Latest News
Village Forum
A Village Forum will be held on 14th October at 7-30 in the Parish Hall. Everyone is welcome!
This is an opportunity for residents old and new to meet the organisations that operate in the community and learn about their forthcoming plans.
It will also be an opportunity for these organisations to share ideas, information and resources.
There will also be a free glass of wine!
New Defibrillator
The Parish Hall management committee has been able secure funding from the Ilfracombe Round Table for a second defibrillator in the village of West Down. The new defibrillator is located within the covered area of the Parish Hall, Ilfracombe Road by Room 2000.
This unit is in addition to the defibrillator located in the porch area of the Community Shop.
Many thanks to the Round Table for their generosity in supporting our community.
West Down Parish Council (WDPC) – Small Grant Fund
Each year West Down Parish Council allocates an expenditure budget from the annual precept in order to support local groups and organisations.
The Council’s guidelines for grant applications are now available.
This process will ensure access, openness and fairness to the groups and organisations we aim to support.
WDPC grants run within a financial year April – March.
Application forms and our Grant Fund Policy can be obtained by contacting the Clerk, John Barnett, at clerk@westdownparishcouncil.org.uk.
Alternatively, everything can also be downloaded from the Parish Council website at www.westdownparishcouncil.org.uk.
Completed forms for funding the 2026/2027 financial year must be received by the Parish Clerk by Monday 20th October 2025.
Emergency Alert Test – Sunday 7 September 2025
The UK Government will be carrying out a nationwide test of the Emergency Alerts system on Sunday 7 September at around 3:00pm.
Emergency Alerts are designed to provide life-saving information in situations such as severe flooding, fires or other emergencies. During the alert your phone will vibrate and make a loud, siren-like sound for roughly 10 seconds even if your device is on silent.
For most people, keeping alerts switched on is the safest option.
However, there are some circumstances where choosing to opt out may be sensible, for example, if someone has a concealed phone.
The government is continuing to work with charities and campaigners to ensure that those who may be at risk are supported and informed ahead of the test.
How to opt out: Instructions vary depending on your device. Full guidance is available here https://www.gov.uk/alerts/opting-out
More information and FAQs: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/emergency-alert-test-frequently-asked-questions
Free School Meals
All children in reception, year 1 and year 2 at state schools in England automatically get free school meals. However, parents and guardians are encouraged to apply for free school meals when they enrol their child in school, as this can help their child’s school to attract additional ‘New starter pupil premium – Education and Families‘ funding to support learning.
From year 3 onwards, children whose parents are getting any of the following are entitled to free school meals:
- Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods).
- Income Support (IS).
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA).
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (IRESA).
- The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit.
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
- Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income that does not exceed £16,190).
- Working Tax Credit run-on (the payment you get for a further 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit).
School children living on their own (16-19 year olds) who receive a qualifying benefit in their own right can also get free school meals.
How to apply:
Apply through the Citizen Portal – Sign in. This is the quickest and easiest way to apply and will result in you getting an instant decision. Alternatively, call the Education Helpline on 0345 155 1019.
School meals – Education and Families
Environmental Protection Team warning: Spray foam insulation removal scam
Environmental Protection have been made aware of rogue traders now operating in North Devon, and they have asked that North Devon Council pass this information on to you to spread awareness of the issue:
It seems that unscrupulous traders have moved on to new schemes to extort money from vulnerable householders:
They are cold-calling on local residents and providing a spray foam insulation at high cost (irrespective of whether it was suitable for the property or not), and then making further charges to remove the poor insulation at a price! The waste is then being dumped and fly-tipped.
Trading standards have advised they are aware of the schemes and have released an update on their website: Devon And Somerset Trading Standards.
Pension Credit
If you are over State Pension age, you may be eligible to claim Pension Credit. See below:-
Devon County Council/Devon Highways – Important Updates
Landowners and occupiers are required by law to properly maintain their trees and vegetation bordering the highway.
Landowners are advised to regularly check the health of their trees and take action where appropriate. Ash Die Back continues to affect trees across Devon. Our records show that it was particularly widespread in North Devon last year.
Ash Die Back continues to affect trees across Devon. Our records show that it was particularly widespread in North Devon last year.
