Detective Sergeant Chloe Webber said “Valentine’s day can be extremely special for some people but unfortunately for others this is not always the case.  There are many factors at this time which affect relationships, such as high expectations, stress, and financial pressure which may lead to a relationship becoming abusive.   Abuse in a relationship can be physical, emotional or financial and can affect anyone.”

Mary Fredlund from the domestic violence advocacy group SEEDS said: “A card and flowers on Valentine’s Day may provide some temporary respite from abuse, but doesn’t mean the abuse will stop.  For anyone in a violent relationship it is important to seek help now, rather than hope that things will improve because of a seemingly caring gesture on Valentine’s Day”.

Help and advice is available for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, from Devon’s domestic violence partnership ADVA (Against Domestic Violence and Abuse) at www.adva.org.uk and Devon and Cornwall Police at www.devon-cornwall.pnn.police.uk.

Anyone experiencing domestic violence or abuse can also contact the police by phoning 101 or in the case of an emergency 999.

Notes to editors:

For further information please contact: 

• Annette Richman,  KOR Communications – (Please note KOR Communications are working on behalf of ADVA – Against Domestic Abuse and Violence in Devon.)

Tel: 01392 466733

Email: Annette@KORcommunications.co.uk

• Sarah Shervington, External Communications Support Officer, Devon and Cornwall Police

Tel: 01392 452596

Email: sarah.shervington@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk

Translabel is available to pharmacists or anyone who dispenses or advises on medicines. Among the language translations available are Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Gujarati, Latvian, Polish and Urdu.  The online system, which has been developed and checked by pharmacy professionals is also available in English large print to assist patients with visual impairment.

Company Director of Rx-info, Colin Richman, who developed Translabel said: “While working as a pharmacist in hospitals and in the community, I recognised the challenges surrounding accurate medicines dosage for patients whose first language is not English. As a result Rx-info has worked with other pharmacy professionals in the UK and abroad to develop, check and support the Translabel system which is completely free to use. It has already benefited many of our colleagues and we hope that many more will find it useful in terms of clearer communication with patients as well as saving money on translation”.

Translabel is available free of charge, to anyone who would like to use it.

ENDS

Local Devon-based Cavanna Homes has been selected from a range of regional and national homebuilders to take forward proposals for a new mixed housing and employment development in the South Hams parish of Dartington.

South Hams District Council has allocated a site on land owned by The Dartington Hall Trust at Higher Tweed Mill, Webbers Way Industrial Estate and part of Sawmills Field at Dartington to create a vibrant new rural business park and about 95 new homes.

Cavanna Homes, a third generation family business specialising in building new homes in the West Country, was chosen by The Dartington Hall Trust on the strength of its proposal. The company will now work with local people, South Hams District Council and representations of the Trust to take the scheme forward via the Council’s Collaborative Masterplanning Template. This involves a five-stage consultation process that began last September. The next public workshop takes place on Saturday 4^th February in Dartington village hall at 10am and will be repeated the same day at 2pm and again at Dartington Primary School on 8^th February at 6.30pm.

Vaughan Lindsay, Chief Executive Officer of The Dartington Hall Trust, said: “We recognise that the planning process can be very complex and we have made a commitment to meaningfully engage with our neighbours from the outset so local people can better understand the plans and have an opportunity to influence the design of the scheme.

“We believe our development partners Cavanna understand that our values and those of the wider community should be reflected in the completed development. They were selected above several well-known national house builders for their focus on quality and creating a sense of place.”

Jeremy Cavanna, Managing Director of Cavanna Homes, said: “We are really pleased that The Dartington Hall Trust haven chosen us, as a local developer, to help them take forward this scheme for Dartington parish and we very much look forward to working closely with them and the local community through the development process.”

As well as providing much needed new homes, the mixed-use development is expected to create space for up to 120 jobs through the regeneration of Webbers Yard and phased construction of new workspaces and small business units.

ENDS

For more information contact Katrina Hurford on 01803 847026 or katrina.hurford@dartington.org | or Annette Richman at annette@korcommunications.co.uk

LHC, which has studios in Plymouth, Exeter and Southampton was formed on January 31st 1992 by partners Peter Lacey, Mike Hickie and Jim Caley who retired five years ago, but retain an interest in the business.

Today the company is run by directors John Baulch, Rob Bramhall, Nigel Blackman, Neil Emery and Tony Boyle who, along with their 45-strong team, specialise in urban design, architecture and landscape with an emphasis on regeneration.

