Courts wasted an estimated £230 million of taxpayers’ money last year by needlessly locking up people on remand, figures published by the Howard League for Penal Reform reveal today. During 2013, more than 35,000 people who had been remanded in custody went on to be either acquitted or given non-custodial sentences. The money spent on keeping them in prison would have been enough to build 16 new secondary schools, pay 10,000 nurses for a year, or reverse the government’s cuts to the criminal legal aid budget. Of the 36,044 men, women and children who were remanded into custody by...
Staff and volunteers at Knightshayes near Tiverton are currently researching the role the National Trust property played during the First World War.
Their research will form the basis of an exhibition they’re hoping to hold from mid-July to November next year to mark the 100 year anniversary of the War and the team are keen to hear from anyone who might hold any information that might help them with their project.
It is known that the house was used by the Red Cross as a Voluntary Aid Detachment hospital until 1919, with the entire ground floor equipped to offer treatment...
Two men, who pleaded guilty to fraud and consumer protection offences, have received prison sentences for conning elderly and vulnerable people for thousands of pounds.
Rogue traders, James Doran of Quedgely in Gloucester and Patrick Conners of Hatfield in Hertfordshire, pleaded guilty to a variety of offences committed in the summer of 2012 in Plymouth and Exeter.
Trading as South West Drives and Patios, the two approached an elderly Plympton resident to install a block paved driveway at his home.
Pressure was put on the man who reluctantly agreed a contract for £6...
From Saturday 1 March, the public are being given the chance to see behind closed doors at Knightshayes on the outskirts of Tiverton; as previously unseen kitchen areas are being opened up for the first time in over forty years.
Some of the areas being shown in the servant’s wing, known as the East Wing, have been shut off from the public since the house came into the care of the National Trust in 1972. Much of the space was converted into a two storey flat for Lady Joyce Amory, the championship winning golfer and last member of the family to live at Knightshayes; and when she died...
Knightshayes, a National Trust property on the outskirts of Tiverton is looking for feedback from dog walkers, runners and den builders alike.
Newly-appointed Senior Ranger, Raef Johnson, is looking to meet and get to know as many users of the grade II listed parkland and woods as possible when he hosts two walks in December.
Knightshayes has recently seen the creation of a new ranger team, whose role it is to care specifically for the park and woodland areas of the estate. Raef joined the team at the end of October, after a number of years working for the Forestry...
Britain’s biggest animal welfare charity welcomed this week’s proposals in the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill to increase the maximum sentence for those irresponsible owners who fail to control their dogs in a way that puts the public and other animals in danger. However, the charity is calling on the Defra minister in the House of Lords, Lord de Mauley, to provide the responsible majority with a reasonable defence if their animals are involved in a genuinely accidental incident. The RSPCA is encouraging all dog owners and members of the public to contact Lord de Mauley and...
Whether you're looking for the perfect occasion to pick up some early presents, or simply an excuse to spoil yourself in the run up to Christmas, why not visit Knightshayes Court for their annual craft fair in the stables.
With stall holders selling crafts, food and drink (with free festive cheer), help them support local suppliers this Christmas.
Dogs on leads welcome
Access to fair is free, normal admission applies to access the house and gardens.
Knightshayes Court have over 7000 bulbs that need planting in the garden, so why not get your hands dirty and muck in to help our gardeners start their preparations for next spring.
An Exeter roofer has been ordered to pay £2,000 compensation after carrying out work described by an expert building surveyor as being of an “exceptionally poor standard”.
Appearing at Exeter Magistrates Court this week, 42-year-old John Isaacs of J&H Roofing Services pleaded guilty to one offence under the ‘professional diligence’ requirements of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, in a prosecution brought by Devon & Somerset Trading Standards Service.
The court heard how Issacs’ victim, Mrs Rowlands, who lives in Exeter, contacted J&H...
