Exeter

Visitors to the Devon County Show this week (22 to 24 May 2014) will be offered free sight screenings by Vision Express, as four stores from across the county join forces to drive home the importance of eye health. Representatives from Sidmouth, Teignmouth, Axminster and Exeter Vision Express stores will be on hand at stand 161 Avenue B to help event attendees undergo a short test, with special promotions available on the exclusive Joules and Barbour ranges.

These local Vision Express stores are manning a pitch at the Devon County Show as part of a national drive by the retailer...

Trainee police puppies are among the attractions Devon and Cornwall Police will be bringing to Devon County Show this year to showcase the many ways in which the public can get involved in making their neighbourhood safer. The theme of this year’s display is ‘Building Safer Communities Together’ and will offer advice on everything from joining the Special Constabulary and police cadets to getting involved in Neighbourhood Watch and the new Community Focus Panel. The Force is sharing its marquee with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPPC) who will be encouraging the public...

Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Hogg took advantage of his visit to Devon County Show today to reinforce his plea for the public to pay a more active role in local policing. Speaking on the opening day of the Devon County Show, Mr Hogg has highlighted volunteering opportunities and set out plans for the Force to significantly increase the number of Specials. Recruitment for this opens again in the autumn. “I am very keen to take the opportunity to promote the vital work undertaken by Specials and volunteers in general.” said Mr Hogg. “There are major and obvious benefits of this for our...

Visitors to Devon County Show were being urged to don their wellies as thunderstorms are expected throughout Devon today (Thursday).

Forecasters predict that areas of heavy and locally thundery rain will move north and west across the southern half of England along with Wales during the early hours.

A brief period of drier weather reaching the extreme southeast around midnight Thursday will follow northwestwards, probably reaching much of Wales and southwest England later in the morning.

But scattered locally heavy showers, with the risk of some slow-moving thundery...

Healthcare and protection insurer Exeter Family Friendly has appointed David Cobley as its Chief Actuary in a newly created role.

The Exeter based mutual, one of the leading providers of income protection and private medical insurance, has created the executive position to head up its pricing and actuarial function.

Commenting on the appointment, CEO Andy Chapman said:

“I’m delighted to welcome David to Exeter Family. His ability and considerable experience will make him a huge asset to our team going forward.”

Cobley is a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty...

A major historical project, designed to preserve the history of army children from the First World War, is attempting to trace an Exeter family from an archived photo (above).

Currently all that is known about the photo is it was taken and developed by Alan Mills of Paris Street in Exeter but there are no obvious clues to help identify the two girls and their parents.

The father’s uniform also doesn’t bear any distinguishing markings making it difficult to date the photo as the evolving elements of military uniforms (such as badges and accoutrements), are essential guides...

School children have teamed up with their local churches to plant poppies in communities around Devon, as part of an initiative by the Diocese of Exeter to commemorate the centenary of World War One.

With the support of Paignton based Sutton Seeds, the Diocese sent out 500 packets of the Northlew poppy seeds before Easter.

Northlew, a small village near Okehampton, lost proportionally more of its enlisted men than anywhere else in the UK, when 24 died out of the 100 strong adult male population.

Landkey Primary School and St Paul's Church, Landkey joined forces to...

A Devon farmer has been sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid work having pleaded guilty to 18 animal welfare offences including failing to dispose properly of dead stock, and failing to keep adequate livestock records.

Mr Darren Facey, 43, of West Down pleaded guilty at Barnstaple Magistrates Court to all offences brought by Devon and Somerset Trading Standards following visits to his farm in June 2013.

Officers found carcase remains of 17 sheep, 28 cattle and 8 chickens in various stage of decomposition, indicating the length of time they had been left.

Two officers...

Killerton’s annual classic car day has reached its ten year mile stone and, to celebrate, the event will be extended to a two-day festival.

On Sunday and Monday (25 and 26 May) from 10.30am-5pm there will be hundreds of vehicles on display in the historic parkland at Killerton.

A significant occasion in the classic car world, which has grown every year with increasing popularity, this year’s event is set to be the biggest yet with a display of over 250 elegant vehicles. Killerton are keen to celebrate the landmark anniversary with a live jazz band, family games, drinks,...