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Friends in Harmony gig to honour Totnes singer and aid Rowcroft care

Devon Today
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Friends in Harmony gig to honour Totnes singer and aid Rowcroft care

A night of music and remembrance will bring South Devon performers together as friends, family and fans pay tribute to a singer who left a lasting mark on the local scene.

Well-known musicians from across South Devon are set to perform at a fundraising concert in memory of Sue Bradshaw, a familiar figure in Totnes music circles who died from pancreatic cancer in 2023. The event, titled Friends in Harmony, will raise money for Rowcroft Hospice, which cared for Sue during her final months.

The concert will be held at the Barrel House Ballroom in Totnes on Wednesday, March 25. Organisers say the aim is to give audiences an enjoyable evening while supporting the hospice.

Sue Bradshaw was a regular at open mic nights in Totnes and often performed with accordionist Martyn Warren. She was known locally for her singing voice and vibrant personality.

Martyn Warren said: “Sue was such a wonderful personality: kind, funny and full of life. She had nothing but praise for the care she received from the NHS and from Rowcroft during her final months. We wanted to create an evening of music that Sue would have loved while raising money for such a vital local service.”

Three South Devon acts are due to appear. Ain’t Misbehavin’ will perform swing music from the 1930s and 40s. Parting Gesture, a seven-person a cappella group, is also on the bill, alongside Rhythm & Shoes, known for vocal harmonies and rhythm guitar.

Special guests will include Totnes singer-songwriter Mae Karthauser, who has released several albums. Her 2023 album August was launched with a sold-out concert at Dartington’s Great Hall, which Sue attended shortly before her death.

Also appearing will be Tracie Gillies, events and programming director at the Barrel House Ballroom, who will make her public singing debut as a tribute to Sue. Organisers thanked Tracie and the venue for supporting the event and helping with ticketing, promotion and event management.

All proceeds from the evening will go to Rowcroft Hospice, which supports adults across South Devon living with life-limiting illnesses.

Tickets are available from www.universe.com/events/friends-in-harmony-fundraiser-for-rowcroft-in-memory-of-sue-bradshaw-tickets-5W1NTV

Exeter alcohol safety scheme wins award for protecting young nights out

Devon Today
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Exeter alcohol safety scheme wins award for protecting young nights out

A ground-breaking Exeter scheme aimed at making nights out safer for young adults has won national recognition after judges praised its work tackling alcohol harm among 18 to 25-year-olds.

Exeter Community Alcohol Partnership has won a national Reaching 18–25s Award for its work supporting young adults and improving safety across the city’s evening and night-time economy.

Community Alcohol Partnerships are community-led schemes bringing together police, councils, schools, retailers and community groups to reduce underage drinking and related harm, while improving health, wellbeing and public safety.

Exeter CAP is the first partnership in the South West to focus specifically on the 18 to 25 age group. The scheme was developed in response to the different risks and pressures faced by young adults, rather than by adapting existing under-18 prevention programmes.

Partners behind the project consulted hundreds of young people to better understand the challenges they face while studying and socialising in the city. Concerns about safety on nights out emerged as a key issue.

In response, the partnership introduced extra taxi marshals to help people get home safely and rolled out anti-spiking training for security staff. The partnership has also been awarded Purple Flag status, recognising standards in managing the evening and night-time economy.

Exeter CAP has also promoted alcohol-free social options, including an event featuring music, craft activities and a silent disco. Organisers said the event proved popular, with more alcohol-free nights planned during higher-risk periods such as January.

The partnership’s work is already attracting interest elsewhere, with areas including Torquay exploring whether a similar model could be introduced locally.

A spokesperson for Exeter CAP said: “Exeter is a youthful, student-friendly city, welcoming tens of thousands of young people who attend our Russell Group University and outstanding Exeter College.

“Their presence brings energy and vibrancy to the city centre, and it is incumbent on all of us as city partners to ensure they can enjoy safe, positive nights out.

“This award reflects the strength of that shared commitment, and I am proud of the collaborative work taking place to support and protect our young people.”

Exeter MP Steve Race said: “As a busy University city with a growing and dynamic economy, Exeter is at the centre of the region’s nighttime economy attracting many people every day to our bars, clubs and cultural venues.

“That means lots of young people, and so Exeter CAP’s work to design a new model of service tailored specifically to the 18-25 age group is very welcome.

“The decision to prioritise safety reflects the concerns I hear from young people across the city.

