Street sweeper brushes make the perfect donkey backscratchers

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• Learn Devon launches its latest free adult education courses

  Learn Devon’s latest programme of free adult education courses is getting underway across Devon this month (September).

• ‘Show some bottle’ call over Exeter water stations

  Exeter needs better hydration, according to councillors who are pressing the city to install more public water stations.

• Police appeal for information about wanted Dawlish man

  Police are appealing for information to locate 61-year-old John Lee Collinson, of Dawlish, who is wanted on recall to prison.

• ‘Iconic’ Exeter city centre bridge won’t be replaced

  A massive new development in the centre of Exeter could go ahead without replacing an ‘iconic’ footbridge, after the developers have come back to Exeter City Council seeking permission to make a number of changes to their plans.

• The Royal Devon’s 2025 Adult Inpatient survey results consistent with national average, praise for respectful and compassionate care

  The results of the 2025 Adult Inpatient survey are in, and the Royal Devon has scored in-line with the national average, receiving positive feedback for respectful and compassionate care.+

• Overnight closures planned on the A380 between Eagle Farm and Splatford Split

  Overnight maintenance work will be carried out on the A380 from Monday 14 September. The essential work is scheduled to take place overnight for four nights from Monday 14 September to Thursday 17 September. This includes re-tensioning safety barriers, line marking, grass cutting, gully emptying and joint seal repairs.

• Backing for legal challenge to government’s council shake-up

  Another Devon council is planning to challenge the government in the courts over its plans for a complete transformation of the way the county is run.

• More than 100 homes could be planted in vital green wedge

  More than 100 homes could be built in a vital area of land that helps an East Devon village maintain its separation from a fast-growing neighbouring town.

• £6million Exeter leisure centre plan submitted

  The £6million transformation of an outdated Exeter leisure centre has moved a step closer.

• Banking giants ‘turning their backs’ on rural Devon

  Britain’s biggest banks have come under fire from MPs over the ‘decimation’ of rural services which is leaving people in places like Devon out in the cold.

• Petitions against council reorganisation presented in parliament

  More than 6,000 people have signed petitions calling on the government to reverse its plans for local government reorganisation across the county.

• Go-ahead for school that ‘lacks inspiration’

  Plans for a vital extra school in Devon’s newest town have been reluctantly approved after being dubbed a “missed opportunity”.

• Appeal following collision between car and van in Exeter

  Police are appealing for witnesses after a car collided with another vehicle in Exeter and failed to stop at the scene.

• Start and end your day right: South West Water encourages customers to adopt water-efficient routines to protect essential supplies

  South West Water is asking customers to make small adjustments to their daily routines as prolonged hot, dry weather continues to place increased demand on water supplies. Individual actions may seem small, but collectively they can make a meaningful difference. These simple changes also provide an opportunity for families to adopt more water-efficient behaviours and reduce water use at home in the long term.

• Pregnant women urged to get flu vaccination ahead of winter

  From today (1 September 2026) pregnant women are eligible for their free winter flu vaccination.

• AI helping people reach the right service faster

  Recent weeks have seen the introduction of a new AI-assisted system across the country to help direct some non-police calls away from the 101 service and towards the organisations best placed to help.