August was a rainy month for tourists and locals. There was one upside to the downpours however; the wet weather has made for a bumper crop of apples in the National Trust orchards at Killerton and the trees are heavy with fruit ready to be made into cider.

2014 was a memorable summer, but an apple crop to forget, producing only 3,000 litres of cider. But this year the trees are so full that the National Trust hopes to double its production.

To help harvest all the apples five local schools are lending a hand, with 199 pupils enjoying a trip to the orchards to learn about...

As part of Dyslexia Awareness Week 2015, Tom McLaughlin, children’s author and illustrator will be hosting a story time session at Waterstones in Exeter (High Street branch).

Tom will be showcasing showcasing two of his children’s books by Bloomsbury Publishing, as well as sharing his own personal experiences of dyslexia on Monday 5 October.

At the story session, Tom, who is local to Exeter, will be reading from The Story Machine and The Cloudspotter.

The Cloudspotter tells the story of a young boy called Franklin, but everyone calls him The Cloudspotter. He doesn’t...

The writing was on the wall for Exmouth’s mayor at the opening of a new graffiti wall at Phear Park

On Saturday 26 September, 75 enthusiastic young people picked up cans of spray paint to help local artist Ryan Stuart create a vibrant example of street art on a new graffiti wall at Phear Park in Exmouth as part of a joint East Devon District Council and Exmouth Town Council community initiative.

The event, which also featured a mini skateboard competition run by Hurtle skateboards and a circus skills session, was organized by East Devon District Council’s Housing SWITCH...

Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was stabbed several times outside a Devon nightclub on Sunday morning (4 October).

Police say the man received multiple superficial stab wounds as a result of a disorder outside the Crash Manor nightclub in Plymouth at around 5.30am.

The man was taken to Derriford Hospital, but later released after having received medical attention.

Police are appealing for witnesses and enquiries are ongoing.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 quoting reference 279...

October 2015 sees the welcome return of the “Baring-Gould Folk Weekend”.

This intimate and family-friendly folk festival, hosted by Okehampton-based music organisation Wren Mu-sic, brings great local and national music and international dance, and blends them with locally-sourced food and drink and an electric atmosphere to create an unforgettable weekend out for the whole family.

Guest highlights this year include Lady Maisery, a fabulous female trio exploring vocal harmony to breath-taking effect, through their fresh interpretations of songs and ballads, as well as Janet...

Bloodshed, beatings and broken limbs, fireworks, gunshots and riots, are not things people associate with today’s well-respected Salvation Army.

But a new book, published by The Salvation Army in its 150th anniversary year, called Blood on the Flag, highlights that in its early years these were everyday occurrences faced by members of the Church and charity.

The troubles began after the rapid early success of The Salvation Army that drew large crowds to hear preachers to town centres, and also the movement’s promotion of abstinence.

Major Nigel Bovey, author of...

RMBI care home Cadogan Court, Exeter, has celebrated British Food Fortnight with an array of foodie events including a menu of local produce from the West Country, a Macmillan’s Coffee Morning and afternoon tea.

The fortnight lasted from 19 September to 4 October in which RMBI adopted a special menu of local produce from the West Country including a full English breakfast with local sausages and eggs, pork for lunch and an afternoon cream tea.

Angela Webb, Activities Coordinator at Cadogan Court in Exeter, said: “Food is the perfect way to bring people together and British...

Exeter Chiefs were indebted to a late penalty from replacement Will Hooley to ensure they secured victory over rivals Gloucester in their latest Westcountry Challenge Cup encounter.

Having already seen off the Cherry & Whites and Bath on home soil, Rob Baxter’s side ensured the newly-created Cup would be heading to Sandy Park, even though they still have a game to play in the competition away to Bath next week.

Having dominated the early exchanges to lead through converted tries from Thomas Waldrom and Luke Cowan-Dickie, the Chiefs allowed their hosts to hit back before...

Report

Joel Grant's second Exeter City goal was cancelled out by Lenell John-Lewis as it ended all-square at Rodney Parade.

Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale made two changes to the Grecians line-up that won at Portsmouth in midweek, with both Matt Oakley and Will Hoskins coming in to start. However, Hoskins wouldn't make it to the starting whistle - he pulled up in the warm-up, with Clinton Morrison taking his starting place. It had been a very significant week for the Welsh club, with the supporters' trust raising the necessary funds to purchase the club from Lottery...

Large proportion of those in the South West fail to be ‘on the money’ when it comes to who’s who on bank notes They are some of the most important and “noteworthy” figures in British history. But according to a new survey, over three in five people living in the South West (62%) admit they struggle identify the famous faces who appear on our banknotes. Researchers presented 2,000 British adults with images of the £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes. In the South West, just over one in three were able to name philanthropist and social reformer Elizabeth Fry who is the face of the £5, with 34 percent...