News in brief from Exeter. Photos, celebrations, schools and young people news, community and free events, plus what’s on
Exeter Quay
Pictured here, (L-R) is: Tyler Grange technical director (Ecology) Dale Mortiboys, Tyler Grange MD Jon Berry, MV executive director Julie Hanta Razafimanahaka and Charles Wheeler, Madagascar Project manager at Chester Zoo. Photo: with permission.
Rainforest restoration in Madagascar has been given a £10,000 boost after an Exeter environmental consultancy firm donated the funds to a community-led project.
Tyler Grange, on Exeter Quay, said the funding supports projects delivered through Chester Zoo and Malagasy biodiversity organisation Madagasikara Voakajy.
The Exeter-based firm said the funding will cover the running costs of two community plant nurseries in the Mangabe Reserve – supporting the restoration of 20 hectares of land, split between natural forest and agroforestry.
Matford
Farmers taking livestock to market in Exeter were offered free trailer marking by the police.
Rural affairs officers from Devon and Cornwall Police attended the livestock market at Matford, Exeter, in a bid to tackle trailer thefts across the county, which the force says are on the rise.
Trailers were marked with a unique code in invisible, permanent, fluid, so stolen property can be identified. Stickers and signs to deter thefts were also supplied.
Police were at the Exeter livestock market.
Photo: D&C Police.
PC Clarke Orchard, rural affairs officer, said: “We understand the misery that criminals cause to hardworking farmers and landowners.
“Trailers can cost thousands of pounds to replace, and theft of trailers and even a temporary loss of equipment can impact productivity.
“Using property marking kits allows us to link recovered items back to their rightful owners and helps us bring offenders to justice.”
Wonford
Wynstream Primary School in Exeter is celebrating a positive Ofsted report following a recent inspection.
The school, in Burnthouse Lane, met the ‘expected standard’ in the categories of achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, early years provision and leadership and governance. Personal development and wellbeing offer was graded at a ‘strong standard.’
Ofsted recently made changes to its grading system. Schools are now rated exceptional, strong standard, expected standard – which is the benchmark grade for all schools. Also, needs attention, or urgent improvement.
St Loyes
The winning Liberal Democrat candidate for St Loyes, in Exeter, has thanked those who voted for him in the recent city local elections.
Councillor Paul Richards, thanked the 817 voters who backed him, saying: “I will work to represent everyone in St Loyes, no matter who they supported. This is a great victory for the Liberal Democrats– and for everyone who I will work hard to represent.”
He added: “I am so grateful to the people of St Loyes for putting their trust in me to be their new councillor. I am proud to be part of a growing team of Lib Dems on Exeter City Council. I look forward to getting to work and getting stuck in locally, in pursuit of some of the changes that I discussed with residents in recent weeks.”
Sport
Exeter Chiefs club captain Jack Yeandle will be lacing up his boots for a 15th season after the hooker signed a one-year extension with the club.
With more than 325 Chiefs appearances, the club said Yeandle has been one of the standout players of the professional era, lifting two Gallagher PREM trophies and a Heineken Champions Cup.
He said it was an ‘honour’ to continue with the team, adding he was ‘excited’ to see what they could achieve.
He said: “I can’t wait to get stuck into another season. Everyone knows how much this club means to me and the chance to continue making new memories at Sandy Park is one I’m really thankful for.
“Leading this team, lifting trophies and making friendships for life has meant so much to me. I still feel like one of the young ones in the changing room, even if the boys like to remind me otherwise. It’s because of that though, that I still feel like I have a lot left to give to the squad, on and off the pitch.”
St James
Pictured here are some of the pupils at St James School who celebrated the annual Culture Day. Photo: with permission.
Culture day was celebrated at St James School in Exeter, where pupils wore traditional clothing from a host of countries.
Pupils shared food, took part in a quiz and learned about different cultures across the globe.
Emily Harper, St James School headteacher, said: “Culture day is one of the highlights of our school year. It gives our students a chance to take pride in their own heritage while learning more about the diverse backgrounds of others.
