Exeter Lives: Ben Bradshaw
Name: Ben Bradshaw
And what do you do? Member of Parliament for Exeter.
How would you describe yourself in five words?
Lucky and grateful in life.
How would you describe Exeter in five words?
The best city in Britain.
What brought you to Exeter?
My first proper job, as a reporter on the Express and Echo.
Which part of Exeter is home?
The river. I’ve been lucky to have always lived near the Exe, first in St Thomas, now St Leonards.
What is your favourite place in Exeter?
Cathedral Green.
What is your favourite Exeter event?
Currently the Food Festival.
What was the last live performance you saw in Exeter and where did you see it?
“The Incomers”, a brilliant new play at the Bike Shed Theatre.
Favourite place to eat out in or near Exeter?
Depends on mood/time of year. The Fat Pig and Côte probably recent top favourites.
Best coffee in town?
Café Espresso in Castle Street or Café at 36, Cowick Street.
Favourite pub?
The Fat Pig
Favourite locally produced food or drink?
Green Valley Cider.
Favourite shop?
Gibson’s Plaice fishmonger, Magdalen Road.
Favourite shopping area?
Magdalen Road
Exeter Chiefs or Exeter City?
Exeter City
Beach or moors?
Summer beach, winter moors.
What or where is Exeter's best kept secret?
The canal city side of the Topsham Ferry crossing – a great swimming spot.
What one change would you like to see in Exeter?
The restoration of unitary local government for Exeter so the local councillors we elect have the power to make policy in Exeter’s best interests.
Who is your local hero or heroine?
I meet countless unsung heroes and heroines doing amazing things in Exeter all the time, but if I had to chose a single historic figure it would be Saint Boniface, born in Crediton, who converted Germany and much of continental Europe to Christianity and is the patron Saint of Germany.
Do you belong to any local clubs or societies?
Lots. Too many to list here, but the only one that gets a mention in Who’s Who is Whipton Labour Club.
What are you up to next?
The next minute or next in life? I tend to take things as they come and my next meeting after completing this questionnaire is with a constituent from Exeter who has come to lobby me at Parliament about the value, importance and popularity of dance in schools and education.
Ben Bradshaw is the MP for Exeter
Exeter Lives is to be a regular feature on The Exeter Daily every week. Let us know who you would like to be featured and why at ted@thedailyuk.com