“This award is a testament to the hard work and innovation of the Exeter CAP team, and along with our recent Purple Flag status, is more important recognition of the work being done in Exeter to make sure everyone can enjoy a safe night out.”

Commenting on the award, CAP director Kate Winstanley said: “Exeter CAP has shown real leadership in recognising that young adults need a different approach and then building a partnership that listens to them and acts on what they say.

“By improving safety in the evening economy while also creating attractive alcohol-free social options, the partnership is helping young people enjoy their city more safely.

“Their work sets an excellent example for other areas and makes them very worthy winners of the Reaching 18–25s Award.”

For more information, visit www.communityalcoholpartnerships.co.uk.

Charity car tour to take drivers on mystery route through North Devon

Devon Today
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Automobiles of all types are welcome to join the annual Charity Car Tour hosted by Braunton Caen Rotary this April.

The event will take drivers and their navigators on a mystery tour around some of North Devon’s more scenic byways and back roads while raising money for Children’s Hospice South West.

Cars of all types can join in the fun, setting off from the Williams Arms in Braunton on Sunday, April 19 at 10am following an 8.30am snack for an 80-mile tour around some of the Region’s less well-known roads.

The day will start with a breakfast roll and coffee, finishing at an as-yet-undisclosed location with a cream tea for driver and navigator.

The popular event always attracts a range of cars from the latest electric vehicles to vintage models and everything in between.

A detailed route and rally plaque are provided along with quiz questions about things that can be seen along the way. A prize will be given to the crew with the most correct answers and a raffle will be drawn at the end to raise more funds for the hospice.

Drivers and navigators can expect plenty of camaraderie and laughs, plus the opportunity to discover country roads and hidden areas of North Devon they have never seen before!

While some will be ‘off the beaten track’, it is not an off-road event and will suit any type of car – but please do arrive at the start with a full tank of fuel or fully charged battery!

Cream teas will be provided at the finish line from 3pm at a North Devon location revealed on the day. The prize giving and raffle are at approximately 3.45 to 4pm.

Places must be booked in advance and numbers are limited, so to take part, please visit https://brauntoncaenrotary.co.uk/car-tour and book your place now.

DEVON VOICES: “The UK should not be dragged into another long Middle Eastern war”

Ian Roome
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DEVON VOICES: “The UK should not be dragged into another long Middle Eastern war”

Four years on from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and in the wake of a grim anniversary of hundreds of thousands of civilian deaths, we are once again watching an ugly conflict unfold.

 On 28th February, the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, unleashing yet more bloodshed on an Iranian people already oppressed by their own cruel regime.

The Iranian military have fired back at many of their neighbours in the Gulf, including at US and UK bases, and so yet again, the news warns of a full-blown conflict in the Middle East.

Donald Trump has since threatened Iran with ‘guaranteed death’, and even as the casualty count begins to mount across the region, the shipping lanes become dangerous and fuel prices begin rising. The economic consequences are already starting to be felt around the world.

If history has taught us anything, it is that the UK should not be dragged into another long Middle Eastern war by the whims of a US President.

At the outset, the US requested to access British bases for their military operations. That is said to have caused a clash around the cabinet table in Number 10 Downing Street, as many fear escalating the bombing may only put more British lives at risk.

Instead, the UK instructed the RAF to fly defensive operations: shooting down incoming missiles and drones, one of which nevertheless hit the runway at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus last week.

The United States has only been given permission to use British facilities for “defensive” operations, striking Iranian missile sites that pose a direct threat – conditions that prompted outrage from Donald Trump who accused the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of being too slow, and unlike Sir Winston Churchill.

The irony is that Trump lacks the good qualities of either Roosevelt or Churchill, who coined the term “The Special Relationship” over eighty years ago. We have been reminded that the special relationship is a two-way street, and breaks down when the US president is so patently untrustworthy.

The danger of escalation is massive. In Parliament, the Liberal Democrats reaffirmed the need to protect our own citizens, and called for a Parliamentary vote to draw a clear line. The Prime Minister insists only an “offensive” strike by the UK will require a vote.

The Iranian people deserve a future free of repression, but bombing is not a plan for change. Nor is it a counter to Iranian-sponsored terrorism elsewhere. We cannot know how many civilians may be killed trying to force the Iranian government to submit, or what new monstrosity may take power in Tehran in the future, propelled by a fresh hatred of US airstrikes.

