Local News

Exeter Chiefs Foundation and city food charity set to serve 3,000th festive meal

Hundreds of people will enjoy a little extra holiday cheer this year, as staff from a local food charity prepare to dish out festive fayre funded by generous Exeter Chiefs supporters.

For the third year running, Exeter Food Action (EFA) has teamed up with the Exeter Chiefs Foundation to help those who otherwise might struggle to afford a traditional Christmas lunch.

By Boxing Day, EFA and the Foundation will have fed more than 3,000 people in and around the city since forming their partnership in 2022.

Since then, the rugby club charity has donated around £30,...

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Westbank Xmas lunch at the Royal Oak in Exminster, 2024

Exminster's Royal Oak pub lays on a festive feast for Westbank's service users

Up to fifty older people who are regularly supported by the Exminster-based health and wellbeing charity Westbank Community Health and Care have enjoyed a sociable Christmas lunch laid on by The Royal Oak pub in Exminster.

The pub has been an ardent supporter of the charity for several years and once again provided a fabulous 3-course meal to spread some festive cheer. The Year 6 choir from Exminster Primary School provided the entertainment, singing Christmas carols to the lunchgoers.

100-year-old Ruth Coren from Exminster, a former nurse who turns 101 in the New Year, has...

Domminique Ennew, Ava Barron Thomas, Janine Baker and Amelie Coe; Teaching faculty at DanSci Dance S

DanSci Dance Studio Shines at 2024 Youth Services Development Awards

Authored by DanSci
Posted: Mon, 12/23/2024 - 2:24pm

Exeter’s DanSci Dance Studio has been honored with the Rising Youth Leader Award at the prestigious 2024 UK Business Youth Services Development Awards. This recognition celebrates their innovative Assistant Dance Teacher Program, which nurtures young dancers into confident leaders by blending artistic growth with mentorship and personal development.

In addition, DanSci was a proud finalist in two other categories: Excellence in Youth Health Services and Excellence in Arts and Culture, further showcasing their exceptional contributions to youth development.

"We are thrilled...

Mrs Dawn Hatton

Throwleigh pensioner wins surprise 500 litres of heating oil for Christmas

Throwleigh pensioner Dawn Hatton is looking forward to a warm and cosy Christmas with her daughter and friends this year, free from the worry of heating oil bills, thanks to an early Christmas present from Okehampton-based Moorland Fuels.

In a surprise announcement, the company contacted retiree Mrs Hatton to tell her that she had become the inaugural winner of the Moorland Fuels Cosy Heating Club quarterly heating oil draw.

Commenting on her good fortune Mrs Hatton said: “Many people of my age are going to struggle this winter following the end of Winter Fuel payments, so...

Stagecoach SW, Fostering Devon and Northcott Theatre collaborate to create some Christmas magic

Christmas came early for families from Devon County Council’s Fostering Devon service, when Stagecoach South West, The Northcott Theatre Exeter, and Devon Foster Carers’ Association partnered with them to provide foster families with tickets to attend the premiere of Cinderella at the Northcott Theatre

The collaboration, with a contribution from the theatre’s ‘pay it forward’ scheme, enabled the organisations to donate 150 free tickets to Fostering Devon’s carers and their families.

Peter Knight, Managing Director, Stagecoach South West, said: “At this time of year, it’s...

Record £83.6 million Government funding for roads

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 12/23/2024 - 12:22pm

Devon County Council has welcomed a record £83.6 million “early Christmas present” from the Government for road repairs. The funding of £83,640,000 for Devon is the largest share of a record £1.6 billion investment announced by the Government today (Friday 20 December) to fill potholes and repair roads. An extensive repair programme using this latest funding will be compiled over the next couple of months to help tackle the highway maintenance backlog on Devon’s 8,000 mile road network, which is currently in excess of £200 million. The funding will be used to prioritise extensive...

NatWest encourages customers in the South West to spread Christmas cheer in support of national homelessness charity

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 12/23/2024 - 12:13pm

NatWest has introduced a new way for its customers to support Social Bite in the fight against homelessness this festive season.

Through its mobile app based MyRewards programme, customers can now easily donate their available Rewards (over £5) to buy someone experiencing homelessness a Christmas dinner with Social Bite. NatWest has also pledged to match all donations to any of its 16 MyRewards charities, including Social Bite, up to the value of £50 until 31st December, up to a total of £150,000.

The initiative comes as part of Social Bite’s ‘Festival of Kindness’ – an...

Tilia Homes secures planning permission for new development of 80 homes in Exeter

Tilia Homes, part of the untypical group, has been granted planning permission for a development comprising 80 much needed homes on land at Exwick Lane, Redhills, Exeter.

Exeter City Council Planning Committee has approved the proposal for the construction of 52 private dwellings and 28 affordable homes at Redhill Gardens.

The development will offer a range of 2, 3, 4, and 5-bedroom homes, catering to first-time buyers, families, and downsizers alike. Construction is set to commence in spring 2025.

Redhill Gardens will feature quality, energy-efficient homes...

Sally Basker, chief executive of Exeter Science Park has been appointed chair of UKSPA

Exeter Science Park's Sally Basker appointed as Chair of UK Science Park Association

Sally Basker, Chief Executive of Exeter Science Park, has been appointed as Chair of the United Kingdom Science Park Association (UKSPA).

The announcement followed the UKSPA Annual General Meeting, marking a significant milestone in Sally’s career as she steps into this influential role after previously serving as Vice Chair.

Sally said: “I’m honoured to have been appointed Chair of UKSPA and excited to collaborate with members, partners, and stakeholders to create opportunities across the UK’s Science Park sector.

“This is a pivotal moment for science and...

Let's Rock Exeter announces 2025 line-up

The iconic 80s retro festival, Let's Rock, has unveiled its official line-up for summer 2025 at Let's Rock Exeter- and it's the best ever!

Part of the UK's most successful retro festival series, Let's Rock Exeter proudly announces that UK super-band, Squeeze will headline the festival next summer.

The stellar line-up also includes Matt Goss (Bros) for his first ever Let's Rock appearance, Kim Wilde, Go West, Bad Manners, Then Jerico, T-Pau, Jennie Bellstar, Pat Sharp, Thereza Bazar's Dollar, Owen Paul and many many more exciting 80s acts. Tickets start at just £39.50 and...

Help support your ambulance service this festive season

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 12/20/2024 - 8:14pm

The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is asking local communities across the region to use its services responsibly this festive period, as it prepares for a challenging and busy time.

The Trust has already been experiencing significant and sustained demand across its 999 services this winter - a position that is echoed by other health and care organisations locally, regionally, and nationally.

Traditionally, the time between Christmas and New Year is one of the busiest periods of the year for the service and in response to this, Trust leaders...

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