With spring heralds the start of the wild birds breeding season and police are appealing to the public to be the ‘eyes and ears’ on the ground and inform them of any suspicious people they may see at nesting sites. Operation Wilderness, launched in 2012, is designed to combat persecution of birds. In the past the region’s birds have been targeted by egg collectors and others intent on breaking the law when near to the nests of some species. In 2011 Devon made national headlines when a record number of birds of prey were found poisoned in the area, among these were very rare and specially...
If I think back to my student accommodation, luxury was certainly not a word I would have used to describe the pokey, although admittedly much-loved, student digs I inhabited during my Uni years. How times have changed! Dean Clarke Lofts, in which a couple of show apartments are ready to view by the general public from this coming Saturday (16 March), will provide students and young professionals in training the option of an altogether more refined way of life. They will also offer foreign students a very attractive prospect while studying at Exeter, with a Chinese language version of the...
The 2012 Countryside Alliance Awards (aka the Rural Oscars) were presented to top rural businesses by the Secretary of State for Defra, Owen Paterson MP, at a ceremony at the Houses of Parliament on 13 March. The Awards are the Countryside Alliance’s annual celebration of rural produce, skills, enterprise and heritage through our small hard-working businesses. They are now in their eighth year and have become the definitive rural business award to win. Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said: “Rural businesses are vital to the country’s economic recovery. The Government is right behind...
Cementing its presence in Exeter, leading recruitment expert Hays has marked its ongoing commitment to the area by launching a new office in the city centre. Over 15 expert consultants will be based in the office at Dix’s Field, Exeter, EX1 1QA. The official launch on Tuesday 12 March was marked with an event where the Lord Mayor of Exeter, Councillor Rob Newby, spoke about employment in the area. Hays’ recruiting experts in Exeter cover nine disciplines including education, human resources, office support, accountancy and finance, senior finance, procurement and supply chain, social...
Exeter's John Lewis Car Park, which recently underwent a £900,000 refurbishment and name change, has scooped a top national award.
The Car Park, which is run by Exeter City Council, was named Best Car Park Refurbishment of the Year at the British Parking Awards. The judges were so impressed with the car park they also gave it the Overall Winner award!
Previously called the King William Street Car Park, the facility was transformed in the lead up to opening of Exeter's John Lewis store last October. Refreshed and up-dated, the facility now offers motorists the freedom of...
Firefighters throughout Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service will be rolling up their sleeves to take part in the National Car Wash this Saturday 16 March, raising vital funds for The Fire Fighters Charity.
The event means you can have your car washed, as well as the opportunity to find out all you need to know about keeping your family and home safe from fire.
Chief Fire Officer Lee Howell said: “Monies raised through national fundraising initiatives provide a real boost to The Fire Fighters Charity. As well as being a fun and popular event for the charity, the...
Exeter’s Riverside Leisure Centre is joining forces with Devon’s public health team to celebrate national No Smoking Day tomorrow (Wednesday, 13 March).
The celebration event will also offer free badminton and circuits, for people to have a taster of what’s on offer at their local leisure centres, many of which are offering special promotions to help smokers ditch the cigarettes for good and get into exercise. Smoking cessation advisors will also be on hand to offer advice and support to anyone thinking of quitting.
People who book their first appointment with the Devon’s...
Around 80 pupils from secondary schools across Devon will attend the annual Waste Summit at County Hall on Thursday (14 March).
The event is a popular, thought-provoking and free event which enables students to explore waste, recycling and related sustainability issues in the county.
Students from nine schools and colleges will take part in group activities which test and challenge their existing knowledge of how to reduce, reuse and recycle waste. There will also be talks and workshops held throughout the day from 9:30am to 3pm.
Former Energy minister Chris Huhne and his former wife Vicky Pryce have each been jailed for eight months for lying about a speeding offence committed ten years ago.
The pair, sentenced at Southwark Crown Court today (11 March), did not look at each other and remained passive as first Huhne and then Pryce learned the result of the court case.
Huhne received a 10% reduction in his sentence because he pleaded guilty.
Pryce had claimed she had taken the points for her then husband because of marital coercion, but was convicted last week. The judge, Mr Justice Sweeney,...
