News in-brief from East Devon. Email your community news, photos and what’s on to newsdesk@eastdevonnews.co.uk
Seaton – what’s on
Kids are invited to pick up a free treasure trail booklet from Seaton Library from Saturday, October 24, as East Devon youngsters gear up for Halloween.
Children’s author Ian Hunter, who penned The Shoe Creeper, a spooky adventure set in Seaton in the lead up to Halloween, has teamed up with the town’s library staff to create a free prize trail.
Those taking part can follow a map of Seaton and solve the clues to enter a free draw to win prizes, including one of five shoe creeper pins and signed posters.
Completed trail answers must be returned to Seaton Library by 1pm on Saturday, November 7. Winners will be contacted by Monday, November 9.
Honiton – what’s on
A family-friendly Halloween party in Honiton at the Thelma Hulbert Gallery takes place on Friday, October 30, from 1pm until 4pm.
The half-term Halloween Kites and Creatures event includes art activities, face painting, mulled apple juice and treats, plus spooky music.
On the day there will be free workshops to make an apple monster and a Halloween kite to take home. And the chance to sculpt and sand an alabaster ghost with Benjamin Boyland from Hantverkare Crafts.
Admission is free, donations are welcome.
Councillor Nick Hookway, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure, Tourism and Sport, said: “THG’s halloween party promises to be a fun-filled afternoon of creative activities for local families and one of the highlights in the gallery’s event programme. Don’t forget to come in your Halloween costume.”
Sidmouth
Sidmouth library will host free digital support sessions from late November, to help people develop knowledge and skills when using smartphones and tablets.
The support, which includes accessing the NHS app, applying for jobs and managing online banking, will be tailored to individual needs.
The sessions, at libraries in Sidmouth, Newton Abbot, Ilfracombe and Cullompton, are made possible by L ibraries Unlimited teaming up with Wellmoor and Devon Communities Together.
Alex Kittow, Libraries Unlimited CEO, said “Being able to access and use digital technology is increasingly important in everyday life, but not everyone has the same opportunities or confidence to do so.
“Libraries have an important role to play in helping to bridge that gap. By offering friendly, practical support in local libraries, we can help people develop the skills they need in a way that works for them.”
Dates will be announced later. For more details, or to book your place, call in at Sidmouth Library or call Devon Communities Together on 01392 248919.
Exmouth
Pictured here are youngsters at a recent Sideshore Community event, Salt Fest..
Photo: Fran McElhone/Liminal Media
A fundraising campaign has launched in Exmouth for a ‘village green by the sea’ hub for events and workshops that focus on sea safety and environmental awareness.
The campaign, launched by Sideshore Community, aims to raise at £20,000 for a new hub because the current site lease agreement has ended.
Organisers say planning permission for a small building has been granted on the Mallow, a grassy area next to the Sideshore complex on Queen’s Drive, for environmental and sea safety education, plus activities promoting coastal connection, creativity and wellbeing.
Sideshore Community aims to raise £20,000 for a new hub because the current site lease agreement has ended. Photo: Fran McElhone/Liminal Media .
The Crowdfunding target of £20,000 will be added to match funding, grants and sponsorship to pay for the £150,000 project.
Bernie Rhodes, Sideshore activity and project manager, said: “This Crowdfunder isn’t just about bricks, wood, benches, planting or funding targets. It’s about belonging. It’s about creating a place where everyone feels welcome.
“The temporary hub has shown us that people are looking for connection, meaning and community. Now we have the opportunity to create a permanent place that offers exactly that, every day, for years to come.
“This is where the Crowdfunder comes in. Whether you donate or share the campaign with your friends to help us spread the word, you’ll be helping create something Exmouth can be proud of for generations to come – a community village green by the sea that belongs to everyone.”
Sidmouth
Pictured here is TV presenter Arthur von Wiesenberger with the donkeys at Sidmouth. Photo: The Donkey Sanctuary.
North American television show Animal Zone will feature the work of The Donkey Sanctuary at Sidmouth after visiting the charity to film.
The episode, dedicated to donkeys, will be broadcast in February 2027.
During the filming, show host and executive producer Arthur von Wiesenberger and the crew met a group of mini donkeys from one of the charity’s largest-ever rescues.
He said: “Our visit was one of the highlights of Animal Zone’s English adventure. What impressed me most wasn’t simply the beautiful setting or the delightful donkeys, but the extraordinary dedication of the people who care for them.”
Ben Hart, senior behaviour and human behaviour lead at the charity, said: “We hope this episode will give viewers a greater understanding of the expert care and compassion needed to support donkeys throughout their lives.”
Cranbrook
Cranbrook Country Park won a national award for its nature and conservation work. Photo: with permission.
Cranbrook Country Park has scooped a national award for its work to protect nature and boost conservation.
The town recently was awarded a trophy in the BALI National Landscape Awards 2026, winning the Nature Conservation and Biodiversity Enhancement category.
Pictured here are volunteers planting wildflowers at the town’s country park, which recently scooped a trophy in the BALI National Landscape Awards 2026 . Photo: with permission.
Cranbrook’s entry highlighted the town’s planting of more than 5,670 young trees restoring wildflower habitats across Long, Stone, and Great meadows, and installing bat boxes and bug houses for wildlife.
Councillor Vikki Wright, chair of Cranbrook Town Council, said: “This national recognition celebrates our shared commitment to protecting local wildlife habitats and ensuring our country park remains a thriving, sustainable sanctuary for our residents, visitors, and generations to come.”
The 86-acre site also won at the BALI Awards in 2022, recognised in the Grounds Maintenance – Free Public Access category. And in 2024 it scooped a Saving Devon’s Treescapes Award, plus three consecutive Green Flag awards.
