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Devon pupils take learning to new heights on London trip

Devon Today
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Devon pupils take learning to new heights on London trip

They swapped school desks for the seat of a coach and turned lessons on democracy into a front-row experience of the real thing during a whistle-stop visit to the capital.

Thirty pupils from Dunsford CofE Academy and All Saints Marsh CofE Academy, both part of the Learning Academy Partnership, travelled 358 miles by coach to explore London’s landmarks and institutions.

Accompanied by five members of staff, the children clocked up 16,000 steps as they took in a ride on the London Eye, a walking tour of the city and a visit to the Houses of Parliament to see democracy in action. The group also enjoyed a meal at The Giraffe.

Dunsford pupils see the sites of London from above
Dunsford pupils outside Buckingham Palace
Dunsford pupils enjoying their trip to the capital
All Saints Marsh pupils on their London adventure

The trip was fully funded through the Learning Academy Partnership’s 70 Before 7 initiative and the Parliament Education Fund.

It was designed to give pupils first-hand experience of the city’s culture, history and government, helping to bring classroom learning to life and broaden their understanding of the wider world.

Both schools place a focus on extending learning beyond the classroom, aiming to provide experiences that encourage pupils to explore new environments, develop curiosity and see how their learning connects to real-life opportunities.

Mr Liam O’Sullivan, headteacher at Dunsford Community Academy and All Saints Marsh CofE Academy, said: “What an unforgettable day. Our pupils were brilliant ambassadors for their schools from start to finish.

“It was fantastic to see them make the most of every moment, and a huge thank you to everyone who made this extraordinary trip possible.”

Tracey Cleverly, chief executive officer of Learning Academy Partnership, said: “Trips like this give young people a chance to explore beyond the classroom, develop confidence, and experience first-hand the subjects and topics they learn about at school.

“It’s a joy to see pupils from Dunsford and All Saints learning, laughing, and building friendships together.”

Balanced Devon budget for roads, children’s futures, libraries and communities

Devon County Council
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Balanced Devon budget for roads, children’s futures, libraries and communities

Roads and children’s services will receive a major cash injection in the first budget of Devon County Council’s new administration.

The County Council’s Cabinet revealed on Tuesday 17 February that highways will receive an additional £15 million of capital investment in 2026–27. This will fund targeted preventative maintenance, resurfacing and patching.

On top of that, £4 million of additional revenue funding will be spent on highway drainage improvements, gully clearance, vegetation management and other preventative work. A further £10 million per year will continue this approach across the remainder of a five-year Medium-Term Financial Plan.

Under the proposed budget, the council also intends to invest £268 million in services for children and young people – an increase of £19.1 million. This covers support for children in care, early help for families, education services, and improved fees and allowances to foster carers to strengthen support for existing carers and expand efforts to recruit new carers.

Funding includes £69 million for SEND support within the Inclusion and Learning budget, with an additional £600,000 investment in SEND to speed up 20-week Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP).

Schools and SEND services also receive a separate ring fenced grant of £843 million.

The Council also reaffirmed its commitment that no libraries are closing. It will restore the book fund to £500,000 by adding £225,000 to it.

There will also be £425,000 to support general library delivery during transition, and plans were announced to establish a £1 million reserve for Libraries and Rural Hubs to support genuine transformation and community-led improvement.

Councillor James Buczkowski, Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “We said we would deliver change. This budget delivers that change responsibly, sustainably and with a long-term view for Devon.

“We are strengthening our commitment to children, young people and the most vulnerable.

“On highways, Devon’s roads have taken a battering. After years of underfunding and “managed decline” we’ve now seen severe storms, sustained rainfall and repeated freeze-thaw cycles that have caused significant structural damage. This investment will improve how we manage schemes, how we communicate with communities and how we hold delivery to account. It is not just about spending more. It is about doing it properly.

“In a tough national funding environment, we have set a balanced and fiscally responsible budget, protected and prioritised children, young people and families, invested in the most vulnerable, strengthened infrastructure and delivery, and remained honest about the financial reality we face.”

The council also plans to spend £395.9 million on Integrated Adult Social Care. This will help support older people and adults with disabilities to live safely and independently.

