News in Dawlish

Seven years ago today, Dawlish made international headlines when a massive storm destroyed the sea wall and left part of the railway track suspended above the wreckage.

Today, Network Rail is looking back at the events of February 2014 and the huge efforts of its 'Orange Army' to repair the track and re-establish the rail link to the rest of the south-west.

Dawlish Nub News is excited to announce the launch of its free new weekly newsletter.

Each and every Friday we will be bringing hyperlocal news straight to your e-mail inbox.

Alongside the tragic loss of life and livelihoods, one of the most devasting impacts that the Coronavirus pandemic has had is on the life chances of children through the substantial disruption to education over the last year.

Whilst children haven't necessarily been physically in the classroom, schools have very much remained open over the last 12 months, not only providing on-site provision for the children of key workers and those classed as vulnerable, but also providing lessons online. Like other key workers, all those who work in schools and other education settings have done a phenomenal job over the last year of keeping things going and providing support for young people, and we should all be incredibly thankful for that.

So, the highly anticipated vaccine is here and going into people's arms as we speak. We have two centres which local GPs have organised, one at Dawlish Community Hospital and the other in Sherborne House in Newton Abbot. Having seen the Newton Abbot centre at work, I was very impressed. Each week a list is compiled of those in the priority categories who are most in need and invitations are sent out.

That said, this is a marathon, not a sprint. The arrival of several vaccines is great news, but not a quick fix. GPs and vaccination centres have lists of over 80s among the first in the queue for a vaccine. They are gradually working through their lists and contacting patients inviting them for a vaccine. Those who are the most vulnerable in that group are being prioritised. So, if someone younger than you has been vaccinated and you haven't – you haven't been missed – it is coming!

A free online course is being offered to people in Devon who would like to start a social enterprise – a business that makes money, but also benefits their community.

The course is part of Devon County Council's response to the Covid crisis and is open to people who are unemployed or at risk of losing their jobs.

'Unacceptable' Government plans that would have seen a huge increase in the number of new homes built across Teignbridge have been scrapped.

The national proposals involved a change in the way housebuilding targets for each district were worked out, and would have led to 1,532 homes being built in Teignbridge every year, rather than the current requirement of 760.

What's that bright dot, high up in space, moving across the dark early-morning sky? Could it be Santa's sleigh, flying around the world to deliver presents to all the good children?

Well, actually the scientists tell us it's the International Space Station. But who knows?

As I write this it has just been announced that restrictions may be lifted for a few days at Christmas and it got me wondering how people felt about this.

For lots of people the festive season is a time they look forward to, plan for, and enjoy getting together with family and friends.

'Not good enough' is the verdict of Dawlish town councillor Rosalind Prowse to the continuing absence of a Minor Injuries Unit at the community hospital.

The MIU has been closed since mid-March in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, with the Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust explaining that there were difficulties in staffing the unit, and advising patients to go to the Newton Abbot unit instead.

Dawlish's children will be taking extra interest in the town's shop windows from this weekend, as the town's annual Halloween Pumpkin Trail gets under way.

From Saturday, October 24 until Sunday, November 1, businesses around the town will be displaying a pumpkin in their window, and children are encouraged to see how many they can spot for the chance of winning a prize.