Plus...Page 2 - Refuse and recycling collection datesPage 5 - Christmas opening timesPage 6 & 7 - Cutting down on carbonPage 11 - What’s on at RAMM?

Win

ter

2019

The latest recycling news for Exeter on page 4

The city is the only place in the UK to be given the status this time around and joins 65 other cities across the world who have become part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

Over the next four years, more and more people across the city will be encouraged to pick up the reading bug and love literature. Those involved will also look to raise the profile of literature for health and wellbeing purposes.

Exeter’s bid centered around a thousand year history of unbroken reading, recognising not only the Exeter Book at

Exeter Cathedral, but also what reading and writing means to residents in Exeter.

Dom Jinks, Director of Exeter Culture, said: “This is so positive for Exeter. The bid made much of the city’s wide variety of historical assets. But it is actually much more about culture supporting the well-being of everyone in the city today, including those who may not currently see themselves engaging with culture.”

E x e t e r ’ s b i d w a s v e r y m u c h a c o l l a b o r a t i o n o f p e o p l e a n d organisations across the city, including Exeter Culture. However, the bid was formally made by the City Council.

Others involved in the bid were The University of Exeter, Devon County Council, Libraries Unlimited, Literature Works, Exeter Cathedral and Exeter Canal and Quay Trust. Literature Works, the literature development agency for south-west England, wrote the bid on behalf of the steering group.

The Exeter Book is one of the oldest and best-preserved collections of old English verse in the world, and is older than famous texts such as Beowulf.

The University of Exeter also hosts the archives of works connected to famous writers such as William Golding, Ted

Hughes, Agatha Christie, Daphne Du Maurier and Sir John Betjeman.

Exeter’s bid focused on ‘cultural wellbeing’ - the power that words can have in all types of settings. It also ties in with Exeter’s Sport England Delivery pilot work, based on improving life for all.

Some of the projects may include developing a creative hub for literature at Exeter Custom House, and a city-wide search to find Exeter’s favourite book.

This is a four year programme and the next step is to apply to the Arts Council for funding.

Exeter has been given an early Christmas present… the prestigious UNESCO City of Literature status.

Exeter… a UNESCO City of Literature

In this edition... Christmas in Exeter

See page 3

Visit our website at exeter.gov.uk or call 01392 277888

Customer Service Centre

OPENING HOURS

9am - 5pm Monday to Friday

Need to get in contact?Visit our website at exeter.gov.uk or call 01392 277888

Page

Tw

o

Wi-Fi at CivicVisually impairedIf you require a large print version of the

Exeter Citizen, contact 01392 265103.

People visiting the City Council can now take advantage of Wi-Fi internet access at the Civic Centre. This includes the Customer

Service Centre and all committee rooms.

Councillors’ phone numbers & email addressesParty Ward Councillor Telephone Email address

L Alphington BOB FOALE 01392 410567 cllr.bob.foale@exeter.gov.uk

L Alphington YVONNE ATKINSON 01392 661581 cllr.yvonne.atkinson@exeter.gov.uk

L Alphington STEVE WARWICK 07954 549771 cllr.steve.warwick@exeter.gov.uk

LD Duryard & St James KEVIN MITCHELL 01392 420646 cllr.kevin.mitchell@exeter.gov.uk

L Duryard & St James KEITH OWEN 01392 413075 cllr.keith.owen@exeter.gov.uk

LD Duryard & St James MICHAEL MITCHELL 01392 420342 cllr.michael.mitchell@exeter.gov.uk

L Exwick PHILIP BIALYK 07976 362159 cllr.philip.bialyk@exeter.gov.uk

L Exwick OLLIE PEARSON 07725 554385 cllr.ollie.pearson@exeter.gov.uk

L Exwick RACHEL SUTTON 01392 275886 cllr.rachel.sutton@exeter.gov.uk

L Heavitree CHRIS BUSWELL 01392 254264 cllr.chris.buswell@exeter.gov.uk

L Heavitree OLWEN FOGGIN 01392 660430 cllr.olwen.foggin@exeter.gov.uk

L Heavitree GREG SHELDON 01392 667948 cllr.greg.sheldon@exeter.gov.uk

L Mincinglake & Whipton JUDY PATTISON 01392 920414 cllr.judy.pattison@exeter.gov.uk

