All good things must come to an end: thank you and goodbye from the Futures Forum blog

We seem to have reached a certain point where we are very much looking to new futures, new starts and a lot of anticipation.

We have a substantially new Town Council in place - which met last night and voted for continuity but with renewed vigour:
Sidmouth Town Council appoints chair and vice-chair | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Annual Town Meeting > Monday 20th May > challenges and opportunities

The District Council is now dominated by Independents:
Futures Forum: District Council elections: "Independents deliver blow to the Conservatives'" > further reports

And will be meeting tomorrow:
WEDNESDAY crunch day for Indies at EDDC … and us | East Devon Watch
Futures Forum: As Independents seek to create a working coalition, the District Council meets for the first time since local elections > Wednesday 22nd May

The EU parliamentary elections will be happening on Thursday - and will be having a profound effect on life in the West Country:
European Elections 2019: Why should you vote? | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
Futures Forum: Brexit: and the EU elections: the latest South West poll results
Futures Forum: Brexit: and the EU elections: Democratic Audit looks at what will happen in the South West

Back here in Sidmouth, not only do we have well-established festivals looking forward to the summer: 
The Sidmouth Folk Festival – 2nd – 9th August 2019
Paul Taylor-Mills returns to Sidmouth with Summer Play Festival 2019 | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

But we have thriving relatively new ones:
Sidmouth Sea Fest delivers diversity and creativity | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Sea Fest > staging 'Fish out of Water', a new play on the life of Stephen Reynolds

As far as this blog is concerned, it started six years ago with Port Royal:
Futures Forum: Port Royal future: ‘Let’s get the community on board’

And we seem to have sorted at least the Drill Hall for the moment:
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: selling the Drill Hall, rather than producing a masterplan > East Devon's MP calls for a "masterplan for the Port Royal and Ham car park in Sidmouth"

A less successful end-game has been the struggle over Knowle, which began here:
Futures Forum: Save Our Sidmouth

And has ended here:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: parkland transfer to Town Council > latest
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: an overspend on loans
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: or, how a new HQ costing £8.7m is valued at £3.5m

It seems the right moment, then, to allow fresh blood onto the Sidmouth scene and to make this the last - but the blog itself will remain online as a resource.

Meanwhile, here's a list of other news sources to dip into:
BBC Local News: Sidmouth
ITV Local News: Sidmouth
Sidmouth Nub News

Also:

News from Sidmouth Town Council
Latest News from Sid Valley Help

And of course:
Sidmouth Herald
Devon Live: Sidmouth

Local News - Radio Exe

Plus the excellent and provocative:

East Devon Watch

And there is a lively local social media page:
Sidmouth Community public group | Facebook

Finally, there are of course the Vision Group's very own daily news pages: 



Recent News - Vision Group for Sidmouth
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Sidmouth Annual Town Meeting > Monday 20th May > challenges and opportunities

There is quite a new tranche of Town Councillors at Sidmouth:
Futures Forum: BREAKING NEWS: Sidmouth shake-up

Tomorrow, Monday 20th May, they will be joining colleagues for the Annual Town Meeting - at which chair and committees will be voted in:
Agenda_STCAnnual-200519.pdf

The Town Council is responsible for quite a lot:

Including a substantial budget of over £0.5m:
Sidmouth Town Council agrees 4 per cent precept increase, a part of council tax, that will help pay for projects including swimming platform | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
Grants galore for good causes thanks to Sidmouth Town Council | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

It supports important services:
Hop on! Sidmouth Hopper Bus reveals new routes and extra days for 2019 | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

It has a key role in determining planning decisions, for example:
Town council support demolition of Sidmouth's St John Ambulance Hall for smart apartments | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

And is part of the Beach Management Plan's steering group:
The plan to protect Sidmouth’s crumbling cliffs is set to be finalised - Devon Live

It has taken the initiative over key issues:
Vision to make Sidmouth first mental health friendly town | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

And it's taking on more responsibilities:
Knowle parkland in Sidmouth could transfer to council by autumn | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

There are new challenges and opportunities - as highlighted on the VGS news pages:
Money available for Historic High Streets - Vision Group for Sidmouth

And there will indeed be money issues:
LocalGov.co.uk - Your authority on UK local government - Council governance systems ‘inadequate’ for austerity era
More freedom urged over councils’ finances | Public Finance 
Financial control needs to be devolved from Westminster | Public Finance
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Sidmouth Repair Café > Saturday 25th May > part of an international movement

The next Repair Café at the Manstone Youth Club will be next Saturday:

Sidmouth Repair Cafe - Home | Facebook

The Repair Café movement is truly international:
Repair Café International - Home | Facebook

The Herald's monthly magazine carries a piece on the Café - and this is the latest:

Sidmouth's Repair Café - part of an international movement

PUBLISHED: 07:00 12 May 2019 | UPDATED: 09:14 13 May 2019

A youngster tries her hand at one of the many Repair Cafes in the world.

Repair Cafés are opening up all over the world, in schools, churches and youth centres.

At one Belgian college, 'dysfunctional devices' belonging to members of the community are brought in and repaired by students. As the head said: "It helps them enhance their skills, while raising their awareness on issues of sustainability."

Martine Postma, director of Repair Café International also says it's about education: "Our volunteers are happy to show their neighbours the basics of repairing, but the real change will come when repair skills are put on the curriculum once more."

At Sidmouth's Repair Café, it's also not just about fixing stuff. It's also about showing people why things have broken down. And if spare parts are needed, then advice is always given - and so even those whose gadget isn't immediately fixed leave happy.

The next Repair Café is on Saturday, May 25, 10am to 1pm, at the Youth Centre in Manstone Lane.

To read more features from East Devon Resident, click here.

