Community news in brief from across East Devon and Exeter, what’s on, photos, celebrations, events. Send your community news to newsdesk@eastdevonnews.co.uk
Exeter – what’s on
Orchid fans are invited along to the Devon Orchid Society annual show in Exeter on Saturday, May 2, 10.30am until 3.30pm, where there will be displays, plant sales, and demonstrations.
Entry is £3 to the Devon Orchid Society’s 49th annual show, held at its new America Hall venue, in De La Rue Way, Pinhoe. Entry is free for accompanied children.
On the day there will be displays from regional orchid societies, the chance to buy from UK nurseries, free advice from Dr Orchid, re-potting demonstrations, a tombola with lots of prizes and refreshments.
A Devon Orchid Society spokesman said: “Orchids are arguably the largest family of flowering plants on the planet, with approximately 28,000 species described, and new ones still being discovered, plus over 200,000 man-made hybrids.
“Famed for their great beauty, fascinating and enormously variable structure and wonderful perfume, there is an orchid for all situations.
“The Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis) has become the most popular houseplant available, with its great variety of long-lasting flowers, but there are many more to see and grow, including miniature orchids for terrariums and even orchids for your garden.
“So come along and enjoy displays from regional orchid societies, plus orchids for sale from leading UK nurseries. There will also be lots of free advice from ‘Dr. Orchid’ and re-potting demonstrations, a tombola with lots of prizes and refreshments.”
East Devon
Stock image: EDDC.
Recyclers in East Devon have been thanked for their efforts in helping the district rank top nationally for the lowest level of rubbish going to landfill.
The latest recycling and waste league tables show East Devon has the lowest amount of residual waste per household – a result which has kept the district in the top ten of the national league table for the last five years.
The district council said ‘a huge thank you’ to everyone who recycles, helping to retain East Devon’s top ten ranking year after year
Councillor Geoff Jung, East Devon District Council portfolio holder environment – operations, said: “This is a fantastic result for East Devon and something we can all be proud of. Keeping residual waste as low as possible and maintaining a strong recycling rate takes a real team effort, and I want to thank residents as well as our recycling and waste team for everything they do week in, week out.”
He added: “Consistently performing at this level over a number of years gives us real confidence as we move into the next phase of service delivery.
“A huge thank you goes to everyone who recycles and plays their part in keeping East Devon performing so strongly year after year.”
Cranbrook
Pictured here is Tom Burridge, from Cranbrook, who successfully tackled the London Marathon in aid of Parkinson’s UK. Photos: with permission.
A personal trainer from Cranbrook is celebrating completing the London Marathon in under three hours, raising £13,000 for Parkinson’s UK.
Tom Burridge, aged 35, who works as a Parkinson’s specialist personal trainer, said he was proud to complete the ‘tough’ race and raise awareness and funds for the charity.
Tom, who is currently training eight clients living with Parkinson’s, said: “Running the London Marathon in two hours and 56 seconds to break the three-hour barrier was a huge milestone for me.
“It wasn’t a perfect race, and it felt tough throughout and not quite the time I wanted, but the atmosphere and crowd support were incredible.
“Raising £13,000 for Parkinson’s UK made it even more meaningful and something I’m really proud of.”
Paul Jackson-Clark, director of fundraising and experience at Parkinson’s UK, said: “We’re so grateful to Tom for choosing to run the London Marathon in support of people living with Parkinson’s. Taking on a marathon is a huge challenge for anyone.”
Axminster – what’s on
Axminster is gearing up for its carnival after-party in September with an evening of live music.
The event on Saturday, September 19, 9pm until midnight, at Axminster Guildhall, is open to all with a pay-what-you can donation to get in.
On the night My Dep will perform crowd-pleasing anthems, feel-good singalongs, and dancefloor favourites. The bar will be open and there will be a carnival club awards ceremony.
Open to all, the event operates on a donation basis (minimum £2), for the whole community.
An Axminster Guildhall spokesperson said: “This is what carnival night is all about—bringing people together to celebrate.
