Devon

Chiefs side to face ASM Clermont Auvergne

Rob Baxter believes there is a growing maturity within his Exeter Chiefs squad and it was perfectly underlined during last weekend’s European Champions Cup victory over ASM Clermont Auvergne.

Despite trailing 14-3 during the opening half at a packed Sandy Park, the Chiefs refused to panic against their star-studded French opponents, responding with a four-try blast that has seen them move to the summit of Pool Two.

Tries either side of half time from No.8 Thomas Waldrom, plus further touchdowns for Don Armand and Mitch Lees, ensured Baxter’s side claimed maximum reward for...

Sanctuary staff raise thousands for charities

Staff from Sanctuary Housing in Exeter have shown their charitable spirit in 2015 by raising more than £2,000 for two national charities. Employees from the leading housing provider’s Exeter office teamed up with colleagues across the South West at a series of events to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK. Since the beginning of the summer, activities have included an auction, Macmillan Coffee Mornings and an office bake-off where staff pitted their cooking skills against each other and enjoyed some tasty treats. A team of staff also raised £600 at July’s Race...

Residents urged to 'starve their bin' over Christmas

Residents are being encouraged to ‘starve your bin’ by reducing, reusing and recycling seasonal waste wherever possible this festive season.

From plastic food and drink packaging to cardboard boxes and wrapping paper that housed gifts under the Christmas tree - there's a variety of packaging that can go into your recycling bins, boxes and sacks.

Christmas lunch, New Year’s Eve celebrations and friends and family popping round all mean one thing – fridges and cupboards stocked with food and drink.

Plastic drinks bottles and pots; tubs and trays can go straight into...

Chiefs bring Christmas cheer to Bramble Unit

Exeter Chiefs may be gearing up for a busy festive period of fixtures, but today members of the first-team squad took a morning out to pay a special festive visit to the Bramble Children’s Unit at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital.

First team stars Haydn Thomas, Ben Moon, Brett Sturgess, Gareth Steenson, Michele Campagnaro, Ollie Atkins, Don Armand, Jack Yeandle, Matt Jess, Tom Johnson and Olly Woodburn, along with our very own Big Chief, took on the role of Santa Claus for one very special day and made their annual visit to the local hospital to spend time with youngsters who...

Walks from the Avocet Line

A new leaflet of walks in and around the Avocet Line from Exeter to Exmouth has been launched at Exmouth station.

Called “Avocet Ambles 2”, the free leaflet has been produced by the Avocet Line Rail Users’ Group with the help from the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership and brings together a selection of three self-guided walks, all starting from and ending at Avocet Line railway stations. Included are walks from Exeter Central, Exmouth and Exton stations, all devised by members of the Rail Users’ Group committee.

Funding for the leaflet has also come from the Designated...

New research boosts antibiotic hope

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Sat, 12/19/2015 - 12:39pm

Research carried out at the University of Exeter has advanced understanding of how some damaging bacteria behave and may pave the way for new and more targeted antibiotics.

A study led by Dr. Nicholas Harmer, Senior Lecturer in Structural Biochemistry at the University of Exeter, published today in the journal Chemistry and Biology, provides new information about the way bacterial cells build up a defensive sugar coating and how that process can be interrupted.

In the study, funded by the Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council and the Royal Society,...

Expression swings for East Devon play areas

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Sat, 12/19/2015 - 11:51am

The huge smile on two year old Seraphina Hancock’s face says it all, as she and her dad, Andrew Hancock, sit opposite each other on an Expression Swing – an innovatively designed face-to-face swing - which East Devon District Council has had imported specially from the US and recently installed at Willow Walk play area in Honiton.

“She absolutely loves this swing,” said Andrew, who as Service Lead for East Devon District Council’s Streetscene Service, is responsible for providing and maintaining East Devon’s 70 play areas and equipment.

“It’s brilliantly designed as it...

Rogue traders ripped off elderly in Devon

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Sat, 12/19/2015 - 8:36am

Three men have been found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the vulnerable and elderly following an eight-day trial at Exeter Crown Court.

Thomas Maughan, 26, and Thomas Mahon, 45, both of Princes Paddock, Farringdon, pleaded not guilty to the charge brought by the Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service.

A third man, Matthew Latham, 35, of the same address, pleaded guilty to the same offence.

During his summing up Judge Erik Salomonsen, who bailed the men until sentencing on 4th February 2016, warned them that they could all be jailed.

A fourth man,...

Aled Jones brings Cathedral Tour to Exeter

Welsh singer Aled Jones MBE is set to wow audiences across the UK in 2016 as he embarks on a 22-date Cathedral tour, including an evening at Exeter Cathedral.

The household name will visit cathedrals in England, Scotland and his home country of Wales on a series of dates throughout May and June, culminating in a very special ‘home-coming’ show in his home-town of Bangor on July 2.

Tickets for the Aled Jones Cathedral Tour go on sale at 9am on Monday 21st December 2016 (visit our Events listing for more information).

Speaking about the tour Aled said: "I'm never more...

Festive treat from Queen St Dining construction team

The construction team working on the Queen St Dining Quarter in Exeter got festive during their lunchtime this week (Monday 14 December 2015), downing tools and bursting into song at St Pancras Church, right at the heart of the redevelopment project.

Over 60 employees of construction firm ISG took part in the carol service organised by the company and Lead Chaplin Rev Norman Wallwork at the 13th century St Pancras Church, singing carols and handing out festive treats including mince pies and cream, chocolates, biscuits and soft hot and cold drinks, supplied by ISG and colleagues...

Pages