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April 2025 | Issue 69
We are pleased to announce the launch of our very first digital newsletter! Join us as we share exclusive updates and insightful articles from across the Exe Estuary, all while contributing to a greener planet.
Meet the team
 Bev Phillips
Marine, Estuaries and Coastal Officer
Hello, everyone!
I’m excited to introduce myself as the new Marine, Estuaries and Coastal Officer for Devon County Council.
An aspect of my role involves coordinating the activities of the Exe Estuary Partnership. I’m excited to be here, working alongside this amazing partnership to protect and showcase the wonders of the Exe Estuary.
I have spent twelve years working in the conservation sector within a variety of roles and I have had the privilege to work on some amazing projects, including marine education, sand dune restoration and urban wildlife connectivity projects.
I am passionate about safeguarding our unique coastal ecosystems and I am excited to apply my knowledge to support the partnership and work with local communities to promote sustainability along our shores.
I am keen to develop the Exe Estuary’s educational sessions, and collaborate with local communities and volunteers, to help promote and protect the diverse marine life and tackle the growing challenges of climate change and pollution in our rivers, seas and estuaries.
Outside of work, I am a keen explorer, frequently out on my mountain bike or with my dogs, discovering new places.
 Eleanor Ward
Coastal Support Officer
I joined the Exe Estuary Management Partnership team in April 2024 on secondment as part of the University of Exeter’s ‘Graduate Business Partnership’ scheme. Having always lived a short distance from Devon’s beautiful landscapes, I enjoy bodyboarding in North Devon, kayaking down the River Exe, and snorkelling in the south west and abroad.
Over the past 12 months, I have been actively collaborating with the Devon Local Nature Partnership on the delivery of the Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Starting in mid-May, I will be focusing on its implementation over the summer and the public consultation process.
If you have any news or events that you would like to include in the next edition of the Exe Press newsletter, please contact us via our email address:
exeestuar@devon.gov.uk
Please note that the following articles do not necessarily represent the views or principles of the Exe Estuary Management Partnership.
Exmouth Festival | Friday 11 to Sunday 13 July 2025
Join us at the Exmouth Festival, a vibrant and free arts festival that promises a relaxed and friendly atmosphere for all. This family-friendly event offers a wide selection of activities, including music, theatre, circus, dance, fitness, arts and crafts, food and drink, and sustainability initiatives. Engage in interactive workshops and crafts centred around this year's captivating theme, "Stories from The Sea."
The festival's diverse musical line-up ensures there's something for everyone, featuring genres such as rap, choirs, dance music, folk, indie, soul, and country. Enjoy performances from confirmed acts like Samantics, The Old Time Sailors, Cable Street Collective, The Scribes, First Time Flyers, Souled, and many more, all for free!
Dawlish EAT Festival | Saturday 3 May 2025
Turn the Tide Festival | Monday 26 May 2025
Gone Wild Festival | Thursday 21 to Sunday 24 August 2025
Get active outdoors this Naturally Healthy May.
Now is the perfect time to engage with nature through the Naturally Healthy May initiative, led by Active Devon and Devon County Council on behalf of the Devon Local Nature Partnership.
Taking part in outdoor activity in Devon’s green and blue spaces can not only enhance physical health, reducing risks like obesity and dementia, but also improve mental well-being, easing anxiety and boosting mood.
You can start small, joining a local wellbeing walk or doing some light gardening, or even try a free adult cycle training session.
Visit Explore Devon for tips on how to get around the naturally healthy way and click here to find events near you.
Let's celebrate Naturally Healthy May together!
Explore the past, present and future of the Exe Estuary by walking the new Voices of the Exe Trail.
Immerse yourself in the captivating audio stories of ten families who are deeply connected to the Exe Estuary, a site of international importance known for its vital wildlife habitats and cultural heritage.
The Voices of the Exe Trail will take you on a two-mile route along the Exe Estuary cycle path and Exmouth waterfront. Scan the QR code at each marker to hear stories from local community members and learn how environmental, economic and social changes have shaped their lives and livelihoods.