Information about tree maintenance and Ash Die Back can be found on our website.
Landowners should ensure that their trees and vegetation do not reduce visibility on the highway and that all highway users can pass safely.
Streetlights and road signs should also be clearly visible.
Please encourage your community to consider the timing of their routine tree and hedge maintenance and consider both the need to protect highway users from hazards and to protect the environment.
Additional guidance for landowners is available on our website.
English hedgerows will be further protected in law but maintenance to protect highway users will be permitted.
The legislation will include a two metre ‘buffer strip’ from the centre of hedgerows with no cultivation or application of pesticides or fertilisers, and a hedge cutting ban between 1 March and 31 August to protect nesting birds.
Cutting or trimming during the cutting ban period is permitted
- if the hedgerow overhangs a highway, road or footpath over which there is a public or private right of way and it obstructs the passage of, or is a danger to, vehicles, or users
- if the hedgerow is dead, diseased, damaged or insecurely rooted and because of its condition, it or part of it, is likely to cause danger by falling on to a highway, road or footpath
Maintaining highway verges
During ‘No Mow May’ we would like to highlight that we only carry out grass-cutting on highway verges in areas that are key to maintaining visibility, such as at junctions, laybys, and the inside of bends.
Our aim when grass-cutting is to keep the highway safe and to maintain visibility for all road users.
The Parish Paths Partnerships Scheme (also known as the P3 scheme) is an initiative to ensure that the rights of way network is properly maintained and well publicised. It has the support of the National Association of Local Councils and is Devon County Council funded. The County Council was one of the first 15 Highway Authorities to participate in this scheme, which encourages community involvement and enjoyment of public rights of way. Devon County Council is working in partnership with parish/town councils, landowners and local voluntary groups. The main aim is to improve the condition of the local rights of way and keep them open and used properly.
Notice from West Down Parish Council
We have again received a great many complaints about
DOG FOULING – especially around play park in Community Field
(THE OFFENCE OF BEING IN CHARGE OF A DOG AND FAILING TO REMOVE THE FAECES AFTER IT DEFICATES IN A PUBLIC PLACE)
So….
Please watch where your dog ‘goes’ and pick up after it.
If you have more than one dog off lead you can’t expect to watch them all.
All dog owners have an idea of when their dog needs to go. We are just asking you to be responsible for the mess and remove it.
There are 4 dog waste bins around the village –
Parish Hall, School, Community Field and Coronation Triangle
PLEASE USE THEM
We live in a lovely village and it is in everyone’s interest to keep it that way,
so, it is important that we all do our bit.
Sitter/Model Wanted
Would you like to sit for the local Art Group at West Down Parish Hall?
We are looking for a clothed model one Wednesday morning – a date to suit you.
Young or old we need you!
Please contact: Avice Yeo on 07747 632634
Flooding
If any householder has flooding to their property they are being asked to report this on the emergency number below as it will go straight through to the contractor for a call out.
Highway emergency number – 0345 155 1004
Sign the Vision Zero South West Road Safety Pledge
This week marks national Road Safety Week and we’re asking all road users across Devon & Cornwall to sign up to the Vision Zero South West Road Safety Pledge. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility and this pledge – which covers five simple ways to keep yourself and other safe – is a way of showing that you are doing your part. Last year 47 people were killed and 741 were seriously injured on Devon & Cornwall’s roads. That number must come down.
All members of the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership have committed to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured by 50% by 2030 – and eventually, to zero.
Do your part by signing the Pledge here: https://visionzerosouthwest.co.uk/the-vision-zero-pledge/.
See the West Down History Pages for “The Spy Who Talked Too Much“
Scams targeting the hospitality sector
How to protect your business:
- Ensure that business accounts are protected using 2-step verification (2SV). This will help to prevent unauthorised access to your computer systems even if an attacker knows an employee’s login details.
- Employees who communicate with your suppliers should be informed of what types of information a supplier will and won’t ask for. For example, a supplier will never ask for an employee’s password. Staff should be encouraged to speak with a supervisor if they’ve received a request they’re unsure about.