Over the past two decades LHC’s architects have been responsible for a number of iconic and award-winning projects across the south west and beyond, including the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth, Clinton Devon Estates’ highly sustainable Rolle Estate Office at Bicton Arena in East Devon, the INTO Academic Centre at Exeter University, the Gun Wharf and Ker Street Regeneration in Devonport and the JCB Academy in Uttoxeter, which won LHC the British Council for School Environments award last year.

Within the company’s current project portfolio is the design of a new luxury hotel complex on Plymouth’s Drake’s Island, St Austell’s new eco-community and the first phase of Exeter Science Park at Junction 29 of the M5.LHC was founded during the recession of the early 1990’s by the three partners who had previously worked together for a national architect practice.

Former Chairman, Peter Lacey recalls: “The Exeter Building Company – which later became ROK – was our first client with a contract to design the new CSA (Child Support Agency) building at Roborough in Plymouth.

We went on to secure contracts with Safeway to design a number of their new stores across the south west and thereafter our business grew year on year.”

Current Chairman, John Baulch said: “The business we have today has been developed from the sound foundations laid by the three original partners. Our portfolio of work, particularly in large scale regeneration, education and housing, is something we are very proud of.  We now have a strong focus on functional, sustainable design that is also striking and beautiful.

“Looking ahead to the next 20 years, we anticipate exciting developments in urban design, with an even greater emphasis on delivering sustainability within mainstream development. Here in the south west we are privileged to work on a number of exemplar projects which have the potential to shine on a national stage,” added Mr Baulch.

Jon Watkins, Regional Director of RIBA South West said: ”LHC’s work across the South West shows the strength of the practice in helping to deliver the RIBA’s mission of championing better buildings, communities and the environment through architecture and our members. I expect the next 20 years will be as successful as the last.”

To mark their 20th year of business, LHC have launched a new website: www.lhc.net-ends

Chris Ash, has just retired after 47 years working with leading South Devon firm Wollen Michelmore.

During that time, the Legal Costs Draftsman cycled nearly every day from his home in Kingsteignton to the office in Torquay when he moved there after getting married in 1970. Given the daily distance of 19.5 miles, this means he estimates he has notched up an impressive 180,000 mile commute on his bike – the equivalent of cycling round the world 7.2 times.

Chris, who is now 65 years old, said: “It’s certainly kept me fit! I started cycling in 1958, but then got diverted into surfing in 1966, although I returned to competitive cycling in 1974. I’ve enjoyed road races and time trials all over the UK and in France, but I think the roads are too dangerous now so I’ve given up competitions although I still cycle regularly on Sundays with the Mid Devon Cycling Club.

“I’ve been knocked off around half a dozen times, but fortunately it’s been nothing I haven’t recovered from. The Newton Road is probably ten times busier now than in 1970 but then there was no lighting for much of the journey and of course no cycle lane.  The cycle lane has made a huge difference which is shown by the amount of cyclists that commute every day.

“In the summer the journey will take 30 to 40 minutes as I am fitter but in the winter it can take anything up to 50 minutes, especially if the weather is bad or it in very windy.  One particularly eventful journey was when I got caught up in the whirlwind that came across the Bay a few years ago.  I was actually cycling along the seafront when it hit land and had to drag my bike and myself against the wall at Rock Walk. It came across the road about 100 yards in front of me and sounded like an express train. I even saw a door fly through the air right in front of me. It was just like The Wizard of Oz and probably the most frightening thing I have even witnessed.”

Chris’ role as a Legal Costs Draftsman means his days are spent preparing Bills of Cost for court and the legal services commission.

“Computers have been the major change that I’ve seen,” he said. “I first worked using manual typewriters, and writing everything in old ledgers. I still keep an old quill pen by the side of my desk for emergencies!”

Wollen Michelmore Managing Partner Chris Hart said: “Chris’ levels of fitness and energy have certainly set the bar high for the rest of us! He has served the firm wonderfully over almost five decades and we wish Chris all the very best for a relaxing retirement!”

Picture caption: Chris Ash (left) with Wollen Michelmore Senior Partners Michael Cosgrave (centre) and Alan Brookes (right).

ENDS

For further information and interviews please contact Clive Meredith on 01803 396634  clive.meredith@wollenmichelmore.co.uk

Figures just published show that in 2011 the Torquay based company produced a turnover of £30 million on a total of 160 sales – an increase of 10% on the previous year.  Open market sales rose by 30% to 152 while social housing fell to just 5% of total sales. (In 2010 Cavanna Homes’ social housing division sold a record 51 plots as two purely social housing developments were completed.)