The trail is designed to be flexible and engaging. You can start at any point and travel in either direction. The trail mural (pictured) is located on the side of The Strand Inn, 1 The Parade, Exmouth EX8 1RS (opposite Exmouth train station).
Free trail maps can be found at Exmouth Tourist Information, 45A The Strand, Exmouth EX8 1AL and inside The Strand Inn.
Find out more about the Voices of the Exe Trail.
 Climate Award Winner
Exmouth Town Council wins prestigious National Association of Local Councils (NALC) Climate Response of the Year 2024 award.
The award was presented to the Climate Officer (Zoey Cooper) at the House of Lords on Tuesday 25 February 2025, in recognition of the council’s exceptional commitment and innovative approach to tackling climate change at a local level. Below is a selection of the council's activities across the year:
WASTE
In line with our waste objectives, we continue to promote the Exmouth Reusable Cup scheme. To reduce waste from hygiene products, we support Bosom Buddies with a Real (Reusable) Nappy Scheme and we have been promoting reusable period products in Exmouth schools. In collaboration with Plastic Free Exmouth, we have been raising awareness of the problem of cigarette butts and have installed three Cigarette Butt Ballot Bins, proven to reduce cigarette butt litter by up to 73%.
ENERGY
Last winter we teamed up with Devon Communities Together to offer free advice on how to stay warm and save money on energy bills. This year we have partnered with Exeter Community Energy (ECOE) to provide free full-home retrofit audits.
TRANSPORT
We hosted a free showing of the film Chasing the Sun in the Town Hall, followed by a discussion with the producer and local Active Travel experts on how to promote and support walking and wheeling in Exmouth.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
We encourage hedgehog highways, bee and insect houses, swift boxes and small wildlife ponds, and are capturing rainwater in Exmouth where possible. We are gradually replacing bus shelter roofs with sedum ‘living’ roofs and convene a bi-annual Tree Forum to facilitate the planting and maintenance of trees and hedgerows in Exmouth.
JOIN OUR GREEN TEAM
We coordinate a Green Team of volunteers to offer a helping hand at some of the many events and activities. Please get in touch if you would like to be involved and help make Exmouth “Britain’s Greenest Town”!
Bringing local maritime stories to life.
As part of Exmouth Festival 2025, Exmouth Town Council and Exmouth Shanty Men will bring new stories to life through sea shanties. Real-life stories were captured through audio interviews with residents connected to the sea, including contributions from the Voices of the Exe Trail.
Local storyteller Katy Cawkwell transformed these interviews into short stories, highlighting past, present, and future themes. Exmouth Shanty Men will work with local primary school children to create new sea shanties, which will be performed at the festival with guest appearances by the children.
With a repertoire of over 400 sea-faring songs, Exmouth Shanty Men will use familiar structures and melodies to bring these stories to life. This initiative aims to educate the next generation about Exmouth's maritime heritage and encourage them to reflect on their relationship with the sea, while also teaching them about storytelling through song.
Exmouth Shanty Men will perform at Exmouth Festival on Sunday 13 July in Manor Gardens.
 National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) Exmouth
NCI Exmouth extend their reach with CCTV.
The core mission of the volunteer National Coastwatch (NCI) watchkeepers is to provide vigilant monitoring along the coast, keeping watch and listening to radio channels, especially in poor visibility conditions. When individuals find themselves in trouble, NCI is there to alert HM Coastguard and direct the appropriate emergency and rescue services to the casualty.
Additionally, the NCI Coastal and Water Safety team plays a significant role in water safety and accident prevention. They focus on providing essential information for families and individuals to make well-informed decisions about safely enjoying water and coastal activities.
At the heart of the Watchkeeper role is the effective observation of coastal and estuary activities. Watchkeepers act as a crucial link with all emergency services, providing an emergency contact point on land for both sea and shore users.
Many readers may be familiar with the public beachcam showcasing Exmouth beach. However, NCI Exmouth also operates four CCTV operational cameras, covering areas from Dawlish Warren, up the River Exe estuary, across Sandy Bay beach, and all the way to Otter Point at Budleigh Salterton. These pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) cameras enable the team to monitor a wider area, enhancing the safety of water users. HM Coastguard can request NCI to conduct CCTV searches for persons or craft in difficulty.
