Chris Vinnicombe hopes to have ironed out a few problems and recharged some batteries this week ahead of Saturday's trip to Camelford.
Withy looked in fine fettle last Saturday as they dismantled Falmouth Town 4-1. Mike Vanes did put the visitors in front, but goals from Luke Cole, Jordan Charran, Kyle Basset and Jack Furzer saw the hosts home.
Despite the handsome scoreline, Vinnicombe says no game this week has given him some vital preparation time.
"It will be good to have a bit of time to work on things, have a rest and get ready for Camelford," he said. "That is going to be a tough game because it is always a tough place to go.
"I am glad we have the week off to prepare because there are a couple of injuries that need some recovery time.
"We also have a few things we need to work on which we couldn't last week due to the midweek game."
Meanwhile, Richard Pears believes Exmouth Town are playing the best football of his tenure at the club.
Town, who hosted Stoke Gabriel on Wednesday, travel to divisional new boys Callington Town on Saturday.
They picked up a 1-0 win away to Launceston on Saturday thanks to Jordan Hopkinson's goal to make it three wins and two draws since the 4-0 defeat at St Austell on the opening day.
"I think the quality of football we are playing is amongst the best I have seen since I arrived here," said Pears. "We have been excellent in the last three games.
"We didn't have a great pre-season but I have been organising midweek games all the time so we have played eight or nine times in the last month.
"The lads are getting used to playing with each other and the formation I am asking them to use. What's also really pleasing is that I am getting stand-out performances from different players every week."Elmore joint-manager Pete Buckingham admits his youngsters are finding the physicality of the league difficult, but backed them to come good.
The Eagles host Elburton Villa on Saturday off the back of a 5-0 home defeat to Torpoint Athletic at the weekend.
"The truth is that the sides we are playing at the moment are bigger, stronger and more experienced than we are," said Buckingham.
"I had five lads out there on Saturday who were 18 and it is a massive learning curve for them. We have to stick with it and I am sure they will improve.
"Our goal this season is to keep us out of the bottom two and stay in the league. Hopefully then the players will be a year older and a year wiser."Cullompton Rangers head to St Blazey on Saturday following their 2-2 draw at home to Launceston on Saturday.
Cully were dumped out of the FA Vase at the first qualifying round stage on Saturday following a narrow 1-0 away defeat to Buckland Athletic.Bovey Tracey host Torpoint Athletic having lost 4-0 at Newquay on Saturday in the FA Vase.
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Witheridge have week off to prepare for trip to Camelford
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CITY POSTBAG: Screen could be revenue stream
Another challenge emerges for the gates committee at Exeter City with the introduction of the facility to screen games at the home ground of the away team.
This was done at the recent Leeds United v Brighton & Hove Albion game where 300 of the Seagulls' fans were able to watch the match at the Amex Stadium.
The fibre optic technology that makes this beaming possible will be available to League Two teams during next season.
Terms and conditions will no doubt apply, but the opportunity will be there for those who wish to take it.
Chances to generate much-needed additional income are rare and this is something that should be investigated thoroughly.
Sooner rather than later should be the maxim – let's not get left behind.
Brainstorming and consultation with fans should start now. It is only when in-depth consideration is applied that the full possibilities can be identified including secondary benefits, such as advertising and sponsorship.
The Brighton fans watched in a room at the club. A different approach could be considered, possibly a big-screen with fans seated in one of the stands.
All the usual facilities could be available such as bars, cafeteria, cheerleaders, commentator and loud music, if you must.
In assessing the potential, the gates committee will take into account the inevitable variables and imponderables.
Success breeds success and the staging of a beamed game could be turned on only when the estimated attendance is worthwhile, perhaps when on a good run. Geoffrey Bowditch
Exeter
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Chris Whitehead puts on events to celebrate his own career
Former Exeter Chiefs hooker Chris Whitehead will launch a series of events to celebrate his career in rugby next week.
The 28-year-old was forced to retire last season with a neck injury, with his final appearance coming in a try-scoring display as the Sandy Park outfit won the LV= Cup.
The events arranged so far are a golf day and a gala dinner, with rugby masterclasses for children aged 12-18 set to be confirmed. A launch party is taking place in the city on Wednesday.
