PLANS for a specially commissioned steel sculpture to enhance the entrance to the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum on the Streatham campus have been approved by the city council. Created by Scottish artist Kenny Munro the work will commemorate what would have been the 80th birthday of film-maker Bill Douglas this year. Artefacts collected by Bill and his friend, Devonian Peter Jewell, formed the basis of the museum. The sculpture will be a three sided framework of mirror-polished stainless steel with visitors being able to film and photograph their reflections in and on the sculpture.

Willeys Avenue residents are increasingly finding that their road is being used as an all day car park. Local councillor, Rod Ruffle, is to take the matter up with the city council as it is believed the influx of parked cars is a result of a four-fold parking charge increase at the nearby car park in Michael Browning Way on the City Industrial Estate. Cllr Ruffle said: "What I intend to do is talk to as many residents as quickly as possible and ask the city council what the take up of the car park is like now because I suspect that they may have taken a little more money from putting the charges up but they may have lost of bit of money from doing this. "I am going to ask them to get the charges reduced, if not to their original level, then back to a more sensible level. "Some of the businesses have also started to complain that they are noticing less customers so I think it is right to make a sensible adjustment."

Campaigners have begun fighting plans to close three-quarters of the council-run day care centres in Devon. Devon County Council wants to axe 75% of its facilities as part of plans to cut £28 million from next year's budget, reducing the number from 35 to nine. The Conservative authority says attendances have dropped significantly since 2005 and it wants to close some, merge others and use more private provision. Relatives of elderly people who attend the centres say they play a pivotal role in their lives and argue that paying the private sector does not make financial sense. Sue Buckley, of Dawlish, says her 89-year-old mother, who has attended Beechcroft Day Centre, in Teignmouth, for four years, depends on the support. "It is a superb place and there is nothing out there which can match it – the staff are so loving, caring and professional," she added. "We are trying to keep her in her own home – she has got Alzheimer's and vascular dementia – I can't be with her all day but she needs someone otherwise she just sleeps. "The council want to buy services from the private sector but I fail to see how that will be cost effective – they talk about retirement homes but sitting in front of a TV all day is no stimulation at all. "We are going to put up a fight and make some noise." The council insists that everyone eligible will continue to receive council support and says no decision has yet been made the proposals, which are under consultation until March 19 but have already been factored into budget plans set to be approved by the full council tomorrow. thurs) Officials say a 66% fall in attendance and the reduction in government funding had led it to review how future services were delivered, Councillor Stuart Barker, cabinet member for adult social care, said nothing was "set in stone", but, with rising costs and lower attendance, the council had to be "realistic". "We should be prepared to keep centres in places where there is demand and insufficient alternative," he added. "But where there are good private or voluntary sector-run alternatives, we should consider using them more." The Oasis Centre in Barnstaple, the only dedicated centre for physical disabilities, is marked for closure. Martin Moss, who attends, said if it closed it would leave "a big hole" in his life. "You can talk to people with other disabilities without so-called normal people staring at you and we can be ourselves," the 53-year-old said. "It's part of your extended family... it would be absolutely devastating if it closed."

A LIDO style changing facility is being proposed by the University for its outdoor swimming pool. According to the University authorities, the new changing, showering and toilet facilities are much needed: currently all swimmers have to use the dated facilities in the adjacent Cornwall House. As the pool is open only in the summer months, open air changing cubicles under a monopitch roof covering are being proposed. The pool already has high fencing around the perimeter, so the proposed cubicles will not be visible from outside the pool area. There are no plans to extend the pool's opening times.

EXETER City Swimming Club bagged six gold, eight silver and seven bronze medals in their age-group section of the 2014 Championships at Plymouth's Life Centre. Emily Eveling, 12, won her 200m backstroke age group final by six seconds in 2mins 28.39secs – her first national qualifying time and the seventh swimmer to secure her place in the national finals at Sheffield. The women's 200m backstroke saw Aliyah-Mai Webb, 13, take bronze in her age-group, while 11-year-olds Olivia Passmore and Milly Kendall won gold and silver. Amelia Ashelford took silver in the 10-year-olds' final. There were also medals in the women's 100m freestyle, where Sammy Gray won gold in the 16-and-over category. Milly Kendall and Olivia Passmore took silver and bronze for 11 year-olds, plus qualifying times for June's regional finals. In the women's 400m freestyle, Sammy Gray qualified for the Championship final, while there were age-group bronze medals for Rebecca Anderson (15) and Webb. Passmore's silver ensured that she completed the weekend with a medal of every colour. Rebecca Anderson came fifth in the 50m backstroke championship final. Exeter's men won 11 of the club's 21 medals. Liam White (15) was the star performer, with golds in 200m individual medley (IM) and 200m breaststroke, and bronze in the 100m freestyle, where Freddie Fearnley pipped him to second. Freddie's brother George won the 16-and-over category, and Sam Criddle took silver in the 12-year-olds' final. Criddle also took silver in the 200m IM, while Elliot Svensson and Tom Price won bronze in the 200m breaststroke. Tom Downs (15) captured gold in the 50m backstroke, while Liam White was the fastest qualifier from his age group and competed in the Championship final. James Wamsley was promoted to the Championship final of the 200m breaststroke, where he became junior champion and finished fifth overall. Dominic Wooldridge took silver in 2.08.56 in the Championship final of the 200m butterfly.