L Mincinglake & Whipton EMMA MORSE 07564 109503 cllr.emma.morse@exeter.gov.uk

L Mincinglake & Whipton RUTH WILLIAMS 01392 438702 cllr.ruth.williams@exeter.gov.ukL Newtown & St. Leonard’s RICHARD BRANSTON 01392 210815 cllr.richard.branston@exeter.gov.uk

L Newtown & St. Leonard’s MATTHEW VIZARD 07753 616921 cllr.matthew.vizard@exeter.gov.uk

I Newtown & St. Leonard's JEMIMA MOORE 07834 060892 cllr.jemima.moore@exeter.gov.uk

L Pennsylvania IAN QUANCE 07584 904258 cllr.ian.quance@exeter.gov.uk

L Pennsylvania JANE BEGLEY 01392 966072 cllr.jane.begley@exeter.gov.uk

L Pennsylvania RACHEL LYONS 01392 253649 cllr.rachel.lyons@exeter.gov.uk

L Pinhoe DAVID HARVEY 01392 464253 cllr.david.harvey@exeter.gov.uk

L Pinhoe TRISH OLIVER 07483 217956 cllr.trish.oliver@exeter.gov.uk

L Pinhoe DUNCAN WOOD 01392 580005 cllr.duncan.wood@exeter.gov.uk

L Priory AMAL GHUSAIN 01392 271329 cllr.amal.ghusain@exeter.gov.uk

L Priory ALYS QUANCE 07712 598170 cllr.alys.quance@exeter.gov.uk

L Priory TONY WARDLE 07725 632239 cllr.tony.wardle@exeter.gov.uk

G St. David's DIANA MOORE 07903 932214 cllr.diana.moore@exeter.gov.uk

L St. David's ROBERT LAMB 07500 929710 cllr.robert.lamb@exeter.gov.uk

L St David’s LUKE SILLS cllr.luke.sills@exeter.gov.uk

C St. Loyes PETER HOLLAND 01392 437419 cllr.peter.holland@exeter.gov.uk

C St. Loyes DAVID HENSON 01392 446956 cllr.david.henson@exeter.gov.uk

C St. Loyes YOLONDA HENSON 01392 446956 cllr.yolonda.henson@exeter.gov.uk

L St. Thomas LAURA WRIGHT 01392 205057 cllr.laura.wright@exeter.gov.uk

L St. Thomas ROB HANNAFORD 01392 206421 cllr.rob.hannaford@exeter.gov.uk

L St. Thomas HANNAH PACKHAM 07904 011693 cllr.hannah.packham@exeter.gov.uk

Topsham VACANT BY-ELECTION 12 DECEMBER

C Topsham ANDREW LEADBETTER 01392 876322 cllr.andrew.leadbetter@exeter.gov.uk

C Topsham ROB NEWBY 01392 676471 cllr.rob.newby@exeter.gov.uk

Council Leader, Portfolio Holders & ChampionsLeader: Cllr Phil Bialyk

Deputy Leader and Lead Councillor for Climate & Culture: Cllr Rachel Sutton

Lead Councillor for Supporting People: Cllr Emma Morse

Lead Councillor for Council Housing Development & Services: Cllr Laura Wright

Lead Councillor for Environment & City Management: Cllr David Harvey

Lead Councillor for City Planning & Development: Cllr Bob Foale

Lead Councillor for Leisure & Physical Activity: Cllr Ollie Pearson

Lead Councillor for Equalities, Diversity & Communities: Cllr Amal Ghusain

Lead Councillor for Support Services & Procurement: Cllr Duncan Wood

Champion for Financial Planning: Cllr Greg Sheldon

Champion for Equality and Diversity: Cllr Trish Oliver

Collections due Will be collected on:

Wednesday 25 December Friday 27 December

Thursday 26 December Saturday 28 December

Friday 27 December Monday 30 December

Monday 30 December Tuesday 31 December

Tuesday 31 December Thursday 2 January

Wednesday 1 January Friday 3 January

Thursday 2 January Saturday 4 January

Friday 3 January Monday 6 January

Monday 6 January Tuesday 7 January

Tuesday 7 January Wednesday 8 January

Wednesday 8 January Thursday 9 January

Thursday 9 January Friday 10 January

Friday 10 January Saturday 11 January

Monday 13 January back to normal…

Christmas and New Year Bank Holiday bin collection dates

SSttyyllee

For more information: T: 07939 833814www.superiorbuildingandbalustradesltd.co.uk

CChhaannggee tthhee OOrrddiinnaarryy ttoo tthhee EExxttrraaoorrddiinnaarryy

BalconiesStaircasesDecorative MetalworkGlass & StainlessSteel BalustradesFull Design Service

We can guide you from design stage through to installation. Superior Building &Balustrades can supply you with a range of products and solutions from a Juliette balconyto a contemporary staircase and much more in between.

