Magistrates in Devon and Cornwall are more than twice as likely to send someone to prison as courts in other parts of the country, figures obtained by the Howard League for Penal Reform reveal today (22 April).
New research by the charity shows that people who have been convicted of a crime in England and Wales face a postcode lottery when they are sentenced.
A growing number of magistrates’ benches are making good use of community sentences which reduce crime and help people to turn their lives around.
However, some benches are still imposing prison sentences in...
Over five million people are at risk from the devastating effects of flooding in the UK, with thousands of properties at risk in the South West. And the Environment Agency is looking for enthusiastic people to advise on the management of flood risk throughout the South West and make a real difference to people’s lives and to the environment we live in.
The Agency is looking for people from all walks of life to fill vacancies on both the South West and Wessex Regional Flood and Coastal Committees (RFCCs). Being an RFCC member is an exciting opportunity to help guide local flood and...
Four artificial grass pitches and swimming pool changing rooms in the South West are set to be overhauled thanks to nearly £1 million of National Lottery funding from Sport England. With three quarters of people citing the quality of the pitch surface and the changing rooms as being important to their sporting experience, Sport England’s new Improvement Fund is investing £1,293,302 million to improve these facilities for the benefit of thousands of people. Sport England Property Director, Charles Johnston, said: “As the research shows people have a better experience of sport when the...
Exeter College hosted its tenth annual Oxford and Cambridge Information Day this week, bringing admissions tutors and undergraduates from both universities to Devon so that local students can hear direct from the experts.
Downing College, Cambridge and Exeter College, Oxford have been working with the further education college in Exeter to organise this event every year since 2003.
Free to attend, the Information Day offered up-to-date information, advice and encouragement to local students about aiming high in their HE choices. The day is part of both collegiate...
Following the official opening, which took place last weekend, award-winning house builder Redrow is delighted to declare its new Exeter development, The Harrington’s, now open.
Attendees to the event decorated Easter cupcakes in the kitchen of one of the showhomes with Bridget of The Cupcake Lady and were served refreshments by local business owner Matthew Whittaker with his BikeCaffe Quad.
The Harrington’s is located in a beautiful part of the country on Harrington Lane, Exeter. The homes have been designed for the dynamics of family life and in phase one are priced...
During National Gardening Week (15-21 April), RHS Garden Rosemoor in Great Torrington, will host a packed schedule of events to share a passion for plants and get gardeners growing. From family-friendly planting, to inspiring the first steps towards a new career, there are activities for gardeners of all ages and abilities to enjoy.
Launched by the RHS in 2012, National Gardening Week brings together thousands of people across the country to help keep Britain beautiful by sharing and celebrating everything about gardens and gardening.
Paignton Zoo in Devon has built a zip-line for its tigers.
Keepers at the park – a registered charity – have devised the thrill ride with help from woodland adventure company Treesurfers.
In fact, it is the big cats’ lunch that will ride the zip-line – all the tigers have to do is catch it.
Senior Head Keeper of Mammals Matthew Webb explained: “We have used things such as hanging bags in the past to encourage them to get a bit more physical. Now we have the zip line, down which we can send meat for the tigers to chase and jump at.
NHS Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) officially launched today (1 April 2013).
From today local GPs and clinicians will be responsible for buying services for people in the northern, eastern and western areas of Devon from healthcare providers such as local hospitals, the community and mental health services.
Rebecca Harriott, chief officer at Northern, Eastern and Western Devon CCG said she was pleased to launch the new organisation.
“The hard work starts now, realising our vision of healthy people, living healthy lives, in...
Approximately 160 officers, including mounted officers from Avon and Somerset and South Wales Police, were deployed in a police operation aimed at ensuring Saturday lunchtime's 'Devon Derby' football match between Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City passed off with the minimum of trouble.
In a statement, Devon and Cornwall Police report that the fixture "passed largely without incident before and during the match, with the vast majority of fans being well-behaved and... in good spirits.
"A small minority of individuals attempted to engage in disorder in the vicinity of the...
Over 300 households in Exeter switched energy suppliers as part of the recent Exeter Together initiative, making a collective saving of £35,325 across the city.
A total of 327 households took advantage of the scheme, making 621 switches (some taking advantage of better tariffs for both gas and electricity), with an average saving of £108.
The Exeter Together website and call centre registered 2,188 households considering the Exeter Together scheme. Not everyone, however, was able to make a big enough saving, with many 'smart savers' already enjoying good energy deals....
