Exeter

January Sessions: Try something new this New Year

January is often a month of resolutions and resets and InExeter is inviting everyone to try something new.

January Sessions is a programme of activity-led, no or low alcohol evenings across the city - great nights out that fit perfectly with Dry January, and a fresh start to the year without losing any of the fun.

From learning a new craft to joining a welcoming group or mixing up amazing flavours at tea-based mixology classes, January Sessions offers creative, social and relaxing ways to reset the button this month.

Nicola Wheeler, CEO at InExeter, said: “...

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...

Isca Academy Students Donate Hundreds of Books to Local Charities

Students at Isca Academy have donated hundreds of books to children’s charities as part of a non-uniform day.

Students brought in books they no longer needed, from childhood favourites to popular teenage reads, creating a collection suitable for readers of all ages.

The donations will go to Children’s Hospice Southwest and Atkinson’s Secure Children’s Home, so children can enjoy books and stories over the festive period.

Staff at the school, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, praised the students for their generosity, enthusiasm, and willingness to support...

A Very Merry Million: Exeter Man’s Scratchcard Win Meant an Extra Special Christmas

Christmas magic well and truly arrived in Exeter, where local business-owner Lee Dart (55) celebrated after winning a spectacular £1M top prize on The National Lottery’s ‘£30M Christmas Extravaganza’ Scratchcard.

Lee, who owns his own sign-making company, had popped into his local shop where he decided to treat himself to a festive Scratchcard. His tactic when it comes to picking Scratchcards was to select them completely at random, and this time it proved to work well for him. After scratching it there and then in the shop, it quickly dawned on him that this was not just any...

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...

Lifeways’ Exeter service retains ‘Good’ rating from Care Quality Commission 

A Lifeways supported living service in Exeter is celebrating after retaining its overall 'Good' rating from Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Lifeways Community Care (Exeter), which supports 10 people with learning disabilities and mental health needs to live independently in their own homes, was rated ‘Good’ following an assessment in October 2025.

Inspectors noted the service demonstrated elements of ‘outstanding’ practice, especially in “monitoring and improving outcomes” and “governance, management and sustainability”.

Generally, the service maintained its...

Library

Exeter Pupils Invited to Enter Dream Library Design Competition

Authored by MediaA
Posted: Tue, 12/23/2025 - 12:12pm

Portakabin launches school library initiative as children’s reading enjoyment hits its lowest level in two decades

Aligning with the government’s pledge to provide a library in every primary school, Portakabin will deliver a fully equipped library building to one school, shaped by the winning design.

The competition invites primary school pupils and teachers to imagine and design their dream school library, supporting a UK-wide effort to address the shortage of library spaces in primary schools.

The initiative follows Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ recent pledge to...

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...

Big-hearted Exeter Students Host Festive Feast for Community

Big-hearted students in Exeter brought Christmas cheer to dozens of local families after hosting a festive community dinner filled with music, laughter and generosity.

Students at St James School in Exeter, part of the Ted Wragg Trust, welcomed families from across the city for their annual Christmas community celebration, spreading festive spirit through song, food and warm hospitality.

Performing Arts students set the tone for the evening by singing seasonal favourites such as ‘Last Christmas’ and ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ as guests arrived . And as the 85 guests...

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