Award-winning Cranbrook Country Park. Photo: with permission.
Sidmouth
Sidmouth residents are invited to help update the town’s blueprint for future planning and development.
The town council needs up to five volunteers to join a steering group, meeting for half a day once a month, to help review Sidmouth’s Neighbourhood Plan.
The existing plan was rubber stamped in 2019, and an updated version is needed to consider the changes in East Devon.
The community review will include new development and locations, housing needs, heritage, green spaces, transport, and protecting Sidmouth’s character.
Planning experience is not necessary for the unpaid role. Some reading and research will be needed between meetings. The review is expected to take up to two years.
Sidmouth Town Council urged residents involved with local community organisations and groups to apply.
Councillor Hilary Nelson, chair of Sidmouth Town Council, said: “Sidmouth’s future should not simply happen to us – we should help shape it. Our Neighbourhood Plan gives local people a real opportunity to influence how our town develops, what we protect and what we want Sidmouth to become. We want to create a plan that reflects the community’s ambitions and helps ensure that Sidmouth remains a special place for generations to come.”
For more information, or to apply to take part, email projects@sidmouth.gov.uk
Axminster
The Aunt Lucy Steiff bear sold at auction in Axminster. Photo: with permission.
Paddington Bear’s Aunt Lucy made an appearance in Axminster when the soft toy went under the hammer at Atkins Auctions.
The Steiff Aunt Lucy this month sold for £150 as part of 1,400 lots of specialist toys and collectables, which included a trio of early Pelham Puppets, bought for £750.
Pictured here are the three boxed Pelham Puppets which sold at auction in Axminster. Photo: with permission.
Broadclyst
A ribbon cutting ceremony marked the official opening of Clyst Meadows in Broadclyst, East Devon, a new green space for people, dogs and nature.
The 24-acre site, at Broadclyst Station, owned by East Devon District Council and managed by Wild East Devon in partnership with Broadclyst Parish Council, is an area of open countryside with year-round walking routes, cycle parking, picnic areas and secure space for dogs to run and play off lead.
Pictured here is the ribbon cutting ceremony held at the newly-opened Clyst Valley Regional Park, at Broadclyst. Photo: EDDC.
The £3.4 million site, which forms part of the Clyst Valley Regional Park was part-funded by money from a council charge on developers building in the area.
Councillor Paula Fernley, East Devon District Council assistant portfolio holder for environment operations, said: “This was a real moment of celebration. Clyst Meadows is designed to give local people more choice about where to spend time outdoors, particularly when walking their dogs.
“By providing an attractive and accessible alternative, it will also help reduce recreational pressure on protected wildlife sites nearby, including the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths.
“It was wonderful to see partners, residents and the local community come together to mark the opening of a place that will be enjoyed for many years to come.”
East Devon
Pictured here are the Killerton volunteer dog rangers. Photo: Trish Waller/Devon Loves Dogs.
Dog rangers have been recruited to volunteer at Killerton, near Broadclyst, teaming up with the National Trust to help visitors walking in the parkland and woods.
Some 13 new dog rangers with their pets, supported by Devon Loves Dogs, aim to encourage responsible dog walking, offering advice, poo bags, water and treats.
The volunteers, who wear red bandanas, regularly walk the Killerton trails. They will promote safe dog walking, protecting the estate’s nature, wildlife and livestock.
And several of the newest recruits recently completed a dog first aid course, and can help owners during an emergency out on a walk.
Anna Harrison, Killerton nature engagement officer, said: “Our dog rangers play an important role in helping us care for both people and nature across the Killerton estate.
“Dog walking is one of the most frequent ways people connect with our countryside, so having volunteers who can meet fellow dog walkers out and about, share friendly advice and help people to understand how their dogs can enjoy the estate while giving wildlife the space it needs is incredibly valuable.”
East Devon
The district council has announced East Devon sport and leisure services will from January 2027 be managed by Sports and Leisure Management Ltd, trading as Everyone Active.
The announcement ends the authority’s partnership with LED, who has managed East Devon District Council (EDDC) sport and leisure services for 20 years.
The authority recently launched a cost-cutting review of its leisure services, inviting companies to submit bids
EDDC said the successful bid includes ‘significant investment’ in East Devon’s leisure facilities and services, alongside financial savings.
East Devon District Council Councillor Nick Hookway, responsible for culture, leisure, sport and tourism, said: ”As we move into a new chapter with a new provider, our focus remains on ensuring residents continue to receive high-quality, accessible and inclusive leisure services.
“We look forward to working closely with our new partner to ensure a smooth transition of the facilities and staff and to support the long-term future of leisure provision in East Devon, while delivering the best possible value for our residents.”
Cranbrook
Ribbon cutting celebrations at Ingrams Sports Pitches and Pavilion, in Cranbrook. Photo: Cranbrook Town Council.
A community fun day was held in Cranbrook to celebrate the official opening of new sports pitches.
Cranbrook Town Council said the Ingrams Sports Pitches and Pavilion launch event ‘marked a major milestone’ for residents.
Sports, games and family activities were among the entertainment at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Councillor Vikki Wright, Chair of Cranbrook Town Council, said: “Opening Ingrams provides Cranbrook with a new venue for sports, health, community gatherings, private and business events.
“We hope the community will make full use of the pitches, pavilion, and multi-use games area to connect, socialise and maintain an active lifestyle.
“Delivering this facility has required significant effort, and I want to extend a sincere thank you to our council team, ground maintenance crew, and project partners who worked to get the site ready.”