I went to see the first night of Tiverton Dramatic Society’s production of Agatha Christie’s ‘The Unexpected Guest’ at The New Hall last night and I have to say I was hugely impressed. It was announced that, due to unforeseen circumstances, two of the cast had to pull out about a fortnight ago leaving their two replacements the monumental task of stepping into the roles and learning vast amounts of lines in just over two weeks. Their hard work and dedication paid off handsomely as the audience would never have known they were not part of the original cast.
The whole cast were absolutely excellent, very convincing in their parts, well rehearsed and fluent with the wordy script. The set was extremely good and very well designed complemented by the lighting and the costumes were fabulous! The tech team were very proficient and the sound effects bang on cue!
Backstage, from the audience’s point of view, everything must have gone very smoothly and everyone Front of House was very helpful and friendly.
The audience obviously enjoyed it immensely and the tension in the auditorium at the twists and turns of the plot was palpable. All in all it was an extremely professional production – it runs until Saturday 18th April with a Matinee on Saturday afternoon and I highly recommend it!
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust has been reaccredited at Level 3 of the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative, following an independent assessment of maternity care and parents’ experiences.
The reaccreditation confirms that maternity services continue to meet UNICEF’s Baby Friendly standards, which focus how well services support infant feeding, early relationships and parents’ confidence during pregnancy and the early days of life.
During the assessment, UNICEF assessors spoke directly with parents and staff and observed care in practice. Their report highlights strong cultural standards in supporting parent–baby relationships and recognised high‑quality breastfeeding and infant feeding support across maternity and neonatal services.
Nicola McMinn, Chief Nurse and Baby Friendly Guardian, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: “UNICEF’s Baby Friendly reaccreditation provides independent reassurance to families in our communities about the quality of care they can expect.
“This assessment is about what parents experience day to day, and the feedback reflects the commitment, compassion and professionalism of our maternity teams. I want to thank everyone involved for sustaining these standards through what has been a challenging period for the NHS.”
The UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative is widely recognised as a benchmark for evidence‑based maternity care that supports babies’ health and development while respecting parents’ choices and circumstances.
Joanna Bassett, Director of Midwifery and Gynaecology, added: “Supporting parents to build confident, loving relationships with their babies is at the heart of maternity care. The assessors’ feedback was especially encouraging because it reflected the culture we see every day – staff taking the time to listen, support and work in partnership with families.
“This reaccreditation gives us a strong platform to keep improving. We’re proud of what has been achieved and we’re now looking ahead with the ambition to work towards the UNICEF Baby Friendly Gold Award, focusing on sustaining these standards for families over the long term.”
South West Water’s parent company, Pennon, is providing support for Theatre Royal Plymouth’s (TRP) Young Company Bursary project.
The bursary provides fully and partially funded spaces on drama courses for young people facing barriers to accessing theatre. Young Company relaunched in September 2025 and participant numbers and popularity have soared since.
With support from Pennon, children aged two to 18 from disadvantaged or low-income backgrounds, and those with learning difficulties, can get involved in 10-week drama courses. There is a wide range of courses available, teaching everything from production and arts management, to performing arts. The courses are built to nurture creativity and talent in young people from all backgrounds, and the bursary ensures these opportunities remain inclusive to all.
For Young Company Create, a group offering bespoke support for children with disabilities, the bursary enabled TRP to lower the course admission fee, making it more affordable and, subsequently, inclusive.
The group spent their last term learning theatre skills through Roald Dahl stories and had a masterclass on 3D character models by a visiting specialist. During their next term they will start work on a performance for the end of year festival. Young Company Create offers the same opportunities as the rest of Young Company with the addition of focused and specialised support.
A Young Company Create member’s mum said: “Create has continued to be a safe and supportive space for my son to regulate, providing routine and consistency in his week whilst other areas of his life are currently in transition. Create allows him to express himself without judgement. Even though he is at a specialist school, Create allows him to be himself and is welcomed however he is feeling.”
Sarah Heald, Pennon’s Chief Strategy & Regulatory Affairs Officer, said: “We’re really proud to support the brilliant work happening at Theatre Royal Plymouth. Every young person should have the chance, including those with disabilities, to take part, express themselves and discover what they’re capable of. Seeing that confidence grow is exactly why programmes like this matter so much.”
