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Devon teacher drowned in river while trying to save his dog on Christmas Eve, inquest hears

June 5, 2014, 7:31 am
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Devon primary school teacher Nick Mutton was swept to his death after wading into a storm-swollen river to rescue his dog on Christmas Eve, an inquest has heard. The 46-year-old was doing some last minute shopping when his pet Labrador ran off and leapt into Devon's River Lemon. Mr Mutton lowered himself into the water to try to reach the animal but lost his grip on railings and fell in. He was swept hundreds of yards along the swollen river in Newton Abbott, which was 7ft higher than usual because of the winter storms. An inquest heard how Mr Mutton tried desperately to cling to vegetation but was not strong enough to resist the raging current. Mr Mutton was found face down by police and flown to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital but was pronounced dead within hours of the tragedy. He was one of six people killed in storms which wreaked havoc across Britain in the days leading up to Christmas. Eyewitness Lee Tremlett told the hearing that Mr Mutton seemed "jovial and happy" as he walked beside his three dogs. Moments later he watched as the popular teacher from Cockington Primary School in Torquay removed his jacket and ran towards the water. He said: "I saw him lowering himself down into the river near the underpass. "He was holding on to railings with both hands. I saw a black Labrador in the water." Mr Tremlett said he was about to offer his assistance when Mr Mutton lost his grip and was swept away. He then saw another man drop his shopping and try unsuccessfully to grab Mr Mutton. PC Robert Wilson found the pet owner further along the River Lemon where it joins the River Teign and tried in vain to revive him. Mr Mutton's brother Nick said: "He was a very thoughtful and caring man loved by all him family and friends and all his colleagues and pupils at work." South Devon coroner Ian Arrow said the shock of coming into contact with the cold water probably caused Mr Mutton's body to go into shock before he drowned.

Devon teacher drowned in river while trying to save his dog on Christmas Eve, inquest hears

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Exeter's green spaces turned into wildflower meadows thanks to environment charity and students

June 5, 2014, 7:48 am
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Exeter residents can look forward to a dash of bright and beautiful colour across the city's best known green spaces this summer. An environment charity has teamed up with Exeter City Council to bring a dash of colour to the city's green spaces by turning them into wild flower meadows. Last year saw more than three hectares of new wildflower meadow planted across the city. Now, with summer just beginning, the seeds have grown into plants and their beautiful blooms are beginning to show off their true colours. The new wildflower meadows are the work of local residents and school students . All volunteered under the Exeter Wild City initiative, a scheme led Devon Wildlife Trust and Exeter City Council, and funded by The Big Lottery Fund and Devon Doctors. The charity said the aim was to create colourful summer flower displays and help some of our most important city wildlife including minibeasts such as bumblebees, hoverflies and butterflies. In recent months more wildflower seed has been sown across Exeter by the City Council, creating wildflower beds in some of the city's most popular green spaces including Bull Meadow, Rougemont Gardens, St Thomas Pleasure Grounds and Northernhay Gardens. Planting involved a wildflower seed mix of colourful plants such as cornflower, poppy, corn chamomile and corn cockle. The results of all this planting and hard work is now beginning to show. Galvin Short from Exeter City Council, said: "Biodiversity and sustainability are relatively new 'buzz words' but in partnership with Devon Wildlife Trust we have been chipping away at bland evergreen landscapes for over ten years. "Most of our principal parks now have a wild corner which we leave for the mini beasts and nesting birds and our larger sites have significant areas that are maintained as wildflower meadows or as a developing wildlife habitat. "The results of this project are there for all to see, and indeed listen to. Even in our city centre parks we have very active colonies of bats, bees, butterflies and moths and an almost jubilant dawn chorus." Emily Stallworthy of Devon Wildlife Trust said: "Cities such as Exeter are essential places for wildlife such as bumblebees, butterflies and birds. "People's gardens and city parks provide a huge variety of flowering plants that help to feed pollinating insects. "These insects then go on to do a very important job in feeding us by pollinating our orchards and crops." She added: "Our main aim has been to provide a variety of flowers throughout the year, in this way we can feed insects with nectar over long periods of time. "Different insects also prefer different types of flowers, for example, open flowers such as daisies, and bell shaped such as foxgloves, so it's good to have a mix. It's also best to avoid hybridised flowers such as petunias and begonias as these produce little or no nectar for insects." Devon Wildlife Trust provides information for the budding wildlife gardener via its website