For Public Health and Communities, the council intends to invest £14.4 million on services that help people stay healthy, such as health checks, support to stop smoking, and drug and alcohol treatment. This is supported by a separate national Public Health Grant of £37.7 million.

To support economic development and skills, the council has allocated £2.8 million. This will help with business support, apprenticeships and adult learning programmes, alongside more than £8.4 million in national skills funding.

In order to manage those budgets, the County Council’s council tax precept will rise by 4.99 per cent. This represents an additional £89.91 for 2026/27 for Band D properties.

These decisions, says the council, have been guided by evidence and strengthened by the council’s Scrutiny committees as part of the budget setting process.

The proposed budget will now go to Full Council on Tuesday 24 February for formal approval.

Work starts on £2m revamp of Exeter’s beloved King George V fields

Lewis Clarke
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Work starts on £2m revamp of Exeter’s beloved King George V fields

Work will begin this week on a multi-million-pound project to improve and enhance one of the city’s much-loved green spaces for the use of current and future generations.

Exeter City Community Trust (ECCT), the partner charity of Exeter City Football Club, is due to begin work at the 40-acre King George V Playing Fields on Topsham Road.

And the charity has secured almost £2million from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation towards the ambitious project.

Phase one of the work includes two new Football Foundation PlayZones, a 3G pitch and refurbishment to the existing pavilion to include accessible changing rooms and community-use rooms. The project start follows a public consultation last year, which informed the design and direction of the plans.

Will Barrett and Danny Harris from ECCT credit Exeter City Community Trust

The site is a priority within Exeter City Council’s Playing Pitch Strategy, which reviews current and future demand for formal sports facilities. Working in partnership, ECCT and the council will deliver the improvements, with the fields to be leased to ECCT on a 50-year agreement. Work is commencing following approval of the lease by the council.

The fields are one of hundreds established across the UK following the death of King George V in 1936 to ‘promote and assist in the establishment of playing fields for the use and enjoyment of the people’. They are legally protected by the Fields in Trust charity, whose mission is to preserve and safeguard the land for public benefit.

Jamie Vittles, Chief Executive of Exeter City Community Trust, said: “We are delighted to bring this project to life and grateful to the many organisations, including Exeter City Council, Fields in Trust and the Football Foundation, who have worked closely with us to make it a reality.

“The incredible contribution from the Football Foundation brings a serious external investment into Exeter, helping us provide the best facilities for our whole community.”

Jamie added: “We are taking our role as custodians of this valuable green space very seriously. This is about creating an accessible and improved space, which meets the requirements of 21st century lifestyles, whilst preserving a wonderful natural resource and creating a community asset which will be here for many generations to come.”

The Football Foundation helps fund grassroots sports facilities where the need is greatest and impact will be strongest. It will be contributing £1,997,354, towards the new FIFA-quality 3G pitch, refurbishment of the Pavilion and the two PlayZones. The project has been through a full planning process with Exeter City Council, with approval granted in August last year.

As part of the scheme, 65 new trees will be planted in partnership with the council. These will form a community orchard, as well as providing screening and enhancement of the area. The planting will offset the felling of two oak trees. Both trees are in the third quarter of their natural life, and one has been severely damaged by squirrels stripping the bark, causing branches to fail from the upper canopy and resulting in a distorted and unstable upper crown. Historically, part of the site was covered with a traditional orchard. Reintroducing fruit trees will enhance biodiversity while providing long-term benefits for the community.


The second phase of the project is due to include the provision of Padel courts, an extension to the existing pavilion to incorporate a community café and social space, woodland trails and walkways, and further improvements to grass pitches.

Cllr Duncan Wood, Lead Councillor for Leisure and Healthy Living, said: “It’s great news that the major improvements for these much-loved playing fields are about to begin.

“The 3G pitch will allow many more games to go ahead which would otherwise have been lost due to bad weather, while much-needed refurbishment of the changing facilities will also be a major boost.

“I also welcome the woodland trails and walkways that will be created during the second phase for those who simply enjoy walking and being in this beautiful green space.

“The local community and everyone who uses King George V will benefit from the improvements that are being planned by ECCT, and this shows what can be done by working collaboratively with our parters in the city.”

