Exeter Chiefs will be joined by 120 invited guests to celebrate the official opening of Baker Bridge. The bridge is a recently adopted shared cycleway and footpath and it spans the A379 between Chiefs’ stadium at Sandy Park and Apple Lane Path.

It will be official opened at noon on Saturday, August 16, 2008, followed by a lunch reception held at Sandy Park Stadium, with all the guests invited to watch the Chiefs’ first pre-season game against Premiership side Bristol Rugby.

Baker Bridge has been dedicated to the memory of Malcolm Baker, who was keenly involved in the negotiations on the development of Sandy Park in his role as assistant director of the environment, economy and culture directorate at Devon County Council.

Mr Baker worked tirelessly for Devon’s community in the 39 years’ of service that saw him at Exeter City Council then the county council. A civil engineering graduate from the University of Bristol, Mr Baker oversaw the construction of the Exe Bridges and the Countess Wear Sewerage Works. His talent as a transportation planner also paved the way for his successful delivery of the nationally-acclaimed Devon Local Transport Plan.

A rugby fan, having been a leading member of Torquay Athletic Rugby Football Club, Mr Baker was also the secretary of the Devon committee of Wooden Spoon, the rugby charity that works for disadvantaged children. This work was just part of some of the support he gave to disadvantaged children and young people in Exeter carried out by Malcolm, and particularly with Ellen Tinkham Special School

Mr Baker, who lived in Torquay, died last year leaving a wife, Nicky. Mrs Baker is due to attend the ceremony along with dignitaries from both the city and county councils.

Exeter Chiefs’ chief executive Tony Rowe said: “This bridge and, indeed, the Sandy Park development owes an awful lot to Malcolm Baker, so it is fitting that we should recognise his achievements and celebrate his life in this way. Malcolm was a rugby man through and through who served his county impeccably and by naming this bridge, Baker Bridge, Exeter Chiefs supporters and our entire city will have a constant reminder of his legacy.”

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