The Exeter Daily - # business #exeter #entertainment #localbusiness

An Evening at the Opera with Exeter Philharmonic Choir and soloists

Sharon Goble — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 17:05:59 +0000

Exeter Philharmonic Choir with tenor Rhys Batt and soprano Camilla Harris serves up a feast of much-loved arias and choruses from operas spanning four centuries, including Puccini’s La bohème, Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro, Bizet’s Carmen and Verdi’s La traviata.

Well-known Exeter musicians Stephen Tanner and Andrew Downton will accompany the singers on piano.

The season finale at St. David’s Church in Exeter will be a comparatively intimate affair with just 200 tickets available.

The £25 ticket price includes interval drinks and canape.

Tickets available at www.exeterphilharmonic.org.uk

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Event Date

Saturday, May 18, 2024 - 7:30pm to 9:30pm

Venue

St. David’s Church, Exeter

South West’s only immersive Motorsport Simulator venue launches in the heart of Devon

charleyabsolutepr — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 14:33:05 +0000

Devon-based Apex Race Centre, the South West’s premier and only immersive virtual motorsport experience, is readying itself for a new season of leisure experiences and corporate events, following over £100,000 of investment in cutting-edge technology commonly used by professional race drivers to prepare for the season ahead.

The four interactive race simulator pods are linked to provide real-time competitive racing between drivers. There are over 80 different cars to choose from including entry level hatchbacks, British Touring Cars, GT Series, Le Mans Prototype, Formula 1, and Grand Touring Endurance models. Each can be raced on a choice of 100 different racetracks, every one pin-point accurate down to the last centimetre.

Budding racing drivers can experience everything from a spin in a British Touring Car Championship Honda Civic at Castle Combe, through to an adrenaline pumping ride in a Porsche 911 RSR tearing around the iconic Nurburgring in Germany. Drivers can even have the full Formula 1 experience driving either a classic or modern F1 car in a qualifying, or full race-day environment.

The state-of-the-art hardware delivers high-torque, ultra-realistic resistance through the steering wheel and foot pedals, as well as instant feedback through the race seats, providing the sensation of contact with the track. 180-degree immersive screens allow you to see your rivals and the road either side, while rear view and side mirror vision means you can spot your rivals attempting to pass or disappearing into the distance! Live chat via driver headsets allows you to speak to other competitors during the race, giving an added element of competitive edge.

Importantly, for aspiring racing drivers, the entry level for the Apex Race Centre’s racing simulators is just £15 per person, which includes a driver briefing and 15+ minutes of racing. This compares very favourably with the cost of a race day at one of the South West’s circuits, ranging from £100 to £500 for just a handful of laps, weather dependent! Two 15-minute sessions at Apex Race Centre costs £28, while three 15-minutes sessions are £40. Special packages and offers are also available. This makes virtual race-day experiences accessible for all, and great fun too.

Oli North, Apex Race Centre Manager, said: “We’re really excited to bring this incredible and unique experience to the South West. As one of the few virtual motorsport race centres in the UK, we’re finding word of mouth is spreading very quickly.

“Already, two time Le Mans winner, Harry Tincknell - who took part in the Le Mans 24 Hour race in France on the weekend of 10th and 11th June - has visited us. We’re expecting it to be an exciting and very busy first summer!”

Devon-based Amy Riley, who last year won the UK Formula Woman Series and went on to drive a McLaren GT4 in the national GT Cup Championship, commented: “The race pods at the Apex Race Centre are incredibly realistic and give even seasoned competitive racing drivers a level of reality that few will ever have the opportunity to experience.

“It’s a great way to build up virtual track time and familiarity with circuits, which helps when it comes to a full-on track-day. I'll be using it to prepare for my upcoming season competing in the national 750 Motor Club championship driving a race prepared, Network Planning Solutions sponsored Lotus Elise.

“Safe, and significantly cheaper than a season of entry level competitive motorsport racing, which can cost upwards of £25,000, it’s a great way to get a feel for circuits and what driving performance race cars is really like. If you love it, it could be the start of something big, or just a great experience with friends, family and colleagues; one that anyone can afford.”

Available for friends and family, corporate days, team building and networking events, the Apex Race Centre venue is conveniently located just off the M5 between Cullompton and Willand.

Situated within Re:Fuel, also home to The Steamer Coffee House & Kitchen, drivers can look forward to locally-sourced food and drink, including award-winning local coffee. The large, open plan dining and seating venue is comfy, has Wi-Fi, and makes for a great place to wait ‘in the pits’, before racing. Team and party packages with food and drink are available on request.

To book a race time and date visit www.apexracecentre.co.uk/book-now. Multiple sessions are available to choose from, ranging from beginner to seasoned racer sessions.

For more detail, visit www.apexracecentre.co.uk

Guide to the 5 Best Family Adventures in Exeter

Manuela Willbold — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 09:34:25 +0000

Exeter is a charming ancient city lying along River Exe in the southwest part of England.

