Exeter

Volunteers underpin work of Exeter cancer charity

Today (June 1) marks the start of national Volunteers’ Week and Exeter-based FORCE Cancer Charity has revealed the latest figures about the value of time given freely given by its supporters.

In 2015 volunteers racked up more than 19,450 hours for the charity, which offers face-to-face support to anyone locally affected by cancer.

That’s worth an estimated £125,000 – a vital contribution to an organisation that offers all of its services free of charge, receives no Government funding and needs to raise £1.2 million every year to maintain them.

FORCE provides help...

University to chair EU referendum discussions

Experts from the University of Exeter are to host a special two-part discussion series about whether the UK should stay or leave the European Union.

Representatives from both sides of the argument will discuss the possible implications of a ‘Brexit’ during the series, which will both be held at the Exeter Phoenix in June.

Open to the public, the events will be led by experts from the University’s College of Social Sciences and International Studies.

The first of the events, entitled: 'Brexit: Would it leave Britain and Europe less secure?' will be held on Wednesday...

Olympic medallist backs St Sidwell’s Point

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 06/01/2016 - 3:55pm

Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European medallist Rebecca Adlington OBE is backing St Sidwell’s Point in Exeter.

Rebecca, who swam in four Olympic finals winning two gold and two bronze medals in Beijing and London, said she is ‘delighted’ to hear of the project.

St Sidwell’s Point will feature three swimming pools, including a confidence pool to help encourage youngsters to learn to swim at a young age.

“Swimming has obviously been a major part of my life” she said.

“My love of swimming started on family holidays with my parents and two sisters, we’d...

Jewellery stolen in East Devon burglary

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 06/01/2016 - 3:35pm

Police are appealing for information after items of jewellery were stolen from a house in Beech Park in the West Hill area of Ottery St Mary.

The burglary happened between 8.45am on Friday 26 May and 2.30pm on Sunday 29 May while the occupants were away on holiday. A glazed rear door of the property was smashed using a long handled axe.

Police are advising members of the public to ensure that gardening tools and items such as ladders which could be used to assist offenders in gaining access to a property are properly secured at all times.

There are more things you...

Are we really European? A round table discussion on culture and identity

Event Date: 
15/06/2016 - 6:00pm
Venue: 
Exeter Phoenix

With the EU Referendum imminent, a panel of experts will discuss the cultural relationship between Britain and the rest of Europe. At this event our panellists will address the following questions, and more:

How 'European' is British culture? Is British identity a 'European' identity? Is Britain so different from the rest of Europe? Should we think of ourselves as bring European rather than British?

Audience questions and discussion is welcome.

Panel members

The following panel members have been confirmed for this event so far: Professor William Higbee (...

Brexit: Would it leave Britain and Europe less secure?

Event Date: 
08/06/2016 - 6:00pm
Venue: 
Exeter Phoenix

Security has always been at the heart of the European project. Not only has economic integration served as a vehicle for peace in Europe, but in more recent years the EU has started to develop a more robust security and defence policy.

At this event our expert panel will address the following questions, and more:

What are the strategic implications of Brexit?

Would leaving the EU really undermine Britain's strategic standing and partnerships? Would it weaken European security and play into the hands of its strategic adversaries? We will also welcome audience...

A Night Full of Stars: R1 Big Weekend second day review and pictures

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 06/01/2016 - 12:52pm

After months of eager anticipation, 25,000 music fans made their way to Powderham Castle on Sunday to enjoy one of the UK’s most popular festivals and experience live performances from, among others, Izzy Azalea, Ellie Goulding, Skepta and headliner Coldplay.

Temperatures soared on Day 2 of Radio 1’s Big Weekend and a large crowd gathered at the main stage to watch opening act One Republic. This was followed by the hotly anticipated Welsh quartet Catfish and the Bottlemen who, despite some technical issues, did not disappoint as they powered through a series of fan favourites, such...

Police appeal after two women racially abused in Exeter

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 06/01/2016 - 11:57am

Police are seeking witnesses after two women were racially abused in Sidwell Street, Exeter on Saturday 28th May at around 6.15pm.

The women were walked passed a man in the street who then subjected them to verbal abuse using racist language - Both women were left shaken and distressed by the incident.

Police are appealing for witnesses and are seeking the offender who is described as being a white man, of stocky build aged between 40 and 50 years old. He was wearing jeans and a pale blue polo shirt.

Sergeant Colin Harper, from Exeter Neighbourhood Team, said: “This...

Devon's budget in the black for 25th consecutive year

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 06/01/2016 - 11:31am

Devon County Council’s budget is in the black for the 25th consecutive year.

The authority underspent by £35,000 in the 2015/16 financial year on a net revenue budget of £500.105 million.

County Treasurer Mary Davis will tell councillors next week: “The financial year has now ended and it is pleasing that the final position is a small underspending of £35,000.”

But Mrs Davis will warn that children’s services and adult social care continue to be subject to significant financial pressures at a time of continuing austerity.

And she says that children’s...

Birthday celebrations at Digby and Sowton station

Digby & Sowton station’s 21st birthday on Monday 23 May was celebrated in style with a giant birthday cake cut by Cllr Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Transport in an event at the station, which is on the Exeter – Exmouth “Avocet Line”.

Present to help with the celebrations (and eat the cake) were members of the Avocet Line Rail Users’ Group, including Vice Chair Noel Harrison, Anette Grahns of the Digby Community Association and Richard Burningham, Manager of the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership.

The station is popular with...

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