Sidmouth's Repair Café - part of an international movement | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
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District Council coalition talks to 'support the formation of an independent-led administration'

Independents have done very well - nationally:
Futures Forum: Independents set a trend for local elections

And locally:
Futures Forum: District Council elections: Lib Dems and Independents "make significant gains across Devon"

As John Harris says:
Don’t look to national politics for hope: you’ll find it thriving in local councils | John Harris | Opinion | The Guardian

And things seem to be coming together locally: 

District council coalition talks 'ongoing' says East Devon Alliance leader

PUBLISHED: 12:42 13 May 2019

Daniel Wilkins

Paul Arnott, leader of the Independent East Devon Alliance, said they are in talks with other independent councillors over the formation of the council

Discussions over the formation of the district council are ongoing according to the leader of the Independent East Devon Alliance (IEDA).

Paul Arnott, councillor for Coly Valley, has welcomed the decision by the Liberal Democrats to 'support the formation of an independent-led administration'.

There are now 11 IEDA councillors at East Devon District Council and a partnership with the independent group, which has 20 councillors, would give the coalition overall control of the council.

The Liberal Democrats said they are not interested in forming a coalition with any other parties or groups.

Mr Arnott said: "We were very pleased to be told by the Liberal Democrats that they would be prepared to support the formation of an Independent-led administration.

"As Independent East Devon Alliance councillors we have principles based on accountability, democracy and transparency.

"We believe we were all elected to run the council to the highest standards while also reforming its governance from the outset.

"We are currently in discussions with other independents about how best to deliver this."

East Devon Independent Alliance in ongoing talks over district council formation | Honiton, Axminster and Seaton news - Midweek Herald
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More historic blue plaques for Sidmouth > SVA launches 'blue book'

The SVA has been busy updating its blue plaques:
Futures Forum: More historic blue plaques for Sidmouth nominated > including Woolcombe House

And this week, it has published its latest volume: 

Sidmouth history on display with new release of blue plaque book

PUBLISHED: 14:09 08 May 2019

Clarissa Place

Sidmouth's most important buildings and people are the centre of a guide book highlighting the town's history.

The Sid Vale Association (SVA) launched the 'blue book' on Wednesday, a comprehensive guide to all 64 of the town's blue plaques.

It took a dedicated team two years to compile due to extensive research, consideration and application to secure the prestigious plaques for a number of new sites.

Kennaway House recently received its plaque due to its connection to J.R.R. Tolkien, who is said to have written much of The Lord of the Rings in Aurora, now the back portion of the Regency property.

Richard Thurlow, from the SVA said at the launch on Wednesday: "This marks the culmination of a huge amount of work over the last couple of years from a dedicated team. I'm very pleased to launch the blue book today.

"We had to research the history or update the history to make sure it was all relevant and sometimes new facts have come to light. The number [of plaques] is almost irrelevant. We have had to judge the level of what we want to put a blue plaque on, is the building important architecturally? Has it got any historical importance and who visited there? If any of those three connections were met then it was considered for a blue plaque."

It is hoped there will be blue plaque tours around the town in future.

Julia Creeke first published Life and Times in Sidmouth in 1992 when there were 32 plaques and updated the guide in 2012. She teamed up again with the SVA when it was decided to rewrite the book back in 2016. The third edition is complemented by a pocket size version of the guide.

Ms Creeke was assisted this time by Nigel Hyman, curator of Sidmouth Museum, John McCarthy, illustrator John Dowell and editor Nigel Rugg-Gunn.

Ms Creeke said: "We started work on this some two-and-a-bit years ago, I thought I cannot go on doing this by myself and sent out a cry for help and help was very forthcoming. It's going to tell a lot of people a lot about our history."

Both Mr Thurlow and Ms Creeke each received a small token for their dedication to the project.

The book is now on sale for £9.75, with the pocket size guide available for £1.50.

SVA release new book on history of Sidmouth's 64 blue plaques | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

With more information here:
Blue Plaques - SVA
Sidmouth Town Website - Blue Plaques
Sidmouth Town Website - The Sidmouth Blue Plaque Walk
Blue Plaque for Kennaway House!
Alma Bridge, Sidmouth blue plaque | Open Plaques
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BREAKING NEWS: Sidmouth shake-up

There has been a huge shake-up in East Devon:
Futures Forum: BREAKING NEWS: "Bad day" for the Tories as Independents in East Devon gain an overall majority of two
Futures Forum: District Council elections: "Independents deliver blow to the Conservatives'" > further reports

A similar 'out with the old' seems to have happened at the Town Council level - with results just in from the Herald, reporting from Exmouth Town Hall.

For Ottery: 

LIVE UPDATES: Election results for East Devon town and parish councils

PUBLISHED: 09:00 04 May 2019
Beth Sharp

Here is a recap of what happened in the Ottery Town Council elections this morning. There was a BIG shake-up after voters took the polls.

ELECTIONS: East Devon town and parish results | Election news | Midweek Herald 

And for Sidmouth: 

LIVE UPDATES: Sidmouth and Ottery town council election results

PUBLISHED: 09:00 04 May 2019
Beth Sharp

Sidmouth Town Council RESULTS:

Primley: Deirdre Hounsom (uncontested), Emma Murdoch (uncontested), Jeff Turner (uncontested); 

Sidbury: John Loudoun (uncontested); 

Sidmouth West: Louise Cole (uncontested); 

Salcombe Regis: Ian Barlow (277 votes) , David Barratt (321); 

Sidmouth East: Louise Thompson (166 votes); 

North: Charissa Evans (357 votes), Stuart Hughes (354 votes), Dawn Manley (404 votes), Jenny Ware (358 votes); 

Sidford Village: Jack Brokenshire (209 votes) and Marianne Rixson (328 votes);

South: Denise Bickley (790 votes), Kelvin Dent (914 votes), Christopher Lockyear (552 votes), John Rayson (329 votes) and Paul Wright (448 votes).

