News in Dawlish

It is with sadness that Dawlish Town Council announces the passing of Councillor Terry Lowther on Saturday, 25 September 2021.

Councillor Lowther, a former Justice of the Peace, was first elected to the Town Council in 2011 representing Dawlish South West Ward, having won re-election in 2015, and most recently in 2019.

This Saturday, the Shaftesbury Theatre, Dawlish, will fling open its doors to the public and welcome them to ALL areas of the building with a huge Open Day!

Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes to make all your favourite productions happen? Now you can find out! From 10am-2pm on Saturday 2nd October, there will be a series of workshops, technical demonstrations, backstage tours and you can also find out more about how YOU can get involved.

The winter migration of birds to the Exe Estuary often attracts birdwatchers – and it's also drawn the attention of ITV Westcountry News.

Every year dark-bellied Brent geese arrive in the estuary from Eastern Siberia, a journey of 3,000 miles, to spend the winter there.

New LED lighting and concrete seating have been installed as the finishing touches to the first section of Dawlish's new sea wall.

Work on the second section of the new sea wall – which is 415m in length and stretches between the Colonnade breakwater west of the station to the Coastguard breakwater east of the station – began last November and Network Rail says it's continuing to progress well.

A break-in at the Strand Centre has caused serious damage and left the café unable to open to customers this morning (Thursday, September 23).

At some time between 9pm on Wednesday night and 7am today, someone threw a plant pot through a leaded window, got inside and stole two large jars containing donations of small change.

While we may be returning to some sense of normality, the Prime Minister's message is that Covid has not gone away, and he is clearly right. Several Covid-related issues have frequented my inbox, graced the floor of the house and hit our front pages.

On a positive note, it was announced that we won't be required to show a Covid passport in England now. So, those who make the legitimate choice against having the vaccine will not be discriminated against for practising their right to autonomy over their health. I had also been concerned that the introduction of this measure would really be the introduction of controversial ID cards 'by the back door'. We should not have to wield ID cards to be able to participate in society, this is a basic right.

The first Covid-19 booster vaccinations have been administered in Devon.

The jabs are being offered to people most at risk from Covid-19 who have already had two doses of a vaccine. In line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, they will receive either one dose of the Pfizer vaccine or half a dose of the Moderna vaccine.

The Love Dawlish website is back!

Along with the Love Teignmouth site, it has been re-launched, showcasing the town to visitors while also providing useful information for residents.

The police and crime commissioner for Devon and Cornwall says she's committed to tackling violence against women - but she may not include it as part of the new police and crime plan.

Addressing the Devon and Cornwall police and crime panel in Plymouth on Friday, September 17, Alison Hernandez responded to suggestions that tackling gender-based violence isn't given high enough priority in her draft plan.

The sun shone and there were plenty of people out at the Great Big Dawlish Lawn Event on Saturday. Here's a video and a few photos.

There are plenty more events taking place during the rest of the Great Big Green Week, including talks, a litter picking session, a beach clean, the Repair Cafe and a foraging walk. To see the full programme, click here.