The PRSD

Parents, why run round like a headless chicken trying to entertain your child this summer holiday, when a headless chicken can actually do it for you? We're talking, of course, about the hoe-down, fun-down that is the joyous, kookie, song-filled happy time that is CLUCK! The story about a chicken that lived for quite a while after losing its head is the kind of thing what will leave you agog and buzzing.

In a world of changing borders (hello Devon devolution) a charity in South Devon has purchased a woodland to protect it in perpetuity. Ham Point The Sharpham Trust owns and cares for a historic 550-acre estate on the banks of the River Dart below Totnes. The Trust operates four mindfulness retreat centres, which welcome around 3,000 people annually, to benefit from meditation and spending time in nature. Recently ten acres of woodland came up for sale on the opposite side of the river at Ham Point.

"I think these people aren't being honest," English lecturer and co-chair of the Exeter UCU Michael Flexer told the New Statesman about the proposed 150 job cuts at Exeter Uni. It's in an article called How to kill a university's reputation... we'd add something about the reputation of a city, which is home to the Exeter Book and a UNESCO City of Literature. Those crumbling ivy towers will leave rubble on the ground.

Three Year 9 student leaders from Holsworthy Community College's Anti-Bullying Ambassador Team have made a significant impact in the local community after organising a whole-school food collection in support of Holsworthy Food Bank. Support Brianna, Jorja and Mia led the initiative, which inspired students, staff and families to come together in support of local people facing hardship.

This Sunday 19 July a beautiful programme of classical music arrives for the final time this season at St Mary the Virgin in St Marychurch. Maestro Jonathan Storer describes it as great for hard core fans, but also those 'classicurious'. It's also timed to fit with the World Cup Final. 'Phenomenal' Its a chance to hear pianist Simon Mulligan, a musician described by Yehudi Menuhin as 'one of the finest pianists I have ever had the pleasure of performing with,' and by Herbie Hancock as 'phenomenal'.

House music. "It's a spiritual thing. A body thing. A soul thing." The House Is A Feeling event at Maltings Taphouse, Newton Abbot is a chance to sample that soul-enriching experience, with top DJs, an elemental venue and, feeling the vibe around it, something very, very special. "In essence, it's a celebration of house music," Michael of promoters Formula told the PRSD when we bumped into him at the Maltings Press, the venue's very own coffee shop.

Steve Race, Labour MP for Exeter, is encouraging veterans affected by the historic ban on LGBTQ+ people serving in the armed forces to apply to the Financial Recognition Scheme before it closes on 12 December 2026. Abandoned without support Until 12 January 2000, LGBTQ+ people were banned from serving in the armed forces. As a result, thousands of personnel were forced out of their positions and abandoned without support, despite their service to their country.

When pupils return in September - yes, we know, they've not even broken up yet, and look at the weather - eight Plymouth schools will join the roll-out of free breakfast clubs in England. This will bring the total number of primary schools in Plymouth offering free breakfast clubs to 17.

When Cliff Richard went on summer holiday, he took a bus. That is a lesson to us all about health and hits. This summer, well, August, free bus travel for all 5-to-15-year-olds in England will be available the month. With child fares typically costing between £1 and £2, families will be able to save on the cost of travel on all participating buses in England from 1 August until 31 August, says the Department of Transport.

Torbay Liberal Democrats have unanimously selected Steve Darling MP as the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for the next election.