South West

With educational farm visits soaring in popularity for children and care groups, the pioneering Visit My Farm website has been given a bright new look to help farmers make their land more accessible than ever.

The re-vamped site was launched at the AIC Conference on Wednesday by FACE (Farming And Countryside Education) on behalf of the Access to Farms network of organisations.

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The South West was the only region in the UK to see a rise in unemployment in the last quarter, up 0.4% to 6.4% of the working age population (those aged 16 to 64).

However the region also saw an increase in the rate of employment for the period from July to September 2013, up 0.1% to 74.4%, but lower than the overall UK increase of 0.3%.

The South West region remains the third...

Charity launches emergency appeal after investigation finds children living in ‘shameful’ conditions.

Shelter has launched an emergency appeal after an investigation by the charity uncovered the shocking conditions that many homeless children will be living in this Christmas.

2,038 children in the South West which includes 111 in Plymouth alone, are currently homeless and...

Locals and holiday makers who enjoy a paddle or swim at the region's beautiful beaches may feel reassured today after statistics revealed that virtually all coastal bathing waters in the South West have reached a minimum quality standard.

Statistics released today by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) have revealed that the South West's coastal bathing water...

Members of Youth Parliament (MYP) Harry Samuels, Matt Currie, Shannon Kowalski and Claudia Marshall for Plymouth along with MYPs across the South West have been working tirelessly to enable young people to Make Their Mark and have a voice by visiting youth clubs, schools, town centres, and colleges with ballot papers getting young people to vote on the issues they feel strongly about.

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The Met Office has warned of the risk of flooding as heavy rain and strong winds - possibly gale force - hit the South West during Sunday night.

A number of areas of Plymouth have already reported flooding, including the A374 Pottery Road in Devonport between the Tamar Wharf junction and the Torpoint Ferry junction. Drivers are being warned to approach with care.

The Met Office...

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Just type "women in business” into a well known internet...

Fire officers are asking residents not to drive through floodwater, as they could be putting themselves or others in danger.

Attending incidents which could be prevented may also divert fire crews from other incidents where lives are at risk.

Area Commander Nick Manning said: “It is impossible for motorists to tell how deep water is or the condition of the ground beneath. There...

A clear-up operation is now underway following the storm which battered the region late on Sunday night and early Monday morning.

Plymouth, Devon and the wider south west woke up on Monday morning to the aftermath of a storm that brought high winds and rain; leaving around 5,000 homes in Devon without power, flooding to roads, damage to trees and buildings and widespread travel...

Devon is buzzing with talented, award-winning chefs, many of whom are making Dartmouth Food Festival (Friday 25 – Sunday 27 October) their food and drink festival of choice. This year the festival is delighted to be showcasing even more high profile local chefs than ever before.

Commenting on behalf of Dartmouth Food Festival, chairman David Jones says: “Devon has so many hugely gifted...