Devon

National Star Search arrives in Exeter

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Thu, 01/08/2015 - 12:16pm

The Mecca bingo club on North Street is hosting live auditions and recording sessions to launch Star Search, a brand new national talent competition being run by Mecca across the UK.

The best singers at the Exeter event stand a chance of joining other local and regional heat winners at a star-studded national final, which is being held as part of a Star Search celebration weekend at Mecca Blackpool in June.

And the overall Star Search winner will receive the ultimate star treatment as their prize, jetting off to Los Angeles on a once-in-a-lifetime trip for two to Hollywood...

Local History Day at St Thomas Library

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Thu, 01/08/2015 - 10:39am

St Thomas Library is holding a Local History Day on Wednesday 21 January between 11am and 4pm.

There will be a speedway memories display and video footage, a real Falcons bike on display, a St Thomas memories display, churches of Exeter photos, a famous personalities display, a rolling slideshow, and pop-up talks as well as the opportunity for people to bring their own photos to show the St Thomas Local History Group.

Local author and historian Tony Lethbridge said: “St Thomas Library Local history open day last year was such an outstanding success we thought we would run...

Private house building fuels growth in SW

Construction workloads increased in the South West in the final quarter of 2014, albeit at a slightly slower rate, and private housing saw the strongest growth despite the shortage of bricklayers reaching a record high.

Over a third (36% net balance) reported that workloads in the construction sector had grown in the region in Q4 2014 with 57% more respondents saying that the private housing sector was fuelling the greatest growth, followed by the private commercial sector (48%).

Around 60% of respondents across the UK reported that material shortages, skill shortages and...

A379 closed after reports of man threatening to jump from bridge

The A379 remains closed in both directions between Sandygate roundabout and the Old Rydon Lane junction, because of a police incident.

Police closed the road shortly before 9.30 this morning after receiving reports of a man threatening to jump from Baker Bridge near the David Lloyd Leisure Centre.

The man is believed to have a rope around his neck.

The incident caused chaos in the area around Sandygate Roundabout, with traffic queues stretching back to the M5.

Emergency services are currently on the scene.

It is not known who the man is or how long...

Work starts on shingle recycling project at Sidmouth main beach

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Wed, 01/07/2015 - 10:11pm

With Central Government funding (via the Environment Agency) of up to £100,000 in place, East Devon District Council has begun coastal defence beach recycling work at Sidmouth’s main beach.

As scheduled, work on the six-week project commenced on Monday 5 January and a digger has begun removing the surplus build-up of shingle from the western end of the main beach(over the Bedford groyne).

Dumper trucks will redistribute the shingle at the eastern end (from the York groyne and beyond) travelling over a temporary ramp on the rock groyne opposite the Bedford Hotel and using...

Real Christmas tree recycling in Exeter

Exeter City Council are providing drop off sites for Exeter residents to take their real Christmas trees for recycling this weekend (Saturday 10 January and Sunday 11 January 2015).

The trees will be shredded and used in the city's parks or sent for composting just outside Exeter.

Trees put out for normal rubbish or recycling collections will not be collected.

Drop-off sites are as follows:

  • Mincinglake Valley Car Park
  • Holman Way Car Park, Topsham
  • Heavitree Pleasure Ground
  • Exwick Playing Fields (Western Road entrance
  • ...

Children's mental health is parents’ top worry in the South West

Over 40 per cent of parents in the South West worry about their children’s mental health, more than any other health issue, Action for Children reveals today.

Action for Children runs more than 200 children’s centres across the UK working with parents and young children to provide a range of support including early action to try and nip problems in the bud and stop them from reaching crisis point.

The charity has been concerned by the rise in support needed by children because of mental health and emotional wellbeing problems. Recent research by the charity found over half...

Free trial offered for six-a-side football

SoccerSixes have 3 spaces available for new teams to start straight away for the local 6aside league.

During January any new team interested in joining will be given a free trial game to test out the league!

The league is a 40 minute games per week.

Teams can be made up from work colleagues, friends & family, drinking buddies or even from your 11-a-side Saturday or Sunday teams.

The leagues is FA affiliated & have FA qualified referees and it’s free to join the Soccer Sixes.

If you are interested in entering a team please call the League...

Devon school crossing patrols under threat

Plans to change the funding arrangements for school crossing patrols will be considered by Devon County Council’s Cabinet next week (Wednesday 14 January).

The authority is facing a £50 million reduction in its funding in the next financial year and, as part of that, it is looking to reduce its school crossing patrol budget by around £100,000 per year in the next two financial years.

Councillors are being asked to approve the criteria that determines whether an existing school crossing patrol qualifies for funding from the County Council. They are also being asked to...

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