News in-brief from East Devon – Email your community news, photos and what’s on to newsdesk@eastdevonnews.co.uk
East Devon – what’s on
A host of free events, tours and exhibitions are taking part in East Devon as part of the annual Heritage Open Days event, from September 11-20, billed as ‘England’s largest festival of history and culture’.
Entry is free to Killerton House and gardens, September 11-13, 10am until 5pm, also the ‘hidden gem’ Columbjohn Chapel, open September 11-20, 1pm-4pm.
Killerton House and the Columbjohn Chapel, on the estate, are open to the public for free as part of Heritage Open Days events. Photos: L to R, National Trust Images – Liz Abdey/Fi Hailstone.
A free guided wellbeing circular walk from Killerton to Sprydon has been organised for September 30, 10am until 12.30pm.
See here for more details on all the free Heritage Open Days events, and how to book.
East Devon – what’s on
A free nine-day festival exploring the archaeology and history of the Blackdown Hills includes a tour of Dunkeswell Abbey, left, and handling archaeological finds, right. Photos: with permission.
Beginning on Friday (September 11) is a free nine-day festival exploring the archaeology and history of the Blackdown Hills, with guided walks, workshops and tours across the Devon and Somerset border.
During the event, part of Heritage Open Days, visitors can handle archaeological finds, create artwork using natural pigments and local clay, and explore sites dating from prehistory to the second world war.
Author Vanessa de Haan is holding a creative writing workshop as part of the festival. Photo: Vanessa de Haan.
The programme includes a family-friendly art workshop at the Thelma Hulbert Gallery in Honiton on Saturday, September 12, using pigments and clay drawn from the surrounding area.
Free guided tours of Dunkeswell Abbey and Henbury Hillfort are some of the planned events.
A tour of former RAF Culmhead. Photo: with permission.
Visitors can also tour the former RAF Culmhead on Tuesday, September 15, or take part in a creative writing workshop led by historical fiction author Vanessa de Haan on Friday, September 18.
See here for the full programme, and how to book.
Sidmouth
Theatre manager Graham Whitlock, pictured, was ‘speechless’ to learn of his nomination. Photo: with permission.
Theatre manager Graham Whitlock the Manor Pavilion Theatre, Sidmouth is celebrating reaching the finals of the Great British Theatres Shining Star Award after he was nominated by his team and theatre-goers.
Graham, who was nominated for his outstanding contribution towards the theatre and wider community in East Devon, will find out if he is a winner at an awards ceremony later this autumn.
Theatre staff said Graham was ‘speechless’ when he learned he had been shortlisted.
East Devon
The open day at Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service headquarters attracted scores of visitors. Photo: DSFRS.
These photos show the scores of visitors at the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service headquarters open day on Sunday (September 6) where there was a host of family-friendly fun, live music, demonstrations by the emergency services, and the chance to talk to firefighters and take a look behind the scenes.
The fire service put on free family-friendly entertainment. Photo: DSFRS.
The event, held at the fire service headquarters at Clyst St George, was in aid of The Firefighters Charity, supporting serving and retired members of the UK fire services and their families, and Fire Aid Nepal.
Andy Smith, Assistant Chief Fire Officer at Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Our service headquarters Open Day is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to come along, meet some of the people who work for the Service, and see first-hand the wide range of things we do to help keep Devon and Somerset safe.”
Sidmouth
The road through Sidmouth ford will be temporarily closed, and diversions in place for traffic and pedestrians, while the Mill Street footbridge is replaced.
Work to replace the bridge started on Tuesday (September 8) and is expected to be finished by Friday, October 2.
If the bridge work has not finished by September 26, the closure will be temporarily lifted for Sidmouth carnival.
A small number of parking spaces in Milford Road will be turned over to the works to store construction machinery.
East Devon
A family with millions of social media followers who feature Beer, Seaton, Branscombe and Colyton in their posts has been twice shortlisted for national awards.
Broadcaster and author Brett Orchard, who launched ‘family brand’ DaysLikeThis.Life, must wait until October 8 when the winners of the Social Media Marketing Awards 2026 are announced
East Devon
MP Richard Foord is pictured here outside Lloyds Bank, in Honiton. Photo: Richard Foord.
