Exeter

Sky field engineers from across Devon converged on Paignton Zoo to make some hefty treats for the larger animals.

The team of 18 engineers from Plymouth, Tavistock and Torbay made environmental enrichment devices for different species, including big balls for the rhinos and big cats.

As you can imagine, any toy that a rhino is going to play with needs to be tough. A rhino ball is made out of car and tractor tyres bolted together. In this instance, they have metal brackets inside so they make a noise when rolled, making them even more interesting.

Paignton Zoo...

Devon and Cornwall Police are reminding people that domestic abuse can happen to anyone and although Valentine’s Day is associated with love and romance, for some, it can prove a traumatic time of year.

The Force is running its ‘Is This Love?’ campaign which aims to raise awareness of the different aspects of abuse – emotional, financial, physical, and sexual.

Domestic abuse is the cruel misuse of power and control by one person over another. It can begin at any time, can be obvious or subtle and can happen suddenly or gradually.

Detective Chief Inspector John Trott...

Just six homes are now available to buy in Summerfield’s exclusive development in a picturesque, Mid Devon village near Crediton. The scheme is the first major residential development in the area for over 20 years and has already seen six plots snapped up by eager homebuyers.

Enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, Summerfield’s ‘Creedy View’ is a select development of three- and four-bedroom homes that sits on the outskirts of the charming and extremely sought after village of Sandford, near Crediton, Devon.

Each property has been carefully designed by the...

You don’t get many World Championships coming to Exeter, but on Shrove Tuesday (Tuesday 17 February), Princesshay will host the second World Pancake Racing Championships.

Local businesses and organisations will take to the street to demonstrate their pancake flipping credentials.

The Pancake World Championship is a partnership between local Event Management company Wacky Nation and Princesshay, to add some fun entertainment for shoppers during the half term holidays and raise funds for local charities.

Teams of between two and four members will compete in heats...

There’s lot’s going on at Castle Drogo this half-term – from following a nature trail to building a home for nature.

“Castle Drogo and the surrounding 700 acre estate is the perfect place to explore, get muddy, jump in a puddle and build a den,” says Visitor Services Assistant, April Braund.

Every day, from Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 February, 11am-4pm, families can follow a nature trail through the grounds to discover more about the wildlife that lives around the castle. The trail costs £1.50 and includes a prize at the end.

Families can also become part of a ‘Wild...

Love should be in the air in Exeter this weekend as we celebrate Valentine’s Day, yet new research finds old fashioned romance is under threat from 21st century living.

Michael Spiers Jewellers, renowned independent jewellers based in Exeter, polled people in the South West to gauge attitudes to love in 2015 and found that busy lifestyles and technology addictions are stunting relationships and putting a dampener on romance.* The survey revealed 42% of people think that there are too many distractions in modern society that get in the way of true love. They point the finger of...

The heat will be turned up on curry chefs in Exeter, East Devon and Teignbridge on Tuesday (17 February) in an attempt to find out who can rustle up the best balti.

Fourteen of Exeter, East Devon and Teignbridge's finest curry chefs will be putting their best dishes to the test at @34 Restaurant, Exeter College from 10am on Tuesday. At stake will be the prestigious title of Exeter East Devon & Teignbridge Curry Chef of the Year 2015.

This year, Exeter City Council and Teignbridge District Council are joining forces with East Devon District Council for an even bigger and...

A new no smoking policy came into force at Devon’s Crealy Great Adventure Park on 1 February.

The decision follows feedback from a number of guests to move towards a more family friendly and healthy environment for all to enjoy.

Designated smoking areas have been created to ensure that passive smoking for guests of all ages is reduced and eliminated where possible.

E-cigarettes are also included in the no smoking policy at the Park.

Chris Down, managing director and family owner of Devon’s Crealy Great Adventure Park said: “We’ve listened carefully to the...

A la Ronde is open for visitors again following its winter clean, but some conservation work can still be seen taking place in this unique house.

Every Wednesday and Thursday, the in-house team of expert conservators will be carrying out their work in front of visitors so they can find out more about the specialist techniques used for cleaning ceramics, metals, beating carpets and conserving the book collection.

Laura Fox, House Steward, says: “we are delighted to be able to invite visitors to watch conservation in action at A la Ronde and meet some experts in their fields...