Showing posts with label Abbotsham. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Abbotsham. Show all posts

Tuesday 21 April 2015

North Devon's Mind, Body & Soul Festival EWE2 Arena at The BIG Sheep Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th April

North Devon's inaugural Mind, Body & Soul Festival will take place at The BIG Sheep family attraction in Bideford on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th April. With all the pressures of modern life it's so easy to feel stressed.... but what exactly is stress? Stress is a modern, widely used buzzword that's used to describe the pressure of modern day, leaving people unable to cope. This new festival will be like no other and promises to leave visitors feeling relaxed, pampered and give them all the tools they will need to lead happier and more fulfilled lives We may live in a world that has more appliances and technology to make for a more comfortable life than previous generations - but does that mean we have better and more fulfilling lifestyles? In today's busy world where more of us have to work in demanding jobs as well as raising a family we have very little time left over for ourselves and when we do find time, we feel guilty about enjoying some 'me' time and this undoubtedly plays havoc with our well-being. The Mind, Body & Soul Festival which is sponsored by 'My Town: Bideford' will give visitors an opportunity to come along to find out ways in which to nourish their mind, body and soul. There is already a wealth of exhibitors and activities planned for the event including yoga, tai chi, allergy testing, beauty treatments, relationship and personal life coaching, healing, pilates, holistic therapies, massage, physics, prayer and much more. 

Diana Brook, creator of the hugely popular 'The Mind, Body and Soul Workout Guide' and guest speaker at the festival believes that looking and feeling great on the outside starts with promoting health on the inside and says, "Our thoughts, emotions, nutrition, work, and family life all influence our wellbeing. By increasing awareness of the mind, body, and soul, we can gain a fresh perspective on how to care of our health and begin healing." Diana who is a natural health & healing practitioner based in South Wales will inspire visitors with her talk on Coloured Light Therapy. Diana's aim will be to encourage individuals to become aware of the healing energies of light to promote physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing' 

Rick Turner, director of the BIG Sheep and brains behind the Festival, is confident this inaugural festival will prove to be a huge success and lead to the development of an annual festival and said, 'We want our visitors to enjoy the wide range of experiences at our Mind Body & Soul Event and, at the same time, feel confident that they are in good hands. All our exhibitors have been recommended to us so we are confident we have created a safe, honest and ethical environment that allows visitors to come along secure in the knowledge that they will be treated with respect, that they can trust the advice or service they require and that they will enjoy their day. As well as having an opportunity to talk to therapists there will be a series of taster sessions, workshops and talks for visitors to enjoy.' Rick has been surprised by the level of interest that the event has generated to date and adds. 'Taking care of our physical and spiritual needs is an important element in caring for our whole selves and I'm sure those attending the Festival will be able to enjoy happier and more fulfilled lives.
http://www.thebigsheep.co.uk/events/details/north-devon-mind-body-and-soul-festival
North Devon's Mind, Body & Soul Festival EWE2 Arena at The BIG Sheep Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th April. If you would like to book a physic reading or any of the tasters session on the Mind, Body & Soul Festival log on to www.thebigsheep.co.uk and book your space.
 
Photo copyright thebigsheep (All rights reserved)

NORTH DEVON'S MIND BODY AND SOUL FESTIVAL Meet the Exhibitors

MEET THE
   EXHIBITORS   
NORTH DEVON'S MIND BODY AND SOUL FESTIVAL
SATURDAY 25TH AND SUNDAY 26TH APRIL
   
Devon's Large Attraction of the Year 2014 
 
 
RELAX AND UNWIND....
 Meet the exhibitors that will be joining us at our 
Mind, Body and Soul
Festival on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th April. Book your treatments and tickets!  
 More information on all our amazing exhibitors coming this week!
 
North Devon Hypnotherapy
'North Devon Hypnotherapy' provides clinical hypnotherapy and spiritual hypnotherapy, helping with the stress and anxieties of every day life.
 
Christine Manley

Christine Manley offers allergy testing and reflexology using a simple and non-invasive method to identify intolerances.
Christine will be offering allergy taster tests during the weekend
 
North Devon Tai Chi/ Tui Na

'North Devon Tai Chi' offer classes in Tai Chi, Tui Na. They will be offering Tui Na full and taster sessions. Tui Na is a form of Chinese massage which is used to treat skeletal and muscular problems as well as internal organ and mental issues.  
 
