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A lot has been said this season about Exeter Chiefs focusing on the Aviva Premiership and using the other competitions to help them towards that goal. After missing out on the top European competition this season, there is a desire from all concerned at Sandy Park to get back in among the big boys next time around. That target remains on course, with the Chiefs fifth in the table and the top six qualifying for the European Champions Cup. However, with four defeats in a row, it would be surprising if there is not an added hunger to record a win and end that run of results this weekend. The European Challenge Cup also offers a great chance for Rob Baxter and his players to reach the quarter-finals and experience more knockout rugby to accelerate their development as a team. After the triumphant LV= Cup semi-final and final last season, and the European quarter-final against Stade Français in 2012, another winner-takes-all clash will be good for the squad. Sunday's match against Connacht may not quite be that sort of contest, but an away win would secure the Chiefs a place in the last eight. Defeat would not extinguish Exeter's hopes. They would be able to win the group still with a big win at home against Bayonne if the Irish province slipped up away to La Rochelle. Then there is the fact the best three runners-up from the five pools also make the knockout stage. After four of the six rounds, only two teams have a better record than Exeter. Baxter and his fellow coaches will surely give every player in the squad a chance to lace up their boots in anger over the coming four weeks. That will give some members of the squad a chance to rest their aching bodies while others will be champing at the bit to get a chance to start a match. After the Bayonne game, the LV= Cup returns, with defending champions Exeter currently top of their pool, but with away dates with Newport Gwent Dragons and Saracens to go. Win both as there's every chance they will be in the last four again come March. Among the players who will be hoping to feature is Kai Horstmann, one of the latest batch of players to agree a new deal with the club. The 33-year-old has not played for a couple of weeks after taking a knock, but could return against Connacht if he comes through training this week. He has proved to be a wise signing, providing great back-up at No. 8 and performing consistently well when given a chance. The other players to extend their contracts this week, Carl Rimmer and Ben Moon, may be a little younger at 28 and 25 respectively but are blossoming in the top flight after having to bide their time. Youngster Alec Hepburn, who has joined the club this week, may push them for the No. 1 jersey in years to come, but you can also be sure Brett Sturgess won't have given up on winning the shirt back and will see these four weeks as a big chance. It may not be a priority, but the cups can help the Chiefs a lot right now.

We're not kidding ourselves that our start to the new year has been anywhere near good enough. Back-to-back home defeats following our 4-1 loss at Wimbledon in our final game of 2014 have done nothing for our play-off hopes. The one consolation is that other results have been fairly kind to us and, even now, we're still bang in the mix. We started well against Northampton on Saturday and could easily have been a couple of goals to the good inside the first 15 minutes. Tom Nichols has been one of our star performers so far this season and you'd have bet good money on him scoring when he raced clear of the Cobblers' defence inside the opening few minutes. Unfortunately, on this occasion, it wasn't to be. Moments later, a great bit of improvisation from Tommy looked for all the world as if it was destined for the back of the net until, at the very last second, it drifted frustratingly wide of the post. And not long after that their keeper got a fingertip on a fantastic volley from Aarron Davies. If any one of those efforts had gone in there's no doubt in my mind we would have gone on to win the game. While it's difficult to pinpoint what exactly has gone wrong in the past few weeks, I think it would be too simple to put our loss of form solely on Matt Grimes' departure. Of course, Matt is a huge loss but, at the same time, Tis has drafted in some quality replacements and, with the squad we've got, I see no reason why we shouldn't still challenge for promotion. If there's one thing that's missing from our game at the minute then I guess it is the confidence that comes with being on a really good run. When you're winning week in, week out, everything comes easy and you don't think too much about what you're doing out there on the pitch. Unfortunately, when you've lost a few games you start to feel under a bit more pressure and inevitably that can affect how you perform – for sure, I know I haven't been at my best in the last couple of matches. I don't want to make any excuses but I didn't think we were helped on Saturday by a few questionable refereeing decisions. The two that really spring to mind were a stonewall penalty shout 10 or 15 minutes from time, and my yellow card when a Northampton player went to ground as I made what, in my opinion, was a fair attempt to win the ball. Then again, when you consider it must have taken the referee the best part of a minute to spot a flattened James Hamon lying motionless inside the six-yard box, with what could very easily have been a serious head injury, I suppose you shouldn't be too surprised. However, I don't think there's any need for panic – we're certainly not a million miles off – but right now it's plain to see we need a result to kick-start our season, and I don't think it matters too much how we get it! I've been asked to mention a couple of events which will be taking place at the club over the course of the next month or two. Firstly, the Great Exeter City Quiz returns in early March and our operations manager Andy Gillard is looking for teams to compete in Norman Warne's unique test of knowledge and intellect which, I've been informed, has been a huge hit since it first ran a decade ago! Entry is £25 per team of five and the winners will bag Flybe flight vouchers; the two qualifying heats will take place on Wednesday, March 4, and Thursday, March 5. There are some more details available on the club website at exetercityfc.co.uk On a similar note, World Cup final assistant referee Mike Mullarkey will be the special guest at an event being organised by the club's disabled supporters association. A Game of Two Halves takes place at the club on Tuesday, January 27, at 7pm. Entry is free and, in addition, the supporters' trust will be putting on a special multimedia presentation, The Day We Played Brazil. We travel to Mansfield Town on Saturday when, as you might imagine, we'll be doing our utmost to resume winning ways. The Stags beat us 2-1 at the Park back in September, at which point we were bottom of League Two and they were just outside the play-off places. Four months later, we find ourselves 10 points clear of the Nottinghamshire side, who dispensed with the services of manager Paul Cox at the end of November. To be honest, we will be disappointed if we haven't extended that advantage to 13 points come 5pm on Saturday. New boss Adam Murray has bought in half-a-dozen new players since that meeting at the Park so it's hard to know quite what to expect. At the same time, we know that if we can recapture the form we were showing a month or so ago – during the run which saw us lose just once in 15 league games – we can go to Field Mill and get a result.

