Some info on buses here: http://www.carlberry.co.uk/rfnshowo.asp?O=SDEVON (52 goes Exeter to Sidmouth) but think you'll have to phone to get strike info.

Strikes have been happening for 2 non-consecutive days a week for the past 3 weeks, so you should be able to make it one day! I believe the
management has organised a limited service during the strikes, so you may be able to go then if you want. (FYI believe strike is about drivers being expected to work 45 hour weeks amongst other things).

As for more general sessions in Exeter, I only ever seem to come across
singy things. There's a fledgling music session that's been happening on the last Friday of the month (caught the end of it yesterday), does anyone know of anything else?