Further details are available at www.kgvexeter.com/

Email any questions or enquiries to kgv@ecct.co.uk

Family’s heartbreak as tribute paid after Bideford fire claims life of Angus Clyde

Devon and Cornwall Police
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Family’s heartbreak as tribute paid after Bideford fire claims life of Angus Clyde

The family of a man who died following a property fire in Bideford have paid tribute to “a loyal and generous friend” who followed his own path through life.

Officers were called to a fire at a property in Honestone Street along with the fire service at around 8.30pm on Tuesday 28 October 2025.

A man had remained unaccounted for, for a number of days while multi-agency work involving structural engineers was ongoing at the scene.

An investigation into the fire was immediately launched, resulting in a number of arrests.

On Sunday 2 November, a body was recovered from the property once part of the building had been deemed safe.

Formal identification is now complete, with the deceased named as 55-year-old Angus Clyde.

Angus’ immediate family have now paid a moving tribute to him.

They said: “Angus’ death has been devastating for us, and we have struggled to come to terms with this unimaginable loss.

“During his 55 years, Angus was a son, brother, uncle, cousin, partner, and a good friend to many — but most of all, he was a loving father to his only child. 

“He lived life in his own unconventional way, guided by his values and his curiosity about the world. Angus never felt the need to conform — he followed his own path and that individuality was part of what made him so special to so many.

“He had a deep love for music and would share his new favourite tunes to anyone who’d listen. He found peace and perspective in nature, in long walks along the Tarka Trail and in the calm of the outdoors.

“He was also a loyal and generous friend, someone who brought warmth and humour into the lives of those around him. He will be greatly missed.

“We would also like to acknowledge the large impact the fire has had on the local community, neighbouring homes and businesses. It has been deeply moving to see the community come together and support one another.

“We are immensely grateful to the fire service and the police for their swift response on the night of the fire and for their continued support.

“As the police investigation continues, we respectfully ask that people refrain from speculating online as speculation may hinder the investigation.

“We ask for our continued privacy at this time.”

Three teenagers arrested following the fire on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life have had their bail extended.

Two other teenagers will face no further police action, as was the case with a man in his 30s who was arrested a short time following the fire.

  • A boy aged 13 has been re-bailed until mid-April.
  • A boy aged 14 has been re-bailed until mid-April.
  • A boy aged 15 has been re-bailed until mid-April.
  • A girl aged 14 will face no further police action in relation to the incident.
  • A boy aged 13 will face no further police action in relation to the incident.

Family funeral directors back Mid Devon Show with £5,000 boost

Lewis Clarke
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Family funeral directors back Mid Devon Show with £5,000 boost

A long-standing family funeral director has taken centre stage – outside of their usual solemn duties – by becoming the main sponsor of the 2026 Mid Devon Show.

Walter H Squires & Son, a business with deep roots in the local community, has been announced as the headline backer for this year’s event, which takes place on Saturday, July 25, at the Knightshayes Estate in Tiverton.

Ryan Squires, who owns the company with his wife Mel, said the opportunity to support the show was one he and his family accepted “without any hesitation.”

“As a family, we love the show, we love attending the show. As a business, so much of what we do involves the heart of the community, and this is a way to give something back,” Ryan said.

The firm has supported the event in various capacities in recent years, including as ticket sponsors. Now, stepping up as the lead sponsor, Ryan said the motivation was “to do something that people could take their families to and enjoy, and to support that in a major way.”

He added: “This show is all about family, it’s all about community. In a time where life can be quite difficult, this is one of those times you can just come along, have a really good day, and leave the negatives of the world outside the gates.”

The Mid Devon Show, run largely by volunteers, has grown to attract visitors from across the country. Colin Nation, show organiser, said backing from local businesses such as Walter H Squires makes a significant difference.

“Having local companies like Walter H Squires on board enhances the message that we are a local show. It gives us the extra ability to provide all the things people enjoy – food, drink, entertainment – while keeping prices achievable,” Colin said.

The £5,000 sponsorship would help ensure children aged 15 and under can continue to attend for free, something the show has maintained for the past six years.

