Exeter Stories

Exeter Stories

by Paul Batterham
DocumentaryPlaces & Travel
Season 2
Debbie Bucella: Alibi and the Case for Children's Creativity
Debbie Bucella, Chief Executive of Alibi, tells the story of one of Devon's most significant arts organisations; forty years of taking world-class theatre into school halls, and a reinvention that turned a funding crisis into a community hub. Debbie arrived in Exeter in the late nineties. Her route into theatre ran through the Bike Shed — the legendary two-damp-cellar venue on Fore Street that she helped found. A decade ago she joined Alibi, which had been making theatre for children and school audiences across Devon, Somerset, Dorset and Cornwall since 1982, reaching between 11,000 and 13,000 children in their school halls every year. Alibi made a deliberate choice to open their doors rather than close them. Emmanuel Hall in St Thomas is now shared with St Thomas Library, Zero Mile Gardens CIC, a weekly children's choir, free early years music sessions, and a programme of community events. Its annual Christmas show, an immersive experience that has filled the hall with fifty real pine trees and, most recently, a full hotel populated by quirky animals, has become one of the most inventive family events in the city. Debbie talks about what it takes to keep an organisation alive on its own terms, why creativity is the skill that matters most as AI reshapes the economy, and what it means to a child to be the one running the lights. Get Involved Alibi website theatrealibi.co.uk Emmanuel Hall, Emmanuel Road, St Thomas, Exeter EX4 1EJ. Check the website for upcoming events, workshops, holiday clubs, and the Big Silly Sing children's choir. Space hire available for rehearsals, meetings, and events — including kitchen. Contact details on the website. To volunteer or find out about supporting Alibi, visit theatrealibi.co.uk or contact the team directly.
S2 · E4
Jun 24, 2026
34:21
Maresa Bossano: Building a Community Food Hub on Cowick Street
Maresa Bossano, founder of Love Food CIC, shares the story behind Exeter's community food hub on Cowick Street in St Thomas, and makes a compelling case for why local, plant-based food isn't a lifestyle choice but vital to public health infrastructure. Maresa has spent thirty years working in sustainable food, first as a five-a-day coordinator for the NHS, then running a food co-op at Sustain in London, managing a vegan cafe in Hastings, and leading the Community Supported Agriculture Network. She moved to the Exeter area and set up Love Food CIC in 2021. In the years since it opened, around a thousand people have come through the door. About half are regulars. The hub runs a pay-what-you-can Thursday lunch club, a community fridge stocked from surplus donations, free and low-cost cookery sessions focused on food waste and budget eating, and a swap shop for clothes, toys and books. It also serves as a warm space, a hiring venue for community organisations, and a drop-in for anyone who needs to sit somewhere safe and charge their phone. Maresa talks frankly about what the food system gets wrong, why cooking is not about skill or willpower, and what it would take for every neighbourhood in Exeter to have something like this. Get Involved Love Food CIC website Love Food CIC on Instagram Love Food CIC on Facebook Community food hub at LOVEFood CIC, 95 Cowick Street, St Thomas, Exeter EX4 1JF. Open Monday to Thursday, 10am to 3pm. Thursday lunch club 12:30 to 1:30pm, pay what you can. Not running during school holidays — check the website for dates. Cookery sessions free and low cost, usually Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Check the website or follow on social media for upcoming sessions. Community fridge free surplus food for anyone, open during core hours. Donations of home-grown or surplus food welcome. To volunteer, donate, or hire the space: visit lovefoodcic.co.uk or email lovefoodcic@gmail.com.
