Death of man who 'fell from bridge' over M5 not being treated as suspicious

October 20, 2014, 3:34 am

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Enquiries are continuing into the death of a 25-year-old man who was found dead on the M5 on Saturday. Formal identification is expected to take place later this week but the man has been described as living in Mid Devon. The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner. It is suspected that he had fallen from an over bridge onto the motorway and subsequently been hit by a number of vehicles. The southbound carriageway was reopened at around 7.30am and the northbound carriageway was reopened at lunchtime. Both carriageways were closed to enable a thorough investigation of the scene to take place. There was significant traffic disruption in the area as a result and drivers are thanked for their patience.

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Warning to drivers as Hurricane Gonzalo threatens rush hour traffic

October 20, 2014, 3:52 am

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The AA's severe weather team is on standby as the remnants of Hurricane Gonzalo threaten tomorrow morning's rush hour. Outbreaks of heavy rain are forecast to quickly sweep south and east across many areas, combined with a strong or gale-force north-westerly wind. The highest winds, up to 70 mph, are expected at the coast on Tuesday but will fade into Wednesday. Gonzalo is rolling in from the Atlantic, where it has caused flooding and widespread damage in Bermuda. The video by The Met office below shows Hurricane Gonzalo undergoing extra-tropical transition as it leaves the east coast of the USA and heads east towards the UK. John Seymour, national manager of the AA's severe weather team, says: "It's going to be a bit of a grotty morning on the roads with the combination of heavy rain and strong winds creating some difficult driving conditions. "Although heavy, the rain is expected to pass through fairly quickly, so strong gusts are likely to present a greater hazard than flooding. "If you see twigs or small branches on the road there could easily be a tree or large branch in the road around the next bend. Hitting debris like this at speed could be very serious, so it's important to keep your speed down and drive with care, particularly on rural roads early tomorrow morning. "Trees can partially fall too and hang above the road, sometimes above the sweep of the headlights making them very difficult to spot. "Your car can be buffeted around in strong gusts, so keep your distance from all other vehicles and take particular care around cyclists, motorcyclists and horse-riders."

Motorcyclist taken to hospital after collision on Pinhoe road, Exeter

October 20, 2014, 4:00 am

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A motorcyclist was taken to hospital yesterday after a collision involving a car on Pinhoe Road, Exeter. Emergency services attended the scene of the accident at 11:05am on Sunday. The road traffic collision took place on Pinhoe Road, at the Whipton Village Road junction. Police said the incident involved a Honda motorcycle and a Nissan estate. The motorcyclist received minor injuries and was taken to hospital by ambulance as a precaution. The road was blocked in the area.

Saxophone legend and Exeter resident Raphael Ravenscroft dies aged 60

October 20, 2014, 4:14 am

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RAPHAEL Ravenscroft, the British pop legend who organised a charity gala concert in Exeter in memory of Nicole Hartup, has died at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital Raphael, the man who played the renowned saxophone solo in the 1978 Gerry Rafferty hit Baker Street, and who worked with Pink Floyd, Abba and Marvin Gaye, was a friend of the Hartup family and was with them on the day in May that Nicole died after a fall, Mr Ravenscroft , who lived in St Thomas, has teamed up with Exeter's homegrown star Adam Isaac for a concert at St Thomas Social Club and raised money towards Nicole's funeral. Mr Ravenscroft said at the time: "I want to stress that this will be a celebration of Nicole's life, and wishing her all our love and support." Mr Ravenscroft came to know the family though Nicole's aunt, Julie Bookham, and grandmother, Valerie Skeet, who were cleaners at his house when he was recovering from illness. Mrs Bookham said: "Raphael had suffered a stroke some time ago. We believe he had a heart attack. He was taken to hospital but died early Sunday morning." The Baker Street hit single of 1978 by Gerry Rafferty is best remembered for the eight bar saxophone riff played by Mr Ravenscroft.Video: Raphael Ravenscroft featured saxophone soloist Gerry Rafferty Baker Street Live TV

