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Police appeal after teenager's bike stolen from Newton Abbot railway station

May 2, 2014, 2:42 am
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Officers from the British Transport Police (BTP) are appealing for the public's help as they continue to investigate the theft of a teenager's bicycle. from the cycle racks at Newton Abbot railway station. They have today released a photograph of the stolen bike taken from the cycle racks at Newton Abbot railway station, in the hope that someone may have information about its whereabouts. Investigating officer, PC Justin Hamling, said: "The victim, a 15-year-old boy from Kingsteignton, left his red/burgundy-coloured Qhara BMX bike in the racks at Newton Abbot railway station at about 8.45am on Tuesday, 8 April. "When he returned at 10pm the same day, he discovered his bike, which is worth around £600, had been stolen from the racks. "The victim regularly takes part in BMX competitions but will not be able to take part following the theft which has left him distraught." Enquiries have been ongoing since the theft to discover who took the cycle and now officers are releasing a photograph of the stolen bike, in the hope that someone may recognise it and come forward with information. Officers are also urging anyone who may have been recently offered such a bike for sale in the Newton Abbot or surrounding area to contact British Transport Police. PC Hamling added, "Unfortunately, bicycles remain a desirable target for many thieves at train stations. However, BTP is cracking down on this type of crime and we have a dedicated team of officers specifically focused on tackling this issue. "We are undertaking plain clothes and high profile operations to catch thieves in the act. We are also working closely with cycle and second-hand shops in the area and are monitoring online auction and advertising sites to make it more difficult for thieves to sell on stolen property." Anyone with information should call British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016. Alternatively the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111. In all calls please quote incident reference GSUB/B4 of 02/05/14.

Police appeal after teenager's bike stolen from Newton Abbot railway station

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Police investigation into theft of picnic bench

May 2, 2014, 2:57 am
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Police in Devon are appealing for information following the theft of a picnic bench. It was taken sometime between Wednesday, April 9 and Friday, April 11 from West Clyst near Exeter. If you know of anyone who has recently acquired one, or you have any relevant information, call on non emergency 101 or anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 quoting crime reference KO/14/212.
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Police appeal after thefts at Newton St Cyres football club

May 2, 2014, 3:03 am
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Police are appealing for witnesses following the theft of several items from Newton St Cyres football club. Between 5pm on April 22 and 9am the following day a large amount of power tools, gardening equipment, floodlighting, electrical cable and fuel was stolen from a number of outbuildings at the club in Station Road, Newton St Cyres. Police are appealing for anyone with any information to contact them on non emergency 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting crime reference KC/14/282.
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Update: Staff speak of shock following 'suspicious' fire at car showroom in Marsh Barton

May 2, 2014, 3:32 am
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Staff at a car showroom in Marsh Barton say they have worked tirelessly to ensure that it's business as usual following yesterday's fire. While the building at Hendy's Car Supermarket currently remains out of bounds, a new temporary sales centre and offices have opened in a portable building on the site in Marsh Barton Road. Managing director Paul Hendy said staff were shocked to arrive and see the building which has been extensively damaged by fire and smoke. "Thankfully there was no one in the building at the time and no cars were damaged in the fire," he said "No company likes to face a disruption to business but everyone here has been determined it should be business as usual as quickly as possible and we are now trading as usual and look forward to a busy Bank Holiday weekend." At the moment the cause of the fire is unknown and being investigated by the Fire Service and Police but it is being treated as suspicious.

Update: Staff speak of shock following 'suspicious' fire at car showroom in Marsh Barton

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Bridge brothers take podiums

May 2, 2014, 4:00 am
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Three Exmouth brothers performed well at the 10th European Junior Kitesurfing Cup at St Pierre, France. Tom, Guy and Olly Bridge all picked up podium positions in their age groups. Tom won the freestyle competition in the nine-to-13-year-old age group, beating former teammate Javier Jiminez in the final. It was not his only victory of the weekend though as he also took first place in the boardercross competition. This involves jumping over long inflatable objects in the water and going around buoys in a knockout race with four other opponents. In the other freestyle competitions, Guy managed to exceed his expectations in the 14-15 age bracket by picking up a third-placed finish. However, Olly, in the 16 to 19-year-olds category, was eliminated after the first heat. He responded well though, picking up a third-placed finish in the doubles competition the following day.
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WINNER: Photo of the week, May 2

