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Campaign to tackle drop in A-level language studies in south west

Campaign to tackle drop in A-level language studies in south west

University of ExeterThe University of Exeter will lead the South West region's language studies networkA campaign has been launched to tackle a decline in the number of young people learning modern languages at A-level in south west state schools.A network of schools in Devon and Cornwall has joined forces with the University of Exeter to make modern language studies "more accessible".The university said it would lead the Languages For All programme across the south west following a successful…

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Plymouth artist Ellie Johnson wins award for murals work

Plymouth artist Ellie Johnson wins award for murals work

A mural artist has won an award for her work beating more than 2,000 people.Ellie Johnson, known as Mrs Murals, was awarded the Women in Arts, Media and Culture Award at The West Country Women's Awards at a ceremony held in the Crowne Plaza, Plymouth.Among her work, Mrs Murals has transformed subways in Plympton and a primary school in Sherford, Plymouth.Judge Trish Caller praised her community-focused artwork and said her application stood out for its impact and strong…

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Charity funds retired Devon police dog’s urgent leg surgery

Charity funds retired Devon police dog’s urgent leg surgery

The Thin Blue Paw FoundationMax's career was cut short and he retired in 2022The owner of a retired police dog said she was "incredibly grateful" to a charity for funding her pet's surgery ahead of Christmas. Former handler Natalie Sutton, 33, from Cornwall, adopted Belgian Malinois Max, 8, who served as a general purpose dog with the Ministry of Defence Police at HMNB Devonport in Plymouth for three years.Max retired in 2022 after injuring his cruciate ligament and…

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Women in the Indian Armed Forces suffer systemic discrimination across all stages of their military careers, study shows

Women serving in the Indian Armed Forces suffer systemic discrimination across all stages of their military careers, a new study shows. Experts have identified persistent unfairness across recruitment, career progression, combat roles, pay and benefits, and institutional culture. While legal interventions, particularly Supreme Court judgments, have helped to bring about greater gender equality, implementation remains problematic. Discriminatory practices are deeply embedded in military institutional culture. Addressing these issues requires not just policy changes but a fundamental shift in…

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Man jailed on ‘vicious’ murder of partner in Plymouth flat

Man jailed on ‘vicious’ murder of partner in Plymouth flat

Devon and Cornwall PoliceMark Fitzgerald was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years and 168 daysA man who concealed the murder of his partner in his flat has been jailed.Mark Fitzgerald, 62, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years and 168 days after being found guilty over the murder of Lisa Paris, 54, in March 2024. Plymouth Crown Court heard Fitzgerald pretended to find her unconscious in his Rendle Street flat…

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Man jailed over murder of partner in Plymouth flat

Man jailed over murder of partner in Plymouth flat

A man who concealed the murder of his partner in his flat has been jailed.Mark Fitzgerald, 62, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years and 168 days after being found guilty over the murder of Lisa Paris, 54, in March 2024. Plymouth Crown Court heard he left her dead body under a duvet in his flat on Rendle Street in Plymouth, Devon.It heard the relationship between the two was marked by his repeated violence…

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Man admits starting fire at Bournemouth International Centre

Man admits starting fire at Bournemouth International Centre

A video from Picnic Park Deli showed smoke rising from the Bournemouth International CentreA man has pleaded guilty to intentionally starting a fire at a seaside concert and conference venue.Smoke was seen billowing from the roof of the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) on Exeter Road in August, with fire crews fighting the enveloping blaze on the outside roof fascia.Shane Wilson, 38, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered at…

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Nearly £4 million of philanthropic funding for type 1 diabetes research in latest award from Helmsley Charitable Trust

Researchers at the University of Exeter have received almost £4 million of funding for their work in understanding type 1 diabetes. The awards have come from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust and are the latest example of the extensive financial support Helmsley has given research projects at the University over the past nine years. To date, the Helmsley Charitable Trust has awarded $10,637,854 (£7.98 million) to research at Exeter into type 1 diabetes. Professor…

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Jack Mackenzie: Tom Cleverley hopeful on Plymouth Argyle defender

Jack Mackenzie: Tom Cleverley hopeful on Plymouth Argyle defender

Plymouth Argyle defender Jack Mackenzie could return to training in the new year.The summer signing from Aberdeen has yet to kick a ball in anger for the Pilgrims after a series of injuries that began in pre-season.Having been hit by tendonitis in his knee, the 25-year-old then developed shin splints. However, Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley is hopeful he is coming to the end of his injury issues. "Jack's problem circulated around his legs a little bit where…

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Sonny Cox: Gary Caldwell challenges Exeter striker to score more

Sonny Cox: Gary Caldwell challenges Exeter striker to score more

Exeter City striker Sonny Cox has been challenged to score more goals after his return from injury.The 21-year-old has missed almost three months with a groin problem, but came on as a substitute in the 1-0 win over AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night.The homegrown forward has scored just twice since the start of last season, but manager Gary Caldwell feels he has the ability to make a difference up front. "I want to see a hunger and a…

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About £2.2m to improve north Devon Tarka Trail

About £2.2m to improve north Devon Tarka Trail

BBCGovernment funding and local money will be used for the projectAbout £2.2m will be used to improve existing sections of a popular walking and cycling trail.The changes to the Tarka Trail in north Devon have been split into three projects, with Spreacombe Junction to North Buckland Hill being one, both North Buckland Hill to Cottages and Cottages to Nethercott Road being another, with the third on Deans Copse, Nethercott Road to Knowle.Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Devon County Council cabinet…

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Peerage for Exeter Chancellor Sir Michael Barber

Sir Michael Barber, Chancellor of the University of Exeter, will join the House of Lords. An expert in government policy, Sir Michael is among 34 political peerages approved by the King.  Sir Michael is one of 25 new peers nominated by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in his role as leader of the Labour Party, alongside five Liberal Democrats, three Conservatives and one crossbench peer. The official citation describes Sir Michael as a “globally recognised expert in government…

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