News in Dawlish

The WaveWalker machine currently building the foundations for section two of Dawlish's new sea wall has been attracting a lot of interest this week.

The enormous structure, that moves sideways like a crab, is inserting cylindrical steel piles into the ground on the sea-facing side, to make sure the new wall will be super-strong and able to withstand major storms.

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has been declared across the whole of England, following a number of cases of bird flu including the outbreak that has now killed 10 swans and cygnets in Dawlish.

Five cygnets, their mother and four other swans have now died.

A community drive-in carol service is being planned for Dawlish, so that people can enjoy singing and celebrating from the safety of their own cars.

Redeeming Our Community (ROC) is working with the county, district and town councils to put on the event on Sunday, December 20.

It's been described by one local resident as 'the saddest building in Dawlish'.

The Old Vicarage is a derelict, partly roofless semi-ruin, surrounded by equally ugly metal fencing, in the otherwise neat residential street, Weech Road.

When Dawlish animal lover Melanie Goslin decided to run a marathon for charity, she didn't let the Covid-19 pandemic or a knee injury get in her way.

She completed the 26-mile run on a treadmill in her garage, and raised £1,860.92 for the local rescue centre Animals In Distress.

Bird flu is being blamed for the deaths of five of Dawlish's black swan cygnets and an adult swan.

Defra has confirmed today (Wednesday 11 November) that the birds that died a few days ago were infected with a strain of avian flu.

The railing at the lower end of Dawlish Bowling Club has been transformed into a colourful and poignant tribute to those lost in wars, after the town council decided to create a Poppy Wall of Remembrance.

The Poppy Wall was set up after the usual Remembrance events – a parade and public church service – had to be cancelled because of the Covid-19 restrictions. It was intended to enable Dawlish residents to pay their own tributes in a publicly visible way.

The giant WaveWalker machine, which has towered over Dawlish seafront since Sunday, is now starting work on the new sea wall.

The huge piece of marine engineering kit, which looks at first sight like an oil rig, will be used to build the sea-facing part of the second section of wall, stretching from the railway station to the coastguard breakwater to the east.

On Sunday, I took part in a service in the constituency at the Newton Abbot war memorial to mark the centenary of the First World War Armistice.

It is important that we honour and recognise those who have served our country and those who have sadly lost their lives in service to the country.

More than 200 children took part in this year's Halloween pumpkin trail, and three winners have now been presented with their prizes.

Shops and other businesses around the town displayed pumpkins in their windows, and children were challenged to spot them all and write their names on their entry form.