The Feathers celebrates John’s life

Pub regulars, diners and hotel guests will be saddened to learn of the death from cancer of John Salt, landlord of one of Budleigh’s best-known inns.

Having moved from Essex to East Devon in 1980, taking over The Feathers in 2003, Mr Salt and his wife Joan were proud of their achievement in renovating, improving and enhancing this 16th century public house situated on the High Street at the heart of the town. They were also justifiably proud of The Feathers’ fine and growing reputation for providing excellent, hearty pub food in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Ensuring that The Feathers remained a proper pub while restoring it to its original function as a hotel was a challenge which was met in full. Retaining the building’s many interesting features while refurbishing its accommodation has made The Feathers a much-loved Budleigh institution. Only a few months ago Mr Salt was reporting that the new rooms were proving exceptionally popular and that the hotel was already seeing returning guests booking up again for the next year.

John Salt, who was aged 60, leaves his wife Joan, and sons Neil and Jonathan.

Police warn on phone scam

Police are advising people to be vigilant following reports of attempted telephone scams across the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary area.

In all the incidents a man has telephoned homeowners purporting to be from Nat West Bank and claiming that the owner has a debt and that bailiffs will be calling at the house to reclaim the debt.

In all cases the victims have told the callers to ‘go away’ and no ‘bailiffs’ have turned up at their homes but police want people to be on their guard if they receive such a call and ensure that no personal information is divulged over the telephone.

Looking for a Kitchen from Heaven?

High quality kitchens and appliances for the lowest price possible is essentially how local firm YOURKITCHEN.COM sees its business, and this no-frills approach has gone down well with customers who have become disenchanted with ‘Half Price Sales’ or ‘40% off if you order before such a date’ type promotions.

“Our prices are the best we can do all year round,” explains the Yettington-based firm’s owner Adrian Browne. “These types of promotions just go to show how over-blown some companies’ prices are to start with!”

The firm’s reputation for providing the public with high quality kitchens at extremely low prices comes from years of hard work and negotiations with suppliers on a national scale. “We never stop looking for the best deals, so you don’t have to,” says Adrian Browne. “Our kitchens are of extremely high quality - nothing like the ones you’d find in DIY super warehouses that typically have hardboard backs, unsightly hinge cover-flaps, pre-drilled holes, and are rarely colour matched. Our ranges are ‘designer’ quality, hard-wearing, and built to last.”

YOURKITCHEN.COM does not employ smooth-talking sales people to promote its kitchens. “If you want a free survey and quote, we will simply visit to measure up - not to take an order,” declares Mr Browne. As for the follow-up service if the customer decides to go ahead, the firm believes that it is second to none. “You can rest assured that when we supply and fit your kitchen, the whole process will be smooth and efficient, from start to finish.”

Praise for this local business from Exmouth Road residents is reassuring when customers are faced with so many often extravagant claims by kitchen firms. “Very good and very reasonable,” is just one comment on the service provided by YOURKITCHEN.COM

For further information you can see their website http://www.yourkitchen.com/
“You can view some examples of our work, what our customers have said about us, and see some of the ranges on offer for your kitchen by browsing around the site. Please contact us if you would like to know more.”

YOURKITCHEN.COM
Coombe Park
Yettington
Budleigh Salterton
EX9 7BW

Tel: 01395 567280
Fax: 01395 567351
Email: adrian@yourkitchen.com

EDDC sets an 'exemplary' Council Tax for 2009-10

With an eye to the current economic downturn, East Devon District Council last Wednesday (18 February) set an 'exemplary' Council Tax. There will be no increase in the amount householders in East Devon have to pay to EDDC in the coming year, making it the lowest in Devon.

Proposing that the EDDC precept for 2009-10 should be frozen at current levels, Miss Sara Randall Johnson, Leader of the Council, said: "Nobody is immune to the effects of the Credit Crunch, and that includes local councils like ours. But at times like this we all need to help each other - which is why we have worked out a way that we can make no increase in the Council Tax paid to EDDC by householders in our district.

"The Council Tax bill that householders in East Devon receive in March may still go up - due to charges made by others. But they will pay the same in 2009-10 for services provided by EDDC as they did last year.

"This is a very volatile time for Devon councils to be operating, not only because of the financial challenges that Governments, companies and individuals are facing, but because of the uncertainty caused by the ongoing Local Government Review.

"Despite all of this, East Devon proposes to lead the way with an exemplary budget and show how it is possible to manage resources in such a way that services can continue to be delivered without hitting hard-pressed residents in the pocket.

"This council demonstrates why Whitehall should not be tampering with the current two-tier system of local government. We are big enough to manage funds and resources effectively, whilst still being small enough to care.

"There are people out there who have lost their jobs; there are families who are struggling to make ends meet; and there are pensioners who are seeing their hard-earned savings bringing a smaller return as the interest rate plunges. This budget is for them".

Miss Randall Johnson added that due to prudent budgeting in the past, the Council has reserves on which it can draw in order to keep charges down. She said there would be no general increase in car park charges, although one or two prime sites may see a small rise.
She was also pleased to reveal that EDDC was now charging the lowest Council Tax in Devon.

Turning to the way that EDDC proposes to freeze Council Tax without reducing service levels, Miss Randall Johnson went on: "We always work hard to ensure that we give our residents the best possible value for money. This year, we have had to pull out all the stops to find ways of operating in a more challenging commercial environment without passing on costs to householders.
"We will make even better use of Government funding than before and we will continue to charge commercial fees for our services. That helps us to keep down the amount we ask for in Council Tax.

