News in brief from East Devon. Photos, celebrations, schools and young people news, community and free events, plus what’s on – including Exmouth, Cranbrook, Budleigh Salterton, Broadclyst.
Send your community news and photos to newsdesk@eastdevonnews.co.uk
Exmouth – what’s on
A free public screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing is being shown in Exmouth at Scott Cinema at 7.15pm, on June 18, followed by a community discussion.
The organisers say booking is essential to avoid disappointment. David Reed, MP for Exmouth and Exeter East, is expected to attend.
The 50-minute public film being shown nationally, backed by naturalist and TV presenter Chris Packham, ‘sets out the implications of climate and nature breakdown for food security, public health, infrastructure, the economy and national security, alongside evidence-based actions that could reduce these risks’.
Zoey Cooper, Exmouth Town Council climate officer, said: “This is about creating space for people to come together, look at the evidence, and begin a more open and informed conversation about what it means for our community – and how we can support the bolder action now called for by the science, which will also do so much to improve lives, as the film explains.”
Exmouth also held a fully-booked screening in May, attended by town and district councillors. See here to book your place.
East Devon
Motorists are being warned to plan journeys ahead of this month’s Devon County Show, when up to 100,000 visitors are expected at the Clyst St Mary showground.
National Highways expects increased traffic on show mornings on the M5 north and south of junctions 29 and 30, the A30 east and west of Exeter and the A38 south of Exeter.
M5 traffic will be directed to use junction 30 to access the showground via the A376 and A3052, while A30 westbound traffic will be directed to exit at the Daisy Mount junction and use the B3180 and A3052.
National Highways said its traffic officers will be patrolling the M5, A38 and A30 to help with any breakdowns and incidents.
Exmouth – what’s on
Resident living locally can visit A la Ronde, at Exmouth, for free during May 28.
Photo: National Trust/Paul Harris
The National Trust is throwing open the doors of A la Ronde, Exmouth, for residents living locally to enjoy a free day out and learn about the house’s quirky history.
The Locals Go Free Day, on Thursday, May 28, is for residents in postcodes EX1–EX11. Adults will need to show proof of address on arrival.
The 16-side house, plus family trails, hands-on activities, and gardens, will be open from 10.30am until 5pm. Last entry to the house is 4pm. Gates close at 5.30pm.
The house at A La Ronde, Devon.
Photo: National Trust/Hilary Daniel.
Honiton
The Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG) in Honiton has scooped a £29,000 project grant from Arts Council England to boost its Create Our Space youth programme, working with young people and the arts.
The money will be used to take its youth exhibition programme out into the wider community in East Devon, in schools and the gallery’s youth network.
Councillor Nick Hookway, for tourism, leisure, sport and culture at East Devon District Council, said: “The funding will strengthen THG as a regional culture hub and help them explore a dynamic, collaborative way of working with rurally isolated young people to reach new audiences, embedding them in the gallery programme.”
Exmouth
Pictured here are the Exmouth Community College students celebrating their success.
Photo: with permission.
Sixth form students at Exmouth Community College are celebrating ‘outstanding success’ after taking part in the International Chemistry Olympiad competition.
The future scientists were among 17,000 students from across the country to take part in the competition, run by the Royal Society of Chemistry designed to test the skills and knowledge to find the best young chemists.
Exmouth students taking part in the competition achieved silver and bronze awards.
Tom Inman, Exmouth Community College headteacher, said: “Taking part in an Olympiad of this standard is a huge achievement in itself. We are incredibly proud of all our students for embracing the challenge and performing so well against such strong national competition.”
Devon – what’s on
Libraries in Devon have launched a new free beach leaflet kit with downloads and stickers to encourage families and children to get out and explore outdoors.
The Outdoor Explorer Club, is designed to help children, young people and families enjoy nature together. It has been put together with the help of young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The beach kit is free from Devon libraries to help families and kids get out and explore the outdoors. Photo: with permission.
The kit includes a beach leaflet, activity booklet with sticker sheet, downloadable and audio stories, and clear accessibility information.
Find out more, access digital versions, or pick up your free resources, here or Libraries Unlimited website at your local library.
East Devon
East Devon features in The Great South West Partnership’s 2026 housing prospectus, highlighting the proposed new town of Marlcombe, near Farringdon, as a step towards tackling the demand for new housing across the region.
The prospectus will be unveiled next week at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), in front of developers, investors, housing associations, and policymakers.
The Prospectus showcases 11 strategic sites and projects, including: Marlcombe, East Devon – ‘a major mixed-use development opportunity delivering new homes alongside employment space, supporting growth across the Exeter and East Devon corridor’.
Karl Tucker, Great South West Partnership chair, said: “This prospectus sets out a clear, coordinated pipeline of opportunities for developers and investors, demonstrating that the region is ready to deliver housing at scale, supported by strong local leadership and partnership.”
Locations in Plymouth, Bournemouth and Poole also feature in the prospectus for the south west.
Exmouth
Pictured here are Deaf Academy students and RNLI lifeguards.
Photo: with permission.
RNLI lifeguards recently teamed up with students from the Deaf Academy in Exmouth in a joint learning water safety session.
The lifeguards, who went int the school during Deaf Awareness Week, presented a visual water safety workshop to students.
In return, deaf students taught the RNLI lifeguards British Sign Language (BSL) phrases related to water safety, and tips on how to communicate.
Deaf Academy students taught RNLI lifeguards BSL water safety signs.
Photo: with permission.
