Devon

Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime chance to see what's behind the big red wall

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see what goes on behind the big red wall off Exeter’s Topsham Road has had unprecedented interest for a series of exclusive summer evening concerts.

Organisers at Wyvern Barracks say their first night of three is almost sold out. The events will see David FitzGerald from BBC Radio Devon hosting the 6 Rifles concerts along with folk superstar headliners Show of Hands and Devon choir The Lost Sound.

The three nights of summer shows called “100 years Behind the Red Brick Wall” will be filled with music and storytelling documenting a century...

Work on power lines at Seaton Wetlands will cause disturbance

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 06/21/2018 - 12:16pm

Visitors to East Devon District Council’s Seaton Wetlands nature reserve are being warned to expect some major disruption to normal site visiting in July, as Western Power Distribution are due begin work there on Monday 2 July to move overhead power lines underground. The work is expected to be completed by Thursday 26 July.

During the first two weeks (Monday 2 July to Friday 13 July) the car park and paths to the Tower Hide and Stafford Marsh will be closed from Monday to Friday. So the Countryside team is recommending that visitors explore nearby Seaton Marshes, which is accessed...

Baxter reacts to European Champions Cup draw

Rob Baxter says he and his Exeter Chiefs squad should relish what is another ‘exciting’ Heineken Champions Cup pool for the upcoming season.

The Chiefs have been named in Pool Two of the 2018/19 competition, lining up alongside reigning Top14 champions Castres Olympique, Irish giant Munster and Premiership rivals Gloucester.

For the Chiefs, both Castres and Munster are new opponents, having never faced either in competitive action before. The latter, however, do provide a pre-season test for Baxter’s side when they lock horns in Cork on Friday, August 24.

Ranked as...

Local veterans Rise to the Baking Challenge for Help for Heroes

As the nation prepares to Bake for Heroes, six novice bakers have been discovering the benefits of baking for their wellbeing thanks to Help for Heroes’ Plymouth Recovery Centre and the Column Bakehouse in Devonport. Veterans took part in a baking masterclass and over the course of an afternoon learnt how to make focaccia bread, a baguette and a classic British bloomer as well as acquiring the skills to make bread at home. Using simple ingredients; flour, water, yeast and salt; they mixed, kneaded and rolled dough into the three loaves. These were left to prove before being baked to...

South West Water backs Youth Games to promote health and hydration

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 06/21/2018 - 6:07am

South West Water have become official supporters of the region’s largest youth community sports event. The South West Rotary Youth Games is helping create a happier and healthier future by delivering inspiring, innovative and accessible sports and physical activity events across Devon and Cornwall.

Around 10,000 young people across the South West take part in the Games journey every year and the 2018 season climaxes with the Summer Finals set to take place at Dawlish Leisure Centre on Saturday 7 July.

Alan Hyde, Head of Public and Community Relations, South West Water said...

Head on down to Exmouth’s Queen’s Drive Space for live theatre, film nights and music

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 06/20/2018 - 4:29pm

Exmouth’s new Queen’s Drive Space events area will take on a distinctly Russian theme on Saturday (June 23) with a live performance of The Cherry Orchard which is being staged by the Miracle Theatre Company.

The production is the second in a series of theatre and music events on the new site this summer and the venue is already proving to be very popular with people of all ages.

Last week more than 250 people enjoyed Swan Lake which was streamed live to a big screen in the events area from the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.

Queen’s Drive Space opened less than...

Community transport volunteers and staff recognised at awards

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 06/20/2018 - 6:16am

Dedicated community transport volunteers and staff members received prestigious awards at a ceremony at County Hall last week (Thursday 14 June).

The annual Community Transport Awards, organised by Devon County Council and sponsored by local printers Pollards, recognises outstanding contributions to Devon’s community transport providers.

Ten accolades were presented, with the top award for Community Transport Volunteer of the Year going to Simon Edwards, in recognition of his 11 years as a volunteer minibus driver for the Exe Valley Market Bus.

Simon was nominated...

Waste removal tradesman narrowly avoids jail for blighting Devon countryside

A waste removal tradesman who blighted Devon countryside with 2,000 tons of rubbish – then set fire to it – has narrowly avoided jail.

The Environment Agency prosecuted Edward Donovan, of Churchill Drive, Crediton, for a range of offences after he turned part of an elderly land owners’ farm at Spreyton into an illegal waste site. It was here he dumped waste he collected from commercial businesses across central and east Devon as EDS (Ed Donovan Services).

Donovan pleaded guilty to charges under the Environmental Protection Act at Exeter Magistrates Court, which included...

Clean Air Day: Help measure pollution and find greener walking routes during Exeter events

Families can get advice on how to pick greener walking routes in Exeter and help to measure pollution in the city as part of two events to mark Clean Air Day.

Members from Heavitree Community Partnership, Transition Exeter and Sustrans are measuring air pollution in Exeter to mark “Clean Air Day”.

The members have been conducting citizen science experiments to measure air pollution in Heavitree. They have also been talking to residents about how they can help reduce pollution and congestion. East Wonford Hill/Heavitree Fore Street is known as one of the city’s pollution hot...

East Devon Conservatives pledge to tackle growing challenge of people without a roof over their head

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 06/19/2018 - 11:03pm

The Conservatives who control EDDC are taking urgent steps to tackle a growing problem of homelessness – a national issue that is becoming more demanding in East Devon.

A combination of social issues, funding cuts and new legislation mean all councils face greater challenges than before in finding solutions for people who present as homeless.

Now Jill Elson, EDDC’s Cabinet Member for Sustainable Homes and Communities, is taking action to ensure the best possible arrangements are in place to provide suitable accommodation for homeless people, advise them on their needs and...

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