Saxophone legend and Exeter resident Raphael Ravenscroft dies aged 60

October 20, 2014, 4:26 am

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Ravenscroft, the British pop legend who organised a charity gala concert in Exeter in memory of Nicole Hartup, has died at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital Raphael, the man who played the renowned saxophone solo in the 1978 Gerry Rafferty hit Baker Street, and who worked with Pink Floyd, Abba and Marvin Gaye, was a friend of the Hartup family and was with them on the day in May that Nicole died after a fall, Mr Ravenscroft , who lived in St Thomas, has teamed up with Exeter's homegrown star Adam Isaac for a concert at St Thomas Social Club and raised money towards Nicole's funeral. Mr Ravenscroft said at the time: "I want to stress that this will be a celebration of Nicole's life, and wishing her all our love and support." Mr Ravenscroft came to know the family though Nicole's aunt, Julie Bookham, and grandmother, Valerie Skeet, who were cleaners at his house when he was recovering from illness. Mrs Bookham said: "Raphael had suffered a stroke some time ago. We believe he had a heart attack. He was taken to hospital but died early Sunday morning." The Baker Street hit single of 1978 by Gerry Rafferty is best remembered for the eight bar saxophone riff played by Mr Ravenscroft.Video: Raphael Ravenscroft featured saxophone soloist Gerry Rafferty Baker Street Live TV

Exeter mum, Gina, launches campaign to make city dementia friendly

October 20, 2014, 4:57 am

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It has been dubbed by Prime Minister David Cameron as "one of greatest enemies of humanity". Dementia is predicted to hit one in three people in England aged over 65 during the next 10 years, and there is currently no cure for the worldwide disease. Now an Exeter mother has launched her own campaign to make the city dementia friendly – as part of a nationwide push to fight the debilitating condition. Gina Awad, 44, hopes to create a dementia awareness alliance in Exeter – made up of individuals, groups and businesses wanting to provide a supportive city for sufferers. She said: "Dementia was always something that scared me. I used to look at people with symptoms of the condition and think they looked sad and angry. "Now I'm on a mission to empower our community and provide a supportive city for those with dementia and their carers. But I can't do it on my own, I'm not superwoman. It's become a global epidemic, and together we need to do something about it in Exeter." Dementia is a gradual decline of how the brain functions. It slowly interferes with a person's ability to carry out the normal tasks of daily living and is incurable. More than 80,000 people are currently living with dementia in the South West out of around 800,000 across the UK. Gina said: "We're an ageing society, but dementia is not a natural part of ageing. It's a physical disease of the brain, and for me it's one of the most awful. Imagine a load of fairy lights, and gradually they go out, one by one. "I witness the emotional struggles of those people with dementia and their carers, and it touches my heart." The Dementia Friends scheme is aiming to create a network of one million people in the UK who have knowledge of dementia and know how they can help someone with its symptoms. Plymouth is leading the way to becoming the first fully dementia friendly city in England, but Exeter is yet to launch a similar drive. For those wanting to become more involved they can volunteer as a Dementia Friends' champion to inspire others to learn about the disease. Gina, who is halfway through a degree in health and social care, is running a number of free sessions to enable people in Exeter to become dementia friends. Her vision involves making Exeter's High Street dementia friendly within two years, including shops with specialised facilities for people with the condition. She added: "If I had dementia, I would love to be able to go into my local bank and for people to have compassion and understanding. I'm determined to make the city dementia friendly. Nothing is going to stop me." For more information and to help, contact Gina on 07941 459439, email ginasfreespirit@yahoo.co.uk or visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk

Richard Pears leaves Exmouth Town

October 20, 2014, 5:12 am

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Richard Pears has stepped down as manager of Exmouth Town, blaming difficulties in motivating both himself and the players following their failed attempt to win promotion. Pears led Town to second place in last season's South West Peninsula League Premier Division, but they were denied promotion to the Western League Premier Division after their Southern Road ground controversially failed its ground grading. Not even an appeal heard at Wembley could reverse the decision, and Town were also excluded from competitions such as the FA Cup and FA Vase. Since then, Town have struggled to replicate last season's form, and Pears – who was on the verge of leaving prior to August's 1-1 draw with Launceston – decided this time that enough was enough. "It has been very difficult to motivate myself after not getting promotion to the Western League and it has been hard to motivate the players as well," explained Pears, who quit following Saturday's 3-2 home defeat to Appledore in the Walter C Parson Cup. "It is down to motivation and that is where the problem is. "I think it is the right time and the club needs someone without the hangover of not getting promoted. "The lads have been fantastic but consistency has been a real issue and that is probably because of us not playing in the league above like we thought we would." Mark Saunders is now caretaker manager at the club, with Kevin Hill assisting him. Not only did Exmouth finish second last season, but they also won the Devon Premier Cup and the Division One East title in Pears' maiden season, losing just one league game in the process. Exmouth chairman Bob Chamberlain descried himself as 'devastated' after hearing the news. Chamberlain claimed that he could understand Pears' actions, admitting that the failed promotion bid had hit them both hard. "I can understand his decision," Chamberlain said. "It is nothing to do with the football. Not wining promotion did not please any of us. I think Richard took it badly, but so did I to be honest. "I am devastated he is leaving because he has done so much for Exmouth – he has brought us to a new level."