Whitehead said: "To be told I would never play rugby again because of a severe neck injury at the age of 27 was totally devastating. At the time, my first child was on the way and the Exeter Chiefs had just won the LV= Cup – I thought life couldn't get any better.
"I'm not one to sit around and complain though. I'm a grafter and I want to get on with the next phase of my life, so I'm hoping people will come and celebrate my time in rugby with me."
For more information and to book your place at any of the events, visit chriswhiteheadevents.co.uk or e-mail Chris Whitehead at chris@chriswhiteheadevents.co.uk or organiser Adam at ac@zeussportsuk.com.
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Sue Evans defeats Kings' Natalie Melmore
Honiton's Sue Evans was unbeatable at singles in the Devon Championships, beating Kings' Natalie Melmore 21-15 in the four-wood final.
Evans also won an all-Honiton county two-wood final with Carole Binmore 16-11.
It took a while for Evans to break away from Melmore, but at 13-13 she never looked back.
Against Binmore, she went 12-11 up and finished strongly with successive doubles at the close.
In the over-55 singles, Crediton player Joan Martin was beaten by Sarah Quayle 21-16.
But Martin bounced back to partner clubmates Jill Heal and Muriel Scott to victory in the triples, beating Iris Gill, Margaret Arscott and Nikki Wilkins of North Tawton 21-13.
Sidmouth's Jane Painter had no problems in the unbadged singles, beating Tiverton's Angie Hill 21-13.
But there was disappointment for clubmates Jean Brimson and Eileen Hewett in the over-70 pairs final against Jenny Bishop and June Wallis, losing 24-19.
In the ladies' two-wood triples, Christine Macaulay, Sue Harriott and Liz Smerdon of Madeira beat Topsham's Ruth Voysey, Jean Chudley and Margaret Ewings 22-14.
In the Benevolent Triples, Seaton's Maria Johnson, Di Morley and Pat Whitworth beat South Molton skip Pam Parkhouse 17-11.
In the over 55 pairs, Gill Callaghan and Christina Woollacott overcame Jan Hutchins and Sue Devonport 24-12.
Jill Heal, Mary Abbot, Muriel Scott and Joan Martin of Crediton defeated Topsham's Yvonne Hayman, Freda Relph, Jean Chudley and Jennie Dawson.
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Martyn Rogers: Bideford must be on song to beat Tiverton Town
Bideford will have to be on their game if they are to make it past Tiverton Town in the FA Cup first round qualifying on Saturday.
That is the verdict from Yellows manager Martyn Rogers, who watched his side bounce back from Saturday's 2-1 loss to Wantage Town with a 3-0 demolition of Mangotsfield United on Tuesday night.
Tivvy's wayward finishing was largely to blame for Saturday's setback, but they showed a far more ruthless streak against the visitors from Bristol.
An Owen Howe double gave them a half-time lead before Alex Faux added a third late on, and Rogers insists his side should not be written off against their Southern League Premier Division rivals at the weekend.
"They will have to be at their best to beat us because I think we have a good team spirit and some decent players too," he said.
"They are going to be favourites given that they are in the league above, but it will be a good game to watch.
"When you are at home in the FA Cup, against local rivals then the league tables go out of the window.
"Bideford will be tough but it is one we are looking forward to, particularly after getting the type of win that we should have got on Saturday. The win has given us a real lift and we are all looking forward to it now."
Rogers made four changes to the side that somehow lost Saturday's one-sided encounter.
Adam Bilcock returned to midfield for the first time since being injured in the opening-day win over Larkhall Athletic, while Jesse Howe partnered brother Owen up front.
Tom Gardner also returned to bring some much-needed stability at the back, while Ethan Phillips came into midfield.
Mangotsfield, who left Ladysmead with a 3-2 win against John Clarkson's Tivvy side last season, just shaded the opening exchanges – that was until the Howe show began.
The striker made it three goals in as many games when he fired home an unstoppable 25-yard free-kick into the top corner on 22 minutes.
And he doubled the advantage after dribbling out of his own half and, with Howe drawing two defenders away, he cut inside before firing home left-footed into the bottom corner.