"In 2009-10, we are asking our Council Tax payers for £6.663m. A typical Band D Council Tax payer will pay £118.24 a year, exactly the same as last year and equivalent to paying just £2.27 a week for all the basic services EDDC provides.

"Delivering the ambitious programme of improvements set out in our Corporate Strategy will not be cheap but, through careful financial management, we believe we are again offering excellent value for money in the coming year".

Statins

‘Statins’ is the title of the talk to be given by Dr Richard Mejzner of the Budleigh Salterton Medical Centre on Wednesday 18 March. It follows the AGM of the Medical Centre Patient Group, which starts at 7.00 pm in the Public Hall.

Statins reduce the levels of what has become known as ‘bad cholesterol’ which can lead to the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries and consequently to coronary heart disease. Research has shown that lowering blood cholesterol reduces one’s risk of heart disease and heart attacks. Picture credit: http://www.freeimages.co.uk/

The Patient Group welcomes new members. “If you are interested in joining please put a note into our mail box in the Medical Centre with your name and address and the name and address of another patient from the practice who would propose you,” says Group Secretary Angela Taylor.

Currently the Group has vacancies for new committee members following the retirement of two of the patient representatives who make up the seven-strong committee.

Praise for local businesses

“Very entertaining and informative” is just one of the comments received from readers of this Exmouth Roadies blog since it started at the end of last year, and I’m very happy with that response.

One of the various purposes of Exmouth Roadies has been to recommend household and professional services that neighbours have found particularly useful.

Many of these services can now be identified on the site by using the search engine in the top left corner of the page. Simply type the word ‘praise’, click to find this word in the Exmouth Roadies blog, and the relevant articles featuring individual traders whose services have been praised by local residents will pop up on your screen, covering a range from chimney sweeps to tree surgeons.

On the same principle you can use the search engine to find, for example, a locksmith by typing the word ‘key’ or ‘lock’.

If any local residents would like to recommend services or other businesses that they have found useful let us know at mr.downes@gmail.com Recommendations are currently being sought for: architects/surveyors, painters and decorators, builders and restaurants.

If other trade services which have been used by Exmouth Roadies residents would like to be featured on the site please contact me, Michael Downes, at mr.downes@gmail.com There is naturally no charge for such features. Our aim is simply to support deserving local businesses.

Below is a list of other tradespeople whose work has earned praise from Exmouth Road residents:

Aerials: A1 Aerials, Exmouth
Tel: 01395 274777 “very quick”

Chiropractor: Kathryn Vickery, Exmouth
Tel: 01395 223307 “excellent”

Garden Services: David Bright
Tel: 01395 225386 “all garden services except horticulture”

Guttering: D. Squires, Woodbury Salterton
Tel: 01395 233253

Plumber: Roger Pollard, Budleigh Salterton
Tel: 01395 444049 “expensive but good”

Please recommend Exmouth Roadies to your friends and add http://exmouthroadies.blogspot.com/ to your favourites. If you have any items of news that you would like posted, or just feel like a rant, get in touch.

St Peter’s Music: Fauré and Vaughan Williams

The usual pre-Easter concert on Friday 13 March given by the St Peter’s Church Choir and their friends will this year feature the very popular Requiem by Gabriel Fauré, reports Exmouth Road’s Chris Parrish.

As the soloist in this work we are pleased to welcome back James Birchall whose singing in The Creation last year was much acclaimed. James will also join the choir in a performance of Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs and sing the much loved song cycle Songs of Travel, also by Vaughan Williams.

Right: Guest soloist James Birchall

The concert will include Jonathan Watts (organ and piano) and is conducted by Sylvia Pritchard.

Below: St Peter's Church

Tickets are £10, available from The Lawn Bakery, The Lawn, and
Lesleys, Stationers, High Street, in Budleigh Salterton; from Eagle House, The Strand, Exmouth; and from the Tourist Information Centre, Ham Lane, Sidmouth. They are also obtainable by phoning 01395 442275; you will be asked to forward a cheque made payable to St Peter's Music and a return stamped addressed envelope. Subject to availability, tickets can also be bought at the door on the night.

Concessions: Full time students pay half the advertised price.

Further information about St Peter’s Music can be seen at http://www.stpetersmusic.org.uk/page4/page4.html

Carmina Burana: an update

Following his earlier report of 29 January 2009 Exeter Bach Society’s Chris Parrish writes with an update on the choral workshop and performance of Carmina Burana by Carl Orff.

The chorus for the workshop is now up to 111 as of this morning (17 February), most of whom will be singing in the performance on Sunday 22 February. There is still time to join in.

Further information can be found at http://www.exeterbachsociety.org.uk/workshop.htm

Nature notes – February/March

Janet Parrish writes from her garden on Exmouth Road:

This month often sees the most changes in weather patterns of the entire year. This February started fairly promisingly with mild days and crisp frosty sunny days. This was soon to change however as the forecasters promised, with snow and ice. In all the years we have lived in Devon we have hardly had a frost let alone snow.

