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Press Releases
From Janet Kipling, Exeter 383654, November 26,2008
A free lunchtime talk is being held in Exeter Guildhall on Friday 5 December to mark the 400th birthday of a great Devon soldier and politician.
General George Monck was born on 6 December 1608 near the village of Merton in North Devon.
Living in Exeter as a young man, he became embroiled in a sensational murder case from which he barely escaped with his life.
He went on to pursue a successful public career which included playing a key role in the restoration of King Charles II to the throne after the Civil War. He was also responsible for founding the Coldstream Guards.
The free lunchtime talk, starting at 1.10pm, is being organised by Devon County Council and Exeter City Council. The speaker is Professor Ivan Roots, an Exeter University historian who has studied the life of General Monck and the period of history in which he lived.
All are welcome to attend and there will also be an opportunity to see the full-length portrait of George Monck which hangs in the Guildhall and has recently been conserved by the City Council.
Historical documents from the Devon Record Office relating to Monck's life will also be on display.
- Leader of the Council - Cllr Brian Greenslade
- Chief Executive -- Phil Norrey
- Budget £800 million
- Key investments include:
- Schools £349 million
- Adult and Community Services £164 million
- Environment, Economy and Culture £106 million
- Children and Young People £101 million
- Other important County Council support includes:
- Building programme: £185 million for new schools, roads, care services, libraries and recycling centres
- Political make-up:
- County Council seats: 62
- 33 Liberal Democrat
- 23 Conservative
- 4 Labour
- 2 Independent
- Next County Council elections: May 7, 2009
- Key stats:
- Population: 741,000
- Schools: 365
- Pupils: 96,200
- Children looked after: 584
- Adults helped to live at home: 17,622
- Residential and nursing care: 4,212 adults
- Libraries and Mobile Libraries: 61
- Roads: 12,831 kms (7,973 miles)
- Bridges: 3,500
- Public Rights of Way: 4,960 kms (3,200 miles)
- Streetlights: 71,000
- Illuminated road signs: 10,917
- Recycling Centres: 20
- Recycling rate: 49.21%
Figures may be subject to change
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