Local Groups
Kenton Parish Council
We have a wide range of community groups with something for everyone to get involved with.
If you have a group that you would like us to add to the details below, please contact us.
ASK Friends
All Saints Kenton (ASK) Friends is a community organisation formed in September 2020 to support the conservation and maintenance of All Saints Church.
Many people in Kenton care deeply about the church building which has stood for centuries at the very heart of our village. Of great architectural interest and visited by people from all over the world, it represents our heritage. Regardless of religious belief, we need to preserve it for generations to come.
The Bells of All Saints Kenton
Kenton has a ring of 6 bells (tenor 12 cwt-560Kg) cast in 1747 by Thomas Bilbie of Cullompton, they were re-hung and re-tuned with all new fittings in 2000 by Nicholson of Bridport. The money for the re-hanging was raised by the ringers over a period of about 3 years at a total cost of about £24,000.
We have an enthusiastic band of ringers, some of whom come from outside the parish; we have a group of learners of varying ages and are keen to encourage more, we also help at Exminster where there is a fine ring of 8. Sunday service ringing is from 9.00-1.00, 1st and 3rd Sunday. Practice night is Monday 19.00-21.00. The emphasis on Monday is to encourage and train newer ringers with experienced ringers passing on their knowledge.
At Kenton we maintain the tradition of ringing Devon Call Changes and pride ourselves on setting a reasonably high standard ringing. Some of our ringers are keen competition ringers and frequently come among the top 6 teams in the County. Although we ring call changes we welcome bands of method ringers but because we want to maintain good relationships with the village we only allow quarter peals by visitors.
Living in Devon means that particularly in the summer we get lots of visiting bands a love to see them, arrangements can be made through me at the address below.
Mike Adams. 1, Manor Gardens, Kenton, Exeter. EX6 8NQ. (Phone: 01626 801626/890578 )
Kenton Nature and Green Spaces
Kenton Nature and Green Spaces (KN&GS) will contribute to enhancing the green spaces in and around the village of Kenton, Devon in accordance with good
environmental practices for the benefit of residents, the natural environment and wildlife, supporting Kenton Parish Council (KPC).
The group may also provide recommendations to KPC about ensuring that their policies and procedures are consistent with good practice in enhancing biodiversity and sustainability with the view to create managed wild/green space, while creating a positive impact on the wellbeing of the village residents.”
The group formed in the autumn of 2024 after consulting with the village on the name of the group and getting support from talented and creative villagers to design a logo.
The group has a core committee, currently with five villagers, In addition the group have got a number of supporters and advisors. KN&GS is linked to Kenton Parish Council and has a champion in the KPC committee.
Activities
The initial project for the group has been to enhance the natural space at Harmony Meadow, next to the Cemetery on Mamhead Road. Group members have been meeting the first and third Sundays of the month to put up birdboxes, a hedgehog home, clearing weeds, plan spring planting and improve the walkway through the copse.
The group has also done a couple of litter picks, a community walk, a festive gathering at Rodean and liaised with a tree surgeon regarding trees with ash die back disease at Harmony Meadow, received a grant of £500 from Our Green Future and a young tree from Teignbridge District Council.
Upcoming
The Allotment Association chair has highlighted that they would like to ask if the group can support the Sensory Garden at the allotment site, monthly in the growing season. The group is hoping to have sufficient volunteers to be able to support with this in 2025.
The grant received from Our Green Future is for some of the work outlined above and a picnic bench, we are investigating if one bench could be located at Harmony Meadow and one near the willow trees, off Slittercombe Lane – for anyone to use.
part from what is mentioned above, some additional ideas for Harmony Meadow include improving the hedges, taking down defunct bird boxes and improving the existing benches. Our newest core member has experience in making domestic gardens wildlife friendly, so expect some upcoming top tips.
Following the initial few months, we’d like to say thank you for the support from fellow-villagers who have been willing to share their previous experience, knowledge and networks. We have also been very well supported by villagers from many walks of life.
Kenton Past and Present
Our society was formed in 2007 to provide a forum to investigate the local history of Kenton Parish and the surrounding area. Our aims are to promote an interest and extend knowledge of Kenton, its history, buildings, monuments, community life, and all aspects of historic interest, by arranging talks, exhibitions, visits and research projects.
Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of alternate months at 7.30pm. at Kenton Victory Hall. There is usually a talk by a local historian followed by a question and answer session. For details of this year’s programme please click here.
New members are always welcome. You do not have to live in Kenton to become a member, just to have an interest in its history. If you wish to join you can download a membership form here or come along to a meeting and join on the evening. Annual membership fees are £14 per adult, payable in January. Non-members are very welcome to attend individual meetings for an admission charge of £6.
For further information contact Dave Everson 01626 890 734 or email: kentonpastandpresent@gmail.com
Kenton Twinning Association
Kenton twinned with St Lambert-du-Lattay (France) and Linkebeek (Belgium) in 1996 in a ceremony on Kenton Triangle. A twinning weekend is organised every other year in one of the villages (e.g. 2012 in Linkebeek, 2014 in Kenton and 2016 in St Lambert). The twinning committees of the three villages also encourage other groups to have their own exchanges, one example of which was the visit to Kenton in 2010 by the Linkebeek Camerata Orchestra.
Twinning weekends involve different social events intended to provide something to appeal to everyone, and it really is true that twinning is fun. The Twinning has no formal membership, and all its events are open to everyone who wishes to participate.
St Lambert-du-Lattay is a wine growing village in the Anjou region, situated about 20 km south of Angers. Linkebeek is close to Brussels but has kept a rural character which has encouraged a number of artists to live there.
Kenton Twinning Association is largely funded from its own fundraising, though it has benefited from grant funding from time to time. Entertaining 100 visitors from France and Belgium is an expensive business and our funds also subsidise the cost of travel to St Lambert and Linkebeek in order to make those trips affordable for everyone. We aim to make our fundraising events social and enjoyable. Our biggest annual fundraiser is the Duck Race held each year on New Years Day.
For further information please contact:
Richard Walford: (01626) 890617 or
Julie Gibbs: (01626) 890083
Kenton Village Allotments
Kenton Village Allotments on Mamhead Road, adjacent to the village cemetery, provide a wonderful setting for over 40 fertile plots tended with loving care. In less than four years plot holders have got to grips with their designated areas (some full plots, others smaller) and transformed the corner of what once was a derelict strawberry field into a communal oasis of fruit, vegetables and flowers.
It is good to see folk from the village, some of whom without the facility of the allotments would have remained complete strangers, busy carrying out seasonal tasks and learning from each other. Everyone involved has worked hard to transform this area into a real therapeutic village resource.
Kenton Village Allotments Association (KVA) hold a number of events each year including a popular summer open day with produce show and several work days to keep the site tidy. Members have contributed to the new Village Farmers’ Market, frequently donated produce to local charities and the harvest festival. The school plot provides an opportunity for children to ‘grow their own’ and eat them during school dinners!
KVA welcome applications from people keen to have an allotment, plots are often available.
