News in brief from across East Devon and Exeter – including community stories, photos, what’s on, fundraising appeals, club news. Send your community news to newsdesk@eastdevonnews.co.uk
East Devon
An East Devon charity that plants trees and builds classrooms in Africa has received £1,000 to help with its work.
The Benefact Group, a grant-giving organisation, announced the Tipton St John-based charity Word Forest Organisation had received a grant following ‘overwhelming support from people in the area’.
Eco retreat Embercombe, in Exeter, also received grant funding.
The money was awarded after almost 5,000 Devon residents nominated good causes.
Nominate a charity here
Sidmouth
Clubs and organisations from Sidmouth showcased a host of activities at a recent event in a bid to encourage the town’s students to take part.
Junior Vikings at the clubs’ event.
Photo: with permission.
Sidmouth District Girl Guides.
Photo: with permission.
Students were given the chance to join clubs and organisations, taking up new hobbies.
Photo: with permission.
The Army Cadets attended the event. Photo: with permission.
Sidmouth College, in partnership with the town council and Sidmouth Live, hosted the recent clubs’ fayre, promoting local clubs in a bid to encourage students to take up a hobby or try something new and meet like-minded groups.
Taking part in the event was Young Devon, All Stars Cricket, East Devon Dance Academy, Sidmouth Running Club, and Junior Vikings.
Also, Sidmouth District Girl Guides, Army Cadets and Sidmouth Netball Club.
Lisa Whitworth, Sidmouth College headteacher, said: “It was wonderful to see so many students excited about exploring new opportunities outside of the classroom.
“Our students are incredibly lucky to have access to such a wide variety of clubs and activities, and we hope the event has sparked interest in discovering something new.”
East Devon Dance Academy at the clubs’ event. Photo: with permission.
Information on a whole host of clubs was available at the event.
Photo: with permission.
Different sports and hobbies were on offer. Photo: with permission.
Sidmouth Town Council launched its youth directory, an extended list of options for young people.
Later this year, the town will launch the Get Involved Grant, aimed at helping young people from low-income families who cannot afford club fees, uniforms, kit, preventing them from joining in.
Cllr Hilary Nelson, town council youth provision committee chair, said: “The activities fair and youth directory are an important part of the town council’s five-year programme for improving the lives of young people.
“We are truly fortunate to have such a rich network of activities available in the Sid Valley and we are all very grateful to the army of volunteers who give their time, skills and energy to enrich young people’s lives.
“As a town council we are committed to supporting those who are doing so much to make Sidmouth a better place to grow up, and we will continue to build links between our own youth provision, local organisations and young people.
“By working together, we hope to make sure that every young person has the opportunity to develop new skills, build friendships and discover passions that will last a lifetime.”
East Devon and Exeter
Lifeline charity Hospiscare has launched an appeal for funding to help continue its support services.
The hospice service supports end-of-life patients and their families across East Devon and Exeter through a host of free-to-access help and care.
Hospiscare is struggling – due to cuts in funding, rising costs and increased demand – it has at least an £800,000 shortfall in funds needed to continue its free help.
Thanks to Hospiscare’s specialist nurses, Devon mum Rachel was able to die with dignity in her own home, after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Hospiscare patient Rachel and her husband Mike raise a glass from her bed in a birthday toast to her daughter, Sarah. Rachel died two days later. Photo: with permission.
Her daughter, Sarah, said:“The emotional care and one-to-one support from the hospice nurses, at any time of the day or night, was invaluable. We had so much support from Hospiscare, both before and after mum died.”
Sarah and her mum, Rachel, in happier times. Photo: with permission.
Rachel (right) with husband Mike (left) with daughter Sarah (centre) on her wedding day.
Photo: with permission.
Hospiscare has two sites in East Devon, High View in Exmouth and Kings House in Honiton.
In March 2025, Hospiscare made more than 170 visits to the area and made more than 500 phone calls to patients in East Devon.
In the past year, Hospiscare has supported almost 200 patients on their specialist ward in Exeter. made 7,815 visits to patients in their own homes, and answered 9,429 calls from patients, GPs, district nurses, nursing homes, pharmacists, and anxious family members.
Donate to the appeal here.
Exeter
A young girl with Down’s syndrome has inspired her parents with a shop in Topsham, near Exeter, to create natural skincare and a sun cream.
Coraline Troy, centre, inspired her parents, Liz and Kevin, to launch a skincare range. Photo: with permission
Coraline Skincare, created by Kevin Troy and his wife, Liz, is hoping to expand its range through crowdfunding, in a bid to raise £20,000 to produce natural sunscreen, candles, plus launch a treatment room.
Kevin, who started making the natural products to suit their seven-year-old daughter Coraline’s sensitive skin, said the fundraiser, currently at just over £4,000, was aiming to ‘fill a gap in the market’.
