Local News

Toby’s Garden Festival Reveals Official 2026 Line-Up

Set against the stunning backdrop of Powderham Castle on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd May 2026 (10am–5pm), Toby’s Garden Festival has revealed an exciting programme of expert speakers and special guests set to headline this year’s event. Building on the 2026 theme of Discovery, the festival’s...

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The BIG FIX is back!

The BIG FIX, returns next month and it has one aim - to fix and breathe new life into as many broken things as possible.

The BIG FIX is an annual event led by Devon County Council, and returns after a two year break on Saturday May 14.

Skilled menders, fixers, tinkerers and tailors from all over the country will give their time and expertise for free to help fix items that...

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The BIG FIX

Devon

repairs

mending

Special Sidmouth community to be held for sheltered accommodation residents

A special Sidmouth community and social value day, with hot food, drinks and big spruce up, is being held for residents living in sheltered and neighbouring accommodation.

East Devon District Council (EDDC) alongside Ian Williams are hosting a social value event, outside Lymebourne Community Centre on Tuesday, 26 April, between 10.30am and 3pm.

More than 100 residents, from...

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Sidmouth community and social value day

Devon

Devon families successful in primary school applications

More than 99 per cent of Devon families have won a place in one of their preferred primary schools this September .

Figures published today (Tuesday 19 April) reveal that 7,242 applications were made across the county.

And 7,189 families have been offered a place at one of their three preferred schools - that's 99.3 per cent.

The new figures show that 97 per cent of...

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Derriford NICU baby returns 18 years later

A man who spent two months on Derriford’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), has returned to say thank you almost 18 years later.

Tom Rowe, who was born prematurely in April 2004, was treated by NICU staff before being allowed home a few months later. Going full circle, his brother, Dr James Rowe, has just completed a placement within the NICU and invited Tom in to say thank you...

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World-renowned choir set to return to Buckfast Abbey for April concert

On Saturday 23rd April, Buckfast Abbey, in South Devon, will host the world-renowned choir of Westminster Cathedral for a concert of choral and organ music for Eastertide. The highly anticipated performance, titled Surrexit Christus!, follows the success of the choir’s participation in the 2018 Festival of Sacred Music at Buckfast Abbey, which was a complete sell-out event.

Acclaimed...

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Westminster Cathedral Choir

Gold for Dartmoor at South West tourism awards

Dartmoor’s National Park Visitor Centres have scooped Gold in the South West Tourism Excellence Awards . The centres, run by Dartmoor National Park Authority, were presented with the top accolade in the ‘visitor information services of the year’ category at a ceremony at Sandy Park, Exeter, last night (Thursday 7 April). They joined leading tourism businesses and individuals from across South...

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Dartmoor

Devon

south west tourism awards

Life’s a beach: The transition from pool lifeguard to beach lifeguard

As we head towards the summer are you looking for a new challenge? Pool lifeguards have a unique opportunity to upskill to become a beach lifeguard and gain invaluable skills for life.

As an island, the UK has miles and miles of beautiful coastline, and every year people flock to our beaches to enjoy the sea, surf, and sometimes the sun! With more Britons holidaying in the UK, our...

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RLSS UK National Pool Lifeguard Qualification

Outdoor Education Centre Skern Lodge wins North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Nature Award

Skern Lodge, a leading outdoor education centre in North Devon, is delighted to announce it is the winner of the Business Award at the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere 2021 Nature Awards.

The North Devon UNESCO Biosphere 2021 Nature Awards honour businesses that have made a pledge to tackle priority issues for nature’s recovery in North Devon.

Located in Bideford on the North...

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Skern Lodge

Devon

business award

North Devon UNESCO Biosphere 2021 Nature Awards.

Seaton Wetlands provide new home for endangered wildlife and protected plants

Seaton Wetlands, the jewel in the crown of East Devon District Council’s nature reserves, is playing a crucial role in the survival of protected species.

The award-winning nature reserve has recently seen the arrival of protected slow worms from a development site in nearby Colyton. With the help of volunteers, 15 of the legless lizards of a variety of ages were captured and moved...

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First Graduate Sculpture Show a Huge Success

Graduates from The Sculpture School’s first 12 month intensive realist figurative course are relishing the success of their end of year show which attracted over 250 visitors and sales of their artwork that far exceeded expectations.

The One Year Figurative Sculpture Course at The Sculpture School in West Devon teaches students the skills they need to develop a career as professional...

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