Local News

Devon father one step closer to completing world-first swim to raise awareness of son’s brain condition

A father from North Devon is set to complete the final six lakes in his bid to become the first person to swim Switzerland’s ten largest lakes after his young son was diagnosed with a rare brain-attacking condition PANDAS, that caused sudden onset aggression, OCD and tics overnight.

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Councils share £600K cash boost to plant trees in the heart of communities in the South West

Thousands of new trees will be planted across the South West thanks to a cash boost from the Woodland Trust.

Both Devon and Cornwall councils will benefit from the charity’s Emergency Tree Fund that aims to make up for a current lack of investment to help cash strapped local authorities break through barriers to get more trees and woods in the ground, giving more local communities...

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Woodland Trust

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South West

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Exeter

NHS in Devon working with local Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities to increase vaccine up-take

The NHS in Devon is supporting people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities (BAME) to take up a potentially life-saving coronavirus vaccination when they are eligible as part of the national programme.

Like other areas of the country, take-up of the vaccination in Devon among some BAME communities is lower than in the overall population.

In Devon, early data...

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Tesco to help Plymouth households recycle soft plastic

Shoppers across Plymouth will now be able to recycle cling film, crisp packets and salad bags at their local Tesco store as the supermarket rolls out the biggest network of soft plastic collection points in the UK.

Tesco is putting the collection points at all of its Extra and Superstores across the South West, with the Plymouth Metro, Plymouth Roborough and Plymouth Transit Way...

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Neolithic axe unearthed during archaeological excavation

A number of important prehistoric artefacts have been found during an archaeological excavation close to the A382 widening near Newton Abbot. As part of the road improvement scheme, archaeological mitigation works are being undertaken between the A382 and Howton Road by professional archaeologists from SLR Consulting and Devon-based AC archaeology, on behalf of Devon County Council. The far...

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Young people warned about 'fake jobs' on social media

Trading Standards is warning young people to be wary of fake job adverts on social media that at first glance might appear to be the answer to their financial woes.

The pandemic has hit the pockets of many financially, but none more so than young people many of which are students who rely on jobs in the tourist and hospitality sectors.

However, as a consequence of lockdown...

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fake jobs

social media

Devon

New blue plaques celebrate famous Plymouth women

Two important women in the city’s history have been honoured with blue plaques.

The first is dedicated to philanthropist and Royal Sailors Rests founder Agnes ‘Aggie’ Weston (1840-1918).

Located by the entrance to Endurance Court in Devonport’s Oceansgate development, the plaque has been positioned opposite the site where the Royal Sailors Rests buildings originally stood...

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Recycling by East Devon residents is tenth best in country, DEFRA reveals

More than 60 per cent of all household waste is recycled in East Devon, making the district one of the best in the country.

This puts East Devon District Council (EDDC) as the tenth best recycling council in England, up from 15th place last year.

The district also has the number one spot for lowest waste generated per household.

DEFRA has confirmed that East Devon...

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International Women’s Day: Celebrating the role of women in Devon’s coronavirus vaccination programme

The role that women are playing in Devon’s fight against coronavirus (COVID-19) is being highlighted today, as part of International Women’s Day.

Women across the county are working in a range of roles supporting Devon’s vaccination programme at hospitals, GP-led sites, community teams, pharmacies, and care homes.

In Devon, more than 445,000 people have now had their first...

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coronavirus vaccination programme

Staff to benefit from RGB Building Supplies acquisition

RGB Building Supplies is delighted to announce it has been acquired by Grant & Stone and has become part of the largest independent builders merchant group in southern England.

The company will continue trading as RGB Building Supplies across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, and its head office will still be located in Barnstaple. The majority of RGB’s Executive Board of Directors...

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Testing will be the cornerstone of our way out of COVID-19

Testing for coronavirus is going to be the cornerstone of our transition back to normal life, Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon, has declared.

With schools and colleges opening up again, and restrictions set to gradually ease over coming weeks and months – subject to the latest data at the time – testing is going to be a vital part of keeping case numbers down, he explains...

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