South Hams Journal

Nikita Dixon, leader and creator of Story Sense, is a finalist in the What's On 4 Kids Activities Awards 2020.  Nikita Dixon with Chris the Crow Nikita, who started Story Sense three years ago to encourage children to love reading and build a support network for parents, is a finalist in the 'Most Loved Activity Leader or Business Manager in South West England, West and Wales' category.  "I was passionate about encouraging children to read", said Nikita, "and as a teacher I saw many children dislike reading. I wanted to help parents right from birth to foster a love for stories and books whilst also giving them the chance to socialise and bond with their little babies and toddlers." I wanted to help parents right from birth to foster a love for stories and books whilst also giving them the chance to socialise and bond with their little babies and toddlers Parents and babies enjoying a Story Sense session Nikita taught in primary schools for six years, fi

RNLI lifeguards have now finished their cover on all of Devon's south coast beaches, except Bantham. RNLI Lifeguards keeping a watchful eye on our coast - credit RNLI   Bantham will have lifeguard cover during weekends and half term.  RNLI lifeguards in 2019 looked over 18,609,232 people on UK's beaches. They dealt with 17,356 incidents, helped 29,334 people, performed 2,822 rescues and saved 154 lives.  In West Dorset and South Devon, lifeguards dealt with 1,357 incidents, rescued 123 people and saved one life.  If you see someone in difficulty on the coast, dial 999 for Coastguard immediately.

A sculpture, created with ideas from the pupils, has been blessed at Malborough with South Huish C of E Primary School.  Artist Ed Hill unveiled his sculpture A special service, held on Wednesday, 23 September, saw the artist Ed Hill officially gift the sculpture to the school, where Father Daniel French led the blessing in the school's spiritual garden.  Ed Hill explains his sculpture to the pupils The sculpture is a representation of the school's vision - "The roots to grow, the wings to fly. All within the love of God." Ed invited the pupils to submit their own designs which he then used to create his final piece, made with all recycled materials.  The blessing service Ginny French, class teacher, said: "Despite the rain, the school was joined by Ed Hill, organist Trevor Becker who led the pupils in some hymns, Chair of Governors Jane Greaves and Father Daniel French who led the blessing.  "The sculpture is mounted in the school's spiritual garden and

Police officers saved the life of a man threatening to set himself on fire.  Devon and Cornwall Police Officers, from across the South Hams were called to an address in Modbury where a man was threatening to set himself alight. When they arrived, the found him in his living room with a lighter, having doused himself in petrol.  The officer soaked the man with a fire extinguisher in order to prevent him from going up in flames and saving his life.  The officer soaked the man with a fire extinguisher in order to prevent him from going up in flames and saving his life In a week where police officers have been the target of violence in the UK, we are very lucky to have our local community officers there to help us when we need them. 

 A plea to get the West Alvington tap gnome home after he was heartlessly stolen by callous thieves.  The gnome, who has sat perched under the archway on the village tap for as long as anyone can remember, was stolen at some point between last weekend and yesterday, the 25th of September.  The West Alvington tap gnome has been stolen A statement from West Alvington official governing body read: "We at West Alvington have been robbed of our gnome heritage. The village tap gnome has sat gleefully in the tap archway cheering up the West Alvington traffic and onlookers for many years, and before then has spent decades as a permanent resident to the village.  "One local woman said that 'she no longer feels safe', and another man from the same street as the theft has reported the neighbourhood is full of anger and inconsolable sorrow.  One local woman said that 'she no longer feels safe', and...the neighbourhood is full of anger and inconsolable sorrow "Police

The number of coronavirus cases in the South Hams has risen to 12.  Coronavirus Roger Croad, Devon County Councillor released the later Covid-19 case numbers and confirmed that there were 12 laboratory confirmed cases in the South Hams between the 15th and 21st of September. Confirmed cases per 100,000 now sits at 13.8. Compared to 7.2 in Devon and 41.6 across England.  there were 12 laboratory confirmed cases in the South Hams between the 15th and 21st of September Two schools are among those with confirmed cases, with one at Ivybridge Community College and two at Ugborough Primary School.  Councillor Roger Croad said: "Confirmed infection cases are on the rise in all four Authorities, with a marked increase in Plymouth and Cornwall - both approaching the Government 'watch list' of 20 cases per 100,000.  "The Devon County Council figure includes a spate of positive cases at Exeter University over the weekend, although there is no evidence as yet of wider community tr

