News in Axminster

A 16-year-old Axminster student is celebrating having secured a place at the UK's most prestigious performing arts school.

Katy Roy, who attended The Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis, will be heading to Hertfordshire this autumn to study dance at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, whose glittering alumni include Lily James, Disney's Cinderella and star of 'Mamma Mia 2! Here We Go Again', and Daisy Ridley of 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens', 'The Last Jedi' and 'Murder on the Orient Express'.

Moves are afoot to refurbish the war memorial in Axminster which contains the names of 86 local men who lost their lives in two world wars.

Former Axminster mayor, East Devon councillor Paul Hayward has asked the town clerk, Hilary Kirkcaldie, to include the possible refurbishment of the memorial, which stands on The Minster Green, on the agenda for the next town council meeting on Monday, July 13.

East Devon District Council has urged the public not to use skateparks, which still remain closed under lockdown restrictions.

The council said it has received a number of enquiries from people who would like to see skateparks and multi-use games areas re-open and, while it understands the eagerness of some to use these much-loved facilities, government guidance advises that playgrounds and similar facilities must remain closed for the time being.

East Devon District Council's Cabinet has decided to re-open more toilets across the district for public health and to support economic recovery.

Four more public toilets are to re-open in East Devon from Monday, June 29, adding to the ten facilities across the district that opened up a month ago to give better access for the public.

In a message to pupils, parents and staff, the headteacher of the Axe Valley Academy has spoken of her pride in how the Axminster school has dealt with the return to education as the coronavirus lockdown restrictions have eased.

Mrs Laura Jenkins said it was "wonderful" to see so many of the Year 10 students back at the academy this week as they prepare for their GCSEs.

The coronavirus pandemic has proved a challenging time for businesses, but that hasn't stopped the Attrill family from Hawkchurch, near Axminster, opening a new seaside café.

Melanie Attrill, who has 30 years experience in the catering business, and her family have opened Kiosk on Lyme Regis seafront.

Vandals who have targeted the Millwey Rise Football Club dug-outs at the Cloakham Lawn sports centre in Axminster have been condemned by club officials as "mindless".

Club captain Haydyn Lewis revealed on social meeting that the dug-outs had been damaged on Wednesday evening when a group of youths were seen hanging around the area.

The first new outlet in Trinity House, Axminster, opened its doors this morning.

Shoppers were keen to take a look around women's boutique Lou La Belle, opened by Louise Wall, who previously ran Labels For Less in Victoria Place for 14 years.

East Devon councillors have been told to reinstate a budget to open public toilets and keep streets clean, or face public dissatisfaction and a risk to health.

It has been recommended that district councillors reinstate the StreetScene agency budget to enable the East Devon's beaches, parks and streets to be kept clean, and to consider reopening more public toilets.

The Axe Valley Swimming Association, which runs the Flamingo Pool in Axminster, has received an £8,800 grant to help with expenses during the coronavirus crisis.

The association is one of a number of sporting organisations in the Axe Valley to receive grants to help them keep their heads above water.