Blog

 

Date 31st March 2008

Yesterday I referred to a lone Swallow that I had spotted swooping through the Byes well I have now actually seen three Swallows and two House Martins a good sign that summer is indeed on its way. This forthcoming weekend sees my disco show providing the entertainment for a 50th Wedding Anniversary on Friday evening and a 60th Birthday on Saturday. If you are looking for a disco to provide music at your event or party then you know who to contact.....YES ME www.stuart-hughes.co.uk 

Date 30th March 2008

Just how many more weekends have we got to suffer this horrendous weather yesterday was foul heavy rain caused localised flooding incidents and several trees were blown down. I actually spotted a Swallow and I know the old saying 'One Swallow doesn't make a summer' but this one surely must wonder what is going on. Have you seen any winter migrants returning to our shores?

Date 29th March 2008

Another wet weekend is forecast and I don't know about you but I'm getting fed up with this miserable weather, we always seem to get it at weekends. The roads are being severely damaged by the amount of rainfall...and that isn't all the weather is affecting as there was another cliff fall east of the River Sid and looking at the cliff face there looks as though there will be several more falls to come during the next few days. My advice would be if you are going down onto the beach then keep well away from the base of the cliffs also don't venture along the beach when the tide is coming in otherwise you may well be cut off. The warning signs that have been put up are so small however I believe that there are some larger ones being made and they will be mounted on the cliff adjacent to the steps leading down from the Alma Bridge. 
 

Date 28th March 2008

I must say that I was delighted to hear the news that 18 months after holding discussions with Stagecoach in Exeter regarding the possibility of re-routing the 157 Coast Link service which runs between Sidmouth and Exmouth along Woolbrook Road...that they have now agreed that it does make sense and have agreed to it. The Woolbrook residents will be able to take advantage of this service from the 19th May. I do hope that eventually Sidmouth will get its very own Park and Ride/Bus Interchange service. East Devon is the largest of the Districts, and yet it is now the only one that doesn't have a Park and Ride service operating in any of its towns.

Date 27th March 2008

I see that several Police Authorities have been capped by the Government and quite rightly so for substantially increasing their share of the Council Tax. I'm not certain as to whether this includes Devon and Cornwall who raised theirs well above the 5% Government figure but if it does there could well be further expense as each of the Districts in the two Counties could well have to re-bill all of the tax payers. This additional expense would fall on the Police Authority. If Devon and Cornwall are included in the hit list then I feel it would be a far better option to leave as it is and reduce next years bills accordingly.

Date 25th March 2008

Well that must go down as one of the worst Easter Holidays in living memory. All the hype on TV last Thursday from Southwest Tourism was about millions of £'s being spent in Devon and Cornwall and images of people laying on the beaches sun bathing...dream on Malcolm Bell. All I saw was people walking around shivering in the cold. As I 've said in previous blogs the school holiday's have been put back by two weeks and this has certainly played its part in ensuring that Easter was a flop as far as tourism is concerned.
Today I shall be with the Devon bus on the Esplanade where any views and evidence regarding the grounding of the MSC Napoli last year will be gathered and used as part of the inquiry being held by the County Council.

 Date 21st March 2008

Well Easter is here and its colder than Christmas which really does drive home the Climate Change message. I don't think that the Easter break will see as many visitors to Devon as South West Tourism predict and the local economy will suffer. As I stated in an earlier blog most if not all the schools are only closed for the Bank Holiday weekend and the children don't get their normal two week break for another fortnight. This is definately something that shouldn't be repeated again.

Date 20th March 2008

I wonder just how many subscribers have been ripped off by others who trade on Ebay. I had recently paid for a CD through PayPal and waited and waited for it to be delivered....it didn't arrive so I contacted the seller who agreed to send another one and that he would pursue the Post Office for the money for the first CD. Guess what the supposed second CD didn't turn up. This was really strange as I had purchased several other CD's from various other sellers on Ebay and they had all found there way to me. Having looked at the feedback for the seller in question I find that there were several negative feedbacks given from others who hadn't received their CD's. Well I am going to take this as far as it goes..I have already filed a dispute and unless I receive either the CD or my money back this particular seller better watch out. 

Date 19th March 2008

The early Easter break has certainly had/will have an effect on the local tourist industry as the schools won't be breaking up for another two weeks for the Easter holidays. Many accommodation providers have been caught out and there are plenty of cheaper rooms and holidays going which is good news for the consumer.
The Napoli enquiry road show will be down on the western end of the Esplanade next Tuesday 25th March between 9.00am and 12 Noon so if you have got any info that you may think will help then make sure that you take the opportunity in visiting the County Council Mobile unit.

