Once again, the short-list for the Devon Farm Business awards presents a fascinating cross-section of what is happening in farming in the West Country.
The common threads running through all of the farm businesses which are up for an award at the presentation evening on the eve of this year’s Devon County Show (May 19-21) are enterprise, innovation, market focus and family farming.
The awards are organised by a partnership of the Addington Fund, the Devon County Agricultural Association (DCAA) and Stephens Scown Solicitors.
The Devon County Agricultural Association is proud to announce that Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex has accepted an invitation to be President Elect of the Devon County Agricultural Association for 2016 and will become President in 2017.
Mary Quicke MBE, Chairman of Council of the Devon County Agricultural Association, said: “I’m thrilled and inspired that The Countess of Wessex has chosen to become the President Elect of the Devon County Show this year. HRH is passionate and committed to farming and food production, and it is wonderful to have her support.”
Following formal identification, officers have confirmed the woman’s body recovered from the Dorset coast on Friday 1 April is that of missing Torbay Hospital junior doctor Rose Polge.
A police spokesman said Rose’s family have been informed and they request their privacy at this very difficult time.
The 25-year-old was reported missing from Torquay on Friday 12 February.
Rose’s car was found in Anstey’s Cove just after 6pm that day and officers from in and around the Torbay area were involved in searches to locate her, as well as Coastguard, RNLI and Dartmoor...
Police were called just after 4am on Sunday 17th April following reports of a disturbance at a property in Beacon Lane, Exeter.
A man in his 40’s sustained a number of serious injuries and was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition.
Two people were taken into police custody in connection with the aggravated burglary.
Samantha Day, aged 29 from Thornbury Avenue, Exeter has been charged with assault by beating, being in possession of an offensive weapon, and grievous bodily harm with intent.
Farming families and much of Devon and Cornwall’s rural communities have been abandoned by the police.
That was the view of retired senior police officer Bob Spencer after he visited communities on Dartmoor during his campaign to become the next police and crime commissioner for the region.
Cuts to funding have meant the closure of police stations and reductions in the number of officers which is leaving vast swathes of countryside without police cover.
Margaret and Mike Rogers, who keep 200 sheep near Widdecome on Dartmoor, say they no longer bother to report...
More Devon children have been offered their first choice county primary school for this September despite a rise in applications, new figures reveal.
In all, 94.9 per cent of families have been offered their first preference school compared with 94.2 per cent last year.
And 98.5 per cent of Devon children have been offered a place at one of their three preferred primary schools.
Figures released today show that 98.5 per cent of the families who applied to Devon County Council for a place in a county primary have got one of their three preferences with 3.1 per cent...
Frustrated Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter bemoaned a lack of discipline from his players as the wait to book a first-ever appearance in the Aviva Premiership play-offs continues.
een for a response after their European Champions Cup exit to Wasps the week previous, the Devonians again suffered away-day misery, slipping to a 16-9 loss at Gloucester.
After a scoreless opening half, Chiefs skipper Gareth Steenson fired them in front with the first of three successful penalties, but it was the Cherry & Whites who prevailed, claiming a converted score from debutant Olly...
New powers to tear down pointless road signs that are an eyesore and distract drivers will be given to councils next week (22 April 2016).
The number of signs on our roads, more than doubled from 2.45 million in England in 1993 to an estimated 4.57 million in 2013.
Now simpler rules are being brought in to give town halls the power to take down unnecessary signs and for the first time, signs that say ‘new’ layout ahead will have ‘remove by dates’ on the back so they are not needlessly left in place for years.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "Road signs...
Nuffield Health Exeter Hospital has been shortlisted for the Top Hospitals data quality independent award for its commitment to ensuring the quality of its data is of the highest standard possible.
The data quality award recognises the importance of clinical coding and data quality and the essential roles they play in ensuring appropriate patient care.
Nuffield Health Exeter Hospital was shortlisted following an evaluation of depth of coding, percentage of uncoded spells and percentage of coded episodes with signs and symptoms as a primary diagnosis.
