Captain Tom Moore made a 'huge difference' to fundraising

Sidmouth Herald columnist Mike Dibble (Image: contributed)

There can’t have been many people who have made such an impact in their last living year than Captain Sir Tom Moore did.

And to crown it all off he was able to go on a family holiday over Christmas and New Year to Barbados.

This was on his bucket list apparently. It would be a brave person to say he didn’t deserve the break! He certainly made a huge difference with his fundraising and was one rare ray of sunshine in 2020. May he rest in peace.

Locally we had a glorious day last Saturday before the cold snap. Sidmouth was at its brilliant best as the sun shone. The promenade was busy but social distancing was not an issue. With longer days it certainly felt spring like.

And remember folks as each day passes we are closer to getting back to normality!

On the sporting front I am enjoying the pictures on Twitter from Sidmouth Golf Club as many improvements have been taking place up there during lockdown.

These involve removing a bunker on the fourth hole (to the front right of the green), improving the other bunker there, restructuring the path by the sixth tee, rerouting the drainage underground on the seventh and taking out an overhanging tree, lowering the bank on the twelfth hole to aid visibility to the green and taking out a tree on the thirteenth hole to one again aid visibility down the fairway. Let’s hope we can soon be out there playing.

The Six Nations rugby championship started last Saturday and England rugby supporters had a shock as Scotland deservedly won at Twickenham for the first time since 1983. France comprehensively beat Italy and Wales overcame Ireland in Cardiff.

This was after Ireland had a man sent off in the early stages of the game.

On the cricketing front Dom Bess again bowled well for England in India. His parents, Russell and Jane, must be incredibly proud.

At the time of writing England are on top in the game. On the individual front Joe Root is trying to win Sports Personality of the Year by the end of February with a fantastic run of scores!

On the football front Exeter City responded well to the reversals against Morecambe and Carlisle United with wins against Stevenage and Bradford City. I have a funny feeling they are going to get promoted this year.

They are due to play Barrow this week so you’ll know the result of that game before you read this column. Exeter Chiefs won at Newcastle last Sunday. They are quite likely to lose more players to England after England’s dismal performance against Scotland.

On the nature front I saw a Cormorant fishing in The Byes last week up by Sid Park Road.

I’ve never seen one this high up the river before. Hopefully a one off as they can quickly diminish fish stocks which is not what is needed, especially by the otters.

The walk I am recommending this week is a good one when it is wet as you avoid muddy footpaths! From Sidmouth start in The Byes and continue up to Sidford. Go via Harcombe Lane into the back lane to Sidbury coming in to the village via Deepway Lane.

Once in Sidbury go past the church and take the left hand turning into Ridgeway. Continue all the way up this road until you reach East Hill strips. Turn left and come back into Sidmouth via Core Hill. It is about 10 or 11 miles depending on where you live.

Finally it looks like the traffic restrictions in Old Fore Street, New Street and Church Street are to be made permanent by Devon County Council. Vehicles wishing to use these roads will require a permit except for loading and unloading. Local businesses are apparently supporting the scheme with the support of Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce.