A new bird study on Dartmoor reveals dunlin numbers have increased in response to efforts to restore the moor's famous mires.
The dunlin is a small wading bird. They breed across northern Europe, Russia and North America, but globally their most southerly breeding location is on Dartmoor. In the UK their population numbers 9,600 pairs and they are completely reliant on good quality blanket bog for breeding.
The Dartmoor Mires Project is a pilot scheme exploring the feasibility and effects of restoring degraded blanket bog on Dartmoor, and is being coordinated by Dartmoor...
Devon Hotels & Restaurants Association has reported a ‘perfect summer’ with bookings for many establishments seeing a healthy rise on last year’s figures thanks to the combination of two months of glorious sunshine, a renewed optimism in the economy encouraging spend and an increase in the corporate market.
All this with the careful planning and future forecasting of local hoteliers and restaurant owners has combined to safeguard the region’s highly respected tourism industry.
Mike Coombes, chair of Devon Hotels and MD of luxurious Mill End Hotel on Dartmoor commented...
Cutting edge technology and innovation is at the heart of an impressive 2014 shortlist for the prestigious annual Green Energy Awards, organised by Regen SW.
The shortlist was compiled from a record flood of over 100 nominations for inspiring companies, projects and people pioneering the development of sustainable energy in the south west of England. The winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony and dinner attended by over 300 industry leadings that is held in Bath Assembly Room on 25 November.
The shortlisted nominees (listed below) will now go through to...
The Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust and Devon County Council are urging smokers to try to give up the habit by taking on the national Stoptober challenge.
Stoptober, run by Public Health England, aims to encourage as many smokers as possible to attempt to give up the habit for 28 days through October.
The Trust is supporting people to quit through its weekly stop smoking clinics across the county, led by specialist advisers in its Health Promotion Devon team.
The advisers form part of the Devon Stop Smoking Service, which is based at the Culm Valley Integrated...
A special ceremony will be held at Crediton’s new £8.5 million link road next Wednesday (1 October) ahead of its opening.
Devon County Council Chairman Councillor George Gribble will unveil a ceremonial plaque at the new road, known as Wellparks Hill, at 10.30am. Although the opening of the road is due to follow soon after, the exact timing of when it will open to the public will depend on completion of minor work.
Construction of the 760 metre single carriageway started in July 2013. The completed road now provides a new direct route to the Lords Meadow Industrial Estate...
Volunteers who support the work of Devon and Cornwall Police in the communities it serves will be honoured at an awards ceremony tonight (Friday). The Devon and Cornwall Police Partnership Community Volunteer Awards will be held at Sandy Park, home of Exeter Chiefs rugby team. Awards will be presented by Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer, Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Hogg and by Julie Dowton, Chair of Devon and Cornwall Community Watch Association (DaCCWA). In previous years DaCCWA held an annual awards ceremony to acknowledge and celebrate the activities of watch schemes and their...
Gidleigh Park is delighted to have retained its two Michelin stars following the release of the Michelin Guide 2015. Executive Chef Michael Caines MBE, who celebrates 20 years at Gidleigh Park this year, was awarded two Michelin stars for the first time in 1999 and today’s announcement marks sixteen continuous years for the hotel to hold the award. Michael Caines commented: “The Michelin guide is arguably the most revered restaurant guide amongst chefs, restaurant critics and guests alike and we’re honoured to retain our stars for the sixteenth year running.
The Franks family at Oakdown Touring and Holiday Park in East Devon are celebrating after scooping the top spot of the England and Overall AA Best Campsite of the Year for 2015, a huge achievement that puts them ahead of 900 other parks listed in the AA guide.
This award is the latest in their already long list of awards, including the Gold accolade for Professor David Bellamy’s Conservation Award for 17 consecutive years and the 5 Pennant rating from the AA Camping and Caravan Park Scheme – the equivalent of a top star rated hotel.
High levels of calcium in blood, a condition known as hypercalcaemia, can be used by GPs as an early indication of certain types of cancer, according to a study by researchers from the University of Exeter Medical School and the University of Bristol.
Hypercalcaemia is the most common metabolic disorder associated with cancer, occurring in 10 to 20 per cent of people with cancer. While its connection to cancer is well known, this study has, for the first time, shown that often it can predate the diagnosis of cancer in primary care.
Devon-based music charity Wren Music has welcomed a national survey which shows that more young people than ever before are learning to play an instrument, but says more can be done to keep them involved in music into adulthood.
Projects like Wren’s ‘Rough Music’ orchestras, ‘Voices in Common’ choirs and Roots Music School - its community orchestras and choirs across Devon - are aiming to do just that.
Wren’s orchestras and choirs are for anyone to join irrespective of ability, with the aim of encouraging a life-long involvement in music.