Tiverton hunted for a third to kill things off, before turning in a professional second-half performance to see the game out.
Substitute Omar Lindsay's enormous throw-ins did cause Tivvy some anxiety in the second half, but a surprisingly subdued Mangos outfit never really threatened to make a comeback.
And it was left to Faux to wrap up the win with a backpost header on 87 minutes and ensure the perfect response to Saturday's defeat.
"I was really pleased with the team and it was one of our best performances of the season," said Rogers, who will again be without striker Jamie Mudge for Saturday's match.
"There were two sides to us. The first half was a very good footballing display from us and we scored two good goals. The second half was different because we knew they would come out at us.
"I said to the lads before the game that they looked right for a good performance. I thought Owen had his best game of the season. Not only did he score, but he played really well. He is learning the game still and he will get even better."
Saturday's loss saw the Yellows miss a hatful of chances before Howe finally broke the deadlock with a 71st-minute header.
That looked to have wrapped up the points against an unadventurous Wantage team.
But the visitors came out of their shell to equalise on 83 minutes through Jimmy Deabill before Bradley Shaw fired home a superb winner from the edge of the box three minutes into injury time.
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Families to unite in grief for special service at Exeter Cathedral
FAMILIES who have suffered the pain of baby loss at any stage of pregnancy, birth or in infancy are invited to join a special service.
The event on Saturday, September 13 will take place at Exeter Cathedral at 4pm.
The Saying Goodbye services are the first set of national commemorative services to take place in cathedrals.
The ceremony will mark the the third year the event has been held at Exeter Cathedral, where the very first ever service took place.
The service at Exeter will feature music, poetry and readings, mixed with acts of remembrance and time for reflection.
The service is free to attend and open to anyone of any faith or no faith.
The Saying Goodbye services were established by Exeter couple Zoe and Andy Clark-Coates, who have lost five children through miscarriage.
Zoe said: "We decided to take the pain of loss and create an organisation that could help others who have previously, or are currently going through the grief of losing a baby."
This year 25 services will take place in the UK along with the first service of its type in America. Everyone is welcome.
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Rugby: Exmouth boss Jon Hill wary of over-confidence
Exmouth head coach Jon Hill will warn his side against over-confidence going into the first Devon derby of the season.
The Cockles face six Devon derbies this term, the first away to Barnstaple this Saturday.
While Exmouth were trouncing Weston-super-Mare 65-10 last time out, Barnstaple were having a nightmare away to Redingensians.
Barum's 17-6 half-time lead was overturned after the break as the Rams ran up a 55-17 win.
Hill said it would be unwise to read too much into one set of results, but he didn't think Exmouth's win was a fluke.
Hill knows Barnstaple at home, in front of their notoriously partisan crowd, are a different proposition to Barnstaple away. He says Exmouth must not get drawn into playing a different game just because of the atmosphere.
"We can be confident, but we must not get sucked into the niggle of a Devon derby," said Hill. "Barnstaple at home are a very hard side to beat with some experienced players from higher levels and plenty of talent we are familiar with.
"In Steve Perry at fly-half they have a real general pulling the strings and an astute tactician.
"When Steve plays well, Barnstaple play well and he is someone we need to be wary of.
"Bryn Jenkins was a good signing for them in the second row this season, with his experience at Launceston.
"Grady Wright was with us last season and knows the way we play, Mark Berry is one of the finest props around and Linford Brock played for England under-18s when he was at Exeter College. I am sure Barnstaple are looking for a top-five finish with that side, even if things didn't go so well against Redingensians."
Things did go well for Exmouth at Weston and Hill hopes his side can take that form to Barnstaple.
"Barnstaple will present a different challenge to Weston, but we need to keep getting the same processes right," said Hill.
"The big thing at Weston was our decision-making in broken play and around the breakdown.
"You will never cut errors out completely, but our error count was minimal and our defensive effort was superb.
"It was things like that which produced turnover ball and led to an interception try."
First-half tries in a 30-0 lead were put away by George Savage, Rice and Garry Hooper with George Meadows doing the kicking.
Meadows went on to finish with 25 points in penalties and conversions. Rice, Jamie Harris, Dave Bargent, Matt Ryan and Richard Bright all went over in the second half.