A special garden at Torbay Hospital, created as a place of remembrance following baby loss, has been thoughtfully enhanced thanks to the commitment, hard work and generosity of two local organisations.
Members of the Rotary Club of Torquay have spent many hours over recent months working in the Heartsease Garden, generously volunteering their time and funding new planting to help restore and care for the space. Their work included clearing overgrown brambles, power‑washing stonework and paths and replanting areas of the garden, helping to ensure it remains a welcoming space for parents, families and colleagues.
Roy Tuttle, President of the Rotary Club of Torquay, said: “Our members were very glad to be able to support this project in a practical way. The Heartsease Garden is a very special space and everyone involved wanted to treat it with real care and respect. Clearing, cleaning and replanting the garden felt like a meaningful way of giving something back to families at a very difficult time.”
Alongside this, the Torbay Hospital League of Friends has funded a new water feature, a teak bench and two large planters for the Heartsease Garden, helping to create a calmer and more peaceful environment for quiet reflection and remembrance.
Martin Tucker, Chair of the Torbay Hospital League of Friends, said: “The League of Friends is proud to have been able to fund the water feature for the Heartsease Garden. We know how important this garden is for parents and families following baby loss and our aim was simply to help enhance a space that already offers quiet comfort, reflection and peace.”
Nicola McMinn, Chief Nurse at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, added: “The Heartsease Garden is a deeply important part of how we support families after the loss of a baby. It is a place where loved ones can be remembered and honoured, not just in the immediate aftermath of loss but over time, as people return to reflect and remember in their own way.
“The generosity of the Rotary Club of Torquay, through the time, care and practical effort they have given, alongside the support of the Torbay Hospital League of Friends, has made a genuine difference to this space. On behalf of our midwifery and maternity teams, I want to thank them for their kindness and thoughtfulness.
A simple postbox is offering a powerful connection for those coping with loss, giving people a place to share messages with loved ones they can no longer see.
The “Letters to Heaven” initiative at Co-op Funeralcare Paignton has been praised by members of the community for providing a quiet and meaningful outlet for remembrance.
Installed in 2025, the postbox allows people to write letters to those they are remembering, with the aim of supporting individuals beyond the day of a funeral.
Since its introduction, the idea has been warmly received. A social media post shared by the branch in March encouraged people to write messages in memory of loved ones, prompting an outpouring of supportive and heartfelt responses.
Sammy-Jo Lathom, funeral arranger at Co-op Funeralcare Paignton, said: “Here at Co-op Funeralcare, we know that support does not end with the funeral.”
“It is important to have a sense of connection during such a crucial period, and small initiatives like this can help people to feel less alone in that process.”
She added: “We hope that our Letters to Heaven postbox will give members of the community a place to honour their loved ones and a way to still feel connected by sharing messages with them.
“Sometimes, having somewhere physical to go and express those thoughts can make a real difference – and we are seeing a big increase in this since launching the initiative.
“If anyone ever feels they would benefit from a chat or simply being around familiar faces, they are always welcome to pop in.”
Open to anyone, the postbox is designed to be an accessible and reflective space for those wishing to remember someone close to them.
An egg-stra dose of fun cracked open a day of laughter and creativity as pupils threw themselves into a series of Easter celebrations, complete with races, costumes and a special guest appearance.
Children at Drake Primary Academy, part of the Reach South Academy Trust, took part in a range of activities designed to mark the end of term and celebrate Easter.
Pupils were invited to design and bring in an egg dressed as a person who inspires them, with entries showcasing a wide mix of imaginative ideas and personal influences.
The Easter Bunny sits in a classroom after joining in with the day’s activities (Credit : Submitted)Children compete in a light-hearted Easter egg rolling race at the school (Credit : Submitted)A pupil shares a moment with the Easter Bunny during celebrations (Credit : Submitted)
The celebrations continued with an Easter egg race, where pupils entered their decorated “egg people” into a rolling competition in the playground.
A visit from the Easter Bunny added to the festivities, with children taking part in activities and interacting with the costumed character throughout the day.
The school said the events formed part of its wider efforts to create shared experiences and encourage creativity among pupils.
Jacqueline Stephens, executive headteacher at Drake Primary Academy, said: “We had such an amazing day, and it was wonderful to see the children throwing themselves into all our Easter activities.”
She added: “There was so much laughter and fun. It really made it a special end to another wonderful term here at Drake.