SSttyyllee

Visit our website at exeter.gov.uk or call 01392 277888

Page

Thr

ee

Get ready for Christmas

Once again , the c i ty centre i s twinkling with spectacular Christmas illuminations, thanks to InExeter. The wonderfully atmospheric Christmas Market on the Cathedral Green will be open right up until Thursday 19 December, offering up unique and artisan gifts from local retailers housed in traditional wooden chalets.

The Christmas Market is the place to be to get in the mood for the festivities, with mulled wine, great food and a fantastic atmosphere.

Shops will stay open until 9pm on Thursdays in the run up to the big day, to give people a chance to get their last

minute Christmas shopping. There will be live entertainment in Princesshay on every late night evening, and in Topsham, late night shopping takes place on 3 December.

Christmas isn’t Christmas without a pantomime and this year is no different, with Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs at the Corn Exchange and Beauty & the Beast at Exeter Northcott Theatre.

The Lord Mayor’s Carol Service takes place at Exeter Cathedral on Monday 2 December. Tickets are available from the Guildhall, and Exeter Visitor Information and Tickets.

Exeter is the place to be this Christmas, with so much going on in the lead-up to the big day.

Save the datesADVERTISEMENTExeter Festival is back by popular demand.

Next July, the festival that took Exeter by storm last year, returns.

The full line-up will be announced in the spring but the dates for next year are Friday 3 to Sunday 5 July in Exeter City Centre.

Also on Friday 8 May, there will be a day of celebration to mark the 75th Anniversary of VE Day. There will be a Military & Community Village on Cathedral Green, with lots of family fun and live music from The Liberty Sisters and Steven Knightly. Save the date!

For ticket information and details of all these events, go to the Visit Exeter website www.visitexeter.com/christmas

Visit our website at exeter.gov.uk or call 01392 277888

Page

Six Exeter recycles

Tips to help you have a greener Christmas

Page

Fou

r

Bins out by 6am on collection day but not before 6pm the night beforeAnd remember to bring them back in as soon as you get home!

Volunteers needed!

If you’d like to help our tree recycling campaign by offering your time

to help, Hospiscare is looking for volunteers and/or people with vans who will be willing to donate a day

(or half a day) to help.

Collections will take place between 10–13 January 2020.

If you can help, please contact Louise Jones - l.jones@hospiscare.co.uk

Please DO NOT put cards in your green bin.

The quality is so poor that paper mills can’t recycle it - it just turns into sludge.

Recycling centres won’t accept wrapping paper of any kind (paper or metallic) for recycling either.

Brown paper is still recyclable; you can even print it with water-based paint or inks and put it in your green bin (just don’t coat the entire paper). And newspaper or old comics look good.

Wrapping paperCards

Christmas treesLast Christmas, Hospiscare collected and recycled over 500 Christmas trees with help from Coastal Organics, raising over £5,000 to support people diagnosed with a terminal illness.

This year, they’re aiming to collect over 1,000 trees to raise even more money to help local people.

As well as helping Hospiscare ensure more patients and

their families receive the care they need, by supporting the Christmas Tree Collection you are guaranteeing your tree will be recycled and put to good use in the environment.

Like previous years, we are unable to take wrapping paper in the green bin.

There’s an easy way to get rid of your tree AND help local people with a terminal diagnosis.

For queries or further information about the Christmas tree collection, please contact the fundraising office on 01392 688020 or email treecollection@hospiscare.co.uk

For

Christmas bin

collection dat

es,

visit: exeter.go

v.uk/

bincollections

or see page 2

Paper mills don’t want them, so we can’t take them. This is a nationwide issue.

Many cards have glitter or foil on them, which contaminates the rest of the paper, and the quality of the card itself is very poor.

Exeter’s paper is recycled into quality newsprint. If we accepted cards, we’d have to sell it as a cheap, less recyclable ‘mixed paper’.

