A world-class field will be contesting Empire Coachbuilders Bicton Arena International Horse Trials, which run on August 22, and 23.

They include four riders in the FEI top 20 rider rankings – William Fox-Pitt, Sam Griffiths, Jonathan Paget and Paul Tapner - as well as a number of other well-known eventing stars.

World number two William Fox-Pitt will ride nine horses including his international four-star horse Cool Mountain in the open intermediate.

Australian Sam Griffiths rides include the hugely popular Happy Times who finished third at last year’s Land Rover...

A coastal conservation charity is helping young people to face the natural world with more confidence by organizing close encounters with some amazing creatures.

Clare Rugg, from Living Coasts, Torquay’s coastal zoo and aquarium, explained: “There’s a big emphasis these days on getting kids outdoors, inspiring a love of the natural world and letting them get to know their local environment. But when it comes to our seas, recent scares about stinging jellyfish don’t help. We want to increase understanding and break down some of the misconceptions surrounding our sea-life.

“...

First Great Western (FGW) has announced the return of the award-winning Frame Your Train competition – running throughout August.

It calls on passengers travelling on First Great Western trains to reach for their smartphone, snap a view from the window, and upload the image to Instagram using the hashtag #FGWFrameYourTrain. All entries are then uploaded to an interactive map, and showcased in an online photo gallery. It couldn’t be easier for all budding photographers out there to get involved!

Each week, for four weeks, a nominated judge will pick their ‘Photo of the Week...

An Associate Solicitor at The Family Law Company has been shortlisted in the prestigious national Family Law Awards.

Grace Bradley qualified in 2009, having studied Law and German in Scotland and Germany. Unusually, she is qualified in both Scots and English law. She also spent time working for a law firm in Argentina before joining The Family Law Company in Exeter, where she specialises in private children law and financial matters, with a particular interest in cases involving international issues.

“To be shortlisted for such a respected award by some of the country’s...

The rise however equated to just 59 claimants, not enough to change the overall claimant rate for Devon as a proportion of the county’s working age population. The rate remained the same as in June at 0.8 per cent, in contrast to 1.8 per cent UK's average.

The increase represents a 1.6 per cent rise in Devon's claimants between June and July 2015.

However, the month's claimant count was 20 per cent lower than the same month in 2014, and 60 per cent lower than July 2011.

East Devon, Exeter and Teignbridge were the only districts to experience an increase in claimants...

Following on from last year’s lively adaptation of 'Godspell', 'Into the Light' is a thought-provoking and beautifully written piece that will be performed at Buckfast Abbey from 7th -12th September by the Torbay-based Unleashed Theatre Company.

Based on St John’s Gospel, it follows a group of refugees fleeing from Eastern Europe in the late 1930s at the start of the outbreak of the Second World War, who as they travel tell the ‘greatest story’ on Earth. For Unleashed Theatre Company, this piece has real significance as it takes them right back to their roots...

The Environment Agency is reviewing options to manage the risk of tidal flooding at Starcross and Cockwood on the Exe Estuary in Devon. The proposed scheme is estimated to reduce flood risk to over 600 residential and commercial properties.

The scheme is being accelerated as part of the March 2015 Budget announcement regarding the 6-year flood defence programme.

The coastal villages of Starcross and Cockwood lie on the west side of the Exe Estuary and the area has a history of flooding. With the expectation of increased storminess and sea level rise, the Environment Agency...

Firefighters were called to a blaze at a property near Exeter this morning (Wednesday 12 August).

Three appliances from Middlemoor and Danes Castle were sent to reports of a fire at a property in Ship Lane, Clyst Honiton at around 2am.

On arrival crews discovered a fire in the kitchen of the bungalow measuring approximately 15m x 10m in size.

Crews used four breathing apparatus, one attack jet, one thermal imaging camera and one positive pressure ventilation fan.

The ambulance service was requested to deal with one elderly male suffering slight smoke...

One night is already sold out, so hurry if you want to see Broadclyst Theatre Group’s comedy play, Wyrd Sisters – 13-15 August.

Wyrd Sisters is the sixth of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels and, adapted by Stephen Briggs, it is arguably one of the funniest.

Friday 14 August is sold out but there are still tickets left for Thursday 13 and Saturday 15 – available from Broadclyst Post Office, Choccie Bar in Gandy Street, Exeter, or online: www.ticketsource.co.uk/broadclyst

The play takes place at Victory Hall, Broadclyst, and starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £9 and £6....