 Date 16th March 2008

Well is the exceptional wet weather we have experienced recently down to global warming/climate change. I must say that yesterdays rain fall was some of the heaviest I can recall. It seems extraordinary that on the same day the Environment Agency put out a Press statement for Sidmouth and Totnes 'PREPARE FOR FLOODING and SIMPLE STEPS' which read as follows:-

People living in Sidmouth have been sent an information leaflet
about the emergency flood plan for the town.
Major flooding may not be frequent, but their effects can be devastating and
taking very simple steps can help home owners prepare.

There are approximately 450 homes and businesses at risk of flooding in Sidmouth from either extreme high tides,high river levels in the River Sid, or a combination of both.
Sidmouth will only be flooded from an extreme flood, but it is important that people are aware that they live in the floodplain and are reassured that if severe flooding occurs there is an emergency flood plan for the town.

 
‘While we do not wish to alarm people, it is important that everyone receiving this information reads it and is clear about what could happen if evacuation is required because of severe weather conditions,’ said Adele Needham for the Environment Agency.

People who feel their property is particularly vulnerable may consider registering to receive a direct flood warning via the telephone, email, text, fax or pager. This service is provided FREE of charge. To register for Floodline Warnings Direct, call Floodline 0845 988 1188.

Customers who do not register to receive direct flood warnings can still have access to regularly updated flood information in the form of a recorded message. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, call Floodline 0845 988 1188

There are simple steps that people can take like finding out what warnings are available to them, checking their insurance, and making a personal flood plan.  These small measures taken now can help prevent the misery and distress flooding can cause.

For further information on flooding visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk or call Floodline on 0845 988 1188.

 
I have certainly been predicting that there is a threat from coastal flooding and certainly if there is a severe south easterly storm. I would suggest that everyone in Sidmouth should register to receive direct flood warnings I shall certainly be doing so and will put any information received on my website. Your easy reference to flood warnings will be here.

Date 15th March 2008

Just why the government want to look at  local government re-organisation in Devon beats me. Just because Exeter wasn't successful with its Unitary bid isn't a reason to impose this on us especially seeing as the consensus of the other Districts was to go for an enhanced working with the County. This ill founded decision by government is already turning nasty setting council against council, and members against members.  Barely a few months have passed since a concordat was signed by both government and local government which stated that they (government) wouldn't interfere with the way we run and this has now been broken. Perhaps we should insist that all MP's who want refits for their London homes should go to MFI...
LEAVE THINGS ALONE IF IT AIN'T BROKE DON'T FIX IT!!!

Date 14th March 2008 

The Sid Park Road to Livonia section of the Byes Cycleway is now well under way with the section from Livonia to Primley completed.  It is good to see that progress on finalising the remaining section/s from Primley through to Sidford and the link to Fortescue Road is also on course. I have today received a plan of the proposed calming measures for Fortescue Road which will ensure cyclists safety as well as slowing vehicles down which will be welcomed by the local residents who have been expressing concerns for several years now.

Date 13th March 2008 

Isn't it about time the long running issue of the benefits of sprinklers fitted in all new build properties is taken on board by this government....they keep banging on about environmental issues, plastic bags, fuel, engine size etc, however when it comes to a measure that would save peoples lives, whilst at the same time protect the environment with less contaminated water used to put out fires running down the gullies and into the water course, and less water being used especially in times of drought.... the government don't want to act. The benefits of fitting sprinklers to all new build  properties has to be acted on and we need to get this message to government.

Date 10th March 2008 

Well the predicted storm warning was correct and sure enough by midnight the winds were getting up and during the early hours of the morning gusts were reaching more than 70mph. Daylight in my neighbourhood has seen fences blown over but thankfully no structural damage. Winds are expected to increase again later today so don't get caught out.....if you haven't got to go anywhere then stay at home.

Date 9th March 2008 

The advanced weather warning is so important that I have decided that today's blog should reflect the importance of getting the message out to as many residents and blog readers as possible and therefore I am repeating yesterday's blog.

HERE IS THE WARNING
Devon County Council have received an early warning from the Met Office
 of severe gales (up to 80mph) from 00:00 Monday to 03:00 on Tuesday.

They have also been given an indication from the Environment Agency that
 high spring tides will be peaking on Sunday 9th and Monday 10th the
highest of which will occur at 07:39 (based on Ifracombe) for the North Coast
and 07:24 (based on Plymouth) for the South Coast on Monday morning.

The combination of these two events gives the potential for the
Environment Agency to be issuing a severe flood warning for the
North and South Coasts for Monday and possibly Tuesday, but further
details are unlikley to be known before Sunday.

