The South West is again being readied for a battering by the elements as high winds and heavy rain approach the region. Met Office warnings for heavy rain are in place prompting further flood fears as another 10mm-20mm of rain is expected to fall on already saturated ground. The Met Office has said: “The public should be prepared for disruption to transport and locally to power supplies, particularly when combined with the impacts of heavy rainfall.”
Police and partner agencies across Devon and Cornwall are continuing to prepare for severe weather. Multi-agency co-ordination...
Concerns have been raised that the £31.1m promised by the Government last year to secure the South West’s railways against severe weather was not delivered, despite widespread support from local authorities. The money was promised by the Government for a programme of rail improvements, after winter flooding cut off rail transport to the South West peninsula for several weeks in 2012/13 with an estimated cost to the South West economy of over £140m. Last week, before the most recent storms saw the destruction of 80m railway line near Dawlish, five Local Transport Authorities including Devon...
Silverton is honouring soldiers from the village who fought in the First World War with a specially-written musical revue which will be performed between Febuary 20-22 at Silverton Community Hall.
The unique work, titled Trenches and Wenches, tells the story of men from the mid Devon village who went to fight in France and Belgium and marks the centenary of the start of the conflict.
Although concentrating on the soldiers’ heroic efforts and sometimes tragic tales, it will also reveal what life was like for the women left behind without their menfolk through specially-...
There are fears that more severe flooding could be on the way as the Met Office upgrade many of its severe weather warnings to ‘amber’ for the rest of the week. Much of Devon and the South west will be covered by the ‘amber’ warnings and will see heavier rainfall than other areas. Forecasters predict that further spells of heavy and persistent rain will remain in Devon until a Saturday morning adding an extra strain to already saturated ground. The Met Office’s Chief Forecaster said: “Another area of low pressure will bring spells of heavy rain to southern England from Thursday afternoon...
Members of the Hotels and Restaurants Association are reporting increased sales in January 2014, compared to the same trading period last year. For many January is a month of penny pinching but local hotels are seeing a different trend.
Establishments including the Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel; the Sidholme Hotel, Sidmouth; Combe House, Honiton and the Best Western Tiverton Hotel have reported positive figures in January with sales up as much as 20% for individual hotels. Other members including Rendezvous Wine Bar are reporting increased sales too, with an increase of over 30%...
Police are appealing for information after three valuable parachutes were stolen from a van in Exmouth. Thieves broke into the yellow Volkswagen Transporter van while it was parked near to the Imperial Hotel on The Esplanade on the evening of 31 January. They forced open the passenger door and stole three rucksacks containing Javelin parachutes, valued at £18,000, and a £1,000 MacBook Pro laptop. Police are appealing for witnesses and would like to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area between 9pm and 10.30pm. Anyone who has been offered the parachutes for sale is also...
Young People in Devon are campaigning against “devastating cuts” to the county’s youth services.
The cuts could see 60 jobs lost and council support and management withdrawn from the county’s 34 youth centres. Members of the UK Youth Parliament Devon with support from other groups have already mobilised a campaign against the proposed cuts with a petition to Devon County Council leader John Hart. In a statement released today campaigners write: "Young people across Devon have started to take action in the face of devastating cuts which face their youth service. “Over the next...
THIS half-term try learning a new skill and provide a home for birds to nest in your garden.
Join the countryside team on Wednesday, 19 February at the Axe Estuary Wetlands classroom between 10am and 1pm, and build a nest box from one of our easy-to-use kits – available for a range of common garden birds from blue tits to sparrows and starlings.
The Axe Estuary Wetlands officer and the countryside rangers will help you build your nest box and advise you on where to place it for the best results. You will be helping the conservation effort by encouraging biodiversity in your...
Devon County Council is launching a public consultation on plans to move away from a ‘universal’ youth service.
This could see nearly £1 million and around 60 jobs cut from Devon’s youth services as well see the council pull out of 34 youth centres around the county.
The council argue that the new youth service will take on a more ‘targeted approach’ which would see a smaller staff of youth workers work with council partners for a focused service for the most vulnerable young people in the county.
Speaking at yesterday’s budget scrutiny meeting, Council Leader John...
Batten down the hatches yet again - another storm is heading our way this weekend.
This January has been the wettest for 100 years and looks set to end as it started.
A further area of heavy rain and strong to gale force winds will spread eastwards across the UK today (Friday) bringing around 40 mm on some high ground in the South West of England.
The Met Office recently added a severe ice warning to their warnings of wind and rain trhough the weekend.
Winds will increase tomorrow, with gusts of up to 50 to 60 mph, and perhaps to around 70 mph in exposed...
