Video: Animal welfare campaigners stage Exeter protest against badger cull in Devon

February 20, 2014, 8:34 am

≫ Next: Exmouth hotel worker raided dollars from guest's room, court hears

≪ Previous: Growers cleared of selling cannabis at Dartmoor rave

$

0

0

Campaigners against the slaughter of badgers gathered outside county council headquarters today ahead of a debate on whether the controversial cull should be banned in Devon. Around 80 protestors wearing fancy dress and wielding placards stood on the steps of Devon County Hall this afternoon to demonstrate against the killing of the wild animal on council land. The group staged a mock badger shooting exercise involving a 'devil' marksman as opponents warn the "farcical" cull could soon be extended across the country.

Animal welfare campaigners have claimed there is "no justification" for the "misguided" badger cull to continue, and urge supporters to oppose extending the killing to new areas.

Ama Menec, chairman of Totnes Badger Vaccination Action Campaign, said: "If we have a badger cull in Devon - not only will it be horrific, socially divisive and devastating for tourism - it will cost millions. We cannot afford that kind of damage to our local economy."

Two pilot culls have already been carried-out in Somerset and Gloucestershire as part of the Government's strategy to combat rising rates of bovine TB in cattle.

Ms Menec added: "Many of us have spent time in the badger cull zone, and have seen first-hand how it's riven those communities in two. In the cull zones, it's caused very close to a civil war, with gunmen roaming the streets shooting at badgers and occasionally at protestors. It's been absolutely hellish." Devon and Cornwall are among nine counties regarded as hotspots for the disease, which resulted in 28,000 cattle being slaughtered in 2012. Revised figures show the number of herds infected with TB last September was 3,417 – almost a third lower than the previous figure of 4,778 herds. Labour councillors in Devon proposed a banning motion at a council meeting in December following remarks made by culls trial expert Lord Krebs' that the Government's pilot schemes had become a "fiasco". But the debate on the issue was delayed for the second time last month, prompting anger from the party. Council leader John Hart said he had considered the motion and decided that "there will need to be a full council debate". Andy Robertson, NFU director general, said: "TB is devastating farming family businesses across large parts of the country and it is vital it is controlled and eradicated."

---

Exmouth hotel worker raided dollars from guest's room, court hears

February 20, 2014, 8:53 am

≫ Next: Exeter's "Magic Fingers" hairdresser hangs up her scissors after 43 years

≪ Previous: Video: Animal welfare campaigners stage Exeter protest against badger cull in Devon

$

0

0

A hotel worker who stole more than £1,000 in foreign currency from a guest's bedroom was caught after he started converting it into pounds. Imran Hussain was a kitchen assistant at the Ash Hotel in Exmouth and used his access to the building to raid a room where a businessman was staying during a trip to Devon. He was caught with 900 US dollars after police had been tipped off that he had already exchanged another 1,100 dollars at a local money shop. Hussain, aged 30, of Mamhead View, Exmouth, admitted burglary and was jailed for six months, suspended for two years by Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, at Exeter Crown Court. Hussain, who appeared with a Bengali interpreter, is in Britain with a discretionary right to remain until February 6 next year. The Immigration department will decide if he should be deported. The judge told him:"This offence was a breach of the trust which your employers placed in you. You stole a considerable amount of money from one of the guests, which could be very harmful to his business." Miss Janice Eagles, prosecuting, said Hussain had been working and living at the Ash Hotel on Exmouth seafront for four weeks before the burglary in January. She said:"He entered the bedroom and stole a substantial quantity of cash in pounds and US dollars, which he traded for pounds in Exmouth. "His fingerprints were found on the envelope in which the money had been and 900 dollars were recovered. A further 1,100 dollars and £150 remain outstanding." Mr James Taghdissian, defending, said Hussain should be given credit for admitting what he had done and pleading guilty at the first opportunity. He said he has already received punishment for the offence by spending 28 days in custody, the equivalent of a two month sentence.

Exeter's "Magic Fingers" hairdresser hangs up her scissors after 43 years

February 20, 2014, 9:25 am

≫ Next: UK suffers wettest winter on record, with more rain to come

≪ Previous: Exmouth hotel worker raided dollars from guest's room, court hears

$

0

0

HAIRDRESSERS around Exeter and across Devon will be marking the end of an era when the city's one and only "Magic Fingers" hangs up her scissors. Jean Smell, who has run the Heavitree hair salon Magic Fingers for 43 years, is retiring - having trained scores of young hairdressers, many of whom have gone on to start their own salons. Jean, 78, who was brought up in an pre-fab on Hill Barton Road and went to Bradley Rowe School, had been told by her head teacher to forget about her dream to be a hairdresser and become a dress-maker instead. Said Jean: "I wish I could see her now after 43 years doing what I have loved." It was back in 1950 that Jean set out of her remarkable career, joining the Jennifer Anne salon in Magdalen Road, St Leonard's, on 17/6 (87.5p)a week. She left in 1957 to marry Bernard and have two children, Jackie and Phillip, before returning to the same salon, which had moved to Parliament Street. Jean said:"We were very busy and it was an excellent grounding. It was run by Anne Gott who was very well known in Exeter and introduced the first cheap perm for ladies, at a guinea(£1.05) a time or 17/6 if you brought a friend for one. "We were very busy carrying out perhaps six perms a day . "It was in 1971 that I met Bernard from work and he told me that there was an advert in the Echo for a salon in Heavitree Road. I wrote to the landlord and came out to see her and decided to take it on. "It was called Paul's then and originally had been a men's barbers upstairs and ladies in the basement. "I kept the name for a while and then one of my customers was sitting under the drier and I asked her if she needed anything. "She said: 'No, I'm just happy watching your magic fingers' – and I knew that was the name for the salon. "Funnily enough when I first changed it I would get a lot of funny phone calls, particularly on Friday, from men, so I added "Hair Care" to the name and that was better." Jean said she would be sad to retire from the business, particularly as it seemed the premises, which she rents, is likely to cease being a hairdressers and probably become flats. "It is the end of an era in many ways and I feel quite sad about it, particularly for my many elderly customers who like to come here for their shampoo and set and enjoy the atmosphere and the friendliness of it all. "We are one of the few salons that still do the old shampoo and sets, with the rollers and half an hour under the drier. We all chat away and regularly set the world to rights every afternoon. "I shall miss that and it is sad that it will no longer be a salon." Jean, who underwent a triple heart bypass some years ago, has decided to donate all the salon fittings to the British Heart Foundation charity shop in Exeter. As for retirement Jean, who has six grandchildren and one great-grandchild, intends keeping her magic fingers busy. "After 43 years I am not about to sit around and watch daytime TV. I have a large garden and I'm thinking of joining the local knitting club."

