Devon

Police appeal following burglary in Sampford Peverell

Police are appealing for information after a number of items of jewellery were taken in a burglary in Sampford Peverell, near Tiverton.

The house in Higher Town was broken into between 11am on Friday 21 December and 2.30pm on Wednesday 26 December. The occupants are a couple in their 60s.

A number of items were stolen including a valuable 18-carat gold ladies ring with rubies and diamonds, several other gold and silver rings and a Panasonic 26in flat screen TV.

Anyone with information is asked to call DC Paul Feeney on 01884 233819 quoting crime reference KU/12/1277...

Appeal for witnesses following attack on Honiton High Street

Honiton police are appealing for witnesses to help in their investigation of an assault that took place on Honiton High Street, which left the two victims requiring hospital treatment.

The assault occurred just after midnight on Monday 31st December (essentially Sunday night). The female victim was assaulted outside Costa Coffee, and the male was assaulted outside the war memorial on the High Street. Police are seeking three suspects (two males and one female). The victims were attacked after they attempted to break up a violent argument between the female suspect and the male...

SW residents pledge to make 2013 a year for sharing & caring

Nearly half of South West residents (46%) will definitely make a New Year resolution when the clock strikes midnight this New Year’s Eve, TopCashback.co.uk reveals, and over half (51%) expect to see it through to the end of the year [1] .

With the nation continuing to feel the pinch, it’s unsurprising that many of us simply need to feel better about our lives and have a goal to strive towards. 35% of those in the South West make New Year promises to feel better and 19% do so to accomplish something they failed to achieve the previous year.

However a large number of South...

Age-old quest for wisdom of what new year will bring

The custom of making resolutions for the New Year goes back to the Medieval period. As the year end approaches, a University of Exeter historian has shed light on how the future was predicted centuries ago.

The research shows how the Christian clergy supported agricultural superstitions but condemned what they perceived as magic rituals. The day of the week on which Christmas or New Year fell was used as an indicator to tell how the year would turn out.

According to one set of predictions, if Christmas Day fell on a Sunday, then Lent would be windy, summer would be dry,...

Local charity Dream-A-Way are 20-years-old in 2013

2013 is Dream-A-Way's 20th Birthday! To celebrate, they are planning a wide range of events and trips and Events Co-ordinator Gill Freeman would love to see you at some of these.

Or maybe you've got a bit of time spare, and have been thinking about getting involved with a charity for a while but you've never quite known how...

Gill says, "Here's a perfect opportunity for you to get involved and help us to really make a difference to our very special clients.

"We've got loads planned for 2013 including three fantastic Golf Days to suit all handicaps and budgets;...

Liberal Democrats elect new Leader for 2013

Devon County Council Lib Dem Leader Brian Greenslade has announced he is stepping aside as Group Leader ahead of County elections in May 2013 after 23 years in the post.

He will be succeeded by Tiverton East County Councillor Des Hannon (pictured) with effect from the new year.

Councillor Greenslade will continue as Chairman of the Corporate Services Scrutiny and as leader of North Devon Council.

The year of cataclysm for the NHS

It has been a big year for the English health service, but for the wrong reasons, writes Alex Nunns of the NHS Support Federation. Here Alex pulls together the strands to explain what is really going on in the NHS.

Walkers, cyclists and riders warned to take extra care

Devon County Council is warning walkers, cyclists and horse riders to take extra care when using paths close to rivers and cliffs over the next few days.

Persistent rain means the ground is saturated and river levels are high, so there is an increased risk of surface water and river flooding as well as the potential for fallen trees and landslips.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said:

“Between Christmas and New Year is a popular time for walking and getting outside for some fresh air, but I would...

Celebrating a Christmas for all & hope for the future

Authored by Kevin Dixon
Posted: Mon, 12/24/2012 - 10:38am

It’s that time of year again. Christmas is fast approaching. The shops are all playing jolly festive jingles that irritate shoppers but can send shop workers insane by the end of their shifts.

But listen to the seasonal soundtrack and note that, more than ever, we now celebrate Christmas in non-religious ways. References to the birth of Jesus have become rare as Christianity fades from our Christmas festivities.

Some may argue that this decline in the religious meaning of Christmas isn’t important.

However, even for non-believers, an awareness of Christian beliefs...

Help from domestic abuse agencies this Christmas

With the festive season upon us, which traditionally sees an increase in incidents of domestic abuse, support agencies would like to raise awareness of the services and help available to those who are at risk, or suffering domestic abuse across the region this Christmas.

Figures from Devon and Cornwall Police show that in December 2011, a total of 231 domestic abuse incidents were recorded in the period between Christmas Day and New Year 2011 – a 48% increase on the average number of incidents during the rest of the year.

Rachel Martin from adva (against domestic violence...

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