PUPILS and teachers beating Alphington's bounds have helped to raise money for a school in Uganda.
Alphington Primary School are partners with Rwabagao Primary School in Mubenede.
Three years ago all the staff and pupils at Alphington did a sponsored walk for their partner school in Uganda. Through this walk and other events enough money was raised to help them start to build two new classrooms.
Teacher Phil Clark said: "We have heard that these are being built by Build Uganda, a Uganda-based charity which ensures that the buildings are constructed to a high standard and create good working conditions for the children. "The rooms are cool and well ventilated, but protect them from the torrential tropical downpours.
"Four of the staff have been to Rwabagao Primary School and were shocked by the conditions the children and staff have to work under. However we were also amazed by what they achieve in spite of this.
"A school of 600 pupils has to fit into four classrooms.
"When it rains classrooms are extremely crowded and teaching becomes almost impossible."
Mr Clark added: "We have built up a very good relationship with the school and three teachers have also visited us.
"They are equally amazed by the wealth of resources and space that we have!"
So Alphington School hatched a plan to revive an old custom and help their partners at the same time.
Partially beating the bounds of their parish, they visited the boundary stone in Chudleigh Road and beat it with hazel twigs.
This is an old custom which was enacted to make clear where the borders of the parish lay and that boundary stones were still in place and readable.
They were hoping to raise enough money so that their partner school can complete its building programme.
THINGS should soon be getting a lot quieter in Haven Road.
Rod Ruffle, city councillor for Alphington, has taken steps to quieten a series of loose drain covers.
Cllr Ruffle told Community News: "Driving though Alphington Street at the junction with Haven Road I heard this loud clatter of a loose drain cover.
"Bearing in mind how busy this road is, that loud noise is almost certainly repeated many times during the day and although there is less traffic later in the day the noise carries much further.
"I got out of the car to log the exact spot and then realised that it was not just one but four clattering covers!!
"After about 20 minutes I had logged all four and have sent off the details to County Highways.
"They have acknowledged my e-mail and helpfully have suggested a better way of mapping such locations for the future."
Cllr Ruffle added: "Amazingly these four loose covers are within about 150 yards of each other."
CHILDREN from the Cedars Neighbourhood Nursery in Beacon Heath have officially opened the Southern Co-Operative's new convenience food store in Beacon Lane.
Twenty jobs have been created for local people at the new store, which is at 92-98 Beacon Lane.
The first 50 customers spending more than £5 were given a complimentary box of chocolates and the store is promising money-saving offers available over its first few weeks of trading.
Customers completing feedback about the new store by June 9 also have the chance to win £150 of vouchers to spend in the store.
Store manager, Phil Morris said: "We're looking forward to welcoming customers and being part of the local community with the opening of this new store."
The Southern Co-operative is donating £500 to Cedars Neighbourhood Nursery by way of a thank you to the children for officially opening the store.
The store has an in-store bakery, fresh fruit and vegetables, a chilled range of products and everyday store cupboard items.
It will be open daily from 7am-11pm.
THOSE wanting to get rid of sweet wrappers and empty crisp bags are going to have to search more for litter bins in the city centre.
The city council is proposing to get rid of more than a dozen bins from High Street, Sidwell Street and Fore Street because it says there are too many at the moment.
The local authority is removing 12 bins, for a trial period, to improve the street scene and cut down on maintenance costs.
Officers believe that the removal will still leave more than enough bins for people to deposit their rubbish – 36 in the city centre alone – and the initiative won't lead to an increase of littering.
However, city councillor Kevin Mitchell, is not convinced of the wisdom of the bins' removal.
Cllr Mitchell said: "I do not believe that enough thought has been given to this proposal and I am pushing for this to be very closely monitored.
"I am concerned that a 35 per cent cut in the number of bins could lead to an increase in rubbish within our vital retail sector and that this could ultimately damage our economy."