Exeter City's players will take out their anger and frustration at being denied a late penalty on Rochdale when they meet on Saturday. That is the view of winger David Wheeler, who was at the centre of the controversial incident at the end of City's 1-1 draw with Morecambe on Tuesday evening. Wheeler went charging into the box in second-half injury-time only to be brought down by a sliding challenge from Morecambe's Stewart Drummond. Initially referee Andy D'Urso gave a penalty to City, but he overturned the decision three minutes later after consulting his assistant referee Andy Bennett. Wheeler, who was subsequently booked for diving, was left frustrated and baffled by the whole incident. However, he says they can turn it into a positive when they face fourth-placed Rochdale this weekend. "Hopefully we can turn it into a positive and make it motivation for Saturday," said Wheeler. "It goes to show that we came so close to winning the match. "The decision was in the 90th minute so it was a game we could have easily won, but we have to make sure we get that win now against Rochdale instead." Wheeler added that the squad have been boosted by a recent run of good form. City are unbeaten in the last five games and, while they have drawn four of those matches, it is an improvement on their dismal results throughout November, December and early January. Added to that, performances have picked up as well and Wheeler says the players can take a lot of confidence from that. "We were the better side against Morecambe and it was the same on Saturday against Southend United," he said. "We had so many more shots on target and so much more possession. "We perhaps should have put the Morecambe game beyond doubt before the penalty incident but, at the same time, you have to say it is so unlucky for something like that to happen to us. "We can take confidence from the recent performances though because they have picked up a lot. "I think the boys are all working as a unit a lot better. We seem to be better at the back and we are posing much more of a threat going forward. "Looking at us now, compared to what we were a few weeks ago, it is a massive difference. I'm sure we will be a good test for Rochdale." Wheeler will be no doubt hoping for better refereeing from the match officials at St James's Park this Saturday. Speaking about the decision not to award the penalty, he added: "I have never come across anything like this before. "The guy (Stewart Drummond) who has lunged across is nowhere near the ball and everyone can see that, so I don't understand how he (D'Urso) has come to that decision. "It must have taken him three or four minutes to overturn the decision and yet at the time he was four or five yards away from the incident. "I don't understand how the linesman has got a better view of it than him, because he (D'Urso) is right behind it. "If he wasn't sure he shouldn't have given it in the first place, he should have gone straight to the linesman and consulted him straight away. "But if I have got a clear shot at goal, I'm not going to go down in the 90th minute. It is an incredible decision and it is so frustrating."

IT has been the wettest January on record with rain pouring on 23 of the 31 days of the month. In February we have seen winds of up to 80mph and rain continues to batter the South West Peninsula causing even more damage to the road and rail network of Devon. The Communities Secretary Eric Pickles announced on Thursday 6th that the Government would be provide an additional £130m for emergency repairs and maintenance to cover the costs incurred during the current emergency response and recovery and that his department would be making improvements to the Bellwin Scheme, the emergency extreme weather payment that Government give to local authorities, to help deal with damage caused by extreme weather. I have been pressing Ministers to apply greater flexibility to the Bellwin Payments ever since the floods of 2012, so I am please that the Government is taking comprehensive action. I also undethat approved a £31 million flood defence scheme for Exeter which will see dredging of the River Exe start this summer. Extra pumps, sandbags and military support are on the ground and are helping people who have been affected by the flooding. The Environment Agency staff on the ground, the emergency services, military and volunteers deserve our thanks and admiration. The destruction of Dawlish's iconic coastal railway serves as a stark reminder of how extreme weather like that experienced this month can cause huge disruption to the Westcountry's transport infrastructure. No trains are currently running between Exeter St David's and Newton Abbot and it is not expected to reopen until March 18 at the earliest. However, I understand that Stagecoach has slashed its ticket prices to help residents travelling between South Devon and Exeter. Having a fully operational road and rail network is vital to support the growing economy of the South West and, as Dawlish and the recent flooding in the Somerset Levels demonstrates, communities in the Westcountry are particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events. I recently raised this with the Transport Minister, Robert Goodwill, during Department for Transport Questions last Thursday. I said: "At the moment, not only do we have problems with the main rail down through Dawlish and Exeter, but we need to upgrade the Exeter to Waterloo line. We also need that second arterial road route, the A30-A303, to ensure that we get access to the Westcountry". The Prime Minister has given a pledge in Parliament to look at possible alternative rail routes from Plymouth. This would involve an alternative route to Plymouth, north of Dartmoor. The Transport Secretary confirmed that a study into rail resilience on the Great Western main line would take place during an urgent statement on the 13th February. Which why I am pleased to be hosting a rather timely event on the February 25 in Parliament for Westcountry MPs and local authorities to highlight the impact of the recent extreme weather on the South West Peninsula and particularly the resilience of the transport network. We will also be launching The South West Extreme Weather Resilience Report. The report, which was commissioned by local authorities in the West Country, estimates cost of the damage to the Peninsula economy, transport and public from the storms in 2012 and 2013 is in the region of £140m. When the latest flood damage and disruption is taken into account, the cost will certainly be many times more. The Transport Secretary, Patrick McLaughlin, will be attending the event and we hope to convince him that securing the investment needed for Network Rail's flood resilience programme for the South West is an urgent priority. The report, although based on information from 2012 and 2013, will be a useful tool for Government when examining long-term solutions to winter floods and extreme weather and their effect on the South West's transport infrastructure. The way the Government approaches flood maintenance measures is also something I have been examining as a member of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee. The committee held an evidence session with the Minister and Chief Executive of the Environment Agency on the Winter Floods on 22nd January and now we are now inviting written evidence on the effective use of dredging and the funding allocated to the Environment Agency.

