River Cottage launch their search for the ‘River Cottage Rising Star 2013’

The River Cottage Rising Star 2013 competition has launched to give one lucky individual the best possible start to their career. River Cottage is looking for one inspirational character to become the face of its new Young Chef Apprenticeship Scheme and gain a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure 12 months employment working with the team at River Cottage HQ, Park Farm.

River Cottage Rising Star 2013 will follow the learning journey that the apprentice embarks on at River Cottage HQ, and will demonstrate through a number of media channels how their culinary skills are improving...

New doorstep crime initiative launched across Devon and Cornwall

A new Devon and Cornwall Doorstep Crime Reduction Partnership is being launched today to help beat bogus callers, rogue traders and distraction burglars. Devon and Cornwall Police has joined forces with county and district councils’ Trading Standards services throughout the region to tackle doorstep criminals. The aim of the partnership is to help prevent residents becoming victims of doorstep crime by raising awareness, particularly among the more vulnerable, and to encourage people to report incidents. The campaign, which is being supported by BBC local radio and Age UK, is designed to...

Police family on the road for charity

An Okehampton officer and his two brothers will be heading straight for success with a 230-mile charity walk next month. Neighbourhood beat manager Matt Evans will be treking the Fosse Way Roman Road with his brother Steve, a police fingerprint expert, and Barry, a care home manager, in aid of two charities. The trio will set off from Lincoln on 13 May and aim to average more than 20 miles a day to reach Exeter on 22 May. They are making the journey to raise money for the British Limbless Ex Service Men’s Association (BLESMA) and the Anthony Nolan Trust, which helps people with blood...

Dorrian departs Exeter Chiefs for London Irish

Exeter Chiefs can confirm today that fly-half Myles Dorrian will be leaving the club at the end of the season to join up with Aviva Premiership rivals London Irish on a two-year deal. Dorrian, 30, who signed in the summer of 2011 from Championship side Bedford Blues, has featured nine times for the Chiefs, scoring three tries in the process. A naturally gifted footballer, the Sydney-born back is predominantly a No.10, but has featured for Exeter also in the centre and at full-back. Although first team opportunities were limited for Dorrian in the Premiership, he was able to figure in both...

Dog owners asked to keep their animals under control after a sheep attack

Police in South Devon are reminding dog owners of the need to keep their animals under control following an attack on sheep in the Bala Brook area of South Brent in February 2013. Police enquiries have yet to identify the white Jack Russell and a small brown Poodle/Terrier type dog that were chased off during the incident on 7 February. The sheep suffered minor injuries. A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said, “Owners must ensure their pets are not allowed into any fields with livestock.

“Walkers in the countryside should keep their dogs in sight and always on a lead...

PCC Tony Hogg to join panel discussion on topic of law and order

A panel discussion allowing members of the public to question representatives of the criminal justice system will be held at Chudleigh Parish Church at 7pm (for 7.30pm start) on Wednesday 17 April.

Included on the panel will be Devon & Cornwall's Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Hogg, Chief Superintendent Paul Davies (Devon Commander, Devon and Cornwall Police), Sarah Carlsen (Devon Reform), Georgie Constable (Victim Support) and John Wiseman (Chief Executive, Dorset Probation Trust). The meeting, organised by Chudleigh Business Guild, will be chaired by Councillor Jerry...

Eagle eyes needed for new Devon Atlas of breeding birds

It has been 25 years since the last county-wide survey of birds in Devon, which resulted in the Devon Atlas of Breeding Birds written by HP Sitters in 1988. Since then a great deal has changed in the fortunes of birds in the county, but without a similarly rigorous survey, these changes are impossible to determine with any certainty.

For the last six years, Devon Birds has been compiling data on bird sightings in the county, to build an information base for the publication of an all-new Devon Atlas of breeding birds in 2014, and the Society is appealing for help from birders and...

Devon Libraries shortlisted for prestigious national award

Devon County Council’s Library Service has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.

The service is one of only seven from across the UK to be selected for the coveted Library of the Year accolade at the forthcoming Bookseller Industry Awards.

Ciara Eastell, Head of Devon County Council's Library Service, said:

“We know that our library service is highly valued by our residents, and despite a tough couple of years with significant reductions in budget, we have continued to grow this successful service.

“We have worked hard developing new and leading...

More dead birds rescued from Devon & Cornwall beaches

The RSPCA have expressed concerns after more dead birds have been washed up on beaches in Devon and Cornwall.

There have been reports of birds being washed up at Wembury and Heybrook Bay in Devon as well as Port Wrinkle and Whitsand in Cornwall. On Saturday, the RSPCA said that for all the affected birds found washed up on land, it was likely "more are dying out in the Channel".

Dog walkers have been told to keep their pets away after more than 100 birds were found dead on one section of beach between Downderry and Seaton on Sunday morning.

Dead and alive birds were...

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