Devon

Foot Anstey cyclists hit the road in support of Ukraine

A team of riders from national law firm, Foot Anstey LLP, will be swapping their suits for lycra for a two-day bike ride in support of the Disasters Emergency Committee's (DEC) Ukraine Appeal.

The two-day bike ride will start on 5 May from Foot Anstey's Truro office and see the team cycle to Foot Anstey's offices in Plymouth, Exeter, and Taunton before finishing at the firm's Bristol office on 6 May.

The fundraisers will be able to make use of the firm's CSR Hours initiative, which allows employees to take two additional days off per year to support local charitable...

Free holiday time activities and meals this Easter

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 04/11/2022 - 4:37pm

Hundreds of children across Devon aged 5 to 16, who are eligible for benefit-related free school meals, begin an action-packed Easter holiday this week, as part of Devon County Council's government-funded Holiday Activities and Food programme.

The programme is to provide free activities and healthy meals during school holidays, and the council has joined up with activity providers to arrange the activities across Devon.

And with a very wide range of activities on offer, organisers say that that young people are in for a treat this Easter.

Activities include a...

Boo to a Goose Theatre bring Shipwreck Sam to Devon libraries this Easter

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 04/11/2022 - 3:26pm

Exeter Living Award winners Boo To A Goose Theatre, start a tour of Devon libraries this Easter with their latest show: Shipwreck Sam - Return to Dead Ghost Island.

Expect pirates, puppetry, sea shanties and hornpipes as the audience are trained up as the ship’s crew. Bonny Betty, named after her grandma’s ship, takes on terrible naughty pirate, Big Bill Bucketbelly, in a race to recover her grandma’s buried treasure (with the children’s help of course).

This interactive adventure, full of of fun and participation, will be coming to a library or venue near you between...

Oil theft warning for South West homeowners as prices soar

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 04/11/2022 - 7:54am

Rural residents with oil storage tanks are being warned to check their security amidst increased fears that thieves could target them.

William Nicholl, client director at rural insurance broker Lycetts, said people are stockpiling oil supplies before the sanctions imposed on Russia cause even greater price increases.

“Storage tanks can contain hundreds – and sometimes thousands – of pounds of oil, so they are an obvious target.

“In recent weeks there have been a number of nationwide thefts by organised gangs who have siphoned-off oil. This is no hi-tech,...

Take a virtual tour of The Donkey Sanctuary Sidmouth before you visit 

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Sun, 04/10/2022 - 8:58pm

A brand-new virtual online tour, that allows people to discover The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth before they visit, is now available on the charity’s website.

Featuring stunning 360-degree colour images and helpful informative panels, the virtual tour means people can discover the highlights of the sanctuary and plan their visit before they arrive.

The tour guides people around the most popular areas of the sanctuary, which is set in the heart of the East Devon countryside, in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The main attraction for most will be...

Poultry owners reminded to take 'measures' to reduce risk of spreading bird flu

Authored by Liv Butler
Posted: Fri, 04/08/2022 - 3:55pm

The Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service is reminding all keepers of poultry that they are legally required to take measures to reduce the risk of bird flu spreading .

On Wednesday (April 6) avian influenza (H5N1) was confirmed in a bird at a premises near Newton St Cyres, Mid Devon, and another case is suspected at a premises near Tedburn St Mary, Teignbridge.

All birds on both premises were due to be humanely culled. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone has been placed around the Newton St Cyres premises and a 3km Temporary Control Zone and...

Can you help the West Country’s special cirl buntings this spring?

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 04/07/2022 - 9:33pm

The RSPB are appealing for volunteers across Devon and Cornwall to help them carry out their annual Cirl Bunting Survey, between April-August of this year. People can register to take part in the survey on the Cirl Bunting Action Hub, visit: bit.ly/RSPBCirlHub

Here volunteers can select a 2km by 2km survey square local to their home on the RSPB’s map and plan a survey route through their chosen patch along Public Rights of Way and covering the areas that cirl buntings are likely to make their homes. No specialist skills are needed to take part other than an interest in birds and...

Cofton Holidays scoops Silver Taste of the West Award for commitment to local suppliers and seasonal produce

Award-winning South Devon café Amelia’s Pantry, based at Cofton Holidays near Dawlish Warren, has been recognised at the prestigious Taste of the West awards for its use of local produce, extensive seasonal menu and welcoming atmosphere.

The highly-regarded café picked up the Silver Taste of the West Award following a rigorous mystery shopper assessment, during which the judge was particularly impressed by the quality of the food and the menu food map, which pinpoints exactly where each element of Cofton’s dishes comes from.

Amelia’s list of over 25 suppliers, all based...

A La Ronde’s travelling trunks come home ready for display after careful conservation brings them back to life

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 04/05/2022 - 10:26pm

Three historically important travelling trunks, which are believed to date from before 1796, have recently been away for conservation repair and have returned ready for display to help tell the story of this unique sixteen-sided house.

The trunks are an important part of A La Ronde’s history. They are thought to have gone on the Grand Tour of Europe with Jane and Mary Parminter in the 1780s. It was following this Tour that the cousins returned and began creating their home in Exmouth by building A la Ronde around 1796, influenced by what they had seen.

Unfortunately, the...

Wellbeing support offered through Devon's recovery programme

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 04/05/2022 - 9:53pm

Businesses in Devon are now able to access free wellbeing support through a new initiative launched by Devon County Council.

Wellbeing Works is offering support until March 2023, backed with £100,000 from Devon County Council’s £6 million recovery programme. The initiative is being delivered on behalf of Devon County Council by independent charity Devon Communities Together.

Wellbeing Works builds upon the Listening Ear pilot project last year which provided business owners with the opportunity to chat informally to an experienced volunteer about whatever was making them...

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