Bring Up the Bodies by Budleigh Salterton-based novelist Hilary Mantel has won the title of 2012 Costa Book of the Year. The sequel to Mantel's award-winning novel Wolf Hall and the second book of a trilogy, Bring Up the Bodies continues the life of Thomas Cromwell and explores one of the most mystifying and frightening episodes in English history, the destruction of Anne Boleyn.
The announcement was made this evening (Tuesday 29th January) at an awards ceremony held at Quaglino’s in central London.
Mantel’s win secures her a unique place in literary history: Bring Up the...
Safety is to be improved for pedestrians and cyclists on Heavitree Road. Devon County Council will start work to upgrade the crossing at the junction of Heavitree Road, Denmark Road and Russell Street on Monday (4th February).
The scheme, which is expected to take eight weeks, will move the existing crossing closer to the junction and traffic signals will be installed.
The path on Russell Street will be widened to create an off-road cycle route, making it more user-friendly for bicycles and for those with mobility problems. There will also be a build out to the crossing...
Staff at Ashfords Solicitors are going the extra 500 miles for Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust. Having completed a challenge to cycle 1,000 miles in a week two days early, staff are now racing to smash the 1,500 mile barrier by tomorrow evening - Wednesday 30 January - to raise awareness of cervical cancer. As many as 120 Ashfords people signed up for the cycling challenge, which is being completed on static exercise bikes placed in Ashfords' offices across the region in support of their charity of the year. Andy Perkins, Commercial Litigation Partner and Tim Heal, Head of Commercial Property,...
The editor of Exeter’s Express & Echo newspaper has been seconded to a new role.
He is to be replaced in the interim period by a journalist from Bristol however, no timescales have been revealed.
Andy Phelan was previously the editor of the Echo’s sister paper, the Torquay Herald Express.
In December last year, Northcliffe Media, the group which owned both newspapers, as well as the Western Morning News and the Herald in Plymouth was sold and now forms part of a regional publisher called Local World.
The Express & Echo was one of a number of titles...
Many Caribbean coral reefs have either stopped growing or are on the threshold of starting to erode, new evidence has revealed.
Coral reefs build their structures by both producing and accumulating calcium carbonate, and this is essential for the maintenance and continued vertical growth capacity of reefs. An international research team has discovered that the amount of new carbonate being added by Caribbean coral reefs is now significantly below rates measured over recent geological timescales, and in some habitats is as much as 70% lower.
RD&E oncology nurse, Katie Williams, is an NHS Hero. Nominated for the award by the daughter of one of her patients, Katie received her certificate from RD&E NHS Foundation Trust chairman, James Brent at a ceremony held today.
Melody Floyde, Katie’s nominator said: “My Dad's last weeks were spent on Yeo Ward. Katie is an outstanding nurse who worked tirelessly to ensure that Dad was comfortable and well cared for and treated him with such kindness. She even worked late on one occasion to get advice on pain relief for Dad when he was uncomfortable. She was a great source of...
Police are appealing for information following an assault on a woman in Exeter. Between 1am and 2am on Saturday 26th January, the 21-year-old was walking alone along Sidwell Street onto Blackboy Road when she was assaulted by a man.
He is described as white, 6’ 1” and between 30 and 40 years old. He was of medium build and had short blonde hair, a small blonde beard and wore a white and red flannel top.
Any witnesses to the incident are asked to call police on 101 quoting crime ref. DE/13/802.
The Exeter Chiefs visited Paignton Zoo recently and came up against some real heavyweights.
Players and staff encountered elephants, giraffes and giant tortoises – and even scrummed down with a gorilla!
Female African elephant Duchess impressed many. Mark Twiggs, Head of Strength & Conditioning, said: “Duchess weighs around 4,000 kilos, which equates to nearly the whole squad!”
“It’s interesting to compare stats,” said Paignton Zoo spokesperson Phil Knowling. “Exeter’s young Academy lock Will Carrick-Smith is 6 feet 11 inches – 2.1 metres. He’s one of the...
Construction works will start on the new Recycling Centre for Sidmouth, Ottery St. Mary and surrounding villages in February.
The new site is just to the south of the existing facility at Woods Farm, near the Bowd on the C808 Ottery St Mary road.
The new centre will replace the old, existing facility which is now inadequate for modern demands.
The new larger centre will give residents a far superior service with minimal queuing and congestion and make it far easier and convenient to recycle household items and waste.
Elizabeth Truss, the education minister, is giving a speech this morning announcing plans to overhaul childcare rules. According to the new rules, nurseries and childminders in England are to be allowed to look after more children per adult in an attempt to cut childcare costs and boost standards.
Liz Truss has said that the ratio of children to child carers can be raised but only if the carers' qualifications meet new standards.
Ms Truss said this morning: "We regulate the wrong thing. Rather than focusing on quality we focused on quantity, and if you look at other...
