Exeter

Parents can explore the vital importance of outdoor play for their under five year olds, during a series of fun education sessions at one of the areas newest attractions.

Early Years teacher Hannah O’Donnell, who specialises in the role of outdoor physical movement and cognitive development of young children, will be running the informal sessions.

They will take place at the Bear Trail, an Army-style adventure course, featuring a series of obstacles, including a zip wire, tunnels and mud pits, near Cullompton.

As well as having a chance to find out how outdoors play...

Haldon Forest based Christmas Tree business have sensationally claimed a total of SEVEN prizes in this year’s British Christmas Tree competition – earning themselves a very special trip to Downing Street.

Husband and wife team, Stuart and Jennie Kirkup, who have been running Dartmoor Christmas Trees since 2002, were selected as standout winners in the categories of Champion Christmas Tree and Champion Wreath, in the British Christmas Tree Growers’ Association’s annual contest last week.

The competition saw growers travel from the farthest corners of the UK to Poundffald...

Bridge Road in Exeter will be closed later this month as part of ongoing widening improvements.

The road will be closed to traffic from 10pm on Friday 18 November until 5am on Monday 21 November, which will be the last weekend closure of 2016. The closure will enable the remaining concrete repairs to be carried out to the underside of the Countess Wear Flood Relief bridge. This has to be undertaken while the road is traffic free as vibrations from vehicle movements would affect the work.

The diversion route will be signed via Topsham Road, Alphington Road, Marsh Barton and...

The first cigarettes on sale in new, standardised packaging have been spotted in Devon.

New laws that came in to force across the UK in May gave manufacturers up to a year to switch to drab green packs, with bigger health warnings, designed to make smoking less appealing to children and young people.

But just six months later, the first packs are starting to be seen here in stores across Devon.

Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Improving Health and Wellbeing, said: “We welcome the introduction of plan packaging, and Devon is...

Academy youngster Harry Strong hopes to use the Anglo-Welsh Cup as the perfect ‘stepping stone’ to help develop his career at Exeter Chiefs.

Handed his senior debut in last weekend’s Round One clash at Harlequins, the 19-year-old is poised to get another opportunity this Sunday when the Devon club play host to Cardiff Blues at Sandy Park (3pm).

Brought on as a first half replacement for the injured Phil Dollman a week ago, Strong certainly did not look out of place as he fitted in nicely to the Exeter back division.

For the player himself it was a moment to savour...

A young man from Exeter Chiefs’ HITZ programme has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.

Jack Clarke is one of three finalists shortlisted for the HITZ Community Impact award supported by Wooden Spoon. This award will be presented at the HITZ Awards on 28 November.

The Community Impact Award is all about the time and commitment given by a HITZ young person through volunteering.

It looks not only at the impact of the young person’s volunteering in the community, but also the impact of the volunteering on the HITZ participant themselves.

Jack...

After a successful year of Exeter Street Food the team from Hubb Events are launching their Very Festive Christmas Market

Celebrating speciality & festive street food, seasonal drinks & crafts from across the South West, this brand new event is at Southernhay Gardens over the first two weekends of December; Friday 2nd-Saturday 3rd and Thursday 8th - Saturday 10th December 11-8pm daily.

The Very Festive Christmas Market is the place to be for some serious festive feasting to get you in the seasonal spirit! It will be taking place in the beautiful and central location...