Easter

Virtual donkey day out on Easter Sunday

Virtual donkey day out on Easter Sunday

This Easter Sunday (4 April), animal lovers will once again be able to catch up with the four-legged residents of The Donkey Sanctuary as its award-winning Sanctuary From Your Sofa event returns for another virtual day out with the charity’s donkeys.

Viewers will be able to tune in from 10am to watch a series of live broadcasts from The Donkey Sanctuary headquarters in Sidmouth, as well as a host of pre-recorded videos from its regional sanctuaries around the UK.

The Easter Sunday event, which also coincides with International Carrot Day, follows a series of successful...

Would-be visitors cautioned not to travel too soon

The South West’s tourist industry and the emergency services are warning visitors against travelling to the region before lockdown measures are due to be relaxed on 12th April.

There are fears a minority of tourists might be tempted to travel early, before facilities are ready or attractions are open. Apart from the risk of catching or spreading COVID-19, a dangerous 'false start' to the tourist season will put unnecessary extra strain on the emergency services.

Under the government’s roadmap for reopening after the lockdown, 12th April is the earliest date outdoor...

RNLI lifeguards to provide Easter cover on Exmouth beach

RNLI lifeguards to provide Easter patrols on Exmouth beach

On the request of East Devon District Council, for the first time this year, the RNLI will provide lifeguard cover on Exmouth beach over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend (Friday 2 April to Monday 5 April).

The lifesaving charity has been working with partners behind the scenes through the challenges of lockdown, to recruit, train and prepare their lifeguards for what is expected to be another busy summer on UK beaches. The RNLI will deliver its usual lifeguard service across the UK and Channel Islands this year in the standard phased approach.

The first set of beaches in...

A virtual day out with The Donkey Sanctuary

On Easter Sunday, people will be able to catch up with the Sidmouth donkeys and mules by watching a series of live Facebook broadcasts from The Donkey Sanctuary.

For the first time ever, the international animal welfare charity will be bringing its visitor experience to the virtual world for a day of donkey interaction. Starting at 10am, viewers will be able to see how donkey-facing staff at the sanctuary are continuing to provide the highest level of care to their resident donkeys during this most difficult of times.

‘Sanctuary from your Sofa’ promises to be a day of...

The Donkey Sanctuary donates 3,000 Easter Eggs to Sidmouth Foodbank

The Donkey Sanctuary has donated 3,000 packs of small chocolate Easter Eggs to the Sid Valley Food Bank in Sidmouth. The donated eggs will now be given to patients and staff at Sidmouth Hospital, local families who are supported by the Food Bank and key workers throughout the community.

Due to The Donkey Sanctuary Sidmouth being closed to visitors because of the coronaviruses outbreak, the animal welfare charity was left with thousands of eggs that would have been given away to visitors over the Easter weekend. Not wanting to let them go to waste, the charity partnered with Sid...

Stay away from Devon says county council

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 04/08/2020 - 6:24pm

Devon County Council has sent an all-party message to holidaymakers and second home owners: Stay away from the South West during the current crisis.

And the council is calling for much tougher penalties to be imposed on people who flout the rules.

Council leader John Hart said he was planning to meet the leaders and chief executives of all Devon's district councils to discuss co-ordinated enforcement action against holiday providers who continue to take bookings.

"As we head to Easter, we want to send a very clear message to holidaymakers and second home owners...

South West Prays – Christians watch online this Easter Sunday

In what is a first for the region - Christian leaders across the whole of the South West are taking part in special online prayer event this Easter Sunday.

The event called South West Prays will see thousands of Christians from across the area tune in at 8pm to take part and participate.

It’s thought this could be the biggest prayer event that has ever taken place in the region.

Around 20 Church Leaders from different styles and traditions all over the South West will be joining in to take part in this half an hour online gathering, broadcasting live from their...

Extra access for patients to GP practices and pharmacies over Easter bank holiday weekend

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 04/08/2020 - 10:29am

Special arrangements are in place to make sure people in Devon can access GP and pharmacy services over the Easter weekend.

To respond to the current high demand from patients, GP practices across Devon, Torbay and Plymouth will be opening on Good Friday and Easter Monday as if they were normal working weekdays – from 8am to 6pm. Since the start of the outbreak, practices across the county have been asking patients to contact them via phone or online contact form on their website (as opposed to walking in) in the first instance if they need help – and this is how to contact them on...

Darts Far,

Darts Farm collaborate with Exeter Foodbank to provide Easter ‘tuck boxes’ for the vulnerable

In response to the worldwide pandemic, Devon based Darts Farm is working closely with Exeter Foodbank to help create ‘ Easter Tuck Boxes’ to give to people within their community that need it the most this Easter. Customers have donated and local food and drink producers have given produce with the aim to give as many families as possible an Easter treat. The ‘Easter Tuck Boxes’ include:

  • Carrots, Apples, Bananas
  • Moores Biscuits and Kernow Chocolate
  • Good Game Salami
  • Burts Chips
  • Vicky’s Bread Hot Cross Buns
  • Luscombe
  • ...

Coronavirus: Trading Standards advice for hospitality industry this Easter

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 04/06/2020 - 3:18pm

Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards is reminding owners of guest houses, campsites and restaurants to remain closed this Easter to help combat coronavirus.

On March 23 the Government ordered hospitality businesses to close and said that people should stay at home and only essential travel is permitted.

With very few exceptions all hotels, bed and breakfasts, hostels, holiday rentals, campsites and boarding houses should be closed for commercial use until further notice.

Additionally, all restaurants, public houses, wine bars, cafes, canteens and other...

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