Sidmouth Town Council results

Sidmouth (South) – 5 seats
Denise Sarita Bickley - 790 ELECTED
Kelvin Richard Dent - 914 ELECTED
Nicholas James Diprose - 277
Christopher Francis Lockyear - 552 ELECTED
John William Rayson - 329 ELECTED
Paul Alan Wright - 448 ELECTED

Turn Out: 41.7 %
Rejected ballots: 30

Sidmouth (Sidford Village)

Peter Blackmore - 140
Jack Brokenshire - 209 ELECTED
Ian Mckenzie-Edwards - 126
Colin Mills - 56
Marianne Rixson - 328 ELECTED

Turn Out: 38.84%
Rejected ballots: 0

Sidmouth (North)

Charissa Jane Evans - 357 ELECTED
Stuart Hughes - 354 ELECTED
Sheila Kerridge - 164
Dawn Manley - 404 ELECTED
Andie Milne - 308
Jenny Ware - 358 ELECTED
Edward Fleming - 132

Turnout: 28.21%
Rejected ballots: 10

Sidmouth (East) – 1 seat

Marc Kilsbie - 115
Louise Thompson - 166 ELECTED

Turnout: 35%
Rejected ballots: 24

Sidmouth Salcombe Regis

Ian Barlow - 277 ELECTED
David Barratt - 321 ELECTED
Cathy Gardner - 235

Turnout: 46.7 %
Rejected ballots: 5

ELECTIONS: Sidmouth and Ottery town council election results | Election | Sidmouth Herald
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District Council elections: "Independents deliver blow to the Conservatives'" > further reports

The District Council has just released the full results of the election:
3 May 2019 - East Devon District Council election results 2019 - East Devon

With latest reports from the Herald:
How did Sidmouth and Ottery vote in East Devon elections 2019? | Election | Sidmouth Herald
Conservatives ousted from Ottery EDDC seats | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

This is from their summary: 

'East Devon District Council elections: Independents deliver blow to the Conservatives'

PUBLISHED: 19:06 03 May 2019 | UPDATED: 22:07 03 May 2019

Chris Carson

Tory defector and council leader Ian Thomas amongst the winners

It was Independents day as the East Devon District Council election results were announced today (Friday, May 3).

Candidates not affiliated to any of the main stream Parties recorded some significant victories, topping the poll in several wards. Both pure independents and members of the Independent East Devon Alliance did well.

Jenny Brown was one of the Conservative Party casualties – losing her bid to win a Honiton St Paul's ward seat, after switching from the St Michael's ward which she presented for four years. She ended just one vote behind fellow Tory and sitting member Dean Barrow – the voting was 385-384. Independent Tony McCollum topped the poll with 632.

EDDC leader Ian Thomas retained his Trinity Ward seat – despite his shock resignation from the Conservative Party shortly before the elections. He defeated his Labour Party rival Sarah Birnie by 635 votes to 249. Although still listed on the ballot paper as a Tory, Cllr Thomas said he had personally written to more than 2,000 electors in the ward to make it clear he would be serving as a independent councillor if elected. “I have done my best not to mislead anyone,” he stressed. Councillor Thomas will remain leader of the council until the annual meeting on May 22.

Cllr Iain Chubb, from Axminster, retained his seat on the Newbridges Ward for the Conservatives, defeating the Labour Party candidate George Neate by 617 votes to 216. There was a 42.6 per cent turnout. Cllr Chubb said: “I am pleased to be re-elected after serving for 12 years and working positively for the people in East Devon as a whole, helping to provide a good service efficiently.”

Independent Geoff Pook won the Beer and Branscombe seat, beating Labour Party candidate John Gregory by 601 votes to 106. He said: “I would like to thank everyone who voted and to John Gregory for making it a competition. I look forward to representing everyone in this extended ward now including West Seaton and hope that the people of West Seaton don't hesitate to contact me if they have any issues.”

Conservative Phil Twiss topped the poll in the Honiton St Michael's ward with 790 votes. Fellow Tory Mike Allen was second with 763 and Liberal Democrat Luke Jeffery took the third seat with 700 votes.

Cllr Allen said: “I am delighted Phil Twiss and I have been re-elected so we can continue to serve well as we have done for the past eight years or more. But clearly there has been a very strong protest vote nationally with the number of Conservative votes down. We will make sure the district council remains strongly orientated towards economic growth and good housing whilst protecting the environment.”

At Ottery St Mary Independents took all three seats. Vicky Johns topped the poll with 1,501 votes, with Geoff Pratt in second place with 1,044, followed by Peter Faithfull with 878. The turnout was 37.8 per cent Vicky Johns put her victory down to asking people what they wanted and listening to their answers. She also praised her campaign manager Roger Giles.

At Axminster Sarah Jackson, standing for the first time as an Independent East Devon Alliance candidate, topped the poll with 1,001 votes. Both sitting Conservatives, district council chairman Andrew Moulding and Ian Hall, with 818 and 740 votes respectively, were returned, but veteran Liberal Democrat Douglass Hull lost his long-held seat.

Speaking after her win Sarah Jackson, standing as the only independent candidate in the Axminster election, said: “I am absolutely elated and looking forward to it. I believe your local elected representatives should answer to the public, not their party. Axminster has so much to offer and potentially a great future…we can unlock Axminster's potential without destroying its unique charm.”

Another Independent East Devon Alliance candidate – Axminster town councillor and former mayor Paul Hayward - won the Yarty ward with 492 votes, ahead of Tory Alasdair Bruce on 296.

And at Seaton East Devon Independent Alliance candidates Dan Ledger and former mayor Jack Rowland were elected with 1,561 votes and 1,392 votes respectively The third seat was retained by Conservative Marcus Hartnell. Former mayor and sitting member Liberal Democrat Peter Burrows lost his seat.