Cllr Mitchell added: "Also there has been no benchmarking by looking at other similar cities' bin numbers so we are doing this blind.
"And, finally, I am concerned that this decision has not been discussed at the city council's scrutiny committees and, to my knowledge, no city centre business has been made aware of this decision."
Cllr Greg Sheldon, the city's lead councillor for environment and leisure, said: "Some of the bins being removed were installed a number of years ago allowing people to segregate rubbish from recycling. However, these have lead to confusion with some people putting the wrong material in the wrong sections."
Cllr Sheldon added: "This isn't just about money – it is about improving the street scene and cutting down on the amount of clutter in front of shops and restaurants.
"Most people do behave responsibly and place their litter in the bins provided.
"We are not removing all bins, just a number that we believe are surplus to requirement and often barely a third full.
"We don't feel this will exacerbate the situation – if people are going to drop litter they will do it regardless of where the nearest bin is and we have powers to deal with these offences."
Cllr Sheldon continued: "We have a very good cleaning regime in Exeter, and this is unlikely to change.
"However, we are always looking at ways to do things more efficiently in the present financial climate while keeping service standards high.
"If the bins are truly required the monitoring process will show us this and the bins will be replaced swiftly.
"The street sweepers will be fundamental in feeding information back to us as well."
None of the bins on Cathedral Green are included in the trial – they are on private land and belong to the cathedral.
THE 19th Century composer and pianist, Franz Liszt is to be commemorated with a blue plaque on the Royal Clarence Hotel in Cathedral Green.
Liszt gave piano recitials at the hotel in 1840 and the plaque has been organised by Exeter Civic Society.
The unveiling ceremony will take place at 2pm on Saturday, June 1, outside the hotel and will be followed by a talk inside by Dick Passmore about the history of the hotel and the Liszt recital.
The event is free and 80 people can be accommodated for Dick's talk.
The plaque records a singular event in Exeter's cultural history, although the recitals do not seem to have been very well attended.
Franz Liszt was one of the most brilliant piano virtuosos and composers of the 19th Century and he gave two recitals in the Royal Clarence Hotel on August 28 and 29 in 1840.
This was part of a grand tour of Britain by the young Hungarian-born pianist organised by the musical impresario Lewis Lavenu.
In the South West alone Liszt had a punishing schedule: within about a week he gave a series of recitals in Lyme Regis, Exeter, Exmouth, Teignmouth and Plymouth. This tour would have relied entirely on transportation by horse and carriage, as the railway did not get to Exeter until 1844.
Among Liszt's compositions for piano that year is a short piece called Exeter Preludio, presumably written while in Exeter.
Although it lasts only 20 seconds, the opening bars are recognisable as the introduction to a popular piece, the Petite Valse favorite. However, Exeter seems to have been unimpressed by the presence of the celebrated pianist, whose flowing locks, slim figure and mesmeric personality were to make him the equivalent of rock star of the period – ladies were known to swoon at his concerts! According to a brief account in the Western Times, "Lavenu's concert on Friday and Saturday last was indifferently attended notwithstanding the wonderful performance of M. Liszt the pianist.
"At Plymouth the same ill luck followed the party."
The following advertisement appeared in successive issues of Trewman's Exeter Flying Post in August 1840:
"Royal Clarence Hotel. M. Liszt. Tickets and programmes at Mr Pilbrow, Pianoforte and Harp Warehouse at 144 High St. Family tickets 21shillings, single 6shillings. Friday 28th pm., Saturday 29th a.m.
Mr Lavenu has the honour to inform the nobility and gentry that he has succeeded in engaging M. Liszt who will on this occasion perform his Marche Hongroise and Grand Galop Chromatique and Morceaux Choisis (Selected Pieces) from his celebrated recitals."
FOR one member of staff at Exeter Cathedral the 60th anniversary of the Queen's Coronation will bring back very special memories.
