The Exe estuary is a fantastic place; it is an internationally important site for wildlife, provides countless opportunities to enjoy water sports and other activities, including bird watching, and is essential to the local economy from its successful commercial interests

The Exe estuary is a fantastic place; it is an internationally important site for wildlife, provides countless opportunities to enjoy water sports and other activities, including bird watching, and is essential to the local economy from its successful commercial interests to the amount of tourists that visit.

As such it is central to the lives of the communities and towns along her banks. The Exe Estuary Management Partnership would like to celebrate the wonderful Exe estuary with you at the Exe Estuary Festival, Spirit of the Exe - an Exe-travaganza on Saturday, August 8

The festival will be a showcase for the clubs, organisations and businesses that are part of the life and vibrancy of this very special place. If you would like to come along with a stand about your organisation please contact us to book your place (01392 382238 / exeestua@devon.gov.uk)

The event will include informative presentations, live music, a cabaret style comedy performance, stalls, bouncy castles, power kite displays, and much more including the Exe Estuary Art Competition that was featured in last week's Exmouth Journal. Don't forget to keep sending your entries in to the partnership for the art competition, the deadline is Friday, July 17. Entries can be any form of art, such as photos, drawings, sculptures, as long as it symbolises what the Exe Estuary means to you. Prizes include a Scuba Dive Session with Jurassic Coast Divers, Family Cycle Hire Day with Exmouth Cycle Hire and a Family ticket to Powderham Castle

The event will be free to enter and will take place between 11am and 5pm at the Maer in Exmouth. Fun and frolics are guaranteed so come along, get involved and learn about the Exe at the same time.

Exmouth train and bus station and the various ferry services on the Exe provide fantastic access to the event and are just a 10 minute stroll, mostly along the seafront, from the Maer. Ferry services are available from Starcross (Exe to Sea Cruises - 07974772681) and Topsham (Stuart line - 01395 222144). The land train will also be available to transport visitors from the ferry terminal and train station to the festival. Pay and display car parking is also available very close to the Maer.