In this issue...

• 10 activities in East Devon to keep the kids busy this summer

• A lot of love for Love Parks

• The Abode of Love project is a striking success

• Graffiti is removed across different spots in Exmouth

• Park Close pathway works are complete

News and updates: 

10 activities in East Devon to keep the kids busy this summer

Stuck for things to do with the kids over the holidays? Below are some of our favourite family days out in East Devon.

1) Wildwood Escot at Ottery St Mary. If you’d like a rare glimpse of some of Britain’s native animals in their natural habitats then head here!

2) Seaton Tramway. This vintage tramway has been transporting tourists through some of Devon’s finest countryside since the 1970s.

3) Hawkridge Bird of Prey centre in Exmouth. Experience a magical birds of prey flying display set within 100+ acres of beautiful Devonshire countryside.

4) Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary. If you are looking for free things to do in East Devon then here’s one of the best!

5) World of Country Life. If animal feeding and small pet handling sounds like your thing, then we can recommend The World of Country Life at Exmouth.

6) Seaton Wetlands. This nature reserve is full of wildlife - go pond dipping in the Wildlife Garden, met the Dormice in the Discovery Hut and spot Swallows, Herons and Moorhens from the hides.

7) Bicton Park Botanical Gardens. Wander through Devon’s most magnificent historic gardens with over 60 acres to explore. There’s a miniature village, a large climbing camp and acres of informal gardens for the kids to play in.

8) Stuart Line Cruises. Sail round the calm and sheltered waters of the River Exe and along the World Heritage Site Jurassic Coast.

9) Pecorama in Beer. A fleet of miniature steam locomotives pulling passenger trains on a mile-long route through the grounds, over bridges, through steep-sided cuttings and a long, dark tunnel!

10) Alpaca trekking in Sidbury. As well as alpacas, there are angora goats, horses, ducks and geese, so there is plenty to see on your visit here.

A lot of love for Love Parks

Love Parks Week made its mark this week in East Devon parks.

EDDC’s Parks Officers ran a variety of free activities including wildlife walks, scavenger hunts and Gardeners’ Question Time throughout Honiton, Exmouth, Sidmouth and Seaton.

As a way of supporting the efforts of volunteers and workers up and down the country, Love Parks Week is set up to celebrate and protect our green spaces. Across East Devon, visitors and residents of all ages were encouraged to find new ways to enjoy our green spaces, and, thanks to local clubs, were able to sample free sessions of Tai Chi (by Tai Chi Momentum), croquet (by Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club) and mini-golf (by LED Fitness), whilst younger visitors (and the young at heart!) played giant chess, planted wildflowers and listened to stories all about nature.

The week was a huge success, and the Parks Officers and StreetScene look forward to next year being even more action filled!

If you would like to be a volunteer gardener at any of our green spaces in East Devon, please get in touch with Paul Fealey for more information.  

The Abode of Love project is a striking success

Around 60 volunteers have helped to repaint the 342-foot-long flood defence on Exmouth seafront after the spot was targeted by graffiti vandals.

Named the Abode of Love project, local artist, Anna Fitzgerald, has organised the repaint of the colourful mural over several sessions with the aim of highlighting Exmouth’s rich marine life including coral beds, rock-pools and sea creatures.

The result will be an ever-changing collaborative mural, which much like the sea, will change and shift with input from across Exmouth's different communities. Last week saw a group of 40 teenagers involved, the Countess of Devon and her children, as well as many holidaymakers. 

To get involved, please contact Anna through her online gallery, Sea Dog Art, or come down in person. She will be at the Abode every Tuesday 4-8pm.

More info

Graffiti is removed across different spots in Exmouth

Several locations in Exmouth have been cleaned and removed of criminal damage graffiti yesterday. This was discovered directly by the REACT team and, in accordance with our policy, was removed as soon as possible. 

Any residents who may have seen what happened or have any information on the offenders involved in the incidents have been asked to report it on EDDC's website, on EDDC's app, via 101 online or through Crimestoppers.

Park Close pathway works are complete

The pathway works at Park Close are now complete and check out how awesome they look! The residents are "over the moon" with their new communal walkways, completed by the Ian Williams team.

