News in Axminster

Local cricket clubs will be relieved to learn that the recreational game is set to resume in England from next Saturday (July 11) after Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave the green light.

Johnson had previously said on Friday that it was not yet safe to play the game at grassroots level because of issues with "teas and dressing rooms".

Pub goers are being asked to be supportive of landlords and staff as they reopen under the government's relaxation of lockdown rules.

The South West Tourism Alliance, the National Police Chiefs' Council and the British Beer and Pub Association have issued a message to those planning to make the most of 'Super Saturday' today.

Devon County Council is facing huge financial challenges in the years ahead, its treasurer has warned this week.

County treasurer Mary Davis was commenting on the authority's financial outturn for 2019/20 which showed an under-spend of £33,000 on the revenue budget of £509.9 million.

As lockdown restrictions ease further this weekend, senior politicians, public health and police leads are urging the Devon public to stay safe.

Pubs, restaurants, some leisure facilities and tourist attractions are allowed to reopen from Saturday, so long as they adhere to national public health guidelines.

Axminster Care Service (ACS) has announced that it is reopening its Togs charity shop in South Street.

A spokesperson said: "The shop has been thoroughly cleaned and set up with hand sanitizers and a one-way system to accommodate the social distancing along with signs to keep people safe.

A second round of the Government's Discretionary grants will be open for applications from July 6 to July 17.

Online applications will be accepted from from 12 noon on the July 6 to 5pm on July 17 at www.eastdevon.gov.uk/discretionary-business-grant.

Conservative councillors have released a major strategic set of proposals to rebuild jobs and the local economy in East Devon and are calling on EDDC to set up a new economic risilience committee.

With the immediate threat of coronavirus receding and the full impact of it on the local economy and people becomes apparent, they are calling on all members of East Devon District Council to embrace and adopt the strategies in the report.

Apart from market day, shopping in Axminster is a relatively quiet experience. That's the way it is in small, inland towns. That's part of its charm. If you want crowds, go to Exeter.

For the past three months, of course, Axminster has been pretty much like a ghost town with all the shops closed for coronavirus lockdown.

Axminster-based Project Food has been keeping busy during the coronavirus pandemic, ensuring that local people have the fresh and healthy food they need.

Formerly known as Health and Local Food for Families or HALFF, the charity helps people, especially the vulnerable, disadvantaged or isolated, to cook healthy food for themselves and their families, with the aim of improving both physical and mental health.

East Devon District Council has reiterated how it wants to play a part in the global challenge to combat and avoid the worse effects of climate change.

The council has re-stated its commitment to tackling climate change in response to the government's Committee on Climate Change annual report.