Exeter’s green spaces turned into wildflower meadows thanks to environment charity and students

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Devon County Show offers 25% cancellation refund to stand holders

June 5, 2014, 8:06 am
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The Devon County Show is offering trade stand holders a 25 per cent refund on their stand fees after it was forced to abandon the third day. The third day of the Show on Saturday was abandoned for the first time in the Show's history in the interests of public safety following exceptional levels of rainfall which made the car parks potentially unsafe. It is estimated that this decision will lead the DCAA to incur losses of around £500,000. Letters are going out this week and offer traders the choice of either applying for a refund or making a donation to the Devon County Agricultural Association, which stages the Show. Show Secretary, Ollie Allen said: "The DCAA Board of Management fully appreciate that the decision to abandon the third day on Saturday was heart breaking and although we have a 'force majeure' in our regulations, the Board agreed to offer trade stand exhibitors a partial refund as a gesture of goodwill." The DCAA is also offering trade stand holders, which total more than 800, the option of donating the refundable proportion of the fee in support of its charitable activities which include the promotion of food and farming, educational projects with local schools, farming awards and student bursaries. All claims must be received by the end of June and will be processed by the end of July. The small team of staff which puts on the annual celebration of life in Devon's countryside is working flat-out to handle the implications of this decision before preparing for next year's Show which will be held on May 21-23.

Devon County Show offers 25% cancellation refund to stand holders

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WORLD CUP PODCAST: Panel discuss dark horses, England's chances and James Milner

June 5, 2014, 8:09 am
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A new podcast on the World Cup, discuss who the dark horses will be, England's chances of qualifying from their group and who should play in the starting line-up against Italy a week on Saturday. The panel also try to guess World Cup games from famous bits of commentary. Joining presenter Tom Bevan on this week's show are the Echo's Tottenham Hotspur fan Richard Booth, the newspapers Exeter City reporter Simon Larkins and Xpression FM's Linus Good. If you are using Internet Explorer you might have trouble loading the podcast. Try using Google Chrome. Have a look at some of the panel's favourite World Cup moments, including Dennis Bergkamp's goal against Argentina in 1998 with some crazy Dutch commentary. Simon Larkins' favourite World Cup moment Richard Booth's favourite World Cup moment Tom Bevan's favourite World Cup moment Linus Good's favourite World Cup moment

WORLD CUP PODCAST: Panel discuss dark horses, England's chances and James Milner

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Woman taken to hospital after car overturns near M5 in Exeter

June 5, 2014, 8:29 am
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A woman has been taken to hospital with a suspected broken arm after a car overturned in Exeter. One lane was blocked and there was slow traffic on the M5 southbound between J30, A376 and J31, A30 because of the overturned vehicle. The ambulance, police and fire service were called to the area at 3:52pm after reports of an overturned vehicle. The woman was conscious on arrival. Ambulance services confirmed the female driver of a silver car was injured in the collision. The car was righted and members of the public helped move it to the side of the road. The road is now cleared and the woman has been taken to hospital.
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Exeter linesman Mike Mullarkey happy to take a back seat in latter stages of World Cup if England are doing well

