Exeter

Seaside communities are being urged to create dedicated Coastal Community Teams to drive forward economic regeneration and a long-term vision, by new Coastal Communities Minister Mark Francois today (16 June 2015).

The government is providing over £1 million to set up 110 Coastal Community Teams to deal with the specific economic challenges faced by seaside towns and take forward a local strategy for success.

In a letter to coastal MPs, the minister said the creation of these new teams would make sure the economic recovery is felt across the country – helping areas deal...

Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman suffered facial injuries in Dawlish in the early hours of Sunday 14 June.

A 44-year-old local woman is believed to have fallen to the ground on Millin Way, Dawlish Warren, at around 2am.

She was taken by ambulance to Torbay Hospital and was later discharged.

Officers are investigating whether the woman may have been hit by a vehicle.

A 22-year-old local man has been arrested on suspicion of assault and released on police bail until 27 August.

Enquiries are continuing to establish what happened....

New research carried out by Exeter Citizens Advice Bureau has revealed that there is a limited supply of suitable housing for students and other private renters in Exeter.

The findings are published today in a new report from Citizens Advice called Dispatches from the front lines of the housing crisis. Exeter Citizens Advice Bureau features in the report highlighting the issues faced in the city in relation to its growing student population.

The report also examines the impact of the development of large student blocks on the rental market in Exeter.

Nationally...

Dedicated volunteers and staff who are the driving force behind Devon’s Community Transport schemes were honoured at a special ceremony on Thursday 11 June.

As part of Community Transport Awareness Week, Devon County Council held its 16th annual Community Transport Awards ceremony at County Hall. The ceremony, which is sponsored by GM Coachwork who specialise in wheelchair access vehicles and vehicle adaptations, recognises outstanding contributions within the community transport sector.

Winner of the Community Transport Volunteer of the Year was Steve Brownridge of TRIP...

Wherever you are in the world, Devon-based company, Alive Studios, has just made it possible to manage film and image transfer without the use of a computer thanks to its new “Karishma Cloud App”.

This world first App, that is available for all Apple and Android devices, means that old cine film, video and camcorder tapes can be sent for transfer into a High Definition format straight from a phone or tablet.

Once downloaded from the AppStore, Karishma Cloud App will request registration and sign in before setting up an account for the first time. It then prompts the user to...

A woman from Exminster has claimed to have built a functioning time machine in her garage.

In an ad posted on classifieds website Gumtree.com, the creator of the time machine is seeking a companion to join her in the first human transportation on the device. The ad poster states she has successfully made mice "disappear" in the machine, but is unsure if the animals went back or forward in time. She is seeking a "male or female who is open minded with a good sense of humour" to accompany her on the journey through time. Although the poster did not supply images of the time machine,...

Neil Parish MP was given a star on Guide Dogs’ pavement parking Walk of Fame for supporting the charity’s campaign to stop cars parking on pavements.

The MP for Tiverton and Honiton attended Guide Dogs’ event at the Houses of Parliament on the 10th of June in support of their campaign. The charity wants people living with sight loss to feel confident and independent when they are out and about, and believes that vehicles parked on pavements put people living with sight loss in danger.

The event, hosted by Lord Holmes of Richmond, highlighted the problems faced daily by...

“Stay safe in the water” is the message that East Devon District Council is promoting with its Water Safety Day, which is taking place at Beach Gardens (opposite Exmouth Pavilion) in Exmouth, on Sunday 5 July, from 10am to 4pm. Entry is free.

The event, which also involves local water sports companies, clubs and charities, aims to raise awareness of the potential risks involved in water sports, whether at sea or on inland waters, and to get people thinking about keeping safe while having fun.

Throughout the day there will be a number of informative presentations,...

A ribbon cutting ceremony was carried out by the Lord Mayor of Exeter, Councillor Olwen Foggin, to officially open CASA, a new independent furnishings and giftware store in Topsham.

Queenstreet Carpets & Furnishings, a family-owned company trading in Exeter for nearly half a century, hosted the summer launch event to celebrate the opening of their second new store inviting customers, suppliers and local businesses.

More than 100 guests enjoyed wines by award-winning Pebblebed Wines and canapés by Posh Nosh. A charity raffle with prizes kindly donated by local businesses...

Police are appealing for witnesses after a child was seriously injured following a collision with a car in Crediton at the weekend.

The collision involving the boy, who was a pedestrian, and a blue Volkswagen Polo, happened at around 4.25pm on Saturday 13 June, on or close to the pedestrian crossing on East Street, near the junction with Church Street.

The boy was taken by air ambulance to Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, with serious leg injuries and minor head injuries.

He has been transferred to Bristol Children’s Hospital where he is described as being in a...