A year after it was expected, the work to remove the stones on the Laburnam Road roundabout has taken place. As agreed by local residents who attended the consultation events, the stones, which are now on the Wonford Playing Field, have been replaced by prickly shrubs.

Jill Owen said, “Residents were understandably wondering if this was ever going to happen and I have had to chivvy people along, in order to get some action. However, the shrubs are now in place and should provide a deterrent to any individual wishing to cause a nuisance.”

The stones should be moved later in the year to provide informal seating around the existing basketball area on the playing field.

Marcel Choules has been working with local police and  Exeter City Council to address a severe problem of anti social behaviour which is causing much distress to a local family. Tenants behaving in a way which causes distress to neighbours and  in particular where this concerns young children will not be tolerated.

After numerous complaints about children and teenagers playing football in the street at Laurel Road where cars and properties have been damaged Councillor Choules has taken positive action and has requested a no ball games sign to be erected, after meetings with tenants, the local police team and the area Housing Manager.  It has been agreed that a sign will be erected in the near future.

The area at the back of Shakespeare Road is being handed over to Sovereign houses on 19th March so that properties, aimed at people down sizing, can be built and also the path to the hospital from Burnthouse Lane. This has been a long time coming but hopefully it will be finished in the near future.

In the meantime, the things that remained behind are now being put to good use elsewhere in Priory. The container has been moved to Countess Wear School, where it is to be used by the school children in the Forest School in the grounds. The spotlights are to go to the Phoenix Youth Centre in Ludwell Valley Park.

With the Queen’s Juiblee fast approaching, progress is being made across Priory with different parties being held to celebrate. On June 2nd an event is being held at the Wonford Community Centre. There will be four Local Pubs competing in a tug of war, strong man and woman competitions, a Grand Draw, a dog show, masses of activities for children in the afternoon including the Youth Factor Final, plus a fireworks display to round it off in the evening. There will be different food and drink available all day, If you would like to help us please call the Community Police Officer Percy Giles or contact Wonford Community Centre.

Exciting ideas were discussed at the Wear United meeting with Marcel Choules and Gill Tippins, how we in Countess Wear will celebrate the Queen Diamond Jubilee. An idea which has proved popular is to get together with friends and neighbours and celebrate a true community Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Tea Party. The idea is that this will be very informal, everyone will be invited to come along and join in,  bring a picnic hamper and bubbly or chunk of cake and a cup of tea.

Also ideas to make the day special for children have been put forward and it is hoped that there will be roaming children’s entertainers and face painters. The area beside the new Children’s Playpark in King George V Playing Fields as this is accessible for all residents in Countess Wear and the Play Park will be great fun for the children. Marcel Choules and Gill Tippins are coordinating this events on behalf of the community for more details email gill.priory@gmail.com

New funding will give those claiming benefits the opportunity to take part in discounted Adult Courses.

Included are things like painting, mosaics, stained glass plus much more. No skill needed just the desire to give it a try and have fun.

This help has come from Labour Cllrs Marcel Choules, Lesley Robson, Gill Tippins Community Budgets and Cllr Jill Owen’s Locality Budget.

A whole day course for those eligible costs only £5. Have a look to see what you fancy trying and to find out if you are eligible for a reduced price course: www.countesswearvillagehall.co.uk

PCSO Percy Giles says that funding from Local Councillor Community Grants has enabled young people involved in The Eastside Outdoors Club to experience things they have not had the opportunity to do before.

This includes a visit to Crealy Park, The Royal Albert Memorial Museum, a bit of ice skating and lifesaving at Middlemoor swimming pool. These are brilliant opportunities for all concerned.

Local Labour Councillors Marcel Choules, Lesley Robson, Gill Tippins from the Exeter City Council and Labour County Councillor Jill Owen from Devon County Council all contributed funding from their Locality and Community Budgets.

We were sad to hear that last year The Youth Hostel Association announced that they had plans to close Mount Wear House Youth Hostel due to rising overheads.

They have now applied for a change of use for the buildings to 10 self contained apartments and a single dwelling.

Cllr Choules said, “It’s sad to see the place shut down as it has been a fixture of the community for years. If anyone has thoughts about the proposal please get in touch.”

Priory Ward has traditionally been known for showing the city how to celebrate special events and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee will be no exception.

Plans are already afoot for a huge Jubilee Event in The Wonford Community Centre spilling out into Ludwell Valley on Saturday 2nd June.

So far we have stalls, competitions, including tug of war contests between the pubs, children’s games, a bouncy castle, music, food and drink, including a hog roast, finishing with a Firework display! For more information get in touch with Cllr Lesley Robson on 01392 221369.

Wynstream School will also celebrating with a Red White & Blue day the week prior to the main event being planned for Ludwell Valley.

If you would like help and advice on planning your celebrations Exeter City Council website will give you loads of good tips. www.exeter.gov.uk/streetparties

The children in the Dickens Drive area received an extra Christmas present when new play equipment was installed just prior to the Christmas holidays. It has given the whole area a facelift and looks new and exciting.

The new play equipment includes a basket swing, an super rocking dish, an overhead rotator, a see saw, a multi-play climbing and sliding unit and some cradle swings for younger children. Further improvements will be made in the spring including fencing off a kick-around area to make it dog free.

Councillor Gill Tippins went along to the consultation regarding the play area at Dickens Drive. It was a great opportunity to meet residents and find out more about what was possible and what residents wanted in the new play area.

“I was amazed at the pictures of the brilliant play equipment on offer. We then set about talking to residents to discuss the best choice of the equipment,“ said Gill Tippins.

The construction of the new play area started in early October and already the play area fence has been painted to brighten the areas up and make it more child friendly. The play equipment has been ordered and it is hoped that the new play area will be up and running in time for the Christmas holidays. Although enjoyed by the local children the play area at Lakeside in Countess Wear is in need of a facelift. Cllr Marcel Choules has been discussing this matter with officers of Exeter City Council and is optimistic that funding will be available in the near future. We will keep you posted.

Following the delay caused by roosting bats, we are now hoping to hand the land over to Sovereign Housing in the coming month. This  means that the new housing development should be starting soon, with the prospect of finishing in 2012. The development will include the building of the path to allow access to the hospital from Shakespeare Road.

“This is great news; we have been waiting so long for this to happen. This will allow easier access to the hospital for the people of the Burnthouse Lane area,” said Cllr Lesley Robson.

The County Council has given each councillor £15,000 to fund community activities this year. To date,Devon County Councillor Jill Owen has given funding to the following projects:

• The Harvest Project: this involves working with residents to grow their own garden produce and the Chestnut Centre has also benefitted from this scheme.

• Wear United: Jill has given funding for new notice boards, plus leaflets and the website.

• The Exeter Girls Brigade: Jill helped fund an outdoor holiday for local youngsters.

• Men in Sheds: this project works with men who live alone and gives them the opportunity to socialise and be creative.

• Devon Youth Service: funding has gone towards summer activities.

• Amersham Court Tea Club: Jill funded a celebratory outing for the group.

• Exeter YMCA Job Club: funding has helped keep this service going, based at the Wonford Community Centre.

Cllr Jill Owen says, “These are just some of the examples where I have used my locality budget. I am always happy to hear from community groups who need some extra help with funding. Please get in touch.”

The smell coming from the sewage works have been bad lately, partly due to the building works over the other side of Topsham Road. If the smell is bad, please phone the sewage works on 08001691144. It is a free number, and will put you straight through.