West Devon is Our Special Place

South Hams & West Devon sent this bulletin at 26-11-2021 03:00 PM GMT

26 November 2021

What's on at Christmas in West Devon

Christmas is coming and the amazing festive events across the borough will provide plenty of chances to shop, eat, drink and be merry.

The big annual events make a welcome return, with Okehampton's Edwardian Evening on 2 December and Tavistock's Dickensian Evening on 3 December; but there's plenty going on across the entire borough throughout December, including late night shopping, Santa's Grottos, Christmas light switch on events and much more in many of our towns and villages.

At the late night shopping events, in our shops and at our Christmas markets, you'll find wonderful gifts fitting every budget, delivered to you with amazing customer service - plus there'll be plenty of festive cheer, tasty treats and warming tipples in the borough's pubs, restaurants and cafes.

To find out more about what's on offer in West Devon, go to: www.westdevon.gov.uk/events-at-christmas

Free parking making life easier

We want you to take your time, explore our communities and enjoy yourself, so don’t feel you have to rush back for parking either!

You can grab even more shopping with free festive parking after 3pm on Thursdays and Fridays throughout December in the following West Devon Borough Council owned car parks:

Tavistock - Abbey, Bedford, Riverside, Brook Street, Chapel Street, Wharf, Russell Street, Bank Square
Okehampton - Mill Road
Chagford
Hatherleigh

Okehampton Town Council is also offering free parking at Simmons Park Car Park after 3pm on weekdays and all day on Saturdays throughout December, while the two main car parks in North Tawton will also be free.

A Time for Celebration

Working in partnership with the borough’s Town Councils and Tavistock’s Business Improvement District, West Devon Borough Council is encouraging residents to celebrate all that is special about the borough’s high streets in a Christmas campaign. Part-funded by the Government’s Welcome Back Fund, the campaign aims to help businesses bounce back from the COVID pandemic by encouraging residents and visitors to shop on the local high streets.

We'll be promoting events from across the borough in print media and on social media, using a unique series of #MyPlace hashtags, such as #MyHatherleigh or #MyNorthTawton, to highlight the diverse and exciting range of Christmas happenings.

So how do you get involved? Go on to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and share your Christmassy photos and videos with the appropriate #MyPlace hashtag - like #MyTavistock or #MyChagford - to let us know how you're enjoying the holiday season. You can also follow #MyPlace hashtags to find out what's going on in your town and the wider area.

Staying safe through COVID

As the pandemic continues to take its toll and with cases again rising, shoppers may be uneasy about busy shops. Many shops still have measures in place with hand sanitisers, some one-way systems continue and social distancing to ensure your safety. West Devon Borough Council continues to work closely with businesses to provide COVID advice and support.

To keep yourself and others safe, consider wearing a face covering in crowded and enclosed settings, get tested, and self-isolate if you test positive or feel unwell, and wash your hands regularly to help avoid spreading the virus.