Local News

Spread a little caffeinated cheer this Christmas!

Devon Church sends out a 1,000 Christmas Hampers to people in need and require tea/coffee donations

It has been a difficult year for so many, and Rediscover Church in Exeter aims to spread Christmas cheer across the city by distributing about a 1,000 Christmas hampers to those in need.

The hampers are packed with a range of food including pasta, rice, sauces, biscuits, tea, coffee, mince pies, beans, soup and more to support a range of people through the festive period.

Here's how you can be Santa this year— could you donate tea and coffee? We need YOUR help to fill the...

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Meat 59 to open in Princesshay next week

Independent burger restaurant comes to city centre

Local success story Meat 59, an independent multi-site burger restaurant, will open its doors in Princesshay on Thursday 2nd December. Located next to Lucciano’s, the restaurant specialises in meat and produce from Devon and the surrounding areas and will have capacity for plenty of diners.

Michelle Menezes Princesshay Centre Manager said: “We’re excited to welcome the Meat 59 team to Princesshay. They are an impressive local team who make great food and brilliantly complement our range of dining options.”

The team at...

Foot Anstey launches electric car scheme to over 600 employees

Foot Anstey, the national law firm, is taking a big step to reduce its carbon footprint by incentivising its over 600 employees to drive electric vehicles (EV) or ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEV). The firm, which has offices across the South West, London and Southampton, has struck a deal with Tusker, the car benefit company, to offer an affordable way for its employees to lease one of these green machines.

The scheme creates an affordable way for Foot Anstey employees to drive an electric car and contribute to a greener transport system by paying some of their pre-tax salary...

5m zero-carbon uncrewed boat will be welcomed to Penzance this weekend

A 5m zero-carbon uncrewed boat will be welcomed to Penzance this weekend (Saturday 27th/ Sunday 28th November) after 16 weeks in the Atlantic, where it has spent time at the edge of the continental shelf gathering scientific data on surface currents that govern Europe’s weather.

“Such long endurance in that extreme environment proves the robustness of the AutoNaut wave-propulsion system,” said Harry Spedding, General Manager of AutoNaut Ltd. “And it has been a great demonstration to our scientific and commercial stakeholders. With near-silence, and no fuel required, AutoNaut offers...

Mecca Exeter donating hamper to local community this Christmas

Following last year's success, Mecca Bingo Exeter is launching its second unique Everyone Deserves a Christmas appeal to help individuals and families in need this Christmas.

Mecca's renowned UK-wide Christmas appeal involves all 71 clubs across the country and aims to provide hampers to those most in need, allowing them to go through the Christmas season more comfortably. Last year, the original bingo brand partnered with 52 charities to raise an incredible total of £185,000 in cash and hamper donations, providing 3,800 hampers across the UK.

This Christmas, Mecca is...

Buckfast Abbey’s popular Christmas Market returns

Buckfast Abbey, in South Devon, has this week announced the line-up for its first Christmas Market in over two years. Taking place on Saturday 11th (10am-5.30pm) and Sunday 12th December (12.30-5.30pm), the market features more than 40 independent stalls ranging from crafts to local artisan food and drink producers.

Free to enter, and with limited free parking, the family-friendly weekend includes a treasure hunt for children and Alpaca experiences as well as plenty of opportunities to stock up on amazing food and drink, original presents, mulled wine and mince pies.

From...

Food Drink Devon has announced Greg Parsons, managing director of Sharpham Cheese, has been appointed its new chairperson.

Greg Parsons appointed chair of Food Drink Devon as membership reaches record levels

Food Drink Devon, one of the county’s leading food and drink organisations, has announced Greg Parsons, managing director of Sharpham Cheese, has been appointed its new chairperson. The announcement comes at a time when Food Drink Devon has recorded its highest ever membership numbers, meaning that it now represents more than 330 food and drink producers, retailers, hospitality venues and related businesses dedicated to serving up the best produce from the county.

Commenting on this, vice chair Mike Young says: “We are delighted to announce Greg Parsons has agreed to become chair...

Devon regional park wins prestigious planning award

The Clyst Valley Regional Park Masterplan has been declared the overall winner of the RTPI South West Awards for Planning Excellence 2021. Entered by East Devon District Council and judged as an excellent project setting out a framework for action on the ground, the masterplan was also the winner of the Awards Category ‘Excellence in Plan Making’.

The South West Awards for Planning Excellence 2021 celebrate projects and people who have helped create exceptional places and improved the lives of those who live and work there; highlighting how planning and planners work to create a...

The Exeter Christmas pop-up shop is back: Help raise vital funds for charity this Christmas

Cards for Good Causes, the charity Christmas card and gift retailer, had opened its doors in Exeter. The pop-up shop is in St. Martin's Church and is open Monday to Saturday 10am-4pm.

The not-for-profit organisation always has a huge selection of charity Christmas cards and seasonal gifts with proceeds donated back to local and national charities. In the last 10 years alone, they have raised over £40 million for charity and last year, the Exeter community raised an incredible £10,400 with the sale of charity cards and gifts in the pop-up shop.

Cards for Good Causes...

Exeter lab manager wins Sustainability Champion Award

A University of Exeter lab manager has been named a "Sustainability Champion" in the 2021 Green Gown Awards UK & Ireland .

Daniela Farina , who works at the Penryn Campus in Cornwall, won the staff sustainability category.

The judges said she showed "great application" and leadership, leading to results across University of Exeter labs that can also be replicated elsewhere.

The University also had three finalists in the awards, which recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges.

"Universities are...

Book signing comes hand in hand with carol singing at Otter!

A young singing sensation from Sidmouth will be at Otter Garden Centres in Ottery St Mary on November 27 to sign books he illustrated during illnesses and lockdowns.

James Mason-Carney will also be entertaining customers with renditions of popular songs and Christmas carols.

James hit the news last year when the children’s book that he illustrated was published to great acclaim. Written by his mum, Julie Claire-Carney, the book Tiggs and The Midnight Choir is based on James’s experiences as a chorister at Exeter Cathedral School.

It began when he was in recovery...