The greenest way to send a Christmas message is via an electronic device. You could even design your own e-card!

Visit our website at exeter.gov.uk or call 01392 277888

Page

Sev

enPa

ge F

ive

They received the award from her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Devon, at a ceremony at County Hall.

The Red Coats, a familiar sight around Exeter, operate throughout the year. The free guided walking tours offer visitors the perfect way to explore Exeter and get to know the city’s history.

The Red Coats are one of 281 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The number of nominations and awards has increased year on year since the awards were introduced in 2002, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to make life better for those around them.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise the outstanding work of volunteer groups for the benefit of their local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Winners are announced each year on 2 June – the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

This year, award winners are wonderfully diverse. They include volunteers helping people overcome mental health problems through sport, volunteers using caravans as mobile cafe/information centres in geographically remote locations, and another group mentoring children who have a parent in prison.

Night shelter reopensExeter’s night shelter has opened up for the winter, allowing rough sleepers to come inside on some of the coldest and roughest nights.

In March, the City Council announced that it had secured £444,000 from the government to help run a number of new services for people who are sleeping rough - including the facility over the coming winter.

Last winter, the shelter – dubbed The Junction - supported 193 rough sleepers, providing a total of 3,985 bed nights.

The shelter allows the City Council and its partners, Julian House and BCHA, to engage with service users and help safeguard some of the most excluded and vulnerable people in the city. The facility will stay open until the end of March 2020.

As well as proving a life saver, the shelter in Magdalen Street – formerly Spice Island Indian restaurant – allows staff from the City Council and partner agencies to talk to those who have complex lives in a safe and stable environment, and try and find longer term housing solutions. Last winter, 72 people were successfully moved on into private sector or supported accommodation, and a further 19 reconnected to accommodation or a housing appointment in their local area.

Last winter, the initiative was underpinned by great community support. An alliance of Exeter church groups delivered hot food for clients seven nights a week, and a team of volunteers contributed alongside staff throughout the project.

Delight for Red Coats

Christmas opening timesWILL CLOSE ON REOPENING

Civic Centre Tuesday 24 December at noon Thursday 2 January at 9am

Exeter Visitor Information and Tickets

Tuesday 24 December at noon 27-28 December (10am to 4pm)

Sunday 29 December Monday 30 - Tuesday 31 December (10am to 4pm)

Wednesday 1 January Thursday 2 January (9.30am to 4.30pm)

Underground Passages24, 25, 26 December (closed) 27, 28, 29, 30 & 31 December (9.30am to 5.30pm)

1 January (closed) 2 January (9.30am to 5.30pm)

Custom HouseNormal opening patternClosed Monday to Wednesday, also closed 26 December

Friday 27 to Sunday 29 December (11am to 4pm)Then normal opening pattern, closed Monday to Wednesday

Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery

Monday 23 December Tuesday 24 December to 1pm

Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 December Friday 27 December

Monday 30 December Tuesday 31 December to 1pm

Wednesday 1 January Thursday 2 January (10am to 5pm)

Exeter’s much-loved Red Coats have picked up the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service - the highest award a voluntary group canreceive in the UK.

Visit our website at exeter.gov.uk or call 01392 277888

Page

Six

The road to becoming carbon-neutral

The city has an ambition to be the world-leader in applied environmental science, health and data analytics, and in addressing the challenges of climate change and urbanisation. The Council recognises the scale and urgency of the global challenge from climate change and the responsibility it has to ensure that Exeter remains a great place to live. In July, the Council declared a climate emergency and committed to Exeter becoming a carbon neutral city by 2030.

The City Council plans to lead by example by ensuring that its own operations are carbon neutral by 2022. The Council is strongly committed to renewable energy and playing a part in pushing the boundaries of what local authorities can do to deliver a low carbon future. Over the past decade, it has pioneered Passivhaus standards in the UK, delivered large-scale district heating networks, reduced its own energy consumption by more than a third and is taking steps to consider staff travel and working patterns. In 2017 Exeter was selected as one of the Sport England Local Delivery Pilots and launched a programme to make Exeter the most active city in the UK, contributing towards carbon reduction as well as improving health and wellbeing.