Although the company has returned a robust set of figures and increased staff numbers to a pre-recession high of 79, it says that the house housing market and the house building process as a whole remains challenging.

Marketing Director Jonathan Cavanna said: “In recent years, since the start of the economic downturn, the output of the house building industry has shrunk by a half and although we are pleased to have achieved a promising set of results, it has been against a difficult background.”

Mr Cavanna added: “Over the past 12 months, our focus has been on steadily growing our sales in the open market which has meant that we have had to keep our pricing competitive.”

The availability of mortgages on terms people can afford has been one of the key factors holding back the housing market nationally but Cavanna Homes believes the government’s £400 million kick-start to the building industry this summer, along with a pledge to underwrite 95% mortgages on new homes, is “encouraging”.

Mr Cavanna explained: “This investment is very encouraging news because previous recessions, from the Great Depression of the 1930’s onward, provide firm evidence of a link between housebuilding and economic recovery.

“Housebuilding not only employs people in a variety of roles on site and in the office but there are also additional local support services such as builders’ merchants, architects, structural engineers, environmental consultants, solicitors, estate agents, mortgage brokers and even planning officers, which has the overall effect of raising the employment figure as well as significantly boosting the local economy.”

The Home Builders Federation (HBF) estimates that for every new home built each year, one and half full time jobs are sustained directly within the industry with an additional three generated in the overall supply chain.

At the end of last year, Cavanna Homes won outline planning permission for major developments at Dawlish and Paignton and detailed planning consent for a second large development at Plymouth Airport, known as 504K. All three housing projects will begin in 2012. Smaller projects at Charles Road, Kingsteignton and Pebblestone at Seaton are also due to begin this year. However, the company suffered a significant setback last year on the refusal of an application for new homes at Area 4 South in Torquay, despite unanimous support from all statutory consultees.

Head of Planning Ian Pugsley said: “This was a high quality application that received support from all the consultees including Natural England, Devon Wildlife Trust, the Environment Agency and the Highway Authority as well as Torbay’s planning department. It is therefore disappointing to have been turned down and we will be meeting to discuss how best to proceed.”

Cavanna Homes currently has homes for sale in six developments. They are Evolve in Torquay, The Salterns at Bideford, Blue View at Lyme Regis, Cobham Field at Roborough near Plymouth, Parish Green at Lee Mill near Ivybridge and # 8, a small development of detached homes in the Looseleigh Lane area of Plymouth.

In October Cavanna rose to 69^th place in the UK’s Top 75 Housebuilders list which is produced by the Housing Market Intelligence report in partnership with the NHBC, and was only one of 20 in the Top 75 to have recruited more staff.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

For further information or interviews please contact Annette Richman at  KOR Communications on 01392 466733.

Rachel Martin from ADVA (against domestic violence and abuse), Devon’s domestic violence partnership, which is led by Devon County Council said; “In homes where there is violence and abuse throughout the year, the problems can often increase during the festive season when people spend more time together.”

Christine Fritsch, Assistant Manager at Stop Abuse for Everyone said: “Contributing stress factors such as high expectations and financial pressures together with an increase in alcohol consumption can lead to arguments or outbursts of violence.  At this time of higher risk it is important that people know there is help at hand”.

Figures from Devon and Cornwall Police show that last December in Devon (exluding Plymouth and Torbay) 108 domestic abuse related crimes were reported in the 72 hours between Christmas Eve and December 27^th. Sixteen of them were recorded as violence related to drink or drugs.

Stop Abuse for Everyone provides domestic abuse support services in Exeter and East Devon. They will have a Crisis Support line open 24 hours a day over the Christmas period – 0800 3283070.

Devon and Cornwall Police also provide support throughout the Christmas and New Year Period to respond to all reported incidents of domestic violence and abuse.

Anyone experiencing domestic violence or abuse can contact the Police by phoning 101 or Textphone (through an operator) 18001 101 or in the case of an emergency 999.

Other advice and support helpline numbers can be found at or www.adva.org.uk or www.devon-cornwall.pnn.police.uk

ENDS

For further information, please contact Annette Richman at KOR Communications- representing ADVA.

Having raised £60,000 to finance his new business venture, the former manager, turned entrepreneur, has restocked the furniture and homewares store and re-employed five of his former staff, as well as his 22 year old son Lewis and some new employees.

The opening of Mooreways at Liverton Business Park on the outskirts of Exmouth on Wednesday 28^th December, marks the culmination of a hard year of planning and preparation, based on a solid business case.