June 5, 2014, 8:38 am
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Having put himself through a punishing training schedule to get himself in top condition for the World Cup you might think Exeter linesman Mike Mullarkey would be hoping to officiate in the latter stages of the tournament in Brazil. Mullarkey, 43, officiated at the World Cup final in South Africa four years ago with referee Howard Webb fellow assistant- referee Darren Cann. However, no match officials have ever refereed two World Cup finals in the modern game so he chances of taking charge of the showpiece game at the Estádio do Maracanã on July 20 are even more remote than England's prospects of playing in it. And if Roy Hodgson's men do upset the odds and get to the latter stages of the tournament that could also hinder Mullarkey's chances of taking charge of a big game. However, it is something he's happy to accept. "We would be delighted to take a back seat if it meant that the England team were performing very well," said Mullarkey, who flew out to Brazil on Saturday, June 7. "It is very cliché, but it would be wrong of us to go into a tournament eyeing any particular game. "We are delighted to have been selected and whatever games we are appointed to we will gratefully accept. "I think it is right to say that the final is something that is given to official only once." Mullarkey is well versed in officiating at top level matches though. He ran the line in the 2014 World Cup qualifying match between Sweden and Portugal last autumn and has also taken charge of top European games and FA Cup matches. However, a World Cup in Brazil will be a step up. Not only are most of the players at the top of their game, the humidity and heat in South America poses its own problems. As a result Mullarkey has been working hard to get himself ready, pushing himself to the point of exhaustion in some of the training schedules to make sure he can keep up with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as they look to spring the offside trap. "The training schedule has one or two rest days in the seven, but within that there is a mixture of sessions," said Mullarkey. "It includes a session is quite physically demanding with a series of sprints, with insufficient recovery time, so each one is being done when you are slightly more fatigued to the point of exhaustion. "Other training days can be more fast feet and speed-based work. This is where you are not working physically as hard, but you are working at maximum speed, with decent recovery. "In a tournament like this when you have got the best players in the world at the peak of their physical condition, so we have got to be in the best shape that we can be. "The demands are going to be a little bit greater, than the Premier League, given the heat and potential humidity in some of the venues. The pace of the game might not be any different to the games that we are used to in the Premier League and the Champions League, but I think that the difference in climate and the fact that it is the ultimate football tournament means that we have to make sure we are in the best possible shape that we can be. Asked if the increased speed of some of the players at the World Cup could pose more problems for him, than in Premier League games, Mullarkey added: "We do an awful lot of training, as assistant, around offside. "We will have scenarios in training where we will have a defender sprinting out and an attacker sprinting through and the ball being is played through. "We will make four or five judgement in quick succession and then we will watch them back on the video. "We will see if the judgement was correct and if our positioning was correct. Certainly with offside being in positioned well, with the second to last defender, is vital. "If you are in the correct position then the judgement becomes easier. Then there is that experience that comes in. You know on a quick crossover, if a player looks, to the naked eye, ahead of play and offside experience and that training tells you that the chances are he won't be. It is trusting that skill and experience which builds up over a number of years."

Exeter linesman Mike Mullarkey happy to take a back seat in latter stages of World Cup if England are doing well

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Thug ordered to pay compensation for broken teeth

June 5, 2014, 9:03 am
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A teenager has been ordered to pay £750 compensation to a youth who he headbutted because he thought he had sent inappropriate texts to his sister. Keifer Filer left the 17-year-old victim needing extensive dental treatment after knocking him to the ground and punching him in the face. He attacked Ashley Sander without any warning in Braunton as two groups of youths passed each other in the town, Exeter Crown Court was told. Filer, aged 19, of Sterry Village, Berrynarbor, admitted causing actual bodily harm and was ordered to do 200 hours unpaid community work, pay £750 compensation, and take part in an anger management programme as part of 12 months supervision. Recorder Mr Edward Burgess told him he could easily have been jailed for the attack. He told him:"You know this was a nasty and gratuitous assault but you are only 19 and of previously good character. "In your own mind there was something of a history which you thought might have justified this attack. You now know it was completely unjustified and that you have serious problems with your temper." Mr Gordon Richings, prosecuting, said Filer was with friends in Braunton at 10 pm on April 11 when they came across another group which included the victim Mr Sander, then aged 17. He said:"He walked up to him completely without warning or provocation and head butted him, knocking him backwards onto the ground where he leant down and punched him three or four times to the face. "The injury was quite severe and it seems two teeth were damaged and the victim will need continued dental treatment for some time, if not for life. "He told police in interview the victim had been texting his sister inappropriately. He conceded the attack had been over the top." Mr Nigel Wraith, defending, said Filer has a part time job which would enable him to pay compensation by instalments. He said he was remorseful and urged the Judge to follow the recommendations of a probation report which suggested he needed help controlling his temper.
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Devon Business Expo creates a buzz as companies get together

