Local News

Westbank’s Community Allotment made accessible to all thanks to Kier’s volunteers

Manpower and materials donated to Westbank Community Health and Care by the Kier Group have transformed the charity’s Community Allotment at Exminster into a space that’s accessible to everyone.

Eleven local volunteers from Kier’s Natural Resources Nuclear & Networks division recently worked over a total of about 4 days to create a tarmac access ramp, level the ground and lay a concrete pathway to make the allotment accessible to wheelchair users. The monetary value of the work amounts to approximately £7,000, including labour and materials.

Kerry Fenton of Kier NRNN...

Enjoy a sizzling summer of fun in Exeter

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 05/21/2024 - 8:57pm

Exeter is the place to be this Summer with so much going on across the city.

Whether it’s a splash in one of Exeter’s water parks, a stroll down at the Quay, or history and pageantry in the city centre, there’s something for everyone.

It all gets underway this bank holiday weekend with the ever-popular water-play facilities opening up across the city.

With the weather warming up, the paddling pools at Heavitree Pleasure Ground and the Splashpad at St Thomas Pleasure Ground will be opening on Friday ahead of the long weekend. The water-play facilities will be...

Ready, set, shake! Exeter Cocktail Week Returns Next Week

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 05/21/2024 - 4:00pm

As the city prepares for the cocktail event of the year to take place this May, organisers of Exeter Cocktail Week can now reveal the event’s stellar line-up of cocktail bars, events and cocktails.

Running from Wednesday, May 29th to Wednesday, June 5th, Exeter Cocktail Week attendees are encouraged to explore the city’s thriving bar and hospitality scene by sampling exclusive cocktails in the festival's participating venues.

Three new bars have signed up for this year’s Exeter Cocktail Week. Lloyds Lounge, Becketts and Hubbox are all new additions for 2024.

The...

Exeter Pre-Prep pupils run over 100 miles to raise money for local charity

Pupils at Exeter Pre-Prep School in Exminster have recently run the equivalent of four marathons as part of a sponsored fun run to raise money for Westbank Community Health and Care, a local charity that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people across Devon.

With 72 children under the age of seven, the school hoped that pupils and staff would be able to run a collective marathon (26 miles) throughout the day, with each class taking turns to run laps around the school grounds. However, they managed to clock up a combined total of 112 miles, the equivalent of more than four...

Devon domestic abuse charity secures materials prize

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 05/20/2024 - 9:34am

A Devon charity that seeks to empower survivors of domestic abuse is planning renovation works after winning building materials in a nationwide competition.

SAFE Foundation, based in Exeter, has been named as one of the first winners in Selco Builders Warehouse’s Community Heroes 2024 campaign.

The Community Heroes campaign by Selco, one of the UK’s leading builders merchants, gives community groups and good causes the chance to secure materials to use on a project.

The charity has secured £500 of building materials to improve its facilities – and will also be a...

Stagecoach South West introduces timetable changes across the network

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 05/20/2024 - 8:46am

This May local bus operator Stagecoach South West are introducing some changes to timetables across their regional bus network.

As we move into the Summer, some areas across Devon will see timetables benefit from enhancements to better reflect the seasonal demand.

In partnership with Plymouth City Council and thanks to BSIP+ funding Service 2 will see the frequency of buses increased across the week.

Some timetables will also see intermediate running times revised on all days of operation to improve reliability and punctuality.

Full details of the...

Second term for ‘excellent’ Exeter Lord Mayor

By Guy Henderson, local democracy reporter.

Exeter’s longest-serving councillor will serve a second term as the city’s Lord Mayor.

Cllr Kevin Mitchell (Lib Dem, Duryard and St James) was first elected to the city council in 2003, and is officially its ‘senior citizen’.

He said he was extremely proud to be nominated for a second year.

He was nominated by Cllr Laura Wright (Lab, St Thomas), who said: “He has been an excellent ambassador for the city, and has done his job with huge enthusiasm and enjoyment.”

She said his work with local community...

‘Lot of work’ being done to get NHS Devon out of special measures, says Health Secretary at medical training unveiling

By Bradley Gerrard, local democracy reporter

A “lot of work” is being done to help NHS Devon escape special measures, the Health Secretary Victoria Atkins has said, as she unveiled extra medical training places for the county.

Ms Atkins, who has held the Health and Social Care Secretary role for around six months, said the Government was “looking to the future” and that the extra medical school places announced for Exeter and Plymouth as part of a nationwide scheme would provide a boost.

In relation to NHS Devon being in special measures, she stated efforts were...

Ryanair winter schedule now on sale from Exeter Airport

Ryanair’s winter schedule is now on sale from Exeter Airport with flights bookable right through to March 2025.

The airline has just released thousands of winter seats via ryanair.com including flights from Exeter Airport to Alicante and Malaga in Spain, both of which operate year-round.

Ryanair also flies from Exeter Airport to Faro in Portugal and in May this year launched a new service to Palma in Majorca. These flights run for the summer season until late October.

Stephen Wiltshire, Managing Director of Exeter Airport, said: "Spain is a hugely popular winter...

Local homebuilder steps up for mental health in Devon with £1,500 donation to Step One Charity

Step One, a charity dedicated to supporting individuals facing mental health and wellbeing challenges, has received a generous donation of £1,500 from local homebuilder Barratt David Wilson Homes Exeter. The donation will contribute towards initiatives such as the BeWell@StepOne programme, which provides peer-to-peer support to tackle social isolation and promote mental wellbeing across Devon.

The history of Exeter-based Step One Charity dates to its founding in 1937 as St Loye's College to provide support for people with disabilities to develop skills and achieve their potential...

Devon Music Education Hub to be created from September

Authored by Daisy Hall
Posted: Thu, 05/16/2024 - 9:00pm

All children throughout Devon, Plymouth and Torbay will continue to have the chance to play an instrument, learn to sing and create music with the creation of a single Devon Music Education Hub.

From September Devon County Council (DCC), which is responsible for the existing Music Hubs for Devon and Torbay, will work with Plymouth Youth Music Service and lead music education provision across the region.

It follows the recent announcement by Arts Council England and the Department for Education for a new generation of Music Hubs, covering every part of England – and...

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