Quantcast
Channel: Exeter Express and Echo Latest Stories Feed
Viewing all 7823 articles
Browse latest View live

Update: Strange 'flying carpet' cloud spotted over Exeter thought to have been created by jet engine

$
0
0
Residents were shocked when they spotted this square cloud floating over their homes which looks like a flying carpet. The straight-edged rectangular formation was seen in the sky in Exeter, Devon - and images were quickly posted on social media . One picture of the rhombus-shaped cloud was snapped by local Philip Mussel - and another put online by Laura Gilchrist, an employee at the Met Office. Laura used her @weathergil to tweet on July 26: "So this evening, over Exeter, there was a rhombus-shaped cloud". A spokesman for the Met Office said the cloud had been formed by a jet engine moving through the a pocket of air with the "right conditions". He said: "This cloud has been formed from the exhaust of a jet engine - known as a contrail. "In this case an aircraft has moved through a pocket of air with the right conditions for the contrail to form, meaning there is just a short section. "The wind is blowing at right angles to (ie across) the contrail, and due to the right atmospheric conditions this is causing the ice crystals in that trail to spread outwards - creating this rectangular shaped cloud. "It's unusual to see the cloud edges quite so well-defined as in this example but the processes involved are very common."

Update: Strange 'flying carpet' cloud spotted over Exeter thought to have been created by jet engine


Top DJ to headline festival on banks of the River Exe

$
0
0
ONE of the country's top DJ's is headlining a contemporary music and arts festival taking place on the banks of the River Exe Estuary on Saturday, August 2. The second Gusto Jamboree at the Imperial Recreation Ground is set to trump the huge success of last year's inaugural event with double the capacity and top headline DJ JFB, two time UK DJ Mixing Championship winner. The festival will showcase a fusion of talented regional musicians and DJs as well as feature live graffiti artists, break dancing demonstrations, children's activities, hot food and a licensed bar. It has been put together by events organiser and DJ Alex Warren with help from youth worker Becky Baker and is backed by Exmouth Town Council and Exeter College as well as a host of local businesses who have sponsored the event. In addition to organising the debut festival last summer, 28-year-old Alex was instrumental in securing thousands of pounds of funding for the revamp and re-scaling of the town's popular skate and BMX park and organising a successful launch event. The Gusto Jamboree is not-for-profit event and has so far secured £1,500 of funding from the town council as well as around £1,000 from Devon County Council ward members, councillors Eileen Wragg, Bernard Hughes and John Hone, and the East and Mid Devon Community Safety Partnership. All profits over and above the £5,000 loan from the town council, which has made staging the event possible, and its costs, will get ploughed back into next year's event. Last year, all 500 tickets were sold and this year the all-day festival is anticipated to attract around a thousand young revellers. Ticket holders can expect a wide spectrum of music including acoustic, rock, funk, reggae and dance. Instead of being at the rugby club it will be at the Imperial Recreation Ground. "I think it's really important to cater for the interests of young people which aren't represented so much while providing a festival experience to those who may not otherwise have the opportunity," said Alex. The event will take place from midday until 10pm. Tickets are £8, £4 for under-16s, and free for under-10s. For more information visit, www.gustojamboree.co.uk

Top DJ to headline festival on banks of the River Exe

Builder who fractured his spine while demolishing Lympstone classroom is fined for safety failings

