Salisbury and Exeter Rail Users Group > meeting Sidmouth Library > Tuesday 30th April

There are a lot of fed up rail travellers:
Futures Forum: HS2: The Great Train Robbery @ Channel 4's Dispatches

And there is a group which is campaigning for a better service in these parts:

How the West Country could double its rail services in 5 simple steps - Somerset Live

They are SERUG: 

Salisbury to Exeter Rail Users Group 

SERUG is a lobby group focussed on the operation of the railway between Salisbury and Exeter and its future improvement. We enlist the support of rail users, MP’s, County and local Councils and other communities...

SERUG – The Salisbury to Exeter Rail Users Group 

They will be meeting up tomorrow in Sidmouth:
30th April 2019 - Salisbury to Exeter Rail User Group - talk, Sidmouth

SERUG Salisbury to Exeter Rail Users Group - Home | Facebook
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Fairtrade Fortnight in Sidmouth > starts Mon 25th Feb

It all starts tomorrow:
Futures Forum: Fairtrade Fortnight in Sidmouth > Monday 25th February - Sunday 10th March

With a more detailed programme from the Fairtrade newsletter: 

Exciting news - Fairtrade Fortnight begins on Monday!

We have our new Sidmouth Fair Trade Group banner at the Library.

A quick reminder of what is happening locally.

Monday 25th FEBRUARY - Sunday 10th March 

Displays during all of Fairtrade Fortnight in SIDMOUTH LIBRARY - also raffle with Fairtrade gifts from local businesses.

FRIDAY  1st March 2:30 presentation and a chance to meet  Veronica Browne a Fairtrade Banana Grower from St Vincent in the Windward Islands.

Fairtrade Refreshments, Stalls, (including craft, food, and Waitrose Foundation) information and Fairtrade tombola.

In the morning Veronica  will visit Sidmouth College and be part of a workshop on Fairtrade and Bananas.

SATURDAY 2nd March 10:30 am   Coffee Morning and storyteller Tony Sparkes at Sidmouth Library samples and information about Fairtrade and the raffle continues.

SUNDAY 3rd March 9:30 - 12 pm  FAIRTRADE  & LOCAL BREAKFAST and coffee  at the Methodist Hall with Fairtrade craft and food stalls 

There is a service in the church at 10:30 am - come  if you wish - people will remain in the   Hall for conversations , selling from the  stalls and serving coffee.

SUNDAY 3rd March  Fairtrade Refreshments cake & coffee at the parish church of St Giles & St Nicholas after 10am Eucharist..

SUNDAY 3rd March 3pm - 4:30 pm Community FAIR & LOCAL Cream tea at St Francis Church Hall Woolbrook with stalls,  raffle  and  cake  followed by Evening service at 5pm if you wish. There is a large free car park and it is near bus stops.

Fairtrade stalls and information available at all of the above events and at the Tourist  information office and Sidmouth Herald and on our Facebook page via Sidmouth Council.

We do hope you  will be able to come to at least one of these events.

Supporting Sidmouth - Proud to be a FAIRTRADE TOWN

There will be other activities throughout Devon and across the country - especially in Fairtrade Towns.

The message is ‘SHE DESERVES A LIVING INCOME’

Chocolate is a treat for us. A living income is a human right for farmers.

So choose to buy Fairtrade and Local.

Find out more at Fairtrade Fortnight 2019

Wendy Spratling

Co-ordinator of Sidmouth Fair Trade Group

Supporting Sidmouth Proud to be a Fairtrade Town

Sidmouth Fair Trade Group - Home | Facebook

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Fairtrade Fortnight in Sidmouth > Monday 25th February - Sunday 10th March

The Sidmouth Fairtrade Fortnight is a great showcase for what's going in in farming in the so-called 'developing world' - and a great way to get to know the foods and products on offer under the 'fairtrade' logo - as shown during last year's event:
Futures Forum: Fairtrade Fortnight in Sidmouth > 26th Feb - 11th March
Futures Forum: Fairtrade Fortnight in Sidmouth > 'Meet the producer' talk > Wednesday 7th March

This year's fortnight looks just as inviting - as the Fairtrade newsletter shows:

FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT 2019 

is Monday February 25th – Sunday March 10th 

We are excited that Veronica Browne and Simeon Greene, Fairtrade banana growers from St Vincent, Windward Islands, in the Caribbean are visiting Devon for Fairtrade Fortnight. This is a wonderful opportunity to find out first hand, how much difference just choosing Fairtrade products makes to people’s lives.  The Banana Growers will be in Devon from St. Vincent for all of Fairtrade Fortnight.

