South West

Jurassic Fibre extends ultrafast broadband network to Cornwall

South West based internet service provider, Jurassic Fibre, today announced the start of their ultrafast broadband network build in Cornwall.

The award-winning broadband company has already rolled out their state-of-the-art network to homes and businesses across Devon, Dorset and Somerset, where many towns and villages had previously struggled with inadequate and unreliable digital...

South West Defence Cluster recognised in Ministry of Defence Action Plan

The new Ministry of Defence SME Action Plan has recognised the success of the South West Regional Defence and Security Cluster as an example of collaboration between industry and government to support the UK’s security and prosperity.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) SME Action Plan , published on 27th January, sets out how the MOD will improve engagement with small and medium-sized...

South West homeowners urged to be vigilant with burglaries anticipated to rise

An insurance expert has warned “complacency could cost South West homeowners dear” amidst fears of a surge in burglaries.

Amanda Harman, of insurance brokers Lycetts, has voiced concern that the return to work and increase in unoccupied homes during the day in the wake of eased lockdown restrictions could lead to a rise in break-ins.

Latest figures from the Crime Survey for...

Nearly a third of smoking households in the South West are living in poverty 

New analysis of national data commissioned by charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) finds that the proportion of smokers living in poverty is 110,000 in the South West.

The new breakdown published today [Wednesday 9th February] shows that In England as a whole 31% of households containing smokers live in poverty once spending on smoking is accounted for, whereas in the South...

Mercedes-Benz South West complete expansion in Estover

Mercedes-Benz South West have successfully expanded its workshop facility adjacent to the existing Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) Centre located in Estover, Plymouth. The family-run franchise which possesses multiple sites located across Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset, has acquired a space previously used by DPD to fulfil the expansion.

Following numerous lockdowns over the past 2...

Agricultural expert urges SW farmers with pop-up campsites to 'tread carefully' as they face a 'risk minefield'

An agricultural expert is warning South West farmers keen to cash-in on the temporary campsite trend that they may be putting their businesses in jeopardy as they face a 'risk minefield'.

The number of farms offering pop-up campsites has soared this summer, boosted by a change to government planning policy and rising demand for staycations.

New regulations allowing farmers...

New water saving measures to safeguard supplies

Plans to help households across England use water more efficiently, part of an ambitious agenda to build back greener from the pandemic, have been announced by the Environment Secretary . The proposals – announced in response to a public consultation on personal water usage – will balance the growing demand on national supplies with the ambitions in the 25 Year Environment Plan to achieve...

New water saving measures to safeguard supplies

Plans to help households across England use water more efficiently, part of an ambitious agenda to build back greener from the pandemic, have been announced by the Environment Secretary . The proposals – announced in response to a public consultation on personal water usage – will balance the growing demand on national supplies with the ambitions in the 25 Year Environment Plan to achieve...

Children in the South West are spending an additional 3 hours per day in their bedrooms, pandemic

Children in the South West are spending an additional 3 hours per day in their bedrooms due to the pandemic

Research has revealed the impact that spending more time indoors has had on children in the South West.

More than half (53 percent) of parents in the region claim their children are spending more time in their bedroom than they did pre-COVID. On average, these children are spending an additional three hours in their rooms per day. More than one in ten (16 percent) parents whose...

Freemasons rise to Covid-19 challenge with donations totalling £1m and 18 million hours of volunteering

Faced with the greatest global pandemic in living memory, Freemasons came together in 2020 and donated a total of £1m as well as their time to help those in need. The donations were used to help communities in various critical areas, including foodbanks, support for unpaid carers, personal protective equipment (PPE), supplies for hospitals and hospices, support for women’s refuges, and funds...

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