Devon

£40,000 investment opens up Coast Path to thousands of wheelchair and pushchair users in time for Christmas

Authored by Newshound
Posted: Tue, 11/26/2013 - 10:10am

The completion of seven coastal access schemes along parts of the South West Coast Path, and the addition of 40 extra walks on its website means that now, for the first time, thousands of people with limited mobility and those with young children in pushchairs are able to enjoy stretches of the breathtaking National Trail that were once impassable.

Newly accessible walks include parts of Padstow where a £24,000 project to improve the surface and widen the path in Stile Field, which both Cornwall Council and Padstow Town Council helped to fund, now means that as well as enjoying the...

Clare's Law goes national in 2014

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Mon, 11/25/2013 - 4:55pm

The government has announced plans to give police powers to disclose certain details of people’s criminal pasts to forces across England and Wales next year.

The Home Office led scheme gives people the ‘right to ask’ police if their partner has ever had convictions for domestic abuse and allow police to disclose details of a criminal in certain circumstances.

All requests must go through a panel of Police, Probation services and other agencies to ensure that the information is only passed on where appropriate.

The scheme also offers support to victims to help during...

Devon Food Poverty charity needs your vote

Authored by Martyn Goss
Posted: Mon, 11/25/2013 - 4:36pm

Devon & Cornwall Food Association rescues good quality food from being destroyed and redistributes it to local charities and other organisations which support vulnerable people in our communities.

This environmental community project (which works in Exeter, Plymouth and Cornwall) has been chosen for the South West region for a People's Millions award but your help is now sought to secure the funding. A public vote on the 26 November will decide which project wins this year’s cash and your votes are needed.

It will feature on ITV this Tuesday evening. Supporters of the...

Ceremony marks Exe Estuary Trail milestone

A special ceremony will be held tomorrow to mark the completion of the eastern side of the Exe Estuary Trail.

The £2.6 million Clyst Bridge and connecting route through Goosemoor RSPB Nature Reserve has filled the missing link of the Trail. Together with the Ebford Link and Fishers Mill Bridge, this new section over the River Clyst completes the route between Exeter and Exmouth and connects with the local cycle network to Ebford and Clyst St George.

The new route forms part of the National Cycle Network. From Bowling Green Road in Topsham, it runs through the nature reserve...

Australian Cricket Captain fined

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Mon, 11/25/2013 - 1:34pm

Australian Cricket Captain, Michael Clarke, has been fined by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching the Code of Conduct in the first Ashes test.

Clarke was fined 20% of his match fee for “using language or a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during an International Match” the ICC has said.

Clarke was picked up on the stump microphone saying: “get ready for a broken f******* arm” to England’s James Anderson.

The charges were not contested and have been handled witout a formal hearing.

Meanwhile Jonathon Trott has left England’s...

Devon’s Health Visiting Service gains Baby-friendly status

Devon Integrated Children's Services’ Health Visiting Team, which is led by Virgin Care, has been accredited with ‘Baby Friendly’ status having passed the stage three assessment of the Baby Friendly Initiative – a worldwide programme of UNICEF (the United Nations Children’s Fund) and the World Health Organisation. The initiative recognises that most of the barriers that prevent women from breastfeeding can be removed by access to well-trained health professionals, good quality support in the community and a widespread understanding of the profound health benefits of breast milk....

Christmas Market in full swing

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Sun, 11/24/2013 - 3:49pm

Exeter’s Christmas market is in full swing today with dozens of bespoke stalls trading on the Cathedral Green.

A mix of local traders and specialist stalls from overseas are trading in the alpine style market.

Local trader Mary Tempest, 63, won the Market’s Pitch-Perfect award designed to promote start-up businesses.

Mary, a local artist, is selling a range of her illustrations of local landmarks and historical sites, with designed key rings and mugs also on sale.

Mary also works for Exeter City Council’s tourism department, she said: “my day job is drawing...

Conference on youth disaffection

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Fri, 11/22/2013 - 4:40pm

Leading education researchers gathered in in London today (Friday 22 November) to debate how national policies and decision-making is resulting in disaffection among young people.

Accelerating inequality in the UK has hit young people especially hard, with unemployment and underemployment amongst 18-24 year olds at historic highs.

As the cost of living rises, young people remain most likely to be paid below the living wage, with benefits failing to keep pace with inflation, having more conditions attached, or having been withdrawn altogether.

In a bid to investigate...

Mock The Week star is coming to Exeter

She has starred in Mock the Week and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and now comedy star Ava Vidal is heading to The Exeter Phoenix as part of her He’s Not a Keeper show.

The show, taking place on 15th December, aims to expose all those tell tell signs that mean He’s Not a Keeper.

He’s Not a Keeper is based on Ava’s own experiences and those shared with her by women and men across The UK.

Ava Vidal believes the show appeals to both men and women alike. She said:

“I’d say it’s good for everyone really. A lot of women enjoy it because it’s based on women....

Devon Hotels win Devon Tourism Awards

Members of Devon Hotels & Restaurants Association are celebrating recent success at the Devon Tourism Awards, winning awards across categories including Hotel of the Year, Taste of Devon and Tourism Pub of the Year.

The Arundell Arms based in Lifton won multiple awards including Venue & Business Tourism (Gold) for the third year in a row; Tourism Activity, Sport & Experience of the Year (Joint Gold); Sustainable Tourism (Silver) and Hotel of the Year (Commended). Last year The Arundell Arms won SW Tourism Gold and Visit England Bronze for the Venue & Business...

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