The challenge of extending decarbonisation to the entire city is not something that the Council can

deliver alone. In 2016, Exeter City Council was a founding member of Exeter City Futures (ECF), a Community Interest Company that brings together some of the largest employers in the city - Exeter City Council, Devon County Council, Exeter College, the University of Exeter, Global City Futures and the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Trust - alongside a wide range of business and community partners to work together to deliver a carbon-neutral Exeter. Exeter City Futures has been asked to lead the development of a shared city roadmap and is currently planning a range of engagement events across the city, culminating in a public event in March 2020.

Liz O’Driscoll, Managing Director at Exeter City Futures, said: “We welcome the City Council’s commitment to make Exeter carbon-neutral in 10 years. This is an incredibly positive message to send to the residents of this great city.

“These are bold, but critical targets, and everyone across the city will need to be involved in making the changes we need in a way that ensures we remain a great place to live. With this announcement, Exeter joins other leading UK cities working towards this global aspiration. We believe that through Exeter City Futures, we have the commitment and collaboration to work together to make it a reality.”

Exeter aims to be a carbon-neutral city by 2030 Exeter already has a world-class reputation in climate and environmental research, with the Met Office and University of Exeter informing the international response to climate change.

FREE solar panels for qualifying residents

The initiative being delivered by the City Council and EDF E n e r g y t h r o u g h i t s E C O scheme, aims to save residents money on their energy bills and reduce carbon emissions.

T h e s c h e m e a s s i s t s t h o s e in homes currently heated by electric appliances, such as electric storage or room heaters, to create their own energy and potentially reduce their heating bills.

Since the project started in May, solar panels have been installed on 36 homes in Exeter.

O n e c o u p l e , E m i l i e a n d Brandon Wipperfurth, sa id t h e p r o c e s s w a s c o v e r e d off by a grant from the City Council and EDF Energy, and e v e r y t h i n g w a s e x p l a i n e d well. “We are really pleased with the solar panels and they are already saving us money,” said Brandon.

Certain householders in Exeter are being offered free solar panels.

To find out more about the scheme go to

www.qerb.uk/exeter or call 01392 984034

Visit our website at exeter.gov.uk or call 01392 277888

Page

Sev

en

The road to becoming carbon-neutralGreen electricity facility to power City Council’s vehicles

Pedal power

The solar and battery storage smart grid will connect to the National Grid, supplying green electricity and helping the city to become carbon neutral by 2030.

The site for the project is in Water Lane, Marsh Barton, and is currently used as the Council’s storage facility for green waste.

The plan is to provide 3,702 solar panels, two battery storage containers and an electricity switch room. The site would be screened off by existing trees and bushes.

The site would be connected up to the Council’s operational depot in Exton Road, enabling the local authority to provide green electricity to its fleet – including refuse and recycling vehicles – and replace its

diesel vehicles and improve air quality. Surplus energy would be fed into the National Grid during times of peak energy demand, balancing energy flows.

The project is being made possible thanks to a grant from the European Regional Development Fund.

It is hoped to get the project up and running by 2021.

Co Bikes is expanding its service and introducing more new electric bikes in more locations around the city where the bikes can be hired from.

The electric bikes make cycling a breeze –even uphill – getting riders to their destination refreshed and revigorated, not hot and sweaty!

And it’s great for the environment, cutting pollution and congestion around Exeter.

A City Council spokesman said that Co Bikes was a really important scheme for the city:

“People can get involved by using an electric bike, leaving the car behind and maybe using a bit of public transport too.

“Exeter can become very congested because people want to come to Exeter. We do want them to come to Exeter but we want them to consider other modes of transport,” he said.

Co Bikes are looking to introduce new locations within the city. Next up will be Heavitree, Cranbrook and Pinhoe.

Exeter is working on an innovative green electricity project with the ability to powerthe City Council’s fleet of electric vehicles.

An on-demand electric bike hire scheme is helping Exeter on its journey to becoming carbon-neutral.

To find out more about the scheme, go to www.co-bikes.co.uk

Visit our website at exeter.gov.uk or call 01392 277888

Community NEWS

And to mark the occasion, Citizens Advice has announced that it will be working closer with the City Council to offer free, independent, confidential and impartial advice and information to people in Exeter to help resolve the problems they face.

The charity will be helping to address the widening inequality gap for communities in terms of health, income, employment and access to services. It will also be working alongside the Council’s housing needs team to support those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

For information and advice, visit Citizens Advice at the Civic Centre in Dix’s Field or go to www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Citizens Advice Exeter have been celebrating 80 years of helping people in the city.

