Sidmouth’s business leaders are to discuss the town parking situation. Read this and more news.

PARKING: The town’s car parking issues will be discussed at Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce’s November business breakfast meeting. Businesses are invited to submit their views so these can be passed back to East Devon District Council, which reported, in private, a year ago on its general review of its car parks, and agreed to consult with town and parish councils and chambers of commerce. “We would welcome input from members, and non-members for that matter, as soon as possible so that we can formulate a response that genuinely reflects business opinion in the town,” said a chamber spokesman. Submissions should go to its chairman, Richard Eley, at Delderfields, Fore Street.

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BAND BOOST: Civic leaders congratulated Sidmouth Town Band for their sixth place finish in recent national championships. “I’m sure the experience gained will drive them forward in future competitions,” said town council chairman Stuart Hughes on Monday. “It’s some achievement and we should be justly proud of it,” added Councillor Graham Liverton. “They have done us a great honour.”

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POPULATION POSER: Sidmouth’s population dropped by 271 people between 2007 and 2010, figures have revealed. However, town numbers last year were 875 greater than in 1991. County council statistics for the last 20 years, based on Devon Primary Care Trust figures, show Sidmouth’s population was recorded as 13,843 in 2010 and peaked at 14,144 in 2007. The population in 1991 was 12,968.

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PINK PLEA: Volunteer street collectors are being sought for when Sidmouth turns pink to fight breast cancer on Friday, October 28. Sharon Lupu, manager of Sidmouth’s Cancer Research shop, has launched a search for volunteers to dress up and help with a street collection, in aid of the charity, for an hour or two between 9am and 6pm. Contact Sharon on (01395) 577203.

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OILS: Winners of the youth art section of Otter Vale Art Society’s August show, will attend a Youth Art morning at Sidbury Mill tomorrow, Saturday, learning to paint in oils with Colaton Raleigh artist Alan Cotton.