Kevin Bryan's record reviews

October 20, 2014, 5:24 am

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Bill Nelson,"After The Satellite  Sings" (Esoteric CDCD 1010)- Wakefield's finest musical export is probably best remembered  for his work with outfits such as BeBop Deluxe and Red Noise during the middle and late seventies, but this increasingly reclusive character has maintained a remarkably prolific  creative output since those days despite being largely shunned by the major record labels for the past three decades or so. Esoteric  Records have now embarked on a major Nelson re-issue programme spanning these "lost years " and this 1996 album emerges as a particularly fine piece of work, with  a sublime blend of the spontaneous and the surreal underpinning  excellent  tracks such as  "Streamliner," "Dreamster 2.L.R." and "Rocket To Damascus."
"Axels & Sockets-The Jeffrey Lee Pierce Sessions Project" (Glitterhouse GRCD 796)-The third CD in this  absorbing series paying tribute to the unique musical legacy of the former Gun Club frontman  features telling contributions from many of Pierce's old friends and admirers,including Nick Cave,Iggy Pop  and Sonic Youth guitarist Thurston Moore. The participants were entrusted with the task of putting some musical flesh on the  bones  of  a relatively  bare demo tape discovered in Pierce's loft after his untimely death in 1996 and they've risen to the challenge admirably here,with Messrs. Pop,Cave and Moore in particularly fine fettle on the opening track,"Nobody's City."
Bad Company,"Live at Wembley" (SALVOSVX032)- This splendid audio-visual package was recorded in high definition at Wembley Arena in April 2010, and found the reunited band taking an enjoyable jaunt down memory lane as they revisited the cream of their illustrious back catalogue ,including perennial crowd-pleasers such as "Can't Get Enough," "Shooting Star" and "Feel Like Making Love." Paul Rodgers,Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirke also found space for some lesser known items in their energised  set list,including "Deal With The Preacher" and a nifty cover of The Coasters' 1957 hit,"Young Blood."
"The Very Best of Dionne Warwick" (Metro METRSL088W)-This easy on the ear 2 CD set chronicles the cream  of Dionne Warwick's subtly memorable output from her creative heyday in the sixties,when the New Jersey born diva's collaboration with the peerless songwriting duo of Bacharach and David yielded timeless gems such as "Walk On By," "I Say A Little Prayer"  and "Do You Know The Way To San Jose?" The parting of the ways sadly came in 1970 and her musical career  was sadly never able to scale the same heights again,although  Dionne  did enjoy a U.S. chart-topper five years later when she joined forces with  The Detroit Spinners and producer Thom Bell to record  "Then Came You."
"The Last Shout-Twilight of the Blues Shouters 1954-1962" (Fantastic Voyage FVTD207)-Music specialist Dave Penny's latest foray into the r&b archives has yielded a rumbustious 3CD set which shines a welcome spotlight on some of the larger than life performers who strove manfully  to maintain the jump blues tradition during the early years of rock'n'roll,including Wynonie Harris, Big Joe Turner  and Jimmy Witherspoon.  Their gloriously exuberant brand  of music-making may have lost much of its popular appeal long long ago , but  the robust delights of  "The Last Shout" are  well worth investigating nonetheless

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Partner of Devon policeman accused of forging his £180,000 will

