News In Devon
Days out in Devon with Wildlife Watch
Wildlife Watch is the junior branch of The Wildlife Trust. From learning to find clues about what wildlife may be hiding away to developing community gardens, from practical conservation activities to arts and crafts, Wildlife Watch groups, led by volunteers, encourage and nurture young people’s interest in wildlife and the environment. The aim is to increase children’s knowledge and understanding of the world around them, how they can shape and influence the future and give them a passion to take action. There are a number of groups in Devon, each running their own programme of events but having in common the same elements of fun, learning and discovery of the natural world. To find out more about a Wildlife Watch group near you or about becoming a leader, contact Devon Wildlife Trust via www.devonwildlifetrust.org
Teaching in the South West
Have you ever thought about a career in teaching? It’s a job where every day is different, where you are able to be creative and really play a part in shaping children and young people’s lives.
Have you got what it takes to be a teacher? Until you learn more and have some time in a classroom, it’s hard to know. That’s why Learning Development Partnership is running a ‘Get a Taste of Teaching’ course on 9 – 11th May, for anyone who wants to find out more about primary or secondary teaching. For more information, call Jane Nichols on 01392 386467.
Zoos become Learning Destinations
Three top South West zoos have signed up to a new out-of-hours education scheme.Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts in Torquay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall, which are all part of the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, have become Learning Destinations for the Children’s University scheme.The scheme recognises children’s participation in out-of-hours learning activities by recording their achievements in passports. It is open to all 5 to 14 year olds. This national initiative is run locally in Devon by Plymouth City Council's Lifelong Learning Department with the help of schools, local organisations, businesses and individuals. For Newquay Zoo the scheme is validated by Cornwall Council. All three zoos have active education programmes, and jumped at the chance to sign up. Children are presented with their qualifications at a graduation ceremony held to celebrate their achievements. Learning passports can be bought for £2.00 from participating schools, from any of the Council's libraries or at any of the Children's University lectures or events. Activities need to be validated by the Children’s University. They must include an element of learning but can cover a wide range from art and cooking to sports clubs. For more information go to www.paigntonzoo.org.uk or ring 0844 474 2222.
South Devon Youngsters Benefit from New Lord’s Taverners Cricket Equipment
The South Devon under 9 District team looks all set for the 2012 cricket season after receiving new cricket equipment from The Lord’s Taverners. The squad is currently enjoying winter training with their new kit before taking on their North, East and West Devon counterparts during the upcoming 2012 season.The Lord’s Taverners, the official charity of recreational cricket and the UK’s leading youth cricket and disability charity, will donate over £3 million this year to help give young people, particularly those with special needs, a sporting chance. Last year, the charity donated 879 bags of cricket kit to clubs and schools throughout the UK, 51 of which were donated to clubs and schools in Devon and Cornwall. The Lord’s Taverners installed four non-turf pitches in the region, funded coaching and competitions for budding young cricketers and donated three sports wheelchairs were donated to schools and youth organisations in the region, plus other disability sports grants and competitions. For more information about The Lord’s Taverners contact James Salisbury on 020 7821 2828 or email james.salisbury@lordstaverners.org or go to www.lordstaverners.org
Important information for 11+ admissions 2013, Torbay schools
The admissions policy for selective schools in Torbay has had a major overhaul. Information about this can be found on individual school websites and on the Torbay council website. If you attend a Torbay primary school, they will also have information regarding this and will be passing this on during the summer term.
Mock tests will give your child an idea of what it will be like to sit entrance tests. These will be papers set at the standard used in 11+ tests and will closely follow the format of the actual tests.Private tuition may help your child with these entrance exams and this is where Jane Eeles can help. To find out more go to www.ilearn11plus.co.uk or call 01392 386471
Childrens parties with SeaSports SouthWest
Taking pirate parties to a whole new level, SeaSports SouthWest offer young children the chance to glide across the water in a Pirate Ship (safety boat) by one of the very special Pirate instructors to far off shores (Ness Beach, Shaldon). Once landed they will hunt for treasure using special treasure maps to find where X marks the spot and dig up a special treasure chest full of booty. They will then walk up the smugglers tunnel to Shaldon and then back across the river to the SeaSports Centre for a birthday feast. Kayaking parties are also available. SeaSports SouthWest offer kayak parties and pirate parties all year round. For more details call 01626 772555 or go to www.seasports-sw.com
Offer - Kids stay Free on the Isles of Scilly
You know immediately that you are somewhere very special – with over 100 small islands off the coast of Cornwall clustered around a shallow turquoise lagoon, with white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters and exotic plants and feels like a world apart from everyday life.It’s uncrowded and unspoilt, and life there moves at a different pace. 2,000 people live there, on five islands. There are few roads or cars. Yet the lagoon is busy with colourful launches ferrying locals to and fro, and taking visitors island-hopping and on excursions to see Scilly’s wonderful wildlife.Activities for the visitor to the Isles of Scilly include sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, sailing, diving, horse riding by the sea, painting, wildlife tours, archaeology walks, sea fishing, photography, coastal walking, cycling, diving with seals and boat trips to uninhabited islands. There’s space and freedom. And the choice to do a lot – or do next to nothing – in this spectacular setting and because of the safe environment on Scilly kids can run free whilst the parents sit back and relax. Cruise to the islands onboard Scillonian III, the passenger ferry, which sails from Penzance from mid March to the beginning of November (Monday to Saturday). Alternatively fly with Skybus “the Islands own airline”, and experience a bird’s eye view of the South West. Regular flights are available Monday to Saturday from Southampton, Bristol and Exeter, during the main season and all year round from Newquay or Land’s End Airports.St Marys Hall Hotel based on St Mary’s is an ideal central location for exploring these beautiful islands. This elegant townhouse is only two minutes walk from Porthcressa Beach and five minutes to the quay where you can catch a boat to the off islands. Book a family holiday at St Mary's Hall Hotel and children stay for free inclusive of breakfast. Call 01720 422 316 or go to www.stmaryshallhotel.co.uk for more details and quote PTSM12 on booking. Terms and conditions apply.For more information on transport options see www.ios-travel.co.uk or contact the Isles of Scilly Travel Centre on: 0845 710 5555.
