christmas

two policemen stand-in outside Exeter Cathedral

Police in Exeter look forward to the new year and share successful results from their latest operation

Police in Exeter have revealed their latest results following high visibility patrols over the festive period.

Officers in the city stepped up patrols over Christmas and New Year to keep shoppers and visitors safe. The area was busy with extra people in the city centre enjoying the Cathedral Green festive market and other seasonal activities.

Police work closely with partners such as the council and local charities and the positive work will continue into the new year with more foot patrols and community contact.

Inspector Simon Arliss, who heads up the Exeter...

Help your ambulance service this festive period

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Sat, 12/23/2023 - 8:44am

The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is urging communities across the region to use its services responsibly this festive period, as it prepares for a challenging and busy time.

The Trust is expecting a period of significant and sustained demand across its 999 services - a position that is reflected across other health and care organisations locally, regionally, and nationally. Boxing Day is traditionally the busiest day over the festive break for the service. In response to this, Trust leaders are asking communities to ‘help us to help you’ by...

Westbank’s community Christmas celebrations

Authored by Sharon Goble
Posted: Thu, 12/21/2023 - 11:44pm

The run-up to Christmas has been busy for local health and wellbeing charity Westbank Community Health and Care, with a full calendar of events for members of its community and its team.

The festive celebrations got off to a heartwarming start when Year 2 children from Exeter Pre-Prep School visited Westbank’s Day Centre at Exminster to sing a melody of Christmas songs for regular clients.

The following day, the Royal Oak in Exminster kindly hosted a 3-course meal for fifty of Westbank’s clients to mark the end of a year of fantastic support from the pub.

Westbank’s...

'Tis the season to be jolly at Exeter care home

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 12/20/2023 - 10:39pm

Barchester’s Cumberland Grange care home, in Exeter, got in the Christmas spirit by throwing a Christmas party for residents and their friends and families.

Cumberland Grange’s Christmas party was in full swing (literally) as they were joined by Swing Exe, a local swing dancing group who got the party started. They had residents and their families up on their feet dancing to some wonderful classical tunes. Timescales singing duo then took over with some amazing singing and they also threw in a Christmas quiz with a box of chocolates up for grabs. To help with all of the dancing...

Enhanced patrols and initiatives underway to tackle violent crime this Christmas and New Year

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 12/19/2023 - 4:13pm

Devon & Cornwall Police is reminding people to take care of themselves, their friends and family while celebrating the festive period in its latest drive to tackle violent crime.

Officers will be carrying out enhanced patrols and a range of initiatives in the main towns and cities across the two counties in a bid to help keep people safe.

In Exeter, there will be additional officers working late shifts on key dates during the Christmas period to carry out high-visibility patrols.

These officers will be supported by colleagues from the Special Constabulary...

A lady making a Christmas wreath in a cosy home environment

Navigating Christmas with Dementia

Following new research last week from Alzheimer’s Society which found 65% of dementia family carers felt ‘robbed’ of a care-free and joyful Christmas, The Filo Project , a local not-for-profit dementia day care provider is sharing expert advice to help Devon families navigate the festive period and support their loved ones with dementia to feel involved in home festivities.

The busy changes to many families’ routines and home environment at Christmas-time can be challenging for relatives or friends who have dementia. Decorations suddenly appearing, noisy family gatherings and...

Meet Missy - our very own school Christmas Beethoven!

Marvellous Missy the headteacher’s very popular Saint Bernard is enjoying her first Christmas as a school therapy dog and boosting wellbeing across her school She could be Britain’s biggest therapy dog - and most certainly is one of the calmest and cutest.

Marvellous two-year-old Missy is proving extremely popular as a therapy dog at Isca Academy in Exeter, Devon.

She is helping the 11-16 year old nearly 1000 scholars to feel calmer as they arrive and leave school, and learn in the classroom.

Now Missy, at 75cm tall and 70 kg in weight, the friendly, laid back pooch will...

Give a gift to charity or donate instead of sending Christmas cards

It’s traditional to send seasonal greetings at this time of year but a Devonwide health and wellbeing charity is encouraging people to make a donation instead of giving Christmas cards.

Westbank Community Health and Care has launched its ‘Donate in Lieu of Christmas Cards’ campaign, asking people to make a charitable gift rather than spending money on buying and posting cards this festive season.

Katie Elliott, Westbank’s Head of Fundraising and Marketing explains why, “Every donation we receive, however large or small, makes a real difference to our ability to provide...

Exeter church distributes Christmas hampers to people struggling in the cost-of-living crisis

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Wed, 12/06/2023 - 11:51pm

An Exeter church which is distributing over 700 Christmas food hampers, says it has been overwhelmed at the requests for help across the community.

Rediscover Church in Northernhay Street, Exeter, has run the hamper project every year for the last 8 years to help people who are struggling and in need, but this they’ve been inundated with requests for help, as people struggle to make ends meet, as the cost of a weekly food shop continues to increase.

The effects of the cost-of-living crisis seem to be having a significant impact on people’s lives, with some of the hamper...

Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust launches Christmas membership drive

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 12/05/2023 - 11:54pm

In a push to redefine festive giving, the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust is encouraging the public to move beyond traditional gifts and embrace a present that not only brings joy to loved ones but actively contributes to the preservation of a cherished heritage pony— the Dartmoor Heritage Pony.

Membership gifts directly play a role in safeguarding Dartmoor's iconic Heritage ponies, offering individuals a chance to contribute to preserving our much loved traditional breeds, protect Dartmoor’s landscapes, and champion biodiversity through innovative conservation grazing projects....

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