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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The latest in Family Life

Devon appeals for adopters to come forward as number of children waiting increases

Adoption agencies in Devon are working together this National Adoption Week (14-20 October) to appeal for potential adopters to come forward. This comes as numbers of adopters drop to an all-time low in the county and the number of children waiting continues to grow.

Regional Adoption Agency, Adopt South West, and independent adoption charity Families for Children are specifically looking for adopters who will consider adopting a sibling group. If adoptive families cannot be found soon then it is likely that these brothers and sisters will be separated.

How to choose a collapsible wagon for kids

When your toddlers grow up and need more space than a stroller, you should consider a toddler’s wagon. It has enough space not only for your kids but also for their necessities. Depending on your need, you can purchase two-seated wagon or three-seated wagon.

Two adults and two children run through trees in the dark

Shaun the Sheep is on the run this Halloween at Haldon Forest Park

Join Haldon Forest Park this Halloween for a Shaun the Sheep Farmageddon Glow Run!

To celebrate Aardman’s new film A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon, in cinemas 18 October, Shaun the Sheep welcomes all the family to enjoy this spooktacular 3km glow run on 30 October.

£13,000 a year for time to chill

Exhausted working parents spend almost £13,000 a year in a bid to free up time to relax, new research has revealed.

Desperate Brits have spent an average of £249 forking out for cleaners, ironing services, food deliveries and taxis in a bid just to free up time. If they did this every week it would equate to almost £13,000 a year, new research from Churchill has revealed.

Despite parents forking out for the extra home support a third say there simply isn’t enough time in the day to chill out, new research from Churchill shows.

New deal for Devon’s children and families launched

An ambitious new vision for how public services will come together to better help and support children and their families in Devon is being launched this week.

The Devon Children and Young People’s Plan brings together all the local agencies responsible for helping children, young people and their families including schools, councils, health services, the police, and community organisations in a clear shared vision of how they will work together to tackle the real challenges and big issues facing families, children and young people in the county today.

Flock to the forest, an alien has landed!

For the very first time in history, Forestry England has confirmed that an alien has crash landed into Haldon Forest Park! Lu-La, from the Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (in UK cinemas 18 October) is an impish and adorable alien with amazing powers. She has been stranded in the forest and needs to charge her communicator so that she can get a message back home to call for rescue!

Babies’ own genes influence when they are born

Large genetic study involving data from Exeter mothers and babies reveals new insights into pregnancy duration and the timing of delivery

When a woman is pregnant, when she delivers is important to the health of herself and her child. Preterm birth is a major cause of health problems and is the leading cause of death in children under the age of five years worldwide. Conversely, if a pregnancy goes far past the due date, the risk of birth complications and stillbirth increases. But what determines when a woman goes into labor?

Time travel to medieval Dartmoor during Heritage Open Days 2019

Dartmoor National Park is pleased to once again take part in England’s largest festival of history and culture and will be shedding a light on how people lived in the 14th Century.

From 13-22 September 2019 the Heritage Open Days festival returns to Dartmoor with a packed programme of medieval-themed activities. Every September places across the country throw open their doors to celebrate their heritage, community and history.

This is your chance to try out new experiences - and they're free!

Get involved

Stagecoach South West are again sponsoring Sci-Fi Day in Paignton on Saturday 24 August.

Sci-Fi extravaganza returns for Torbay Children’s Week

All things Sci-Fi will be celebrated on Saturday 24 August, as Sci-fi day returns to Paignton Green.

The day will showcase an impressive range of cars and costumes from popular films including Transformers, Batman, Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, Disney Pixar’s Cars and many more.

Visitors can expect to come across Darth Vader, Star Wars Storm Troopers, Iron Man, RoboCop, Batman, Spiderman, Captain Jack Sparrow and chimps from Planet of the Apes, provided by look-alikes company UK Garrison.

How to keep your dog healthy during summer

Summer is a really important season to focus on when it comes to your dog's health. Not only is the heat often too much for our furry friends, but there are other things like fleas and fitness to consider too. Aside from the obvious tips for keeping your dog safe in summer, the following tips are to help you ensure your dog is healthy and ha[[y during the warmer summer months.

Fighting Fleas