Dennis Whitehead was one of 20 boy choristers chosen from around the country to sing at the coronation service of Queen Elizabeth II, on June 2, 1953.
Dennis was 13 at the time and was one of only 20 boys chosen from parish churches who were affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music.
On the day itself, he had to be robed and ready by 6.30am before going to his seat.
He remembers his lunch: "Ovaltine tablets, glucose tablets, barley sugar, bread and butter, an apple, a quarter lb slab of chocolate, all of which was consumed before the service began!"
Dennis kept a detailed diary of his experiences, which he still has preserved today, along with other memorabilia from the day.
His diary entry for the day says: "I must confess I could not sing the first few notes because of a lump in my throat. I shall never forget as long as I live the thrill of that moment… the picture will remain for ever in my memory."
Back at home his parents watched the service on a black and white television but didn't catch a glimpse of their son.
Dennis carried on singing, though his treble voice broke later that year.
He went on to sing in Salisbury Cathedral as a tenor for 27 years.
He moved to Exeter three years ago and though he no longer sings, he works on the entry desk in the cathedral.
EXETER City Council, in partnership with Wessex Home Improvement Loans, will be in the city centre on Monday, June 3, to give out advice about its home improvement loan scheme.
There will be a special information stand in Bedford Square between 10am and 5pm.
A council representative will be available to discuss the scheme and answer any questions.
Ellie Lister, project officer at WHIL, said: "There are lots of people who need help with their home but don't know help is available.
"It is difficult to reach out to people so I am looking forward to being on the High Street.
"I have had a regular stand at Exeter Morrisons and many people have expressed surprise that help is available in the form of a council-subsidised loan."
For further information call the city council on 01392 265651 or visit www.wrcic.org.uk.
THERE are nine places called Exeter in America but for members of Exeter Camera Club the most important is that in New Hampshire.
The club is now twinned with its New Hampshire counterpart and the State Legislature is so impressed with this link up between their state and our Exeter that they asked for an exhibition to be held of the clubs' joint work in the newly-refurbished State Library.
Exeter club member, Peter Hayes, said: "The exhibition will be held in the Map Room. "The Americans are calling it The Exeter Connection.
"The idea for linking up came originally from Di Wilkins, our club president.
"She reasoned that with the whole world taking photographs these days (there are five billion mobiles phones on the planet and most of them have a built-in camera) it stood to reason that Exeter must have a twin somewhere on the other side of the globe with a camera club.
"Eight US photographers from Exeter, New Hampshire, eventually came across in 2010 and links were forged.
"Both clubs have 130 members but there are big differences between the two. Exeter Camera Club meets at least 40 weeks of the year and members have a degree of face-to-face contact that their American cousins can only dream about.
"The USA photographers live in a huge state and are widely scattered. Preparation for the tie up with Devon brought many of them together for the first time, so they were able to get to know each other in real life rather than just exchanging emails."
According to Mr Hayes the other big difference is that most members of the American club are professionals whereas the Exeter club members are enthusiastic amateurs.
The Exeter club is sending a delegation to America for the state sponsored exhibition, along with 40 photographs.
The exhibition runs from June 10 until the end of July, with an official reception on June 13. It is also hoped that the exhibition will be staged in Exeter later in the year and the city club is looking for funding to do this.
Mr Hayes added: "Firm friendships have now been established between members across the pond.
"The idea now is to continue exchanging images and both clubs are looking into opportunities to explore and develop virtual membership."
The club is now investigating a possible tie up with a camera club in Tasmania, Australia.
EXETER University is planning to erect a total of seven voltaic panels, at a series of locations on the Streatham Campus.
If granted planning permission by the city council, the panels would each be on three-metre high poles. Their purpose is to power small gas pressure logging monitors which check that a new network of pipes is working safely and correctly.
THE university is also planning to improve Clydesdale Road.
The road, which is in a poor state of repair, runs from Lower Argyll Road to Clydesdale Avenue.
