Devon

Warning of possible icy conditions overnight

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 01/13/2017 - 6:43am

Road users are being warned that widespread ice could affect the county’s roads overnight and into tomorrow morning.

Freezing conditions are again forecast across the county and road surface temperatures are expected to plummet to as low -3C from early this evening.

Devon County Council is advising people countywide to take extra care as icy patches may be a problem in areas of the county affected by water run-off, particularly on minor roads, following yesterday’s rainfall and snow showers. The worst conditions will occur overnight.

More than 1,200 tonnes of salt...

Your guide to What's On this weekend

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 01/12/2017 - 4:48pm

Your essential guide to What’s On in and around Exeter this weekend (13-15 January):

THEATRE

Ross Noble: Brain Dump (SOLD OUT) Saturday, Exeter Corn Exchange Famed for his super quick freewheeling style and highly imaginative flights of fancy, a Ross Noble show is always an unmissable event. https://exetercornexchange.co.uk

The Witches Friday, Saturday & Sunday, The Blackmore Theatre, Exmouth A faithful adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic story in which Boy and his Grandmother arrive in England and endeavour to defeat the Grand High Witch and her followers, who...

Holmes happy to slog it out

Greg Holmes admits he is loving the “ruthless” nature of rugby life in the Northern Hemisphere following his move from the Queensland Reds to Exeter Chiefs last summer.

Several months into his new start at Sandy Park, the experienced Aussie tight-head has got to learn first-hand about the demands of duty in not only the Aviva Premiership, but also the European Champions Cup and the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

“Looking at it from the other side of the world you probably don’t realise how full on it is here,” said the 33-year-old forward. “Now I’ve been here a few months you see how...

Devon charity makes top appointment

An influential Devon conservation charity has announced the appointment of its new Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Dr Peta Foxall is taking over the role at Devon Wildlife Trust. She will head the charity’s Board of Trustees, the body which determines the Trust’s strategic direction.

As with all the charity’s trustee board members, Dr Foxall’s position is an unpaid, voluntary one.

Dr Foxall brings a wide range of experience to the leadership role. Her background is in senior positions in the fields of education, science and health. She holds a PhD in biological...

Venetian restaurant to open in Exeter

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 01/12/2017 - 12:29pm

Russell Norman and business partner Richard Beatty are set to open Polpo in Exeter's Queen St Dining Quarter next month.

Polpo is modelled on the scruffy wine bars of Venice and feels urban, rustic and stripped back.

Guests enter through a heavy red velvet curtain to find a zinc topped bar and linen-draped lamps. The interiors feature a reclaimed timber floor, rusted tin ceiling and a huge three-metre skylight that floods the restaurant with light. Polpo's trademark deep red leather banquettes line the walls alongside old chemistry lab tables, classic bentwood chairs and...

Baxter finally gets his man in Kvesic

Authored by Mark Stevens
Posted: Thu, 01/12/2017 - 11:39am

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has spoken of his delight after landing England international Matt Kvesic as his first new signing for next season.

A long-time admirer of the all-action forward, Baxter has signed the 24-year-old from Aviva Premiership rivals Gloucester Rugby on a three-year deal.

In welcoming Kvesic to Sandy Park, Baxter – who had tried to sign the former Worcester Warriors player before his move to Gloucester – said: “We were probably a little disappointed not to sign him when he moved from Worcester initially. We would have liked to have signed him...

Mobile ticketing launched across Stagecoach SW

Authored by StagecoachSW
Posted: Thu, 01/12/2017 - 10:27am

Stagecoach South West has launched mobile ticketing through its smartphone app, allowing customers to instantly buy and download day tickets to their smartphones.

The introduction of mobile ticketing technology means customers can buy their day ticket and have it ready to use before boarding the bus. Day tickets bought via the app can be paid for using PayPal, or a debit or credit card, providing an additional payment option for customers alongside existing smart ticketing and cash payments.

The Stagecoach Bus app was introduced earlier this year and is available free of...

Gritters working around the clock on Devon's roads

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 01/12/2017 - 10:24am

Devon’s fleet of gritters are out on all of the county's precautionary salting network today (Thursday 12 January).

More than 2,000 miles of the county’s roads will be treated multiple times by Devon County Council over the next 24 hours.

Persistent rain, combined with the forecast of plummeting temperatures and potential wintry showers and snow later on this afternoon, is making for challenging conditions for the gritting teams. Primary salting routes, on Devon’s busier roads, are being treated as a priority and secondary routes will be salted from around 2pm in...

Kvesic to become a Chief

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Thu, 01/12/2017 - 10:23am

Matt Kvesic says he is “excited” about what lies ahead after he this week agreed to join the Exeter Chiefs on a three-year deal.

The England international is Rob Baxter’s first capture ahead of next season and joins from Aviva Premiership rivals Gloucester.

A destructive force in English rugby’s top flight for a number of years, the 24-year-old’s arrival at Sandy Park will be seen as shrewd bit of business by Baxter, who has tracked the player for a number of years.

Having initially started his senior career at Worcester Warriors in 2009, Kvesic spent four years at...

Singers like alternative to choir

"We are not a choir" say the ads that, for the past 10 years, have been attracting people to Forever Young Sing for Fun.

Many people who come also sing with formal choirs but like the informal Sing for Fun sessions.

Early in 2007, the new St Sidwell's School, York Road, Exeter opened its doors and Forever Young were the first community group to use the new hall.

Ten years later, the school's new Acting Headteacher, Mr Tom Page, welcomed Forever Young as they began another singing evening.

Meeting on a Monday, 7-9pm, singers choose from over 600 backing...

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