Exeter

Exeter Library’s Business and Intellectual Property (IP) Centre is offering people the chance to meet two Fairtrade farmers from Ghana and a local jeweller at its Fairtrade Fortunes event on 7th March, as part of Fairtrade Fortnight.

Cocoa producers Isaac Baidoo and Veronica Mintah from Kuapa Kokoo, a cocoa farmers' co-operative, will be talking about their businesses and revealing how Fairtrade has impacted their lives in West Africa.

Local jeweller, Erin Cox, will also speak at the event, talking about her bespoke handmade jewellery and why she chose to source Fairtrade...

The first survey of technology companies by Tech South West has revealed high levels of optimism for growth across the region.

Carried out by Tech South West, the survey found that 80% of technology firms in the region believe 2017 will be a better year, with greater growth, than 2016, with no business expecting this year to be worse than last. Tech South West, which has more than 500 members across the region, acts as a showcase and champion of what is the fastest-growing sector in the South West.

The survey, which featured organisations based in Bath, Bristol, Cornwall,...

The first major agricultural show of the year in the South West - the Devon County Show in May - has published its competition schedules and entries have opened.

There are more than 600 livestock classes, including beef and dairy cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, alpacas and donkeys, at the three-day Show held on May 18-20 at Westpoint, Exeter.

In the equine section there are 170 classes and nine Horse of the Year Show qualifiers, which include Ridden Arabs for the first time. Classes and special awards for horses and ponies total more than 320, including a new breed class for...

New developments have just been announced for The Bike Shed Theatre’s plans to create a new venue in Exeter’s historic Quayside.

For sixteen weeks this summer a new lease of life could be given to the historic Maclaines Warehouses on Exeter’s Quay. Most recently occupied by the Maritime Museum, the Grade II listed site has been empty for over eighteen years. Now though, a series of pop up events could turn the abandoned warehouses into a space for creativity, culture and cocktails.

The Bike Shed Theatre’s Director, David Lockwood, said: ‘This summer represents a vital stage...

The multi award-winning Crealy Adventure Park & Resort in Devon has announced two brand new rides opening during 2017. The Junior Driving School launches in time for the Easter holidays, giving guests aged three and over the chance to hone their driving skills. Being behind the wheel of colourful scaled versions of the Mini Cooper, the junior drivers will be able to navigate the turns and curves on a realistic track, encountering traffic lights and roundabouts and other junior drivers in these electric cars. Sailing into Crealy in time for May half term is the second new ride, The...

Your essential guide to what’s on in and around Exeter this weekend (3-5 March)

THEATRE

Roald Dahl’s The Twits Friday & Saturday, Exeter Northcott Theatre “Mr. Twit was a twit. He was born a twit. And, now at the age of sixty, he was a bigger twit than ever.” Mr Twit has a very hairy face. His beard is spiky and smelly. It also contains cornflakes, sardines and even some stilton. Mrs Twit is equally as foul and she hates Mr Twit just as much as Mr Twit hates her. The Twits really are the most spiteful and revolting couple you could ever hope to meet. They spend their...

Firefighters have been battling a major blaze in Exeter overnight.

The alarm was raised at Devon Contract Waste, Marsh Barton Road, shortly before 11pm yesterday (Wednesday).

Below is the fire service report of the incident:

A fire engine from Danes Castle in Exeter was sent to a report of the alarm system operating at 10.56.

On arrival the crew reported smoke and flames issuing from the building and requested a further 2 fire engines attend. These were sent from Danes Castle and Topsham. Shortly after requesting the additional 2 fire engines an aerial...

Following a fire at Devon Contract Waste’s Envirohub recycling plant overnight, Simon Almond, Managing Director, Devon Contract Waste Ltd commented:

“It is with a sad heart that I have to announce our Envirohub recycling plant on Marsh Barton Road, Exeter has suffered a major fire overnight.

“I can confirm no one has been injured in the incident and that the fire has been contained by Devon & Somerset Fire Service.

“Thankfully, due to the prompt actions of the fire officers and the bravery of a number of Devon Contract Waste’s staff, we were able to save the...