It is heavily used by students, pedestrians and cyclists, particularly students from the recently completed Duryard Hall development.
The plan is to upgrade the surface, drainage and lighting to improve the safety of all those using the road.
A planning application has been lodged with the city council.
A MESSY bit of ground at Exwick Community Centre has been transformed into a child friendly, paved area, enabling young and old users of the centre to enjoy the outdoor space.
The piece of ground was included in the boundary of the community centre when it was built, but it was never levelled by the developers.
The land was not able to be used by the users of the centre and was a maintenance headache for Exwick Community Association, who operate the centre on behalf of the community.
Now, with funding from Devon County Council, the existing patio area has been extended to include the new paved area.
A rear gate has also been moved to remove a passage that presented a safety hazard to children; and the existing patio has been power washed and pea gravel added all the way round to provide a really useful area at the rear of the centre.
Young mum, Helena Gater, said: "I can feel a bit more relaxed now when my son wants to play outside at the centre, as I can see that the patio area is now clean and safe."
Money was also given to provide a new security grill and roller shutter at the top of the stairs that enables groups, such as Wolf & Water, who work with young people, to create a more secure environment for users and staff.
Both of these projects will be officially opened by Exwick county councillor, Rob Hannaford and Jerry Bird, chair of Exwick Community Association, on Friday, June 7 at 10.30am. The opening will take place during Friday Friendship, an all age drop-in group which is run by Exwick Community Church with the support of the community association.
Devon County Council has given £3,390 from its Investing in Devon fund – money generated from the proceeds of the sale of Exeter International Airport, for the improvements.
Cllr Andrew Leadbetter, Devon's cabinet member with special responsibility for Exeter, said: "I am delighted that Devon County Council has been able to help with this project, and that it has been so warmly welcomed by local people and users of the centre. "This is yet another example of what a relatively small amount of money, when properly applied, can do of real value to people's lives."
Friday Friendship meets every Friday (except through August) between 10am and noon, and is open to all; it is regularly attended by mothers and grandparents looking after young children, retirees and all those in between, who want to stop by for a drink, biscuit and chat, while the children can play inside, and now out.
Phil Alford of Friday Friendship, said: "What a difference the new patio makes, now the children can enjoy playing outside in the sunshine".
TRANSITION Exeter is to run a sustainable energy workshop at St Michael's C of E School on Saturday, June 8.
The aim is for people living in Heavitree to get together and talk about the price, availability and coming shortages of energy, and to brainstorm and develop ideas for local projects which could be put in place to help reduce energy costs and consumption. This is being done in a range of locations in the South West and beyond, and Heavitree has been chosen as a place to build on existing community initiatives and take this forward.
The workshop is an open forum for everyone to learn, share and build to make Heavitree a more sustainable energy hub.
The workshop will be held at the school in South Lawn Terrace from 10am until 12.30pm and free childcare/children's workshop is available if booked at least one week in advance.
For more information or to book a place on the children's workshop, please contact gill.b@transitionexeter.org.uk or phone Linda on 07583668652.
SATURDAY, June 1 is the date for the monthly coffee morning organised by members of the currently displaced St Paul's Church.
The venue for the event is the Rifford Room by St Michael and All Angels in Church Street.
Coffee will be served between 10am and 11.30am. Admission is 20p and there will be cake and crafts stalls as well as a draw.
THE debate about safe crossings for pedestrians in Heavitree and Gladstone Roads continues.
Community News reported last week that Cllr Richard Westlake, county councillor for Newtown, had been told that when developers drew up the plans prior to the arrival of Waitrose that a crossing was left out and when requested later there was no money left in the budget.
A spokesman for the county council has now told Community News: "As far as the officers at County Hall can recall there was never any talk of the inclusion of a pedestrian crossing across Gladstone Road, in the discussions they were involved in with the developer's consultant.
