Swimmers from across the region have been signing up for the first Sidmouth to Ladram Bay charity swim. Being held on Sunday 16th June this 2 mile swim will take participants along the stunning backdrop of the Jurassic coastline from Sidmouth Beach to Ladram Bay.
The event is being organised by Sidmouth Lifeboat and the Chestnut Appeal for Prostate Cancer.
Kate Jackson is an experienced open water swimmer and is part of a three person relay team, the "East Devon Babes", attempting to swim the English Channel in July of this year. “We train in the sea all year round at Sidmouth and felt that we wanted to raise both awareness and sponsorship for the lifeboat based there.” said Kate “and we are very pleased that the Chestnut Appeal has agreed to partner us for this event. We have swum with them before and they are always well organised and great fun! We hope to bring some of that spirit to Sidmouth! "
Registration is £30 which covers the cost of the organisation of the event and swimmers will receive an event t-shirt and swim cap and an end of swim snack. And it is asked that all those taking part raise as much money as they can through sponsorship for the two charities.
The swim will be fully supported by members of the local Lifeboat crew as well as an on water safety team.
To find out more please get in touch with David at the Chestnut Appeal on 01752 792736 or email chestnut.events@nhs.net
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Sunday 21st April 2pm - 5pm
Bowls provided!
Simply turn up on the day in flat shoes or trainers and use either the indoor or outdoor rinks at Coburg Terrace in Sidmouth.
Bowling is a fun, friendly and relaxing sport suitable for all ages. It provides gentle exercise for the body and mind.
For further details phone Gordon Blood on 01395 519400.
Friday 26th April
7:30pm
Tickets - £11.50.
Selective tales from a consulting detective's notebook.
Taken from the short stories collection - some of the most intriguing, suspenseful and gripping tales that made Sherlock Holmes a legend!
The Manor Pavilion in Sidmouth - Box office - 01395 514413
10am - 4pm
Join us at the Sailing and Sea Angling Club for your chance to have a go at Sailing, Gig Rowing, Fishing, Life Saving, Running, Triathlon training and much more. We would like to give the public the opportunity to try out a sport they may like to take up this season, it can be a sport you have never tried before or something you would like more training in, we are here to help.
Refreshments will be on offer all day from 10am in the club house along with information about each club and their membership events.
Many of the taster sessions are free and are on a turn up and go basis, however some require prior booking and nominal fee so please be sure to check availability and prices before the day.
Childrens entertainment including nautical themed fancy dress at 12pm and rugby-tots on the ham in the afternoon. This is a fun day for all the family to get involved.
7th April 2013 - 12 noon until 5pm.
Entry £2
Tickets available on the day or call Naomi on 07875 030393
A refreshed and responsive design approach to the re-development of Sidmouth's most comprehensive guide to businesses, attractions and accommodation in and around the town.
You can search the site for anything in the town whether you are on a desktop PC, tablet or mobile device - The town is in your hands!
Plans to redevelop the building and surrounding land were rejected on Friday 1st March.
Planning permission for 50 homes along with a graduated care home were refused by 6 councillors with only 3 in favour. The three hour meeting, where councillors from the council’s Development Management Committee decided the fate of the proposals with the result thousands of the towns residents wanted to hear.
The result, due to legal advice where some councillors were unable to vote, meant that the remaining councillors voted in favour of the rejection.
On the East Devon council site it states The council as applicant will now await formal notice of the refusal and consider its position.
Here is a link to the Save Our Sidmouth website and their article.
Sidmouth late night christmas shopping will be taking place on Friday the 7th December 2012.
As well as the chance to be out and about in the shops grabbing all the essential gifts you need there will be plenty to se and do.
So why not come and enjoy the festivities and the unique shopping experience that Sidmouth has to offer. You can also enjoy dinner and drinks at one of the many quality restaurants, bars, cafes and bistros throughout the town.
Saturday the 24th November, Sidmouth was cut off completely with no access for vehicles on any of the roads into the town following torrential rain. Water levels raised dramatically over only a few hours after severe rain soaked an already saturated ground meaning much of the town was flooded.
Late Saturday evening the East Devon District Council reported "access to Sidmouth was not possible and to avoid travel unless essential".
The Ford was closed over the weekend and remains closed now (Monday 26th November) as flood water is still flowing into the river. The river raised from an average 8cm to 185cm over the weekend causing damage to bridges in the byes and also damaging the river banks and supporting stones.
Send in your flood images to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we shall put them up on the site to share. You can find the gallery here...
You can find the latest information on flood warnings in the South West here
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/34678.aspx?type=Region&term=Southwest
Alma Bridge, first erected in 1855 to span the mouth of the River Sid is undergoing a major repair to make it safe after recent floods. The bridge was damaged by a fierce and high river after torrential rainfall forced water through the towns flood defenses. Unfortunately the bridge is the last stand where the water escapes into the sea.
