east devon

Final section of Exe Estuary Trail officially opened

An official opening ceremony has been held to mark the completion of the final stretch of the Exe Estuary Trail.

The final £1.6 million section of the trail, which links Turf Lock and Powderham, has seen the development of a three-metre wide off-road path and newly constructed bridge, near the existing level crossing at Powderham.

It means that the 16 mile route around the Estuary, can now be enjoyed in its entirety for the first time. The predominantly off-road network, designed by Devon County Council, now links Exmouth to Dawlish Warren, via Topsham and Exeter, and forms...

Tina wows diners with Gujarati cuisine

Authored by Sue Cade
Posted: Tue, 11/18/2014 - 2:11pm

Ottery St Mary’s Tina Chauhan-Challis has had a great start with her new venture, Samosa Lady Deli and Dining after locals gave the thumbs up to her cooking.

Tina, who grew up in York and moved to the town in 2011, took on an empty shop on the corner of Broad Street in September. Since then, customers have been flocking to the store to stock up on ingredients and enjoy chai tea and Tina’s feted samosas.

Tina’s recipes are based around traditional regional Indian flavours as taught to her by her grandparents and parents, and she is now taking her business a step further by...

Putting the park into Christmas sparkle

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Tue, 11/18/2014 - 12:55pm

East Devon District Council is once again supporting local shops over Christmas with a range of special car park deals for motorists, including a chance to win a ‘Golden Ticket’ offering three months’ free parking for up to 24 lucky motorists.

This year’s main concession will again offer a special price of all-day parking for £2 (after 10am) in all East Devon’s car parks during December. The offer includes all inland car parks and those in resorts on the Jurassic Coast.

The 10am start time avoids car parks becoming blocked by commuters and (in the case of Honiton, Axminster...

Ottery's flaming fundraiser success

Authored by Sue Cade
Posted: Fri, 11/14/2014 - 9:38am

Crowds of Ottery locals enjoyed a themed feast at the Rusty Pig in Yonder Street during this year’s Tar Barrels, helping to raise funds for the Carnival Committee.

£5 from every ticket sold for the Guy Fawkes and Gunpowder event went into the fundraising pot. This was added to the proceeds from the Rusty Pig’s catering van ‒ which sold around 150 free range sausages on the night ‒ amounting to an impressive £500.

“I’ve run the outside catering before, but this is the first year that I have opened the restaurant,” explained Robin Rea, owner of the ethical restaurant....

Night walk

Event Date: 
14/11/2014 - 8:00pm
Venue: 
Fire Beacon Hill, Sidbury

The East Devon District Council Countryside team are offering an exciting opportunity to explore the heathland after dark, at Fire Beacon Hill near Sidbury between 6pm and 8pm on Friday 14 November.

Search for owls, look at the stars, listen to the sounds in the darkness and find out how good your night time vision really is!

Suggested donation £3.

Suitable for adults and children of 8 years upwards. Booking is essential as places are limited, call 01395 517557 or email Countryside@eastdevon.gov.uk

Santa's Grotto opens at Otter Nurseries

Event Date: 
08/11/2014 - 9:00am to 5:00pm
Venue: 
Otter Nurseries,Gosford Rd, Ottery St. Mary EX11 1LZ

This year, the popular Santa's Magical Kingdom at Otter Nurseries is opening on November 8th.

Book tickets for this date to enjoy lots of extra family fun. Characters from Cinderella will be there to greet the children, and donkeys from The Donkey Sanctuary are making an appearance. There's free face painting and lots to see.

Inside the grotto, children will meet singing reindeer Rudy and Judy, and enjoy interactive fun with the elves. There are exciting songs to sing-a-long to, Iceberg adventures, Mrs Christmas's kitchen and woodland walks.

So come...

'Pig out' at Tar Barrels fundraiser

Authored by Sue Cade
Posted: Sat, 10/25/2014 - 7:11pm

Ethical restaurant Rusty Pig is holding a special themed event during Tar Barrels in Ottery St Mary on November 5 to raise funds for the town’s Carnival Committee.

£5 from every booking will go directly to the committee to help ensure that the town’s annual carnival continues.

Rusty Pig Chef, Robin Rea explained: “I thought this would be a great way for people to have an even more entertaining experience of Tar Barrels, whilst at the same time raising a good sum for the carnival.

“Ticket holders will be able to dip in and out of the restaurant in Yonder Street...

Sidmouth's new gym is ready to use!

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Wed, 10/22/2014 - 10:56am

East Devon District Council has been working hard with Sidmouth Town Council to provide residents with the free-to-use outdoor gym that they wanted.

There will be a grand opening event on Sunday 2 November from 10.30am to 11.30am. There will be free lessons from a personal trainer on how to get the best out of the new equipment, as well as free circus skills on offer!

Having an outdoor gym in Sidmouth was proposed and chosen by the local community. Last year Sidmouth Town Council and EDDC asked community groups and others to put forward their ideas as to how £250,000 of...

Holiday park celebrates ‘best summer ever’

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Tue, 10/07/2014 - 10:07am

One of Devon’s largest independent holiday parks is celebrating its busiest summer ever.

Ladram Bay Holiday Park, situated on the Jurassic coast between Sidmouth and Budleigh Salterton, saw nearly 6,000 holidaymakers stay in July and August.

The business, which has been in the same family for four generations since Devon farmer Bill Carter took on part of a small tenanted farm in 1942, had 7,640 people stay over the two summer months, with 1,800 bookings taken for a total of 15,300 ‘nights’. Revenue was up eight per cent on the same period last year.

Director Zoe...

Jolly Good Jaunt raises over £10k for charity

Authored by Hospiscare
Posted: Mon, 10/06/2014 - 4:40pm

More than 250 walkers and their dogs took part in A Jolly Good Jaunt in the autumn sunshine, raising more than £10,000 for local charity Hospiscare which supports people living with a terminal illness.

Walkers of all ages, from Exeter and all over East Devon, enjoyed either a five mile or 13 mile walk, starting and finishing at the Deer Park Hotel, Honiton.

The event was raising money for the Hospiscare East Devon Day Hospice £250,000 Appeal which is aiming to pay for the final phase of a £1.2m day hospice currently being built in Honiton.

The day hospice will be a...

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