Around Exeter area by area, the news down your street edited by Anne Byrne. Contribute by emailing Anne on abyrne@expressandecho.co.uk or give us a call on 01392 442233 Alphington WILLEYS Avenue residents are increasingly finding that their road is being used as an all-day car park. Local councillor, Rod Ruffle, is to take the matter up with the city council as it is believed the influx of parked cars is a result of a four-fold parking charge increase at the nearby car park in Michael Browning Way on the City Industrial Estate. Cllr Ruffle said: "What I intend to do is talk to as many residents as quickly as possible and ask the city council what the take-up of the car park is like now because I suspect that they may have taken a little more money from putting the charges up but they may have lots a bit of money from doing this. I am going to ask them to get the charges reduced, if not to their original level, then back to a more sensible level. "Some of the businesses have also started to complain that they are noticing less fewer customers so I think it is right to make a sensible adjustment." Beacon Heath Chaucer Grove KEEPING an eye on the weather the city council decided to bring forward the opening of the new play equipment at Chaucer Grove when blue skies appeared above Exeter last week. The play area is designed to serve the new housing development at Chaucer Grove as well as children and families already living nearby. There is a basket swing; a climbing and multi-play structure and a unique 'climbing tarantula' which consists of a trampoline within a series of climbing ropes. Cradle seat swings, a play house and some springy animals have also been provided for younger children. Cllr Keith Owen, lead councillor for environment, health and wellbeing, said: "The new development at Chaucer Grove has brought many new families and children to an area which is already quite densely populated – we feel that it's really important that new developments like these are properly served with important local amenities like children's play areas." The play equipment was funded via planning agreements with the developer and was chosen by the parks and open spaces team working with the local community. Unsafe parking PARKING issues were raised with police at the latest Have Your Say meeting with the result that PCSO Ed Mitchell is to take action. PCSO Mitchell told Community News: "The unsafe parking was a residents' perspective issue rather than illegal parking (a large van parked on Beacon Lane obstructing the view of the highway), however despite this it does represent part of a broad parking problem in the area. "Because it isn't illegal we won't be able to take any enforcement action but instead I will be looking to run an operation that raises the issue as one of safety and community awareness." City centre Sailing sign PERMISSION has been granted for a new sign that will hang outside the Ship in Martin's Lane. It still features a sailing ship. City-wide Housing project Exeter city council is to spend £30,000 conducting a housing survey in partnership with the University of Exeter. It will be funded through planning agreements and will take between five to six months. The results will help form the city council's new housing strategy. Wild city A JOINT project between Devon Wildlife Trust and Exeter City Council, has encouraged 1,000 local people to help plant more than 1,000 trees, create 10 orchards and plant 10 new wildflower meadows. The project, called Exeter Wild City, is also establishing new sources of natural food for important pollinators such as bumblebees and butterflies, and providing shelter and food for hedgehogs, birds, bats and frogs. Emily Stallworthy, conservation officer at the trust, has been working closely with Exeter school pupils, university students, residents' groups, city businesses and communities to help enhance the city's green spaces for wildlife. She said: "To help wildlife, the project has spent the winter working with local people to develop wildlife corridors through the city and to create new habitat stepping stones for wildlife to use." Clyst Heath Nursery and Community Primary School is one of the many schools involved and now has its own orchard with more than 30 fruit trees planted by its pupils. Kate White, a teacher at the school, said: "We are really excited that every child within the school has been able to plant a tree. It's a great way for pupils to connect with wildlife in the city and understand how important trees are to our everyday lives." Pupils from Bowhill Primary School helped prepare and sow a wildflower meadow at Cowick Barton Playing Field in the city. Head teacher Caren Brooks said: "There are a lot of children at the school who are interested in nature and wildlife so it's always great to get involved in practical tasks." Emily added: "We're planning on planting more trees in autumn as part of the Big Tree Plant Project. "Planting a variety of trees and habitats that exist alongside our living, working, learning and recreational surroundings is really important for our own health and wellbeing as well as wildlife. "None of the works this winter would have taken place without generous support from our project funders – The Big Lottery Fund, Defra, American Forests and the Alcoa Foundation." Recovery buddy RECOVERY buddies are now ready for action (see picture). They are volunteers who will work alongside those recovering from addiction and will provide them with friendship and support. The initiative, formed with Addaction, Devon Drugs Service, Devon Drug and Alcohol Team, Exeter Drug Partnership and other local recovery agencies, includes partnering churches in the city. It was recently awarded a grant from the Office of the Crime and Police Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall to extend its work. Buddies are people who are part of a church and who can offer their 'recovery friend' the opportunity to be part of a church community, a vital alternative to their old lifestyle. Scheme coordinator Jane Trethewey says that the social opportunities and community spirit of churches are beneficial as part the recovery journey. Jane said: "The buddy scheme offers a new environment. A church family is loving and non-judgemental, a place where everyone is accepted." The Buddy Scheme has been developed through the Exeter group of the national charity Redeeming Our Communities (www.roc.uk.com). Macular Society On Tuesday, February 25 Tom McInulty and guide dog Brunel will pay a visit to the Exeter Support Group of the Macular Society. Tom is the support and development manager for the society in the south. The meeting is at the St Sidwell's Community Centre, Sidwell Street from 10.30am to noon. The next bard COULD you be the next bard of Exeter? The post of Bardic Chair of Caer Wyse – its official title – lasts for a year and a day and its current holder, Simon Williams is about to step down. To become bard you have to compete against fellow poets and storytellers at an event which, this year will be held in the Bike Shed Theatre on Sunday, February 23. The would-be bards will have to perform poems, songs or stories and explain what they intend to do for Exeter as bard. During his year Mr Williams has produced a new magazine called the Broadsheet which is full of work from poets in Devon and Cornwall. The Broadsheet was launched at the Exeter Poetry Festival in October. The event at the Bike Shed begins at 7.30pm. Clyst St Mary Limp response UNFORTUNATELY there were no offers of a false leg for a production of Cinderella by members of the Clyst St Mary Players. Community news issued an appeal last month but to no avail. In spite of that disappointment they are pressing ahead with their show. Player Rebecca Roach said: "We managed to get something to use from one of the local theatre companies so the show can go on! The stage is looking fab now we have all the equipment in place thanks to the funding we received." Performances are 7.30pm Thursday and Friday, February 27 and 28 and 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday, March 1 in the village hall. Tickets are £8 for adults and £5 for children and are available from Claire Ward on 01392 879835. Countess Wear New fence EXETER College is proposing a two and a half metre high fence around the playing fields in Wear Barton Road. The fence will be two metres further into the field than the present fence. A spokeswoman for the college said: "Keys for the fence will be made available to agreed community users of the field such as the Countess Wear Dynamos and other approved organised events." A year ago the college banned dogs from the fields after the number of complaints about dog mess escalated. A planning application for a chain link fence has been lodged with the city council. Exwick Speed checks IN response to complaints from residents, PCSO Charlene Keefe arranged a speed check operation on Exwick Road. This involved monitoring drivers' average speeds in this 20mph zone, using speed detection equipment. Data from the operation has been recorded for further analysis. Local students, taking part in work experience with Devon and Cornwall police, came along to join the local Exwick policing team to learn all about the importance of residential speed operations and how speed is monitored. Pictured are Harriet Harper, Jacob Nickels, Dan Bisson on work experience with joined the Exwick neighbourhood team. Heavitree Slow down! RIDICULOUS, is how Councillor Percy Prowse has described the erection of 20miles an hour signs at the entrance to the back alleys between Baker Street and Church Terrace and between barrack Road and Baker Street. Cllr Prowse said: "These signs are completely unnecessary and must have cost £1,000. "These alleys are so narrow that you would be lucky to manage 15 miles an hour going down there. "The county council is always saying it doesn't have any money for things and yet it does something like this." Cllr Stuart Hughes, Devon's cabinet member for highways management said: "The council is in the process of completing a review of all of its 20mph restrictions in Exeter to ensure that they are fully compliant with regulations. "As part of this review it was identified that traffic could enter and exit the Wonford and St Loye's 20mph zone via the service roads without passing 20mph/30mph speed limit terminal signs. "The Department for Transport requires terminal signs on both sides of the road and it was decided to install these at the Magdalen Road end of the service roads to match the signs on the Baker Street and Church Terrace junctions. "While the signs are a requirement, the council is aware of the need to avoid sign clutter and will therefore be contacting the DfT to explore what alternative signing it would permit the council to use. "Drivers should be aware that the signs indicate a maximum speed limit however they should drive at an appropriate speed for the conditions. In the service roads this is likely to be significantly less than 20mph." Polsloe Graffiti to go THE city council is to clean graffiti from walls around the ward – free of charge. Local councillor, Yolonda Henson, said: "I have been asking for this for ages and I am delighted that it is now going to be done. "Graffiti makes an area look untidy and run down and once you have one piece of graffiti more quickly follows." Fellow ward councillor, Rachel Lyons, is asking residents to contact her if they would like to volunteer to be part of the teams removing the graffiti. Cllr Lyons said: "They would need to be able to give two to three days to it." If you would like to volunteer please contact Cllr Lyons on 01392 253649. Parking zone CLLR Henson is to push for residents' only parking in Priory Road. Cllr Henson said: "It is a mix of things causing problems here – commuters as well as people attending matches at St James's Park." RD&E Joining board PROFESSOR David Halpin, a respiratory medicine specialist at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, has been invited to join the board of an international body helping to fight one of the most common causes of death worldwide. He will join 11 other experts on the board of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) and will serve for four years. Professor Halpin, the hospital's consultant respiratory physician and clinical lead for respiratory medicine, said: "It is a great honour to have been invited to join the Board of this important global organisation. "Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) remains one of the main causes of death worldwide and many millions of people suffer from it. I am delighted that I have been asked to help lead initiatives to improve its diagnosis and management around the world." About 25,000 people die each year in the UK because of COPD, an umbrella term for diseases including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and about three million are thought to suffer from it. GOLD was launched in 1997, a collaboration between the World Health Organisation and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in America. St David's No cycle hub THERE will be no cycle hub but there will be a new canopy. Work to improve the entrance to Central Station in Queen Street was completed before Christmas. The good news, reported to members of the Devon and Exeter Rail Project Working Group, was that it came in more than £100,000 under-budget and now the county council is working with First Great Western to come up with a design for a new canopy for the forecourt. Previously the council had thought that a new canopy was unaffordable. The bad news is that no tenders came forward at all for the cycle hub when it was advertised in November last year. The hub would have included secure bike storage and bike hire, and maintenance and repair facilities. Topsham To net or not EXETER Golf and Country Club will appear before the city's planning committee on Monday, February 24 regarding its plans for 30m high netting alongside some of its fairways. The club says the fence is necessary to protect it from insurance claims because of stray golf balls and without it the club will either have to close or relocate. Against the proposal is developer Persimmon who say that the netting will devalue the homes built adjacent to the course and argue that the best solution would be the re-profiling of a number of the holes. The issue was last discussed by the planning committee in September and was deferred in the hopes that the two sides could get together and come to a solution. The two have met several times since, along with the city's chief executive and officers. The lowest quote for the fencing is £563,000 including VAT which is less expensive than the redesign costs. Persimmon has agreed to pay £150,000 towards the additional costs of reprofiling but the club has said that it will only undertake reprofiling of the holes if Persimmon pays the whole cost although it has said it is happy to cover the cost of the netting. The club has estimated that some 200 members would leave the club because of the disruption during the reprofiling. The plan is recommended for refusal. University All change A LIDO style changing facility is being proposed by the university for its outdoor swimming pool. According to the university authorities, the new changing, showering and toilet facilities are much needed: currently all swimmers have to use the dated facilities in the adjacent Cornwall House. As the pool is open only in the summer months, open air changing cubicles under a monopitch roof covering are being proposed. There are no plans to extend the pool's opening times. Sculpture OK PLANS for a specially commissioned steel sculpture to enhance the entrance to the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum on the Streatham campus have been approved by the city council. Created by Scottish artist Kenny Munro, the work will commemorate what would have been the 80th birthday of film-maker Bill Douglas this year. Artefacts collected by Bill and his friend, Devonian Peter Jewell, formed the basis of the museum. The sculpture will be a three-sided framework of mirror-polished stainless steel with visitors being able to film and photograph their reflections. Whipton Barton Where to go? THE city council has refused planning permission for a sign directing people to the Brewer's Fayre, off Honiton Road, to be moved further along Fitzroy Road. Planning officers said that would represent clutter and would set an 'undesirable precedent', giving rise to pressure for other signs when the rest of the commercial site is developed, leading to further clutter. Meat bingo WHIPTON Barton Infant and Nursery School are holding a meat bingo in the school on Wednesday, February 26 from 6pm to 8pm. Prizes range from bacon to chicken dinners. Mobile learning RECEPTION pupils at St Nicholas School in Ringswell Avenue got the chance to learn on the move when Stagecoach South West provided a double decker bus for 45 pupils to take a trip to Exmouth and back. The class is currently learning about transport and assistant head teacher, Lauren Pettersen, approached the operator to see if they would help take the lesson out of the classroom and on board a bus. Helen Scholes, marketing manager for Stagecoach South West, added: "We find organising a short trip with a school is a great way to introduce younger children to travelling by bus. I hope everyone enjoyed it and we'll be seeing them aboard our services very soon!"

