Local News

Entries now open for the RSPCA’s Walk on the Wild Side challenge

Wildlife lovers are being invited to sign up for the RSPCA’s autumn active fundraising event ‘ Walk on the Wild Side ’.

The event invites participants across England and Wales to complete a walking challenge throughout October.

The fundraising challenge comes at a critical time for the charity as it reveals that last October (2024) was its busiest month for hedgehogs in the last five years*, and also marks the beginning of ‘seal pup season’ - when the RSPCA’s wildlife hospitals also typically see a spike in grey seals admitted as orphans, or struggling to feed and are...

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Pupils learn about composting

Westpoint Arena opened its doors to 1,400 primary school pupils from across Devon for the third annual Farm Wise event. As part of this hands-on learning approach to agriculture, the children donned wellington boots and rolled up their sleeves to discover how Coastal Recycling transforms ordinary garden waste into free organic compost for farmers. This nutrient rich compost fortifies soil, promoting a fertile environment for crops and therefore plays a vital role in our food chain. Coastal Recycling creates more than 35,000 tonnes of compost each year, which farmers can then spread free of...

Defend yourself against flu this winter

Devon residents susceptible to the effects of flu are being reminded to get their annual vaccination to protect them against the illness this winter.

Flu can be a serious illness, particularly for those in the at risk groups, so it’s vital that people in the eligible groups* and parents of young children take up the offer of the free flu vaccination, even if they feel healthy.

The effects of flu can be much more serious than people think. It’s highly infectious, and the symptoms of fever, chills, headache, aches and pains in joints and muscles, and extreme tiredness, can...

Police plan for station closures

Devon and Cornwall Police plans to close police stations and offices across Devon and Cornwall in the next five years as the Force strives to save £29m from its current budget. In most cases closures would lead to the building of smaller, more cost effective facilities, or see police teams sharing facilities within their communities. None of the sites being closed are currently open to the public. The closures or lease surrenders would make revenue savings of at least £1.053m a year. Faced with the next round of budget cuts under the Government’s comprehensive spending review – and with...

Buckfast Abbey education manager up for Lifetime Achievement Award

Alison Gagg, Education Department Manager at Buckfast Abbey , is celebrating the news that she has been shortlisted for a Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Contribution to Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC). Initially appointed as part of a one-year project to set up an education service for the Benedictine monks who reside at Buckfast Abbey, 30 years on and Alison is still there, heading up a renowned learning centre that offers an extensive range of programmes and events for children and young people.

The awards are decided by online public vote through the Council...

Wanted: the voice of an angel

Following previous successful Chorister Open Days, Exeter Cathedral Choir is hosting a similar opportunity for children on Saturday 28th November 2015.

This is open to boys and girls between the ages of seven and nine who enjoy singing. It is a great chance for young people to be encouraged and coached by professional musicians in an inspirational setting.

The children will have a great time with the current choristers, rehearsing and then singing with them in the Cathedral. In addition they will have a special opportunity to take part in the annual Christingle Service....

Wi-Fi SPARK's 10 mile hike for charity

WiFi service delivery company, WiFi SPARK based in Exeter, has chosen Children’s Hospice South West as its charity of the year, and its latest fundraiser has seen members of the team hike the ten tors of Dartmoor.

Twelve members of the team from the Matford Business Park based company braved cold and foggy conditions to hike the ten miles across the ten tors of Dartmoor. Matt O’Donovan, WiFi SPARK’s founder said: ‘We’re so pleased to have raised over £1300 for this great cause and have many other activities planned to add to this sum. The WiFi SPARK team will continue its...

World Cup parade wows the crowds

Exeter was wowed by a parade of colour, rugby, music and creativity this past weekend.

Huge crowds gathered for The Exeter Five Nations Parade. A parade that snaked through the city from Cathedral Green to the Fanzone on Saturday 10 October to celebrate the Rugby World Cup 2015 and the culture of the nations based in the host city of Exeter.

The parade was awash with eye-popping amazing costumes, bears, Vespa’s, magical musicians and giant pizzas hats. Not to mention a giant revolving turtle dove.

Walk the Plank, the creative producers of the parade and world...

Great West Run route and road closures

Exeter’s Great West Run will be taking place on Sunday 18th October 2015.

This established half marathon is an annual fixture in the city’s calendar, and expects to attract around 4,000 runners, many of whom are fundraising for local and national charities. Using the city’s streets for the race will cause changes to usual traffic routes for a limited period on Sunday 18th October.

In planning the event every effort is made to minimise the disruption caused with the closing of roads.

Where closures occur, and where possible, diversions will be in place to ensure...

£100m investment for Exeter Science Park

A £100 million investment and further growth will be unlocked at Exeter Science Park, thanks to additional funding provided by Devon County Council.

The County Council’s Cabinet today (Wednesday 14 October) agreed to use the remainder of a £2.5 million funding package to develop vital infrastructure at the Science Park. It is using Growth Deal Funding awarded from the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership in April.

The infrastructure is needed to meet challenging targets for the opening of the Met Office’s £100 million supercomputer facility and collaboration...

Coastal access improvement plans welcomed

Work is set to commence on the Devon coastline as part of Natural England’s plans to create an England Coast Path, it has just been announced.

The news is welcomed by the South West Coast Path Association – the charity set up to represent everyone who loves the Coast Path, as it will see the implementation of new ‘coastal access’ legislation that will help to improve the route and safeguard its future.

Steve Church, the Secretary of the Association, said: “The announcement made by Natural England is great news for us as it will help to secure the existing route of the Coast...

Local News

Entries now open for the RSPCA’s Walk on the Wild Side challenge

Pupils learn about composting

Defend yourself against flu this winter

Police plan for station closures

Buckfast Abbey education manager up for Lifetime Achievement Award

Wanted: the voice of an angel

Wi-Fi SPARK's 10 mile hike for charity

World Cup parade wows the crowds

Great West Run route and road closures

£100m investment for Exeter Science Park

Coastal access improvement plans welcomed

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