And welcome to this month's catch-up on news and views.

OPENING UP SIDMOUTH

A lot of work has gone into making Sidmouth's town centre feel safe and welcoming – and with our sunny climate a 'street café culture' is out there for the taking.

In the meantime, there's been quite a debate on wearing face-masks as we open up.

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

During lockdown, we weren't as careful with our rubbish – whether plastic on the beach or electronics in our bin.

But there are many ways to deal with it all: plastic bottles can be refilled and all sorts of stuff, electronic or otherwise, can be taken to the Repair Café, hopefully soon!

And the Plastic Warriors are making a return on 18^th and 19^th July with a big beach clean.

Finally, the VGS is keen to work with the Warriors and town council on relaunching Plastic Free Sidmouth – and is working on a joint initiative with Transition Exmouth.

FOOD IN THE SID VALLEY

The Food Bank has just moved to new premises. In parallel, there are several schemes to reduce food waste. If you'd like to help out, you can always be a Food Waste Hero.

Meanwhile, the new Sid Valley Biodiversity Group is working on getting a few more allotments together – see what their next meeting on Tuesday 14^th July has to say.

The VGS is certainly keen to help, with its new Sid Valley Food Group and some great ideas for rethinking food.

BIODIVERSITY

The SVBG will be showcasing several projects at its meeting – aka the regular Café Scientifique. Just get in touch to join the zoom session.

The group's partner organisations have been busy – including the magnificent Hedge Survey from the Arboretum.

The group has also had a regular slot in the Herald, with pieces on wildflowers and how to improve biodiversity at home and beyond.

The Town Council's environment committee has just met up – looking at projects such as vehicle charging points and pedestrianisation/temporary traffic restriction orders.

TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT

 And to push charging points, the county council has just put out a questionnaire on e-vehicles: do fill it in.

Meanwhile in Ottery, the council is considering a traffic management scheme – and so it is hoped that, at its first official meeting (probably 3^rd August), the Sidmouth town council will be looking at convening the much-promised round table for a “comprehensive Traffic Management Plan”.

As well as these official initiatives on how to deal with traffic as lockdown eases, the VGS has been working with councillors and the Chamber on an  e-delivery trike or e-pedicab service in town – a initiative which “would suit a budding young entrepreneur”, with grants and help to make it possible.

FINALLY: THE FUTURE

Sidmouth has got its Blue Flag! Congratulations to all involved. Maybe this will also help 'a new kind of tourism'...

Whether we will also have a 'Blue New Deal' … or even some kind of 'Green New Deal' will have to be seen.

We will need to keep an eye on how the planning regime might change and what effect on the environment that might have in the Sid Valley.

As always, there's more on the VGS news pages and the events calendar.

If you'd like to learn more about any of these initiatives or would like to get involved, just get in touch.

Keep safe and keep well.