Local News

Exeter’s Gemma Wensley is planning the holiday of a lifetime - an astonishing trip for a woman who a few years ago was planning her funeral.

The popular city nurse is celebrating surviving six years since her brain tumour terminal diagnosis. Five years of gruelling chemotherapy seems to have worked and Gemma is now well enough and can just about afford the insurance to holiday in Dubai, Australia and New Zealand where she will be visiting friends.

“My brain tumour is still inoperable but I’m still here and I feel confident that I am going to live longer, “said Gemma. “...

A consultation reviewing how school crossing patrols should be funded and provided in the county is being launched by Devon County Council.

The authority is exploring ways to maintain the service while looking to save £250,000 from the service’s budget in the coming financial year. It is part of £110 million of savings required over the next four years.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “We know how highly school communities value the crossing patrols. The County Council holds them in equally high regard and we...

“The year just keeps getting better and better,” said Bee Hughes, Headmistress at The Maynard School in Exeter, as she quietly reflects upon winning Teacher of the Year at the recent Pride of Exeter Awards 2015.

“I was surprised to even be nominated and never expected in a million years that I would win! I was gobsmacked when they called out my name and then slightly concerned because I hadn’t even put any thought to an acceptance speech!”

Ms Hughes has worked tirelessly since her appointment in 2009 and, despite her protestations, being handed this award was a worthy...

An across-the-board standard parking charge of £2 a day is being introduced across all East Devon District Council car parks for three months from December 1.

The temporary tariff will not only support local shops over Christmas, but will help boost trade during the traditionally quieter months of January and February.

The move was welcomed by East Devon Chamber of Commerce Chairman Colin Wright who said that he was delighted.

Mr Wright, who is also chairman of the Honiton Chamber of Commerce, said: “We’re very pleased that the district council has once again...