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Exeter Observer
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ON OUR RADAR // Two Moors Festival 2026 🎻🎹🎶

Chamber music festival returns for twenty-sixth year with poetry readings, workshops and performances across thirteen venues.

🗓️ Thursday 1 to Sunday 11 October
📍Dartmoor, Exmoor and surrounds

exeterobserver.org/2026/09/15/t...
Two Moors Festival 2026 - Exeter Observer
Chamber music festival returns for twenty-sixth year with poetry readings, workshops and performances across thirteen venues.
exeterobserver.org
September 15, 2026 at 12:30 PM
exeterobserver.org
NEWS // Exeter City Council to sell land to “enhance” city centre student accommodation development

Clarendon House still being advertised to let as office space eight months after plans for demolition and replacement with 297-bed ten-storey block approved.

exeterobserver.org/2026/09/09/e...
Exeter City Council to sell land to “enhance” city centre student accommodation development - Exeter Observer
Clarendon House still being advertised to let as office space eight months after plans for demolition and replacement with 297-bed ten-storey block approved.
exeterobserver.org
September 9, 2026 at 12:46 PM
exeterobserver.org
FEATURES // Sixteen stories for the 2026 summer recess

Catch up with a selection of Exeter Observer stories from the past twelve months while the team takes a short break from publishing to carry out essential maintenance and development work.

exeterobserver.org/2026/08/07/s...
Sixteen stories for the 2026 summer recess - Exeter Observer
Catch up with a selection of Exeter Observer stories from the past twelve months while the team takes a short break from publishing to carry out essential maintenance and development work.
exeterobserver.org
August 7, 2026 at 12:32 PM
exeterobserver.org
ON OUR RADAR // Siege of Exeter 🏵️🙏📖🔥

An historical re-enactment set during the 1549 Prayer Book Rebellion.

🗓️ Fri 7 to Sun 9 August
📍 St Nicholas Priory

exeterobserver.org/2026/07/09/s...
Siege of Exeter - Exeter Observer
An historical re-enactment set during the 1549 Prayer Book Rebellion.
exeterobserver.org
July 21, 2026 at 2:19 PM
exeterobserver.org
COMMENT // A379 bridges replacement plan set to wreck Exeter Ship Canal, heritage harbour and towpath active travel aspirations

Department for Transport project cost cap defeats purpose of investment as Devon County Council consults on new design.

exeterobserver.org/2026/07/11/a...
A379 bridges replacement plan set to wreck Exeter Ship Canal, heritage harbour and towpath active travel aspirations - Exeter Observer
Department for Transport project cost cap defeats purpose of investment as Devon County Council consults on design which will build in routine traffic disruption for 60+ years on route intended to del...
exeterobserver.org
July 11, 2026 at 3:59 PM
exeterobserver.org
NEWS // Exeter UCU declares trade dispute over University of Exeter job cuts plan

Union threatens strike action if university does not abandon scheme to make 150 academic staff redundant while putting more than 500 staff at risk.

exeterobserver.org/2026/07/10/e...
Exeter UCU declares trade dispute over University of Exeter job cuts plan - Exeter Observer
Union threatens strike action if university does not abandon scheme to make 150 academic staff redundant while putting more than 500 staff at risk and jeopardising 85% of humanities, arts and social s...
exeterobserver.org
July 11, 2026 at 9:55 AM
exeterobserver.org
ON OUR RADAR // Sidwella Day 2026 ☕🌱🎨

Annual celebration includes art, gardening, zine-making, Colombian snacks and Ethiopian coffee ceremony.

🗓️ Fri 31 Jul 2026
🕒 From 3pm
📍 St Sidwell's Community Centre

exeterobserver.org/2026/07/08/s...
Sidwella Day 2026 - Exeter Observer
Annual celebration includes art, gardening, zine-making, Colombian snacks and Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
exeterobserver.org
July 10, 2026 at 11:13 AM
exeterobserver.org
ON OUR RADAR // Theatre in the Park 2026 🎭🗣️🎶

Al fresco summer season with Shakespeare, spoken-word poetry, puppetry and physical comedy hosted by Exeter Phoenix.