The Bridge has changed appearances over the years and you can see this in the photos below. The first bridge was constructed in 1855 at a cost of £26 10s and was doe so using the timbers of the stricken vessel, Laurel. In 1900 R.W. Sampson was commissioned to design a new bridge that can be seen today and as of the storms of 2012 we hope that the bridge can be repaired and reinstated to it's former glory.
This blog will be updated when more news is available.
Here is how the bridge is currently looking through it's temporary stage.
There have been a great deal of cliff falls and disruption to the base of the cliffs over the past 2 weeks. You can see the damage done and the debris that's been washed back on to the shore at Pennington Point.
Diggers and workmen were spotted at the base of Alma bridge working to strengthen the supports and have cleared a path through to the sea to keep the flow of water consistent.
Alma Bridge managed to escape unharmed as the River Sid threw all it could at it over the weekend!
By Ron Hall
At The Manor Pavilion Sidmouth.
Tickets are £11 and under 16's are £5.50.
From
The Manor Pavilion Box Office
Monday to Saturday 10 - 2pm
01395 514413
At The Blue Ball Inn, Sidford
Join in the fun and help local charities including - FORCE Cancer Charity..
Buy your tickets (£10 including Lasangne supper)
From
The Blue Ball Inn, Sidford
Coles, High Street, Sidmouth
East Devon Associates, High Street, Sidmouth
is re-electing the committee on Tuesday 23rd October.
School lane, Newton Poppleford, Devon EX10 0EL.
Starting at 7.30pm with guest speaker and cheese and wine being served.
Anybody who wishes to join our committee is welcome to come along.
Any queries please contact Amanda Findlay on 01395 567131.
by Sidmouth Town Council (after some toing and froing, the Town Council have said that this should be the date). There will be a Members' event in Blinis from 6pm to 8pm, so keep the date free. Further details will be sent in an e-mail late October.
- Friday 7th December till 8pm. Afterwards, come and join all traders in a glass of mulled wine between 8 and 9pm in the Market Place - weather permitting!
- www.sidmouthsciencefestival.org/sidmouth. Tuesday 16th to Sunday 21st October. Described by the Chamber as a first class event for the town. Please get behind this event and if you have a shop window, please take part in the business-trail window competition.
The Sid Vale Association, the Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce, the Sidmouth Hospitality Association and the Vision Group for Sidmouth have joined forces to form “Save our Sidmouth” (SOS).
Their main objective is to ensure that East Devon District Council (EDDC) takes into account the wishes and comments of civic groups and the residents of the town in the preparation of the EDDC Local Development Plan.
This is the plan that determines the development strategy for the next 15 years for the council area. It has specific proposals for Sidmouth and Sidford.
Click here to view the online petition and find out more.
On Tuesday 8th May Save Our Sidmouth (SOS) where at The Knowle, Sidmouth to make their presence known to the Development Management Committee.

16 to 21 October.
The aim of the festival is to raise awareness of how science affects our everyday lives by integrating art, music and drama with serious scientific and technological talks. There will be events and activities for schools, individuals and families as well as those looking for stimulating debate on scientific subjects.
Programme available at: www.sidmouthsciencefestival.org
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
A comedy by Richard Harris
Evenings - 7.45pm.
Saturday Matinee - 2.30pm
Tickets £10.
Opening night - buy 2 get the 3rd free!
Tickets available from the Manor Pavilion Theatre Box Office.
10 - 2pm Monday - Saturday.
Telephone - 01395 514413
The Big Chris Barber Band bring their unique brand of traditional jazz and blues to town for a pre-festival special at this year’s Sidmouth FolkWeek- the annual celebration of music, arts and dance which takes place in the stunning seaside resort from 3rd – 10th August 2012.
Now celebrating his 63rd year as a bandleader, jazz trombonist Chris heads up a fantastic 10-piece band playing a wide selection of classics: from his roots in New Orleans style with signature tune Bourbon Street Parade to soulful blues, stylish grooves and back again to the steamy Mardi Gras sounds of When The Saints Come Marching In.
All the ingredients for a great night - stirring and joyful music from a master of his art!
Thursday 2 August Ham Marquee 8pm
Book for Sidmouth FolkWeek now at recession-beating prices for glorious sunshine-filled days and star-filled nights - whatever the weather!
Full line-up details are available at www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk Photos available on request.
A welcome return for Alan Bearman, well-established and respected Festival Artistic Director, to the post. He is bringing his experience and expertise to craft a stunning line up for the 2012 event.
Full details of ticket options are available on our website. Four ticket types are available: All-In-One & Week tickets and Weekend and Day tickets.