 
 
  
'Teeki UK' take water bottles and turn them into clothes, giving them purpose again through an eco-friendly process.

Book your admission tickets to see Teeki UK's collection
 
  North Devon Therapeutic Massage

'North Devon Therapeutic Massage' offer an enjoyable healing tool which promotes good health and well being.

North Devon Therapeutic Massage will be offering sessions to book on the day
 
Celia Estella

Celia is a gifted Clairvoyant, Medium and Healer, specializing in matters of the heart and soul.

Readings can be booked with Celia on the day
 
R and R Spa

'R&R Spa' a luxury North Devon haven where you can enjoy a range of gentle therapeutic treatments  which will leave you feeling Relaxed - and ready to get back on top of your job and busy family life.
Book your Indian Head Massage taster with R&R Spa

Thursday 27 November 2014

Ho, Ho, Ho from the Big Sheep, Black Friday Deal, FREE Christmas Light Show & More

Buy One Child Ticket to see Santa... Get One Free!!
Thinking of coming to see Santa for our opening weekend, on 6th and 7th December?
BOOK your tickets BEFORE MIDNIGHT on Friday 28th November 2014 and get one ticket FREE!!
One Child Ticket to see Santa must be purchased to receive a second for FREE. Tickets must be purchased before midnight on Friday 28th November via website: www.thebigsheep.co.uk

Free Entry to Christmas Light Show
This Weekend

We are opening our Santa's Grotto a week early for our visitors to take a sneak peek at our Christmas Light Show for FREE!!

Come and take a look at the grotto, as the Christmas Lights dance to a festive tune!

Usual prices apply to BIG Sheep attractions. Santa won't be making appearances until 6th December.
Christmas Nearly New Baby & Toddler Sale

Help raise money for POPSI -  (Parents of Premature and Sick Infants) Read More
Saturday 29th November    10:30am - 2:30pm

Friday 14 March 2014

FESTIVAL OF FIRE! THE BIG SHEEP - BIDEFORD THIS SATURDAY 15TH MARCH FROM 6.00PM

A SPONSORED WALK WITH A DIFFERENCE Raising money for Dogs Helping Kids in conjunction with The Jaden Cornelious Foundation
RED HOT TALENT 
Jaden Cornelious, Tamsin Ball and Taya Lambden
Visitors will get to listen to the dulcet tones of Jaden Cornelious, one of North Devon's hottest talents who will be singing a rang of his popular classical crossover songs as well as some new ones and may even slot in a few pop songs. Jaden will be joined on stage by Tamsin Ball, another local classical crossover singer who has performed on the West End, The O2 Arena and the Lourve in Paris. Supporting Jaden and Tamsin will be 14 year old local girl Taya Lambden from Park Community School.



Firewalk


FREE ENTRY FOR SEASON TICKET MEMBERS!
Enjoy a Family Evening of Fun - Watch a Fantastic Fire show, Cheer on the brave fundraisers as they walk on fire, Enjoy Ewetopia Indoor Playground, Listen to Jaden Cornelious, Tamsin Ball and Taya Lambden perform AND you'll all be fundraising for charity as all entry costs are to be given to
Dogs Helping Kids. Doors Open 6.00pm Fire Show : 6.20pm Fire Walk : 7pm £3 entry pp or Family Ticket £10 (2+2) Children Under 3ft FREE FREE ENTRY for season ticket members All entry proceeds will be given to Dogs Helping Kids

FESTIVAL OF FIRE! THE BIG SHEEP - BIDEFORD THIS SATURDAY 15TH MARCH FROM 6.00PM

BIG Sheep Contact Information: Telephone: 01237 472366 Website: www.thebigsheep.co.uk
Festival of Fire
DEVON'S HOTTEST FIRE ENTERTAINER COOLHAND LUKE Festival of Fire We will be hosting one of the hottest nights of the year on this Saturday 15th March, combining a charity fire walk with a fire juggling and spinning show. You've all heard the idiom 'If you play with fire, you'll get burnt - Coolhand Luke, North Devon's hottest fire entertainer who has been playing with fire for years has yet to be burnt!