October 20, 2014, 5:50 am

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The partner of a retired policeman allegedly forged a will after his death so she could keep his £180,000 estate out of the hands of his estranged wife. Victoria Kendrew persuaded two friends to act as witnesses and supply false statements confirming that the will was genuine, Exeter Crown Court was told. The document was submitted just days before probate was due to be granted to the widow of retired police officer Peter Farquharson, who committed suicide in March 2008, aged 53. He had left his wife Jayne Humphries 15 months before his death and the jury were told he did not make a will at all, meaning his entire estate should have reverted to his lawful widow. Miss Humphries applied for and was given administration of his estate but three weeks before she was due to inherit it in June 2009 her solicitors were told Kendrew had come forward with a will. She claimed Mr Farquharson made the will two months before his death and it had been witnessed by two friends from Guildford who were in Devon on a fishing trip. She said she had come across the will by chance in May 2009 in the pocket of one of Mr Farquahason's fishing jackets. The court heard that an examination by a handwriting expert showed the signature was forged and the two witnesses later admitted they had lied about it. His estate included a house in Third Avenue, Teignmouth, which he had bought jointly with Miss Humphries but which had been registered in his name alone. Kendrew, aged 43, of Lilypond Lane, Whimple, denies conspiracy to forge a will and to pervert the course of justice and fraud. Carl Jensen and Kevin Dodd, both from Guildford, have both admitted the conspiracy charges and are due to give evidence at the trial, the jury have been told. Mr Nigel Wraith, prosecuting, said:"This case is all about the forgery of a will. Kendrew was in a relationship with Mr Farquharson, who sadly took his own life in March 2008, having earlier separated from his wife. "At the time he died the divorce had not been finalised and he did not leave a will, which means his estate was due to go to his estranged wife under the laws of intestacy. "A document was presented by Kendrew which purported to be the will of Mr Farquharson which left his entire estate to Kendrew. We say that document is a forgery. "We say she was the driving force behind that forgery and roped in Mr Jensen and Mr Dodd to create the false document because any will requires two witnesses. "There were questions raised about the veracity of the document and Mr Jensen and Mr Dodd provided statements to solicitors which asserted it was a true and valid document." Mr Wraith said on the strength of this evidence Miss Humphries relinquished her claim and Kendrew took the entire estate which included the house in Teignmouth, which netted £135,000, a boat, Land Rover, and other assets adding in total to around £180,000. He said Miss Humphries remained suspicious and inquiries were started which included an examination by a hand writing expert, who concluded the signature was forged. Jensen and Dodd were traced and after initially supporting the original story they admitted forging the will after bank records showed one of them was in Guildford on the day when the will was supposedly signed in Teignmouth.

Crews called to fire at Topsham pub

October 20, 2014, 6:00 am

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Fire crews were called to Topsham in the early hours of this morning following reports of a garage blaze. The Fire Service received a call reporting a garage on fire at the Exeter Inn, High Street, Topsham at 02:02am. Two fire appliances from Topsham attended. Fire crews confirmed a fire involving an outbuilding at the rear of a public house. The fire was extinguished by fire crews using two breathing apparatus wearers, one hose reel jet and a thermal image camera. The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental.

Exeter-Anti Slavery Group marks Modern Slavery Day

October 20, 2014, 6:08 am

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Campaigners in Exeter marked Modern Slavery Day by highlighting the issue with an information stand in Central Library. Lord Mayor Percy Prowse was among those to visit the Exeter-Anti Slavery Group, who returned to the new-look library on Saturday, having used other locations including the Civic Centre and the Co-op store in Sidwell Street in their quest to raise awareness of the problem in recent years. Three new members joined the group on the day. Graham Martin, chairman of the Exeter Anti-Slavery Group, said: "It was great to be back at the library, and although the numbers were small the calibre of people we saw and the after-effect of gaining more members has been greater than elsewhere." The group is involved in setting up a South West human trafficking monitoring group, following recent raids in Plymouth and Bodmin.

