How do you transport large, exotic and venomous fish from the English Riviera to zoos on the Continent? The answer is – with great care…
Staff at Living Coasts, Torquay’s coastal zoo, recently had the unenviable task of moving two stingrays to Antwerp Zoo and another to Pairi Daiza, a zoo and botanical garden in Brugelette, in south western Belgium.
The blue spotted ribbon tail ray, Taeniura lymma, is capable of injuring humans with its venomous tail spines, which is why keepers wear special venom defender gloves for the operation. Although in fact the biggest issue is...
Police would like to speak to the driver of a white van who may have witnessed a fatal collision near Lapford on Tuesday 17 February.
The collision involved a Subaru Legacy which was travelling on the A377 from the Eggesford direction towards Lapford, when it left the road Nymet Cross, hitting a culvert wall and telegraph pole before hitting a tree.
The two male occupants of the Subaru were pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
At this time no formal identification has been made on the driver of the vehicle involved in the collision.
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Authority has agreed to increase its council tax precept by 1.99%.
The increase means that the Authority’s part of the council tax for a Band D property will go up by £1.53 for the year 2015/16 to £78.42.
The Government’s grant funding to the Authority has reduced by £2.9 million for 2015/16, which means a total reduction of £8.7 million since 2012/13. Devon & Somerset has suffered the third worst settlement of all the Fire Authorities in the country.
Cllr Mark Healey, Chairman of the Fire Authority, said: “The Authority is...
It was smiles all round on last week as residents turned out in force to support an apple tree planting event arranged by East Devon District Council.
The orchard idea is aimed at creating a more interesting and stimulating environment on a patch of land behind the community centre at Bidmead, Littleham, with local people feeling they have an involvement in the plot.
Tools, gloves and refreshments were provided and there was a real family atmosphere as mums, dads and children from tots to teenagers came along to dig holes and plant the saplings in an area of spare grassland...
Rev Philip Sourbut has appointed to the new role of director of mission and ministry for the Diocese of Exeter.
Philip already works closely with clergy across the diocese in his current role as a staff member at the South West Ministry Training Course where he is director of curate training. He is also a vocations officer and assistant priest at Exeter St Mark, St Matthew and St Sidwell churches.
He was previously in parishes in Cullompton, Bath, London and Chelmsford.
He said: “I am delighted to be taking up this new role and to have the opportunity to continue to...
Kevin Bridges returns to the road trying out brand new material prior to embarking on his biggest tour to date A Whole Different Story… and he's at Exeter Corn Exchange for two nights - Sunday and Monday, 12 and 13 April.
Scotland’s biggest export, Kevin Bridges dubbed as “brilliant” by one of his comedy idols, Billy Connolly has had an astonishing rise to success. His 2012 tour Kevin Bridges – The Story Continues…. smashed box office records selling a staggering 45,000 tickets on the first day. Kevin went on to sell out an incredible nine-show run at the Glasgow SECC Arena. His...
East Devon District Council is doggedly continuing to encourage responsible pet ownership in the district.
Following a successful series of annual dogs’ days out, where owners and their best friends could enjoy a social gathering whilst learning more about getting the most from their pets, the council’s environmental health team has produced an occasional newsletter covering many aspects of dog ownership.
And to celebrate the launch of The Daily Wag, the council has donated some of the proceeds of the doggie events to two charities that care for and re-home unwanted animals...
Coastal process and engineering experts will present baseline reports at second steering group meeting today (24 February)
Members of the Steering Group for the Sidmouth & East Beach Management Plan (BMP) project will be meeting at East Devon District Council’s offices at the Knowle on Tuesday 24 February to discuss the findings of four key baseline reports – Coastal Processes (including cliff evolution), Coastal Defence Works, Environmental Issues and the Economics – upon which the rest of the project will be based. The project was commissioned by the council in partnership...
Police were contacted at around 4pm yesterday (Monday 23 February) following concerns raised by a member of the public of the welfare of a man on the Tarka Trail near Barnstaple.
Ambulance were unable to reach the man due to the location, air ambulance and police attended the scene and the man was transferred to North Devon District Hospital by helicopter where he was pronounced dead.
The death is currently being treated as not suspicious.
Police are appealing for anyone who used the Tarka Trail yesterday and may have witnessed anything to contact them via 101...
‘A record finale to a record year’ was one description of this year’s Awards night, as 10 months of work culminated in the presentation of 98 trophies to the South West’s leading tourism businesses at the South West Tourism ExcellenceAwards 2014-15.
The event, in association with Source for Business, saw Devon establishments taking home a grand total of 30 awards with 5 Gold Awards, 9 Silver and 16 Bronze.
With Taiko drummers grabbing the audience’s attention and dancing till the small hours, this year’s awards were announced on Thursday 12th February 2015 in the Great hall...