"There was a request for the inclusion of a signal-controlled crossing of Heavitree Road, where there is currently an uncontrolled crossing. "However, I'm told this request came too late in the planning process, rather than it being a case of the money being used elsewhere."
ENJOY tea, cake and crazy painting free in Belmont Pleasure Ground on Sunday, June 9 between 2pm and 4pm.
The art cafe has been organised by Newtown Community Association to help the Scrapstore which is based in the park.
The Scrapstore has some containers which need freshening up and they are asking the community to help them do this but to have fun at the same time.
Those keen to take part are advised to wear old clothes.
If you have spare paint which you would like to donate and want to volunteer please contact the Scrapstore on 01392 661769.
ACCORDING to Devon County Council, parking on the pavement is a matter for the police.
Community News reported last week on problems with parents on the school run parking on pavements and, in one case, even across the road in Stoke Hill Crescent.
Percy Prowse, county councillor for the ward, is to have a site meeting with highways officers soon about the problems.
Meanwhile a spokesman for the county council has told Community News: "Obstruction of the carriageway and pavement is a police matter."
WOULD residents of Harrington Lane like to form a residents' group for the period of the developments taking place on both sides of the road?
This is the question being posed by Moira Macdonald, city councillor for the ward.
Cllr Macdonald said: "When the new recycling centre at Pinbrook was in the planning and development process several residents formed a group and it worked very well.
"I think it could work equally well for the residents of Harrington Lane at the moment and I would like to hear people's reactions to this idea."
If anyone is interested email Cllr Macdonald on cllr.moira.macdonald@exeter.gov.uk
A JUNE site meeting has been scheduled for further discussions about a toucan crossing in Chancel Lane.
The meeting, to be held at Pinhoe C of E Primary School, will try to determine why Devon County Council has changed its mind about putting in the crossing.
Cllr Macdonald said: "A toucan crossing is essential in Chancel Lane as it is a major route to school for children going to both Pinhoe Primary and Willowbrook.
"We want to debate why the highways officers have changed their minds."
At the most recent meeting of the Exeter Highways Committee, officers said that a toucan crossing was considered 'an excessive solution' for increased safety measures in Chancel Lane.
FRIENDS of Home-Start are having a garden party at 1 Church Hill, Pinhoe on Sunday, June 2 from 3pm to 5pm.
There will be cream teas available and a sales table. All the money raised will be used to support families.
NETWORK Rail is looking to demolish the White House.
Part of Exeter's railway past, the Permanent Way Inspector's Office, as it is known, at Exeter's St David's is in a poor state of repair and Network Rail is asking the city council for permission to demolish it.
It has not been used for more than six years, and no firm has come forward in that time to take it on as a commercial let.
The building has been damaged by two major internal water leaks, and is now considered by Network Rail to be not worth repairing and not in any condition to be let again.
Network Rail also now considers that the vacant building is a trespass and arson risk and has told the city council that there has been evidence of drug usage in the rear yard.
The plan to knock it down would also see the removal of temporary buildings and vegetation in the rear yard, while also securing the boundary.
Network Rail has previously spoken to the city council on a proposal for the car parks associated with St. David's Station.
In sending in the planning application Network Rail has told the city council that the removal of this building would allow for a mixed use scheme to come forward with wide benefits for the area.
Richard Short, Exeter's assistant director for city development, said: "The adopted Exeter Local Plan dating from 2005, allocates the adjoining land at St David's Station for office accommodation, student housing and local centre retail units subject to an enhanced gateway to the station being created and maintenance of the existing level of rail user car parking. The economics of development will have changed since the local plan was prepared, any package of uses will need to be viable.
"The White House is not actually in this allocation, it adjoins it. Network Rail may see it as needing to be part of a scheme."
Mr Short added: "The building is presently locally listed, the city council has recently undertaken a consultation on changes to the local list and has yet to reach a view on a response.
"The building is also in a conservation area.
