Wild bird populations are generally thought to benefit from being given additional food in winter, but our understanding of the effects of such food provision is incomplete. The results of a new study, carried out by researchers at the University of Exeter and the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), has found that feeding wild blue tits in winter resulted in less successful breeding during the following spring.
The research, just published in Scientific Reports, revealed that woodland blue tits that were provided with fat balls as a supplementary food during the winter months went...
Paignton Zoo’s Great Gorillas Project is well under way. And for two local artists, the rivalry is personal.
Husband and wife artists Deborah Treliving and Malcolm Law are going head-to-head. Malcolm is creating Cool Ice Cream Bananas Gorilla for the Princesshay Shopping Centre in Exeter, while Deborah is painting Hippocampus Guttulatus Gorilla on behalf of Cavanna Homes.
The Great Gorillas Project is celebrating the 90th birthday of the region’s largest and best-known zoo, Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, which is a registered charity.
East Devon District Council is flying the flag for the fifth annual Armed Forces Day following a flag raising ceremony on Monday (24 June).
A special Armed Forces Day flag will fly at EDDC’s headquarters in Sidmouth, along with sites all around the nation.
The Chairman of the Council, Councillor Graham Godbeer, raised the flag in a ceremony at Knowle, watched by EDDC’s Vice Chairman Christine Drew, Council Leader Paul Diviani, other Council Members and representatives of the Royal British Legion, including Standard Bearer John Hayes.
The quiet and peaceful grounds of Killerton House were transformed into a rocking retro feast on 22 and 23 June. Despite the less than cheerful weather over the weekend there were lots of reasons to smile at the festival, with over 90 stalls of vintage and retro fashion, crafts, homeware, antiques and similar paraphernalia, there was certainly something to cater for everybody’s vintage tastes.
As soon as you had parked your car, you were greeted with a view of gleaming and pristine classic cars, which immediately wanted you to trade in your...
An exciting family community festival is being held by East Devon District Council in Honiton on Saturday 6 July and will feature the official unveiling of a special Jubilee sculpture.
The community festival will be at Allhallows Field from 1pm to 4pm. Children can enjoy face painting, circus skills, a bouncy castle and many other attractions, all for free!
The new sculpture on the side of Honiton Leisure Centre has been in place for a little while, but will be formally celebrated and officially unveiled at 1.30pm by EDDC Deputy Chairman, Cllr Christine Drew, as part of the...
A team of acrobats from Honiton Gymnastics Club has just returned from the Geneva International Acro Cup clutching a haul of medals and as winners of the competition’s overall team trophy.
The 15 gymnasts – aged between 10 and 21 – were competing at the annual international gymnastics competition, which featured performers from countries including Russia, Ireland, South Africa and Switzerland.
The talented youngsters brought home six gold medals, four silvers, two bronzes, and two fourth places.
“Our gymnasts competed excellently and represented both the club and...
As summer approaches, Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service is asking people to make sure their family, guests and loved ones know how to get out, stay out, and call 999 in the event of a fire.
A smoke alarm can give people the warning they need to get out of their home in a fire, but a blocked exit, locked door or unfamiliar surroundings can often shave vital seconds from their escape time, exposing them to the fatal dangers of toxic smoke.
Some simple steps and a clear escape plan in the event of a fire will help ensure that everyone can get out, stay out and...
David Pett who took on a pioneering ecumenical role to support rural churches in West Devon is off to pastures new.
The ecumenical rural development officer role, which was funded by the Methodist Connexion and the Exeter Diocese, has now come to an end after three years. David has found a new job as regional officer for Dairy Co covering the whole of the South West working with cattle and sheep farmers.
David said: “The last few years have simply flown by. I have greatly enjoyed meeting so many people who are very keen to work alongside their communities and make a...
Fantastic improvements to a playpark in Woodbury have taken a step closer to completion as local children have chosen their favourite design.
Woodbury Parish Council and East Devon District Council have been working closely together and with local children to make £25,000 worth of eagerly anticipated improvements to the Woodbury Village Green play area. This is a play area for children aged 8 and under.
£17,500 has been contributed by developers through Section 106 funding for play and £7,500 given to the project by Woodbury Parish Council. The Section 106 money was a...
Devon & Cornwall Police say that they received a call from the fire service shortly before 3am on Monday 24 June, with a report that a man in Torpoint had doused himself in petrol.
On arrival at the scene, they found a man holding a petrol can and the property from the outside smelt strongly of petrol.
Police and fire then attempted to engage with the man, who began setting fire to items within the house.
Police report that the fire service then took action and flooded the house with water and gained entry.
