University of Exeter health and housing project to combat isolation during lockdown

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 05/07/2020 - 12:31pm

A project that links technology and housing to improve health and wellbeing in Cornwall is developing a guide to using online devices to reduce feelings of isolation during COVID-19 lockdown.

Led by the University of Exeter, the Smartline project researches the relationship between technology and the way people live in their homes and communities. Launched in 2017, the study gathers hard data and insights from residents living in social housing in Cornwall whose demographic is proportionately older, in the South West of England, via sensors in their homes.

Now, with a...

Exeter kitchen retailer tackles global pandemic to keep trading

Authored by Claire Small
Posted: Thu, 05/07/2020 - 11:59am

Despite such uncertain times having a major impact on the high street, an Exeter kitchen retailer is harnessing the latest technology to overcome the challenges posed by a global pandemic.

The Kutchenhaus store is providing virtual appointments and using its new online 3D planning and design tool to create kitchens remotely for local customers until COVID-19 government restrictions are lifted.

Nigel & Samantha Dilley co-owners of the store, are introducing new ways for its customers to view, design and order its contemporary ranges produced by parent company, Nobilia...

Exeter Chiefs women’s side boosts Exeter College Rugby Academy

Authored by stephendixon
Posted: Thu, 05/07/2020 - 11:57am

Exeter College’s Ofsted Outstanding offer to the region’s top young rugby talent received a huge boost with the news that Exeter Chiefs’ newly launched professional women’s side received approval to join the Tyrrell’s Premier 15s League.

The agreement to join the league rubber stamps the launch of Exeter Chiefs’ women’s team and provides fresh impetus to Women’s Rugby Academy at Exeter College.

Exeter College has been offering the Women’s Rugby Academy education provision in partnership with Exeter Chiefs for three years, with students given the chance to pursue a career in...

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Exeter zero waste stores to reopen with safety measures in place

Authored by Sue Cade
Posted: Thu, 05/07/2020 - 9:51am

Zero waste provisions retailer Nourish will be reopening its shops in Topsham and Magdalen Road on Thursday May 14 with owner Sarah Martin putting in place systems to ensure the safety of customers and staff.

The business closed in late March when it became obvious that it was going to be difficult to adhere to government guidelines.

“Both shops are fairly small and the style of shopping is interactive with customers measuring out their own spices, pulses, seeds or pasta before weighing and making payment,” explained Sarah.

“And to be honest, in those earlier days,...

What we can learn about leadership from the pandemic response

The situation the world is in right now is horrible. Not only are we facing a deadly virus and a possible economic collapse, but we're also facing a battle every day to see the right information at the right time and from the right sources.

As the leaders of every nation stand at their respective podiums, we are looking to them to provide us with stability and help see us through this dark time. No matter how you feel about the current establishment, it's obvious that the job of a leader in these circumstances is incredibly difficult.

Learning about leadership

It's been...

Exeter DJs needed by charity to stage the world’s largest live stream in aid of COVID-19

Exeter DJs can play their part in dance music history this weekend by playing a set for the world’s largest ever simultaneous live stream DJ event in aid of the Last Night A DJ Saved My Life (LNADJ) COVID-19 Emergency Appeal.

Local DJs can broadcast their ‘Set For Love’ - the brainchild of the LNADJ charity - to help raise money for those suffering from the impact of coronavirus in Africa and other developing countries.

The 72-hour extravaganza will draw together an expected collective of thousands of DJs across the globe and is being backed by music industry...

More than 1,800 trees planted through free tree offer

More than 1,800 trees were planted across Devon during March through two initiatives offered by Devon County Council. The County Council, in association with the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity The Woodland Trust , offered a limited number of packs of sapling trees via the Devon Ash Dieback Resilience Forum website . Landowners from 40 sites across the county took up the offer to plant a mix of native broadleaved trees through the scheme to create new tree clumps and copses. The free packs provided a mix of oak, rowan and birch trees as well as guards and canes to protect them...

Spending time in the garden linked to better health and wellbeing

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 05/06/2020 - 3:32pm

Spending time in the garden is linked to similar benefits for health and wellbeing as living in wealthy areas, according to a new large-scale study.

Research conducted by the University of Exeter and the Royal Horticultural Society charity, published in Elsevier’s Landscape and Urban Planning , analysed data from nearly 8,000 people collected by Natural England between 2009 and 2016. The research, conducted with funding from Innovate UK and NIHR, found that people who spend time in the garden are significantly more likely to report general good health, higher psychological...

Otters juggle stones when hungry, research shows

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 05/06/2020 - 2:19pm

Hunger is likely to be the main driver of stone juggling in otters, new research has shown.

Researchers from the University of Exeter have carried out an extensive study into why captive otters tend to play with stones, commonly referred to as “rock juggling”.

The dextrous mammals are often seen lying on their backs and batting the stones into the air, catching them and rolling them around their chests and necks.

Experts had suggested the behaviour might help the animals practise the foraging skills they need to extract foods from complex prey such as mussels...

Ashfords LLP announces appointment of new Chef Executive

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 05/06/2020 - 12:46pm

Ashfords LLP is pleased to announce it has elected Louise Workman, Corporate Partner and Head of Client Services, as its new Chief Executive.

Last night (4 May), the partnership voted for Louise to become the first female CEO in the law firm’s history. Louise Workman, based at Ashfords’ head office in Exeter, joined the Corporate team in 2010 and was appointed as Head of Client Services in 2017.

Prior to joining Ashfords, Louise trained at City firm Norton Rose and spent 5 years in the corporate finance department before moving to Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP where she...

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