Devon

Responding to the results of the Scottish referendum, Councillor John Hart, the Leader of Devon County Council, said today: “I am really glad that the United Kingdom isn’t going to be broken up. But we now have to ensure that Devon and the South West doesn’t lose out because of the promises made by the Westminster parties to Scotland.

“Last week we were being urged to fly the Saltire. But I intend to keep on flying the flag for Devon.

“We in the South West already lose out to Scotland because of a funding agreement reached by the Labour Government in the 1970’s worth about...

Progress on many of Seaton’s key development projects was welcomed by all parties involved in regenerating the town. This week’s meeting of the Seaton Regeneration Programme Board coincided with the start on the site of Seaton Jurassic by contractor, Kier, so there was much to celebrate.

After years of campaigning by the local community, the hard work of all partners involved and financial support from the three local authorities, East Devon District, Devon County and Seaton Town councils, as well as the Heritage Lottery Fund, Coastal Communities Fund and a number of charitable...

An innovative programme bringing actors into classrooms across Devon to encourage and support children to make healthier choices on diet and exercise has been selected to feature in this week’s British Science Festival.

The Healthy Lifestyles Programme is being run by specialists from the University of Exeter Medical School and Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry.

The programme sees Year 5 pupils work with a drama group who play the part of four characters: Snacky Sam, Disorganised Duncan, Active Amy and Football Freddie.

The children...

The highest profile phase of the South Devon Link Road project to date is set to begin over the next week, as the first beams for the Penn Inn flyover arrive.

Devon County Council and Torbay Council, along with Galliford Try - the contractors responsible for constructing the road – have announced that work on constructing the landmark structure is due to begin.

The beams will be delivered just before the second anniversary of the turf cutting, which took place in October 2012.

The beams are scheduled to begin arriving under escort on 23rd September, when they will...

Two Exeter parents have joined forces to provide fun and affordable exercise classes for children and adults of all fitness levels.

From baby ballet to kickboxing, from karate to tap dance, there is an activity on offer at the DanSci studio for anyone with a desire to get fit.

Tim Anderson of UK Martial Arts & Fitness has moved his kickboxing, karate and weapons classes and gym to the spacious, air conditioned DanSci studio headed up by Ava Barron Thomas.

Black belt Tim has been a martial arts fitness instructor for 8 years. He said that both Ava and he were...

Thames Valley Police is appealing for information to locate a missing man from Reading who may be in Devon and Cornwall. Balazs Biro, aged 32, was last seen in Corwen Road, Tilehurst, at about midday on Sunday 7 September. Balazs is white, with short light brown hair and 5ft 10ins. When he was last seen, he was wearing blue jeans, a grey or blue T-shirt and red and white Nike trainers. Balazs has access to a red Nissan Micra. Thames Valley Police believe that Balazs might be in Bournemouth, Dorset, or the Devon and Cornwall area. If you have any information regarding Balazs’ whereabouts...

With entries for Devon’s foremost green awards arriving daily, the call is out for even more businesses and educational initiatives to get their own submissions underway.

The DEBI Awards are free to enter and open to any organisation, big or small, in the Devon region. Previous winners, chosen for their commitment towards environmental aims, include Ode True Food, Chunky Monkey, Naturalmat, Carbon Compost, the Arundell Arms, Fungi Futures and the Una Group.

The five categories are: Green Goods and Services, Sustainable Food, Retail, Hospitality & Leisure, Sustainable...

Five community colleges in Devon have been taking part in a special competition aimed at developing their business and entrepreneurial skills.

It’s part of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership’s Rural Growth Network pilot – one of five nationally, tasked with stimulating economic growth in rural areas – Devon County Council commissioned Devon and Cornwall Business Council (DCBC) to work with pupils at five colleges.

The idea is to help develop young people’s entrepreneurial skills, setting them true to life challenges and to encourage them to work...

Eight people have today been arrested after a series of successful warrants were carried out in Plymouth and Cornwall as part of a major investigation into human trafficking and modern slavery. Search warrants were executed this morning, Tuesday 16 September, under the Immigration and Asylum Act at five properties in Plymouth and one address in Bodmin. Police arrested eight people, five women, aged between 26 and 34, and three men, aged between 35 and 37, on suspicion of trafficking people into the UK for the purpose of labour exploitation and on suspicion of money laundering. They remain...