What's on in and around Exeter this weekend (10-12 May)

Need some inspiration for the weekend? Look no further than our round up of the best events happening in and around Exeter over the next few days:

THEATRE

Jethro Friday, 8pm, Exmouth Pavilion The world’s funniest Cornishman brings his unique brand of irrepressible and irresistible West Country wit, which is definitely for adults only, to the Exmouth Pavilion for a fun-filled night of comedy entertainment. Over 18s only. Tickets £20. Box office 01395 222477 to book now www.ledtickets.co.uk

Al Murray: The Only Way is Epic Saturday, 7.30pm, Northcott Theatre, Exeter...

Landlords affected by changes to immigration laws

In her speech yesterday in Parliament, the Queen announced a number of changes to the Immigration Bill, aiming to "ensure that this country attracts people who will contribute, and deter those who will not." These changes could have implications for South West businesses and landlords, not just immigrants themselves.

One of the announced proposed changes to the Immigration Bill is that landlords will have to check the immigration status of prospective tenants before granting them a tenancy agreement – and if they don’t they will potentially have to pay a hefty fine.

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Residential market is returning to pre-recession activity

Wilkinson Grant & Company has made two new full-time appointments at its highly successful Topsham branch.

Negotiators Greg Cross and Bella Craddock join the Topsham team following a hugely successful 2012 when the Topsham office increased turnover by nearly 50% on the previous year and is reporting an exceedingly busy first quarter in 2013 as the residential market begins to return to pre-recession levels of activity.

With a career spanning 10 years in the industry in Exeter and London, Negotiator Greg Cross is delighted to be working in the area where he grew up and...

County council health and wellbeing theme at Devon County Show

The health and wellbeing of Devon’s communities will be the focus of Devon County Council’s county show marquee this year, with lots of opportunities to take part in a range of activities, as well as getting some useful lifestyle advice.

The choice of theme coincides with the council’s new responsibilities for public health, and for the team which provides and commissions many of the services that contribute to good health and wellbeing.

This year’s Devon County Show takes place on Thursday 16 May to Saturday 18 May, and the council’s marquee will be located adjacent to the...

Wood provides heat for South West Forestry Commission

Authored by Gill Vosper
Posted: Thu, 05/09/2013 - 3:01pm

The Forestry Commission in the South West has taken the lead in promoting green energy and best practice by installing a wood pellet boiler to heat its new offices in Kennford.

Exeter-based renewables company Fair Energy has installed a new biomass heating system to provide heat for the woodland organisation’s new regional office. The organisation’s regional branch recently relocated to a refurbished site in Haldon Forest Park, and is now saving an estimated 6 tonnes in carbon emissions each year by replacing electric storage heaters.

Keen to heat its new regional base...

Greenway battles for its bluebells

National Trust gardeners at Greenway, the much-loved holiday home of Agatha Christie, are currently engaged in a battle to protect the stunning bluebells in the romantic woodland garden from an aggressive weed threatening their habitat.

Unwelcome and invasive, the three-cornered leek, or three-cornered garlic as it is also known, is similar in appearance to a white Bluebell, but with a distinctive smell and a narrow green stripe down the centre of each petal.

Belinda Smith, Visitor Experience Manager for the National Trust English Riviera explains: "Pretty as they are, the...

Vintage fun at the National Trust English Riviera

On Friday 17 May, two beautiful National Trust places on the English Riviera will each step back in time to their heyday as they host a Swiss vintage car tour.

A wide range of classic cars will be included in the tour, which stops at Coleton Fishacre, the epitome of 1920s elegance; as well as Greenway, the holiday home of the queen of crime Agatha Christie.

The two elegant houses fit fantastically with the glamour and style of the luxurious cars, which range from Austin Healey 100 Ms to Jaguar MK IXs, and Alvis Cabrio Grabers to Mercedes Cabriolets.

Anna-Marie Hardt...

Exeter City receive Family Excellence Award from the Football League

Exeter City are delighted to announce that the club has been awarded the Family Excellence Award by the Football League. The announcement was made at St Andrew’s, the home of Birmingham City, on Wednesday 8 May. Each of the 72 Football League clubs receives two visits a year from a mystery family who judge the club on more than 70 supporter touch-points on a matchday. The clubs have to achieve a minimum score of 75 per cent on each visit and that there must be an improvement in the second report to prove on-going commitment. Last year, Exeter City lost their status as a holder of the...

How coffee can save the world

Authored by Paigntonzoo
Posted: Thu, 05/09/2013 - 12:09pm

A Devon conservation charity plans to revolutionise the difficult relationship between conservation and consumerism.

Living Coasts, Torquay’s coastal zoo, has introduced a shade-grown, ethical rainforest coffee that – unlike most other coffees – does not threaten the habitat of rare species.

The Zoo’s parent charity, the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, has led the way in linking consumer ethics to wildlife conservation and has tried to drive palm oil – produced across South East Asia in plantations that are destroying orang utan habitat – from its catering business....

The Duchess of Cornwall to visit Devon County Show

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall is to attend the first day of the Devon County Show on Thursday 16 May at Westpoint, Exeter.

It will be the Duchess of Cornwall’s third visit to the county’s largest annual event where she will be the guest of The Hon George Lopes, this year’s Show President.

Show Secretary Ollie Allen said: “We are honoured and delighted that Her Royal Highness will be with us this year and will do everything to ensure she enjoys her day.”

The Duchess of Cornwall’s first visit was in 2005, shortly after her marriage to HRH The Prince of Wales and a...

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