Further information on the weather warnings and flood warnings in force can be
found on the Met Office and Environment Agency's web sites at:

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/uk_forecast_warnings.html

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/flood/floodwarning/?

view=Search+results&summary=Southwest&severity=3&lang=_e

Weather warnings are usually updated by 11am each morning and
flood warnings are updated as and when issued.

Date 8th March 2008

As part of my community leadership role from time to time I receive emails and
notifications of importance that should be relayed to as many residents of not only my electoral division but Devon as a whole and my blog provides the opportunity to get this message out.
Better batten down the hatches as it looks as though were in for stormy weather. As far as Sidmouth is concerned all I can say we are extremely lucky as it is from a south westerley direction and not south easterly otherwise we could very well see the flooding of Eastern Town that I have been predicting for many years will happen unless a satisfactory protection scheme is implemented in the area around what was Pennington Point.
HERE IS THE WARNING
Devon County Council have received an early warning from the Met Office
 of severe gales (up to 80mph) from 00:00 Monday to 03:00 on Tuesday.

They have also been given an indication from the Environment Agency that
 high spring tides will be peaking on Sunday 9th and Monday 10th the
highest of which will occur at 07:39 (based on Ifracombe) for the North Coast
and 07:24 (based on Plymouth) for the South Coast on Monday morning.

The combination of these two events gives the potential for the
Environment Agency to be issuing a severe flood warning for the
North and South Coasts for Monday and possibly Tuesday, but further
details are unlikley to be known before Sunday.

Further information on the weather warnings and flood warnings in force can be
found on the Met Office and Environment Agency's web sites at:

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/uk_forecast_warnings.html

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/flood/floodwarning/?

view=Search+results&summary=Southwest&severity=3&lang=_e

Weather warnings are usually updated by 11am each morning and
flood warnings are updated as and when issued.

Date 6th March 2008

Park and Ride for Sidmouth appears to be picking up momentum. For many many years I had been the lone voice advocating that Park and Ride along with either pedestrianisation or at least partial pedestrianisation was the way forward to solve Sidmouth's nightmare traffic problems especially in the summer. I now find that I have support for P&R from Cllrs Graham Liverton, Chris Gibbings, Graham Troman etc etc and the Sidmouth Vision Group is also voicing their support for it....well this is music to my ears and I now intend to step up the campaign after all if we could have something in place by 2012 preferably a P&R/Bus Interchange (and at least I'm being realistic) adjacent to the A3052 it would be of considerable benefit as this is also the year of the Olympic Games. If Unitary Council's or a Devon Unitary is the future for local government then this should at least be one of the items on our wish list. The other is of course the coast protection scheme for Pennington Point....Come on lets go for it.

Date 5th March 2008

Presenting a cheque for £250 this morning from East Devon District Council to the students of Sidmouth College who took part in the local democracy and recent political speed dating events held at the College. The students are planning to put the money towards a sustainability project that they are working on. These events have proved to be very popular and long may they continue.

 Date 4th March 2008

Following on from yesterday's blog and now taken the opportunity to take a look at the beach situation east of the river Sid I can now confirm that I have requested East Devon to consider putting another sign up warning pedestrians about the dangers of walking along the beach and getting cut off by high tide.
I am led to believe that this sign could be provided by the end of March.

Date 3rd March 2008

Ah well that's another weekend over and done with wow time flies and this week there's talk of snow heading our way. I wasn't at all surprised when I heard that several walkers had nearly got cut off by the tide under Salcombe Cliffs and had to be directed towards Salcombe Regis to get to safety. The beach has now gone and at high tide the sea lashes the cliffs. This situation is going to get worse and as we head towards Easter the first holiday weekend of 2008 there will be many visitors taking their lives in their hands walking along that precarious section of beach. I've heard time and time again that the World Heritage Site are encouraging people to take a look, I personally believe that this is negative advice and they should warn sightseers not to go too far and only low tide. 

Date 2nd March 2008

No sooner than Valentines Day is out the way along comes Mothers Day... all these special days are raking in the coffers for the large retailers I would only say not to forget the local independent shops as you may well be surprised many of them are actually cheaper than the multi nationals who inflate their prices as these days come around. By the way when's Fathers Day this year???? 

 Date 1st March 2008

Here we are the 1st March and spring is just around the corner. The disco bookings are coming in and I'm already booked up for New Years Eve. Tonight we are doing a young lady's birthday party and I've been searching hi and low for some of the music that she wants played. If you do get five minutes take a look at the disco website at www.stuart-hughes.co.uk as you will see we can cater for everyone so go and spread the word. The show is one of the largest in Devon and the frontage can be extended to 30' we have a terrific laser light show and all the gimmicks. If you know of anyone looking for a professional show then you know who to call.