Rachel Milden, sponsorship steward for the event, said further opportunities are still available for those wishing to get involved. Details can be found via the sponsorship page on the Mid Devon Show website, where businesses can also book online.

As the planning gears up for the 2026 show, early bird tickets are now on sale and trade stand applications are being accepted. The team has already received close to 100 applications.

Colin added: “We turn a green field into a mini village every year, and we rely on over 250 volunteers. If anyone would like to get involved, please do get in touch.”

Ryan concluded that if invited back, the firm would be “gladly” involved again in the future.

Visit https://www.middevonshow.co.uk/ for tickets and more information.

Tiverton market car park gains high-speed EV charge points

Mid Devon District Council
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Tiverton market car park gains high-speed EV charge points

Shoppers can now power up while they pick up their groceries after new rapid electric vehicle charge points were installed at Tiverton Pannier Market, as part of a wider push to expand greener travel across the district.

The 120 kilo-watt dual unit has been installed at the market and is owned and run by Wenea. It offers high-speed charging powered by 100% renewable electricity.

Located in the council’s Market Place car park, just off Newport Street, the dedicated recharging bays provide accessible parking and are positioned between the small trader cabins and Market Walk.

Councillor Natasha Bradshaw, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “Mid Devon is fast becoming a honeypot for greener travel, and I am delighted to see this. It is all part of the bigger picture, with new active travel routes and rail investment on the way.

“We worked hard with partners across Devon to secure EV investment and now we host rapid chargers at Crediton, Cullompton and Tiverton. Rural towns and villages will soon see EV installed too.”

Gustavo Prince, UK country manager at Wenea, said: “This new charging point at Tiverton Pannier Market is about making electric vehicle charging part of everyday life.

“By placing reliable, high-power chargers in town-centre locations, we are supporting local communities, local businesses and making it easier for drivers to charge while they go about their day.”

The council has set a target to host ten extra charge points by 2028. The latest installation marks a milestone of eight so far, achieved through the DELETTI project. the council’s car parks and leisure centres.

Mid Devon’s rural communities, including Bradninch, Copplestone and Silverton, will also receive chargers on council sites through a Devon-wide partnership that secured £7million of Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funding from the Office for Zero Emissions Vehicles.

Jason Ball, climate and sustainability specialist at Mid Devon District Council, said: “The market is an ideal town centre location, so these dedicated bays will soon help our super-busy charger nearby at William Street to meet growing demand.”

Drivers can find a charge point near them using Zapmap.

Michaela Strachan brings 40 year TV tour to Exeter

Lewis Clarke
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Michaela Strachan brings 40 year TV tour to Exeter

She has cuddled lion cubs, braved angry buffalo and become a familiar face on some of Britain’s best-loved wildlife programmes – and now Michaela Strachan is heading to Exeter as she celebrates 40 years on television with a brand new live tour.

The BAFTA-winning presenter will bring her theatre show, Not Just A Wild Life, to the Corn Exchange in Exeter on Thursday, April 16, as part of a nationwide run marking four decades in the industry.

The show will see Michaela swap her binoculars for the stage, sharing stories from across her career on programmes including The Wide Awake Club, The Hitman and Her, The Really Wild Show, Countryfile and Springwatch.

Promotional material for the tour says she will reflect on some of the risks she has taken in the name of television – from darting buffalo while four months pregnant to discovering her fear of heights while recreating a giant spider’s web on Clifton Suspension Bridge. She has also been bitten by a lemur in Madagascar and narrowly avoided being squashed by mating whales.

Michaela Strachan said: “When I started presenting in the 80s, I thought it would be incredible to last even 10 years. It’s been an extraordinary career and I’m excited to share my memories of what’s been a ‘Really Wild’ ride at times.

“I’m really looking forward to taking a trip down memory lane and inviting audiences to reminisce and laugh along with me!”

The Exeter date forms part of a UK tour which opens on Monday, April 13 at the Redgrave Theatre in Bristol and concludes on Thursday, April 30 at Royal & Derngate in Northampton.

Michaela began her career on children’s television in the 1980s before moving into late-night music television and later wildlife broadcasting. She spent more than 15 years presenting The Really Wild Show and has been a key figure on BBC Two’s Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch for more than 14 years. She also presented BBC One’s Countryfile for a decade.

