Emergency services stay on high alert

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Fri, 01/03/2014 - 4:57pm

Emergency services will remain on high alert for further flooding tonight.

Over 30 flood warnings are in place in the South West but there are no 'Severe' flood warnings in place with the high tide around 8pm tonight is expected to be lower than last night.

However Met Office warnings against severe wind and rain will continue to remain in place through to the evening with a further weather warning for rain issued for Sunday.

The poor weather and flooding is still causing travel disruptions to much of the county today with a lightning and hail storm knocking out...

£30m of university work back up for grabs

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Fri, 01/03/2014 - 4:46pm

The University of Exeter has announced it is to seek a new contractor for its new £30m Living Systems Institute building after reaching a joint decision with Wates Construction not to proceed with the project. Ongoing discussions failed to find a way to deliver the University’s requirements within the allocated budget, therefore the University and the contractor have reached a mutual decision not to continue with the project. Hugh McCann, Director of Estate Development at the University, said: “We have done all we can to work in partnership with Wates and despite the fact we’ve been unable...

Fire crews save bullocks from 4ft water

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Fri, 01/03/2014 - 4:41pm

Firefighters from Crediton and Devon and Somerset's Fire and Rescue Service's Specialist Rescue Team from Exeter were called in to save two Bullocks stuck in 4ft of water near Crediton.

On arrival crews found the animals stuck in a slow moving semi-stagnant stream and used water safety equipment to rescue the animals.

A bulllock can cost anywhere between several hundred to several thousand pounds depending on the breed and age of the animal.

Calls to suspend Enviroment Agency cuts

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Fri, 01/03/2014 - 4:07pm

Professional union, Prospect has urged the government to suspend its job cuts at the Environment Agency in the light of the recent widespread flooding.

The Agency has confirmed that it will be cutting 1,500 jobs including some from flood protection as part of the government’s latest round of austerity cuts.

Although it is unclear which area of the organisation will see the job losses but the union claims that 550 jobs related to flood protection could be lost.

A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesman said the agency was making its own choices...

Fruit flies could hold genetic key

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Fri, 01/03/2014 - 3:18pm

New research by scientists at the University of Exeter has shown that cells demonstrate remarkable flexibility and versatility when it comes to how they divide - a finding with potential links to the underlying causes of many cancers. The study, published today in Developmental Cell, describes a number of routes to the formation of a microtubule spindle – the tracks along which DNA moves when a cell divides in order to make two genetically identical cells. In order to understand the phenomenon, the authors, including Biosciences researchers Dr. James Wakefield, PhD student Daniel Hayward...

Chiefs side to face London Wasps

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter is confident he will see a response from his side when they return to Aviva Premiership action this Sunday at London Wasps (3pm).

Just a week after going down 22-6 to Harlequins in Big Game 6 at a packed Twickenham Stadium, Devon's finest will again be hitting the road in pursuit of vital league points.

Last weekend's loss in the capital saw the Chiefs slip to sixth in the current standings, a place above this weekend's hosts who themselves warmed up for this encounter with a hard fought 17-12 success at Newcastle Falcons.

Baxter...

The Lost Sound -IN CONCERT

Event Date: 
25/01/2014 - 7:30pm to 10:00pm
Venue: 
The Mint Methodist Church Exeter EX4 3AT

The Lost Sound are an a cappella, mixed voice chorus and are excited to be playing their first full concert at The Mint on Jan 25th @ 7:30pm. They have sung at the Night of 1000 voices in 2012 and 2013 to rave reviews. They have had full houses at The Flavel Arts Centre as part of the Dart Music festival last summer and helped raise money for many charities and causes through the last few years. Expect a choir with a firm foothold in the folk tradition - with beautiful ancient melodies re worked with contemporary flair and finesse by some of our leading arrangers and composers. Their...

Update: Eldery woman hit by Car

Police are appealing for witnesses after an elderly woman was injured in a collision involving a blue BMW.

The collision took place on 02 January 2014 at 12:40pm.

Police have said the collision occurred when the woman crossed Jubilee Drive from Barrowdale Close in Exmouth.

The woman is local and 81-years-old.

She was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital with serious injuries.

The road was re-opened on 02 January 2014 at 6pm.

If anyone has any information is asked to contact the police on 101, quoting reference 0224 of 020114.

Exeter City's match tomorrow in doubt

City supporters based in Exeter will no doubt be aware of the poor weather that began again on Friday morning.

However, the forecast remains changeable and supporters must appreciate that no definitive decisions are likely to be taken until Saturday morning. We remain optimistic of hosting the match and the groundstaff are putting in their usual hard work to ensure this happens.

Wherever you are travelling from to get to St James Park, be sure to be safe in the conditions.

Read more at http://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/article/weather-update-exeter-v-mansf...

Choccie Bar Shortlisted in Food Awards

Choccie Bar is shortlisted for Foodie Product of the Year in the 2014 Food Magazine awards.

In October and November, over 3,000 votes were cast by food readers for their favourite chefs, restaurants, cafes and products in the South West.

The nominations have been counted and a shortlist drawn up and Choccie Bar is in the final three in the shortlist for Foodie Product of the Year.

food editor Jo Rees comments on the incredible growth in intrestd and support for these awards: "food readers clearly feel strongly about supporting their favourite local chefs and...

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