Alphington
Parking anglers
MOVES to restrict all-day parking by commuters at the changing rooms on the road leading to the Double Locks pub are having to be re-thought.
Local councillor Rod Ruffle, explained the problem to Community News. He said: "It was pointed out that because commuters park there all day long it was impossible for residents who wished to park there for a short while, either because they wished to walk to Double Locks or simply exercise their dogs.
"The city council was willing to respond, but in advertising its proposals to restrict all-day parking we discovered that it could penalise Exeter's anglers, particularly if they were participating in competitions which can involve parking for up to four or five hours.
"After some investigation I spoke to local council staff who confirmed they could identify the all-day commuter parking as people who parked their cars at this point, then walked across the canal and river bridges, up Salmon Pool Lane and on to County Hall.
"Staff at the Civic Centre have promised to find a compromise which will not disadvantage anglers yet still deter all-day commuter parking."
Lights out ok
CLLR Ruffle also reports that he has spoken to many people following the introduction of part-night lighting in the ward, and concludes that most are supportive.
Cllr Ruffle said: "Saving money, saving energy and reducing carbon are the most three common reasons expressed.
"However, there are some exceptions and residents in one cul de sac in the quayside area have asked for their two street lights to remain on.
"Their main concern is that at one end of their road there is evidence of drug taking. However, they are full of praise for the police who act swiftly if they are alerted.
"It is important that if there are parts of the ward which are concerned at this shut down please let me know by emailing me at rgruffle@yahoo.co.uk"
Broadclyst
Devon scenes
THE parish church is holding a special coffee morning on Saturday, May 10, from 10am.
Those attending will have the opportunity to buy old prints of a Devon scene which have been kindly given by a local antique dealer to help the church pay for a new heating system.
There will be refreshments as well as seasonal plants, books, bric-a-brac and cakes on sale.
John Jones, chairman of the Local History Society, said: "If you have never been to the church you will be surprised by its space and beauty. It is a wonderful Grade I listed building with most attractive stained glass and has fine quality stonework.
"It was built in 1395 and you have to marvel at what was achieved."
There is free parking in the village car park near the Victory Hall.
City-wide
Calendar snaps
DON'T forget to enter your photographs in the 2015 Hospiscare calendar competition.
The photographs, which will be returned, can be emailed or sent by post up to three per person.
The theme is What Devon Means to Me.
Digital files should be of 300dpi or more – and don't forget to include your name, address and where in Exeter, East or Mid Devon your photograph was taken.
The closing date for entries is May 29. After the judges have decided on their top 20, the shortlist of finalists will appear in the Echo and on our website www.expressandecho.co.uk on June 12.
The 12 photographs receiving the most votes will be revealed in the Echo and on the website on July 3.
Entries should be emailed to: FRAdmin@hospiscare.co.uk or sent to Susie Healey, Hospiscare, Dryden Road, Exeter, EX2 5JJ.
County-wide
Winter woes
THE full extent of the winter storms was revealed at the latest meeting of the Exeter highways committee.
Emergency teams had to deal with a total of 1,340 fallen trees on the road network, 176 bank slips and flooding on 4,600 roads.
Before Christmas, South West Highways averaged 500 reports of potholes per cent week and had some 12 to 15 gangs out repairing them.
After Christmas, reportings soared to 3,000 a week and gangs increased to more than 40.
Clyst Honiton
First field event
FOLLOWING on from our article last week about the field which the parish council bought from the county council for £1, we can now tell you that the very first event for the village in the field has been organised for Saturday, May 24.
Between 2pm and 4pm there will be a rounders competition, and while the children are playing, the adults can feel free to help tidy up the field. Volunteers are asked to take along a rake and a bin bag.
There will also be more information available about what is going to happen with the field and how people can be involved with that.
Duryard
Hoopern access
FOR decades, residents and walkers have been using a gate near Higher Hoopern Farm to access the grounds of Exeter University.
However, residents have recently contacted councillor Percy Prowse to complain that the gate is now being kept locked.