Rail engineers face a race against time to restore the Devon and Cornwall mainline at Dawlish before Easter after tearing up their six-week plan to repair the storm-battered line. Following the Valentine's Day storm, track bosses Network Rail say the section of the track will likely be closed until mid-April – potentially another hammerblow for the region's tourism industry. The original plan to re-open by March 18 came before vicious winds blew a bigger hole through the seawall at Dawlish. Easter Sunday falls on April 20 this year, and MPs hope replacement bus services can still be ditched before the business-boosting break begins. Meanwhile, David Cameron said during another visit to sodden Somerset that the Government will cover the cost of council tax discounts for flooding victims. A £4 million fund will be made available to English councils who give residents a rebate while they are out of their homes – enough to cover at least a three-month bill for everyone affected. MPs and business leaders were last night anxious to underline the region was open for business – with some hopeful the Great Western line would be made good in time. Alison Seabeck, Labour MP for Plymouth Moor View, said: "This is a much more realistic expectation. If they can get it open before Easter that would be terrific. "While people can get here – the South West is still open for business – it will make the journey much easier for the travelling public." Andrew George, Liberal Democrat MP for St Ives, said: "In spite of the impact of the Valentine's Day storm, I'm encouraged to hear about the progress which Network Rail has made. "Providing no similar storms interrupt progress, I feel reassured that the full Penzance to Paddington service will be up and running again before the Easter period." Against calls for significant improvements to the South West transport network, including a diversionary route, ministers and Network Rail have emphasised the need to get the existing line up and running again first. Patrick Hallgate, route managing director of Network Rail Western, said: "We are all conscious of the importance of this railway to the South West, its economy and the people of Dawlish. "They have been tremendous in supporting our team and understanding of the challenges we face. "We are confident that we will have the railway back by mid-April and if we can we will beat that date." Mark Hopwood, managing director First Great Western, said: "We appreciate Network Rail's efforts to work round the clock to get the line open so we can resume services for customers as soon as possible. "Until the line reopens we are running train services between Exeter and London and between Newton Abbot and Penzance, with bus services linking these, to keep our passengers moving. "We will be ready to run services once Network Rail completes the work and until then we will do everything we can to minimise disruption to our customers' journeys." The hole in the protective seawall is 30% larger as a result of the storm on Friday, which also reduced the number of hours engineers could work on the line to three. This week, in more moderate conditions, the line was being worked on for 20 hours each day and the forecasts are for more clement weather. The Prime Minister, who visited Somerset and Pembrokeshire as he continued his tour of flood-hit parts of the UK, said: "The process of getting communities back on their feet will take time and people should not have to worry about paying council tax while they focus on the clear-up process." Some local authorities have already announced plans to exempt residents forced out of their homes from part or all of the bill. Somerset County Council is suspending the county council part of the tax for residents affected by the flooding. Councils will not be forced to introduce the payment exemptions, but a No 10 source said the "funding is there so there is no reason why it should not be taken".Live pictures:

