Whimple was stunned by three separate incidents of mindless criminal damage against cars parked in Slewton Crescent on Wednesday night this week.

One new Peugeot was keyed, while another recently purchased Alpha Romeo had its front badge ripped off and stolen. Even old bangers were not immune - a rusting Clio was robbed of its Renault badge.

Owner of the Clio, Chloe Keller, said "They got mine too. I‘m so glad that I don‘t have a decent car. You don‘t expect this sort of thing in Whimple".

All of the cars were parked on the roadside between 29 and 39 Slewton Crescent. It is thought that they were attacked very late on the Wednesday evening or in the early hours of Thursday morning.

In the last few months there have only been a handful of reported Crimes in the village. In December one crime was reported involving criminal damage to a car parked near Slewton Crescent.

I can see this as being a very useful (and overdue) facility for the various organisations in Whimple, particularly the ability for various people to update the content quickly and easily. I think it would be a good idea to consolidate the existing Whimple websites (www.whimple.net, www.whimple.org, http://www.whimplechurch.org/ ) with this one, and provide links to those which need to reside separately (e.g. www.whimple-primary.devon.sch.uk). Maybe even Whimple News could be published online (for the benefit of the environment). We have a great community here in Whimple, but sometimes it seems a little fragmented with different organisations doing the same thing, but independently.

This would enable us to have a single calendar of events for the whole village, and give us a single starting point for all things Whimple.

Any hosting costs could be shared between the various organisations, and maintenance could easily be carried out by each separate organisation. This would also allow the smaller organisations and clubs to have their own presence on the web.

I would be interested in other people's views on this, particularly those who currently have their own Whimple websites.

A report produced by the Devon County Council Area Engineer (East) into heavy goods vehicles driving through Whimple has recommended rejecting calls to impose weight restrictions on local roads through and around the village.

You can see the full report online at the following location:

The relevant section is reproduced below:

6. Request for a Weight Restriction

It has been suggested that a weight restriction be imposed on the road from Broadclyst, to the Old A30 at the Hand and Pen junction. The signing required for this would very

extensive and is considered to be environmentally unacceptable. It would be difficult to

justify such a large expenditure on a traffic order that is also considered to be extremely

difficult to enforce.

7. Reasons for Reaching the Recommendations

Through the Freight Quality Partnerships, the aim is to help develop an understanding of

freight distribution issues and problems in Devon, and to promote constructive solutions

taking account of the need for access for goods and services and environmental and social concerns

The County Council is currently working with hauliers that operate in the south west via the Freight Quality Partnerships meetings, and will be liaising with the mapping companies that supply the information to the satellite navigation manufacturers with the intention that they can provide a more robust system that gives better information for drivers of large goods vehicles.

The report was discussed at the Devon County Council Highways Committee on Monday 30^th March. As soon as the minutes are published the outcome will be available here on WhimpleOnline.

A planning application has been submitted to EDDC for a new crematorium to be built at Strete Raleigh (near The Paddock). The facility would be built south of the old A30 on agricultural land owned by Taylor Catering Foods of Ottery St Mary.

Mercia Crematorium Developments say that the crematorium will be "sympathetically designed in a parkland setting with a mixture of landscaped areas of formal gardens and more informal grassland". They say that it will be a small single storey building not much bigger than an average bungalow and will have 55 parking spaces. The building will incorporate a chapel seating 76.

Strete Raleigh was chosen above 19 other potential sites because it is on a "lightly trafficked road", has good access to the A30, and is well screened from all directions.

The plans can be viewed and commented on online at:

http://planning.eastdevon.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/tdc_home.aspx

 (Reference  = 09/0311/MFUL )

Consultation closes on 23rd March (16^th March for neighbours in the immediate vicinity).

Planning comments received so far:

MRS A GULLIDGE

THE NOISE OF TRAFFIC HAS WORSENED OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS AS HAS THE SPEED.WE DO NOT WANT ANY MORE TRAFFIC THE ROAD IS TOO DANGEROUS

Mr & Mrs C C Bridge

Being in such close proximity to this proposed construction, we are surprised that formal notification has NOT been received. As residents of The Paddock, our main concern would be increased traffic on the Old A30 - already notorious for speeding and mis-use. Your drawings show "Wayside Cafe" - this is now an active Children's Day Nursery - access to the proposed construction would affect the entrance to the nursery

For those of you who missed this year's panto, here is a clip of our own Parish Council Chairman strutting his stuff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7L5ky7Cg6Q

Not for the young or frail!

