Exeter scoops award for solar car ports

An initiative to install the UK's first solar panel car ports in two Exeter car parks has won an environmental award for Exeter City Council.

The City Council scooped The Most Sustainable Public Sector Project - Innovation Award at the Public Sector Sustainability Awards in London.

Jo Pearce, Corporate Energy Manager, who oversaw the installation of the solar panel car ports on the top decks of Mary Arches and John Lewis Car Parks was presented with the Award by Lord Renesdale.

The pioneering initiative was put in place by Devon firm Sungift Energy on behalf of...

Christmas at Killerton: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Event Date: 
21/11/2015 - 10:00am to 03/01/2016 - 4:00pm
Venue: 
Killerton, Broadclyst, near Exeter, EX5 3LE

The magical world of Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is brought to life at Killerton. You can see the house transformed into scenes from the classic fairy-tale. Wrapping up warm to follow the outdoor family trail, take part in activities and see if you can spot the willow reindeer under thousands of twinkling lights.The estate stays open until 6pm on Fridays and Saturdays in December so you can fall in love with Killerton at dusk. The shop will be selling beautiful gifts, Christmas trees and local produce and the cafe and restaurant will serve up delicious treats. Bring the whole family...

Blog: Student Life #7

If you’re not a football fan, that doesn’t matter. Keep reading.

Exeter City faced Crawley Town on Saturday in a tense game that Exeter looked to be winning 2 – 1 until the final minutes of play when Crawley managed to squeeze in an extra goal, leaving players and fans devastated at the 2 – 2 draw. Theoretically, Exeter should have won. However, from the perspective of the live crowd it was clear that Crawley deserved their equaliser; it was a miracle they hadn’t scored their second goal earlier.

Football fan or not, a trip to St James’ Park is essential for any student...

Weather warning issued for Devon

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Mon, 11/16/2015 - 12:13pm

A weather warning has been issued for Devon as gale force winds are expected to hit the region on Tuesday (17 November).

Gusts are expected to reach 60-70mph inland and possibly 80mph along exposed coasts, which could cause disruption to travel.

The warning is valid from 3.30pm until 11.30pm on Tuesday.

Gusts of this strength could bring down tress and lead to some damage to weakened structures.

A chief forecaster at the Met Office said: “A deepening area of low pressure is likely to track east across southern Ireland and then central parts of the UK during...

Run and see Killerton in a different light

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Mon, 11/16/2015 - 11:52am

On Saturday 21 November, the Killerton estate will be hosting ‘Night Run’. Starting just before 5pm, it is great way to enjoy the outdoors and parkland after dark.

There are two different length routes. First time runners can choose the beginner and family-friendly Explorer route (1.5km), while experienced off-roaders may opt for the Adventurer route (6km). Both courses are totally traffic-free and mostly on paths and trails rather than tarmac.

Andy Bramwell, Outdoors Visitor Services Officer at Killerton, said: “Put on your running shoes, turn on your head torch, and...

Charity Christmas Tree Festival set to light up Princesshay

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Mon, 11/16/2015 - 11:46am

Princesshay’s Roman Walk will be sparkling with festive cheer as the centre hosts its third Charity Christmas Tree Festival.

The festival, which aims to raise both awareness and funds for local charities, will be opened with a celebratory light switch-on by the Lord Mayor of Exeter at 5pm on Friday 20 November. Representatives from participating charities will be attending the event, which follows the centre’s main Christmas lights switch-on on Thursday evening.

35 Christmas trees and lights, all donated by Princesshay, will be uniquely decorated by local charities to...

Devon Rural Hub set to open thanks to £5K grant

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Mon, 11/16/2015 - 10:41am

An independent charity, which provides training and personal development for young people aged 10-26 in rural communities, is celebrating the news that it had won a £5,000 OneFamily Foundation Community Award to help develop a new HQ and training centre. The Devon federation of young farmers' clubs', which runs 38 clubs across the region, recently acquired a redundant building as a base for its new headquarters.

The federation needed funds to make the space both usable and accessible for disabled visitors and members. Now that the charity has secured the £5,000 award, it can...

Blundell's U14 girls crowned Devon champions

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Mon, 11/16/2015 - 10:38am

Blundell’s U14 hockey team have been crowned Devon champions after winning all their matches at the county championship without conceding a goal.

They follow in the footsteps of the U16 team who pulled off the same feat last month.

The U14s beat Kingsbridge, King’s Ottery, Plymouth and Shebbear to top their group, then won a hard-fought semi-final 1-0 against West Buckland School, before making sure of the victory with a convincing 3-0 win over Exeter School.

The result owed much to the strength and depth of the whole squad (with no fewer than six different goal...

Plane crashes on way to Dunkeswell: Update

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 11/16/2015 - 8:09am

Investigative work is due to continue today at the scene of a light aircraft crash near the village of Churchinford in Somerset.

The aircraft was travelling towards Dunkeswell Aerodrome in east Devon when it came down.

The six-seater plane crashed into a field near Buttles Lane at just before 11.44am yesterday morning.

Four people who were on board the plane were pronounced dead at the scene.

Although formal identification has not yet taken place, we believe the four people are from the same family – and were a 56-year-old man, a 55-year-old woman, a 23-year...

Trailerful of mutton raises funds for Carnival Committee

Authored by Sue Cade
Posted: Mon, 11/16/2015 - 8:07am

The Rusty Pig once again provided a takeaway for revellers at Tar Barrels to fundraise for the Carnival Committee. The outside catering in a converted cattle trailer on Mill Street was manned by chef Joe Draper from Ashburton. Joe and his helpers served up wood fired spicy mutton flat bread accompanied by Rusty Pig’s homemade feta cheese, garlic and herb sauce and pickled red onions. Fittingly, the mutton was supplied by Lewis Strawbridge, one of the Barrel Rollers. And to add a bit of extra heat to the evening, an almost unbearably hot chilli sauce was created by ‘Big’ Fran Lee. Over 200...

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