Devon News

Army doctors join Exeter project to end ‘dementia tax’

Army doctors join Exeter project to end ‘dementia tax’

Two former army doctors have taken their campaign against what they call an "unfair dementia tax" to Westminster.Dr Michael Staunton and his wife, Dr Avril Staunton, from Bridgwater, Somerset, are calling for the scrapping of a VAT rule that adds 20% to the cost of dementia day care at Exeter-based social enterprise The Filo Project.Avril Staunton, who was diagnosed with posterior cortical atrophy at just 60, hand-delivered an open letter signed by 150 supporters. A government spokesperson said…

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Dad on 36-hour ultra run in Plymouth for diabetes research

Dad on 36-hour ultra run in Plymouth for diabetes research

A Plymouth man is aiming to run for 36 hours straight to raise money for diabetes research. Mehdi Taheri is taking on a gruelling challenge called a Backyard Ultra, starting from his restaurant, Fuel, on Looe Street.The event will see Mr Taheri and 99 other runners complete 4.2 mile (6.8km) laps around Plymouth's Barbican, Hoe and Royal William Yard. They will keep going for as long as they can, with some aiming for up to 156 miles in…

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Plea to rehome unwanted ex-racing greyhounds at Plymouth shelter

Plea to rehome unwanted ex-racing greyhounds at Plymouth shelter

Nine ex-racing greyhounds have arrived at a dogs and cats home and staff say they urgently need help to rehome them.Gables Dogs & Cats Home in Plymouth takes in nearly 1,000 unwanted and abandoned dogs and cats every year.With 76 cat pens and 71 dog kennels to heat, it said rising energy costs pushed their winter bills to more than £15,000, so it asked for donations and potential pet owners to come forward. General manager Claire Sparkes said:…

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Matt Worthington & Callum Dolan: Torquay United suspend pair for ‘disciplinary matter’

Matt Worthington & Callum Dolan: Torquay United suspend pair for ‘disciplinary matter’

Torquay United captain Matt Worthington and team-mate Callum Dolan have been suspended by the National League South club.The midfielders will not play for the next four matches after what the club says is an "internal disciplinary matter". Worthington has played in 16 of Torquay's 17 league games this season while Dolan has scored two goal in nine games.”It's hugely frustrating, it's another obstacle put in front of us,” Torquay manager Paul Wotton told BBC Radio Devon.“It’s been a…

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Exeter nightclub staff cleared after Freshers’ Week fall

Exeter nightclub staff cleared after Freshers’ Week fall

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCA University of Exeter student fell backwards down stairs at the Timepiece nightclub in ExeterSecurity staff at a nightclub acted correctly in dealing with a university student who fell backwards down stairs during Freshers' Week, a licensing committee has said.Lawyer David Dadds applied for a licensing review of the Timepiece nightclub in Exeter, Devon, and said door staff "failed to show basic care".Exeter City Council's licensing committee said it was "appropriate" to pick the woman…

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Devon gin maker fears further tax increase in Budget

Devon gin maker fears further tax increase in Budget

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCMick Skerratt from Exeter Gin runs a gin school as well as producing spiritsA gin producer and drinks maker is concerned the chancellor might increase tax on spirits again in the Budget.The previous Conservative government increased excise duty by more than 10% in August 2023 and Labour increased the tax by another 3.65% in 2024.Mick Skerratt from Exeter Gin said another increase in duty would be a tough blow to take at a time when…

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Demolition of North Devon hospital accomodation blocks under way

Demolition of North Devon hospital accomodation blocks under way

Work to demolish two former hospital accommodation blocks has started as part of a £22.7m project to redevelop the site.The North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple was given the money from the New Hospital Programme.The two buildings will be replaced with new housing which will provide 120 ensuite bedrooms, including four fully accessible family apartments and six single accessible ensuite rooms. Prof David Sanders, clinical director of surgery at the hospital, said "in order to attract staff and…

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Exeter City’s FA Cup tie with Wycombe Wanderers will go ahead after fire

Exeter City’s FA Cup tie with Wycombe Wanderers will go ahead after fire

Exeter City say their ground will be ready for their FA Cup second round tie with Wycombe Wanderers next month.Damage from a fire at St James Park last week has meant Saturday's League One game with Burton Albion has been postponed.The fire, which affected the stadium's control room and medical room, meant key safety systems were taken down and work to repair the damage is ongoing. "As disappointing as Saturday's game being postponed is, it does give us…

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From Dartmoor to the plains of Zambia

From Dartmoor to the plains of Zambia

Available for over a yearFrom watching stags of Dartmoor to filming packs of wild dogs on the plains of Zambia. Anna Place is a producer from the new Sir David Attenborough series Kingdom on BBC 1, and she spoke to Caroline Densley and explained how you can tell one wild dog from another. Image: BBC Studios/Anna Place/Simon Blakeney/Getty ImagesProgramme WebsiteShow less Source link

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Second deliberate fire at former Exeter police station

Second deliberate fire at former Exeter police station

A former police station and magistrates' court building is thought to have been targeted by arsonists for the second time in a week, according to emergency services.Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to the blaze at the disused building on Heavitree Road, in Exeter, at 21:42 GMT on Thursday where two fires were found in different parts of the property. A fire at the same building took place on Monday night.The service said…

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Five things to look out for in the EFL: A Steel City struggle and Norwich City’s new era

Five things to look out for in the EFL: A Steel City struggle and Norwich City’s new era

Hillsborough will host the first Steel City derby of the season this Sunday but considering both participants currently reside in the bottom three, it is hard to know which way it will fall.No other Championship club has leaked more goals than Sheffield Wednesday (29). On the other hand, Sheffield United have found the net the fewest number of times (11).To win, either club must overcome their shortcomings and it seems that they have both looked in the same…

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Plymouth Argyle: Tom Cleverley and Derek Adams ‘connect as characters’

Plymouth Argyle: Tom Cleverley and Derek Adams ‘connect as characters’

Argyle are bottom of League One having won just four games in the third tier since being relegated from the Championship last season.The Pilgrims have been hampered by serious injuries to players such as Xavier Amaechi, Caleb Watts, Julio Pleguezuelo and most recently Bradley Ibrahim - who will not feature until the new year after an ankle injury sustained this week.But some fans have been critical of the summer recruitment following a major turnover of players in the…

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