With food production under extreme pressure from climate turmoil, unsustainable returns, high costs, disease challenges, and confusion over European common agricultural policy reform, the chairman of Devon NFU has called on the government to urgently consider implementing a long-term national food security strategy. Bampton sheep farmer, Colin Rowland, says: “Farmers make up less than two per cent of the population and we currently produce 60 per cent of the nation’s food, but we seem to have been a soft touch for both governments and supermarkets who have taken us for granted over the...
Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin today visited the South Devon Link Road site to see how work is progressing.
Mr McLoughlin was joined by Anne Marie Morris, MP for Newton Abbot, where they viewed construction activity on the long awaited South Devon Link Road.
The Minister was also accompanied by Gordon Oliver, Mayor of Torbay; Andrew Leadbetter, Cabinet Member for Economy at Devon County Council; Stuart Hughes, Cabinet Member for Highways; Cllr Jeremy Christophers, Leader of Teignbridge District Council; Liz Waugh, interim Chief Executive of the Heart of...
Devon County Council has today welcomed Government backing for a new railway station in Exeter.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin was in Devon today to announce that the Department for Transport’s New Station Fund would provide half the funding of the near £1.5 million scheme for a new station at Newcourt. The other half will be met by developer contributions.
Devon County Council will now work with Network Rail to finalise the Newcourt station plans which will deliver a new platform and shelter, ticket machine and passenger information system, secure cycle parking,...
Exeter’s 10th annual Really Big Quiz really did turn out to be the biggest ever, raising an impressive £5,981.90 for the Lord Mayor of Exeter’s charity, SOCOPS – the most ever raised at the event.
Organised by chartered accountancy firm Simpkins Edwards, this year with support from Tozers Solicitors, the quiz took place at the Corn Exchange in Exeter on Wednesday 8 May. More teams from local businesses entered than ever before, with a reserve list having to be started after the venue’s capacity of 70 teams was reached.
Guests enjoyed a lighthearted evening of challenging...
As part of an annual programme of charitable giving, Devonshire Freemasons have again distributed over £20,000 to 25 local charities and worthy causes. The donations were presented by the Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire, Right Worshipful Brother Ian Kingsbury, at the Exmouth Masonic Hall, Exmouth on Friday evening 10 May.
Dream-A-Way was included in this distribution and received a donation of £1,250 towards providing holidays and days out for people with disabilities. Jeff Merrett MBE, Chairman of Dream-A-Way said “We are delighted that Devonshire Freemasons have chosen to...
By no means of the imagination can we say that we have had a good spring - here we are in May and there are still heavy rainstorms across the South West and although there are no reports of snow in Exeter, there have been snow showers on Dartmoor! - however nature is doing its utmost to shine despite the inclement weather.
Here are a few signs of nature doing what it does best in and around the city. Keep your eyes open for signs of botanical bravery against all the odds.
There were 35,000 fewer jobs in the South West at the end of last year than before the recession, according to the latest workforce Jobs figures published by the Office for National Statistics. The workforce jobs figures show that September 2007 and September 2012, the number of jobs in the South West fell by 35,000. Across the UK only three regions – London, the South East and Wales – experienced any net growth in jobs. The TUC, whose leader Frances O’Grady visits the region today (Wednesday), says job creation in key industries across the South West has not been strong enough to replace...
Devon County Council’s Library Service scooped the prestigious ‘Library of the Year’ title at the ‘Bookseller Industry Awards’ in London on Monday night.
The service, which was one of only seven from across the UK to be shortlisted, shares the coveted accolade with Dundee Library Service.
Judges praised Devon Libraries for the huge range of services they offered beyond books, describing it as a "well run, well backed service" and a "real community service with a strategic county wide approach." They were also impressed that despite a tough couple of years with significant...
An innovative scheme developed by Devon County Council to support residents affected by the government welfare reforms is being extended.
Delivered by the Council’s Library Service, the pioneering ‘Free Fridays’ scheme has been piloted in three towns across Devon and has proved so successful it is now being expanded to include a further eight.
The sessions, which offer those seeking work or claiming benefits up to two hours free computer and internet access each Friday, will be available in Bideford, Barnstaple, Tavistock, Okehampton, Honiton, Exmouth, Dawlish and...