Newton Abbot are at home again this Saturday with every reason to feel confident.
The All Whites opened the season with a 41-36 win over Hornets, who were promoted into National Three South West this season.
Weston are heading to Rackerhayes this Saturday, still licking their wounds following the home drubbing to Exmouth.
The odds seem to suggest a Newton win is likely, not that director of rugby Roy Henderson wants to stick his neck out too far as he wasn't entirely convinced by his side's win over Hornets.
"It was great to win and get a bonus point, but conceding six tries at home isn't acceptable," said Henderson.
"We knew Hornets would be confident after coming up pretty convincingly and they brought a crowd with them to cheer them on. Hornets were big and defending against them up front was tough at times. Defending is certainly something we need to work on.
"As for Weston this Saturday, it is hard to know what to expect after their result against Exmouth. Exmouth clearly have a strong side, but you wouldn't expect them to win by as many as they did."
Selection is going to throw up some issues for Newton this Saturday with plenty of second XV players knocking in the door, including former Plymouth Albion flanker Dan Williams, centre Alex Moore and the front-row duo of Tom White and Matt Finn.
Newton led 18-17 at half-time against Hornets and it stayed close until midway through the second half when the All Whites shot into a 38-22 lead.
The Hornets got back to 41-36, with five minutes to go, which made for nervous ending.
Luke Mingo and Martin Browne scored first-half tries for Newton with Sam Gibbins adding a conversion and two penalties.
Second-half tries went to Kyle Browne and Martin Browne, with Gibbins shunting the rest of the points.
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Exeter's Great West Run 2014: Entry details here as event is almost sold out
TIME is running out to enter Exeter's Great West Run, sponsored by Tozers.
People have until midnight on Tuesday, September 23, to secure their place in this year's race which will take place on October 19.
Jamie Warren, head of marketing and commercial at race organisers GO2, said: "The response from Exeter to date has been fantastic, and we are delighted that so many have already set the half marathon as their goal to aim for.
"We are encouraging anyone who has been thinking about signing up to do so now and not to miss out, as unfortunately there will be no standard entries available after September 23 or on race day itself."
Exeter's Great West Run aims to showcase the best of Exeter, taking a central route through the city centre, Exwick, university, Pinhoe Road as well as the country lanes of St Andrew's Road and on to Stoke Woods.
Jamie added: "The route of Exeter's Great West Run is well known for its spectacular scenery and friendly atmosphere, which has proved popular with both newbies and the more seasoned pros alike."
Entry numbers have already far surpassed those of 2013, with just under six weeks to go until race day.
Jamie said: "The interest in Exeter's Great West Run has been fantastic, and we are delighted with numbers for this year's event.
"The city of Exeter has really got behind the race. Last year, around 60 per cent of our runners signed up in the last couple weeks, which is a trend we often see across all of our races, however this year's race is not far at all from selling out.
"For all of our regular runners, we would highly recommend signing up now to avoid any disappointment."
Visit www.thegreatwestrun.co.uk to sign up.
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Elderly pedestrian suffers 'serious' injuries following collision with car in Devon
An elderly pedestrian suffered serious injuries after being involved in a collision with a car in Devon.
The 82-year-old man was crossing the road around 8.20am yesterday when he was in collision with a Peugeot 208 car.
He suffered serious arm injuries and was airlifted to Derriford Hospital by air ambulance.
The female driver of the Peugeot was uninjured.
A specialist forensic investigation of the scene in Bideford took place, resulting in the road being closed for around five-and-a-half hours.
Police are appealing for any witnesses to contact them on 101, quoting log number 108 of 09/09/14.
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OPINION: Owen Howe is hitting form, but Tiverton Town can't rely on just him for goals
Tuesday night's man-of-the-match performance from Owen Howe certainly suggests that the former Bideford striker is getting into his groove at Ladysmead.
His first goal –a thunderous free-kick from 25 yards that left Mangotsfield United goalkeeper Josh Dempsey with no chance – was pivotal in Tuesday's win.
After breaking the deadlock, the Yellows never looked back, and his strong run and smart finish for the second underlined that there is more than just goal-poaching to his scoring repertoire.
