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
Homes plans
THE first planning application for new homes to the west of Alphington is expected to be registered with the city council this month, according to papers regarding the supplementary development plan that went before the city's executive this week.
Beacon Heath
Behaving badly
NEIGHBOURHOOD police have been busy dealing with an increase in anti-social behaviour over the past few weeks.
They report that the issues have ranged from throwing stones at cars and passing persons, underage drinking, criminal damage, arson and intimidation of local shops and shoppers.
In total 15 ASB escalation warning letters have been handed out in the past three weeks.
Each of the youths concerned has had a visit to their parents and the neighbourhood team has involved local schools in the problem-solving process as well.
Officers say that they should now be in a better position to identify and deal with future incidents and offenders.
Skydive bid
BEACON Heath mum Georgia Parkhouse is out to make history when she launches herself from a plane at 15,000ft to raise cash for the hospice that cared for her nan.
Georgia, 23, who works at SMC SEAT Exeter, is part of the Skydive UK attempt to smash the Guinness World Record with 260 jumps in 24 hours this Saturday. The record currently stands at 251.
She will be one of those 260 thrill seekers who get to experience free fall from nearly three miles up – and at the same time the caring mum-of-one will be raising more than £1,000 for Exeter-based Hospiscare which cared for her nan, Moira Parkhouse, who died from cancer five years ago.
Georgia said: "I was so impressed with the care that Hospiscare provided for my nan that I wanted to give something back to the charity.
"I'm really excited about the chance to be part of history.
"I am sure I will be a bit nervous on the day but this is something I can cross off the bucket list.
"At first I thought I might struggle to raise £500, but the total of sponsorship money has now topped £1,000 with everyone from the postman to the delivery drivers, customers and staff chipping in.
"I am hoping for good weather on the day and I am sure the skydive will be over before I know it."
Georgia added: " It's sure to be a great experience and even better should I be part of a new Guinness World Record."
On the day Georgia will be spurred on by family and friends. Her five-year-old son Louis, mum Denise, dad Guy and sister Lucy will be among the crowd of well-wishers.
Celia Wilkinson, events fundraiser at Hospiscare, said: "This is great news that Georgia has raised so much money already for a cause that is obviously very close to her heart. We are sure she will find the skydive a thrilling experience."
To make a donation visit Georgia's fundraising page at http://www.skydiveukltd.com/skydive/charity/online-sponsorship/raise-money-online/rnj-profile/?profile=416
City centre
Paris Street
FOR those wondering about the lengthy work being undertaken on the Paris Street roundabout – it is preliminary works prior to the installation of the swift tower, according to the city council.
The city council is working with Devon Wildlife Trust to turn the roundabout into a wildlife haven at a cost of £40,000.
The money came from a planning agreement linked to the development of Jurys Inn to provide public art.
City-wide
Work on weeds
FOLLOWING on from our Community News article last week about the untidy entrance to St Nicholas' Priory, local resident Annette Setterfield has sent a number of photographs of the area.
The one here shows the area from the entrance in Friernhay Street.
However, things could be about to look a lot better as Mrs Setterfield reports: "Just after the pictures were taken, the inner circle of grass was mown and later on two gents, one with a clipboard, appeared and were making notes."
The wisteria has also been tidied up.
Heavitree
Wall repairs
EXETER University has revealed plans to repair the boundary wall around its halls of residence at Rowancroft by Livery Dole.
The wall is Grade II listed and mainly consists of Heavitree stone plinth, rendered cob wall and a red tile capping, but some sections have been replaced at some time in the past with brick sections.
The wall has been deteriorating over the past few years, with sections of render cracking and falling off and sections of the roof tile capping falling off.
The university is concerned that not only is this unsightly but it could pose a hazard to passing pedestrians.
They therefore want to take action to repair the wall, thus safeguarding it and making it safe.
It is intended that the repairs will be 'like for like' – the wall will be restored using traditional techniques and materials that will prolong its life much better than the more modern materials that have failed.
Reclaimed materials will be used where appropriate to exactly match the existing materials of the wall.
Parklife plans
ON Saturday, July 5, between 2pm and 4pm, there will be a chance to view provisional plans drawn up on behalf of Parklife for a community facility in Heavitree Pleasure Ground.
The displays will be part of Parklife's tennis pop up cafe. This will be the first chance to publicly see the provisional drawings and plans and the services the community facility could provide for residents.
There will also be an update on the proposed cuts Exeter City Council could make to Heavitree Pleasure ground which could make this project even more important.
