Local News

East Devon leisure services review

East Devon District Council is reviewing how its leisure centres are run so it can protect them for the long term and make sure residents continue to receive good quality services.

The tender process opened late last year and attracted interest from a number of potential operators. The...

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Garden birds in Devon are counting on you!

The world’s largest garden wildlife survey returns this month, with hundreds of thousands of people watching and counting the UK’s garden birds over the last weekend in January for the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch.

Over 600 thousand people took part in 2024, counting more than nine million birds. In Devon more than 16 thousand people took part, with the House Sparrow taking the top...

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RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch

Devon

Exeter

RSPB

bird watch

EDDC Countryside Team Thank Volunteers for Achievements Across Local Nature Reserves

East Devon District Council's Countryside team recently celebrated the contributions of their volunteers at a festive Christmas gathering held at Offwell Woods. The event recognised the vital role volunteers play in maintaining and improving East Devon's nature reserves.

The celebration began with a walk through the woods, followed by mince pies in the on-site log cabin. The...

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East Devon District Council

Offwell Woods

East Devon take delivery of new electric recycling lorries

Two new, fully electric recycling lorries have been purchased by East Devon District Council (EDDC), allowing it to take major steps towards net zero carbon emissions by 2040.

EDDC is now one of the first district councils in the country to acquire fully electric recycling vehicles, helping to lead the nation forward into a green future.

The purchase was made following...

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East Devon District Council

Romaquip RQ-E lorries

zero carbon emissions

Record-Breaking Year for Visitors at Seaton Wetlands Nature Reserve

Seaton Wetlands Nature Reserve , which is owned and managed by East Devon District Council’s Countryside Team , welcomed 112,608 visitors in 2024, a 12% increase compared to 2023 and a new record for the site.

A key factor to the site’s success in 2024 was the opening of a multi-user path connecting the heart of the reserve to the town of Seaton. This tarmacked, level pathway...

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Seaton wetlands

Devon

Emergency closure of Bickleigh Bridge

An emergency closure of Bickleigh Bridge will be needed later this week to remove several large trees lodged against the bridge piers.

The Grade II listed bridge, which carries the A396 over the River Exe, will be closed from 9:30am-3:30pm this Thursday (16 January) and Friday (17 January).

Trees and other debris have swept down the river during recent flooding and have...

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Bicklegh Bridge

Devon

Your Guide to Navigating Mortgage Choices for Every Home

Understanding the various mortgage options available can transform your property journey. With a maze of choices at your fingertips, making the right decision is crucial for new and seasoned property owners. Mortgages are diverse, each designed to meet specific needs. Learning about them is essential for making informed decisions that align with your goals.

Decoding the Types of...

Devon GP initiative featured on BBC Gardener’s World

A gardening initiative in Mid Devon, aimed at supporting patients’ wellbeing has been featured on the BBC’s Gardener’s World.

The ‘Growing Well Garden’ was developed by Dr Susan Taheri, a GP at Bow Medical Practice and gardening enthusiast, with the help of a team of local volunteers.

The project was set up with financial support from Bow Medical Practice, who also provided...

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Growing Well Garden

BBC’s Gardener’s World

Devon

Police funding gives a new year boost to youngsters in the Tavistock area

Funding from Devon & Cornwall Police has been donated to Tavistock Youth Café to help it offer more activities and support to young people.

The Youth Café is a charity for youngsters in Tavistock and the surrounding area. They offer a safe and relaxed environment where young people can hang out, play pool, mix with their peers and get involved with activities. They also provide...

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Devon & Cornwall Police

Tavistock Youth Café

support to young people

Historic UK Celebrates 25 Years of Making British History Accessible to All!

January 2025 marks a milestone for Historic UK , the pioneering online platform dedicated to sharing the stories and heritage of British history. Founded in 2000 by two passionate history enthusiasts, the website celebrates its 25th anniversary as one of the UK’s leading resources for history lovers.

Historic UK was a trailblazer as the first website of its kind, designed to bring...

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Promising young artist launches first chapter of debut graphic novel

A talented 17-year-old artist from North Devon has completed the first chapter of his debut graphic novel commissioned by rural arts organisation Beaford Arts.

When Aaban Aslam embarked on his year 10 work experience with Beaford Arts in 2023 he was asked what he liked about his hometown Barnstaple…his reply, ‘nothing really, it’s just a place where my parents chose to live and that...

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novel

The Widening Gyre

Chapter One: First Impression

Devon

Bedford Archive

Aaban Aslam