A Weather Warning from the Salcombe Harbour Authority

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From Salcombe Harbour Authority

Whilst we appreciate many boats are now not afloat, if you are still using the harbour or are using a facility within the harbour area please note:

Storm Ciarán is expected to hit the Harbour particularly hard on Wednesday and Thursday, the 1st and 2nd of November, with very strong winds from various directions. Predictions include (as well as the normal prevailing south westerlies) a south-easterly element veering north-westerly, exposing some areas that are normally more sheltered. There will also be larger than forecast tides and heavy rain as the very low pressure passes through. The Met Office have just upgraded their warning for wind to amber, see: Met Office Weather Warnings

Tenders and small vessels still afloat will need to be bailed and empty before and after the storm is due to hit. We have had a tremendous amount of rain in the last few weeks, couple this with strong winds and big tides, there is a high chance of vessels becoming swamped and sinking, which we have already experienced in the last week. Please also check your mooring warps and if you are concerned about your mooring location please contact the Harbour Office. If you have the option to recover your tender ashore, now might be a good opportunity.

If you haven’t checked your vessel recently, please do so before the storm. This includes that your mooring warps are in good condition, your bilges are dry and pumps are working, anything on deck is stowed/secured and any sails/covers are correctly secured, furled or dropped. This also relates to any vessels stored ashore on the boat parks or dinghy racks which need to be secure in their facility, on their trailer or in their cradle.

Some facilities such as Victoria and Batson Pontoons also need to be cleared by their contractual date of November 1st. With this in mind any boats overwintering afloat elsewhere should check they remain correctly insured to be afloat as this is not necessarily standard on an annual policy.

Please take care if you’re out and about during the storm, Salcombe Harbour will be available on VHF Ch14 Monday to Friday between 09:00 – 16:30 but the harbour taxi may not be running if conditions are deemed unsafe.

Regards
Salcombe Harbour Authority

Devon and Cornwall Police Warning about hacked email and social media

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From Devon and Cornwall Police

Devon & Cornwall Police’s Cyber Protect Team are asking people to use strong passwords and 2-step verification for their email and social media accounts.

This is following notification from Action Fraud that they have received reports about hacked email and social media accounts, these reports included victims being extorted for money, or having their accounts used to perpetrate fraud against other members of the public.

In the last two months Action Fraud has received reports relating to hacked social media accounts being utilised to promote fake music concert tickets, and unfortunately members of the public are less likely to suspect it’s a scam if the tickets appear to be sold by someone who has lots of friends on their profile and posts dating back many years.

What can you do to avoid having your email or social media accounts hacked?

  • Use a strong and different password for your email and social media accounts. Your email and social media passwords should not be the same and should be strong, ideally 12 characters or more. Combining three random words that each mean something to you is a great way to create a password that is easy to remember but hard to crack.
  • Turn on 2-Step Verification (2SV) for your email and social media accounts. 2-Step Verification (2SV) gives you twice the protection so even if cyber criminals have your password, they can’t access your email or social media account. 2SV works by asking for more information to prove your identity. For example, getting a code sent to your phone when you sign in using a new device or change settings such as your password. You won’t be asked for this every time you check your email or social media.

If you have been a victim of fraud or cybercrime, report it at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. Suspicious emails should also be sent to NCSC’s Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) at report@phishing.gov.uk

Defibrillator Awareness Session, Saturday 4th November

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From Ann Jones: Reply to a.m.m.jones@btinternet.com

Resuscitation and Defibrillator Training
Saturday 4 November
10 am – 12 noon
East Portlemouth Village Hall

Given by Kevin Bowler,
Community Responder Officer
South West Ambulance Service

All are welcome – No need to book

Fire and Rescue Service Consultation

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From Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

Dear All,

Every year we ask our communities and businesses about the level of precept (council tax contribution) for the fire and rescue service. This consultation is open now until midday on 30 November.

We would like to hear from as many people as possible across Devon and Somerset to better understand our residents’ views. Please can you complete the online survey and share this with your networks. Should you or anyone else be unable to complete this online please call 01392 872354 and leave a message with your name and number. Please see below the attached poster for display if there are any appropriate places, or please include in any timely newsletters you may have.

Whilst we are aware of the pressures many of us are facing now and in the coming months, your feedback will help to make more informed decisions for the next financial year.