🗓️ Thurs 30 July to Sun 9 August
📍 Rougemont Gardens

exeterobserver.org/2026/07/07/t...
Theatre in the Park 2026 - Exeter Observer
Al fresco summer season with Shakespeare, spoken-word poetry, puppetry and physical comedy.
exeterobserver.org
July 9, 2026 at 11:30 AM
exeterobserver.org
FEATURES // Former South West Water CEO receives £2.8 million – including two bonuses – following Brixham parasite outbreak

Pennon Group report shows Susan Davy received almost £6.8m during five years and five months as company CEO before December 2025 departure.

exeterobserver.org/2026/07/08/f...
Former South West Water CEO receives £2.8 million – including two bonuses – following Brixham parasite outbreak - Exeter Observer
Pennon Group report shows Susan Davy received almost £6.8 million – including “personal security-related allowance” – during five years and five months as company CEO before December 2025 departure – ...
exeterobserver.org
July 8, 2026 at 4:14 PM
exeterobserver.org
ON OUR RADAR // Seasonal meals and nature talks 🌱🦋🌸

A series of talks covering companion planting, butterflies, Ukrainian cooking, seed saving and fungi with shared seasonal meals.

🗓️ Thurs 23 July
🕕 6pm
📍 St Sidwell's Community Centre

exeterobserver.org/2026/07/01/s...
Seasonal meals and nature talks - Exeter Observer
A series of talks covering companion planting, butterflies, Ukrainian cooking, seed saving and fungi with shared seasonal meals.
exeterobserver.org
July 8, 2026 at 12:39 PM
exeterobserver.org
ON OUR RADAR // Exmouth Festival 🎶💃🎭

Annual event returns with four days of music, dance, theatre, crafts and more.

🗓️ Thurs 9 to Sun 12 July
📍 Exmouth town centre

exeterobserver.org/2026/06/22/e...
Exmouth Festival - Exeter Observer
Annual event returns with four days of music, dance, theatre, crafts and more.
exeterobserver.org
July 7, 2026 at 11:21 AM
exeterobserver.org
ON OUR RADAR // Exeter Craft Festival 🥣🎨🧵

Hand-made ceramics, textiles, jewellery, artworks, toiletries and more by makers from across the South West.

🗓️ Thurs 9 to Sat 11 July
📍 Cathedral Green

exeterobserver.org/2026/07/01/e...
Exeter Craft Festival - Exeter Observer
Hand-made ceramics, textiles, jewellery, artworks, toiletries and more by makers from across the South West.
exeterobserver.org
July 3, 2026 at 1:59 PM
exeterobserver.org
NEWS // £19.6 million Exeter Chiefs takeover deal complete

Subsidiary of US-based Cannae Holdings buys Sandy Park stadium club from Exeter Rugby Group following vote in favour of proposed takeover by club members.

exeterobserver.org/2026/07/02/1...
£19.6 million Exeter Chiefs takeover deal complete - Exeter Observer
Subsidiary of US-based Cannae Holdings buys Sandy Park stadium club from Exeter Rugby Group following vote in favour of proposed takeover by club members.
exeterobserver.org
July 2, 2026 at 11:17 AM
exeterobserver.org
ON OUR RADAR // Green Phoenix Festival 2026 🍃📽️🎤🌱

Sustainability all-dayer returns with comedy, music, workshops, film screenings, community stalls and more.

🗓️ Sun 5 July
🕚 11am
📍 Exeter Phoenix

exeterobserver.org/2026/06/16/g...
Green Phoenix Festival 2026 - Exeter Observer
Sustainability all-dayer returns with comedy, music, workshops, film screenings, community stalls and more.
exeterobserver.org
July 1, 2026 at 11:03 AM
exeterobserver.org
COMMENT // Exeter city centre strategy evasions and expediencies echo cultural strategy failings

Just 85 invitation-only workshop attendees consulted during development of yet another city council strategy without a delivery plan.

exeterobserver.org/2026/06/27/e...
Exeter city centre strategy evasions and expediencies echo cultural strategy failings - Exeter Observer
Just 85 invitation-only workshop attendees consulted during development of yet another city council strategy without a delivery plan.
exeterobserver.org
June 28, 2026 at 9:52 AM
exeterobserver.org
ON OUR RADAR // Love St Thomas Summer Festival 2026

Community event returns for second year with live music, workshops, talks, stalls and more.

🗓️ Sat 4 July
🕛 12-7pm
📍 St Thomas Church, Cowick Street

exeterobserver.org/2026/06/16/l...
Love St Thomas Summer Festival 2026 - Exeter Observer
Community event returns for second year with live music, workshops, talks, stalls and more.
exeterobserver.org
June 24, 2026 at 11:32 AM
exeterobserver.org
FEATURES // St Petrock’s homelessness survey finds increase in women sleeping rough in Exeter

Charity says women’s homelessness often hidden from view because of “fears around safety, harassment, and gender-based violence”.