- If you are a business, charity or other organisation which is currently suffering a live cyber-attack (in progress), please call 0300 123 2040 immediately. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- For more advice on how to improve your business’ cyber security in an affordable and practical way, please see the National Cyber Security Centre’s Small Business Guide.
Recommended police services available to organisations in the hospitality sector:Police CyberAlarm is an award-winning free tool, provided by your local police force, to help your business or organisation monitor and report the suspicious cyber activity it faces. More information can be accessed on the Police CyberAlarm website.The South West Cyber Resilience Centre (SWCRC) is a police-led, not for profit initiative which helps businesses better protect themselves against cyber threats. Visit the SWCRC website to discover the full range of available cyber security services.Cyber Essentials is a scheme which helps organisations guard themselves against the most common cyber threats and demonstrates a commitment to cyber security. Find out more about how to achieve certification on the NCSC website.
Devon Highways – Important Updates January 2023
Potholes
We are currently dealing with a very high number of pothole reports due to the cold and wet weather. Approximately a third of the reports we are receiving are duplicates and are already waiting to be assessed or repaired.
On our Report a Problem page you can:
- report potholes for assessment
- provide an email address to receive automatic updates
- see where potholes have already been reported
- see where we have asked our contractor to carry out repairs
Where a report already exists, you do not need to create a new report to receive updates. Select the report and click ‘Add me to this pothole’.
Your help in reducing the number of duplicate reports we receive will enable our inspection team to work as efficiently as possible during these challenging conditions.
If you report a pothole and we don’t repair it straight away, this could be because:
- the pothole was inspected and is not deemed to be a safety defect
- there is a problem with the surface of the road which needs to be investigated as a repair will not solve the underlying problem
- traffic management is needed to carry out repairs safely
Flooding and Drainage
If it’s an emergency and there is danger to life as a result of flooding call 999. The number one cause of death during flooding is driving through flood water so please prioritise your safety.
If a river is flooding, contact the Environment Agency on 0345 988 1188. The environment Agency also has a range of information about flood warnings and precautions.
Internal property flooding can be reported on our webpage.
Standing Water or Running Water
On our Report a Problem page you can report standing water, flooding and blocked drains.
Standing/running water will not be investigated during prolonged heavy rain. Please ensure that you have checked that an issue is still present 24 hours after the rain has stopped before reporting it.
Where water is still present 24 hours after the rain has stopped, we will attempt to clear it if:
- the road is impassable
- the water is forcing vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians away from the nearside of the road by more than one metre
- vehicles have to cross the centreline marking
- there is a risk of aquaplaning where the speed limit of the road is 40mph or above, and vehicles could reasonably be expected to travel at that speed.
If we are unable to clear the water, we will use a flood sign or guard the area or close the road to make the location safe and then investigate a permanent solution.
Useful Links
Our Report a Problem page can also be used to report storm damage such as hazardous or fallen trees and debris.
Time to get walking again!
With Spring on its way we start to think about getting out to walk in the beautiful English countryside again, but where to find new and interesting walks?
Walking in Devon has loads of walks to download and print, free. It also has books of walks, details of all the walking groups in the county and much more. Whether you want to walk on your own or with a group, all the information is there in one place.
John Harris (who maintains the website) said “There is so much walking information on the web but it is difficult to find. Walking in Devon (part of the Walking in England website) has brought it together in one place. So whether you are walking from home, or away on holiday, you will be able to find a walk suitable for you”.
With walks from half a mile to twelve miles plus long, and a note of suitability for pushchairs and wheelchairs, everyone can find a walk to enjoy.
So home or away, check out the websites and get walking!
John Harris
www.walkinginengland.co.uk
john@walkinginengland.co.uk
West Down Parish Council
*20 MPH Speed Limit in West Down*
In order for West Down Parish Council to progress to Express an Interest with Devon County Council to have the speed limit reduced in the village, one of the criteria we have to meet is to have a Community Speed Watch Group.
Many parishioners have requested that the speed limit is reduced and have raised concerns about speeding in the village and on Ilfracombe Hill. The Parish Council have been happy to facilitate the start of this process. The Chair of the Parish Council, Councillor Sue Ayre, has set up the West Down Community Speed Watch Group with Devon and Cornwall Police. Currently there are two members. There is a registration process and some online training to complete.
