Express & Echo (Exeter, UK)

Police Hail Bid to Slash Burglaries

BURGLARIES in Exeter have been slashed thanks to a targeted campaign, city detectives claim. Known offenders have been the focus of officers from Exeter CID's burglary team for the last few months and a large number are now in prison on remand waiting to appear in court, or serving a jail sentence.

Man 'Could Not Cope with Wife's Terminal Illness'

AN inquest was told that a man took his own life because he could not cope with his wife's terminal illness. George Bargh, 55, of Milestone Bed and Breakfast, High Street, Newton Poppleford, was found hanged in the garage of his home by Macmillan nurse Joanne Skelton.

Mill Gets Festive

Students See Role of Magistrates

THE law, language and its meaning were among the topics for students when they dropped into court. The youngsters from Newton Abbot College were on their best behaviour when they attended South Devon magistrates court as part of their AS-level English language course.

Runner Chris in Plea for Sponsors

EXETER runner Chris Clow is appealing for sponsors to help him raise cash for a children's charity in the London Marathon. Father-of-three Chris, 25, from Whipton, wants to raise more than Pounds 1,000 for Get Kids Going which helps disabled youngsters with sports.

New Guide Puts City Museum in the Spotlight

SHADOW puppets, Shirley Temple dolls, magic lanterns and Marilyn Monroe postcards feature in a new illustrated guide to a city museum. The guide, for the University of Exeter's museum, tells the story of the development of the moving image from shadow puppets to blockbusters.

Big Music Night for Football Club

LIVE music is on offer at the Totally Bonkers Xmas Party at Exeter City Football Club on Saturday. Cover bands The New Heroes and Kiss This will perform classic hits.

Gmc Probes Claim Against City Medic

A DOCTOR who failed to carry out a full examination of an Exeter rape victim is facing fresh complaints about his work. Dr Imraan Jhetam admitted failing to 'adequately examine' the unconscious woman while working as a lead forensic medical examiner for Devon and Cornwall Constabulary.

Birthdays

Elderly Getting the Massage On Treatment

MAGIC fingers are proving a huge hit with Exeter's elderly people. For the past four years Eva Sercombe of the Magic Fingers C l i n i c o f C o m p l e m e n t a r y Health has been providing therapeutic massage for older people at Age Concern Exeter's centre in Cowick Street, St Thomas.

What a Great Year It's Been - All Thanks to You

ACTION Echo has had quite a year to look back on. From a plea for old tools needed in Africa, to Rotarians raising money to help eradicate polio, city schools needing school crossing patrollers, appealing for photographs of Devon for a charity calendar, seeking men to join a choir and giving away Pounds 1,000 to 10 charities across the city, we have done the lot.

First Anniversary for Green Group

THE East Devon Green Party is celebrating its first anniversary. It currently has 32 members and meets regularly at various venues across the district including Seaton, Sidmouth, Honiton, Ottery St Mary, and Broadclyst.

Staff Shock Over Cuts to Police

FRONT desk police staff have been shocked by the size of cuts being made to the force. One worker, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Echo: "It all came as a bit of a shock."

Family Festivities for Mr Christmas

WITH a name like Christmas one Devon man admits the festive season always brings added excitement. Pensioner John Christmas, from Sidmouth, is preparing to celebrate this special time of the year with a family gathering.

Village's Online Bid to Oust Paedophile

POLICE say they are aware of an internet site calling for a serial sex offender from Exeter to be ousted from his new home. Paedophile James McAlpine, formerly of Howell Road, was jailed for life in 2002 for a string of offences against young boys after changing his name to avoid detection.

Owner's Joy As She Is Reunited with Lost Winston

A DOG walker has thanked a group of strangers who helped her find her lost pet. Susan Longworth, 51, from Rydon Lane, in Exeter's Countess Wear, was walking her lurcher, called Winston, at Haldon Forest on Tuesday when it disappeared at around 1.15pm.

Writer Honoured

Nursery's Bright Idea for Festival

TOTS at a city nursery have taken part in a procession of light to mark a Scandanavian yuletide festival. Youngsters at Kiddi Caru Nursery at Exeter Business Park donned sparkly costumes and handmade crowns of light for the procession before lighting lanterns as it got dark. Nursery manager Jo Stone said: "Throughout the year we teach the children about different cultural festivals that go on around the world. Our administrator, Lucy Robinson, told us about the Festival of Light which takes p...

Rda's Countdown to Closure Revealed

STAFF at the doomed agency which distributes Government cash in the South West have been given a timetable for the organisation's closure. The South West Regional Development Agency, which has offices in Exeter's Dix's Field, is being axed and replaced with Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP).

Volleyball Dates Hosted by College

ST Luke's Science and Sports College in Exeter has hosted the first of three Devon schools volleyball competitions for 2010-2011. The event saw 17 teams and more than 65 young people competing for the Senior Indoor County Trophy.