East Devon volunteers help rare wildflower recovery

A rare wildflower has shown signs of recovery thanks to the work of volunteers and landowners, conservationists have said.The East Devon National Landscape team said heath lobelia, a plant with purple-blue blooms, had declined due to the loss of open heathland and grazing.It said volunteers and local landowners had worked to restore the species by planting it, seed collecting and managing sites around Shute and Kilmington.Ruth Worsley, nature engagement co-ordinator, said volunteers had "worked tirelessly throughout the year…

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Exeter’s taxi fares could rise by 25% under plans

A consultation has been launched on increasing taxi fares in a Devon city by about 25%.People are being asked for their views on the rises in Exeter, which could see the fares going up for the first time in three years and potentially coming into effect by Christmas.If the changes go ahead, Exeter would have the most expensive two-mile fare level in Devon and would move into the national top 10, with a two-mile journey costing between £9.50…

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‘Huge milestone’ as rare leopard cub born at Dartmoor Zoo

Dartmoor ZooThe cub's birth was captured on CCTV A rare leopard cub has been born in a zoo in a "huge milestone" for the critically endangered species.Bosses at Dartmoor Zoo in Devon announced the successful birth of the Amur leopard cub to parents Lena and Freddo.The species is described as the "world's rarest big cat" with only an estimated 120 remaining in the wild, and staff said zoological records showed only 15 Amur leopards had been born in…

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Devon ‘Frankenstein trees’ offer safe haven for wildlife

Dead trees and branches have been bolted together to make homes for wildlife.Conservation charity the Woodland Trust said the "Frankenstein trees" were hauled from Kingsettle Wood in Dorset to Yonder Oak in Devon and placed along the flight path of barn owls, sparrowhawks and kestrels.They said the deadwood would offer a safe perch for the "magnificent" birds of prey.Sam Hamer, the charity's site manager, said: "By bolting on extra branches from other dead trees and then slashing them…

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‘Girls proving skateboarding is a female sport’, Plymouth skater

A 13-year-old skater says she is among a growing number of girls proving skateboarding is a female sport.Ophelia started skateboarding when she was four years old and skates at the Prime Skatepark in Plymouth.She said: "I started seeing so many more girls skateboarding out and about and it felt amazing to skate with them."Nick Marker, chief executive of Prime Skatepark, said he had seen "a massive increase in female participation" in the last few years.Ophelia said: "If you…

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Lyn Parry: Amateur golfer aged 74 makes three holes-in-one within a month

An English amateur golfer in her mid-seventies has made three holes-in-one in a month.Lyn Parry achieved the feat during October with two at her home club Downes Crediton in Devon, before completing the hat-trick at Tiverton Golf Club.Parry had previously made two holes-in-one since taking up the sport aged 58, lifting her tally to five.The odds of three in a month were estimated at 1.95 trillion to one by England Golf."The holes-in-one have just come along a bit…

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Warning of ‘chaos’ as Devon council carve-up row deepens

Miles DavisDevon political reporterExeter City CouncilExeter and Plymouth both want to expand in local government reorganisation and see an expanded TorbayCouncillors are putting party political interests above the needs of communities and risk creating "chaos" in the biggest local government shake-up for 50 years, according to a council leader.Devon County Council leader Julian Brazil, Liberal Democrat, accused rival councils of "gerrymandering" - manipulating boundaries for their own political benefit.Local authorities are drawing up plans for where new boundaries…

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Flo Robinson: Exeter scrum-half targets maiden PWR title for Chiefs

Exeter scrum-half Flo Robinson says she and her team-mates are aiming to win the Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) title this season.The Chiefs were beaten by champions Gloucester last week and are aiming to return to the play-offs after missing out last season.Exeter had been perennial post-season fixtures since their inception in 2020, making the play-offs in three of their first four seasons, including two PWR finals.But England scrum-half Robinson hopes this season with new players such as Black…

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Exeter Stories – Exeter Observer

Exeter Stories – Exeter Observer
Exeter Stories – Exeter Observer

A new podcast series featuring in-depth audio interviews with individuals from organisations and initiatives across Exeter is now airing every other Wednesday. Exeter Stories, which launched last month, is hosted by local resident Paul Batterham. He has interviewed entrepreneurs, activists, educators, artists and community leaders from a range of projects across the city about their

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Secret Devon – Henry VIII’s aunt lived in Devon, and liked partying in Tiverton

Available for over a yearHenry VIII's aunt lived in Devon, liked partying in Tiverton and described herself as "Sister, daughter and aunt of kings". Rosemary Griggs tells the story and relates the shopping list for a Tudor Christmas.Programme WebsiteShow less Source link

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Cows rescued from overturned trailer near Crediton

A number of cows became trapped and needed rescuing after a trailer overturned on a road.Crews from Danes Castle fire station in Exeter were sent to the scene on the outskirts of Crediton at 06:29 GMT on Friday.Police confirmed that local road closures were put in place while emergency services dealt with the situation.A winch was used to release five cows before crews worked to right the trailer, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said. Source link

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Tom Cleverley: Plymouth Argyle boss hopes results can reconnect squad and fans

Inconsistency has been a big issue at Argyle this season.The Pilgrims had a terrible start, losing their first four league games, and have suffered long-term injuries to key players such as Xavier Amaechi, Caleb Watts and Julio Pleguezuelo.But they won five of their six matches in September before their current tough run where a 1-1 home draw with Wigan has been the only fixture not to end in defeat and saw Argyle lose meekly at Devon rivals Exeter…

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