“Seeing the enthusiasm, respect and curiosity shown throughout the day was fantastic, and it really reflects the inclusive ethos we are so proud of at St James.”
Cowley
Thomas Hall School pupils braved the elements to tackle the Exmoor Challenge. Photo: with permission.
Students from Thomas Hall School, in Exeter, successfully tackled the Exmoor Challenge, a demanding weekend where more than 130 teams navigated a 16-mile route across open moor.
In heavy rain and over rough terrain, students worked in teams of four, using maps and a compass to navigate between checkpoints.
The youngsters had to navigate a route across the open moor. Photo: with permission.
Phil Arnold, Thomas Hall School headteacher, said: “We are incredibly proud of every student who took part in the Exmoor Challenge. They showed real determination, teamwork and resilience in extremely testing conditions. To complete such a demanding event is a fantastic achievement, and they represented the school brilliantly throughout the weekend.”
Thomas Hall School pupils tackled the challenge in ‘testing conditions’. Photo: with permission.
Wonford
Pictured here is Clinical Nurse Manager Ana Pinto with some of the RD&E dementia team gearing up to tackle the 2026 Great West Run. Photo: Royal Devon Hospitals Charity.
A team of Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (RD&E) staff are gearing up to take part in the city’s Great West Run on Sunday, May 24, to raise funds for patients living with dementia.
An 18-strong team of nurses, therapists, doctors and healthcare support workers from the RD&E will take on the challenge with the aim of raising around £9,000 for an interactive projector designed to reduce distress and encourage gentle movement, plus a host of other benefits.
Hospital staff said the OMI Vista projector can transform clinical spaces into calming beaches, sensory gardens and interactive environments, but is not funded by the NHS.
Ana Pinto, Clinical Nurse Manager on Bovey Ward, said: “Some members of the team have never run before and others are really pushing themselves far outside their comfort zone, but every single one of us is doing this because we see every day how much dementia affects not only our patients, but the people who love them.
“For someone living with dementia, being in hospital can feel really frightening and confusing. Patients may no longer recognise their family or where they are, feeling distressed by unfamiliar surroundings, or slowly disconnect from the world around them.
“And for families, it can be heart-breaking watching someone you love feeling lost or scared.
“Sometimes even the smallest moment of comfort, calm or recognition can mean absolutely everything.
“That’s why this projector means so much to us. This type of equipment isn’t funded by the NHS but we know it will make a huge difference and bring more comfort, dignity and meaningful moments to patients and families during some of the hardest times in their lives.”
You can donate to the online fundraiser here.
St David’s
Police are appealing for witnesses after two men harassed two young women on a train from Exeter to Copplestone at the start of the month.
When another man tried to help the women, he was assaulted by the two men, police said.
British Transport Police (BTP) said the men, both in their 40s, were on May 1 arrested at Eggesford railway station on suspicion of assault and a Section 5 Public Order offence. Both men have been bailed while enquiries continue.
A BTP spokesperson said: “Officers are urging the victim of the assault, along with any witnesses, to come forward and help the investigation. “
If you have information, contact British Transport Police by text, on 61016, or call 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 596 of May 1. Or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 08800 555 111.
What’s on
The pub quiz event is being held in Ludo, Exeter, pictured.
Photo: with permission.
Calling all Exeter Chiefs fans. Rugby stars Stephen Varney and Will Rigg are swapping the pitch for the pub quiz stage as they host a special one-night event at Ludo Exeter on Wednesday, May 27.
Entry is free to take part. Every team will get one chance to ‘Ask a Pro’ using interactive player paddles to call over either Stephen or Will for help with a tricky question.
The winning team will scoop two tickets to any Exeter Chiefs Gallagher PREM home game next season.
See here for more details and how to take part.
Pinhoe
Pictured here are the successful St Luke’s School pupils after the competition. Photo: with permission.
Students at St Luke’s Church of England School, in Exeter, came top in a sight-reading competition at the Devon Performing Arts Festival.
Students attending the annual event, at South Street Baptist Church, in Exeter, were given set text passages to read out loud to demonstrate their oracy, fluency and performance skills.
