The world’s largest garden wildlife survey returns this month, with hundreds of thousands of people watching and counting the UK’s garden birds over the last weekend in January for the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch.
Over 600 thousand people took part in 2024, counting more than nine million birds. In Devon more than 16 thousand people took part, with the House Sparrow taking the top spot as the most commonly seen bird, followed by Blue Tit, and Blackbird.
This year’s event takes place on 24, 25 and 26 January 2025. People in Devon are asked to spend an hour watching and...
Family, friends and colleagues of an Exeter woman with a rare form of cancer have raised more than £5,000 for charity by having their heads shaved.
Mum-of-three Clare Simpson was on holiday in Egypt with her mum and daughter when she found a lump.
The 41-year-old was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in September and in now on eight months of chemotherapy before surgery.
“It was a massive shock,” admits Clare, who works as an assistant practitioner on Belvedere Ward at Franklyn Hospital in St Thomas. “But I try to be positive.”
Michelmores’ prestigious Property Awards competition is returning in 2025, marking 22 years of celebrating the best property, development and construction projects in the South West. Entries to the Awards are now open.
Last year's glittering Property Awards ceremony was attended by over 400 individuals in the sector and hosted by well-known actor, comedian and regular face on TV, Lucy Porter.
The Awards, which have long-championed sustainability and innovation, place social, environmental, sustainable and economic values at the heart of its judging criteria. These...
Staff and pupils at Whipton Barton Federation are celebrating exceptional academic achievements after newly released Department for Education data revealed that pupils at the school are outperforming national and regional averages in key areas of learning.
In 2024, pupils at Whipton Barton Federation outshone the national average of 61% and the Devon average of 57% meeting the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths. Even more impressive, the school’s pupils are excelling at a higher standard in core subjects at three times the rate of the Devon average. 18% of Whipton...
Sovereign Network Group (SNG) has completed the first homes built to its pioneering Homes and Place Standard at Moonhill Rise in Exeter. These groundbreaking properties exemplify SNG’s vision for sustainable, future-proof living and set a new benchmark for residential development in the UK.
The Homes and Place Standard is a market-leading framework developed to assess quality and ensure every project prioritises sustainability, health, wellbeing and community creation. SNG designed Moonhill Rise to inform what “good” looks like across all its projects, both existing homes and new...
A collaborative network joining together heritage organisations across the city of Exeter has been awarded funding to establish a dedicated volunteering and knowledge-sharing programme.
The Exeter Heritage Partnership (EHP) will transform its Exeter Heritage Champions project into a standalone entity thanks to a grant of £103,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The funding will enable the project to expand its operation and offer increased participation and skills-building opportunities to communities.
It will specifically support city organisations...
Rootstock, the South West's leading agricultural conference focused on future resilience and sustainable farming practices, is set to return on 6th February 2025 to Westpoint Arena, Exeter . Following two sold-out events, the one-day conference will feature an exciting line-up of researchers and farmers who are experts in their fields, including Minette Batters , the former Chief Executive of the NFU, Dr Jennifer Rowntree, Associate Professor in Ecological Genetics at the University off Plymouth, Chris Berry who farms over 450 acres in Devon and Nikki Yoxall, Technical Director at Pasture...
Award-winning Exeter-based fit20 was opened at Phillip House six years ago by entrepreneur Duncan Attwood. Based on just one 20-minute workout per week, fit20 is scientifically proven to significantly improve muscle strength and overall health. It has been so successful Mr. Attwood has expanded by setting up a second studio in Torquay as part of his growing franchise.
Duncan Attwood says: "I am so excited to be opening my second fit20 franchise in Torquay and growing the business.” He explains: “My journey into fitness started when I was a child. I was overweight and had numerous...
National law firm Foot Anstey is pleased to be expanding its South West teams with two new Partner hires this week. James Clark and Hayley Steel mark the latest additions to the firm in its ambitious period of growth.
James Clark will be strengthening the firm’s planning and infrastructure offering in the Developer team, bringing extensive experience in both contentious and non-contentious planning matters. He is returning to the firm after a tenure at Womble Bond Dickinson. His expertise includes providing strategic planning advice, negotiating Section 106 and other...
Harry’s Restaurant , a cherished culinary institution on Longbrook Street, has been named one of the top 100 restaurants in the UK by OpenTable . This prestigious recognition places Harry’s among the country’s finest dining destinations and solidifies its position as a standout in Devon’s vibrant food scene.
Joining the ranks of the only other Devon-based winners, Emilia in Ashburton and The Elephant in Torquay, Harry’s Restaurant continues to shine as a local favourite with a national spotlight.
“To be named one of the top 100 restaurants in the UK is an incredible...