May 2, 2014, 4:27 am
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Congratulations to Alison Batchelor, the latest winner of our weekly Facebook cover photo competition. Once again the standard was very high, with images being submitted on Facebook, Twitter and via email. Alison's photo is of a beautiful East Devon view, near Stockland, Honiton. Also pictured here is a selection of other photos submitted for the competition. We'll now begin our search for next week's lucky photographer, so get involved by uploading them in your own online gallery here, post them on our Facebook page, tweet us, or email us eephotos@expressandecho.co.uk The only rule is your photo must be of Exeter or the surrounding area. We will announce the winner in next week's print edition of the Express & Echo and also feature a selection of other entries. The winning photo will be uploaded as our Facebook cover photo each Friday. You can see a gallery of other entries here

WINNER: Photo of the week, May 2

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Woman jailed after 'lunatic' driving caused devastating injuries to three passengers

May 2, 2014, 6:20 am
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A teaching assistant has been jailed for causing devastating injuries to her three passengers when she crashed while driving 'like a lunatic' on a country road. Emma Walker was going at twice the speed limit before the accident and showing off by deliberately swerving onto the wrong side of the road and dancing in her seat to music. She ignored pleas by her passengers to slow down and took her hands off the wheel of her Peugeot car to change the music on her phone during her journey from South Wales to Devon. Walker, aged 22, was taking three friends on a camping trip to Honiton when she crashed on the outskirts of Cullompton in July last year. Her car was crushed when she too a corner in a 30 mph zone at around 60 mph and veered onto the wrongs side of the road where she crashed head on into a passing car. It rebounded off and hit a concrete post and was so badly damaged the four occupants had to be but out by firefighters and two flown to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth by air ambulance. Front seat passenger Rebecca Nott, aged 20, almost died. She spent five months in hospital with severe brain injuries which have left her permanently injured and with restricted eyesight. She had been due to start a new job as a skating instructor in Cardiff two days alter but how walks with a limp after breaking her hip, thigh, and ankle and suffering facial injuries and a chipped spine. Back seat passenger MacAuley Eccles, aged 17, was a triallist for the Welsh Under 18 basketball team but has been forced to abandon his dreams of becoming a professional player. He was left with one leg shorter than the other after suffering horrific injuries including a dislocated hip. He spent six weeks in hospital and still needs further surgery. The other back seat passenger Peter Bebb, aged 26, suffered a broken neck and ruptured spleen. He still has restricted movement of his head and is frightened to get back into a car. Walker, of Llys Gwyn, Bridgend, South Wales, admitted three offences of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was jailed for 16 months by Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, at Exeter Crown Court. The judge told her:"You were driving, according to the police, at a minimum of 55 mph in a 30 mph zone and ended up on the opposite carriageway where you hit another car head on and a concrete pillar. "Your car was unrecognizable and the roof had to be removed to get all four people out of the vehicle. "The way in which you drove before the accident was clearly very irresponsible and dangerous. You were in high spirits and one of the occupants described you swerving deliberately onto the other side of the road. "A witness who saw you shortly before the accident said you were driving like a bloody lunatic and you were using your mobile phone, probably not to make calls but to change the music. "You were dancing in your seat to the music and taking both hands off the steering wheel and that was extremely irresponsible and dangerous. The result was devastating to your three passengers." Mr David Bowen, prosecuting, said the crash happened near the Mole Valley Farmers shop on the A 373 on the way out of Cullompton on the road to Honiton. Walker had driven from South Wales for a weekend camping trip with her friends near Honiton and they had stocked up with food and supplies from the Tesco in Cullompton shortly before the accident. He said witnesses, including a local farmer, reckoned the car was going at between 60 and 70 mph and police experts said its speed at impact was at least 55 mph. Miss Nott and Mr Eccles were airlifted to Derriford while Mr Bebb and Walker were taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. She was the only one who was not seriously injured. Mr Bowen said:"Miss Nott suffered a brain injury and for a time it was touch and go whether she would survive." Miss Cora Sorensen, defending, said Walker has a caring job as an assistant at a special school in Wales and had a clean driving record before the crash. She said:"This devastating incident has had an enormous effect on her. She is filled with remorse and feels she doesn't have the right to feel happy any more because of what she has done. "She feels the enormity of her guilt, especially as she came out of the incident relatively unscathed in comparison to the effects on the other passengers."

