UK News

Why Estuaries Are More Than a Scenic Weekend Spot

Estuaries are places where river water and seawater meet, creating working waterways as well as rich natural habitats. Around the South West, they are part of local life, with people walking beside them, sailing through them, watching birds on them and relying on them for access to the sea.

Their appeal is easy to understand, but the view is only one part of the story. An estuary is shaped by tides, mud, freshwater, saltwater, weather, boat traffic and the way people use the shore, so it needs care rather than casual use.

Wildlife depends on the edges

The mix of fresh...

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BTEC Award Winners collecting their awards

Exeter College BTEC students win big in National Awards

Authored by stephendixon
Posted: Fri, 07/26/2019 - 12:55pm

Students from Exeter College have been celebrating success following the National BTEC Awards 2019.

A total of nine Exeter College students were recognised at an awards ceremony that took place in Westminster in July. The event celebrates exceptional BTEC students and apprentices while also shining a light on the inspirational teachers who have influenced their learning.

Exeter College’s Luke Bearpark was crowned Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Student of the Year with Abbie Densham being awarded Science Student of the Year.

In addition, Bronze Awards were given to...

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People and conservation are inextricably linked.

Thriving Together: people and nature in balance

Authored by Paigntonzoo
Posted: Fri, 07/19/2019 - 11:35am

A key regional conservation charity has signed up to a campaign highlighting an environmental issue that has been described as the world’s most important yet least discussed – population growth.

Wild Planet Trust, the charity that runs Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts in Torquay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall, has joined the Thriving Together campaign, which recognises that family planning is critically important not only for women and girls but also for the environment.

The zoo charity joins 150 other leading environmental and reproductive health organisations pledging support for...

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Devon mourns Duchess

Devon mourns Duchess

Authored by Paigntonzoo
Posted: Mon, 07/15/2019 - 10:44am

The matriarch of Paignton Zoo has died. Female African elephant Duchess collapsed in her house early on Sunday morning. Despite a determined and extended response from her keepers, the in-house vet team and other staff and volunteers, the difficult decision to euthaniase her was taken at lunch-time.

Simon Tonge, Executive Director of Paignton Zoo, was present throughout: “Duchess was found collapsed in her house at 8.00 in the morning. She was lying on her left side – with her good eye to the floor - and unable to stand, which was distressing for her keepers to see.

“When...

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Hatching chicks (nearly) as easy as ABC

Hatching chicks (nearly) as easy as ABC

Authored by Paigntonzoo
Posted: Fri, 07/05/2019 - 11:51am

This Vietnam pheasant chick – and others like it hatched recently at Paignton Zoo – could be the future of its species.

Bird keepers at the charity zoo are based in the Avian Breeding Centre, commonly known as the ABC. The chick is being cared for here; while it’s preferable for chicks to be parent reared, keepers will step in to give nature a helping hand when needed.

Another six (unrelated) Vietnam pheasant chicks are being reared by their parents in an off-show holding area. A video taken by keeping staff offers a rare glimpse into this hidden world.

Paignton Zoo...

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Setting higher standards in zoo retail

Setting higher standards in zoo retail

Authored by Paigntonzoo
Posted: Wed, 07/03/2019 - 12:54pm

Local zoos are setting high environmental and ethical standards for their suppliers to ensure the quality of products in their shops. Questionnaires were sent to some 70 different suppliers asking about the environmental, ethical and recycling components of their businesses.

The initiative was launched by South West Zoo Enterprises, the retail arm of Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts, Torquay’s coastal zoo and aquarium, and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall.

Questions on the email evaluation forms included: “Is there a possibility of goods being delivered without using plastics for...

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Critically Endangered red ruffed lemurs born at Paignton Zoo

Are these the sweetest babies in the world?

Authored by Paigntonzoo
Posted: Thu, 06/27/2019 - 10:20am

There are baby red ruffed lemurs at Paignton Zoo – and just look at them!

The charity zoo is a professional science and conservation body working internationally to help save these Critically Endangered primates – but sometimes all the serious stuff is pushed to one side by incredibly cute baby animals.

Head Keeper of Mammals Owen Taylor said: “When we were sure she was close to giving birth, we put some ropes up at the indoor viewing area to give her some additional privacy and the best opportunity of raising her offspring.”

The twins were born on the morning of...

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InExeter announces backing for nine city centre events and projects

InExeter has announced funding support for a series of events and projects. Six events have secured funding from the city’s business improvement district, each of which add vibrancy to Exeter’s cultural offering.

The, new for 2019, Exeter Festival is among the events to receive backing: the event, taking place over the weekend of 5-7 July, will see three days of films, music and entertainment in Northernhay Gardens. Other events receiving a share of the £8,000 pot include Exeter Fringe Festival, Big Screen in the Park, Women of the World Mini Festival, Exeter Pride and Quirk...

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Seen in a Union Street window

Someone has put a really helpful summary of EU candidates up in their window today. It shows which parties are Remain and which Leave and gives a few words from their manifestos.

Except the Conservatives have not issued an EU Election manifesto to date and only one of the Independents, Neville Seed, has done so.

In an election with eight Parties, two of which are just-formed, and three Independents, any clarification is good and this one looks to have no bias.

Taking the broadest category - LEAVE or REMAIN - the poster shows:

REMAIN: Change UK (TIG); Green...

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Activa Contracts celebrates safer driving with first winner of Lightfoot Sponsored League

Paul Peers of Peel Ports Group, one of the UK’s largest port operators, has become the first winner of Activa Contracts’ latest risk management initiative run in partnership with Lightfoot, which recognises and rewards road safety skills.

The ‘Activa Contracts Lightfoot Drivers’ League’ encourages smoother, safer driving among the many fleets using both Activa contracted company cars and vans, and Lightfoot’s driver behaviour technology.

Each week a driver is rewarded with a great prize, encouraging others to excel. Currently more than 2,200 drivers are eligible for the...

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Miss Devon becomes the youngest RSPCA trustee in the UK

The current Miss Devon, 23 year old Clara George, has become the UK’s youngest RSPCA trustee after having been co-opted to the board of the local branch, Little Valley Shelter in Exeter.

The Devon shelter has been seeking trustees and volunteers with social media and marketing experience and knowledge of current trends. Clara, who runs her own social media and digital marketing business, has exactly the skills and experience the RSPCA were looking for, and also happens to have a great love for animals and animal welfare. Her role as a trustee means that she will join with other...

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