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 spot as the most commonly seen bird, followed by Blue Tit, and Blackbird.
This year’s event takes place on 24, 25 and 26 January 2025. People in Devon are asked to spend an hour watching and...
Chief Constable James Vaughan QPM MSt (Cantab) joined officers from the Roads Policing Team this week to discuss initiatives put in place to reduce road injuries and deaths on the roads across the force area. These initiatives underpin a proactive approach by the police to prevent accidents caused by motorists who take risks on the roads.
One of the initiatives is an operation known as Op Limit, a national month-long initiative aimed at warning drivers about the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The police work in partnership with communities and...
Michelmores’ prestigious Property Awards competition is returning in 2025, marking 22 years of celebrating the best property, development and construction projects in the South West. Entries to the Awards are now open.
Last year's glittering Property Awards ceremony was attended by over 400 individuals in the sector and hosted by well-known actor, comedian and regular face on TV, Lucy Porter.
The Awards, which have long-championed sustainability and innovation, place social, environmental, sustainable and economic values at the heart of its judging criteria. These...
Exeter Chiefs have kicked off their 2025/26 season recruitment on strong footing with the signing of Wallabies back row, Tom Hooper.
Heralded in Australia as an emerging firepower in the Wallabies set up, Hooper has accumulated 10 appearances for his country and 38 for his Super Rugby side, ACT Brumbies.
With a domestic season still to play with ACT Brumbies, the forward is eager to give his all to the competition before putting his best foot forward in the Premiership next season.
“Across my five seasons as a Brumby, the club and Canberra have become my home,”...
People in Devon are being asked to help the county’s busy NHS by continuing to choose the right service for their needs and getting vaccinated against winter viruses.
A rise in cold weather illnesses, including flu, vomiting and diarrhoea bugs mean all of the county’s NHS services, including the main hospitals - in Plymouth, Exeter, Torbay and Barnstaple – are likely to remain under severe pressure all week.
The region’s ambulance service has also been experiencing significant and sustained demand across its 999 services.
Matthew Shanks, the CEO of Education South West , a trust that runs fourteen schools across Devon, was in Westminster this week (Tuesday 7th January) to provide evidence to the committee of MPs examining the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to prohibit the sale of tobacco and vaping products to people born on or after 1 January 2009 and also contains provisions regarding controlling the advertising of tobacco, vapes and other nicotine products.
Mr Shanks spoke to the committee in his capacity as the Chair of the Secondary Headteacher Reference...
Rootstock, the South West's leading agricultural conference focused on future resilience and sustainable farming practices, is set to return on 6th February 2025 to Westpoint Arena, Exeter . Following two sold-out events, the one-day conference will feature an exciting line-up of researchers and farmers who are experts in their fields, including Minette Batters , the former Chief Executive of the NFU, Dr Jennifer Rowntree, Associate Professor in Ecological Genetics at the University off Plymouth, Chris Berry who farms over 450 acres in Devon and Nikki Yoxall, Technical Director at Pasture...
Award-winning Exeter-based fit20 was opened at Phillip House six years ago by entrepreneur Duncan Attwood. Based on just one 20-minute workout per week, fit20 is scientifically proven to significantly improve muscle strength and overall health. It has been so successful Mr. Attwood has expanded by setting up a second studio in Torquay as part of his growing franchise.
Duncan Attwood says: "I am so excited to be opening my second fit20 franchise in Torquay and growing the business.” He explains: “My journey into fitness started when I was a child. I was overweight and had numerous...
A local community champion is supporting the NHS in Devon to transform health and social care by independently chairing a series of special public events.
Healthwatch in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay is the local independent champion for people using health and social care services.
They listen to people’s views and experiences of local services like GPs, Hospitals, Dentists and Care Homes. They then encourage those in charge to use what they have heard in decisions that affect local people.
In November last year the NHS in Devon launched local engagement around...
St Luke's Church of England School, part of the Ted Wragg Trust , has been awarded a Rainbow Flag Award.
The Rainbow Flag Award is a national quality assurance framework for all schools and youth-centred organisations. The award focuses on positive LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, plus other related identities) inclusion and visibility. It encourages a whole-organisation approach to LGBT+ inclusion, as well as developing strategies to effectively challenge and combat LGBT phobic bullying to help make the world a better, safer place.