Woman jailed after 'lunatic' driving caused devastating injuries to three passengers

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Exeter Chiefs v Harlequins: Baxter makes four changes

May 2, 2014, 7:00 am
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Rob Baxter makes four changes to his Exeter Chiefs side to host Harlequins on Sunday (2pm) as they look to bounce back from their record defeat against Sale. Skipper Dean Mumm, Carl Rimmer, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Hoani Tui are the changes to the side which was mauled 55-12 at Sandy Park a fortnight ago. Ben Moon, Jack Yeandle, Alex Brown and James Phillips all make way as Baxter names an unchanged backline. And the head coach admits his charges have been keen to return to the pitch to put the Sharks loss behind them. "It has been a little bit tough the last few weeks as we've wanted to get back on the pitch because we obviously knew as a team we let ourselves down against Sale," he said. "Whatever the reasons are for that, at the end of the day you have to say it's unacceptable to lose like that at home. "There have been no excuses made by the players in the aftermath. Instead we've had a good training week, gone through the review process and talked about the qualities we want to show, not just on match-days but every day when we train and when we play." Tui, who is leaving Sandy Park along with Jason Shoemark, Craig Mitchell, Phillips and Romana Graham over the summer, is hoping for an extra reason to celebrate his final appearance in front of the Exeter faithful. "We've got several players who are leaving the club and several players who have been forced to retire and they've all been big parts of what we've done at Sandy Park," said the Lyon-bound prop. "I'm a pretty simple guy when it comes to what makes me happy and what upsets me on a rugby pitch. Wins are great, but you can be proud of any kind of performance really. I know if the guys are giving their all, and if they are then I'm prepared to take whatever result comes on the chin." Exeter Chiefs side to face Harlequins: Dollman, Vainikolo, Whitten, Hill, Jess, Steenson, Lewis, Rimmer, Cowan-Dickie, Tui, Mumm (captain), Welch, Ewers, White, Horstmann. Replacements: Yeandle, Mitchell, Brown, Phillips, Scaysbrook, Thomas, Slade, James

Exeter Chiefs v Harlequins: Baxter makes four changes

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Exeter University duo called up

May 2, 2014, 7:11 am
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Exeter University duo Lucy Demaine and Alex Powell have been named in the South West's Senior Women's Academy Programme squad. They will be joined by former Cullompton flanker Izzy Noel-Smith and former Exeter Saracen Emily Underwood. The squad will play in three rounds of matches in Elmdon, Solihull, starting this Sunday against the North, before a match against the Midlands on Sunday, May 11 (both 2pm), and concluding on Sunday, May 18 against London & SE (12pm).
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Exeter Cathedral £1.8million project in line for top award

May 2, 2014, 7:24 am
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A £1.8 million project to renovate the library and archives building of Exeter Cathedral – the first building project there for 70 years – has been shortlisted for a top award. The work, funded solely by gifts from benefactors and grant making trusts, is in line for one of the accolades at this year's Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) South West Awards. The West Wing, which adjoins the Bishop's Palace, will go head to head with three other projects from around the South West in the Community Benefit category. The renovation brought together all the treasures of the Cathedral's library and archives together under one roof for the first time, as well as creating new song schools and facilities for Cathedral choristers. Canon Ann Barwood who acted as Project Manager said: "It successfully demonstrates what can be achieved when refurbishing an historic building; it simultaneously respects the past while meeting the requirements of the twenty first century. "The aim was to combine the Library and Archive collections from four different sites into modern storage facilities, to meet national standards, and create suitable Song Schools and a larger sacristy." The main Contractors were Hindsite Construction of Exeter The winners will be announced at a special ceremony taking place in Bristol on the 15 May 2014.
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Age UK Exeter runners raise £15,000 to help city elderly