Monday 17 February 2014

SNAPSHOTS IN AN ALBUM: MEMORIES OF AN EVACUEE IN FAIRY CROSS

I was recently sent this delightful childhood account by Linda Le Merle about her stay in Fairy Cross as an evacuee in 1944, during the Second World War. These are the recollections of  her time in Bideford and in particular, the countryside Parish of Alwington and the hamlet of Ford and Fairy Cross. These are a little girl's "Snapshots in an Album" and we would love to hear from anyone who might be able to fill in the gaps or who recognises the people and places mentioned. If you do then please leave a comment here and a message for Linda.

MEMORIES OF AN EVACUEE IN FAIRY CROSS By Linda Le Merle, née Wolfinden
Strange to say, as I was starting to write a few notes on my experience as an evacuee in Fairy Cross, Devon, I came across another evacuation account written by someone who had been evacuated in 1944 as I was, and who had lived close to me and gone to my Surbiton primary school. Our evacuation began in June, around the time of my eighth birthday when the buzz bombs were droning and dropping over England, and lasted three or four months until it was thought safe to return home. My family had previously been evacuated to Dorset during the “phoney war” in late 1939, and that, too was for a short time only, before we all came back to London while the Blitz was going on – curious! In June 1944 the other evacuee and I must have set off together since all the local schoolchildren were gathered together at an army depot and given their lapel labels before being taken to the railway station, but she went to Cardiff, because, she says, “Later I heard that two trains had somehow got mixed up and in fact we should have gone to Devon.” Mine was the train which did go to Devon and so I came to spend three or four months in the beautiful countryside near Bideford. My father stayed at home in the Home Guard and I set off with my brother Philip and my mother, who was going to be a billeting officer in Bideford.  When young children ask today if we were frightened to be living through the war, I have to say that unless we had actually been bombed out or lost a member of the family, fear was not always a big problem for children – wartime was all we had known.  While our parents were often made ill by fear and stress brought on by the bombing and restrictions, it was change and uncertainty which were the real threats to children’s states of mind as they are in peacetime.  So – the journey started with some excitement, and although my mother was nearby, it was only when I was separated from her and my brother when we arrived in Bideford that I really started to understand that I would be on my own. From that point on my memories of being an evacuee are like snapshots in an album, and I’m sorry not to have any real photos to go with them. The first memory is of walking in a crocodile through the streets of Bideford. Someone – maybe an older worldly-wise child – said cynically that this was so that the good citizens of Bideford could pick out a child they liked. Whatever the truth, most of us spent the night sleeping on the floor of a community hall before being allocated our billets the next day. This was a moment of anxiety – the world would end if I couldn’t be placed with my friend Shirley Bosson.  Somehow it was managed, and somehow all the children were taken to their temporary new homes. At this point the snapshot memory changes from black and white into colour. We found ourselves arriving at the Fairy Cross cottage of Mrs Hockin – or her name might have been Mrs Hocking. There are perfumes and tastes which can transport you straight back to the place where you first experienced them, and to this day the smell of geraniums awakens the memory of when I first came across rows of pots of the scarlet flowers in Mrs Hockin’s cottage living room. From the first moment she seemed to be a kind lady, but she was already 72 years old, which must have accounted for her forgetting that children don’t usually like hot milk with the skin on top – rather a difficult welcome for two homesick girls. I remember the cottage as being cosy, with no running water or bathroom, but I have no recollection of daily routines, food or the layout of the house, apart from the fact that the WC was a privy in the back garden with squares of newspaper hanging on a butcher’s hook behind the door, and that we washed in a pretty china basin in the bedroom, pouring water out of the big matching jug.
School for those few months was in the little church hall which we reached after a short walk through country lanes. We picked sloes from the hedgerows and were free to walk on our own at all times, but this idyllic time was not without one black day. We were all deeply shocked to hear that one girl much younger than ourselves, who sometimes walked with us, had been killed in the lane, crushed between the posts of a fence round the fields and some heavy farm machinery which trundled relentlessly down the lane without seeing her.  At the school there were only two classes for all the children whose ages ranged from five to fourteen. Again, I have no recollection of the routines, except for one vivid memory of how I spent a lot of time there. I was taught to knit, and given a ball of grey string-like thread with which I was to knit a dishcloth. It took most of the time I was at the school, as I remember, because it had constantly to be undone and begun again. Whatever else I learned there, I was left with a skill which proved to be useful for a long time afterwards.
When we were not in school we were free to play in and around the village, but paths to the beach were out of bounds because the beaches themselves were defended against enemy attack. I seem to remember that from somewhere near Portledge House we must have been able to climb on high ground from where we could see the beaches and the sweep of the coast round to Hartland Point, with Lundy Island out to sea. There was a wood behind the cottage where we enjoyed playing, but one day when three of us were running through the trees we managed to kick up a bees’ nest. The first of us escaped lightly, the second – I think it was me – received a few stings, but the third was stung so badly that she had to spend a whole day in bed afterwards.  A happier way of spending our free days was scrumping from trees down the road near the main part of the village. Are there still Stripey Jacks in Fairy Cross – those little apples with red and gold stripes which we ate there in great quantities seventy years ago? Shirley Bosson’s mother came for a visit a few times and I saw my own mother occasionally, but she was kept busy going round the billets checking that the evacuees and their hosts were getting along together as well as could be expected. She herself was comfortably billeted with Mr and Mrs Cock who lived at “Glaisdale”, Abbotsham Road in Bideford, and one day she came to take me by bus to spend a night with her. I remember a genteel elderly couple, and most of all I remember the delicious creamy oatmeal we had for breakfast – very unlike the porridge I was familiar with. Mrs Edith Cock and my mother kept up a correspondence for many years, and on my bookshelves is a little book she sent me “with much love and many kind thoughts” for my 21st birthday. It is called “Character and Conduct”, and the theme for today, February 9th, is knowing how to be ready, a lesson in avoiding procrastination. Perhaps I should have looked at it more often from time to time as Mrs Cock suggested.  At this point my memories, black and white or technicolour, run out. Although we had spent happy times in Devon, I think my mother was quite relieved to take us home when the worst of the buzz-bombs period was over. My own brother, who was billeted in Barnstaple, had got into trouble one day with his friend Derek when they took their catapults out to play. We needed to get home before being accused of being London hooligans! I only once saw Mrs Hockin’s house again when we were driving by after a family holiday in the West Country. I hope it’s still there, and even if it isn’t, it’s still here among my happy memories.  
MEMORIES OF AN EVACUEE IN FAIRY CROSS - By Linda Le Merle, née Wolfinden (All rights reserved)
Explore Alwington and Fairy Cross with the North Devon Focus Picture Tour
Explore Bideford with the North Devon Focus Picture Tour
North Devon History Bytes
Alwington a Millennium Experience published by Alwington Parish Council - Visit Alwington Parish Web Site