$
0
0
A Devon builder who fractured his spine while demolishing a classroom has been fined for safety failings. William Batten, 66, trading as Bill Batten Concrete Cutting and Demolition Service, was injured when he removed key timber supports at the corners of the roof of the building in Lympstone, near Exeter, destabilising it and causing it to collapse on top of him. The collapse was witnessed by schoolchildren in a nearby playground on their lunch break. Mr Batten suffered a fractured vertebrae and neck injury. He was hospitalised for a week but has since returned to work undertaking light duties. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Mr Batten, from Newton Abbot, had started work he was not supposed to. It identified that the roof of the temporary classroom had been supported by timber in each corner. Steel fixtures had been inserted to add additional structural support for the windows, but not the roof. North and East Devon Magistrates' heard that Mr Batten's firm had been contracted to demolish two buildings at Lympstone Church of England Primary School. A 'soft strip' of the temporary classroom took place on 11 June 2013 and demolition of the main structure by mechanical means was to be carried out on the following days when Mr Batten's son, business partner and planner of the work, returned from leave. A further risk assessment and method statement was to also be submitted prior to the structural demolition going ahead. However, after Mr Batten had finished the 'soft strip' with two labourers, he decided to undertake further stripping work, including the removal of the timber supports to the corners and cladding. Mr Batten wrongly assumed that steel stanchions supporting the windows were holding up the roof when in fact they were not. When the wooden struts to the corners of the building were removed, the roof became unstable and collapsed. The two employees narrowly escaped harm but Mr Batten, was trapped underneath the roof for several hours. Mr Batten, was fined £500 and ordered to pay costs of £868.90 after pleading guilty to breaching Regulation 29(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. Speaking after sentencing HSE inspector James Powell, said: "William Batten failed to ensure the demolition of the temporary classroom was carried out without presenting a danger to anyone, including himself and two employees. The work had been properly planned, by his son and partner, in advance and had it work been carried out in that manner, this incident would not have happened. "He had not demolished a classroom like this one before but he was aware that he was only to undertake a soft-strip and that he knew the main structure was going to be brought down with a machine at a later date – once the inside had been cleared. "But after stripping the internal fixtures, Mr Batten continued to strip the building, wrongly assuming that the steel fixtures supporting the windows were holding up the roof. The two other employees on site at the time were extremely lucky to have escaped with no injuries. "Demolition, dismantling and structural alteration are high risk activities which require careful planning and execution by trained demolition operatives under the supervision of a competent person."

Builder who fractured his spine while demolishing Lympstone classroom is fined for safety failings

Exeter Cathedral work leads to archaeologists discovering city's cloth market past

$
0
0
REPAIRS at Exeter Cathedral have lead archaeologists to discoveries about the city's cloth market past. Major repairs to part of the roof of the cathedral's cloister and adjacent buildings are being carried out this summer, to protect it from the weather. Investigations before the repairs began found that the cloth market which was once built in the cloisters was constructed on top of the medieval cloister walk. Cathedral archeologist John Allan said that the works had allowed them to understand more fully how the market building had been built and developed. He said: "For the first time we have seen some features of the building which have previously been hidden by plaster, such as its pine beams imported from the Baltic, and found evidence of the way this very large building was progressively disguised and adapted to other uses over a period of more than 350 years." The market was built in 1657, towards the end of the Commonwealth era, for the sale of Devon cloth. The trade in woollen cloth was key to Exeter's prosperity from the 1600s to the 18th century. The cloth traders were expelled three years later when the monarchy was restored in 1660, and with it Anglican services and the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral. Part of the market was demolished when Georgian houses (now numbers 1 and 2 The Cloisters) were built. Its other side was turned into a carpenters' workshop but this later became part of a clergy house. The great arcade posts which once opened into the serge market can still be seen in one wall of the buildings around the cloister today. The current repair work to roof of the cloisters and the adjacent Church House will improve the rainwater disposal, and the brick, stone and lead work. The work will be finished in the autumn. The cloister area will be included in the Cathedral's plans to uncover the Roman Baths, which lie just outside on Cathedral Green. Plans include putting in a low wall in place of the railings at the front of the cloisters, reflecting the medieval wall that was originally on the site.

Exeter Cathedral work leads to archaeologists discovering city’s cloth market past

Exeter Council pledges to sort mould problem in 350 city homes

$
0
0
EXETER City Council has pledged to get rid of damp and mould in 350 city homes. That's good news for residents like Marian Snow, who says she has had mould growing on her walls, damp wardrobes and her clothes turning white since the problems began in her Southgate home. The city council says that the problem was caused by the exceptional rain of last winter seeping through exterior walls. A spokesman for the city council said: "The failure was to the outer leaf (wall) of the properties which allowed the damp to ingress. Once it penetrated the outer wall it caused the cavity insulation to get wet. "This was not a failure of the wall insulation, but of the outer wall not remaining watertight because of the driving rain and wind. "The wall insulation needs to be removed too as it is so wet and the cavity area needs to dry out. Once it has dried out we will refill with cavity and carry out work to the outer wall to ensure it is sealed and not allow the water to penetrate in the future." Mrs Snow said: "We are annoyed that the council do not fully communicate with us; one leaseholder would get a letter whilst others were ignored. "We have had so many council staff in our flats we cannot count and then left wondering what is happening. "It has made some leaseholders ill with worry, we are all pensioners and these flats are our homes, so you can imagine our upset. "I think the city council have been excellent landlords in all other respects, it is just this one big problem where they have let us down." Exeter's prospective Conservative MP Dom Morris said: "After being contacted by a concerned constituent, I visited several tenants and was shocked at the amount of mould in people's homes. This issue has been made worse for tenants by uncertainty as to what the council is going to do and how long it will take." Councillor Rob Hannaford, the city's lead councillor for housing and customer access, said: "We have some 350 homes that have experienced a problem of damp coming into the property. "We are very much aware of these problems and are doing everything possible to remedy the situation. Each property has been visited, surveyed and letters sent to the tenants updating them as work progresses. "We have allocated extra resources to this issue and will be tendering for the work after the executive has considered the budgets in September. "The work will then be carried out when the weather conditions are suitable." He added: "We are moving as quickly as we can with this and are conscious that there are certain things that need to be done within the process before the work can be carried out. "This is a major piece of work and for this reason, we would ask tenants to be patient and bear with us whilst we are addressing these issues."

