People across the South West are being urged to back a hard-hitting initiative to save Stop Smoking Services from closure, as new figures released today (Wednesday) reveal dangerous funding cuts. A new joint report by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) and Cancer Research UK found that 57 per cent of local authorities in the South West were forced to reduce their smoking cessation budgets in the last year, putting these vital services – and thousands of lives - at risk. With repeated Government cuts to councils’ public health budgets, over the last three years, findings from the report...
Devon County Council’s new Minerals Plan is set to be adopted following support from the Government’s Planning Inspectorate.
The report, published following a public inquiry in May, concludes that the Plan meets legal requirements and provides an appropriate basis for the future quarrying plans in the county for the next 17 years.
The inquiry heard from a wide range of objectors and included discussions on the new mineral extraction areas at Drakelands Mine and near Ottery St Mary and Uffculme, together with wider protection for mineral resources.
A Brothers Grimm spell has been cast over Killerton this Christmas.
For the first time, the National Trust property will be transformed into classic fairy tales with a festive twist from Saturday 19 November.
Each year, to celebrate the start of Christmas at Killerton, the staff step out of their day jobs and ‘get into character’ for the festive theme with a specially commissioned photoshoot. This year, the staff portrayed Sleeping Beauty and Little Red Riding Hood. Visitors can then see scenes from the stories on display in the exhibition (although the staff will be back...
A new countryside park for the local community has been given the go-ahead today on land between Exeter Road and Eastdon Woods north of Shutterton Lane in Dawlish.
Proposed by Councillor Price and seconded by Councillor Mayne, Teignbridge Planning Committee unanimously approved the change of use planning application for the new countryside park which will provide a natural recreational area for local people to enjoy now and into the future.
This natural, green space is needed to help protect internationally important conservation sites at nearby Dawlish Warren and the Exe...
As a result of a new partnership between The Bike Shed Theatre and Hawksmoor Investment Management, two hundred young people from Exeter’s secondary schools and colleges will be given the opportunity to go to the theatre.
Complimentary tickets will be given to students who might not ordinarily be able to attend. Visiting in small groups up to five, they will also have the chance to meet the cast and the creative team to find out more about the production and how new shows are created.
Students from West Exe school, Isca College, St James and St Peters along with Exeter...
Housing and homelessness charity Shelter is appealing for help to fund its free helpline after seeing a surge in demand from the South West, with over 43,000 calls received in the past year alone.
In a sign of the deepening housing crisis, the number of calls to the charity’s helpline from the South West - which is part-funded by M&S - has increased by 12% with a call now received nearly every five and a half minutes. Worryingly, nearly one in five cases in the South West dealt with by the Shelter helpline in the past year were people who were homeless or within 28 days of...
Stagecoach South West has confirmed it is the headline sponsor of this year’s Exeter Christmas lights switch-on, due to be held in the city centre on 17 November.
The annual event attracts people from across the region and this year marks the first to be organised by Exeter’s Business Improvement District (BID).
Hosted by Radio Exe favourites Ashley Jeary, Ben Clark and Chris Dinnis, there will be a fun and festive programme of entertainment throughout the city centre from 4pm onwards. The event also marks the unveiling of a new lighting scheme that, due to popular demand,...
The governors of West Exe School have announced that headteacher Sönke Beyer has left the school.
Chair of governors, David Kernick, said: “Mr Beyer has chosen to leave West Exe School with effect from the end of October 2016.
“He passes on his very best wishes to all staff and students and thanks the parents and carers, as well as governors and the learning community, for their continuing support for the school.
“The governors would like to thank Mr Beyer, paying tribute to his hard work and tireless commitment to the school during his time as headteacher and wish...
For many pupils, parents and National Trust supporters, the Exeter School Concert in aid of the National Trust in Exeter Cathedral is a favourite in the calendar. For the sixteenth year running, the concert showcases the school’s senior orchestral groups, brass and choirs in the magnificent cathedral setting. Around 200 pupils ranging in age from 11 up to 18 will be making this year’s concert on Tuesday 6 December a night to remember. Director of Music Peter Tamblyn said: “In such an impressive venue, the annual National Trust Christmas Concert at Exeter Cathedral is a highlight of the...
Devon and Cornwall Police and the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner are working with police forces across the South West to crack down on people using their mobile phones while driving.
It comes as figures from the RAC show that the number of motorists who illegally use mobile phones while at the wheel is rising.
1,714 motorists were surveyed and 31% of said they used a handheld phone behind the wheel. That compares with 8% in 2014.
The number of drivers who said they sent a message or posted on social media rose from 7% to 19%, while 14% said they...