"Planning policies have included the principle of a presumption against demolition of a locally listed building, unless there are exceptional circumstances, and that demolition of a neutral or positive building in a conservation area should only be agreed linked to approval of any proposal for a replacement development."
A NEW organ is set to ring out in Exeter.
St Michael and All Angels Church, Mount Dinham, is looking forward to the installation of a Victorian pipe organ.
This organ will not only augment the church's regular and special services, but will enable the choir and musicians to give more frequent and ambitious concerts and music events.
It will also be made available as a practice instrument, for lessons, recitals and to school groups.
Other projects to be launched will concentrate on St Michael's music and history.
ARE you one of the owners of the Queens Crescent Garden on the corner of Longbrook Street and York Road?
The garden has suffered from neglect for many years, primarily due to uncertainty about who actually owns the land.
As part of the St James Neighbourhood Plan the open space was identified as an important asset for the local community and the forum has asked the city council to try to purchase the land in order to secure its long term future and enable a comprehensive improvement project to be undertaken.
So far the enquiries from the city council have failed to identify the owners of the land, although they have obtained information from the Land Registry that appears to suggest that in 1900 the land was conveyed to a body of trustees, who were to hold and manage the land as a 'pleasure ground and garden' for the benefit of surrounding residents, subject to the residents paying an annual charge (not exceeding seven shillings and six pence).
It appears that over time this body of trustees fell into abeyance.
If the current owner can be found, the city council would seek to agree terms to acquire the land, with a view to preserving it as a community asset in collaboration with local residents or community groups. If the owners can not be found, the council may look to acquire the land by compulsory purchase.
Kevin Mitchell, city councillor for the ward, said: "This piece of land, if maintained, will be an excellent asset for local residents and I fully support the request of the St James Neighbourhood forum and the actions of the council in attempting to resolve this matter."
Anyone with any information should contact Chris Westlake at the city council on 01392 265286 or email planning@exeter.gov.uk
The proposed introduction of a Sunday service for the B bus, as mentioned recently in Community News, has now been confirmed.
It will start on July 7 and will run between Exminster, Exeter city centre and the Met Office.
The route will go through parts of St James, including Union Road and, according to ward city councillor, Keith Owen, the Sunday service will be welcomed by local residents.
But it is a case of 'use it, or lose it'.
Cllr Owen said: "Long term continuation of the service will depend on how well used the service is.
"I am pleased that pressure I have applied has helped bring this about and I hope that residents will use it and thereby keep it going."
RESIDENTS are being asked not to park in Beaufort Road for two days next month.
Rob Hannaford, ward councillor, wants to make sure that residents know about the prohibition which will take place on Tuesday, June 25 to Thursday, June 27, to enable a utility company to repair a communication pipe.
For additional information contact: May Gurney on 0800 1691144.
THERE are plans to extend Newport Park in Topsham Road by another 25 mobile homes.
According to the plans lodged with the city council, each new home would have a generous garden and off-plot parking.
Each park home will have a dedicated parking space and a further 24 spaces are proposed to be set aside for visitors.
A new access road enters the site from the existing drive which leads from Topsham/Exeter Road to Newport House Cottages and additional pedestrian access would be provided from Exeter/Topsham Road by opening up the historic pedestrian access within the north of the development. This footpath is to be upgraded.
THE new £250,000 skatepark at Flowerpot is moving ever closer.
Rob Hannaford, city councillor for St Thomas, has told Community News that the design process for the skatepark has been completed and a main contractor has been appointed to carry out the work.
Cllr Hannaford said: " The city council is very keen to make sure that local young people have good recreational facilities across the city.
"I understand that construction work is scheduled to begin fairly soon, on Monday, June 17, and the build process is likely to take 10 to 12 weeks.
"Unfortunately this does mean that there will be no skate facilities available for use at Flowerpot over the summer period.
