Local News

Topsham has turned on the (socially-distanced) style with its first Big Afternoon Tea.

This was a town-wide celebration of a Devon summer with classic sandwiches, cakes and cuppas taken in streets, gardens and parks throughout the town.

The idea emerged from Topsham resident, Hilary Bush. Hilary’s farming background along with the fun her street had on locked down VE Day, meant she could see this as a great idea to support food businesses whilst boosting spirits in town.

With the help of Love Topsham - a not-for-profit community group set up to promote the town...

Ahead of what is being dubbed ‘Super Saturday’ – when bars, pubs and restaurants reopen – The Royal College of Emergency Medicine is urging the public to act sensibly to not risk overwhelming A&Es.

President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, Dr Katherine Henderson said: “To many Saturday will come as a welcome release from an unprecedented nationwide lockdown and it is understandable that people want to let off steam.

“But we urge the public to be careful and use common sense. The NHS has coped admirably during this period, but staff are exhausted, and the...

The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth will remain temporarily closed to visitors despite the lifting of some lockdown restrictions from Saturday July 4.

The charity’s international headquarters in Sidmouth welcomes around 400,000 visitors every year, and with such a large number congregating on site from across the UK, there is the heightened risk to the charity’s staff whose main priority is to care for the resident donkeys.

Faith Burden, Executive Director of Equine Operations at The Donkey Sanctuary said: “Unlike other visitor attractions, we have numerous entry points to...

If you’re feeling the pinch in lockdown, you’re not alone. Although restrictions are slowly being lifted, meaning that for many people, life is getting back to normal, others are still recovering financially from the impact of being unable to work for the past few months. If you were not eligible for furlough at the beginning of lockdown, or were self-employed and not eligible for financial support, cutting down your monthly expenses might be a priority for you right now. Even if you have been furloughed from your job, living on 80% of their regular wage can be quite tight for some....