Statement from Teignmouth District Council:
Quality of our beaches recognised
Five of our beaches have been recognised for their quality in the prestigious annual Keep Britain Tidy Blue Flag and Seaside Awards for Summer 2022. 

Dawlish Warren received the highest recognition with the internationally recognised Blue Flag award and Dawlish, Coryton Cove, Ness Cove and Teignmouth Town received the coveted Seaside Award. 

Both awards are aimed at improving the quality of England’s coastline and promoting the country’s best beaches which are assessed for safety and services; environmental information and management; and water quality.

The awards mean that visitors to beaches flying a Blue Flag or Seaside Award can be confident that they will be clean, safe and meet environmental and water quality standards.

We frequently go into Exeter from Sandays; it is a short drive or train ride and a lovely city. We had never been to the Bishop’s Palace Garden until the other day however. As it is not visible and only occasionally open to the public it is easy to forget all about it, but we are so glad that we eventually got there! The garden covers 3 acres which seems absolutely incredible that it exists right in the heart of Exeter. Bounded by the old Roman bank and city wall to the east and by the cathedral to the west, it dates back to around 1050 and is a very special place. Look out for further opening dates this summer in the Diocesan newsletter.

A few pics here to share a bit of Dartmoor magic, taken around Haytor today. Thousands of tadpoles, new ferns unfolding, lots of birdsong (Dartmoor is about the only place we hear a cuckoo),new leaves everywhere, and the delight of coming across ponies.

It seems that May is full of holidays this year with the Coronation shenanigans almost upon us. Lots going on everywhere in honour of that of course, plenty to choose from. 

The Bank holiday which has just gone by was a beautiful day enjoyed by many and followed by another couple of sunny days this week so far. Today however was also very windy along with (for the Warren at least) challenging waves, just the ticket for a couple of kite-surfers! Great entertainment for those of us staying dry.

Meanwhile our Lily-of-the-Valley is out in the garden which is bursting with bluebells and other early flowers such as lilac all along the length of the border. Really lovely sight.

We were blessed with a lovely sunny Easter weekend here in Devon and LOTS and LOTS of people milling around enjoying it all! With cars queueing past Sandays waiting for the car park, the open top bus back on the road and the Starcross ferry back in action, it was wonderful to see the whole area buzzing with families again after the quieter winter months.
Not forgetting the Easter message, some timely reminders her in Dawlish.

The forecast is good for at least part of the bank holiday weekend and sunshine means the lovely Warren crocus will be visible. They are in plentiful supply at the moment and a very special sight, albeit tiny in comparison to all the showy magnolias and camellias.

In between all those Easter Egg hunts, take a walk along the Warren in the sunshine and you are bound to find some.