Liam Sercombe: No cause for panic at Exeter City but a win at Mansfield Town would be timely

Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale admits that he has plenty to contemplate as he looks to end his side's poor run of recent results. The Grecians go to Mansfield Town this Saturday on the back of four defeats from five games. Their form in early December, when they had a record of one defeat in 15 league matches, seemed a distant memory as they limped their way to a 2-0 home defeat against out-of-form Northampton Town on Saturday. It has led some fans to call for sweeping changes to the side and for the club to use some of the £1.75m they netted from Matt Grimes' transfer to Swansea City to bring in new players. However, Tisdale said that there is not too much wrong and it was only a few small changes that needed making. "I don't want to label any particular reason as the problem," said Tisdale. "It is a whole number of things. "You have to be careful you don't focus on just one thing and put all your thoughts into that. "There are lots of minor problems that can be relatively simply rectified and we have to get everybody working together. It is about getting the team functioning." Asked if he might be tempted to dip into the January transfer market, Tisdale added: "Everyone assumes that now, but there aren't too many players I want to leave out. There are players I want to do better, but more importantly I want them to play better as a team and gel better. "We have lost that synchronisation and we need to get that back as opposed to saying 'he's not good enough and he's not good enough'. "That is not the case. It is very easy because that is the conventional thinking – 'we have lost a few, so let's change things' – but there aren't too many I want to replace." One player who is expected to sign a permanent deal at the club soon is Clinton Morrison. He is still playing on non-contract terms, but Tisdale was impressed with his performance in the opening minutes of the match with Northampton. "I'm looking to keep him here," said Tisdale. "I thought he and Tom Nichols were very effective against Northampton in the first 20 minutes. We played well and gave them a chance to be effective, but after that we didn't really give them much of a chance. "They were two of our better players on Saturday, Tom and Clinton. Clinton is looking better and better." Despite their poor recent form, City do have the chance to get into the play-off places with victory on Saturday. They are just two points behind Plymouth Argyle in the last play-off spot, which just highlights how the teams above the Grecians in the table have been struggling as well. Tisdale admitted that his side were targeting an automatic promotion spot a month ago. "I think going back a month ago our sights were set on the top three," he said. "I think now we have to reassess and get back at looking at the play-offs and then we will go again. "I know that is a really tough few weeks that we have had. It hasn't gone to plan and it is a shock to the system having done so well for a number of months but, although it has put a real spanner in the works, it has not finished our season. "We have still got a lot to play for and we have got to recover ourselves and recover some rhythm in our team."

