People from across the south west have helped a new vaccine trial registry for Covid-19 research reach a milestone. Over 100,000 people have now signed up to the NHS COVID-19 vaccine registry, helping to speed up efforts to discover safe and effective vaccines. This includes thousands of people from across the south west, meaning they will be amongst the first in the world to be contacted with details about the large-scale vaccination trials starting in the coming weeks and invited to take part.
Speaking about the milestone, Alison Potter, Senior Research Delivery Manager – NIHR...
Devon’s Tesco stores are holding a special summer food collection to support the Trussell Trust and FareShare charities as they respond to an increased demand for food in the wake of the pandemic.
From August 20 to 22 customers can donate essential items of long-life food to the good causes. Tesco will top up all customer donations with an additional 20% donation in cash to the two charities.
The collection has been organised in direct response to the extra pressures placed on the food banks and community groups supported by FareShare and the Trussell Trust during the...
BRITAIN’S fed-up motorists have come up with a top ten of the most irritating things that backseat drivers say…and the worst is: “You should have gone the other way.”
A nationwide study showed that 83 per cent of drivers regularly suffer from unhelpful passenger comments, and the main culprit is usually their partner.
Among the most annoying phrases are, “Aren’t you a bit close to the car in front” and “Do you know it’s a 30mph limit here?”, according to research by insurance experts Money Expert .
Devon’s Deputy Director of Public Health has issued guidance to commuters and other car sharers as they head back to work or are out and about.
With people asked not to use public transport if possible, some are opting to share lifts to work with friends and colleagues. Young people might also be sharing lifts to places during the holiday period.
Steve Brown, Devon’s Deputy Director of Public Health and Vice Chair of the county’s multi-agency COVID-19 Health Protection Board , said:
“The best travel options are walking and cycling, rather than sitting in an...
Most non-drivers don’t have a clue how to tell if a car is about to reverse into them, new research has found.
Only 44 per cent of non-drivers surveyed by YouGov for Injury Prevention Week (17-21 August) knew to look out for reverse lights.
“When walking behind a parked car everyone should be aware that it is about to reverse towards you when those white lights come on,” said Sam Elsby, president of APIL, a national not-for-profit group which hosts Injury Prevention Week.
Some of the more worrying responses to the survey question about how to tell if a vehicle...
Barratt Developments' new west regional director has welcomed the government's announcement of an extension to the Help to Buy Scheme , which helped more than 5000 households in the South West buy a new home in the year to March 2020.
The scheme enables people to buy a brand-new home with a 5% deposit on a property up to a value of £600,000 and a 5-year interest-free government loan for up to 20% allowing buyers to take out a 75% mortgage.
The deadline for the homes to be finished in order to qualify for the loan scheme has been extended from December 2020 to the end of...
Park staff at Cofton Holidays are now providing colourful, high-pitched duck whistles to help guests staying with them to maintain social distancing while enjoying the countryside trail of South Devon.
Available to guests, the whistles are being introduced by ‘quackers’ staff at the popular holiday park in a bid to help visitors alert others to their presence. Holidaymakers can blow hard on the whistles to help them maintain a good social distance from others when exploring the surrounding countryside, particularly when the path ahead is unclear, such as in dense woodland or when...
A mace Sergeant who works at Exeter’s Guildhall has been given a second historic role within the city.
Davy Johnston has been appointed as the Beadle for Tuckers Hall. He will work in his new role for the Incorporation of Weavers, Fullers and Shearmen, the historic guild of Exeter’s ancient cloth trade. He is pictured in his new ceremonial uniform above.
Davy, who can usually be seen at the historic Guildhall and at civic occasions (seen pictured above outside Cathedral with former Lord Mayor Lesley Robson), will continue with this job alongside his new role. As Beadle...
Organisations can apply to Postcode Neighbourhood Trust for grants between £500 and £20,000 from now until Wednesday 19th August, when applications will close.
The funding boost is available thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery .
Local charities and good causes impacted by COVID-19 are being urged to apply for up to £20,000 in funding.
Groups looking to increase their resilience, adapt or expand their services as a result of the pandemic should apply. Funding will support a variety of activities, including covering core costs.
Topsham based Darts Farm is collaborating with some of our country’s best sculptors to create their first ever Sculpture Trail around their farm and wetlands.
With many shows and events cancelled this year and galleries still struggling to open, artists have lost nearly all routes to market during this pandemic. However, behind the scenes artists have been keeping very busy, hand crafting new wonders of art, many of which will be showcased at Darts Farm from Thursday 13th August until Sunday 13th September.
Weave your way around Darts Farm’s iconic Farm and Bird-hide,...