If international law is treated as optional, we start to resemble the same regimes we are resisting. Even as we shame President Putin for Russia’s barbaric attack on Ukraine, the West’s moral authority to condemn the unilateral use of force is being squandered by the White House.

Back at home in North Devon, we will soon see the consequences of Trump’s illegal attacks reflected in the cost of heating oil for rural homes, in petrol and diesel prices, and eventually everything else that must be shipped, flown or hauled by road. Choices made in the upper reaches of governments will be paid for in towns and kitchens much closer to home.

Earlier this week I spoke with the Foreign Secretary, who has clearly spent days on the phone with foreign governments, British embassies, and especially airlines.

There will be Britons in the region scared for their safety. The Foreign Office has said it is working to identify these people to enable emergency departures for those who need to leave quickly. If you know anyone in the area who has not already registered with the FCDO, please urge them to do so.

Electric future for Exeter buses as £14.6m funding backs fleet overhaul

Lewis Clarke
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Electric future for Exeter buses as £14.6m funding backs fleet overhaul

Passengers across the south of England could soon see cleaner and quieter bus journeys after the Government unveiled a multi-million pound investment to replace ageing diesel vehicles with electric alternatives.

More than one hundred new zero-emission buses are set to enter service across several areas, including Devon, the Isle of Wight, Reading and Surrey, as part of a £14.6 million funding package aimed at improving public transport and cutting harmful emissions.

The investment includes £7.53 million for Devon to introduce 90 new electric buses, £3.67 million for the Isle of Wight to fund 23 buses, £3 million for Reading for 17 vehicles, and £0.5 million for Surrey to add a further four buses.

In Exeter, the funding will support the introduction of dozens of electric buses as the city moves towards a fully electric fleet within the next few years.

Steve Race, MP for Exeter, said: “I’m delighted that the Government has announced funding for 90 new zero emission buses for Exeter. With the 30 due to enter service next month, this means Exeter’s bus fleet will be 100% electric by 2027.

“Constituents regularly raise concerns with me about the current state of our buses, and there’s much more to do to improve regularity and reliability.

“Modernising the fleet will help people enjoy quiet, comfortable and efficient trips, while improving our city’s air quality for everyone.”

The funding forms part of a wider £73.2 million Government package expected to deliver 484 zero-emission buses across England, expanding existing Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas schemes.

Secretary of state for transport Heidi Alexander said: “Buses are the backbone of our public transport system, and passengers across the region deserve a network they can rely on and be proud of.

“This investment will help deliver cleaner, quieter journeys for passengers while improving connections to work, education and opportunity, whilst cleaning up the air we all breathe.

“We’re delivering better connections for people getting about their daily lives, and I’m proud to back the regions’ ambition to do it.”

The Government said the funding would help authorities replace older diesel vehicles with electric alternatives, reducing emissions and improving air quality for thousands of passengers.

The investment also supports wider plans to modernise local transport networks following the Bus Services Act 2025, which gave councils new powers to shape local bus services and accelerate the shift to greener transport.

Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Devon County Council cabinet member for climate change and biodiversity, said: “Our ambition is to encourage more people in Devon to travel by bus and this is a vital investment that will help us move closer to that goal.

“As we continue to work closely with our partners across the county and plan for the future with the Devon & Torbay County Combined Authority and Torbay Council, this new funding from Government will support our ongoing investment to improve bus services and infrastructure in the county.”

Graham Vidler, chief executive of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, said: “Today’s announcement is a welcome step forward for the UK’s transition to greener public transport.

“Bus operators across the country are already investing heavily in zero emission vehicles and infrastructure.

“This partnership between government and industry is exactly what is needed to deliver the next generation of greener, quieter buses while maintaining reliable services for passengers.”

Man admits grabbing teenage girl in Exeter city centre and shoplifting

Isabelle Pinnock
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Man admits grabbing teenage girl in Exeter city centre and shoplifting

A 36-year-old man pleaded guilty to sexual assault on a female and four counts of shoplifting.

Samuel Coleman, of Buddle Lane, Exeter admitted to grabbing a 17-year-old girl’s bottom in Exeter city centre and shoplifting £44.50 worth of alcohol from the Co-op.

Werjinder Baines, prosecuting, said that on March 6, 2024, a 17-year-old girl was with her friend when the defendant appeared out of nowhere and grabbed her bottom, leaving bruising.

“The incident shocked me; it has never happened before,” the victim impact statement read. “I have only just got the confidence to go out again. I will not go to the city centre on my own again.”