Wednesday 4 December 2013

Winter Sports and more at the Big Sheep. Snowboarding Simulator, Toboggan Slope and Ice Rink

The Big Sheep will be adding a big Wow Factor to Winter from this weekend. You can enjoy the toboggan slope for children and adults and get into the wintery spirit racing at high speeds from the top to the bottom of the slopes! You can be sure that your woolly hats, scarves and gloves will be coming off as you warm up from running back up to the top of the slope for numerous rides! Alongside the new toboggan slope will be the synthetic skating rink, back again for you to practice your skating skills. Toddlers can also have a go at skating with their new ski boots suitable for small children. NEW for this winter season will be their new snowboarding simulator. All winter activities are undercover in the new events building. Christmas Farmers Markets will be held on the run up to Christmas on the 7th, 14th and 21st December, there is also a Gingerbread Workshop on the 21st December and Breakfast with Santa on the 22nd December.  Visit web site to book tickets or find out more
http://www.thebigsheep.co.uk/
Christmas Farmers Markets - Please click here to view the full stall holders list

Monday 29 April 2013

MEET GEORGE PIG! The BIG Sheep, Bideford Sunday 5th May

The Big Sheep are BIG Fans of the hit TV series Peppa Pig & LOVE all the characters. Many of you requested to meet George Pig & now you can! George will be waving goodbye to Peppa, Mummy & Daddy Pig & travelling down to Devon on his own to meet his North Devon fans at the BIG Sheep! The BIG Sheep opens at 10am on Sunday 5th May & you can meet George at intervals throughout the day between 11am until 3.30pm. Enjoy a whole day out of BIG Sheep shows, rides, animals & family entertainment from 10am until 6pm.