A university spokeswoman said: "Following a recent assessment by the university's assistant director of health and safety, it was decided that we had no alternative but to close the gates at Higher Hoopern Farm in the interests of the safety of everyone concerned.
"The farm is used as both a welding workshop and a re-cycling and collection area for the university; this includes the storage of wood chippings for the bio-composter based there. Due to the heavy plant and regular lorry traffic, it is a highly hazardous area for anyone apart from those who work there.
"There are lots of alternative ways of accessing the campus, all of which are well signposted. We are currently reviewing the long-term plans for Higher Hoopern Farm but, for the reasons outlined above, the gates will have to remain closed while this is underway."
Exminster
Local plan
MEMBERS of the parish council are to meet on May 6 to discuss the South West Exeter Draft Development Framework.
The Teignbridge Local Plan 2013-2033 (Policies SWE1 and SWE3) allocates land at South West Exeter for at least 2,000 homes, associated infrastructure and land for community facilities/services.
The Local Plan has been found 'sound' and the South West Exeter Draft Development Framework amplifies and clarifies the requirements of the policies of Teignbridge Local Plan which affect Exminster as well as Exeter.
Heavitree
Coffee morning
THE congregation of St Paul's Church is once again holding a coffee morning in the Rifford Room at Heavitree Parish Church in Church Street.
Admission is 20p for the event which is on Saturday, May 3, between 10am and 11.30am.
There will be cake and crafts stalls and draws.
Wildlife look
A TOUR of Higher Cemetery on Thursday, May 8 will be led by wildlife expert George Barbour.
Mr Barbour will be pointing out the many different birds that occupy the 47-acre site. The 90-minute tour will begin at 6.30pm outside the chapel.
Children are welcome but must be accompanied by a responsible adult. A small charge is made for the walk which has been arranged by the Friends of Higher Cemetery.
Newtown
Trees at last
AS promised once the prolonged rain of the winter stopped, the trees have been planted on the verges in Barnfield Square.
For months the ground has been too wet to allow the county council to plant the trees and unfortunately that allowed drivers to mount the verges which became increasingly churned up.
It is hoped that planting the trees will stop this.
Local councillor Richard Westlake reports that the residents' reaction to the trees has been positive and he added: "I will be monitoring the parking of vehicles around this area to identify damage caused by dangerous parking of vehicles by the trees."
Polsloe
Station tidy-up
CALLING all those who volunteered to help spruce up the area around the platforms at Polsloe Bridge – a date has been set for the work.
Cllr Westlake told Community News: "We have set aside Saturday, May 24.
"Those who are keen to help should meet at Polsloe Bridge at 10am and, subject to weather and work required, finish at 3pm.
"A safety briefing will be given and the jobs to undertake shared out. Safety equipment will be provided plus tea, coffee and a light lunch. There is a toilet by the station."
Cllr Westlake added: "The aim is to set up a support group to keep the station tidy, reduce vandalism and promote greater passenger use."
Pinhoe
Northern link
A RING road to the north of Exeter is needed to take traffic away from Church Hill, according to local councillor Moira Macdonald.
Cllr Macdonald made the plea at the latest meeting of Exeter's highways committee as she is becoming increasingly concerned about the numbers of cars using the narrow road as a rat run.
Cllr Macdonald said: "At present drivers approaching Exeter from the east or north-east, whose destination lies beyond Exeter must all circuit to the south of Exeter if they wish to avoid driving through the city. This includes drivers from Ottery St Mary or Cullompton who wish to travel north-west for the A377 out towards Crediton or Stoke Canon.
"Lacking a north of Exeter ring road drivers are increasingly using a much shorter route which was never intended to carry large amounts of traffic and the part of this route most affected is Church Hill."
Cllr Macdonald said that residents living in Church Hill now speak of excessive speeds by a far larger number of vehicles as it has become a commuter/school run route.
Cllr Macdonald said that proper research was needed to determine the scale of the adverse impact this was having on Church Hill.
Cllr Macdonald told the committee she had accompanied the police when they did a speed check on Church Hill which has a 20mph limit and that not a single car was going at 20mph; the fastest was timed at 47mph.