...

Independents do well in EDDC poll | Honiton, Axminster and Seaton news - Midweek Herald

This is Devon Live's take on things - including a handy video: 

Full results as Conservatives lose control of East Devon District Council

Independent councillors as well as the East Devon Alliance made sweeping gains across the whole of the district, with leader of the EDA, Cllr Cathy Gardner saying it showed that the people want real change.

Daniel Clark

Local Democracy Reporter

19:34, 3 MAY 2019

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CLICK TO PLAY

ELECTION RESULTS FOR THE FRIDAY COUNTS

For the first time since the council was created in 1974, the Conservatives have lost control of East Devon District Council.

Independent councillors as well as the East Devon Alliance made sweeping gains across the whole of the district, with leader of the EDA, Cllr Cathy Gardner saying it showed that the people want real change.

Heading into the election, the Conservatives had control of the council, with 34 seats. The Independent Group were the official opposition, with 14 councillors, while the Liberal Democrats hold seven seats with three further Independents, and one seat vacant, making up the 59 councillors.

Two Conservative councillors though, including the leader of the council, Ian Thomas, had since quit the party, with Cllr Thomas is standing and successfully being re-elected as an independent.

READ MORE
Council leader calls for "end of May" after disastrous day for Mid Devon Tories

Final results leave the Independents as the largest party on the council with 20 seats. The Conservatives suffered 15 losses to end on 19, while the East Devon Alliance gained seven seats to end on 11.

The Liberal Democrats hold eight seats, up one from where they started, while the Green Party gained two seats in Exmouth.

East Devon results

Between the East Devon Alliance and the Independents, they hold 31 seats, which would be enough to control the council and have a majority. But it not yet clear whether a coalition between them would be formed, and as the Independent councillors include the former leader of the council Ian Thomas, not all Independents would sit in the main group.

READ MORE
Full results as Conservatives lose overall control in Mid Devon

Cllr Ben Ingham, the leader of the Independent Group, and who retained his Woodbury and Lympstone seat, said that he was delighted with the results that showed it was very clear the voters do not want the Conservatives to run the council.

He said that discussions would begin as to how many of the 20 Independent councillors elected would be sitting in the Independent Group and what form of alliance of coalition with the various parties that the electorate voted for could be formed. He added: "The hard work that we put over the last four years has paid off though and I am delighted that the electorate backed our message."

East Devon Alliance leader Cllr Cathy Gardner, who was re-elected in the Sidmouth town ward, said that the results showed a real desire for change in East Devon.

She said: “I am delighted with how things have gone. I think the results are the result of four years of hard work by us – and even more – starting with what Claire Wright did prior to 2015. The people have seen what we are doing and that we have done a good job, and we placed in first place in a large number of wards. The people of East Devon want real change and we can give it to them. This is a historic day for the East Devon Alliance and Independents right across the district and for the losses the Conservatives have felt.”

She added that discussions as to who would lead the council had not yet taken place, although she said that she imagined not all of those Independent councillors elected would sit as part of the Independent Group, who themselves would have to have a vote on who their leader would be, with it currently being Ben Ingham.

Cllr Paul Arnott, chairman of the EDA, and who won a seat in Coly Valley, added: "We would like to thank the voters of East Devon for electing all 11 of our candidates. We will now spend the next week seeking to forge alliances with other councillors willing to work with us to continue to our fight for reform of local governance. We believe that in East Devon this result was not about Brexit but an expression of a hope for positive change to how things are done in our villages, towns and district. Our mission now will be to deliver that change with complete determination in the interests of all local people."

Gains made by Independents included the former owner of the Fun Park on Exmouth seafront Chris Wright, and Save Exmouth Seafront campaigner Nick Hookway taking seats in the Exmouth Littleham ward, while the East Devon Alliance topped the polls in all wards in the Axe Valley.

Losses for the Conservatives included the former leader of the council Paul Diviani finishing last in the Broadclyst ward he stood in.

READ MORE
Full results as Liberal Democrats take control in Teignbridge

The composition of the council currently is the Independents on 20, the Conservatives on 19, the East Devon Alliance on 11, the Liberal Democrats on eight and the Green Party on two.

It is unclear yet who would run the council which is currently under no overall control, although it is likely that the East Devon Alliance and a majority of the Independents could work together as the largest group to run a minority council.

Full results as Conservatives lose control of East Devon District Council - Devon Live
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BREAKING NEWS: "Bad day" for the Tories as Independents in East Devon gain an overall majority of two

An extraordinary day in Devon:
England local elections 2019: Devon - BBC News 

And particularly in East Devon:
East Devon Elections results 2019 - Live - eastdevon.gov 
Live updates as East Devon District Council elections take place - Devon Live 

With the final results from the Herald's website - and a handy graphic: 

East Devon Elections 2019: Results LIVE 

For Sidmouth in particular:
Little change to Sidmouth's political landscape following district council elections 

The count for the Town Council will happen tomorrow
https://twitter.com/hashtag/eastdevonvotes?src=hash
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Sidmouth Sea Fest > staging 'Fish out of Water', a new play on the life of Stephen Reynolds

The Sea Fest will soon be upon us:
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Sea Fest > Saturday 18th May

And as always, it covers a whole host of vibrant things:
Futures Forum: Sea Fest 2019 > promoting difference, inclusion, environmentalism and sustainable development through music, art, food, singing, crafts and coastal heritage

One the main focuses this year will be on Stephen Reynolds, as reported by the organiser of the event in this month's Residents' Magazine: 

A fish out of water: What is happening at Sidmouth Sea Fest 2019?

PUBLISHED: 07:00 25 April 2019

Louise Cole shares what is in store for this year’s Sea Fest.

