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The Best Group Activity Days Out Across England for Thrill-Seekers

When it comes to planning a group day out in England, the best experiences are the ones that combine adrenaline, teamwork, and a bit of friendly competition. Whether it’s a stag or hen do, a corporate team-building event, or just a group of friends looking for something different, thrill-seeking activities have become one of the most popular ways to spend a day together.

Across the country, there’s no shortage of options that push people out of their comfort zones in the best possible way—from fast-paced outdoor challenges to immersive action-packed games that test communication...

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Trust's 2020 vision

Wild Planet Trust is the Devon-based charity that runs Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts in Torquay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall, plus several nature reserves in Devon. While 2019 was not a great year for the charity, there are, says Trust boss Simon Tonge, some reasons for optimism:

“Last year was not the best for visitor numbers, though we still saw 700,000 people come to our three zoo sites. And it was the end of an era – Duchess, the last elephant in the South West of England, died.

“On the plus side, 2019 saw the lifting of TB restrictions at Paignton Zoo. Although it has...

All creatures great and very, very small

This is an Nguru spiny pygmy chameleon. It’s just a few centimetres long. What could it possibly have in common with a black rhino? The answer is – Wild Planet Trust. The charity behind Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts and Newquay Zoo carries out conservation work in Tanzania, home to both species.

This minute chameleon - a species new to Paignton Zoo and sadly not yet on show to guests – needs all the help it can get. It’s Critically Endangered, largely due to the ravenous demands of the international pet trade.

The chameleon is well named – it comes from the Nguru Mountains of...

Christmas dinners with a difference…

Animals at Paignton Zoo will be getting their own festive dinners this Christmas – but you may not find them quite as appetising as your own…

So what’s on the menu? Well, the big cats could get a whole turkey, complete with feathers and entrails. Curator of Mammals Lisa Britton said: “It’s all good roughage, the bones, everything. It’s the sort of carcass they’d be eating in the wild.”

Ferocious carnivores tearing into meat may or may not remind you of your own Christmas lunch.

Meanwhile, Alfie Junior the Southern cassowary has a Christmas dinner, too – including...

How to train your…

If animal training makes you think of tricks and shows, think again. Top zoos use training to improve animal welfare, reduce the need for risky general anaesthetics and to keep both animals and people safe.

For example, bird keeper Sam Gray has trained Alfie Junior the Southern cassowary – as tall as a person and part bird, part dinosaur – to follow a target, which means she can get him in his house easily and safely. For reptile keeper Tom Wilkinson, training Pierre the mangrove monitor lizard to walk calmly into his crate means you don’t need to catch him up – a procedure that...

Exeter retirees step into Christmas!

Exeter locals recently joined residents at McCarthy and Stone’s Pinnoc Mews Retirement Living development on Bakers Way to get into the Christmas spirit at an exclusive free festive event.

Those who came along were treated to mouth-watering mince pies and a warming glass or two of mulled wine, all whilst enjoying a sparkling showcase by renowned jazz band The Hipcats, who performed live renditions of festive favourites.

The event was part of McCarthy & Stone’s series of ‘At Home’ events, which are happening at selected developments across the UK throughout December, and...

Trees in Trust

National Tree Week - from 23rd November to 1st December – is the UK's largest annual tree celebration, and marks the start of the winter tree planting season. One locally-based conservation charity is using the occasion to shine a spotlight on some of the many trees in its care.

Wild Planet Trust is the conservation charity behind Paignton Zoo. The zoo is more famous for animals than trees, although it is pleasantly-wooded. Often overlooked are the Clennon local nature reserve adjoining the zoo and the Primley public open space across the road, both managed by the Trust.

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Gentle by nature?

Paignton Zoo has welcomed a new species – the wonderfully-named gentle lemur. There’s more than a little of the teddy bear about them, with their thick, grey-brown fur and beady amber eyes. The babies are said to be especially cute – and the zoo certainly hopes to see babies in due course.

The gentle lemur – more correctly, the Alaotran gentle lemur - is the only primate that lives entirely in marshy habitat. In the wild it can be found in reed beds around Lake Alaotra, in north east Madagascar.

But why the name? Are they really gentle? It depends who you ask. Gentle lemurs...

[Boxing-TV] Smith vs Ryder Live fight (Ryder vs Smith) free MATCH — 23rd Nov 2019

How to Watch Callum Smith vs. John Ryder LIVE: 2019 Fight TV Channel. Smith vs Ryder Fight live streaming tv guide — Echo Arena, Liverpool, England. Smith vs Ryder: How The Two 2019 Boxing Match Up.

Callum Smith returns today at home in Liverpool to shield his WBA super middleweight title against required challenger John Ryder in the headliner on DAZN and Sky Sports.

Terrible Left Hook will have live inclusion for the show later, and here’s the means by which you can watch and go along with us.

Step by step instructions to watch Smith versus Ryder

In case...

Going green is not black and white

Staff at a top regional conservation charity have shared their successes and frustrations as they try to reduce, reuse and recycle consumables in their cafes and restaurants.

Wild Planet Trust is the charity that runs Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts in Torquay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall. Staff and volunteers work to reduce the zoos’ impact on the planet in as many ways as they can – but it’s not always an easy or a simple process.

Trust Environmental Officer Pete Morgan: “There’s a lot of misinformation and half-truths about sustainability and the recycling of consumables....

Conservation charity helping young people choose All Our Futures

A Devon charity is inspiring young people to change the world – and they’re doing it for free.

Wild Planet Trust is launching new sustainability workshops for schools. The six free workshops – called All Our Futures – aim to empower children and young people to make good choices for the future. Group Education Manager Steve Nash explained:

“As educators, we understand that the most important role for a teacher is to prepare pupils for the world beyond the classroom. It’s becoming ever clearer, however, that our world is changing. Our wildlife and wild places are in trouble...

UK News

The Best Group Activity Days Out Across England for Thrill-Seekers

Trust's 2020 vision

All creatures great and very, very small

Christmas dinners with a difference…

How to train your…

Exeter retirees step into Christmas!

Trees in Trust

Gentle by nature?

[Boxing-TV] Smith vs Ryder Live fight (Ryder vs Smith) free MATCH — 23rd Nov 2019

Going green is not black and white

Conservation charity helping young people choose All Our Futures

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