Civil engineering contractors in the South West are calling for early industry engagement in the infrastructure projects unveiled by government to enable local companies to invest in appropriate skills and innovation. Alan Taylor, Executive Director of Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) for the South West, welcomed the recent announcements, but highlighted the role of industry in bringing the plans to fruition and ensuring cost-effective project delivery. Mr Taylor commented: “Our members have been pushing for greater certainty around infrastructure investment for many years...
Devon County Council has today (Wednesday, 3 July) won an award for excellence for a pilot project to tackle smoking and protect children from harm.
The award from the CLeaR Partnership, which works with local authorities across England to assess progress in reducing smoking, was given for Devon’s pioneering work with children’s centres.
At the seven pilot sites across the county, the Council has installed specially designed signage to advise people not to smoke on site and provided bespoke training for staff to raise the issue with parents and offer support to parents who...
A private dental centre in Exeter is hoping to fill a cavity in the market by opening seven days a week.
From Monday, 1 July, The Exeter Dental Centre will be the first practice in the area to offer patients the opportunity to book appointments on Sundays. The centre, situated on Castle Street in the city centre, already opens on Saturdays, offering a range of convenient appointments for its patients, including early morning opening and two late-night surgeries in the week.
Principal dentist and practice owner, Michael Hesketh, said: “Offering fully staffed surgeries seven...
Residents and visitors to Dawlish are benefiting from a new footbridge built by a team of engineers, designers and surveyors from Teignbridge District Council.
The new 10-metre timber bridge, which passes over Dawlish Water to link to Manor Gardens, replaces a dilapidated and unsafe bridge which was closed 12 months ago because rotting timbers and corroded steel beam supports meant it was too dangerous to keep open.
Dawlish Town Council and Teignbridge have been working together to solve the problem and provide a new much-needed link.
Are you a Devon-based singer, musician or part of a band?
Do you fancy being part of a music festival in October featuring up to 120 acts, all in aid of raising funds for Oxfam?
If so we would love to hear from you!
Oxjam Exeter 2013 is part of a national music festival taking place in up to 60 towns and cities across the UK.
The main event during the festival will be the Oxjam Exeter Takeover 2013, featuring up to 120 acts performing at multi-venues across Exeter on 19 and 20 October.
If you fancy taking part then please drop Josh, Production...
Exmouth Beach Rescue Club were officially handed the keys to their new lifeguard hut at Orcombe Point at the weekend.
On Sunday Councillor Tom Wright, EDDC’s Deputy Portfolio Holder for the Environment, handed over one of the former Council Lifeguard huts for the club to use during the summer season at Orcombe Point. The club has had to put quite a bit of work into making the hut usable again as it has been standing idle for several years.
Despite the work required to get it up to scratch, the Beach Rescue Club will find that the hut fulfils a very important role for them....
The best one day agricultural show in the west! The Mid Devon Show offers a fun day out for all the family - visit www.middevonshow.co.uk to view the full line up, which includes farm demonstrations, arts, rural crafts, food & drink and entertainment.
In 2013 we are celebrating our 20th year! Come along and support this special rural event, celebrating the best of Mid Devon.
Tickets are £11.00 per adult, £4.00 per child (aged 4-16) and £9.00 per Senoir Citizen.
Returning bigger and better for 2013 this year's Balloon Festival features a packed programme of events.
There will be over 35 musical acts, a comedy stage (on Friday night), Taste of the West food pavilion, Westcountry ales and cider, craft ctalls, vintage aircraft displays, mountain bike stunt teams, archery, falconry, fire and light shows, a planetarium, workshops and of course, Mass Ascents featuring a whole host of colourful Hot Air Balloons including Special Shapes and lots more.
Tickets are now on sale at local Tourist Information Centres, shops and Petroc College....
The RSPCA have reported an alarming increase in animals being abandoned across England and Wales.
In the last year, the RSPCA were called out to rescue more than 37,000 abandoned animals and received a call asking for help every 30 seconds.
Every year the charity sees a sharp rise in abandonments at the height of summer. Evidence from the RSPCA and other animal charities suggests some people chose to get rid of their pets rather than pay for them to be looked after while they are on holiday.
In other cases, money may be spent on holidays and other summer ‘treats’...
Mark Noyes, 46, has on Wednesday 26 June, been sentenced to five years in prison (with an extended licence of eight years) at Exeter Crown Court after being convicted of numerous sexual offences against children.
The court had heard that Noyes had deliberately accessed a social networking site in order to befriend and groom two vulnerable American girls from his home in Beaworthy.
The two victims involved were aged around 12 years at the time of the incidents.
Following the case, DC Glenn Boniface from Devon and Cornwall Police’s Public Protection Unit commented: “...