Mansfield Town v Exeter City: Match preview

Exeter Chiefs face the prospect of going into Sunday's crunch European match at Connacht without their front-line tighthead props. Both Tomas Francis and Moray Low went off injured in last weekend's agonising 28-26 defeat against London Irish. Francis aggravated a back complaint in the first half, with replacement Low stretchered off early in the second period after injuring an ankle. That leaves head coach Rob Baxter with just four senior props registered for Europe, although hookers Luke Cowan-Dickie and Greg Bateman started their careers as a prop. Carl Rimmer moved across from loosehead against the Exiles last Sunday, with Alex Brown able to offer specialist tighthead cover. Ben Moon and Brett Sturgess have also played some rugby at tighthead. Baxter, who is set to make a few changes to his starting line-up for the key Pool Two contest, said: "With the squad we've got registered for Europe and the injuries we've got, we haven't got masses of options when you consider we'll take 25 or 26 players over there with us. "We've got to wait and see how the injuries we picked up at the weekend, notably at tighthead, are. Tom Francis had to stop at half-time with a bit of a reoccurrence of a back issue he's been having and Moray Low hurt his ankle pretty quickly after half-time. "We do have options, Carl Rimmer went over and did very well for us and we've got Alex Brown registered in the group, and with Brett Sturgess we have four fit props." On the injury-front, Baxter added: "Ben White picked up an injury to his knee in training last week, we're not yet too sure how that's going to come through but we're hoping he may be in contention. "Ryan Caldwell is still out with the concussive issues he picked up a couple of weeks ago but Kai Horstmann did some training at the end of last week so hopefully he's there or thereabouts. "We're slowly getting there and we're going to go over there with a good side, but we will freshen things up a little bit and get stuck into things." Exeter head to Galway knowing the winners will be in pole position to top the pool and make sure of their place in the quarter-finals. As well as the five group winners, the three runners-up with the most points also go through. The Chiefs are currently two points better off than Connacht, with the two French sides out of contention as Bayonne are a further nine points adrift and La Rochelle propping up the pool. After this weekend's clash at The Sportsground, Exeter host Bayonne in the final round of fixtures while Connacht travel to La Rochelle. The Irish outfit need a win this Sunday to be in with a chance of topping the group, while the Chiefs will back themselves to take the full five points against Bayonne six days later so it is not win or bust for Baxter's men. And after four successive defeats in the Aviva Premiership, the head coach is pleased the pressure is more on the hosts than his players. "We're going to go after the game flat-out," he said. "You could describe it as potentially as winner-takes-all, but interestingly for us the pressure is probably on them a little bit, which in comparison to the last couple of weeks will be a different challenge. "They're at home, it's their opportunity to try to wrestle control of the group off us, whereas for us it's an opportunity to go over there and get stuck into a team that prides itself on their home record and how they've played at home particularly this season. "It looks like we'll have to work very hard in what will be wet and windy conditions and enjoying some basic, old-school Westcountry rugby. That might be a nice way for us to re-set ourselves this week."

Connacht v Exeter Chiefs: Match preview

Plans for a local currency in Exeter have moved a step closer with the launch of the logo and a design competition for the paper notes. The Exeter Pound project aims to launch in the autumn of 2015 to encourage people to use local businesses and build a stronger community identity for the city. Those behind the scheme have been working with Exeter College lecturer Nigel Lowe and his students over the last few months to create a logo. The final design was produced by Lily Bedingham, who is studying for a diploma in art and design and has applied to study graphic design at university. Si Paull, of visual and web design agency Sound in Theory, based in Gandy Street, helped in the process. Nigel said: "The college looks to create partnerships in the community. The Exeter Pound brief was a great opportunity to work on a live project brief for a real client. This was a particularly exciting opportunity to be involved at the launch of a major community initiative for Exeter." Lily added: "With the additions by a professional designer, I'm even more pleased with the result. I hope the logo will help the Exeter Pound be a great success." Si said: "I was very impressed with the standard of work submitted by the Exeter College students. I was delighted to assist the Exeter Pound team choose a design and to add some professional expertise to assist with the initial branding." Daniel Hillier, director of Exeter Pound, said: "We are aiming to create a community currency for Exeter, so wanted to start the project with the young people from the community, which led us to approach Nigel's graphics students at Exeter College. "By adding a local professional designer into the process, I think we have combined the best of the talent of local students and the one leading agencies in the Exeter creative industry. Nigel, Lilly and Si have worked with us to create a fantastic logo. I would like to put on record our thanks to Nigel and Si for being so generous with their time. I wish Lilly every success with her ambitions in graphic design. We are very lucky to be the first client to benefit from her talent. I have no doubt we won't be the last." Exeter Pound is launching a community-wide design competition for its paper notes to capture the talents of the whole community of people who live, study or work in Exeter. Gill Westcott, director of Exeter Pound, said: "The talent of a small part of the community of Exeter has created us a logo. To create designs for a paper currency we need the talent of the whole community. "We want to create a community currency to connect the people of Exeter with the independent businesses of the city in a colourful and engaging way. These designs will be a key part of that process." There are four design headings: community and diversity, science and technology, culture and sport and the environment. Eight designs are needed in total for both sides of 1, 5, 10 and 20 Exeter Pound notes. The closing date for entries is Monday, March 16. Full details can be found at www.exeterpound.org.uk

