Local News

New report reveals UK's happiest places to be a dog

Exeter comes 9th in Dogs Trust's Happy Place Index, but we all have room for improvement

For dogs, a happy place can be somewhere physical, like cuddling up next to their owner on the sofa, dozing by the fire or rolling around in a muddy puddle. But it can also be a feeling, like the excitement of a new toy, the comfort of being with their favourite humans, or the relief of just being somewhere safe.

To examine the various factors that contribute to a dog's satisfaction, an academic has developed a new formula – the Canine Happiness Score (CHS).

The new scoring system...

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Mums praise maternity services at RD&E

Maternity services at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust received a good set of results in the latest national survey.

A questionnaire was sent by the Care Quality Commission in the summer to all women who gave birth in February 2015.

Responses were received from 160 mothers who used the RD&E. Maternity services are provided by the Trust at Wonford Hospital, Okehampton, Tiverton and Honiton.

A score of 9.1, towards a maximum of 10, was given to questions about the mums’ labour and birth experiences. The RD&E staff were rated highly at 8.8, and...

Wildlife left guessing by mild winter weather

The mild weather is set to continue but as temperature records are broken and the ice rinks melt, Devon Wildlife Trust is asking us to spare a thought for our local wildlife. Winter is a tough time for wildlife. It is a time of hibernation, migration and survival. But with temperatures reaching 14 degrees in Exeter at the beginning of the week, Devon’s wildlife is not following its usual seasonal patterns. The charity Devon Wildlife Trust is reporting some strange goings on at the 50 nature reserves it cares for across the county. David Wodehouse who helps manage DWT’s Meeth Quarry nature...

Clever crows caught on camera

Scientists have been given an extraordinary glimpse into how wild New Caledonian crows make and use ‘hooked stick tools’ to hunt for insect prey.

Dr Jolyon Troscianko, from the University of Exeter, and Dr Christian Rutz, from the University of St Andrews, have captured first video recordings documenting how these tropical corvids fashion these particularly complex tools in the wild.

The pair developed tiny video ‘spy-cameras’ which were attached to the crows, to observe their natural foraging behaviour.

They discovered two instances of hooked stick tool making on...

Brits to splash out £7.6 billion in the end-of-year sales

Research reveals that more than half (55 per cent) of residents in the South West are planning to spend £185 each during this year’s winter sales.

Despite being more than a month into the frenzy of Christmas shopping, there appears to be no slowdown in bargain hunters’ thirst for a good deal. According to new research by www.TopCashback.co.uk more than half (55 per cent) of residents in the South West are planning to hit the end-of-year sales spending, on average, £185 each. This equates to a huge £7.6 billion national spend.

The love for low prices is well and truly...

The Queen gives Royal Charter to Exeter Uni

The University of Exeter has received a royal message of congratulations from Her Majesty the Queen in recognition of 60 years of heritage and success.

The message is an integral part of the celebrations to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II presenting the Royal Charter to the University - marking the official recognition of university status for Exeter, on Monday, 21 December.

Her Majesty said: “I would like to congratulate staff and students, both past and present, on what you have achieved together in the sixty years since the Royal...

Christmas proposal in Exeter's snowglobe

Love is in the air in Princesshay this festive season.

Dylan Tucker (20) from Exeter proposed to his girlfriend Amber Knee (22) also from Exeter on Sunday 20th December, in the Princesshay Snow Globe.

Dylan and Amber first met on Valentine’s Day this year and soon knew they were meant to be together. Dylan’s original plan was to propose to Amber on Christmas Eve, but after seeing the snow globe in Princesshay, he knew this was the location for his big festive surprise.

Dylan Tucker said: “It felt really magical and it was amazing to have my whole family there and...

Vital surgical equipment donated to Tiverton Day Case Unit

£80,000 worth of state-of-the-art theatre equipment has been donated to the Day Case Unit at Tiverton Community Hospital thanks to funds from the hospital’s League of Friends.

Theatre services at the Day Case Unit are provided by the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust. The equipment, which included diagnostic tools such as gastrocopes and colonoscopes, a 3d scope guide and new stacking monitors, will enable the unit to complete more surgical services closer to home for local people.

Phil Luke, RD&E Divisional Director for Surgical Services, Said: “This valuable...

Christmas at Exeter's hospice

Staff and volunteers are getting into the Christmas spirit at our Exeter hospice.

Every day grateful Exeter people are popping in to the city hospice with gifts including hampers, boxes of chocolates, biscuits, cakes, candles and flowers.

The hospice, in the grounds of the RD&E, is decorated with six Christmas trees and festive flowers beautifully arranged by our volunteer flower ladies.

Hospiscare patron Lady Clarissa Clifford visited with presents, while Marina Cornall from St David’s donated a lovely large Christmas floral display which her mother-in-law Joan...

Lord Mayor of Exeter's Christmas Message

Christmas message from Exeter's Lord Mayor, Cllr Olwen Foggin:

"What a fantastic start to my year it has been! This has once again been a very eventful and successful year for Exeter, with the Rugby World Cup taking over the city, which really has put us on the World Map. I would like to send a special thanks to all those who took part in making it the success it was. Not only have we had the Rugby World Cup, we have also had the European Rugby 7s at our Sandy Park sending a wave of rugby fever throughout the city for the year. It’s pleasing to see the Exeter Chiefs at the top end...

Bridge Road improvements to start in New Year

Devon County Council has announced initial details of a 14-month scheme to widen Bridge Road in Exeter, developing two continuous outbound lanes from Countess Wear to the Matford roundabout.

The £13.45 million scheme will aim to tackle queuing and reduce journey times for all traffic, while at the same time improving links for pedestrians and cyclists.

In order to protect travelling motorists and provide safe working space for the site staff, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction between Countess Wear roundabout and Matford roundabout throughout the scheme...

Local News

New report reveals UK's happiest places to be a dog

Mums praise maternity services at RD&E

Wildlife left guessing by mild winter weather

Clever crows caught on camera

Brits to splash out £7.6 billion in the end-of-year sales

The Queen gives Royal Charter to Exeter Uni

Christmas proposal in Exeter's snowglobe

Vital surgical equipment donated to Tiverton Day Case Unit

Christmas at Exeter's hospice

Lord Mayor of Exeter's Christmas Message

Bridge Road improvements to start in New Year

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