Community news in-brief from Exeter, photos, what’s on from across the city and Wonford. Email your community news to newsdesk@eastdevonnews.co.uk
Wonford
Isca Academy held an Oscar-themed prom. Photo: with permission.
The red carpet was rolled out for Isca Academy students when they celebrated their end of year prom at Exeter Golf and Country Club.
Isca Academy pupils at their end-of-year prom. Photo: with permission.
The Year 11 youngsters celebrated in style, dressing up for the Oscar-themed event.
The school leavers celebrated the end of year prom at the Exeter Golf and Country Club. Photo: with permission.
Vicki Joyce, Isca Academy headteacher, said: “Year 11 prom was such a brilliant evening and the perfect way to celebrate an incredible group of young people. It was lovely to see everyone looking so smart, enjoying the evening and making memories together before they begin their next chapter.
“We are incredibly proud of this year group. They have been a real credit to Isca Academy, showing resilience, kindness and determination throughout their time with us.
“We wish every one of them every success and happiness for the future, and hope they continue to be ambitious, believe in themselves and achieve their dreams.”
Pupils in there prom dresses at the Oscar-themed event. Photo: with permission.
The pupils are pictured here arriving at the prom. Photo: with permission.
City
City Council leader Councillor Phil Bialyk has praised new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, saying his commitment to devolution, housing, local growth and stronger communities reflects the ambitions Exeter has championed for many years.
The Exeter Labour Group leader said Mr Burnham’s pledge supports the city’s call for more decisions to be made locally.
Exeter City Council leader Councillor Phil Bialyk, right, has backed new Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Photo: Exeter Labour Group.
Cllr Bialyk said: “Andy Burnham is speaking directly to the frustration felt in places like Exeter, that too many decisions are still made too far away from the people they affect.
“His commitment to devolution, council housing, skills, transport and stronger local economies speaks directly to Exeter’s ambitions. We have long argued that communities thrive when decisions are taken closer to the people who live and work there.”
The city leader said the authority had backed a new unitary council ‘centred on Exeter’ and for neighbouring towns, villages and parishes where people ‘look to the city’, for jobs, education, healthcare, transport links, housing markets and local services.
He added: “We believe local government should reflect how people actually live their lives, not administrative boundaries drawn decades ago.
“A stronger Exeter, working in partnership with the neighbouring towns, villages and parishes that naturally look to the city, would mean decisions being made closer to local people, with greater accountability, stronger partnerships and a sharper focus on delivering the homes, infrastructure, transport and public services our communities need to thrive.”
Wonford
Pictured here celebrating the opening of the new theatre, with a cake-cutting ceremony, are RD&E staff with Vanessa Purday, Royal Devon Chief Medical Officer, Hannah Travers, Consultant Vascular Surgeon, and Lucy Ashton, head of Royal Devon Hospitals Charity. Picture: Royal Devon Hospitals Charity.
The opening of a new hybrid super theatre at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital was celebrated at two events to mark the ‘game-changing’ equipment.
The Royal Devon Hospitals Charity team invited along theatre staff and contractors for lunch, and a formal evening event for volunteers and supporters of the organisation.
The new Hybrid ‘Super’ Theatre at the RD&E. Photo: Nevada Construction
The new equipment, which officially launched at the end of 2025 after a £1.4million fundraising campaign, means surgeons can now perform unique, complex and minimally-invasive procedures for patients with serious vascular conditions, such as aneurysms, arterial blockages and blood clots.
Hannah Travers, Consultant Vascular Surgeon, said: “For patients, it means fewer procedures, reduced risk of complications and faster recovery times after surgery.
“We’re really lucky to have it as so many vascular units across the country still don’t have a hybrid theatre. It means we can deliver the best care using the most modern and advanced surgical techniques.”
She added: “It was very special to be able to show guests around the new theatre and explain just how big difference it is making.”
Pictured here in the new theatre is Lucy Ashton, head of Royal Devon Hospitals being given a tour by Hannah Travers, Consultant Vascular Surgeon at the RD&E. Photo: Royal Devon Hospitals Charity.
City – what’s on
Vintage images by Exeter-based photographer Jem Southam have been bought by the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) and will be on public display from August.
The museum said the images were the first acquisition of work by the photographer to join its collection.
The RAAM has acquired a series of vintage images taken by Exeter-based photographer Jem Southam, pictured here. Photo: John Spinks.
Lyme Bay, The Pond at Upton Pyne, Painter’s Pool created in Stoke Woods in Exeter, and River Winter, showcasing studies of the Exe, were all taken between 1996 and 2011 on large-format cameras using natural light.
A selection of Jem’s photographs will be displayed at the museum in the exhibition Exeter’s Fine Art gallery: Highlights from the collection from August 11, 2026, until January 17, 2027.
Another selection of prints from each of the four series will later replace the original images. They will be on display over the next six months, until early 2028. Entry to RAMM and the Highlights from the collection exhibition is free.
Jem Southam said: “RAMM has been part of the fabric of our lives ever since we moved to Exeter, as well as all the varied exhibitions we have seen and been inspired by, our children spent hours and hours engrossed in the various collections.
“As a landscape photographer I have always worked close to home, exploring the rich complexities of the natural and human histories that make the Devon such a wonderful place to live.
“To have my pictures from four long-term studies in the RAMM collection, for future generations to see, gives me profound pleasure.”
One of the images now owned by the RAAM, in Exeter, is River Winter, photographed at Bickleigh on December 6, 2010 B, by Jem Southam. Image: © Jem Southam
The images were bought with help from the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, Art Fund and Friends of RAMM.
Cllr Lucy Findlay, Exeter City Council lead for culture and city centre said: We’re grateful to our funders, without whom we couldn’t build an art collection for future generations.’
Jem Southam, born in Bristol in 1950, began documenting the South West countryside in the 1970s. He studied at London College of Printing and worked at the Exeter School of Art, University of Plymouth and Falmouth School of Art.
His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including at the V&A, Tate St Ives and the Lowry.
Wonford
Wynstream Primary School pupils have slashed the school’s waste through a hike in recycling. Photo: with permission.
Exeter pupils championing recycling have successfully reduced the amount of waste their school sends to the incinerator by several tonnes.
Wynstream Primary School, in Burnthouse Lane, has slashed its waste weight from 11 tonnes per year to 1.84 tonnes annually – the equivalent bulk of around 11 baby elephants to fewer than two.
The project, led by teacher Sarah Vickery and backed by staff and pupils, has resulted in a school recycling rate rise from nine per cent to 68 per cent.
Pupils explored ways of slashing school waste going to the incinerator. Photo: with permission.
Elise Redman, Wynstream Primary School, headteacher, said: “We are incredibly proud of the commitment shown by Sarah Vickery, our pupils and the entire school community in achieving these fantastic results.
“Sustainability is something we take seriously at Wynstream Primary, and it has been wonderful to see how small daily actions can lead to such a significant positive impact.
“This achievement is a real testament to the enthusiasm and determination of everyone involved.”