God only knows what was going through referee Andy D'Urso's mind in the final few minutes of Tuesday night's game against Morecambe. I've certainly never seen anything quite like it. Having awarded us a 93rd-minute spot-kick which prompted a penalty area mêlée – resulting in a Shrimps player sent off for a headbutt – he then had a long chat with his lino before having a change of heart and booking David Wheeler for diving. Given D'Urso was considerably closer to the challenge that sent David tumbling than the lino was, I've not a clue why he might change his mind. Surely, if he was in any doubt whether it was a penalty then he should have consulted with the lino before pointing to the spot? It was doubly frustrating because we played pretty well and had already had a couple of decent penalty shouts turned down. What's more, had we gone on to record a second successive win we would have started to build some real momentum ahead of the home games against Rochdale on Saturday and Wycombe next Tuesday. As it is, we'll have to content ourselves with stretching our unbeaten run to five games. Fortunately, there were no such controversies in Saturday's game at Southend. Eliot Richards' winning goal might not have come until late in the game but, make no mistake, we were much the better side and good value for the three points. Jimmy Keohane put us ahead early on and on another day might have had a first-half hat-trick. Nevertheless, a little less than 10 minutes after taking the lead, we found ourselves 2-1 down. They say you're always at your most vulnerable when you've just scored and that again proved to be the case – too many times this season we've found the back of the net only to concede one within the space of a few minutes and, while we got away with it on Saturday, it's a habit we need to kick. It was great to have Matt Oakley back in the centre of midfield pulling the strings and, while it was disappointing Artur (Krysiak) was sidelined by injury, it was exciting to see Christy Pym – yet another product of our youth set-up – make his first-team debut. I thought Christy might have got a chance in the JPT game against Wycombe back in the autumn but, while he's had to be patient, we'd seen enough of him at the Cat & Fiddle to know he wouldn't let anyone down. For sure, none of us had any worries when we heard he was going to start. It's a shame Christy didn't know he was going to be playing until just before 2pm and his parents didn't have time to make it to Roots Hall but, be that as it may, I'm sure it's an experience he will never forget. He was proper happy afterwards and we were all chuffed for him. On a personal level, I was delighted to get on the scoresheet for a second successive week and made up it came courtesy of such a good strike. I'm not sure if it's the best goal I've scored – I've pretty fond memories of the one I got in our 5-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday at the Park back in 2010 – but, without a doubt, it's right up there. A few people have asked me if the set piece from which it came was something we'd been working on at the training ground but, I have to be honest, it wasn't. Jimmy had been on corners but, having just gone off, I took this one short to Grimesy and told him to lay it back to me. The rest, as they say, is history! Someone told me this week that Phil Brown described it as 'a world-class goal' and while I appreciate the Southend boss isn't everyone's cup of tea – Danny Coles and our groundsman Clive Pring aren't big fans – you've got to be happy when someone with his experience says something like that. I've scored four now this season and three have come in the yellow kit so it's becoming a bit of a lucky omen. That's even more the case when you consider we've taken nine points from the four games in which we've worn it (Wimbledon, Scunthorpe, Portsmouth and Southend). All the players like wearing it too, so we will be encouraging Tis to let us do so whenever the opportunity allows. Eliot's match-winner was another great strike, reminiscent of Gowser's goal at Accrington in 2012. It should give him plenty of confidence to kick on for what's left of the season.. I've seen a bit more of Eliot now and it's obvious he's got fantastic feet. Given he's only 22, I think he can be a great signing for us. He's going to create a lot of chances between now and the end of the season and I'm sure he'll weigh in with some more goals too. As things stand, we're nine points off the play-offs and, while it's going to be a big ask to extend our season beyond May 3, if only we can start winning our home games we could yet give ourselves half a chance. With that in mind, please make every effort to come along to the Park for Saturday's game against Rochdale and Tuesday's evening's game against Wycombe. I appreciate three home matches in the space of eight days is a big ask financially but, clearly, we're destined not to get a whole lot of help from the officials. Therefore we could use all the support we can get!