Exeter Pound local currency plan moves a step closer with design competition

Graham Cummins says it is going to take a while for Exeter City to get used to life without Matt Grimes. The talented teenage midfielder completed a £1.75m move to Swansea City earlier this month and the Grecians have lost the last three games without him in the side. Grimes missed the 4-1 defeat at AFC Wimbledon after he claimed he was too ill to travel to the match, and had already completed his switch to South Wales before the Grecians suffered back-to-back home defeats against Accrington Stanley and Northampton Town. Prior to that, Grimes had featured in every match for City as they suffered just two defeats in 17 league games. Cummins says the change in results is no coincidence. "Well he is a Premier League player, so you are obviously going to miss that," said Cummins. "Grimesy was quality. I think even earlier in the season, when he wasn't fully at it, we were losing some games. "Then he started influencing matches and his level brought everyone else's level up. You can see why he is playing in the Premier League now, because he was one of our best players." City's team was heavily shaped around Grimes, and Cummins admits that it is going to take time to resolve that issue. "You don't just shape the team around such an influential player, lose him and expect things to fall into place," said Cummins. "It might take a few weeks to get used to things, but we have just got to move on without him. "We have got three quality midfielders. We have got Ryan (Harley), Nobes (David Noble) and Sercs (Liam Sercombe) in there and they are all comfortable players on the ball. "They haven't played together for a while though, because Nobes has been out himself. So it will take a little time to get a partnership going and get the understanding of each other's runs going and stuff like that." Cummins, whose side travel to Mansfield Town this Saturday, said it was important City get back to winning ways soon. They are still only two points outside the play-off places but, having gone seven games without a win at the start of the campaign, Cummins knows they can ill-afford another run like that. "It is difficult for us because we have gone from a bad run, to a great run to a difficult patch again, but we have just got to try and put it right like we did earlier in the season," he said. "It is January and we don't want the season to just fade out. We don't want to lose a couple more games because then all of a sudden you are looking down the table rather than up."

Graham Cummins: Exeter City have to get used to life without Matt Grimes

Rob Baxter has continued to build his Exeter Chiefs squad for next season by extending the deals of three players and signing an up-and-coming youngster. Loosehead props Ben Moon and Carl Rimmer have both signed two-year deals, with No. 8 Kai Horstmann penning a contract until 2016. And former England under-20s prop Alec Hepburn has also joined up this week on a deal until 2017. The 21-year-old, who was with Wasps, returned to his native Australia at the end of last season but Baxter was quick to snap him up when he became available. He has a knee injury and is not expected to compete for a first-term spot this term, but should be fully fit to show his ability during pre-season. Hepburn rubbed shoulders with the likes of Jack Nowell, Henry Slade, Sam Hill and Luke Cowan-Dickie in an England under-20s side coached by Rob Hunter, so he has started to settle in quickly. He said: "I was very excited the whole plane trip over. Knowing a few people helps and I'm just looking forward to putting my roots down. "I've been brought up to speed on a few things that have been going on already and it's been very good knowing a few people." Hepburn is also a specialist loosehead, but head coach Baxter insisted his arrival – plus the new deals for Moon and Rimmer – did not signal the end of Brett Sturgess' time with the club, as his contract expires this summer. The Sandy Park boss thinks it is important to have strength in depth in the front row, and players with experience. "The longer you're in the Premiership you realise you need a lot of strength in depth and quality up front," said Baxter. "This puts a good group of props together, but it doesn't mean the end of the road for Sturge by any means. We're very aware we've got to be very strong there. "Alec at this stage has not played Premiership rugby so it isn't like we're expecting him to go straight into the first team squad. "We're pleased with how Ben Moon and Carl Rimmer have done this season, Brett's coming back after a relatively serious knee injury and has done pretty well in the challenge cup and LV and he'll get more game time in this next month." Baxter, who himself agreed a three-year extension to his contract earlier this season, has now handed new deals to nine of his players. He thinks it is a reward for the way Moon, Rimmer and Horstmann have played this season, and hopes they can be part of a squad that continues to improve over the next few seasons. "Signing Moony and Rimmer is an indication of how we think they've done this season," he said. "Over the course of the season, these guys look to me like they're maturing and improving. Neither are particularly old for a prop and they are both coming through into regular Premiership rugby for the first time. That will make them better over a period of time. "Kai is one of those guys who is great to have around the squad. He's played very well for us this season and at the end of last season. "He's one of the guys who it's very important to have around and I'm really pleased all three are staying. They're going to be part of a group of players we hope will grow together." Horstmann, who joined the Chiefs in 2012 from Worcester, has eyed more success after the club lifted their first top-flight trophy last season by winning the LV= Cup. The 33-year-old said: "It was a big moment for us as players and us as a whole club last year winning silverware but it gave us a thirst and we want more of it. "We haven't got the results recently that we wanted but the ambition is there and we're desperate to kick on now." Rimmer also joined the Chiefs in 2012, signing from the Cornish Pirates. He was required to fill in at tighthead early in that campaign before reverting to the other side of the scrum, but found his chances harder to come by last term. However, the 28-year-old started this term as the first choice and is pleased to have his future sorted. He said: "This is my third year and it's gone far better than the other two, I've been in the mix a bit more. "When you feel part of the make-up and they want you to be here and part of their plans it allows you to play a bit freer, knowing you are on the right track and doing the right things and it's just about improving on those things." Moon, 25, stepped up from the club's academy, having started out at Cullompton, and is glad to have signed again. "You never know what's going to happen this time of year and it's nice the club have shown faith in me again to re-sign me," he said. "It's a great club to be at at the minute, a great bunch of guys here and I'm really enjoying my rugby."

