Devon’s gritting teams have been called into action this morning in preparation for the cold spell which is forecast to sweep across the county from tonight.
Arctic air is expected to bring freezing temperatures which are likely to continue into next week. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning in the north of the county for the possibility of icy patches, particularly on untreated surfaces, and there is the risk of wintry showers on higher ground.
Gritters have been treating secondary salting routes this morning, with plans in place for a repeat treatment on...
Stagecoach South West have confirmed details on the upcoming days of free bus travel within the Exeter Plus travel zone.
Following the recent decision of the Traffic Commissioner, bus journeys will be free over the weekends of Saturday the 10th and Sunday 11th of December and Saturday the 17th and Sunday 18th of December 2022. Customers will not require a ticket for travel in this area on these dates.
Stagecoach South West Managing Director Mike Watson said: ‘We deeply regret the level of service experienced by some of our passengers in recent months. Moving forward, our...
Residents at Southlands older persons complex in Exeter are able to get together in any weather, following the creation of a new community building in their garden.
Working with Exeter City Council, employees from Mears Group, the council’s repairs and maintenance provider, spent two weeks building the shelter for residents to socialise in and take part in activities together. As well as donating time to the project, materials were funded by the Mears Foundation, the company’s charitable arm, and Exeter City Council.
Mears’ contractors also supported the build, with...
Devon County has seen an improvement in the hospitality industry following the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the sector. The Office of National Statistics reported that the confidence of business survival in the hospitality sector has started to increase but remains below other sectors. But there is reason for optimism as local businesses seek to get back on their feet.
The Crealy Theme Park and Resort has been investing in training and upskilling their staff following the pandemic. The theme park has taken part in Devon County Council’s ‘Open Up to Skills’...
People are being urged to have their flu and Covid-19 jabs, as an increasing number of children and adults are admitted to intensive care in the south west with flu.
The number of people admitted to hospital with flu in England has risen by 40% in the last week, as cases in the community rise.
NHS Devon’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Nigel Acheson said: “In the last week here in the south west, there’s been a steep rise in people admitted to hospital with flu and sadly there has also a steep rise in both adults and children in intensive care units with flu.
Devon & Cornwall Police launches its Lift Legend Christmas drink drive campaign today, with over 90 licenced premises set to offer soft drinks to those who give free lifts home to friends and family after a night out.
The initiative runs from Thursday 1 December 2022 to Sunday 1 January 2023 and is a modern approach to the annual Christmas campaign.
On the purchase of their first soft drink, drivers will be able to receive a voucher to have their second free of charge at participating venues.
During the month-long operation officers will be raising awareness...
Trading Standards is again warning people not to be tempted by ‘loan sharks’ this Christmas.
And they advise if you do find yourself ensnared to contact the confidential 24-hour Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 Helpline (0300 555 2222) for advice.
Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service’s latest concerns follow the publication of new figures by the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT).
They say that nearly one in ten people turned to loan sharks to cover the costs of Christmas last year.
And more than half (52 %) of victims turned to illegal money...
A Heart of the South West (HotSW) Careers Hub * programme has been launched across 14 schools in Devon to help raise the confidence and aspirations of 500 young women.
The No Label No Limit programme is a personal development programme, inspiring and empowering young women in year nine and 10 to reach their potential.
Funded by The Careers & Enterprise Company , No Label No Limit will explore whether tailored personal development and careers support significantly improves self-belief, social and emotional capabilities, attendance, application to learning, behaviour...
A HR Tech company, which helps organisations design and structure jobs that improve diversity and skills-based hiring, has raised £1.75m in a funding round led by Mercia, and including existing backer Qantx and private investors.
The funding will enable Exeter-based RoleMapper to further develop its AI-powered platform and continue to grow its client base in the UK and US.
Designed for large organisations, the RoleMapper platform helps HR leaders redesign and simplify organisational job structures in readiness for new and future ways of working. This includes skills-based...
Dogs Trust , the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, is asking people to consider the canine companions of people experiencing homelessness when writing their letters to Santa this year.
Every Christmas, through its Hope Project, Dogs Trust brings festive cheer to the dogs of people experiencing homelessness by distributing canine hampers of collars, leads, coats, treats and toys to dogs and their owners. Dogs Trust has been running the unique Hope Project for over 17 years and as well as Christmas gifts, provides free veterinary treatment to dogs whose owners are experiencing...
