More than 10,000 days of additional imprisonment were imposed on prisoners in the South West region who were found to have broken prison rules last year, a report published by the Howard League for Penal Reform reveals today (Monday 23 November). Punishment in Prison: The world of prison discipline looks at how jails in England and Wales operate disciplinary hearings called adjudications, where allegations of rule-breaking are tried. Nationwide, the total number of additional imprisonment imposed during 2014 was almost 160,000 days – or 438 years.

The hearings, which cost between £...

Browne Jacobson has announced its financial performance for the first half of the 2015/16 accounting year with revenues totalling £30.8m up from £28.6m, a rise of 7.5% on the first six months of 2014/15.

The figures follow on from the firm’s impressive 2014/15 financial year results which saw revenue rise 17.2% to £58.9m with profits reaching £16.2m, a 26% year-on-year increase.

Managing Partner, Iain Blatherwick, said: “We have had a promising half year and these figures are in line with our expectations.

“Growth is being generated across the business with our...

Isca Church held a big birthday party for Jesus!

Children came dressed in nativity costumes, the hall at St James School, Exeter, was decorated with banners and balloons and band members wore Santa hats.

Children joined in the nativity story, sang songs, played a game of pass the parcel, decorated crowns and after the service were given party bags which contained very loud party blowers which of course they loved!

Then it was time to cut the amazing birthday cake made by Heather Knee and tuck into party food brought by the congregation.

On Sunday 20 December...

Cranbrook residents celebrated the opening of the town's new railway station yesterday (Sunday 13 December).

The first train to arrive was the 08:46 from Salisbury, which took passengers to Exeter Central before continuing on to Exeter St David’s.

The opening of the new station means residents in the town will be able to travel to Exeter in less than ten minutes.

Devon County Council and the Cranbrook New Community Partners have funded the project, which has been delivered on their behalf by Network Rail.

The single platform station will be served by hourly...

Once more our senses are being bombarded with manufactured images and messages of totally irrelevant and mostly unneeded seasonal tat.

It is nigh impossible to escape the Christmas kitsch which pushes us to value ourselves by what we buy, never mind the costs of consumerism to other people, other places or the planet. As long as the tills keep ringing, we can forget the bells.

So what is really at the heart of the Christmas story? In one word - ‘hospitality’.

We have an unmarried pregnant woman, marginalised in her own culture in an army-occupied land which is harsh...

Exeter families enjoyed popcorn and hot chocolate at the first film night held at the city's newest community centre, The Beacon.

They sang carols around the Christmas tree before watching The Nativity Story at the centre in Beacon Lane, Beacon Heath.

The evening was organised by Isca Church.

Watch out for details of the next film night, Sing-Along-A-Frozen.

Exeter-based charity CEDA is offering supporters the chance to win a unique opportunity with each donation made to the organisation.

This year the CEDA Christmas and New Year fundraiser encourages people to make a minimum donation of £5.00. With this donation supporters have the chance to win a luxury meal for two in the exclusive surroundings of the BT Tower with return travel and overnight stay in London.

CEDA Activity Manager Craig Bowden said “last year we benefited from a charity partnership with Sainsbury’s Alphington Road which really boosted our fundraising efforts...

Does an antique make a better Christmas present than a laptop or tablet?

Topsham dealers certainly think so as the festive footfall at the unique Quay Antique Centre by the River Exe continues to rise as the Christmas break approaches.

A favourite for makers of specialist TV programmes such as Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip, the Quay Centre features three floors packed with furniture, lighting, silver, jewellery, pictures, clocks, books, clothing glass and collectibles with the 70 dealers taking in new stock daily.

Penny Clark who has traded from the Quay...

The Leader of East Devon District Council, Councillor Paul Diviani delivered Christmas greetings in person on Tuesday 8 December to busy Royal Mail staff at the delivery office in Honiton.

Councillor Diviani was shown around the building by Delivery Office Manager Barry Marshall who introduced him to hardworking postmen and women, who ensure East Devon residents receive their Christmas mail.

"This is my annual early morning visit to the delivery office at Christmas and I was blown away yet again by just how much effort our posties put into delivering mail for people at this...

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter was full of praise for his side as they made it back-to-back victories in this season’s European Champions Cup with a 31-14 victory at home to ASM Clermont Auvergne.

Despite trailing 14-10 at the break to last season’s beaten finalists, the Chiefs produced a stunning second half showing that yielded not only 21 unanswered points, but also saw them claim the all-important four-try bonus point.

Early on, however, it was the Top 14 leaders who used the elements to put themselves in charge as they claimed converted tries through Hosea Gear...