News in brief from East Devon and Exeter – what’s on, schools and young people, community celebrations, photos. Send your news to becca.gliddon@eastdevonnews.co.uk
Exmouth – what’s on
Exmouth Gate to Plate food festival returns to the town on Sunday, April 19, 10am-4pm. Entry is free.
The dog-friendly event, on The Strand, Exmouth, is an outdoor marketplace of local food producers, growers and creatives.
East Devon
An East Devon leisure centre operator has helped charity Hospiscare raise more than £100,000, teaming up with businesses and organisations across the district.
LED Community Leisure was one of 40 businesses to each pledge to raise £1,000 for the charity, helping to care for more than 2,500 terminally ill patients and their families across Exeter, Mid and East Devon.
Pictured here is leisure centre CEO Olly Swayne, centre, celebrating with Hospiscare supporters.
Photo: with permission.
The leisure operator was named an unsung hero by the charity at its 40 Club awards event, in recognition of the work carried out behind the scenes.
Olly Swayne, LED Community Leisure CEO, said: “LED Community Leisure is proud to have played a supporting role in helping Hospiscare raise more than £100,000, working in partnership with local businesses and organisations across East Devon.
“The milestone highlights the strength of community collaboration in support of Hospiscare’s vital work caring for people and families during some of the most challenging times of their lives.
“Throughout the partnership, every event, fundraising initiative and shared effort helped build momentum towards this significant achievement. LED Community Leisure is honoured to have stood alongside partners who share a commitment to giving back and making a meaningful difference locally.”
Devon
Some 40 free friendship benches are up for grabs for not-for-profit organisations across Devon.
Lazy Susan Furniture is offering 40 free benches to organisations across the county, including schools, hospitals, hospices, and any registered charities.
The garden furniture firm said the aim of benches was to ‘reduce loneliness and provide a dedicated spot for people of all ages to sit, chat, and build relationships’
The friendship benches are being offered for free.
Photo: with permission
The company is this year donating 400 garden benches across the UK.
Michael Scott, Lazy Susan Furniture founder, said: “”I firmly believe in the power of community, the joy of being outside and the simple act of human connection.
“These Friendship Benches are more than just outdoor seating; they are places for people to pause, relax and perhaps strike up a conversation with someone they have never spoken to before.
“We are incredibly proud to support Devon organisations in creating these vital spaces where friendships can flourish and communities can strengthen.”
See here on how to apply for one of the friendship benches.
Topsham
A highly-commended author from Topsham with 12 books under her belt is publishing her latest, Grenewyz, later this month.
Mum-of-four Anne Merrick who hold a BA Hons Degree in English, has written a young adult dystopian adventure following Flora and the ‘patchwork family’ she brings together on her quest across a devastated land. The book will be published by Troubador on April 28.
Author Anne Merrick’s new book comes out later this month. Photos: with permission.
Anne, whose book Someone Came Knocking was shortlisted and then commended for the Carnegie Medal and also selected by IBBY for its UK Honours Award, said “After losing my husband in 2006, I had a surge of writing inspiration.
“Around this time, climate change was becoming a widely discussed issue and I felt concerns associated with this, and what we are doing to the world. As with many writers, the ideas just flowed into my head.”
Exeter
Pupils at a primary school in Exeter planted fruit trees and learned about wildlife and biodiversity when they took part in environmental lessons.
Bowhill Primary School youngsters joined Little Green Change and Exeter MP Steve Race to plant pear, plum and cherry trees next to existing apple trees in the grounds of the Buddle Lane school site, in Exwick.
The Bowhill Primary School pupils planted fruit trees with Little Green Change founder Clare Matheson, watched on by Exeter MP Steve Race.
Photo: with permission.
A spokeswoman for Little Green Change said: “The children learnt about the many benefits the trees will bring to both wildlife and humans.”
Mr Race was at the school to show his support for Little Green Change’s Biodiversity in Schools Project, which provides free environmental education to state-funded primary and secondary schools in Devon, Dorset and South-West Somerset.
The not-for-profit organisation, based in Lyme Regis, will return to the school in the autumn.
Exeter
Students at West Exe School in Exeter took part in workshops, talks, hands-on activities, liaising with other colleges, universities and businesses when the school hosted a science festival.
Among the line-up of speakers was Dr Bernd Eggen, a climate change adaptation specialist who was part of the Nobel Prize Team for Chemistry for the discovery of Carbon-60 buckminsterfullerene which established the field of drug delivery systems including HIV treatments.
The event was made possible through support and funding from the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Pictured here are West Exe pupils at the science festival. Photo: with permission.
Julie Fossey, West Exe School headteacher, said the one-day event brought science to life for students.
She said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to experience science beyond the classroom and see how it connects to the world around them. The festival encouraged critical thinking and helped students understand the important role they can play in shaping a more sustainable future.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Royal Society of Chemistry and our guest speakers for making the day so memorable.”
Exmouth
Students at Exmouth Community College celebrated a sell-out show of their annual dance production, The Blend 2026.
More than 80 pupils showcased their dance skills, including GCSE and A-level choreography from exam classes, and original performances.
Exmouth Community College pupils put on a sell-out dance show.
Photo: with permission.
Tom Inman, Exmouth Community College headteacher thanked all who took part and worked behind the scenes.
He said: “We have high expectations for The Blend each year, and our students continually exceed them.
“This production is incredibly special because so much of it is their own work. Watching the students grow, not just in their dance ability, but also in confidence, is wonderful.”
Cranbrook
Chefs at an Indian restaurant teamed up with Cranbrook Education Campus students to learn practical cooking skills.
Denley’s Indian Restaurant chefs tutored Year 9 hospitality and catering students, helping them create a traditional vegetable curry and rice using authentic ingredients and cooking techniques to capture the distinctive flavours of Indian food.
Cranbrook students with Denley’s restaurant chefs.
Photo: with permission.
Tee Hussein, manager at Denley’s in Cranbrook, said: “It was a real pleasure working with the students at Cranbrook Education Campus. Their enthusiasm and creativity made the workshop incredibly rewarding, and it was great to see them engaging so positively with the ideas we explored.”
Stephen Farmer, Cranbrook Education Campus head, said: “It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to work alongside professional chefs and experience the hospitality industry first-hand.
“The workshop not only developed their cooking skills but also gave them a real insight into the creativity, teamwork and precision involved in top-class professional kitchens.”
Exmouth
Pupils in Exmouth invited more than 80 residents to join in a meal hosted to mark the Muslim holy month of Ramadam.
Exmouth Community College students organised the Iftar meal to break the daily fast, inviting guests to join them in the evening.
Guests were welcomed with speeches and music as the sun set before sharing the meal.
The school hopes to host the community Iftar annually.
Exmouth students organised the community Iftar meal to break the daily Ramadam fast. Photo: with permission
Tom Inman, Exmouth Community College headteacher, said: “The evening really showed what community and belonging means.
“We were immensely proud of our students and of the wider Exmouth community who came together to make the event such a success.”
Motorists thanked for their patience after weeks of tailbacks come to an end amid a landslip in East Devon
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