Nowell prepares for French backlash

Authored by Mark Stevens
Posted: Wed, 12/16/2015 - 11:57am

Exeter Chiefs star Jack Nowell says he and his team-mates are expecting much tougher resistance from French rivals ASM Clermont-Auvergne when the two lock horns again this Sunday in the European Champions Cup.

Fresh from seeing off last season's beaten finalists 31-14 at Sandy Park last weekend, the high flying Devonians go head-to-head with the same opponents this weekend at the imposing Stade Marcel Michelin.

Cornishman Nowell knows from past experience that French teams on their own patch are a much different proposition and is expecting a backlash of sorts from the...

Councils continue to count the cost of contaminated recycling this Christmas

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Wed, 12/16/2015 - 10:46am

UK councils are continuing to count the cost of contamination this Christmas. That was the message from Chris Jonas, Director of Business Development at Viridor - one of the UK's largest recyclers.

Against a backdrop of local authority consultations on responses to austerity, Viridor has called on councils to act, following best practice in the UK's top performing authorities to avoid unnecessary and undesirable public sector spending on contamination.

Mr Jonas spoke following the announcement by DEFRA on 1st December of England's top ten recycling authorities.

Mr...

MEP visits Exe Valley Brewery

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Wed, 12/16/2015 - 10:20am

Supporting the South West’s craft brewers has been shown to be high on the agenda for Clare Moody MEP following her visit to Exe Valley Brewery in Devon.

The MEP for the South West and Gibraltar was shown around the brewery by Guy Sheppard, Chairman of The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), one of many brewers involved in running the not-for-profit trade organisation, who represent Britain’s independent craft brewers.

Clare Moody MEP had this to say on the importance of supporting Britain’s growing number of craft brewers,

“It was fantastic to be given a tour of...

Teign Valley Golf Club raise over £2,300 for local chariTEE

Local charity Rainbow Living are thrilled to have been presented with a cheque for £2,375 from Teign Valley Golf Club, following a year of fundraising as one of the club’s charities for the year 2015.

This amazing amount was raised from a series of fundraising events organised by Teign Valley Golf Club throughout the year, including charity golf days, raffles and a silent auction. Ted Ridgeway, Derek Hathaway and Maggie Thompson from Teign Valley Golf Club were delighted to present the cheque to Ruth Airdrie from Rainbow Living.

All of the money raised will be put towards...

Exeter schoolchildren to get free vision screening

Radical new online vision screening software is being provided free of charge to all schools in Exeter, following a study revealing that millions of UK children under the age of 12 have never had an eye test.

The three-minute screening test, developed by optometrists and vision scientists at City University London, has been shown to detect the most common eye problems among children and will be available nationwide from this week.

Through funding by Specsavers, the software, which has been designed to be operated by teachers and other school staff or volunteers, is being...

Increase in reports of domestic abuse

Authored by Sue Cade
Posted: Wed, 12/16/2015 - 8:14am

More people suffering domestic abuse are reporting the crime, according to a report from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC).

The recent report shows a 31% rise in reported cases of domestic abuse between 2013 and 2015.

Associate Chartered Legal Executive Alex Boardman from The Family Law Company, said: “It is positive to hear that increased numbers of victims are coming forward and more reports are being made.

“Domestic abuse is still a hidden crime in the UK as many victims feel ashamed, and blame themselves – so historically, they haven’t told...

Awards hat-trick for Sapphire Spaces

An interior design team from Devon has won the ultimate UK luxury bathroom award.

David Aspinall, Director and Designer at Sapphire Spaces, beat competition from around the country to win Ultimate Luxury Bathroom Design of the Year in the 13th annual Designer Kitchen and Bathroom Awards.

Sapphire Spaces, based opposite Darts Farm near Exeter, pride themselves on creating first class living environments for their clients in homes ranging from stunning new builds and conversions to terrace houses and West Country cottages.

David said: “Being a designer is a...

Pensioner found dead following house fire

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 12/15/2015 - 8:22pm

Members of the public are being asked to keep an eye on their neighbours at Christmas to help keep them safe from fire.

The appeal follows a fire in Mount Dinham, Exeter, on 10 December, during which firefighters discovered the body of a man.

Three fire crews attended the incident and extinguished the fire. The 89-year-old man was found close to a gas fire in a ground floor lounge.

Investigations are continuing into the incident and a report will be prepared for the Coroner but there have been several fire-related deaths that Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue...

Police appeal to find missing Devon teenager

Update: 16 December: Abbie Grant has been found safe and well. Police thank everyone for their help.

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Police are appealing to the public to help them trace 15-year-old Abbie Grant who was last seen on the 8th December in the High Street area of Exeter.

Abbie is a white female, 5ft 4 tall, medium build with black shoulder length hair tied in a ponytail.

She was wearing grey jogging bottoms and a navy blue sweatshirt and has links to both Newton Abbot and Exeter areas.

Police are concerned for Abbie's welfare and need to locate...

Theatre announces new season and new look

The Bike Shed Theatre has launched a new website, a newsletter, a trailer and a whole new look.

With more behind-the-scenes information, interviews with artists and specialist cocktail recipes, the subterranean venue offers an an enticing glimpse inside for anyone who’s curious.

A new season of work kicks off with a festival of the finest Devon-based theatre companies. From Devon with Love is a celebration of fresh new work from homegrown voices, taking place this January. Hot on its heels, The Laugh Out Loud festival brings acclaimed comedians to Exeter, including The...

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