Local News

Research shows early patient feedback can predict asthma treatment success

A group of South West-based researchers have shown that early improvements in asthma symptoms can help predict how effective treatment will be in the future.

Experts at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, the University of Plymouth, and the University of Exeter used national data to find out if it’s possible to predict how people with severe asthma will respond to medication.

Asthma affects 350 million people worldwide, and an estimated 3–10% of those diagnosed have severe asthma. People with severe asthma often face much tougher symptoms and...

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3,500 expected to attend Jehovah's Witness "Be Courageous!" Regional Convention

Every day we face situations that require courage: at home, at school, at work, or in the community, especially when tragedy strikes. Where can we find this courage?

That is the question that will be addressed, beginning this Friday at the Westpoint Arena, Exeter, as around 3000 Jehovah’s Witnesses and members of the public from across the region attend their 3-day annual convention, the theme of which this year is “Be Courageous!”

This is one of 38 Conventions being held across the country. Across the world over 13 million attend these conventions each year in 180 lands...

New social enterprise is on a mission to keep Devon communities healthy

A new nationwide social enterprise has been established with the aim of keeping local communities in the UK healthy, active and social - and Devon is the first county that will benefit.

‘Healthy Communities’ is a not-for-profit organisation set up by national fitness business Move it or Lose it, with the intention of bringing people together whilst helping them to improve their health at the same time.

The organisation has already secured a £25,000 fund to train 20 new fitness instructors across Devon to deliver classes for older people and those with limited mobility....

Brand new Topsham Library opens its doors

Topsham Library, run by Devon-based charity Libraries Unlimited, has moved to Topsham’s brand new community hub, Nancy Potter House, alongside The Estuary League of Friends.

The multipurpose community hub, built by The Estuary League of Friends, will offer a wide range of services and activities for the local community, including the contemporary new library, a café, day room, wet rooms and laundry as well as conference, training, exercise and treatment rooms for hire for business and private functions.

Devon County Council is responsible for the county’s public library...

St Thomas Splash Pad closed

The Splash Pad in Exeter's St Thomas Pleasure Ground has been closed due to technical difficulties.

A spokesman for Exeter City Council said: "We are doing everything possible to get the popular facility back in action but the likelihood is that it will remain closed up until and probably into the weekend. We would like to apologise for this inconvenience."

The council's paddling pools at Heavitree Pleasure Ground remain open for use.

Exeter College awarded £60,000 by GWR to create an Exeter St David's Gateway

Exeter College, working in partnership with Devon County Council, has been awarded £60,000 by train operator Great Western Railway (GWR) to create a much improved pedestrian gateway to Exeter from St Davids station.

Under the plans, the route along St Clements Lane, one of the most high profile pedestrian entranceways into the city for rail users, will be greatly enhanced with improved signage, better surfacing and lighting.

Train operator GWR has announced that the bid for funding from its Customer and Communities Improvement Fund (CCIF), designed to help boost local...

Wildlife and habitats off the Devon coast set for conservation boost

If all eight sites get better protection we'll all feel the benefit too, says Marine Conservation Society

Eight marine sites around Devon, from ones right on the coast to others miles offshore, could get a special protected status by 2019, but only if the public gets behind them now, says the UK's leading marine charity.

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) says the third and final round of proposed Marine Conservation Zone designations, currently the subject of a public consultation, could result in 40% of English seas being protected. However, the charity says the...

The Donkey Sanctuary’s latest rescue gets staff buzzing

A colony of honey bees that took up residence at The Donkey Sanctuary’s headquarters have been saved thanks to a quick thinking member of staff. Jenifer Tucker, website manager at The Donkey Sanctuary who is also a beekeeper heard that the bees had chosen Slade House, the charity’s main offices, as their new home and knew that as a working environment, they would not be able to stay there. As the bees had chosen the roof space in Slade House, it would have been virtually impossible to remove them without the intervention of a pest controller. At this time of year, honey bees are likely to...

Asian hornet nests found by radio-tracking

Electronic radio tags could be used to track invasive Asian hornets and stop them colonising the UK and killing honeybees, new research shows.

Scientists from the University of Exeter attached tiny tags to Asian hornets, then used a tracking device to follow them to their nests; the first time this has been achieved.

They tested the technique in southern France and Jersey (see footnotes) – where Asian hornets are well established – and the tags led researchers to five previously undiscovered nests.

“Our new method of tracking offers a really important new tool to...

Award launched to celebrate projects protecting and improving National Parks

Exmoor and Dartmoor projects contributing to our beautiful National Parks could receive a £2,000 boost in recognition of their work thanks to the Campaign for National Parks’ Park Protector Award.

The Award, sponsored by Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust, celebrates the work being done to protect and improve National Parks across England and Wales with the winner receiving a £2,000 bursary and a runner up receiving £500 courtesy of Breedon Group.

Nominations are being invited until Tuesday 31 July. Nominated projects must be seeking to conserve or enhance the biodiversity...

Preferred contractor selected for Exeter Bus Station redevelopment

Exeter City Council has selected a preferred contractor for its project to create a state-of-the-art new leisure centre and new bus station in the city centre. Construction firm Kier will carry out the enabling works necessary ahead of the building programme to construct the new facilities. The main build contract for the leisure centre and bus station is expected to be signed later this year. Pete Edwards, leader of the city council, said: “We are delighted to announce today that Kier has been chosen as our preferred contractor.

“Kier has a strong record in completing major...

Local News

Research shows early patient feedback can predict asthma treatment success

3,500 expected to attend Jehovah's Witness "Be Courageous!" Regional Convention

New social enterprise is on a mission to keep Devon communities healthy

Brand new Topsham Library opens its doors

St Thomas Splash Pad closed

Exeter College awarded £60,000 by GWR to create an Exeter St David's Gateway

Wildlife and habitats off the Devon coast set for conservation boost

The Donkey Sanctuary’s latest rescue gets staff buzzing

Asian hornet nests found by radio-tracking

Award launched to celebrate projects protecting and improving National Parks

Preferred contractor selected for Exeter Bus Station redevelopment

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