Emergency services on scene of collision involving motorbike on Alphington Road, Exeter

October 20, 2014, 6:22 am

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Emergency services are currently on the scene of a collision on the A377 Alphington road in Exeter. The accident on A377 Alphington Road in Exeter between the Waterloo Road junction and Sainsbury's Junction is causing delays in the area. The collision is believed to have been between a motorcycle and a lorry.Updates as we have them

Do you recognise these people? Police appeal after staff member suffers serious injuries in Exeter nightclub attack

October 20, 2014, 6:44 am

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These pictures show potential witnesses police would like to speak to following a serious assault in an Exeter nightclub. A fight broke out at the long bar in Club Rococo at around 6.30pm on Saturday 7 June 2014, resulting in several members of staff sustaining injuries. One male member of staff suffered serious head and facial injuries after being assaulted. He fell to the floor before being kicked in the head and face. There are several people officers would like to speak to in connection with the incident, to eliminate them from their enquiries. Anyone who recognises those pictured is asked to call police on 101 quoting CR/086056/14, or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Teen and child killed in Honiton house fire honoured for saving lives through organ donation

October 20, 2014, 7:33 am

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Three people from Exeter who gave the ultimate gift of life through organ donation have been honoured posthumously at an award ceremony in the county. The Order of St John award for Organ Donation, run in conjunction with NHS Blood and Transplant, has been presented to the families and loved ones of those who saved and improved people's lives through organ donation. The private award ceremony was held at St John Ambulance's building in Exeter on Friday October 10, with the awards presented by the High Sheriff of Devon, John Rous. Hundreds of families are attending regional ceremonies across the UK between September and December to receive the award in memory of their loved ones whose deaths saved lives and gave hope. Mizelley Bennellick, from Exeter, received the award on behalf of her children, Harvey and Rosie who tragically died in a house fire in Honiton last year. Susan Zasikowska, from Exeter, also received the award on behalf of her brother Peter Zasikowski. NHS Blood and Transplant and the Order of St John are both keen to recognise the incredible gift that donors and their families have made by donating their organs to save and improve the lives of others. Roger Jacob, chair of the local County Priory Group of the Order of St John, said: 'We're delighted to be able to work with NHS Blood and Transplant to run the Organ Donor Awards for a second year. Organ donation can clearly save lives and it is also vitally important to say thank you to the families whose loved ones have already donated their organs to assist others. 'With around three people dying every day due to the shortage of organs, these donors and their families have carried out an inspirational act to help others to live. We hope the example they have set will encourage many more to follow in their footsteps and agree to become an organ donor.' Last year, between April 2013 and March 2014, saw the largest ever number of deceased organ donors as the families of 1,320 people in the UK agreed to donate their loved ones' organs, leading to thousands of patients' lives being saved or transformed. Sally Johnson, Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: 'We launched this award scheme last year and were overwhelmed by the pride and experiences shared by the hundreds of families who accepted the award on their loved one's behalf. It never ceases to amaze me just how humble people are when you speak to them about having helped to save the lives of patients who were desperately ill. I have never spoken to a single person who has ever regretted their decision to donate. 'These families deserve this honour and recognition of their life-saving gifts. We hope their bravery will inspire others to talk about their own wishes with people close to them and record their intention to donate on the NHS Organ Donor Register.' Families of last year's 1,320 organ donors have all been invited to receive the award, displaying the words 'add life, give hope', at a regional ceremony or have the award sent to them privately. To join the NHS Organ Donor Register visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 2323 or text SAVE to 62323.