Committee member, Cllr Emma Morse, and Pinhoe's county councillor, said that she supported a northern link road as Church Hill was not suitable for commuter traffic as it was used by children walking to school.
The county council's speed complaint action review forum is to look into safety measures on the road and report back to the next meeting of the highways committee in July.
Sweeper retires
POPULAR sweeper Richard Broadhurst has retired after years of keeping the streets of Pinhoe clear of litter.
Over the years Richard could be spotted in all sorts of unexpected places with a cheery smile, ready to stop and pass the time of day before tirelessly pressing on with his work in all winds and weathers.
Richard recently returned to Pinhoe for a farewell lunch at the Heart of Oak organised by the Friends of Pinhoe Library. Some 38 well-wishers attended the lunch where Richard was showered with cards and gifts. Two of Richard's supervisors arrived to present him with a "gold" brush and spade and two of his fellow sweepers also dropped in to wish him well.
Richard plans to get himself a dog as company in his retirement in Dawlish.
Polsloe
Changing lights
HIGHWAYS bosses are to tweak the timing of the traffic lights at the junction of Pinhoe Road and Hamlin Lane because of safety issues.
As Community News reported last week, local councillor Richard Westlake asked for an urgent meeting with highways engineers after he heard of several near misses at the junction.
Cllr Westlake has now told Community News: "The problem is that people are not observing the yellow boxes at peak times of the day.
Traffic is backed up from the Beacon Lane junction and under Polsloe Bridge which means that people trying to get out of Hamlin Lane don't have a clear space when the lights change for them.
"I understand that there have been several reported collisions to insurance companies.
"The engineers are going to have a look at it and develop a system that allows the flow of traffic to clear before the vehicles coming out of Hamlin Lane move."
In addition, Cllr Westlake has received reports from residents of drivers exiting the Monks Road junction at speed to go straight across into Hamlin Lane.
Cllr Westlake said: "I don't know what we can do about it but this is a busy pedestrian junction so doing this is dangerous."
Road works
CLLR Westlake is asking for a review of protocols when it comes to closing roads for emergency road works.
He cites the problems caused recently when temporary traffic lights were installed at the junction of Park Road, Clifton Hill and Polsloe Road.
Cllr Westlake said: "This caused chaos with long tailbacks from Pinhoe Road and people unable to get out of Park Road. Ambulances were caught up in it and we can't have this when people's lives are at stake.
"In the end the county council had to step in and have manual stop/go boards.
"When we have emergency road works like this the county council, as the highways authority, must be notified, particularly when major filter roads like this are affected."
RD&E Hospital
Hair loss
CHERRYBROOK Ward, the hospital's day case chemotherapy unit, is reducing the chances of hair-loss for cancer patients.
Cherrybrook has a new scalp cooling machine to reduce the chances of hair-loss for patients receiving chemotherapy.
The machine, which replaces an older model, has been generously donated by the charity Walk the Walk in partnership with the manufacturer Paxman.
Patient Professor Ann Craft has been using the cap for six weeks.
She said: "It was very painful at first but after 10 minutes the cold is more manageable. It's been just amazing though and I haven't lost any hair so far."
Cherrybrook Matron Helen Daggar said "Losing your hair is a side effect that can be very difficult to come to terms with.
"We are delighted to have been gifted this new machine, as it means patients can benefit from improvements in the cap design, fitting and timings of wearing the device.
"They are also helped by the up-to-date information on caring for their hair throughout chemotherapy and after."
Drum beats
CHILDREN at First Steps Nursery have enjoyed a special visit from African drummer, Denis Kigongo.
Denis, originally from Uganda, brought with him a selection of djembe drums for an interactive workshop.
The children in Owl Room, who are aged between three and five, were given the chance to try out different drums and learn more about the different sounds they can make. They were also treated to several performances by Denis and heard about how the drums are used in Africa.
The visit tied in with a project where the children have been learning about Africa.
First Steps nursery provides day care for the children of staff working at the RD&E. The nursery caters for 105 children a day who are aged between three months and five years.
St Thomas
Fundraising help
MAJOR fundraising to rescue the parish church from closure gets under way on May 5.
