Festive
Events in Exmouth
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| •Enjoy the Christmas lights while taking advantage of Exmouth's late night shopping. |
The festive season is upon us with bumper crop of concerts, events and celebrations putting a yuletide smile on the face of Exmouth town centre and seafront.
Christmas is well and truly underway in Exmouth after the town’s Christmas lights were switched on. As well as the glittering illuminations hanging over the town’s streets, the trees in the Strand and the Rotary tree in the Magnolia Centre are clear signs that Christmas is on the way.
One of the best ways to take advantage of the super selection of shops that the town has to offer, many of which are small, family-run concerns offering friendly, informal advice and service, is to come into town for late night shopping. The shops are open for late-night shopping on Fridays from now until Christmas.
But Christmas is about much more than just about shopping. It is a time for the community to come together to celebrate this special time. They are a whole range of festive events going on in the town in the lead up to Christmas, from concerts, to shows, to charity fairs which are sure to appeal to all tastes and ages.
Exmouth Quay is hosting festive carol service on the Marina on December 19. The Budleigh Salterton Male Voice Choir will entertain at this RNLI fundraising evening.
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| • For the hardy (or fool hardy?) why not take a dip in the estuary off Exmouth beach for the famous Christmas Day swim, when thousands gather to watch the hardy hundreds enter the freezing waters at 11am. |
The popular Great Big Christmas Sing event returns to The Pavilion on December 11, with all proceeds from a night of carols and Christmas cheer going to Christian Aid. Carol singers will meet at 6.30pm at Manor Gardens before a torchlit procession to the theatre for. 7.30pm. Tickets cost £6 for adults and £5 concessions.
Also at The Pavilion, a Christmas band concert featuring the renowned Royal Marines Band takes place on Wednesday December 13.
The Exmouth Ballet Russe take the stage for Cinderella on December 17.
Joey and the Lips are performing on December 23.
Stuart Line Cruises are offering special Sail with Santa trips departing from Exmouth marina, four times a day on December 16, 17, 21, and 22. Each child ticket receives a free present and soft drink, with adults enjoying mince pies and mulled wine. Tickets priced £6 per person.
The Glenorchy Church will be holding a Christmas Sparkle flower arranging demonstration on December 8 and 7.15pm, price £4.
Churches across the town will, of course, be a focal point for many in the lead up to Christmas with carol services and special services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Check the What’s On diary of the Exmouth Journal and local church notices and parish notices for full details.
Christmas services, plays and parties are set to bring festive cheer to the wards of Brixington and Withycombe Raleigh as schools, churches and societies prepare for the Yuletide season.
Brixington Free Church, Churchill Road, are holding the following services:
- Christingle service on December 15 at 7pm
- Candlelit carol service on December 17 at 6pm
- Watchnight service with Communion on Christmas Eve at 11.30pm
- Christmas Day service from 10am.
Withycombe Raleigh WI’s Christmas party for its members on December 12, from 7pm, in Exmouth Community College’s Hall Four, Gipsy Lane.
Withycombe Brownies are holding a Christmas concert involving storytelling, dancing and singing at Withycombe Methodist Church, on December 14 between 5.30-7pm.
On December 6, Brownies from all the Exmouth Division will unite for a carol service at Tower Street Methodist Church.
Withycombe Raleigh Primary School pupils, will, like many in the area, be cast as Joseph, Mary, shepherds and three wise men as they put on their nativity plays.
The shows for Key Stage 1 and Foundation pupils are being held between December 6-8, entitled “It’s A Party!” , at the school in Withycombe Village Road.
The school is holding a Christingle service on December 1 at 9am.
The PTFA Christmas fair is also on December 1 at 6pm.
The school’s carol service is in Withycombe Church on December 18 starting at 6.30pm.
Magnolia ladies’ choir will be performing a programme of Christmas music at Holy Trinity Church on December 12 at 7.30pm. All monies raise will go to Exmouth Museum.
Christmas is a time for caring
Support is guaranteed at Christmas for those ill or vulnerable during the winter months, thanks to the hard work of charity groups.
Many of the organisations will also bank on the support of the community, through donations or volunteering, as a busy season awaits in Exmouth and its surrounds.
Groups such as the East and Mid Devon branch of the Samaritans do a sterling job for those in need at Christmas time. Phone lines (01392 411711 and 08457 909090) and an email address (jo@samaritans.org) are open 24 hours a day for confidential listening support.
Branch director Bridget said: “Calls do increase around Christmas time. People think of others at Christmas, and may miss loved ones or those they have lost. Also there is a lot of distress in the run-up and aftermath.
“People may feel lonely, or may not be with their children or family, and could have money issues. Meanwhile the perception is that all around you everybody is having a good time.
“Our aim is to listen to callers, and not to judge them.”
To offer support for the Samaritans look out for fundraisers whilst Christmas shopping in Exeter on December 21.
Providing further aid for those feeling lonely or vulnerable on Christmas Day, the Open Door Centre on Church Street, Exmouth, will be laying on a free, traditional roast turkey dinner on Christmas day.
Carol-singing starts at the Centre at 11am, before guests receive a gift and dinner. Centre manager David Ley said: “I think it does give people a lift, as it is not just dinner. We provide care, support and advice for people, and they can share Christmas with others.”
To ensure a spot at the dinner table Open Door advise booking ahead. Volunteers are also needed to serve dinner and support guests. For details call on (01395) 224218.
Age Concern continue their hard work to support the elderly with a series of Christmas dinners open to the public around Exmouth. The charity meets at the Bidmead Centre, Littleham. on Monday December 4, at Palmer House, on Fraser Lane, Brixington, the following day (December 5), and Ratcliffe House on Burnside on Wednesday, December 6.
Christmas dinners will also be held at Age Concern HQ, Landon House on New North Road, on Friday, December 8 and 15. Raffle tickets are also available from Landon House, with the draw held on December 12.
For details and to book dinners, contact Age Concern on (01395) 271242.
See in the New Year by going back to the the disco decade
The ultimate 70s experience is guaranteed at the Exmouth Pavilion on New Years Eve. Hold back the Night will have you dancing the night away with what promises to be a great night of entertainment for all the family.
ExtrABBAganza capture the sounds of legendary Abba lyrically, visually as well as musically. Their set includes many of the favourite hits we fondly remember today... Dancing Queen, Waterloo, name of the Game, Chiquititta, and Money, Money, Money to name but a few. ExtrABBAganza have been astounding crowds with the hits, harmonies and costumes all over the country and have built a reputation as one of the most authentic tributes to Abba ever seen and heard.
The evening will also include Funky Town, a live show with vibrant dancers, superb vocalists, costume changes by the plenty and a live band. The show will be performing non-stop hits from the 70s including Car Wash, Boogie nights, Good Times, Young Hearts, Love Train and lots more disco classics.
Exmouth Pavilion is the only venue that welcomes adults, families and children all under one roof and in a safe and fun environment. So forget the hassle of trying to find babysitters for the evening, bring along the whole family and all party together – you might even find this works out cheaper than employing a babysitter, should you eventually find one that’s available!!!
And don’t forget to dig out your flares and get dressed up, there are great prizes for the best fancy dress!
For a great nights entertainment for all the family, Hold Back the Night is not to be missed. Tickets are priced at £18 and £15 for under 12s and a buffet is available at £10 and £7 for under 12s. Both are available from the Exmouth Pavilion Box Office on (01395) 222477 or visit their website on www.exmouthpavilion.co.uk to book your tickets online. |
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