Richard Foord, MP Honiton and Sidmouth, is pushing the government to act on the lack of face-to-face banking in rural areas.
Mr Foord this month spoke at a debate in Westminster, highlighting how Honiton is months away from losing its last bank.
He told MPs how the Lloyds Bank branch in Honiton is due to close on March 16, 2027. The town’s Santander branch permanently closed in July 2025, and NatWest in October 2025.
The MP described how a lack of face-to-face banking left a Honiton woman with learning disabilities exposed to online scams, and an elderly woman in tears because she struggled with automated telephone banking.
Mr Foord said banking services that support the most vulnerable were being taken away.
He vowed to raise the issue again when the government responds to the review in October.
Mr Foord said: “The Government needs to do more than just set up an independent review into access to banking services. It needs to make sure that the most vulnerable in our society get the services they need in rural regions.”
Budleigh Salterton
The care home dog show was well attended. Photo: with permission.
A dog show was organised by a care home in Budleigh Salterton, sparking residents to talk about past pets.
A spokeswoman for the Firs Care Home said: “There’s something about having animals in the home that instantly lifts everyone’s spirits. As soon as the dogs arrived, there were smiles everywhere.
“Our residents absolutely loved meeting them and hearing all about their different personalities. It also brought back so many memories, with residents chatting about the dogs they grew up with or had as part of their own families.”
Sidmouth
Pictured here is hotel assistant manager Aidan, who cycled 180 miles for charity. Photo: Brend Collection
An assistant manager from a hotel in Sidmouth recently tackled a 180-mile cycle challenge to raise funds for the Children’s Hospice South West.
Aiden, who works at The Victoria Hotel, cycled to all the company’s hotels across Devon and Cornwall, plus visiting the children’s hospice, in North Devon.
The charity champion set off from Sidmouth, where he was challenged to visit nine hotels in 12 hours, where he was cheered on by staff.
Matthew Raistrick, area director from the Brend Collection said: “We are incredibly proud of Aidan and what he has achieved. Cycling around 180 miles and visiting all nine of our hotels in just 12 hours was a huge challenge, and his determination throughout the day was fantastic to see.
“It was also wonderful to see our teams across Devon and Cornwall getting behind him at every hotel.
“Most importantly, Aidan’s challenge has helped raise awareness and funds for Children’s Hospice South West and the invaluable support they provide to local families.”
Sidmouth
Trumps Court residents were invited to celebrate the sheltered housing refurbishment with afternoon tea and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Photo: with permission.
Afternoon tea celebrations and a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held when a community hub in Sidmouth officially reopened after a facelift.
Trumps Court residents were invited to celebrate the sheltered housing refurbishment of 20 flats, community centre and courtyard garden, which was completed by East Devon District Council (EDDC).
Councillor Dan Ledger, EDDC portfolio holder for sustainable homes and communities, said: “It was wonderful to see residents explore the upgraded centre and discuss how they plan to use the improved facilities.
“These improvements will ensure that the centre will remains at the heart of life at Trumps Court for many years to come, and I’d like to thank everyone who has supported the project and helped us create a place where residents feel connected, supported and proud to live.”
Woodbury
Residents in Woodbury ‘overwhelmingly’ backed a neighbourhood plan which will be used in the area’s future planning decisions.
East Devon District Council (EDDC) said a recent poll showed more than 90 per cent of voters supported the Woodbury Neighbourhood Plan.
The plan was drawn up by a local steering group, Woodbury Parish Council, and residents, to identify future expansion while protecting its identity and character.
The plan will this month go before EDDC to be rubber stamped. The formal adoption means it will carry significant weight in planning decisions made across Woodbury, Woodbury Salterton and Exton.
Councillor Todd Olive, EDDC portfolio holder for strategic planning, said: “This process gives communities a real opportunity to help shape their local area and the places where they live by influencing how they are developed.
“The level of support shown in this referendum demonstrates a clear community vision for Woodbury’s future and provides a strong foundation for future planning decisions.”
See the Woodbury Neighbourhood Plan here here.