Exeter bus driver facing jail for 30 years of abuse against boys

October 20, 2014, 8:05 am

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A wheelchair user is facing jail after being found guilty of abusing four different boys over more than 30 years. Edward Owens was in hospital being treated for breathing difficulties when a jury at Exeter Crown Court returned unanimous verdicts on all the charges he faced. The former bus driver had admitted molesting two of the boys but insisted both had seduced him when they were aged only 11 and he was in his 30s. Owens is a former bus driver who has lived in Exeter, Tedburn St Mary and Barnstaple and has driven hundreds of thousands of passengers, including schoolchildren, on routes all around Devon. He committed his most serious offences after moving to Devon from Essex in the 1980s and starting to work for the Red Bus company on routes in the Teign Valley, serving Bridford and Christow. Owens was a former soldier who was dismissed from the army in disgrace in 1976 for committing acts of gross indecency with another soldier. He hid his interest in boys and young men for decades during which he posed as a happily married family man. During a week-long trial Exeter Crown Court heard how his catalogue of abuse remained hidden until he molested a 12-year-old boy last year. The child had been staying with neighbours and went to his house to play computer games. He plied the boy with wine, sat him on his knee and then began undoing his trousers. The terrified victim told him he was going to be sick, locked himself in the bathroom, and texted his mother to ask for help. She did not get the message until the next day but the Owens did not assault the boy again and was arrested after the victim told his mother, who called the police. Inquiries into Owens' background then uncovered the much more serious abuse he carried out in completely separate series of assaults in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In each case he started grooming the boys through lesser acts and progressed to offences which would now be described as male rape. The fourth victim was a 15-year-old who Owens assaulted at his flat four years ago. He got drunk and awoke to find Owens touching him. Owens, aged 69, of Charnley Road, Exeter, claimed the boys initiated the sexual behaviour but it took a jury just an hour to find him guilty on all counts. He was found guilty of sexual assaults on the 12 and 15-year-old in 2010 and 2013 and a total of 11 counts of a serious sexual offence (buggery) on the other two boys in the 1980s and 1990s when they were aged 11 to 16. He admitted five counts of indecent assault. Judge Graham Cottle adjourned sentence after being told Owens in still in hospital but could be released soon. He said:"Ordinarily I would proceed to sentence immediately but the circumstances of this case are anything but normal as he is still in hospital. "It is a most unsatisfactory state of affairs with no official statement from the hospital about when he will be discharged. It seems extraordinary we cannot get chapter and verse on his situation. "The hospital knew he was admitted in the middle of a Crown Court trial and facing exceptionally serious allegations but they have not moved to help us." Owens sat in a wheelchair at the back of the court with tubes up his nose and an oxygen tank to help his breathing. He also took puffs of oxygen while giving evidence. Despite suffering from shortness of breath, he is a chain smoker who was seen on the steps of the court during breaks in his case with a cigarette in one hand and an oxygen mask in the other. He denied the serious allegations against him and said the final two incidents in 2010 and 2013 had not happened.

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Scott Rogers hopes pressure will see Gosport Borough crack

October 21, 2014, 1:31 am

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Scott Rogers hopes that the extra pressure on Gosport Borough could see them crack during Saturday's FA Cup fourth round qualifying encounter. Rovers host the Conference South outfit having never made the first round proper before, and Rogers knows that Gosport will pose a formidable obstacle at the weekend. But with the visitors arriving with the tag of strong favourites, Rogers feels they could use that to their advantage. "We sent Russell Jee (assistant manager) down to see them and he told us that we are in for a tough game," Rogers said. "They are big and strong and know what they are doing. "They reached the final of the FA Trophy last season, so they know how to win cup games too. "The only thing is, they will be massive, massive favourites for it, so if things start to go against them or we go ahead, you never know what might happen. "The weather forecast is not great for the next week or so, so hopefully there will be a massive downpour, the pitch will be heavy and that will suit us more. "If we could win – well, stranger things have happened in the FA Cup." Not only are Gosport three divisions above Willand, but a quick glance at their FA Cup results shows just how big a challenge faces Rogers' side. They eased past fellow Conference South side Maidenhead United 3-0 in the last round, but they have also hammered last season's runaway Western League Premier Division winners Larkhall Athletic 7-0 on their way to this stage. But cup shocks are nothing new for Rogers, who has reached the first round in the past with Tiverton Town, Newport County and Forest Green Rovers. And, at the age 35, Rogers says that seeing his players enjoying their moment in the spotlight is what makes this particular cup adventure so special. "The interest being shown in Willand is great for players who have not experienced anything like this before," he said. "We are training twice this week as we have Football Focus filming us on Tuesday and Westcountry Tonight coming on Thursday. "These are things that happen once in a career, and it may well be another four or five years before we go on a decent cup run. "I am just enjoying it because I know it will be good for the boys. I can see that the players are enjoying it so much." Unfortunately for Rogers, it looks like he will be missing a number of key players for the tie. Mike Mullins is away on his honeymoon, while Lee Smythe and Steve Orchard are both out with hamstring injuries and Lewis Tasker is cup-tied. Rogers himself is also waiting to learn if he is suspended for the clash amid confusion over how many yellow cards he has accrued this season. Rovers head into the match having comeback from 2-0 down to rescue a 2-2 draw with Sherborne Town on Saturday. Marc Caines scored twice for the visitors before he and Roger Ingham both saw red after clashing, allowing the hosts to salvage a point via Dean Stamp and James Blake. "We did well to get back into it and I was almost a little disappointed not to win it by the end, but a draw was probably a fair result," said Rogers, who also saw Brett Worbey enjoy a solid debut for the club. "If you had offered me a draw when we were 2-0 down I would have taken your hand off for the point. "I have no complaints with either of the red cards. "It actually worked out better for us because their striker who was sent off was causing us no end of problems. I was actually quite relieved to see him go. "To be fair to Sherborne, I know they have a lot of injuries but they fought and worked hard for each other."