Things to do in North Devon
The North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty is excited to introduce the new ExploretheCoast.org website. From walking, cycling, picnicking and wildlife exploration, the site is designed to help people take full advantage of the huge variety of free things to see and do, and find places to visit off the beaten track. Packed with information, activity suggestions, links and downloadable resources – it’s just the tool to help families get outside and discover more of the beautiful coastline from Combe Martin on the edge of the Exmoor National Park right through to Welcombe on the Cornish border. To find out more call 01237 423655 or go to http://explorethecoast.org/explore/mission-explore
Camp Bestival – a fun family festival
The ultimate festival experience for big and little kids alike, Camp Bestival is back for its 5th year. The event that has captured the hearts and minds of families across the country, will see; Happy Mondays, Hot Chip, Chic ft Nile Rodgers, Rizzle Kicks and Rolf Harris joined by the likes of The Gruffalo, Mr Tumble, Dick And Dom, The Bopps and lots more. Alongside the outstanding line-up, expect Lulworth Castle in Dorset, to be a run with exquisite family campsites, scrumptious food, 100s of free things for kids and much much more, to make it the ultimate festi-holiday experience! To find out more or to book tickets go to www.campbestival.net or call 0844 888 4410
Voted the Best Indoor Play Centre in Devon - Bear Feet Play Centre, Newton Abbot
On receiving their Primary Times Reader Star Award for best Indoor Play Centre, the owners of Bear Feet exclaimed “Wow what a wonderful surprise! I know that you all enjoy the Bear Feet Experience, but to be honoured with being voted the best in Devon by the readers is truly amazing! The past four years have been hard work for all of the team at Bear Feet but I am sure the award will make the team feel a little more special. We are dedicated to providing the best service and shall continue to do so”. To find out more go to www.bearfeet.net
Pay-as-you-go dance classes with the June Bealey School of Dance
If your child is looking for a new hobby that will introduce them to new friends, help them to keep fit and gain confidence, then dancing might be just what they are looking for. There are several different styles to choose from at the June Bealey School of Dance in Exeter including Latin, Ballet, Ballroom, Tap, Cheerleading and many others. If you would like more details ring 01392 274493.
Free trees given away across Devon
In February community groups and school children across the UK planted a phenomenal 530,000 free trees from the Woodland Trust. As a result 1,200 acres of trees were planted, equivalent to the size of Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve. The 14,213 trees being distributed in total across Devon will create 34 acres of new woodland, this is the equivalent of 34 football pitches.
The Trust aims to plant six million trees throughout 2012, as part of the Jubilee Woods project to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth. Nearly 5,000 schools will be planting free hedge and copse packs containing 60 trees across the UK. 128 schools in Devon will be planting 7,808 native trees, celebrating the Jubilee whilst bringing natural shade and greenery to their school grounds.
This isn’t the first time that the UK has celebrated a Royal occasion by nationwide tree planting. The Royal Record of Tree Planting captures in fascinating detail the plantings undertaken by thousands of schools, parishes, organisations and homeowners in 1936/7 to commemorate King George VI’s Coronation. To find out more about the project , apply for free trees to plant in November and view the Royal Record go to www.jubileewoods.org.uk
The Arts Council England South West awards funds to Exeter’s Northcott Theatre
The Arts Council England South West has awarded £125,000 per year for the next three years to Exeter Northcott Theatre. This endorsement is extremely welcome coming as it does at the end of a very difficult few years. The Exeter Northcott Theatre is loved by audiences and artists and is vital to the cultural life of Exeter and Devon. This investment by the Arts Council gives us three years security and is an enormous boost for both patrons and staff. For more information call 01392 223989 or go to our theatre page to find out what is going on at the Northcott.
A writing competition for children
247tales.com is the online writing competition from Bloomsbury that challenges young writers to create stories using only 247 words or less. Now in its fourth year the competition is set to challenge even more young writers.
Each month a different Bloomsbury author will pen a 247tale on a given topic. It is then over to the UK’s budding young writers aged between 10 and 16 to create their own miniature masterpiece. Details on how to enter can be found at www.247tales.com.
Toddle for the Meningitis Trust
National charity, the Meningitis Trust, is calling on toddlers in Devon to take part in this year’s Toddle Waddle event. Toddle Waddle is a sponsored walk aimed at the under 5s. As meningitis remains the disease feared the most by parents, the annual event is a chance for all the family to help raise awareness and funds for all those suffering from its impact. To request a Toddle Waddle Event Pack call 0845 120 4530 or email: events@meningitis-trust.org