It also means that, having managed just one in the club's first four games, the Tivvy youth product has now scored four goals in his last three and six in all competitions.
Considering the Yellows have only managed 12 goals in all competitions, it does not take a genius to realise that is 50 per cent of their tally.
Should that trend continue throughout the season, you can't help but feel it might lead to an overreliance on Howe's goals for Tivvy.
Nobody else in the squad has managed more than one goal all season.
The early signs are that Tiverton – who have managed 12 goals in nine games – are not going to be a high-scoring team this term, so having a predatory striker like Howe in top form will be crucial.
But relying on just one player is obviously risky – injury or suspension could rule him out, or a dip in form could lead to a downturn in results.
For that reason, Rogers badly needs Jamie Mudge to return to full fitness and find the scoring touch which made him such a hit at Ladysmead in the past.
Khaled Badavi has the pace to scare any defence, but the early suggestions are that his finishing needs to become a bit more refined.
And as popular as he is among the fans, Jules Emati-Emati – assuming he does return to Ladysmead – is not going to score 25 goals a season as he is not that type of player but more of a second striker.
So, for the moment, the goalscoring burden is landing squarely on Howe's shoulders, and it looks like he is rising to the challenge.
Tuesday also saw him display a better workrate than in previous games, as well as a willingness to put himself about and get under his opponents' skin.
With Howe scoring goals, things are looking pretty rosy, and Rogers' decision to bring him back to the club over the summer is certainly looking a shrewd one.
But the sooner more of the team start to chip in with goals, the better for Tiverton Town.
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Tour of Britain: Stage five preview
Some of the world's best cyclists will descend on Devon tomorrow for stage five of the Tour of Britain.
The stage starts at 11am from Exmouth Strand, and is scheduled to finish at 3.26pm along Exeter High Street.
The 177.3km stage – or 110.3 miles in old money – goes through Kenton, Mamhead, Chudleigh, Haytor, Crediton and Stoke Woods before the sprint finish.
The category one climb up Haytor will likely be the most testing of the day, but as it comes around halfway into the stage, it gives the peloton plenty of time to regroup afterwards.
Stoke Woods however – a category two ascent which Team Sky rider Ben Swift describes as 'stinging' – comes just 2km shy of the finish, and so could have a pivotal bearing on the outcome.
"(This is) the third of three hard days in the saddle. The big climb of the day up Haytor is midway through the stage so I don't think it will be a decisive factor in who will win," said the 26-year-old Swift.
"I also don't think it will be a stage for the pure sprinters - a stinging climb 2km from the finish will see to that.
"It is an ideal springboard for an attack and because it's downhill to the finish. If you can get to the top in a good position, you are in with a good chance of a stage win."
Reigning champion Sir Bradley Wiggins is looking to become the first rider to defend the title since the race was restarted in 2004.
He is widely expected to try and stay within the peloton and in touch with the leaders before Sunday's 8.8km time trial stage on Sunday in London.
Following the Devon leg, the peloton moves onto the 205.6km (127.9m) stage six which goes from Bath to Hemel Hempstead.
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CCTV showed alleged killer 're-enacted' stabbing of Exeter man at curry house, murder jury hears
An alleged killer re-enacted the fatal stabbing of a drug dealer and boasted he had "made a chess board of his head", a jury has been told.
Ryan Singleton was caught on CCTV in an Indian restaurant demonstrating kicks and punches as he talked to another alleged killer about the attack on victim Stephen Crook.
He and other alleged members of a gang were seen with rolls of banknotes after Mr Crook was stabbed to death in his home in Alphington Road in Exeter last November.
Singleton is one of five men who are on trial at Exeter Crown Court accused of robbing and murdering Mr Crook, who was a drug dealer.
He allegedly boasted about the killing to fellow defendant Steven Webster, from Okehampton, who knew the victim and drove the other four men to his home.
The Crown say Webster provided the local know-how for the four other men who all came from Coventry to carry out the raid on Mr Crook's home.
The jury have been told he was stabbed or slashed ten times and died from loss of blood after he was attacked and robbed of a cash tin containing about £1,000 and jewellery.
