Michael Jackson’s former bodyguard, Matt Fiddes, a 7th degree black belt, who runs martial arts schools in Exeter, has received a prestigious martial arts award and has been inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
Fiddes, 35, is the youngest person to ever have been awarded a Martial Arts Superstar award currently run by the renowned magazine, Martial Arts Illustrated.
Previous winners of similar awards include legends Bruce Lee, Jean Claude Van Damme and Chuck Norris.
Fiddes took to the stage alongside Expendables actor, Scott Adkins and Elvis Presley’s former...
The National Trust is 'actively discussing' the sale of a Devon village set to go on the market for an estimated £11.5 million, reports say. Bantham village and the accompanying beach , are a popular tourism spot in Mid-Devon was piut up for sale last November as part of a large parcel of family-owned land known for sale by Evans Estates. The estate - which also includes land and properties in Wales and Dorset - is expected to sell on the market for around £35million with £11.5million coming from the sale of Bantham alone. However the sale also poses a significant development risk to a...
The 119th Devon County Show is in full swing after an opening day where crowds created a happy atmosphere, livestock exhibitors saw the son of a great champion take glory and traders did brisk business.
Yesterday the 25th Show at the Westpoint showground didn’t so much defy the elements as take advantage of them as relaxed visitors dodged the showers in what Show Secretary Ollie Allen described as “ideal show weather”.
“It’s been a really brilliant day,” she said. “We’ve welcomed big crowds who enjoyed the hot sunshine to watch all manner of entertainment in six arenas and...
Devon and Cornwall Police is preparing for a busy May Bank Holiday weekend with an expected influx in visitors and a number of large public events taking place. The Force is running Operation Cosmos from Friday to Monday (23-26 May) to respond to additional demands placed upon policing the region. The operation will co-ordinate policing activity for organised events such as Devon County Show and Run to the Sun in Newquay, while ensuring that the Force maintains its high level of policing service for the public. Detective Superintendent Glen Mayhew, Force Director of Intelligence, said: “...
The Labour party has retained control of Exeter City council following yesterday’s elections. Thirteen council seats were up for up for grabs in the election including seven from Labour, three from the Conservatives and two from the Liberal Democrats.
Labour gained two additional seats taking a ward from the Conservative and one wards from the Liberal Democrats.
Local Conservative group leader Yolanda Henson lost her seat in Polsloe to Labour's Christine Elizabeth Raybould-Gooding.
Following the election the Labour hold the majority with 27 Seats, Conservatives hold...
Organisers of the Devon county show are turning way new visitors from the car parks due to concerns over the muddy conditions. A spokesman for the show said a combination of heavy use yesterday and the overnight rain had left the fields ‘decimated’ making too difficult to park vehicles in them in a safe and timely way. Organisers believe that they will be able to successfully remove the vehicles currently parked but people making their way to the show should find alternative transport such as the local bus service. The difficulties persist despite the shows’ stewards spreading hundreds of...
This bank holiday weekend, works by top artists, including rock legend Ronnie Wood, move into an Exeter development with the help of a local art gallery.
Castle Galleries, Exeter, on Cathedral Yard has joined forces with Linden Homes to create a pop up exhibition at the City Glade development off Topsham Road.
Until Monday 26 May, the showroom will showcase an array of artists from the likes of Paul Kenton, who creates beautiful and striking cityscapes, to Caroline Shotton, who’s famed for her fun and colourful bovine art, which includes pieces such as ‘Spider-moo’. This is...
Devon’s beaches are among those on track to fail the new tougher bathing water quality standards tests, the Environment Agency has said today. The new water quality standards, which are almost twice as stringent as the current standards, will come into force in England next year in an effort to tackle pollution on the seafront. However recent tests by the Environment Agency found that, while around 90% of English Beaches are expected to meet the tougher standards, 40 English beaches (including seven in Devon) are currently at risk of failure. Failure would mean the local authority would be...
A leading South West renewable energy installer has strengthened its management team with the appointment of two members of staff to its board.
Exeter-based Fair Energy has promoted former business manager Shirley Hill and finance manager Matthew Laing to board directors.
Matthew, a qualified accountant, joined Fair Energy in 2011 and brings to the role three years’ experience in the renewable energy industry and a further three years’ previous experience in the construction industry. Matthew, who has spent time shadowing various positions learning how each department works...
This summer a new running group for beginners is starting at Killerton Estate near Exeter.
People of all ages and fitness levels are encouraged to join in, get outside, get fit and explore the beautiful countryside on their doorstep.
Sandi Holland, Killerton Sports Development Officer said: “Our new ‘Couch to 5k’ running group starts on Sunday 15 June at 9.30am and is led by a qualified run leader.
"It is particularly suited for people who currently do no running at all. The group will start with mostly walking and the odd short run, and then slowly build over ten...