June 5, 2014, 9:05 am
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Devon's business community turned out in force to showcase their products and services and make new connections at a major event in Exeter. Hundreds of people from around the county and beyond flocked to the Matford Centre for the Devon Business Expo 2014 on Thursday, June 5. A busy programme of seminars gave visitors a chance to find out about everything from how to grow their businesses to the latest technology and advice on social media. And there were plenty of networking opportunities, with the exhibition playing host to Exeter Chamber of Commerce's monthly lunch. Dave Barr, managing director of event organisers theBestofExeter, was delighted with the turnout. "It's gone really well – there's certainly a buzz around the room and we have already rebooked a number of exhibitors for next year," he said. "Today is all about showing the diverse businesses in Exeter and Devon, putting them on the map and getting them talking to each other." More than 900 visitors pre-registered for the Expo and 72 businesses were exhibiting. Among them were Web Wise Media, whose founder Dan Wiseman was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2014 Express & Echo Business Awards. "This is the first exhibition we have exhibited at," said Dan. "I have gone along to a lot before, mostly for networking, but I wanted to give it a try because we're having a marketing push and it's been really useful. "I have met a lot of other businesses where there are potential opportunities for us to work in partnership. We are also launching a new product at the moment so we have been talking to people about that today and have had a lot of positive feedback." Matt Young, of Cosmic Ethical IT, said: "We are here with Connecting Devon & Somerset to make people aware that superfast broadband is rolling out and our job is to show people what you can do with it. "We have had a steady stream of people coming up to the stand and we have been pleasantly surprised at how busy we have been." Seminars were led by local businesses including GHQ Training, Thermalogica, Crispin Associates, Basepoint Business Centres and Q Social Media. Business people also had a chance to quiz a panel of local media representatives, including Express & Echo production editor Ed Oldfield and Paul Nero, director of Radio Exe.

Devon Business Expo creates a buzz as companies get together

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Smoke from large fire in Brixham seen across Devon

June 5, 2014, 9:22 am
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A huge fire that has hit a South Devon town could be seen all the way from Exmouth this afternoon. A large plume of black smoke could be seen across south Devon after a fire at the former Pontins holiday park in Brixham. Six fire engines were on their way the the Wall Park site at just before 5pm as large numbers of the people across Torquay and Paignton reported the blaze. Six fire engines were initially sent to the scene, including the water bowser from Torquay, a command unit from Totnes has also been sent. There are reports of possible gas cylinders. Brixham Sgt Steve Cayless said: "Fire crews have just arrived on scene/. We will be supporting them to see if we need to evacuate residents or close any roads. "Residents are being advised to keep all their windows shut."

Smoke from large fire in Brixham seen across Devon

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Homebase manager fiddled £22K to hide credit card debts from his wife