With the onset of colder weather comes the need to keep warm, and this brings increased fire risks. Please follow this advice to help stay safe and warm this winter.

Fire safety

80 years old and still going strong

Page

Eig

ht

Would you like a FREE home safety visit?Call: 0800 05 02 999 to request a visit by one of our trained technicians. www.dsfire.gov.uk | #FireKills

Portable heaters • Keep heaters at least one metre

away from curtains and furniture. Never use them for drying clothes.

• Always unplug electric heaters when going to bed.

• Try to secure heaters against a wall to stop them from falling over.

• Only use gas or paraffin heaters in well ventilated areas.

Electricity failure/ Alternative lighting

• Keep a battery operated torch handy in the event of a power cut.

• If using candles or matches, take care - put them out completely before leaving a room or going to bed, and never leave a burning candle unattended.

Open fires • Keep chimneys and flues clean and well

maintained, ensuring they are swept at least once a year.

• Make sure to always use a fire guard to protect against sparks and hot embers.

• Ensure embers are properly put out before going to bed.

Sweeping frequencies (For guidance only).

Frequency will depend on a number of factors including: type of fuel, appliance used, duration of use, moisture content of wood fuel, type of chimney.

• Smokeless coals: at least once a year. • Wood: up to four times a year. • Bituminous coal: twice a year.

Visit our website at exeter.gov.uk or call 01392 277888

Play time on the Merry Go Round

Merry Go Round run two toy libraries in Exeter, at Exeter Scrapstore and at the Beacon Centre.

The toy libraries are open to families with children aged from a few months to teens, as well as groups or individuals involved in providing daycare for children.

Toy Libraries are exciting places to visit, like an Aladdin’s cave full of things to take home. They also promote the reuse of toys which helps stop so much plastic going to waste.

Many of the toys promote inclusion, with some specially designed for children with disabilities. The charity also have a wide range of resource books and multicultural toys.

Merry Go Round are happy to give advice about specific toys for individual children, or alternatively what would suit group play.

To find out more, visit www.mgrtoylibrary.org

Page

Nin

e

Exeter-Ethiopia Link was set up in 1987 when harrowing pictures of famines flashed across television screens, and Band Aid was becoming a world-wide phenomenon.

Over the years, the charity has forged firm links with Nekemte, the provincial capital of Wellega. Equipment has been provided for two schools there and members of the group have been out to Ethiopia to see their good work bearing fruits.

Almost £3,000 was raised by the group to renovate the plumbing on two hospital wards. The renovation work was completed with a £5,000 grant from the British Embassy in 2001.

The link has grown in strength ever since - in 2006, the charity was awarded £150,000 by a UK charitable trust to set up an eye clinic in Nekemte. That was followed in 2014 by a grant of more than £78,000 for a three-year inclusive education project.

The charity has funded other water, environment and health projects, including helping pupils with eye and hearing conditions.

Four years ago, it was awarded just over £108,000 from Comic Relief to extend the charity’s libraries and reading centres project in Nekemte.

The project has made measurable difference to literacy levels, and has proved vital to improving general educational standards.

The group has around 100 members. Committee member, Gillian Dale said: “You have to keep reminding yourself, every bit helps. It is a drop in the ocean, but it all helps.”

Membership Secretary, Gentian Dyer said: “We will run another programme next year. It could be about capping a spring or growing seed, or promoting our work with visual and hearing aid projects.”

Many people may not be aware that Exeter has a charity that supports equality and provides people living in Ethiopia with a better quality of life.

Forging links with Ethiopia

A charity is celebrating 20 years of lending toys to children in Exeter.

To find out more about the group go to exeterethiopialink.org

Visit our website at exeter.gov.uk or call 01392 277888

RAMM is providing a wide range of opportunities for people in Exeter, to develop the skills needed for life and work.

Gaining new skills through volunteering Many of the 150 volunteers at RAMM use their experience to gain the skills, insight and confidence needed to start their careers. Whether it’s in preparation for a first job, returning to work after a long absence or maybe taking a change in direction, volunteering is a great first step. There are roles suited to a wide range of abilities and disabilities: from gallery guiding to design, from data input to research, and publicising events to developing tours. In the last 12 months, volunteers contributed 14,500 hours of work to the museum.