UK suffers wettest winter on record, with more rain to come

February 20, 2014, 1:48 pm

≫ Next: Crews called to printing machine fire in Marsh Barton, Exeter

≪ Previous: Exeter's "Magic Fingers" hairdresser hangs up her scissors after 43 years

$

0

0

The UK has suffered its wettest winter in records dating back more than a century, the Met Office has announced. Figures for December 1 to February 19 show that the UK has had 486.8mm (19.2 inches) of rain, making it the wettest winter in records dating back to 1910, beating the previous record set in 1995 of 485.1mm (19.1 inches). Wales, East Scotland, south west England and South Wales, and south east and central southern England have all seen record amounts of rainfall this winter, and all countries and areas of the UK are on target for a warmer than average winter. Two severe flood warnings remain in place in the Somerset Levels, which has been one of the worst-hit areas this winter, suffering prolonged flooding in the face of repeated storms and heavy rain. Across the rest of southern and central England, the risk of flooding is receding as river levels fall, including along the Thames and Severn, the Environment Agency said. But properties in areas including Windsor and Maidenhead, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Wokingham and West Berkshire could remain flooded for some time. And with more unsettled weather on the way, the risk of flooding will be slow to disappear, the Environment Agency warned. There are 75 flood warnings, and 121 less serious flood alerts currently in place across England and Wales. Groundwater is continuing to rise, with ongoing flooding in parts of Greater London, Kent, Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset. Met Office spokeswoman Laura Young said showers and some heavier rain are expected, along with sunny spells, over the next few days, and a band of rain will go across the UK on Sunday, mainly focusing on the West. Rain will fall as snow on high ground, and west and north-west exposed coasts could see some strong, near-gale winds, but "not anywhere as windy as it has been over the last few weeks", she said. "This is weather, rather than exceptional weather. It's unsettled, but February unsettled. It is standard weather for this time of year and nothing like the extreme and exceptional weather we've seen over the last couple of months," she added.

Crews called to printing machine fire in Marsh Barton, Exeter

February 20, 2014, 2:24 pm

≫ Next: Video: Lympstone Marines anti-tank missile training in Dorset

≪ Previous: UK suffers wettest winter on record, with more rain to come

$

0

0

Fire crews were called to fire within a printer in Exeter this afternoon. Crews were called to Hennock Road in Marsh Barton, Exeter at 16:35. One fire appliance from Danes Castle was sent to a report of a fire alarm sounding in a factory. On arrival the crew confirmed that there had been a small fire in a printing machine. The fire was confirmed out. A thermal image camera was used.

Video: Lympstone Marines anti-tank missile training in Dorset

February 20, 2014, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Large-scale wind power schemes across the Westcountry now 'in retreat'

≪ Previous: Crews called to printing machine fire in Marsh Barton, Exeter

$

0

0

THEY have a range of 2.5km and can destroy any known target. Because of their advanced infrared sights and accuracy, they are known as precision strike weapons and provide the "surveillance asset" to front line Commandos. Either fired from the shoulder or tripod, they are 'the infantryman's answer to the battle tank', giving the foot soldier the edge. But the shrewdness of the Commandos operating these powerful Javelin anti-tank missiles to identify the threat of a potential target, is as imperative as the physical capability of the weapons. The waiting list for the Heavy Weapons Anti Tanks level three course, run at Lympstone Commando Training Centre (CTC), is two-and-a-half years long. The final day of the seven week course takes place at an army range at Lulworth Cove in Dorset when the missiles are fired at a tank hulk in a crevice in the hillside with a seascape backdrop. The Heavy Weapons branch consists of three disciplines – mortars, air defence and anti-tanks. The anti-tank course teaches the Commandos how to expertly operate three main weapons – grenade machine guns, 0.5 inch calibre machine guns – of the same design as those used in Spitfire aircraft in the Second World War – and the Javelin missiles. The Javelin war head itself is around 8kg. Its tube-like casing fits on to a highly advanced, 'incredibly sensitive', infrared heat seeking system which identifies a potential target by picking up a heat source, which the operator then locks onto before firing. Designed in the 1980s during the Cold War to defend against Warsaw Pact tanks advancing through Eastern Europe, initially, the missile travels upwards and out before plummeting down on top of a vehicle where the armour is weakest. It is capable of defeating any known tank armour. The Marines undergo extensive lifelike simulator training at the camp, practicing dozens of scenarios where they must distinguish between friendly and enemy targets at a variety of ranges. Chief heavy weapons instructor, Colour Sergeant Jim Melhuish, explained that a minimum of 45 simulated firings of the missiles must be completed. "The scenarios are heavily built around target recognition and priority of engagement," he said. This, the instructor explained is key – in training the Marines must recognise different classifications of vehicles and then decide their target order. "You can see a target as far away as four or five kilometres," he continued. "Then it's a case of waiting for it to come closer to identify the threat." Heavy weapons handling is as much about intelligence gathering and strategy and discernment as it is physical capability. "These really came into their own in Afghanistan," he said. "The night optics on them are the best thing we have to date, they can positively identify what the person has on them and if they're armed or not. "They are especially important for the employment of the rules of engagement. "When they're used at a Forward Operating Base, they'll be used in sangers, manned 24/7. "But if the situations are either advance-to-contact or involve the clearing of a designated area, these will be the screening force for the fighting force – the handlers will give the information and provide the surveillance asset." The missiles' ignition is electronic. They are described as passive rather than active weapons, as the target is oblivious to its presence before the Marines open fire. Marine O'Connor, 23, from 45 Commando, described being one of two Marines selected to fire the missiles at the end of the course this month, as a "privilege". "I saw how they were used during my tour of Afghanistan," he said. "That inspired me to specialise in this area," he said.Video:

Large-scale wind power schemes across the Westcountry now 'in retreat'

February 20, 2014, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Devon County Council triples pothole repair team to deal with 11,500 reported so far this year

