Family Life

Play for free in Princesshay this summer

Princesshay has unveiled its line-up of summer activities, including PrincessPlay; a free playground, alongside the return of its Independent Market, street food traders and live music for visitors to enjoy in the heart of Exeter.

The start of the school holidays will see the main square transformed into PrincessPlay an all age playground and pitstop with grass and seating to create a place where people can stop, relax and spend time together while enjoying a range of free activities including table tennis, mini golf, giant chess, hopscotch, snakes and ladders and climbing...

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Let yourself come to the fore at Christmas

It’s time for your true self to come to the fore, and never is this more important than at Christmas.

Of course, making time for yourself and allowing you to love yourself may seem a strange concept at Christmas; traditionally a time for thinking about others and particularly those less fortunate than ourselves. So it’s understandable if you’re feeling a little conflicted by this advice then, but please don’t be; truly loving yourself this Christmas isn’t the same thing as being selfish . In fact, in many ways, it’s the complete opposite.

Allow us to explain…

The...

An unhappy New Year as ‘Divorce Day’ looms

While Christmas and New Year are meant to be happy times, the fact is that every year the beginning of January sees a spike in divorce proceedings as couples bite the bullet and resolve to split. This phenomenon has become so well established that in legal circles it is referred to as ‘Divorce Day’, with Monday 4 January expected to see this year’s peak.

Andrew Barton, partner in Stephens Scown LLP’s family law team, has experienced this many times. He said: “Sadly, while Christmas is meant to bring people together, often it just serves to drive them apart. The tensions of being...

Samaritans offer listening ear over Christmas

Volunteers at the local Exeter-based branch of Samaritans will be on duty across all of Christmas and New Year for anyone who needs someone to listen.

“We know that Christmas isn’t a happy time for everyone. Some people - particularly those on their own, and especially men - find the festive season very difficult” admits Helen Crossfield, director of Exeter, Mid and East Devon branch of Samaritans.

Samaritans volunteers will be available around the clock for anyone who needs to talk, in confidence, about whatever is causing them distress. That applies on Christmas Day,...

Hopster Showtime is coming to Exeter

Are you looking for something fun to do with the family the week after Christmas? Look no further! Hopster Showtime’s Winter Special screening is coming to a Picturehouse near you, from Monday 28th December to Saturday 2nd January 2015.

The UK’s favourite kids learning and entertainment app is spreading the festive cheer with 22 special nationwide screenings of hit TV series Pingu, Bob the Builder and Thomas & FriendsTM. Sponsored by fun and healthy snack provider, Fruit Bowl, who aim to help mums naturally fuel their kids’ daily fun and Nature’s Own, a specialist in vitamins...

Christmas themed Creation Station at Crealy

Children can get creative at Devon’s Crealy Great Adventure Park this December at a series of Christmas themed workshops run by the Creation Station.

Families are invited to attend one of the three Christmas themed arts and crafts workshops which aim to promote learning and creativity for children, whilst interacting with parents. The sessions are free to attend and all materials will be supplied.

The Creation Station workshops will take place on Tuesday 8th December where children can make hand and footprint Rudolph cards, Wednesday 9th December with a focus on Crafty...

Santa's on his way to Exeter... by bus!

Santa will be setting a new ‘gold standard’ in travel when he arrives in Exeter on a luxury bus where he’ll be encouraging shoppers to donate and decorate themselves for charity!

Teaming up with Exeter Leukaemia Fund (ELF), Stagecoach South West will bring Santa to Princesshay shopping centre on Friday December 11 on one of the company’s new Gold buses, which feature leather seats, extra legroom, free Wi-Fi and USB ports.

It’s all in aid of ELF’s EARS 4 ELF day, which is helping to raise awareness and funds to help families across Devon affected by blood cancers and blood...

Solicitor offers top tips ahead of ‘D day’

With Christmas and New Year getting ever nearer, solicitors around the region will be preparing themselves for the influx of calls they will receive regarding divorce. Known as ‘D day’, this is first day legal offices open after the festive break and it is traditionally the busiest day of the year for divorce enquiries. This year is will fall on Monday, January 4, 2016.

Santa heads to Devon’s Crealy

Devon’s Crealy Great Adventure Park mark the countdown to Christmas with a special visit from Santa, Rudolph and his helpers this December for festive fun.

Guests are invited to join Santa in his grotto for Santa’s Interactive Story Time and hear magical tales of his festive adventures. Younger guests will also receive a free gift from Santa to take home at the end of their visit.

Santa’s Storytime with Rudolph and his helpers will take place at on 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th December and 19th - 23rd December from 10.30am, so there’s plenty of opportunity to enjoy a spectacular...

150 years of foster Care in the SW

Regional Foster Placements Foster Carers have collectively provided over 150 years of dedication to supporting children and young people in the south west. A celebration and award ceremony to honour their valuable work will take place on 9 December at Cullompton Community Centre. This very special event will celebrate the outstanding work done by Regional Foster Placement‘s Carers, many of whom have worked for the agency for over ten years. Between them they have helped change the lives of many hundreds of children.

Mark Breeze, Regional Manager commented: "We wanted to do...

Don’t let Hallowe'en get too scary

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service are asking everyone dressing up in spooky gear this Hallowe'en to be aware of the issue surrounding fire safety of fancy dress costumes. Many adults and children are injured in accidents where lighted candles or fireworks have ignited flammable costumes and hair.

You should ensure children are well supervised at all times, especially if they are around fireworks, sparklers or open flames such as pumpkins with candles.

Top tips for Hallowe'en dressing:

Keep away from naked flames – avoid using a naked flame or

Family Life

Play for free in Princesshay this summer

Let yourself come to the fore at Christmas

An unhappy New Year as ‘Divorce Day’ looms

Samaritans offer listening ear over Christmas

Hopster Showtime is coming to Exeter

Christmas themed Creation Station at Crealy

Santa's on his way to Exeter... by bus!

Solicitor offers top tips ahead of ‘D day’

Santa heads to Devon’s Crealy

150 years of foster Care in the SW

Don’t let Hallowe'en get too scary

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