Exeter Council pledges to sort mould problem in 350 city homes

Westcounty MP makes complaint after Devil child photo published on The Sun front page

$
0
0
A Westcountry MP has said she will refer The Sun to the Press Complaints Commission over its publication of a picture of a child it said had the mark of the devil. The paper has provoked a furious reaction with its lead story Tuesday after associating a little boy with the Devil in an Omen-esque front page. Sarah Wollaston, Conservative MP for Totnes, said she was appalled at the story in The Sun including a photo which clearly identifies the boy. The Sun's exclusive features the four-year-old with a "mark of the devil" on his chest and contains images of the child and his mother which have not been pixilated out. Posts on social media have since suggested the mark is in fact that made by a hairdryer. Dr Wollaston said the story endangered the child, especially with its lurid headline "BOY, 4, HAS MARK OF DEVIL." She tweeted on Monday night: "@TheSunNewspaper should pull their damaging front page story with photo of a child. He does not carry 'mark of devil' he is a real child!". She added: Speaking to the Guardian, Dr Wollaston said she would be referring to the story to the Press Complaints Commission. "It is a completely outrageous headline, and to link that with an identifiable picture of a child is wholly inappropriate on every level," she said. "This is absolutely not lighthearted. What possible justification can there be for including this child's face, or for saying this child is marked by the devil? It is the most irresponsible piece of journalism I have seen for a long time." The Sun quotes the child's mother as saying: "Just looking at it made me shake, thinking something unnatural had visited my boy. Something or someone made the sign on him but we just can't explain how." The mark is said to have appeared on May 23 and had disappeared by June 16. A spokesman for the Sun told The Guardian: "This was a story provided by the parents , who had already publicised the pictures and story on Facebook. We sought to treat it in a lighthearted fashion, highlighting the apparently fanciful link to the occult. "We are conscious of the code and guidance around paying parents. We did not encourage the parents to embellish or expand the story; it came to us, and had already been the subject of discussion (raised by the parents) on social media. "It's also worth noting that no concerns were expressed about the child's welfare. An unusual mark appears, the mother gets it checked out by a doctor who confirms there is no medical reason why it should be there, and discharges her. Social workers are not involved."

Westcounty MP makes complaint after Devil child photo published on The Sun front page

Section of 2,000 house plan for land around Devon Hotel near Exeter approved by Teignbridge District Council

$
0
0
THE first 230 of at least 2,000 houses to be built on the south western edge of Exeter have been approved by Teignbridge District Council. The development, around the Devon Hotel at Matford Home farm, includes plans for one single form entry primary school, retail floor-space and associated public open space and highway infrastructure. The district council expects more planning applications later this year for more of the 2,000 plus new houses which form the largest single development in the recently approved Teignbridge Local Plan, the 20 year masterplan for the district. Alan Connett, local county councillor for Exminster and Kenton, is pleased that key concessions have been won, as requested by Exminster Parish Council to ring-fence some funding from the developer for the Exminster community. This includes £395,000 for indoor and outdoor sports and a promise to look again at restrictions on working times for the contractors to minimise disturbance to residents in existing houses and new people moving in as the estate is built. Cllr Connett said: "I have voted against the main plan to build all these houses around the Devon Hotel. "Exminster has had enough and I was not convinced that Teignbridge needed to allow so many new houses across the district. " All these new houses planned will see the parish grow by 127 per cent. It's not something the village wants. "Even though the community doesn't want the new development, we have to get the best we can for the community. "I spoke at the planning meeting to support the local community and help make sure Exminster is fairly treated as a result of the 230 new houses from this first planning application." Cllr Adrian Wood, on behalf of Exminster Parish Council, spoke in favour of the planning application and the South West Exeter Framework. Cllr John Goodey, Teignbridge's executive member for housing and planning and ward member for Kenn Valley (which includes Exminster) endorsed the plan, as did Cllr Kevin Lake, ward member for the same area. Councillors voted 18-2 to approve the application.