This giraffe walks into a pub...

October 21, 2014, 2:06 am

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What do you call an ale that's been brewed for giraffes? That's the challenge being set by two major local names.

Paignton Zoo and Bays Brewery have teamed up to launch a brand new ale to help raise money for conservation. And they're inviting people to enter an online competition to give it a name.

Pete Salmon of Bays Brewery explained: "We produced a special ale for The Great Gorillas Project in 2013 and a rhino ale this summer. They were both successful, so now we're doing another – and this time the theme is giraffes."

Kat Sobey of Paignton Zoo added: "You can enter via Facebook, Twitter and through our web site. The winner will receive a cask - that's 72 pints - of Bays beer AND an exclusive Feed the Giraffe experience for two people at Paignton Zoo." The winning giraffe-inspired name will appear on bottles and pump clip designs.

The Paignton Zoo giraffe herd consists of adult male Yoda, females Janica and Sangha, juvenile female Otilie, born to mother Sangha in September 2012 and juvenile female Joanna, born to mother Sangha in January 2014.

Exeter shows how UK can increase cycling, Ben Bradshaw tells MPs

October 21, 2014, 2:20 am

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Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw has made an impassioned plea in the House of Commons for "real and meaningful action" to get more people cycling. Speaking during a debate on progress on increasing the number of journeys made by bike, the Labour MP highlighted Exeter as a shining example to the rest of the country. "I am glad to say that in Exeter we have bike sheds again at our primary and secondary schools," he said. "Thanks to the investment we received as part of the previous Labour Government's cycling demonstration town scheme, we have had a massive increase in the number of children cycling and walking to school — one of the biggest increases anywhere in the country — and a huge increase of 40 per cent in cycling levels overall. "I ask those who still do not believe that we can replicate Danish and Dutch cycling levels because ours is a hilly country to come to Exeter, one of the hilliest cities in the country. We have done it. We know how it can be done, although we have a lot more to do." He added: "I am fortunate that in my constituency we still have a local authority that is committed to Bikeability, but the service around the country is patchy because there is no sustained funding. "Helped by the fantastic success of our professional cycling teams in the Olympics, cycling is now very cool and there has been a big upsurge in cycling among teenagers in my constituency. However, that is mainly because there are safe routes to the schools and facilities for people to lock their bikes and store their stuff when they get there. I am sorry to say that that is not common across the country. "The problem is that under successive Governments the approach taken to cycling has been a piecemeal hotch-potch; we have had a bit of funding here, a bit of targeted funding there and a grant that has to be applied for. Progress has been bedevilled by the fact that there has not been sustained, real investment and sustained political leadership from the top. "This is not rocket science; it comes down to sustainable commitments for funding and sustainable, persistent cross-departmental Government leadership." Explaining his strong feelings on the issue, Mr Bradshaw said: "The bicycle has been my main form of transport for at least the past 20 years. It has been the only form of transport I have owned for that period. "Having cycled as a child, it was logical for me to use the bike as my main form of transport, given the growing congestion in our towns and cities. "The revelatory experience for me — the eureka moment — came in the mid-90s, when I was sent by The World This Weekend to my old primary school in Norfolk. I cannot remember what the news piece was about but I arrived at my old primary school to find that the bike sheds had gone. "That was a shocking experience for me. Not only had the sheds gone, but in place of children coming and going by biking or walking at the beginning and end of the school day, there was traffic congestion, belching fumes, noise and chaos outside the school gates. From that moment on, I have not felt as passionate about many issues, across all public policy, as I do about this one." Mr Bradshaw dismissed the Transport Select Committee's latest report on cycling safety as "a hotch-potch of aspiration, which puts a lot of the responsibility on hard-pressed local authorities, on local enterprise partnerships and on business", adding: "Seeing the report was one of the most depressing moments I have had in this House during this Parliament. "Surely we do not need to remind the Government of cycling's benefits for health, the environment, and tackling congestion and pollution." Referring to recommendations published by the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group last year, Mr Bradshaw said: "If we met the targets that our report set for 2025 of 10 per cent of journeys by bike, up from a derisory two per cent in England at the moment, we would save £8 billion in health expenditure. "If we reached continental levels of 25 per cent of journeys made by cycling by 2050, which was our other target, we would save £25 billion for the health service. "Those are just the health benefits; they do not even take into account the additional benefits of tackling congestion and emissions. I do not understand what is wrong with the economists in the Department for Transport and the Treasury who do not recognise the logic of that." He added: "The Secretary of State is a reasonable man. He was extolling the fantastic rail renaissance that we enjoyed in England in recent years. We could be having exactly the same renaissance in cycling if only there were the political will and a tiny bit of investment. "All it would need is a fraction of the Department's budget that is going on roads or on HS2 to be earmarked for cycling, and we could achieve that £10 per head per year figure, which would begin to deliver the cycling revolution we all want. "There are a lot of cyclists out there and we should not underestimate the power of the cycling vote." Calling for a more joined-up approach to promoting cycling, Mr Bradshaw said: "There is a good plan on the shelf in Wales, which the Department for Transport could simply use. There are far too many different plans, which need to be brought together in one single plan." Robert Goodwill, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, said the Government was "determined to ensure that best practice is shared among local authorities". Mr Bradshaw concluded: "There are millions of cyclists out there, and they are waiting for real and meaningful action on cycling to deliver safe cities and a healthy environment, tackle obesity, increase happiness and boost the economy. "It is a no-brainer for very little money."

