Sidmouth was very much in the news last week with features in The Times and on Sky News. The article in the national press concerned the low rate of Covid within Sidmouth during 2021. It was ironic that the tragic outbreak at The Holmesley Nursing Home coincided with this publicity.

On Sky Ian Barlow did a fantastic job in promoting the town and he also cheekily asked the presenter if she would be holidaying here later in the year! The Times featured interviews with a number of Sidmouth residents including local greengrocer Nigel Winchester who expressed some interesting views on ramps and steps! They always say there is no such thing as bad publicity and I’m sure that the article can only help promote our wonderful town.

With the clocks going forward next weekend we can look forward to lighter evenings and this coincides nicely with the further lessening of restrictions from March 29. There is sure to be a good field for the Monday Stableford at Sidmouth Golf Club on that date and it will be interesting to see the scores posted on the first day back playing. Players will not have been able to practice their longer shots but I suspect those lucky enough to have gardens will have practised their chipping.

Personally I am looking forward to more socialising. In just over two weeks we can go to the beer gardens of our local hostelries and I was delighted to see that The Blue Ball at Sidford has new licensees from April 12. Their beer garden will no doubt be popular as will The Swan in the town centre and other venues lucky enough to have outdoor space.

This week’s featured walk starts in Sidmouth. Make your way to Milltown Lane, off Sid Road, and continue up the bridle way and steps in an easterly direction until you reach the road by the scout field. Continue along past the driving range and turn right as if joining The Sid Valley Ring. Continue on the ring to Dunscombe and back to Sidmouth along the coast path. Some of the hills are challenging but it is worth the climb to see the panoramic views. On the nature front another otter, or quite possibly the same one, has been photographed in the River Sid and has been on social media. I still wait to see one in daylight but I’m not giving up.

It was good to read that Sidmouth has taken a leading role in helping East Devon hit its recycling target of just over 60% of its household waste. It was also good to see that Devon is the second best county in the country. I still think we can do more and I still hate putting a full landfill bag out for the three-weekly collection. How long will it be before we can put polythene packaging in recycling? And pet food pouches? And plastic bags?

Finally, I did apply recently to go on a new BBC Two walking show. It would have been a great way to promote Sidmouth and further my journalism career! Despite the late application I had an extensive telephone interview where they asked me questions just about everything imaginable. This included my political views, my thoughts on many aspects of society and what games I’d like to play on the walk if successful! I was turned down because my profile was similar to other contestants. I think they wanted extreme views for better television. It will be interesting to see the Devon edition when it hits our screens. The idea is to feature your favourite walk of about 1.5 hours. Mine would have to involve coming down Peak Hill and seeing the view to Salcombe Hill. A certain skittles team mate always used to insist on stopping there in the gateway as we came back into the valley so he could admire the outlook even when it was dark!