With a selection of Exeter Observer stories from the past twelve months to keep you ticking over during the summer recess.
NEWS & ANALYSIS
Devon and Cornwall PCC defies Police and Crime Panel to appoint former Torbay colleague as deputy
Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez announced decision to hire Mark Kingscote on same day panel voted against appointment because ‘candidate does not meet the minimum requirements of the post’. Full story here.
Musgrave Row pedestrian zone marred by moving traffic offences
Survey suggests 30,000 prohibited private cars pass through street each year as a result of confusing signage, inconsistent restrictions and lack of enforcement. Full story here.
Devon & Cornwall Police inspection finds force underperforming in half of areas assessed
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary Fire and Rescue Services has ‘serious concerns’ over investigations management and says force still needs to reduce response times despite ‘significant efforts to improve’. Full story here.
24 STORIES FOR THE 2024 SUMMER RECESS
The Exeter Observer team is taking a short break from publishing over the summer recess to carry out essential website maintenance and development work.
We’ve picked 24 stories from the past twelve months to keep you ticking over until our return in September. More details here.
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Whipton Post Office to close with Exeter Post Office under threat
Matford Brook Academy main building to be demolished and replaced
Exeter City Council reversal returns funding support to Citizens Advice Exeter
500 hospital staff apply to Royal Devon NHS Trust redundancy scheme
On Our Radar
THURSDAY 23 JULY 2026
Seasonal meals and nature talks
A series of talks covering companion planting, butterflies, Ukrainian cooking, seed saving and fungi with shared seasonal meals.
ST SIDWELL'S COMMUNITY CENTRE
, updated
THURSDAY 30 JULY TO SUNDAY 9 AUGUST 2026
Theatre in the Park 2026
Al fresco summer season with Shakespeare, spoken-word poetry, puppetry and physical comedy.
ROUGEMONT GARDENS
FRIDAY 31 JULY 2026
Sidwella Day 2026
Annual celebration includes art, gardening, zine-making, Colombian snacks and Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
ST SIDWELL'S COMMUNITY CENTRE
More stories
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 design which will build in routine traffic disruption for 60+ years on route intended to deliver strategic road network resilience.
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 and jeopardising 85% of humanities, arts and social sciences faculty.
Former South West Water CEO receives £2.8 million – including two bonuses – following Brixham parasite outbreak
Pennon Group report shows Susan Davy received almost £6.8 million – including “personal security-related allowance” – during five years and five months as company CEO before December 2025 departure – then another £845,000.
£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.
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.
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” in report following publication of city council snapshot count which recorded five-fold rise in rough sleeper numbers.