Fish out of Water: a new play exploring the life of Sidmouth's Stephen Reynolds, has been written especially for Sidmouth Sea Fest 2019.

This short play uses humour, song and personal testimony to tell Reynolds's moving story. The play about author and social commentator Stephen Reynolds is to be performed by a community ensemble at Sidmouth Sea Fest on Saturday, May 18.

Sea Fest organisers Sidmouth Coastal Community Hub asked for the play to be written to as part of their 2019 theme – Celebrating Diversity Creatively, aiming to bring to life the hidden history of Reynolds life, his experience of life with the Sidmouth fishing family the Woolleys and his later influence on the fishing industry.

Reynolds, whose book 'A Poor Man's House', published in 1908, was based on his life in Sidmouth. At the time it was acclaimed and praised by the likes of Joseph Conrad, but is not particularly well known locally. His personal struggle with his family, his sexuality at a time of intolerance, his reflections on social class and inequality are often overlooked.

SCCH director Louise Cole: “We have, through our film Working the Sea and previous projects, touched on Stephen Reynolds as we bring to life Sidmouth's Fishing heritage.

“We wanted to re-tell Stephen's story to engage people locally and bring this, often hidden history, to a new audience including younger people by casting a new light on his dynamic and extraordinary narrative. It often seemed strange to us that locally, not many people and certainly very few young people know about Stephen. It may be that his story simply hasn't been told in an accessible way that touches on issues still relevant today.”

The play is a stylised and impressionistic insight into the life of Stephen Reynolds, and his relationship with Sidmouth, with the Woolley's, and with the sea.

The title, A Fish out of Water, suggests Reynold's journey to find his 'element', socially, creatively and personally. The play suggests that it was his time in Sidmouth that enabled him to become who he really was, not simply as a chronicler and observer, and an advocate and innovator, but as a socially diffident, gay man committed to justice and to community.

As Hilaire Belloc said: “He had charity, humility and justice in equal poise” - a true gentleman, who felt more at home with working-class fisherfolk than his own middle-class upbringing.

Pippa Marriott, currently at the University of Exeter, has co-written the play with fellow creative writing MA student and Sidmouth resident David Lloyd. Pippa, who is directing the play, is herself a former drama teacher.

Working with Sea Fest organisers, they have recruited a local community cast who will perform the half-hour play at Sea Fest in the main marquee on the Ham, Sidmouth at 3.30pm.

Stephen Reynolds

Pippa and David have drawn on Reynold's writings, aided by Nigel Hyman, of Sidmouth Museum, who has just published a short book about Reynolds, to bring this extraordinary man's life to the attention of the audience at the Sidmouth Sea Festival with an engaging mixture of humour, song and ensemble performance.

Coco Hodgkinson, artistic director of the festival added: “This year is the 100th year anniversary of Reynold's death during the influenza pandemic of 1919. His grave at the cemetery in Winslade Road, in Sidmouth, is not much known about either and it felt fitting to start this community project at Sea Fest this year, which we hope to extend out into a wider heritage project with students in Sidmouth, if it generates people's curiosity.

“We would love to see a really interesting interactive heritage installation in Sidmouth that young people will engage with in the future.”

Sea Fest itself will be parading rainbow colours, fish masks and feature, as usual, lots of creative and environmentally friendly activities, food and live music on the day.

This year, for the first time in our six-year history, the festival will run as a free festival not just in the day but through the evening too, from 10am to 11pm.

The programme will see an increase in our cultural offer and by hosting the event all through, it is our ambition that all ages will come along, get involved and make a day and evening of it.

The festival is Sidmouth's first single-use plastics free event and will be full of active collaborations with other local organisations such as the Scouts, the Gig club, Sidmouth Arboretum, the Sailing Club and the Science Festival.

Sea Fest creates a platform for a multitude of special interest groups such as Sidmouth In Bloom, the Walking and Literary Festival, the Sid Vale Association and others.

It will include a range of Creativity on the Coast activities such as storytelling, arts and crafts, authors, a coastal-themed Cake Off competition and the festival's own Sidmouth Sea Fest Community Choir.

The festival organisers have also been successfully working with Winstone Books in Sidmouth to bring Tom Nancollas, author of Seashaken Houses, A Lighthouse History from Eddystone to Fastnet, to Sea Fest.

Last years' addition of withy pot making, a pop-up beach and a Sea Fest beach clean run by Sidmouth Plastic Warriors will be back.

Visitors to the festival will be able to learn about the process of making Sidmouth Gin at the copper distillery from the Dairy, buy local New Devon Army ale at the Prawn Cocktail Bar and eat from a range of local food stalls including local seasonal fish baps from the Bagwell's Fish Hut.

Local sponsors and supporters include Everys Solicitors, Morris Sales and Lettings, the Royal York and Faulkner Hotel, Sidmouth Town Council. Sidmouth Sea Fest is also supported this year as one of the Co-op local causes.

For further information visit:

www.facebook.com/sidseafest/ or click here.

sidmouthcoastalcommunityhub.org/ or click here.

For more features from East Devon Resident, click here.