It's now well on the way to becoming a miniature version of Bristol, with beautifully restored historic quayside and lots of family-friendly attractions.

While Exeter is a busy city with lots of things going on, it can also make for a perfect place to relax with the family and get away from the chaos of daily life.

So, here's your guide to the best family adventures in Exeter.

Visit the Royal Albert Memorial Museum

One of the most popular attractions in Exeter is the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery. Therefore, it should be one of the first places to visit, especially for families with little kids. This world-class museum features stunning displays and art galleries, including world-class exhibitions that even Eton College students would appreciate.

The fascinating displays of the Royal Albert Memorial Museum reveal the rich history of Devon and Exeter and their global connections. There are also exotic birds, animals, and insects that delight kids of all ages. Meanwhile, the world cultures galleries section is very educational, displaying incredible items collected worldwide. It takes visitors on a voyage of discovery from pre-history to the modern-day, not only from Exeter but around the world as well.

The Royal Albert Memorial Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 AM to 5 PM. It's closed during Mondays and bank holidays. Admission is free except for ticketed exhibitions and events.

Take a Walk Through Mincinglake Valley Park

If you love taking family walks, head to Mincinglake Valley Park. Formerly a waste tip, it's now a protected area with lush woodland and rich in wildflowers, butterflies, and other insects. It's a great place to enjoy scenic hikes, extending down from Stoke Hill between Mile Lane and Mincinglake Road. The park also caters for families who enjoy hillier walks, with stunning views towards the estuary.

Mincinglake is derived from the old English word that means "nun's lake". That's because the lake was formed several hundred years ago in the order of the nuns from the nearby St Katharine's priory. The nuns decided to build a dam across the stream to create a large lake, which was used to power a water mill close to the existing orchard at the southern edge of the park.

The Mincinglake Valley Park is an incredibly relaxing place to stroll while enjoying the abundant wildlife along the way. It's also comfortable enough for the kids to walk on, with green lanes and footpaths. The lower portion is wooded, while the upper part consists of meadowland rich in wildflowers. The park offers easy access to visitors by car, and access is either from Stoke Hill or Calthorpe Road.

Check out the Exeter Christmas Market

Exeter's Cathedral is famous for its Christmas Market. In fact, it's been awarded the Best Event finalist during the 2018 and 2019 Exeter Living Awards. Visiting Exeter's Christmas Market is highly recommended when it comes to fun family breaks on Christmas.

The most convenient way to visit Exeter on Christmas is to take a coach tour down the UK and explore the rest of Exeter afterwards. It's especially recommended for families with little kids. You don't have to worry about booking your accommodations separately with a coach tour since they are already included in the package. If you want to experience the vibrant Christmas market of Exeter, book the South Devon Turkey & Tinsel & Exeter Christmas Market. This tour will take you to the picturesque seaside resort of Babbacombe and other beautiful places along the road as you make your way to the historic Exeter Christmas market.

The vibrant Christmas Market of Exeter is a delightfully atmospheric market with stalls displaying a wide range of crafts, gifts, seasonal foods, and drinks in a festive labyrinth of winding lanes, often accompanied by live entertainment.

Make Memories at the Donkey Sanctuary

Your family break to Exeter won't be complete without a visit to the Donkey Sanctuary. The sanctuary is located in a tranquil corner of the Jurassic Coast close to Sidmouth. Here, your little ones can interact with the resident donkeys and learn more about these cute creatures.

The resident donkeys are all eager to meet and interact with people. You are free to discover everything that the sanctuary has to offer. It's open all year round, regardless of the weather. The sanctuary provides fun activities, hiking trails, exciting talks, and so much more! You can also choose to adopt a donkey by paying for an adoption pack. Your donation will be used to buy food and medicine for the animals, pay for vets, and more. Most importantly, the funds will be used in rescuing some donkeys from helpless situations.

The Donkey Sanctuary in Exeter was established in 1969 by Dr Elisabeth Svendsen to improve the fate of donkeys worldwide. It's a large and complex charity that offers a wealth of knowledge and experience, encouraging people to help donkeys and mules worldwide.

Watch the Sunrise whilst Camping

Camping is one of the most cost-effective and fun ways to enjoy your family break in Exeter. You will find numerous camping and glamping sites conveniently located near Exeter that offer a wide range of camping facilities, such as the Sunrise Camping at Penhill Farm.

There are not too many camping locations within the centre of Exeter, but if you want to be close to the city's fascinating historical attractions and shops, you will find plenty of camping sites based on the outskirts and are within easy reach of the city centre. Most of the holiday parks close to Exeter are in stunning surroundings with easy access to the lively city centre, either by car or rail. So, there’s really no need to plan trips abroad when you have such beauty at your doorstep.

Camping in the surrounding areas of Exeter offers an excellent chance to experience the stunning countryside while being close to the attractions and amenities of the city. Many of these camping sites are also pet-friendly, so you have no excuse not to take your furry friends with you on your family break in Exeter.

