County council health and wellbeing theme at Devon County Show
The health and wellbeing of Devon’s communities will be the focus of Devon County Council’s county show marquee this year, with lots of opportunities to take part in a range of activities, as well as getting some useful lifestyle advice.
The choice of theme coincides with the council’s new responsibilities for public health, and for the team which provides and commissions many of the services that contribute to good health and wellbeing.
This year’s Devon County Show takes place on Thursday 16 May to Saturday 18 May, and the council’s marquee will be located adjacent to the Devon Drivers’ Centre.
Trained staff from the Health Promotion Devon team - part of the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust - will be on hand with a body analysis machine and to help people set a personal action plan. There will also be information and advice covering a wide range of topics, including mental and sexual health, stopping smoking, healthy eating and dental hygiene.
Members of the Active Devon team will be available to offer advice and information about a wide range of wide range of physical activity and sport available across the County, from everything from archery to zumba classes; and Travel Devon can provide guides on everything from cycle routes to car sharing.
Devon’s Director of Public Health Dr Virginia Pearson, said: “We’re really pleased that we’ve been able to use this year’s county show exhibit to focus on some of the most important services that contribute to our health and wellbeing, and which span the life course, through from having the healthiest start in life to staying fit and healthy in older age.
“It’s an opportunity for members of the public to come and meet the team, find out what we do, and look at ways they can improve their own health, that of their families and even their local community.
“People can also take part in a range of activities, from a county show walking challenge and trying out a rowing machine, to having a BMI check.”
The marquee will showcase some high tech equipment for visitors to try out – in association with the Tour of Britain, Exercise Science Consultancy and The Bike Shed, Exeter. There will be a preview of this year's Devon Stage which will cover 85 miles (137km) of the county from Sidmouth to Haytor in Dartmoor National Park on Friday 20 September, and visitors to the show will have the opportunity to experience cycling some of the route without even leaving the showground.
A Travel Devon roadshow will offer advice for commuters on sustainable travel including walking and cycling; and members of the Devon Highways team, with partners from South West Highways will offer information on flooding and damage to roads, as well as the chance to see a gully wagon and demonstration on cleaning gullies.
Outside the marquee will be a gazebo hosting a campaign from the Trading Standards Team and South West Smoke Free Alliance, with information about the issue of illegal tobacco.
Also in attendance will be the Alzheimer’s Society which is managing a year-long dementia referrals programme funded by Devon County Council.
Devon’s fostering team will be hosting a stand where anyone thinking about fostering can get information and advice, and talk to people who have fostering experience.
The popular community partnership Love Local Food will again be running a café area inside the marquee, offering a place for stand visitors to sit down and talk to health advisors or the dementia team.
Devon County Council Chairman Jerry Brook will be attending the marquee to see the exhibits and take part in some of the activities, including the lifestyle check and the Tour of Britain bike challenge.
Cllr Brook said: “With our new responsibilities for keeping Devon’s communities fit and healthy, it makes perfect sense for us to use this year’s county show to show the public how we plan to achieve this.
“As well as our public health team, we will have staff from services across the council providing information and advice on everything from highways to dementia care, and the Love Local Food café will give people the chance to sit down and have some refreshments while talking to our staff.
“I’d encourage visitors to the show to come along and visit our marquee, take advantage of the wealth of information and advice on offer, try out an activity or simply find out more about some of the services the council provides and talk to our staff."