James Moore explains: “From my four years as manager, I knew that the Exmouth branch was the most profitable store in the South West region which meant that there was a golden business opportunity for someone.  That someone, luckily, is me, thanks to the support of my accountant in helping to put together the business plan for the bank and to Clinton Devon Estates who were able to facilitate the lease of the old Homemaker building on their award-winning business park.”

Mr Moore added: “In a similar way to the Woolworths revival in Dorchester, Dorset, the revival of Homemaker as Mooreways in Exmouth demonstrates that there is another way of running a high quality furniture store – as an independent business.”

Having established the foundations of the business, James Moore has spent the last months re-stocking the store with a wide range of high quality British furniture and homewares including a local exclusivity arrangement with Caxton furniture and Lebus upholstery.

Mr Moore said: “Customers can expect a similar style and product range to the one they had at Homemaker – only better. I have brought high quality, branded products into the business so that people can feel confident about what they’re buying. I will also be offering a delivery service on bigger items and some of my suppliers deliver direct to people’s homes where ever they live in Britain.” He added: “Liverton Business Park is the ideal location for furniture shopping both for local people and for holiday-makers. We have a large showroom with lots of passing trade and excellent access and car-parking.”

Leigh Rix, Head of Property and Land at Clinton Devon Estates, owners of the building on Liverton Business Park said: “James Moore’s investment in his new business at Liverton is a huge vote of confidence in Exmouth and East Devon. Not only is he bringing back a much needed retail outlet, he is also employing 14 local people. This is a real economic boost for the area and James’s vision and initiative are to be greatly admired. We wish him every success.”

The Exmouth branch of Homemaker closed on June 30^th 2010 with 22 redundancies.

ENDS

Note to editors:

The pictures attached may be used free of charge in connection with this story.

For further information or interviews, please contact Annette Richman at KOR Communications on 01392 466733.

“This is very good news for young people in particular who have had a really tough time with unemployment, student debt and trying to afford somewhere to live. This policy is a welcome return to the long standing tradition of providing 95% mortgages and it will allow those who are able to raise a mortgage to break through the deposit barrier which has been a major problem in recent years.”

In response to the £400million boost to the housebuilding industry, Mr Cavanna said: “Earlier recessions have provided firm evidence that there is a very strong link between house-  building and economic recovery which is why news that the government are ploughing £400million to kick-start the industry is very welcome indeed.”

Mr Cavanna added: “In the 1930s, substantial investment in housebuilding and infrastructure led Britain out of the Great Depression and, while we all appreciate that Government finances are really pressed, this is a proven solution.”

Estates Director John Varley is quizzed on the Estates’ plans for Plumb Park, a proposal for 350 homes on the edge of Littleham, which has been designed to help alleviate the town’s housing need and open-up new access routes including public rights of way to the iconic Donkey Hill.

Mr Varley explains how the Estates’ original proposal for up to 500 dwellings would have potentially provided 200 affordable homes for Exmouth but had to be reduced following a substituted proposal by Exmouth Town Council, at the Local Development Framework Panel Meeting on October 11^th, for 190 homes on a reduced area.

Mr Varley says that the 190 home proposal, while deliverable, would restrict the Estates’ objective to build a sustainable community for Littleham, with new linear access routes across the valley,  open spaces, orchards, woodlands and landscaping. He adds that it would also reduce the affordable homes allocation to no more than 75.

In the video Mr Varley responds to questions about the impact of the proposals on the Maer Valley and on agriculture around Exmouth. He also responds to criticism that access to the site is poor and congestion is bad, particularly in the summer months.

Mr Varley said: “I would urge as many people as possible to watch this webcast to learn more about our proposals for Plumb Park which are, without doubt, the most sustainable on the table.”

He added: “As winners of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Sustainable Development category twice in five years, Clinton Devon Estates have proved their long-term commitment to thriving communities, the environment and the economy. We have a golden opportunity to build a community, help young families and older people find suitable homes and generate capital to invest in some amazing landscaping and enhancements to the natural environment and its wildlife. As far as the Maer Valley, we recognise its enormous value and absolutely do not want to see it spoiled.”

Clinton Devon Estates say they will start an engaging consultation with the community over the coming weeks and months to “build something we can all be proud of”.

The 5 minute webcast can be viewed on: http://www.youtube.com/user/ClintonDevonEstates

It can also be accessed via the home page of the Clinton Devon Estates website: www.clintondevon.com