May 2, 2014, 7:27 am
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Over £15,000 has been raised to help elderly people in Exeter thanks to the energetic efforts of over 800 volunteer runners. The money was raied by Age UK Exeter's 10k run, which attracted more than 850 entrants, aged from 15 to 72 years and was supported by local businesses including Wilkinson Grant, the Express & Echo and InStep. Runners collected sponsorship and the charity has been overwhelmed by the support of everyone involved. Staff from Yealm Ward at the RD&E Hospital raised over £600 and employees' from Crediton based M C Kelly's raised over £300. Age UK has a national call centre based in Ashburton and between them a team of 7 staff raised almost £1000. The race was started by 100-year old Cissie Adams, Karen Brooks, who visits Cissie each week as part of Age UK Exeter's voluntary visiting service, said "Cissie is so dynamic and was thrilled to be part of this exciting event." Martyn Rogers, Director of Age UK Exeter, said "We had no idea that we would raise so much money from our 10K, we are so grateful to people achieving personal goals whilst helping us continue to make a difference for older people in Exeter. "The race really was life changing in that we will be able to do so much more thanks to the money raised from the event".
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Suspended jail time for Exeter man caught with stolen watch

May 2, 2014, 7:29 am
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A man who was given a stolen watch tried to hide it with his sleeve when police called to investigate a burglary at a house in Exeter. Derek Woods knew the watch was stolen and was found with another item from the same raid hidden under his bed at a hostel. Woods, aged 30, of Smythen Street, Exeter, admitted handling stolen goods and was jailed for four months, suspended for two years and ordered to pay a £80 victim surcharge by Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, at Exeter Crown Court. Mr David Bowen, prosecuting, said items including the watch and an ornate Chinese box were stolen during a burglary at Cowick Lane, Exeter, on March 3. He said:"Two days later his home was searched and on his wrist was found the watch, which he tried to hide from police. Officers also found a decorated Chinese box under his mattress. "He was arrested and the items were identified by the loser. He made no comment to police. The man who carried out the burglary received an eight month suspended sentence." Mr Jeremy Harris, defending, urged the Judge to give Woods credit for his guilty plea and take into account the sentence received by the man who carried out the original offence.

Suspended jail time for Exeter man caught with stolen watch

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Exeter invited to join D-Day anniversary voyage

May 2, 2014, 7:29 am
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Exeter and Exmouth residents are being called upon by a Second World War veterans' charity to help mark the 70th anniversary of the D-Day Landings, by joining in a remembrance voyage later this month (wed may 28). Exmouth was one of only 20 ports nationwide selected to take part in the national event, a relay voyage around Britain, which will mark the effort made to enable allied troops to embark on the momentous and surprise invasion of occupied Europe in June 1944. Few stories from the Normandy Campaign are as moving as that of Dawlish's Bill Millin. The Scottish Piper was just 21 years old when he was commanded by Lord Lovat to parade along the shore of Sword Beach under enemy gunfire playing Highland Laddie and Road to the Isles as his comrades waded ashore. By some miracle, both Bill and his bagpipes survived the war and now 70 years later a veterans' charity is retelling the story with the Millin-Montgomery Voyage. John Phipps, chairman of the organising charity, D-Day Revisited, said: "We're delighted at the positive response we've received from the public in Devon. "They've really embraced the event. However, inspired by the spirit of Dunkirk, we are still calling upon many more 'little ships' to join in this relay voyage along the British coastline." D-Day Revisited has specially commissioned a replica set of the late Piper Millin's bagpipes for the tribute voyage. Replicating the journey which Bill made from his commando training ground in the Highlands of Scotland to the beaches of Normandy, the pipes will be visiting towns which played an important role in the preparations for D-Day. The original bagpipes are held at the Dawlish Museum, along with the kilt he wore on D-Day which his father had worn before him at Flanders. Exeter had a key role to play in the D-Day story. Thousands of American troops were stationed in the area in the spring of 1944, many of whom would embark for Utah Beach on June 6 that year. Exeter Airfield also became an important base for the United States Air Force in April 1944. In the early hours of D-Day 45 aircraft carrying 723 men and two engineers platoons of the 101st Airborne took off from there bound for the base of the French Cotentin peninsula, where the men were parachuted behind enemy lines. "In the wake of this important 70th anniversary, we realised that no nationwide event was taking place on British soil to pay tribute to the vast efforts made by the British people in preparation for the largest seaborne landings in world history," added Mr Phipps. Weather dependent, the voyage will arrive into Exmouth Harbour at noon on Wednesday May 28. For more details see: www.d-dayrevisited.co.uk
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Exeter dad offers free karate lessons to beat the flab