It's the 1940s
RELIVE some of the music and poems from the war years and raise money for charity at the same time.
The venue is Heavitree Parish Church in Church Street at 7.30pm on Saturday, July 5.
The free concert will feature an array of local talent including the reverends from the Heavitree Team Ministry who have chosen to sing a Beatles medley on the basis that they know the songs and the Beatles were born in the 1940s!
Also taking part will be Timothy Phillips, the parish church's director of music, and the Heavitree Team Handbell Ringers.
There will also be musical solos, poetry readings from the 1940s as well as the chance for some community singing.
Churchwarden Julia Forward said: "It is a free concert and the aim is for a fun evening.
"In addition to the concert there will be a craft stall and a book stall and a draw."
The concert is free and there will be a bucket collection with the funds raised being split between the church and local cancer charity Force.
Refreshments will also be available.
Newtown
Herschell Road
RESIDENTS of Herschell Road have formed an association.
Initially it started as a way to get to know each other but then became an opportunity to improve the aesthetics on the street after people raised concerns about the general deterioration of the local area, especially after hearing about further cutbacks at local government level.
An invitation to the first meeting was posted to every house and a number of possible projects were discussed.
It was decided that the first task was to tackle the increasing weeds both on the street and in the service alleys around the road and the date was set for a Saturday morning.
Braving showers, a number of households turned out and removed all the weeds from the street and in one of the back alleys, with interest shown by a number of other houses on the street not present at the initial meeting.
Since then a number of flower boxes have appeared outside houses and the street's general appearance has improved considerably.
A number of other projects are currently being looked into and those involved have also started to share tools and skills.
The association is keen for more people to become involved, both those living in Herschell Road or streets further afield. Please contact the association on herschellroadra@outlook.com
It's a mess!
APPALLING, is how local councillor Richard Branston has described the new landscaped area at the junction of Barnfield Hill and Denmark Road.
The landscaping was carried out towards the end of last year by Devon County Council at a cost of some £70,000.
Now it is all overgrown and Cllr Branston told Community News: "It looks appalling.
"I appreciate that the county council has had to make very sizeable budget cuts and weeding is going to be down the list of priorities but it's an eyesore and it is in such a prominent place."
Pennsylvania
New footpath
STOKE Hill Junior School could soon have a new pedestrian footpath.
If the plans are approved construction would begin in August, avoiding the school term, and take four weeks.
The aim of creating a new footpath is to provide improved pedestrian access for those coming into the school from the south and west.
At the moment pedestrians have a choice of sharing the vehicular access or using steps, which is impossible for those with buggies.
Pinhoe
Bigger picture
A DROP-IN session for members of the public and councillors so that people can share their views on the homes planned for the area around Pinhoe is being organised.
The meeting is at the request of new city councillor, Megan Williams who raised the need for a meeting to look at the "bigger picture" at the recent planning meeting in the Civic Centre.
Demolition
PLANNING officers have determined that planning approval is not needed for the demolition of the Poltimore Arms.
Details of how the demolition would be carried out have been lodged with the city council.
Scaffolding would be placed around the pub and netted when it is next to a pavement.
The inside would be manually stripped and the roof, chimneys and the front wall will all have to be taken down by hand.
Once the front walls have been knocked in, the scaffold can be removed and an excavator working from the rear of the pub will finish the demolition. All access to the site will be through the pub car park.
The pub is to be demolished to make way for highways improvements to allow for further development in East Devon.
RD&E Hospital
Volunteering
MORE than 100 volunteers from across the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust gathered for a special afternoon tea hosted by chairman James Brent and the hospital's board (see picture).
The event was designed to recognise the on-going commitment and dedication of all the volunteers at the RD&E and to say thank you for their hard work throughout the year.
There are well over 300 volunteers who work at the RD&E and with partner organisations such as ELF, Force and Hospital Radio Exeter. They play a huge part in helping to improve the experience of being in hospital for patients and visitors, fulfilling roles such as meeting and greeting at entrances and outpatient departments; running the trolley shop in the wards; and helping patients attend Sunday services in the Chaplaincy Centre if they wish.
Retired driver Ted Goff volunteers as a 'meeter and greeter' at the RD&E three times a week. He said: "Volunteering gives you a purpose in life. It's good for a person. When I retired I was bored, but now I'm not. I wake up every day and wish it was a Wednesday!
"I love it here and volunteering has knocked years off me."
Ted has also recently won the volunteer award in the RD&E's Spring Extraordinary People staff awards, for his contribution to the hospital.