“Experiences like this are such a lovely way to bring our school community together and create special memories the children will talk about for a long time.”
Residents are being given the chance to pick up vital emergency skills at two free CPR and defibrillator training sessions.
The sessions are being offered in Tiverton and are sponsored by Tiverton Community Association and Jason LeJeune Training Specialists. They will be held at the New Hall, hosted by the Town Council, on Wednesday, April 29.
Training will take place in two sessions, at 6pm and 7.30pm.
People attending will learn essential CPR techniques and how to use a defibrillator in an emergency.
Tickets can be booked through Eventbrite. The booking links provided are: 1800 session and 1930 session
Tea, coffee and cake will also be available at the event, donated by The Sugar Parlour Bake Shed.
A major push towards greener public transport is gathering pace as new electric-ready bus depots are brought online, paving the way for hundreds of zero-emission vehicles across the UK.
More than 1,000 electric buses are now supported by upgraded infrastructure at 17 depots operated by Stagecoach, following a nationwide rollout delivered by independent distribution network operator Aurora Utilities.
The project includes a newly connected depot in Barnstaple, Devon, alongside sites in Aldershot, Arbroath, Ardrossan, Ash Grove, Barking, Bow, Bromley, Cheltenham, Dover, Dundee, Exeter, Gloucester, Kilmarnock, Leyton, St Andrews and Torquay.
Announced on Tuesday, April 14, the programme is designed to expand capacity for around 1,330 electric buses, representing more than 16% of Stagecoach’s UK fleet. The upgrades are also expected to cut tens of thousands of tonnes of carbon emissions each year.
Aurora Utilities is responsible for adopting and operating the new grid connections needed to power high-capacity electric vehicle charging infrastructure, enabling faster and more flexible connections.
Simon Reilly, chief executive of Aurora, said: “Stagecoach is moving at pace to decarbonise its fleet, and we are proud to be energising the infrastructure that makes that possible.
“Each new connection brings hundreds of zero-emission buses closer to reality on UK roads.
“Our team’s experience and strong relationships with network operators mean we can deliver faster, smarter grid solutions that turn net zero ambitions into operational progress.”
Tony Cockcroft, asset management and infrastructure director at Stagecoach, added: “Electrifying our nationwide depots is critical to delivering a modern, sustainable public transport network.
“Aurora’s expertise as an IDNO has allowed us to accelerate new connections, and get more electric buses on the road sooner, lowering our emissions and benefiting the communities we serve through more reliable services.”
Alongside electrifying its fleet, Stagecoach is also investing in battery storage and on-site solar power to reduce reliance on the grid and improve energy resilience.
Aurora, which was licensed by Ofgem in 2024 and backed by a $200 million investment from I Squared, works with transport operators, developers and public sector organisations to deliver grid connections supporting decarbonisation efforts nationwide.
A classroom cornerstone whose quiet care has shaped generations is now in line for national recognition, as a long-serving teaching assistant earns a place among the country’s very best.
Ellacombe CofE Academy in Torquay has announced that Tracy Parpworth-Reynolds has been shortlisted for Teaching Assistant of the Year in the Pearson National Teaching Awards 2026.
The nomination recognises Tracy’s contribution to education over nearly 20 years at the school, where she has supported multiple generations of families and built lasting relationships with pupils, parents and colleagues.
As personal, social and emotional development and Thrive lead, Tracy works closely with pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. Her approach is based on the belief that children cannot learn unless they feel safe and regulated.
She supports pupils to understand their emotions, develop strategies for self-regulation and rebuild confidence in themselves as learners. Her role also extends to supporting colleagues through training and coaching across the school.
Colleagues described her as “the anchor of the school, the calm in any storm”. One pupil said: “She just gets it. She knows when you’re finding things difficult even if you don’t know how to explain it. Every school in the whole wide world should have a Mrs PR.”
Alison Helm, headteacher at Ellacombe CofE Academy, said: “Tracy embodies everything this award stands for. Her compassion, expertise and relentless commitment to children have transformed lives over many years. We are incredibly proud to see her recognised at a national level.”
Tracey Cleverly, chief executive of Learning Academy Partnership, said: “Tracy represents the very best of our profession. Her unwavering commitment to children has had a profound and lasting impact not only at Ellacombe but across our wider trust. The difference she makes to children’s lives, families and colleagues is extraordinary.”