June 5, 2014, 9:34 am
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A DIY shop manager fiddled almost £22,000 because he could not face telling his wife that he had run up massive credit card debts. James Tallin disabled CCTV cameras at the Homebase store in Barnstaple and used another employee's log in to create false refund claims which hid his 70 thefts. He carried on looting his own store for months until his head office became suspicious of the refunds and sent in an investigator who installed a second, hidden camera which caught him red handed. Tallin had credit card debts of £35,000 which he had kept hidden from his wife and was stealing so he did not have to admit his financial problems. He has now been sacked from his job as manager in charge of 'big ticket' sales but has been able to repay all the money by borrowing from his sister. Tallin escaped jail but was branded as being cunning, devious and selfish by a Judge at Exeter Crown Court. The 39-year-old father-of-three, of The Square, North Molton, admitted stealing £21,986.76 between December 2012 and December 2013. He was jailed for two years, suspended for two years and ordered to do 300 hours unpaid community work. Recorder Mr Edward Burgess told him:"This was very serious offending. There were multiple offences over 12 months. The terms cunning, devious and selfish all apply in this case. "This was a persistent and quite sophisticated series of thefts motivated by financial circumstances of your own making. You admit to the probation report writer your behaviour reflected moral cowardice and a willingness to use grossly inappropriate methods to resolve you difficulties. "Many members of the public would think an immediate prison sentence was richly deserved but in the light of what I have read about the repercussions for your young family I do not need to take that step. "I also bear in mind that all the money has been repaid." Mr Gordon Richings, prosecuting, said suspicion initially fell on a junior employee because Tallin used his log-in to create the false refunds which covered up the money he was taking from tills. He switched off the CCTV systems for the tills when he took the money but was caught when investigators realised he was the only employee who was at the store at the time of all the thefts and installed a secret camera. This caught him removing cash from a till and he admitted what he had been doing as soon as he was confronted about it. Mr Gareth Evans, defending, said Tallin started stealing because he was trying to hide the extent of his £35,000 credit card debts from his wife. He said:"He was under immense pressure and was embarrassed and ashamed of his position and he could not bring himself to discuss it with his wife or tell her. He made the stupid decision to take money from his employer." He said Tallin had lost his job as a result and was now helping to look after the family's three young children while his wife worked part time.
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Burglar jailed after family go to court to tell of his betrayal

June 5, 2014, 9:34 am
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A thief has been jailed after a family who took him into their home used victims' rights laws to tell a judge how he betrayed them by stealing £25,000 worth of heirlooms. Ricky Barton was befriended by businessman David Jones and his wife Kathy who found him a job and invited him to spend every weekend with them. They put him up in their restored water mill in Ilfracombe, Devon, and loaned him money so he could find his own bedsit and asked their builder to employ him. The family trusted him so much they asked him to help them move their valuables from one part of the house to another during the building work. He betrayed their friendship by sneaking into their bedroom and stealing jewellery which had been in their family for three generations including Mrs Jones's late father's collection of Victorian snuff boxes. Barton, aged 33, was jailed after both Mr and Mrs Jones went into the witness box at Exeter Crown Court to read out victim impact statements which set out their feelings of betrayal. They both came close to tears as they told of their horror at finding that their property had been stolen and sold at a local jewellers so Barton could feed a drug habit which he told them he had overcome. The Jones family run a tourist attraction at the working mill at Hele, near Ilfracombe, where they also live. Mr Jones said:"He has betrayed our family completely over two and a half years. It has left us sad and numb and doubting our decision to try to help others." His wife Kathy said:"My daughters looked on him as an older brother. When we embarked on major building work we encouraged the firm to employ him. "When he split up with his girlfriend we took him in and fed him and set him up in a bedsit of his own. We treated him just like a member of our family. "He stole 45 items and a collection of snuff boxes which my father built up over 40 years. We gave him a chance to improve his life. He has blighted ours." She said her own feelings went from disbelief to anger and her teenaged daughters now feel insecure in their own home. Barton stared at the floor as they read their statements and did not look up at either of them. Barton, of King Street, Combe Martin, admitted burglary and was jailed for two years and two months by Recorder Mr Edward Burgess. He told him:"This was a peculiarly mean spirited and selfish offence. I cannot put into words how grave an abuse of trust and friendship this represents. "It has been articulated very powerfully in this court by both Mr and Mrs Jones and I have no doubt whatsoever that only an immediate jail sentence is justified. "The jewellery was of particular economic, sentimental and personal value and it has been stolen irretrievably. The thefts were persistent, and furtive. You may have had your own reasons but that is no consolation to the losers." Mr Gordon Richings, prosecuting, said the Jones family had taken Barton under their wing and helped him set up a new life in North Devon, including a job working on the refurbishment of their home. He took the jewellery which was kept in their temporary bedroom while the work was under way and they only discovered it when Mr Jones went into a shop in Ilfracombe where it was on sale. It included Mrs Jones' engagement, wedding and eternity rings and other jewellery which had been passed down for three generations on both sides of the family. The total value was at least £15,000 and probably £25,000 or more. Mr Gareth Evans, defending, said Barton had been a heroin user for ten years and only started stealing after increasing his use of the drug when his girlfriend left him last year. He said he has genuine remorse and the deepest sympathy for the Jones family and wishes to apologise to them.
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Casualty in hospital after being cut free from car in two vehicle collision in Budleigh Salterton

