Devon

The toys and hampers were delivered to 50 local families

Westbank delivers 50 Christmas hampers to local families with the help of the business community

Businesses in and around Exeter have rallied to help the Exminster-based charity Westbank Community Health and Care to deliver 50 hampers to support local families this Christmas. A huge donation of children’s toys were a last minute addition to the food hampers - a special donation from Cars and Cuppas, which runs monthly events in Exeter.

Numerous organisations donated festive fare and their time to ensure Westbank’s hampers were packed full of goodies to bring some Christmas cheer to the local community. Volunteers from NatWest’s Exeter branch helped wrap gifts and prepare the...

Help Betty find the purr-fect forever home

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Sun, 12/21/2025 - 8:50pm

Beautiful Betty has been searching for a new home through Blue Cross for over 200 days. This Christmas, the charity is appealing to the public to help find this friendly cat a new purr-fect home.

Betty was admitted to Blue Cross Devon in May and has been patiently waiting for a loving home ever since. The five-year-old Tortoiseshell cat is described as a sweet girl that would love to live in a quiet home. She is sociable around people and loves brushing herself against legs for fuss and attention.

Annaliese Langworthy, Centre Manager of Blue Cross in Devon, said: Betty...

Crafting comfort for pets in need

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 12/18/2025 - 8:34pm

The RSPCA is inviting animal lovers across Devon to pick up their knitting needles and crochet hooks to help pets in need this winter, as part of its Big Give Back to Animals appeal.

The charity is appealing for handmade blankets that can offer comfort, warmth and security to animals - at a time when the ongoing cost-of-living crisis is leaving many families struggling to keep their pets warm. Blankets will be distributed through the RSPCA’s Pet Food Bank Partnership, which works with food banks and community groups nationwide to provide essential items - including food, toys and...

Free NHS flu vaccination clinics available across Devon

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 12/17/2025 - 10:57pm

It’s not too late to have your free NHS flu vaccination to protect yourself and your loved ones this winter.

Due to the current increase in the rates of flu and other respiratory infections, extra drop-in clinics are running for those eligible to get their free NHS flu vaccine and/or their seasonal COVID-19 booster vaccination.

Pregnant women, and those aged 75-79 and people who turned 80 after 1 September 2024, are also encouraged to take up the offer of Respiratory syncytial virus vaccination, which helps protect against respiratory syncytial virus, commonly referred...

Westbank’s warm welcome for the community this winter

Authored by Sharon Goble
Posted: Wed, 12/17/2025 - 12:30pm

Westbank Community Health and Care has opened the doors of its warm, welcoming winter space for the communities of Exminster and Starcross, and is trialling a new shuttle service two days a week to help local people get there.

Warmwell at Westbank is within the charity’s recently revamped Community Hub and is open Monday - Friday from 10am for anyone seeking a welcoming, heated space during the daytime where they can share a cuppa and conversation during the colder months, including over the festive season. Warmwell will be closed on Christmas Day, but open on Boxing Day and New...

Stagecoach SW launches search for unsung heroes

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 12/17/2025 - 12:18am

Stagecoach South West has launched a new campaign to recognise the everyday heroes who have made a difference in their communities this year, often quietly without expecting anything in return. The bus operator is calling on residents from Exeter, East Devon, Mid Devon, Torbay, Teignbridge, Plymouth, North Devon to nominate someone whose actions have supported others, strengthened their neighbourhood or contributed to community life.

From offering support to vulnerable neighbours and volunteering with local groups to raising awareness for good causes or keeping community projects...

Bollard removal work finally starts in Exeter after months of delays

By Bradley Gerrard, Local Democracy Reporter

Work to remove a set of bollards that risked the progress of extension work at an Exeter doctor’s surgery has finally got underway after months of back-and-forth.

Pinhoe Surgery has been approaching a vital deadline with building materials for its extension works due to be delivered next month.

But it has needed a set of bollards removed to enable the goods to be delivered.

The bollards are essentially part of the highway, meaning Devon County Council has responsibility for them, however, they are positioned...

The Dash Group increases SW presence with new site and expanded coverage

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 12/16/2025 - 10:59pm

Dash Express, a division of The Dash Group and part of The APC delivery network - the UK’s largest independent parcel delivery network - has announced further expansion in the South West with the opening of a new, larger site located in Cullompton. The new site will serve as Dash Express’ new ‘Exeter’ location, strengthening its regional presence and achieving full service coverage across the South West with the company also expanding its delivery coverage to include Taunton, Somerset and North Devon.

Located just 14 miles outside of Exeter, the new 11,000 sq. ft. facility marks...

two teenagers ice skating on ice rink

REVIEW: Icescape Westpoint

With four kids between us aged 12 to 18, organising a festive family outing usually involves spreadsheets, negotiations and at least one teenager muttering, “Do I have to come?” under their breath.

So when Icescape Westpoint announced its much-anticipated return, we jumped at the chance to test whether it could deliver that rare miracle: something all of them would enjoy.

Spoiler: it did.

This year we went all in — two extra friends, nanny and grandad in tow (strictly spectators, though grandad did talk a big game about his 1970s skating skills).

The...

Exeter Racecourse to stage first-ever Christmas Cup at festive raceday

Authored by Lucy
Posted: Fri, 12/12/2025 - 9:32pm

Exeter Racecourse will host its first-ever Christmas Cup on 18 December, adding a prestigious new race to one of the South West’s busiest pre-Christmas events. The trophy will be contested as part of the Racing Blogger Christmas Cup Handicap Chase, a meeting that already draws hundreds of racegoers eager for a festive day out.

The jumps season so far has seen some standout performances at Exeter. Lulamba, one of the most exciting young chasers in training, is a leading contender for the Arkle at Cheltenham in March, following a Grade 1 success at Sandown last weekend. The Haldon...

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