Special Constables and police support volunteers got together at Exeter Police Station last week to share experiences and receive personal thanks from senior officers.   The gathering was organised to show appreciation for all the unpaid hours that volunteers give to their local communities. Superintendent Antony Hart, who heads up the Exeter, East & Mid Devon Local Policing Area, Chief Inspector John Shuttleworth and Citizens in Policing Champion Inspector Dave Turner were on hand to say thank you in person. The volunteers invited along work across Exeter, East & Mid Devon and help out at local events, as well as supporting regular police officer colleagues and staff in a variety of situations. Superintendent Antony Hart told those present: “I really take my hat off to you. The contribution you make is fantastic and it’s a massive thanks from me. The difference you make every day is immense and this is even more important as we enter our busy summer policing period.”    The guests included vehicle check volunteers, a wellbeing volunteer, Police Cadet leaders and role player volunteers who help with scenarios for police officer and Special Constable training. Martinne Rowland, Development Officer for Citizens…

For the third year running, the hugely popular Taste East Devon food festival is taking place from 9-24th September 2023.  The 16 day celebration sees award-winning venues, producers, chefs and restaurants across East Devon join forces again to celebrate the incredible food and drink on offer across the region. Founder members include River Cottage, THE PIG-at Combe, Darts Farm, Mazzard Farm, Otter Brewery, Deer Park Country House, East Devon AONB, Donkey Sanctuary, Jack in the Green and Lympstone Manor. The region’s well-known celebrity chef and television personality, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, comments on the food festival: “Our commitment to seasonal, local and ethically produced food is at the heart of everything we do at River Cottage, and the producers and makers who contribute to Taste East Devon embrace this message too. So we are delighted to be involved again this year in this hugely popular Food Festival.”  He continues: “We are looking forward to some new producers making a first time appearance alongside some old favourites, and I’m sure the packed programme of events will draw people in from near and far.” Another key player on the East Devon food scene, Michael Caines, chef and patron of Lympstone Manor,…

Wales & West Utilities has linked with an Exeter charity to provide support to homeless and vulnerably housed people across the city. The gas emergency and pipeline service has partnered with St Petrock’s to provide ‘Keep Warm’ packs for homeless individuals, whilst carbon monoxide safety alarms are being distributed to vulnerably housed people known to the charity. Each ‘Keep Warm’ pack contains hand warmers, a thermos flask, hot water bottle, blanket, socks, hat and gloves and are usually given to vulnerable customers whose gas supplies are affected for a short period of time. Louise Alfaresi, First Line Manager for Exeter at Wales & West Utilities, is responsible for establishing the partnership. Louise said: “We are happy that this partnership will go some way to helping local homeless and vulnerably housed people stay safe and warm and away from the deathly dangers of carbon monoxide.   “In providing the ‘Keep Warm’ packs we are hopeful that we will be able to reach and help those in the city who need it the most.  “The carbon monoxide alarms will help those individuals who are in accommodation to stay safe from the dangers of carbon monoxide. Having an audible carbon monoxide alarm…

Those visiting Devon County Show on Friday 19th May will be able to pick up some gardening design ideas from gardening expert Joe Swift, who will be making an appearance at the Show for the first time. Just in case there is anyone in the world who hasn’t heard of Joe, he is, of course, a familiar face on gardening themed TV programmes, having been a regular presenter on BBC Gardeners World since 1998. Joe also anchors The BBC coverage of The Chelsea Flower show and other RHS shows and has presented several gardening series over the years.  He also writes a weekly for the Times and Radio Times Magazine and has written no less than eight books – the most recent a series of Expert Guides for Collins.  He has won many design awards including a Chelsea Gold Medal and Society of Garden designer awards.  With his expert designer hat on, Joe will be giving a talk on Garden Design in the demonstration area in the Crafts & Gardens Marquee. Offering a sneak preview of the content, Joe said: ‘Most gardeners can’t see beyond their rectangular plot. I’ll be considering layouts, plants and planting design…

Final applications to Connecting Devon and Somerset’s successful Mobile Boost scheme should be submitted by tomorrow (Tuesday 28 February), ahead of the scheme drawing to a close at the end of March. The initiative has so far invested more than £1,031,000 to help those in the region who cannot receive an adequate indoor 4G mobile signal. To date, more than 1,490 homes and businesses across Devon, Somerset, Torbay and Plymouth have benefited from the scheme which provides vouchers worth up to £1,200 to support applicants with the cost of installing a mobile signal booster from registered suppliers. Final installations need to be completed by Friday 31 March. This includes anyone who may have already received a voucher through the scheme but not yet used it. Councillor Mike Rigby, CDS Board Member and Somerset County Council Lead Member for Transport and Digital, said: “The Mobile Boost scheme has been a tremendous success and it’s enabled almost 1,500 people and businesses across the region to benefit from a better 4G mobile signal. That’s a great result which can make a genuine difference to our local economy.” Councillor Rufus Gilbert, CDS Board Member and Devon County Council Cabinet Member for…