Local News

Kids embark on magical journey

At the golden age of 81, former Exeter News and Photographic Service reporter Fay Knowles (nee Johanson) has announced the launch of her first children’s book - “Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure”!

Action packed and heart-warming, Fay says children will love and learn from this fun adventure story of family togetherness, simplicity and resilience!

“Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure”, a fully illustrated chapter book, tells of two young Bahamian boys, who are thrilled when their parents decide to take them to remote Coco Plum Island, to surprise their grandparents...

A Very Merry Million: Exeter Man’s Scratchcard Win Meant an Extra Special Christmas

Christmas magic well and truly arrived in Exeter, where local business-owner Lee Dart (55) celebrated after winning a spectacular £1M top prize on The National Lottery’s ‘£30M Christmas Extravaganza’ Scratchcard.

Lee, who owns his own sign-making company, had popped into his local shop where he decided to treat himself to a festive Scratchcard. His tactic when it comes to picking Scratchcards was to select them completely at random, and this time it proved to work well for him. After scratching it there and then in the shop, it quickly dawned on him that this was not just any...

Taylor Wimpey Exeter donates over 3,000 winter essentials to homeless people and £10,000 to charity

Taylor Wimpey Exeter has donated 3,011 hats, gloves, scarves and socks to homelessness charity, CRASH, through collections from across the region.

As part of its Wrap Up Warm campaign, the leading homebuilder has donated over 14,000 much needed winter essentials to 24 homelessness centres in England, Scotland and Wales in support of its national charity partners - CRASH, St Mungo’s and CRISIS.

Taylor Wimpey Exeter collected the most winter essentials out of every Taylor Wimpey region, and came up with the most engaging video that showcased the collecting journey....

The toys and hampers were delivered to 50 local families

Westbank delivers 50 Christmas hampers to local families with the help of the business community

Businesses in and around Exeter have rallied to help the Exminster-based charity Westbank Community Health and Care to deliver 50 hampers to support local families this Christmas. A huge donation of children’s toys were a last minute addition to the food hampers - a special donation from Cars and Cuppas, which runs monthly events in Exeter.

Numerous organisations donated festive fare and their time to ensure Westbank’s hampers were packed full of goodies to bring some Christmas cheer to the local community. Volunteers from NatWest’s Exeter branch helped wrap gifts and prepare the...

Library

Exeter Pupils Invited to Enter Dream Library Design Competition

Authored by MediaA
Posted: Tue, 12/23/2025 - 12:12pm

Portakabin launches school library initiative as children’s reading enjoyment hits its lowest level in two decades

Aligning with the government’s pledge to provide a library in every primary school, Portakabin will deliver a fully equipped library building to one school, shaped by the winning design.

The competition invites primary school pupils and teachers to imagine and design their dream school library, supporting a UK-wide effort to address the shortage of library spaces in primary schools.

The initiative follows Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ recent pledge to...

IT Donation

Devon Contract Waste supports Donate IT with ReTech to Empower Young People in Education

Devon Contract Waste (DCW) is excited to launch ReTech, a reuse service taking customers unwanted Laptop’s, Tablets and Smart phones, donating them to people experiencing hardship across Devon.

The service is delivered in partnership with Blackmore who securely remove and prepare all suitable devices for reuse. This initiative will help tackle digital isolation, supporting young people in need, adults who have no way to apply for jobs or undertake everyday digital tasks, homeless people without a phone to contact their friends and family and other groups who are limited in how they...

Dexter the racehorse delivers Christmas joy to Bramble Ward after successful ELF Raceday

Authored by Lucy
Posted: Sun, 12/21/2025 - 10:09pm

Dexter, Exeter Racecourse’s much-loved mascot, swapped the parade ring for a special festive mission last week as he delivered bags of Christmas presents to children on Bramble Ward at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

The gifts were donated by generous racegoers who attended Exeter Racecourse’s recent ELF Raceday, held in support of the Exeter Leukaemia Fund (ELF). Dozens of presents were collected at the racecourse’s gifting drop-off point and will now be shared with children and young patients in the lead-up to Christmas.

General manager Jack Parkinson said: “We...

Help Betty find the purr-fect forever home

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Sun, 12/21/2025 - 8:50pm

Beautiful Betty has been searching for a new home through Blue Cross for over 200 days. This Christmas, the charity is appealing to the public to help find this friendly cat a new purr-fect home.

Betty was admitted to Blue Cross Devon in May and has been patiently waiting for a loving home ever since. The five-year-old Tortoiseshell cat is described as a sweet girl that would love to live in a quiet home. She is sociable around people and loves brushing herself against legs for fuss and attention.

Annaliese Langworthy, Centre Manager of Blue Cross in Devon, said: Betty...

Big-hearted Exeter Students Host Festive Feast for Community

Big-hearted students in Exeter brought Christmas cheer to dozens of local families after hosting a festive community dinner filled with music, laughter and generosity.

Students at St James School in Exeter, part of the Ted Wragg Trust, welcomed families from across the city for their annual Christmas community celebration, spreading festive spirit through song, food and warm hospitality.

Performing Arts students set the tone for the evening by singing seasonal favourites such as ‘Last Christmas’ and ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ as guests arrived . And as the 85 guests...

Cranbrook Leisure Centre project progresses

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Sun, 12/21/2025 - 8:22pm

Design work is underway for a new leisure centre, a key addition to Cranbrook’s expanding town centre, with proposals including a 25-metre and learner pool, gym, fitness studios, soft play, and a café.

Residents’ feedback will help shape the proposals for the new leisure centre, so that these facilities meet the needs of a growing population, expected to reach more than 20,000 people. Two engagement events are planned, with the first set to take place in early 2026. Following engagement with residents, the planning application for the leisure centre is expected to be submitted in...

Police remind residents to lock their doors and report suspicious activity

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 12/18/2025 - 8:55pm

Police in South Devon are urging residents to keep their doors locked overnight and make sure burglars are not given an easy ride.

Several incidents have been reported of car keys being taken by opportunistic offenders but victims have also reported other personal items being stolen such as phones, jewellery and cash.

Various towns and villages across South Devon such as Torquay, Paignton, Newton Abbot and Teignmouth have been affected and those victims reporting incidents so far have been from a range of ages. Residents can heed some simple advice to make their homes...

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