exeter

Len Ikitau: Exeter Chiefs’ Australia centre out for three months with shoulder injury

Len Ikitau: Exeter Chiefs’ Australia centre out for three months with shoulder injury

Ikitau has made five appearances for Exeter in the Prem and European Challenge Cup, scoring his first try in the win over South African side Cheetahs earlier this month. "The good news is that we can get him in for the operation pretty quickly, though unfortunately it does mean he will miss the block of games over the festive period and into the cup competitions in the new year," Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter told the club…

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New surgery facilities planned at Exeter hospital

New surgery facilities planned at Exeter hospital

A new day surgery centre for children and adults is planned in an expansion of a city centre hospital.New operating theatres and recovery areas could be built at the site in the Heavitree area of Exeter, which is part of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (RD&E).A planning application has been made for the site with buildings which will overlook the neighbouring Waitrose store.The RD&E said it had secured a £20m commitment from NHS England to create a…

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Devon and Cornwall stories to make you smile

Devon and Cornwall stories to make you smile

Wildwood TrustThe antics of Mish and Lucy prompted an outpouring of support Escaped, honey-hungry bears, an emotional reunion and a round egg.We have selected six stories to make you smile that made the news in Devon and Cornwall in 2025.Bears escape enclosure and raid honey storeWatch: CCTV captures one of the bears helping itself to supplies outside the bear houseTwo bears briefly escaped their enclosure at Wildwood Devon in June and ventured into a food store where they…

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Olly Woodburn: Exeter back’s versatility impressing boss Rob Baxter

Olly Woodburn: Exeter back’s versatility impressing boss Rob Baxter

Exeter boss Rob Baxter says Olly Woodburn's recent performances could justify a new deal for the veteran back.The 34-year-old impressed in a first start at full-back in the dramatic win at Saracens on Saturday and he has also covered at centre in recent seasons. Woodburn has scored 60 tries in 185 games for the Chiefs since joining in 2015, but is out of contract at the end of this season. "Right here and now it's going to be…

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Gary Caldwell: Exeter City boss hails impressive defensive record

Gary Caldwell: Exeter City boss hails impressive defensive record

Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell says he has been impressed with how defensively solid his side has been this season.The 20th-placed Grecians have conceded just 20 goals in their 20 League One games this season - the third-lowest in the division.They are the only club that has a positive goal difference in the bottom half of the table and have conceded just one goal in their past four games in all competitions."It was a big part of our…

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Dawlish guide dog wins award for life service

Dawlish guide dog wins award for life service

A guide dog has been given a national award to recognise his life of service.Ridley, an 11-year-old black Labrador-cross golden retriever, from Dawlish, Devon, scooped the Hero Dog Award at the Guide Dogs People Awards for 2025.It recognised his work, not only as a guide dog, but his continued contribution as an ambassador dog, therapy dog, and loyal companion to his owners Peter and Marylou Boston, ceremony organisers said.Mr Boston said: "Ridley is an extraordinary dog whose life…

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Stephen Varney: Exeter’s Italy scrum-half signs new deal

Stephen Varney: Exeter’s Italy scrum-half signs new deal

Exeter's Italy scrum-half Stephen Varney has signed a new contract with the Prem club.The 24-year-old moved to Sandy Park in the summer after a season at French side Vannes having spent much of his career at Gloucester. He has started six of Exeter's seven league games this season in their impressive start to the Prem campaign, scoring his first league try for the club in the comeback win over Saracens on Saturday.He is the second Exeter player to…

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Fiddler crabs break down microplastics

Fiddler crabs break down microplastics

Getty ImagesResearchers sampled 95 fiddler crabsA species of crab has been found to play an "unheralded role" in the breakdown of microplastic particles, according to scientists. The University of Exeter said scientists observed fiddler crabs in a polluted mangrove forest in Colombia ingest "large quantities of small plastic particles in the sediment". It said the species could break down plastics within days - but scientists warned of a potential release of harmful nanoplastics into their tissues and, consequently,…

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no further action after man injured

no further action after man injured

No further investigation will be carried out after a man suffered a broken leg when he was knocked over by a motorcyclist who police officers were trying to stop, the police watchdog has confirmed. Joe Hart was injured in a car park near Bournemouth seafront during a Dorset Police operation to prevent an illegal procession of motorbikes and e-bikes on 13 December. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed no independent investigation was required after Dorset Police…

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New urgent accommodation opens for young people in Devon

New urgent accommodation opens for young people in Devon

BBCAndy Fletcher said the charity gave him similar accommodation New homes have been created to help young people in need of urgent accommodation.YMCA Exeter said the new homes on Cliff Road in Paignton, Devon, would help people between the ages of 18 and 25 develop independent living skills.The charity said the homes were available to young local people who urgently needed to move on from higher supported accommodation and foster placements.Andy Fletcher used to be homeless and said…

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Feral AI gossip with the potential to spread damage and shame will become more frequent, researchers warn

“Feral” gossip spread via AI bots is likely to become more frequent and pervasive, causing reputational damage and shame, humiliation, anxiety, and distress, researchers have warned. Chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini don’t just make things up—they generate and spread gossip, complete with negative evaluations and juicy rumours that can cause real-world harm, according to new analysis by philosophers Joel Krueger and Lucy Osler from the University of Exeter. The harm caused by AI gossip isn’t a hypothetical…

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Menopause hormone therapy does not appear to impact dementia risk

A major review of prior research has found no evidence that menopause hormone therapy either increases or decreases dementia risk in post-menopausal women, in a new study led by University College London researchers and supported by the University of Exeter. The findings, commissioned by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity, add much-needed clarity to a hotly debated topic, and reinforce current clinical guidance that menopause hormone therapy, also called hormone replacement therapy…

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