What is happening at Sidmouth Sea Fest 2019? | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
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Sidmouth Town and District council elections > HUSTINGS event > Tuesday 30th April > candidates' manifestos

This week sees candidates for both council elections making themselves available for questions from their electorate:
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Town and District council elections > HUSTINGS event > Tuesday 30th April > more details

Here are the lists of candidates from the council's website for the District Council:
http://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/2903680/sid-rural.pdf (1 seat)
http://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/2903695/sidmouth-sidford.pdf (3 seats)
http://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/2903683/sid-town.pdf (2 seats)

Following a Boundary Commission review in 2017, the district will be divided into 30 electoral wards for this election and there are 60 district councillors representing the wards.Who is my councillor? - East Devon

Here are the wards for the District Council - and Sidmouth has 6 places:
district-ward-composition.pdf
East Devon District Council Elections - 2 May 2019 - East Devon

And here is the list of streets for each ward:
Street Index
Local elections May 2019 - Vision Group for Sidmouth

Here are the lists of candidates from the council's website for the Town Council:
http://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/2903869/sid-east-tc.pdf (1 seat)
http://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/2903872/sid-north-tc.pdf (4 seats)
http://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/2903686/sidford-salcombe-regis-tc.pdf (2 seats)
http://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/2903692/sidford-village-tc.pdf (2 seats)
http://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/2903689/sidford-south-tc.pdf (5 seats)

These are the contested seats:
http://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/2878768/contested-towns-and-parishes.pdf

And these are the uncontested seats:
For Sidmouth (Primley), Sidmouth (Sidbury) and Sidmouth (West)
http://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/2880014/notice-of-uncontested.pdf
Town and Parish Elections - May 2019 - East Devon

Unfortunately, no street index is available.

The Herald has the manifestos for candidates standing in the District Council election: 

East Devon elections 2019; Meet the candidates for EDDC's Sidmouth and parish seats

11 April 2019

Clarissa Place

East Devon District Council elections are fast approaching with candidates hoping to win electorates votes on May 2.

Meet the candidates standing in Sidmouth’s Rural, Sidford and Town wards.

A hustings event will be held in Sidmouth on April 30.

Sidmouth Rural (one seat)

David Barratt (Independent)

I am currently a Town and District Councillor. As a true Independent, I work with Councillors from any Party on individual issues, gaining agreement through trust and respect, not constant opposition. I stand by my record of fighting strongly against inappropriate development, notably the Sidford Business Park proposal, and I will be speaking to object at the upcoming Appeal. There is a lot left to do. I promise to work hard to do it.

Ray Davison (Labour)

Ray has been a member of EDDC standard’s committee and active school governor in Exmouth for over thirty years. On Labour’s national policy forum he successfully moved the amendment which secured abolition of National museum and gallery charges. “In these days of masterplans, outsourcing and so-called regeneration projects with their commercially protected internal debates and Chinese whispers, the key issues of public transparency and accountability to voters need addressing to ensure that public assets are protected and retained.”

John Loudoun (Independent East Devon Alliance)

I live in Sidbury within the Sidmouth Rural Ward. I have a strong commitment to public service. I will stand up for Sidmouth and Sid Valley. I want better and more efficient services for local residents and visitors. I will have no personal vested interest to pursue and I want to make improvements to our lives locally. Tough times need high standards and leadership. I will provide both.
Facebook election page: JohnLoudoun4SidmouthRural
Website information: eastdevonalliance.com

Lewis Ragbourn (Liberal Democrat)

Lewis, who is a retired wine trade professional, lives on the outskirts of Sidford. He is strongly committed to protecting the interests of rural areas, alongside the considerable development challenges facing Sidmouth. He considers that East Devon District Council is too remote and secretive and would press for greater accountability and openness. He believes that local councils need to do all they can to combat climate change, including by increased recycling and plastic reduction.

Chris Wale (Conservative)

Having had the privilege of growing up in Sidmouth I know many people within the Sid Valley. Having served 12 years as the district ward member and 18 years on Sidmouth Town Council, I am seeking re-election as I believe the next four-year term will be crucial to the health, safety, prosperity, and happiness of everyone in Sidmouth and Sid Valley Rural requires a strong knowledgeable councillor who will represent them regardless of their political persuasion.

Sidmouth Sidford (three seats)

Stuart Hughes (Conservative)

I believe the record shows the results achieved on a wide range of issues that I am someone who stands up for what is right for both the individual and wider community. If re-elected I shall continue to provide a strong voice on East Devon for the Sid Valley giving 100 per cent in my community leadership role working with residents, community groups, schools, town and county councils on local issues and enhancing and safeguarding local services.

Dawn Manley (Independent East Devon Alliance)


Sidmouth is a beautiful town to live, work and play in. I was fortunate to have been born and lived my 49 years here. We have seen many changes, with some good and some not so good, and have been an Independent councillor for eight years. If re-elected I will continue to represent the people, not some distant party political machine with no care for what is important in our unique community. I stand for people not politics.

Zachary Marsh (Conservative)

“I have lived in East Devon all of my life and am a Sidford ward resident. I want local people to feel their councillors are working with them, not over them. That for me means fighting Sidford Business Park, supporting our brilliant small businesses, and properly grappling with issues of parking and policing to improve the quality of life for residents. Sidmouth needs action not words and EDDC needs stable, proven Conservative leadership.”

Colin Mills (Labour)

Colin was born and brought up in Sidmouth. He served as a parish councillor in the Chilterns and worked as a volunteer for the local Oxfam, Chiltern Open Air Museum. He worked in the civil service and graduated from the Open University. Combatting isolation and loneliness in the elderly and retired is also another of his concerns. Planning, education and libraries are areas in which he intends to address.

Marianne Rixson (Independent East Devon Alliance)

“As a councillor, I have opposed the Sidford business park due to inadequate road access, flooding and harm to our AONB; supported the successful Drill Hall campaign; spoken out against high business rates; challenged issues such as poor broadband coverage,120% increase for parking at Sidford and introducing charges for public toilets. If re-elected, I will continue to fight for the interests of Sid Valley residents and a new access to Alexandria Industrial Estate.”

Jenny Ware (Conservative)

Jenny Ware was born in Sidmouth. Her family dates back many generations. She successfully ran her hairdressing business “Jenstyle” in the town centre. “I was born in the beautiful Sid Valley which I am so blessed to be able to call my home and if I am elected as your ward councillor I will do my utmost to be there for you and to listen and help where I can to resolve your problems.”

