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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Fire Service opens its doors for Family Open Day

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service will be opening its doors to the public later this month for a free Family Open Day.

The event at Service Headquarters, Clyst St George, Exeter, on Saturday 17 August, 10am – 4pm, will raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity and Hope for Children.

Phil Martin, Area Manager for Community Safety, said: “This is a great opportunity to provide a day’s entertainment and insight into the work of fire and rescue services as well as providing an opportunity to make people safe.

“The Service’s Community Safety Support...

Wet 'n' Wild summer festival next week

It's that time of year again! EDDC’s Countryside team kick off their annual Wet ’n’ Wild Summer Festival at 8pm on Thursday evening 15 August with Meet the Bats.

The Axe Estuary Wetlands is known as an excellent habitat for bats; more than half of our 17 native species of bat have been found there, including the rarest of our natives; the grey long-eared bat.

Visitors will have the opportunity to learn to use an electronic bat detector to identify the different species. The Meet the Bats session will be repeated on Friday evening 16 August at 8pm.

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Olympic legacy gets Exeter youngsters on their bikes

Britain’s cycling heroes have inspired record numbers of youngsters in Exeter to get on their bikes, according to figures from British Cycling.

The number of young British Cycling members is soaring, with under 18 membership increasing by 32 per cent across the South West in the past year.

Cycling clubs in the region are also experiencing an influx of new young riders, with British Cycling reporting a significant increase in cyclists at all of its 47 Go-Ride clubs across the region – six of which were formed in the past year.

British Cycling Regional Development...

Calling all budding Andy Murrays and Laura Robsons

As usual, Exeter City's summer holiday football courses are proving very popular, but as part of the club's plans to increase its multisport offering, the Football in the Community coaches have been on two tennis delivery courses run by the LTA.

The club has announced two dates for a tennis camp at Cowick Barton Playing Fields' tennis courts in Exeter, on Wednesday 14 August and Tuesday 27 August. The event, which is suitable for 7-14 year olds, will run for three hours from 12-3pm and will cost £10 per day.

For more information and bookings, contact Catherine Fraser on...

Devon announces major review of Youth Services

Devon County Council is set to look again at how it supports young people across the county through its youth services.

The major review is intended to make sure that youth services are properly focused on those in greatest need and deliver the best possible value for money.

Announcing the review, Councillor Will Mumford, Cabinet Member responsible for children’s social care and youth services, said:

“The Youth Service is a key part of the offer we deliver to young people and to communities.

“But it is clear that the service needs to change if we are to...

Princesshay Square transformed into summer green for Happy Mondays

To celebrate the summer holidays, Princesshay Square has been transformed into Princesshay green. Every Monday in August a turfed area and outdoor games for families and visitors will be in place for all to enjoy.

Wayne Pearce, Princesshay Centre Director said, “We’ve had a great summer this year so far and we think that is worth celebrating! All 13 of the great restaurants and cafes in Princesshay have joined in with summer dining discounts and visitors can enjoy the sunshine (hopefully), play giant jenga, connect4 and noughts and crosses or take a seat in the giant deck in...

Historical craft event at the Devon Heritage Centre

Residents are invited to try out some of the old crafts their ancestors used to work in at a special event at the Devon Heritage Centre this month.

‘Creative Crafts: Past and Present’ will take place on Monday August 19 from 10am – 4pm, and will include demonstrations of lacemaking, spinning, knitting, crochet and other crafts. There will also be the opportunity to have a go at some of these crafts, which were once cottage industries are now enjoyed as hobbies for pleasure, as well as explore displays and exhibitions about various old crafts and the people who worked in them....

Fun for young people at Tiverton Adventure Playground this summer

There’s loads of great things to do at Tiverton Adventure Playground this summer thanks to a £10,000 Lottery grant.

The 3.5 acre wooded site in Cowleymoor Road, Tiverton, will be open between 10am and 4pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout August for a Summer Play Scheme. The play scheme is completely free and will be supervised by four qualified, experienced staff at all times.

This summer’s theme is The Roundhouse Project, where Forest School Worker and Play Scheme Leader Kate Smith will be constructing a wooden hut on site and inviting young people to take...

Check out crazy creatures on a Rockpool Ramble at Branscombe and Exmouth

Join the National Trust East Devon Rangers and explore the wonderful underwater habitats at Branscombe and Exmouth beaches over the school summer holidays.

As the tide retreats, discover an amazing world of weird and wonderful sea creatures living in rock pools.

"It’s like going on a mini safari, there are so many amazing animals and plants to spot," explains Kate Sheard, National Trust Ranger.

"We never know what we are going to find. It’s a great fun way for kids to learn more about our wonderful coastline and get hands-on. Rock pooling is one of the National...

A day of play in Teignbridge

Families have the chance to celebrate summer in one of Teignbridge’s open spaces as National Playday comes up next month.

Some of the district’s best places will be filled with fun and games as part of the event, which sees thousands of children and their families get out playing at hundreds of community events across the UK.

As well as a celebration of children's right to play, Playday is a campaign that highlights the importance of play in children’s lives.

The Playday 2013 campaign theme is ‘Playful Places’. The campaign is calling on everyone to help make sure...

Family Life

Play for free in Princesshay this summer

Fire Service opens its doors for Family Open Day

Wet 'n' Wild summer festival next week

Olympic legacy gets Exeter youngsters on their bikes

Calling all budding Andy Murrays and Laura Robsons

Devon announces major review of Youth Services

Princesshay Square transformed into summer green for Happy Mondays

Historical craft event at the Devon Heritage Centre

Fun for young people at Tiverton Adventure Playground this summer

Check out crazy creatures on a Rockpool Ramble at Branscombe and Exmouth

A day of play in Teignbridge

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