Family Life

Change to law means equal civil partnerships

A family law specialist believes the recent announcement on civil partnerships to be a positive step towards levelling the playing field for different relationship choices.

Since December 2, mixed-sex couples can now register their intention to enter into a civil partnership; before this date civil partnerships were only available to same-sex couples.

Solicitor Sasha Walton from The Family Law Company said: “This is a significant step in the recognition of changes to the way families operate in today’s society.

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How to Get Your Dog to Smile for Photos?

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How to Dress Your Baby for the Cold

There's no denying it. Babies are very fragile and finicky beings. Care must be taken to ensure your child is comfortable and safe at all times by controlling the environment around them. One of the most significant ways a parent can accomplish this task is by carefully selecting how they dress them for the world around them. Winter can provide a lot of challenges when it comes to finding apparel for your little bundle of joy.

Child cruelty and neglect crimes continue to rise in the South West

Recorded child cruelty and neglect offences in the UK continue to soar with crimes increasing by nearly a fifth in the last year alone, the NSPCC reports.

The charity has analysed police data for the whole of the UK over the last five years and found child cruelty and neglect offences has risen every year.

There were 20,024 child cruelty and neglect offences recorded by police in 2018/19, which has more than doubled since 2013/14 where there were 9,518 crimes of this nature.

Free adult course on business start-ups to launch at Exeter College

Hopeful business entrepreneurs are being given the chance to level up their skills thanks to Exeter College’s free qualification on creating a business start-up.

Any adult with an interest in developing their business skills or starting their own venture can attend free of charge, whether they are just curious about the subject area or already have some skills they want to develop.

Santa’s Magical Kingdom at Otter Garden Centres is Runner Up in the Best Seasonal Event Category in the prestigious Primary Times Reader Star Awards 2019!

The best of what Devon has to offer families is revealed in the results of this year’s Primary Times Star Awards, as voted for by parents of children aged 4 to 11 years in the county. This year saw the greatest ever response to the Primary Times online survey where readers voted for their favourite local family friendly places and people.

Local parents were informed of the survey in Primary Times, a family friendly magazine that is delivered directly to primary schools across Devon. With a distribution of 59,000 copies the magazine reaches 307 primary schools in the county.

Exeter College's Festival of Carols set to kick off Christmas

Date: 5th December 2019

Location: Exeter Cathedral

Timings: Doors open 6.30pm, 7.30pm start

Admission: Free, donations to college charities welcomed

Exeter College’s annual Festival of Carols will be kicking off Christmas in the stunning setting of Exeter Cathedral, complete with performances from college students; all in the name of charity.

How to prepare your child for their first Holy Communion

Getting your child ready for their first Holy Communion is an exciting time for both you as a parent and for your child. However, it can also be extremely nerve-wracking for them, with many elements that they need to learn, as well as the big day itself in which your child will have to stand in front of their family and friends and accept the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

This is why it is so important for your child to be adequately prepared for what is arguably the most important religious occasion of their life.

Crealy Christmas Spectacular billed as the biggest festive event in the South West

Crealy Theme Park & Resort’s Christmas Spectacular 2019 offers all day family festivities and a glittering new ice show.

Packed full of Christmas family fun and entertainment, the event has been billed by the park as “the biggest Christmas event in the South West”.

Josh Haywood, General Manager at Crealy, said: “This all day experience is the biggest and best value Christmas event in the South West and is guaranteed to be the most magical day out for the whole family.”

L-R Claire Phaby, Baby Sensory Class Leader, Stuart Phillips, Jen Steward, Baby Sensory Business Owner

New plans revealed for Tickety-Boo

Stuart Phillips, owner of Ottery St Mary coffee shop Tickety-Boo has announced plans for the business following the closure earlier this month of the play area.

The move means that not only will the play area still be usable – albeit on different terms than before - but there will be new activities available for younger children.

This is because the back section of the building which formerly housed the soft play and pirate ship is being rented to Baby Sensory. This award-winning initiative runs WOW programmes for babies and children from birth to Key Stage 1.

5 Christmas gift ideas for kids under 5

Forget that it is October. Christmas is a few weeks away, and some parents are already compiling their shopping list ahead of time. While toys serve as delightful presents for kids, stationery items are also excellent gifts for art-loving children who have so much time on their hands during the holiday.

Furthermore, stationeries are cheap gifts that can help children under five years be better at journaling, drawing, scribbling, doodling, and so on. Stores like TheWorks.co.uk make life more comfortable by offering online shopping for kids’ stationery.