Exeter

Lord Mayor Officially Opens Tops Day Nurseries Exeter

Tops Exeter has officially opened its doors to children and families in the city, marking the occasion with a vibrant celebration featuring catered refreshments, children’s activities and a special ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Lord Mayor of Exeter, Cllr Anne Jobson. The new eco‑conscious nursery, part of the Tops Day Nurseries family, welcomed parents, carers and local partners to explore the setting, meet the team and find out more about the flexible childcare on offer.

Guests enjoyed a delicious catered spread, made by the award winning Tops catering team. It included a...

Month-long amnesty calls on owners to hand in now-illegal firearms

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 01/30/2026 - 11:12pm

Firearms owners are being urged to check if their previously lawful weapon is one of five now classified as illegal – and to hand them in safely during a month-long amnesty. Police forces across England and Wales will be holding a four-week firearms amnesty (February 2-27) for five models of side or top-venting (TVBFs) weapons manufactured by Bruni. The following five imitation firearms can be handed in to local police station without fear of prosecution, after tests by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and policing showed they are readily convertible and are therefore illegal to possess...

Bridge panels portray life in Devon

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 01/30/2026 - 10:52pm

The pedestrian and cycle bridge over the A379, called Blisses Bridge, has been brought to life with newly added decorative panels.

The 36-metre span bridge, which opened in February 2024, has been designed as a “gateway” feature to the new development area. Its name is derived from Blisses Hill and Blisses Meadow which feature in the old tithe mapping of the area where the bridge is located.

The 58 panels on the parapet of the structure feature the latest public artwork of South Brent-based sculptor Isabel Coulton. The designs on the panels depict life in Devon, with a...

Exeter School Community Supports Homelessness Charities with Shoebox Donations

Students, staff and families at St Luke’s Church of England School have come together to support people experiencing homelessness in Exeter.

The school worked in partnership with Smile at a Stranger – Help for the Homeless Devon, a volunteer-led group that collects, coordinates, and distributes donations across the county.

Students packed shoeboxes with essential items such as warm clothing, toiletries and small treats, which were then passed on to charities and organisations working directly with people in need. The donations provided comfort, dignity and practical...

Cranbrook Pupils Take Hands-On Role in Woodland Project

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 01/28/2026 - 6:41pm

Pupils at Cranbrook Education Campus have been getting their hands dirty as they begin the next phase of a woodland improvement project at Elbury Farm in East Devon.

Building on the success of last year’s planting, the school’s environmental group is continuing its work to enhance the developing woodland, helping to shape a landscape that will benefit wildlife and the local community for years to come.

Working in partnership with the National Trust, pupils are planting new trees, contributing ideas to the woodland’s design and taking part in team-building activities that...

Exeter announces its bid to become the UK’s City of Culture in 2029 

Exeter City Council has today announced it will be submitting an expression of interest (EOI) for the prestigious UK City of Culture title. 

The City of Culture bid follows the culmination of five months extensive engagement and consultation with artists, creatives, cultural organisations and residents to shape the council’s commissioned new five-year Cultural Strategy for Exeter.

This will set out a clear ambition to become a leading city of culture. The new Exeter Culture Strategy is ambitious and will be delivered in partnership with the city’s cultural organisations...

Exeter Northcott returns to full production of musicals with Little Shop of Horrors

Exeter Northcott Theatre names the first full-scale musical it will stage in more than 20 years as Little Shop of Horrors , the classic satirical play by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman this October, in collaboration with Lighthouse Poole and The Belgrade Theatre in Coventry.

Returning to full production of a musical for the first time in decades, this play consolidates the theatre’s commitment to ambitious, high-quality theatre made by and for the community it serves.

“This feels like an exciting moment for Exeter Northcott Theatre.” says Martin Berry, the Creative...

Greendale appoints three new members to board of directors

The Greendale Group (FWS Carter & Sons), a diverse, family-owned local business, with interests in farming, fishing, retail, property and haulage, has announced the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors: Martyn Youell, Tom Chanter and Richard Gibbons.

ffective immediately, these appointments will provide extra strength and stability to the board, helping to shape the business for years to come.

Youell brings over 15 years of experience in the fishing sector. As Commercial Director for Waterdance (the Group’s fishing enterprise), he has...

Work to start on Heavitree Road bus improvements

Improvement work to enhance bus services on Heavitree Road in Exeter will get underway next month (February).

The scheme, which will start on Monday 2 February, involves the construction of a new traffic island and installation of a new set of traffic signals at the end of the outbound (eastbound) bus lane between Grendon Road and Polsloe Road/Barrack Road.

These new signals will give buses priority at the Polsloe Road / Barrack Road junction, making it easier for buses to progress towards Heavitree Fore Street or move from the bus lane into the right turn lane for...

Annual awards showcase outstanding student achievements

The South West’s most promising learners were celebrated on Friday 16 January 2026 as Exeter College hosted its annual Student Awards at Sandy Park, showcasing the inspirational learners from the 2024/25 academic year and their remarkable achievements.

More than 170 guests, including sponsors, VIPs, College lecturers, and students’ families and friends, attended the ceremony, where 17 awards were handed out, recognising learner success across a variety of topics, from academic excellence and sport to adult learning and apprenticeships.

A highlight of the College calendar...

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