Devon

Exeter School changes lives with 15th WaterAid concert

For the 15th year running and with support from South West Water and Ashfords Solicitors, the talented young musicians and singers from Exeter School will perform a special concert to raise funds for international charity WaterAid.

All proceeds from the concert, which takes place at St Michael's Church, Heavitree, from 7:30pm on Tuesday 26 April, will go directly to WaterAid projects in Zambia, helping some of the country's poorest communities gain access to clean water and safe sanitation.

The concert will feature school ensembles including Symphony Orchestra, Chamber...

Voices In Common Folk Choir's new season

An Exeter singing group is going from strength to strength.

Run by Devon music charity Wren Music under their Voices In Common banner, the Exeter Folk Choir Voices in Common has several local concerts under its belt, a national theatre show, a growing membership and a European trip later in the summer.

The choir is based at the Exeter Community Centre, 17 St David's Hill, Exeter EX4 3RG. The group was the first folk choir that Wren Music formed a couple of decades ago and over its long history, the choir has travelled widely, made CDs, been on residential weekends and...

Rainbow Living’s tubful of thanks

Authored by JanetRaeburn
Posted: Sat, 04/09/2016 - 11:20am

Trustees of Rainbow Living Exeter have publicly thanked local businesses and charitable foundations for their generous donations, which have enabled the purchase of a specialist bath for their Exeter house.

Local healthcare and protection insurance provider The Exeter donated £2,000; the charity was also supported by the James Tudor Foundation, which donated £4,500, and the St Edmunds and St Mary’s Major Charity, which donated a further £330.

Rainbow Living is a local charity which provides specially adapted accommodation for adults with disabilities; the charity...

The Magical Faraway Tree at Deer Park Country Hotel

Authored by HarryWild
Posted: Sat, 04/09/2016 - 10:49am

I have longed to spend the night in a treehouse ever since Enid Blyton captured my imagination with The Faraway Tree; a magical tree inhabited by fairy-folk, standing in the middle of the Enchanted Wood. Its topmost branches lead to ever-changing magical lands above the swirling clouds. When I discovered Deer Park Country House luxury treehouse , it went straight to the top of my wish list.

As you drive through the quintessentially British grounds, the first thing that hits you is the serenity. The hustle and bustle of the town faded away, only to be replaced with chirping birds...

Scouts add a sparkle to Seaton Wetlands

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Sat, 04/09/2016 - 10:15am

The 1st Lym Valley Scout group had a wonderful morning down at Seaton Wetlands on March 20, as part of their weekend adventure.

After camping at Seaton Scout hut, the Scouts walked to Seaton Wetlands nature reserve to undertake an orienteering challenge. They worked together to navigate their way around Colyford Common and back to the Wetlands Reed Base.

After a well-earned picnic lunch the group spent some time cleaning the windows on three of the bird hides. Visitors to the Wetlands will now get an even better view of the wildlife on site thanks to the Scouts.

Tim...

Countryside volunteers help save bat

A poorly Daubenton’s Bat, spotted at East Devon District Council's Seaton Wetlands nature reserve was, after several weeks of care, released on Good Friday.

On Sunday March 13 at 1.30pm, a bird watcher saw a bat flying around the pond, in the heart of Seaton Wetlands. The bat, which should have been hibernating, was clearly distressed. It had strong sun shining on it and was flying into things.

The bird watcher was concerned by the bat's behavior and informed volunteers, John and Judith Richards, who were manning the Discovery Hut. The three sheltered the bat as best they...

Chiefs side to face Wasps

Authored by Mark Stevens
Posted: Fri, 04/08/2016 - 11:21pm

They say the best form of defence is to attack and that’s the philosophy Rob Baxter will be instilling into his Exeter Chiefs side ahead of tomorrow’s European Champions Cup quarter-final with Wasps at the Ricoh Arena (3:15pm).

For the first time in the club’s history, the Chiefs find themselves vying for a spot in the last four of Europe’s top club competition.

It’s new and uncharted waters for the Devon club, who in just six seasons have risen out of the Championship to establish themselves as one of the growing forces within the English and European game.

...

Introduction to Stonemasonry - workshop

Event Date: 
07/05/2016 - 10:00am to 08/05/2016 - 5:00pm
Venue: 
Castle Drogo, Drewsteignton EX6 6PB

A Dartmoor Arts project 2-day weekend course: Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th May 2016. At Castle Drogo, Drewsteignton EX6 6PB. 10am - 5pm, £60/£50

This is a comprehensive introduction to the skills, techniques, tools and purposes of stonemasonry with 2 experienced tutors, Trevor Clarke and Ben Martin. You will learn how to use and maintain tools, practice masonry and letter carving techniques and can work on a project of your own, carve an inscription or a 3D piece, or both. All materials and tools are provided. The course will include a tour of Castle Drogo, currently undergoing...

Springtime in Paris ball raises £12k for hospice

More than 200 people attended a black tie ball in Sparkford to celebrate St Margaret’s Hospice’s 35th anniversary.

The ball, which was organised by West Country accountants and financial planners Old Mill, raised a staggering £12,426 to help fund St Margaret’s vital work in Somerset.

The theme of the evening was ‘Springtime in Paris’; Old Mill’s Adam Sealey serenaded people as they arrived on his violin while professional model makers Nigel Keen and Tim Bee created a light sculpture of the Eiffel Tower which was displayed in the hall.

Guests were treated to a four...

Award success for pioneering diabetes research

Two University of Exeter Medical School scientists have won prestigious awards from the national charity Diabetes UK.

Dr Tim McDonald won the Lilly Diabetes Clinical Research prize, and Dr Kashyap Patel won the Nick Hales Young Investigator award at the Diabetes UK Professional Conference last week in Glasgow. Both academics hold joint roles at the Medical School and the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust.

Dr McDonald presented data on screening for a rare but severe condition called neonatal diabetes. This is a condition in which babies are born with a genetic...

Pages