South West

Golfers needed for charity fundraiser for Exeter's WESC Foundation

WESC Foundation is looking for teams of four to take part in their charity golf day on Friday 10 May at Crediton Downes Golf Club.

The golf day, sponsored by Michelmores, will raise vital funds for the children and young people at WESC Foundation who contend with sight loss and complex needs. For just £170 per team, the day includes breakfast, 18 holes of golf, refreshments at the 10th hole and a delicious two-course evening dinner, complete with brilliant raffle and team prizes.

Partners and friends are welcome for the evening for just £15. Companies unable to attend but...

Devon and Cornwall magistrates urged to impose fewer prison sentences

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...

Do you want to make a difference to flood risk in the South West?

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...

Sport England improves more facilities in the South West with over £1m of Lottery investment

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, Oxford and Cambridge Universities celebrate 10 years of working together for South West students

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...

Successful launch of Redrow's new Exeter Development

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...

Celebrate National Gardening Week at RHS Garden Rosemoor

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.

Throughout the week, RHS Garden...

Zip-lines for tigers!

Authored by Paigntonzoo
Posted: Tue, 04/02/2013 - 10:09am

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.

“We have also erected a...

New Devon Clinical Commissioning Group officially launches today

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...

Police mount large operation for 'Devon Derby'

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...

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