Events in August

Tues 9 Aug - Shute Medieval Deer Park - Tree ID walk

Thurs 11 Aug - Bolshayne Farm, Colyton – Bat walk

Mon 15 Aug - VJ Day Service, The Strand, Exmouth

Find out more about our beautiful district by visiting the EastDevonly website and share your own photos and favourite places by tagging #EastDevonly when posting online.

Latest news and newsletters

East Devon District Council also produce regular newsletters and news on different topics, in the last week we have issued the following which may be of interest:

Clyst Valley news - family fun day at Cranbrook + free electric bike taster rides

Thelma Hulbert Gallery August new exhibitions, talks and workshops

Key applications received

Decision on key applications

Council meetings dates

Over the next week the following East Devon District Council meetings are taking place.  Any public meetings will be streamed live to the Council’s YouTube channel, and in the event of difficulties these will be streamed on our Facebook page instead. 

Tuesday, 9 August

• 9.30am - Virtual consultative meeting, Strategic Planning Committee

Agendas

Recycling news 

Battery recycling

When recycling your batteries, please place them into a clear plastic bag, a sandwich bag is ideal. This helps our crews separate them out when emptying your recycling box. Keeping batteries separate in our vehicles and at the depot prevents fire risk. Please do not put your batteries inside a cardboard box or wrap them in paper as they can get missed and mixed up with paper and cardboard at the depot. A-Z of recycling

Have you downloaded our free East Devon App yet? Join over 30,000 people using our smartphone app and get simple personalised collection reminders, the latest collection updates and tell us about a missed collection.

Thelma Hulbert Gallery

New exhibition: Ingrid Pollard, Three Drops of Blood

The exhibition includes photography, print, mixed media, text, found objects and an extensive project archive. It is the culmination of a two-year research project which has seen Pollard travel across Devon.    Drawing on her interests in classification, systems of knowledge, leisure, trade and money, Pollard has honed in on botanical gardens, ferns and the unique historical collections of books at the Devon and Exeter Institution. Part of Pollard's research involved exploring the representationof botanicals in local lace making, including the renowned Honiton lace. Pollard works with objects and images in a skilful, nuanced way, imaginatively encouraging the viewer to consider notions of place and power. Photo credit: Emile Holba More info

Creative session for under 5's on Friday, 26 August

Thelma Hulbert Gallery invites under 5's and their parents/carers to a fun, creative session. We will be inside in the Learning Room. The sessions are play-based and sensory - just bring your imaginations and curiosity. Time: 10.30am - 12.00pm Sessions are free and run on the last Friday of every month. More info

Evening with international folk singer Kate Young

Saturday, 20 August, 5-7pm Kate Young is one of Scotland’s most innovative composers and musicians.  £15.  Book here

Digital Photography workshops

22, 29 August and 5 Sept, 5-7.30pm Series of three workshops with artist Monica-Shanta. Take inspiration from ferns to create new artworks using analogue and digital photography. £5 per session/ £12 for all three Book here

Wild East Devon 

Seaton Wetlands summer holiday club

15th August - 19th August Adventurous outdoor holiday club for 7-11 year olds, based at Seaton Wetlands. Led by experienced education ranger Penny, each day will be different: learn about wetlands wildlife, explore the site, make crafts using small tools, cook on campfires and play. Morning fruit snack and campfire cooked afternoon snack provided. £35 for the day or £150 for the 5 day week. More info

Plant Medicine Walk at Holyford Woods

Saturday, 20 August. An informative walk focusing on the traditional medicinal use of local plants in the spectacular setting of a Wild East Devon Nature Reserve Join Medical Herbalist Maggie Haworth on a gentle walk through Holyford Woods to explore the medicinal plants that can be found there. Hear some of the traditional stories of the plants, and learn about their historical use as medicines, as well as their current day applications. There are currently 18 spaces available. Photo credit: Tony Whitehead More info

To keep in touch with the Wild East Devon Team follow them on Facebook and Twitter

Next edition

We plan to send out our next bulletin on Friday, 12 August 2022.

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