A Malborough resident who has been shielding during the Coronavirus pandemic has been left feeling at risk after the Co-operative has neglected to follow pandemic guidelines.  Malborough Petrol Station and Co-operative The resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, is currently immunocompromised due to undergoing chemotherapy treatment and has been shielding during the pandemic. As she lives alone and he Co-operative at the petrol station in Malborough is her closest grocery shop, she uses it regularly.  "I was surprised to see that there was no hand sanitiser as you enter and leave the shop", she said, "it only takes a little table with a bottle on it, I have one myself at my own house. They used to have one there but it's not there anymore.  "I'm already a little concerned in there anyway because its a small space, and its also the place everyone stops when they're travelling in and out of Salcombe. Visitors who come down and visit Salcombe, who come fr

A post advocating a different way of trick or treating in order to keep everyone safe during the pandemic has been circulating on local social media group and has been gaining support.  The post that has been shared across local social media groups The post, which is a screenshot of something that appears to have originated outside of the South Hams, suggests people paint, draw, create pumpkins to put in the windows of their houses. Then, when Halloween comes around, instead of coming to people's houses, they go on a 'pumpkin hunt' with their grown ups. For every pumpkin in a window spotted, the grown ups can give them a sweet.  instead of coming to people's houses, they go on a 'pumpkin hunt' with their grown ups Not only would this eliminate the problem of social distancing, but it would also be possible to be done at any point through Halloween week and half term, meaning less pressure on one night.  When it was posted in local groups, it has received mainly

A therapist based in Chillington is offering help with anxiety, stress and PTSD on a donation-only basis to help those struggling with the pandemic.  Barbara Butcher is offering mental health support during the pandemic Barbara Butcher has helped thousands of people during her long career as a therapist, working with both adults and children, and wants to help those struggling with the stresses of lockdown and social distancing via Skype through September and October.  Barbara said: "Many young people are experiencing anxiety and stress during these difficult times….and so are the parents!" Contact Barbara for more information, on 07890 764161 or email barbarab35@ymail.com

A local man is looking to bring a bit of the London Marathon spirit to Kingsbridge after the pandemic forced the event to be cancelled.  Edd Roberts is raising money for Whizz Kidz Edd Roberts has been training for more than a year to run the London Marathon and just as he thought all his hard work was going to pay off, it was cancelled (stupid coronavirus).  So instead of letting it get him down, he is planning on running the marathon distance in and around Kingsbridge, and he wants to bring people along for the ride.  Edd initially tried to enter the marathon through the ballot, when that failed he started to look at other avenues and eventually he came across the charity Whizz Kidz, which works to "transform the lives of disabled children across the UK, supporting them to become confident and independent young adults". Edd explained: "They are a charity which is super close to my heart. They basically provide specialist wheelchairs and walkers for kids with disabiliti

A young resident has taken it upon herself to clear bags of litter from her estate in Ivybridge.  Jess Richardson with all the rubbish she collected Jess, 10, who attends Woodlands Park Primary School, made the decision to collect litter from around her home in Lucerne Fields this week.  Jess' mum, Kylie Richardson, said: "She came up from the park and was so disgusted with the mess". Kylie mentioned that she should get a back and clear some of it up and "before I knew it she had been round the whole estate".  Jess collected four full bags worth, including the box for a 50 inch TV, and is planning on going litter collecting again soon.  "She's is so loving and caring", Kylie said, "especially about wildlife." She said that litter had always caught Jess' eye and she "feels great" knowing she made a difference to her community.  When Kylie posted about Jess' mission to clear up the litter on the local Facebook page, lots o

A man and a woman were rescued in the early hours of the morning after falling down an embankment in Salcombe.  HM Coastguard Search and Rescue The woman, who ended up upside down by the tennis courts on Onslow Road, called for help using her Apple watch and was located by Prawle and Bigbury Coastguard Rescue Teams. The CRTs were assisted by HM Coastguard, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and Kingsbridge Police.  The man and woman were checked over by an ambulance and are thought to have just suffered minor injuries.  I don't know if they were drunk but it was a strange place to be at 2.30am A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: "I don't know if they were drunk but it was a strange place to be at 2.30am."