OINK OINK - CLICK HERE TO BOOK 25% OFF TICKETS TODAY! 
Please note: Peppa Pig will not be available to meet. This is an exclusive opportunity to meet George Pig only on 5th May 2013. 

WHAT'S NEW AT THE BIG SHEEP
COMING SOON! A 6,500 sq ft Attraction and Events Building, giving even more undercover fun.
TV Favourites - As requested, they will be hosting Mike the Knight for his debut visit to the BIG Sheep. You all loved Scooby so much that he will be returning for another visit in October 2013.
Oink Oink - Our customer's favourite little pig, Peppa, is back by popular demand (25th August) and her favourite brother pig, George, will also be making a special trip to the BIG Sheep on 5th May 2013.
Vintage Pony Carousel - a new ride for our young visitors to enjoyarchery tag
Archery Tag Combat will have the older kids entertained for hours - energetic enough for thrill seekers and safe enough for the whole family to enjoy! OpensSummer 2013
World Record Attempts - you can be part of  the Big Sheep's world record attempts in 2013! Wear your wellies to the BIG Sheep on Sunday 9th June and be in the world's largest Wellie Parade.
 
Visit http://www.thebigsheep.co.uk for full event details

Friday 7 December 2012

A SPONSORED WALK WITH A DIFFERENCE: FIRE WALK CHALLENGE AT THE BIG SHEEP

Have you considered walking on a bed of hot coals? Well you can do it, you won't even need a stout pair of walking boots to take part in this alternative sponsored walk which are being held at the BIG Sheep on Sunday 16th December 2012. The chosen charity for this year's firewalk is Age Concern, however you are welcome to chose a chairty of your own. Fortunately, you do not need any experience to take part in this extraordinary event so if you would like to get involved you can contact Cathy Edwards on 01271 371343 or email cathy@jcfundraising.com for a sponsorship pack. If you'd just like to offer your support we are offering FREE admission to watch the participants complete their challenge.
 

Monday 12 November 2012

Nearly New Baby & Toddler Sale at the Big Sheep

Nearly New Baby & Toddler Sale  at the Big Sheep, Abbotsham, Sunday 2nd Dec - From 10am. All proceeds to Parents of Premature and Sick Infants at North Devon District Hospital.

We all know Babies and Toddlers grow out of clothes and toys so fast! Often clothes and toys look as good as new. This is a chance to either sell on your items or purchase some bargain clothes and toys.
Great opportunity to tidy up before Christmas or buy some Christmas presents!
Interested in having a stall? Call Claire or Nicola or 01237 472366 or email claire@thebigsheep.co.uk Stalls are £8 each with the full £8 going to POPSI.
Interested in visiting? Put the Morning of Sunday 2nd December in your diary or on your calendar!
Entry is £1 with the full £1 going to POPSI.

Friday 26 October 2012

THE BIG SHEEP HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL STARTS SATURDAY!

FUN BY DAY FESTIVAL 27th October until 4th November
FREE Facepainting between:
11am - 12noon- 2pm - 2.45pm- 3pm - 3.45pm 
Pumpkin Carving between: 12 noon & 4pm (Visit The BIG Sheep facebook page to claim your FREE pumpkin voucher before 31st October. See below for more details.)
Halloween Rides: Collect your Ride Times flyer on arrival to see when the Haunted House, Haunted Tractor Ride, Ghost Train and Witches Flying School is open.
Singing Pumpkins: Visit the Singing Pumpkins or our Talking Haunted Head at any time during the day.
Fancy Dress Competitions: Dress to impress for our fancy dress competitions every day!





