Sidmouth Library will have a display for the whole of Fairtrade fortnight.

Friday March 1st Banana Grower visits Sidmouth

The morning will be spent at at Sidmouth College with Year 7 pupils.

Afternoon: there will be an Open meeting at St Teresa’s Hall - with a presentation about Fairtrade and Bananas with Fairtrade Refreshments and Sale of Traidcraft Crafts, food, as well as a display by Waitrose of their range of Fairtrade goods.

Fairtrade Assemblies at Sidmouth College and Sidmouth Primary School

Saturday March 2nd 10:30 The Library: storytelling and activities in children’s library

Coffee morning 10:30-12 noon

Sunday March 3rd

Everyone is welcome to the Community Fairtrade and Local Breakfast at the Methodist Hall from 9:30 – 12: 15 with Traidcraft craft and food stalls

Fairtrade Refreshments after 10am Service at the Parish church – and March 10th

Fairtrade Refreshments at St Teresa’s Hall after morning mass

Everyone is welcome to the Community Fairtrade and Local Afternoon Teas with Fairtrade stalls at St Francis 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Other Community Groups , churches and shops or workplaces may have Fairtrade displays, refreshments, Fairtrade tea parties etc – watch out for their publicity. 

Sidmouth Fair Trade Group - Home | Facebook

See also:
Fairtrade Fortnight | Fairtrade Foundation
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"Use libraries to revitalise high streets"

We need some fresh ideas for the High Street:
Futures Forum: The High Street Report > "a creative, locally led approach is vital to bring the crowds back"
Futures Forum: Is turning shops into homes the best way to save our high streets? >>> "Deregulation in pursuit of numbers"
Futures Forum: Restoring vibrancy to our High Streets > thinking the unthinkable

One idea is the 'community hub':
Futures Forum: How to revive the health of high streets > "We want vibrant centres in our cities and towns. But not streets lined with identical collections of outlets of the same chain retailers. Think of high streets as community hubs rather than shopping malls."

And part of that hub would be the library, the only problem being, as pointed out by the East Devon Watch blog and the Mirror, is that many councils have closed theirs...

Fortunately, Sidmouth still has its library, just off the High Street - and hopefully it will retain it, despite further cuts at county level:
Futures Forum: Devon County Council in £10m budget overspend >>> taking 'urgent measures' 

Tory minister slammed for telling councils to use libraries to revitalise high streets

He seems to have forgotten that austerity meant many had to reduce their opening hours or shut completely

Nicola Bartlett

Political Correspondent
26 DEC 2018

The Tory minister in charge of trying to revitalise the nation's high streets has been slammed for telling councils to put libraries at the heart of their regeneration.

Jake Berry seemed to have forgotten that eight years of austerity meant many had to reduce their opening hours or shut completely.

He made the comments as the government encouraged councils to bid for part of a £675 million pot to help improve highstreets.

Mr Berry told BBC Radio Four's Today: "This new fund is about ensuring that local authorities who have plans for changes - and that could be very different things it could be putting GPs' surgeries, libraries or childcare at the heart of highstreets, actually have the cash to do it. It's all very well to have the ideas - it's about backing those local plans with the money to do so."

The future high street fund, originally announced by Chancellor Philip Hammond in the Budget in October, is intended to help councils in England to modernise and revitalise their town centres.

But Mr Berry did not take into account the cuts councils have already suffered. Over the past eight years 117 local authorities have jointly cut access to books and other public services by more than 230,000 hours. Some have even had to rely on volunteers to stay open.

 

It is a difficult climate for retailers (Image: PA)

READ MORE
Towns to bid for shares of a £675million pot to regenerate ailing high streets

Local authorities' budgets are roughly 26% lower than in 2010. According to the Local Government Association, the main government grant funding for local services will be cut by a further £1.3 billion (36%) in 2019/20 despite many councils already struggling to balance their books.