This year my hopes of getting the garden sorted early in time to start sowing the spring crops were severely dashed. The camellias that usually flower at Christmas, kept their heads down and buds clamped tightly shut against the ravages of winter. They knew a thing or two. It was so cold one day that the pond did not unfreeze and at the beginning of February when I came to empty the rain gauge the tube was full of ice. Four and a half inches – using proper money – of rain that had fallen in January, was solid all the way through. It had to come inside and be dismantled. No bad thing as it was beginning to go green and gungy. So far this month there has been one and a half inches of rain and we are not quite half way through. Above: Pink and white heathers

At about this time of the year I look out for frogspawn in the pond. I think the frogs are going to be late this year too, as it is not yet consistently mild enough for them to venture out. Would you like to break the ice on your bath before wooing your chosen one in it?
Left: Red flowers of Chaenomeles japonica

There are however many signs of spring despite the cold. Many plants prefer to flower in the cooler months. Last week the snowdrops were doing what they do best; pushing up through the snow. Not very much snow I agree, but the ground was hard and inhospitable. There they were, the brave little things, barely two inches high already showing their white flower buds. This week they have come on a treat. Now at their best with several more clumps than last year. I did divide them up and spread them around a bit but it has rejuvenated the bulbs wonderfully. From now on it is the right time to divide and move these bulbs around – ‘in the green’ as they say. Do not let them dry out or they will take a long time to establish again. Above: Snowdrops

There were at least 12 species of plants flowering in the garden at the beginning of this month, from various hellebores to primroses. The Mahonia and Hamamelis were pumping out the most heady scents as I walked past, while the Prunus subhirtella autumnalis, which has been in flower sporadically all winter, is now beginning to put on a real burst of spring colour. Yes I think we can say that spring, at least in our part of the world, has really sprung at last!

Left: Hellebore

There will be a lot of casualties I fear. The risky stuff like Dicksonia Antarctica (Tree fern) will probably lose its outer leaves. I just hope the fronds tightly furled inside the crown and mulched each year by the bay tree that shelters it, will shoot into life in a month’s time. This is a very precious addition to the plot, bought at the Gardener’s World Show about six years ago and now about four feet high. The man in my life bought it for me and nobly carried this unpromising looking log through the crowds on his shoulder, to the plant crèche. It weighed about half a cwt then! Apart from that, the Echium that was the only survivor from a bunch of seedlings given by a friend on a really hot day in May last year, is looking decidedly sorry for itself. We can only hope! Right: Scented flowers of Mahonia

Tuesday 17 February.

So it is true then! Birds do pair up on St Valentine’s Day. They must have done because this morning there was the unmistakable sound of the dawn chorus. The blackbird started it all shortly followed by the robins. They have been vying for territory ever since the middle of January. There have been many odd scraps ‘over the scraps’ on the bird table. These are sure to be the males; the females fly off to sit in a tree and watch the affray! There were rooks sleepily joining in, in the background and a ‘jangle of keys’, denoted the presence of Dunnocks (Hedge sparrows), adding their line.

Since my last blog, the birds have been arriving in the garden thick and fast. All the ones I expected to see, turned up – too late to be counted – to thumb their….beaks at me – now that it was no longer important to be there for the survey. First in, to try out the fat-filled coconut half, was the Great Spotted Woodpecker, so striking in his black and white livery with brilliant red splash on the back of his head. Then came the Green Woodpecker probing for hibernating ants in the grass beside the path. He was having great success and stayed for a good ten minutes. Then, oh joy, the tree creeper appeared, characteristically flying to the bottom of a tree and working his way up the trunk to the canopy, picking off the over-wintering insects and grubs, before flitting off to do the same with the next tree. Numbers of Goldfinches have visited the niger seed feeder, while small flocks of Long-Tailed Tits have been gorging on the peanuts. Up in the tall Acer, a flock of passing Redwings rested for a time before setting off on their migration to the Baltic or Scandinavia. I am really pleased to see that there are at least two Song Thrushes, pottering about on the grass most mornings. I do hope they are male and female; difficult to tell, as they are alike in plumage.

Text and photos © Janet Parrish

Branching out all over Devon

It may not be exactly local, but “very good” is how one Exmouth Road resident described Crediton-based company Greentrees when he asked it to tackle the tree problem in his garden. Such praise is not surprising when you realize that the firm’s wide range of top-name clients include The National Trust, the Royal Horticultural Society and English Heritage. Within the county it has done work for the Devon Wildlife Trust, Devon County Council and Exeter Cathedral.

Greentrees Arboricultural Services Ltd, to give the firm its full name, was established 17 years ago by Bill Crumby, who has 24 years experience in this field, and is becoming one of the most respected professional tree contractors in the South West of England. It has a large and loyal customer base - 98% of its work is repeat business or recommendations - which bears testimony to the high standard of work it provides.

Greentrees has carried out work for numerous private customers, including the pruning of trees, hedges and shrubs, tree surgery, including the felling and removal of dangerous trees, stump removal, and planting. “All work is carried out with the minimum disruption to your garden or site and is left clean and tidy, with much of the wood recycled,” says Mr Crumby. “At Greentrees, we take great pride in the quality of our work. All arborists attend regular training programmes and are fully qualified. You will find them to be polite and helpful, and dressed in company uniform. We have a wide range of equipment which is regularly checked and kept up to date.”

Bill Crumby is a member of the International Society of Arboriculture, the Arboricultural Association and the Consulting Arborist Society.

For further information email bcrumby@greentrees.org.uk and see the Greentrees website at http://www.green-trees.co.uk/

Separate Tables

Long derided by theatre’s Establishment since kitchen sink drama burst onto the scene in the late 1950s, Terence Rattigan has recently made a come-back and the local Drama Club’s forthcoming production of Separate Tables next month at the Salterton Playhouse is proof of renewed interest in this very British playwright famed for turning out the ‘well-made’ play.

Set in the Beauregarde Private Hotel in Bournemouth, some time after the war, Separate Tables, as Salterton Drama Club’s publicity puts it, “provides a fascinating insight into the lives of the residents.” It is in fact two plays within a play.

