Devon

Three Devon companies in the running for national business awards

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Sun, 02/13/2022 - 10:12pm

Three outstanding businesses from Devon are preparing to attend the national final of the UK’s leading rural business awards programme, where they’re shortlisted for their outstanding accomplishments in business.

Thorverton-based Rull Orchard, The Outdoors Group from Shillingford Abbot and Dartington’s Apricot Centre have been shortlisted in the national final of the Rural Business Awards, held in partnership with Amazon, which will see them compete against fellow businesses from across the UK to be named among the best rural businesses in the country.

The national final...

Cullompton 'pod' homes approved

By Ollie Heptinstall, local democracy reporter

The three-storey building, with six homes, will replace a former council-owned garage block at St Andrews Estate after Mid Devon councillors gave the go-ahead.

Built in collaboration with Zed Pods Ltd, a producer of the modular homes, the council project includes an equal mix of one and two-bedroom flats. They are for social rent and will be allocated through the Devon Home Choice system through which people with housing needs bid for rental properties.

The modular units are factory-made before being transported to...

Public urged to help fund £2.5m woodland wildlife haven

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 02/11/2022 - 12:08pm

The Woodland Trust needs public’s help to hit a £2.5 million target to turn Devon site into a woodland haven for rare wildlife – 50 years on from its first.

The charity - celebrating its 50th year - is looking to go back to its roots and is seeking the public’s help as it raises £.2.5 million to create a new woodland in the backyard of where it was formed.

The stunning 54-hectare site near Lympstone, Devon, is set in a wonderful location - a scenic rural valley close to the Exe Estuary, itself a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The charity will look to plant...

Let Devon's Nature be your Valentine this year

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 02/11/2022 - 11:47am

The RSPB in Devon are encouraging people to show themselves some love and care this Valentine’s Day by reconnecting with their local wildlife and greenspaces.

Inviting people in Devon to enjoy a walk at a nature reserve near them, the RSPB are on hand to help you discover local birdsong and take part in National Nestbox Week from 14-21 February.

Morwenna Alldis, spokesperson for the RSPB says: “Last year many of us probably missed out on our Valentine’s hearts and flowers because it was difficult to spend time with the people we love and care for during lockdown....

Neil Graham, owner Devonia

Innovative Devonia Plans to Expand Sustainable Spring Water Business

A Devon spring water company which puts sustainability at the heart of everything it does is set to double its area of operations. Devonia, which has reused 2.2 million bottles since it began trading, saving nearly 300,000 kilograms of glass from going into a landfill, is the only spring water company in southern Britain with a business model based on the concept of reusing bottles time and again.

“There are two basic elements involved with the increasing demand for spring water, what’s inside the bottle and the bottle itself,” says company owner, Neil Graham. “And every drop of...

horses, racing, Exeter Racecourse

Exeter Racecourse takes centre stage with a top class day of racing this Sunday

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 02/10/2022 - 3:40pm

All roads lead to Exeter Racecourse for its Super Sunday (February 13) race meeting with more than £100,000 in prize money, and some of British jump racing’s most exciting prospects among the entries. Top horses, top jockeys and top trainers are the order of the day with a slice of the very best jump racing action heading west to Devon for racing fans to enjoy. And it’s a day to savour, with Cheltenham Festival chatter increasing daily, and all eyes on British performers at Devon’s premier track as the finishing touches are put to their preparation ahead of the world’s greatest jump...

Exeter retirement village residents raise nearly £7,000 for Hospiscare

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 02/10/2022 - 2:57pm

Millbrook retirement village, in Exeter, has handed over a cheque for £6,677 to Hospiscare, after residents hosted a series of fundraisers throughout 2021.

Residents raised £3,338.97 in total by hosting a charity walk, quiz, dog show, coffee morning, craft show, a singing concert, Christmas raffle, and a patio clean. One resident, Jenny Skinner, aged 68, even took part in a skydive to raise vital funds for the Devon based charity.

The residents’ donations were matched by Inspired Villages, the later living operator behind Millbrook, doubling the total to £6,677.94...

Law firm celebrates significant growth in apprentices

In recognition of National Apprenticeships Week 2022, which runs from 7 – 13 February, South West law firm Stephens Scown LLP is celebrating the fact that in the last 12 months, the number of apprentices at the firm has doubled, including more legal apprentices than ever before.

National family law firm arrives in Exeter

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 02/09/2022 - 2:59pm

Stowe Family Law (Stowe) – the UK’s largest specialist family law firm –continues to widen its nationwide presence with the opening of its 44th office in Exeter .

Helping to provide much-needed reassurance in a time of continued anxiety for many couples, the new office will help clients across Exeter access some of the country’s top family lawyers.

As the UK draws closer to the introduction of no-fault divorce in April this year, a recent study conducted by the firm revealed that over 76% of people living in the Southwest were not aware that divorce law in England and...

Construction giant Midas goes into administration

By Philip Churm, local democracy reporter

Business leaders in Devon have been reacting to the news that one of the UK’s biggest privately owned construction companies has gone out of business – affecting a number of public sector projects in the county.

Midas Group Limited has offices across south west England and Wales including in Exeter in Newton Abbot.

A contract with Torbay Council to build an £11 million Premier Inn is now threatened but the council said it will work with stakeholders to make sure it is delivered.

Over 300 people are expected to...

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