A round-up of community news and photos from across East Devon and Exeter – including Exmouth, Sidmouth, Cranbrook, Honiton. Send your images, celebrations, stories, sporting events, what’s on, to newsdesk@eastdevonnews.co.uk
Exmouth
‘Dedicated’ Exmouth RNLI volunteer Jill Carter, aged 92, has retired from helping in the charity’s seafront shop after 32 years.
Alison Gall, Exmouth RNLI shop manager, presented Jill Carter, right, with a RNLI paperweight crafted from the flagpole from RNLI Isle of Man, the home of the charity’s founder Sir William Hillary.
Photo: RNLI.
Retired teacher Jill arrived in Exmouth in 1981and joined the town’s RNLI shop as a volunteer in 1993.
After more than three decades of supporting the charity, Jill’s volunteering was celebrated with a surprise send-off.
Alison Gall, Exmouth RNLI shop manager, who presented Jill with a RNLI paperweight crafted from the flagpole from RNLI Isle of Man, the home of the charity’s founder Sir William Hillary.
Alison said: “Jill Carter has given nearly 33 years of volunteering to Exmouth RNLI. During her time working weekly on her regular shift, she has always been keen to fill in and do extra shifts when needed.
“Jill has been a great support to myself, sharing her wisdom and experience with many others over the years. “
She added: “In earlier years, Jill also helped with fundraising events and outside events for the RNLI. What a wonderful ambassador for the RNLI she is.”
Gemma Baker, the charity’s regional retail spokeswoman said: “Jill has been a dedicated shop volunteer for Exmouth RNLI for almost 33 years. Throughout this time, she has given a weekly shift and has always been ready to lend a helping hand whenever needed.
“In the last five years alone, the Exmouth shop has brought in close to a million pounds—thanks to incredible volunteers like Jill. The RNLI couldn’t do what we do without her, so a massive thank you.”
Exeter
Primary and secondary pupils from Exeter teamed up to discuss ways to help young people in the city.
Isca Academy student council members and a group of Wynstream Primary School pupils spoke about how activities and local spaces could benefit young people living nearby.
Isca Academy student council members and a group of Wynstream Primary School pupils discussed how activities and local spaces could benefit young people living nearby.
Photo: with permission.
The school said the session was part of an ongoing partnership with the Wonford Community Organisation and Groups (Wonford COGS), where youngsters ‘play an active role’ in shaping the Wonford community.
Vicki Joyce, Isca Academy headteacher, said: “Our student council continues to model what it means to be safe, connected and successful.
“By engaging younger pupils so thoughtfully, they are not only amplifying youth voice in Wonford but also developing leadership skills that will stay with them for life. Their maturity and professionalism were exceptional.”
Isca students and Wynstream pupils teamed up.
Photo: with permission.
Honiton
The chairman of a digital business service, based in Honiton, has been recognised with a CBE in the New Year’s Honours.
Cosmic Chairman Martin Davies was awarded the gong for services to employment provision for people with disabilities.
Mr Davies said: I’m am honoured to have been nominated for such a prestigious award. It has only been possible because of the brilliant people I have worked with over the years.
“However, there remains so much to do and that’s why I’m so excited to be part of the amazing Cosmic team striving to ensure no one is digitally excluded in any aspect of their lives, including employment.”
Cosmic Chairman Martin Davies was awarded a CBE for services to employment provision for people with disabilities.
Photo: with permission.
Julie Hawker, Cosmic’s chief executive, said: “I am absolutely delighted to see Martin recognised with a CBE.
“This honour is richly deserved and reflects a lifetime of commitment to improving opportunities and outcomes for disabled people. Martin brings not only deep experience, but also integrity, compassion and a relentless focus on social impact.
“His leadership has played a major role in shaping Cosmic’s purpose and ambitions, and I am personally grateful for the wisdom, challenge and encouragement he offers me and the board. This recognition is something the whole Cosmic team celebrates with pride.”
Sidmouth
Register your interest now ahead of recruitment.
Photo: J.J.Waller.