Mr Harrison Littler, St Luke’s C of E School headteacher, said: “We are incredibly proud of our students for this fantastic achievement at the Devon Performing Arts Festival.
“Their hard work and dedication really shone through, and it was brilliant to see them succeed in such a challenging category.”
Pictured here is one of the St Luke’s students with her winning trophy.
Photo: with permission.
Sowton
Health insurance workers in Exeter are gearing up to cycle 340 miles on a London to Paris challenge, raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Some seven colleague from The Exeter firm in June will tackle the London to Paris cycle, already raising more than £23,000 for the cancer support charity.
The health insurance firm colleagues are gearing up for the cycle challenge in June. Photo: with permission.
Jamie Page, head of protection distribution at The Exeter, said: “We’re incredibly proud of the team taking on this challenge. Cycling from London to Paris is no small feat, but the support we’ve received so far has been brilliant and keeps everyone motivated as the big day approaches.
“We’re especially grateful to our corporate partners from across the industry and everyone who has contributed to the fundraising efforts so far.
“Macmillan is a charity that means a great deal to so many people, and the work they do to support those living with cancer is invaluable. Being able to play a small part in that through this challenge is something we’re all very proud of.”
Alphington
West Exe students are pictured here at the Met Office.
Photo: with permission.
Students from West Exe School, in Alphington, visited the Met Office to take part in a climate action planning session, teaming up with other youngsters to discuss issues and improvements.
Pupils learned about the Met Office’s work in climate forecasting and communication, and looked at possible careers in the industry.
Jamie Engineer, West Exe School headteacher, said: “Our students approached the day with enthusiasm and represented West Exe brilliantly. It was a valuable experience that helped them build their understanding of climate issues and how climate information is used.”
City news
A shake-up to student finance by the government means for the first-time ever funding is available for shorter courses and retraining later in life.
The Government recently announced the first 130 universities and colleges approved to offer new bite-sized courses, with applications opening this September, where students can now gain qualifications over time.
Exeter College and the University of Exeter have been picked by the government to provide shorter courses eligible for funding.
Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said: “Financial support should be available whether you want to do a degree, take a short course, or retrain later in life. Our changes will make that happen, with the option to access student finance in any stage of life.
“Whether it’s fitting study around a job, retraining for a completely new career, juggling childcare, or getting qualifications later in life, the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement will open up new opportunities for thousands more people to build the careers they want and get on in life.”
St David’s
Pictured here are Exeter College T-level Healthcare Learners, Duha Alkhouli (R) and AJ Hutchings (L) at the new hospital training ward. Photo: with permission.
Exeter College officially opened its new fully simulated hospital training ward and life sciences laboratories, where student healthcare workers can complete their training.
The new eight-bed hospital training ward was designed with the help of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Exeter.
Bakers Ward received £1.3m in Office for Students grant funding. The eight-bed simulated hospital ward is designed in line with current NHS guidelines and fitted with hospital-grade equipment.
Pictured here is the official opening of Bakers Ward at Exeter College.
Photo: with permission.
Vanessa Purday, Chief Medical Officer at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Exeter has long been at the forefront of training and nurturing healthcare talent, and we’re thrilled that Exeter College is continuing this tradition with its fantastic new training facility right in the heart of the city.
“The hospital training ward and its state-of-the-art equipment will help to support and inspire more people to follow a career in healthcare, and the Royal Devon is proud to be supporting Exeter College in this work.”
Wonford
The swift boxes are being left in place at various sites around County Hall.
Photo: Devon County Council.
Swift nest boxes have been installed in the grounds at County Hall in Exeter in a bid to help the visiting birds, whose numbers are continuing to fall nationwide.
Devon County Council has already installed swift boxes in the bell tower at County Hall, Exeter, and is now giving extra help to the birds by installing additional boxes on other buildings when maintenance work is taking place and scaffolding is already in place.
Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, cabinet member for climate change and bio-diversity, said: “Swifts are one of the great sounds of a Devon summer, but they can only breed successfully if they can find a suitable nest site quickly.
“By fitting swift boxes when we’re already carrying out building maintenance, we’re making a simple, practical change that can make a real difference for local wildlife.”
