A home is easily the biggest investment you will ever make in your entire life. For some people, their house is, in fact, their retirement fund, and they have plans to sell it and downsize once they retire. It can also provide you with much-needed funds through home equity loans and lines of credit. It’s a nest egg that grows in value over time and that you get to enjoy in the meantime.
With that said, most homeowners want to be sure that they are doing all they can to add to the value of their home over the years. This means simple things like maintenance and repairs when needed,...
The annual South West Outdoor Festival (SWOF) will have a distinctly salty taste this year as it heads to a site in South Devon overlooking one of the most scenic sections of the South West Coast Path. On the weekend of 5–7 October, festival organisers will welcome both campers and day visitors to East Soar on the mouth of the Salcombe Estuary for three days of outdoor activities, inspirational talks, live music and locally sourced food and drink. SWOF is organised by the National Trust in partnership with Cotswold Outdoor and supported by the South West Coast Path Association (SWCPA),...
I was delighted to be asked to write a review of the new Spring Menu for the Bistro du Vin at the Hotel du Vin in Exeter.
I had only visited the hotel on one occasion for drinks and was pleasantly surprised by the light and airy bistro setting with views over the gardens.
The sun put in an appearance for our visit and as we sat by the large windows we were bathed in sunshine which added to the whole experience.
We were warmly welcomed at the hotel and were informed that in the next 12 months the whole hotel would be undergoing a major refurbishment in line with all...
Two well-known culinary names are featuring back to back at the Rusty Pig this April, with a major emphasis on seasonal ingredients and local sourcing in keeping with the restaurant’s own ethos.
The first, on Wednesday April 25, sees Gill Meller join Rusty Pig owner, Robin Rea to create a midweek feast Tasting Menu. Gill, who is Group Head Chef at River Cottage and author of award-winning cookbook Gather, is committed to simple, seasonal food. He enjoys taking inspiration from the local area and small producers, growers and fishermen in the South West region.
Budding photographers of all ages are invited to enter their best photographs of Seaton Devon, into Snap Seaton a brand new competition launched by Seaton Town Council.
The Snap Seaton photography competition is inviting adults and children to send their best shots of the beautiful seaside town, its beach, attractions and surrounding areas. The winning photos in the child and adult categories will be made into postcards that will be available throughout the summer.
Seaton Mayor and Town Councillor Jack Rowland, says, “We want to celebrate Seaton and the creative people who...
The Electoral Commission estimates that 16% of people are not registered to vote in the South West, as Exeter and Plymouth get set to go to the polls on 3 May.
The Commission’s brand new campaign “Got 5?” is encouraging people across the South West to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote before the 17 April deadline if they have local elections in their area.
It’s estimated between 540,000 and 689,000 aren’t registered to vote in the region.
The campaign is particularly targeted at people under 34, recent home movers and private renters who are less likely...
Do you know who this man is? Officers would like to speak with him in connection to an assault at Totnes station last month.
At approximately 11.45pm to 11.50pm on 11 February, the victim – a 65-year-old man - had just left a train. He had a verbal altercation with another man who left the service.
The offender then approached the victim and assaulted him by punching him and kicking him multiple times. He received cuts and bruises following the assault.
Officers believe the man shown in the CCTV image might have information which could help with the investigation...
A pioneering programme that helps to improve people’s experience of ageing has awarded Move it or Lose it, a specialist training provider of exercise classes for the over 60s, £25,000 to train 20 new instructors in Torbay and Exeter.
Endorsed training provider Move It or Lose It, which offers exercise programmes specifically targeted at older people and those with limited mobility, has hailed the funding from Transform Ageing as a significant boost as it grows across the country.
Founder Julie Robinson said as well as training new instructors, the funding will help them...
Criminology students are gaining a fascinating, first hand insight into the world of surveillance and counter surveillance, thanks to a team of specialists based at Plymouth Science Park.
Shield Business Group is working with the University of Plymouth to promote an in-depth understanding into the realities of surveillance work – including how to use covert listening devices and cameras.
Managing Director Jamie Haigh has decades of experience working within differing aspects of the industry (including the protection of celebrities).
Unassuming in the winter, male ruffs transform in the Spring with eye-catching plumage - and it's all for the benefit of the females...
Keepers at Torquay’s coastal zoo are preparing the ground for some fierce competition. They are cutting the grass and clearing undergrowth so that one species of bird can indulge in its extraordinary mating ritual.
The ruff (Calidris pugnax) is an unassuming medium-sized wading bird that breeds in marshes and wet meadows across northern Europe. Females are grey-brown and white with grey mottling, and so are males – most of the time....
