county news

Free public festival of inspiring science and culture this month with the University of Exeter

Free public festival of inspiring science and culture this month with the University of Exeter

Invasive hornets, air quality and pollution, and the power of comics to make you happy are among a vibrant programme of public events set to be staged this month. Led by scholars at the University of Exeter, the free walking tours, workshops, and performances are part of this year’s FUTURES – a festival of discovery – which aims to translate world-class research into fun, hands-on activities for people of all ages. The events will all be held at…

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Views sought on revamp to Exeter city centre entrance

People are being asked for their say on proposed changes to a gateway into Exeter city centre.The aim is to transform the layout of Barnfield Road and make it more welcoming, said Devon County Council.The scheme, which spans from Princesshay to Denmark Road, seeks to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, enhance public spaces, and adjust vehicle flows, said the council.About 2,000 pedestrians and 500 cyclists use Barnfield Road every weekday, according to the authority.The project is divided into…

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Major incident declared on M5 after car transporter fire

A major incident was declared by emergency services after a stretch of the M5 was closed earlier in both directions due to a fire on a lorry carrying electric vehicles. The motorway was shut in Devon between junction 28 at Cullompton and junction 29 for Exeter at about 06:30 BST and two the southbound lanes reopened at about 18:00.It said a car transporter carrying nine electric vehicles caught fire on the southbound carriageway.The northbound side of the road…

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Fears online GP appointment changes could add ‘pressure’ to staff

Fears online GP appointment changes could add ‘pressure’ to staff

Anna VarleSouth West andGeorge ThorpeSouth WestBBCDr Elpitha Bruce believed striking a balance between the needs of patients and staff was importantDoctors and patients have raised concerns about all GP practices in England being made to offer online booking systems.As part of the move which was ordered by the government and started on Wednesday, surgeries will have to provide the service from 08:00 to 18:30 Monday to Friday.GPs in Devon and Cornwall said the system could put extra pressure…

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All-female tuna fishing crew aim to inspire others

The first all-female Atlantic Bluefin tuna fishing crew to launch from Salcombe has set sail. The crew, comprised of women from marine charities, female skippers, and even a member of Team England Angling had the goal of inspiring other women to join the industry.Hannah Rudd, head of marine at the Angling Trust said: "There are so many different career options for so many different interests, whether you want to go into policy, be a scientist, work in recreational…

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Crisis over big dogs in care in South West sparks RSPCA appeal

Crisis over big dogs in care in South West sparks RSPCA appeal

RSPCATwo-year-old Sox was found abandonedThe RSPCA is urging people in the South West to consider adopting larger dogs because it is struggling with record numbers in its care.New data from the charity revealed it can take up to seven times longer for some bigger breeds to find a new home compared to smaller ones.As a result, "gentle giants" like Cane Corso cross Lemmy and Labrador cross Sox are being repeatedly passed over during their time in kennels at…

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Exeter College restaurant wins best of the year for second time

Exeter College restaurant wins best of the year for second time

Exeter CollegeEdie and Millie were visited Birmingham and impressed the judgesA student-run eatery in Devon has been named college restaurant of the year for the second time.Exeter College's fine dining restaurant @Thirty-Four was awarded the AA College Restaurant of the Year - the "highest accolade" achievable for students.The restaurant won the award for the first time in 2023 and were presented with the 2025 award in London at the AA Hospitality Awards.Exeter College said Edie and Millie, two…

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Council denies data and contrives criteria to dismiss community balance concerns in third King Billy student block approval

Council denies data and contrives criteria to dismiss community balance concerns in third King Billy student block approval

Exeter City Council has dismissed concerns that too much student accommodation is having an adverse impact on community balance in approving plans for a new purpose-built block on the site of the former King Billy public house in Longbrook Street.It approved the development plans, which prompted significant criticism from local councillors and community representatives, earlier this month following the failure of several other schemes for the site over a period of seven years, all of which it also…

Continue ReadingCouncil denies data and contrives criteria to dismiss community balance concerns in third King Billy student block approval

Pioneering placemaking and regional identity in the creative industries take centre stage at the Labour Party Conference

The South West has the potential to become a testbed for investment and policy for the creative industries, according to a special event held at the Labour Party Conference, today. A panel drawing together the region’s higher education institutions – Bournemouth, Exeter, Falmouth, Plymouth, Arts University Plymouth and Arts University Bournemouth – as well as businesses and other organisations, said the excellence and innovation of the creative sector in the region should be recognised more widely. The ‘Creative…

Continue ReadingPioneering placemaking and regional identity in the creative industries take centre stage at the Labour Party Conference

Pioneering placemaking and regional identity in the creative industries foregrounded at the Labour Party Conference

The South West has the potential to become a testbed for investment and policy for the creative industries, according to a special event held at the Labour Party Conference, today. A panel drawing together the region’s higher education institutions – Bournemouth, Exeter, Falmouth, Plymouth, Arts University Plymouth and Arts University Bournemouth – as well as businesses and other organisations, said the excellence and innovation of the creative sector in the region should be recognised more widely. The ‘Creative…

Continue ReadingPioneering placemaking and regional identity in the creative industries foregrounded at the Labour Party Conference

Electrical shop returns to Devon high street after 18 years

An electrical shop will return to a high street after 18 years.Hockridge Appliance Centre operated in Tavistock for 12 years, before closing the branch for commercial reasons in the 2000s.Now the company, which has a store in Launceston, is returning to the town with a new shop in Brook Street on the site of the Towls electrical appliance store, which is closing after 53 years.Owner Karl Hockridge said he was "delighted" to bring the family firm back to…

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Coach aims for wider Devon wheelchair basketball team recognition

Coach aims for wider Devon wheelchair basketball team recognition

BBCJack Davey leads the Exeter Otters, who were founded in 1980The head coach of a Devon-based wheelchair basketball club says his "big goal" is to see his side become as well-known as other professional rugby and football sides in its city home.Jack Davey leads the Exeter Otters, who were founded in 1980 and are believed to be the UK's oldest such team.In previous years, the club had struggled to put out a side out, but the club is…

Continue ReadingCoach aims for wider Devon wheelchair basketball team recognition