Reopening of Heavitree Road in Exeter delayed by a month

Post published:October 17, 2025
Post last modified:October 19, 2025

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCThe main road out of Exeter will now be closed until 10 NovemberThe main road out of Exeter will now be closed until 10 November - a month later than when it was initially scheduled to reopen.The northbound section of Heavitree Road and the bus lane next to it will remain closed "due to the conditions of the road", Wales and West Utilities has said.The company is carrying out work on the gas network in the area and has also closed another busy road on the other side…

The Dorset garden centre that began a British obsession

Post published:October 17, 2025
Post last modified:October 17, 2025

Ros TappendenSouth of EnglandBBCThe Stewart family has been in the nursery business for nearly three centuriesIt has been 70 years since Edward Stewart, founder of Stewarts Garden Centres, opened a shed at his nursery, selling potted plants and garden supplies.The site in Ferndown, Dorset, is believed to be the UK's first garden centre, revolutionising horticulture and making gardening accessible to the masses.He had the idea while in the USA - as well as being a plantsman, he was also a pilot and had been delivering a Dakota to Miami from Bournemouth.On…

Garden Centres… Invented in Dorset

Post published:October 17, 2025
Post last modified:October 17, 2025

It's 70 years since the UK's first ever garden centre opened here in Dorset. Source link

Cornwall cardiac arrest survivor was ‘luckiest man around’

Post published:October 17, 2025
Post last modified:October 17, 2025

Tamsin Melville/BBCMark Wreford is urging others to get CPR training after his running group saved his lifeA man whose life was saved by quick-thinking members of his running group who performed CPR and tracked down a defibrillator is raising awareness.Mark Wreford had a cardiac arrest during a run on Bodmin Moor in December 2024 but he survived thanks to others who knew CPR and sprinted to retrieve the nearest defibrillator.Fewer than one in 10 people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK, but first aid more than doubles survival rates,…

Zack Wimbush & Orson James: Cornish Pirates sign Exeter pair on loan

Post published:October 17, 2025
Post last modified:October 17, 2025

Exeter winger Zack Wimbush and scrum-half Orson James have joined Champ side Cornish Pirates on loan.Wimbush, 21, has played 27 times for Exeter in all competitions and will use the spell at the Mennaye to help recover from a pre-season toe injury.Welsh scrum-half James, 21, has been out for the past 18 months after needing two operations on a knee ligament injury. "This is a great opportunity for both players to compete for spots in a competitive Pirates team and rack up game minutes in a gritty league," Exeter boss Rob…

What do visitors think of the Van Gogh experience in Exeter?

Post published:October 17, 2025
Post last modified:October 17, 2025

People have been given the opportunity to immerse themselves in the work of artist Vincent Van Gogh in a new exhibition in Devon. Beyond Van Gogh opened in Westpoint Exeter on Thursday until 31 October. Organisers said the exhibition featured 300 masterpieces, including the famous paintings Starry Night, Sunflowers and Café Terrace at Night. It will be open from 10:00 BST to 19:30 daily and costs between £14 and £27 to enter.Lise Moore, chief executive at the Devon County Agricultural Association, said: "It's really inspiring ... and I think you can…

‘Glastonbury Festival is what’s keeping me going’

Post published:October 17, 2025
Post last modified:October 17, 2025

PA MediaMichael Eavis founded Glastonbury festival in 1970As he turns 90, the founder of Glastonbury Festival says he is feeling "very well" and has credited the event for "keeping him going".Michael Eavis put on the first Pilton Pop, Folk and Blues Festival in 1970 with his late wife Jean. He was a struggling dairy farmer and said at the time he hoped it would "clear his overdraft".The event is now the largest greenfield festival in the world and Worthy Farm turns into a temporary city with a population of about 200,000…

Len Ikitau and Tom Hooper: Exeter hand debuts to Australia duo

Post published:October 17, 2025
Post last modified:October 17, 2025

Australia internationals Len Ikitau and Tom Hooper will make their Exeter debuts in Sunday's Prem game against Harlequins.Centre Ikitau, 27, is the Chiefs' highest-profile backs signing for some seasons and will link up with England's Henry Slade in the Exeter midfield.He joins an exciting set of backs with Paul Brown-Bampoe and England star Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on the wings and Josh Hodge returning at full-back after his two-game suspension.Ikitau's Wallabies team-mate Hooper is named at flanker in a back-row that includes England's Ethan Roots at openside and Greg Fisilau at number eight.…

Conor Hazard: Plymouth Argyle’s Northern Ireland goalkeeper aiming for World Cup

Post published:October 17, 2025
Post last modified:October 17, 2025

Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Conor Hazard is relishing the chance to try and reach the World Cup with Northern Ireland.The 27-year-old was part of the squad for their win over Slovakia and narrow loss to Germany over the past international break.It leaves Northern Ireland knowing wins over Slovakia and Luxembourg next month would secure at least a play-off place for next year's tournament in the United States."We know we have a big opportunity coming up next month now," he told BBC Radio Devon."I think we need a win, and four points would…

Broadband restored in Beaminster four days after car crash outage

Post published:October 17, 2025
Post last modified:October 17, 2025

Ros TappendenSouth of EnglandCouncillor Craig MonksThe burnt-out car was removed by Dorset Council contractors on TuesdayBroadband has been restored to a town more than four days after a car crash knocked out services to about 1,000 customers.Homes and businesses in Beaminster, Dorset, lost their internet service on Sunday when a car crashed into a telegraph pole and burst into flames.Openreach said engineers worked through the night to restore services, describing the repairs as "complex".The company said they would remain in the area and urged anyone still experiencing issues to contact their…

CrossCountry rail workers strike suspended by RMT union

Post published:October 17, 2025
Post last modified:October 17, 2025

Rail passengers are being warned there will still be "significant disruption" despite planned industrial action being suspended. CrossCountry says its services will be impacted with a reduced timetable as it is too late to reinstate a normal timetable on services this weekend.Although members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) have called off a walk-out planned for Saturday 18 October, only a significantly-reduced number of services will be able to run to the South West, South Coast and north of York.Shiona Rolfe, CrossCountry's managing director, said she was…

Endangered white claw crayfish released into pond in Devon

Post published:October 17, 2025
Post last modified:October 17, 2025

Harding-Lee MediaWildwood Devon said white-clawed crayfish have been released into a purpose-build refuge pondA wildlife conservation charity said white-clawed crayfish, which are an endangered species, have been released into a pond in Devon. Wildwood Devon, a wildlife park based in Ottery St Mary, said there were only two known surviving populations of the crayfish left in the county. Education and conversation officer Charly Mead said the creatures, which were rescued two years ago, had been moved into a specifically created site at the wildlife park.She said 37 of the crayfish had…