City-wide
Police operation
EXETER police officers are set to conduct more special traffic surveys across the city after an operation on Saturday saw more than a dozen drivers reported for breaking the law.
The North/East Exeter neighbourhood team conducted a traffic operation on Fore Street, Heavitree, using an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)device.
The results were as follows:
One vehicle was seized at the road side for being driven without insurance or an adequate driving licence
Two drivers were reported for driving without insurance
Three drivers were reported for driving untaxed
Nine drivers were reported for using a mobile phone while driving.
PCSO Ed Mitchell said: "The operation was organised to address reports of vehicles being driven in this area of Exeter without insurance, license or tax. We were also looking for stolen vehicles.
"The operation was staffed by neighbourhood officers as well as volunteer special constables.
"The operation was greeted positively by the majority of local residents and the local team will look to replicate the operation at other sites in the area."
Money available
THE city council still has money available in its local wards' grant fund and community groups are being urged to apply before the end of the financial year.
The maximum grant per application is £300.
Grants this year have included allotment projects, help for local sports clubs, work with local traders' groups to promote small businesses, and tree and park planting, among many others.
Cllr Rob Hannaford, chairman of the city-wide grants panel, who as the portfolio holder for Housing and Communities set up the grants, said: "In addition to the city-wide grants we also have localised funding for each part of the city.
"The delegated ward grants that all city councillors have each year do a huge amount of good positive work across the whole city which often add value to the grass-roots fundraising efforts by volunteers . "This includes supporting all sorts of charities, church groups, community organisations, and sports clubs.
"I would encourage people to please come forward with suggestions and ideas to their local councillors for consideration. Alternatively they can email the council directly at grants@exeter.gov.uk or call 01392 265541."
Call my Bluff!
THE Rotary Club of Exeter Enterprise is holding a Call my Bluff event, based on the popular TV show, on Thursday February 26 at 7.30pm at St James's Church, just off the Stoke Hill roundabout.
Tickets cost £10, to include a ploughman's supper, and are available on the door.
There will also be a bar available.
Exminster
They voted Yes!
AN overwhelming 95 per cent of those who cast a vote, voted Yes to accept the Exminster Neighbourhood Plan.
In total 1,032 ballot papers were issued and the turnout from the 3,166 electorate was just under a third.
The Yes vote was supported by 978 residents, with 52 voting no.
Teignbridge District Council now has to take the plan into account when it is considering planning applications.
In addition the adoption of the plan means that the parish council will receive 25 per cent of Community Infrastructure Levy payments.
Exwick
Polling station
THE ward is to have an extra polling station for future elections.
The new station will see a revival of using the Parish Hall on Station Road. This will be in addition to the Exwick Community Centre, which serves the Kinnerton Way and Farm Hill area, the Thatch Pub which serves the general Exwick Road area, and Redhills School which serves Redhills and the surrounding residential parts.
Local councillor Rob Hannaford was unhappy when the number of polling stations dropped from four to three and has supported the change.
He said: "Exwick is a large ward spread out over a large geographical area, so having the right number of polling stations is vital, especially as this year we have city council elections, and a General Election."
The new polling station will cover Brentor Close, Burrator Drive, Exwick Court, Exwick House, Exwick Hill, The Square , Rackfield Cottages, Riverview Cottages, Exwick Lane, Exwick Villas and Exwick Road on the opposite side of the road, Fairhazel Drive, Knowle Drive, Haytor Drive, Liverpool Hill, Leicester Mead, Old Bakery Close, Palmerston Drive, Riverview Drive, Valley Road, Worcester News, and parts of Gloucester Road and St Andrews Road.
Cllr Hannaford added: "Residents who have previously voted at the Thatch and in Kinnerton Way should check their polling cards to make sure of their polling station location."
Newtown
Devon bollards
IT has been agreed to erect Devon bollards – attractive metal bollards – on the grass verges at the bottom of Barnfield Hill to prevent vehicles from parking on them.
The decision has been taken following discussions between local councillor, Richard Westlake, and county highways officers.
Cllr Westlake said: "I am hoping that this will stop the damage."
Polsloe
No right turn
SAFETY issues have been raised at Polsloe bridge because drivers coming into the city are driving under the bridge and then turning right into Monks Road.
This is in spite of signs saying clearly that there is NO right turn.
Local councillor Richard Westlake told Community News: "I have been contacted by a number of residents about this as they have witnessed several near accidents involving cars coming down in the opposite direction and pedestrians.
"This is because people know that this junction has a no right turn and are therefore not expecting cars to turn right and assume that it is safe for them to cross at the bottom of Monks Road.
