By Ceri Silk, Community Builder for Torquay Town Centre

Double double toil and trouble. Fire burn and cauldron bubble…

The bewitching weekend is upon us, and Torquay town centre shop windows are lavish with vibrant arrays of spooky memorabilia.

Originally, the festival of All Hallows’ Day, Halloween has been celebrated with great enthusiasm and often outright abandon in Torquay since the Victorians.

Yes, the nights are drawing in, and the weather has turned chilly, but don’t let that stop you from getting out and about; there’s loads going on in Torbay.

As the new community builder for the Torquay town centre area, I’m really thrilled to be starting this position at a time when there is a real momentum to make some improvements, reconnect with our neighbourhood and rediscover the hidden treasures, and the wealth of skills, experience, and knowledge that exist in this area.

So dress up warm, gap your brolly and head out…

Coffee mornings and lunches are opening up in local churches and community cafes all around the Bay.

Why not pop in for a coffee and a chat, or lunch and a game of bingo at your community café, run by Ellacombe Community Partnership?

The cafe is open Tuesday to Friday from 10.30 am to 2 pm at Torbay Community Development Trust in Temperance Street TQ2 5PU – just behind McDonald’s.

Fancy a fun-filled spooky weekend? Join Torquay Museum on October 30 for a Witches and Wizards Halloween Day, or hunt for pumpkins at Kents Cavern.

Get moving with Torquay seafront walkers, meeting every Monday from November 1 at Torre Abbey Tea Rooms at 10.30 am to begin a leisurely stroll along our beautiful seafront.

From veterans lunches to knit ‘n’ natter; ‘Move it or Lose it’ exercise classes to fun football, check out Torbay Together website for the latest community-lead activities – https://torbaytogether.org.uk/activities/service

Please feel free to call me on 07931 567 885 and I will be happy to chat about what’s going on in your area and/ or help you get something started.

Let’s get together and make magic happen, of course, remember to follow social distancing guidelines and wear a mask if you’re able.