Twitter users were quick to point out the irony of Mr Berry's suggestion.

Mike Payne remarked: "Jake Berry on Today saying libraries as part of saving High Street! Pity the Gov. didn't think of that before so many were allowed to close."

mike payne@michael52476634

Jake Berry on Today saying libraries as part of saving High Street! Pity the Gov. didn't think of that before so many were allowed to close.

14

8:24 AM - Dec 26, 2018

Twitter Ads info and privacy

See mike payne's other Tweets

Twitter Ads info and privacy

Dan Carpenter tweeted: "How lovely to see another tory on breakfast TV denying the devastating impacts of government austerity (fyi Jake Berry this time) *sigh*."

Tory minister slammed for telling councils to use libraries to revitalise high streets - Mirror Online 
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Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan: "last chance for people to have their say on how the Sid Valley should be developed over the next 15 years"

The Sid Valley neighbourhood plan is nearing completion - with a last opportunity for input from the public:
Futures Forum: Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan: public consultation closes 12th April
Futures Forum: Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan: 'last chance to have a say' >>> public event Wednesday 21st March
Futures Forum: Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan: full draft published >>> public event Wednesday 21st March

Here is another reminder from the latest Herald: 

Less than two weeks to have say on draft of Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan

PUBLISHED: 14:00 29 March 2018

Beth Sharp

Residents have less than two weeks to comment on the draft neighbourhood plan, before it is too late.

This is the last chance for people to have their say on how the Sid Valley should be developed over the next 15 years.

When the latest consultation finishes on April 12, no further comments will be taken into account.

Almost two years have passed since the Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group announced the draft plan would be published on February 28, 2018.

Deirdre Hounsom, the steering group’s chair, said: “This is an important time for the Sid Valley community and brings to a close the largest ever public consultation.

“Our consultations have been extensive, involving all households in our designated area, businesses, special interest groups and young people with the support of our schools.”

To comment, email neighbour
hood@sidmouth.gov.uk or visit sidmouth.gov.uk/index.php/neighbourhood-plan. Hard copies are available from the town council or library.

Less than two weeks to have say on draft of Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
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Fairtrade Fortnight in Sidmouth > 26th Feb - 11th March > Treasure Hunt!

Next week, Fairtrade is in focus:
Futures Forum: Fairtrade Fortnight in Sidmouth > 26th Feb - 11th March

With a fun activity happening during the fortnight:

Sidmouth Fairtrade Steering Group's Events
Sidmouth Fair Trade Group - Home | Facebook
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Fairtrade Fortnight in Sidmouth > 26th Feb - 11th March

Some fun and games coming up at the end of the month - and some good food and drink too:

Join the Fairtrade Fortnight "Treasure Hunt”!

With Fairtrade Fortnight (26 February - 11 March) fast approaching, local campaigners are gearing up for a host of events in Sidmouth.

This year’s Fortnight kicks off with a special “Treasure Hunt”: prizes will be awarded to those who manage to track down the most "Fairtrade supporter” stickers, which can be found in windows, on doors and inside shops, cafes, churches and other buildings around the town.

Sidmouth Fairtrade Group Coordinator Wendy Spratling says:

“We think the competition will prove a fun way to showcase the many places where Fairtrade goods can be purchased locally. We are delighted to see local businesses and organisations getting on board, and hope that more will follow suit as demand for ethically traded products grows."

Fairtrade “detectives" of all ages are invited to take part in the competition. Entry forms are available from the Library and Co-op store from Monday 12 February, and should be returned to the Library by Saturday 3 March. The prize-giving will take place at a Fairtrade Coffee Morning at the Library on Saturday, 10 March.

Other highlights of Fairtrade Fortnight include a "Meet the Tea Grower” event at All Saints Church Hall at 2 pm on Thursday 1 March, a Fairtrade Breakfast at the Methodist Church on Sunday 4 March, and a Fairtrade Afternoon Tea at St Francis Church on the same day. Admission to all events is free, and everyone is welcome.

For further details, contact Wendy Spratling on 01395 512739 or see the Sidmouth Fairtrade Group Facebook page.

Tea pickers of the Sireet OEP co-operative in Nandi Hills Kenya, who supply tea to the Co-op stores. 