The court heard Coleman has previous convictions for shoplifting.

Additionally, on four separate occasions last June, Coleman stole £44.50 worth of alcohol from a Co-op store in Exeter, including a 12-pack of Corona, three bottles of cider and two bottles of wine.

Mr Woodley, representing the defendant, said Coleman had been living on the street and struggles with his mental health and alcoholism.

“He fared badly on the street. He is not streetwise; he was robbed and assaulted.” Mr Woodley said. “The touching happened when he was homeless.”

Mr Woodley added that the defendant now “maintains sobriety” and acknowledges that he was out of control and wishes he could apologise to the victim.

District Judge Smith adjourned the case to May 21 at Exeter Magistrates’ Court, for probation services to prepare a pre-sentence report.

  • This story was produced via the Police & Crime Commissioner’s Criminal Justice Court Reporting scheme.

Drunk driver caught going wrong way on busy North Devon Link Road

Isabelle Pinnock
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Drunk driver caught going wrong way on busy North Devon Link Road

A 49-year-old man has admitted driving dangerously and while over the limit after he was stopped travelling on the wrong side of a major road.

Joy John (correct), of Staddle Stone Road, Exeter, pleaded guilty to both offences.

Just before 1am on October 21 last year, an officer in a marked police vehicle spotted an oncoming car on the wrong side of the North Devon Link Road. The officer was informed that an ambulance crew had managed to bring the vehicle to a stop. The court heard the car then attempted to reverse around the ambulance.

John was shouting while inside the vehicle. When the officer approached, he tried to restart the car and struggled to answer basic questions. He smelled strongly of alcohol and was unsteady on his feet.

He was taken into custody, where a breath test recorded 71 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, more than twice the legal limit of 35. John believed he was in Wellington and appeared confused about why he had been arrested. He admitted to drinking two small bottles of whisky that evening.

Magistrates adjourned the case until May 7 at Exeter Magistrates’ Court for a pre‑sentence report. An interim driving disqualification was imposed.

This story was produced via the Police & Crime Commissioner’s Criminal Justice Court Reporting scheme.

Police release image after serious sexual assault reported in Plymouth

Devon and Cornwall Police
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Police release image after serious sexual assault reported in Plymouth

We are investigating a report of serious sexual assault and have released pictures of a man we would like to speak to in connection with the incident.

It happened between 8am and 9am on Tuesday 10 February on Peacock Lane, Plymouth, and was reported to us on Monday 9 March.

Officers investigating the incident would like to identify the man pictured as they believe he may be able to assist with their enquiries.

Call police with information on 101, or via our website here, quoting reference number 50260035768.

Police advisor warns flags risk dividing communities in Devon towns

Office of Police and Crime Commissioner
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Police advisor warns flags risk dividing communities in Devon towns

A hate crime advisor to the police has called for people to ‘love each other’ and warned against the misuse of national symbols in the latest episode of Your VIP: Your Voice in Policing. 

The fourth episode of the podcast, which comes from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, was recorded on location in Barnstaple and focuses on hate crime and community cohesion. 

Devon County Councillor Syed Jusef, who has advised Devon & Cornwall Police on hate crime for more than 10 years and has lived in in North Devon for more than 20 years, spoke about the impact that displaying flags can have on communities. 

He said: “Our flag is for everyone. It is not for just one person or group. We all love the flag. This is our national flag; it’s for all of us. We all fight for that flag, and if we play cricket or football, we are all united for that flag.” 

Speaking about recent tensions linked to flags being placed in public spaces, Cllr Jusef, who became the first North Devon District Councillor from an ethnic minority background, warned that such actions risk dividing communities rather than bringing people together. 

He also raised concerns about people putting their lives at risk placing flags on lampposts, citing the death in Bristol last year of a man who fell from a ladder putting up flags at night. 

In the 12 months to November 2025, 2,437 hate crimes were recorded across Devon and Cornwall, up by 5% on the previous year. The majority were motivated by racial prejudice, followed by sexual orientation and disability. 

Reflecting on these statistics, Cllr Jusef said he thought the real picture is likely to be much worse and said his message to the community was that everyone should work together to make things better. 

He said: “We must forget about the politics. Whatever your colour, your gender, or your race, we are all human beings, and we should work together, live together and love each other to make it a better and safer community.” 

