If you think all charity shops are the same, think again - the Samaritans’ store in Sidmouth is not only a successful fund-raising outlet but it’s also a unique showcase for some of the area’s best artistic talents.
The shop, located in a former bank building, reopened from lockdown last month and within three weeks had attracted 700 paying customers, providing much-needed financial assistance for the Exeter, Mid and East Devon branch of the charity.
But it’s more than just the usual mix of cards and donated items, because part of the shop operates as a showcase for...
The Donkey Sanctuary Sidmouth will reopen to visitors on Monday 17 May, with the launch of a new family activity trail.
The new trail, 'An Adorably Curious Adventure', gives visitors the chance to explore the sanctuary and discover the A-Z of fun donkey facts, while completing trail activities along the way.
John Crouch, Visitor Engagement Manager at The Donkey Sanctuary, said: "We have all been looking forward to this day for some time, welcoming back our loyal supporters and visitors. The sanctuary always comes alive when it's open, there is always such a nice...
Organisers of The Sidmouth Folk Festival have revealed the first details of a week-long event that will bring an exciting blend of music, dance and family entertainment back to the Devon seaside town this summer.
Billed as A Celebration of Sidmouth Folk Festival and taking place between July 30 and August 6, the aim is to offer everyone an authentic taste of the festival they know and love, while remaining vigilant around ongoing Covid-19 concerns and restrictions.
The line-up will include live headline performances by festival patrons Show of Hands, the brilliant Eliza...
This Easter Sunday (4 April), animal lovers will once again be able to catch up with the four-legged residents of The Donkey Sanctuary as its award-winning Sanctuary From Your Sofa event returns for another virtual day out with the charity’s donkeys.
Viewers will be able to tune in from 10am to watch a series of live broadcasts from The Donkey Sanctuary headquarters in Sidmouth, as well as a host of pre-recorded videos from its regional sanctuaries around the UK.
The Easter Sunday event, which also coincides with International Carrot Day, follows a series of successful...
Debbie Fish from Swim Like A Fish, who has recently moved near to Sidmouth has been honoured by the Swimming Teachers’ Association (STA), a national governing body for swimming, by being appointed a Brand Ambassador in recognition of her commitment and service to the aquatics industry.
STA is also an international award-winning charity dedicated to the preservation of human life through the teaching of swimming, lifesaving and survival techniques, and in this new voluntary ambassador role, Debbie will be working to support these objectives. She will use her experience and knowledge...
As lockdown measures begin to ease, a brand new event combining creative light displays with seasonal entertainment, local craft and great food is being devised to help boost Sidmouth’s Christmas celebrations.
Connaught@Christmas is set to bring a beautifully illuminated visitor experience to Connaught Gardens, making the most of its wonderful location on the clifftops overlooking the sea. Low energy lighting and LED technology will feature throughout the gardens, with plans in the pipeline for themed areas, dramatic vistas and the chance to see Santa himself in a specially created...
The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth will remain temporarily closed to visitors despite the lifting of some lockdown restrictions from Saturday July 4.
The charity’s international headquarters in Sidmouth welcomes around 400,000 visitors every year, and with such a large number congregating on site from across the UK, there is the heightened risk to the charity’s staff whose main priority is to care for the resident donkeys.
Faith Burden, Executive Director of Equine Operations at The Donkey Sanctuary said: “Unlike other visitor attractions, we have numerous entry points to...
A group of seven donkeys comprising of one of the largest breeds, and one of the smallest, have been relinquished into the care of The Donkey Sanctuary in Devon.
Due to a change in their owner’s circumstances, the three large Poitou donkeys, and four Mediterranean Miniature donkeys were taken into the care of the international animal welfare charity and will now have a home for life at its sanctuary in Sidmouth.
Poitou donkeys measure an average of 14.2 hands high (142-152 cm). They are distinctive not just because of their size, but also from their long shaggy coats and...
Following the hugely successful first ‘Sanctuary From Your Sofa’ event on Easter Monday, which reached over one million people, The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth will be hosting another day of live Facebook broadcasts this coming Bank Holiday Monday (25 May).
The donkey interaction starts at 10am and promises to be another full day of virtual visitor experiences, giving people the chance to catch up with the resident donkeys and the staff who care for them at the sanctuary in Sidmouth.
There will be five 15-minute broadcasts throughout the day, plus a pre-recorded link at...
The seven remaining East Devon District Council gardens which have been closed since the coronavirus lockdown will reopen from tomorrow. (Wednesday May 13)
The decision has been reviewed following the Prime Minister’s announcement on Sunday where new measures for exercise were introduced. Although the gardens will reopen, the council is reiterating that the strict social distancing measures must be followed by everyone.
Last month, the council reopened the majority of the district’s large or easy to access park sites after they were closed due to the lockdown measures...