June 5, 2014, 10:51 am
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A collision in Budleigh Salterton has left casualties in hospital today. Fire crews and the ambulance service were sent to Knowle Hill outside Oak Barn in East Devon at 16:36 this afternoon. Two fire appliances were mobilised to the incident. On attendance crews found a two car collision and one casualty trapped in the vehicle. The Ambulance Service rendered first aid, whilst the fire crews got to work with hydraulic cutting equipment to remove the roof. Casualties were taken to hospital via land ambulance. The Police were also in attendance
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Axminster crews called to collision involving lorry and tractor

June 5, 2014, 11:00 am
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The fire service were called to Axminster after a collision involving an articulated lorry and a tractor with a forage harvester on the A35, Shute. Crews were requested to attend the collision on the above road outside Little Chef. One local engine was sent to the incident. On attendance crews found a collision involving an articulated lorry and a tractor with the fuel tank of the lorry ruptured causing a fuel spillage on the highway. Crews assisted with scene safety and clearing the fuel spillage. The Ambulance Service dealt with a casualty.
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Update: Three arrested after Brixham fire

June 5, 2014, 3:08 pm
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Three teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of arson following a large blaze at a former holiday park in South Devon that could be seen as far away as Exmouth. The fire at Brixham's deserted Pontins holiday camp was started deliberately, it was confirmed on Thursday evening. Fire watch manager Martin Timblin said the fire which destroyed 100 per cent of the arcade complex was being treated as arson. The fire also destroyed the facade of the swimming pool and spread to the main complex. At 10pm Fire brigade HQ at Exeter said: "Crews are still at work tackling the fire, with steady progress being made. Crews are now using compressed air foam and will be shortly scaling down the number of appliances at the incident. "The cause of this fire is believed to be arson, and is under investigation by Police and Fire. Crews have scaled down for the evening and will be carrying out a revisit at 0900hrs on 6th June." The massive firefighting exercise swung into action as fire spread through the deserted complex at just after 4.30pm. At 6pm, as 40 fire crew fought the blaze, it was reported that the fire, which had started in the arcade, was spreading to the main holiday complex and the swimming pool. Fire brigade control was inundated with 68 calls from the public who could see the huge plume of black smoke from as far away as Exmouth. Martin Loram, a football club committee member, said: "I was working in Century Road and a young lad ran in and said I'd better get up to the clubhouse, there was a fire. I shot up here on the lad's bike and saw it wasn't the football club on fire. Smoke was just starting to come off the building at about 4.35pm. We could hear gas bottles or something inside going bang." A man who used to work at the holiday park said: "The building that's gone was the arcade, but it's spread to the main complex and the swimming pool. There's no electricity or water on the site. All the buildings were empty." Six fire engines were initially sent to the scene, including the water bowser from Torquay, a command unit from Totnes was also sent. There were reports of exploding gas cylinders. Crews from Torquay, Paignton, Brixham and Totnes, along with a water bowser were sent "There are no reports as yet of people inside," a fire spokesman confimed. Brixham Sgt Steve Cayless said police were supporting the fire service. Residents were being advised to keep all their windows shut and to go inside as the smoke was toxic. At the scene, crowds of onlookers were gathering, running up to the holiday camp with cameras. Brixham was reported to be 'in chaos' as roads around the holiday camp were closed.

