Community News

Saxby quits role in PM drama

North Devon MP Selaine Saxby was among those who quit their government jobs, leading to Prime Minister Boris Johnson being forced to resign as Tory leader.

Saxby (pictured right) was a private parliamentary secretary in the Treasury. Leadership elections are now underway in the Conservative party with the result expected in September.

In a letter published on Twitter on July 6th, Ms Saxby said she was resigning because of “trust, truth and integrity”. The letter said she no longer had confidence in Boris Johnson, stating she, “tried to retain loyalty” but “this is no longer compatible with the values that I hold dear”.

Selaine Saxby and Boris Johnson

School to close, but new pupils will move in

It has been confirmed that Chittlehampton C of E Primary School (photo below) will shut down at the end of this current academic year, because it has so few pupils.

However, an agreement has been reached in principle for staff and pupils from Swimbridge to temporarily relocate to Chittlehampton from September until the October half-term. This is because a slope at the back of the Swimbridge school needs urgent stabilisation work.

Angela Fleming, headteacher at Swimbridge said, “Moving site temporarily will be a major undertaking but we’re committed to managing this with as little disruption as possible, and will continue to focus on providing high-quality education for all our children throughout.” She thanked the Chittlehampton staff, governors and community for their support.

South Molton’s Emma Sing (right) has been selected in the 37 player squad for England’s Red Roses rugby matches against Wales and the USA in September.

The 21 year old veterinary student made her debut for the senior international team in April, playing in their 74-0 win over Italy.

Twenty is plenty

Photo: RFU/Getty Images

Covid - masks requested at local hospitals

Devon County Council has given the go-ahead to introduce a new 20mph speed limit scheme in Atherington. The village straddles the busy B3227 road, and was deemed one of the county’s four most ‘in need’ communities. The decision follows a campaign by the Safer Atherington Streets group. The council says the speed limit is planned across all streets in the village. With Covid-19 rates rising, people attending health appointments with GPs and hospitals are being strongly encouraged to wear a mask. The same advice is being issued to people visiting friends or family in hospitals or care homes. There are currently six times as many people in Devon’s hospitals with Covid-19 than the beginning of June; more than 300 patients.

West Buckland student Max Woosey (left), and local triathlete Jade Kingdom (right) were both nominated to carry the Commonwealth Games torch through Plymouth on July 4th.

They were given the honour because of their fundraising efforts for North Devon Hospice. The baton will arrive in Birmingham in time for the opening ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games on July 28th.

24,000 trees to be planted

Plans have been approved to expand a community woodland in the Barnstaple area that will see 24,000 new trees planted, removing an estimated 3,500 tonnes of co2 from the atmosphere over the next 100 years

North Devon Council purchased the land in 2020, specifically to help offset their carbon emissions and help them towards their target to protect and enhance the environment, and become net zero by 2030.

North Devon UNESCO Biosphere have launched a new web ‘app’ aimed at visitors and residents, to highlight the fantastic experiences available, while helping to reduce pressure on the popular hotspots. The North Devon Explorer web app will provide real time information on traffic congestion and weather, and aims to help people find the hidden gems in and around the biosphere, spreading the visitor load and helping the local economy.

You can find the North Devon Explorer here: northdevonexplorer.com

Pupils from South Molton Community Primary School won four awards at the national STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) competition at UWE Bristol on June 24th. They were up against 32,000 entries nationwide and 11,000 from the South West alone. Pictured with their winning certificates are Charlie and Logan (Reception group), Grace (Year 5) and Kyle (Year 6).

Chulmleigh leavers 2022

Chulmleigh College held its Year 11 Leavers Ball on June 30th at Highbullen Hotel.

School spokesperson Rebecca Huxtable said, “They were dressed beautifully in their finery and with a very eclectic range of transport too! It was a well-deserved send off for a wonderful group of young people, who have worked so hard through such difficult times. We are very proud of them!”

Historic heatwave

The Met Office issued its first ever Red Warning for extreme heat, with temperatures expected to be around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in some areas between July 17th & 19th. North Devon has seen low rainfall so far this year, with reports that it is worse than the drought of 1976, and some boreholes on Exmoor running dry for the first time in living memory.