For more information, see here.
Honiton
Tia Whitrow, from Honiton, was named Cornish Mutual South West Agricultural Student of the Year.
Photo: with permission.
Bicton College student Tia Whitrow, from Honiton, has been crowned Cornish Mutual South West Agricultural Student of the Year.
Tia, a Young Farmer, scooped the award and funding to attend a leading agricultural event of her choosing as a prize.
Tia Whitrow (L) is pictured here with Jeremy Oatey (R), Cornish Mutual Chairman.
Photo: with permission.
And she received a Cornish Mutual Young Farmer Further Education bursary of £500 to support costs related to her Level 2 course in agriculture.
The judges said Tia, who was selected for the award from bursary students across the south west, stood out for her drive to develop her knowledge of the industry.
Tia said the award was a ‘huge confidence boost’ that had given her a boost to achieve her ambition of expanding and developing her family farm for the future.
She said: “Winning the bursary will help me invest in resources and learning experiences that prepare me to take a more active role in the business.
“I’m also hoping to expand my knowledge of showing and stock judging, and I would love to spend some time in New Zealand to gain more experience of different farming systems.”
Peter Beaumont, Cornish Mutual CEO, who was on the judging panel, said: “Among this year’s exceptional bursary recipients, Tia stood out for her determination to not only progress her family farm, but also to have a positive impact on the wider industry. Her commitment to building her knowledge and skillset is admirable, and I’m sure she has a bright future ahead.”
Exeter – what’s on
An inflatable obstacle course coming to Exeter in the summer will boost funds for the Devon Air Ambulance.
The inflatable 5K event, at Westpoint Arena, Clyst St Mary, Exeter, on Saturday, August 9, is a family-friendly event geared up for adults and children as young as five to take part.
The inflatable 5K event, at Westpoint Arena, is in aid of the Devon Air Ambulance.
Image: with permission.
The event is open to all ages and fitness levels, jumping, bouncing, sliding, and swinging through 30 gigantic obstacles spread across a 5K course. With additional distances of 2.5K, 10K, and 15K available.
For more details, and how to enter, see here.
Exeter
Youngsters from the Whipton Barton Federation at the Plymouth Aquarium.
Photo: with permission.
Pupils in Exeter learned about marine life and ocean conservation when they visited the National Marine Aquarium, in Plymouth.
The Whipton Barton Federation Year 5 Pupils’ geography trip was made possible thanks to a grant from the Northbrook Community Trust.
The school’s reception pupils also learned about life beneath the waves when they visited the aquarium.
Louise Moretta, Whipton Barton Federation executive headteacher, said: “We are incredibly proud of how curious and enthusiastic our pupils were during these fantastic visits. They had the chance to embark on an unforgettable adventure while gaining invaluable knowledge about the marine world.
“I would like to extend my thanks to The Northbrook Community Trust for their generous donation, which enabled our Year 5 pupils and teachers to experience what they described as the best school trip ever.
“Experiences like these are crucial in igniting curiosity and fostering a lifelong love of learning.”
Whipton Barton Federation pupils.
Photo: with permission.
Pupils took what they learned back to the classroom.
Photo: with permission.
Honiton – what’s on East Devon
Alf Pugsley moving a shed in case of flood, Langham, Dolton, Devon, 1978. Photograph by James Ravilious © Beaford Arts.
Archie Parkhouse and Ivor Brock moving a sick ram, Dolton 1976. Photograph by James Ravilious © Beaford Arts
Archie Parkhouse with ivy for sheep. photo by James Ravilious © Beaford Arts.
Rural life from the past is on show at the Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG) in Honiton with a major exhibition of photographs taken by James Ravillious.
‘An English Eye’ will feature key photographic works chosen from a large retrospective show originally mounted for Ravilious by the Royal Photographic Society.
Robin Ravilious, wife of James Ravilious who gave a talk on the opening day, said: “James took most of his photographs in my much-loved homeland, central North Devon.
“It is always a pleasure to share a little personal background to his images with people who love his work.”
Archie Parkhouse reminising in a wood, Addisford, Dolton, Devon, 1974. Photography by James Ravilious © Beaford Arts.
Ivor Brock rescuing a lamb from a blizzard, Millhams, Dolton, Devon, 1978. photography by James Ravilious © Beaford Arts.
Eric Ravilious spent 17 years taking more than 80,000 photos offering a black and white snapshot of a bygone era in rural north Devon.
Much of his work makes up the Beaford Archive and shows the hardships faced by the rural community, plus village life, events and traditions, local landscapes, characters, families and farmers.
- James Ravilious: An English Eye is at the HTG from now until June 28, Open Tuesday until Saturday, 10am until 5pm. Entry is free. Donations welcome.
Exmouth
A new charity shop has opened up on The Parade in Exmouth town centre, in aid of visually impaired young people.