May 2, 2014, 7:30 am
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An Exeter father of two is so worried about children not getting enough exercise that he is offering free karate lessons. Black belt Tim Anderson is now offering the free children's lessons at his martial arts training base in the city Tim hopes his initiative will help get children kids off the sofa and into a lifetime of sports and healthy living. He said: "Children are not getting the physical education they need and despite initiatives to help fight this trend, figures show that childhood obesity is on the rise and that these habits unfortunately continue into adult hood. "Part of the problem is that everyone is watching the pennies. Sports clubs and groups are seldom cheap and finding an activity that will cater for different age groups at once can be extremely difficult for any parent". As we helping fitness, Tim said karate had many benefits including building confidence, self-discipline and respect. "The idea is to give children a great foundation that will work alongside home and school life," he said. Tim who has been training in the martial arts for the past 18 years and teaching locally for 8 of those years. "I started karate in Exeter at the age of 14 and it has really helped to give me the confidence and determination to succeed in life whatever the obstacles and to not give up when things get tough. I hope in some small way I can pass that attitude and self-belief onto others." For further details or to enrol your children then phone Tim direct on 07854 364 884 or visit the website. www.kernowkarateuk.com
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Exeter says auf wiedersehen Beth

May 2, 2014, 7:32 am
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It's auf wiedersehen Beth for an Exeter School pupil who has won a place on a prestigious educational language course. Year 12 linguist Beth Jennings will spend three weeks in July in Germany taking part in the UK-German Connection Course. Beth, 17, will stay with a host family in either Bad Kreuznach or Ludwigshafen am Rhein, attend a local school, take part in thematic workshop and go on excursions. She said the course had a strong cultural aspect as well as being based on the German language. Beth said: "When I return from the course, I will also have to talk to a group of primary age children to share my experiences, as well as trying to promote the learning of modern languages." Beth enjoys spending time in Germany learning about the culture and language and intends to study it at university. German teacher Mrs Wilson said: "Beth has already participated in two school exchanges, she is full of enthusiasm to perfect her language skills and this experience is a unique opportunity for her to further broaden her horizons. "Beth has definitely caught the languages bug!" In order to win a place on the coveted scheme, Beth had fill out a detailed form in German as to why she wanted to apply, as well as my future plans, hobbies, and thoughts on Germany. She also had to send in a recent piece of German coursework.

Exeter says auf wiedersehen Beth

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Ben Bradshaw: New Flybe flights to London are a sign of confidence in Exeter's economy

May 2, 2014, 10:00 am
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It's a great sign of confidence in Exeter and our local economy that Flybe is going to start regular flights to London City Airport, writes Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw. It was not so long ago that the company seemed in trouble and Exeter, along with most regional airports, was suffering from the impact of the global recession and the Government's Air Passenger Duty, which hits regional airports and regional airlines particularly hard. People who've struggled by rail or road through this last terrible winter will welcome an alternative. Competitive pricing and an early morning flight that will get you to London in time for a 9am meeting will give the rail companies a run for their money. It's not the link into our main national hub at Heathrow or to Gatwick that some would like to see. But it's a start and it consolidates Exeter's position as our region's economic powerhouse. It boosts confidence in the future of our airport and Flybe – a major local employer and important provider of skills and training. I WAS one of three Westcountry MPs to withhold my support from the Government's HS2 project this week. In principle, I support high speed rail and it is ridiculous when Spain and Italy have a comprehensive network of modern high speed railways we are lagging so far behind. But given the travel chaos we've suffered in the South West in recent years I couldn't bring myself to vote for tens of billions of pounds to be spent on HS2 when a fraction of that money would deliver us a reliable and resilient railway in the South West. It shouldn't be an "either or", but a question of priorities. THE best of Exeter and the region were on display at our wonderful food festival last weekend. What a fantastic annual event this has become, attracting visitors from all over the country and overseas. So many people came up to me to say how much they loved the festival and that it was their favourite local event of the year. I was honoured to be asked to be one of the judges this year, but couldn't because the judging took place on the Friday morning when I had other constituency commitments. That's probably just as well, because if you're asked to judge something you'll please one or two people but risk disappointing the rest. Not a sensible position for an elected representative to put themselves in. IT'S pretty clear that if the Conservatives win the next election they'll bring back hunting. Cameron's ducked the Commons vote on the issue he promised because he knows he'd lose. But Tory MPs are giving a nod and wink to the hunting lobby: give us your money and support and we'll scrap the hunting Act if we win the election. That should be a warning to all those who care about animal welfare. SATURDAY broke my jinx of only watching Exeter lose this season. It was a great end to the season and atmosphere at St James's Park as the Grecians staved off relegation. More play like that next season please.