Her other credits include Orangutan Diaries, Orangutan Rescue, Elephant Diaries, One Man and His Dog, Total Wipeout and Shark Encounters. For Channel 5’s Michaela’s Wild Challenge, she won the BAFTA for Best Children’s Presenter, while the programme also won Best Children’s Factual.

Tickets for the Exeter performance are on sale now via michaelastrachanlive.com.

Rarely heard Handel masterpiece set for Exeter Cathedral return

Lewis Clarke
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Rarely heard Handel masterpiece set for Exeter Cathedral return

Exeter Philharmonic Choir’s Lord Mayor’s concert this spring is a not-to-be-missed musical event, and a first for EPC. On Saturday 14 March 2026 the choir and four soloists will sing Handel’s majestic oratorio Solomon, a work not known to have been performed in Exeter Cathedral since its composition in 1748.

High drama, rich orchestration and some of Handel’s most exquisite choral writing combine in this rarely performed masterpiece, including the sparkling ‘Arrival of the Queen of Sheba’.

Exeter Philharmonic Choir is delighted to welcome Martha McLorinan as the wise King Solomon; Amy Carson, doubling as his Queen and the Queen of Sheba; Hugo Hymas as Zadok the Priest; and Timothy Dickinson as the Levite. The choir will be singing in eight voice parts, with Endelienta Baroque adding to the rich tapestry of sound.

Handel’s ‘Arrival of the Queen of Sheba’ is one of the most recognisable compositions in the Baroque repertoire. This instrumental interlude, which opens Act III, depicts the grandeur and majesty of the monarch’s arrival, as described in the biblical narrative. However, Handel didn’t give the piece this title; the name is thought to have been popularised in the 20th century and has since become one of Handel’s best-known compositions. It was even played during the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games!

Mezzo-soprano, Martha McLorinan, takes on the role of Solomon, a part that’s traditionally sung by a woman. At the 1749 premiere, Solomon was performed by a mezzo-soprano, following the Baroque tradition of heroic male roles being sung by women or castrati. This gives the character a distinctive vocal colour – noble, warm, and flexible rather than overtly masculine.

Martha, who hails from the South West, is recognised for her ‘warm expressivity’ (The Guardian). She has appeared as a soloist at venues as far afield as Moscow, Hamburg and Salt Lake City. Martha is delighted to be asked back to sing with Exeter Philharmonic Choir – and have an excuse to come home to the West Country.

Exeter Philharmonic Choir’s Director of Music, Howard Ionascu, said: “Handel’s masterpiece brings to life a compelling story about the deeds and wisdom of King Solomon. Although the ‘Arrival of the Queen of Sheba’ in the final act will be recognisable to many, this oratorio is rarely performed in its entirety, and is another musical ‘first’ for the choir.”

EPC is proud to have the Lord Mayor of Exeter as its Honorary President and the choir’s spring concert is always billed as ‘The Lord Mayor’s Concert’. There will be a retiring collection for the current Lord Mayor’s chosen local charity, Riding for the Disabled (RDA) – Exeter Grouphttps://www.exeterridingforthedisabled.co.uk/

This concert promises to be a musical event to remember: Book your tickets at www.ticketsource.co.uk/exeterphilchoir

Tiverton teens steal scenes in Oscar tipped Shakespeare drama

Lewis Clarke
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Tiverton teens steal scenes in Oscar tipped Shakespeare drama

Two Tiverton teens have made it on the big screen after landing roles in one of the year’s most talked-about films.

Zac and Eva Wishart, aged twelve and thirteen respectively, appear in Hamnet, a cinematic adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel, directed by Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao.

The film, which has already picked up accolades at the Golden Globes and is tipped for Oscar success, explores the grief of William Shakespeare and his wife following the death of their son, Hamnet.

Zac and Eva appearing in the latest hit film Hamnet

The siblings originally auditioned for the lead roles of Shakespeare’s twins before reaching a screen test with lead actor Paul Mescal.