Supporting local schools A bi-annual work experience programme gives 14 to18 year-old students an overview of the different roles and opportunities available in a museum. The intensive week-long opportunity allows each student to sample the museum’s wide-ranging, day-to-day operations.

Partnering with Exeter College RAMM has teamed up with Exeter College to pioneer the provision of T Levels - the new, two-year, level 3 technical qualification that will be rolled out nationally in 2020. Over a 30-week period, 16-19 year olds gain real-life work experience to develop their knowledge and skills in their chosen industry.

Skills for life Working with Exeter College and Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education, RAMM hosts two supported internships. Part of the NCFE Certificate in Employability Skills Level 1 course, it provides meaningful work experience in the cultural sector for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Partnering with the University of Exeter At undergraduate level, the museum and university have developed the Pathways programme, an award winning arts, culture and heritage training programme that comprises of three key elements: employer-led training, a group project and a paid internship. Thirty students benefit from this programme annually. Working as part of the University’s Graduate Business Partnership Scheme, RAMM also offers paid, one-year, skills-development internships for graduates, giving them an excellent start in their careers.

A City Council spokesman said, “RAMM has recently appointed a new Skills Development Officer, showing its commitment to providing opportunities for local people of all backgrounds to gain valuable work experience and to develop their wider skills. These types of programmes really help local people get a foot on the career ladder or back into work.”

Skills for the future with RAMM

Happy birthday Gerald! 100 years at RAMMLord Mayor’s coffee morningsCome and celebrate Gerald’s 100th birthday party. Everyone is invited to celebrations at RAMM on Saturday 14 December as Gerald, RAMM’s much-loved giraffe, hits the big 100. A fun-filled day of family activities is on the cards, including face painting, fancy dress, and an animal disco. Not a natural dancer, Gerald will be getting into the spirit by wearing his party hat and posing for photos at a specially-designed selfie station.

Don’t miss the chance to take tea with the Lord Mayor in Exeter’s historic Guildhall.The Lord Mayor’s coffee mornings give people the opportunity to enjoy a cuppa and a piece of cake in the oldest working Guildhall in the country, whilst raising money for charity.

This year’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Peter Holland, is raising money for CITY Community Trust. The Trust is Exeter’s leading health and wellbeing charity. It works in partnership with Exeter City Football Club and provides a range of

activities to people of all ages, focused on health, education, wellbeing and physical activity.

The next coffee mornings take place between 10am and 1pm on the following dates:

Saturday 18 January Saturday 22 February Saturday 21 March Saturday 25 April

Page

Ten

Visit our website at exeter.gov.uk or call 01392 277888

Page

Ele

ven

Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery Queen Street, Exeter EX4 3RX

T 01392 265858 E ramm@exeter.gov.uk

www.exeter.gov.uk/ramm

Enjoy stunning displays, fabulous exhibitions and engaging events at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM), Exeter City Council’s world-class museum.

Join in the lively programme of family activities, talks and tours Admission free.

Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Closed Mondays and bank holidays.

What’s On

QUALITY ASSUREDVISITOR

ATTRACTION

The Lost WordsJackie Morris and Robert Macfarlane

19 Oct to 12 Jan 2020

Sea Garden16 Nov to 26 Jan 2020

Current exhibitions

Programme highlights

Cen

tral

imag

e: S

usan

Der

ges,

Tid

e Po

ol. 3

1-un

ique

c-t

ype

prin

t, 20

15 (d

etai

l).

Brian Rice 60 Years of paintings and Prints24 Jan to 3 May 2020

FREE

FREE

Sensational Seaweed WeekendSat 30 Nov to Sun 1 Dec. 10.30am to 12.30pm, 1.30 to 3.30pm. £3 craft activity. Drop-in.

Learn about seaweed: smell, taste and identify different types from Devon’s coast and make seaweed-inspired Christmas decorations.

RAMM LatesFri 6 Dec. 6.30 to 10pm. Tickets £5

Delight in an after-hours night of exploration and entertainment with food, drink, poets, singers, artists and authors (18+).

£5

£3

Dementia-friendly Festive baubles and warblesWed 4 Dec. 10.30am to 12.30pm. Tickets £5

Enjoy music and mince pies, sing along with a local school choir and make Christmas baubles.