As Community News reported last week the church has to raise £112,000 between now and November as match funding to secure a grant of £221,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to cover the cost of essential repairs.
The church has organised a fun programme for the May bank holiday (May 5).
There will be a maypole, cream teas and stalls and special items on sale will be greetings cards, featuring a watercolour of the church which has been painted by Fr Andrew Johnson, who has been curate with the St Thomas team ministry for the past six months.
Fr Andrew is a stained glass specialist and has worked at Exeter Cathedral for the past 40 years.
He is also a painter and has produced two watercolours of the church to raise much-needed funds.
Fr Andrew said: "One has been used on a greeting card which is blank inside. We have produced 5,000 and they will be on sale during the fund day.
Limited prints have been produced of the other painting and there will also be a handful of these on sale.
Fr Andrew is moving across to work within the team at St Mark's Church in Pinhoe Road but wanted to do something for fundraising before he left.
He said: "I wanted to help the church and did the paintings to help launch the fundraising and also to create awareness of what the church is doing."
New gardens
ST Thomas Methodist Church has altered the gardens, fronting onto to Cowick Street, to create community peace and sensory gardens.
They include both raised and ground level flower beds, seating, wheelchair accessible paths and a notice board for community helpful information.
They will be officially opened during a coffee morning on Saturday, May 3, by radio presenter Judi Spiers.
Also attending will be councillor Rob Hannaford, who gave money from his locality budget to help fund the project, and local singer Charlotte Ward.
The coffee morning will begin at 10am with the ribbon cutting at 11am.
Cheques are to be presented by West Exe Lions and Round Table who have sponsored the seating.
There will be plant, books and cake stalls, a raffle and various light refreshments.
The church hopes that the gardens will be well used, respected and enjoyed by the community.
Long story
ST Thomas Local History Group has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2009 with 40 members and visitors attending a recent event.
On Friday, May 2, a 10-minute silent film of Standfield and White, motor engineers, will be included in a programme to be given by the Rev Preb Christopher Pidsley reflecting his family history and the houses they occupied and businesses they owned in the St Thomas area.
The meeting will take place at St Andrew's church hall, Alphington Road starting at 7pm.
All welcome.
Topsham
Trees to go?
THE doctors' surgery in Holman Way wants to increase the number of spaces in its car park.
It is therefore seeking planning permission from the city council to fell three sycamore trees.
West Exe
Bygones plants
ST Thomas Allotments Association is asking for everyone in the West Exe area to rummage through their photo albums to see if they have any photographs of themselves or their families as allotment-holders over the past 100 years.
There are 12 sites in the association formed in July 1915: Alphington, Ide Lane, Cowick, Clapperbrook 1 & 2, Newman Road, Guys, Hylton, Pinces I & Pinces II, (Regent Street), Ashwood Road, and Rackfield.
The association has a significant history but there is no written history and no clear understanding of how the sites have changed.
And the association now wants to find out the relevance of its 19th century history to today.
The questions needing answers include: how has the demographic profile changed, how have food and food security issues changed, what will St Thomas Allotments contribute to the future of the community, how will the history help individual allotment gardeners to understand, respect and hold that history for the next generations? And how can residents participate in the historical research?
Members of the association and residents are working with Dr Clare Greener of Devon Gardens Trust, to answer these questions. The aim is to publish the association's history in September to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.
The history (and associated events) will be offered to schools in West Exe as part of their programme marking the First World War and schools and residents will be invited to the association's centenary celebrations next year to learn more about their own local history and the part it has played at critical times in the country's history.
Please contact Christine or Becky on 07773038689 if you have any photos to share, or email to info@bystock.eclipse.co.uk
Your photos will be copied and the originals returned.
Wonford
Grand sale
MAY 10 is the day of the grand sale for Hospiscare which is being held in Wonford Community Centre from 2pm.
The organisers are the Pinhoe and Broadclyst Support Group of the charity.
Entry costs 30p and there will be refreshments as well as stall offering cakes, bric-a-brac, jumble as well as a draw and tombola.