The prosecution say the men believed he had £20,000 in money or drugs when they burst into his home and robbed him using knives which had been bought from a nearby Sainsbury store.
After the raid Webster is alleged to have driven them to Okehampton, where they bought drugs, and back to Exeter, where they stayed at the Exeter Arms Hotel at Middlemoor.
He and Singleton also went to the Spice Lounge restaurant in Exmouth for a drink and tried to sell a ring to staff. They also took part in a mock fight in which the killing was re-enacted.
Steven Webster, aged 40, of East Street, Okehampton; Ryan Singleton, aged 26, of Howcotte Green, Canley, Coventry; Darren Twigger, aged 40, of John Rous Avenue, Canley; Bradley Richardson, aged 18, of Prior Deram Walk, Canley; and Anthony Martin, aged 22, of Gerard Avenue, Canley, all deny murder and robbery.
Mr Michael Fitton, QC, prosecuting, said 43-year-old Mr Crook was stabbed ten times with the most serious wounds being three deep slashes to his scalp and a cut inside his right elbow which led to massive and fatal loss of blood.
The jury were shown graphic photographs showing blood dripping down the walls of Mr Crook's flat and a floor plan showing a trail of bloody footprints from the back door through the kitchen and living room into the bedroom.
Mr Fitton said the victim was found dying on a sofa by his girlfriend Karlina Beaumont when she returned from buying a Chinese takeaway and he may have tried to save his own life by using his dog's collar as a makeshift tourniquet.
He said Singleton and Webster went for a drink at the Spice Lounge shortly after the robbery and staff remembered them because they were behaving strangely and offered to sell a ring.
He said:"We say what they did was not mere high spirits. You may form the view their actions represented punches, kicks, or possibly more and it was almost as if they were re-enacting a fight scene.
"You will hear that Webster later told the police that Singleton had boasted of stabbing a man several times in the face and 'making a chess board on his head'. He said it was clear he enjoyed the killing."
Mr Fitton said various members of the group were seen with a roll of bank notes during the evening, during which fellow guests complained about their rowdy behaviour at the Exeter Arms Hotel.
Singleton was arrested in the early hours after locking himself out of the hotel and ending up at an all night Tesco store where staff called police because they suspected he was a drink driver.
Items were recovered dumped near the scene of the killing in Crabb Lane, Ide, and at the two rooms the men used at the hotel and there were forensic links to the defendants.
They gave differing accounts to police about coming to Devon to buy drugs but they now all say they had no intention to rob or injure Mr Crook and blame the others for the violence.
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Tiverton Town v Bideford: Matchday live
Tiverton Town entertain local rivals Bideford in the FA Cup first round qualifying at Ladysmead today.
The Yellows will be looking to build on Tuesday's encouraging victory over Mangotsfield United, but will face a stern test against their Southern League Premier Division opponents.
Follow all of the action from today's match below.
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Elderly residents at block of flats in Exeter angry after lift breaks down again
Residents in a block of city flats have spoken out after claiming they've been left stranded – because their lift keeps breaking down.
The Echo revealed last week that elderly residents living in Carpenter Close were without a lift for five weeks and received an apology from the city council.
Resident William Bell contacted the Echo to complain about delays in repairing the out-of-action lift at the building.
It was eventually fixed by the authority – but has now broken again.
The fault has left residents needing to use flights of stairs to access their flats on the upper floors.
Mr Bell, 82, who lives on the third floor, said: "It is very frustrating to have the lift broken. I don't know why it keeps happening. An elderly resident got stuck in it and firefighters were called to free her. It hasn't worked since then."
He added: "I have a lung complaint that makes getting around pretty difficult, one of my neighbours has suffered three stokes and others have different problems."
A spokesman for the city council said: "The lift was operational up until Thursday, when unfortunately it broke down. We understand that another part is required and this has been ordered."
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Messages sprayed at pavement in Exeter to encourage students to be quiet during freshers' week
Messages have been sprayed on the pavement in Exeter in a bid to encourage new students to remain quiet when returning from nights out during Freshers' Week.
The project, involving Devon and Cornwall Police and Exeter City Council working alongside The University of Exeter, is part of a number of measures to minimalise the disturbance of Exeter residents by students.