Exeter Chiefs re-sign three players and add one more

It's that time of the year again, when businesses in Exeter and the Heart of Devon are encouraged to share their success stories with the rest of the world. The 2015 Express & Echo Business Awards are open for entries as the event celebrates its fifth year. The awards are all about showcasing companies and individuals who demonstrate entrepreneurial drive, innovation and dedication to providing a quality product or service. Since its launch in 2011, the event has attracted more than 490 entries, producing nearly 200 finalists and 48 winners. More than 1,000 people have celebrated the achievements of local employers and individuals at the glittering awards ceremonies, which have become a highlight of the Exeter business community's social calendar. This year sees the continuation of the partnership between the Express & Echo and Eclipse which will provide even more opportunities for outstanding local businesses to share their success stories via both print and digital media. In total, there are 14 categories to enter, including a new award for Best Apprentice Employer, sponsored by Devon County Council. For the third year in a row, the headline sponsor of the awards is Exeter-based internet service provider Eclipse. Clodagh Murphy, managing director at Eclipse, said: "I'm always impressed by the level of business acumen and entrepreneurial talent in and around Exeter – it's only right that it be celebrated. "As a business that works closely with other businesses, we see innovation happening across the city and its surrounds; from start-ups to more established companies, all seem to have an eye on how new developments in technology can drive change and growth." Clodagh added: "Celebrating local expertise and success is key to attracting and developing the kind of people and inward investment to the region that has set us on the path to make Exeter an exciting growth hub in the UK economy. As local employers I believe we should all be working together, not only to grow our own businesses but also to raise the profile of this beautiful part of the country as a centre for growth and commercial creativity." Awards up for grabs include: Corporate Social Responsibility; Employer of the Year; Best Creative Business; Innovation Award; Excellence in Customer Service; Family Business of the Year; Environmental Award; Entrepreneur and Young Entrepreneur of the Year; Best Tourism/Hospitality Business; Best City Centre Business, as well as the hotly contested Small Business and Business of the Year. Other category sponsors include Kitsons Solicitors, Pavey Group, Exeter City Council and Exeter College. The closing date for entries is Monday, March 23, and the award ceremony will be held at Sandy Park on Friday, April 17. For full details of the awards categories and how to enter, visit www.exeterbusinessawards.co.uk. For information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Charlotte Tregedeon on 07802 451897 or charlotte.tregedeon@dc-media.co.uk.

Express & Echo Business Awards are back for 2015

Rail passengers have been hit by delays this morning after a train hit a tree between Newton Abbot and Paignton. First Great Western said the collision is likely to cause delays throughout this morning adding that Stagecoach are accepting train tickets on bus service 12. No one is believed to have been injured in the collision and FGW said they are now awaiting a full assessment to be done. National Rail said: "A tree on the line between Paignton and Torre means that trains are unable to run between Paignton and Newton Abbot. "Buses will replace trains between these stations, extending journey times by up 60 minutes. There is no firm estimate yet of how long disruption will last but it is likely to continue until at least 08:30."

Update: No trains between Paignton and Newton Abbot after fallen tree

The Anchor Inn in Beer has re-opened following a month long project late last year to entirely refurbish the building. Thanks to an investment from owners Old English Inns, the Anchor has undergone extensive work to upgrade all areas, including all six bedrooms. Two more informal dining and drinking areas have been created thanks to a new lay-out designed to be more convenient and comfortable for customers. The popular cliff-top garden has been re-landscaped with new furniture due to be added in later in the year. The new refit complements the recent redecoration of the building's exterior. Manager Jim Geremezoglu has run the Anchor for two years. He commented: "This refit has brought a new lease of life to the Anchor and we have had such an overwhelmingly positive response from locals. The whole place looks much fresher, really fantastic and very smart, and it has gone down a storm so far." New décor and furnishings have been added in every area to upgrade the appearance and make the interior more modern and comfortable. Known for its prominent position overlooking the famous Jurassic coastline, one of the new rooms downstairs has been named the Jurassic Lounge in a nod to its iconic location. Now fully re-open, Jim commented: "If you have not yet seen our new look, it really is something special and I know it will make everyone in Beer very proud to have such a great looking place on their doorstep." Peter Hebblethwaite, business unit director for Old English Inns, said: "This is an important investment for us, which we are confident will be welcomed by the whole community and visitors to area. We have spent a six figure sum but the investment stretches much further than the building's refurbishment, including more choice at the bar, improved training for the team and new services for guests using the bedrooms. All of these changes have been made to ensure that the Anchor offers customers the best value, service and quality they expect from Old English Inns."

