News in-brief from Exeter. Email your community news, photos and what’s on to newsdesk@eastdevonnews.co.uk
Cowley
Police are appealing for witnesses after a hit-and-run crash in Exeter on Monday, August 31, where a car failed to stop after hitting another vehicle.
Officers were called to the junction of Wreford’s Lane shortly before 1pm after a van was damaged in the crash.
Police said the fleeing car, being driven by a young man, was described as being a dark-coloured hatchback, possibly blue, with the registration thought to start WJ58.
If you have information to help police, call 101, or report it through the force website, quoting reference number 50260233036.
Wonford
Exeter MP Steve Race is pictured here cutting the ribbon with Hospicare staff and supporters at the new family accommodation at the hospice. Photo: with permission.
Exeter MP Steve Race recently opened new hospice visitor accommodation, where friends and family can stay overnight in a self-contained flat.
The Lodge is next to the hospice’s eight-bed ward in the grounds of Exeter’s Seale House.
Speaking after the ribbon cutting ceremony, Steve said: “I was really happy to help officially open this wonderful new space for families of people being cared for at Hospiscare, made possible through funding from the Department of Health and Social Care.
“Having stayed at a children’s hospice with my family during my sister’s life, I know how important The Lodge will be for families who want to be close by their loved ones who are in the care of Hospicecare.
“This new space means families won’t need to travel in every day, or stay in a hotel, and provides a truly welcoming and comfortable environment, offering vital support for those in need.”
The Lodge is a self-contained, two-bed annexe with a kitchen, walk-in shower room, two bedrooms, lounge, and a small private garden.
It was built with funding from a £898,600 Department of Health and Social Care Capital Project grant, given to Hospiscare across 2024/2026.
Wayne Gale, iterim CEO for Hospiscare, said the charity was ‘incredibly grateful’ for the grant, helping families of patients to stay nearby while loved-ones receive palliative care.
He said: “We’ve also been able to put a number of cost-saving measures in place, as a result of the grant, to help us manage spiralling energy costs, and secure more spend for providing our outstanding patient care services.”
The grant also paid for three electric cars for community nursing and rapid response teams, new LED lighting across Hospiscare sites; a fire alarm system, entrance doors at Searle House, new software for nursing teams.
City centre
Litter louts dropping chewing gum in Exeter are urged to use a bin now new signs have appeared in the city centre.
The bright pink signs asking ‘Time to bin your gum?’ can be found on bins and posts across the city centre.
Exeter City Council said the aim of the project was to promote responsible chewing gum disposal.
The city recently received a £30,657 grant from the Chewing Gum Task Force, handed out by Keep Britain Tidy, to help clean up gum and stop it being dropped. It used the funds to pay for a gum removal team and clean-up cart.
The council said the clean-up will initially focus on Sidwell Street then move to other areas of the city.
Whipton
MP David Reed is seen here with pupils from St Luke’s School. Photo: with permission.
Students from St Luke’s Church of England School, in Exeter, recently challenged MP David Reed to a discussion on a range of topics, including artificial intelligence, climate change, defence, social media and the future jobs market.
The Exmouth and Exeter East MP said he was ‘impressed’ by the quality of the kids’ questions, challenging ideas and sharing views.
City centre
A shop selling handmade fudge in Exeter celebrated winning a Great Taste Award for two of its flavours.
Roly’s Fudge scooped one-star awards for its vanilla clotted cream fudge, and also its sea salt fudge after being judged by a panel of industry experts.
Sport
Exeter Chiefs Women head coach Oli Bishop has announced the cup and vice captains for 2026/27.
Emily Robinson will lead the women through a second campaign, alongside vice-captains centurion full-back Merryn Elworthy and Black Ferns prop Amy Rule.
Bishop said: “The three leaders we decided to pick are based on the work they have done for us in the past. They hugely represent the club on and off the pitch.
“They definitely want to grow our team and are huge in our team-first attitude. With a young group going into this cup campaign, we will be relying on their experience and the work they have done previously to lead us through the campaign.”