A representative from the cooperative will be speaking at the event on 1 March.









Sidmouth Fair Trade Group - Home | Facebook
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Have Your Say: meet the Sidmouth policing team >>> Wednesday 13th September, Sidmouth Library

On Wednesday, there will be an opportunity to to speak with local police officers to discuss any issues of concern.

The team can also be emailed with any issues:
101@dc.police.uk

For more details:

Meeting the Sidmouth team

Have Your Say Surgery - Sidmouth Library

When and where:

Date: Wednesday 13 September 2017
Time: 10:00

Address:

Sidmouth Library
Blackmore Drive
Sidmouth
Devon
EX10 8LA

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Additional information

The Sidmouth Neighbourhood Beat Team are holding a “Have Your Say” Surgery at Sidmouth Library. Members of the team will be available between 1000 – 1200 to discuss any concerns you may have in respect of your local area.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Sidmouth | Devon and Cornwall Police
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Sidmouth Climate Week: >>> What can we do about climate change?

The Climate Week opened on Saturday - when passers by in the Market Square were asked what things they could think of as practical action to take on climate change:
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Climate Week kicks off Saturday 18th March

A display at the Library all week has a few more suggestions:

Climate change strategy | Ontario.ca

Here are some more ideas:
Top 10 ways you can stop climate change | | What you can do | David Suzuki Foundation
The One Best Thing Everyone Could Do to Slow Climate Change | Azimuth

What You Can Do about Climate Change

This site provides more than 25 easy steps you can take at Home, School, the Office, and On the Road to protect the climate, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution, and save money. Take action today! Small steps add up, if we all do our part.

Small changes at home and in the yard can reduce GHG emissions and save money.

Easy steps at the office can reduce GHG emissions and help make the air cleaner.

Take action on the road to reduce car pollution, gas costs, and the nation's oil dependence.

Taking educational and action planning steps at school can help reduce GHG emissions.

What You Can Do about Climate Change | Climate Change | US EPA

The poster for the week gives details of the upcoming events - where we look at 'what we can do about climate change':

Futures Forum: Sidmouth Climate Week: 18th - 25th March >>> full programme of events
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Volunteering to provide support and friendship >>> >>> Open day at Sidmouth Library Weds 1st March

Sidmouth is losing an important life-line:
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Help Link to close - but other voluntary organisations to maintain part of the services

However, there are other sources of community help being developed:

Appeal for volunteers to help support neighbours in Sidmouth

19:22 26 February 2017

Eleanor Pipe

 

Opportunities range from cooking, to DIY, to offering friendship and a cup of tea

Volunteers are being sought in Sidmouth to provide support and friendship for people as part of a Big Lottery-funded project.

From having a chat and cup of tea, to helping with basic DIY, there are numerous opportunities under the Healthy Neighbourhoods scheme for anyone willing to help those who need it in their area.

Open days will be held at Sidmouth Library on Wednesday, March 1, and Wednesday, March 29, from 10am to noon, where residents are invited to come and find out more about being a volunteer.

Project manager Sarah Forde said: “Volunteer opportunities include supporting a person to return home from hospital, including making their home ready, turning the heating on, picking up essential items from the shop, having a cooked meal ready for them; supporting with practical help, putting their bins out, helping with DIY, fitting a key safe, befriending, having a cuppa and chat with a person in their home, helping them to prepare their lunch.

“Volunteers can get involved at a level to suit them, and give as much time as they are able to. Free training is provided, including a comprehensive induction programme with continued support to help all volunteers. Agreed out of pocket expenses will also be paid.”

For more information on Healthy Neighbourhoods, call: 01392 824752.

Appeal for volunteers to help support neighbours in Sidmouth - News - Sidmouth Herald
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"Why I Love Sidmouth and The Sid Valley" >>> >>> Sidmouth Literary Festival poetry competition

The second Literary Festival will be happening again at Kennaway House on 10th and 11th June:

Sidmouth Literary Festival Sun Sea Books Events | Eventbrite
Line-up for Sidmouth Literary Festival 2016 revealed - What's on - Sidmouth Herald
Sidmouth Literary Festival Friday June 10 and Saturday June 11 2016

Sun, Sea and Books - Sidmouth Literary Festival

The second Sidmouth Sun, Sea and Books Literary Festival , at Kennaway House,has got a packed  programme lined up with some 'Big Name' speakers  on 10th and 11th June.

