News in Axminster

The total number of coronavirus cases confirmed across Devon have continued to fall, although some areas have seen slight increases.

Devon saw 288 COVID-19 cases recorded last week, compared to 290 the previous week, and in the Devon County Council area figures dropped from 153 to 135.

Plans to install up to 30 rapid electric vehicle charging points across several East Devon car parks, including in Axminster, are set to be discussed at the next full council meeting.

East Devon District Council's (EDDC) Cabinet enthusiastically backed the proposals, for the Innovate UK funded Exeter Rapid Charging Project at an urgent meeting called specifically to consider that project.

The Totally Locally Axminster traders group is launching a campaign designed to 'put Axminster on the map' as the town comes out of lockdown.

It will lead its push with a dynamic new town centre map for shoppers and visitors which will be available free from April 12 through local shops and also prominently displayed in Trinity Square.

Efforts are being made to revitalise Axminster Chamber of Commerce after a period of inactivity during the coronavirus lockdown.

Local businesses are being invited to attend the chamber's annual meeting which will take place on Zoom on Tuesday, April 6 at 7.30 p.m.

The first meeting of a new steering group to discuss the future of Axminster was held last week.

The steering group was formed of councillors and interested parties following a virtual public meeting earlier this month, when several ideas on how to revitalise and improve Axminster were shared.

Village fetes and other local events are the experiences we are most looking forward to when government restrictions are lifted, according to a poll seen by Nub News.

The finding comes in a survey of more than 2,000 consumers for #wecreateexperiences, a campaign being launched today (March 30) by One Industry One Voice, a group representing the UK's events industry.

With organised sport now permitted, the netball courts at Axe Valley Academy sprung back into action this week.

Axe Vale Netball Club hosted their first training session on Tuesday evening, hosted by head coach Trish Warwick.

Developers behind the controversial scheme to convert the former East Devon District Council headquarters in Sidmouth into an assisted living community are now "considering their options" for the site.

Following refusal of an initial planning application, permission was eventually granted to redevelop the Knowle in Sidmouth into 113 assisted living apartments in January 2018.

As restrictions begin to ease and the future starts to look brighter, an East Devon village is intending to go ahead this year with its long-standing summer fair, dating back hundreds of years.

Dalwood Country Fair Committee members have their fingers well and truly crossed as they work towards holding the event this August, which was cancelled last year due to the pandemic.

Nub News editor Philip Evans continues his series looking back over his 55-year career in journalism, many years of which have been spent covering East Devon.

Although I was managing a group of local newspapers having moved to London, my new patch was one of the most newsy areas in the capital. We were never short of a dramatic story, many of which were also covered by the nationals.