the Devon Week

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Plymouth Life Centre

Seven from Devon: 7 stories from around Devon today (Mon, Mar 26 2012)

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1. The second biggest monthly horse and pony sale is to relocate from Exeter to Newton Abbot. Auctioneer Sawdye and Harris took over the horse sale at Exeter Livestock Centre four years ago and have built the business up to be the second largest in the country. They are based in Newton Abbot, and the relocation ‘seemed to make sense’. The official opening of the sale will take place on April 3 at 10.30am.

2. A letter revealing the details of life during the Crimean War has been sold at auction. The letter, by Captain – later Major-General – Whitworth Porter, of Winslade House, Clyst St Mary, near Exeter, gives a graphic account of life in the trenches at the Siege of Sebastopol.

3. Topsham Conservative Councillor Rob Newby will be the next Lord Mayor of Exeter.

4. Plymouth Labour has launched its manifesto for the May local elections. Plymouth Labour has followed the publication of its mini manifesto on the environment with a 100-point plan to make the city better, ahead of the local elections in May.

5. Two new woodlands have been created in Devon. The Woodland Trust has been working with groups to plant nearly one hectare of woodland at Langage Farm in Smithaleigh in the South Hams and just over a hectare at the Wrigley’s headquarters in Plymouth.

6. The long-awaited Plymouth Life Centre opened its doors to the public (although we’ve heard there has been some confusion of the free entry, with people missing out)

7. One third of Plymouth workers are part-time, according to a study, which says one in four workers in the UK are now part-time.

13 news stories from around Devon

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1. Exeter horror expert Ashley Thorpe nominated for Rondo horror industry awards. The horror filmmaker, writer and aficionado Ashley is in the running for a classic Rondo award, and you can vote for him

2. Plymouth Jobless total in the city rise by 548 in the month of January, with latest government figures showing that on January 12 there were 6,944 people claiming Jobseekers Allowance in Plymouth. An equivalent to 4 per cent of the population.

3. West Devon Borough Council followed South Hams District Council and is increasing its share of the Devon Council Tax by 2.5 per cent.

4. A primary school receptionist in Crediton is facing a governors’ investigation after being caught up in an issue involving faith in school. The receptionist says her daughter was told off for ‘talking about Jesus’. The school says it encourages discussion, but “What we do not condone is one child frightening a six-year-old with the prospect of ‘going to hell’ if she does not believe in God.” The situation was exacerbated by a private email sent by the receptionist following a meeting with the headmaster calling for friends to pray for her and her daughter.

5. Regenerate Community Enterprise, based in Stonehouse, Plymouth, which recycles furniture, white goods and flat-screen televisions is set to expand.

6. After a long regeneration project the Plymouth Life Center is set to be open to the public on the weekend of March 23 to 25, 2012.

7. Plymouth City Council is unlikely to ban prayers at the start of its meetings despite the Hight Court ruling on prayers at Bideford meetings.

8. Totnes MP Sarah Wollaston, who was one of the first critics of the NHS Bill is now saying that stopping the Bill at this stage could be damaging. “We could end up with a worse service if we ditched the Bill now,” she said.

9. Two school building projects in Plymouth at a proposed new University Technical College and an expansion to the Marine Academy are set to get £17 m boost.

10. Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw has backed plans for women to become bishops, warning against a watering down of plans for their introduction.

11. The Hospital Ward at Home scheme, which is being piloted in parts of East Devon, could be the “nail in the coffin” for community hospitals, according to campaigners.

12. Exeter’s bus station is planned for a redevelopment which would see an addition of hotels, shops, restaurants and a swimming pool.

13. Former head of marketing for Paramount and Universal film studios, Ken Green from Liverton, will be having his say on Oscar winners. He’s been a member of American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences since 1985.

 

the Devon Week