All Tickets just £2.00
Come along and enjoy a fascinating journey into the past with a 40 minute presentation of clips of local amateur film from across East Devon communities.
The old films have been digitised and produced into an on line collection, as part of a South West Screen funded project " The Back to the Future" Afternoon showing at 2pm and Evening showing at 7pm Tickets only £2.00 on sale now from the Box Office 01395 514413
Paul Atterbury and Hilary Kay from BBC TV's 'Antiques Roadshow'.
8:00pm.
Tickets £15.
Tickets available from the Manor Pavilion Theatre Box Office.
Telephone - 01395 514413
or at any time on credit/debit card by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and by phoning/texting 07891 663044.
At the Manor Pavilion Theatre Sidmouth
By arrangement with Josef Weinberger Ltd.
At The Manor Pavilion Sidmouth.
Performances at 7.45pm each evening.
Matinee at 2.30pm on Saturday 14th only!
Tickets available from the Manor Pavilion Theatre Box Office from February 13th
Telephone - 01395 514413
On Friday 2nd December 2011 Sidmouth will be having is 2011 Christmas late night opening event
There will be lots to do and see in Sidmouth, including music, food and other entertainment
Here are some more details:
| From 5pm | Carols from Sidmouth Pre-School Playgroup |
| 5:15 - 6:00pm | Professor Fumble Children’s Entertainer |
| 6:00 - 6:20pm | Carol Singing by Sidmouth Primary School |
| 6:20pm | Father Christmas Opposite The Anchor |
| 6:45-7:30pm | Sidmouth Town Band |
| 7:30-8:00pm | Sidmouth Folk Choir |
| 6:30-8:00pm | Roaming Carol Singers Organised by Julie Andrews |
| 6:30-8:00pm ish | Outside Methodist Church Salvation Army |
| 6:30-8:00pm | Sidmouth Parish Church Sidmouth Primary |
| 6:30-8:00pm | High Street (SES) Night Moves 4 Piece Cover Band Sponsored by 4Homes |
|
5:30-6:30pm
7:00-8:00pm |
Pete Allen Solo Jazz |
| 6:00-7:30pm | Sid Folk Choir at Unitarian Church Corner |
| 10:00am-7:00pm | Arts & Crafts Tables (10) at the Methodist Church |
| Till 8pm | Mulled Wine and Cake Table Outside Wine Shop |
| 3pm ish till 8pm | Hog Roast/BBQ & Chestnuts at Co-Op |
| 5:00-8:00pm | The Educated Pig Hog Roast/BBQ at Market Square |
| 6.30 – 7.30ish | Crepes Outside Pure Indulgence |
| 5:00 – 8:00ish | Hot Chestnuts with the Venture Scouts at Church Street, Church Steps |
| 6:20pm (ish) | Father Christmas/Sleigh will drive down Old Fore St parking opposite The Anchor. |
| 6:00-8:00pm | The Sidmouth Mummers, The Toast Rack & Donkey Sanctuary Donkeys will be roaming the town! |
| 6:00-8:00pm | Face Painting by Coco at Libra Court |
| 6:00-8:00pm | Coffee and Mince Pies at Sidmouth Methodist Church |
| 6:00-8:00pm | Mulled Wine etc at Sidmouth Museum |
Christmas is fast approaching and the Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce is planning another event filled late night shopping evening.
The event will take place on Friday 2nd December 2011
Many shops will be offering food, drinks and special promotions.
There will be a hog roast, carol singers, the Town Band, hot chestnuts, fire eaters and children singing.
So please come along and support Sidmouth.
Sid Valley Rotary Club Coffee Morning
(Coffee & stalls)
Saturday 5th November Methodist Hall Sidmouth
10 -11.30 am
In support of Rotary Charity “End Polio Now”
Members of SADS were thrilled to hear that a National Operatic and Dramatic Society Award for Excellence was awarded for their production of Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel.
Pictured are left: Joan Heard, the play's Director, centre: Geraldine Branton NODA President right: Tony Hill, Lighting Designer, when they received the award at the Association's AGM held recently at Bicton.
Joan said 'she was so pleased when the award was announced - pleased for SADS and the incredible actors and production team who worked so hard to bring this wonderful play to the Manor Pavilion stage. There was such a strong sense of ‘family’ amongst cast and crew, - indeed the bonds formed during this production still exist a year later - I heard two ‘sisters’ greet one another at the Panto auditions in Irish accents! I am very proud to have worked with such a dedicated team'
Joan is currently directing the SADS annual Pantomime Treasure Island - tickets for which go on sale at the Manor Pavilion Box Office on 1st October. The Box Office has recently re-opened after the summer break, and tickets for the SADS October production of J B Priestly's classic comedy When We Are Married, directed by Hilary Hatherley, are now on sale.
