As we approach a bank holiday weekend let us hope that the recent inclement weather is a thing of the past. It must have been one of the wettest Mays on record in Sidmouth.

On the cricketing front, Sidmouth 1st XI were at last able to complete a game as they beat Exeter at The Fortfield last Saturday. However the 2nd XI and 3rd XI matches once again succumbed to the weather and neither match started. This weekend the 1st XI are at home to Sandford, the 2nd XI travel to Clyst St George and the 3rd XI are at home to Feniton at Newton Poppleford.

It was certainly very squelchy under foot at Sidmouth Golf Club last weekend. The Deane Medal took place on Saturday with John Jones posting a net 61 to win Division One. On the day before in the Friday Stableford James Pickard posted 39 points off his plus one handicap. He is now plus two. For non golfers that means he is pretty good!

For those who like to support local events I have been asked to advise that the Salcombe Regis Country Fair has been postponed from next week and will now take place on August 26. One for your diaries. Another date to note that week is the Red Arrows performing above Sidmouth Esplanade on Friday 27.

On the commercial property front in Sidmouth, there are a number of changes to note at the end of May. You will have read in this paper about Whites shoe shop changing hands. Good luck to the new owners. This week also sees the closure of Hayman’s Butchers. A happy retirement to them. And finally, I see a new business is going into the premises formerly occupied by Dotty Homes. The new shop is called Things I Like and it is due to open tomorrow, Saturday, May 29.

It looks like we could possibly lose a public toilet in the town after reading about it in last week’s paper. Either the Market Place or The Ham toilets are possibly going to close. The ones at The Triangle are remaining open which is good news for the bus passengers, especially those who have travelled a long distance. Anyway, it is going to public consultation so we’ll see what happens after that.

I see that the local property market continues at a pace with buyers hoping to lessen their stamp duty outlay by completing their purchase before June 30. The percentage of properties currently sold subject to contract is as high as I can remember seeing it in the Sidmouth area. Good luck to all the parties involved in the process. Busy times. I am hearing about so many properties going to best and final offers at the moment which is a clear sign that the demand is very high. It’s worth noting that a vendor will be advised by their estate agent to not necessarily go with the highest offer. A buyer’s purchasing position will also be considered. Do they need a mortgage? Have they got a long chain behind them? How advanced is their sale? Do they have a related sale? A good estate agent will check on all these things and advise a client accordingly.

Finally, I am noticing that our pavements in Sidmouth are now getting far busier. I think we all have a duty whether it is as a pedestrian, a cyclist or a vehicle driver to be on our guard. I have recently seen a few near misses in the town which could so easily have been avoided. We all know Sidmouth has narrow streets and pavements and during this pandemic people are trying not to get too close to one another but walking into the road in front of traffic is not a good idea. Stay safe and remember to look around you before changing course. Not all of our town centre is pedestrianised.