Ken Warren (UK Independence Party)

“My wife and I are from the Midlands but so love Sidmouth we retired here. As your representative I will work to focus council spending on essentials, because I believe people and local businesses are better judges of how their money should be spent. I will challenge any plans to build over our lovely countryside – and don’t even think about windmills! Moreover, your vote for me will signal your dismay at the unfolding Brexit betrayal.”

Sidmouth Town (two seats)

Denise Bickley (Independent East Devon Alliance)

“I am a keen environmentalist, founder of Sidmouth Plastic Warriors and Regional Representative for Surfers Against Sewage, running regular beach cleans and helping to gain ‘Plastic Free Community’ status for Sidmouth. I am standing because I strongly believe we should all put something back into our community. I will always act according to my conscience and the people I represent. I am not a fan of party politics and believe it’s time for change.”

Nicholas Diprose (Labour)

Nick has lived in Sidmouth for three decades and feels qualified to represent Sidmouth at both town and district level. Nick will do his best to listen to all representations without favour, and to respond with the necessary vigour, whilst acting with dignity and empathy. Nick comes from a strong trade union background, specialising in occupational safety and health, teaching health & safety at work to reps over the South West and at City College Plymouth.

Cathy Gardner (Independent East Devon Alliance)


“As a councillor and local resident I have spoken up for the town using any means possible. I intend to continue to do that if re-elected to represent you. I will: encourage collaboration to support our high street and improve the street scene; call for action on the delayed Beach Management Plan; push for improvements at Port Royal to capitalise on the redevelopment of the Drill Hall; and call for transparency on the true cost of relocation.”

Sheila Kerridge (Conservative)

SHEILA has lived in Sidmouth for 46 years, married to Martin for 50 years, and owned and traded as Vinnicombes Bakers and Confectioners in the town. SHEILA’s previous experience as a councillor includes serving on EDDC as tourism champion, STC on its tourism & economy committee and the Sidmouth Parishes Pathways Partnership. She is very interested in sustainable tourism within our town and keeping our pathways and bridal ways safe for all our residents and tourists.

Timothy Venner (Conservative)

“I am a lifelong lover of Sidmouth. As a lifelong Conservative my priorities for Sidmouth and East Devon are a council run efficiently keeping council tax low by strict financial control. My main concerns are keeping East Devon a place where young people can return from education to work and find family housing to ensure a balanced age profile for benefit of all. Beach stabilisation is urgently needed, an area in which I have extensive knowledge.”

Who is standing for Sidmouth in East Devon District Elections 2019? | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

And here are the Town Council candidates' manifestos: 

East Devon elections 2019; Who is vying for a Sidmouth Town Council seat?

11 April 2019

Clarissa Place

Residents will head to the polls on May 2 to elect their chosen candidates to represent them on Sidmouth Town Council.

The Primley, Sidbury and West wards will not be contested on election day resulting in standing candidates to be elected unopposed.

Deirdre Hounsom, Emma Murdoch and Jeff Turner will take the seats as the Primley ward members, John Loudoun will represent Sidbury and Louise Cole will retain her seat as the west ward representative.

The remaining candidates vying out for the remaining seats.

Sidmouth East (one seat)

Marc Kilsbie (Independent)

No statement provided.

Louise Thompson (Independent)

“I love living in Sidmouth, and am proud to have returned home to live in the town I grew up in. I co-launched The Lighthouse community business hub this year, and want to continue to contribute to our wider community. If elected I am keen to focus on initiatives that support our local economy, the environment, and the range of opportunities and facilities available for all ages to thrive here at work and play.”

Sidmouth North (four seats)

Charissa Evans (Independent)

“I aim to protect our beautiful green spaces, ensuring that Sidmouth is a place for all ages to enjoy and feel secure in. Having taught in state schools for twenty years, I’m passionate about Youth Services and acutely aware of the demand for activities and areas for our growing population. Increasing cuts to services mean we must unite. We must protect our High Street, and boost Sidmouth’s economy by encouraging people to shop locally.”

Stuart Hughes (Independent)

“Having represented the North Ward since first being elected to the Town Council 28 years ago I have worked hard in supporting the community, and as both Snow & Road Warden have gone the extra mile in helping the town become more resilient in times of inclement weather. Re-elected I shall continue to work in champion the completion/implementation of the cycle/footpath links to Sidbury and Feniton and help deliver the climate change agenda.”

Sheila Kerridge

SHEILA has lived in Sidmouth for 46 years, married to Martin for 50 years, and owned and traded as Vinnicombes Bakers and Confectioners in the town. SHEILA’s previous experience as a councillor includes serving on EDDC as tourism champion, STC on its tourism & economy committee and the Sidmouth Parishes Pathways Partnership. She is very interested in sustainable tourism within our town and keeping our pathways and bridal ways safe for all our residents and tourists.

Dawn Manley (Independent)

“Sidmouth is a beautiful town to live, work and play in. I was fortunate to have been born and lived my 49 years here. We have seen many changes, with some good and some not so good, and have been an Independent councillor for eight years. If re-elected I will continue to represent the people, not some distant party political machine with no care for what is important in our unique community. I stand for people not politics.”

Andie Milne (Independent)

“I moved to Sidmouth nine years ago, from the moment I arrived I have been active with various community voluntary organisations. Since being a member of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group I have become passionate about positive communication between the residents of Sidmouth and elected town council members. If you vote for me, I will endeavour to promote transparent communication by listening and facilitating the best action plans to benefit all those who reside in our beautiful town.”

Jenny Ware (Independent)

Jenny Ware was born in Sidmouth. Her family dates back many generations. She successfully ran her hairdressing business “Jenstyle” in the town centre. “I was born in the beautiful Sid Valley which I am so blessed to be able to call my home and if I am elected as your ward councillor I will do my utmost to be there for you and to listen and help where I can to resolve your problems.”

