Community transport volunteers and staff honoured

Dedicated volunteers and staff who are the driving force behind Devon’s Community Transport schemes were honoured at a special ceremony on Thursday 11 June.

As part of Community Transport Awareness Week, Devon County Council held its 16th annual Community Transport Awards ceremony at County Hall. The ceremony, which is sponsored by GM Coachwork who specialise in wheelchair access vehicles and vehicle adaptations, recognises outstanding contributions within the community transport sector.

Winner of the Community Transport Volunteer of the Year was Steve Brownridge of TRIP...

Alive Studios launches a world first to help keep the past alive

Wherever you are in the world, Devon-based company, Alive Studios, has just made it possible to manage film and image transfer without the use of a computer thanks to its new “Karishma Cloud App”.

This world first App, that is available for all Apple and Android devices, means that old cine film, video and camcorder tapes can be sent for transfer into a High Definition format straight from a phone or tablet.

Once downloaded from the AppStore, Karishma Cloud App will request registration and sign in before setting up an account for the first time. It then prompts the user to...

Woman seeks time travel companion

A woman from Exminster has claimed to have built a functioning time machine in her garage.

In an ad posted on classifieds website Gumtree.com, the creator of the time machine is seeking a companion to join her in the first human transportation on the device. The ad poster states she has successfully made mice "disappear" in the machine, but is unsure if the animals went back or forward in time. She is seeking a "male or female who is open minded with a good sense of humour" to accompany her on the journey through time. Although the poster did not supply images of the time machine,...

MP walks the Guide Dogs Walk of Fame

Neil Parish MP was given a star on Guide Dogs’ pavement parking Walk of Fame for supporting the charity’s campaign to stop cars parking on pavements.

The MP for Tiverton and Honiton attended Guide Dogs’ event at the Houses of Parliament on the 10th of June in support of their campaign. The charity wants people living with sight loss to feel confident and independent when they are out and about, and believes that vehicles parked on pavements put people living with sight loss in danger.

The event, hosted by Lord Holmes of Richmond, highlighted the problems faced daily by...

Students learn about dementia

Gina Awad and Colin Bray, Exeter Dementia Friends Champions, delivered an information session to 100 Year 7 students at Westexe School recently.

The students were informed of the 5 key messages that the national initiative is aspiring to deliver. "A thoroughly engaging group, that were keen to learn more" said Gina who is also leading the Exeter Dementia Action Alliance in working towards a dementia friendly city.

The students were keen to go back to class afterwards and create a short poem or poster to illustrate their learning.

Gina will be delivering her next...

Pension tax relief warning

Additional rate taxpayers could lose thousands this year if they don’t act quickly on pensions.

Brewin Dolphin one of the UK’s leading wealth managers is urging higher earners to act swiftly to take advantage of existing pension tax reliefs while they are still available – ahead of anticipated changes in the July Budget. Additional rate taxpayers could lose as much as £13,500 this year if they don’t act swiftly to take advantage of existing pension rules while they are still available. The newly-elected Conservative government included plans to reduce pension tax relief for anyone...

Stay safe in the water while having fun

“Stay safe in the water” is the message that East Devon District Council is promoting with its Water Safety Day, which is taking place at Beach Gardens (opposite Exmouth Pavilion) in Exmouth, on Sunday 5 July, from 10am to 4pm. Entry is free.

The event, which also involves local water sports companies, clubs and charities, aims to raise awareness of the potential risks involved in water sports, whether at sea or on inland waters, and to get people thinking about keeping safe while having fun.

Throughout the day there will be a number of informative presentations,...

Johnson targets exciting year ahead

Exeter Chiefs star Tom Johnson believes the influx of new talent brought to Sandy Park this summer will only make the club stronger as they look to build ahead of the 2015/16 season.

The Devon club posted their best-ever finish in the Aviva Premiership last term, narrowly missing out on the end of season play-offs by virtue of an inferior points difference.

At the same time, Rob Baxter’s side reached a first-ever European semi-final, as well as being edged out right at the death by rivals Saracens in their attempts to defend their LV= Cup crown.

It was – according...

CASA officially opens in Topsham

A ribbon cutting ceremony was carried out by the Lord Mayor of Exeter, Councillor Olwen Foggin, to officially open CASA, a new independent furnishings and giftware store in Topsham.

Queenstreet Carpets & Furnishings, a family-owned company trading in Exeter for nearly half a century, hosted the summer launch event to celebrate the opening of their second new store inviting customers, suppliers and local businesses.

More than 100 guests enjoyed wines by award-winning Pebblebed Wines and canapés by Posh Nosh. A charity raffle with prizes kindly donated by local businesses...

Appeal after child hit by car in Crediton

Police are appealing for witnesses after a child was seriously injured following a collision with a car in Crediton at the weekend.

The collision involving the boy, who was a pedestrian, and a blue Volkswagen Polo, happened at around 4.25pm on Saturday 13 June, on or close to the pedestrian crossing on East Street, near the junction with Church Street.

The boy was taken by air ambulance to Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, with serious leg injuries and minor head injuries.

He has been transferred to Bristol Children’s Hospital where he is described as being in a...

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