“Team Devon” has pledged to re-build the county’s economy to be stronger, more inclusive and sustainable as it unveiled the prospectus for its COVID-19 Economy and Business Recovery Plan . The programmes and projects listed in its prospectus have the potential to create 30,000 new jobs, 80,000 new training places and secure investment of £550 million, generating £2.8 billion of additional economic output. The county’s economy is predicted to shrink by around 8% this year, roughly 1% more than the rest of the UK, according to a new impact assessment commissioned by Team Devon. It suggests...
Pubs set to reopen on the 4th July, but will it be business as usual?
Some 80% of Exeter residents are not planning to go down the pub when they reopen next week, citing fears about social distancing and a potential second wave of the Covid-19 virus.
Pubs in Exeter have now been told that they can reopen as part of the next phase on the 4th July, alongside other hospitality businesses such as restaurants, hairdressers, and cinemas. But as one health and safety company has learned, even landlords are concerned.
Health and safety company Protecting.co.uk has found...
As Devon Air Ambulance prepares to open their shops next week, they explain the significant changes that have been made to the way you can shop and to their donation of goods process.
The safety of everyone including shop staff, volunteers and supporters is paramount and they must be ‘Covid Secure’ before finally opening their doors.
The Government announced that to ensure the utmost safety of everyone connected to the retail outlets, including those just visiting the premises, that FIVE mandatory steps must have been followed before they can resume trading or operating...
Following a difficult period for many, Active Devon, Travel Devon and Devon County Council are launching a new, digitally enabled community movement challenge. Beginning 6 July and running over the summer, Let’s Move will offer Devon’s communities a chance to move more, celebrate our local communities and to win great prizes.
In overcoming these challenges and moving beyond the obstacles life throws at us, Let’s Move is also an inclusive celebration of every community across Devon, as well as how physical activity and movement can help us all, as both individuals and as...
A scientist who has worked with runners including Eliud Kipchoge and Paula Radcliffe is preparing for his own endurance challenge – running his first sub-three-hour marathon at the age of 50.
Professor Andrew Jones , of the University of Exeter, has spent his career researching endurance exercise and advising top coaches and athletes.
His input helped the likes of Kipchoge and Radcliffe smash world records and break barriers many thought were impossible.
Asked how he – or any runner – could apply lessons from elite sport to their own training, Professor Jones...
The BBC has set out plans to transform its local services in England as it seeks to serve audiences better, respond to lessons learnt during the COVID-19 crisis and make savings to tackle its financial challenges.
BBC England, home of the BBC’s local radio stations and regional TV news, will undergo a significant reinvention.
The new vision for regional and local services includes:
Modernising the BBC’s regional TV centres - investing in the latest technology and introducing a new, consistent operating model for each newsroom with digital story telling at
Devon-based charity Planet Earth Games are going virtual this summer with a month-long series of sustainable challenges through August.
Formerly the South West Youth Games, the event was revamped and relaunched in 2019 to help address climate change crisis with the first ever Planet Earth Games at Flowerpot Playing Fields, Exeter.
Described the world’s first environmental multi-sport Games, the event had no single use plastic, recycled medals and zero waste, including activities such as paddle boarding, plogging (picking up litter and jogging), group cycling and nature...
New measures to contain and reduce cases of coronavirus in Devon and safeguard the health of local people have been revealed.
They detail plans to provide a fast response to any future outbreaks of the virus across the county and help prevent it spreading.
The plans involve close partnership working between local organisations like health, councils, police, schools and care homes alongside businesses and key industries such as tourism.
And they will provide additional support for people who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 such as the elderly, those with...
Between 1st and 31st July, the RSPB is inviting people from Devon and across the UK to share the new things they have noticed that’s different in their world, and what they have started to value more during these unsettling times as part of a nationwide celebration of nature and wildlife
Since the UK first went into lockdown it’s been a unique time for most of us. This spring has been unlike any other and, more than ever, we’ve seen how important the natural world is to our health and wellbeing.
From enjoying the uplifting sound of birdsong through an open window, to...
The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth will remain temporarily closed to visitors despite the lifting of some lockdown restrictions from Saturday July 4.
The charity’s international headquarters in Sidmouth welcomes around 400,000 visitors every year, and with such a large number congregating on site from across the UK, there is the heightened risk to the charity’s staff whose main priority is to care for the resident donkeys.
Faith Burden, Executive Director of Equine Operations at The Donkey Sanctuary said: “Unlike other visitor attractions, we have numerous entry points to...
