Exeter

The Exeter Northcott Theatre is delighted to welcome The Birmingham Stage Company with their production of George’s Marvellous Medicine for Christmas 2014.

This acclaimed adaptation of Roald Dahl by Birmingham Stage Company and David Wood, shows a young boy who makes a marvellous new medicine to cure his grandmother of her terrifying temper. But when his grandmother drinks his special new potion, the most incredible things start to happen. And George's adventure has just begun!

Amongst the professional cast, nine girls from Exeter will take it in turns each week to play the...

Rob Baxter has called on his Exeter Chiefs side to fight “tooth and nail” to keep themselves firmly in the mix at the top end of this year’s Aviva Premiership.

The in-form Chiefs currently sit second in the standings after defending champions Northampton Saints reclaimed pole position with their victory at Saracens last Sunday.

For Baxter, though, seeing his team perched well within the top four is hugely rewarding after what has been an impressive campaign to date for the Devon club.

Not only are the Chiefs flying high in the league, but they top both their LV= and...

Fire crews were called into action shortly before 1.30pm on Saturday after reports of a blaze at a block of flats in Crediton.

Numerous calls were made to the fire service reporting smoke coming from a property in Town Park.

On arrival the incident commander confirmed there was a fire in the kitchen of the ground floor flat.

Crews had to force entry.

The adjacent properties were checked in the roof space to ensure the fire had not spread.

Crews used two breathing apparatus and one hose reel jet to extinguish the fire.

Positive pressure...

Staff at Otter Nurseries were delighted to learn that readers of Primary Times have voted the garden centre’s grotto as the best place to celebrate Christmas with Santa in Devon.

Over the last few months families from across Devon have been voting en mass in the magazine’s highly regarded Reader Star Awards, designed to recognise favourable, local family friendly places and people.

Otter Nurseries Managing Director, Jacqui Taylor said: “We are over the moon to be chosen by the readers of Primary Times as the winners in their new Christmas/Santa Event category.

“Each...

Christmas is just around the corner but as the shops start to get busier, Devon Wildlife Trust is offering a day away from the crowds.

The annual Christmas celebration at the historic Cricklepit Mill may only be a few minutes’ walk from the High Street, but to the tired Christmas shopper it will feel like a world away.

Christmas at Cricklepit is being held on Saturday 6 December from 10.30am to 3.30pm and is a day of free family activities. Visitors can have a go at willow weaving and make Christmas decorations ready to hang up on their tree at home. There will be seasonal...

Work aimed at improving the safety of walkers in the Byes in Sidmouth starts on Monday 8 December.

A row of Poplar trees in Sidmouth are to be cut back by tree surgeons for the safety of the public.

The six large trees at the end of Water Lane have been shedding heavy branches onto the footpath at frequent intervals during the year.

The trees have been inspected by an East Devon District Council Tree Officer, who has recommended that they should be reduced to around 15 metres (45 to 50 feet).

The trees will be cut back in such a way as to mimic storm damage...

Burglars are looking to hit the jackpot as Black Friday bargains and Christmas presents boost the value of home contents by more than a third this weekend, home security experts have warned. Millions of pounds will be spent buying Christmas presents this weekend as most of the UK gets its monthly pay-cheque today and scoops up Black Friday bargains in readiness for Christmas. And those bargains, plus Christmas present purchases, means UK homes are an easily accessible treasure trove for heartless thieves over the next few weeks, according to the report by National home security company...

Rachel Riley – TV presenter and Oxford Maths graduate – proudly announced the victors of the inaugural Astellas Innovation Challenge and awarded prizes for first, second and third place winners alongside competition ambassador and host Dr Kevin Fong and Astellas CEO, Ken Jones.

The competition asked students aged 14-16 to design a mobile app to encourage healthy living, with an aim to increase interest amongst school students in taking up Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects at university and beyond. The winners, from St Paul’s Catholic College, in West...

Polar explorer and University of Exeter honorary graduate Ann Daniels congratulated pupils from schools in Exeter by recognising their achievements at the annual Excellence in Exeter awards evening on Thursday 27 November. The celebrations were organised by the University of Exeter, in an awards evening designed to help forge closer links between the University of Exeter and local schools and colleges as a way of encouraging young people to engage with higher education. Pupils’ achievements whether academically in sports, the arts and community efforts will be recognised and heralded by...

Christmas shoppers are being reminded that they can park for free in Exeter City Council run pay and display car parks after 5pm.

The offer runs until Wednesday 24 December.

Those parking prior to 5pm will only be required to purchase a ticket until 5pm, whilst for those arriving after this time parking will be absolutely free. Bartholomew Terrace and Richmond Road Car Parks are for residents only after 6pm but the Christmas offer still stands between 5 and 6pm.

Cllr Rosie Denham, Lead Councillor for Economy & Culture, said: "We wanted to offer something in the...