Section of 2,000 house plan for land around Devon Hotel near Exeter approved by Teignbridge District Council

Legal challenge started against plans to replace Exeter cricket pavilion with student flats

$
0
0
A LEGAL challenge has been started against the granting of planning permission to replace Exeter cricket pavilion with four blocks of student accommodation and a new pavilion. St James Forum is behind the challenge and Bob Price, chairman of Exeter Cricket Club has said he believes the decision was taken by a 'small group of activists' who 'risk the future of the club and the ground'. Mr Price said: " The whole community backed the fantastic efforts of the Forum to produce a neighbourhood plan which everyone in St James is rightly proud of. "The plan provides a clear mandate to save our club through the development which was approved by the city planners in June. Now it appears that a small group of activists is determined to pursue this legal challenge, risking the future of the cricket club and the ground. "They say they are standing up for the neighbourhood plan. We say that we are.'' Mr Price added: "I fear that some people in the Forum may want to have a fight with the city council, and that the cricket club could become a victim of a turf war. Mr Price has questioned the Forum's ability to pay for a legal challenge and whether the decision to apply for a judicial review was taken by the Forum's steering group rather than at the Forum's annual meeting. A spokeswoman for the Forum's steering group said: "It is disappointing that the cricket club chooses to focus on who voted and how we intend to pay costs rather than the reasons for the challenge. "The Forum's challenge is specifically concerned with heritage, environmental and design policies. "We have never opposed development at the cricket club. "It has been difficult to challenge the council, with whom we worked closely during the neighbourhood plan process, and we do understand the cricket club's disappointment at any delay in their plans. "Constructive discussion and meaningful amendments to the proposals would be welcomed." Solicitors acting on behalf of Exeter St James Forum have sent a pre-action protocol letter to Exeter City Council which is expected to reply by August 1. The Forum will then consider whether further action should be taken. Mr Price added: "The developers have tried to respond to the constructive comments put forward by the Forum's design panel, and even made an approach to them after permission was granted to ask if they could work together to improve the scheme, but the response has been this legal challenge. "I recognise that the Forum has concerns but this is not the way to resolve them. That is why I have now asked our ward councillors to get all parties together to resolve this before it destroys our club and ruins our community.'' A spokesman for the city council said: "As this application is the subject of legal proceedings we are not in a position to comment."

Legal challenge started against plans to replace Exeter cricket pavilion with student flats


Matchday live: Exeter City v Swansea City

$
0
0
Follow live updates from Exeter City's friendly against Swansea City at St James's Park this evening. Kick-off for the game is at 7.15pm.
Live Blog Exeter City v Swansea
 

Matchday live: Exeter City v Swansea City

Exeter Axhayes Coffee morning

$
0
0
On Saturday 23rd August Exeter Axhayes cats protection adoption centre will be holding on of their popular coffee mornings. It will run between 11am and 2pm and its a chance to have a cuppa, cake and meet the staff and cats. Have a look around the centre and find out about the work of Cats Protection and the centre.

The centre would like to hear from you if you are able to help by donating cakes, biscuits and savouries for the coffee morning. They are also in need of donations of items that they can use as raffle/tombola prizes at events. If you are able to help please call 01395 232 377 or pop along to the centre. The centre is open every day between 11am and 3pm (except Tuesdays) and is situated along the Sidmouth Road, just past the Cat & Fiddle Inn, opposite the Exeter AFC training ground.