“Whether you’ve been part of the parade or are just joining for the evening, this is the place to be for great music, a fantastic atmosphere, and a proper party.”
They added: Live band My Dep will take to the stage delivering an electrifying set packed with crowd-pleasing anthems, feel-good singalongs, and dancefloor favourites. With a lively atmosphere and an enthusiastic crowd expected, the evening promises to keep carnival energy going well into the night.
“Adding to the festivities, the evening will include a special interlude as the Carnival Club presents its awards live on stage—offering a moment to celebrate the day’s highlights before the music resumes.
“Open to all, the event operates on a donation basis making it an accessible and welcoming night for the whole community.”
Exeter
Pictured here are the trophies awarded to the college football teams.
Photo: with permission.
Exeter College is celebrating a ‘historic’ double national gold for its football academy after the men’s and women’s sides were both crowned National Champions at the 2026 Association of Colleges (AoC) Sport National Championships in Nottingham.
It is first time in 20 years that an Exeter College football team has claimed the AoC gold medal and the first-ever national title for the college’s Women’s Football Academy.
The college said, with both teams lifting trophies, ‘the achievement stands as one of the most significant moments in the academy’s history’.
Jack Gill, deputy head of faculty for sport and physical education at the college, said: “We are incredibly proud of both our men’s and women’s football teams.
“To see them both achieve gold at the AoC Sport National Championships is a testament to their attitude, commitment and skill.”
East Devon
The art gallery offers a host of activities to schools.
Photo: THG.
A public art gallery in East Devon is celebrating a rise in visitors over the last year, welcoming more than 12,000 people through the door.
The Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG) said its high profile exhibitions had helped attract visitors from across the UK – revealing its best-attended was the photographic work of James Ravilious, who captured rural life in Devon.
Councillor Nick Hookway, district council portfolio holder for culture, leisure, tourism and sport, said: “I am extremely proud of all that the gallery team has achieved and the increase in visitor numbers is a testament to all their hard work.
“These figures show just how valued art is to East Devon communities as well as how many new visitors are being attracted to these exhibitions.”
He added: “By getting involved in the arts, people can create new connections and experiencing art has been shown to have a positive impact on health and wellbeing. Finally, a big thank you to everyone who has contributed, in any way, to the success of Thelma Hulbert Gallery.”
In addition to its exhibitions, the gallery hosts a youth group, plus a travelling art space that visits schools and is set to feature at East Devon festivals and community events in 2026.
The James Ravilious exhibition proved a popular event, drawing in visitors rom across the UK.
Photo: THG.
Honiton
An author from Honiton has published his debut novel Seconds to Midnight, a story set in 2029 where Europe is on the brink of war.
David Orson Newton, a combat veteran and technologist, lives in East Devon with his wife and son.
Davis recently attended a book launch in Devon where he was interviewed about his debut novel where the year is 2029. Europe is teetering on the brink of war. Conscription has been launched in the UK, but some say it is too late. The Doomsday Clock, which indicates proximity to a world-ending catastrophe, ticks towards the final seconds to midnight.
L to R: Author David Orson Newton with his debut novel.
Photos: with permission
Lieutenant General Sir Tom Copinger-Symes KCB CBE, Former Deputy Commander Cyber & Specialist Operations Command, said: “A brilliantly woven narrative that feels less like fiction and more like a Sibylline warning. Timely, tense and terrifyingly insightful.”
Exeter
An Exeter business who rewards its staff with gift cards has turned to the city’s equivalent to help support independent retailers.
Exeter Supply Partnership recently switched from Amazon vouchers to the Exeter Independent Gift Card when rewarding its bank of teaching staff.
The group said the move to the Exeter gift card was prompted by wanting to support the local economy and employment and the city’s independent shops and cafes.
Mia Willmott, InExeter projects manager, said: “We’re thrilled to see Exeter Supply Partnership making use of the Exeter Independent Gift Card to reward their supply team, keeping spend in the city and supporting our independent businesses.
“As the only city-wide gift card exclusively for independents, it’s a simple, positive way to back Exeter’s unique shops, services and experiences – and strengthen the local economy with every purchase.”