InFocus, the Exeter-based charity supporting young people with vision impairment and complex needs, said shoppers can expect pre-loved clothing, books, bric-a-brac, and more.
Pictured here is the new charity shop in Exmouth.
Photo: with permission.
The charity also has shops in Exeter, Sidmouth, Honiton, and Ottery St Mary.
Freddie Lemon, shop manager, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be opening in Exmouth. The community has already shown us such kindness, from welcoming words to generous donations – we couldn’t be more grateful.
“Whether you’re popping in to browse or dropping off donations, every item makes a difference. With each purchase, you’re helping fund life-changing support for young people with complex needs.”
The new shop will be open Monday to Saturday, 10am–5pm, and Sundays, 10am–4pm.
Exeter
Fundraising for a new ‘super theatre’ at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (RD&E) has hit the half-a-million pounds mark some six months after its launch.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust secured £5.1m NHS funding to build the new super theatre but needs to raise the remaining £1.4m to equip it with the cutting-edge equipment that will ‘revolutionise surgery’ for thousands of patients across Devon.
An artist’s impression of what the new ‘super theatre’ will look like.
Image: with permission.
The charity continuing to raise the £900,000 still needed to complete the new theatre, which is currently being built above the hospital’s emergency department.
The charity said once open, clinicians will be able to perform complex procedures and diagnostic imaging at the same time, reducing the need for open surgery, multiple operations and travelling to other areas for treatment.
Debbie Allen, RD&E Charity community fundraiser, said: “We’ve still got quite a way to go to hit our £1.4m target. But every donation, large or small, will bring us closer to delivering this life-changing facility for thousands of patients across Devon.
“We’re hoping more individuals, businesses, and community groups will rally behind this appeal so we can complete this extraordinary project and change lives.”
The appeal has already reached the £500,000 mark.
Photo: with permission.
See here for more details
East Devon
Photo provided by the South West Coast Path Association, Photographer: Stephen Holdway.
The East Devon coastline is set to feature in the South West Coast Path Photographer of the Year Exhibition, on display at Paddington Station, London, later this month.
An image called Jurassic Coast, Hooken Cliffs, Devon, taken by Stephen Holdway, who has been named as South West Coast Path Photographer of the Year, winner of the nature category, will be on show as part of the exhibition, which runs from May 22 until June 19, on platforms 8 and 9.
Judges praised the image, showing coastline at Beer, near Seaton, saying: “Stephen’s photograph captures the power of Hooken Cliffs. It connects you to the historic Jurassic Coast where dinosaurs used to roam.
“The image also demonstrates the vibrancy of nature along the cliffs and undercliffs covered with trees and other vegetation.”
Exeter
Students in Exeter were given an insight into the film and TV industry when a former pupil returned to school to give a career talk.
Isca Academy pupils with Joe Kidd.
Photo: with permission.
Joe Kidd, former Isca Academy and Exeter College student, now an assistant producer in the film and TV industry, spoke about his career, which has included working on James Bond, Doctor Strange, The Crown, and Wurzel Gummidge.
Vicki Joyce, Isca Academy headteacher, said: “We were absolutely thrilled to welcome Joe back to Isca Academy to inspire the next generation of filmmakers, producers, and creatives.
“His journey is a perfect example of how diverse career paths can be, and he showed our students that with passion and the right skills, they can achieve incredible things.”
Joe Kidd, former Isca Academy and Exeter College student, now an assistant producer in the film and TV industry, spoke about his career.
Photo: with permission.
Exmouth
Grants totalling £35,000 were handed out by Exmouth Town Council to ten community organisations.
The town council recently announced the community projects who would receive the cash as part of its 2025/2026 budget.
It said it was ‘committed’ to supporting local organisations whose impact boosts the town.
Councillor Alex Sadiq, town council’s finance committee chairman, said: “Exmouth is truly fortunate to have so many worthy organisations and volunteers doing great work in our community and Exmouth Town Council is once again honoured to help support them.”
The grants awarded by the town council were:
- East Devon Citizens Advice Bureau: £6,000 for core activities.
- Exmouth Beach Rescue: £730 for upgrading first aid equipment.
- Exmouth &District Community Transport Group: £5,908.98 for core activities.
- Exmouth Gateway Club: £3,000 for core activities.
- Exmouth In Bloom: £6,000 for core activities.
- Exmouth Museum: £2,000 for core activities.
- Exmouth Town Concert Band: £1,500 for rehearsal space.
- Exmouth Youth Theatre: £2,000 for core activities.
- NCI Exmouth: £1,000 for core activities.
- Open Door: £7,000 for community hub activities.
In addition, a one-off grant of £1,500 was awarded to Exmouth Youth Theatre and £1,500 to Hospiscare, to support its community nursing team.
