Local News

OBE for CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust, a family of 16 schools across Devon with over 13,000 students, has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours list for her outstanding services to education.

The selection process for the OBE involves a special committee whose decisions are reviewed by the Prime Minister and finally approved by the King. OBEs are awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions in their field, and Moira's recognition is a testament to her impactful career in education.

Moira Marder...

Finishing touches put to County Show

Organisers of the Devon County Show are putting the last minute touches to the county’s largest annual event which opens on Thursday (May 21-23) at Westpoint, Exeter. More than 95,000 visitors are expected for what promises to be an entertaining and informative three-day show celebrating local farming, food and country life. Show Secretary Ollie Allen said they were getting ready to welcome around 95,000 people to the 120th County Show. “The atmosphere at the showground is very like Christmas Eve,” she said. “We can’t wait to throw open the gates on Thursday morning and welcome people to...

New online resource to explore fashion in Thomas Hardy’s writing

The new film version of Thomas Hardy’s Far from the Madding Crowd feeds into the ongoing fascination for fashion depicted in classic novels and their modern adaptations for TV and film. A new online facility has been developed by the University of Exeter and Dorset County Museum to catalogue references to clothing in Hardy’s writing and the time in which he lived.

The costumes worn by the actress Carey Mulligan, who stars as Bathsheba Everdene in the latest Far From the Madding Crowd production, will be on display at the Dorset County Museum until the 8 June and will provide an...

Nominations open for Community Volunteer Awards

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Mon, 05/18/2015 - 12:31pm

Do you know a person or group deserving of recognition for voluntary work they do to keep their community safe? Devon and Cornwall Police Partnership is inviting the public to make nominations for the second annual Community Volunteer Awards. The awards are recognition of the valuable contribution made by volunteers in support of policing services every day. Last year, awards were given to community police cadets, Special Constables, police volunteers and community citizens. Nominations are sought in these categories once again and, additionally in 2015 the following new categories have...

Midday Mile to get workers moving

The inaugural mass participation, Workplace Challenge Midday Mile takes place at noon on Wednesday 20th May.

Devon employees will be joining with others across the country, taking a break from their desks, factories and shop floors to walk, jog, run, or cycle this fun, social, mile.

Workplace Challenge in the county is coordinated by Active Devon and the midday mile is one of a number of initiatives to get Devon’s workplaces more active. With the average adult sitting for 50-60% of their day, there are now very strong medical reasons for businesses to take inactivity in the...

Exmouth Leisure Centre opens new gym

LED are excited to be opening the doors to its simply spectacular new gym at Exmouth Leisure Centre on today (Monday 18 May 2015). Perfectly timed to help you feel great this summer!

In addition, two of the five fabulous new studios will also be unveiled – with stunning estuary views and a state of the art air conditioning system - users will be able to give it their all in class favourites Studio Cycling, BodyPump and HITT.

Having been relocated to the ground floor, the gym has more than doubled from its original size and forms one of the key features of the £2 million...

Farming to take centre stage at DCS

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Sun, 05/17/2015 - 10:10am

Devon farmers will be out in force next Thursday, May 21, for the opening of the county’s premier agricultural showpiece, the Devon County Show, which this year’s celebrates its 120th show.

And there’ll be more than ever to grab their attention, with the centre of the showground now given over to farm machinery and other agricultural trade stands, a major presence from Mole Valley Farmers and all manner of farming organisations and professional advisers offering guidance on applying for the vital, but hugely complex, basic payment scheme.

As always, the beating heart of the...

Quiz raises record amount for charity

Authored by Gill Vosper
Posted: Sun, 05/17/2015 - 8:58am

Exeter’s 12th annual Really Big Quiz once again broke its fundraising record, raising an impressive £8,141 for the Lord Mayor of Exeter’s charity, Exeter Leukaemia Fund (ELF).

Organised by chartered accountancy firm Simpkins Edwards, the quiz took place at the Corn Exchange in Exeter on Wednesday 13 May. The hall was packed with 73 teams representing local firms, all eager to win the title of Exeter’s brainiest business.

Guests enjoyed an enthralling evening of challenging quiz questions presented by John Coombs and Adrian Hemmings of Simpkins Edwards. This was followed by...

Experience the future of eyecare in Exeter

Specsavers in Exeter has introduced a cutting edge new way of selecting and fitting customers’ glasses, using imaging software on tablet devices.

The opticians, located in 4, 247 High Street now offers Digital Precision Eyecare, which ensures everyone receives the very best professional care and advice in frame selection and dispensing for their prescription, vision and lifestyle needs.

Stephen Auty, director of Specsavers in Exeter says: ‘This is very clever kit and has a real wow factor for customers. It’s a quick and easy process which ensures a perfect fit every time...

Golf open day at Bovey Castle

Authored by Marc Astley
Posted: Sun, 05/17/2015 - 12:27am

Looking to impress your clients with a corporate golf day at one of the UK’s leading courses in the stunning surroundings of Dartmoor National Park? Then make a date to visit Bovey Castle’s corporate golf open day on Tuesday 19 May.

Bovey Castle is offering companies the opportunity to visit its luxury resort on Dartmoor to see how a corporate golf day can help boost their business. Visitors can take in the championship 18-hole golf course, explore the hotel and check out the newly-refurbished Great Western Restaurant and Smith’s Brasserie. Bovey Castle’s golf professionals will be...

Council raises the flag for Exeter Pride

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Sat, 05/16/2015 - 11:33am

Councillors, staff and representatives from voluntary and public sectors attended a flag flying ceremony at County Hall to mark Exeter Pride, which takes place today (16 May).

The ‘rainbow flag’ was raised by Devon County Council’s Chief Executive, Phil Norrey.

Mr Norrey said: “The county council is delighted to mark the 7th Exeter Pride event by flying the rainbow flag outside our Exeter Headquarters. We have come a long way over the past few years but there is still much to do ensure that to ensure that members of the LGBT feel safe in being ‘out’.”

Devon County...

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