Local News

New nature trail launched at Grand Western Canal

A new nature trail alongside the Grand Western Canal has been officially launched today (Tuesday 7 April).

The launch event, led by Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, took place during an Easter fun day...

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Is East Devon the South West’s best kept secret for holiday makers?

The South West might be Britain’s premier holiday region full of world-class tourist attractions, unique food and drink and breathtaking scenery, but with it comes overcrowded hotspots as tourists seek alternatives to cancelled overseas trips. As the coronavirus pandemic continues to lurk over just about everything we do, this autumn is the time to explore off the beaten track and see what...

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The 25 best universities for cycling in the UK

Research released today has officially named the University of Edinburgh as the best in the UK for student cyclists, beating bike-famous Cambridge - as students prepare to ditch public transport for social distancing in September.

The research, from student accommodation search engine, Mystudenthalls.com , has ranked the UK’s universities using measures including campus bike storage...

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cycling

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universities

Pennies from heaven… Churches offer ‘altar-native’ parking

Churches in the UK are making more than £20,000 each month, an average of £200 each,by renting out their empty car park spaces to motorists needing somewhere to park.

The latest research by YourParkingSpace.co.uk also found that more than 100 churches are listed on the portal’s pre-booking parking website, where motorists can find more flexible, and alternative, options to on-street...

Study reveals the UK's whitest beaches

Parkdean Resorts have revealed the UK's lightest and darkest beaches as inspiration for this year's staycation, and Devon has some of the UK's whitest beaches of all!

To help Brits beat the crowds and find their perfect beach getaway, Parkdean has expertly colour matched the sands of over 50 UK beaches to create an exclusive colour palette called ‘ Sandtone ’, inspired by the shades...

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Social enterprises invited to join regional network

Social enterprises in Devon and Somerset have praised a partnership that has supported them during the Covid-19 pandemic - and now they are encouraging others to sign up.

The Enhance Social Enterprise Network Devon & Somerset was created to support the development of social enterprises across Devon, Plymouth, Torbay and Somerset following funding from the European Regional...

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Farm rescue raises funds for Devon Air Ambulance

Alex Tapp of Awliscombe, near Honiton, needed the Devon Air Ambulance nearly 20 years ago. He now runs a farm machinery sales business and decided to mark the 20-year anniversary with a generous donation. Alex tells the story… “I work in the agricultural industry and 20 years ago this December I had an accident whilst working on a dairy farm near Cullompton. I was 16 years old at the time...

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TV streaming services that are best value for money for lockdown

The lockdown has made many of us stay at home more than we have ever stayed since the doors of businesses are closed, and reduced working hours. For some, that’s a frustrating idea, but for many, it’s good news.

Therefore, there is no better time than ever to spend some alone time and relax from the burden of work. However, spending time alone or with family and loved one requires...

Child sex offences jump almost 40% over five years in the South West as NSPCC calls for urgent action to tackle crisis of abuse

UK Police recorded more than 200 child sex offences, on average, every day last year, new figures from the NSPCC reveal.

Out of the 73,518 recorded offences including rape, online grooming and sexual assault against children in the UK in 2019/20, police in the South West region registered 5,310 offences – up 38% in the five years since 2014/15.

Where gender and age were...

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Child sex offences

NSPCC

Partial view of the existing Collacott solar array on land adjacent to the proposed new solar farm

CPRE Devon set to object to plans for a ‘monstrous’ solar farm - Devon’s biggest to date - straddling a major tourist route

The Devon branch of the countryside charity CPRE says the proposal to build a massive solar farm between Barnstaple and Bideford in North Devon, on agricultural land adjoining the touristic route to Newquay, is nothing short of ‘monstrous’.

Bristol-based Aura Power has submitted an application to build a solar installation to the west and north-east of Litchardon Cross, sited between...

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Sharon's "Banksy" brings home her Devon holiday heaven

Every day, Sharon Sweet is able to gaze out of her window at the blissful sight of Devon's Ladram Bay with its gentle blue waves lapping the picture-perfect beach.

It's an idyllic view, and one which mum Sharon never tires of - even though she and her husband Garry live 50 miles away in Bridgwater, Somerset.

That's because Sharon has turned her garden wall into a giant...

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Ladram Bay

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Sharon Sweet