Ben Bradshaw: New Flybe flights to London are a sign of confidence in Exeter's economy

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Angling at Salcombe

May 2, 2014, 1:30 pm
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The Angling Trust Wyvern Region will hold a two-day open small boat competition at Salcombe in South Devon in September. Planned for the weekend of 6-7 September, more details will soon follow. Contact Mike Spiller on 01404 43397 for more information.
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Exeter Racecourse to host point-to-point final

May 2, 2014, 1:45 pm
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Exeter Racecourse will host the final of the Devon & Cornwall Intermediate Point-to-Point Series at its annual ladies' night on Tuesday. Eight qualifying races took place across the Devon and Cornwall point-to-point area commencing at Black Forest Lodge on December 1, 2013 and concluding at the Eggesford's meeting at Upcott Cross in April, with jockey Robbie Henderson winning four of them. The final was first staged on ladies' night at Exeter in 2009, when former national point-to-point champion Ashley Wood saddled King's Wood to win with Darren Edwards in the saddle. General manager Tim Darby said: "It's an annual tradition at Exeter and fitting that such a prestigious series should reach its conclusion at the racecourse's finale to the season. "We are hopeful that plenty of horses who have qualified for the final will come under starter's orders. "There is always a really good fun atmosphere at our evening meeting and we are looking forward to seeing who will be crowned the 2014 intermediate champion is." Six races get underway at 5.50pm and there is a free bus from Exeter St Davids at 4.15pm and Exeter Bus & Coach Station at 4.30pm. Visit www.exeter-racecourse.co.uk for a full list of prizes.
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Exeter Chiefs prizes up for grabs at Simpkins Edwards' Really Big Quiz

May 2, 2014, 9:30 pm
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Two top auction prizes from the Exeter Chiefs will be up for grabs when chartered accountants Simpkins Edwards hold their 11th annual Really Big Quiz next week. A rugby ball and shirt signed by the winners of this season's LV= cup final will be among the lots on offer at the Corn Exchange on Wednesday, May 7. Hundreds of participants will be putting their general knowledge to the test at the annual Really Big Quiz. As well as being an opportunity for local firms to compete for the title of Exeter's brainiest business, the event will help raise funds for the Lord Mayor's nominated charity, Ataxia UK, which funds research into a group of neurological disorders that affect balance, co-ordination and speech. With 69 teams already signed up and only a couple of places left, there's no time to waste for anyone wishing to take part. All proceeds from the quiz, auction and raffle will be donated to Ataxia UK, and it is hoped that the rugby ball and shirt signed by the champions of the Chiefs' first major silverware win will raise a significant sum for the charity. The auction and raffle will be run by auctioneer James Morrish, from Kivells, and other prizes gathered so far include: a meal for two at the Merry Harriers in Westcott, a Cygnet Theatre gift voucher and a Darts Farm Luxury West Country Hamper. The winners of the quiz will receive a trophy and case of champagne. There are also prizes for second and third places. Last year more than 70 teams competed in the event, and a combination of entry fees, auction bids and raffle tickets raised over £5,900 for charity. "We're delighted to see local businesses from all sectors joining in," said John Coombs, partner at Simpkins Edwards. "It's always a fantastic evening, and we're aiming to raise a record amount this year for a very worthwhile cause. We're pulling out all the stops to make this the biggest Really Big Quiz yet." The Lord Mayor of Exeter, Councillor Rachel Lyons, said: "I am very grateful to Simpkins Edwards for the chance to raise awareness of Ataxia UK at this year's Really Big Quiz and raise much needed funds – I'm sure the event will be a great success." To register a team, email sroberts@simpkinsedwards.co.uk, call 0844 257 9232 or visit www.simpkinsedwards.co.uk to download an entry form. The entry fee is £50 per team and each team can have up to five members. The fee includes a light buffet and a bar will be open on the night. Doors open at 6.30pm, ready for the quiz to begin at 7.15pm.

