Devon

PM criticises 'unfair' BBC decision

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Mon, 05/12/2014 - 12:00pm

The Prime Minister, David Cameron, has become the latest public figure to criticise the BBC over its dismissal of a Veteran DJ for broadcasting a song containing racist language.

Commenting on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, David Cameron said that the BBC had acted “unfairly” in its treatment of the BBC Radio Devon DJ David Lowe who was dismissed after broadcasting a 1932 recording of ‘The Sun Has Got His Hat On’.

A listener complained to the BBC after the recording, which includes a verse containing the ‘n-word’ that has been omitted from later versions of the song, was...

Thousands gather for Exeter Pride 2014

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Sat, 05/10/2014 - 7:26pm

Thousands of people have gathered in Exeter today for what is thought to be Exeter's largest ever Pride event

Exeter Pride 2014 promised to be the biggest, most colourful event to date with more than 2,000 people thought to have taken part in the parade down Exeter's High Street before attending a full programme of activities held at Exeter Phoenix in Gandy Street.

Community groups, firefighters, police, students, trade union groups and individuals were among those taking part in the parade.

The parade will include many people wearing colourful masks, made at recent...

Chiefs side to face Falcons

Authored by Mark Stevens
Posted: Sat, 05/10/2014 - 12:31pm

After 21 rounds of bruising battle in the Aviva Premiership, Exeter Chiefs will head out at Newcastle Falcons tomorrow determined to land a telling final blow. In a season of highs and lows for Rob Baxter’s side, the dream of tackling Europe’s elite may have been curtailed with last weekend’s late loss to Harlequins, but as a whole the Chiefs leader insists there is much to be positive about ahead of their trip to Kingston Park. With the first major silverware in the bag, another tidy showing in the Heineken Cup and some notable scalps within the Premiership, Baxter says the foundations...

Love Your Local Market fortnight

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Sat, 05/10/2014 - 11:46am

The bunting is out and the prizes are ready!

Teignbridge District Council alongside Newton Abbot market traders are supporting the high profile Love Your Local Market 2014 campaign led by the National Association of British Market Authorities.

They are joining over 700 markets across the country by taking part in the annual Love Your Local Market fortnight which runs from Wednesday 14 May to Wednesday 28 May.

To celebrate the occasion and boost economic activity, Newton Abbot markets is putting on a trolley dash prize draw and other promotions to attract new...

Friends of Sharon close in on target

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Fri, 05/09/2014 - 4:16pm

Friends and family raising money in memory of Sharon Bridgman, a Devon woman killed while on a round-the-world cycle challenge, are close to raising their £10,000 target.

Sharon, 38 from near Okehampton, was cycling in Bolivia with her husband Tim when she was struck and killed by a motorist. The couple, were in Boliva as part of a two-year journey that had already taken them from Norway across Europe and Africa to raise money for a disaster relief charity. To commemorate Sharon’s memory, friends of the couple have decided to try and reach the couple’s original fundraising target...

New measures against future floods

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Fri, 05/09/2014 - 3:52pm

New Measures designed to help home and business owners protect their properties from future flood events were approved by East Devon District Council’s (EDDC) Cabinet meeting this week.

Cabinet Members agreed to give delegated authority to the Chief Executive to administer the East Devon elements of a scheme that forms part of a nationwide Government initiative prompted by the devastating storms and floods experienced during the past winter.

Councillor Jill Elson, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Homes and Communities, said: “This scheme will in a modest way help our...

Devon stonemason launches Hurley Marble

Devon Stonemason Matthew Hurley has just launched a new local business called Hurley Marble, selling luxury handmade pietra dura marble tabletops, marble and stone fireplaces and bronze sculptures for high-end interiors. Hurley Marble’s objective is to combine one-off designs with exceptional craftsmanship using only the finest rare materials. He hopes to offer a reminder of past splendour, imbued with individual style.

Pietra dura is the Italian art of hard stone inlay. It is essentially marquetry in stone, usually depicting flora and fauna, with appropriate marbles chosen for...

Work begins on 119th Devon County Show

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 05/09/2014 - 2:08pm

It all starts with a 100m tape, paper plan, old roadside boards cut up into 8” squares, bags of 6” nails, a hammer, marker pen, two energetic men and the passion and determination of the many volunteers who are involved with putting on the Devon County Show. Show Secretary Ollie Allen is overseeing the marking out the site for the Devon County Show, held on May 22-24, at the Westpoint showground near Exeter. From humble beginnings, a tented town ready to accommodate more than 30,000 exhibitors and visitors every day will rise up from the grass into a traditional vista of billowing canvas....

Heavy rain disrupts Ten Tors plans

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Fri, 05/09/2014 - 12:25pm

Heavy rain expected to cause issues for the organisers of this weekend’s Ten Tors challenge. As a result of the recent rain, concerns have been raised over the state of several car parks near the starting line in Okehampton, making them unavailable for spectator’s vehicles. With spectators and the family members of more than 2,400 young people taking part in challenge hoping to support the teams at the starting line, the limited car parking is likely to be significant disruption. Brigadier Piers Hankinson, the Director of Ten Tors said this morning: “I have conducted a further assessment...

Exeter secures AstraZeneca partnership

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Fri, 05/09/2014 - 11:00am

The University of Exeter has announced a unique collaboration with the pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, to conduct research into the effectiveness and safety of cutting-edge drugs.

The new partnership is hoped to reinforce Exeter’s burgeoning reputation as a world-leader in (eco) toxicological research as well as provide a significant boost for the South West economy, by securing a number of highly-skilled jobs on the University’s Streatham Campus and keeping valuable scientific knowledge within the region.

As well as studying the effects that potential new drugs, designed...

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