christmas

Exeter builders merchant thanks community for Christmas present donations

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 12/27/2018 - 7:06am

The Exeter branch of RGB Building Supplies is thanking the generous local community for donating gifts to its 2018 Christmas Giving Tree Appeal in aid of Children’s Hospice South West.

The builders merchant invited customers to donate gifts so that a hamper of presents could be given to every family being supported by the hospice over the festive period. The donations have now been passed on to the charity in time to be given out on Christmas day.

CHSW Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser Mhairi Bass-Carruthers said: “We are so grateful to the local community and the customers...

The volunteers providing a lifeline to children in Devon this Christmas

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 12/24/2018 - 10:15am

A team of volunteers are preparing to leave their own families on Christmas day to answer Childline calls from children who have nowhere else to turn.

The NSPCC’s Helpline and Childline services operate 365 days a year, with trained counsellors poised to take calls from children, and adults who are concerned about a child’s welfare.

Both helplines are free and confidential to call – and demand can often increase over the festive period, when emotions can be magnified.

Almost 2,000 Childline counselling sessions were delivered over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and...

Exeter Chiefs spread Christmas cheer at the RD&E

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Fri, 12/21/2018 - 11:57am

Patients and staff at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital had a special visitor in the form of Exeter Chiefs yesterday, as members of the team put on their festive jumpers and spread some Christmas cheer around the hospital.

Leading the way was Don Armand, who was joined by team-mates Henry Slade, Moray Low, Matt Kvesic, Ben Moon, Sam Skinner, Elvis Taione, Pete Laverick, Tom O’Flaherty, Ollie Devoto and James McRae.

Armed with gifts and presents for the children and young people on Bramble Ward, the team took on the role of Santa as they spent time handing out the goodies...

Devonians encouraged to share festive cheer with elderly

Authored by Reporters
Posted: Fri, 12/21/2018 - 11:13am

DEVONIANS are being encouraged by a care provider in the county to spread some festive cheer this Christmas among any elderly and vulnerable neighbours or relatives they might have (December 2018).

Christmas can be a bleak time for anyone living alone and Guardian Homecare, which provides care in south Devon and has offices in Exeter, is asking people to check on relatives and neighbours.

Katie Jewell, Regional Manager for the care provider, said: “Christmas is all about spending time with friends and family, but there are some people out there, our service users included,...

Tips for a dementia-friendly Christmas

While Christmas is an exciting and joyous occasion for many, it can also be a stressful and lonely time for people affected by dementia, their family and carers.

The stark reality is there are 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK, with more than 13,800 across Devon. With this in mind, tens of thousands of families will be preparing for a Christmas with someone affected by the condition and many will be living alone.

Alzheimer’s Society asked families living with dementia across the UK to share their experiences and advice for creating a dementia-friendly...

First international academic “Santa survey” shows children stop believing in Father Christmas aged eight

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 12/18/2018 - 10:18am

It’s that time of year when children look forward to a stocking full of presents - but the first international academic “Santa survey” shows many adults also wish they still believed in Father Christmas and some had felt betrayed when they discovered the truth.

The study also shows the threat of being on Santa’s naughty list doesn’t work for many children, and many youngsters continue to pretend they believe in Father Christmas even when they know he doesn’t exist.

Errors by bumbling parents are also one of the main reasons children lose their faith in the magic of Father...

Sparkling Snow Queen fairy tale photos to celebrate Christmas at Killerton

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Mon, 12/17/2018 - 12:30pm

A spell has been cast over Killerton this Christmas as volunteers and staff at Killerton, near Exeter, have worked together to create magical photos to reflect the story of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Snow Queen. Each year, to sprinkle a little extra Christmas magic and celebrate the start of the festive season, Killerton staff and volunteers team up with photographer Steve Haywood to create magical images of the story to celebrate the start of Christmas. This year the stars of the photos were Freckle, a 12-year old Irish draught horse from Tiverton and Gabi a 6-year-old snowy owl. Both...

Festive delight as Santa tours Exminster

Authored by JanetRaeburn
Posted: Mon, 12/17/2018 - 10:46am

Exminster residents were thrilled when Father Christmas took time out from his busy schedule to make a special visit to the village.

Santa delighted young and old alike as he toured the village with one of his elf’s on a specially decorated tractor donated by Berrybrook Garage.

The event, a popular annual tradition organised and run by Exminster Pre-school, was well supported by the whole community, with residents donating a total of £175.37.

The pre-school’s Christmas Bazaar was held the following day at Victory Hall, raising a further £1,660 (before expenses) for...

Your guide to What's On this weekend

Your guide to What’s On in and around Exeter this weekend (14-16 December):

THEATRE

Jack and the Beanstalk Exeter Northcott Theatre Get ready for the climb of your life this Christmas, as Exeter Northcott Theatre presents a GIANT of a family pantomime. Expect plenty of audience participation, live music and laughs galore. Fee Fi Fo Fum…it’s panto fun for everyone! https://exeternorthcott.co.uk

Aladdin Exeter Corn Exchange Join a host of classic characters for songs, laughter and a perfect Christmas show! The most magical and adventurous of all pantomimes will be...

Christmas comes early to the Bramble Ward thanks to Exeter City stars

There were some extra special visitors to Bramble Ward at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital this week.

Exeter City Football Club’s first-team players took time out of their busy training schedule to visit children and teenagers on the ward – some of whom will be spending the festive period in hospital.

The players delivered dozens of bears, toys, calendars, footballs and signed merchandise to the young patients.

The players who visited the ward were manager Matt Taylor, assistant manager Eric Kinder, Pierce Sweeney, Jake Taylor, Lee Holmes, Jayden Stockley, Dean...

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