Devon

Exeter Racecourse's networking event proves the way for gaining new customers

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 01/15/2026 - 9:30am

Exeter Racecourse hosted its first networking event of the year with a sell-out gathering that was buzzing with enthusiasm, as businesses from across the region came together full of optimism for the year ahead. Delegates enjoyed a productive morning of networking, followed by afternoon racing.

The quarterly networking events, launched in 2024, have quickly become some of the most popular business gatherings in the region. Hosted at the racecourse, they offer a relaxed yet professional environment that encourages meaningful connections.

The events are spearheaded by Head...

Latest plans for Exeter’s fire-hit landmark hotel

The project to restore a much-loved Exeter landmark to its former glory is expected to clear another hurdle next week.

Members of Exeter City Council’s planning committee will consider plans for the Royal Clarence Hotel, which was gutted by a fire in October 2016.

Local company Nooko has been working to prepare the site on Cathedral Green since collecting the keys from previous owners Akkeron in April last year. Permission was granted as long ago as October 2022 for 25 new high-quality apartments on the site, most with views across the green to the cathedral. Prices will...

Lifeways launches biggest-ever recruitment drive in Devon

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 01/13/2026 - 9:28pm

A social care giant has launched its biggest-ever recruitment campaign in Devon to attract a new generation of people into social care.

Lifeways Group, the UK’s largest team providing support to adults with complex needs in the community, has launched You’re Not Just Anyone, with the aim of inspiring people to work in the sector.

Lifeways has a team of 10,000 people supporting more than 4,000 people across the UK to live independent and fulfilling lives in their communities.

The campaign is designed to reach beyond traditional audiences, appealing to career...

Improvement work planned on Rydon Lane in Exeter

A series of essential road repairs and highway improvements are due to be carried out on the A3015 Rydon Lane in Exeter in the coming weeks.

The work, which is scheduled to take place between Monday 19 January and Saturday 7 March, will be undertaken in phases on several areas of the route.

The scheme will start on both the northbound and southbound carriageway of Rydon Lane with lane closures needed from Monday 19 January to Thursday 19 February to enable drainage work, vegetation clearance and replacement of signs and streetlighting.

From Wednesday 4 February...

More than 4,000 people fed at Christmas by the Exeter Chiefs Foundation

The Exeter Chiefs Foundation has funded its largest ever Feeding the Community at Christmas campaign, ensuring that 1,100 people received a proper festive feast.

Working in partnership with Exeter Food Action (EFA), the Foundation funded the distribution of essential festive fare – including meat, mince pies and seasonal staples – to 16 different charities and community organisations, supporting people who might otherwise have gone without.

This year’s campaign also included an additional donation to homeless charity St Petrock’s, enabling the team there to serve even...

Cutting energy bills this winter

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 01/06/2026 - 5:32pm

Devon’s RESET Energy Advice team are helping people reduce their energy bills and achieve a sunnier outlook for their finances this winter.

The programme, run by Citizens Advice, covers Plymouth, Torbay, Exeter, the South Hams, Teignbridge and East Devon, and helps people out of fuel poverty towards a more sustainable financial future.

RESET Project Leader, Aaron Hughes, said:

“We know many people in our local communities are already facing hardship with the continued rising costs of food, water, rent and fuel. As we head into winter, more people we see are...

Isca Academy Staff Perform Christmas Panto for Students

The final day of term at Isca Academy ended on a high as staff from across the school came together to perform a festive Christmas pantomime for students.

Teaching staff, support staff and senior leaders swapped classrooms and offices for the stage, delivering an Isca-style take on classic pantomime stories.

The performance was packed with audience participation and jokes, including playful nods to school routines, busy corridors between lessons, and the traditional cry of “oh no it isn’t!”.

Students filled the hall with laughter as staff embraced the spirit of...

Kids embark on magical journey

At the golden age of 81, former Exeter News and Photographic Service reporter Fay Knowles (nee Johanson) has announced the launch of her first children’s book - “Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure”!

Action packed and heart-warming, Fay says children will love and learn from this fun adventure story of family togetherness, simplicity and resilience!

“Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure”, a fully illustrated chapter book, tells of two young Bahamian boys, who are thrilled when their parents decide to take them to remote Coco Plum Island, to surprise their grandparents...

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...

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