county news

Stagecoach South West criticised for ‘unacceptable’ service

Stagecoach South West criticised for ‘unacceptable’ service

Lisa YoungSouth West andTamsin Melvillein SaltashBBCStagecoach South West said it was working hard to improve the reliability of its serviceBus passengers are calling for action as they face hour-long waits and cancellations on a key route operating between Cornwall and Devon.Anna Gelderd, MP for South East Cornwall, demanded "urgent action" from Stagecoach South West after "weeks of severe disruption" to the number 2 bus from Saltash to Plymouth.She said the experiences residents had shared with her had been…

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Derelict building fire in Kingsteigton being treated as arson

A derelict building fire in south Devon is being treated as arson, police have said.Devon and Cornwall Police said fire crews were called to Abbrook Pond, off Chudleigh Road in Kingsteignton, at about 18:40 BST on Wednesday.The fire caused "substantial damage" to the disused building, particularly to the roof, Devon and Cornwall Police said.A spokesperson for the fire service said crews began "scaling down" at about 22:00 but one appliance remained until 23:00 to damp down hotspots. A…

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Man in court accused of murdering fellow inmate at Exeter Prison

A man has been remanded in custody accused of murdering a fellow inmate in a prison.James Desborough, 39, from Cornwall appeared before Exeter Magistrates' Court on Thursday accused of killing Steven Kempster, 65.Devon and Cornwall Police said it had received a report from Exeter Prison that Mr Kempster had been found dead in his cell at about 05:40 BST on Monday.Mr Desborough was told he must next appear at Exeter Crown Court on Friday. Source link

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Memorial trees planted at Royal Devon hospitals to honour health workers

Trigger warning: This references National Suicide Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers. We appreciate that this topic might be difficult for some colleagues, but we think it is vitally important to raise awareness. There is more information on support and training at the end of this post. A memorial tree has been planted outside the Medical School’s Research, Innovation, Learning and Development (RILD) building at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (RD&E) as a way to remember…

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Oil rig study reveals vital role of tiny hoverflies

A study of migratory hoverflies on a North Sea oil rig has revealed their vital role as long-distance pollen transporters.    Researchers studied 121 marmalade hoverflies that landed on an oil rig in the Britannia oil field, 200km off the coast of Scotland. Pollen was found on 92% of the hoverflies and – with no vegetation on the rig, and no land nearby – this shows they can transport pollen over great distances, potentially linking plant populations that…

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Joseph Dweba: Hooker can reignite Springboks career at Exeter – Rob Baxter

Joseph Dewba can use his time at Exeter to force his way back into the South Africa squad says Chiefs boss Rob Baxter.Dweba, who moved to Sandy Park from Stormers this summer, won the last of his six caps for the Springboks in the summer of 2023. Baxter likens the hooker's situation in a similar light to Australian signings Dean Mumm and Nic White.The pair both moved to Exeter from Super Rugby having dropped out of contention for…

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Exeter College and Petroc merger set to create largest college group in South West

Exeter College and Petroc merger set to create largest college group in South West

Exeter College and Petroc are holding a public consultation on a proposed merger of the two institutions which they say would create the largest college group in the South West with more than 16,000 students, nearly 2,000 staff and an annual turnover of £100 million.The proposed new organisation, to be called Exeter and North Devon College Group, would begin operations in January next year as part of what the colleges say is the “direction of travel nationally” for…

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Two Moors Festival – Exeter Observer

Two Moors Festival – Exeter Observer

Two Moors Festival - Exeter ObserverDemocracy doesn't work when people don't know  Upgrade to paidEO Exeter Observer Local news that matters ON OUR RADARChamber music festival celebrates 25th anniversary with performances, talks and workshops across fifteen venues.Leigh CurtisTwo Moors Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary with twelve days of talks, workshops and chamber music performances from Wednesday 1 to Sunday 12 October.The annual chamber music festival is this year presenting twenty-one events at fifteen venues on Dartmoor, Exmoor and…

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Barley Lane greenfield plans place persistent threat to Exeter’s north and north-west hills in spotlight

Barley Lane greenfield plans place persistent threat to Exeter’s north and north-west hills in spotlight

Proposals to build 65 dwellings in open fields overlooking Exeter near Barley Valley Nature Reserve have prompted 175 objections, with a public consultation on the plans still to run until the end of the weekend.An outline planning application for ten acres of agricultural land between Barley Lane and Nadder Park Road, which is supposed to be protected from development by council planning policies which designate it as part of the city’s distinctive landscape setting, was submitted in July.Illustrative…

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Exeter Digest #90: Barley Lane greenfield plans – Summerland Street student block – Heavitree school playing field retirement flats – city council accounts inspection

Exeter Digest #90: Barley Lane greenfield plans – Summerland Street student block – Heavitree school playing field retirement flats – city council accounts inspection

Exeter Digest #90: Barley Lane greenfield plans - Summerland Street student block - Heavitree school playing field retirement flats - city council accounts inspection - Exeter ObserverEverything else is public relations  Upgrade to paidEO Exeter Observer Local news that matters THE EXETER DIGESTWith our pick of upcoming local community and culture highlights and a recap of the top stories from our previous edition.Sunday 7 September 2025HEADLINESBarley Lane greenfield plans place persistent threat to Exeter’s north and north-west hills…

Continue ReadingExeter Digest #90: Barley Lane greenfield plans – Summerland Street student block – Heavitree school playing field retirement flats – city council accounts inspection

Unaudited 2024-25 city council accounts published for annual inspection period

Unaudited 2024-25 city council accounts published for annual inspection period

Unaudited 2024-25 city council accounts published for annual inspection period - Exeter ObserverKeep our reporting free for everyone to read  Upgrade to paidEO Exeter Observer Local news that matters NEWSSpecial information access rights enabling residents to examine records apply until 6 October after asset revaluation delayed publication from 1 July to 26 August.Saturday 6 September 2025Martin RedfernA six-week period has begun during which local residents, journalists and other interested persons have special access rights to information contained in…

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Pre-application feedback sought on proposals for six storey Summerland Street student accommodation block

Pre-application feedback sought on proposals for six storey Summerland Street student accommodation block

Pre-application feedback sought on proposals for six storey Summerland Street student accommodation block - Exeter ObserverKeep our reporting free for everyone to read  Upgrade to paidEO Exeter Observer Local news that matters NEWSRedevelopment of Unit 1 nightclub and Best Tyre Auto Centre in Verney Street would add 180 beds to 1,575 student bedspaces in immediate area on top of 145 studios in consented but unbuilt Summerland Street “co-living” block.Saturday 6 September 2025, updated 11 September 2025Martin RedfernPre-application feedback…

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