Exeter Axhayes Coffee morning

Exeter City 0 Swansea City 2: Match report

$
0
0
Two clinical moves from Swansea City were enough to give them a comfortable 2-0 victory over Exeter City at St James's Park on Tuesday night. It was a friendly match in which City defended well for large parts, but only managed to create a couple of clear cut openings. City manager Paul Tisdale lined his side up in a 5-3-2 formation with Scot Bennett, Danny Coles and Pat Baldwin lining up in central defence, with David Wheeler and Craig Woodman operating as wing-backs. The Grecians created the first chance of match after nine minutes when Woodman chipped a ball to the back post as Tom Nichols peeled away from his marker, but the young City striker couldn't direct his header on target. Swansea, as expected were neat and patient in their play, but relied on the jinking runs of new signing Jefferson Montero for their threat going forward. He twice beat Bennett and got to the by-line, but on both occasions Coles was in the right place to head his crosses clear at the back post. Swansea made a change just after the half hour mark as the injured Alex Bray was replaced by Ki Sung Yeung. And Ki had a part to play in the opening goal moments later as well as he played the ball onto Neil Taylor, whose cross was headed home by Bafe Gomis 10 yards out. City created their best chance of the match three minutes before the break as the ball was crossed in from the right by Arron Davies. David Wheeler did excellently to flick a shot onto the crossbar and the ball appeared to drop kindly for Bennett, but his close-range header dropped into the grateful arms of Gerhard Tremmel. However, a minute later Swansea could have made it 2-0 as ball through the centre of the City defence saw Gomis running clear and he rattled a shot against the base of the post. Swansea City boss Gary Monk made three changes at half-time taking off the impressive Montero, along with Alex King and Lee Lucas and bringing on Wilfred Bony, Jonjo Shelvey and Wayne Routledge. The first chance of the half fell to substitute Routledge who capitalised on a poor clearance by Pym by attempting to lob the City keeper. His effort was a couple of feet over the crossbar. Moments later Routledge teed up Josh Sheehan with a volley from just inside the box, but his effort was also a good way clear of the crossbar. Coles then had to put a Gomis cross out for a corner as Bony lurked at the near post. The flow of the second half was disrupted a lot by substitutions from both sides at various stages. Danny Butterfield, Christian Ribeiro, Matt Jay, Ollie Watkins, Aaron Dawson, Jason Pope, Jordan Tillson, Alex Byrne, Connor Riley-Lowe and keeper James Hamon were all introduced to the match for City. As a result the first 30 minutes of the second half was a very stop-start affair, with neither side creating much. Swansea did add a second goal in the final ten minutes of the game when a neat flick from Bony got Sheehan free on the left side of the box and he placed a shot past Hamon. Hamon did manage to prevent Bony from adding a third in the closing minutes of the match when he bravely came to claim a cross with the Swansea striker stooping to head home. Exeter City: Christy Pym (James Hamon, 70), Craig Woodman (Aaron Dawson, 63), Scot Bennett (Jordan Tillson, 68), Pat Baldwin, Danny Coles (Christain Ribeiro, 59), Matt Oakley (Danny Butterfield, 58), Arron Davies (Connor Riley-Lowe, 75), Tom Nichols (Ollie Watkins, 53), Jimmy Keohane (Jason Pope, 68), Matt Grimes (Alex Byrne, 62), David Wheeler (Matt Jay, 64). Swansea City: Gerhard Tremmel (David Cornell, 63), Ashley Williams (Scott Tancock, 68), Neil Taylor, Bafi Gomis (Nathan Dyer, 63), Dwight Tiendalli (Liam Shepard, 75), Jefferson Montero (Wayne Routledge, 45), Alex Bray (Ki Sung Yeung, 30), Kyle Bartley (Jazz Richards, 68), Josh Sheehan, Adam King (Wilfred Bony, 45), Lee Lucas (Adam King, 45). Subs: Gylfi Sigurdsson Attendance: 2,274 (away 375).

Exeter City 0 Swansea City 2: Match report

Exeter City Council named as one of the best local authorities on Twitter

$
0
0
Exeter City Council's communications team will be looking down at their mobiles and smiling today after the council was named as one of the best on Twitter. The council, @ExeterCouncil on Twitter, was labelled the eleventh best local government on the social media site. In the last few years, local authorities have had to race to catch up with moving times, with Exeter Council originally joining Twitter in 2010. The account has been praised for its use of Twitter to engage with the community gaining a mention on The Mirror's list of best accounts:The Top 10 according to the Trinity Mirror data unit: Local Authority Tweets Population One follower per X residents City of London 12154 7648 1 North Dorset 11837 69883 6 Monmouthshire 10223 92100 9 Lincoln 8386 95623 11 Newcastle upon Tyne 23915 286821 12 Nottingham 24537 310837 13 Cardiff 27589 351710 13 Eden 4033 52607 13 Oxford 11862 154773 13 Preston 10698 140418 13 Exeter 9264 121800 13 Burnley 6601 86894 13 Chorley 8305 110505 13 Torfaen 6856 91407 13 East Devon came in at 239 on the list and Mid Devon 308 out of 335, Exeter Council uses Twitter and Facebook to advertise upcoming events in the city as well as posting links and updates to its website. Its posts have collected a total of 9,286 followers to date. According to Discover.Twitter.com the council first posted to the online platform on August 6 2010, posting a total of 6,166 tweets since then. For readers without Twitter here is an example of some of the posts from @ExeterCouncil