S2 · E3
May 27, 2026
38:34
Will Adamsdale: Building Exeter's Comedy Scene From Pub To Festival
Perrier Award winner, actor, and the man behind Locally Sourced comedy night, Will Adamsdale traces the unlikely journey from a comedy emergency in a Sidwell Street cafe to founding Exeter's own annual comedy festival, now running around 90 shows across some of the city's most unexpected spaces. Locally Sourced comedy night began in 2021 at Ebdon's cafe, born from a chance meeting with comedian Charlotte Evans. Since moving to the Little Drop of Poison on Fore Street, it has become a community, with returning faces, an alphabetical raffle, and a WhatsApp emergency group to keep things moving. The festival grew in the same way: developed with Spencer Jones and Georgia Thomas, it has expanded from a single day at the Sidwell Street Bakehouse into a multi-day programme taking over bars, music shops, and established venues across Exeter. This year's festival runs from 3rd to 6th June. Get Involved Exeter Comedy Festival website https://www.exetercomedyfestival.com/ Locally Sourced on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/locallysourcedcomedy/ Exeter Comedy Festival on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/exetercomedyfestival/ Locally Sourced runs every Tuesday from 7:30pm at the Little Drop of Poison, 154 Fore Street, Exeter. Free entry / pay what you can. Exeter Comedy Festival 2026 Gala on 3 June, festival 4–6 June (plus family shows 7 June). Volunteer sign-up available via the website.
S2 · E2
Apr 22, 2026
39:29
Lightbear Lane: Building Culture and Community Across Exeter's Streets and Stories
Dr Sarah Spencer and Dr Judith Morgane, the partnership behind arts and heritage organisation Lightbear Lane, share how they are using community film, creative mapping, Shakespeare and asset-based development to help Exeter find its identity, neighbourhood by neighbourhood. Founded in 2023, Lightbear Lane takes a deliberately inside-out approach: rather than parachuting in with solutions, they ask communities what they already have. That philosophy produced the Proud to Be film project in Mincinglake and Whipton: a co-created portrait of a neighbourhood that generated a wassail song still sung every January, film-making skills workshops, and a set of resources now available for other communities to use. From those roots, the organisation has grown with work ranging from heritage consultancy at St Nicholas Priory to touring theatre across the South West. Now they are launching the South West Shakespeare Festival, a three-day programme across Exeter's historic venues that draws in the Cathedral Archives, the Devon and Exeter Institution, the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum and a Young Poets competition, to prove, as Judith puts it, that you do not need to go to London for world-class culture. They also discuss Lit Lab, their monthly creative gathering for professionals and curious minds, and an as-yet-unannounced publishing venture illustrated by Sarah and written by Judith. Get Involved Lightbear Lane website – https://lightbearlane.org South West Shakespeare Festival – full programme and tickets Proud to Be — film and community resources Lightbear Lane on TicketSource — book events Sign up to the Lightbear Lane newsletter via the website to hear about Lit Lab and upcoming workshops
S2 · E1
Apr 8, 2026
43:01
Season 1
The Modern Earl: Heritage, Innovation and the Future of Exeter
Recorded live at the Devon & Exeter Institution, this episode features Charlie Courtenay, the 19th Earl of Devon, as he reflects on heritage, stewardship, and the future of Exeter. We explore: What it means to “inherit” a story and reshape it for the modern world. How the historic Earldom and the city of Exeter remain intertwined, from medieval trade to modern innovation. His dual life as a barrister in technology and intellectual property law and a custodian of Powderham Castle, balancing tradition and sustainability. Insights from his work with the Exeter Place Partnership, uniting city and rural Devon around shared environmental and economic challenges. Powderham’s approach to sustainability, land management, and cultural preservation as a model for intergenerational stewardship. Resources & Links Powderham Castle https://www.powderham.co.uk Exeter Place Partnership https://placeexeter.co.uk House of Lords Members Profile: Earl of Devon https://members.parliament.uk/member/4744
S1 · E12
Feb 4, 2026
21:56
CoLab Women: Compassion, Connection and Recovery
