Network Rail announce Exeter flood prevention plans

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Tue, 10/21/2014 - 10:33am

Network Rail has announced plans for tackling the problem of continual flooding at Cowley and Stafford bridges in Exeter.

This solution involves the removal of three weirs close to the bridges to lower the water level in this part of the River Exe.

Flooding at these bridges is a long-standing problem that has had a devastating impact on the nearby railway line and on the local community. In total, it has resulted in four weeks of disruption over the last two years, meaning numerous delays and closures on this part of the Great Western Main Line; loss of profit for...

Family Law solicitor appointed as press officer for Resolution

Authored by Sue Cade
Posted: Tue, 10/21/2014 - 10:24am

An Exeter solicitor has been appointed as Press Officer to the Devon & Cornwall region of Resolution, the organisation working to ensure improved solutions for family law matters.

Cathryn Smith, from The Family Law Company will draw on her previous experience as a specialist media lawyer to help publicise the aims of the campaigning group.

Resolution is an independent, national body that promotes a constructive, non-confrontational approach to family law matters and campaigns for improvements to the justice system. Members follow a code of practice, the principles of...

Name that ale!

Authored by Paigntonzoo
Posted: Tue, 10/21/2014 - 10:10am

What do you call an ale that’s been brewed for giraffes? That’s the challenge being set by two major local names.

Paignton Zoo and Bays Brewery have teamed up to launch a brand new ale to help raise money for conservation. And they’re inviting people to enter an online competition to give it a name.

Pete Salmon of Bays Brewery explained: “We produced a special ale for The Great Gorillas Project in 2013 and a rhino ale this summer. They were both successful, so now we’re doing another – and this time the theme is giraffes.”

Kat Sobey of Paignton Zoo added: “You can...

Devon buffeted by remnants of Gonzalo

Devon was today being buffeted by the former Hurricane Gonzalo.

Gale force winds and heavy rain are forecast throughout the day resulting in a yellow warning by the Met Office.

Drivers are being warned to take extra care due to the potential of fallen trees and debris on the road.

Winds in the north of the county are predicted to reach up to 27mph and 20mph in Exeter.

A Met Office spokesman said: “Fallen leaves impeding drainage increases the risk of surface water affecting roads, while some damage to trees is possible, given that many are still in full leaf...

Who gets the most in benefits?

Authored by andyhannan
Posted: Tue, 10/21/2014 - 9:36am

Who really benefits most from welfare spending? A lot of people think that it’s the unemployed. So then, what percentage of welfare spending do you think goes to the unemployed, through Jobseekers Allowance - 50%, 25% or 10%?

The answer, according to the Department for Work and Pensions Annual Report for 2013-14, is just 2.34%. Of an overall annual expenditure of £163 billion, Jobseekers Allowance gets £3.81 billion. However, over half (50.93%) of DWP benefit money goes to those who receive the State Pension - £83.14 billion.

The top fifteen most expensive benefits (£...

Exeter nightclub assault appeal

Detectives investigating a serious assault in an Exeter nightclub have released CCTV images of potential witnesses they would like to speak to.

A fight broke out at the long bar in Club Rococo at around 6.30pm on Saturday 7 June 2014, resulting in several members of staff sustaining injuries.

One male member of staff suffered serious head and facial injuries after being assaulted. He fell to the floor before being kicked in the head and face.

There are several people officers would like to speak to in connection with the incident, to eliminate them from their...

Rise in will dispute claims

Authored by Everys
Posted: Tue, 10/21/2014 - 6:10am

Everys Solicitors’ head of claims and disputes has cited the changing structure of the modern day family as one of the major reasons for a rise in claims against wills.

Gay Cherryson, an Everys partner based in Exeter, has many years of expertise specialising in a wide variety of claims involving wills, estates and trusts and has acted for family members, beneficiaries, charities, executors and trustees.

She said: “We see far more complicated family structures now. You used to have a husband, wife and two children and it was very straightforward. Now it’s complicated with...

Concern over prison officer numbers

The number of officers at public-sector prisons in the South West region has been cut by 37 per cent in less than four years, figures obtained by the Howard League for Penal Reform reveal today (Monday 20 October).

Research published by the charity shows that, across England and Wales, there were only 14,170 officer grade staff working in prisons run by the state at the end of June 2014. There were more than 24,000 at the end of August 2010.

This includes 1,375 officer posts that were lost when 15 public-sector prisons were closed during the period.

In the South...

Exhibition remembers the Polish night fighters of Exeter

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 10/20/2014 - 10:11pm

An exhibitition by 307 Squadron Project will take place at Exeter Guildhall from 13-15 November, to coincide with the flag raising.

The Polish flag will be flying over Guildhall on 15 November, which since 2012, has become known as ‘307 Squadron Day’ in the city.

307 Polish Squadron, part of the RAF, were night-fighters who protected Exeter and South-West England during the Second World War.

The Polish fought the German Luftwaffe over the dark skies of Devon and prevented Exeter from being totally destroyed during the blitz on the city in 1942.

More than 70...

Young Devon footballer dies during game

A Devon football club was today in mourning after the death of one of their players during a game.

The player for Bow AAC collapsed during their Premier game with Thorverton, and later died. The player has not yet been named in respect for his family.

Despite the efforts of the paramedics and the Devon Air Ambulance the player involved failed to recover.

The match was abandoned after around 80 minutes with the score at 2-2.

A spokesman for Devon and Exeter Football League said: "The League management and players will, I know, wish to send their deepest...

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