Exeter City Council named as one of the best local authorities on Twitter

--- Article Removed ---

$
0
0
***
***
*** RSSing Note: Article removed by member request. ***
***

Work to start on Seaton car park in preparation for £4m visitors' centre

$
0
0
RECONFIGURATION work is due to start at the entrance to Seaton's Harbour Road car park in preparation for the building of the £4m visitors' centre. Work is scheduled to start on Friday, August 1. The car park will remain open using the existing entrance until Sunday, August 31, to allow for this year's carnival and fun fair. The centre, named Seaton Jurassic, has secured almost £4m of funding with contributions from East Devon District Council, Devon County Council, Seaton Town Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Coastal Communities Fund, Garfield Weston Foundation and Fine Family Foundation. Planning consent for the project was approved in June 2013. Devon Wildlife Trust will manage the centre. The centre is the result of years of campaigning by the Seaton Visitor Centre Trust and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage team. The centre's future success will depend on the take-up of a variety of volunteer opportunities including fundraisers and ambassadors. Seaton Jurassic will take visitorS on a unique journey back in time to experience the story of evolution, wildlife and geology and is expected to attract some 60,000 visitors per year. During the building of the centre and after it is opened there will be 150 parking spaces provided with the potential for an additional overspill car park for 70 spaces opposite on The Underfleet, subject to planning consent. An exhibition of the Seaton Jurassic plans will be on display in Seaton Town Hall from mid August until the end of September when the display will be moved to the site offices. Councillor Ian Thomas, East Devon District's Council's cabinet member for economy and chair of the Seaton Regeneration Board, said: "This is the first visible sign of the dream of a visitor centre becoming reality. "As with any project of this size and complexity there will inevitably be some disruption during the construction period but we intend to keep this to a minimum and have planned around major events such as the carnival and the Grizzly. "Seaton Jurassic is such a massive boost to the town and we are all incredibly excited to see the first tangible steps towards its opening next year."

RAF rescue helicopter called out to false alarm search in Exmouth

$
0
0
Exmouth coastguards and an RAF rescue helicopter were called out yesterday following a false alarm. Exmouth Coastguard Rescue Team, Exmouth RNLI Inshore Lifeboat, Exmouth RNLI Lifeguards, RAF Rescue Helicopter and Prawle Coastguard Sector Manager were tasked to reports of a possible person in the water off Exmouth at 14:12. A buoyancy aid was recovered from the water and believed to be the object sighted. After a thorough search of the area by all resources, nothing further was found and all units were stood down.

RAF rescue helicopter called out to false alarm search in Exmouth


Ebola virus: 5 things you need to know about 'the worst outbreak in human history'

$
0
0
  1. Ebola kills up to 90 per cent of those who fall ill. It generally results in organ failure.
  2. Although it is likely to spread to other parts of the world outside Africa, National Geographic reports the virus is 'unlikely to spread widely in regions with well-funded hospitals and standard infection-control procedures'. Simple gloves and gowns and cleanliness procedures will help.
  3. It is not highly transmissible
  4. There are no treatments for Ebola.
  5. People can recover - but it's not common

According to the World Health Organisation the virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission. Fruit bats are considered to be the natural hosts.

The virus first appeared in 1976 in 2 simultaneous outbreaks in Sudan the Democratic Republic of Congo. Some 280 of the 318 people who contracted is in the Democratic Republic of Congo died. In Sudan, 53 per cent of people died.

Exeter pensioner left devastated by 'arson attack' on his city allotment

$
0
0
An Exeter pensioner has been left distraught after his treasured allotment was destroyed in a suspected late night arson attack. William Short, 85, says he "lost everything" in the fire on Tuesday night in St Thomas, and fears he won't be able to continue his hobby of almost half his lifetime. "My mate came and told me the bad news on Wednesday morning. It's absolutely terrible because everything is gone and nothing is left," he said. The emergency services were alerted to reports of an allotment shed fire at the Guys and Hylton site at around 11.46pm. Upon arrival crews confirmed the small building was "well alight" before being "completely destroyed" by fire. The fire service initially thought the fire started accidentally, but a police officer apparently told Mr Short that it was most likely a crime of arson. The scene of the incident was cordoned-off with red and white tape on Wednesday evening.