Potential and actual incidents are promptly reported to HM Coastguard and monitored until the casualty is safe and the search and rescue (SAR) services are stood down. NCI also supports other agencies by conducting visual searches for missing persons and stolen craft, as well as identifying and reporting environmental incidents.
NCI is currently working with a specialist provider of maritime surveillance technology to give HM Coastguard viewing access to all NCI operational cameras nationally direct from their rescue coordination centre workstations to aid in the management of SAR operations.
Volunteering with NCI Exmouth as a Watchkeeper or supporter means you will be an important part of the national Search and Rescue organisation and a vital link in the security of our coastline through contact with HM Coastguard, the RNLI, Police and UK Border Force (UKBF). You will be joining a dedicated team of volunteers who will be delighted to welcome you in one of the many roles available. If you do not wish to be a watchkeeper but are keen to help, we have many other voluntary support roles.
Find out more about NCI Exmouth.
A Serene Journey Along the River Exe with Stuart Line Cruises.
A gentle push from the dock, and we slipped away from the shore, embarking on a serene journey along the River Exe. The world seemed to soften, the sounds of everyday life fading into the background as we drifted into the heart of Devon's summer beauty. This Stuart Line Cruise was a revelation, a peaceful exploration of the river's vibrant treasures.
Our Captain, a true local expert, provided a fascinating live commentary, revealing the secrets of the River Exe. The sandbanks were a bustling haven for the birdlife, became a living canvas of avian activity. Binoculars brought the delicate details of waders and warblers into sharp focus. Reed and sedge warblers sang from the reedbeds, lapwings and redshanks patrolled the shallows, and swallows and martins danced above the water. The sheer variety of birdlife was a testament to the Exe's rich, life-giving harmony.
As we floated along the tranquil currents, the majestic silhouette of Powderham Castle emerged, its centuries-old walls reflecting in the still waters. Surrounded by lush parkland, the castle stood as a silent sentinel of the Exe's history, its presence a tangible link to the region's past. The river, acting as a natural mirror, amplified the castle's fairytale-like charm whilst the deer grazed in the fields surrounding.
Adding to the magic of the journey, we spotted a delightful sight: seals basking lazily on the sandbanks, soaking up the summer sun. These playful creatures proved a treat for us to see on our cruise.
The Exe, however, holds more than just stately homes, bird sanctuaries, and basking seals. It harbors tales of forgotten times, hidden beneath its placid surface. Our Captain shared stories of bygone shipwrecks, their remnants resting on the riverbed, whispers of the Exe’s maritime heritage. Each submerged piece of history, a silent monument.
 A fascinating highlight was the Brunel Atmospheric Pumping Station. This Victorian marvel, a testament to the ingenuity of a bygone era, stood as a unique feature on the river's edge. The intricate machinery, a stark contrast to the natural beauty surrounding it, offered a glimpse into the heritage of the region, all from the unique perspective of the river’s calm flow.
Throughout the cruise, the views were simply captivating. The verdant Devon countryside, a tapestry of fields and meadows, stretched along the riverbanks, dotted with charming villages nestled in the rolling hills. Each gentle bend in the Exe revealed a new, breathtaking panorama, a fresh perspective on this idyllic landscape offering a chance to fill up the memory card on my camera.
The comfortable seating and the gentle rhythm of our journey created an atmosphere of pure relaxation. Just as I was completely absorbed by the scenery, a friendly Stuart Line Cruises team member offered refreshments from the onboard bar, a perfect complement to the tranquil setting. The boat offered a comfortable and clean experience, including well maintained restrooms.
The River Exe, as experienced from the deck of a Stuart Line Cruises vessel during the spring and summer months, is a journey into the heart of Devon's vibrant charm. It's a chance to witness the flourishing balance of nature, the grandeur of historical landmarks, playful seals and the captivating beauty of the countryside, all from the unique perspective of the river itself. It's a reminder that sometimes, the most enriching adventures are those taken at a leisurely pace, allowing the river's summer song to unfold its story.
Find out more about Stuart Line Cruises.
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