Car park at the Peace Memorial Playing Fields
This will be closed on 24th September 2026 due to line painting.

Newly Proposed Parking Restrictions

As advertised in the Midweek Herald on 26th August 2026, newly proposed parking restrictions
will soon apply in Colyton. If you wish to object, you have until 21st September 2026 to do so at
https://devon.cc/alwrp
It!s unclear as yet when they will come into force, but these restrictions are to ensure the flow of
traffic in Market Place (1 hour no return) and enable clear visibility of traffic crossing Umborne
Bridge (no waiting at any time)

Excitement builds for Cannington Viaduct weekend

Excitement is building ahead of a very special weekend at Cannington Viaduct on 19 and 20
September. For the first time since the Axminster–Lyme Regis railway closed in 1965, members of
the public will be able to walk out on to this remarkable structure. The weekend will also include
displays, films and live performances at Uplyme Village Hall, bringing the story of the much-loved
branch line and the people who worked on it back to life.
Although Colyton did not lie directly on the route, many local residents will remember travelling on
the line — perhaps taking the train to Lyme Regis for a day by the sea.
Interest in the weekend has been tremendous and all available places are now fully booked. The
organisers are therefore unable to accommodate anyone arriving without a ticket.
The event is being organised by the Axminster-based charity For the Love of a Railway with the
support of the Historical Railways Estate, who look after redundant railway structures. For the Love
of a Railway (fortheloveofarailway@gmail.com) would be delighted to hear from anyone with
memories, photographs or stories to share.
As the charity celebrates the railway’s past, it is also looking urgently to its own future. It is
currently seeking new premises in or close to Axminster, suitable for use as a small visitor centre,
display space and volunteer workshop. If any reader knows of a possible new home for the charity,
For the Love of a Railway would be very pleased to hear from them.

Colyton Pump Track

We’re delighted to say the newly opened Pump Track has been a resounding success and has been
used daily during the summer from, more-or-less, dawn till dusk by all age groups. The atmosphere
at the Peace Memorial Playing Fields is great, with the older children giving way to the little ones in
a sense of camaraderie. Unfortunately, due to the heat waves, it’s been too dry to lay turf, but now
the weather has broken and the kids are back at school we should see grassy banks.
The Parish Council will be providing picnic benches alongside for parents to sit on.

The knock-on effect is that the play park is being used more and people are visiting from further
afield as the only other pump tracks in East Devon are in Cranbrook and Whimple. It’s proving to
be a great asset for Colyton funded by CIL money (Community Infrastructure Levy).
You may have noticed our Tree Warden, Jason Mair, has been busy at the Playing Fields pruning,
removing fallen trees and filling in the holes in the river bank caused by erosion with river gravel.
Apart from saving both the river and Playing Field it looks so much better. Many thanks to Jason.

A Summer of Adventure and Fun at Colyton Girlguiding!

The Brownies have enjoyed another busy and exciting term filled with friendship, fun and
adventure. They headed to Axmouth Harbour for an evening of crabbing, enjoyed a visit to
Newhaye Farm and finished the summer term with a lovely Teddy Bears’ Picnic. The girls also
helped celebrate 100 years of Girlguiding in Colyton at a special centenary event, where families
and members of the community joined us for games, activities, refreshments and a look back
through our history.
The Guides enjoyed a session crabbing and had the opportunity to go canoeing with Axe Vale
Canoe Club which was definitely a highlight. Guides camped out at a Region Camp near Torquay
and had a fabulous time bodyboarding and there was a more local camp at Uplyme which had an
exciting Top Secret theme. There were mysteries to solve and codes to break and plenty of fun was
had. Guides helped out running stalls at Axmouth and Whitford Show and joined the Division
Young Leaders for a fun filled day trip to Plymouth to look for all the Lighthouse sculptures,
supporting St. Luke’s Hospice in Plymouth. There were ice creams, a ride on a ferry, a quick stop
for bubble tea and lots of laughs.
Members of Colyton Rainbows, Brownies and Guides also visited the Colyton and Colyford
Memory Café in the summer. Everyone had a wonderful time joining in with chair exercises,
drawing cartoon faces, singing and dancing together.
In September the Brownies, Guides and Young Leaders attended an incredible County Camp called
Camp EPIC at River Dart Country Park. It definitely was an EPIC weekend and the girls enjoyed
camping, crafts, games and outdoor adventures, while making new friends and creating lots of
happy memories. Guides went kayaking, completed the high ropes and Jacob’s ladder challenges,
danced at a Silent Disco, met members of the Police and Royal Navy and packed in as many
activities as they could. The weather was kind, and everyone had a fun packed weekend. It was
amazing to join together with over thirteen hundred members of Girlguiding from across Devon.
It has been wonderful to see the Brownies, Guides and Young Leaders growing in confidence,
learning new skills, and supporting one another. We are now looking forward to another fun-filled
term at Colyton Girlguiding. If you would like to join in the fun and help our members to have
amazing opportunities, then please do contact Anna on 1stcolytonguides@gmail.com to find out
how.

Northleigh Art Group

Would you like to meet a friendly group of people from local towns and villages who enjoy painting
or drawing?
Our members use a variety of materials, watercolours, acrylics, pastels, oils, pens, pencils …
We also have workshops and demonstrations by local professional artists.
We are totally non-judgemental, happy to encourage beginners and also to learn from each others’
skills.
To see the groups recent artwork, please visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/
NorthleighArtGroup/
Northleigh Art Group meets every Monday from 2-4pm at Northleigh Village Hall (EX24 6BJ)
£3 per session (includes refreshments) – Free car parking.

Many Congratulations!

Congratulations to Colyton Vintage Tractor Run on raising £4,130 for MND (the Motor Neurone
Disease Association) and to Jake Challis and his team from Colyton Football Club for raising
£3,213.16 for Seaton Hospice at Home at the 5-a-side football tournament in June. Well done
everyone!

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR )

The shakeup of Devon County into Unitary Councils has been put on hold by the Government. This
comes as a reprieve for rural communities such as East Devon.

RSYC Youth Service

Our term-time youth club resumes on 17th Sept, 6:30-8:30pm. Open to ages 11-17 – £2 per
session. Closed 29th Oct for half-term. email: youthwork.rsyc@gmail.com

Exeter Opera Group is presenting…

The Four of Swords

The Four of Swords, who brought us the riveting ‘Whispers of Woden’ (Rough & Ready Theatre),
is bringing ‘Orpheus’ to Beer Quarry Caves 8th – 24th October along with their ‘Choir of the
Underworld..

Remember remember the 7th of November

The Vikings are coming!

… or maybe they came and went on Saturday, 12th September

What an epic Carnival Procession! The weather gods smiled on us yet again. In fact, what an
incredible Carnival Week (‘The Generation Game’ in the Town Hall was uproariously funny).

Photos by Peter Dennis and Louise Satterly

This newsletter has been edited by Alison Stenning on behalf of Colyton Parish Council.