Devon

A379 in Exeter reopens after police incident

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 01/08/2015 - 3:44pm

The incident on the A379 has been resolved and the road has now reopened.

Police closed the road just before 9.30 this morning after receiving reports of a man standing on the “wrong” side of the railings on Baker Bridge, near the David Lloyd Leisure Centre.

An eyewitness said a man wearing a blue jacket and dark trousers could be seen standing on the ‘wrong’ side of the railings on the bridge.

Three people could clearly be seen talking to him.

A police officer was guarding the entrance to the bridge on the Sandy Park side, stopping pedestrians from using...

A379 remains closed after reports of man threatening to jump from bridge

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 01/08/2015 - 1:09pm

The A379 in Exeter remains closed after police received reports of a man threatening to jump from Baker Bridge this morning.

Police closed the road just before 9.30am after receiving reports of a man standing on the “wrong” side of the railings on the bridge near the David Lloyd Leisure Centre.

An eyewitness said a man wearing a blue jacket and dark trousers could be seen standing on the ‘wrong’ side of the railings on the bridge.

Three people could clearly be seen talking to him.

A police officer was guarding the entrance to the bridge on the Sandy Park...

National Star Search arrives in Exeter

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Thu, 01/08/2015 - 12:16pm

The Mecca bingo club on North Street is hosting live auditions and recording sessions to launch Star Search, a brand new national talent competition being run by Mecca across the UK.

The best singers at the Exeter event stand a chance of joining other local and regional heat winners at a star-studded national final, which is being held as part of a Star Search celebration weekend at Mecca Blackpool in June.

And the overall Star Search winner will receive the ultimate star treatment as their prize, jetting off to Los Angeles on a once-in-a-lifetime trip for two to Hollywood...

Local History Day at St Thomas Library

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Thu, 01/08/2015 - 10:39am

St Thomas Library is holding a Local History Day on Wednesday 21 January between 11am and 4pm.

There will be a speedway memories display and video footage, a real Falcons bike on display, a St Thomas memories display, churches of Exeter photos, a famous personalities display, a rolling slideshow, and pop-up talks as well as the opportunity for people to bring their own photos to show the St Thomas Local History Group.

Local author and historian Tony Lethbridge said: “St Thomas Library Local history open day last year was such an outstanding success we thought we would run...

Private house building fuels growth in SW

Construction workloads increased in the South West in the final quarter of 2014, albeit at a slightly slower rate, and private housing saw the strongest growth despite the shortage of bricklayers reaching a record high.

Over a third (36% net balance) reported that workloads in the construction sector had grown in the region in Q4 2014 with 57% more respondents saying that the private housing sector was fuelling the greatest growth, followed by the private commercial sector (48%).

Around 60% of respondents across the UK reported that material shortages, skill shortages and...

A379 closed after reports of man threatening to jump from bridge

The A379 remains closed in both directions between Sandygate roundabout and the Old Rydon Lane junction, because of a police incident.

Police closed the road shortly before 9.30 this morning after receiving reports of a man threatening to jump from Baker Bridge near the David Lloyd Leisure Centre.

The man is believed to have a rope around his neck.

The incident caused chaos in the area around Sandygate Roundabout, with traffic queues stretching back to the M5.

Emergency services are currently on the scene.

It is not known who the man is or how long...

Get Fresh exhibition launches new talent

Sixteen selected graduates and early career makers challenge and celebrate traditional notions of design with fresh new approaches to contemporary crafts

Work starts on shingle recycling project at Sidmouth main beach

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Wed, 01/07/2015 - 10:11pm

With Central Government funding (via the Environment Agency) of up to £100,000 in place, East Devon District Council has begun coastal defence beach recycling work at Sidmouth’s main beach.

As scheduled, work on the six-week project commenced on Monday 5 January and a digger has begun removing the surplus build-up of shingle from the western end of the main beach(over the Bedford groyne).

Dumper trucks will redistribute the shingle at the eastern end (from the York groyne and beyond) travelling over a temporary ramp on the rock groyne opposite the Bedford Hotel and using...

Real Christmas tree recycling in Exeter

Exeter City Council are providing drop off sites for Exeter residents to take their real Christmas trees for recycling this weekend (Saturday 10 January and Sunday 11 January 2015).

The trees will be shredded and used in the city's parks or sent for composting just outside Exeter.

Trees put out for normal rubbish or recycling collections will not be collected.

Drop-off sites are as follows:

  • Mincinglake Valley Car Park
  • Holman Way Car Park, Topsham
  • Heavitree Pleasure Ground
  • Exwick Playing Fields (Western Road entrance
  • ...

Children's mental health is parents’ top worry in the South West

Over 40 per cent of parents in the South West worry about their children’s mental health, more than any other health issue, Action for Children reveals today.

Action for Children runs more than 200 children’s centres across the UK working with parents and young children to provide a range of support including early action to try and nip problems in the bud and stop them from reaching crisis point.

The charity has been concerned by the rise in support needed by children because of mental health and emotional wellbeing problems. Recent research by the charity found over half...

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