≪ Previous: Video: Lympstone Marines anti-tank missile training in Dorset

$

0

0

The spread of wind turbines across the Westcountry has slowed in the wake of Government guidelines designed to prevent council decisions being routinely overturned on appeal, the Western Morning News has found. Communities secretary Eric Pickles introduced the policy steer for planners last summer in a bid to quell a growing backlash against the proliferation of renewable energy schemes, seen as electorally damaging in the Tory rural heartland. The so-called "Pickles effect" appears to have swung the balance back in favour of communities, with a 31% drop in the number of successful appeals by developers since the new rules took effect. The drop in decisions being overturned in Devon and Cornwall from 75% to 44% – compared to a smaller dip from 54% to 48% nationally – has been welcomed, but campaigners say there has been "no let-up" in the number of schemes landing on planners' desks. The apparent reduction comes after the biggest offshore scheme planned in the region to date – the 240-turbine Atlantic Array – was scrapped in November, followed last month by the announcement by Community Windpower that the Government's "shifting" position on renewables had forced it to abandon plans for sixteen 426ft (130m) turbines on land at Davidstow in North Cornwall. Steve Crowther, the Devon-based national chairman of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), who also led the Slay the Array campaign, said large schemes were "in retreat" as the "political wind" was now against them. "The Government has run out of patience with the sector and is giving out negative signals," he said. "This back-pedalling on the wind rush is welcome, and better late than never. The subsidy-driven wind bonanza is clearly now waning, with the withdrawal of several large schemes, and it's vital that the rash of small scheme and individual turbine applications is also curtailed before the countryside is littered with them." Against a backdrop of growing rural unrest at the apparent ease with which developers were winning consent against strong local opposition, Mr Pickles produced his new planning practice guidance for renewable and low carbon energy on July 29 last year. The Secretary of State also called in dozens of multiple turbine "wind farm" applications, including a scheme beside a nature reserve at West Huntspill, Somerset, for five 414ft towers, on which a ruling is still pending. By the end of October, when the Department of Communities and Local Government said the guidance would begin to take effect on appeals, turbines were being predicted to outnumber historic church spires at iconic landmarks in the Westcountry. The 100 or so turbines were set to soar to more than 600 over the life of this Parliament – 200 were either approved and un-built or waiting for consent, with a further 200 subject to screening operations. During the year to October 2013, 25 out of 33 appeals to the Planning Inspectorate after councils refused planning permission in the two counties were successful, figures obtained by the WMN show. However, in the three months since the new planning guidance began to filter through the decisions, just eight out of 18 appeals were won against local authorities. For the rest of England during 2013, 92 out of 170 appeal decisions were allowed, whereas from October last year to this week, the number was 59 out of a total of 122. Bob Barfoot, a spokesman for the Campaign to Protect Rural England, who has a detailed knowledge of the planning process through his work with local opposition groups, said the outcome of appeals still "very much relies" on each inspector. "Some are notable in being independent minded and taking each case on its merits, but with others it is often a foregone conclusion that they will allow a renewable energy appeal," he said. His colleague, the chairman of Torridge CPRE, Penny Mills, said it was "too early to judge" and, with one to two years of projects still in the pipeline, the "true scale is not yet apparent". "What we have noticed is that some decisions are taking longer at appeal – there is a huge backlog at councils and no let-up in applications being submitted," she said. "We wonder if the whole concept of an individual planning inspector is the right way to decide these applications "It is just one inspector's judgment, not even a panel reaching a majority decision, they don't live in the area or with the consequences either way, so you have to wonder how democratic the process is." The Planning Inspectorate insists inspectors are rigorously trained and totally impartial when deciding an appeal. "Inspectors are appointed to hear wind farm appeals for their experience, skill and judgement and will always take account of current guidance," a spokesman said. "Every case is judged on its merits and on the evidence placed before the inspector, who is required to give sound reasons for his judgment in each decision."

Devon County Council triples pothole repair team to deal with 11,500 reported so far this year

February 20, 2014, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Price of fish and chips soars by up to 40 per cent after stormy seas cause problems for fishermen

≪ Previous: Large-scale wind power schemes across the Westcountry now 'in retreat'

$

0

0

Devon County Council has almost tripled its number of pothole repair teams in response to the storm damage to roads across the county. The Council said they repaired 3,500 fewer potholes in 2013 than in 2012, when they were faced with more than 17,500 potholes in North Devon. But that number could be eclipsed in 2014, with several roads struggling to deal with the wettest winter since records began. Over the winter storm period, since 23 December, the County Council has recorded more than 1,300 reports of fallen trees and branches on Devon's roads, more than 150 embankment slips, and more than 4,000 flooding incidents across the county.We want you help. Help us create an interactive map across the region by filling in the form at the bottom of this page, with your name, where the pothole is and if you can a pictures Around 11,500 potholes have also been reported by the public or found by highway inspectors so far in 2014. In response, the number of teams dealing with pothole safety defect repairs has increased from 13 to 34, with an extra 52 staff tackling the problem. The approximate additional cost of the work is around £65,000 a week. The clear-up of the storm damage is estimated to cost around £3 million to the end of the financial year, but the County Council is yet to finalise a figure for the damage caused by the storms as the road network and structures are still being assessed. Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management and Flood Prevention, said: "These storms have illustrated how fragile our road network is. Coastal areas have taken the biggest hit but we're seeing severe damage right across our network, and the cyclic nature of the storms has made the clear-up much more difficult than the storms in 2012/13. The Government has said that it will foot the bill for the storm damage, but despite putting extra resource into repairs there has been a massive increase in pothole numbers, from about 2,000 a month in a normal winter to about 7,400 in January alone. "The recent changes to the Bellwin rules have been helpful in reducing the trigger point for funding from about £1.7 million to about £1 million before financial help is available, and the qualifying period has been extended until the end of May. With clear up costs escalating to about £3million, Devon's liability for this is capped at £1 million. However, the problem we're likely to find is where roads have been washed away and need reinstating or potentially moving further inland, the capital required for permanent repairs won't be covered by the Bellwin scheme, even in its revised form. "I have lobbied Government for extra funding and we are also working with Devon's MPs to explain the impacts of insufficient funding on our roads. The County Council has put a case to the Department for Transport for £15 million of extra capital funding in 2014/15." Met Office data has shown that in December, rainfall was 143% of the average, and in January, it was 183% of the average. A number of roads have been washed away during the winter storms including the C253 Blackpool Valley Road at Stoke Fleming, a minor road at Hallsands and the road and public right of way near the Golf course at Thurlestone. There have also been numerous small scale landslips. The Teign Valley Road (B3193) is currently closed due to a landslip near Trusham Quarry, but one lane should hopefully re-open with temporary traffic lights by the end of tomorrow afternoon (Friday) with a wall being constructed to prevent further slippage. Temporary traffic lights are in place on the A377 just north of Exeter at Langford. In the interest of public safety, one lane of the road was closed off yesterday afternoon (Wed 19 Feb) due to a potential landslip of about 300 tonnes of material which has been saturated by the ongoing wet weather and has become unstable. The soil is due to be cleared tomorrow (Friday 21 February) when it will be necessary to close the entire road after 9am, with a diversion route via A396 and A3072. It is hoped that the work will be completed tomorrow, but the extent of the work is unknown until the material is removed, so it is likely to extend into Saturday. Old Beer Road in Seaton, which originally suffered a cliff collapse during storms in July 2012, has also sustained further damage on 6 February and again today (Thursday 20 February), losing more of the road and footway. Although the collapse is contained within fencing it is a reminder to take care in coastal areas. The Highways Operation Control Centre (HOCC) has been the County Council's focus for the co-ordination of the storm response, operating 24 hours a day and working with the Police and other emergency services, Environment Agency, District Councils, and Network Rail among others. Devon County Council is still left with the legacy of the remaining repairs from the £18 million of damage caused by the storms of 2012/13, which will have to be funded from future capital allocations. The maintenance backlog to bring Devon's roads up to scratch currently stands at £770 million. Devon's 8,000 mile highway network, the biggest of any authority in the country, needs around £64 million of investment a year to maintain the current condition of Devon's road network. The County Council will receive £35 million for its capital highways budget from Government for the next financial year.