Exeter pensioner left devastated by 'arson attack' on his city allotment

In Court: Cases heard at Central Devon Magistrates' Court

$
0
0
James Carter, @ 29, of Polsloe Road, Exeter, admitted threatening behaviour during an incident in Exeter on June 9. He was given a three month conditional discharge and must pay a £15 victim surcharge. Ben Wood, @ 27, of Smythen Street, Exeter, has been jailed after admitting stealing £61.15 worth of alcohol from Waitrose on June 23. He was given four weeks in prison for that offence and magistrates activated an additional 16-week suspended prison sentence for earlier offences. Liam Henderson, @ 19, of Western Way, Exeter, admitted assault by beating against a female victim and criminal damage of glass window frames and internal doors at a home in Exeter on May 31. He must attend 10 sessions of employment training education and carry out 80 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay a £60 victim surcharge. Robert Nofal, @ 29, of no fixed abode, has been jailed for a total of 20 weeks after admitting assault by beating against a female victim by beating and assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty. Both offences were committed in Exeter on June 9. Ashley Rawlings, @ 27, of Brook Close, Exeter, admitted causing of violence to a female victim by making 53 phone calls and messages during December 24 and December 30, 2013. He also admitted a charge of assault on January 10. He was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, and must attend sessions of a relationship programme. He was also made the subject of a restraining order and must pay £170 costs and an £80 victim surcharge. Nicola Yelland, @ 31, of Baker Close, Sidmouth, has admitted two charges of assault on May 20. She must attend a 10-session programme and pay a £60 victim surcharge. Aaron Griffiths, @ 22, of Cathedral Yard, Exeter, has admitted driving without the proper licence or insurance on March 20. He was banned from driving for 12 months and fined £110. He must also pay a £20 victim surcharge. Samuel Seldon, @ 23, of Gordon Road, Topsham, admitted driving without the proper insurance in Burnthouse Lane on March 29. He was fined £400 and must pay £60 cost and a £40 victim surcharge. He was disqualified from driving for two months. Nicola Rice, @ 32, of Valley Way, Exmouth, admitted two charges of assault at the Bank public house in Exmouth on May 18. She also pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly on the same date. She must pay compensation, costs, and a victim surcharge totalling £345, and was banned from several licensed premises in the town. Bryan Bouchier, @ 69, of no fixed abode, admitted being drunk and disorderly in Tiverton on June 26. He must pay fines, costs and a victim surcharge totalling £205. Paul Sheppard, @ 34, of Churchill Court, Lympstone, admitted a charge of harassment by sending numerous unwanted texts and phone calls to the victim. He was given a 12-month conditional discharge and made the subject of a restraining order. He must also pay a £15 victim surcharge. Jolanta Rosikon, @ 51, of Brunswick Street, St Thomas, admitted stealing perfume worth £32 from House of Fraser in Exeter. She was fined £200 and must pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge. Damien Clay, @ 28, of Vaughan Road, Exeter, was found guilty in his absence of driving without the proper insurance or licence. He was banned from driving for six months and must pay £525 in fines, costs and a victim surcharge. Daniel Hunsdon, @ 23, of Northgate Court, Exeter, has pleaded guilty to breaking the terms of his sexual offences order by having an email account that did not display his full name between May 1 and June 10. He was sent to prison for six weeks. Timothy Wakeley, @ 52, of Prince Charles Road, Exeter, destroyed a sign belonging to Shuropody in Sidwell Street on June 3. He was given a three-month conditional discharge and must pay compensation and a victim surcharge totalling £54.80. Neil Blake, @ 44, of no fixed abode, admitted stealing two Hugo Boss fragrances from Boots in Exeter on June 21. He was sent to prison for six weeks. Stephen Brennan,@ 50, of Reddaway Drive, Exeter, pleaded guilty to criminal damage of a gas boiler at a home in Exeter on February 5. He was given a 12-month conditional discharge but must pay £565 in compensation, costs and a victim surcharge. Gregory Bowman, @ 21, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to stealing £1.80 of sweets from the RMC store in Exeter on November 12, 2013. He was fined £50 and a £20 victim surcharge. Phillip Ireland, @ 40, of Cyprus Road, Exmouth, admitted driving without the proper insurance. He must pay fines, costs and a victim surcharge totalling £860 and was banned from driving for 21 days. Martin Rosewell, @ 40, of Phillips Square, Honiton, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention. He was fined £70 and must pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge. He was banned from driving for 14 days. Matthew Smith,@ 37, of no fixed abode, admitted criminal damage of a glass kitchen window on June 29 in Exmouth. He also pleaded guilty to stealing make up from Superdrug in Exeter on June 24 and perfume from Boots on June 21. He was jailed for a total of 16 weeks, that included activation of a previous suspended sentence. Andrew Brown, @ 36, of Withycombe Village Road, Exmouth, was jailed for 21 days after breaching his restraining order by attending the home address of a woman in Exeter on June 7. Dean Gibson, @ 24, of Masterson Street, Exeter, admitted fraud by creating a false account under the name Kevin Evans, intending to make a gain of £487.99 for himself. He must pay fines, costs, compensation and a victim surcharge totalling £385. Michael Lyons, @ 33, of King Street, South Molton, stole computer equipment from Maplin in Exeter on May 23. He was given a nine month conditional discharge and must pay £399.98 compensation. Tobias Snape, @ 27, of St Pauls Road, Honiton, pleaded guilty to possession of 0.43g of cannabis. Ge was given a 12-month conditional discharge and must pay a £15 victim surcharge. Paul Vigar, @ 34, of St Davids Hill, Exeter, has admitted threatening or abusive behaviour in Exeter on June 13. He was given an exclusion order for 28 days and must participate in a relationship programme. He must also pay £60 compensation. Michael Guscott, @ 50, of Princes Square, Exeter, stole two pairs of cufflinks worth £60 from John Lewis on May 15. He was given an 18 month conditional discharge and must pay a £15 victim surcharge.

