A personal point of view by district leader Paul Arnott

I’ve often been involved in discussions with local people about whether East Devon has a distinct identity, compared say to other parts of the county. This matters when it comes to thinking about tourism strategies, and that matters because of the huge role tourism plays in the district’s economy.

To many, the identities of, for example, Torbay, or the South Hams, or Dartmoor are clear. They can be pointed to on a map. To me, East Devon, the largest district by population, is pretty clear too. To the south, the Jurassic Coast from Axmouth to Exmouth, the Axe and the Exe estuaries defining east to west, with the Blackdown Hills drawing most of the northern boundary to the M5 and a small part also to the north of Exeter.

At East Devon we have a superb Economy team which has worked up a valuable tourism strategy, all of it underpinned by the desire to promote our unique local offer and benefit the district’s economy. Last weekend on the Strand in Exmouth, we were involved in staging a bit of a triumph, and because the joy of democracy means the council has to accept regular punches on the chin, I’m unashamed in promoting this to show just how much good an ambitious council can sometimes achieve.

The event was the first ever Exmouth Gate to Plate all-day festival, which I was delighted to see was getting rave reviews from Exmouth people on social media almost instantly and for the rest of the day. Food providers from Devon and beyond set up dozens of stalls, selling everything from bread to doughnuts, teas to kombucha, lots for veggies and vegans, but plenty for carnivores too.

The Strand was buzzing, a great crowd, lovely atmosphere, families and singles wandering from stall to stall and sitting down to eat their purchases at some tables in the middle. Of huge significance, despite understandable apprehension by local traders, was that those who chose to open also did very well. Many locals said to me that this was the kind of event the Strand was made for, and it was hard to disagree. There was almost a sense of civic pride that Exmouth felt like the perfect host for an aspirational occasion such as this. Bar the threat of drizzle around lunchtime, even the weather played its part.

Of course, events like this don’t just fall from the sky. At East Devon we’ve been piloting them for a few years, first at Honiton, then for the first-time last year at Axminster. Indeed, a date for your diaries, Axminster goes again on Bank Holiday Monday 26th May. I was there last year and that was a joy too. I’ll be there again on the 26th (note to self: also wedding anniversary that day).

In Exmouth I was delighted to have a long discussion with Bev Milner Simonds, one of the two geniuses at the Eat Festivals organisation which brings these events together and who East Devon brought in to run it for us. Her passion for these events, the joy and fun they bring, and the serious

role they can play in shifting the needle on a community’s civic self-confidence, was inspirational, and her company, run with her wife Sarah, has a stunning record across towns in the region.

As I said in an online comment, it’s a relief to be writing about Exmouth and for it not to be about South West Water or disputed planning applications for a change. It’s lovely to have a bit of good news. A proud day for all concerned.