Devon

Devon health trusts are setting the pace nationally for putting women at the top of the NHS.

The local hospital trusts have hit the official target for women on NHS boards three years ahead of schedule, a report by a University of Exeter academic has found. A national study of the representation of women doing the top jobs in the health service, commissioned by NHS Improvement and NHS Employers, has found that the four health trusts in Devon have collectively hit the 50 per cent target, and all have female Chief Executives. The study, carried out by Professor Ruth Sealy of the...

Pop idol Olly Murs is today telling fans how much he is looking forward to playing live at Powderham Castle on Saturday, July 29.

Up to 12,000 fans are likely to see Olly, whose latest album 24 Hrs was his fourth consecutive number one hit. The popular singer-songwriter is one of British music’s biggest stars with record sales exceeding 10 million and demand for Powderham tickets has been high.

He said: “We’ve played at the castle before; the venue is iconic – being on stage and seeing a castle – I mean it’s pretty awesome really!

“These are fun gigs, gigs I wanted...

Topsham Library will temporarily relocate to the Nelson Close Community Centre in Topsham to make way for a brand new community hub.

The new ‘Community Hub’ is being built by Estuary League of Friends following a successful funding bid to the Big Lottery Fund and fundraising efforts by the charity, reaching a total of £1.95million. On completion, the hub will comprise of a day centre room, community café, exercise and fitness space, two treatment rooms, a laundry, meeting/training room, serviced offices and improved library facilities.

The current library service, run by...

Edible bananas have been grown for the first time by the talented gardeners at the University of Exeter.

The mini versions of the popular fruit of the Musa acuminata ‘Dwarf Cavendish’ – normally only found in tropical countries - have been cultivated at a greenhouse at the University’s Streatham campus. They are of the same Cavendish variety found in shops but taste slightly sweeter.

The plant has been growing for five years, and the University’s grounds team are unsure as to why it has suddenly started producing fruit. It gets plenty of feed and attention, particularly...

With just days to go until a thrilling new season of racing returns to Newton Abbot Racecourse, finishing touches are being made following a major winter improvement programme.

The summer jump season opener on Tuesday April 4 will signal the start of an exciting 18 fixture programme of racing and special events at the newly-improved course in South Devon.

Once again the racecourse will be celebrating summer with a major music concert. Sounds of the Summer, on Sunday July 16, will feature an amazing array of pop acts including reggae royalty UB40 and special guests All...

With local elections taking place in just a few weeks, voters in Exeter are being urged to make sure they are registered to vote and are able to take part on polling day, Thursday 4 May. The call for voters to sign up comes as the Electoral Commission launches a national voter registration campaign to encourage as many people as possible to register ahead of elections taking place this year across the country.

People need to register by Thursday 13 April otherwise they won’t be able to take part in the forthcoming Devon County Council elections or the City Council By-election in...

The Archdeacon of Exeter, the Ven Christopher Futcher presented St Sidwell’s Church of England Primary School with their Outstanding Church School Inspection (SIAMS) certificate this week.

St Sidwells has retained their ‘outstanding’ status in their recent Church School Inspection (SIAMS - National Society Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools). The school serves an area with a diverse multicultural population and a high proportion of children have English as an additional language.

The school was rated as outstanding in their distinctiveness and...

Police have located the body of a man during the search for Peter Giles from Newton St Cyres.

Officers were concerned for the welfare of Mr Giles, 70, who was reported missing on 8 March.

His Land Rover Discovery was found in an area known locally as ‘Newton Rec’ in Newton St Cyres and police carried out detailed searches of the area.

The body of a man was located in the River Creedy in Newton St Cyres on 24 March.

Formal identification has not yet been carried out but the family of Mr Giles has been informed.

The death is not being treated as...

Best Foot Forward is an ambitious county-wide dance project for older people.

The project is one of five competing in the West Country for £50k of National Lottery funding in the People’s Projects competition. Voting opened at 9am on Monday 20 March at www.thepeoplesprojects.org.uk .

The Big Lottery Fund, ITV and The National Lottery have teamed up to give the UK public the chance to decide how £3 million of National Lottery funding will make a difference in their local area. The three projects with the most public votes will receive grants of up to £50,000 to help them...