Sidmouth has a range of clubs - get yourself involved

Sidmouth Herald columnist Mike Dibble (Image: contributed)

Earlier in the month I had the pleasure of going on the Sidmouth Cricket Club tour to Jersey.

It was a pleasure to carry out the umpiring duties on the tour and join in with the camaraderie and socialising with present and former players.

There is no doubt that joining a club in Sidmouth has enormous benefits and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

And of course it doesn’t just apply to Sidmouth although we all know what a special place this is to live.

Continuing on the cricketing theme Sidmouth 1st XI had an outstanding win against Sandford last Saturday at The Fortfield. From the very start of the match the players appeared to be really on their game and after bowling Sandford out for 114 they won by five wickets.

Special mention should go to Byron Knowles who took six wickets.

The irony is that he wasn’t in the originally selected team.

The win moved Sidmouth up to third place in the table.

They surely couldn’t win the title again in an even numbered year? They won it in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018 and the replacement ‘Covid Competion’ in 2020. Stranger things have happened.

Sidmouth 2nd XI also won last Saturday by nine wickets at Braunton.

Talented opener Charlie Gaywood hit an unbeaten half century. The 3rd XI lost despite a maiden half century and century from Tom Burhop who finished 103 not out.

Skipper Tim Chapman also hit a half century.

This Saturday the 1st XI are away at league leaders North Devon, the 2nd XI are at home to Sandford and the 3rd XI travel to play at Thorverton which has a lovely ground on the outskirts of the village near the River Exe.

Away from sport I was delighted to see that the vast majority of survey participants who contacted The town council were in favour of the local air show.

People must realise if we lose the Red Arrows they will perform somewhere else which is of no benefit to Sidmouth or the environment.

The new plans for The Knowle were released last week.

I would urge you to study them and comment if you feel strongly about any of the detail.

Varying opinions have been put forward on social media.

A high percentage of those query the type of housing proposed and also the impact they will have on the demand for local services such as health and care.

Those who said it wouldn’t be long before our lovely new road surfaces were being dug up have been proved correct with various water leaks around the town over the past few weeks.

It always surprises me how long it takes for the repairs to start after a water leak is discovered.

It is great to see various empty shops being filled recently. Good luck to those businesses that have moved and also to those starting their new businesses in the town.

A large number of sold property prices in the EX10 postcode area have recently been released by The Land Registry.

It shows the large increase in house prices recently.

Notable sales include a three-bedroom terraced house in Elim Villas selling for £420,000, a three-bedroom detached house in Upper Highfield selling for £650,000, a four-bedroom house in Cotford Close in Sidbury selling for £752,550, a three-bedroom house in Station Road selling for £805,000, a two-bedroom bungalow in Malden Road selling for £430,000, a three-bedroom house in Livonia Road selling for £636,000 and a four-bedroom one in Livonia Road selling for £670,000.

The data is on all the major property portals for those who wish to peruse it.

Finally many congratulations to local golfer James Pickard who has recently broken the Sidmouth Golf Club course record with a gross 58.

An outstanding achievement beating Nigel Winchester’s 59 from over 30 years ago.