In late 2025, Natural Mr Universe Champion Ed Akay released his debut biography From Darkness, written by Jason Reading, which topped the Amazon bestseller charts in two categories. Riding that success, Akay continued his literary journey with A Legacy of Serenades, an intimate and emotionally charged poetry collection originally written as a private gift for his wife, Helen.
Spanning more than eleven years, the collection brings together poems first crafted to mark life’s most meaningful moments, now curated into a single volume. Upon its release in January 2026, A Legacy of...
Exeter Northcott Theatre names the first full-scale musical it will stage in more than 20 years as Little Shop of Horrors , the classic satirical play by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman this October, in collaboration with Lighthouse Poole and The Belgrade Theatre in Coventry.
Returning to full production of a musical for the first time in decades, this play consolidates the theatre’s commitment to ambitious, high-quality theatre made by and for the community it serves.
“This feels like an exciting moment for Exeter Northcott Theatre.” says Martin Berry, the Creative...
The Greendale Group (FWS Carter & Sons), a diverse, family-owned local business, with interests in farming, fishing, retail, property and haulage, has announced the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors: Martyn Youell, Tom Chanter and Richard Gibbons.
ffective immediately, these appointments will provide extra strength and stability to the board, helping to shape the business for years to come.
Youell brings over 15 years of experience in the fishing sector. As Commercial Director for Waterdance (the Group’s fishing enterprise), he has...
Improvement work to enhance bus services on Heavitree Road in Exeter will get underway next month (February).
The scheme, which will start on Monday 2 February, involves the construction of a new traffic island and installation of a new set of traffic signals at the end of the outbound (eastbound) bus lane between Grendon Road and Polsloe Road/Barrack Road.
These new signals will give buses priority at the Polsloe Road / Barrack Road junction, making it easier for buses to progress towards Heavitree Fore Street or move from the bus lane into the right turn lane for...
Exeter Philharmonic Choir’s Lord Mayor’s concert this spring is a not-to-be-missed musical event, and a first for EPC. On Saturday 14 March 2026 the choir and four soloists will sing Handel's majestic oratorio Solomon , a work not known to have been performed in Exeter Cathedral since its composition in 1748.
High drama, rich orchestration and some of Handel’s most exquisite choral writing combine in this rarely performed masterpiece, including the sparkling ‘Arrival of the Queen of Sheba’.
Exeter Philharmonic Choir is delighted to welcome Martha McLorinan as the wise...
The South West’s most promising learners were celebrated on Friday 16 January 2026 as Exeter College hosted its annual Student Awards at Sandy Park, showcasing the inspirational learners from the 2024/25 academic year and their remarkable achievements.
More than 170 guests, including sponsors, VIPs, College lecturers, and students’ families and friends, attended the ceremony, where 17 awards were handed out, recognising learner success across a variety of topics, from academic excellence and sport to adult learning and apprenticeships.
Nationwide and Dementia UK’s free face-to-face clinics are returning to Nationwide’s Torquay, Plymouth and Exmouth branches this February, offering specialist support in a safe, comfortable and private space for people to discuss any aspect of dementia.
Hosted by Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurses, the clinics are open to anyone impacted by dementia, offering life-changing support to families and individuals in the area. Appointments can be booked via Dementia UK’s website here .
The clinics will offer practical and emotional advice on all aspects of dementia – from worries...
Jewellery business Banwells has unveiled its new Sidmouth premises – demonstrating its commitment to supporting and contributing to a thriving town centre.
Banwells owners, Simon and Sally Vickers have completed the nine-month refurbishment of the one of the town’s most iconic buildings – County House, a grand three-storey Edwardian property in the centre of Sidmouth, which had fallen into disrepair.
As well as restoring the building to its former glory they have reinstated its original use as a jeweller. Records show the property has been home to silversmiths and jewellers...
16 January 2026 – Exeter - A groundbreaking art exhibition opening this month aims to shake up the Southwest's centuries-old love affair with picturesque seascapes and rural idylls.
'Not A Pretty Landscape' , running January 31st and February 1st, 2026 at Kaleider Studios in Exeter, brings together 15 artists aiming to shake up the Southwest's centuries-old love affair with picturesque seascapes and rural idylls. The exhibition offers portraits, contemporary pieces, and unconventional landscapes that reflect a modern West Country often overlooked in favour of ‘pretty landscapes...
