiring collection for the community peace and sensory gardens which front onto Cowick Street. Winter warmer THE Christmas meeting of the St Thomas Local History group will be on Friday, December 5 when a Winter Warmer social evening will be held in St Andrew's church hall in Alphington Road at 7pm. Members have been asked to bring favourite childhood board and card games and will recall pastimes they enjoyed when young – perhaps Snap, Old Maid, Snakes and Ladders, Ludo, Dominoes, jigsaws and favourite books, rounders, tag and hop scotch. Each person attending has also been asked to take along a plate of food to share. The 2015 monthly programme of speakers and visits will be given to members at this meeting. And a date for the diary –the group will be staging its annual display of St Thomas photographs and memorabilia in St Thomas Library in Church Road on Wednesday January 21 from 10am to 4pm. Topsham Four new homes A PLANNING application has been received by the city council for four homes to be built with the garden of Beech Cottage in Old Rydon Close. University Tidying glass THE University's Student Community Wardens have been collaborating with the Students' Guild to help caddy glass to bottle banks from student premises where the residents have no access to a vehicle. Year 2 student Aimee said: "Like many students, we shop online and have our groceries delivered, and we all tend to shop separately, so we do have more glass than most households. I also chose not to bring a car to the city, so this service is really helpful – particularly towards the end of term." The scheme has gone from strength to strength, with tonnes of glass being efficiently brought to bottle banks in one vehicle. The 'one vehicle' journey also reduces the overall carbon footprint. The glass caddy scheme is one of a range of projects in which the university invests to help support students living in the community. Students on the Move is another major scheme, which involves the university paying for a range of additional refuse collections for students in June and July each year. The scheme was designed to help students who don't complete their tenancy on bin day. This project also helps identify and pass on reusable items to charity, including usable food items, which are donated to Exeter Food Bank. Our 10 Student Community Wardens work closely with the City Council's refuse team, to help inform students about refuse rules and regulations. Wonford Candlelit carols ON Wednesday, December 10 there will be Carols by Candlelight from 7.30pm in the Wonford Community and Learning Centre. There will be free mince pies, tea and coffee served in the interval. Performing will be the Summerland Singers and Exeter's Lord Mayor, Cllr Percy Prowse will also be in attendance. Thank you! THE Pinhoe and Broadclyst Friends of Hospiscare would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported their recent Christmas fayre in Wonford Sports Centre. The event raised £462 for the charity.

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EXETER City Council is to commit £19.4m to pay for a long-awaited new leisure centre to replace the ageing Pyramids swimming pool. It will open in 2018 as part of the redeveloped bus station site. The investment will be in addition to the £70m that the Crown Estate and TH Real Estate are to spend on creating a new bus station and cinema as well as restaurants and shops. Council chiefs hope their declaration of intent will help to attract more private sector investment in the city centre – but some opposition members have questioned the wisdom of spending such a large amount of money at a time of budget cuts. The sum of £19.4m is to come from a combination of New Homes Bonus and Community Infrastructure Levy funds generated by new developments, as well as borrowing. Exeter City Council's Labour leader Councillor Pete Edwards said: "The city council committing this money gives people confidence that this redevelopment is going ahead. It is a very significant sum for us and will give others the confidence to invest in the city centre." But Councillor Adrian Fullam, leader of Exeter's Liberal Democrat group, has attacked plans to splash the cash on a new pool, saying: "The £10m being saved up to build this swimming pool could easily be used to protect services, for example the withdrawal of the entire financial support for the city's allotments. "It seems to me that Labour are cutting services, trying to pin the blame on the Government and taking credit for sparkly new buildings. In reality they are forced to cut services by their own debts racked up over the last six years and will force the council in the future to cut further services to pay for the pool." The £19.4m committed by the council will cover the cost of the design and construction of the pool and leisure centre. A design team is due to be appointed shortly for the complex, which will include a 25-metre, eight-lane competition pool with seating for a minimum of 250 spectators, a 20-metre, four-lane training pool, a small leisure pool with fun features for children, a fitness suite with at least 100 stations and a health suite with sauna, steam room and relaxation area. But the council is warning that large sums of money will not be spent on keeping the ageing Pyramids open in the meantime. Councillor Edwards said: "If something minor goes wrong with the Pyramids then it will be fixed, but we are not going to spend vast sums on something which is going to be knocked down. "If it needs major repairs before the new pool opens then it will just have to close." Councillor Edwards also poured cold water on the hopes of those campaigning for a new theatre for Exeter as part of the bus station redevelopment. He said: "No one has demonstrated a business case that addresses the capital costs and ongoing revenue implications. "The city council will not contemplate a venture that requires large-scale ongoing subsidy from the Arts Council and city council, as is the case with the Theatre Royal in Plymouth." The sum of £19.4m for the pool has been approved by the council's resources scrutiny committee and now needs to be approved by the executive which meets on Tuesday, December 9, and then the full council which meets a week later. Councillor Edwards added: "At the moment we can't say what proportions will come from the New Homes Bonus and Community Infrastructure Levy. Things may change with regard to the NHB depending on the outcome of the general election in May but we have factored that in; less from the NHB will mean more from CIL."

