Exeter

Local farm shop shortlisted in Farm Retail Association Awards

Darts Farm and its new flagship restaurant The Farm Table in Devon have been nominated as a finalist in three categories in this year’s prestigious Farm Retail Association (FRA) Awards including Large Farm Shop of the Year, Farm Café/Restaurant of the Year and Rising Star of the Year

Over 50 years ago, Ronald Dart pioneered UK pick-your-own farming. After his passing, sons Paul, Michael, and James transformed Darts Farm into a celebrated Exeter hub for farm-to-table dining, local produce, artisan goods, and sustainable practices, championing regional flavours through vibrant...

International Lego Day celebrations for local care home and school children

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 01/28/2025 - 9:48pm

Residents at Lucerne House, in Alphington, Exeter have rejoiced as they shared a wonderful morning of building and creativity with students from local school, Alphington Primary, for International Lego Day.

Every year on January 28th, Lego fans and enthusiast around the world come together to celebrate all things Lego and the creator of the iconic brick, Godtfred Kirk Christiansen who submitted his patent for the Lego brick on January 28th 1958.

Lego began in the Danish town of Billund, when Ole Kirk Christiansen founded a small woodworking company. In 1932, the company...

Saxon Adventure: Exeter Pupils Step Back in Time at Escot

Year 4 pupils from Whipton Barton Federation embarked on an unforgettable trip to Wildwood Devon at Escot Park this month, immersing themselves in 'living Saxon history.'

The children were transported back in time, exploring life as a Saxon villager and experiencing the everyday tasks that would have defined their ancestors’ lives.

Spread across 40 acres of gardens and woodland in the heart of the county, Wildwood is a charity dedicated to restoring nature through innovative rewilding projects.

During their visit, pupils got hands-on with history as they baked...

A Feather in their Cap: Exwick Heights Pupils Help Build National Birdwatch Picture

Authored by Daisy Hall
Posted: Tue, 01/28/2025 - 9:17pm

Pupils at Exwick Heights Primary School recently embarked on a birdwatching adventure as part of the RSPB Schools’ Bird Watch survey.

Mozart Class ventured into the Discovery Garden to quietly observe and document the variety of bird species around the school grounds. Their patience and enthusiasm paid off as they were rewarded with many feathered friends who visited for a close-up view.

The RSPB’s Big Schools’ Birdwatch, an annual event that invites schools across the country to count local bird populations and it is a fantastic way for children to connect with nature....

People needed to join Devon NHS trust’s Council of Governors

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is looking for four people to play a vital role in the work of their local NHS by nominating themselves to be a public governor.

The Trust, which provides medical services through the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and North Devon District Hospital, has a Council of Governors with people from across Devon representing their local communities.

The Trust has a good number of governors representing Northern and Eastern Devon, but has unfilled seats in its Southern constituency – including Exeter, Teignbridge,...

Less is more: A shift towards conscious gifting

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 01/28/2025 - 8:33pm

Now that the festive season has ended, you might be left with a pile of unwanted Christmas gifts and unsure of what to do with them. You’re not alone. Each year, an estimated £42 million worth of unwanted presents are thrown away in the UK ( Defra ). According to research by Oxfam, 40% of us can expect to receive up to five unwanted gifts annually ( Oxfam ). Even more concerning, nearly a third of us hide these gifts away instead of regifting or repurposing them, while one in ten will throw them out entirely.

These figures are staggering, though perhaps not surprising in today’s...

Devon customers praised for bringing joy to children at Christmas

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 01/28/2025 - 8:30pm

Kind-hearted shoppers in Devon have been thanked for contributing to the 125,000 toys donated to children in need during the run-up to Christmas.

Before the festive celebrations, the Tesco stores in Devon called on shoppers to support a collection of toys so that families whose children would otherwise not receive a gift wouldn’t miss out on the big day.

People across the county responded enthusiastically to the campaign, with 1,673 brand-new toys being gifted to good causes such as Children’s Hospice South West, North Devon District Hospital and the local Salvation Army...

Massive Exeter housing scheme approved

Building more than 1,000 new homes alongside Exeter’s canal will be a ‘watershed’ moment for the city.

But members of the city council planning committee have raised concerns over whether the Water Lane development will provide the affordable homes the city desperately needs.

Chairman Paul Knott (Lab, Exwick) told them: “This is possibly the largest and most complex application we have seen. It is a project 20 years in the making. ”

The Water Lane Development Management Committee now has permission to start work across a huge area which was once home to a meat...

Exeter cancer survivor to Conquer Spartan Race

Fran Bullock, a Devon native and cancer exercise specialist, has proven that resilience and determination can overcome even the toughest challenges. Fran this weekend took on the Valmorel Winter Spartan 5K Sprint in France, battling icy terrain and fierce obstacles in an incredible display of strength and courage - a journey made even more inspiring by her personal battle with cancer just a few years ago.

Fran’s story is one of profound perseverance. Diagnosed with stage three breast cancer at the age of 39, Fran’s life was turned upside down as she faced a mastectomy,...

Cornish Mutual signs headline sponsorship deal with Devon County Show

THE organisers of Devon County Show are thrilled to announce a new headline sponsor for their annual event - Cornish Mutual.

This South West based insurance and services provider puts farmers at the heart of all it does and has been supporting the Show for many years, including sponsorship of the main livestock arena since 2022. This year they are taking their support to the highest level by becoming headline sponsor.

Lisa Moore, Devon County Show Manager, expressed her delight in having Cornish Mutual on board. She said: “The Devon County Show is the biggest...

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