Almost 200 people packed out the church last night to listen to Rob the vicar present proposals for re-ordering.

Two slightly differing designs were produced by architects, which both had the aim of creating a more 'multi-useable space'. Both options involved removing some pews; repositioning others; the creation of a stage at the front (where the choir stalls currently are); and an extension at the rear (next to the bell tower) to house a kitchen, toilet and baby change facility.

The meeting lasted two hours and sharply divided opinion, although it was noted that the plans are still in a 'feasability' stage.

A full report of the meeting will appear here later. In the meantime you can vote in the Whimple Online web poll or add a comment on this blog/in the message forum.

In a shock planning turnaround, revised proposals for a crematorium at Strete Raleigh (opposite Apple Blossom day nursery) have been approved by east Devon District Council's planning management committee.

Planning officers recommended rejecting  Merica Crematoria's revised proposals, which included a a bigger car park than originally envisaged; a new footpath to the old A30; bus bays; and a central traffic island.

More details to follow as they become available...

In the news today, the South West Development Agency has approved £12 million pounds to put the building of the new town back on track.  According to the Spotlight breakfast news the funding is for infrastructure of roads and schools.  Work is due to start near Rockbeare in March next year.

Of the £12 million investment, £3 million is towards the Clyst Honiton Bypass, £4 million for the main road to Cranbrook and linking to the new railway station.  £5 million is to be invested in a new primary school serving the town.

To find out more take a look at the following article from the Express and Echo.  http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/news/Business-leaders-welcome-12m-Cranbrook-boost/article-1196879-detail/article.html

A government-backed funding organization has made money available to support and strengthen small community organisations operating in the rural areas of the South West Region. Funds of up to £1000 are available (It is expected that most grants will be in the region of £200-£600) and a fast turnaround time for making a decision is promised (two weeks).

The focus will be on activities that enable people from diverse backgrounds to become engaged in their neighbourhoods and communities and to support those organisations that are bringing about real change to the lives of the people who live in those communities.

In deciding how to allocate funds, priority will be given to "small community  organisations that are addressing the needs of people in their communities by engaging people in community activity either as volunteers or as people benefiting from  the funded activities; and charitable organisations with running costs under £15,000 (although organisations with larger running costs that can demonstrate a small amount of funding will make a real difference will be considered if they meet the rest of the criteria)"

The Foundation will NOT consider applications from organisations whose prime focus is sports or arts, or for capital building and major refurbishment works.

All organisations must have a constitution or set of rules and a bank account in the name of the organisation with at least 2 signatories.

Contact the Southwest Foundation for more information about grants and application forms: info@southwestfoundation.org.uk

Links: http://www.the-foundation.org.uk

Do YOU have any ideas for organisations within the village that could benefit from this fund? Why not add a comment to this article and tell other readers?

The Purpose of the Fund

The overall aim of the programme is to support and strengthen small Community Organisations operating in the rural areas, market and coastal towns (not large urban conurbations) of the South West Region. The focus will be on activities that enable people from diverse backgrounds to become engaged in their neighbourhoods and communities and to support those organisations that are bringing about real change to the lives of the people who live in those communities.

Where and who should projects be aimed at?

Priority will be given to:

• small Community  Organisations that are addressing the needs of people in their communities by engaging people in community activity either as volunteers or as people benefiting from  the funded activities
• charitable organisations with running costs under £15,000 although organisations with larger running costs that can demonstrate a small amount of funding will make a real difference will be considered if they meet the rest of the criteria.

Help with Organisational Development

The Foundation aims to act as a broker to assist small Community Organisations funded through this programme to link into appropriate developmental help that is available. If you are successful in accessing funding through this programme we may be contacting you to see if there is any developmental help that you can be linked to that could assist your organisation.

