Two of Devon’s top volunteer groups have received the Royal seal of approval this week as they were honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
The Tavistock and District Outdoor Education Forum (TDOEF) and The Dawlish Gardens Trust were amongst 117 groups in the UK to receive the prestigious accolade, which is the highest award given to volunteer groups and has a status equivalent to the MBE.
They were selected from 270 groups nominated by members of the public who have seen the difference that volunteers have made to the lives of others or witnessed the...
Imagine a fantasy jukebox that contained all the most influential, innovative, adventurous and just plain great music since the dawn of the recording era. OK, so the likes of iTunes, YouTube and Spotify have made this more of a reality than a fantasy, but setting aside their rather indiscriminating presence, what should it include?
Continuing a series exploring some of the key musical statements of the recording era, Matthew Vizard picks a breathless slice of rockabilly.
2. Johnny Burnette and The Rock 'N' Roll Trio - The Train Kept A-Rollin' (1956, Coral Records)...
The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) has published estimates of the costs generated by child poverty rates in every local authority and constituency in the UK.
The CPAG estimates the cost of child poverty in Exeter to be £37 million per year with 3,451 children in the city falling below the relative poverty line.
The local authority estimates, produced by Donald Hirsch of Loughborough University, are contained in a new report on how local authorities are trying to tackle child poverty at a time of social security cuts and upheaval.
Homes across Exeter are to come under close scrutiny in a major review of supposedly empty properties across the city to check that they are actually unoccupied.
The action is being taken because many people do not inform the Council when empty properties become occupied. This can lead to the local authorities missing out on council tax payments as well as New Homes Bonus payments that are paid out by the government on every home brought back into use.
Cllr Rob Hannaford, Lead Councillor for Housing, Community Involvement and Maintaining Assets said: "Houses that have been...
Furniture Village ( www.furniturevillage.co.uk ) launched a nationwide competition in March this year to find pieces of furniture with unique and intriguing family histories. After receiving an extensive number of entries from across the UK, Christine Westlake from Braunton, Exeter, was selected as one of the winners for the story of her grandmother’s handmade ottoman, and has received £500 worth of vouchers to spend at her local Furniture Village in Sowton Retail Park, Exeter.
This small ottoman was crafted by Christine’s grandmother, Olive, during the Second World War.
Devon and Cornwall Police have paid tribute to DI Jason Palmer who was found dead on Saturday 13 July.
Police were called to a property in a village between Holsworthy and Great Torrington in North Devon during the early hours of Saturday morning, after concern was expressed for the welfare of a man.
On arrival officers found a body now formally identified as that of DI Palmer, aged 42.
There are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.
Detective Superintendent Keith Perkin has paid tribute:
“The untimely death of Jason is first and foremost a...
The Rt Hon Hugo Swire MP last week became the patron of the Save The Red Lion campaign. The campaign is fighting to retain the pub in Sidbury for the local community.
Hugo Swire told a packed pub that he was pleased to agree to become the Campaign's Patron as "The pub is part of the community, it's a wonderful asset for the village - it would be a very sad day when its closed".
Campaign Chair Fred Burnett said "Having such a high profile and well connected MP as a patron of the Campaign reinforces the importance that the village attaches to...
The UK economy has seen a £9.9bn trade and investment boost from the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, one year into a four-year programme of activity and events. The boost comes from businesses securing contract wins, additional sales and new foreign investment in the last year, since UKTI’s British Business Embassy at Lancaster House hosted a Global Investment Conference and a series of 17 business events – the largest such programme ever held in Britain. Further evaluation reports published by the Government and Mayor of London today (19 July) show strong progress against all the...
Exeter Braves will kick-off the 2013/14 Aviva Premiership A League programme with a home encounter against Saracens on Monday 9 September (7.30pm), writes Mark Stevens.
Having conceded the A League crown to Harlequins last season, the Braves will be hoping the fact three of their five scheduled South Group fixtures will take place at Sandy Park will play into their favour.
After tackling Saracens, the Braves – who this season will be coached by Rob Hunter and Ricky Pellow – will entertain London Wasps on 16 September, before then travelling to Bath on 30 September.
From open air theatre to dragon boat racing, there is no shortage of entertainment to suit all the family this weekend!
THEATRE
Dancing at Lughnasa Friday, 7pm, Poltimore House Bring a picnic and enjoy the grounds of this country house and let us transport you to Ballybeg, County Donegal for the harvest time in 1936. The Mundy sisters, trapped by poverty, escape the drudgery with banter and dancing to the Marconi wireless, hoping to find love and a continuing future together. A warm and compelling play by Brian Friel, one of the greatest modern Irish writers. £10 adults, £...