Sidmouth Beach Lifeguard Service, gearing up to return for the summer of 2026, is looking for new volunteers to join its team.
The service runs throughout the summer months, including school half-term holidays, Applicants must be 18 or over.
A spokeswoman for the town’s lifeboat service said: “We’re looking for people who are confident in the water, physically fit, and enjoy working with the public as part of a close-knit team helping to keep our beach safe.”
Register your interest now to receive more details before applications open.
Email lifeguards@sidmouthlifeboat.org.uk.
East Devon
Schools in East Devon teamed up with environmental education group Little Green Change in a bid to celebrate biodiversity improvements across the district.
Youngsters from All Saints Primary School in Axminster, Sidmouth Primary School Colyton Primary Academy and Axminster Community Primary Academy were among 1,719 children across 23 state-funded primary and secondary schools in the county taking part in projects such as planting willows, in flood prone areas, native trees, and spring flowering bulbs, helping to create improved wildlife habitats, such as preventing river bank erosion of the River Lim, in Uplyme.
Otterton Primary School pupils took part, planting bulbs. Photo: Little Green Change.
Clare Matheson, Little Green Change’s founder, said: “It’s been wonderful to see how enthusiastic children are about protecting wildlife, and how much the participating schools are enabling them to do this.
“Hands-on experiences like the ones we provide empower children to believe they can make a positive difference, which can then has a ripple effect on the whole community. If we want to protect humans, we must also protect nature, as we rely on it as a species to survive and thrive.”
Cranbrook
Cranbrook Education Campus pupils planted trees around the school grounds.
Photo: with permission.
More than 90 new trees have been planted in the grounds of Cranbrook Education Campus after pupils helped dig holes and settle the saplings.
The tree planting is the school’s latest project aimed at boosting environmental awareness.
The youngsters got stuck and helped plant the trees.
Photo: with permission.
More than 90 new trees have been planted in the grounds of Cranbrook Education Campus after pupils helped dig holes and settle the saplings.
Photo: with permission.
The school aims to plant a tree for every pupil attending the campus.
Stephen Farmer, Cranbrook Education Campus head, said: “Seeing our pupils out on the field with spades in hand, working together and taking real pride in improving their surroundings, is exactly what our school is all about.
“Their enthusiasm for helping the environment shows the strength of our community and the care our young people have for the world around them.”
The school aims to plant a tree for every pupil attending the campus.
Photo: with permission.
Exeter
Students from two schools in Exeter collected leaf samples from The Eden Project biomes in Cornwall as part of a new science and research internship.
Pupils from St James School, in Beacon Heath, and West Exe School, in Alphington, will use what they collected for science project investigations.
Students from St James School collected samples at the Eden Project.
Photo: with permission.
The schools said the internship is run in partnership with B-HUGs, ‘which supports Black students in Exeter by providing role models, real-world research experience, and collaborative learning opportunities’.
Emily Harper, headteacher St James School, said: “The students really threw themselves into their research and it was lovely to see.
“They were excited to explore, ask questions, and get hands-on with their learning. “Experiences like this really bring science to life, and we are very grateful to B-HUGs for making it possible.”
The students took leaf samples from the biomes.
Photo: with permission.
Cranbrook
Birthday cake and free keepsake shopping bags were handed out to passengers when Cranbrook station recently celebrated its 10th birthday.
Birthday celebrations were held at Cranbrook Railway Station.
Photo: with permission.
Joining the milestone anniversary were Cranbrook Town and East Devon District (EDDC) Councillor Kim Bloxham, who cut the cake amid celebrations held at station, alongside fellow Cllr Kevin Blakely and Andrew Ardley, a regional development manager for South Western Railway.
Cllr Vikki Wright, Cranbrook Town Council chair, said “We are delighted to celebrate 10 years of Cranbrook Railway Station.
“Since its opening, it has been a vital link for our community, making travel easier, supporting the growth of our town, and promoting sustainable travel.
“We look forward to seeing it continue to serve residents and visitors for many years to come.”
