South West Water has been fined £45,000 for breaching environmental controls at a sewage treatment plant where a broken screening device, compounded by a series of problems, led to discharges that contained excessive pollutants.

The case was brought by the Environment Agency.

The treatment plant at Dunkeswell, near Honiton, was already scheduled for improvement works when discharges breached agreed limits between May 2013 and May 2014.

There had been 5 occasions when waste that entered the stream exceeded the limits for pollution set in the permit. On occasions...

Your essential guide to What’s On in and around Exeter this weekend (11-13 September)

THEATRE

The Quiet Compere Saturday, 7pm, Exeter Phoenix A feast of words, this national poetry tour hosted by Sarah Dixon sees ten poets perform for ten minutes each. Tickets £4. http://www.exeterphoenix.org.uk/

Open air theatre: Into the Light Friday & Saturday, 7.45pm, Buckfast Abbey Into the Light is a thought-provoking and beautifully written piece that will be performed at Buckfast Abbey from 7th -12th September by Unleashed Theatre Company. Based on St John’s Gospel, it...

Exeter School is delighted to receive a life-size juvenile rhino to decorate as part of 'The Great Big Rhino Project', a mass public art event which aims to raise awareness about conservation.

The Art and Biology Departments joined forces to apply for one of the juvenile rhino sculptures and is one of just 30 schools or community groups to be involved.

For 10 weeks in the summer of 2016, life-size rhino sculptures will inhabit the streets, parks and open spaces of the English Riviera and Exeter, not only showcasing the wealth of artistic talent in the area but highlighting...

Excitement is building for this year’s Devon Venus Awards with the announcement of the semi-finalists at a packed awards ceremony in Plymouth.

More than a hundred women attended the event at Plymouth Science Park, which provided complementary canapés and drinks for the nominees. Venus Awards founder Tara Howard was also on hand to congratulate all the nominees and semi-finalists.

The Venus Awards recognise the efforts and talents of local businesswomen and are split into 12 categories covering all aspects of business and personal achievement.

This year more than 2,...

Preparations for The Maynard School’s involvement with the Rugby World Cup 2015 are in full swing as the Senior Choir busily prepares for its performance at the Australian team’s Official Welcome Ceremony on Tuesday 15 September 2015 in the beautiful Bath Assembly Rooms.

With just five days to go until the ceremony ‘kick off’, the rehearsal schedule has ramped up a pace, nerves and excitement have reached fever pitch and the choir’s fame has hit the media limelight.

Consisting of 44 girls aged from 14 – 18 years old, the choir is performing daily rehearsals of the official...

Around 150 mourners turned out to pay their respects to former Exeter journalist Catherine Fraser.

The 48-year-old mother of one died suddenly last month after a second bout of cancer.

Her funeral took place today at the Exeter & Devon Crematorium where there was standing room only.

Among those paying their respects were Exeter City FC manager Paul Tisdale and a number of players.

They were joined by director of football Steve Perryman and the club's vice chairman Julian Tagg.

Catherine had been employed by the club as a community operations...

The first business advice event run as a joint venture by the Honiton Chamber of Commerce and the East Devon branch of the Federation of Small Businesses looks set to be a great success.

27 confirmed exhibitors will be available at ‘Honiton Together for Business’ on September 24 at the Beehive to offer expert advice to attendees, including Beviss & Beckingsale, EDDC, Cosmic, Hours4Work, Trading Standards, Workways, Archant Media, Thomas Westcott, Carter Dawes, BIP and Dimonds, as well as FSB and the Honiton Chamber.

Colin Wright, Chairman of Honiton Chamber said: “We’re...