"However the user group that we have been working with closely during the design process is aware of this, and agrees that it is preferable to get on with implementing the new facility as soon as possible and not delay for an autumn build, when conditions may be less suitable for the nature of the work involved."
Cllr Hannaford added: "We will be holding an on-site display on Wednesday, June 12 from 5pm to 7pm, and this will be a chance for everyone to see the new designs in detail, and is open to all in the community.
"We will be inviting residents of Flowerpot Lane, Victoria Court and Hayes Barton Court directly by letter as they are the nearest residents and will be somewhat affected during the build period, as there will be lots of vehicle movements on and off site at different times."
There is to be a casualty because of the work.
Cllr Hannaford explained: "To facilitate vehicular access into the site for this project we will need to remove a small medium-sized healthy cherry tree.
"The tree is located just inside the playing field boundary, immediately adjacent to the large vehicle access gates at the end of Flowerpot Lane and would cause an obstruction for large vehicles.
"This is unfortunate but essential, and two replacement trees will be planted in the immediate vicinity at the end of the project.
"The tree work will likely take place during week commencing June 27."
THE Buddle Lane HGV mystery continues.
As Community News reported last week, increasing numbers of HGVs are using Buddle Lane, Cowick Lane and Cowick Street but no one seems to know why.
The issue has been put on the agenda for the next Exeter Highways committee meeting in July by Cllr Hannaford.
Cllr Hannaford told Community News: "These massive vehicles cutting through St Thomas are a serious problem, in terms of pollution, congestion, safety and damage to historic buildings.
"I proposed that we look at these HGV movements as part of the consultation process on the traffic orders, because its clear that we are now getting very close to traffic grid lock across the city at peak times."
Cllr Hannaford added: "We all know that Exeter is still continuing to grow and expand at a rapid rate, with thousands of more homes to the east and west of the city, and hundreds of new flats and apartments coming on stream in the city centre.
"We must look at new and different ways to keep the city moving, and get stock into local businesses."
Cllr Hannaford believes a freight hub is needed.
He said: "At the moment the Roman and medieval layout of many of the main routes and roads in Exeter are at saturation point, and doing nothing is not an option.
"We need a proper freight hub for the city, and also need to study how Bristol has achieved this facility."
With regard to the mystery of the increased number of HGVs, a spokesman for Devon County Council said: "Work is still continuing on the review of HGV routes in Exeter and we are currently investigating the issue relating to the Buddle Lane junction with Cowick Street."
AT last they are switched on at the Guys and Hylton allotments!
Thanks to various grants a small range of solar panels has been installed to provide lighting, power for computers, and to power the fridge in the Veg Box, which is what the allotment holders call their community meeting room.
The Veg Box is a second-hand steel container with a built-in kitchen.
All the allotment holders love it but it had no electricity.
According to allotment holder, Christine Fraser, putting in the solar power panels will mean a world of difference – they will now be able to hold meetings in the evenings, make the Veg Box available to schools as a teaching resource and, in the summer, have a fridge for catering for their families' open days and lunches, as well as coffee mornings and committee meetings.
The solar panels are now up and running and everyone is hoping for some sun.
The big switch-on was performed by Exeter's deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Rob Hannaford.
The funding came from the Co-operative Membership, who voted for the scheme as well as Western Power Distribution.
Refreshments were served at the official opening and these included a special 'allotment cake' which contained rhubarb.
And the Exeter allotment will be playing host to Diggin' In of Plymouth who want to see how the solar panel system works as they are intending to install similar for their own growing/allotment project.
HAVE others travelling out of the city along Honiton Road noticed how many drivers coming out of Lower Hill Barton Road fail to stop?
We have heard this week that one driver didn't even look to see if another car was coming, never mind stop.
Apparently this is not the first time this has happened – is it a peculiarity of this junction, or are there others where this happens a lot?
Let Community News know!
E-mail abyrne@expressandecho.co.uk.
