Devon

Changes to Magdalen Road layout to be made permanent

Councillors have approved proposals to make permanent changes to the layout of Magdalen Road in Exeter.

Temporary measures were introduced on the road in June 2020, along with other parts of the city and other communities in Devon, in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, using funding from the government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund.

Devon County Council’s Cabinet has agreed recommendations to keep the one-way arrangements for vehicular traffic, with contraflow cycle lane and the widened footway on the northern side of the road.

These changes are designed to...

Optix Solutions Board and Shadow Board

Shadow board provides healthy input into business processes

A forward-thinking Exeter digital marketing agency is reaping the benefits of implementing a shadow board.

Since Optix Solutions created the model over a year ago to ensure succession planning was in place and bring insights from a younger generation into strategic decision making the company has seen impressive growth of around 43 per cent.

“The primary intention is for the shadow board to bridge the gap between the established leadership and team-side employees who can offer fresh thinking and creativity,” explains Optix MD Rob Stevens.

“We realised that the board...

Younger Volunteers Buck The Trend at Local Samaritans Branch

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Tue, 06/07/2022 - 10:07pm

Samaritans in Exeter, Mid and East Devon is celebrating Volunteers Week this year by bucking the trend and attracting a raft of new and younger volunteers as well as more experienced ones.

“Volunteering is often associated with older people with spare time and plenty of life experience. Those are vital to our organisation, of course, but they’re not the only demographic to find volunteering rewarding and satisfying” explains Mel Whittock, director of the local Samaritans branch.

One example is Izzy Kumik, a 19 year old Met Office apprentice who first worked with the...

Devon swim school launches new swim locations

Authored by Liv Butler
Posted: Mon, 06/06/2022 - 4:14pm

Local swim teacher and now franchise owner, Kristina Tyldesley-Holley celebrates her new Devon baby swim school franchise launch by opening new venues in Chudleigh and Totnes.

Kristina Tyldesley-Holley, who runs swim sessions in Exeter and Crediton, has opened new Baby Squids swimming lessons in neighbouring areas; Chudleigh and Totnes.

Baby Squids – is a well-established, highly successful swim school for 0-4-year olds focusing on building children’s confidence and their love of the

Water. Classes run across the South of England and have been running now since...

Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw walks a Mile with a Smile to raise awareness of Devon's unpaid carers

Exeter MP walks A Mile with a Smile to raise awareness of the role of Devon’s unpaid carers

Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw has been striding through Westminster - walking A Mile with a Smile - to help raise awareness of the everyday challenges faced by unpaid carers and the enormous contribution they make to families and communities throughout Devon.

It’s the first time Ben has taken part in the awareness raising event organised by Devon Carers, which was started during Carers Week two years ago. Devon Carers is a service delivered by Devon-based charity Westbank Community Health and Care that supports over 22,000 unpaid carers across the county. Carers Week is an annual national...

DCAA announces Prince of Wales Award winners

The Devon County Agricultural Association (DCAA) is delighted to reveal the winners of the Prince of Wales Award for 2022.

This year there are two winners – SparkUK and Ocean Discovery Zone, and the first prize of £1000 will be divided between them.

Both winners will be presented with their prize at the 2022 Devon County Show.

Lady Arran, Head Judge said: ‘Each year, we have so many worthwhile community initiatives entering these prestigious awards in Devon, it’s difficult to choose an outright winner. This year we’ve chosen joint winners, both of which the...

Jade Rouse, one of Westbank's younger volunteers, recommends volunteering

Devon health & well-being charity launches campaign to recruit more volunteers

As UK Volunteers Week begins (1 - 7 June) , a local health and wellbeing charity is launching a campaign to swell the ranks of its existing army of award-winning helpers. Westbank Community Health and Care, based at Exminster near Exeter, relies on over 600 volunteers to help deliver a range of support services to individuals and communities across Devon.

Last year, Westbank’s Neighbourhood Friends volunteers received royal recognition for their service during the pandemic with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This year, the charity hopes to take on even more volunteers...

Wellbeing facilitator Charlotte delivering a face-to-face session

Small lifestyle improvements make a big difference to those at risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Authored by Sharon Goble
Posted: Wed, 06/01/2022 - 12:53pm

People at high risk of Type 2 Diabetes who make small changes in their everyday habits over up to two years are much less likely to develop the disease, according to a project run by the Devon charity Westbank Community Health and Care.

Westbank’s Healthier Devon Diabetes Prevention Programme supports adults aged 18-90 years who want to improve their overall health and fitness. Many are patients referred by a GP or clinician because they are at high risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes - a serious, debilitating and often lifelong condition. Individuals can also self refer.

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Rod licence income benefits fisheries in Devon and Cornwall

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 05/31/2022 - 12:02am

The Environment Agency’s Fisheries Improvement Programme (known as FIP) has seen £25,853 of rod licence income invested in Devon and Cornwall projects over the last 12 months. The projects were delivered in collaboration with several different partners, including local angling clubs, rivers trusts and landowners. The funding has helped to enhance fisheries, boost fish stocks and make improvements for anglers, angling facilities and the environment. Mike Holland, Environment Agency Fisheries Specialist, said: “Anglers often ask us about how we spend the money raised from the sale of...

House hunters invited to a Royal Celebration with Redrow

Home builder Redrow will be ‘throne’ its doors open to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with complimentary royal afternoon tea on offer in Exeter over the bank holiday weekend.

Visitors to Saxon Brook will be greeted with a celebratory atmosphere crowned off with patriotic red, white and blue decorations. Light refreshments will be served in the majestically styled sales centres and show homes on the 3rd and 4th of June.

Before the celebrations begin, Redrow will also bestow one lucky competition winner with an ultimate street party hamper, worth £1,000, to share...

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