EXONIA men lost in the quarters of the EIBA Denny Cup inter-club event after a seven-shot loss to Stanley. Commonwealth Games hopeful Jamie Chestney was their only winning skip at Northampton. He won by 11 shots with Joe Melmore, John Hooper and Simon Stevens. Ian Bond drew, but Nathan Farrant and Kevin Phillips lost. With Joe Melmore on board, Chestney and Bond beat Torquay's Sam Tolchard 25-20 in the national qualifying rounds of the men's triples. Bond will skip his rink against Plymouth for a last-16 place. He is on course for the finals of the singles and pairs. In the Devon county ladies' triples, Rosemary Hirons, Ann Hillyear and Pearl Hackwood beat Pat Harvey, Ann Capon and Jill Bishop 17-15. In the county two-wood singles, Isca's Yvonne Hayman will play Liz Lock in the semis. Devon juniors Liam Crawford and Scott Daniels are through to the semi-finals of the Devon under-21 championships. Honiton's Liam Crawford and Hannah Morfey will skip rinks in the Devon under-21 six-rink match with Somerset under-25s at Taunton Deane on March 9, as will Exonia's Jonathan Hoaen and Rhys Tremain. Devon under-21: Jimmy Smith (Honiton), Jack Lenton (Torquay Utd), Lewis Jones (Mid-Devon), Zach Kidd (Plymouth); Kieran Kniveton (Torquay Utd), Lewis Campbell (Honiton), Cassidy Lenton (Torquay Utd), Jonathan Hoaen (Exonia); Francis Mitchell-Douglas (Torquay Utd), Amber Reed (ISCA), Scott Eveleigh (Honiton); Isaac Daniels, Kieran Daniels (Honiton), Rhys Tremain (Exonia); James Hampton (ISCA), Kattre Vozjnuk (Honiton), Jack Smith (Torquay Utd), Liam Crawford (Honiton); Ffion Reed, Jen Wheelie (Dawlish), Hannah Morfey (Honiton)

Woodbury Park WOODBURY Park lost 4-1 to East Devon in the Daily Mail team event. Murray Jessamine was Woodbury's best player, edging out a very competitive opponent.

THE family of a mother of seven who died after a weekend smoking synthetic cannabis said more needs to be done to highlight the dangers of legal highs. Selina Nicholas was found dead in November 2012 at her home in Farm Hill, Exwick, at the age of 49, after her son Zachary broke the back door down. Next to her was a range of paraphernalia and legal highs, which she had used regularly for around 18 months. While a post mortem could not ascertain cause of death, toxicology reports showed a level of synthetic cannabis in her blood. This contained three chemical compounds, known as cannabinoids, that were outlawed shortly after her death. The psychoactive designer drug is created by spraying natural herbs with synthetic chemicals that, when consumed, produce psychoactive effects similar to those of cannabis. But a police expert told Selina's inquest they were seeing an increase in adverse effects of such drugs, which could be as much as 50 times more potent than cannabis. He said that with new products constantly coming on the market the scientific and research was lacking. Selina had suffered with drug and alcohol addiction for most of her life. But her family say she went "into a shell" after she started using legal highs. The inquest heard she would either buy them from the Hush shop in Exeter or have them made for her by Pete Simmons. Her family said she smoked around 30 bongs a day. Mr Simmons told the inquest he had been a friend of Selina's for 25 years and they had an on-off relationship. He said he would bring around his home-made batch each weekend for them to smoke. He said: "Rightly or wrongly I believe the family are blaming me for her death. We had spent the weekend together and she had a couple of bongs on Friday night and some on Saturday and Sunday morning before I left. "There was no indication when I left that anything was wrong. Part of the reason I made my own synthetic cannabis was Selina was going into Hush and spending a lot of money on pre-packaged stuff that was essentially the same thing. It was about a tenth of the price to do it myself." Coroner Elizabeth Earland said she could not say for sure that the legal high drugs were responsible for Selina's death and recorded an open verdict. She said: "It is a matter for drug enforcement agencies to analyse the data they have and potential risk and it is extremely difficult for them to come to conclusions with all the new products that keep coming to the market. "I am satisfied she was a habitual user of cannabis and synthetic cannabis but she also suffered medical and mental health problems. "I am not satisfied that any drug taking killed her or her medical problems killed her so I have to record an open verdict. "In time we hope there will be more information but at the moment it appears those who are making it are one step ahead of the drug enforcement agencies. "So it is up to individuals to be as aware as possible." Speaking on behalf of the family after the inquest, son Adam Nicholas said: "Mum had been ill on and off for years. But suddenly she started taking and getting into legal highs. "She had been on drugs throughout her life but after she started on the legal highs she started having more and more issues. She was in a much darker place and was a shell of who she was. "They can't prove they killed her as the medical evidence and research is currently not available. But a 49-year-old woman's heart does not stop for no reason. Directly or indirectly, we all believe legal highs were responsible for her death. "People don't realise the dangers and think that because they are legal they are ok. "We need more research and personally I want to see more done. There is no closure for us here. All it has done is brought it all up again. There is no peace as we are no closer to knowing what happened. An open verdict gives us no real answers." Drug liaison officer for Devon and Cornwall Police PC Scott Robertson told the inquest that 75-80 new substances came to the market in 2013 alone. "Because of the influx, toxicology has not caught up yet so we do not know the short term effects. What we do know is synthetic cannabis can be up to 20-50 times more potent than normal cannabis and we are seeing far more adverse reactions. "We are seeing an increasing number of people ending up in hospital and having an adverse reaction to the legal highs."

EXETER Golf & Country Club's second team beat Division One leaders Plymouth University, ending their five-match winning streak in the process. Hard-fought victories for Simon Irvin, Martin Newberry and Jon Sharpe ensured the home team came away with a 15-9 win. The result leaves the club's second team in fourth place with four matches still to play. There was also success for the club's third and fourth teams against Tiverton's first and second strings. Mark Cooper, Al Hutchings, Dave Hazzard, James Chamings and Ryan Barrett secured a 16-10 victory at home against Tiverton's first team. There was also a 17-8 win for Dave Hazzard, Chris Gaite, Betty Blair, Mark Starling and Paul Randle as the fourths beat Tiverton's second team.

HONITON Town's hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the Devon Senior Cup were sent crashing at Dartmouth, where they lost 7-1. Unbeaten in all competitions this season, Honiton felt they would have been up to the task had everyone been available, but their patched-up side were no match for a dogged and determined South Devon outfit. Honiton did have their moments, hitting the woodwork three times and netting a consolation goal via Scott Phillips. Ryan Dunn, 17, also had a good game for the East Devon side. Bow AAC were unable to play their quarter-final at home to Park United from North Devon and will now prepare to travel for Saturday's third attempt having forfeited ground advantage. However, Exwick Villa will avoid trip to Ashwater for their cup match. This Saturday is also a big day for the league's Graddon Vending Premier Cup hopefuls. A semi-final place is up for grabs for the winners of the match between Tiverton Town and Premier Division leaders Newtown. Willand Rovers are also bidding for a last four spot following their amazing 7-5 victory at Exwick Villa in December. However, they will need more of the same at hosts Appledore of the Peninsula League to cause another upset. The Devon Intermediate Cup area semi-final between Henry's Cronies and Starcross Generals goes into its fifth week of scheduling. The teams had hoped to play at Feniton last Saturday, but even Acland Park succumbed to the bad weather. The tie will now swing back to King George's playing fields. One league match did survive last weekend, Beer Albion winning their Division Five clash against Bow AAC 3-1. Richard Walker, Simon Smith and substitute Jack White scored for Beer. Shane Jackman was the Bow scorer, levelling it at 1-1. However, the Fishermen got the breaks in the second half to chalk up a much-needed three points.