All photos are from the 2008 Salterton Drama Club production of Ladies in Retirement. Photo credit: Roger Simmonds. Above: Sue-Claire Morris (right) with Fay Hamilton, who is directing Separate Tables.

The Club’s Wendy Gomm explained that this is the first serious drama production to be staged at the Playhouse. With Rattigan’s gift for witty dialogue exposing what has been termed “the English vice of emotional repression” against a background of the tensions and unspoken conflicts within families, this staging of Separate Tables should provide a thought-provoking evening’s entertainment.

Directed by Fay Hamilton, an experienced former professional actress, the play’s large cast includes a début appearance from the Sidmouth Operatic Society’s Sandria Stewart. Above: Karen Bazeley and Richard Gomm.

There is a long tradition of successful amateur dramatics at Budleigh Salterton. Since the group was founded in 1938, it has gone from strength to strength, finally acquiring its own theatre - the Salterton Playhouse - in 1970. The Playhouse is a large wooden building set next to the stream in Meadow Lane, and offers raked seating and full facilities for approximately 80 patrons. Below: The cast of the 2008 production of Ladies in Retirement.

Separate Tables runs from 2-7 March 2009. Tickets are available from:
Budleigh Salterton Tourist Information Centre
Fore Street, Budleigh Salterton EX9 6NG
Office opening hours are:-
Summer [Easter to end October]: Monday to Saturday 10.00 to 17.00hrs
Winter : Monday to Thursday and Saturday 10.00 to 13.00hrs (Friday 10.00 to 15.00hrs.)
Tel: 01395 442208
Payment can be made via credit card over the phone and tickets collected
from the theatre on the evening you are attending the play.

For further information about Salterton Drama Club see http://www.saltertondrama.co.uk/

The answer’s there in black and white, and any other colour

Are you having problems finding suitable ink for your printer? Expert advice and speedy service is available just up the road, and it’s from a specialist firm which has earned praise from Exmouth Road residents.

Cartridges-Direct UK has conducted extensive research to identify which particular brand of compatible ink cartridges perform well with the majority of printers on the market today. This has allowed the firm to confidently select from a handful of manufacturers the product that best suits your requirements.

Based in Dinan Way Industrial Estate, Cartridges-Direct UK specialises in supplying only the highest quality new compatible cartridges for makes including Epson, Canon and Brother Inkjet printers. All of these products comply to the ISO 9001 standard.

We can supply any cartridge for any UK printer, says the firm. If you cannot find it please email us at: sales@cartridges-directuk.co.uk and we will source it for you.

Cartridges-Direct UK is also special in that it remanufactures its own ink and toner cartridges for HP, Lexmark and other manufacturers such as Dell and Xerox, thereby allowing the firm to pass on the cost saving directly to customer.

“Because we passionately believe in a no gimmicks approach, all of our prices are fully transparent,” says owner Mike Camp. “The price you see includes VAT and delivery , so there are no nasty little surprises at checkout.” Orders received before 2.00 pm are shipped the same day.

Contact details:
Cartridges Direct
Unit 32 Dinan Way Ind Estate
Exmouth
Devon
EX8 4RS

Tel: 01395 278400
Fax: 01395 278400
Email: sales@cartridges-directuk.co.uk
http://www.cartridges-directuk.co.uk/

Where there’s a Mill there’s a Way

Otterton Mill: back in action after last year's severe floods.

Following much hard work to repair the damage caused by the devastating October floods which hit communities along the river Otter last year, Otterton Mill owners Caroline and Simon Spiller and their team of helpers are looking forward to more settled trading conditions. With the credit crunch forecast to encourage more Britons to stay in the UK for their holidays they are optimistic about the future. A new charity to safeguard the future of the historic Mill is also being launched in 2009.

“Good things come from adversity, and we've all been overwhelmed by the support from our customers, suppliers and the community,” say the couple, who live on Exmouth Road. The bakery, shops, restaurant and galleries are now back in action and have even benefited from some improvements as a result of the restoration work. The restored flour-milling machinery is just one of the many attractions to be admired in this ancient building.

The Mill was hit by the worst local flooding in 40 years. “Water as high as 2ft swept through the site causing considerable damage to buildings and the surrounding area. As a result, we've been closed for most of November whilst the premises were cleaned, sanitised and dried,” they explained. “We've been overwhelmed by the support from our customers, suppliers and the community. We'd like to say a heartfelt thankyou to all who have offered practical help and words of encouragement. It's been greatly appreciated.”

The flooded car park at Otterton Mill last year.

The idea of a charity, Friends of Otterton Watermill, to be launched this year, is one of the good things to have resulted from the disaster, say Caroline and Simon. “Following the flood, we were inundated by so many offers of help that we have decided to create a charity that will hold funds to support the ongoing restoration of the historic mill workings. The maintenance of the Mill is very expensive, but it is our aim to preserve the milling practice and flour production for current and future generations, and continue to hold regular milling demonstrations for the public at no fee.”

The New Year has also seen the return to Otterton Mill of its five rescued battery chickens, Elena, Treacle, Jasmine, Rosie and Pumpkin, who had arrived at the site only a week prior to the flood. The five had had to be rescued again, this time by the RSPCA after their newly restored enclosure was washed away.

ASDA withdraws from Exe scheme

Above: An artist's impression of the estuary side of the proposed ASDA development on the Exe.
Picture credit: http://www.asdadevelopments.co.uk/

News of the loss of funding to the tune of nearly £3 million for the proposed visitor centre on the Exe at Exmouth has been followed by the announcement that the principal backer ASDA has withdrawn.

