Summer drink and drug driving figures revealed

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 08/15/2016 - 7:09pm

Summer drink and drug driving campaign results suggest that if you offend in Devon and Cornwall you’re twice as likely to get caught compared to the national average.

Figures from the recent summer drink and drug driving campaign show that in Devon and Cornwall the percentage of drivers tested that were positive, failed or refused a reading is just over twice the national average in almost all measures, with an average of around 21% compared to 10% nationally.

Devon and Cornwall Police take an intelligence-led approach to tackling drink and drug driving. The results suggest...

Turner looks to build on Scarlets win

Lachie Turner wants Exeter Chiefs to build on their encouraging start to pre-season by delivering another big display against visiting Ulster Rugby this Saturday at Sandy Park (3pm).

The Australian international was among a 30-strong group of players who were given their first run out of the new 2016/17 season when the Chiefs defeated the visiting Scarlets 45-3 at the weekend.

Although not on the scoresheet himself, Turner – who arrived in Devon during the second half of last season after a spell playing in France with RC Toulon – took the opportunity in the summer sunshine...

East Devon beach huts and sites all let

East Devon District Council has reported that all of its 237 beach huts, 20 beach chalets and 241 beach hut sites at Beer, Seaton West, Seaton East, Budleigh Salterton, Exmouth and are now fully let for the 2016/2017 season.

Anyone interested in the possibility of renting a hut, chalet or site in 2017/2018 can join one of the waiting lists, which they can do by contacting the council’s Customer Service Centre on 01395 516551 or by email via csc@eastdevon.gov.uk giving their full name, address and telephone number. All the waiting lists are now open, but have different waiting times...

Woman dies in Okehampton collision

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 08/15/2016 - 3:43pm

Officers from the serious collision investigation team are appealing for witnesses to a fatal road traffic collision on the A3079 near Thorndon Cross, Okehampton.

The incident happened at 8.35am on Saturday 13th August 2016 and involved a grey Ford Focus and a red Peugeot 206.

A 25 year old local woman who was the front seat passenger in the Ford suffered serious injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene

The woman driving the Ford was taken to hospital by ambulance.

The Ford was travelling west away from Okehampton and the Peugeot was heading in the...

Nuffield Health and Exeter Chiefs a winning team

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Mon, 08/15/2016 - 12:29pm

Nuffield Health Exeter Hospital is continuing its winning partnership with the Exeter Chiefs for a fifth successive season.

With rugby becoming an increasingly demanding sport physically, it’s crucial the players have the right medical team behind them.

And for the past five years, the experts at Nuffield have helped several of the squad bounce back to fitness.

Senior player Tom Johnson, who spent three weeks receiving shockwave treatment on an Achilles problem in the off season, was full of praise for the Nuffield team.

Tom explained: “These days a lot of...

City's largest community solar power project installed at Exeter College

Authored by Mark Allen
Posted: Mon, 08/15/2016 - 11:58am

Exeter Community Energy has now started the installation at Exeter College, the city’s largest community solar power project. Solar panels are being installed on the roof of the Exeter College’s Technology Centre. When completed this 150 kWp installation will be the largest community energy project in Exeter and East Devon.

The panels will provide 140,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, enough to power 35 houses and will save the Technology Centre approx £150,000 over 20 years. The panels will reduce the carbon footprint of the College by 78 tonnes a year – the same amount...

Makeover for Sowton electrical specialist

Authored by Sue Cade
Posted: Mon, 08/15/2016 - 10:47am

The Sowton branch of Devondale Electrical has recently been given a makeover, with new counters, displays and information screens.

The refurbishment is the latest stage in Devondale’s company-wide rebranding initiative.

Branch Manager Mark Richards said: “Everyone, including our customers, is pleased with the finished result; the new look is brighter and fresher.”

Mark joined Devondale a year ago after working for a variety of independent electrical businesses throughout his career, and says he is enjoying the new challenge.

“At this branch, most of the...

Revealed: People in SW watch over 19 hours of TV a week, exceeding national average

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 08/15/2016 - 9:58am

A new survey from electrical retailer AO.com has revealed the TV habits of those living in the South West in 2016.

Asking questions on topics ranging from viewing behaviour, favourite shows and even attitudes towards live entertainment, the survey found evidence suggesting our bond with the small screen was stronger than ever.

So are we a region of TV addicts? And has this affected our relationship with live entertainment?

South West viewing habits…

  • The average person in the South West watches 19.1 hours of TV a week. This is over the UK average of 18
  • ...

Historic shipwrecks given protection

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 08/15/2016 - 9:25am

Three historic shipwrecks in the South West have been given protection by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England. Shipwrecks have been a source of inspiration to English writers, artists and scholars for centuries – from Shakespeare to Enid Blyton, whose Famous Five spent a whole summer exploring a fictional Cornish wreck. This summer, these wrecks have been given special protection, and they include two that are often publicly accessible from the Devon sands. Shifting sands and weather patterns can allow the public to see sights that are usually the...

Public never been so in touch with spending habits

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 08/15/2016 - 8:31am

A new survey has given a snapshot of the UK’s banking habits and revealed that the British public has never been so in touch with their bank balance.

The results show that technological advances within banking have resulted in people using online and mobile banking apps like Simple Bank to check their spending more than ever.

This fast, instant access means more people are now keeping on top of their finances regularly with four in five (83%) now checking their bank balance once a week or more and over half (52%) like to check their spending all the time, wherever they...

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