Update: Three arrested after Brixham fire

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MP Neil Parish comes out on top in Commons Vs Lords Tug of War

June 5, 2014, 4:00 pm
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Tiverton and Honiton MP Neil Parish was on the winning team of the annual fund raising Tug of war contest between Members of the House of Commons and Peers of the House of Lords. The annual competition, held in Westminster on Tuesday 3rd June, aimed to raise money for Macmillan Cancer support who provide practical, medical and financial support for cancer sufferers and push for better cancer care. The event was introduced by Speaker of the House of Commons, The Rt Hon John Bercow MP. Various organizations, including the RAF and fire services also entered teams for the event. The victorious House of Commons team was captained by Angus MacNeil MP and included Sir Robert Smith MP, John Hemming MP, Graham Evans MP, Kris Hopkins MP, Tobias Ellwood MP, Alec Shelbrooke MP, Iain Stewart MP as well as Neil Parish MP. Speaking after the event Neil Parish said: "I am delight that this year's team has upheld the honour of Commons by beating the House of Lords for another year! It was a fun and friendly competition and I think all the competitors who took part were pleased to have been able to support the amazing work of Macmillan Cancer support and help raise much needed funding for this charity."

MP Neil Parish comes out on top in Commons Vs Lords Tug of War

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Picture: Giant jellyfish washes up on Exmouth beach

June 5, 2014, 4:00 pm
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This giant jellyfish was found washed up on Exmouth beach yesterday. Exmouth RNLI worker Emma Tarling found the scary-looking creature at the bottom of the ramp on Exmouth beach. Hundreds of barrel jellyfish sightings have been reported along the south west recently and experts believe there will be more as the weather warms up. The sightings in Devon have contributed to a marine conservation charity receiving a record number of reports from the south west. Peter Richardson, the Marine Conservation Society's biodiversity programme manager, said the charity first started getting reports of barrel jellyfish in mid-April, off Teignmouth, and during May there were daily reports, mostly from Devon, Cornwall and Dorset, but also south Wales and north Scotland. Dr Richardson said: "This year is a very unusual year for barrel jellyfish in the south west. It's normal to have barrel jellyfish in UK waters but this is the first time since we started our survey in 2003 that we've had quite so many reports from the south west. "We have received 133 records of jellyfish around the country and 117 of those have been barrel jellyfish. Most have been from the south west. "This species is the only one that can survive multiple seasons so we think what we're seeing in the south west is a lot of adults that survived the mild winter. "We've also had a pretty good start to the basking shark season this year and they also feed on plankton, so it could be the south west seas areproductive at the moment. We're really pleased. "We only know what's out there if people report sightings to us through our website. "We ask people to look but not touch as some species sting. Barrel jellyfish have a very mild sting but some people could have an allergic reaction."

Picture: Giant jellyfish washes up on Exmouth beach

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DCET Training briefs MP Ben Bradshaw on apprenticeship changes

June 5, 2014, 4:00 pm
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Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw visited DCET Training to learn more about proposed changes to funding for apprentice training. The Labour backbencher spoke to staff at the Marsh Barton headquarters of DCET, formerly Devon and Cornwall Electrical Training, after the Electrical Contractors' Association and others voiced concerns about the prospect of increased workloads for employers and a potential reduction in the number of apprentices in training. Mr Bradshaw outlined some of the questions he was already asking about the funding changes and the way he had already referred matters to his party's front bench team. Centre manager Joanne Gallichan took the MP through real life examples of the complex administration behind successful apprenticeship training, including everything from candidate selection, aptitude tests, registration with City & Guilds, progress monitoring and claiming funding. Concerns about increased burdens falling on employers and learners were reinforced by employer James Brooks and his apprentice Dan Hamilton. Finally, the MP sat down for a discussion with Jamie Rail and Peter Oldham, two directors of DCET and sister company Focus Training. Focus Training also offer Apprenticeship training, particularly in the areas of health care, hospitality and business administration and are faced by the same issues. Jamie and Peter explained that the South West, in particular, was likely to be hit hard by the proposed changes as the area had so many small employers. In spite of massively committed employers, the best Apprenticeship training in the UK, according to the Government's own figures, could well be under threat. Nationally 80% of Apprenticeship training is carried out by specialist trainers like DCET and Focus. Mr Bradshaw said: "It was great to hear first-hand about some of the concerns about the proposed changes. "The purpose of my visit was to ensure I was as well equipped as possible to lobby and ask the right questions about any proposed changes and I think we achieved this. "My commitment to apprenticeships is shared by my party and I will do my best to ensure the current enthusiasm among employers for recruiting apprentices continues. I enjoyed my brief visit to DCET." Mr Rail added: "It was great to see the local MP taking a keen and genuine interest in our concerns about the impact of the proposed changes on apprenticeship numbers. "Ben has asked us to provide further information and this is already on its way to him."

