News in Seaton

Expansion plans for for the second phase of one of East Devon's best tourist attraction have been given the go ahead.

Seaton Jurassic, the community-led centre that engages thousands of people with East Devon's unique geological, coastal and marine heritage, opened in 2013.

The first ever drive-in cinema at Beer, scheduled for Saturday night to coincide with Halloween, has been postponed due to the weather.

The double billing event was due to have been held in the central car park behind The Dolphin Hotel where the organisers, Boutique Events, were planning to show two spooky films – Tim Burton's "Corpse Bride" at 5 pm and the cult comedy classic "Shaun of The Head" at 9 pm.

Seaton Town Council has confirmed that the installation of new outdoor equipment on a new site at Seafield Gardens has started this week.

On its website, the council has thanked all those who responded regarding the location of the replacement gym equipment.

Seaton Memory Cafe has been coming up with new ideas to reach out to members this winter, as face-to-face meetings under still not permitted under COVID-19 rules.

The Memory Cafe, which helps those suffering with dementia and their families, carers and loved ones, has been unable to hold its monthly meetings since lockdown measures were first implemented. But volunteers have been keeping in touch with members and their families and friends via regular telephone calls.

Devon County Council has answered pleas to try and ensure the neediest children and families in Devon do not go hungry.

Labour's plea for the free school meals scheme to be extended over the holidays to stop children going hungry was rejected last week by the government, but since then, several councils have announced schemes to help during the October half-term.

Latest NHS figures show that there were 77 people in hospital across Devon and Cornwall following a positive COVID-19 test as of last Tuesday.

The NHS England figures, released on Monday, give the latest details of the admissions and diagnoses of coronavirus patients by hospital trust.

Creative couple Tom and Emily Gladstone have put their skills together to launch a new business, The Triptych Gallery in Seaton.

Tom, who has run a picture framing business on Harbour Road for the past 10 years, will continue to offer these services from the new gallery in Queen Street, which also offers a vast array of arts and crafts, using Emily's experience in running galleries and craft spaces in the Exeter area.

"Coronavirus doesn't take a break - please respect and protect local communities."

This is the joint message from council leaders across the region for anyone thinking of coming to or travelling in and around the South West this half term in a new social media campaign specifically targeting visitors.

Seaton and Colyton county councillor Martin Shaw has asked the leader of Devon County Council, Cllr John Hart, to provide school meals for children in need of them during the half term holiday and at Christmas.

He has also urged the residents of Seaton and Colyton to support a crowdfunding appeal to ensure local children do not go hungry.

The number of new coronavirus cases confirmed in the last seven days has risen across Devon and Cornwall, although numbers in Seton remain relatively low.

East Devon has seen a sharp rise in cases, with 15 'clusters' - meaning areas which have three or more cases - in the local region.