There will be an exciting Gala Charity Concert in Sidmouth Parish Church on October 15th. featuring the International Violinist, Jack Liebeck.
The concert is in aid of much needed funds for the Christian Aid International Appeal.
Tickets are now on sale at Paragon Books, Sidmouth (01395 514 516). Discount student tickets (£5) are also available.
The concert will feature:
Press Release 31 March 2011
PRS for Music Foundation Award for Festival Partnership
Sidmouth FolkWeek has been successful in obtaining support to stage a brand new commission that combines ancient instruments with the latest audio technology. The commission, funded by the PRS for Music Foundation’s Beyond Borders programme, will bring together harpists Gwenan Gibbard and Mary MacMaster, from Wales and Scotland, pipers Andy May and Tiarnan o Duinchann, from England and Northern Ireland, and sound artist Joe Acheson to make new music based on the sounds and timbres of the traditional instruments.
The commission is a partnership between Sidmouth FolkWeek, the Welsh folk development agency Trac, Edinburgh Harp Festival and the William Kennedy Piping Festival in Armagh.
The partnership has been brokered by Distil, a project which, for the past ten years, has been encouraging folk musicians to expand their creative horizons. Distil is a leader in developing innovative projects and opportunities for artists and arts organisations to explore new creative ground together.
The new work will be performed in each of the home nations between spring and autumn 2012.
22 MARCH 2010Sidmouth Folk Week 2009 Pictures. Copyright Sidmouth Town Website www.sidmouth.com
Visit the official Sidmouth Folk Festival Site






















Hamiltons Nissan garage in Church Street, Sidford, are holding a charity cream tea afternoon in aid of Sidmouth Lifeboat at the Belmont Hotel on Tuesday 15 February.
The event starts at 2 pm and finishes at 4 pm and Hamiltons will raise money by making a donation for every person that attends. Richard Hooper, Dealer Principal explains:
"We are inviting people to come along and enjoy a complementary cream tea at one of Sidmouth's finest hotels. The local community has been kind enough to support us over the years, so it is nice to be able to give something back as a gesture of thanks, while also raise money for a worthwhile cause."
Sidmouth Lifeboat is an independent, privately funded organisation reliant on support from the local community and its businesses.
"Quite simply, the more people that turn up to support the event, the more we can donate,"
adds Richard
Nissan is also using the event to informally introduce two new models - the latest Nissan Micra, which remains a bestseller for the global brand, plus an innovative new model called the Juke, a small five door crossover vehicle.
For more event information, please call 01395 517050 or visit www.hamiltongarage.co.uk.
Christmas Lights Switch on - The date for the Christmas Lights Switch On is Saturday 20th November at 5pm. "Golden Tickets" worth £100, kindly donated by Gliddons Toy Shop will be distributed to local schools. The winner will be drawn on the night.
Come to Blinis for a Lights Switch On Party from 6-8pm. (Tickets £8 from 4Homes, Eight's a Wish, Coles and Delderfields)
Best Dressed Window Competition - Application forms with be in the Sidmouth Herald on 7th December and judging will take place on Tuesday 7th December
CONNAUGHT GARDENS CONNAUGHT BRIDGE SIDMOUTH DEVON.
Currently is a NO TO CONNAUGHT BRIDGE in Sidmouth Devon.
At a recent meeting in June 2008 Sidmouth Milennium Walkway Group Freddy Wedderburn said he would support for town centre pedestrianisation and for a limit to lorry size up PAEK HILL ROAD SIDMOUTH.
A re-design for a bridge that is lower with shorter ramps to meet the five point seven metres bridge height required by Devon County Council.
Sidmouth has a maritime history, from a traditional small fishing fleet to notable personalities such as Commander John Carslake who served as a midshipman on Nelson's flagship. "HMS Victory" at the "Battle of Trafalgar"
In the 1800's there were plans for a "Sidmouth Harbour" and work started laying the railway track to transport the building stone to the Harbour location. The building work was abandoned some years later.Now in 2007 proposals have been submitted for The "Port Royal Marina" Sidmouth Devon.
Re-generation of "Port Royal" end of Sidmouth Esplanade Increase tourism with the Mooring Berths for Boat Owners & Hirers. Civic Amenity Building Launch facility for Sidmouth Lifeboat.
Escaping the rat race may just be a dream for millions.Most people are quite specific about what they want.A 4 bedroom country cottage in the South West emeges as the favourite prospect in a recent survey.One in four owners are unhappy living in their current home,and that Devon and Cornwall are the most coveted destinations with Dorset and Somerset running third and fourth.
The South West is now the third most expensive part of England and Wales to purchase a home.