---

Price of fish and chips soars by up to 40 per cent after stormy seas cause problems for fishermen

February 20, 2014, 4:36 pm

≫ Next: Exeter-based Met Office under fire after report suggests forecasters predicted a 'drier than normal' winter

≪ Previous: Devon County Council triples pothole repair team to deal with 11,500 reported so far this year

$

0

0

The recent storms have battered the price of Britain's favourite supper - causing the wholesale price of fish to soar by more than 40 per cent. Many Devon and Cornwall fishing vessels have been unable to set sail because of the stormy seas, cutting supply and pushing up prices. Wholesalers are being forced to pay 40 per cent more for favourites such as haddock, plaice and whiting caught in the Atlantic Ocean. However, the price hike is yet to filter down to retail level and the average portion of fresh fish and chips has only risen by 10 per cent so far, around 35p per portion. Other species of fish have been almost impossible to get hold of, and many fish markets have found themselves completely empty over the past few weeks. Jonathan Adams, the president of the National Federation of Fishmongers, said: "The price of fish is always affected by the weather - when it goes up, consumers must expect to pay as much as 10 per cent more. "Obviously not many people who do fish and chips actually use fresh fish any more but those who do will have probably had an increase of about £3 per kilo. "That would probably work out at about an extra 35p per portion of fish. "Buyers have had about a 30-40 per cent price increase recently and some things have been virtually impossible to get hold of. "When I went to Brixham fish market the other week they had absolutely no produce available for just the second time in ten years. "It should be back down again within the next couple of weeks, I guess it all depends on what happens next." Over the past 12 months wholesale prices for popular white fish such as cod, haddock and whiting have risen dramatically. Haddock has shot up in price to £1,474 a tonne, up 54 per cent, while plaice has soared to £1,246, or a 51 per cent increase. But now fishmongers are facing further difficulties due to the shortages caused by the bad weather. Fishmonger Malcolm Smith, who has run a market stall for more than 35 years, said: "Usually fishing boats go out for five to seven days but they have only been able to get out for a day or two because of the bad weather down in Cornwall and Devon. "Prices can fluctuate by up to 35 per cent in just seven days but we try to even out the prices throughout the year so that we don't shock the customers. "The prices are starting to come down again now because there are more fish in the system. Things will improve week on week. "Fish are a bit like the stock market. It is the only product these days that is still auctioned. They sell for the price that buyers want to pay." The government body, Seafish, reassured people that most of the rise caused by recent weather will be taken on by business owners until the price drops back to normal levels. Whilst many prices have been on the rise, products such as sea bass and bream, have remained relatively fixed due to fish farms around the county.

Exeter-based Met Office under fire after report suggests forecasters predicted a 'drier than normal' winter

February 20, 2014, 5:10 pm

≫ Next: Devon musicians Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin scoop Radio 2 award

≪ Previous: Price of fish and chips soars by up to 40 per cent after stormy seas cause problems for fishermen

$

0

0

The Met Office is under fire this morning after it was revealed that the Exeter-based organisation told councils and the Environment Agency that conditions would be 'drier than usual' this winter. The office in fact confirmed yesterday that the UK had instead suffered the wettest winter since records began. The three-month forecast, which a Met Office spokesman described as an 'experimental to some extent 'even suggested the West Country would be especially dry. The storms have already caused years' worth of erosion and damage in just a few weeks or even hours, according to the National Trust. The news was revealed on the front page of the Daily Mail today after more than two months of storms and terrible weather that have pummelled the Westcountry, causing widespread damage to coastal areas and large-scale flooding inland. Two areas of the Somerset Levels remain on red 'risk to life' flood alert which was issued by the Environment Agency on February 5. The Exeter-based forecasters issued a report saying there would be a 'significant reduction in precipitation compared to average' for most of the country, adding that there was only a 15 per cent chance the winter would fall into the 'wettest category'. The three-month forecasts are only sent to contingency planners, such as councils, government departments, and insurance companies. A spokesman for the Met Office said: 'Our short and medium-term forecasts are the ones relied on by emergency responders to help them manage the impacts of severe weather. 'The Met Office's five-day forecasts and severe weather warnings have provided excellent guidance throughout this period of exceptionally stormy and wet weather.' Tory MP Chris Heaton-Harris told The Mail: 'The Met Office is very good at predicting the weather it can see is coming; but beyond that, its track record is pitiful. 'Many government agencies and some government policies are dependent on these Met Office predictions and so these mistakes potentially are costing us dearly.'

Devon musicians Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin scoop Radio 2 award

February 21, 2014, 9:30 am

≫ Next: Exeter to Crediton road remains closed until at least later today to remove 400 tonnes of earth

≪ Previous: Exeter-based Met Office under fire after report suggests forecasters predicted a 'drier than normal' winter

$

0

0

DEVON musicians Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin have proved they are in a league of their own after clinching the coveted Best Duo title at the 15th BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards at the Royal Albert Hall. One of the most inventive and captivating rising acts on the acoustic roots scene, the Exeter-based pair triumphed over talented fellow nominees Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker, Ross Ainslie and Jarlath Jenderson and Catrin Finch & Seckjou Keita, receiving their award from another West Country duo that over the last two decades has become one of acoustic music's most famous pairings – Steve Knightley and Phil Beer of Show of Hands. It was Steve who "discovered" the duo busking on Sidmouth seafront during Sidmouth Folk Week and announcing the win he said: "This duo have brought something quite original to the genre with their haunting mixture of English, Irish, Indian and Celtic textures. "It's taken them from busking on Sidmouth seafront to playing with us here at the Royal Albert Hall in two short years." In turn Phillip Henry thanked Show of Hands for their "great support, advice and friendship" whilst Hannah thanked all the gig-goers and "all the folk clubs and festivals that have supported us over the years, creating such an amazing live music scene in this country – that's why we 're here."

