Budleigh Past and Present

Or should that be ‘WAR HEROES’ HOME’? Estate agents do not normally include the biographies of previous occupant of the houses that they’re selling. But ‘The Cottage’ on Budleigh Salterton’s West Hill is surely an exception.   It’s also a thatched property, making it something of a rarity in the town.   Not only is ‘The Cottage’ a charming period house in an almost rural setting only a few minutes’ walk from the centre of Budleigh, but it was also the home of a distinguished army officer decorated for his bravery during Word War One.  Major Cyril Kitchin DSO, who lived there with his wife Norah Ella Kitchin née Leach, was typical of a certain group of Budleigh residents of the past in that he served with the British Army in India in the days of the Empire.   He died on 2 April 1944, aged only 61, and is buried in St Peter’s Burial Ground on Moor Lane in Budleigh. His son, Squadron Leader Peter James Robert Kitchin DFC, had an equally distinguished wartime record,...

                                      The Roger Conant Club is organising a very special Supper on Friday May 15 th as part of the East Budleigh History Society’s Peacemaker Festival.  The event will take place at the Village Hall, East Budleigh commencing at 7.00 for 7.30 p.m.     The Supper will take the form of an American-themed buffet to celebrate the recently-announced ‘twinning’ of East Budleigh and the city of Salem, Massachusetts.  Salem, ‘a city of peace’, founded by Roger Conant is celebrating its 400 th  anniversary this year. With this in mind, guests are invited to dress up for the evening with American colonial/Pilgrim being the theme but such dressing up is entirely optional. The main courses of the Supper will comprise salmon, chicken and ham, preceded by delicious canapés and followed by a wide choice of desserts such as Boston cream pie, pumpkin...

  MPs involved with petitions to protest against development of greenbelt land or housing without appropriate infrastructure. Clive Betts (Labour Sheffield South East)  underlined his opposition to proposals to use land in Eckington Way, near Crystal Peaks, for a travelling showpeople site and industrial uses. ‘I am calling on  Sheffield City Council  to reject this plan and recognise the profound impact this will have on communities in Sheffield South East, not just around Eckington Way but also with the unfair release of Green Belt land.’ Saqib Bhatti (Conservative, Meriden and Solihull East):  Associated with a petition concerning the "grey belt" definition in the National Planning Policy Framework, advocating for better protection of Green Belt land. Sarah Bool (Conservative, South Northamptonshire.) Has actively opposed large warehouse developments, such as the DHL application, which threaten rural areas and green belt-adjacent land in her constituenc...