At the volunteer celebration event, the special guests enjoyed an impressive spread of sandwiches and cream tea in the Oasis Restaurant, while chatting with fellow volunteers, members of the board and non-executive directors.
Mr Brent said: "I am delighted to have hosted this event to acknowledge our volunteers much appreciated commitment to the RD&E. "Since joining the trust, I have become very aware of how important our dedicated volunteers are in ensuring that the hospital is a friendly and hospitable environment for our patients and their visitors."
The event followed on from volunteers' week at the beginning of June, which is an annual celebration of the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK.
To find out more about volunteering at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust visit www.rdehospital.nhs.uk/patients/help/volunteers.html or call the Volunteer Lead on 01392 406058
St David's
Plans deferred
DEVELOPERS asked for the discussion regarding the scheme for student accommodation on Queen Street to be deferred until July 21.
The scheme, which could see 130 student rooms built on the former car park of the Rougemont Telephone Exchange, was scheduled to be decided by the city council's planning committee last Monday.
Richard Short, Exeter's assistant director for city development, told the planning committee that there had been a number of objections, particularly from the adjacent Marcus House because residents believed the new development would block their light.
The developers therefore wanted to do more work on daylight analysis.
Eagle Yard
ENGLISH Heritage is unhappy with the plans for 12 cluster flats, to house 34 students, proposed for Eagle Yard in Tudor Street.
Consulted on the proposed development, English Heritage has told the city council that it has no problem with the principle of limited redevelopment of the courtyard behind the Grade II listed Tudor House.
However, it is not supporting this application saying that "it makes no attempt to incorporate existing historic fabric on the site and is severely let down by the absence of quality or any attempt to reflect the character of the conservation area or to enhance it".
It added that the design proposed "does not appear to relate to the historic environment of Exeter and could be anywhere" and "is certainly not worthy of the historic city of Exeter".
St James
Thornton graffiti
THORNTON Hill Residents' Association is keen to work with the city council to clear graffiti.
Steve Stewart, the city's anti-social behaviour officer, has told Community News that he will be meeting with the residents in the next couple of weeks.
Mr Stewart said: "It is a shame about the graffiti as this is such a lovely area.
"There is a lot of graffiti in the path which leads through to Prince of Wales Road."
The residents would be taking advantage of the community scheme whereby local volunteers use special kits provided by the city council to clean off graffiti.
Have your say
PC Julie Chapman has moved wards to become the neighbourhood beat manager for St James and is joined by a new PCSO for the patch, Pete Wallis.
Residents can meet both of them at a Have Your Say street meeting outside St Sidwell's C of E School in York Road on Friday, June 27, between 3pm and 4pm. Local councillors will also be attending.
St Thomas
Summer fete
Age UK Exeter's Summer Fete, now in its fifth year, looks set to be bigger and better than ever before.
The charity, which works to support anyone over 50 in Exeter and fundraises to provide services and opportunities for older people city-wide, is holding its party-in-the park fete on Saturday, July 5, starting at noon in St Thomas Pleasure Grounds in Cowick Street.
Corinne Bailey, development manager for the charity, said: "This year we have something for everyone, entertainment from local musicians on our two stages, a licensed bar, home-cooked food, children's entertainments, bouncy castles and ball pools for toddlers.
"We'll have lots of stalls and classic motorcycles on show. This is a free event and we invite everyone to come along for the afternoon and join us."
Stoke Hill
Open evening
THE 10th Exeter cubs and scouts are holding an open evening on Monday, June 30, for anyone aged seven and a half to 14 to find out what cubs and scouts are all about.
Those interested should just pop along to St James Church Hall, by the Stoke Hill roundabout, at 7pm, and can join in some fun and games.
For more information, you can call Chris (Akela) on 01392 213997 in the evening, or e-mail cubs@10thexeter.co.uk
There is currently no beaver colony in the area because after the last beaver leader left, no one came forward to take his place.
If there are any adults who enjoy working with young children, and who could afford an hour or two each week to run a colony, or help with the older sections within scouts, then they too are welcome to pop along and find out more.
Topsham
Library question
ESTUARY League of Friends, the Topsham-based charity taking over the running of a local library later this year, is asking people how it should be run and what new facilities they would like.
The charity is conducting a nine-question survey with the help of Devon County Council, covering aspects such as the library's opening hours, possible new services to be hosted in the current building, and whether members of the community would be available to help in the running of the service.
The charity also proposes to raise funds to replace the current small and old library building with a new Community Hub to provide better facilities not just for lending books but for a range of Estuary's current services, along with new ones.
