Town councillors will investigate how best to symbolise Sidmouth’s highest civic honour. Read this and more.

FREEMAN HONOUR: Town councillors will investigate how best to symbolise Sidmouth’s highest civic honour.

They discussed the design and purchase of a badge or insignia, that freemen can wear on civic occasions, at a meeting on Monday.

There are currently only two freemen of Sidmouth and both were handed scrolls to mark the achievement.

Councillor Graham Liverton, who came up with the idea of an additional way to symbolise the accolade, said: “Being a freeman of Sidmouth doesn’t come lightly.”

Cllr Mary Jolly added: “It is an honour and should be recognised. You can’t carry a scroll around with you.”

Councillors heard a set of five ‘chairman’s jewels’ - handed to past council leaders - costs more than �2,000. They opted not to spend that much in this case.

Mmebers will revisit the subject matter at a future meeting.

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CLIMB FOR CANCER CARE: Charity Marie Curie is looking for people to walk to the top of Mount Snowdon, the highest point in England and Wales, to raise much needed funds for the nursing service. For further information visit www.mareicurie.org.uk/uktreks or call 08700 340 040.

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HECKLING HIATUS: A spate of heckling by angry residents at recent district authority meetings over the controversial Local Plan and proposed Knowle relocation saw town representatives issue a stern warning.

At a packed Sidmouth Town Council meeting on Monday, chairman Stuart Hughes warned that any member of the public who interrupted proceedings would be asked to leave.

“We will consider the items on the agenda in a civilised way.”

While there were murmurs of discontent from around 20 residents as a Knowle debate unfolded, no one was asked to leave the meeting.