Leigh Curtis

Leigh Curtis is deputy editor of Exeter Observer and a director of its publisher Exeter Observer Limited.

She writes most of our community and culture stories as well as news reports and contributes to features and investigations.

Leigh holds a degree in Fine Art at Goldsmiths, University of London. She leads on marketing and also manages our finances and administration.

She is an accredited UK press card holder and a member of the National Union of Journalists.

Stories by Leigh Curtis

1,250 people sign petition to save Little Exeter children’s play space from closure

More than 1,250 people have signed a petition to save Guildhall Shopping Centre children’s play space Little Exeter from closure.

Dried flower heads

SUNDAY 1 MARCH 2026

Exeter Seed Swap 2026

Fourth annual event includes hands-on activities, soil testing and over 5,000 packets of seeds to share.

POSITIVE LIGHT PROJECTS

, updated

Exeter St David’s rail lines to Barnstaple and Okehampton close for safety checks

Operators Network Rail and Great Western Railway have announced that the lines running from Exeter St David’s to Barnstaple and Okehampton will remain closed until further notice for safety checks following last week’s storms.

White bicycle under repair

SATURDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2026

St Thomas Repair Café

New community-run initiative with skilled volunteers offering repairs to clothing, jewellery, electronics, toys and more.

ST THOMAS CHURCH HALL

Ex-Reform UK county councillors Edward Hill and Angela Nash join far-right party

Two ex-Reform UK Devon county councillors have joined Advance UK, a far-right party launched in 2025 and led by former Reform UK deputy leader Ben Habib.

Devon & Cornwall Police council tax precept to rise by 5.2%

Alison Hernandez, Police & Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and The Isles Of Scilly, says that a 2026-27 government funding shortfall has left her with “no choice” but to propose increasing the Devon & Cornwall Police council tax precept by 5.2% – the maximum permitted.

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