Local News

A series of temporary measures to support social distancing for walkers and cyclists is being explored by Devon County Council.

It follows the Government’s announcement of a £250 million emergency active travel fund – as the first stage of a £2 billion national investment in walking and cycling.

Although Devon County Council is still awaiting details of the funding, it is actively pursuing a number of possible changes to the local road network to help improve walking and cycling routes.

In considering its proposals, the focus has been on key travel to work...

An online study of 25,000 people is recruiting participants to help study the impact of COVID-19 isolation on the health and wellbeing of older people, and find new ways to support them.

People aged 50 and over are being invited to join the PROTECT study , an innovative online platform run by the University of Exeter and King’s College London, which already has 25,000 people signed up. Now, a new arm of the NIHR-funded study will track both mental and physical health impacts of lockdown policy on older people, by incorporating a questionnaire to seek the experiences of the cohort...

Otter Garden Centres has reopened all seven branches after closing them in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Managing Director, Jacqui Taylor described the first days of reopening:

“We are delighted that we have been allowed to open. We have put the safety of our customers and colleagues as the top priority during this difficult time of trading as we all get used to the new systems and ways of working. So far, customers have shopped very sensibly and carefully - and have praised us on the safety measures we’ve put in place to ensure we are not overcrowded and that...

THE CO-OWNER of an award-winning Devon gastropub will shave his head in aid of charity this month (May, 2020).

Paul Berry, who co-owns The Swan in Bampton with his wife and fellow award-winning chef Donna, will be braving the shave on May 17 to raise money for Churches Housing Action Team (CHAT).

He said: “As I can’t get to a barbers at the moment and, like many other people are doing, I thought I would shave my head, however, I have decided to do it in aid of a very worthy cause.

“I’ll be going live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSwanBampton on Sunday,...