Entries are continuing to roll in for a unique art competition which will see the winner have their art work exhibited alongside famous works of art at Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum. Back for the fourth year running is annual art competition the Local Art Show, organised in conjunction with RAMM and the Echo. Art groups and societies from Exeter and the surrounding area are being invited to enter for the chance to have their work displayed in RAMM's Gallery 20 from Saturday, April 25, to Sunday, May 10. Last year's winners were Sense, and previous winners include the Hive Art Group in 2013 and Fairstream Arts in 2012. Rosie Denham, Exeter's lead councillor for economy and culture, said: "This competition allows us to give recognition to the work of local art groups, help broaden appreciation of the wealth of local talent and give one group the opportunity to display their best work in perfect surroundings. "Exeter City Council is delighted to be working with the Express & Echo to help recognise, reward and foster creativity in the city." The deadline for entries to be submitted is Friday, February 20. Shortlisted entrants will be featured in the Express & Echo throughout March when readers will vote for their favourite. The winning group will be announced on April 9. Entering groups will need to complete an entry form and submit it along with a CD/DVD containing 10 captioned images representing the group/ society's work, and 200 words stating why they think their group or society should win. The entry form, terms and conditions and gallery plan are available on the Local Art Show 2015 exhibition page on RAMM's website. Visit www.rammuseum.org.uk/exhibitions/

Entry Call for Exeter Art Competition

Katie Hopkins' image as a motor mouth is a fiddle according to her former violin teacher - as old photos emerge of his "sensitive" and "unassuming" student. Keith Chivers says the acid-tongued Big Brother star was once charming, well mannered, popular, always on time and respectful. New pictures have emerged showing the controversial star aged 17 at music class clutching a novel and wearing a turtleneck sweater and heart-shaped locket. Her butter wouldn't melt smile led to teachers and fellow pupils describing her as a model student and teenager. She attended Stella Maris School in Bideford in Devon and gained awards for public speaking. She also played violin for Bideford Youth Orchestra for six years - having passed Grade 8 at age 14. Graham Andrews, publicity officer for the orchestra, said he would never have guessed what would become of the "convent girl". He said: "In those early days of Beethoven sonatas and Bach fugues there was no indication of what to follow. "She worked her way up from third violin to become orchestra leader in her final years. "In her early days she was quiet, unassuming, always easy to talk to and mixed well with Bideford Youth Orchestra colleagues." Music teacher Keith Chivers remembers her as a perceptive and talented musician. He said: "She was sensitive and mixed well with all the others. She was outstanding musically, a talented violinist. "She was never late and she was always respectful and listened well." It came as a huge surprise to Keith when he saw controversial Katie on television. She said: '"To me, she will always be that sensitive young musician. In those days you couldn't help but be charmed by the young Katie. "I'd love to think that she is still playing her violin." Fellow violinist Lewis Andrews added that Katie was "the life and soul of the party". He said: "There was no inkling of her future career when we used to hang around. She was just great fun and pleasant company." And Lewis thinks the TV persona is all an act. He said: "My own view is that there is a certain front to her. She had found a very niche niche in the celebrity market for an outspoken lady. "If she came in and was lovely everyone would get bored. They want her to say all those bitchy things." Steve Whitaker, rotary club youth exchange chairman, also remembers the young Katie as an avid traveller. He awarded her with a year bursary from Bideford Bridge Rotary Club to go to Australia when she was 17. He said at the time: "Katie's quite a girl. She will be a good ambassador for our club, for North Devon and for England." Once sweet Katie said at the time: "I just want to see everywhere in the world. "I'm hoping to take my violin out too - if there's room on the plane."

Pictures: “Sensitive” Katie Hopkins as you have never seen her before

An Exeter University student has said she was sexually assaulted on campus and didn't report it because she 'didn't trust officials to do anything to address the situation'. The 18-year-old first year student, who has not been named, said she was threatened with violence twice in her first month at Exeter. She added that on one occasion, a drunk student she didn't know entered her room at 3am and refused to leave, saying that this was a common "joke" during fresher's week, and male students would often rip the covers off sleeping female students. She said the male student said to her, "I'm going to have sex with you, you're a slut", and had to be removed by another man. The account comes from The Telegraph as part of their investigation into the scale of sexual assaults at Universities. A survey from the paper found that one in three female undergraduates had some experience of sexual assault at university. Although most assaults were more minor offences, including groping, the frequency of attacks should give some students currently submitting UCAS applications – and their parents – pause for thought. The Exeter student claims that during another 'series of pranks' with the next-door neighbours a fellow student locked her in her room, turned off the lights and said, "Bend over, I'm going to rape you". She says she was locked inside for 15 minutes, until other students heard her banging on the door and let her out. The student said her parents urged her to report it to the university but adds she had no idea who she could speak to, and didn't trust officials to do anything to address the situation. Talking to The Telegraph she said she was worried that telling authorities would only create more tensions with her next-door neighbour. Responding to the report Exeter University said that they investigate harassment complaints and discipline perpetrators. "The university takes all allegations of this nature extremely seriously. There are very clear and well-publicised support systems in place for all students and we would encourage any student who encounters incidents of this nature to report them immediately," a spokesperson told the paper. Read the original Telegraph report by click here.

