Sunday 30 September 2012

Eating Out: Exeter Taste Card Independent Restaurants


Chain Restaurants in the Tastecard Programme
It might be said, by some, that I am...tight...that I pinch my pennies or more accurately that I gather them from throughout the the house, into a jar and then take them down to the Coinstar machine at Sainsbury's and cash them in for pounds before sticking the pounds back in my miserly pockets. I recycle, I reduce, I reuse, I get creative with accessories from charity shops, I make curries with left overs, and I am a big fan of Martin Lewis's MoneysavingExpert.com. And it was Martin, appealing to my frugal nature and great appreciation for tasty food, who led me to the TasteCard.

If you're not familiar with the Tastecard, then I should explain that this magical card allows you to get 2for1 deals or 50% off your bill the next time you saddle up to one of their participating eateries. There is normally a fee to sign up, but we were able to get a free 3-month trial and it's been pretty sweet. It works all over the UK but in Exeter there are tons of places to cash in on the action. While most of the Tastecard hook ups are at chains, if you would like something outside of the Pizza Express/Prezzo/ASK/Zizzi/Bella Italia faux-talian menu, here's a run down some of the independents on the list.

Bar Venezia
This is one of the most popular destinations on the Quayside. When the sun comes out, their picnic tables are full to the brim. They serve Mediterranean food, sheesha and also hold Salsa and Zumba classes.
Dance Class at Bar Venezia
Oriental City
This might be Exeter's classiest Chinese restaurant. Located on Pinhoe Road, they have a massive menu and the decor looks less like something that you'd see in an Exeter suburb and more like what you'd expect in Singapore. It's also one of the only places in town that you'll come across the lazy-susan feasting tables that seat about 10 people.

The Olive Tree Restaurant at the Queens Court Hotel
I can admit that I haven't personally been to the Olive Tree, but their menu looks fantastic and their TripAdvisor ranking is more than solid. With more than 35 reviews they've got 4.5 stars and are ranked 28 out of 232 restaurants in all of Exeter town.


Friday 28 September 2012

Britain's Rarest Bat Found in East Devon

Grey Long-Eared Bat
Source: Cosmos Magazine
Bats are pretty cool. They can fly. They can use sonar. There are more than 1000 different species of bat in the world - some of whom are essential seed distributors for the rain forest. And the can sleep upside down! Exeter, with it's old churches, roman wall, rivers, marshes and forest is lucky enough to have a bat population that is visible and welcome. You need only take an evening stroll on the quayside to spot some balletic bats catching their supper in the dull light of the evening. Exeter and Devon's bats are even appreciated by local councils who lead educational walks to teach us more about our furry flying friends.

It was in on one such educational walk, hosted by East Devon Council's Wet & Wild Weekend in Axminster, University of Exeter scientist, Dr Fiona Matthews discovered one of Britain's rarest bats: the Grey Long-Eared Bat. Dr. Matthews from Exeter University's Biosciences team said she was please to have come across such a rare discovery at a public event, “I immediately suspected that this was a Grey long-eared bat, and to share the excitement with so many people at a public event was fantastic. Because it looks rather similar to its common cousin, the Brown long-eared, we had to get genetic confirmation that it really was the are species."

The newly discovered bat has now been tagged for further research and is thought to be part of an Axminster roost that adds to only six other known Grey Long-Eared Bat colonies in the UK.

Friday 7 September 2012

Ska for all occasions: Melosa's Grand Devon Tour


Some call them a '10 headed festival strength ska machine'. Legend has it that their latin brass lines, funk fueled bass and ska rhythms can make even the lamest duck shake his tail feather. And I've heard it said that in some parts of Slough, Melosa has been all but banned for exceeding the annual allotted amount of awesome. 

You'd think that after rocking gigs in Exeter, Bristol, Boomtown Fair and Plymouth Volksfest, that the 10 deep band would be done with the festival season but as the Indian summer rolls on, so too does Melosa. With 3 dates this weekend and two festivals in September, the time to get your skank on is now.




Catch Melosa this month at a venue near you..
Friday 7th Sept: The Revelry, (above The Cellar Door), The Quay, Exeter. From 10.30pm, FREE!

Saturday 8th Sept: The Lamb Inn, The Square, Sandford, Nr Crediton. From 10pm, FREE!

Sunday 9th Sept: Watts Fest, Bob's Farm, Nr Uffculme. 6.45pm, festival ticket required!

Saturday 15th Sept: Over the Moon Festival, Brighton
 
...or get the album, Melosa: The Next Chapter, online anytime.

Monday 3 September 2012

6 Hidden Gems to see for Exeter Heritage Open Days

St. Nicholas Priory

Heritage Open Days is an annual celebration of all the places and spaces that mean the most to the towns, villages and cities around the UK.  From 7 - 9 September National Trust properties, English Heritage sites and many other places of special interest will be open to the public for free visits, tours and special events.

It's one of my favourite times of year because suddenly the doors are flung open to all of these wonderful places, some that didn't even know existed. I am a strong advocate of loving the place that you're in and learning more about where you live is a great place to start. Exeter's heritage is rich with Romans, Normans, Tudors and more, so there's plenty see and do. Here's a short list of my favourites for 2012:
  1. Exeter City Football Club's St James' Park will be open for a tour on Friday 7 September, 10am. SJP has been home to the might Grecians for more than 100 years. Stop by to check out the new pitch learn more about one of Britain's only supporter owned football clubs. Booking essential, call 01392 413954 or email andy.gillard@exetercityfc.co.uk. Bookings available from 28 August (9am - 5pm Mon - Fri).
  2. Tuckers Hall on Fore Street will be open Thursday 6 -Sunday 9 September, 10.30am - 3pm, talks at 11am, 12.30pm & 2pm for visitors to have good look around.  If you're wondering where this place is, Tuckers Hall is that really old building next to the Real McCoy Arcade. Part of the Exeter Woollen Trail, it's been owned by the Guild of Weavers, Tuckers and Shearman since way back in 1471! I've never actually seen it open so it's the kind of thing that Heritage Open Days were made for. For information, call 01392 412348. 
  3. The Exeter Underground Passages on Paris Street will be open for free tours from Thursday 6 - Saturday 8 September 10am, 11am, 12noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm, Sunday 9 September 11am, 12noon, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm. The passage are one of the city's top attractions so this is bound to popular. Meet at the entrance on Paris Street 10 minutes before the start of your tour. Booking essential, call 01392 665832. Bookings available from 28 August (9.30am - 4.30pm Mon - Sat). 
  4. St. Nicholas Priory Off Fore Street is free to see on Friday 7 & Saturday 8 September, 10am - 5pm. Learn about the building's monastic history, its spell as an Elizabethan household and basque in the Barry Lydon style ye olde lighting. For information, call 01392 265858.
  5. Poltimore House will be open Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 September, 11am - 4pm. This Devon landmark is not a National Trust house but is held in trust and run by volunteers. Once a family home, once a hospital, and one point a college, this ever evolving property is rich in history and welcome to visitors. 
  6. Exeter Synagogue on Synagogue Place is open this Sunday 9 September from 10 am - 4pm. Founded back in 1763, the synagogue has been a continuous resource for the Jewish community for more than 300 years.