Pavements in the City Centre, University and St James areas have been sprayed with brightly coloured messages reminding students that residents may be sleeping during their journeys between the City Centre and their accommodation.
The stencils read 'Residents sleeping, thankyou' and include the image of a 'silent' symbol from a mobile phone. They aim to politely remind students to be considerate of those who are not participating in Freshers' Week.
Other pavement messages also mark Alcohol Control Zones, in which police officers are able to confiscate alcohol products being consumed in the street.
The messages, which use chalk, will wear off over time and the idea has been approved by Exeter councillors.
The Students' Guild have also put measures in place to minimise disruption to Exeter residents during the arrival of around 7,000 students in the city in the coming days. Their Welcome Team consists of 180 trained students who will signpost and support new students around the city throughout the ten day Freshers' period.
University of Exeter Neighbourhood Beat Manager PC Ian Lugg has worked closely with the Welcome Team since 2011. He said: "The Welcome Team plays a vital role in prioritising student safety and managing the noise levels of students returning to halls from the city centre that can affect local residents."
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Bishop of Exeter says real friends better than social media
Technology should be our servant but not our master, according to the Bishop of Exeter, who has urged people not to confuse virtual friendships with the real thing.
The Right Reverend Robert Atwell, who is the 71st Bishop of Exeter, said that things like Facebook and Twitter have made some forms of communication easier but were not a substitute for direct human contact.
Bishop Robert said: "The Queen has said that she is fed up of everywhere she goes there's a barrage of mobile phones and there's no eye contact.
"Isn't that sad? I think one of the things I'm genuinely sad about is that Facebook and everything else, like Twitter, is great, provided that it's not a substitute for real relationships and meeting people."
Bishop Robert said he believed in embracing all forms of technology – but that for some occasions, the personal touch was important and should not be replaced by email or social media.
"As a society, we have to have flexibility in the way we communicate. Modern technology is a great servant – provided that it doesn't become our master. I still write letters in my own handwriting to thank people. When every priest retires from this diocese I write them a personal letter. Or if their spouse has died. And doing that matters to me," he said.
"I have friends who write to me and I pick up the envelope and I know who it's from because I recognise the handwriting – there is no substitute for that personal contact."
At present, Bishop Robert does not have his own Twitter account, although the Diocese of Exeter does. He said that he does send text messages – something he described as "a little miracle" – and he announced his appointment to the role via a You Tube video.
"When I was visiting a school the other day, I did say to the children 'I think it's time for a selfie'," he added.
Latest figures show that there are 15 million Twitter users and 31 million Facebook accounts in the UK although growth levels for both now starting to slow with newer platforms such as Pinterest, Instagram, Snapchat and WhatsApp starting to grow rapidly, particularly amongst a younger demographic that is focused on mobile content.
Bishop Robert was previously the Bishop of Stockport and was installed to his latest role in July.
He replaced the Right Reverend Michael Langrish, who retired in 2013.
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Devon should have elected mayor under English devolution, says think-tank
Counties including Devon should have a "metro mayor" as the political figurehead for a massive devolution of powers from London, a leading think-tank has said.
The IPPR think-tank's vision for 40 different functions of government to be handed to the regions, including greater powers to vary taxes, was published as the Scotland independence vote sparked calls for decentralisation across the UK.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the Scottish debate had "re-energised people's interest and engagement in politics", and underlined the need for greater decentralisation of power within England.
The IPPR report, backed by Mr Clegg, identifies powers and budgets that could be ceded from 13 different Whitehall departments.
If adopted, its 10-year plan would lead to a new wave of combined authorities, as pioneered in Greater Manchester, with the possibility of directly elected "metro mayors" for regions.
IPPR makes clear the plan would not be limited to major cities, meaning it could be appropriate for largely rural counties such as the far South West.
It says a "metro mayor" could apply to any single local authority boundary.
It says: "There is a particular opportunity for counties and districts to enhance their relationships, such that rural areas and other towns and cities can enjoy the benefits that decentralisation might bring."
How powers were divided in the Westcountry would prompt fierce debate.
The South West Regional Assembly, based in Taunton and written off as a "talking shop", was supposed to be a pre-cursor to a fully elected tier of Government before Labour's devolution agenda was killed off by a "no" vote in the North East.
