As the cost of living crisis continues to impact the prices of energy, fuel and commodities, local businesses across Devon, Somerset, Plymouth and Torbay are being urged to make the most of available support to boost their resilience.
The Heart of the South West Growth Hub offers free, impartial, expert business advice, and has a range of programmes and grants available to help support businesses with growth, resilience, trade, marketing, recruitment, and more.
Businesses are being encouraged to get in touch with the Growth Hub team, who offer signposting services and can...
The Heart of the South West LEP (HotSW LEP), Digital Skills Partnership, has launched ten free Digital and Technical bootcamps, providing people in Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay with the opportunity to access free training worth up to £3,000.
The Government-funded #Train4Tomorrow bootcamps will help adults develop digital and technical skills that lead to higher-paid roles within growth sectors, opening up opportunities to move into careers such as cyber security, data science, software development, digital marketing, IT, digital healthcare, welding, engineering and...
Plans for the ongoing rollout of broadband across Devon and Somerset have been discussed with MP Mel Stride.
The MP for Central Devon met with the team from Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS), and broadband provider Gigaclear, at Sandford, near Crediton. He was briefed on the roll-out of Fibre to the Home in his constituency by Gigaclear’s Chief Executive Matthew Hare and representatives from CDS. Gigaclear also provided a demonstration of its LIDAR laser imaging vehicle being used to survey roads where ultrafast fibre will be installed. As part of the CDS programme, Gigaclear...
A unique way to discover the gardening community around you has been launched by Candide, an innovative gardening community app, at Toby’s Garden Festival. Places is the brand new and unique functionality which allows you to locate your nearest gardening centre or public garden wherever you are in the South West. This regional launch comes ahead of a national roll out at BBC Gardeners’ World Live in June.
Thousands of people visited Toby’s Garden Festival held at Powderham Castle in Exeter, where the Candide team were on hand to demonstrate the app and its full capabilities, which...
Exeter School pupil Tom Lammonby has been named Man of Series after topping the England Under 19 batting averages in their five match one day series against India. The 17-year-old joined Somerset Cricket Academy in the autumn of 2015 and was thrilled to play in all five games in the international series against India Under 19s. He said it felt incredible to have won the Man of Series Award and the icing on the cake. “It’s nice to have got some runs for England, but it has all happened so fast and one thing has led to another. “To have played for the England Under 19s is better than any...
The recruitment process to apply for wholetime firefighter posts with Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service opened today (16 January).
It is the first time the Service has recruited for wholetime firefighters in eight years and applicants will have a week to register, with the initial process closing at midday on Monday 23 January.
The role of a firefighter has changed dramatically, even in recent years, with so much more to the role than putting out fires.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Glenn Askew said: “We expect so much more of our firefighters in terms...
Solicitors Beviss & Beckingsale, which has offices in Honiton, Axminster, Seaton and Chard, has beaten off stiff competition to make it to the finals of the Devon & Somerset Law Society Legal Awards 2017.
A panel of judges selected Beviss & Beckingsale to go forward as a finalist in the category Law Firm of the Year (1 to 10 partners).
The awards, which were held for the first time last year, recognise the important contribution that law firms make to local communities and the economy in the two counties.
Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic incident yesterday [31 October] near to Buckland St Mary in Somerset, close to the Devon border.
The incident involving a van and a car happened shortly after 1pm on the A303.
The van, which was travelling in a north easterly direction, had just negotiated a sweeping right-hand bend when it crossed the centre of the road and was in collision with the Fiesta travelling in the opposite direction.
The occupants of the car, a man and a woman in their 70s, were both seriously injured and died at the scene...
A one-mile section of metal barrier at junction 23 of the M5 has reached the end of its working life and will be replaced with a new stronger and safer concrete barrier.
The Highways England scheme, which starts on Monday 10 October, will require extensive excavation and construction along the central reservation with over 1400 tonnes of concrete being used. Detailed planning has been undertaken to ensure the work is delivered as safely and efficiently as possible.
Highways England Project Manager Dave Frampton, said: "The new stronger concrete barrier will help to provide...
Police closed a section of the M5 for two hours today causing long delays for motorists.
The road was closed in both directions, southbound between J26-27 and at J27 northbound due to concern for a woman on the motorway bridge, and motorists’ safety.
The road was re-opened at 1.30pm and police reported the woman to be safe and well.
Avon & Somerset Police are warning of delays due to backlogs of traffic clearing and have advised anyone planning to travel towards Wellington from the north or south to delay their journey.
