Organisers of the Devon County Show are putting the last minute touches to the county’s largest annual event which opens on Thursday (May 21-23) at Westpoint, Exeter. More than 95,000 visitors are expected for what promises to be an entertaining and informative three-day show celebrating local farming, food and country life. Show Secretary Ollie Allen said they were getting ready to welcome around 95,000 people to the 120th County Show. “The atmosphere at the showground is very like Christmas Eve,” she said. “We can’t wait to throw open the gates on Thursday morning and welcome people to...

The new film version of Thomas Hardy’s Far from the Madding Crowd feeds into the ongoing fascination for fashion depicted in classic novels and their modern adaptations for TV and film. A new online facility has been developed by the University of Exeter and Dorset County Museum to catalogue references to clothing in Hardy’s writing and the time in which he lived.

The costumes worn by the actress Carey Mulligan, who stars as Bathsheba Everdene in the latest Far From the Madding Crowd production, will be on display at the Dorset County Museum until the 8 June and will provide an...

As Britain gathers its breath after a tense and surprising election result, the Conservatives have now re-shuffled the cabinet to tackle the most important areas of policy, including education, the NHS, immigration and the economy – which of course includes local business.

SMEs account for more than 99% of all UK business and nearly half of all private sector employment, making the support and growth of local commerce as important as ever in driving economic stability and opening new markets in communities.

Local Business Week (18th to 24th May) is a call to action to both...

In the end the play-off dream fell just short, but already Exeter Chiefs winger Matt Jess is setting his sights highs for next season in the Aviva Premiership.

After 22 rounds of top flight battle, the Chiefs were narrowly edged out on points’ difference by rivals Leicester Tigers and Saracens for one of the two remaining play-off berths.

For Chiefs players, officials and supporters the emotions following their final-day 44-16 success over Sale Sharks were somewhat bittersweet. Rob Baxter’s side could have done no more on the day, producing a seven-try display that ensured...

Do you know a person or group deserving of recognition for voluntary work they do to keep their community safe? Devon and Cornwall Police Partnership is inviting the public to make nominations for the second annual Community Volunteer Awards. The awards are recognition of the valuable contribution made by volunteers in support of policing services every day. Last year, awards were given to community police cadets, Special Constables, police volunteers and community citizens. Nominations are sought in these categories once again and, additionally in 2015 the following new categories have...

In the end it wasn’t quite to be for Exeter Chiefs, but boy did Rob Baxter’s troops give it one hell of a go in their final Aviva Premiership battle of the season.

With results in Leicester and Oxford ultimately transpiring against them, Devon’s finest just missed out in the final shake-up as the Tigers and Saracens joined Northampton Saints and Bath in next week’s play-off semi-finals.

In truth, the Chiefs could have done no more, seven tries on the day courtesy of Ian Whitten, Jack Nowell, Ben White, Matt Jess (2), Henry Slade and Byron McGuigan were the highlights as...

The inaugural mass participation, Workplace Challenge Midday Mile takes place at noon on Wednesday 20th May.

Devon employees will be joining with others across the country, taking a break from their desks, factories and shop floors to walk, jog, run, or cycle this fun, social, mile.

Workplace Challenge in the county is coordinated by Active Devon and the midday mile is one of a number of initiatives to get Devon’s workplaces more active. With the average adult sitting for 50-60% of their day, there are now very strong medical reasons for businesses to take inactivity in the...

The iconic gateway building to the new Exeter Science Park has won a prestigious regional architectural award.

Eagle House, home to Eagle One, Blue Cedar Homes and the Blur Group, has been named Best Project Under 2000sqm in South West England, Thames Valley and South Wales in the British Council for Offices (BCO) regional property sector awards.

It was designed by a team from LHC’s Exeter Design Studio, led by John Baulch and Ian Noakes.

Eagle House, the three-storey building which stands at the entrance to Exeter’s new Science Park, is the headquarters of Eagle...

The largest rail union, RMT, has confirmed that members will be taking strike action and action short of a strike from Monday 25th May in the current dispute over pay and jobs at Network Rail.

The impact of the action will build up over the Monday the 25th and will be in full effect by the start of the Tuesday, the 26th May.

RMT's executive has decided that noting the failure of Network Rail to offer any further negotiations and the overwhelming support of our members for industrial action in support of our campaign for job security and improved pay, the General Secretary...

LED are excited to be opening the doors to its simply spectacular new gym at Exmouth Leisure Centre on today (Monday 18 May 2015). Perfectly timed to help you feel great this summer!

In addition, two of the five fabulous new studios will also be unveiled – with stunning estuary views and a state of the art air conditioning system - users will be able to give it their all in class favourites Studio Cycling, BodyPump and HITT.

Having been relocated to the ground floor, the gym has more than doubled from its original size and forms one of the key features of the £2 million...