Naomi J Ryan is on the search for someone who deserves recognition this Christmas. Do you know someone who has made a significant contribution to improve the lives of those around them and who merit to be thanked for it? Then make sure to enter our ‘Nominate Your Local Hero’ December award.

If your nominee is a winner, they will be invited to meet the Naomi J Ryan team and collect their festive hamper from their office in Southernhay, Exeter. What a fantastic way to say a special thank you and to end 2016. If you would like to nominate someone, please visit our website , or our...

Kai Horstmann insists he and his Exeter Chiefs team-mates will use the disappointment of last weekend’s home defeat to Bordeaux Begles as the ideal motivation ahead of tomorrow’s latest European match-up in the Champions Cup (2pm).

Undone 13-7 by the Frenchman at Sandy Park last Sunday, the two clubs lock horns once more in Round 4 of the competition at the Stade Chaban Delmas.

Having suffered three defeats in as many games so far this season, it’s hardly been the European campaign Rob Baxter’s team would have envisaged when they set out in the opening fixture back in...

Home isn’t just where the heart is according to a new survey – home entertaining is on the increase and it’s where people are now more likely to entertain family and friends.

Households throughout the South West area are gearing up for everything from family gatherings through to kids’ parties, formal cocktail evenings and of course Christmas dinner, and a new survey has highlighted the importance of home as the perfect venue. As Christmas entertaining gets into full swing the survey from local housebuilder David Wilson Homes reveals that almost 50 per cent of people are more...

Devondale Electrical Wholesalers has been working with the RSPB in the creation of a new training and education centre.

Sited on the Exmouth Road near Aylesbeare, the log cabin is an impressive, sustainable building made from trees felled at a nearby reserve.

It was the vision of East Devon Nature Reserve Warden Toby Taylor, who has been working to make the concept into a reality since 2012.

The building offers accommodation for self-funded RSPB volunteers who stay for between 6 to 15 months, saving money for the charity which previously housed them in a rented...

Exeter BID’s Welcome Team is celebrating its first year in the city with a host of impressive statistics.

The Welcome Team was introduced in December last year to offer assistance to visitors, residents and BID levy payers in Exeter. The Welcome Team members, Myra, Darren and Paul provide the city with a ‘seven days a week’ service and work throughout the year except Christmas Day.

Craig Bulley, CEO of Exeter BID said: “The Welcome Team has been successful and I am really pleased the BID has been able to introduce this service to the city. Myra, Paul and Darren ensure that...

Visit South Devon has today unveiled a new look brand and refreshed website for tourism in South Devon, embracing tourism businesses and destinations across East Devon, Mid Devon, Teignbridge and South Hams. Created following its merger with Heart of Devon, the new brand, developed by Exeter brand agency, ‘Believe in’, is designed to create an evocative link between the shores and countryside of South Devon and happy holidays. Providing a one-stop shop for tourists looking for everything from tea shops in Tiverton to bodyboarding in Bantham, the expanded Visit South Devon brings together...

Splitz Devon Domestic Abuse Support Service (DDASS) has gained recognition for the quality of its management and service delivery to victims of domestic abuse, after being awarded a nationally recognised accreditation.

Leading Lights is awarded by SafeLives, and is the industry’s accreditation, awarded to domestic abuse services that meet the highest quality standards. Currently there are 49 services nationally that have achieved Leading Lights accreditation. The Leading Lights status is increasingly being recognised by commissioners and funders across the UK.

Chrissy...

Congratulations to James Sheppard from Exeter who has won our family pass to Princesshay's Gaint Snow Globe.

Thank you to everyone who entered.

*** COMPETITION CLOSED ***

We have teamed up with Princesshay to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a family pass to the Gaint Snow Globe.

The Winter Wonderland Giant Snow Globe is located at the lower end of Bedford Street, behind Debenhams, and is open to visitors until Christmas Eve.

The Snow Globe brings people together during the festive season, with a chance to have a photo taken with friends and...

A new bridge on Dartmoor has been named in memory of the late Professor Ian Mercer.

The bridge at Steward Wood, near Moretonhampstead, was installed by Devon County Council earlier this year as part of the latest section of the Wray Valley Trail.

The Moretonhampstead History Society requested that the newly installed bridge be named in memory of the late Professor Ian Mercer CBE, who died in September, aged 83, and the dedication ceremony was organised with the support of Dartmoor National Park Authority and Devon County Council.

Professor Mercer was an influential...

Nine-week-old Annabelle Gibbons was the youngest child to visit Santa at the Beacon Heath Christmas Fayre.

Dressed in a reindeer romper suit, Annabelle met Santa in his magical white wonderland at the Beacon Nursery. Annabelle’s mum Helen Hanlon-Gibbons was thrilled that her new daughter could meet Santa.

Annabelle and Helen joined hundreds of people for an afternoon of festive fun and shopping. Children sat in awe in Santa’s amazing grotto, created by staff, in the sensory room at the Beacon Nursery.

After seeing Santa, they were entertained by a balloon artist,...