Some of the news that has caught our eye, including the uneven levelling up agenda, Help for Heroes support for Afghans, a campaign to reduce road deaths, a National Trust plan to plant trees and Sharpham Trust receiving a quality mark
[Read more…] about Broken promises, planting trees and quality marksUncategorized
Pub Style: The best ways to accessorise for an evening at the pub
The vaccination programme is proceeding speedily and we all can’t wait to leap out of our houses to reach the first pub and have a good night out with our friends. We are so used to staying at home and wearing shabby old outfits, that it almost seems incredible that we will soon dress up and hit the town.
[Read more…] about Pub Style: The best ways to accessorise for an evening at the pubSigns of summer | 5 stories from Devon this week
1.
Fresh Teignmouth greeting
The letters spelling Teignmouth as you enter the town on the coastal rail route have been given a facelift. A sure sign that you’ve hit the seaside, the ‘Teignmouth’ letters were painted by volunteers in a sunny gesture that heralds summer. Situated at Sprey Point alongside the main Paddington to Penzance line, the Toblerone-shaped triangular prism was looking tatty til volunteers spruced it up, says the PRSD.
[Read more…] about Signs of summer | 5 stories from Devon this weekElectric planes and razor-sharp raps | 5 from Devon
1. Theatre
Northcott delves into its archive
Posters, programmes, board minutes, photographs and much more from the Exeter Northcott’s archive will be explored to engage in now and look to the future. Dating from 1967 the theatre’s info will convey a range of perspectives of the theatre’s story so far. There will be a number of events and talks inspired by the archive.

2. Transport
Electric planes from Exeter
If all goes to plan, electric planes will be taking off from Exeter to Newquay in the not-too-distance silver-tinged future. A consortium of organisations, including the Heart of the South West LEP, have bid for some money to develop the hybrid flying machine, according to Devon Live.
2. Film
La Volpe
The short film La Volpe by Plymouth Collage of Art student Yergalem Carimini has been selected for the National Association for Higher Education in Moving Image (NAHEMI) 2020 programme. The film is inspired by tragic events linked to the Taiwanese electrical company Foxconn. It is set in a dystopian future where you live and work in the same space.

4. Music
Haunted House Party
The Scribes know how to get a joint jumping… and more. And with their razor-sharp raps and jumping beats, their new tune Haunted House Party certainly does that, while reminding us all of when live music was performed in front of an audience. Check out the Listen With Monger review, or pop over to the PRSD.
5. Easter
Old egg
If your Easter Eggs hardly make it to the bank-holiday Monday, you might be interested in the curate’s egg that Torquay’s Bygones has acquired as an attraction. The Bygoners have got their mitts on what’s claimed to be the World’s Oldest Uneaten Easter Egg. Dating for 1924, the egg was valued at between £200-£300, says Devon Live. The Torquay venue bagged it for a cool £1,040, which warrants its own cabinet, apparently.
top image: Photo by Iryna Mykhaylova on Unsplash
Culture, culture, culture | 5 things in Devon this week
1. Culture
Strategy
The culture week has seen Plymouth launch it’s culture plan, a crowdfunder for a community space in Exeter pass it’s total… meanwhile over in Teignbridge when they hear the word culture they knock down a wall.
Plans in Newton Abbot seem to be going ahead despite some opposition to get rid of the town’s Alexandra cinema in favour of a new multi-plex. The council says they have to do it, to be ‘transformational’ and get their mitts on some government high street funds. And it signals the end of a campaign that started nearly 10 years ago for the politicos, as opposed to the public, to get rid of the cinema for their latest development bauble. (since then the administration has changed say it does make you wonder a) what’s the point in voting and b) who is pulling the strings.

2. Film
Shuttlecock
Exeter film Shuttlecock is on BBC 2 as part of its Festival of Funny. The film has picked up plenty of prizes, and being one supported by the Exeter Phoenix, it managed to pick up its first award at its Two Short Nights premiere. Catch the film on iPlayer. Here’s a review and an interview with director Tommy Gillard.

3. Music
Splinter
Totnes-based duo Long For The Coast have released their new single Splinter. “From the first breath to the depth of the first harmony it feels like you’re already Magellaned an emotional globe. And if you can do that in 20 seconds, where else will they take you?” Read the review.
4. Politics
Progressive pact
Exeter Lib Dems and Greens have joined forces to be a progressive pact against the ruling Labour Part on the City Council. Leader of the Progressive Group, Liberal Democrat councillor Kevin Mitchell, said: “The Progressive Group has demonstrated it is the real opposition to the dominant Labour group on the Council. Here’s more
5. Politics
More Boris lies
Plymouth MP Luke Pollard is restrained when he highlights the latest round of ‘fibs’ from the leader of the Conservative Party – and would UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. Follow Luke Pollard on Twitter.