In Court: Cases heard at Central Devon Magistrates' Court

Exeter University friends complete amazing 50 day rowing challenge from California to Hawaii

$
0
0
Four Exeter university friends have arrived in Hawaii following the adventure of a lifetime. The British adventurers have arrived in Hawaii after rowing from California in a mammoth 50 day task. The group of friends, who met at Exeter Uni, have entered the record books after rowing from America's west coast to its celebrated Pacific state. Jack Carter, Nick Kempster, Chris Blacketer and Mark Gleeson set off from Monterey, on the central coast of California, on 9 June. They rowed around 1000 miles each, battling against howling winds – which, on occasion, resulted in waves in the shark-infested waters reaching more than 20ft in height. And now the four have reached the Hawaiian capital Honolulu on the island of Oahu. All aged 24, they are the youngest crew to ever row the distance, which is known as 'The Great Pacific Race'. Using nothing but muscle power, the men rowed in pairs, rowing in two-hour shifts over the course of 50 days – travelling the full 1927 miles. They have so far raised more than £40,000 for the NOMAN Campaign, which raises awareness of HPV, a carcinogenic virus which causes five per cent of cancer cases worldwide, and infects one third of the UK population. Chris Blacketer, from Ewell, Surrey, said: 'Each day our hands got a little more blistered and our stomachs decreased in size, which was definitely a good thing looking at some of the pre-departure photos. 'But the worst aspect by far was the pain in our backsides. 'Spending pretty much 24 hours a day either sitting or lying on them, meant we were all on a constant stream of painkillers just to get through the days and be able to sit down, as we were just so blistered and raw.' They had originally hoped to complete the challenge within 40 days, but were affected by bad weather and unfavourable winds, which pushed them south rather than west. Nick Kempster, from Bath, said: "This challenge has been immense, and at times it felt like we might not be able to complete it. 'Everyone's support and messages, as well as our ultimate aim of raising awareness of HPV, have kept us going even when we didn't think we could give anymore. 'Somehow we always found the strength to keep rowing.' Mark Gleeson, from Orpington, added: 'fter spending nearly eight weeks in a world less than 24 foot in length, Hawaii seems impossibly large. 'We're in a lot of pain, and have been for a few weeks now. We are barely able to sit, let alone stand, but everyone is so proud of one another.'

Exeter University friends complete amazing 50 day rowing challenge from California to Hawaii

Picture: Tractor and hay trailer fire closes road in Honiton

$
0
0
This picture shows the dramatic scene of a hay trailer on fire in Honiton yesterday evening. Crews were called to the blaze involving a tractor near The Hare and Hounds pub on the A375 between Honiton and Sidbury just before 5:30pm yesterday. Eyewitnesses reported burning hay all over the road and smoke could be seen from the A30 in Exeter. Nobody is believed to have been injured in the incident.

Picture: Tractor and hay trailer fire closes road in Honiton

Viewing all 7823 articles
Browse latest View live


<script src="https://jsc.adskeeper.com/r/s/rssing.com.1596347.js" async> </script>