First year Exeter University student says she was sexually assaulted on campus and ‘didn’t trust officials to do anything to address the situation’

British Transport Police (BTP) is trying to trace the owner of a dog that bit a passenger on a train from Exeter to London in the run-up to Christmas. Officers have released a CCTV image of a woman with the dog, after the incident on a Penzance to Paddington service on Sunday, 21 December 2014. PC Bob Edwards said: "A 72-year-old woman boarded the 8.30am Penzance to Paddington service at St Erth, and sat in coach D. A woman with a dog were sitting nearby. "A short time, later the first woman left her seat to get a hot drink from the buffet car. When she returned, she was bitten on her leg by the dog. "She went to the toilet to examine her injuries, which required a tetanus vaccination. The woman and dog had gone by the time she returned to the carriage. The victim, from the west of Cornwall, suffered visible bite marks and bruising. "I want to speak to the woman pictured in the CCTV images. It is believed she boarded the train at Redruth and alighted at Par. I would urge her to come forward, as I want to speak to her about what happened that day. "If you recognise her, or her dog, please get in touch." Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference B3-GSUB of 15/01/2015. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.

Do you recognise this woman? Police appeal after pensioner bitten by dog on train

A cannabis addict was so dependent on the drug that he was caught taking it with him when he went to carry out a community service order. Ashley Chaplin was intercepted by police on his way to the probation-run programme and told them he needed to take the drug to 'chill out' before doing the unpaid work. He had been ordered to do the community service by a Judge just three weeks earlier after he admitted dealing in cannabis. Chaplin went to his first unpaid work session, called in sick for his second and was arrested on his way to the third, Exeter Crown Court was told. The 20-year-old has now acknowledged he is addicted to the drug and is seeking help from the Shrublands Project in Torbay. Chaplin, of Victoria Road, Torquay, admitted possession of £8 worth of cannabis and was ordered to do 40 hours additional unpaid work. He is already subject to an eight month suspended sentence and 180 hours unpaid work after admitting possession of cannabis with intent to supply. Mr James Taghdissian, prosecuting, said the earlier sentence was passed in November and Chaplin was on his way to carry out the unpaid work on December 18 when he was arrested and found with a half gram bag of green herbal cannabis. He said:"He told the police he smoked three bags a day and had been on his way to probation to do unpaid work and needed the drugs to 'chill me out'." Mr Ben Darby, defending, said the arrest made him realise he needed help with his drug problem and he had referred himself to Shrublands. Recorder Mr John Trevaskis told him:"You are in breach of the suspended sentence and at risk of its immediate activation and a custodial sentence for what an offence which in isolation would probably not have been brought to court. "You have been very foolish and you are still involved with cannabis. I am told you are addressing your addiction. It is encouraging to hear you are reducing your use but what the court wants to hear is that you are eliminating it. "I am not impressed to be told that you planned to smoke this cannabis on the way to carry out unpaid work. You are expected to carry that out when you are sober, in all senses of the word."

Devon cannabis smoker took drug with him to community service work

A man with a complicated private life is facing a possible jail sentence after he admitted bigamy. Adam Moore failed to complete his divorce from his first wife when he tied the knot with his second wife Lyndsey at Christmas 2008. But it was only when she started divorce proceedings against him that she discovered he was still lawfully wed to his first wife. Moore, aged 30, of Ross Close, Pinhoe, Exeter, Devon, admitted bigamy and he was warned he could be jailed. Prosecutor Chris Bittlestone said bigamy is a rare crime saying it was only the third time he had prosecuted it in 27 years as a lawyer. He said: "It is a serious matter. Marriage is an estate not entered into lightly." He said Moore wed his second wife when his first marriage had not been dissolved. The marriage to Lyndsey Moore was in late 2008 but it was 'relatively short relationship' and despite the 'usual hopes and expectations it broke down'. Mr Bittlestone said the second wife made the 'usual arrangements in December last year to unravel their contacts with each other' but she discovered that Moore had never been granted the final absolute decree – only the decree nisi which he said was 'only half way there'. He said only part of the divorce had been completed but not the 'coup de grace' and the police were alerted. He said Moore considered himself to be single but his failure to annul his first marriage means that his second wife Lyndsey was never lawfully married to him. He added that the defence to not accept this was 'an outright deception'. Miss Katrina Byrne, defending, told magistrates in Torquay:"Mr Moore back then had a complex life and he has a complex life now." She said some cases of bigamy were more serious than others but this was not a case of a fraud or financial loss or someone with multiple families. She said:"It does edge into the custody threshold. But it is a complex set of circumstances." A pre sentence report was ordered and Moore was bailed until next month when he will learn his fate.

