News in Honiton

A new councillor for Honiton's St Michael's ward is to be co-opted to the town council in September.

The council is inviting expressions of interest for anyone who'd like to be considered for the role.

It's been a busy few days for Honiton Carers Support group – they had a stand at Charter Day, just after celebrating the birthdays of two of their members at their first indoor meeting for several months. The group's chair, Winnie Cameron, has provided this update.

Honiton Carers Support Group celebrated their first session back indoors on Friday 30th July with a cream tea and brilliant entertainment by Cameron Lemmer, everyone's favourite local crooner. We took the opportunity to sing Happy Birthday to long standing carer Angela Bea who celebrated her birthday and presented her with a cake. A second birthday, celebrated on Thursday 29th July by carer Janice Sharman, was also acknowledged and Happy Birthday was sung once more. The carers joined in with Cameron Lemmer's singing and some decided to go on the floor for a swing around, even with some rock and roll thrown in. What a fabulous party atmosphere there was with everyone thrilled to be back together again.

The weather could have been better - but it could have been a lot worse, and plenty of people were out enjoying Charter Day on Saturday, May 31.

Here are a few photos taken at the event.

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Trainee Carpet Fitter, Axminster

Exe Valley councillor Fabian King, a Liberal Democrat and member of the ruling Democratic Alliance Group, has resigned from East Devon District Council.

Mr King, who did not wish to speak directly with journalists at this time, said that he believes anyone who is a councillor should be actively involved in that role, adding that he has stepped down to focus more on his business, which has been impacted by Covid.

Do you like the idea of using criminals' ill-gotten gains to fund local projects tackling anti-social behaviour?

That's the aim of a grant scheme that's just been opened by Devon and Cornwall's Police and Crime Commissioner, Alison Hernandez.

Devon Freewheelers volunteers were invited to Exmouth to showcase the charity's work as part of the town's Organ Donor and Transplant Awareness Day event.

Visitors to The Strand, in Exmouth, spent time learning about the work of the Devon Blood Bikes in the community, meeting the volunteers and having a look at some of the vehicles used by the charity when delivering essential medical supplies to support the NHS.

There are plans to get some of the front desks at Devon and Cornwall's police stations opened again, and local people are being urged to speak up if they'd like Honiton's to be one of them.

Devon and Cornwall's Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez wants to reverse the closures of front desks in smaller police stations - but she wants to make sure those that do reopen will be used, to ensure the best use of public money.

Honiton sculptor Martin Staniforth has been running a series of workshops that 'explore hope' through art and crafts to help adults with brain injuries, learning difficulties and mental health needs.

He's held Creative Wellbeing sessions with people being supported by charities including United Response and Headway.

Housebuilders who cram as many dwellings as possible into new developments are being targeted in a new measure by East Devon District Council.

It's agreed a motion to add new standards for space to an updated local plan, so that homes will no longer be built too small for comfort.