The Foundation will NOT consider applications from the following:

Organisations:

• whose prime focus is sports or arts ( unless these are aimed at working with people  who are within one of the Foundation's priority areas for funding)
• which do not have charitable purposes
• where there is not a clear local management presence or management committee
• submitting applications compiled by professional fundraisers without significant and clear involvement of the organisation applying for funding
• who themselves are grant or fundraising bodies making bodies
• who are constituted as ‘friends of'
• The Foundation is unlikely to fund Community Interest Companies ( CICs) because many are not clearly charitable

Projects:

• for capital building and major refurbishment works
• for retrospective funding ( money already spent)
• to pay off debts incurred
• not operating in the South West region
• supporting sponsored events including expeditions
• for research, including medical research
• for general large appeals
• the Foundation can support faith groups but not activities that promote and/or advance religion
• for animal welfare
• substituting monies or services provided by the statutory sector and/or projects closely associated with the provision of statutory services
• substituting monies or grants that have previously been provided through Capacity Builders Funding .
• for Party political promotion and campaigning
• for fees of professional fundraisers
• for educational bursaries
• contributing towards the salaries of full time or part time permanent staff (sessional fees are acceptable)
• trips abroad
• unitemised part funding towards larger projects where it is not clear what difference funding from the Foundation will make
• funding for large capital items which do not directly benefit users of the service

Equal Opportunities

The Foundation is committed to the principles of equality of opportunity and expects applicants to demonstrate their commitment to equality of opportunity.

Free Reserves

Priority will be given to applicants with less than 12 months running costs in free reserves. If you have a higher level than this you will be asked to demonstrate clear reasons for this

Applications

All organisations must have a constitution or set of rules and a bank account in the name of the organisation with at least 2 signatories. Applications must be made on an application form. We will try and give you a decision within 14 days of receiving your completed form.

If you have any queries about your eligibility please contact the Foundation on 01275333666

The South West Foundation, The Stables, Westway Farm, Bishop Sutton, Somerset ,BS39 5XP: Tel 01275333666

The Express and Echo today reports that work on the 2900-home Cranbrook new town could start this year. This comes after recent reports that the new community could have been delayed due to the credit crunch.

It states that the work will create hundreds of jobs for the area and the major projects, including the Sky Park are predicted to create 7000 jobs.

Infrastructure work could start later this year, this would include the provision of the Clyst Honiton by-pass and access to the proposed new station at Cranbrook. Housebuilding could start as soon as next year, 2010.

To read the full article, click here: http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/news/New-town-development-boost-city/article-849115-detail/article.html

Also, the BBC reports that Devon is going to receive £17m of government funding to help build infrastructure for planned housing developments. This money is being spent on the Cranbrook and Sherford (near Plymouth) developments. To read this report see the following link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/7967967.stm .

The Whimple Action Committee for Youth (WAC4Y) have been successful in their funding application for a new "trim track" in the Parish Field.

 
The Big Lottery Fund have awarded £49,000 from its "Playful Ideas' programme, which aims to award projects which display a "creative and novel" approach to play in communities where there are limited recreation opportunities, in particular rural areas.

 
The trail will be 2 metres wide and around 350 metres long, and be made from compacted rubble. Dotted around the track will be ‘fitness stations' for use by teenagers and adults which will include equipment such as pull-up bars, balance beams and net swings. All equipment will be set on rubber mesh mats, which will allow grass to grow up through them. The area will also feature BMX humps and a wooden adventure trail for younger children.

 
A play equipment supplier has already been chosen. Work is due to start in April and it is hoped that the trail will be completed in time for Village Day in July. The play equipment will all be made offsite and should only take two days to install.

 
Planning permission will not be required since the play equipment will not be more than 6ft off the ground.

 
A shelter is not included in the plans in order to discourage teenagers congregating in the area. Also, a skateboarding area initially discussed has been shelved due to cost.

The proposed footbridge over the Cranny Brook from Slewton Crescent to the Parish field which was proposed by the Action Committee is no longer being progressed, even though planning permission was granted in December. This is because the initial simple design had to be changed after the Environment Agency was consulted - the bridge needed to be higher to avoid restricting the flow of the stream in the event of flooding, and the price tag spiralled to £20,000.

 
The Action Committee will now organise groups of volunteers to help clean up the area where the track is due to be made. Watch out for posters around the village (and updates on this website).

(The pictures below are representative of equipment in other trim trails)

The ticket machine on the station platform attracted much interest when it was first installed. Wouldn't it be great to be able to purchase tickets in advance without having to queue to buy one on the station exit in Exeter? At first it worked really well, although some people commented that it looked a little exposed, perched under what is effect an open-sided bus shelter. Over the weeks the wind and rain have taken their toll and now it is hit and miss whether the machine will respond to a thumb-press on the screen, whether debit cards will be accepted, or whether tickets will print. It probably didn't help that before Christmas somebody emptied a can of Lucozade all over the front.

Just recently another machine has been installed by the station entrance. It looks like the type of contraption that you insert a car park ticket into - does anyone have any idea of what this could be?