Exeter councillor who attended asylum protest cleared of bullying

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCAlison Sheridan, a Conservative member of Exeter City Council, has been cleared of all accusations against her.A councillor who attended a protest against the use of a hotel to house asylum seekers has been cleared of all accusations against her including bullying, harassment and bringing the council into disrepute.Alison Sheridan, a Conservative member of Exeter City Council, wore her council lanyard to a protest outside a hotel in Exeter.The council found Sheridan had "exercised her…

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England v Australia: Luke Cowan-Dickie on prospect of winning 50th cap

"I didn't really have a 50th in my head when I came back playing. I didn't think me playing for England would be a thing again."For it to potentially happen this autumn, it is going to be huge trying not to let it get to me."There were a couple of times with the specialist when we didn't know if playing was going to be the right thing."But I stuck at it because rugby is such a big part…

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Ayman Benarous: ‘Freak’ knee injury rules out Plymouth midfielder

Plymouth Argyle could be without five of the squad that lost to Exeter City last week for the trip to Mansfield on Tuesday night. Argyle will be without suspended Matthew Sorinola and Alex Mitchell is absent on compassionate grounds. Joe Edwards and Bradley Ibrahim face late fitness tests while Ayman Benarous will be missing for up to six weeks after sustaining what head coach Tom Cleverley described as a '"freak training injury" to his knee."It's an action that…

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Monastic music to play again in Exeter priory closed by Henry VIII

Beautiful monastic music will be heard again in a former Exeter priory closed by Henry VIII thanks to the discovery of a rare collection of medieval chants. St Nicholas Priory was founded by William the Conqueror in 1087. It was home to Benedictine monks for over 400 years and is the oldest building in Exeter. In 1536, like other monasteries, it was closed and the remains became the home of wealthy Tudor merchants. Thanks to the University of…

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Devon libraries Halloween costume loans ‘really useful’

Library users have welcomed a scheme run by Devon libraries offering people the chance to borrow Halloween costumes donated by other visitors.Libraries Unlimited, the charity that runs the Devon County Council and Torbay's libraries, described the scheme as "cost-effective" as it was designed to prevent the public from purchasing costumes that would only be worn once.Katheryn and her daughter Sophie visited Pinhoe Library, Exeter, on the hunt for a Halloween costume.Sophie chose a Rapunzel costume for this year,…

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Radio Devon presenters gear up for three-legged walk

BBCBBC Radio Devon's Caroline Densley and Michael Chequer will be walking three-leggedBBC radio presenters are attempting to complete a section of a 1,000 mile three-legged challenge for Children in Need (CIN).Each BBC local radio station is aiming to complete 25 miles (40.23 km) on 4 and 5 November.BBC Radio Devon's Caroline Densley and Michael Chequer are each hoping to cover 12.5 three-legged miles (20.12km) over the two days.They will be walking each mile tied to a different person,…

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‘Derailment’ warning as world faces threats to its ability to act on climate change

The worsening consequences of the climate crisis could fatally “derail” climate action, researchers have warned. With global warming breaching 1.5°C – and Earth system tipping points, such as the widespread dieback of warm-water coral reefs, now being reached – the consequences of climate change are guaranteed to escalate. The new report – by the Strategic Climate Risks Initiative (SCRI), the University of Exeter, University College London’s Climate Action Unit, and the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) –…

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Winter Fore Street Flea – Exeter Observer

Winter Fore Street Flea - Exeter ObserverKeep our reporting free for everyone to read  Upgrade to paidEO Exeter Observer Local news that matters ON OUR RADARMarket selling vintage items, handmade craft, food and drink with live music from local artists returns for a winter edition.Leigh CurtisFore Street Flea returns on Sunday 23 November with stalls selling jewellery, crafts, clothing, records, second-hand items and food and drink.There will also be live music, street performances and other activities.The market was…

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Car crash causes delays on part of M5 in Devon

Drivers experienced delays on part of the M5 after a car hit the central reservation.Devon and Cornwall Police said two of three southbound lanes had been closed between junction 28, leading on to the A373 Honiton Road at the Cullompton services area, and junction 29, leading to the A30 at Exeter and Honiton.Officers said emergency services had attended the scene and asked drivers to be patient while they dealt with incident.Diversions were put in place via the A373…

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Man who dodged Devon train fares racks up £30k in fines

BBCExeter Magistrates Court heard Nicholas Tooley had paid £2,100 of the £30,012.90 fines he had been givenA man who ran up fines of more than £30,000 by dodging train fares has been given a "clean slate".Exeter Magistrates' Court heard Nicholas Tooley had not paid for trips between Exeter and Teignmouth to see his family over a seven-year period from April 2017.District Judge Stuart Smith said the 54-year-old of Alphington Road, Exeter, who lived on Universal Credit, had got…

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Dave Walder: Exeter Chiefs showing ‘A-game’ after Gloucester win

For the second successive week Henry Slade impressed as the England centre scored two more tries and kicked a further 12 points.It took his career tally beyond 1,000 points for Exeter and he is top of the Prem's points-scorers after five games with 70, while his five tries put him joint-third on the try-scoring charts.He is two tries behind team-mate and England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, with both part of an exciting set of backs that now includes Australia…

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‘I had to make up girlfriends while in the Navy due to gay ban’

George CardenSouth East, in HoveRoly WoodsCommander Woods on HMS Lancaster at South Georgia Island in the South Atlantic Ocean in 1996A former Commander in the Royal Navy has spoken about how he had to hide his sexuality during the military's "gay ban", as a memorial is unveiled at the National Memorial Arboretum in honour of him and his LGBT+ colleagues."I had to make up girlfriends and take female friends to functions just to have a cover story in…

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