The cash had been earmarked by the South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) to assist with the capital costs of building in partnership with ASDA the Exe visitor centre as reported by Exmouth Roadies on 27 January.

East Devon District Council has said that it is “deeply disappointed” at the news received last Monday, 9 February, that supermarket giant ASDA had confirmed it will not proceed with its plans for a supermarket development on the Royal Avenue site. The Council was told that ASDA's Development Team were unwilling to satisfy its requirements of a package of community benefits to the town, including a new sports centre and swimming pool, a Jurassic Coast visitor centre, a new library and a large town-centre food store and supermarket. The news means that a complete re-think will be needed by the various agencies that had been pinning hopes of regeneration on a major injection of private cash.

Councillor Ray Franklin, EDDC's Portfolio Holder Strategic Planning and Regeneration, said: “This is deeply disappointing. We felt we were reaching out for some really ambitious but exciting plans for Exmouth. In these difficult times, it is not a complete surprise that any company is cautious about a massive investment such as this, but it is still a great shame.”

Councillor Franklin, who lives on Knowle’s Dalditch Lane, continued: "We have always stated that provision of a new sports centre and swimming pool was the price that had to be paid for developing on the Royal Avenue site.”

“The supermarket was part of a package of facilities that we insisted on if this development was to go ahead. We would not dream of accepting second best. We would not sell Exmouth short.”

Councillor Peter Halse, EDDC's Portfolio Holder Economy, and Chairman of the Exmouth Regeneration Programme Board, said "We will now have to let the dust settle and have a re-think about the future. The implications of this news are obviously far-reaching.”

"This is not the end of the road by any means, but it will take time to come up with alternative ideas and we will actively investigate other options."

ASDA itself is blaming the credit crunch for the impact that it has had on the value of the scheme's residential element and its prospects for rental income as its Property Communications Manager Chris Marlow confirmed. "The economics of the development have changed substantially, leaving the proposal, as it stands, unachievable in the current market environment. With this in mind, ASDA believes that the most appropriate action is to withdraw."

The ASDA on the Exe plan has of course been controversial since it was first announced, arousing passionate opposition as well as support in local media.

“EDDC are missing a huge opportunity to regenerate Exmouth as a watersports haven, utilising the natural resources that we have in abundance (water, wind, sandy open spaces),” notes one blogger on Exmouth Citizens Forum.

“Just as Newquay is known for its surfing scene, Exmouth could and should become known for its sailing/wind surfing/kite surfing/kite buggies scene (but without the honky-tonk side of Newquay). This would bring in tourists of all ages, fill local hotels and B&Bs, keep restaurants and pubs busy, and enable more watersport and associated shops to flourish in town. People are already looking to holiday more in UK due to recession and the environmental impact of flying, so why is no one pushing this proposal instead of a carbuncle of a not-so-supermarket on a site of SSSI?” http://www.exmouthcitizensforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4&p=8#p8

In a statement issued by Exmouth Citizens’ Forum, chairperson Megan Armstrong commented: “This is marvellous news for all those thousands of people whose views have constantly been ignored by most local politicians. Now it is time for people to become involved in a new, community-led planning process for the estuary site which the Forum would like to promote as part of a quality vision for Exmouth.”

Ms Armstrong added: “The Forum has been battling for more than four years to stop such a development and during that time has held several public meetings and demonstrations, organised a 10,970 signature petition which was presented to the House of Commons and initiated a town referendum in which 94% of voters rejected such proposals. The Forum also carried out a public survey, 'Vision for Exmouth' in order to gauge people's views about how the town should be developed, including the estuary side.”

Property for sale: No. 2, Bushy Court, Knowle Hill

No. 2 Bushy Court
Knowle Hill

Local agents Fulfords are marketing a three-bedroom property set within a wing of Bushy Court, Knowle Hill, which they say could be used as a primary residence or perhaps a second home. It has been recently converted to an exacting standard and is situated in lovely communal parkland gardens and grounds from which there is private access to both East Devon Golf Course and the South West Coast Path.

Bushy Court is an imaginative conversion of a large country house into five units. No.2 is an individual and spacious residence with accommodation arranged over three floors. Of particular note is the kitchen/breakfast room fitted with bespoke hand-made wooden units with granite work surfaces, which when combined with double-glazing, interior designed decor and fitted carpets, are indicative of the overall quality of the development.

The property boasts three bathrooms and there is also a cellar which the agents see as “definitely for the wine connoisseur” with extensive shelved wine racks and storage cupboards. There is a gas-fired combination boiler for central heating and domestic hot water, and a water softener.

The property is sold with the benefit of a six-year architect’s certificate covering the works. Outside, the property has its own terraced garden, allocated garage with up and over door and visitor parking.

The property is being offered leasehold, held on a brand new 999-year lease with a freehold being transferred to the owners of 'Bushy Court' once all units have been sold. It is anticipated that initial management charges will amount to some £1,500 per annum. A guide price of £370,000 is suggested.

For further details see
http://www.fulfords.co.uk/properties-sales-rpsFUL-CWH070085-1233677974

Tel: 01392 813333
Fax: 01392 813320
Email: newhomes@fulfords.co.uk

Watch out for those moles!

