Devon adds its voice to MMR campaign

Devon’s Director of Public Health is urging parents to ensure their children have had their MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccinations, following a measles outbreak in Wales.

Dr Virginia Pearson’s message is part of a national joint campaign between the Association for Directors of Public Health, Public Health England – the government organisation responsible for immunisation; and the Local Government Association, to increase take-up of the vaccine in children and teenagers, following the recent outbreak in some parts of the UK.

Dr Pearson said: “Generally across Devon...

Spitfires grounded in their opening game

The Exeter Spitfires started their first season in the South West Baseball League on Sunday with a crushing 33-0 loss at the reigning champions, the Plymouth Mariners.

It was clear from the start that the Mariners were obviously very confident, as they should have been given their position as the best local team playing against a very inexperienced Spitfires lineup, who had over half their team playing their first game.

Despite the loss, Exeter were able to draw some positives from the game. They were able to hold the Mariners scoreless in one inning thanks to good pitching...

We need your vote!

Meet Al and James...

They started Optix Solutions straight out of Exeter Uni, back in 1999.

Al & James have been shortlisted for Employer of the Year in the Express & Echo Business Awards. It's now down to a public vote for them to win and we need your help.

Following are the top 5 reasons why we, Team Optix, think they deserve your vote!

1. They regularly put on team building activities for us.... Like a Segway tour of Haldon Forest and the Optix Thanksgiving cook off.

2. Twice a month, they take the entire team out for lunch at tasty...

Coffee Morning and Exhibition

Event Date: 
18/05/2013 - 10:00am to 1:30pm
Venue: 
St Stephen's Church, High Street, Exeter

To celebrate Action for Brain Injury Week, local charity Headway Devon will be touring the county with an exhibition of client artwork and coffee morning.

Having made stops in Torquay, Tiverton, Exmouth and Honiton, this "roadshow" will be making it's final stop in Exeter's St Stephen's Church on Saturday 18th May.

The event will be running from 10am-1.30pn and as well as an exhibition of artwork, there will be information stands, delicious homemade cakes, children's activities, space to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, and a range of stalls to browse.

Entry is free...

Chiefs will hold a special place in my heart says Clarky

Hooker Neil Clark says Exeter Chiefs will forever hold a special place in his heart after it was confirmed this week he will leave the Aviva Premiership club at the end of the season. The 31-year-old forward, who has just agreed a two-year deal with newly-promoted French side Oyonnax, will bring the curtain down on his career with the Devon club following Exeter’s final game of the season against Gloucester at Sandy Park on May 4. In two spells with the Chiefs, Clark – who was this season awarded a testimonial year by the club – has to date amassed 187 appearances in all competitions,...

Vibes Dance Party

Event Date: 
26/04/2013 - 7:30pm
Venue: 
Exeter Corn Exchange

The Vibes Dance Party is finally here and what a party we have lined up for you!

Whatever your favourite style of dancing we have it all, from a ballroom workshop to the best of Zumba with a taste of the Far East and Latin vibes and all the best of Swagga which will have you singing and dancing and going mad plus a taster of Bokwa! More importantly there is a bar! So let your hair down and party with us!

Tickets are £6 and available on the door. Friends and children, boyfriends and husbands are more than welcome to join the fun.

The dress code is whatever you like,...

Motorcyclists urged to take care

Police in Devon are warning motorcyclists and drivers to take extra care following three collisons in the county involving high powered machines in the space of six hours.

A force spokesman ecouraged riders to seek training in an effort to reduce the number of casualties.

Investigations are underway into the recent crashes and all three riders are said to be in a poorly condition.

The spokesman added that in recent years there had been a resurgence in the number of people returning to motorcycling in later years but there were also many youngsters on high-powered...

Sale of Lloyds branches to the Co-op collapses

Lloyds Banking Group's sale of more than 600 branches to the Co-operative Group has collapsed.

Europe had been forcing Lloyds to sell the branches after its taxpayer bailout during the 2008 financial crisis.

But it is understood the Co-op has struggled to plug a £1billion gap needed to complete its takeover.

Lloyds chief executive Antonio Horta-Osorio said he was 'disappointed' that the Co-op could not complete the purchase, which was mooted to be worth around £750 million.

Peter Marks, chief executive of The Co-operative Group, said: "After detailed and...

Family mourn the loss of Naomi Rose White following road collision in Feniton

The woman who died as a result of a road traffic collision on Thursday 18 April has now been formally identified as Naomi Rose White, aged 22, from Sidford. Her family have provided the following tribute and photograph (attached): “My daughter’s heart stopped beating today; whilst we all stood together to say our goodbyes she slipped away peacefully to meet people waiting for her the other side. They obviously needed an angel to stand by their side. We are all in pieces as you can understand. We all love her dearly and just don’t understand. Our loss is unbearable and we don’t know what to...

Plans for huge pig farm scrapped

The Earl of Devon's Powderham Estate has scrapped plans for a pig farm in east Devon.

It had been proposed that the farm would accommodate up to with up to 8,000 animals on land beside the Exe Estuary owned by JMW Farms and the estate.

Concerns had been raised by local residents who set up a website called Stop Powderham Estate Pig Factory.

They were concerned over a number of issues including noise and smell.

The estate said it "valued its relationship with the local community and the views of parish councils and residents were taken into account when...

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