Friday 2 August 2024
 Left to right, Robin Ince; the Exeter Library event; Cllr Roger Croad; library books; Chief Executive of Libraries Unlimited, Alex Kittow with Cllr Roger Croad.
Libraries Service; one hundred years of ‘enriching lives and building communities’
We're especially proud of our libraries in Devon and the vital role they play in people's lives and in local communities.
This is the centenary year for Devon's libraries and there are events and activities planned throughout 2024 to help celebrate this significant milestone.
Last month saw the first, attended by authors and actors who paid tribute to a service that has enriched the lives of so many.
From the Carnegie UK Trust, to Luftwaffe bombers, to the coronavirus pandemic and cost of living crisis, Devon's libraries have seen them all.
We've looked back and delved a little into the archives to see just where our Devon libraries began and how their roles have changed over the decades.
You can read the full feature on our news page.
 We're trialling the Duolingo English Test to help people seeking asylum and refugees
We are trialling an English language proficiency test, delivered by the popular learning company, Duolingo, to help refugees and people seeking asylum in Devon.
English proficiency tests are often needed by applicants to get into university or employment, but refugees and people seeking asylum often struggle to access the tests due to their cost, the testing location, or other commitments that prevent them from attending in person.
So, South West Council’s ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) co-ordinator, introduced us to Duolingo because the app provider was looking for local authorities to work with to test its online language proficiency programme with speakers of other languages.
Duolingo has agreed to give us hundreds of free tests to trial in exchange for us providing them with feedback from people who take the tests, as well as other ESOL providers and teachers.
The trial started this month, with people able to take the tests online at any time and in any location to suit them.
You can read more about this trial in the full story on our news page.
 Could you be a Volunteer Trainee Ranger at Stover Country Park?
Stover Country Park is looking for a Volunteer Trainee Ranger to work as part of their Ranger Team.
The park has a variety of volunteer groups who help on a regular basis with routine maintenance and special projects. These range from grass raking, brash removal, rhododendron clearance, bridge building, wildlife surveying, engaging with the public and woodwork, among others.
As a Volunteer Trainee Ranger, you would be helping with the practical habitat management and routine maintenance of the park and its six habitat types.
We’re looking for someone with a passion for nature and conservation, a willingness to learn new skills and to be able to undertake physical work in all weather conditions.
To apply for the role, please send a CV and covering letter to stover@devon.gov.uk. The closing date for applications for this role is the end of Sunday 25 August 2024, with interviews anticipated to be on Tuesday 3 September.
For more information about the role, visit the Stover Country Park webpage.
New and high growth businesses in the South West's blue/green economy can now benefit from a significant boost, as the English Freeport tax benefits extension window went into law in May.
The Plymouth and South Devon Freeport has welcomed the extension, which sees English Freeport tax benefits extended until September 2031. In short, it means that new or high growth businesses have greater certainty and more time to capitalise on the Freeport's tax benefits and reliefs.
Alongside the tax window extension, Plymouth and South Devon Freeport has also confirmed that, as well as marine, defence and space being target sectors, three additional sectors of advanced manufacturing, engineering and net zero technology are now also key areas of focus for the South West’s only Freeport.
You can read more in the story on our news page.
We're excited to say that we've started an official Devon County Council WhatsApp Channel, allowing you to follow us to receive important updates and information directly to your phone.
WhatsApp is one of the world's most popular messaging platforms globally and many of you will no doubt already use it.
WhatsApp 'Channels' are a bit different to the 'Chats' that you may be familiar with.
For starters, posts in Channels appear in the 'Updates' tab in the app, rather than the 'Chats' tab. And the profile names, photos and mobile numbers of people who follow Channels are kept hidden and secure and are not in view to other followers.
We want to start using it to relay news, events and important information to our followers.
Joining is really easy. Follow these simple steps:
- Scan the QR code below or follow this link
- Once the channel opens, click ‘Follow’ in the top right
- Make sure you click the bell icon in the top right to turn on notifications, so you never miss an update
You can read more about this in the story on our news page.
 Photo by Sai Kiran Anagani on Unsplash
The summer holidays are here, and our trading standards service is offering some helpful reminders when you are buying products to help you and your family make the most of what will (hopefully) be a period of fine weather.
When buying sunglasses or suncream for instance it’s tempting to buy the cheapest product on offer – but it’s important to ensure that when buying sunglasses to look for the UKCA/CE mark, as well as the UV rating or British Standard BS EN ISO 12312.
Suncream should be labelled with the manufacturer’s details as well as the ingredients while beach clothes for under-7s should not have drawstrings in the head or neck area.
Items such as rubber rings, armbands and water flotation products should have a water safety warning saying they should be used under supervision and are not to be used in open water.
Some products like armbands will be marked with the suitable age or weight range.
Barbeques should be labelled with warnings on how to use them safely.
You can read the full story on our news page.
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