Tilly the Barn Owl entertains visitors to Sidmouth's Oasis Cafe

Meet Tilly the Barn Owl, who visited Sidmouth's Oasis Community Café with her human companion Nigel Palmer.

Nigel runs a rescue centre for wild birds with his wife Jo, and takes every opportunity to talk to people about these beautiful creatures, and the importance of conserving their natural habitats.

He explained that when a bird like Tilly is cared for by humans from a very young age, it grows up with no fear of people and is perfectly happy to be handled by them.

Oasis Cafe cancelled on Wednesday, December 16

The organisers of the Oasis Cafe have announced today (Tuesday, December 15) that tomorrow's session has been cancelled, as an extra precaution agaisnt Covid-19 in the run-up to Christmas.

There was going to be a video stream of a pantomime created by local storyteller Janet Dowling, featuring local residents.

But organiser Andie Milne said she had regretfully decided the session could not go ahead.

She and her team will have further discussions about the possible opening of the cafe over Christmas.

The Oasis Café was set up in September at the Dissenters Hall as a Covid-secure place for anyone who felt the need for a friendly chat over a coffee with the volunteers who run it.

The Sidmouth Oasis Cafe Facebook page will be updated with further information on opening times in the near future.