Devon

Activists target Exeter's Starbucks in UK-wide protest

Growing public anger at Starbucks was clear this weekend as over 40 of their shops across the UK - including in Exeter and Bristol - were targeted on Saturday by the anti-cuts direct action network, UK Uncut.

Local activists gathered outside the Exeter branch of Starbucks on Saturday and performed protest theatre, subversive carols and built a mini-shelter. Activists were asking the public to sign a petition and carried signs such as ‘Too little Too latté and ‘making a mochary’.

UK Uncut took action to confront the company over its tax avoidance and highlight the impact of...

Chiefs claim maiden Heineken Cup victory over the Scarlets

The European escapades of the Exeter Chiefs hit new heights in Wales as Rob Baxter’s side claimed their maiden Heineken Cup victory against the Scarlets.

Full-time Score: Scarlets: 16 / Chiefs: 22.

Haydn Thomas’ early try, alongside a 17-point haul from fly-half Gareth Steenson, ensured another piece of history for the Devon club, who are clearly relishing dining at the top table with the elite of the European game.

The Scarlets countered with a penalty try and kicks from Rhys Priestland and Aled Thomas, but it was never enough in a hard-fought encounter at the Parc...

Fire service Simulator used to prevent drink driving

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS) are encouraging the public in Torbay to ‘drive’ their Simulator as part of this year’s anti drink driving campaign.

They have joined forces with Torbay Police and Torbay Council Road Safety Team to promote the importance of not drinking and driving this Christmas. Torbay Community Safety Sergeant Louise Costin said, “The campaign is a Torbay initiative as part of the force-wide operation to crack down on drinking and driving over Christmas through both education and enforcement.

“The education event will be from 6.00pm on...

TED gains over 15,000 unique users in just two months

In just two months since it was launched on 8th October, The Exeter Daily has clocked up almost 90,000 hits.

The Exeter Daily team have been bowled over by the positive response from both users and advertisers, with over 15,000 people having visited the site since its launch.

Close to 700 individuals, businesses and groups have registered as users of the site.

Top stories over the past two months include articles on flooding, a mum who went on the run with her son to prevent him having cancer treatment and a fatal motorway accident.

“The statistics are...

Top conservation issues to look out for in 2013

A UK-led team of researchers has identified 15 issues that could affect the diversity of life on Earth in 2013. They include using synthetic DNA to genetically modify organisms, soaring demand for coconut water, and competition for land to grow plants for fish farming.

Other topics the researchers highlight include dam-building in the Andean Amazon, using coral nurseries to restore reefs, and the commercial use of short portions of antimicrobial proteins.

The European Centre for Environment & Human Health in Truro (which is part of the University of Exeter Medical...

Additional drop-in events for flood-hit communities

More flood drop-in sessions are being organised across the county to give local people the opportunity to say how they have been affected by the recent floods.

Devon County Council and the Environment Agency are organising the events, with the support of Teignbridge, West Devon, South Hams, East Devon and Mid Devon District Councils, Exeter City Council and South West Water, to enable communities to speak directly to staff from local authorities and agencies and raise any concerns they may have.

It will also give the Councils and the Environment Agency the opportunity to...

Message from city MP: Some good news for Exeter...

Behind the gloom of this week’s Winter Statement from George Osborne promising at least six more years of austerity because of his failed economic policy there were two bits of potentially very good news for Exeter and the South West, writes Ben Bradshaw.

The first was that Exeter was being invited to bid for a slice of Government money to help fund the upgrading of our flood defences. It shouldn’t have needed the recent floods and Exeter’s “near miss” to spur the Government into action, but this is welcome none the less. We’ve been campaigning for more than two years – ever since...

Last weekend to enjoy 'You With Me' in Exeter

For the past few weekends, right in the heart of Exeter and under your noses, a new and very different form of theatre has been taking place.

In You With Me , there’s no stage, no visible actors, no audience sitting comfortably. Instead, this production offers a personal, unique and totally different experience, taking participants on a journey through Exeter and guiding them on a playful adventure in which unexpected incidents cause familiar routes to be seen with fresh eyes.

The perfomance starts with a phone call to a stranger - you know not what they look like...

South West TUC calls on NHS pay cartel to disband

The South West TUC has called on the NHS pay cartel to disband after the government rejected plans to introduce regional pay.

Unions are concerned the 19 health trusts in the region who have set up the cartel will ignore yesterday's announcement from Parliament and press ahead with tearing up the national pay agreement, replacing it with worse pay and conditions for NHS staff.

South West TUC Regional Secretary Nigel Costley said: "Unions have been instrumental in putting forward the arguments against regional pay and, as the government has now admitted, these arguments have...

Devon residents saving thousands on their heating oil bills

With colder weather around the corner, Devon residents are saving thousands of pounds on their heating oil bills, thanks to a scheme delivered by the Community Council of Devon.

Using collective buying power, the Devon County Council -supported initiative is ensuring that the scheme’s members are getting the best prices for their fuel.

Its 272 members have bought approximately 264,000 litres of oil this year, paying typically 3 to 6 pence less per litre than the average price, saving them on average £45 per every 1,000 litres of oil. Collectively, they’ve saved over £11,500...

Pages