Exeter bigamist with ‘complex private life’ warned he faces jail

The trial of a woman police officer who is accused of covering up for her boyfriend has been adjourned until Monday. Pc Sarah Cohen is on trial at Exeter Crown Court where she faces two charges of perverting the course of justice. She is accused of trying to prevent her former partner James Reading being prosecuted for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in North Devon in 2011. Reading was jailed for sexual assaulting a young girl. The prosecution allege Cohen intervened to try to stop him being arrested after he made an apparent suicide bid at Meldon Reservoir on Dartmoor. The also allege she spoke to the parents of the girl after learning of the allegations and sought to persuade them not to make a formal complaint. Cohen denies both charges. She says she acted properly during the incident at Meldon and could not have tried to influence the parents because they had already reported the matter to another officer before she spoke to them. Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, adjourned the trial, which will not continue on Monday. Cohen, aged 36, from Lifton, who was based at Launceston at the time, denies two offences of perverting the course of justice.

Devon police 'cover-up' case adjourned until Monday

Businesses in the Exeter area were encouraged to seize the opportunities presented by Rugby World Cup 2015 at an event jointly hosted by three media organisations. The Express & Echo has teamed up with Global Radio and Radio Exe to offer coordinated marketing packages in the lead-up to the tournament, which will see Sandy Park host three matches in September and October. Joe Hammond, general manager of Woodbury Park, where the Georgia and Romania teams will be staying during the tournament, explained the initiative had come about as a result of businesses getting together to find ways of ensuring the event is a success for Devon. "The Rugby World Cup coming to Exeter is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we really have to make the most of it," he said. Representatives of businesses from across Exeter and beyond learned more about activities planned in print, online and on radio at a lunchtime networking event at Exeter Castle. Express & Echo business development manager Justin Hall outlined the #TryExeter campaign, which will include a glossy EX015 guide to the city and region, a giant poster featuring information about what's happening during the tournament, and a host of rugby themed promotions and reader competitions. With just over eight months to go until the tournament, preparations are in full swing, with plans for a festival of rugby starting in June to mark the 100-day countdown. Catherine White, the city council's programme development lead for Rugby World Cup 2015 Exeter, said: "There's a lot happening and the atmosphere and support from local businesses and the community in general has been overwhelming. "What we are finding is everybody wants to get involved and events like today are important because it gives people that opportunity. We are so pleased with the collaborative media approach – I think it's the first time that's happened and it will really benefit the city because we are able to promote what's taking place, not only at Sandy Park but in the Fan Zone and across the city." Victoria Hatfield, economy and tourism manager at Exeter City Council, added: "From a tourism point of view the Rugby World Cup is at a good time because it's in that shoulder season, which historically has been a quieter period, so it's extending the season and bringing more money into the local economy. "We are aiming to give visitors a reason to extend their stay by organising other activities like the festival of rugby." Chris Bentley, corporate sales executive and former player at the Exeter Chiefs, said: "It's fantastic to see the excitement about the Rugby World Cup is starting to pick up and to see all the media outlets coming together to push for a common goal, which is #TryExeter. "We hope more and more people buy into what promises to be a fantastic global event with a very local focus. "There's a huge business opportunity. Bristol haven't got it, Bath haven't got it, we have and it's up to us to make sure we put on a fantastic show." More details of #TryExeter marketing opportunities are available from Justin Hall on 07703 502478 or jhall@dc-media.co.uk.

#TryExeter campaign launched to capitalise on Rugby World Cup 2015 host city status

ECFC Talk is back for episode 19 of the new season. On this week's show the panel discuss the imminent arrival of Jamie McAllister, what changes manager Paul Tisdale should make going into Saturday's game and the chances of picking up a win at Field Mill. Listen to the show in the link above.

Podcast: ECFC Talk discuss Jamie McAllister, formations and the chances of an Exeter City win at Mansfield

A drug dealer has been remanded in custody after admitting selling heroin on the streets of Exeter. William Walsh was caught three times in three days in a police surveillance operation and told officers he was selling to feed his own habit. Walsh, aged 54, from the Isle of Dogs in London, admitted three offences of supplying class A drugs on June 11, 12 and 13 last year. He denied conspiracy to supply drugs and this case was adjourned for the prosecution to decide if they wish to proceed with the case. Walsh was due to appear a week ago but did not turn up at Exeter Crown Court and a warrant was issued. He handed himself into police at Dagenham and appeared in custody before Judge Francis Gilbert, QC. The judge adjourned sentence and remanded Walsh in custody. Mr Nigel Wraith, defending, said Walsh has been looking after his teenaged nephews in London and failed to appear on time last week because he was caught in traffic on the M4 and M5. He said he has always maintained he was at the lowest level of street dealing and became involved to fund his own drug habit.

User admits drug dealing on the streets of Exeter

Chiefs opinion: Europe can be a blessing for Baxter's boys