DCET Training briefs MP Ben Bradshaw on apprenticeship changes

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Exeter City council say no to World Cup big screen due to "money reasons"

June 5, 2014, 4:06 pm
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There are have no plans to show the world cup matches on a big screen in the city centre, Exeter City Council has confirmed. A big screen at Bedford Square in Princesshay proved a popular attraction during the 2012 London Olympics and there has been calls to do the same for the World Cup in Brazil that kicks off on Thursday. In Plymouth a similar decision was made and frustrated football fans have now started a petition calling for the city's big screen to show England's World Cup matches. The screen in the Piazza will only show the opening match of the tournament, between Brazil and Croatia, and the final. But in Exeter there will be no action shown at all. A spokesman for Exeter City Council said: "We have no plans to put a large screens in the city centre for the 2014 Football World Cup." They added that the decision was made for "money reasons" and was nothing to do with any safety fears.

Exeter City council say no to World Cup big screen due to “money reasons”

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Topsham hostel boy found with child abuse images

June 5, 2014, 4:20 pm
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A patient at a therapeutic hostel was found with child abuse images on a tablet computer after staff spotted him trying to hide the device under his bed. Antony Turner, aged 19, was ordered to receive supervision after a Judge told him the public would be best protected by him receiving help and treatment. He was a resident at the hostel in Topsham when he was found with images of children as young as two and three last month. Turner, of Seabrook, Topsham, admitted five counts of making indecent images and was made subject of a three year community order by Recorder Mr Edward Burgess at Exeter Crown Court. He has already spent almost a month in jail awaiting sentence. He told him:"It is important that you understand this is a serious crime. It involved terrible exploitation of children as young as two or three and the things done to them are unspeakable. "They are done so people can publish the images on the internet and you are encouraging them to do that by looking at this material. The courts have to stop people doing that to prevent children suffering in this way. "I acknowledge you have problems and you need to have the proper help and therapeutic intervention." Mr Gordon Richings, prosecuting, said the images were found on a tablet computer after staff at the hostel became suspicious because they saw Turner hurriedly hiding it as they came into his room. Police found still and moving images of children being abused. Mr Lee Bremridge, defending, said Turner has problems which have been exacerbated by the partial withdrawal of support when he reached the age of 18. He said new arrangements are being put in place to restore the level of treatment and therapy which he needs and this will be the best way of ensuring he does not offend again.

Topsham hostel boy found with child abuse images

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Tips to Crimestoppers on the rise in Devon and Cornwall

June 5, 2014, 4:28 pm
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Devon and Cornwall Police have seen Crimestopper tips top 2,000 in 12 months. Information passed to Devon and Cornwall Police from independent charity Crimestoppers saw a rise of 4%. The charity, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, said 2,072 pieces of information were passed to the force between April 2013 and March 2014. It said the figures highlighted a growing awareness of Crimestoppers and its work in local communities while also demonstrating the significant role the public plays in the fight against crime. Stephen Pearce, Crimestoppers chairman in Devon and Cornwall, said: "What these results represent is a continued effort from the public and Crimestoppers to keep our communities in Devon and Cornwall safe and bring wanted criminals to justice. "I cannot thank our local communities enough for their efforts and for trusting us with their information – and to our committee of volunteers who dedicate so much of their time to ensure we continue the fight to provide a crime-free community. "With your help, you can make these results even better next year by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously about criminal activity you are aware of by contacting us on 0800 555 111 or through our anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org." Across the UK, information passed onto the police by Crimestoppers increased slightly by just over 1%. The value of goods recovered from criminals also rose to more than £3.3 million. Since Crimestoppers was formed in 1988, over 128,000 people have been arrested and charged, while 1.5 million pieces of information have been passed onto law enforcement agencies.

Tips to Crimestoppers on the rise in Devon and Cornwall

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