Exeter

Community orchard planted in Exeter

More than 50 people turned out on Saturday to plant a community orchard in Cowick Barton Fields.

Families, local residents and tree enthusiasts all braved the mud and cold wind with shovels, wheelbarrows and 15 native, locally grown trees in hand.

The orchard is part of a project funded by Alcoa that has seen Active Devon team up with Exeter City Council to create an activity trail across Cowick Barton Fields.

This means that, rather than being a conventionally shaped orchard, the trees – including pear, mulberry, damson and cherry – run in a line that will allow...

The Big Chiefs Quiz

Event Date: 
09/03/2016 - 7:00pm to 10:30pm
Venue: 
Sandy Park, Exeter

Team up and test your sporting, music and general knowledge in The Big Chiefs Quiz at Sandy Park on Wednesday, March 9th.

The quiz will be set and hosted by the Chiefs’ official Away-Day Quiz Master, Haydn Thomas, and some of the Exeter Chiefs squad will be on hand to offer assistance to teams.

Teams should be of six and team entry will cost £60, which will include food.

The winning team will get 6 tickets to Exeter Chiefs v Worcester Warriors.

To enter your team in the Quiz, please go to www.sandypark.co.uk/book

Citizens Advice Exeter gets fresh new look

People in Exeter will see some changes to their local Citizens Advice office.

The Exeter office will be introducing its new look over the next three months, as well as a new logo, the organisation has dropped the word bureau from its name. It will now be known as Citizens Advice Exeter.

Steve Barriball, chief executive of Citizens Advice Exeter, said: "When it came to refreshing our brand, we found that a lot of people don’t really know who we are, or what we do. Some people think we’re part of Government – and almost everyone thinks we’re old fashioned.

"Most...

Devon Bloodbike founder recognised by PM

A driving instructor who founded Devon Freewheelers, a team of 50 volunteer motorcycle riders who deliver blood and life-saving medical supplies in emergencies has been named a Point of Light by Prime Minister David Cameron.

The Devon Freewheelers work with local hospitals in the county for the emergency transport of blood, human tissues for transplant service, urgent medications, donor breast milk and any urgent medical equipment that can be transported by motorcycle.

The entire service is provided completely free of charge and the charity receives no payment or funding...

Airport celebrates best performance in six years

Exeter Airport is celebrating its best performance in six years with passenger numbers up by almost 7% to more than 800,000.

Figures just released show that the airport handled 816,379 passengers in 2015, compared to 763,902 the year before, an increase of 6.9%. The last time the airport had more than 800,000 passengers was in 2009.

Exeter Airport managing director Matt Roach said: “This is our third year of sustained growth and reflects the first full year of the daily London City service, the return of flights to Newcastle, and increased frequency to Manchester.

“...

Aussie addition pleases Baxter

Authored by Mark Stevens
Posted: Mon, 02/01/2016 - 12:06pm

Rob Baxter admits he sees a lot of similarities in new signing Dave Dennis to that of former Exeter Chiefs skipper Dean Mumm.

It was back in 2012 that Baxter brought Australian international Mumm to Sandy Park from Super Rugby outfit NSW Waratahs.

Three years later and Mumm departed Sandy Park as somewhat of a club legend, having made quite an impression during his time in Devon with the Chiefs.

Now back in Sydney, Exeter’s former talisman - who helped lift the LV= Cup back in 2014 - has played his part in helping to persuade 30-year-old Dennis to follow a similar...

Care agency worker jailed

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 02/01/2016 - 11:46am

The directors of a long established family-run home care agency today said justice had been done after a former member of staff was sent to prison.

Melanie Harris, from Fremington, had denied fraud when she appeared before Exeter Crown Court last year.

The case was adjourned for reports and today Harris was jailed for two and a half years by Philip Mott QC who described her as dishonest and mean.

Harris (44) stole thousands of pounds over a period of four years from Edward Carter who lived in North Devon.

Emily Whittaker, a Director and Registered Care...

Bags of Hope fundraiser

Event Date: 
28/02/2016 - 11:00am
Venue: 
Belmont Park, Newtown, Exeter

15 stalls, fresh baked Italian pizza, face painting, raffle, Tombola, and lots of cake...

Raising money for a feeding programme and educational needs of children in Kenya.

11am-3pm

Further details can be found here: https://m.facebook.com/Mudoma.feeding.program or email bags_of_hope@yahoo.co.uk

Exeter Airport charity partnerships takes off

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Mon, 02/01/2016 - 11:21am

A new year, a new partnership as Exeter Airport has chosen the UK’s leading cancer charity; CLIC Sargent, as their charity of the year for 2016.

Exeter Airport’s members of staff voted to support CLIC Sargent this year as they wanted to help families in the area who are affected when a young person has been diagnosed with cancer. During the airport’s association with the charity over 800,000 people will travel on 40 routes and there will be giving opportunities whilst the passengers are in the catering and retail areas of the airport.

The airport be promoting local fund-...

Playing around the trees at Knightshayes

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Mon, 02/01/2016 - 11:06am

Designs for a new play area at Knightshayes are to inject new life into four fallen trees which were the victim of some of the worst storm damage the National Trust estate has ever seen.

The designs, which include a tree house and tunnels bored into the trunks, will form a new natural play area looking to reintroduce risky play into a safe world.

For 150 years, the cluster of four oak trees towered over the gentle rolling Devon landscape at Knightshayes – until the high winds of in the winter of 2014 resulted in all four blowing down.

Three came down in one night,...

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