They may be viewed by some as an invasive species or a commonplace pest of public parks, but a new study from the University of Exeter has shown that grey squirrels are actually quick learners capable of adapting tactics to improve efficiency and reap the best rewards.

To test the animals’ intelligence and mental flexibility researchers invented a task involving a box with 12 sunken wells, four of which were hollow. Of the four, two contained hidden hazelnuts.

The five squirrels observed in the study (named Simon, Arnold, Sarah, Leonard and Suzy) were all given training...

In the build up to Rugby World Cup 2015 coming to Exeter, one of the 11 Host Cities, the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour will head to the city, showcasing Exeter and Devon to a world audience.

Since May 2014, Rugby’s most coveted prize has been capturing the imagination of thousands of people across the world as part of the build up to Rugby World Cup 2015 and now the world famous Trophy has touched down in the UK following its’ global tour.

The Trophy is named after William Webb Ellis, credited as the inventor of Rugby Football, and is the prestigious prize for the sport....

Intermediaries hear of ‘extraordinary opportunities in the alternative finance market’

Representatives from the South West financial community including financial advisers, corporate finance specialists, developers and banks attended a breakfast event on Tuesday to learn more about Bricks Financial Limited, the new lending business which is offering alternative financing for investors and borrowers.

Jerry Rihll, a director and one of the four founders of Bricks Financial director explained the ethos and motivation behind the new venture. He said: “Today we announced our...

Rail Union RMT said this morning that talks aimed at settling a dispute on First Great Western over the threat to jobs and safety from the introduction of the new Hitachi Inter-City trains have broken down without agreement and the forty eight hours of strike action across the company starting at 18.30 hours on Wednesday 8th July goes ahead as planned.

There will also be a rally in support of RMT’s members on FGW in their dispute at 17.00 hours Wednesday 8 July at Paddington station.

RMT said that First Great Western were simply playing for time in the talks and were going...

Dartmoor National Park (DNP) Rangers and Devon and Cornwall Police have just formally announced that they will be working in closer partnership through the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS).

CSAS was introduced through the Police Reform Act 2002 and enables each Chief Constable to authorise the use of targeted powers by trusted organisations, which contribute toward community safety, and help tackle crime and disorder, public nuisance and other forms of anti-social behaviour in co-operation within their force area.

Devon and Cornwall Police supports and runs its...

Fresh off the back of their national Spring tour of Dick Tracy and a packed summer season performing at festivals such as Glastonbury and Kleines Fest im Großen Garten in Hannover, Germany, Exeter's award-winning physical comedy theatre company, Le Navet Bete, are bringing the indoor version of their hugely popular street show, Extravaganza, to Exeter Phoenix on 26th and 27th August 2015 .

These four fools are determined to tell their individual 'cultural' stories no matter what the cost may be. Join Romano, Keith, Hans and David Blooper on a ridiculous, madcap romp, rammed full of...

Weekly rep continues at the Manor Pavilion Theatre in Sidmouth this week with the arrival of the third production, Amy’s View by David Hare. The classic social comedy will play from Thursday 9 to Wednesday 15 July, with a press night on Thursday 9 July at 8.00pm. The Summer Rep Season sees one company of actors present a season of twelve classic revivals throughout summer, with a new production each week until the end of September. Exploring love and loyalty over a sixteen year period, Amy’s View follows the ever-evolving relationships of a West End actress, her daughter Amy, and Amy’s...

Two Devon projects have been recognised by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) South West.

The awards were presented at the ICE Annual Project of the Year Awards in Bristol.

The Community Award was presented to the Exe Estuary Trail project, a cycle and walking route that extends over 16 miles set within the beautiful and sensitive backdrop of the Exe Estuary, on Devon’s south coast. It was described by judges as ‘an excellent example of a civil engineering project which benefits the community in a number of ways’

This year the judges also felt that a very high...