A conservation project which aims to save one of Devon’s most endangered animals is now urgently seeking donations from the public so that it can continue its vital work.
The freshwater pearl mussel might not look as stunning as some wildlife but the conservation charity Devon Wildlife Trust describes it as a ‘remarkable animal’ and one that can have a positive impact for us all.
Freshwater pearl mussels filter bacteria and algae. So a large population helps to clean up our rivers for the benefit of other wildlife - and people.
A 400% rise in wipes on beaches is putting marine life at risk – and pushing up your bills, it was warned today.
We all love a wet wipe! Wipe the baby’s bum, get rid of the make-up and cleanse, slap on the fake tan –our bathrooms are full of them. But instead of ending up in the bin when they’re finished with – millions are being popped down the pan because of consumer confusion.
That’s because some are labelled flushable, some biodegradable and some need you to read every bit of the small print which most of us can’t be bothered to do. But the truth is, even those labelled...
Exeter Local Policing team have launched their ‘Think Before You Park’ project in partnership with Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue and Exeter County Council Parking Enforcement.
The project is an exciting new multiagency initiative that aims to tackle problem parking, where drivers have parked anti-socially, without care or consideration for other road users, pedestrians and emergency service vehicles.
The pilot has initially targeted residential areas and areas outside of primary schools within Exeter.
By adopting an education before enforcement approach, road...
Whilst the sun was shining in many parts of Devon today, research shows that four out of five of us are unaware of the threat posed by harmful Infrared-A rays. We all know that too much exposure to the sun can cause damage to our skin, and skin cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK, with 100,000 new cases diagnosed every year. But despite this, new research has indicated that many consumers are still in the dark when it comes to sun protection. The survey was carried out by Ladival Sun Protection as part of their Think Infrared Defence campaign. The survey revealed that a worrying...
Millions of years ago the Earth was a spinning ball in space surrounded by enormous clouds of toxic gases - including carbon and methane.
This planet had no oxygen and supported no living creature. Then over millions of years microscopic organisms began to evolve into plants. The plants turned into larger plants and slowly began to absorb the poisonous gas. They gradually gained the capacity to absorb sunlight and photosynthesise, and emitted oxygen which in itself facilitated more complex beings and the process of life on earth moved on.
The RSPCA are urging the public to consider the dangers that can affect their pets come Christmas time.
One of these dangers, which may surprise the public, is giving your pet scraps from your Christmas dinner.
Owners believe by sharing their Christmas dinner they are giving their beloved animal a ‘treat’, when in fact the ingredients can cause them severe health problems.
Angela Grigg, manager at Putney Animal Hospital in London said: “We had 15 cases on Boxing day as a result of people giving their dogs their own Christmas dinner with turkey and stuffing.”...
Every year on 5 November for reasons lost in antiquity, the Flaming Tar Barrels are carried through the streets of Ottery St Mary to the delight of thousands of townsfolk and visitors.
Ottery St Mary is internationally renowned for its Tar Barrels, an old custom said to have originated in the 17th century. Each of Ottery's central public houses sponsors a single barrel. In the weeks prior to the day of the event the barrels are soaked with tar. The barrels are lit outside each of the pubs in turn and once the flames begin to pour out, they are hoisted up onto local people's backs...
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for heavy rain for the region and is warning the public to be prepared for flooding, with the Environment Agency, Devon County Council and Police warning Devon to be prepared, restrict journeys to the essential, keep an eye on flood alerts and don't drive through flood water.
Cornwall sees two Severe Flood Warnings, indicating danger to life, while Exeter and the surrounding area has three Flood Alerts currently in place: in the Lower Exe Area, Mid Devon Rivers and on the Rivers Clyst and Culm and their tributaries.
