Top sailors meet the locals at Living Coasts

Authored by Paigntonzoo
Posted: Tue, 03/17/2015 - 2:58pm

Top British sailors from the Solitaire du Figaro race called in at Living Coasts to meet the penguins.

The eight, including South West sailors Sam Matson, Henry Bomby and Robin Elsey, dropped by to feed the penguins at Torquay’s coastal zoo and aquarium, which is hosting the media centre for the race when it comes to Torquay in June.

La Solitaire du Figaro comes to Torbay in June. Involving 40 boats, it is considered to be the world championships for single-handed yachtsmen and women and is one of the most cherished races in French sailing.

In addition, Sam, from...

Exeter’s rich heritage makes us happy

Local heritage and historical sites make Exeter a better place to live, say an overwhelming majority of residents in a new study.

Museums, libraries and famous buildings are all important to local people, are a source of pride and also give the city a sense of identity.

These are some of the main findings in a study that reveals how there is a direct link between heritage and the quality of life.

Specialist research company, BritainThinks, conducted the in-depth study in 12 towns and cities representative of the UK population to mark 20 years and £6billion of...

Businesses join Park & Change scheme

Businesses are signing up to an innovative new scheme that aims to tackle/reduce traffic congestion in Exeter.

As well as reducing congestion and pollution, Park & Change will also help commuters get active through walking and cycling, and save money on fuel and parking costs by encouraging them to switch to alternative forms of transport for part of their journey.

The sites in support of the new scheme are Darts Farm (Topsham), Westpoint (Clyst St Mary), Woodleigh Coach House (Cheriton Bishop), Fingle Glen Golf Hotel (Tedburn) and a site in Pinhoe, totalling over 100...

Ide man guilty of animal welfare offences

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Tue, 03/17/2015 - 12:23pm

A man has been found guilty of offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 after failing to improve the squalid conditions he kept his ponies and dogs in, despite several warnings and advice from Devon and Somerset Trading Standards, the Police, the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare.

Leslie Weatherill, 73, of Ide appeared before Exeter Magistrates Court.

The court heard how Mr Weatherill kept his ponies on an area of scrub and woodland near Doddiscombsleigh which, according to a national expert on horses, was inadequate for their needs and so their welfare was severely...

Exeter CAB launches citizens' manifesto

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Tue, 03/17/2015 - 12:12pm

With election manifestos due to be published at the end of March, leading local advice charity Exeter Citizens Advice Bureau is promoting the Citizens’ manifesto.

The Citizens’ manifesto calls on the next Government to address three key issues relating to:

  1. Family finances
  2. Fairer markets, and
  3. Advice for the future

Steve Barriball, Chief Executive of Exeter CAB said: “The UK is going through a big period of change; from welfare reform to the payday lending market, and the cost of housing. Life is getting increasingly complicated and...

Bid to solve mysteries of flamingo fatherhood

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Tue, 03/17/2015 - 11:06am

A researcher at the University of Exeter has launched a bid to analyse the DNA of a group of flamingos in order to answer some of the questions surrounding paternity and social behaviour in the distinctive pink birds.

Paul Rose, a PhD student in the Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, has been working with flamingos for three years at Slimbridge Wetlands Centre in Gloucestershire and is now embarking on a crowdfunding bid to genetically analyse who is related to who within the flock.

He said: “Flamingos are amazing birds. They have been around for millions of years and...

My journey from insomnia to sleep

Before the course started

This evening I start my first session of insomnia treatment with Stephanie Romiszewski who is a Sleep Physiologist at the Sleepyhead Clinic in Exeter. I am both excited and nervous as I begin this journey into the unknown, a little sceptical, as nothing I have tried in the past has made the slightest bit of difference to aid my sleep, not even sleeping tablets and I have believed, for quite some time now, that I am beyond help.

First, let me tell you a bit about myself. I am 44, happily married, with a beautiful 8-year-old son who is my world. I...

Entries flood in to name new road

A competition launched last month to find the official name for the South Devon Link Road has received over 1,000 entries from across the UK.

Devon County Council and Torbay Council, along with Galliford Try - the contractors responsible for constructing the road – launched the competition to get ideas for the official name of the new road. The response was incredible: within the space of four weeks over 1000 entries were submitted.

Many of the suggestions relate to famous historical or literary figures from the area, whilst others focused on geographical features around...

You could run this seafront cafe

East Devon District Council is offering an exciting opportunity to run a cafe in a stunning seafront location on the Jurassic Coast in Seaton.

The Chine Cafe and the public toilets to the rear of the building are available on a 25 year lease with the opportunity for the new tenant to combine both buildings to provide a larger cafe/restaurant facility.

The cafe, located on the end of West Walk, has been empty since the previous lease expired last year. The public toilets currently open during the summer season only and the expectation is that these will become integral to...

Wildlife photographer's work on show

North Street Gallery in Ashburton is showing a beautiful photographic exhibition by Emmy award winning photographer and film cameraman Toby Strong.

Toby has worked with the biggest names in wildlife filming and documentary, including David Attenborough, Ben Fogle, Bill Bailey, Michaela Strachan and Billy Connolly. Toby's credits include the following award winning projects: Bill Bailey's Jungle Adventure-based in Indonesia. Battle for the Elephants- Nat Geo undercover expose of the ivory trade. BBC's Human Planet Antarctica: following Ben Fogle with David Attenborough. Meerkats-...

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