By Gill Knight, Community Builder for Paignton South – Goodrington, Roselands, White Rock, Hookhills, Broadsands, Galmpton & Churston

We have used the word Normal a lot over the past year – new normal, old normal, getting back to…normal. But what does it mean to you? – Being able to go out and see friends and family, going to a restaurant or pub, or perhaps just the simple things like joining a club or activity with other like-minded folks?

Well, it’s good news folk!  Many of these “normal” things are now happening again, and if you don’t know where to look, your Community Builder can often help or advise.

In my patch of Paignton South, there are new activities like a Friday morning walk and talk group– generally shortish (-1 – 1.5 miles) and flat(ish) walks accessible from a local bus stop, with a refreshment stop en route or at the end.

We are hoping to start an outdoor Activities club meeting fortnightly where we will have an activity such as a bird identification walk, gentle exercise, golf driving range instruction, outdoor laughter Yoga,  Boules, a boat trip, and possibly cycling at the velo park or Archery.

The Hookhills community Centre is open and offering lunches on Sunday and Tuesday, exercise classes, skittles, bridge, short mat bowls, and a friendship group, – to name a few, but there really is something for everyone, open to all ages and welcoming to new members.

Classes and wellbeing events at Lupton House are resuming, and there is yoga at the beach in Preston on Wednesdays, with possibly one starting soon at Goodrington on Monday evenings.

It is lovely to see that the Palace Theatre in Paignton has got a new programme with some interesting daytime talks, plus evening productions, and a craft market is starting on Paignton Harbour on Friday evenings.

For anyone still unable or worried about getting out, there is a weekly Wednesday Quiz hour which you can join on your telephone, so there is no need to have a computer, or if you know anyone unable to get out who would like a game of Bingo, then this will be happening towards the end of June using both zoom or the telephone.

A monthly Bereavement Group will be starting at Furrough Cross Church in Torquay on the 4^th Thursday of the month, and litter picks are happening across the Bay to get it spick and span for the Summer.

For more local information, contact your Community Builder who can let you know what is happening near you. Gill – phone 07884 887063.