Jeanie Lynch, Head of Service for CoLab Women, reflects on decades of community work and what it means to build trust, safety, and hope in Exeter. We discuss: Her early activism in the 1980s Exeter women’s movement and her journey back to the city. The origins of CoLab Exeter and how it evolved into a multi-agency support hub. Founding Resilient Women, now CoLab Women, a programme helping women rebuild their lives after trauma, homelessness, or the justice system. A relationship-based model focused on “what’s strong, not what’s wrong.” The new Devon Domestic Abuse Alliance and innovative recovery programmes tailored to each woman’s pace. How creativity, art, and belonging underpin recovery. Resources & Links CoLab Exeter Devon Domestic Abuse Alliance Julian House Devon & Cornwall
S1 · E11
Jan 21, 2026
36:41
Making Change by Hand: Craft, Community and Circular Economy
We sit down at Exeter’s quayside with Tim Stares of CoCreate CIC, a creative social enterprise turning waste timber into purpose and connection. You’ll hear about: How CoCreate combines sustainable design, mental health, and skills training. Their four pillars: Community, Collections, Courses, and Commissions. Projects like Boatyard Bikes, Women in the Workshop, Chop & Chat, and Holy Fool Coffee barista training. Building partnerships with local groups such as Hospiscare, CoLab, and Ride On Exeter to create a circular, inclusive local economy. The joy and power of “making things together” as a route to wellbeing and belonging. Resources & Links CoCreate CIC https://www.cocreatexeter.co.uk Hospiscare Exeter https://www.hospiscare.co.uk Holy Fool Coffee https://www.holyfoolcoffee.com Ride On Cycling Exeter https://rideoncycling.org
S1 · E10
Jan 7, 2026
29:05
One Human Family: Activism, Respect, and Belonging in Exeter
In this deeply moving conversation, Dr Suaad Genem, founder of the Exeter Respect Festival and former Exeter councillor, shares her remarkable journey from Haifa to Exeter. We discuss: Her belief in universalism: “every piece of land is my land, every human my family.” The founding of Exeter Respect Festival, celebrating diversity, equality, and community spirit for over 25 years. Experiences as a human rights campaigner, Sufi-inspired activist, and one of Exeter’s first women of colour elected to office. The power of joy, music, and storytelling in breaking down prejudice and building unity. What “Respect” truly means for a city, and how Exeter can continue to grow as an inclusive, compassionate community. Resources & Links Exeter Respect Festival Devon United Women FC St Sidwell’s Community Centre
S1 · E9
Dec 24, 2025
36:07
Mischief and Magic: Imagining the World of Tomorrow
Director, writer and performer Katie Villa of Quirk Theatre talks about imagination as activism, and how Theatre can help us imagine better futures. In this joyful, reflective chat we cover: Katie’s creative roots and her discovery of Exeter’s vibrant arts scene. The evolution of Quirk Theatre, renowned for inventive family productions blending playfulness and purpose. Creating Dayzee and the World of Tomorrow — a show co-designed with Exeter’s children and climate scientists to explore optimistic futures. The process of turning big global challenges into accessible, funny, and emotionally resonant stories. Why “mischief and love” are at the heart of every Quirk show. Resources & Links Quirk Theatre https://www.quirktheatre.co.uk The Bike Shed Theatre (Archive) https://www.bikeshedtheatre.co.uk Exeter Phoenix https://www.exeterphoenix.org.uk Theatre Alibi https://www.theatrealibi.co.uk
S1 · E8
Dec 10, 2025
37:15
From Protest to Place: Building the Exeter Community Alliance
Chris Wood, organiser with Exeter Community Alliance (ECA), a city-wide umbrella network helping nearly 100 local groups collaborate, share space, and engage the public. We talk about moving “beyond protest” to long-term, community-led action; why shared high-street space matters; and how ECA is weaving climate, social justice, culture and civic groups into a practical, supportive network.  In this episode: How XR activism led to forming Exeter Community Alliance and a public-facing hub model.  Why the original charity was called Climate Action Hub Exeter and why it now trades as Pulse (to reflect broader crises beyond climate).  The “movement of movements” idea: coordinating newsletters, events, and joint actions across ~100 groups.  Making empty shops work for people: using the Climate Emergency Centres model and new High Street Rental Auctions powers.  Practical examples: People’s Assemblies, the Climate Fresk workshop, an ECA city-wide events calendar, and public drop-ins.  Resources & Links Mentioned Exeter Community Alliance (ECA) – umbrella network & hub info: https://www.exetercommunityalliance.net  Pulse (formerly Climate Action Hub Exeter) – charity/home of the hub (20 Queen St): https://climateactionhubexeter.net Climate Emergency Centres (CEC) – the “use empty shops as community hubs” model: https://climateemergencycentre.co.uk  Exeter Community Energy (ECoE) – community-owned renewables / energy advice: https://www.ecoe.org.uk 
S1 · E7
Nov 26, 2025
19:14
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