Devon

A 54-year-old North Devon plumbing and heating engineer has been sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of fraud and consumer protection charges. Gary Henry, of Anstey Way, Instow, stood trail at Exeter Crown Court on three charges of Fraud and three charges of contravening Professional Diligence under Consumer Protection legislation. Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Team launched an investigation into Mr Henry, who had been a plumber for 30 years alongside his job as a professional firefighter, following a number of complaints about his work. The court heard how,...

Rural crime cost Devon & Cornwall £750,000 in 2014, down from £1.1 million in 2013.

Despite the fall, 2014 saw thieves continue to target expensive all terrain vehicles (ATVs) as well as tools.

The figures are part of a UK-wide survey by NFU Mutual.

The leading rural insurer’s annual Rural Crime Survey shows the nationwide cost of rural crime totalled an estimated £37.8 million in 2014 – a 15% reduction on last year’s figures.

The items most commonly targeted by thieves across Devon & Cornwall over the last 12 months were ATVs such as quad-bikes,...

South Devon’s Glazebrook House Hotel’s utterly outstanding Alice in Wonderland charity event earlier this month was a resounding success. The creative and imaginative team at the Glazebrook raised £2,057 for their chosen charity, the inspirational Devon Air Ambulance Trust.

Sections of the Teign Estuary Trail are expected to be included in a funding bid for cycling improvements across Devon which the County Council is planning to submit later this year.

Devon County Council is hoping to put the bid to the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) which, if prioritised, would then be submitted as part of a wider bid to Government for Growth Deal funding.

The Dawlish to Teignmouth and Kingsteignton to Passage House sections are likely to be included in Devon’s bid. Although timescales are yet to be confirmed, a decision on the...

Last week a local award winning at-home care provider celebrated several staff member service milestones. Bluebird Care Exeter and East Devon understand how important staff longevity and commitment is to the happiness and welfare of their customers, so take time each quarter to recognise, celebrate and simply thank the staff who have reached service achievements.

William Flint, Director said “Our Care Workers are the lifeblood of this business, their dedication and commitment to doing the best job possible is staggering, so to take time out to thank them is so important” Husband...

Paul Lewis born on 20th May 1972 is an English classical painist and will play Beethoven’s last three sonatas at St Peter’s Church, Budleigh Salterton on Saturday, 3rd October from 7.30pm. These are widely considered to be three of the most sublime, brilliant and audacious of his works for piano.

Paul’s father worked at the Liverpool docks and his mother was a local council worker; there were no musicians in the family background.

He is married to Bjorg Vaernes, the Norwegian cellist of the Vertavo Quartet. (“I played the cello as a young boy, really badly, and that was my...

Join the East Devon District Council Countryside rangers during the summer holidays to explore some local habitats and discover more fascinating facts about the world of rockpools and bugs.

Did you know for example that male and female crabs can be identified from the shape of their tail or that crickets have ‘ears’ on their legs?

East Devon's rangers will be leading the rockpool rambles so just turn up at the events and bring a net and bucket if you have them. Events are free but donations are welcome, and will help the team continue the events programme in the future....

Two of East Devon’s best loved parks will be the venue for several outstanding shows this summer.

Well regarded touring theatre companies will be performing at Connaught Gardens in Sidmouth and Manor Gardens in Exmouth. Choose from Much Ado about Nothing, Hamlet or Pride and Prejudice.

This is a joint project between East Devon District Council’s StreetScene and Countryside departments bringing new events to our outstanding parks and gardens.

EDDC’s Culture Champion, Cllr John O’Leary said: “It is great that these Green Flag gardens have the facilities to offer...

Starcross railway station has been brightened with pretty summer flowers thanks to a partnership between Easter Hill Nursery and its owner James Murphy, First Great Western and the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership.

Mr Murphy said: ”Looking out onto the Exe Estuary from Starcross station is one of the best views in South Devon. I am delighted to be working with First Great Western and the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership to welcome passengers at Starcross with these bright new planters full of flowers.”

Three new planters were established as part of Citizens’ Rail,...