£5

By Royal Appointment Devon Lace-makers 8 Feb to 31 May 2020

FREE

Tickets £6 / £4Under-16s FREE

Exeter Citizen Winter 2019 ad.indd 1 25/10/2019 14:50

Making homes more accessibleHouseholders who cannot use their home safely and freely may be eligible to a Disabled Facilities Grant.

For those who have health or disability issues that affect their daily lives around the home, the City Council offer grants for people to adapt their homes. Grants are available for works including widening doors, installing ramps or bathroom adaptions.

Recent policy changes now mean that applications for stair lifts are no longer means tested, therefore simplifying the process and making it more accessible.

Exeter resident, Rick Dunscombe, is just one of those to recently benefit from the

scheme. Mr Dunscombe was awarded a Disabled Facilities Grant to install a stair lift, due to long term health issues resulting in mobility problems.

Mr Dunscombe, who read about the grants in the Citizen, praised the council for their life-changing work. He said: “Small changes matter a great deal and this has had such an enriching impact on my life - both from an accessibility point of view but also in terms of my mental health.”

For more information on grants, visit exeter.gov.uk/housing/home-owners/disabled-facilities-grants

or call 01392 265651

Children’s Funeral FundFamilies grieving the tragic loss of a child will no longer have to meet the costs of their burial or cremation, as a result of a new scheme set up to provide financial help.

Every year in England, an estimated 3,800 children die under the age of 18, and there are a further 2,700 stillbirths. Bereaved parents can find themselves facing bills of thousands of pounds for burial or cremation fees, which can widely vary across the country.

The Children’s Funeral Fund (CFF) will bring an end to this uncertainty and provide bereaved parents with valuable practical support at a very difficult time. The scheme aims to reduce the

financial burden for families by reimbursing burial authorities, cremation authorities and funeral directors directly.

The fund will be available regardless of the family’s income, and will also include a contribution towards the cost of a coffin. It will cover costs for children under 18 and stillbirths after the 24th week of pregnancy.

To find out more, call 01392 265707 or email

bereavement.services@exeter.gov.uk

The Exeter Citizen is published by Exeter City Council and printed on paper made from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources. When you have finished with this copy please dispose of it through the paper recycling facilities in the city.

Design & production by JJC Shine, shinecreative.co.uk

Exeter City Council, Civic Centre, Paris Street, Exeter EX1 1JN Tel: 01392 277888 exeter.gov.uk

PEFC/16-33-228

NEVER BEATEN ON PRICE!!!

Is your conservatory too cold in Winter?

CHANGE THE ROOF!CHANGE THE ROOF!Use your conservatory 365 days a year!

0800 246 5618

www.roofworxsw.co.uk

We will beat any like for like quoteby at least 20%

That's our Guarantee to you!

Roofworx are the South West leaders in conservatoryto sunroom conversions. Transform your tired oldconservatory into a fully insulated sunroomthat can be used ALL YEAR ROUND!GUARANTEED!!!

Before

NEVER BEATEN ON PRICE!!!

75%REDUCTION IN SUMMER HEAT

ROOFWORX SW

85%HEAT RETAINEDIN WINTERROOFWORX SW

upto

25 year

GUARANTEEproduct

FREEPHONE

We don’t need to come to yourhome, we just need a

couple of photos or we willuse google earth.

It’s that Easy!

QUOTEOVER THE PHONE

Page

Tw

elve

New leisure complex rises up

In fact, by January, the development will have reached its peak, with a ‘topping-out’ ceremony to mark the building’s highest point being built.

St Sidwell’s Point - as it will be known - will be the UK’s first super energy-efficient Passivhaus swimming pool and leisure centre. A new Exeter Bus Station is being built at the same site, and both projects are being funded by the City Council.

St Sidwell’s Point is expected to open in Spring 2021. The state-of-the-art facility will include a special filtration system which means there will be minimal need for chemicals, and swimmers will enjoy exceptional water quality.

The leisure complex will feature:

• A main swimming pool and learner pool with moveable floors

• A confidence water pool

• A seated spectator area

• A café with stunning views

• A fitness gym and two fitness studios

• Spin studios

• A health suite and spa facility

• A children’s soft play area

The new bus station will include covered waiting, boarding areas, and high quality facilities, and will replace the current station which was opened in 1964.

Exeter’s major new leisure complex is rapidly emerging from the ground, with building work progressing well.