South Hams Area Wellbeing are joining with FSC Slapton Ley to provide a free, ten-week Wellbeing Programme, aiming to reconnect you with nature.  Slapton Ley - credit Slapton Ley Field Centre The Slapton Ley Field Centre will host the ten, two-hour sessions, run by a tutor, which will aim to reconnect participants with nature in our very own Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in order to boost wellbeing.  A spokesperson for Slapton Ley Field Centre said: "These sessions will involve a variety of activities carried out on the nature reserve aimed at increasing your connection to nature, providing gentle exercise and aiding the development of relationships.  These sessions will involve a variety of activities carried out on the nature reserve aimed at increasing your connection to nature "The aim of this programme is to help with a variety of physical and mental health conditions by enabling engagement with the natural environment and discovering the benefits that this can brin

UPDATE: A body has been found. Devon and Cornwall Police released a statement: "A body of a man was located at around 12.20am this morning [Wednesday 16 September] in woodland near to Marsh Mills in Plymouth. "The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file has been prepared for the coroner. "The family of Thomas Flack have been informed of this update." If you are struggling, please reach out to someone who can help you. Find out more about organisations and helplines on the NHS website ***ORIGINAL STORY BELOW*** Police are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of a 67-year-old man from Ivybridge. Thomas Flack Thomas Flack was last seen at his home address in the town at around 10pm yesterday evening, Monday 14 September.   He is described as a white male of medium build, 5’10” in height, with grey hair with a bald patch at the back. He has a moustache and has an American accent. He was last wearing an orange, yellow and white checked shirt, navy

Loddiswell Pre-school has passed on the "biggest thank you ever" to a group of locals who gave up their time to paint the building.  Loddiswell Pre-school Roger Doak and his colleagues from Phoenix Fitness in Wrangaton stepped up to paint the pre-school and ensure that the kids went back with everythig looking lovely and new.  Gayle Hill, Loddiswell Pre-school administrator, said: “Due to a lack of funding, not helped by COVID-19, we decided to paint the hall ourselves to ensure the funding we do have is spent directly on activities for the children.  "However we are lucky to be in a community where one of the parents happily volunteered along with his work colleagues to do it for us. "Really we cannot thank you enough- from all the staff and families of Loddiswell Pre-school a HUGE HUGE thank you. We are so grateful. Thank you, thank you, thank you 😊. 

Charlie has raised more than £1,500 for the Maternity Bereavement suite at Torbay hospital to honour his baby brother Leo.   Charlie Williams with his big cheque - credit Torbay and South Devon Maternity Services 10-year-old Charlie Williams, who lives in Kingsbridge and attends Kingsbridge Community Primary School, wanted to do something in memory of baby Leo, who was born sleeping last year.  He intended to walk, cycle and crosstrain the virtual distance from Lands End to Torbay Hospital during lockdown, but he smashed this target completely and travelled twice that, completing the 340 miles from Lands End to the hospital and back again, raising £1,561.88 in the process.  He said he "just wanted to make a difference for other families who lose a baby." His mum Caz Tapper said: "We are incredibly proud of him, hes such a kind-hearted, brave boy."

Kingsbridge Town Council are hosting a public exhibition about new street furniture and improvements to the town centre.  One of the proposed improved areas of Kingsbridge - credit MeiLoci and Kingsbridge Town Council The exhibition will run from 10am to 1pm at Kingsbridge Farmers Market on the Town Square on Saturday, 5 September.  Go and check out what the town council are envisioning for improvements to your town centre. 

Six cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the South Hams in the last week, with clusters in Ivybridge,  Loddiswell and Dartington.  Map showing cluster areas - www.arcgis.com The cases, three of which are in Ivybridge and three in the Loddiswell and Dartington area that covers East Allington, Harleston, Woodleigh, Moreleigh, Diptford, Halwell, Gara Bridge, Harbertonford and Harberton.  Roger Croad, Devon County Councillor, said: "There was an uptick of confirmed cases in Plymouth this past week mainly due to several young people testing positive after returning from holiday abroad, and promptly going on a pub crawl!! "Devon is still currently 149th our of 150 upper tier Local Authorities for confirmed cases, and as I write this, there is still nothing significant relating to local tourism across the Peninsula of Devon, Torbay, Plymouth and Cornwall. "With Autumn drawing ever nearer, and less people affected to date in the Peninsula, it does really highlight the import

South Hams District Council are consulting on whether to increase the prices of parking permits in South Hams towns in order to put people off buying them.  Mayor's Avenue car park - Google Maps The consultation, which runs until Friday, 11 September, looks at a proposal to "amend the parking permit and charges so that the costs of the current permits are increased in order to manage parking more effectively, and increase the availability of Pay and Display parking". amend the parking permit and charges so that the costs of the current permits are increased in order to...increase the availability of Pay and Display parking The council is also proposing to "eliminate leisure and bowling permits and to put the sale of Salcombe and Dartmouth permits on hold with no new applications permitted only renewals of existing permits". eliminate leisure and bowling permits and to put the sale of Salcombe and Dartmouth permits on hold The proposals aim to "have a fair,