While a disfiguring mole on the face can cause worry for the afflicted person a different type of mole can be a source of even deeper anguish and even rage for the keen gardener. How upsetting it can be for your neatly mown lawn complete with stripes to be covered overnight by little piles of earth. And it’s even more annoying when you realize that the molehills mark a network of tunnels under your garden which are likely to damage the roots of your choicest plants.

Moles are a common British mammal. They are very territorial and generally live alone only coming together for mating. “Molehills are created as the animals dig tunnels which act as traps to catch worms which are their staple diet,” explains Ian Upton, of East Devon Pest Control.

“Their molehills are often the only evidence of their existence. They cause damage because of their tunnels and the resultant molehills which can cause damage in a range of situations. In garden and amenity areas, for example golf courses, they can be a significant nuisance. There is also a risk of damage to grass cutting machinery.”

East Devon Pest Control’s service dealing with “moles and thing” has earned praise from satisfied Exmouth Road residents. For moles, as with all other pests, a full survey will be carried out and an estimate given for treatment, says Ian Upton.

“Trapping is the method of choice and is best carried out between October and April. This is when they are most active prior to the breeding season. Frequent visits need to be carried out until mole activity ceases,” he warns.

“Gassing compounds are available – this treatment may be appropriate in particular situations. Aluminium phosphide which is extremely toxic is in the form of gas pellets held within a container which are placed deep in the mole runs.”

For further information please contact Ian Upton on:
Tel: 01395 222112
Mobile: 07798 843804
Email: ian@eastdevonpestcontrol.co.uk
http://www.eastdevonpestcontrol.co.uk/

Is your £20 note now completely worthless?

Officers from Devon and Cornwall Police are warning the public regarding a number of reports of counterfeit £20 notes being passed as genuine.

These notes may seem genuine but businesses and members of the public should take care when handling all twenty pound notes.

The suspects will either pass them as genuine when attempting to buy goods or services or more recently offenders have approached an unsuspecting member of the public and asked that they change a twenty-pound note for smaller denominations.

Anyone with information regarding this please contact police on 08452 777444 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Tourism organisation predicts return of the Great British Holiday

A leading south west tourism organization headed by a Budleigh Salterton resident is calling for the industry to join together to build a better showcase for the region, claiming this is the best way to stimulate and revive the Great British Holiday tradition.

Left: Great Sloncombe Farm, Moretonhampstead, is one of the many West Country bed & breakfast businesses promoted by Cartwheel Holidays.

According to Cartwheel Holidays, a leading non-profit tourism firm exclusive to the West Country, the industry needs to link together all the elements that draw visitors to the region such as quality accommodation, locally sourced food, fun activities and local heritage, rather than promoting them separately if it’s to make the most of the holiday-at-home boom predicted this year.

In response to the changing economic climate, Cartwheel has just re-launched its website in an expanded format featuring not only its 570 accommodation listings, but also details of farm shops and farmers markets across the region where visitors can buy locally produced food, numerous attractions and activities, plus information about the region’s counties and towns.

It’s all about promoting the whole experience of the West Country,” says Gina Woodcraft, chief executive of Cartwheel Holidays which celebrates its 10th birthday this year. “Everyone’s feeling the pinch, but visitors are more likely to be drawn to the region if we share our local knowledge and make it easier for them to imagine and believe they will have a good holiday experience before they even book.

“Currently the tourism industry is very accommodation focused, but this is only a small part of the experience potential visitors to the West Country are after. If we can become more integrated, show and deliver the whole experience they’re after, it will encourage people to return year after year. I believe this is our best chance to revive the Great British Holiday indefinitely.”

Covering Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset, the Cartwheel website is believed to be the only one of its kind offering integrated holiday information across the region. It’s hoped this and others like it, if they’re developed, will help address the £400m hit taken by the wider economy due to the drop in visitor spend in the region last year, mainly through a fall in secondary spending on eating out and visiting attractions.

“We know visitors love being signposted to good food and fun activities, as it helps them make the most of their stay,” continues Gina Woodcraft, who lives on Exmouth Road. “By putting more information in one place, people can get a better feel for the area and the authentic West Country experience quickly and easily. This will encourage bookings and, once they’re here, help visitors find places that they otherwise wouldn’t know about.”

Food and drink organisation Taste of the West supports this approach and has provided Cartwheel with a comprehensive list of farm shops and farmers markets for the new website. “I think this approach makes a lot of sense,” says John Sheaves, chief executive of Taste of the West. “If we can get more people enjoying our delicious local food and drink during their stay here, it gives them even more reason to return. There’s no denying it’s one of the reasons people love visiting the region.” Above: Cartwheel is actively promoting West Country Farmers' Markets such as Budleigh's.

Cartwheel has grown steadily since the early days and now offers more than 570 independently owned properties to chose from, mainly in rural and countryside settings. This demonstrates how the region’s small tourism businesses are making more effort to market themselves professionally, which means they are well place to survive the economic slump.

Other new features on the Cartwheel website include searches by county, by town and also by niche, including fishing breaks, business breaks, pet friendly and toddler friendly breaks. In response to market demand there is now a new 'last minute deals' availability search with links to google maps.

Cartwheel’s primary aim is to offer visitors a true taste of rural life with the opportunity to enjoy the experience of a working farm or relax in idyllic surroundings in the countryside. “We select businesses that are family run and encourage the sourcing and serving of local food,” says Gina. “Cartwheel actively supports the protection and conservation of our landscape and wildlife habitats. We believe that the adoption of green tourism activities will enrich the holiday experience.”

