News

There are real champions working to improve the services for those with special educational needs and disabilities across Devon. There’s Sidmouth’s county councillor Denise Bickley, who looks at her role in this week’s Herald as Cabinet member for Children’s Services – SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). And there’s also the Champions for Change in Devon – which shows how… Continue reading Championing Devon’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

There are several good people and organisations up for a Devon Make a Difference Awards, with the finalists just announced: In their fourth year, the awards recognise and celebrate local people who make a positive contribution to communities across the county. The competition is made up of eight categories, with a total of 32 finalists…  Devon finalists… Continue reading East Devon @ the BBC Radio Devon ‘Make A Difference Awards’

Twice in the last two weeks, the seaside resort of Sidmouth has been championed in the national press. Firstly, last month, the Telegraph looked at My day out in Sidmouth, the seaside resort they call ‘God’s waiting room’. So says the former chair of the VGS: “The seagulls can be annoying, and of course it… Continue reading Sidmouth seaside town: seaside champion

Students took part in sea swimming and surf lifesaving skills, a beach clean, beach art and had a private tour of the RLNI centre. As reported on Devon Live, sea swims and lifesaving drills transformed the Sidmouth students’ day: Lisa Whitworth, headteacher at Sidmouth College, said: “I was blown away by the determination and spirit our… Continue reading Love Your Beach Day with the College

We had the Arts & Culture East Devon’s volunteer of the year for 2023 going to Sidmouth’s own Colin Trussell for his work at the Sidmouth Folk Festival. And this year another Sidmouthian was recognised for their work as the ACED Volunteer of the Year 2025 is announced: The ACED Volunteer of the Year award recognises a volunteer’s… Continue reading Arts & Culture East Devon’s volunteer of the year announced

The Donkey Sanctuary has a very impressive record, as covered several times on these pages – for example: Showcasing sustainable businesses: the Donkey Sanctuary Sidmouth – Sustainable Sidmouth Champion Awards They have now been shortlisted for the Charity Awards 2025: The Sidmouth-based charity has been recognised in the Campaigning & Advocacy category for its Stop the… Continue reading Donkey Sanctuary shortlisted for national award

The first half of the year has seen many ‘women champions’ and campaigns ‘championing women’ in Devon. In March, a Devon vicar was in New York to champion women’s justice at the UN: “Rev’d Lizzi Green, Team Vicar of Plympton St Mary Church attended the UN Commission on the Status of Women as Chaplain to the conference.” Also… Continue reading Devon’s women champions

One of the most prestigious prizes is the King’s Award for Enterprise: The annual awards recognise businesses which play a “vital role” in growing the economy to improve lives, with categories including international trade, innovation, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility. And the South West has done very well: Of the 197 UK… Continue reading King’s Awards for Enterprise 2025 South West

The Devon County Show is kicking off from tomorrow. And on Friday, the Devon Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs will be hosting their annual event: Join us for this year’s Devon County Show YFC Agri Debate: “There is no incentive for the younger generation to get into farming.” Friday 18th May – 10:30am YFC Marquee (Avenue D) Our agri… Continue reading Championing young Devon farmers

Sidmouth is very much a ‘festival town’ – a town of festival champions – celebrating culture and music, science and the great outdoors. The latest venture is the Sidyfest 2025 set up by the rugby club, promising “Sidmouth’s Festival in a Day” on Saturday 12th July https://www.facebook.com/people/SidyFest/61575957024286/?_rdr And bringing all the music festivals of the summer together is the New… Continue reading Championing the Sidmouth festival scene