Local News

Honorary degree for former Exeter MP

Former city MP Ben Bradshaw thanked University of Exeter students for “all they have given the city” as he joined their graduation ceremony to be given his own honorary degree.

Sir Ben’s award was in recognition of public service, including his achievements to boost the quality of schools in Exeter, bring jobs to the city and his campaigning for LGBT rights.

During his 27 years as Exeter’s MP he worked to bring the Met Office to the city and worked closely with the University of Exeter and others in the community to bring about a huge school reorganisation and rebuilding...

Positive outlook for extended trading hours

Approximately 40 retailers and restaurants are now taking part in the extended trading hours campaign launched by Princesshay, The Guildhall Shopping Centre, Stagecoach South West and Exeter Chamber of Commerce.

Since the campaign started on 3rd April this year more businesses have opted to take part in opening until 7pm on Thursdays with restaurants continuing to open late into the evening for dining.

Wayne Pearce, Centre Director, Princesshay said: “We are pleased that half of Princesshay has now signed up to extended trading hours with more retailers showing interest as...

Rugby World Cup ticket sales delayed

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Thu, 05/15/2014 - 7:05pm

The community tickets launch for Rugby World Cup 2015 has been unexpectedly delayed following a request by booking agents, Ticketmaster. 500,000 tickets, available in limited numbers from clubs and RFU affiliated organisations, were expected to go on sale this afternoon (Friday 16 May) as part of the build-up to next year’s World Cup games. But rugby fans will now have to wait until 1pm on 29 May following a last-minute request from Ticketmaster for more time to test the online ticketing system. The September launch for the general sale of world cup tickets is unaffected by today’s delay....

Exeter primary 'delighted' with Ofsted report

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 05/15/2014 - 3:27pm

Pupils at an Exeter primary enjoy coming to school and say they learn well because their teachers make lessons fun.

Nearly every parent who responded to a survey by education inspectors said they would recommend Newtown Primary School to other families.

One said: “Our child is achieving a great deal more and progressing further than we dared to think possible as a direct result of the first class teaching he receives.”

Three inspectors from the school standards agency, Ofsted, spent two days at Newtown, and their report has just been published.

Lead...

Warning over solar subsidy cuts

Government proposals to cut subsidies to large solar farms could be extremely detrimental for the South West, according to one of the Westcountry’s leading renewable energy lawyers.

In a move which would end the current system two years early, the proposal is to force owners of solar power installations which are larger than 5 megawatts to compete with other renewable energy technologies for financing.

Sonya Bedford a partner and head of renewable energy at Stephens Scown LLP said: “This could be potentially devastating for the Westcountry. With the highest irradiation...

Devon council appoints new chairman

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 05/15/2014 - 2:53pm

Devon County Council has announced its new Chairman for the next year.

Outgoing Chairman Councillor Bernard Hughes OBE handed over to the Council's new Chairman, Councillor George Gribble at a meeting of the Full Council this week.

Councillor George John Gribble is local member representing Bovey Tracey Rural, the town in which he was born and has lived all his life, serving on many of the County Council's Committees.

The seven times Mayor of Bovey Tracey, Cllr Gribble also sits on Teignbridge District Council, and still sits on the Bovey Tracey Town Council where...

Police axe half of public enquiry offices

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Thu, 05/15/2014 - 11:39am

Devon and Cornwall Police are expected to close more than half of their public front offices in a controversial bid to save money. Across the two counties the force is expected to fully close 10 out of 21 public front offices while the Newquay desk will only open during summer. The public desks at Exmouth, Tiverton, Honiton, Okehampton, Newton Abbot, Totnes Falmouth, Penzance, Launceston, Bude and Liskeard will all be closed under the plans. The front offices allow the public can to report crime or discuss other issues by walking in off the street. 27 civilian posts will also be lost in...

Builders' ex-Forces recruitment drive

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Thu, 05/15/2014 - 11:34am

A dedicated armed forces recruitment professional is set to support Exeter’s leading housebuilder in a push to bring service leavers into the housing industry.

Tommy Watson (47) joins Persimmon Homes after 26 years in the Army and will be responsible for recruiting service leavers into positions across the region.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for both me and the thousands of people who leave the Armed Forces every year,” said Tommy.

“In my new role I will work with Persimmon South West to seek out people who are about to leave the services and who have immediate...

Otter Nurseries mark anniversary at show

Authored by Sue Cade
Posted: Thu, 05/15/2014 - 11:28am

Otter Nurseries will be paying homage to its own anniversary at this year’s Devon County Show with a display based around events in its history.

The team at the popular East Devon garden centre has designed a two-sided stand to both acknowledge the roots of the business and show how far it has come.

One side of the stand will be a step back in time to 1964 with old gardening equipment, a vintage T20 Ford tractor and some of the first types of plants sold by the nurseries, such as pansies and lettuces.

The opposite part of the stand will be bang up to date to show...

Health centre gives support at Exeter Pride

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 05/15/2014 - 10:50am

Sexual health staff from the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust played their part in Exeter Pride, an annual festival aimed at the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities.

Staff from The Centre – the sexual health service based at the NHS walk-in centre in Sidwell Street – linked up with The Eddystone Trust to run a stand outside the Exeter Phoenix on Saturday.

Situated in the Health Zone, the staff gave out information about The Centre’s services, answered questions, distributed free condoms and other freebies and carried out on-site blood tests...

More resilient transport networks needed

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 05/15/2014 - 10:42am

Devon County Council has t issued a report highlighting the need for greater Government investment to provide more resilient transport networks.

The Extreme Weather Resilience Report focuses on the winter storms from December 2013 to February 2014 and its impact on the region’s communities, infrastructure, transport links and local economy.

It details how the collapse of the sea wall at Dawlish in February resulted in 7,500 full or part service cancellations to and from west of Exeter St David’s, and how the maintenance backlog on Devon’s 8,000 mile highway network, which...

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