Edward Willis Fleming

“Sidmouth matters, to everyone who lives, works or visits here. I want to serve both young and old, to help preserve and improve, enhance and advance our precious green and blue spaces and our incredible built environment. By helping to found Sidmouth Arboretum and The Sidmouth Trust, and as a local business person, I hope I’ve shown how much Sidmouth matters to me. Let me help represent your concerns too and what matters to you.”

Sidmouth Salcombe Regis (two seats)

Ian Barlow

“Most people know me as a local businessman but for the last eight years I have also been your local town councillor, most recently as it’s vice chairman. I have used the experience gained from 40 years living and working here to help transform Sidmouth Town Council into the most proactive, efficient, innovative and courageous town council in East Devon. I seek your vote so I can continue this work for the benefit of us all.”

David Barratt (Independent)

“I am currently a Town and District Councillor. As a true Independent, I work with Councillors from any Party on individual issues, gaining agreement through trust and respect, not constant opposition. I stand by my record of fighting strongly against inappropriate development, notably the Sidford Business Park proposal, and I will be speaking to object at the upcoming appeal. There is a lot left to do. I promise to work hard to do it.”

Cathy Gardner

“The Town Council should be more open and proactive for all parts of the Sid Valley. Cuts to street cleaning by EDDC have led to more litter and weeds: we need a street cleaner to clear up problem areas and do small jobs abandoned by EDDC. I fought relocation from the Knowle and to ‘Retain, Refurbish and Reuse’ the Drill Hall - which is now happening! The Town Council must now push ahead to improve Port Royal, using s106 money from Sanditon.”

Sidmouth Sidford Village (two seats)

Peter Blackmore

“Whilst living In Sidmouth for 11 years, I have seen many changes in the Town and going forward I plan to make the council more accountable for. Its important to improve the Health and Wellbeing of our citizens,young and old. I am a committee member of The Gig Club, was involved in the campaign to protect the Drill Hall and I will be campaigning to Stop the Sidford Business Park other sites are available.”

Jack Brokenshire (Independent)
Residents of Sidford. Thank you for your faith in me in the past years and hope you will have faith in me for the next four. We do not want the business park at Sidford for obvious reasons. Traffic congestion. Danger. It is bad enough trying to cross the roads now especially at the bottom of Sidford high street. Possible chance of flooding. Packhorse bridge in times of the floods cannot take any more.”

Ian McKenzie-Edwards

“I have been a town councillor since 1988 the majority of the time representing Sidford. I have always involved myself in all aspects of council activity. As a planning committee member I oppose the Sidford employment land proposal. Sidford still has a sense of community based on its two halls. Now EDDC have moved I would like to see the town council be as proactive as possible in securing the future of the valley.”

Colin Mills (Labour)

“Colin was born and brought up in Sidmouth. He served as a parish councillor in the Chilterns and worked as a volunteer for the local Oxfam, Chiltern Open Air Museum. He worked in the civil service and graduated from the Open University. Combatting isolation and loneliness in the elderly and retired is also another of his concerns. Planning, education and libraries are areas in which he intends to address.”

Marianne Rixson

“I’d like the Town Council to adopt a ‘can do’ attitude, put the community first and welcome public engagement. I have fought the proposed industrial site at Sidford because of the adverse impact HGVs would have on both villages; other sites are available for local employment. I will campaign against any plans to charge for public toilets, which would be disastrous for residents and visitors. I will also support initiatives to save our high street. “

Sidmouth South (five seats)

Denise Bickley

“I am a keen environmentalist, founder of Sidmouth Plastic Warriors and Regional Representative for Surfers Against Sewage, running regular clean-ups. I believe we should all put something back into our community. I have many ideas to help Sidmouth: encouraging events that will benefit the community; protecting the natural environment; supporting local businesses and re-energising our town; supporting our youth services; making volunteering easier to get involved in; researching the possibility of evening classes and improving the town’s website.

Kelvin Dent (Independent)

“I am standing for re-election in Sidmouth Town Council’s South Ward where I live with my wife, Sue, and which I have represented since 2013. My present duties include chairing the Planning Committee and organising the Hopper Bus which I hope to continue if I am re-elected. I also want to safeguard the Knowle park and gardens for public enjoyment. My hobbies include playing music for various groups which help raise money for local charities.”

Nicholas Diprose

Nick has lived in Sidmouth for three decades and feels qualified to represent Sidmouth at both town and district level. Nick will do his best to listen to all representations without favour, and to respond with the necessary vigour, whilst acting with dignity and empathy. Nick comes from a strong trade union background, specialising in occupational safety and health, teaching health & safety at work to reps over the South West and at City College Plymouth.

Christopher Lockyear

“Sidmouth is home and I am proud of where we live. I am a Governor of Sidmouth College and chair the programme committee of the Sidmouth Science Festival. The Council needs to ensure Sidmouth remains an attractive place to live and work, but also to visit. We have a fantastic natural environment which we must preserve. We also have a huge amount of human talent, of all ages, which we must use to benefit all.”

John Rayson

“There are a number of challenges facing our town–the loss of public halls, crumbling cliffs, shops closing and adjusting for the move of the district council out of Sidmouth. I hope to continue to play a part in sorting out these problems. The whole Port Royal area should be developed. I would like to see our own Jurassic coast centre as part of any development. There is also wide support for a pier or jetty.”

Paul Wright

“I have been pleased to represent the Sidmouth South ward for the past four years, acting as councillor with financial responsibility for the past three years. During my time, I have led the introduction of water refill stations around the town to reduce plastic waste, introduced a wildflower meadow at St Margaret’s and a sea swimming platform for this summer. Married and father of four teenagers, we have lived in Sidmouth for over ten years.”

East Devon elections 2019; Who is vying for a Sidmouth Town Council seat? | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
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