Exeter to Crediton road remains closed until at least later today to remove 400 tonnes of earth

February 21, 2014, 12:38 pm

≫ Next: Full report of Cheltenham Festival preview evening at Exeter Racecourse

≪ Previous: Devon musicians Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin scoop Radio 2 award

$

0

0

Work to remove landslip material and to address the stability of an embankment on the A377, near Newbridge Cross, just north of Exeter is set to continue at least until this afternoon. (Saturday) In the interests of public safety the road has now been closed. Access to Exeter from the Crediton direction and vice versa is via the signed diversion Crediton A3072 to Bickliegh Mill onto the A396 to Cowley and vice versa. The road closure is to enable the safe removal of 400 tonnes of slippage material from the site which involves the use of heavy excavation and haulage plant. Public should use the signed diversion route only and are advised no access through the site will be permitted for vehicles or pedestrians until the closure is lifted. To ensure the safety of the public the closure will be manned at all times.

Full report of Cheltenham Festival preview evening at Exeter Racecourse

February 21, 2014, 3:28 pm

≫ Next: Man who went on Christmas crime spree was having an 'out of body experience'

≪ Previous: Exeter to Crediton road remains closed until at least later today to remove 400 tonnes of earth

$

0

0

Tonight saw the annual Cheltenham preview evening at Exeter Racecourse with guests including trainers Paul Nicholls, David Pipe and Phillip Hobbs, jockey Nick Scholfield and Racing Post reporter Andrew King. Our reporter Tom Bevan was there and below is a transcript as the panelists previewed the major races at next month's festival. TUESDAY SUPREME NOVICES' HURDLE. Andrew King: Vautour is a very smart house who comes into race well. Irving has done little wrong and I think at the moment is each way value. Paul Nicholls: (on Irving) I hope he can win. He is four from six on the flat and three from three in jumps and is in good shape. A fast run race would suit him better. Nick Scholfield: The horse with the best English form is Irving, who has done nothing wrong. The horse is better on better ground but has won on soft ground before. David Pipe: (on The Liquidator) He is back on good form. You could call him the forgotten horse. He has had one bad run but was vying for favouritism before that. If we can get him back to his best he will have a chance. Wicklow Brave needs to brush up on his jumping and I have a sneaky feeling the top two (Irving and Vautour) will take all the beating. Phillip Hobbs: Vautour looks very good but Irving offers better each way value. ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY: Paul Nicholls: Hinterland would like to see it dry out. He is still in the Champion Chase and we will see what the ground does. But Hinterland and Dodging Bullets are both in good order. I am thrilled with Dodging Bullets. Andrew King: I think Rock on Ruby has a sound chance if the ground dries out. Nick Schofield: Champagne Fever is much better if he gets an easy lead. If he gets taken on that might let him down. I have been impressed by Valdez and he might offer good each way value. David Pipe: I think Champagne Fever will take all the beating. Valdez gave a good performance at Doncaster, can travel and has an each way chance but Champagne Fever is the one for me. Phillip Hobbs: Champagne Fever has won twice previously at the festival and can come back and do it again. CHAMPION HURDLE Andrew King: The obvious is Hurricane Fly but I have always thought the Our Connor has been trained with one race only in mind and will be better than ever on faster ground if it dries out. I don't think My Tent Or Yours or The New One is good enough to compete with these. If Annie Power shows up that could change everything but for me it is Hurricane Fly or Our Connor. David Pipe: Even though Hurricane Fly is not getting any younger, I am not convinced My Tent Or Yours will get up the hill so I will go with Hurricane Fly. Nick Schofield: (On Melodic Rendezvous) He has no pressure going into the race and deserves his chance. It will be a very tactical race with no real pace. Phillip Hobbs and Paul Nicholls both said The New One had a decent chance. WEDNESDAY NEPTUNE NOVICES' HURDLE David Pipe: I have been very impressed with Faugheen. But Red Sherlock has done nothing wrong and will run a massive race. The betting is right and Faugheen is the one to beat. (On Un Temps Pour Tout) Whichever race he goes in he will have a good chance. Phillip Hobbs: Champagne West is only in the Neptune if the ground comes up heavy. Paul Nicholls: We will probably aim Port Melon at the three miler. Andrew King: I have been very impressed with Red Sherlock in his bumpers and hurdles so far and he will take all the beating. He has a massive chance in this race and is going to be a top class horse. RSA CHASE David Pipe: It looks an open RSA if not the best. But it is not easy. I might still be taking a chance with Gevrey Chambertin. He is a good horse on his day and I am inclined to take the chance. Paul Nicholls: Sam Winner can reverse the form with Smad Place and better ground will suit. The quicker they go the better and he has got a great chance. Nick Scholfield: There is not much between Sam Winner and Smad Place but SW is a much bigger price. QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE: David Pipe: Sprinter Sacre is a concern but hopefully they have had time to put him right. The race is all around this house but I would expect him to get him back and probably win. Phillip Hobbs: Sprinter Sacre is a fantastic horse if he is right. Sire De Grugy is in decent form but I cannot see him beating Sprinter Sacre if he turns up. Andrew King: I am very interested in Benefficient. He is a very nice horse and if Sprinter Sacre does not run I think they might try him in this. Personally I don't think Sprinter Sacre will get there. Paul Nicholls I think Nicky is sounding a bit negative with Sprinter Sacre saying they will make a decision in the next ten days. They won't really know until they race him though. It just seemed a little negative. If he is back in good form we might take him on with Hinterland. If he turned up we might be positive and have a crack with him. THURSDAY: JLT NOVICES' CHASE (FORMERLY JEWSON) Paul Nicholls: Wonderful Charm goes well fresh and was three from four over fences in the Autumn. He is in good shape but would not want the ground too soft. Vukovar is a decent horse but Wonderful Charm has shown enough to be the one to beat. Nick Scholfield also liked Wonderful Charm: If he gets ground he will be very hard to beat. David Pipe: Vukovar is the one I will go for in that race. Andrew King: Taquin Du Seuil has a good each way chance. He will stay on up the hill. RYANAIR CHASE David Pipe: If Sprinter Sacre does not turn up for the Champion Chase it will take a lot of horses away from the Ryanair. With Dynaste we are keeping the options open. He has not been right for a long time but is in great form at present. If he continues we will get him to Cheltenham in top form. We will leave it late to see what happens with Sprinter Sacre and the ground. Paul Nicholls: The Ryanair for Al Ferof was always my A-plan. He ran very well in the King George but does not stay. This is the obvious race for him and the ideal race for him. Wishfull Thinking could be the one to beat. I would run Cue Card in the Ryanair. He is not going to get three and a half miles at Cheltenham in an end to end gallop in the Gold Cup. If he is in the Ryanair he is a favourite and hard to beat. Phillip Hobbs said: I am more likely to run Menorah. Wishfull Thinking might end up in the Byrne Group Plate. Cue Card has a big chance in the Ryanair but won't win the Gold Cup. Andrew King: Dynaste. WORLD HURDLE Paul Nicholls: Big Bucks has got as good a chance as any other time he has been in the race. He needed his previous run and it was on very heavy ground that we would not normally run him in. But we had to go somewhere with him and he has tightened up since then. He must have a leading chance. Phillip Hobbs: Big Bucks has been a fantastic horse for so long and must have a good chance. Andrew King: I had reservations about his comeback run. But seeing the way he was today (in a racecourse gallop at Exeter) he looked back to his best and will take all the beating. He looked a picture and still got such quality. David Pipe: I hope Annie Power does turn up as it will make it a great race for everyone to watch. FRIDAY: JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE Paul Nicholls: I am confident of a big run from Calipto but he prefers softer ground. ALBERT BARTLETT David Pipe: King's Palace has done nothing wrong, handles the track, stays well and is in ground form. All roads lead to the Albert Bartlett. Briar Hill is the main danger but I don't fancy Captain Cutter. Andrew King: Kings Palace is a very nice young horse and is the obvious choice in the race. He is got to go close but I would not take 3/1. GOLD CUP Paul Nicholls: Silviniaco Conti is stronger than last year and stays as we saw at Kempton. He was travelling extremely well and I have never had any doubt he can stay up that hill. He will need a bit of luck in running but is in very good shape. Phillip Hobbs: Captain Chris will run. That is the plan. He is not as good left handed but has won the Arkle and a novice hurdle at Cheltenham. There is no other race to run him in. We have nothing to lose by running. David Pipe: It looks a strong renewal and Bob's Worth will take all the beating. He is not flashy but is workmanlike. Silviniaco Conti has got a great chance but Bob's Worth will take all the beating, Nick Scholfield: Silviniaco Conti looked really fresh and well today (in the Exeter gallop) and Noel struggled to hold him. Harry Topper could be a good each way bet. At 20/1 he may run into a place. Andrew King: Silviniaco Conti is one of the best bets of the meeting. Handicap choices Phillip Hobbs: Fingal Bay in the Pertemps. Paul Nicholls: Far West in the Coral Cup David Pipe: Edmund Kean in the Kim Muir. Nick Scholfield: Regal Encore in the Coral Cup. Andrew King: Cheltenian in the County Hurdle.

