News in-brief from East Devon – Axminster, Exmouth, Lympstone, Ottery St Mary, Budleigh Salterton. Email your community news, photos and what’s on to newsdesk@eastdevonnews.co.uk
Axminster
Auctioneers in Axminster are gearing up to feature on BBC1’s The Travelling Auctioneers when the crew visits on Tuesday (August 25).
Presenter and host JJ Chalmers and professional auctioneer Izzie Balmer will be at Atkins Auctions in Axminster for a sale to be filmed, to be later broadcast over three episodes.
The guest auction will be held with a general auction planned in Axminster in the same week.
A spokesperson for Atkins Auctions said: “Izzie Balmer, known for both The Travelling Auctioneers and Antiques Road Trip, will bring her auctioneer experience to the rostrum. Also, welcoming JJ Chalmers, who will have sympathetically restored some items for the auction.
“They will be auctioning an eclectic mix of items, including jewellery and watches, militaria and other miscellaneous pieces.
“We will be open to the public for both viewing and bidding, and hope for a lively and full room to support the filming.”
Budleigh Salterton
A new booklet celebrating renowned Budleigh Salterton architect William Hatchard-Smith has been launched and is available to buy for £5 from the town’s Fairlynch Museum.
Hatchard-Smith, who had an architect’s office in Fore Street, and died aged 100 in 1987, was responsible for designing and building more than 50 homes in Budleigh Salterton between the First and Second World Wars, plus the town’s croquet club and the Public Hall.
The 52-page booklet shines a spotlight on the homes and looks in detail at 14 of the builds, including some of the watercolour architect drawings.
Trevor Waddington, museum chairman who wrote the new booklet said: “He had a profound effect on the look of our town.
“Not only were his designs fine examples of the late arts and crafts period but they were built well with great attention to detail.”
Exmouth
A fancy dress raft race was held as part of the first-ever Exmouth Salt Fest. Photo: with permission.
The first-ever Salt Fest in Exmouth celebrated community connections to the sea when it was held last month.
A fancy dress raft race, sea swim awards, swimming competitions and a dawn sea dip were among the activities held over the two-day event, organised by Sideshore Community CIC.
The event aimed to connect people with the sea, celebrate its benefits, and promote looking after the environment.
A host of beach activities were held at Exmouth Salt Fest. Photo: with permission.
Bernie Rhodes, event organiser, said: “The festival brought water loving people together to celebrate the sea in their own way, and the feedback was phenomenal.
“The most important thing was introducing people to the water and connecting them more to the sea, and the community. We hope by creating a sense of belonging people will want to care for the sea more.”
Exmouth
Exmouth Community College students took around eight hours to walk the 36-kilometre route from Seaton back to school. Photo: with permission.
Exmouth students recently completed the Jurassic Coast Challenge, walking more than 22 miles along a challenging route.
Exmouth Community College students took around eight hours to walk the 36-kilometre route from Seaton back to school.
The challenge took students along sections of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jurassic Coast.
Forty-five students from the school took part in the event, with 40 completing the Gold route from Seaton to Exmouth Community College. Photo: with permission.
Tom Inman, Exmouth Community College headteacher, said: “We are very proud of all the students who took on this challenge.
“Completing a 36km coastal route is a fantastic achievement and shows the determination and teamwork of our students. It was wonderful to see them supporting each other and embracing the experience from start to finish.”
Lympstone
Live At Powderham festival-goers raised more than £11,000 for The Royal Marines Charity, based at Lympstone.
The four-day event, headlined by Teddy Swims, Alanis Morissette and Lewis Capaldi, raised more than £40,000 for RNLI Teignmouth, Rowcroft Hospice, Exeter Chiefs Foundation and The Royal Marines Charity (RMA) through visitor donations.
The Royal Marines Charity, based at Lympstone, received £11,043 from the fund pot donated by festival-goers. Photo: Cuffe and Taylor.
Caroline Casey, RMA director of communications, said: “Being given the opportunity to collect at the Lewis Capaldi concert was a tremendous success. Not only did it raise an incredible amount, but it also gave us the chance to meet and engage with so many serving and former Royal Marines and their families.
“The value went far beyond fundraising; it raised awareness, strengthened connections and reached members of the Royal Marines family directly.”
Event organisers thanked festival goers for supporting the charities collecting at the events.
Ottery St Mary
Aimee Jones will find out in November if she is National Small Business Awards winner. Photo: with permission.
An Ottery St woman is celebrating being named a double finalist at the National Small Business Awards.
Aimee Jones, founder of Nurturing Maternity Support, has been shortlisted in the Best Business Start-Up and Female Entrepreneur of the Year categories for her work helping expectant parents and families locally.
In just over a year Aimee’s Ottery St Mary-based business, founded in June 2025, has grown rapidly, providing antenatal education, birth preparation and postnatal support to families across East Devon and Exeter, including The Nurture Circle, a free weekly support group for parents.
Aimee Jones, founder of Nurturing Maternity Support, has been shortlisted in the Best Business Start-Up and Female Entrepreneur of the Year. Photo: with permission.
She will learn if she has been successful in November 2026, when the winners are announced.
Aimee said: “To be representing Devon at the National Small Business Awards as a finalist in two categories is something I never imagined. It is an incredible honour and one that reflects the support of every family who has trusted me to be part of their journey.
“I am proud to be representing not only my business, but also Devon and the fantastic network of maternity professionals who work so hard to support local families.”
Exmouth
Games were among the afternoon celebrations to marek the home’s fifth anniversary. Photo: with permission.
A garden party was held in Exmouth to celebrate Raleigh Manor Care Home’s fifth birthday.
Visitors, residents and staff marking the anniversary were treated to an afternoon of music, canapes, cake and garden games.
Staff and residents celebrated with cake and canapés. Photo: with permission.
Stuart Boobyer, care home manager, hailed the event a ‘resounding success’.