For more information visit http://www.cartwheelholidays.co.uk/

Praise for local landscape gardening firm

“Pleasant, efficient, hard working and fairly priced” is how one Exmouth Road resident has described the service provided by L M Landscapes and Garden Maintenance, based in Exmouth. You could hardly ask anything more in order to see your dream garden take shape and flourish, and in a fraction of the time that it might take you on your own to achieve that longed-for result you wanted.

L M Landscapes and Garden Maintenance has been in business for five years now. Owner Leroy Morley lived originally in Northamptonshire and moved to Exmouth ten years ago. “I started with a few pieces of garden equipment and one van,” he explained. At Bicton College, he achieved a National Certificate in Horticulture and City & Guilds certificates issued by the National Proficiency Test Council. “The business has now expanded, enabling me to recruit a team of local skilled people to assist in supplying a service that we are proud to be part of.”

Below are just a few of the specific jobs the company has carried out. “We offer free quotations, design advice and planning to help our customers to achieve their dream garden projects.”

“This project entailed a large patio area, using Natural Stone paving, with steps leading to the rear gate. A new lawn complements the colours in the natural stone paving. A new timber shed, fencing and gate completed the appearance the customer was looking for.”

“After laying new turf and planting more shrubs this garden started to take shape. With regular garden and lawn maintenance visits, the garden will always look its best.”

“With our experience we offer a garden design service and built this rear garden after discussions with the customer on their requirements. We have also carried out projects with customers using their own plans.”

Leroy and his team stress the importance of providing a professional, personal service and strive to reach a high customer satisfaction level. His customer base is both regular and one off specific jobs. Whatever the nature of the work, he believes that maintaining the high standards of his service will ensure that that his customers continue to recommend him.

For further information, contact:
Leroy Morley ( NCH - NPTC )
L. M. LANDSCAPES & GARDEN MAINTENANCE
3A Byron Way.
Exmouth.
Devon.
EX8 5SB

Tel (h): 01395 266599
Mobile: 07791217166
Email: lmgmain@tiscali.co.uk

LOW MAINTENANCE LANDSCAPES.
PATIOS, DRIVEWAYS, WALLS, PATHS.
TREE WORK & TURFING.
FENCING & DECKING.
GARDEN DESIGN.
HEDGE & GRASS CUTTING.
CONTRACT MAINTENANCE.

On Budleigh Beach

Dear Sir Walter, dear Sir Walter,
Poet, scholar, soldier, courtier.
Although I write to you in verse
I’m sure you’ll think it must be worse
Than any lines you wrote to please the Queen.
Nay, worse than any you have ever seen.

I write to you from Salterton,
That place where you had lots of fun
Beside the sea four centuries ago,
And where the view down on the beach
Goes further than the eye can reach,
To blood-red sunsets, distant lands of fame,
Of plants and beasts and such wild things and ships
As we can only dream of. Yet your name
For many people stands for nothing more
Than bikes, roll-ups, and naturally chips.

And Budleigh, with its pebbles known as buns,
Down where that naughty lively river Otter runs
Into the sea, is, so many say,
A town of wealthy pensioners, nothing more,
“Famed for its elderly population” reads Wikipedia, for
Long ago that ‘witty’ playwright Noel Coward
Described it as a place of potted palms and monumental bores
Who live life on the golf course, and of course that soured
The reputation of the place,
For bitchy comments oft destroy a cause.

Yet thanks to Mr Millais and his painter’s easel
You’ll say, I hope, that Coward was a weasel
Who’d never seen that masterpiece
In oils which captures so exactly children’s dreams,
Where your and Master Gilbert’s portrait seems
To say that life on Budleigh beach beside the wall
Is pure and innocent and full of fine belief
Such as they say Man had before the Fall,
Before he twists and turns and prostitutes himself
In search of happiness which often turns to grief.

For so you found, that London town, antithesis of Devon,
Cut short your age of innocence, seduced you out of Heaven.
A life of intrigue, war and politics
Took you from walks beside the Otter
To face the spite of Jacobean rotter
James the First, the Scottish king who coward-like
In fear of Spain agreed to see you dead.
While you with brave advice to “Strike man, strike!”
Lay willing victim on the block
Before you lost your head.

So please Sir Walter, if you’re there
And by some chance you hear my prayer,
Do look at this iconic spot.
Go see the state of Budleigh’s wall.
It isn’t very grand at all.
There is a small blue plastic plaque.
But couldn’t there be something better?
And when I saw the lack
Of screws attaching it
I thought I simply had to write this letter.

© Michael Downes 2009

Snowstorms hit waste and recycling collection

While Exmouth Road and the Budleigh area are seeing brilliant blue skies today with not a snowflake in sight it’s a different story further inland, with roads made hazardous by blizzards and icy conditions.

The severe weather forced East Devon District Council’s waste and recycling contractors to cancel all collections yesterday.

There were no landfill waste collections in Budleigh Salterton and Littleham. EDDC spokesman Nick Stephen advised: “Householders should put out their bins for collection on Monday of next week, when they will be collected – weather permitting!” Above: Snow has affected many of Devon’s roads inland.

Recycling boxes in Budleigh Salterton were not be emptied yesterday for similar reasons. Householders have been asked to keep their boxes until Friday of next week (13 Feb), when they will be emptied. This is not a normal recycling day for these areas, but contractors will collect on that day, weather permitting.

The next collection will be on the following Friday (20 Feb), when collections will return to the normal fortnightly cycle.

EDDC have said that their REACT team will be out and about in the district, concentrating on picking up any split litter bags that they find. “Dog waste bins may not be emptied according to the normal schedule. But Council teams will also be out and about emptying any dog waste bins that are full or overflowing.”