Man who went on Christmas crime spree was having an 'out of body experience'

February 21, 2014, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Festival to be held in memory of Exeter man Paul Smith who died during Great West Run

≪ Previous: Full report of Cheltenham Festival preview evening at Exeter Racecourse

$

0

0

A man with a bizarre anti-social illness targeted cars in a Devon village in a Christmas crime spree after medicating himself on high doses of valium. William Donnelly felt he was having an out of body experience and was watching someone else breaking into the 11 cars he raided in East Ogwell, near Newton Abbot. Police found a hoard of stolen good including car stereos, satnavs, and a pair of binoculars when they raided his home, Exeter Crown Court was told. Special police patrols were sent to the village because so many cars were broken into over the Christmas holidays and Donnelly aroused suspicion because he was seen walking around in the middle of the night carrying a pile of ski-poles for no apparent reason. His victims all lived in streets near his own home and included a primary school teacher, a call centre manager and a journalist. They were all shocked that the normally peaceful village became the target of a three day crime wave. Donnelly, aged 25, of Tamworth Place, Ogwell, admitted four thefts from vehicles and asked for seven more to be considered. He was ordered to be curfewed for six months and do 100 hours unpaid community work and receive training and education as part of 12 months supervision. He has already served almost two months in custody while awaiting sentence. Judge Erik Salomonsen told him:"You stole from cars when you were high on valium. You found it helped your anxiety and decided to buy and take some more as self medication. "You were under the influence of that when you committed these offences but your offending caused anxiety and loss to a number of people in East Ogwell who felt their peace and tranquility had been severely interrupted. "It is clear you have mental health issues which you are trying to deal with and you are fortunate to have the support of your mother and family." Mr Scott Horner, prosecuting, said all the thefts happened over a few days during the Christmas break and many were from cars parked in driveways in East Ogwell. He said police sent special patrols to the village and officers spotted Donnelly carrying several pairs of ski poles and a ruck sack. They found most of the stolen property at his house nearby. Miss Anne Bellchambers, defending, said her client started taking valium as prescribed medication for an anxiety condition but then took more and more. She said:"He took a large amount which effectively left him away with the fairies and that was when these events occurred. He says it was almost like an out of body experience and it was as if he was looking down on someone else trying car doors and taking things from them." She said his unusual mental condition means he is vulnerable in prison but he is capable of doing community work. In a previous case Donnelly blamed repeated breaches of a curfew on an anti social disorder which meant he could not use public transport and therefore had to walk everywhere, meaning he sometimes missed the deadline to get home in the evening.