Best-selling authors include Dame Penelope Lively; Simon Weston (whose writing experiences were inspired by the Falklands War); Veronica Henry (top women's fiction writer); Nicholas Evans (The Horse Whisperer); and the renowned thriller writers Robert Goddard whose To The Ends of The Earth is out in paperback just in time for the festival. 

Kate Hamer, Costa Prize nominee,will talk about her acclaimed first novel Girl in the Red Coat.

Journalist Con Coughlin, who writes on foreign affairs for the Daily Telegraph, will also be there.  Sidmouth based Jane Corry whose psychological thriller My Husband's Wife is out in Penguin in August, will lead a workshop on How to write a short story. This year, the festival is also running a How To Get Published day for aspiring writers. Editors from Penguin and Pam Macmillan  will be giving one-to-one advice while Endeavour publishers will be available to discuss getting your work into print.Budding  writers can get one-to-one feedback on their work at this special session.

In addition, there will be a poetry competition, Why I love Sidmouth, hosted by Paragon Books at Sidmouth Library, with a a special event featuring Mantie Lister, the former Exeter bard and Matt Harvey, the Totnes poet.

Sidmouth has a rich literary heritage. Over the years it has inspired writers such as Jane Austen, Beatrix Potter, RD Delderfield and many others. The Sidmouth Literary Festival aims to keep this tradition going. 

When? Friday 10 and Saturday 11 June 2016

Where? Kennaway House, Sidmouth, Devon EX10 8ND

Who? Penelope Lively, Veronica Henry, Robert Goodard, Juliet Barker, Con Coughlin.

Commissioning editors from Penguin Viking and Pan Macmillan at a special session for new writers seeking to get published.

Download the 2016 programme

Website? Sidmouth Literary Festival

Twitter? @sidmouthlitfest

Facebook? https://www.facebook.com/Sidmouthlitfest/

Festival Director? 2016 - David Lloyd

Who has appeared at past festivals? In 2015 - Ann Widdicombe, Terry Waite, Fay Weldon, Helen Lederer

Established? 2015

Sun, Sea and Books - Sidmouth Literary. Dates, details.

The Festival is asking people to submit poetry:

Tell Sidmouth Literary Festival organisers why you 

love valley

16:15 07 April 2016

Di Bowerman

Organisers of Sun, Sea & Books, Sidmouth Literary Festival, have launched a poetry competition for both children and adults.

Called ‘Why I Love Sidmouth and The Sid Valley’, the festival, which will be held at Kennaway House on June 10 and 11, wants to inspire people of all ages to send in their poems, expressing their love of Sidmouth.

It will award book token prizes for the best poem in three categories: eight to 11-year-olds, 12 to 18-year-olds and adults.

John Betjeman CBE, described Sidmouth as ‘a town caught still in a timeless charm’. The renowned UK Poet Laureate from 1972 until his death in 1984, loved visiting the town, which inspired his writing.

“We hope that our poetry competition, which is the first festival event centred on poetry this year, will encourage young people to have a go at writing a poem and they can be inspired by the sea, the landscape, the buildings, the people and the history of Sidmouth,” said David Lloyd, festival chairman.

One of the competition judges, Mantie Lister, former Bard of Exeter, will be at Sidmouth Sea Fest event on May 7, where Sun, Sea & Books will have a stall, to talk more about the competition.

Winners will be announced at a special award ceremony at Sidmouth Library from 6pm on Monday, June 6, which will be hosted by Mark Chapman of Paragon Books. Performance poet Matt Harvey will also judge the competition.

Entries to the poetry competition should be typed on one side of A4 and include name, age, telephone number, email and address and be sent to David at Devonia, 1 Coburg Terrace, Sidmouth, EX10 8NL by Monday, May 18. Email: lloyddavidjohn@gmail.com. Check out the festival website: www.sidmouthlitfest.co.uk for more details.

Tell Sidmouth Literary Festival organisers why you love valley - News - Sidmouth Herald
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