Conservation charity: beach rubbish threatens Bay sea life

October 21, 2014, 2:42 am

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Staff at Torquay's coastal zoo have spoken out about the amount of litter on the beaches and in the sea and highlighted the threat to marine life.

Clare Rugg, from Living Coasts, explained: "Beacon Cove is the beach on our doorstep. Some litter is brought in by the waves but much of it is left by beach users. The Council regularly cleans the beach – but it becomes littered again overnight! We think the problem is getting worse. Some people who volunteered at our recent big beach clean weekend were horrified by how much rubbish was picked up.

"Our beach litter problem is pretty appalling. We see so much unsightly litter – but what we can't see is the amazing diversity of marine life just under the waves that this rubbish is threatening."

Living Coasts staff and volunteers organize litter picks on Beacon Cove. A clean-up in September gathered 238 pieces of plastic, 211 metal items (including 77 bottle tops) and 545 bits of paper, as well as polystyrene, wood,  rubber and over 500 pieces of glass. The haul weighed over 50 kilos. A previous clean picked up over 200 plastic items, including a bucket and a traffic cone, nearly 300 bits of paper, over 400 shards of glass and 170 pieces of metal, 90 of which were bottle caps. The total weight collected on that occasion was over 31 kilos.

The collection also yielded plastic balls, a watch, sunglasses and syringes. Clare: "When you pick up 77 bottle caps and 500 pieces of glass you start to see a pattern. It's not the partying that's the problem so much as the mess that's left behind."

During the same weekend divers and volunteers surveyed the waters off Beacon Cove and identified a wide range of marine species, including shanny, beadlet anemone, top shells, whelks, kelp, serrated wrack, periwinkle, shore crabs, velvet swimming crabs, and orange sea sponge.

"We have a wealth of species in the Bay – but all residents and visitors see is a dark tideline of filth." Living Coasts is working with the Council, who clean the beach regularly, to find ways of tackling the problem. For more information go to www.livingcoasts.org.uk or ring 0844 474 3366.

Emergency services called to Newton Abbot after fuel thieves rupture tank

October 21, 2014, 2:57 am

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Emergency services were called out to Newton Abbot last night after thieves tried to steal petrol from a tank. The fire service received a call at 11:10pm reporting a ruptured fuel tank leaking diesel onto Brunel Road. Fire crews confirmed approximately five litres of diesel oil leaked from a fuel tank. The fuel tank had been ruptured by people trying to steal diesel from the fuel tank of a commercial van. Fire crews made a temporary repair to seal the fuel tank and an environment agency pack to absorb the diesel spillage. Police are investigating.