Ryan Harley says he is really looking forward to playing at St James's Park again and is fit and raring to go for Saturday's League Two match against Burton Albion. The 29-year-old midfielder, who spent three years at Exeter City between 2008 and 2011, re-joined the Grecians on loan from Swindon Town. He has signed until January, but it is a deal that is expected to be made permanent in the new year, and Harley says he can't wait to turn out in front of a home crowd. "I'm really looking forward to it," he said. "I had three good years at City and I have got a really good bond with the people associated with the club." Harley featured in the Grecians' 3-2 win at Accrington Stanley last Friday, going on as a substitute for fellow loanee Alex Nicholls with 11 minutes to go. His arrival off the bench was greeted by a big cheer from the away end. "That was a nice moment," said Harley. "Hopefully I will get a nice reception against Burton as well. "I have spoken to quite a few fans already and they have all been really positive." Harley's appearance last Friday was the first time he has played a competitive game this season. He hadn't featured for Swindon since March 15, having been frozen out at the County Ground by boss Mark Cooper. Therefore there are still question marks around his fitness, but Harley says he won't have problem. "It was pleasing to be back against Accrington and nice to get back out on the pitch," said Harley. "I actually felt quite good and it was a good win for the side, so it is onto the next game now. "I'm not 100 per cent, but I'm quite naturally fit, and I feel okay, so I'm ready to play." During his previous spell at City, Harley helped guide the club to back-to-back promotions from the Conference to League One – scoring 32 goals in a 128 appearances. Therefore he knows what it takes to get a side up to the third tier of English football. Asked if this current City squad was capable of that, Harley said: "Who knows, it is early days. I have only seen them play at Accrington and at home to Shrewsbury, the week before, so it is hard to tell. "We will take it game-by-game and go about it quietly, but we will see." Harley admitted that City do look good going forward though. He said they have got goals all over the team and that should stand them in good stead. "We have got a lot of talented players going forward," he said. "We have got lots of people that can score goals; forwards, midfielders and wide players. Even some of the defenders can nick goals. "Hopefully we can continue that over the season and see where we go. "We are not making too many plans at the moment. It is cliché but you have got to take it one game at a time. "You can't look too far ahead, because you get stuck then." Watch Ryan Harley score the winner against Huddersfield Town at the end of 2009/10 season to secure another season in League One for Exeter City.

It was great to continue our good run with a 3-2 to victory at Accrington Stanley on Friday. And while it doesn't much matter who gets the goals as long as you win, I have to admit I was mightily relieved to end my scoring drought – my strike at the Crown Ground was the 20th league goal of my career, but the first since I equalised at Home Park back in March. I won't try and kid you and say it gave me quite as much pleasure as the goal against Argyle did but it was a pretty sweet strike and I was delighted to see it hit the back of the net. Fingers crossed, I won't have to wait another eight months for my next goal and I can make rather more of a contribution to our goals scored column between now and the end of the season than I have done thus far. Finding the back of the net certainly isn't a problem for my good pal Tom Nichols just now – his goal to put us 2-0 ahead was his sixth in five league games and took his total for the season to seven, putting him right up there among the leading scorers in the division. Matt Grimes got our third goal against Stanley with a free-kick straight out of the top drawer; it's testament to the kind of form Grimesy has been in this season that such excellence from our No. 14 is all but taken for granted these days. While Friday night's scoreline was identical to the one against Shrewsbury in our previous game, the match itself couldn't have been more different. Shrewsbury was your quintessential game of two halves, with the Shrews enjoying much the better of the opening 45 minutes and us in the ascendancy after the interval, while Accrington was a real ding-dong affair with us and Stanley trading blows throughout. While we twice led by two goals (2-0 and 3-1), there wasn't a great deal between the two sides and the final scoreline provided a much more accurate reflection of a pulsating game. Tom Nichols is one of four nominees for November's League Two player-of-the-month accolade. Clearly, I haven't seen quite as much of the other candidates – Luton's central midfielder Nathan Doyle, Newport striker Aaron O'Connor and Southend wide man David Worrall – but they'll have to have gone some to have made more of a contribution than Tommy has over the past month. I understand the winner will be announced tomorrow (Friday) and I'd love to see the trophy winging it's way to St James's Park! I mentioned last week how good it is to have Ryan Harley back at St James's Park and it's better still that he's now been joined by Alex Nicholls and Clinton Morrison. Alex was huge for us when he joined on loan from Northampton Town earlier in the season and it was a big disappointment when he was recalled to Sixfields so it's great to have him back. We picked him up