Devon News

Exeter City fire: Gary Caldwell says break has benefitted Grecians’ players

Exeter City fire: Gary Caldwell says break has benefitted Grecians’ players

The fire at St James Park could not have come at a worse time for the Grecians.The club has had to have a second loan from the Exeter City Supporters' Trust to cover a large overspend last season.City have had to crowdfund the £100,000 cost to repair the damage to their ground as they await any insurance payment, with fans currently raising around £75,000 - something which has impressed Caldwell."It's amazing that aspect of our club, but also…

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Julio Pleguezuelo: Plymouth Argyle defender set for injury return

Julio Pleguezuelo: Plymouth Argyle defender set for injury return

Plymouth Argyle have been boosted by the news that defender Julio Pleguezuelo is fit to return to the squad.The 28-year-old has not played this season after suffering a knee injury in Argyle's final pre-season game that needed surgery.He could return in some capacity when Northampton Town visit Home Park on Saturday (15:00 GMT)."I'm not ruling out Pleggy to be on the bench on Saturday. He's certainly got 20, 30 minutes in him," head coach Tom Cleverley said."Now if…

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Exeter City to cut jobs as Trust gives club £200,000 loan

Exeter City to cut jobs as Trust gives club £200,000 loan

Owned by their supporters since 2003 after being on the verge of going out of business, Exeter's fan-owned model has seen the club climb from what is now the National League to the third tier. But in a time where wages and transfer fees are rising, fan-owned clubs such as Exeter and AFC Wimbledon are struggling to compete with clubs that have wealthy owners who are willing to write off millions of pounds in spending. "Football's evolving," Harrison…

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Tom Cleverley: Plymouth Argyle boss relieved wait for a home game is over

Tom Cleverley: Plymouth Argyle boss relieved wait for a home game is over

Argyle have won just two home games in the league this season, but go into a spell which sees them play at Home Park in six of their next nine League One matches up to 1 January.Cleverley knows the upcoming period before the transfer window is critical for how his side will fare come the rest of the season. "I said that to the players before the Port Vale game that the next 10 games really are important…

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Torquay taxi driver suspended after conduct complaints

Torquay taxi driver suspended after conduct complaints

A taxi driver has had her licence suspended with immediate effect following a series of complaints.Torbay Council's regulatory sub-committee made the decision after viewing CCTV footage of two traffic incidents, including the driver reversing into oncoming traffic at a Torquay taxi rank and a near-miss at Paignton railway station, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.Other allegations included sleeping in her cab while on duty, refusing card payments, failing to queue properly, and aggressive behaviour.The unnamed driver, who denied…

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Calls for traffic action to protect school children in Plymouth

Calls for traffic action to protect school children in Plymouth

Councillors have called for more protection for children following reports of illegal parking on double yellow lines and zigzags near schools.Councillor Chris Wood's motion asking Plymouth City Council for increased enforcement and a public awareness campaign to highlight the dangers of illegal parking was backed by all members.While he recognised enforcement was taking place, Wood said the situation outside many schools "remained unacceptable".The council has employed a dedicated enforcement officer to cover five schools in the Ham and…

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Man, 53, dies after van hits wall at Sidbury

Man, 53, dies after van hits wall at Sidbury

A 53-year-old van driver has died after his vehicle left the road and hit a wall, police have said.The crash happened on the A375 at Sidbury near Sidmouth in east Devon at about 14:30 GMT on Wednesday, the Devon and Cornwall force said.It said the driver, a local man, sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash and his next of kin had been informed.Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash which happened as the van…

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Former land girl, 98, cycles 25 miles for Devon charity

Former land girl, 98, cycles 25 miles for Devon charity

BBCDorrie Pack completed the challenge at her local gymA 98-year-old former land girl has cycled 25 miles in a month for charity. Dorrie Pack, who joined the Land Army when she was 16 years old, set herself the goal at the beginning of November but completed the distance before the end of the month. She said she wanted to raise funds for the charity Hospicecare but could not decide what challenge to take on before settling on an…

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How Devon composting groups are cutting down on waste

How Devon composting groups are cutting down on waste

BBCVolunteers working at the Marldon Community Composting site A council has launched an initiative to cut garden waste through composting.South Hams District Council in Devon said there were already eight community garden waste composting sites in the area but it wanted to encourage more.It has offered up match-funded grants worth up to £7,500 towards the cost of creating community composting sites, which allow people to recycle their green waste as well as providing compost to take home.Sustainable South…

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Former Plymouth solicitor denies sex abuse and rape of clients

Former Plymouth solicitor denies sex abuse and rape of clients

Stephen Richards/GeographAlan Harris is accused of sexually abusing clients in the cells at Charles Cross Police Station (pictured) and Plymouth Magistrates' CourtA former criminal defence solicitor has denied he sexually abused and raped clients.Alan Harris, of Thorn Park, Plymouth, Devon, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court accused of 18 charges of indecent assault, eight charges of sexual assault, three charges of rape and one of another serious sexual offence.The 72-year-old, who has denied all 30 charges, is…

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Budget sparks concern among south west businesses

Budget sparks concern among south west businesses

Georgina BarnesSouth WestBBCJohn Brown says increased wages will come at an "extra cost for businesses"Workers aged between 18-20 will see a minimum wage increase to £10.85 an hour, up from £10, and those aged 21 and over on the living wage will receive £12.71 an hour, up from £12.21.Teenagers aged 16 or 17 on the minimum wage will be paid £8 an hour - a 45p raise.Mr Brown said businesses needed more support with the rising wages.He said:…

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Fire at ‘very dangerous’ derelict Devon hotel was arson

Fire at ‘very dangerous’ derelict Devon hotel was arson

A fire at a "very dangerous" derelict hotel is being treated as arson, police say.Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said crews from multiple fire stations were called to the blaze in Seaton, Devon, at about 03:13 GMT on Wednesday.Devon and Cornwall Police urged people not to visit Seaton Heights Hotel, which it said was "now much more dangerous following the structural damage caused by the fire".The force said the blaze had a "great effect on the…

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