Stoke Hill
The residents said the boat trip was a ‘magical’ day. Photo: with permission.
Exeter nursing home residents spotted dolphins during a boat trip in Torquay to celebrate the home’s 25th birthday.
Residents from the Old Rectory nursing home, in Old Tiverton Road, teamed up with boat tour charity Wetwheels, on a specially-adapted vessel off the coast of Torbay, taking in sights including an oyster farm and nesting birds.
Residents spotted dolphins on a boat trip off Torbay. Photo: with permission.
Leanne Whitehouse from the care home who organised the trip, said: “We saw dolphins swimming along right next to the boat, the residents were amazed. On the way back residents were allowed to drive the boat and wear the captain’s hat. It was a magical day.”
She added: “It was great to do something special with the residents and they have not stopped talking about the trip, so it’s definitely something we will do again.”
The walk took residents and staff through Exeter city centre. Photo: with permission.
The home’s anniversary celebrations included a 15-mile walk, from Exeter to Dawlish, by residents and staff to help raise £6,500 for a new gym.
Staff and residents walked 15-mile walk, from Exeter to Dawlish, to help raise funds for a new gym. Photo: with permission.
Alphington
West Exe School in Exeter is celebrating after Ofsted inspectors graded the secondary school an ‘Expected Standard’ following a visit in June.
Jamie Engineer, West Exe School headteacher, said: “We are pleased that Ofsted has recognised the many strengths that make West Exe School such a positive place for our students.
“The report reflects the commitment of our staff, students, families, governors and trust colleagues to providing a high-quality education, supporting every young person to achieve well and be ready for their next steps.
“We are particularly proud that inspectors recognised our inclusive approach, the opportunities available to students and the positive experiences they have at school every day. It is the strong relationships that make West Exe such a special place.”
He added: “We also recognise the areas where we can continue to improve and remain focused on working with students, families and partners to ensure every young person can benefit fully from everything West Exe has to offer.”
City
Exeter entrepreneur Simon Nicholls, founder of Olympus Power, has been named a finalist in the 2026 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
Simon, who was shortlisted in the Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year category must wait until November to find out if he has won.
Simon Nicholls, who was shortlisted in the Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year category must wait until November to find out if he has won. Photo: with permission.
He said reaching the finals was recognition of his team’s ‘incredible efforts’ at a time when the focus was on energy security and supply.
He said: “Our work is central to solving some of world’s most persistent commercial and societal problems, problems I’ve witnessed in countries across the planet.
“Being able to combine this work with my love of finding new ways to grow businesses is the dream ticket. It keeps me thinking like an entrepreneur as much as a CEO, and it’s why I come to work every day.”
City
Supermarket giant Aldi is keen to open new stores in Devon, and has identified central Exeter as a location to develop, saying the move would create new jobs in the area.
The supermarket wants to hear from landowners with suitable freehold or leasehold sites.
Exeter
Pictured here standing with the new artwork is Anna Cohn Orchard, executive director, Exeter City of Literature and Stephen Wiltshire, managing director at the airport. Photo: with permission.
New artwork has been unveiled highlighting Exeter as one of the 63 UNESCO Cities of Literature in the world.
Passengers arriving at Exeter Airport were the first to see the large-scale mural showcasing some of the region’s best-known writers, stories, literary locations and heritage.
Exeter artist Rosetta Westbrook designed the mural, which includes celebrated Devon authors, such as Agatha Christie, Michael Morpurgo, and Sarah Pearse.
Anna Cohn Orchard, Exeter City of Literature’s executive director, said: “Exeter has always been a place where stories begin, grow, and are shared, and we wanted visitors to feel that from the moment they arrive.
“Devon’s landscapes have inspired world-renowned writers for generations, and our region continues to welcome readers, writers, and storytellers with new voices and big ideas.
“Rosetta has captured all of that with incredible creativity, and we’re thrilled to share her work with everyone coming through Exeter Airport.”