Many thanks for your support to share this consultation.

Precept_poster_2023

Devon County Council help with the cost of living

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Devon County Council has released a special edition of their “ConnectMe Newsletter” on 17th October 2023.

“The rise in the cost of living means that we’re all having to dig a little deeper to pay for household essentials such as food and energy. Many people in Devon are being forced to make difficult decisions, especially those on the lowest incomes.

If you don’t have enough money to live on, it’s important to make sure you know what support is available, so we’ve put together this special edition of our Connect Me newsletter to help.”

There are items covering:

  • Household Support Fund
  • Citizens Advice Devon Energy Relief Scheme
  • Free Retrofit Energy Saving Improvements
  • Home Upgrade Grant 2 (HUG2)
  • Food, Fuel and More grants
  • Ream Devon hardship schemes
  • Free School Meals
  • Holidays supermarket vouchers
  • Free school holiday activities
  • Growing Communities Fund
  • Community Fridges

and more.

The newsletter may be viewed online at: ConnectMe Special Edition 17 October 2023

South Hams Climate Change and Biodiversity Newsletter

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South Hams District Council Climate Change specialists have released the October 2023 edition of their online newsletter covering such things as:

  • Draft Corporate Strategy
  • Follaton Arboretum
  • Transition Town Totnes Eco Open Homes
  • Responsible Science and the polycrisis
  • Low Carbon Energy Solutions Innovator Challenge
  • Connected Warmth
  • Branching Out Fund (deadline 3rd December)
  • Grant for Goos
  • Ongoing Resources, help and Tutorials

and more.

Read the newsletter at: Climate Change and Biodiversity Emergency October 2023

 

Subtidal Seagrass Event

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Nigel Mortimer, of the South Devon AONB Unit, released the following information about an upcoming event in the Salcombe/Kingsbridge Estuary Area:

We’ve got some reasonable spring tides this coming weekend (predicted 0.4m), some of the lowest of 2023 and the weather on Saturday at least looking good.

I am leading a guided visit along the Salcombe seafront from Whitestrand to look at the ‘common seagrass’ and consider what all the fuss about seagrass, saltmarsh and mudflats is all about? (‘common’ seagrass is a bit of an oxymoron … it may have been common once but not now).

It’s a free event, meeting for 1230 opposite the Harbour Office – Whitestrand, Salcombe TQ8 8BU

We’ll probably finish about 2pm

Further info from their website:

August changes to Waste and Recycling Collections

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South Hams District Council have now released their changes for waste and recycling collection after the late August Bank Holiday. Please see the table below:

Table of collection dates

further information may be found at https://southhams.gov.uk/bank-holiday

Notice of Councillor Vacancy

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EAST PORTLEMOUTH PARISH COUNCIL
CASUAL VACANCY

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 87(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 that a casual vacancy exists in the office of Parish Councillor for East Portlemouth and that unless ten or more electors of the electoral area have on or before the 8 September 2023 submitted a request in writing to the Returning Officer, South Hams District Council, Follaton House, Plymouth Road, Totnes, TQ9 5NE, that an election be held to fill the vacancy, the Parish Council will take steps to fill the said vacancy.

R Hill
Acting Clerk
17 August 2023

Stagecoach Southwest Bus Changes for September 2023

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Stagecoach Southwest have made us aware of a large number of bus service changes that will be implemented across the area from Sunday 3rd September 2023. They say that the changes are mostly positive as they show signs towards growing the bus network back again, following the service frequency reductions in 2022.

Of particular interest to the East Portlemouth area are changes to the 3 (Plymouth to Kingsbridge) and 93 (Dartmouth to Kingsbridge) services which will now have a new timetable with revised departure times on all days of operation; along with additional later and last journeys. Similarly, the 92 service (Dartmouth to Totnes) now increases in frequency to hourly for much of the day from Monday to Saturday; this also now connects with the 7 service (Exeter, Totnes, Newton Abbot) which has a similar increase in the number of services.

The list of changes is long and can be found on Stagecoach’s website:

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/south-west/south-west-timetables

(As you scroll down the web page, click the “show more” tab to open up the complete list)

The enhancements are funded from the Department for Transport’s post COVID recovery grants.  It is said that all the service improvements have the potential to achieve long term sustainability if patronage increases.