en route to the North West last Friday and he came straight back into the team and performed as if he'd never been away. Like Matt Oakley, Clinton is someone who's enjoyed a distinguished career in the top flight and that experience can only be of benefit to us. Clinton was a non-playing substitute at Accrington, but from what we've seen at the Cat & Fiddle it's clear he still has a big appetite for the game and is itching for the opportunity to add to his 172 goals at club level. A reminder, as I've mentioned previously, we'll be in Princesshay next Thursday evening, when there's a special late-night shopping event between 5pm and 7pm. We're looking forward to meeting supporters and will be only too happy to sign autographs and pose for pictures. In addition, I understand the new 2015 Exeter City calendar and lots of other club merchandise will be available to buy. I shall look forward to meeting one or two of you then! Such is our form of late, Saturday's game against Burton Albion really can't come quickly enough. Had it not been brought forward from a Tuesday night in March, after both us and the Brewers crashed out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle, we'd have been without a game which, in the circumstances, would have been a huge disappointment. As it is, it's the only game in League Two this weekend and, that being the case, we know that a victory will lift us into the League Two play-off places. In addition, if any more incentive were needed, it will also take us above Argyle in the table for the first time since the opening week of the season! As ever, no-one is kidding themselves it's going to be easy; Burton have been right up there ever since the start of the season and have continued in much the same vain under new manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. The again, while I'm getting bored of saying it, if we perform to the best of our ability then we're more than capable of beating anyone in this division. On the back of our recent form, not to mention the possible return of Ryan Harley to the starting line-up, we'd like to think there will be a large and vocal crowd in attendance. For sure, the support we received against Shrewsbury was a major factor in our comeback and more of the same on Saturday would only improve our chances of making it 30 points from the last 13 games. See you at the Park!

Manager Paul Tisdale says he is trying to build strength in depth in the Exeter City squad – even if it does give him a selection headache ahead of this Saturday's match with Burton Albion. City go into the game on the back of an excellent run of form that has seen them lose just once in the last 14 league games. It is a run that has taken them from the bottom of League Two to the verge of the play-off positions. Not many Grecians supporters, if any, were predicting that City would be promotion contenders when they went six games without a win at the start of the campaign. However, having added to his squad in the last fortnight – by signing Ryan Harley, Clinton Morrison and Alex Nicholls – Tisdale was cautious about backing his side as promotion candidates, but added that they are better equipped now to deal with an injury crisis should it hit the squad. "I'm very pleased with how things are going, but I'm not getting ahead of myself," said Tisdale, whose City side will go up to sixth place with a win this weekend. "We have been in very good form since the beginning of September, but we are not halfway yet and we are not in the play-off places and, as much as it is an opportunity for us on Saturday to get three points and steal a march on the other teams, it will be the same for Burton Albion too. I'm sure they will be looking at the game with the same kind of expectation that we are." City were last involved in a promotion push in the 2012/13 season, but due to a disastorious end to the season – in which they lost six out of the last seven games – they dropped from third place to out of the play-off picture altogether. A large part of that collapse was down to injuries and Tisdale added that the three new loan signings had been brought into the side to add strength in depth to the squad to help it absorb such a problem. "I'm trying to make sure we have strength in depth to ride the type difficulties we might have, but it is very early days," said Tisdale, who was keen not to put the pressure of a promotion battle on his young side. "Nobody was predicting us as promotion candidates at the start of the season, but I don't think we should be standing up and proclaiming our expectations as being promotion either. "I think we need to go one step at a time. We need to look at chunks of games, which is what we have done this year. It has been just taking one game in isolation. "Things can change very quickly, although we have just have reinforced the squad. My experience tells me from previous promotion campaigns, you need to strengthen the squad and you need to have strength in depth. You don't necessarily have to go and bring in players to replace people, you have to go and improve the squad." Two of the new signings – Nicholls and Harley – were involved in the Grecians' 3-2 victory against Accrington Stanley last time out. Harley featured from the substitutes' bench, while Nicholls was named in the starting XI. Both of them, plus striker Clinton Morrison, will be pushing for a place on the pitch come 3pm on Saturday as will captain Scot Bennett, who returns having missed the last match due to the birth of his child. Watch the highlights from the Burton v Exeter City game earlier this season.