Also speaking on the podcast, North Devon police Inspector Andy Wills said 53 hate crimes were recorded in Barnstaple last year, one fewer than the previous year. 

He said that as part of his hate crime oversight role in Devon & Cornwall Police, each case is individually reviewed to ensure the force’s response is appropriate, adding: “In common with much of the country, hate crime here is a real issue, but not a particular issue.” 

Inspector Wills also spoke about the importance of cohesion in a town growing in size and diversity, saying: “We all want to live in a cohesive community, and sometimes world events can lead to tensions being expressed locally, which shouldn’t affect us as neighbours.” 

As an independent advisor, Councillor Jusef helps bolster the connection between the ethnic minority community and the police, playing a vital role in helping those facing a language barrier to report crime to the police. 

And as a councillor, he is also fighting for the safety and rights of the community at county level. After being elected to the Barnstaple North ward in 2025, in September the same year Councillor Jusef put a motion to Devon County Council calling for zero tolerance to hate crime. 

He said: “It wasn’t an easy subject to bring to county level, but I was confident people would support me. Our community is becoming more diverse, with a good number of minority people living in North Devon, and I thought it was essential to bring that motion for their safety. 

“They deserve to get respect. They’re living here legally, contributing to our economy, and deserve to be treated better.” 

The episode also features voices from across Barnstaple, reflecting on what it is like to live and work in the town and how safe people feel. 

Fuel station worker Mohammed, who moved to Barnstaple from Pakistan, spoke positively about his experience, saying: “I feel very safe and secure here. There is a lot of people helping, supporting, and I love this place.” 

And GP registrar Hiyo described Barnstaple as a safe and welcoming place to live, highlighting the community atmosphere and visible police presence helping to keep crime levels low. 

Your VIP – Your Voice in Policing is produced by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to give residents the opportunity to share their views directly with Commissioner Alison Hernandez and her office. 

Visit https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597778 to listen to this episode and subscribe to the podcast on your preferred service. You can also watch the episode on YouTube here https://bit.ly/4sAxTrL. 

If you have an idea for future themes, locations or guests, please contact the Commissioner’s office at comms@dc-pcc.gov.uk. 

New Hemyock homes rise in months as council transforms unused garages

Mid Devon District Council
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New Hemyock homes rise in months as council transforms unused garages

Mid Devon District Council has completed its latest development of high‑quality, energy‑efficient council homes at Eastlands, Hemyock.

The modular homes provide much‑needed affordable housing for local people and mark another milestone in the Council’s ambitious programme of new-build social housing in partnership with ZED PODS LTD.

The Eastlands development has transformed a former area of underused garages and parking into five modern homes. The development comprises three 2‑bedroom and two 3‑bedroom houses, each with private gardens, and a total of 16 car parking spaces, including 9 unallocated spaces to the north of the site.

Despite periods of heavy rain and storms extending some of the final landscaping, the project was completed in just five months following the arrival of the factory-built modules in September 2025. Access to the rural site also presented challenges, with narrow lanes and tight access down Combe Hill and through the village requiring highly coordinated delivery and logistics.

The homes will be available this spring for people on Devon Home Choice with a local connection.

Councillor Jane Lock, Cabinet Member for Housing, Assets and Property Services, said: “These new homes at Eastlands are a clear example of the Council delivering high‑quality social housing where it is needed most. With more than a thousand people on our housing register, developments like this make a real and immediate difference to local families.

“By using modern modular construction, we can provide sustainable, energy‑efficient homes more quickly while reducing disruption for existing residents. I’m delighted to see these homes ready for local people this spring.

I would also like to give my thanks to local residents for being so supportive of the project throughout and for their understanding when the modules were delivered.”

Construction of the modules for Eastlands was also delivered through the Prisoners Building Homes (PBH) programme. Four day‑release prisoners worked with factory teams to build the homes, gaining paid employment, practical qualifications and valuable experience that supports rehabilitation and reduces reoffending.

The Council’s engagement with PBH has also unlocked more than £0.5 million in additional government funding for future council housing schemes across Mid Devon.

Tom Northway, Chairman, ZED PODS LTD, said: “Eastlands is one of many small sites we are aggregating for the Council across Mid Devon. It demonstrates how small rural sites can be unlocked to deliver well-designed, energy-efficient homes for local communities.”

The Council is currently developing eight other sites and working on proposals for an additional five across the district, with the potential to deliver more than 90 homes – information on all of these schemes is available on the Mid Devon Housing Development Hub.

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