News in Axminster

The charity-run Flamingo Pool in Axminster has launched a crowdfunding appeal to ensure the future of the popular amenity which has yet to re-open from coronavirus lockdown.

Indoor pools have been given the go-ahead to open again with strict social distancing rules being observed.

I continue my walk around the town and start outside Graham Newbery's electrical shop on the corner of George Street and Lyme Street Please let me know if my memory fails me - AGAIN!

In the early 1950s it was quite something to walk into Graham Newbery's and see televisions working – a real treat. Most of them were only small (12-inch or 14-inch). My family bought our first TV in 1953 for the coronation, but more importantly (as far as I was concerned), for the FA Cup final - Blackpool versus Bolton Wanderers. Blackpool won 4-3 in "The Matthews Final", a match named after Stanley Matthews, the legendary Blackpool right-winger.

Residents and visitors to East Devon will be dining out in style next month, as a number of local restaurants, pubs and cafés take part in the government's Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

In a bid to boost the hospitality industry following the coronavirus lockdown, the unprecedented government scheme will allow people who dine out from Monday to Wednesday during August to benefit from 50 per cent off the price of their meals, up to the value of £10 a head, with the government reimbursing the restaurant the remaining 50 per cent.

Following the resignation of Cllr. Charles Hall and the death of Cllr. Douglas Hull, two further vacancies have arisen on Axminster Town Council representing Raymonds Hill and the Town Ward respectively. 

Cllr Hull, who was the father of the council, having served for more than 50 years, was Mayor of Axminster on three occasions. He died after a long illness in May.

East Devon District Council is putting plans in place to assist those affected by job losses at Axminster's Goulds Pumps factory.

It was announced last week that the factory, which has operated in Axminster for 25 years, would be closed with work being transferred to parent company ITT Industries' factory in Germany.

A couple from Colyford are petitioning for the government to fund the reopening of community hospital beds in locations such as Seaton and Axminster.

Carole and Mike Wickins set up the petition after witnessing the "distress caused to local people" who had to travel to the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital by bus in order to visit their sick relatives during the coronavirus pandemic.

East Devon District Council still faces a £1million budget gap as a result of the coronavirus pandemic – but its financial situation is far better than first feared.

Revenue streams for the council have improved sooner than was expected and a windfall sum of around £2.5million from additional business rate income in 2019/20 has become available.

The Nub News network is always growing and is now operating local news websites in 42 towns across the UK.

The hyperlocal network of websites were launched in 2019 by Karl Hancock, who spent 25 years working as a banker in the City of London and is passionate about the importance of local news.

Fifty local jobs will be lost following the announcement that Gould Pumps is closing its Axminster factory.

Work carried out at the plant, on the Millwey Rise industrial estate, is being transferred to the global company's factory in Germany.

The Flamingo Pool in Axminster has lost £50,000 during coronavirus lockdown, it has been revealed.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Flamingo Pool team said the loss had been incurred despite ensuring all amenities were scaled back to save as much money as possible.