Tracy said: “I am truly honoured to have been shortlisted for the National Teaching Assistant of the Year Award. I am incredibly grateful to have been put forward, and I know there are so many dedicated teaching assistants, right across the country and here at Ellacombe, who deserve this recognition just as much.
“Every day, we work together with one shared goal, to make a positive difference to the lives and education of the children we support. I feel proud to be part of such a committed and passionate team.”
Winners of the Pearson National Teaching Awards will be announced on National Thank a Teacher Day in June. The awards were founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam and celebrate excellence in education.
In April 2006, HRH The Princess Royal stepped out in the North Devon sunshine, on a day that would forever change how local people could receive care towards the end of their lives. Princess Anne had arrived to officially cut the ribbon at North Devon Hospice’s newest and most significant expansion of care; a Bedded Unit that could offer specialist hospice care to local people around the clock for the very first time.
20 years on, the charity is this month celebrating the difference the 7-bedded facility has made, to countless North Devon families who have found it be a sanctuary when needed most.
“I simply cannot imagine the healthcare landscape in North Devon without our Bedded Unit. It has become such an integral part of our community, having helped so many people. It is unfathomable to think of a time before it existed,” said Stephen Roberts, Chief Executive of North Devon Hospice.
It’s been 20 years since the official opening of our Bedded Unit
Since the charity first started caring for local people affected by a life-limiting illness, way back in 1984, the service had always been community-based. “North Devon is such a vast rural area, that it made sense to use the limited nursing resources in those early days to visit patients in their own homes.” said Stephen. “That is still a huge part of the care we provide, but there was also an acute need for specialist end of life care around the clock, when pain and other symptoms became too complex to be treated at home. So when the Bedded Unit opened, it was a sea-change for local healthcare.”
Building such a specialist facility was not easy, and required an enormous community fundraising effort. The Light in the Dark appeal was launched to raise the necessary funds, and the royal opening in April 2006 capped more than four years of hard work behind the scenes to bring the vision to life.
Hannah Crawley, Team Leader of North Devon Hospice’s Bedded Unit, said it is a privilege to be there for patients and families during their hour of need. “We are so lucky to have this amazing facility, staffed by an even more amazing team, to make sure local people get the care and compassion they deserve.” she said. “Being here, providing care around the clock, is so important because it’s often in the small hours that our care is needed most. We have given countless patients and their families comfort through the night, holding their hand, providing reassurance or a listening ear, easing their pain and easing their worries. We are so proud to be marking 20 years of this special type of care, and we’d like to thank everyone in North Devon whose kind donations make it all possible.”
Katrina Fry is a part of North Devon Hospice’s care admin team, and was there on the day the Bedded Unit officially opened. “There was such a buzz, it felt like an exciting and important day,” she recalls. “The new team had already prepared and trained together for months, so when we finally opened, everything ran like clockwork.”
Twenty years on, some things have changed – fax machines and mountains of paperwork replaced by digital systems that help deliver better care – but one thing remains unchanged. “The reaction of patients and families coming to the Bedded Unit is exactly the same as it was back then,” Katrina says. “They’re astounded by the level of care, how the team goes the extra mile every single time. Even after 20 years, I still see that relief on people’s faces, knowing this is somewhere they feel safe and comfortable.”
She added, “Very early on I knew this was an amazing place. It has always been the people who’ve made the hospice special, and I’m still so proud of the difference we make to people’s lives when it matters most.”
Princess Anne on the day she opened the Bedded UnitPrincess Anne on the day she opened the Bedded UnitPrincess Anne on the day she opened the Bedded Unit
The Bedded Unit provides care when symptoms or pain are most severe, with a specialist team of doctors, nurses, nurse associates and healthcare assistants who can bring comfort and dignity when it matters most. Many people have their symptoms controlled, and are able to continue their journey with hospice support at home. Those who do spend their final days on the Bedded Unit are able do so in peace, with their loved ones nearby, and with all the dignity they deserve.
Stephen Roberts added, “As a local charity who relies on the kindness of our community, none of this vital care would be possible without the amazing support of North Devon. Thank you to everyone who has helped provide such vital care round-the-clock care over the last 20 years. With your continued generosity, we look forward to doing the same thing for at least another 20 years – because your life is a story, and the ending matters.”
To support the work of North Devon Hospice visit: northdevonhospice.org.uk