Redrow sponsor Broadclyst FC for the second year running

Jonathan Adams — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 13:22:48 +0000

National housebuilder Redrow is supporting grassroots level football in Exeter with the sponsorship of the junior team at Broadclyst Football Club, Exeter.

Established in 1992, Broadclyst Football Club is now a Charter Standard football club, currently catering for varying age groups (teams) from under 6’s right through to senior ages ensuring players have a side to be a part of as they progress through to adulthood.

This is the second year of sponsorship between Redrow and Broadclyst Football Club and the ongoing support enabled Broadclyst FC to purchase a full new home kit for its under 9’s squad with the new kit design ahead of season start.

The team coaches offer their time and commitment on a voluntary basis to ensure young people are provided with the opportunity to flourish and pursue their passion for the game of football and encourage a real team spirit in a safe environment.

Broadclyst Football Club’s chairman, Sean Carstairs has been with the club for five years and when asked about the recent sponsorship he said,

“Financial support from Redrow for Broadclyst Football Club is vital at grassroots football level, as it enables us to ensure our players are in the best kit possible and ensures that costs are not passed onto team players and families.

“We pride ourselves on being a low-cost hobby that allows both children to and adults to socialise and exercise and without the support of our sponsors this isn’t possible.”

Broadclyst FC is situated very close to Redrow’s Saxon Brook development in the village of Pinhoe which has a long-standing history of its own, dating back over 1,000 years to the days of the famous Battle of Pinhoe between the Saxons and Vikings.

Saxon Brook offers a range of 3 and 4 bedroom homes, suitable for first-time buyers and families looking to move to the Exeter area. Redrow offer a Help To Sell scheme to assist those seeking to move to the area and require assistance with selling the current home. Offering support at every step of the process, Redrow are committed to make the move as smooth as possible from start to finish.

With a history to be proud of, all house-types available at Saxon Brook are taken from Redrow’s Heritage Collection which takes inspiration from the Arts and Crafts movement of the 1930s.

When asked about the recent sponsorship Kevin Bradford, area sales manager in Exeter said;

“We are proud to be continuing our sponsorship with Broadclyst FC. It is an amazing team offering fantastic opportunities to future generations with a passion for success and teamwork. We are thrilled to be able to support the club for another year and look forward to the future!”

For more information about the Saxon Brook development, please call 01392 339638 or visit www.redrow.co.uk/saxonbrook.

The UK’s leading training provider launches in Exeter

Jacob Turner — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 10:21:10 +0000

To the delight of adult learners across Devon and Cornwall, Pitman Training, the UK’s best- recognised training provider, is set to officially open its first training centre in Exeter on Friday 2nd July. The centre will provide students access to over 250 self-paced, flexible training courses and aims to help people improve their prospects, gain promotions or get back into work.

Pitman Training has enjoyed an unrivalled reputation as an elite training provider for over 180 years, most famously known for offering the first course in shorthand. With courses ranging from business administration to software and web development, the possibilities for people to boost their CV are numerous.

The exciting new training centre is located in the heart of Exeter, down by the quay side, having revitalised the historic building which formerly operated as an antiques centre. Pitman Training is run by local businesswoman and former Pitman student Susan De Mey, who has decided now is the perfect time to formally launch her new venture.

“I’m so excited about our official launch after what’s been such a tough year for everyone. The pandemic has left many people facing redundancy and looking for work or assessing what they want to do in the longer term after work disruption. But I believe there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel,” said Susan. “Pitman Training can help people across Devon & Cornwall who have decided they want to gain new skills for a promotion, new job or re-train to get back to work. I’ve studied with Pitman several times over my career, and it’s always been a huge help to me both personally and professionally. I last took a course in 2018 but because the nearest provider was 75 miles away in Plymouth, it made accessing the training centre very difficult. So, I jumped at the chance to launch my own Pitman Training here in Exeter.

“At Pitman, we provide both in-centre and online courses, which allow students to study anytime, anywhere – which is ideal for working adults or people with busy schedules. However, if online learning isn’t your thing, having the option to come into a local training centre is a great way to learn because it allows you to get out of the house and escape the stresses of your day-to-day life. Studying as an adult can be daunting for some, so we also have our learning coaches on hand to give students the feedback, support and motivation they need to reach their goals.

“First and foremost, I want to help our students get on in their chosen careers, which is why we will be offering free career consultations to people who register for our open day on 2nd July. You’ll also be able to test your typing speed and assess your level of skill with commonly used Office software. And, of course, we’ll have the usual fanfare and refreshments of a grand opening event!”

Susan and her team are welcoming locals to the open event on Friday 2nd July when Mayor Trish Oliver will formally open the training centre at 10.30am and will be open to visitors until 3.30pm. To avoid the disappointment of missing out Susan is asking for people to register for their free career consultation or find out more about Pitman Training by calling on 01392 715340.

https://www.pitman-training.com/our-centres/south-west-england/exeter/