FUN BY NIGHT Visit the BIG Sheep during the dark for a completely different Halloween experience on any of the three evening parties: Wednesday 31st October, Thursday 1st November or Friday 2nd November from 6:30pm until 10pm. Tickets for the evening parties must be booked in advance via The BIG Sheep website and tickets are only £7.50 per person
  • Haunted Hayride with Olympic Themed Frights
  • Candlelit Lakeside Ghost Train Ride
  • Haunted House
  • Halloween Pantomime with Woolly the Sheep
  • Pumpkin Parade with Prizes for the best Carved Pumpkins.
  • Ewetopia Indoor Playground & Cafe 

Monday 24 September 2012

'World's BIGGEST Coffee Morning' at the Big Sheep - Friday 28th September

COFFEE, CHA CHA CHA & A CHAT!
The Big Sheep will be hosting the 'World's BIGGEST Coffee Morning' organised by Macmillan Cancer Care from 10am to 12 noon to raise vital funds for this wonderful charity who provide medical, emotional, practical and financial support for people living with cancer in our local community. As well as offering coffee and cake and a lovely friendly environment where people can meet and enjoy a chat, the BIG Sheep will also be holding Cha Cha Cha dancing demonstrations and inviting visitors to come along and have a go swaying their hips to the sounds of some fantastic Latin music - a great way to burn off all the cake calories!
The BIG Sheep Friday 28th September 2012  - Visitors taking part in the coffee morning will also be able to enjoy FREE entry to the BIG Sheep from 10 am to 12 noon.

Monday 6 August 2012

SOUTHWEST EXTREME NEWS - THE BRITISH NATIONAL 4X - BIKE EVENT THIS WEEKEND/

The British National 4X Bike event is heading to South West Extreme Bike Park in Abbotsham, Bideford (across the road from the BIG Sheep) on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th August for round 5 and 6 of the 7 round competition. 
 THE BRITISH NATIONAL 4X  BIKE EVENT














WEEKEND TIMETABLE
Saturday 11th August - Schwalbe British 4X Series Round 5:
  • 10.00am Open Practice
  • 11.00am Gate Practice - Fun, Big Fun, Juvenile, Youth, Master, Veteran, Girls
  • 11.30am Gate Practice - Junior, Senior & Pro Elite
  • 12.00 Midday Track Closed Lunch.
  • 12.30pm Racing starts - 3 Moto Format
  • 1/8 Finals
  • 1/4 Finals
  • Semi Finals
  • Finals
  • 4.30pm Presentations
Sunday 12th August - Schwalbe British 4X Series Round 6:
  • 09.00am Open Practice
  • 10.00am Gate Practice - Fun, Big Fun, Juvenile, Youth, Master, Veteran, Girls
  • 10.30am Gate Practice - Junior, Senior & Pro Elite
  • 11.00 Midday Track Closed Lunch.
  • 12.00pm Racing starts - 3 Moto Format
  • 1/8 Finals
  • 1/4 Finals
  • Semi Finals
  • Finals
  • 4.30pm Presentations 












FREE ENTRY FOR SPECTATORS! NOT TO BE MISSED!
FIND OUT MORE: WWW.NAKEDRACING.COM - 01237 880028  
Read the North Devon Focus Blogspot Post for National 4x Championship 2010 
Explore Abbotsham with the North Devon Focus Picture Tour

Friday 20 August 2010

Championship weekend at South West Extreme

North Devon's South West Extreme Centre was the stunning venue for the blue ribbon mountain bike event “The National Championships”. The two day event saw round five of the National 4x Series (NPS) and the UK's top riders including previous National Champions and professional riders Will Longden and Scott Beaumont were among those who competed. The course was built by International rider, Will Evans. This superb location, set on high ground above The Big Sheep at Abbotsham with panoramic views of Abbotsham Village, Greencliffe and the Kenwith Valley was ideal for spectators who were able to watch the non-stop downhill racing from the start to the finish line. The riders reached speeds of up to 35mph and tackled obstacles such as; double and table tops jumps, a rocks garden, logs, steps, and both flat and burned (banked corners). The track also features a 'Pro-line' on the final straight, with three HUGE 8-10m gaped jumps. An estimated 200 riders raced on the Sunday for the National title in there respective category; Jeuvenile, Youth, Junior, Masters, Vetrians and the Main/ Pro event Senior. A misty morning gave way to glorious sunshine which added to the friendly family occasion, it was Free entry for spectators and the High Ropes centre and climbing wall provided additional thrills and a more lofty view of the event. In between races, local caterers, Priors Fryers served up much needed refreshments including delicious chips, bacon rolls and burgers. 
Photo Pat Adams

Photo B. Adams

Photo B. Adams

Photo Pat Adams

For more about the Big Sheep Click here
Will Longden & Katy Curd are your 2010 National 4x Champions