Devon

Chiefs side to face La Rochelle

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter says a different “mental challenge” awaits his players as they prepare to tackle European Challenge Cup opponents La Rochelle for the second time inside a week at Sandy Park tomorrow (3pm).

The Aviva Premiership club maintained pole position in Pool Two of this season’s competition as they collected a five-point maximum in their 36-10 victory at the Stade Marcel Deflandre.

However, Baxter knows their Top 14 rivals will arrive in Devon this weekend not only desperate to avenge last week’s defeat, but at the same time keep their own...

South West Water bills to fall

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Sat, 12/13/2014 - 11:44am

South West Water's household customers can look forward to improved services and average bills pegged to 7% below inflation by the end of the decade, following today's Final Determination of the company's 2015-20 business plan by water regulator Ofwat.

As well as keeping bills down, South West Water will spend about £1 billion on improving the region's water and wastewater services. This follows a 7% bill reduction last year and a price freeze this year, to April 2015.

Highlights of the 2015-20 plan include:

  • Innovative ways to reduce the risk of sewer
  • ...

Jurassic Park style DNA sampling at RAMM

DNA from a rare specimen of an extinct mammal will be sampled, Jurassic Park style at the Ark, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery’s archive.

Although, unlike in the film, the technology doesn't yet exist to bring the animal back to life, the DNA will be important for a research project into the species. Until the two Swan Island hutia were brought to light at RAMM, researcher Roseina Woods had just 12 specimens in the UK to work on. The collection at the Natural History Museum in London, was thought to contain the only remaining examples in the country. The animals...

Exeter pupil honoured at charity book launch

After half a million people have fled their homes due to Typhoon Hagupit, drawings and paintings by the UK’s best young artists, including a pupil of St Leonards C of E Primary School, Exeter, were published on Tuesday 9 December in a new picture book entitled The Day The Wind Blew.

The new book is the culmination of a UK-wide illustration competition jointly launched by disaster relief charity ShelterBox and national charity The Reading Agency’s Chatterbooks network of children’s reading groups. The book has already enjoyed endorsement from top authors.

Amelia Ryder-Potter...

Met Office issues weather warning of ice

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Fri, 12/12/2014 - 12:56pm

A weather warning of ice has been issued for parts of Devon as temperatures are set to drop tonight.

The Met Office said ice is likely to form on untreated surfaces during Friday night and early Saturday morning, particularly where showers have occurred during Friday. The showers will fall as sleet or snow over hills and to low levels in the north.

People are advised to take extra care.

The warning is valid from 5pm until 11am tomorrow.

A chief forecaster said: “A band of rain, with hill snow, will move south across northern and central parts of the UK...

MP supports Christmas Jumper Day campaign

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Fri, 12/12/2014 - 12:51pm

Neil Parish MP has popped on a pullover and posed for a festive photograph to support for Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day campaign.

In its third year, and the biggest yet, Save the Children's Christmas Jumper Day is bringing together supporters and campaigners to be part of its woolly revolution to 'make the world better with a sweater’.

Neil Parish MP said: "I'm delighted to support Save the Children to help raise funds for its vital work in the UK and around the world, and what better way to do this than to get into the festive spirit and take part in their...

Work starts on Decoy Link Road

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 12/12/2014 - 11:13am

Galliford Try has been awarded the £2.6 million contract to build the scheme which will widen and realign the existing Kingskerswell Road, and create a signal controlled crossing over the rail bridge. It will also improve safety along the busy route for pedestrians and cyclists, with a new shared cycleway and footway.

The scheme, which was awarded £1.8 million of Department for Transport Local Pinch Point funding, will join the South Devon Link Road at the Aller interchange.

The upgrade of the road aims to accommodate the extra traffic around the Decoy Industrial Estate...

Home Secretary praises 101 review in Devon and Cornwall

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 12/12/2014 - 10:02am

Police and crime commissioner Tony Hogg’s review of the 101 police non-emergency service in Devon and Cornwall will be used to help improve the system in other parts of the country. Home Secretary Theresa May has praised the work done by Mr Hogg and his OPCC team and confirmed that the Home Office will urge other forces to consider adapting the review findings and recommendations in their own areas. In a letter to Mr Hogg, the Home Secretary said “I welcome the work you are leading in this area.” “Thank you for the positive steps you are taking to address the issues you have identified...

Win a Playmobil Playground set

Authored by playmapp
Posted: Fri, 12/12/2014 - 5:59am

To celebrate the launch of www.playmapp.co.uk , the website for finding free places to play in Devon, we are giving away one Playmobil Playground set.

With With two slides, a swing, skateboard ramp, carousel and lots of accessories including 9 figures, its's sure to keep your little ones entertained when you can't get out to the playground!

To enter, visit the Playmapp facebook page and follow the instructions!

Read more about Playmapp here .

Kay Transport unveils new delivery service to Austria

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 12/12/2014 - 4:11am

Cullompton-based logistics company, Kay Transport, part of Palletways, Europe’s largest dedicated network for the express delivery of palletised freight, has just announced that it will now be offering a full range of distribution services to Austria.

This latest development now means that Kay Transport provides delivery services to 14 European countries including Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Slovakia, Spain and United Kingdom.

Tim Prout, Principal at Kay Transport, said: This...

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