“Our mum entered us for the open auditions for Hamnet,” Eva said. First we sent in a photo of us and then a video. Then we went through five gruelling rounds of auditions where we were dying of the plague and crying quite a lot over each other’s dead bodies.

“Finally, we did a screen test with Paul Meskell, where I was crying on his lap.”

Despite narrowly missing out on the main child roles, both were cast in smaller parts – but still found themselves on set with major names.

“There was a scene where Paul Mescal, who plays Shakespeare, had to teach us Latin,” said Zac. “We only had one line, so we knew it perfectly. But Paul had loads of lines and forgot the Latin, so he asked me to tell him it just before we started filming”.

Eva added: “Zac taught Paul Mescal Latin. That was probably one of the best bits.”

The film also stars Jessie Buckley as Shakespeare’s wife, Agnes. Eva and Zac play her younger siblings in flashback scenes, which involved “dying of the plague several times” during the audition process, according to Eva.

Away from the spotlight, Eva has her sights set on conservation. “I’ve been breeding harvest mice for reintroduction. Being a conservationist doesn’t really pay, so maybe I’ll do acting to help fund that,” she said.

Zac and Eva appearing in the latest hit film Hamnet

Zac, meanwhile, has dreams behind the camera. “I want to be a cinematographer. I love taking pictures and composing music,” he said.

The pair have already secured their next roles. They’ve been cast together in Ebenezer, a reimagining of A Christmas Carol, starring Johnny Depp, Ian McKellen, Andrea Riseborough and Rupert Grint.

Dominic Pinner, manager of the Tivoli Cinema in Tiverton, said Hamnet had proved a hit with local audiences: “It’s been outselling Avatar, which is very impressive for a film of this budget and subject matter. I’ve worked here four years, and this is the first time we’ve ever had two local stars in a film showing here”.

Elizabethan true-crime murder mystery brought back to life

Lewis Clarke
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Elizabethan true-crime murder mystery brought back to life

Barnstaple Guildhall is set to stage a dramatic re-enactment of one of its most sensational murder trials. The true-life events which took place in the late 16th Century culminated in a special session of the Devon assizes at the old Guildhall in the High Street.

Now, over four hundred years on, Barnstaple’s Guildhall will provide the setting for the play ‘Poisoned Blood’, with the audience occupying the public gallery seats. The story surrounds the curious death of a Devon nobleman at his Plymouth home, and the alleged involvement of his wife, their maid, and a local ship’s clerk.

Set in a time of witchcraft, amidst a backdrop of the campaign against the Spanish Armada, the trial of the three accused was transferred to Barnstaple’s Guildhall due to the Exeter Assises being shut down with the prevalence of the plague. A senior Judge was sent to oversee the trial, which would become part of local folklore for years to come.

The play, co-written by local writers Tim Cooke and Tina Orr Munro, follows the various story threads that make the trial so intriguing.  Perhaps the nobleman was another victim of the plague? Or, as some suggest, might he be a victim of poison and a witch’s spell? Producer Tina Orr Munro said, “We want to showcase trials that actually took place in the same setting. Our first play, ‘False Witness’, featured a Victorian child, who, quite incredibly, ended up being transported abroad for stealing a purse in the Pannier Market.  It was a popular sell-out, as part of Fringefest a couple of years back, so we thought, let’s explore further stories, which feature both our own history and The Guildhall’s. We set up Gavel Productions as a not-for-profit outfit and rely on a combination of grants and ticket sales. I’d like to thank Councillor Syed Jusef for his support, and Barnstaple Town Council too, whose Heritage and Culture team we have been liaising with.”

The play’s Director, Tim Cooke, said, “North Devon is full of remarkable stories, and many of the more intriguing true-crime events ended up being heard at Barnstaple’s Guildhall. We are lucky that we still have such an amazing asset in place, and that the town council and others are happy to work with us to put on these events. It’s a unique type of theatre. ‘Poisoned Blood’ has some extraordinary twists and turns, and we’re looking forward to putting it on.

Indeed, many hundreds of criminal trials have been heard at Barnstaple’s iconic Guildhall over the centuries, but few quite like this.

‘Poisoned Blood’ will run for three days from Thursday, 26 to Saturday, February 28, starting at 7pm. Tickets are on sale now

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