Councillor David Cox, EDDC’s Portfolio Holder StreetScene, said: “We apologise to residents for any inconvenience they may experience as a result of these changes.” He explained that the exceptional weather conditions meant that there was a combination of reasons why the Council’s waste contractors could not be working yesterday. “Some crews cannot get to the depot and lorries can’t get out of the depot,” he said. “If they did get on the road, they may not be able to get to many homes Even if they could collect the waste, many waste tips are closed. The roads to waste and recycling centres are treacherous and some are impassable.”

EDDC’s Nick Stephen added: “We hope to be able to return to normal service as soon as weather conditions allow.” Above: All clear on Exmouth Road

National Bird watch on Exmouth Road

Left, Goldfinches on Janet Parrish's bird-feeder.

Exmouth Road’s Janet Parrish writes: Some of you may have heard that last month the RSPB held their annual nationwide bird watching exercise, in which members are asked to choose one hour over the last weekend in January to record the birds that land in their gardens. The rules are that the birds must land and not merely fly overhead and you may only record the total number of birds of each species seen in your garden (or indeed park, or wherever it was you chose as a location) at one time. For

instance two blackbirds must be on your lawn to count as 2. Two more half an hour later will not count as 4!

So………As a staunch member of the RSPB for over 30 years, your scribe set to work with binoculars and a full bird table to see what could be done. It was a fairly unsuccessful morning. You cannot control who visits your garden or unfortunately, explain to them that they ought to turn up to be counted.

For instance; on the 'dummy run' that I conducted with video camera poised on its tripod, as well as the usual blackbirds, robins, pigeons, crows, rooks and gulls, (yes, they all count) I recorded several small flocks of goldfinches 4 - 6 in a group; long tailed tits crammed together around the seed-feeder, so tightly that some had to wait in the camellias for their turn; blue and great-tits as well as both the resident blackcaps. These latter I thought had become residents, but according to a birding friend, migrate here from Germany, while our summer dittos fly south. Above right, the robin arrives to join the goldfinches.

What happened on the day? The robin arrived bright and early and true to form, launched into its regular impression of a humming bird, as it raided the seed feeder hanging at the 'feeding station.' (RSPB term for your bird table or, nowadays, your rather up-market wrought iron pole with various curlicue hangers and expensive add-ons.) After quite a while a blackbird began picking its way across the lawn. The hour was going very slowly. Another long wait and a coal tit deigned to feed from the peanut feeder nearer the kitchen window. Hm… three birds in one hour is not going to look good on my return. Perhaps I should try looking elsewhere in the garden. Left, Robin with the wind up.

Right, the coal-tit. Upstairs through the bedroom window, hurrah, a wren was busying itself foraging around the steps. Well that is four birds altogether. Shocking count. I know we have a rich diversity of birds and other wildlife here. In fact in the past we have boasted everything but wild boar and hedgehogs. Where were the song thrushes that only last week were feasting on the vast snail population? I know they do, as they use the edge of the path outside the back door for an anvil. Why were there no pigeons even, which together with the herring gulls are the scourge of every one's back yard? Most days a crow can be seen swaggering around with an eye to the main chance, to say nothing of the magpies. There is a large rookery only about 500 metres away, so why no rooks? Not so much as a ripple! The pheasant usually includes a walk through our garden as a matter of routine. He stayed resolutely in the field. Rats!! He cannot be included………..or can he??

Left, magpies are regular visitors. I'm getting desperate. Time is ticking on. At the 11th hour great news, there is our blackcap; just the male. They were both around last week. This is becoming a fishy story; 'They were all here last week and they have got away'. The equivalent of the gardener's cry, "You should have seen it last week." Just as I am thinking, "I have chosen the wrong day at the wrong hour in the wrong year" a chaffinch shows up, skulking in the rhododendrons, too close to focus the binoculars. I nearly missed him. Then, O joy, one blue tit on the peanuts and a goldfinch on the niger seed. Well, could be worse. Also two, TWO dunnocks, gleaning around the base of the feeding station. Well that brings the count to a more acceptable level of nine. Time is nearly running out. As if to take pity on me or perhaps to taunt me, four long-tailed tits arrive and cluster around the peanut feeder. Finally one solitary pigeon flaps noisily into the holly tree. Any other day and..….yes you guessed it, there would be at least three if not more.

So I have 11 species out of ….Oh I should think at least 20. Why did the woodpecker fail to turn up to be spotted? Answer, waiting until this morning - February 4th - to put in an appearance. What were the nuthatches up to? Hatching a plot to keep a low profile. Greenfinches? Gone off to greener pastures. Above, the pheasant on his regular walk through the garden.

OK, I didn't expect the green woodpecker. He only comes in when the ants are active. I didn't expect a visit from the peregrine falcon or the sparrow hawks, but it would have been a great coup. Buzzards? Yes, all these have been known to land in our bit of green space. Tawny owls too; once during the day when they were trying to teach their youngster to fly and hunt and not sit on the washing line looking gormless. Of course the warblers will not be here yet, but the chiffchaff has been known to over-winter here in the past. I shall keep my eyes peeled for anything unusual, including the other creatures that have been seen here. Deer, badgers foxes and rabbits will not be counted by the RSPB, of course, but it is rather a privilege to know they use this area, although a bit of a pain, as they all do damage to what I rather fondly regard as 'my garden.' Above, the green woodpecker.

Oh well, as far as birds are concerned, there is always next year.

Text and photos © Janet Parrish 6 February 2009