exeterobserver.org/2026/06/22/s...
St Petrock’s homelessness survey finds increase in women sleeping rough in Exeter - Exeter Observer
Charity says women’s homelessness often hidden from view because of “fears around safety, harassment, and gender-based violence” in report following publication of city council snapshot count which re...
exeterobserver.org
June 22, 2026 at 11:49 AM
exeterobserver.org
FEATURES // First phase capital cost of legacy Exeter City Living Whipton Gardens project to exceed £12.5 million – £364,000 per flat

Financing for second phase yet to be found as adjacent Rennes House demolition costs rise to £1 million

exeterobserver.org/2026/06/19/f...
First phase capital cost of legacy Exeter City Living Whipton Gardens project to exceed £12.5 million – £364,000 per flat - Exeter Observer
Financing for second phase yet to be found as adjacent Rennes House demolition costs rise to £1 million and Exeter City Living reports year-end loss in residual Guildhall flats management role.
exeterobserver.org
June 19, 2026 at 12:08 PM
exeterobserver.org
COMMENT // Clueless Exeter cultural strategy fails to address challenges facing city’s “increasingly untenable” creative sector

Survey inviting feedback on city council word salad arrives two years late, following second UK City of Culture bid failure.

exeterobserver.org/2026/06/14/e...
Clueless Exeter cultural strategy fails to address challenges facing city’s “increasingly untenable” creative sector - Exeter Observer
Survey inviting feedback on city council word salad arrives two years late, following second UK City of Culture bid failure, with delivery plan outsourced to secretive, unelected sub-committee.
exeterobserver.org
June 18, 2026 at 12:10 PM
exeterobserver.org
ON OUR RADAR // The Considerate Society 🗣️🪑🤝

Six artist and community-led gatherings convened by Art Work Exeter to examine civic life and more.

🗓️ Friday 26 to Sunday 28 June
📍 Exeter Custom House

exeterobserver.org/2026/05/20/t...
The Considerate Society - Exeter Observer
Six artist and community-led gatherings convened by Art Work Exeter to examine civic life and more.
exeterobserver.org
June 16, 2026 at 12:21 PM
exeterobserver.org
EXETER IN BRIEF // Devon & Cornwall Police underperforming in three-quarters of areas inspected

exeterobserver.org/2026/06/08/d...
Devon & Cornwall Police underperforming in three-quarters of areas inspected - Exeter Observer
An inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has found that Devon & Cornwall Police is underperforming in six of the eight areas it assessed, a declin...
exeterobserver.org
June 13, 2026 at 8:32 AM
exeterobserver.org
FEATURES // South West Water fined £1.85 million over Brixham drinking water offences

Sentencing in second case awaited, scope of third legal action expanded and Devon County Council announces desire to pursue company through courts.

exeterobserver.org/2026/06/12/s...
South West Water fined £1.85 million over Brixham drinking water offences - Exeter Observer
Sentencing in second case awaited, scope of third legal action expanded and Devon County Council announces desire to pursue company through courts on same day Pennon Group reports £135 million underly...
exeterobserver.org
June 12, 2026 at 11:39 AM
exeterobserver.org
ON OUR RADAR // Budleigh Music Festival 🎻🎶🎹

Annual event returns with classical concerts, musical workshops and a tribute to Hilary Mantel.

🗓️ Thurs 25 June to Sat 4 July
📍 Budleigh Salterton

exeterobserver.org/2026/06/05/b...
Budleigh Music Festival - Exeter Observer
Annual event returns with classical concerts, musical workshops and a tribute to Hilary Mantel.
exeterobserver.org
June 12, 2026 at 11:25 AM
exeterobserver.org
NEWS // Police and crime commissioner seeks views on Devon & Cornwall Police south west regional policing reforms merger

Government white paper proposes creation of as few as ten “super-forces” overseeing newly-defined local policing areas.

exeterobserver.org/2026/06/11/p...
Police and crime commissioner seeks views on Devon & Cornwall Police south west regional policing reforms merger - Exeter Observer
Government white paper proposes England and Wales National Police Service and creation of as few as ten “super-forces” overseeing newly-defined local policing areas.
exeterobserver.org
June 11, 2026 at 11:07 AM
exeterobserver.org
NEWS // Exeter City Council criticised for submitting AI-generated planning application text

Heritage statement in support of covering crumbling Exeter Corn Exchange windows included content from article about Lincolnshire's Bourne Corn Exchange - 195 miles away.

exeterobserver.org/2026/06/09/e...
Exeter City Council criticised for submitting AI-generated planning application text - Exeter Observer
Heritage statement in support of covering crumbling concrete Exeter Corn Exchange windows with advertising hoardings included content from 2013 article about Bourne Corn Exchange 195 miles away in Lin...
exeterobserver.org
June 10, 2026 at 12:04 PM