Exeter College and Kier recently teamed up to deliver an intensive one week, pre-Apprenticeship work experience programme, designed to give local youngsters an insight into the construction industry and inspire them to pursue a career in the varied and vibrant sector. 

Six learners who are considering the Apprenticeship route with Exeter College spent the week gaining knowledge and insight, as well as hands on experience behind the scenes with Kier at some of the company’s flagship developments.

The week kickstarted with health and safety training and a test for...

Veg lovers are being invited to ‘taste a piece of history’ at Knightshayes, near Tiverton, at a celebration of all things tomato on Saturday 7 September.

As caretakers of around 150 varieties of heritage tomato seeds, the garden team at the National Trust property have been growing 29 varieties this year. These 29 varieties will be the stars of the show at the ‘Terrific Tomato Day’ in September and the public are invited to see, smell and taste some of the tomatoes grown from the ‘living library’ kept at Knightshayes.

The 2.5 acre walled garden at Knightshayes is home to...

Colleagues at a national housebuilder will run the Cardiff Half Marathon in memory of 32-year-old Dean Fletcher, who tragically died last year after taking part in the event.

The husband and father - a management accountant at Bovis Homes’ South West region - passed away following a cardiac arrest after completing the course last October.

In his honour, eight Bovis Homes’ colleagues will be running the 2019 event to raise funds for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young), a charity that aims to reduce the risk of cardiac arrest in those aged under 35.

Described by friends...

A pergola is a multi-purpose garden structure that can be either joined to the house or freestanding. It is an open structure and can be used to shelter something like a barbecue or as a garden focal point. If you are considering adding a pergola to your garden, here’s what you need to know to build one. If you are interested in gardening, you can find many instruments for your garden here .

Pergola purpose

The first thing to consider when building a pergola is what you want to use it for. This helps to decide on the design and location. Most pergolas aren’t the best for...

One of the most striking birds in the world has bred at Paignton Zoo. The scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber) is famous for its bright red feathers – although, as you can see, the chicks are anything but scarlet.

There’s no other wading bird as scarlet as a scarlet ibis, but it takes time for juveniles to grow into the colour. It’s not until their second moult that the birds begin to take on that extraordinary rosy sheen. It can take two years or more for the dazzling change to be completed; the colour comes from the red crustaceans in their diet.

Keepers don’t want to disturb...

STAFF from a leading Devon home care agency are offering expert advice to the public on spotting the early warning signs of dementia as part of World Alzheimer’s Month this month (September 2019).

According to the Alzheimer’s Society, there are 850,000 people with dementia in the UK, with numbers set to rise to more than one million by 2025 and two million by 2051.

Catherine Porter who manages Guardian Homecare, which cares for people in the Exeter and Torbay areas, explains: “As part of our training we are able to recognise the early signs of dementia in a person and as...

The Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust (RD&E) and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust (NDHT) are pleased to announce the appointment of Hannah Foster as joint director of people following a rigorous selection process.

Hannah joins the NHS from Flybe, the Exeter-based airline, where she was director of people. Prior to her Flybe role, Hannah also held top strategic posts for the Church of England and global educational provider Pearson, helping both organisations develop key culture and organisational growth programmes.

As well as strategic and business acumen...

Listen up, savvy Exeter shoppers ! We all want to get the best for our money when we’re shopping online. However, with so many bargains, incentives and discount codes to be found, how do we know we’re actually getting a good deal? These hints and tips should help you to navigate the minefield, and make the most of your money – whatever you’re buying.

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How many times have you bought an item, purely because it’s caught your attention as you browse? Impulse buying is one of the biggest causes of overspending. It can be difficult to resist making a...

If you’re lucky enough to live in the South West, then you’ll benefit from longer sunlight, so it would be a shame to not bring this natural light into your home. There are many benefits to bringing more light into your home; using natural light lowers electricity bills from energy saving, has a positive impact on wellbeing, and highlights your interior décor too.

Maximising natural light not only makes your rooms brighter, it creates a bigger and more welcoming atmosphere too. So, if you’re looking to make the most of the summer light, here are some of the best ways to maximise it...

Community groups in Devon have just a few days left to apply for a regional grant of up to £10,000 to help local people look after their hearts.

National charity Heart Research UK is urging groups to submit applications for the Heart Research UK and Subway® Healthy Heart Grant before the 11th September.

The Heart Research UK and Subway® Healthy Heart Grant is available for new and innovative projects that promote healthy hearts and reduce the risk of heart disease in the community.

Projects should demonstrate health initiatives such as cooking skills and healthy...