However, the Conservative Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles cautioned against calls for the creation of powerful new combined local authorities centring on big cities.
In his speech, Lib Dem leader Mr Clegg said the time has come to push for action on decentralisation.
"You only need look at how the Scottish referendum debate has re-energised people's interest and engagement in politics over the last few weeks to see that this is an idea whose time has come," he will say.
"Over the last decades, we've seen a wave of new powers shifting out to every nation of the UK, except England.
"With a new consensus now emerging amongst the UK's three main political parties to extend devolution and decentralisation in the future, I believe we can push forward in realising our ambitions for a stronger, fairer Britain."
IPPR calls for fiscal devolution to be a central plank of the 2015 comprehensive spending review, with five-year funding settlements agreed and an independent body established to take forward further central-local funding reforms.
The plan could eventually lead to property taxes and business rates being devolved to combined authorities and, eventually, a proportion of income tax being assigned to them.
IPPR North director Ed Cox, said: "Whichever way Scotland votes next week, Edinburgh will get new powers and widen the gap with local leaders across England.
"England has waited patiently while Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have been given ever great devolution. Now is the time to redress the balance and devolve powers to English city-regions."
Mr Pickles said that while there was "real scope" for further devolution of power in England, he questioned whether the creation of combined authorities was the right approach.
"Localism in England should be about devolving power to the lowest appropriate level – down to councils, to neighbourhoods and to individuals," he said.
"There may be some role for combined authorities on a strategic level to promote economic development and transport, but there is a real risk they will suck power upwards away from local councils and local taxpayers."
The Lib Dems this week promised "devolution on demand" in their election manifesto.
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Big increase in deaths and serious injuries to cyclists in Devon
The number of cyclists killed or seriously injured in Devon rose by 27 percent last year, a council report has revealed.
The survey, commissioned by Devon County Council, found that although traffic fatalities have decreased overall, serious injuries rose by 7 percent in 2013.
This brought the total number of cyclists killed or injured last year to 33.
Councillor Gordon Hook, vice chairman of the committee which commissioned the report, said the county council had a responsibility to educate children and drivers.
He said the authority had to make drivers more aware of cyclists, especially children.
A council spokesman said: "Cars are consistently involved in collisions involving serious injury and motor traffic is rising.
"Devon County Council will, therefore, be looking carefully at what it can do to support and protect cyclists and pedestrians, including influencing the skills, knowledge and behaviour of motorists."
The road safety charity Brake said it welcomed the news that the number of fatalities had fallen, but urged drivers to pay more attention to cyclists.
"It's vital that drivers still look out for vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians," a spokesman for the organisation said.
"Driving is the most dangerous thing most of us do on a daily basis, so we need to concentrate on the task at hand to make sure we're not putting our lives, or anyone else's lives at risk."
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Fire at car body repair shop in Cullompton
AN agricultural building near Cullompton was badly damaged this morning despite attempts to save it.
Fire crews from Cullompton, Ottery St Mary and Middlemoor along with the Water Bowser from Exeter attended the building, at a farm near Clyst Hydon, which was used as a car body repair shop, after reports of an agricultural building on fire at 4.21am.
The water bowser was returned from the incident as it was not required.
There was 25% damage to the spray booth and the remainder of the building was smoke logged.
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Police in Devon hunt two men following sexual assault
Police have launched a manhunt after a woman was sexually assaulted in the early hours of this morning.
At about 4am on Saturday 13th September 2014 Security officers from Plymouth University found a distressed young woman near to the Sherwell Centre, Sherwell Lane Plymouth who had been the victim of a sexual assault.
Devon and Cornwall Police are actively seeking the identity of 2 men seen walking up Sherwell Lane away towards North Road West.
They are described as follows:
Male 1: white male 5'10" to 6' tall, big build in his mid 20s with blond hair and a beard. He was wearing a light coloured shirt and trousers and was well spoken.
Male 2: Asian male 5'6" to 5'10" tall average build also in mid 20s wearing a blue shirt and denim jeans.
Anyone with any information please call Devon & Cornwall Police on 101 and quote log reference 157 130914.
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