EXETER & Tedburn Rangers suffered a heart-breaking extra-time defeat to Feniton in the Devon Supplementary Cup. Feniton won 3-2 thanks to goals from Nat and Stefan Mathews and Jess Jenkins. Abi Breban and Jana Richards scored the goals for the hosts. In Division One, Budleigh Salterton beat Barnstaple 5-0 to go level on points with leaders Activate with a game in hand. On 16 minutes, Celine White's goal-poaching instinct saw her poke home a Haylee Pannell pass. White then added a second before Molly Jacobs made it 3-0 at half-time. Having weathered some Barnstaple pressure early in the second half, Budleigh punished their opponents with a brace of goals in a two-minute spell. Jacobs got her second and then Abby Yukon capped her usual powerhouse display with a well-flighted free-kick. Results, League Cup quarter-final: AFC Plympton 5 Activate 1. County Supplementary Cup: Exeter & Tedburn 2 Feniton 3. Premier Division: Bideford 1 Uni Plymouth 1. Division 1: Budleigh 5 Barnstaple 0

ALPHINGTON joint-player manager Shaun Lyne-Ley says Saturday's opponents Totnes & Dartington are the type of team they must beat if they are serious about challenging for the top six. The Alphas are currently in eighth spot, three points behind sixth-placed Crediton United and a further seven adrift of the Darts. And Lyne-Ley has urged his players to focus on their own game as they look to make up ground in their challenge for the top six. "I suppose that if we want to meet our ambition of finishing in the top six then these are the type of games that we have to be winning," he said. "They are a tricky side that are well-organised and play good football. "I have spoken to the boys about the result against Galmpton (an 8-1 win in December) and, although we don't want to dwell on that too much, it shows that when we are on our game we don't have to fear anyone. "It is all about us and what we do on the day that matters, not the opposition." Like almost every other team in the division, Alphington's match last Saturday was postponed. Only Budleigh Salterton played, drawing 2-2 with Galmpton United after goals from Mark Lever and George Pannell twice gave them the lead. The Robins visit Newton Abbot Spurs on Saturday, while Axminster Town visit Galmpton hoping to play their first game since December 14. Crediton United joint-player manager Matt Trenaman has warned Stoke Gabriel that his side will be a different proposition when the two sides meet on Saturday. Kirton lost 2-0 at Lord's Meadow when they last met, but felt circumstances worked against them that day. "I think you do have to be a bit more attacking, but we have also picked up a lot of confidence since we last played them," he said. "We have been to league leaders Teignmouth and beaten them comfortably. We have also had some good results against some of the other top sides. "On the day that we played Stoke we were also a little unfortunate because we had a lot of players missing. We only had one recognised striker – that was it – so we flooded the midfield to stop them from playing. "It kind of worked, but we were just out of options going forward. This time I think it will be a different approach. We have got a full squad available, we have got nothing to lose and the pressure is on them. "They are the ones that are going for the title. The idea is just to have a go at them." Elsewhere, Exeter University go to Liverton United, Okehampton Argyle host Sidmouth Town, and Teignmouth will be looking to bounce back from their Devon Premier Cup exit when they visit Plymstock United. Goals from Sam Chapman and Adam Fay were not enough to prevent a 4-2 quarter-final loss at Brixham. In the Premier Division, Cullompton Rangers manager Mike Taylor says his side are in a good frame of mind for Saturday's visit of Newquay. Cully have suffered narrow defeats to champions Bodmin Town and Godolphin Atlantic in recent weeks, but Taylor insists the mood is good in the camp. "The guys are ready. We have Newquay at home and we are after the three points," he said. "Our performances have been good, our mindset is good and we performed well against Bodmin and Godolphin. "It has been frustrating as a manager and for the players too. For them to go out and play as well as they have done, especially recently, and lose to late goals or freak goals like Bodmin and Godolphin is hard to take." Exmouth Town manager Richard Pears says his side must adapt quickly to the resumption of league action when they visit Camelford on Saturday. Town's last league match was a 2-1 win over St Austell on January 25, and Pears knows they can't afford to drop points when they return to playing. "It is almost a new season for us which is 18 games long and we have to make sure we win far more than we lose," said Pears, who will have Danny Clay suspended for Saturday. "After that type of break, it is about picking up the baton as quickly as we can. "It is almost like going back to the first game of the season – you hope you've prepared well and done everything you can." Elsewhere, Witheridge host St Austell, Elmore go to St Blazey and Bovey Tracey visit Godolphin Atlantic.