Festival to be held in memory of Exeter man Paul Smith who died during Great West Run

February 21, 2014, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Video: A night out in Exeter with a life-saving ambulance crew

≪ Previous: Man who went on Christmas crime spree was having an 'out of body experience'

$

0

0

A music festival is being held in memory of an Exeter man who died at the Great West Run at the age of 26. Music Festival JuncFest 2014 is to be held at The Junction Pub, Plymouth, on Saturday, March 1 in memory of Paul Smith. During the half marathon in May 2011 Paul collapsed and died 11 miles in. An inquest concluded that he had died of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS). This year friends, family and colleagues of Paul's at The Junction Pub in Plymouth, where he was the bar manager, are holding the festival to raise awareness and funds for the charity SADS UK in memory of Paul. Paul had lived and worked in Plymouth for many years before moving back to Exeter shortly before his death. He had been the manager of the rock venue The Junction Pub in Mutley and was heavily involved in promoting and showcasing local bands. Anne Jolly, Founder of SADS UK, the Ashley Jolly SAD Trust, says, "We are very grateful to all the management and staff at The Junction and all of Paul's friends, colleagues and family for holding a music event to raise awareness and funds for SADS UK following his tragic death. "Research into Sudden Arrhythmic Death is absolutely vital to help people in the future and prevent such untimely deaths and the continued support of Paul's family and friends is very much appreciated and valued by SADS UK." SADS UK funds research into SADS (Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome) and provides cardiac equipment such as heart monitors, event recorders and defibrillators to help save lives. SADS UK works with schools and the community to put lifesaving equipment in place. SADS UK is urging Government to make defibrillators mandatory in all schools to save lives. If you would like further information about SADS, please contact Anne Jolly, SADS UK, tel 01277 811215 or email info@sadsuk.org

---

Video: A night out in Exeter with a life-saving ambulance crew

February 21, 2014, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Crackdown on shoplifting in Exeter city centre

≪ Previous: Festival to be held in memory of Exeter man Paul Smith who died during Great West Run

$

0

0

They are the lifesavers who work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to be at our side in an emergency. And as latest figures show they may be putting their own lives on the line simply to do their job, reporter Adam Walmesley joined a South Western Ambulance Service crew to experience a weekend night shift in and around Exeter. 999: A man has been found lying face-down on a sofa in his home. His heart has stopped beating and it's a race against time to maintain any slim chance of survival... South Western Ambulance Service provides ambulance and urgent care services for people across a large geographical area including Exeter. To see this emergency service live in action, I followed an ambulance crew out in Exeter and the surrounding area on a weekend night dealing with everything from drunken falls to cardiac arrests. "Let's see how many lives we can save tonight," a paramedic says to his colleagues when I arrive at headquarters just before 7pm. The seven city-based crews primarily work 'on the road' either attending incidents or being stationed at a point where they can easily reach people and places. Lead paramedic Kelly Connor-Fortune and emergency care assistant Ali McCreadie have more than a decade and a half of experience between them when I join them near the start of a typical 12-hour shift. By the time we meet outside the accident and emergency unit of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, I've already witnessed a major incident. The first 'blue light' emergency of my night was for an elderly man who has fallen-over in the bath. But moments away from the destination, the crew are diverted to attend a cardiac arrest – a serious condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. Every second is crucial and optimum use of the 'chain of survival'– from effective bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to early defibrillation – can make the difference between life and death. The man, aged in his 60s, is unconscious in a downstairs room of his Heavitree home. It's crucial they reach him within eight minutes to reduce the likely chance of death. Police officers, who forced entry into the property, are on the scene with two ambulance service crews. They repeatedly say there is a "possibility of legal highs involved" – substances designed to produce similar effects of illegal drugs, but not technically illegal. "Legal highs are a prevalent and growing problem for us," says emergency care assistant Kevin Bowyer. The number of UK deaths linked to so-called 'legal highs' has risen sharply in recent years – from 10 in 2009 to at least 68 in 2012. "They are immoral but not illegal. So sometimes you feel like you're fighting a losing battle," adds colleague Lucy Moyle. Regardless of any substance involvement, the survival of cardiac arrest patients is a key measure of performance. As the Heavitree man is carried into the ambulance, his chances of staying alive are just one in 12 (eight per-cent). But as a dozen emergency service staff surround him in hospital, the man appears to have regained consciousness. Outside the hospital, I join Kelly and Ali who are about to leave for Crediton where a four-week-old baby is having breathing problems. The mother is worried her daughter could suffocate, but after a quick examination she is reassured the condition is not serious. . Crews can be tasked to deal with an eclectic range of problems including non-injury falls, chest pains and mental health problems. Despite being based in Exeter, the ambulance can get called-out across the region and transfer patients to places including Plymouth and London. "Our job is like a box of chocolates. Sometimes you can go for ages without anybody dying and then have three or four in one night," says Ali. But it is not only members of the public requiring treatment. In the past year the number of assaults on staff has risen to 104 reported incidents. Paramedic Steve Morley says: "Some people are very nasty. You meet them in their most vulnerable state, and you've got to be savvy in dealing with them. But it's still a very small percentage that are abusive." The next patient is described as a "regular" who calls the emergency services at least once a week and sometimes almost daily. Staff are concerned he may be a "time waster" who is unintentionally diverting resources from genuine emergencies. "He knows how to play the system. But we've had team meetings to ensure we respond to him in the most appropriate way," says Kelly. Nationwide the service is under huge pressure, with four million emergency calls a year and an ambulance dispatched every five seconds at an average cost of £250. Every day 114,000 people are admitted to hospital in an emergency. Paramedics are finding themselves dealing not only with medical emergencies, but increasingly a myriad of mental health issues including depression, psychosis and self-harm. A woman who has called the NHS non-emergency number 111 saying she is "feeling suicidal" is immediately upgraded to a 999 emergency. Kelly says: "Even though I've only had two hours mental health training, we deal with mental health issues on every shift. You have a duty of care in that moment, but sometimes you feel like you're going round and round in circles. It can be incredibly frustrating at times." As the clock passes 1am, Kelly predicts the next call will be an alcohol-related incident. She's absolutely right: a university student has fallen off a chair and injured his head at the Lemon Grove nightclub.

It turns out a female friend unexpectedly sat on his lap causing both parties to land on the floor. She says: "I wanted a photo and sat on his lap with force. Fortunately I'm okay, but he's cut his head pretty badly." The wound requires hospital treatment and the duo are driven to A & E in the ambulance – but that won't cut the waiting time. Ali says: "He needs stitching or gluing, but not straight away. And as it's very busy here tonight, he's probably looking at a three-hour wait to be seen." We're returning to base when another call is received – it's a cardiac arrest at Exeter Prison. Once we've got through several layers of security, the prisoner is located and carried into the ambulance. His chances of survival were initially low, especially in the light of some ongoing health issues. But since receiving CPR in the prison, there has been a return of spontaneous circulation – meaning his heart has started beating again. Potentially it's the second life saved tonight. Kelly says: "It's been a typical busy night. We've done lots of different types of job: mental health, falls, head injuries and there are lot of jobs we haven't done. Some of the other crews have picked-up the rowdier drunkards." In the face of huge pressure to meet response targets, and to deal with a widening spectrum of calls and even abuse – the staff of South Western Ambulance Service always maintain their professionalism and commitment to saving lives.

