Exeter

Devon County Show launches new range of gift cards

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Sat, 04/01/2017 - 3:29pm

The Devon County Show has launched a brand new range of spring gift cards in time for Easter.

Tickets to the 122nd Show on May 18-20 at Westpoint, Exeter can be purchased in a choice of witty designs. “Show tickets make a great present for Easter and special occasions like birthdays,” said Show Secretary Ollie Allen. “And they are a lot less fattening than Easter eggs!” she added. The Show is one of the South West’s most impressive rural shop windows, showcasing the finest local food and drink, hand-reared livestock and rural living at its most vibrant all in a fun-packed day. This...

Art project rises out of Royal Clarence fire

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 03/31/2017 - 4:54pm

Built up in 1769, burnt out in 2016, the tragedy of the fire at Exeter’s Royal Clarence Hotel has left a scar that’s both physical and psychological in our city.

Yet after destruction comes renewal, a theme that local sculptor Martin Staniforth (known as ‘morth’) is exploring in his creative work.

Martin said: “I’ve noticed that after disaster strikes, often we see nature begin the healing process as tiny plants start to fill the cracks and wasteland left behind. Disaster and renewal are part of the circle of life.”

Now Martin has been allowed to take away over two...

Exeter flood defence work stops for summer

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 03/31/2017 - 3:57pm

Vital work to reduce the risk of flooding to over 3,200 homes and businesses in Exeter reaches another key milestone this weekend as work around the Quay area of the city is halted to avoid disruption to visitors and businesses over the summer. Work will resume in October.

Over the last five months, contractors working on behalf of the Environment Agency have been busy building a flood defence system that will be put in place when flooding is expected and then taken down when river levels recede. The defence follows the line of the existing bollards.

A temporary tarmac...

Poptastic tributes at Crealy this weekend

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 03/31/2017 - 1:52pm

Sunday 2nd April will see Crealy Adventure Park & Resort launch their first Pop in the Park event with Adele, Bruno Mars, Madonna, and Gary Barlow tribute acts taking to the stage.

Guests visiting the multi-award winning family theme park will be treated to this musical extravaganza without any additional cost, as the park begins its show stopping line-up of events and activities taking place over the Easter holidays, starting this weekend until Sunday 23rd April. After this Sunday’s music mayhem, Crealy will host another Pop in the Park event on Sunday 9th April. The second...

UK Premiere of Taiko Composition 'A Good Death' to take place in Exeter

Authored by Hospiscare
Posted: Fri, 03/31/2017 - 12:56pm

Jonathan Kirby, Artistic Director of performing arts company Kagemusha Taiko, has produced a new piece of music with three taiko (drum) compositions entitled: Dignity, Love, and Legacy.

The inspiration for ‘A Good Death’ came from an interview about end-of-life care which Jonathan heard on the radio.

“When the interviewee said that a good death involved dignity, love and legacy, I knew immediately that I had to compose something for taiko on that theme,” said Jonathan.

“Taiko seemed to me to be the perfect medium for expressing these ideas because of the way...

Study to assess whether Exeter needs new entertainment venue underway

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 03/31/2017 - 7:45am

Work to assess the need for a major new entertainment venue in the city is underway.

Exeter City Council has appointed external adviser Fourth Street to carry out a needs assessment for a new 1,000 seat minimum capacity venue.

Fourth Street will analyse current and future demand for different facilities, current provision and potential opportunities and funding.

It will then report back to councillors and the New Entertainment Venue Advisory Group, which was set up by the council to support the review.

Fourth Street have been appointed following a tendering...

Devon hospitals beat NHS deadline for women on boards

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 03/31/2017 - 5:25am

Devon health trusts are setting the pace nationally for putting women at the top of the NHS.

The local hospital trusts have hit the official target for women on NHS boards three years ahead of schedule, a report by a University of Exeter academic has found. A national study of the representation of women doing the top jobs in the health service, commissioned by NHS Improvement and NHS Employers, has found that the four health trusts in Devon have collectively hit the 50 per cent target, and all have female Chief Executives. The study, carried out by Professor Ruth Sealy of the...

I can’t wait – Olly’s message for Devon fans

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 03/30/2017 - 4:34pm

Pop idol Olly Murs is today telling fans how much he is looking forward to playing live at Powderham Castle on Saturday, July 29.

Up to 12,000 fans are likely to see Olly, whose latest album 24 Hrs was his fourth consecutive number one hit. The popular singer-songwriter is one of British music’s biggest stars with record sales exceeding 10 million and demand for Powderham tickets has been high.

He said: “We’ve played at the castle before; the venue is iconic – being on stage and seeing a castle – I mean it’s pretty awesome really!

“These are fun gigs, gigs I wanted...

Trust plans given ‘cautious welcome’

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 03/30/2017 - 3:21pm

Farmers at a meeting of the South West NFU tenant farmers’ forum have given a cautious welcome to the National Trust’s plans to encourage wildlife and create 65,000 acres of new habitats.

The Trust has announced that it intends make sure half the farmland it owns is ‘nature friendly’ by 2025 and the chairman of the forum, Cornish farmer Chris Cardell, said he was looking forward to hearing how the Trust was planning to communicate with farmers about this process.

“We were very interested to hear about the National Trust’s plans and are were pleased to hear at the meeting...

Topsham Library relocates to make way for bespoke new building

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 03/30/2017 - 2:32pm

Topsham Library will temporarily relocate to the Nelson Close Community Centre in Topsham to make way for a brand new community hub.

The new ‘Community Hub’ is being built by Estuary League of Friends following a successful funding bid to the Big Lottery Fund and fundraising efforts by the charity, reaching a total of £1.95million. On completion, the hub will comprise of a day centre room, community café, exercise and fitness space, two treatment rooms, a laundry, meeting/training room, serviced offices and improved library facilities.

The current library service, run by...

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