Although Estuary is based in Topsham – and therefore requires a building there – its staff, volunteers and vehicles are familiar sights across East Devon.
It has 1,300 clients and provides day centres and lunch clubs, transport services for medical appointments and shopping, as well as a growing range of customised services delivered in the home – such as cleaning and gardening.
Rachel Gilpin, the charity's chief executive, said: "We also offer information for the community and have recently started IT training for those currently without internet access, along with much more work on helping those with memory issues and their carers.
"That's why we need a new, permanent base to accommodate many of these facilities as well as being a focus for the community.
"Our survey includes a question asking how local people would like the new building to look in terms of finish and render."
The survey is available online at www.estuary-league-of-friends.co.uk or a paper copy can be picked up at Estuary's charity shops in Topsham or from the library itself.
If anyone does not have a computer and cannot get to any of these places for a paper copy, they should call Estuary on 01392 879009 and the charity will help.
Flood meeting
PEOPLE whose homes have been affected by flooding are being invited to an event to look at flood prevention.
The Topsham Emergency Group (on behalf of Topsham Community Association) is hosting a Flood Fair on Friday, July 4, from 3pm to 8pm, at Matthews Hall.
The focus is on flood prevention in Topsham, but any Exeter residents affected by the flooding in February this year are invited to attend.
The Fair will include an exhibition and information on the following:
Individual property protection – information on various forms of flood defence from a range of suppliers
Community schemes – various agencies will be on hand to give information about repairs to damaged flood defences and plans for enhanced defences for the Exe
Grants/finance available – to householders whose properties were flooded in February
Emergency response – the Topsham Emergency Group and its role in the emergency.
There will be a question-and-answer session from 6:30pm to 8pm when residents will be able to put questions to a panel of representatives including the Environment Agency, South West Water and Exeter City Council.
Further information is available on the Topsham Town web page: www.topsham.org.uk or by contacting Richard Horne on 07527 221244 or e-mailing topfloods@topsham.org.uk
West Exe
Youth centre
THE future of the local youth centre and issues about people feeling isolated have been highlighted as priorities to focus on following a meeting for the community organised by the neighbourhood policing team.
The meeting last week was led by PC Mark Oliver, neighbourhood beat manager for Cowick and St Thomas, who told Community News: "The meeting was attended by around 70 people representing many different groups within the community.
"It was great to see all five city and county councillors for the area there along with people representing community groups such as the St Thomas Traders' Association, the YMCA and Churches within the Community. The format for the evening was to enable those present to 'have their say' and the issues which emerged were:
The potential closure of the West Side Youth Centre on Merrivale Road
Supporting older people within the community
Speeding and related matters.
"It is expected that the first two will be subject to further meetings within the community with those who expressed an interest in them. We will be following up the issues around speeding with those concerned and particular points within the area."
PC Oliver added: "Feedback from those attending has been great and the intention is to hold two such meetings a year in the area as a means of identifying issues and as a community doing something about it.
"It was very encouraging."
One of the councillors at the meeting was Heather Morris, city councillor for Cowick, who said: "The organisers are pleased with the response from the local community.
"The main priority appeared to be the future of the Youth Centre in Merrivale Road, with lots of ideas and suggestions coming forward from the local community.
"A further priority identified was isolation/loneliness and I think one of the key areas here is to engage and work with AGE UK and local churches in order to identify persons who feel isolated and address this on an individual basis and also to look to address this as a whole community.
"I'm very much looking forward to future meetings where I would hope we will be planning to act on the issues raised. I personally would like to thank PC Oliver for arranging the meeting."
Whipton Barton
Electric fund
ST Boniface Church needs to raise £3,000 to help cover the cost of a new electrical system.
To help it do that members have organised a concert by the Summerland Singers, many of whom are members of local congregations.
It will be on Friday, July 4, at 7.30pm in the church.
Admission is free but there will be a retiring collection and there will be refreshments.
St Boniface needs around £6,000 in order to fund the second phase of its electrical works, which is work to renew an electrical system that hasn't been updated in many years.
The church has been promised £3,000, but needs to raise funds to cover the balance.
Wonford
Talent will out!
THE Wynstream Talent show grand final is being held on Friday, June 27, from 5.45pm for a 6pm start.
The cost is £1 per person and money raised will go to the school's PTFA funds.
The final is being held in the school in Burnthouse Lane. Tickets are available from the school's reception.
It is expected that the show will run until around 8pm.