"I am arranging a site visit with both the police and highways officers to see what can be done to stop this happening."
Lights to go?
CLLR Westlake is to ask for the pedestrian crossing in Blackboy Road, the one just below the traffic light junctions on Pinhoe Road, to be removed.
He said: "It is my understanding that there was an accident there last week and residents have been saying that it is dangerous as drivers are always running through those lights.
"The problem is that drivers are picking up speed after being stopped at the previous lights as you drive into the city and they don't see these lights.
"I have asked the county council to have a look at this crossing and to take its lights away."
RD&E Hospital
Age differently
A new photography exhibition in the corridors of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital challenges its viewers to think differently about ageing.
The Growing Old Competitively exhibition by Alex Rotas features a series of photos of athletes in their 60s, 70s, 80s and even 90s who still compete in international sporting events.
The exhibition has been organised by Exeter Health Care Arts, an 'arts for health' initiative designed to deliver a range of activities to improve the hospital environment, for patients, visitors and for staff. This inspirational exhibition fits into a programme of arts work by the RD&E to support older patients and their families.
Alex's photos of veteran sportsmen and women seek to challenge perceptions sometimes associated with ageing and getting older, such as decline, passivity and physical and mental deterioration.
The older athletes featured in the exhibition transgress these commonly held attitudes, showing that vigour, passion and drive do not necessarily decline with age – instead they are celebrated for their continuing competitiveness, physicality and strength.
Alex Rotas said: "I'm thrilled to be showing my work at the RD&E Hospital.
"I hope they're a useful and joyful reminder of what's possible even as we go into our tenth decade and that they encourage patients, visitors and staff alike to smile and to take heart.
"Getting older doesn't have to be about becoming stooped and frail, despite those annoying road signs that suggest it does!"
Stephen Pettet-Smith, head of Exeter HealthCare Arts, added: "When I first saw the pictures I thought of the many conversations I have had with active older people who enjoy life.
"There has been so much positive feedback from the hospital community on the other arts-led initiatives around care for older people – I felt sure we were onto a winner with this exhibition. We were not disappointed; patients, visitors and staff seem to be truly inspired by the photographs."
The exhibition can be seen between the Chaplaincy Centre and the Oasis restaurant on level two of the Wonford hospital site.
Alex Rotas will be signing copies of her book Growing Old Competitively in Waterstones, Exeter High Street, on Monday, February 23 from 12.30 to 2pm.
St James'
Patching works
LOCAL councillor Kevin Mitchell reports that it seems patching works for Thornton Hill's road surface have been pencilled in for March 19.
The date has yet to be confirmed but it is hoped that it will definitely happen this financial year.
The work to be done is extensive patching works in the vicinity of Hillside Avenue.
Cllr Mitchell told Community News: "Although I welcome the fact that some action is occurring, as you know I still believe the whole road should be resurfaced and will monitor the planned works closely".
In place at last
LOCAL councillor, Kevin Mitchell has been in touch with Community News to say that the good news for local bus users is that at last the bus shelter is in place in Union Road.
Also pleased by the move is fellow St James' councillor Keith Owen, who said: "I have received telephone calls from local residents who are pleased that it is now in place. They have been extremely patient over a long period and well deserve this protection from the elements."
Topsham
Phone number
APOLOGIES to all those who tried to contact Sallie Rutledge for more information about the weekly dementia information drop-in centre.
The number we published was incorrect. The correct number is 07718976072.
University
Money raised
THE University of Exeter has raised more than £10,000 for charity, simply by selling bottles of water through it's retail and catering outlets.
For every bottle of Abbey Well Water sold, Coca Cola Enterprises donate 5p to the university's chosen charity, Hospiscare.
The university has been supporting Hospiscare for the past two years, donating over £5,000 each year in valuable funds through the Abbey Well Water Scheme. The total for last year reached £5,328, pushing overall donations to more than £10,000.
Retail manager at the university, Gill Winsor, said: "All our retail and catering staff are proud to support Hospiscare in this way.
"We have been working very closely with the charity since a member of our team sadly passed away in 2012. She was cared for by Hospiscare. The work they do for the local community is extremely inspiring and it's great to see the money donated make a difference to those who need it most."
Richard Cousins, corporate relationship manager for Hospiscare, said: "We are so grateful for the ongoing support of the university.
"They have been fantastic supporters of Hospiscare and we are delighted to receive this generous donation from the sales of Abbey Well Water.
"The funds raised by organisations and individuals are essential for Hospiscare so that we can continue to support those with a terminal diagnosis."
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