Councillor Ayre has circulated information to members of the community that had previously expressed an interest.
Please contact the Clerk or Councillor Sue Ayre (sue.ayre@westdown parishcouncil.org.uk) if you would like to become involved.
Without the speed watch group and the support of the community the criteria will not be met and the Parish Council can not express an interest for the reduction of the speed limit.
Bell Ringing
If anyone is interested in learning bell ringing, please come along to West Down Church Tower on Thursday evenings at 7.30pm.
Want to see your business grow?
Made in Devon is a new ‘buy-local’ business support scheme from Devon County Council and is looking to help 125 businesses a year with free scheme membership. Benefits include Trading Standards advice and being part of major promotional campaigns that will make the most of new consumer trends to support local, independent businesses and artisans.
To qualify you need to be a Devon-based business who takes pride in supporting other local companies and goes out of your way to use materials and ingredients produced in Devon. To find out more visit www.madeindevon.org.uk. Made in Devon is part of the well-established Trading Standards Buy with Confidence scheme.
Scam calls with matching numbers
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) is warning the public to be vigilant of scam calls that appear to be coming from numbers similar to their own. Commonly, the first seven digits (07nnnnn) match the victim’s own number. The calls impersonate well-known government organisations, or law enforcement agencies, and will ask the recipient of the call to “press 1” in order to speak with an advisor, or police officer, about unpaid fines or police warrants.
In May 2021, Action Fraud received 2,110 scam call reports where the caller’s number matched the first seven digits of the victim’s own phone number. Of these, 1,426 (68%) referred to HMRC or National Insurance. Victims have also reported receiving these types of calls, and messaging, via widely-used messaging apps, such as WhatsApp.
What you need to do:
- Government and law enforcement agencies will not notify you about unpaid fines or outstanding police warrants by calling or texting you. Do not respond to any calls or texts you receive about these.
- Always take a moment to stop and think before parting with money or your personal information, it could prevent you from falling victim to fraud. Remember, it’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
- If you receive a suspicious text message, you can report it by forwarding the message to 7726. It’s free of charge.
- Suspicious telephone/mobile calls can be reported to Action Fraud via their website: actionfraud.police.uk/report-phishing.
For more information about how to protect yourself online, visit www.cyberaware.gov.uk and www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk and follow @DC_CyberProtect on Twitter.
Devon Domestic Abuse Service
Parish Council – Ash dieback
Ash die-back is becoming increasingly prevalent and landowners are reminded that it is their responsibility to ensure public safety. Dead or diseased trees need to be removed or made safe where they could fall across roads or pathways. Advice and information can be found on
https://www.devon.gov.uk/environment/ash-dieback.
Air Ambulance
West Down has become one of the latest villages to provide a safe landing space for the North Devon Air Ambulance. Having already experienced the need for casualties to be evacuation using the Air Ambulance, the community came together to ensure that the helicopter could land safely by day and night.
The success of this initiative is a real tribute to the community spirit that exists, with all sections of the community coming together to provide the necessary facilities.
The Trustees of the West Down Village Green Field Association offered the landing site and the Parish Council obtained the necessary planning permission. Fund raising for the lighting mast was aided by County and District Councillors. West Down Women’s Institute held a cream tea which raised a substantial amount as well as being a most enjoyable event. A grateful parishioner, who benefitted from the services of the air ambulance, was among the donors. A local resident is providing the electricity for the mast and the air ambulance has already completed a test run.
The general Feeling is a hope that it will not be necessary to use the landing site, but it is reassuring for villages in remote locations to know that they are accessible and that aid is within easy reach.
West Down Parish Council
West Down Parish Council wish to make everyone aware that we have a fully operational AED in the village. This is a Zoll machine and it is sited in the porch at the West Down Community Shop. It is stored in a plastic box with an alarm on it, but there is no code to access the box and the alarm is for noise purpose only.
This machine is simple to operate and once open you follow the instructions provided by the machine – with good quality CPR the best possible care is provided to a casualty and chances of survival in a life threatening situation are raised considerably.
If anyone would like further information regarding the machine or you wanted to consider some training, please do not hesitate to contact:
Sue Ayre – 07980 182317