Devon

Singer and actor Noel Harrison dies at home in Devon

Noel Harrison, best known for his 1968 hit single The Windmills Of Your Mind , has died at home in Devon at the age of 79.

The son of the British actor Sir Rex Harrison, he was also an actor and Olympic athlete.

A champion skier, Harrison represented Great Britain at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo.

By the turn of the sixties, he was singing and playing guitar in London clubs before moving to the US. He began to achieve some commercial success in 1966, having a hit with Charles Aznavour's A Young Girl from his self-titled debut album; but it was the theme tune from...

Housebuilding continues to pick-up across the South West

Housebuilding in the South West is continuing to rebound with chartered surveyors across the region reporting growth, says the latest RICS construction market survey.

During the third quarter of the year, the region’s surveyors reported rises in privately-funded housing projects. Furthermore, on a national level, this is the first time that every part of the country has reported growth since the beginning of the market crash six years ago and demonstrates that the long-awaited upturn in numbers of new homes may finally be underway.

Additionally, the overall construction...

Pinhoe residents' meeting on new 120 home development tonight

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Mon, 10/21/2013 - 2:01pm

Residents of Pinhoe are being invited to have their say on the proposed Home Farm development at Pinhoe Primary School tonight. At the meeting residents can find out more about the plans and how to voice their concerns to the council. “One concern is the extra pressure on traffic in the area.” said Graham Pike, a resident of Pinhoe and one of the organisers of tonight’s consultation. “the developers said that there will be a number of footpaths and cycyle routes added but the majority of people will be driving on what is already a dangerous road.” Residents have also raised concerns over...

Chiefs in pole position of Heineken Cup group despite defeat by Glasgow Warriors

Authored by Mark Stevens
Posted: Sun, 10/20/2013 - 10:59pm

Glasgow Warriors 20 Exeter Chiefs 16

Mark Stevens reporting from Scotstoun Stadium

In what is sure to be a competitive Pool Two of this season’s Heineken Cup, the importance of gaining reward – home and away – was illustrated in all its glory this weekend.

Toulon were toppled in the Welsh capital by Cardiff Blues on Saturday; while north of the border Exeter Chiefs – conquerors of the Welsh region seven days earlier – were undone by Glasgow Warriors.

With one win apiece, there is little to choose between these quartet of clubs after just two rounds of...

Sandy Park up for top award

Authored by Mark Stevens
Posted: Sun, 10/20/2013 - 10:27pm

Sandy Park, home to Aviva Premiership club Exeter Chiefs, has been shortlisted for Rugby Venue of the Year at the upcoming Rugby Expo Awards.

The Devon venue, which was built in 2006, will battle it out for the honour along with Allianz Park, the home to top flight rivals Saracens.

Last season, Aviva Premiership supporters from all 12 clubs voted Sandy Park as the best match-day experience, whilst in 2015 the stadium will also play host to three Rugby World Cup games.

Off the field, the venue continues to be a popular attraction for businesses, charities and...

Police events in Exeter to crackdown on cycle theft

Cyclists have the chance to find out more about bike security at two police events in Exeter. Local officers are holding two bike marking events to encourage cyclists to mark, register and lock their bikes. They take place at:

  • Exeter Flowerpots Skatepark on Saturday 19 October 2013 between 2pm and 4pm.
  • Waitrose car park, Gladstone Road, Exeter on Thursday 24 October 2013 between 3pm and 5pm.

Officers will provide advice on how to mark, register and lock bikes to help prevent thefts. Cycle marking kits from www.bikeregister.com will be...

New rapid response vehicles to tackle large-scale fuel and chemical spills

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Fri, 10/18/2013 - 3:07pm

Devon will be getting its first specialised pollution protection vehicle next week (22 October). The vehicle, known as an Environmental Protection Unit (EPU), is specially equipped to handle a number of environmental emergencies such as fuel and chemical spills. It is the first of four Mercedes Sprinter vehicles to be unveiled by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue service and The Environment Agency. The vehicles are part of a national project to supply fire and rescue services with the equipment necessary to protect the UK from large-scale pollution incidents. The Environmental Agency’s...

Isca Hockey Club secures long-term sponsorship deal

Now in its 100th anniversary year, and with a promotion to the national league recently under its belt, Isca Hockey Club completes a hat-trick of achievements for 2013 with the announcement of a three-year sponsorship deal with Exeter-based solicitors Gilbert Stephens LLP.

And with the big ‘Derby Day’ event taking place at Exeter University Sports Park on 26 October – at which the Isca Ladies’ 1st XI will play local side Exe in the Women's Investec National League followed by an evening match between the Men's 1st XI against the University 1st XI in the Now: Pensions National...

Exeter smokers urged to visit Trust clinics for free specialist advice on quitting

Smokers in Exeter who are thinking about quitting but were too late to join the 28-day Stoptober challenge are being urged to visit their local stop smoking clinic for free specialist advice.

The Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust supports people to quit through its weekly stop smoking clinics across the county.

Specialist advisers Denise Veen and Sarah Leggatt, from the Trust’s Health Promotion Devon team, run clinics at two venues in Exeter:

  • St Sidwell’s Centre, Sidwell Street – Monday (9am to midday), Wednesday (9am to 4pm)
  • Riverside Leisure
  • ...

Newest crime statistics see the largest drop in decades

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Thu, 10/17/2013 - 11:55am

National Crime is down by the largest ever recorded amount according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) today.

The period between June 2012 to June 2013 saw the number of recorded crimes against households and resident adults drop by 7% nationally, the largest single drop since the survey began in 1981.

The figures also show a drop of 6% of crime in Devon and Cornwall until June 2013. However more recent figures up to 12 October show a lower drop of 4%.

The figures show that Crime has fallen across many areas with reductions in...

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