Mark Stocks, the academy’s partnership and community manager, said: “We are extremely grateful for the time that the RNLI gave to the academy, both attending their deaf awareness workshop and then delivering a very visual and interactive water safety session to students.
“It is important to provide deaf awareness to lifeguards as most deaf people would not wear their audiology equipment – hearing aids or cochlear implants – whilst swimming, providing vital tips in how to get attention and basic sign language to help break down barriers and increase safety.
“The training that was provided to the students was accessible and helped raise their own awareness about keeping safe when enjoying the beautiful beach of Exmouth.”
Students helped RNLI lifeguards with British Sign Language phrases for sea safety.
Photo: with permission.
Exmouth
BAFTA award-winning screenwriter and Stonewall Book Award-winning author Dean Atta inspired English literature and language students when he visited Exmouth Community College.
The author visit included an interactive creative writing workshop for students.
Award-winning author Dean Atta is pictured here with Exmouth Community College students.
Photo: with permission.
The school said the event was supported by Exmouth Scholars and the Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival.
Tom Inman, Exmouth Community College headteacher, said: “This was a truly inspiring experience for our students. Dean Atta’s visit brought literature to life in a powerful and meaningful way. Our students were fully engaged throughout and produced some outstanding creative work. Opportunities like this are central to our commitment to developing a love of reading, writing and creativity across the school.”
Cranbrook
Pictured here is budding chess master Joshua van Aswegen with his trophy.
Photo: with permission.
A young chess player from Cranbrook is celebrating scooping first place at a Devon-wide tournament.
Cranbrook Education Campus pupil Josh van Aswegen, aged seven, was crowned under-eight chess champion at the Devon Junior Chess Association Open Spring Tournament.
The youngster won all six of his games to secure the top spot in his age group.
Stephen Farmer, Cranbrook Education Campus head, said: “We’re really proud of Joshua for this fantastic achievement. Winning all six games in a competitive tournament is a brilliant accomplishment, and he is a great example of the talent and determination we see across our school.”
East Devon
MP Richard Foord has called on the government to do more to support ‘struggling’ farmers.
Photo: with permission.
Richard Foord MP has called on the government to help ‘struggling’ farmers by introducing an emergency fuel tax cut to help with rising red diesel costs, which he says have risen from 69p a litre at the start of the Middle East conflict to more than £1.23 a litre.
Richard Foord, MP for the Honiton & Sidmouth, said: “We have seen costs skyrocket in recent months. Fuel and fertiliser costs have shot up, while the price of feed for livestock is set to follow.
“Farmers are facing volatile international markets, while being told constantly that support is under review or ‘being monitored.’”
Exmouth – what’s on
Dr Bike is coming to Exmouth library, offering free safety checks.
Photo: with permission.
Free bike safety checks are on offer at Exmouth library on Thursday, May 28.
The free Dr Bike sessions take half an hour but must be booked in advance.
Sam Wright from Ride On said: “Our free bike checks are a great way to ensure your bike is working well for the summer. We find lots of people are held back by basic maintenance issues that are easily remedied – and our friendly mechanics will be happy to show you some basics to empower you in the future.
“Freshly adjusted brakes, well inflated tyres and well-tuned gears can make a huge difference to how the bike performs, so book yourself a safety check and we’ll get you rolling.”
Seaton library held a similar event earlier in the month.
To book a session at Exmouth Library, May 28, see here.
East Devon
Projects such as these, at Sidmouth Folk Festival, were awarded grant money: Photo: Kyle Baker.
Creative projects in East Devon have been awarded a total of £19,810 from the district council in a boost to the arts and culture.
The Creative East Devon Fund has awarded nine grants of between £500 and up to £3,000, this year benefiting Open Door, Exmouth, Sidmouth Jazz and Blues Festival, Budleigh Music Festival, the Sideshore Project, Exmouth, East Devon Soul Festival, Exmouth Town Council, Sidmouth Folk Festival, South West Academy of Fine and Applied Art.
A £3,000 grant went to Featherdness, described as ‘a creative project connecting local communities with bird communities living in and around the Lower Otter Estuary through film, sound, creative writing and printmaking, and through walking, sensing and experiencing the Lower Otter Restoration Project site’
The projects must be completed by March 2027.
Creative projects at Sidmouth Folk Festival won a district council grant.
Photo: Kyle Baker.
Broadclyst – what’s on
Finding Your Oasis community group is inviting people along to join its free Tuesday sessions held at Broadclyst Victory Hall, near Exeter.
The weekly sessions, from 1pm-4pm, aim to provide a ‘breathing space’ for those living with challenges such as depression, dementia, or the after-effects of a stroke, which can often feel isolating.
Organiser Steve Beer said: “Oasis was created to provide a breathing space, a warm and friendly environment where residents from Pinhoe and the surrounding villages can find connection and conversation.
“Our sessions run focus on gentle activities designed to foster wellbeing and community spirit. There is no pressure to participate. Simply coming along for a cup of tea and a chat is more than enough.”
Free parking is available near the venue.
For more information, call the team on 07468 913916.
Budleigh Salterton
Residents at the care home in Budleigh Salterton marked VE Day.
Photo: with permission.
Residents at The Firs care home in Budleigh Salterton marked VE Day with an afternoon of 1940’s music and memories.
The tea party gave residents the chance to reminisce and share their own stories of VE Day.
A spokeswoman for the care home said: “VE Day is always a very meaningful occasion for many of our residents, and it was lovely to mark it in a way that felt warm, respectful and full of joy.
“The afternoon tea gave everyone time to sit together, chat and enjoy the occasion. There was a real sense of community in the room, which made the afternoon very special.”