Pinhoe
Pictured here, L to R, is: Georgina Keeble, Vernon Lloyd, Emma Hockin, Matthew Hockin, Aaron Khemlyani. Photo with permission.
A dad from Exeter recently thanked the paramedics who saved his life when he suffered a cardiac arrest.
Matthew Hockin, aged 40, from the Pinhoe area of the city, met the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) crew who came to his rescue in October 2025, arriving at his home after he woke with severe chest pain, prompting his wife, Emma, to call 999.
Matthew was treated by paramedics but went into cardiac arrest as he was transferred into an ambulance.
The crew saved his life as he was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, where he received specialist treatment and two stents into his coronary arteries.
This summer Matthew personally thanked paramedics Vernon Lloyd and Georgina Keeble, plus emergency care assistant, Aaron Khemlyani at the ambulance Exeter headquarters.
Matthew said: “I wasn’t really sure what to expect before meeting Georgina, Vernon and Aaron again, but I can honestly say it was an incredible experience. It was fascinating to hear what happened that morning from their perspective and to learn more about everything they did to help save my life.
“I wouldn’t be here today without their skill, professionalism, and the speed at which they acted. No words will ever be enough to thank them, and everyone involved in my care. Emma and I will always be grateful for everything they did for our family.”
The emotional reunion was the first time the crew had seen Matthew since the day they treated him.
Georgina Keeble, SWASFT paramedic, said: “This is the first time I’ve ever been reunited with a patient, and it’s been such a special experience. As ambulance clinicians, we don’t often get to find out what happens to our patients after we hand them over at hospital, so seeing Matthew happy, healthy and back enjoying life with his family means so much. It reminds you why we do this job.”
She added: “Every link in the chain of survival matters, from recognising something is wrong and calling 999 straight away, to early treatment and the care patients receive afterwards. We’re all so pleased to see Matthew doing so well.”
Matthew’s wife, Emma, said meeting the crew to thank them in person ‘meant the world’ to the couple.
Wonford
Pictured here is an aerial shot of some of the outdoor sports pitches already at the school. Photo: with permission.
Exeter School’s new open-air padel courts are expected to be completed in early October, available for public hire outside school hours and at weekends.
The two new courts, granted planning permission earlier this year, are near the school’s astro pitches and car park.
Miles MacEacharn, Exeter School bursar, said: “Padel is an inclusive and rapidly growing sport that brings people together, and these new courts will enhance the sporting experience for our pupils while also creating opportunities for members of the wider community to enjoy the game.
“We are proud to continue investing in facilities that benefit both the school and the city of Exeter.”
Exwick
Some 28 Year 6 Exwick Heights pupils are pictured here after successfully graduating from the 2025-26 Torbay and Devon Civic Award. Photo: with permission.
A group of pupils from Exeter wrapped up the summer term receiving awards in recognition of their support for charity, environmental awareness and help in the community.
Some 28 Exwick Heights pupils were recently presented with a Torbay and Devon Civic Award for a host of achievements and projects in school and out in the community, including litter picking, gardening, reducing food waste and promoting recycling, plus fundraising for charities including Balloons Bereavement Support Services, the RSPCA and Cancer Research.
Exwick Heights pupils were recently presented with a Torbay and Devon Civic Award for a host of achievements and projects in school and out in the community. Photos: with permission.
The youngsters were presented with their certificates at an official ceremony in front of leaders of Torbay and Devon councils.
Exwick Heights pupils rare pictured here after receiving Civic Award recognition. Photo: with permission.
Gemma Wills, Exwick Heights Primary School headteacher, said: “We are incredibly proud of our Year 6 pupils for achieving the Torbay and Devon Civic Award. Seeing them recognised at the presentation evening was a wonderful moment.
“They have shown real commitment to their school and wider community, and it has been brilliant to see the range of ways they contribute to others, both in and out of school. They are fantastic ambassadors for our school.”
