News

A month ago, the VGS news blog ran a piece urging us to “have your say on the future of local government in Devon”. Here’s a reminder – and some sort of recognition that the local councils are making an effort to champion local democracy – by asking us as citizens to engage in determining its… Continue reading Championing local democracy

Did you know that we have a ‘cycling champion’ in the county?  We can Meet the Team from Active Devon – “the friendly professionals here to support you to enable people to move more”! And over the last month there have been several things going on featuring Aaron Harverson, Active Devon’s project lead and Cycling Champion for… Continue reading Meet Active Devon’s cycling champion!

When it comes to health champions in these parts, Sid Valley Help is very much up there, acting as go-to point for every type of health care, pointing to where best to go for help, from hospital visits to mental health advice. They are certainly valued – and received the Champions Awards 2021 in recognition of their work. As… Continue reading Healthwatch: Devon’s health champions

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