A Qatari oil executive has been jailed for ten years after he flew to Britain to carry out a revenge arson attack on his ex girlfriend. Meshal al-Sawaidi, who is related to the Qatari ruling family, was furious when his British ex lover rejected him and devised a plot to burn down the remote Dartmoor home where she had taken refuge. He worked as a fire safety expert in the oil industry and used his knowledge to start an inferno which left home owner Mrs Carole Manniex and the 31-year-old woman trapped inside the burning house in Lustleigh. They escaped by jumping out of first floor windows into the arms of hero neighbour Mark Halliday who ran to the rescue after hearing their terrified pleas for help. A judge commended his courage and the swift police work which enabled al-Sawaidi to be arrested at Paddington as he headed back to Heathrow to take the first flight to Qatar. Al-Sawaidi, aged 44, who had been staying at the Queens Hotel in Newton Abbot, denied arson with intent to endanger life but was found guilty in less than two hours at Exeter Crown Court and jailed for ten years. Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, told him:"You have been convicted on the clearest and strongest evidence. You were enraged by jealousy and by fury when your former partner made it clear she could not continue to live in Qatar. "You yourself broke off the relationship but then, with jealousy and hatred in your heart, you came to England intent on causing her harm. "By the time you arrived in Devon your intention was to set fire to the home where she was staying to endanger her life and that of her host. "They lived in a remote house in the scattered village of Lustleigh on the edge of Dartmoor. You demonstrated your intent by arriving without contacting anyone. "As soon as you arrived you set about equipping yourself for this dreadful crime. You went to Tesco to purchase a large quantity of white spirit to use as an accelerant and went to reconnoitre the area. "You went back later having equipped yourself with dark clothing and waited until dark in an area which was said to be almost pitch black. "You went with your white spirit and opened the catflap while the occupants were upstairs and poured or squirted in the white spirit, knowing from your own employment as a firefighter the extreme danger you were going to cause. "Having set light to it you cause an inferno of flames and the smoke was so intense the people inside had to escape out of windows. "Your former partner dropped 15 feet to the ground and was extremely lucky not to suffer physical injury. Mrs Manniex had to slide down a flat roof to the ground. "You left a trail of evidence which you did little to conceal. I conclude this fire was certainly planned. You thought you could get away with it and escape back to London and be on a plane to Qatar before it was detected. Fortunately you failed. "It is clear there was planning and the motive was revenge. You caused severe damage to the property which is put at more than £150,000. "What you did was extremely dangerous and the two victims must have been terrified. They were placed in a potentially life threatening situation and while fortunately they did not suffer physical injury, they have suffered very severe psychological consequences." The judge commended Mr Halliday and the officer in the case DC John Croft for his successful investigation. During a nine day trial the jury heard how al-Sawaidi met the victim when she was working as a public relations writer and language teacher in Qatar in 2011. They started a relationship which was interrupted when she fled the country in December 2012 after being fined under immigration laws for changing jobs without permission. She came to Britain and went to stay at the house on Dartmoor where al-Sawaidi visited her in January and March, staying in local hotels. He wanted her to go back to Qatar and marry him but she was worried about being trapped there. He broke off the relationship in April 2013 but then tried to contact the woman repeatedly, leading her to tell him that it was over. He then started sending threatening messages accusing her of seeing other men and calling her a liar and a cheat. He flew to Britain secretly on May 1, took the night train to Newton Abbot, booked into the Queens Hotel and hired a car. He was trapped after leaving a trail of evidence. He was caught on CCTV in Tesco buying the white spirit and dark clothing and left a price tag from a hoodie top in the field entrance near the house where he had waited for nightfall. A local farmer spotted his car and police later recovered receipts from his hotel linking him with the Tesco purchases. They also found rubber tubing, clips, four rubber suckers, and screwdrivers which he may used to create a makeshift pump and nozzle. Victim impact statements and psychologists reports showed both survivors suffered serious effects, with the ex-girlfriend diagnosed as suffering from post traumatic stress disorder and racked by nightmares and flashbacks. Al-Sawaidi claimed he bought the white spirit to clean his car and had come to Devon to seek a reconciliation but changed his mind after looking in has hotel mirror and becoming embarrassed by his baldness. He told the jury he decided he should return to London for hair restoration treatment before he tried to contact his ex partner again. He blamed a translation programme on his mobile phone for texts in which he told her he hated her and would never forgive her.

EXETER race-goers will have the chance to view some leading Cheltenham Festival contenders at the end of its six race card on Friday, February 21. Paul Nicholls has said both Big Bucks and Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Silviniaco Conti are likely to come if the ground is suitable. Nicholls is then one of a six-strong panel on Friday evening at the course's annual Cheltenham Festival preview night with Philip Hobbs, David Pipe, top jockey Nick Scholfield, the Racing Post's Andrew King and Star Sports' Luke Tarr joining him. Host for the evening is Racing UK's Oli Bell. But before the talk comes the action with the first of six races coming under starters' orders at 2.20pm with the Bathwick Tyres National Hunt Novices Hurdle. Entries include several smart novices including five-times winner Vieux Lion Rouge, a former bumper winner at the course, who is entered in both the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle and the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle. His trainer David Pipe has also entered another notable runner Legacy Gold in the Equine Investments 11th Year Still Gong Strong Mares' Novices Hurdle. Like her stable mate Vieux Lion Rouge she is entered in the two mile and two mile five furlongs novice hurdle races at the Festival. She has rattled up five wins from six attempts including winning on her hurdles debut at Uttoxeter in December and then following up at Leicester last month. Exeter racecourse general manager Tim Darby said: "It's a little bit different this year as we have racing, followed by Cheltenham contenders galloping and then we have our popular preview evening which starts at 6.30pm. It's a night not to be missed with the panel talking about their chances and other major contenders." The Cheltenham Festival runs from March 11 to 14.

A pair of rave goers have been cleared of selling cannabis at an illegal gathering on Dartmoor after telling a jury they were users rather than dealers. Kerry Hosband and Simon Linsell were stopped by police as they left the overnight dance event at Fernworthy Reservoir and home grown cannabis and scales found in their car. They both admitted being involved in growing cannabis for their own use but denied supplying their harvest to anyone else. They were cleared by a jury at Exeter Crown Court after they explained texts on their phones asking for drugs as being unwanted requests from friends who knew they were involved in growing plants. Building worker Hosband, aged 37, of Church Road, St Thomas, Exeter, and Linsell, aged 40, of Bullen Street, Thorverton, were both acquitted of possessing of cannabis with intent to supply in August 2012. They had previously admitted production of the drug at their homes and Linsell has admitted offering it for sale on an earlier occasion. They will be sentenced for these offences later. During a three day trial the jury heard how police were checking vehicles leaving the illegal rave at Fernworthy when they stopped Linsell's BMW. A set of miniature digital scales and a bag of cannabis was found on the back seat and a larger bag of the drug was found in a secret compartment in the boot. The prosecution alleged they had gone to the overnight party at Fernworthy to sell the drugs they grew at their homes. Hosband had a small tent with eight plants and bags of cannabis above his oven and in his freezer. Linsell had growing equipment and admitted he helped water other people's plants. They had cash on them and messages on their phones appeared to be from customers asking for cannabis. Hosband said he took £200 from a cashpoint on the way to the rave and had only spent £5 before he was arrested. He said he smoked cannabis at the rave and got drunk on vodka but not been involved with selling drugs before or during the party. He explained text messages asking for 'bud' and 'green' came from friends who knew he was growing his own supply. Linsell also denied taking cannabis to the rave and said he knew nothing about the drugs found in his car.