Crackdown on shoplifting in Exeter city centre

February 21, 2014, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: AUDIO: 'Exeter City are a dream to referee,' says Paul Tisdale

≪ Previous: Video: A night out in Exeter with a life-saving ambulance crew

$

0

0

Police in Exeter are carrying out extra foot patrols across the city in a bid to reduce shoplifting. Operation Handbag, which began in January, involves Devon and Cornwall Police, Exeter Businesses against Crime (EBAC) and local authority CCTV employees. And officers say it is already deterring shoplifters. Officers have delivered bespoke training sessions to security staff from retail outlets, giving them practical advice on dealing with offendersPolice inspector for Exeter Tanya Youngs, said: "The visible foot patrols are proving positive in deterring shoplifters. "We will carry out positive enforcement where necessary. "Our partners have said that our patrols have begun to deter shoplifters and beggars. Operation Handbag will continue to reinforce the message that Exeter City Centre will not tolerate any theft or anti social behaviour which has an impact on anyone working or visiting the area." John Harvey, Exeter's city centre manager, welcomed the crack down. He said: "There's an underlying issue and of course it is really important that we try and remain on top of that. "It's important that we get the message out that we are not soft on shoplifting. It is not a victimless crime because we all pay for it through higher prices. "Often the people engaging in shoplifting are involved in other criminal activities as well so if caught shoplifting you are opening up other things as well. "We have to sustain what we are doing as otherwise we will see a reverse in the progress that we are making. "Exeter Businesses Against Crime is a very important part of our armoury against shoplifting week in week out and sends a very powerful message that if you come to Exeter and engage in shoplifting there is a very high chance that you will get caught. "It's important that that message is very loud and very out there although we would simply rather that people didn't engage in shoplifting in the first place. "Of course it is welcome that the police are doing this as we have been looking for some time for a greater focus on this."

AUDIO: 'Exeter City are a dream to referee,' says Paul Tisdale

February 21, 2014, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Cold War bunker to be auctioned by South West Water in Exeter next month

≪ Previous: Crackdown on shoplifting in Exeter city centre

$

0

0

Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale side his side were a 'dream to referee', but admitted that they might be forced into changing that. City were denied three penalty appeals in their match with Morecambe on Tuesday night - including an injury time spot kick which was originally given by referee Andy D'Urso but then overturned. Tisdale says it is not the first time this season they have been the victim of poor decisions against them and he believes their good behaviour sometimes works against them.

Cold War bunker to be auctioned by South West Water in Exeter next month

February 21, 2014, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Exeter City v Rochdale: Matchday live

≪ Previous: AUDIO: 'Exeter City are a dream to referee,' says Paul Tisdale

$

0

0

A secret underground emergency bunker, built by South West Water to protect essential services in the event of a nuclear war, is being auctioned in Exeter next month. The bunker was constructed in 1978 during the Cold War so experts at the then South West Water Authority could maintain water and sewerage operations throughout the region even after a nuclear holocaust. The 3,000 sq ft bunker in Newquay, was designed for 16 people: seven in the operations room; six in the communications room; and three in the control room. The rooms are deep underground and the bunker is on the market with a £50,000 guide price. Other features include several blast proof doors, an air lock, decontamination room, dining room, recreation room and two dormitories. It will go under the hammer at Exeter Racecourse on Tuesday, March 25. South West Water Asset Performance Manager Brian Blake, who worked for the authority at the time, said: "I remember that the Government said we had to provide an underground control centre in case of emergency which was bomb and nuclear proof. It wasn't fully kitted out as there was no furniture in there, but if something had happened you could have lived in there for weeks." The company's Property Manager Chris Shapland added: "We regularly auction redundant assets to reduce our costs and keep customers' bills as low as possible, but this is the first time we've offered a genuine piece of cold war history. "Novelty sites with small areas of surplus land always attract strong interest as people are able to invest relatively modest sums for their 'little bit of England'. Several of our former storage reservoirs and pumping stations have been converted by their new owners into unusual homes. "It will be interesting to see what happens to the bunker – you never know who could end up using it." The Coswarth emergency bunker is covered in grass with a small brick blockhouse at one end housing the intake and exhaust ventilation shafts and the main entrance into the bunker. The entrance is via a flight of steps through a heavy steel and concrete blast door, then into a small lobby with two further blast doors. The small blast door opens into a filter room where filters could be inserted into metal trunking running from the intake air shaft to the ventilation plant in an adjacent room. The larger blast door gives access to the standby generator room. The existing generator was installed in October 1992. The generator was run monthly until 2011. The diesel tank is empty. A wooden door leads into the decontamination room which has a raised shower in one corner with three steps up to it and a hand-operated pump on the opposite wall. At the far end of a room is an air lock consisting of two blast doors five feet apart. The second door opens into the dining and recreation room, the largest room in the bunker which has direct access to all the other rooms. The first room is a unisex toilet with one urinal, two hand basins and two cubicles which have never had toilets installed in them. The next room is the kitchen which contains copper water piping and in one corner a tap with a stainless steel sink and draining board mounted on a wooden kitchen unit. A door leads out of the kitchen into a store and switchgear room. There are three floor standing electrical cabinets, one controlling the incoming mains supply and the others controlling the two standby generators. At the back of the room there is a door into a tank room containing two large, empty water tanks and a smaller header tank. Back in the recreation room one corner is chamfered with a door into the two dormitories one of which can also be accessed directly from the switchgear room. There is a partition wall between them but no door. On the far wall is the emergency exit consisting of a small blast door opening onto a flight of stairs up to a chamber within the grassed area. A second door from this dormitory gives access to the operations room which can also be accessed from the back of the recreation room. Another door leads out of the operations room into the communications room, with a further door leading from that into the smaller controller's room which also has a door back into the right hand side of the recreation room. These three rooms are completely empty. The final room, accessed from the recreation room, to the right of the entrance door, is the ventilation plant room which retains its German made plant in good working order. Throughout, the bunker is unpainted with bare concrete walls and bare breeze block partition walls between rooms. All the rooms and corridors have ventilation on the ceiling with uncovered wiring looms fixed to the ceilings and walls. Fifty percent of the proceeds of the sale of the bunker will be returned to customers through South West Water's next price setting.

Exeter City v Rochdale: Matchday live

February 22, 2014, 1:00 am

≫ Next: Exeter-based Met Office say recent storms could be linked to climate change

≪ Previous: Cold War bunker to be auctioned by South West Water in Exeter next month

$

0

0

Follow live updates from Exeter City's match with Rochdale at St James's Park this afternoon. City will look to build on a good run of form, which has seen them go five games unbeaten. Rochdale will be looking to pick up the points in their bid to get back into the top three automatic promotion positions.