The snowdrop has been voted the top spring flower for the third year running in the South West, with the gardens at Stourhead, Lanhydrock, Kingston Lacey and Cotehele being the most popular places to see spring blooms. National Trust Garden teams in the South West have recorded more flowers in bloom since 2008 in this year’s annual Valentine’s Flower Count, with nearly all gardens showing an increase in the amount of varieties of plants in bloom. In 2008 3,335 plants in bloom were recorded in Devon and Cornwall (where the flower count first started), marking the earliest spring so far...
Your essential guide to the best of What’s On in and around Exeter this weekend (12-14 February)
THEATRE
Tommy Tiernan: Out of the Whirlwind Friday, Exeter Corn Exchange Now entering his 20th year as a stand-up comedian, having won every award going and still as passionate as ever about the adventure of storytelling and comedy, Irelands number one comedian is also starting to take some very exciting risks. Over 16s, tickets £19.50. http://sites.exeter.gov.uk/cornexchange
Panto: Sleeping Beauty Friday & Saturday, Tedburn St Mary Village Hall Tedburn Amateur...
Devon and Cornwall’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Hogg says he is ‘deeply disappointed’ that Home Secretary Theresa May has expressed ‘naked partiality’ in a statement about the forthcoming PCC elections on 5th May. In the statement, Mrs May says: “People can vote for a candidate who promises the world but delivers unsafe streets and wasted money. Or they can vote for a Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner who will work with the Government to deliver lower crime and safer communities, all while providing value for money.” But Mr Hogg feels the statement is divisive. “I had...
Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has today given a positive outlook on the club’s walking wounded during his weekly media briefing held at Sandy Park.
Having been without a number of frontline stars in recent weeks due to long-term injuries, it appears things are brightening up for the Devon club.
Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie marked his return to first team action following a broken thumb at Worcester a fortnight ago, while the sight of Dave Ewers and Henry Slade both out and about in training this week is equally encouraging.
A man has been jailed for 22 years after being convicted of a string of historic sexual assaults on two young girls.
Paul McLean (pictured) was found guilty following a six-day trial at Truro Crown Court on Wednesday 3 February, and sentenced on Friday 5 February.
McLean, 50, of Talaton Road, Whimple, Exeter, was charged with 32 sexual offences relating to two young girls that were committed between 1992 and 2007 in Malvern, Worcestershire and Newquay, Cornwall.
McLean was found guilty of eight counts of indecent assault, four of sexual activity with a child, four...
New research shows wild Aegean wall lizards found on Greek islands choose to sit on rocks that better match their individual colouring. This improves camouflage and so reduces the risk of being attacked by birds when they sit out in the open, raising the intriguing question of how the lizards know what colour they are.
Resting out in the open on rocks can be a risky business for Aegean wall lizards. Out in these habitats they have nowhere to hide and their backs, which show varying shades of green and brown between individuals, are dangerously exposed to birds hunting in the skies...
Following a successful year of fundraising, Exeter-based charities and projects are better off to the tune of over £145,000 thanks to donations from the Exeter Chiefs’ official charity, the Exeter Foundation.
Some £97,534.34 was given to projects who had applied for funds from the Exeter Foundation, including £10,000 towards a play area at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital’s Bramble Ward, £25,000 for a new hydrotherapy pool at Vranch House and a £1,500 contribution for a new Volunteering in Health minibus.
The Exeter Foundation also supported the 19240 Shrouds of the...
Exeter Racecourse’s Super Sunday fixture, which coincides with Valentine’s Day, has drawn a strong card of entries for its seven races, including plenty on target for the Cheltenham Festival that begins in five weeks time and the Crabbie’s Grand National which takes place three weeks later.
The ten entries in the listed Bathwick Tyres novices’ hurdle include the Nicky Henderson-trained Buveur D’Air an impressive winner of his last two starts over hurdles and an entry for both the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, for which he is currently 7-1, and the Neptune Investment Management...
Cartridges Law are sponsoring the Exeter Half Marathon 2016 organised by Exeter City FC's Football in the Community, the run is a great three lap traffic free, pancake flat, half marathon run on the footpaths and cycle tracks around the River Exe and Exeter Canal.
It covers a distance of 13.1 miles and is suitable for people chasing PB's along with novice runners. Exeter City FC Football in the Community works in collaborative partnerships to deliver inspiring physical activity,health and wellbeing and educational services for people of all ages across Devon. Last year the we...