Estuary town shows its community spirit on special weekend

One of the area’s liveliest towns is set to show exactly why it’s such a great community in a special weekend next month.

Topsham, the estuary town on the edge of Exeter, is holding their first Join The Club! Long Weekend with events on September 5th, 7th and 8th.

Topsham – voted the best place to live in the south west by the Sunday Times earlier this year - has over 50 clubs, classes and societies running all year round and they will be opening their doors over the weekend at seventeen different venues ranging from yoga studios to churches and sports grounds and clubs to allotments.

“This is a huge event and we’re so excited to help make the community – of all ages – feel more connected” explains Jo Berman of Love Topsham, a local group of volunteers who have come together to promote the town.

“We’d like this weekend to promote all the incredible activities that take place here every week whilst breaking down the barriers and apprehension that can be associated with starting something new. We want to show off the vibrancy of our town and why it’s such a wonderful place to live and socialise in” she adds. 

Open to visitors and locals alike over the three days, there will be no fewer than 52 of Topsham’s clubs, classes and societies promoting and demonstrating their activities.

People can try their hand at bellringing, flower arranging, singing with local groups and choirs, quizzing the RSPB, or taking a taster session in Tai Chi or aerial yoga.

For the kids they can try activities such as yoga and coding, arts & crafts, and even orienteering.

38 Exhibitors can be found on Thursday September 5th from 2.30pm to 7pm and on Sunday September 8th from 12 noon to 5pm at Matthews Hall in the centre of Topsham alongside clubs and special events at key buildings right across town over the three days.

Full details will be on the www.lovetopsham.co.uk website.

The Join The Club! trail has an extra bonus too - those who visit five or more venues and have a special card stamped get a free beer at the Beer & Bacon Festival on Topsham Quay over the same weekend.