Exeter Chiefs prizes up for grabs at Simpkins Edwards' Really Big Quiz

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Exeter Science Park's £8m centre starts to take shape

May 2, 2014, 10:00 pm
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Activity at Exeter Science Park is continuing at a pace, with the start of construction work on a second building coinciding with new marketing initiatives. Around 60 people are so far employed on the site just off Junction 29 of the M5, at the headquarters of technology firm Blur Group and developers Eagle One. Now construction firm Kier has started work on the first stage of the Science Park Centre, as can be seen in this aerial photo by Still Imaging. The development of the centre is seen as pivotal to the success of the park as a place where a wide range of companies can be based and benefit from a variety of business support initiatives. Gerry Shattock, general manager of Exeter Science Park, explained the vision when he spoke at a recent meeting of the Exeter Property Forum. "In many respects the Science Park should be regarded as a big business support ecosystem rather than a destination per se," he said. "In other words by offering flexible leases in a range of sizes of accommodation then we enable fast growth for young science and technology-based organisations. "The Science Park Centre is key to this by offering offices and laboratory accommodation to a range of high-potential businesses and it will include a café, meeting pods and seminar space." The three-storey, 30,000 sq ft building is due to be finished and fitted out by spring next year. Before then an operator will be appointed to run the centre and provide business support to tenants. The £8m construction and fit-out cost includes the provision of high resilience, high bandwidth internet connectivity. The second stage of the centre's development will comprise a second L-shaped building, completing a quadrangle to create a 50,000 sq ft hub. "The Science Park centre will become the real focal point for the park as we bring people together and get them networked and plugged into the knowledge base so we can grow their businesses faster," said Gerry. Companies renting space in the centre are expected to include start-ups making their first move from home into commercial premises as well as established enterprises seeking to be better connected with other entrepreneurs and academic experts in their field. "At this stage in the economic cycle it's a great time to be catering for entrepreneurs and start-ups because that's going to be a key element of economic growth," added Gerry. Exeter Science Park has also just completed the fit-out of some temporary accommodation on the site which will function as a marketing suite. Prospective clients now have somewhere to meet the Science Park team, look at plans and computer generated images and discuss how their businesses might link up with the local knowledge base ahead of the opening of the centre. In addition, Exeter Science Park's website has recently been redesigned. The new-look site represents the culmination of several months of work with local company Daneswood following a tender process managed through the Exeter and East Devon Business Portal. Pete Weeks, director of Daneswood, said: "We were delighted to be chosen to deliver the new website, especially being based in Devon and within walking distance of the park. "The brief was to create a clear and functional website with a strong brand identity that would support the marketing of the park. We are confident that this has been achieved and have already seen a positive trend in visitor data analytics." Exeter Science Park worked with Daneswood and Lambert Smith Hampton, the selling agents for the first phase of the Park, in designing a website to enable fast navigation. Applications include: a masterplan for the park, details of the property options available, the latest news and business/research events, information on science and research in the region and the leisure options that the area has to offer, something which Devon has in abundance. Gerry said: "In today's market you cannot underestimate the importance of having a strong online presence. In order to compete globally and attract national and international tenants we needed to produce a website which enhances our marketing capabilities and can be a useful resource for interested tenants. "The website will no doubt change as the project itself evolves but we see this as an excellent framework for taking the project forward." More information can be found at www.exetersciencepark.co.uk

Exeter Science Park's £8m centre starts to take shape

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