Local News

Despite recent news headlines that a local beaver population had ‘disappeared’ from their East Devon home, a local wildlife charity is now claiming that it has evidence that they are very much alive.

In November the BBC reported the concerns of some local people that they had not had sightings of beavers on the River Otter for some weeks.

This ‘disappearance’ was then reported by national newspapers. However, Devon Wildlife Trust has now come forward with evidence which shows that the beavers are still there, although they may have relocated their homes, known as lodges,...

House prices in the South West will see an increase of 5% over the course of next year according to the RICS housing forecast for 2016. This is lower than the national average increase of 6% but the same as London and Northern Island. The North East is likely to see the most modest price rise with a predicted increase for 2016 at 3%. Transactions nationally will edge up to between 1.25 and 1.3 million (from 1.22 million in 2015). In the South West transactions are expected to rise to 101k in 2016 from 97k in 2015. Although housing has climbed the policy agenda with supply issues dominating...

Churches in Devon are calling upon their local communities to help bring light into the lives of some of the UK’s most vulnerable children this Christmas by supporting Christingle events in aid of The Children’s Society.

A number of services are being held throughout December and beyond, and everyone is welcome to join the festivities. Money raised will go towards helping the children the charity works with, including victims of sexual exploitation.

Families and communities are welcome to come and celebrate together at the festive fundraising events, which revolve around...

Rail services to and from the South West of England could be disrupted for more than 10 per cent of each year by 2040 and almost a third by 2100, a new study suggests.

The cost of maintaining tracks and sea defences could also soar as predicted sea level rises, coupled with coastal storms and floods, pose major challenges for rail operators and governments.

The research, published in the Journal of Transport Geography, focusses on the impact of sea level rises on the Dawlish to Teignmouth stretch of the main London to Penzance route, which was closed for two months in early...