Staff and volunteers from the British Heart Foundation were joined by some special helpers from St Michael’s Church of England Primary Academy and law firm Michelmores to decorate one of the 35 Christmas trees donated to charities for the Charity Christmas Tree Festival in Roman Walk, Exeter. Joy Petley, Fundraising Manager said ‘The opportunity to decorate the donated tree from Princesshay provided a fantastic opportunity to bring together members of the community and have some fun, which is what Christmas time is all about’. Four pupils from St Michael’s came along on the day to decorate...

You know what they say, new year, new me. But what about new year, now home?

For many getting through the Christmas period signifies the time to look for a new home, which of course, in many cases, means selling too!

It’s a well known fact it’s harder to sell in the winter, there’s less on the market and in turn that means fewer people are looking. You can put yourself ahead of the competition though, by knowing what a buyer wants.

A recent study by Property Rescue has found exactly that. First impressions are essential when it comes to buying a home and the recent...

Princesshay and Visit Exeter have announced dates for two large-scale street performances coming to the city centre this festive season.

The first of the two free shows is ‘Arco’, a magnificent fifteen minute display of acrobatics, performed to music from a 12 metre high inflated arch. Three 15 minute performances starting at 5pm, 6pm and 7pm will wow shoppers in Princesshay Square Thursday 30th November. The giant arch features its own light show, changing colour while framing the amazing aerial performer.

The second show, ‘Spark!’ is a mesmerising thirty minute group...

Regional finance company SWIG Finance has passed the £10 million milestone for loans given to new businesses around the South West under the government’s Start Up Loans scheme.

The organisation has supported 1,245 entrepreneurs throughout the region since the national scheme started in September 2012.

The total includes 149 loans to Devon start-ups, worth £1.12 million.

Among them are business partners Kalkidan Legesse and Vidmantas Markevius, who took a £10,000 loan to help them start up their Scarves For Sustainability business, which has a store in Fore Street in...

An initiative to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Exeter has been recognised with a top national award. Wellbeing Exeter has won a prestigious National Health Service Journal award at a ceremony in London – the largest of its type in the world. The Integrated Care Exeter (ICE) initiative was successful in the ‘Most effective adoption and diffusion of existing best practice’ category. For 36 years the HSJ Awards have promoted the finest achievements in the NHS, and showcased them to the service’s most influential leaders and the wider public. Wellbeing Exeter explores better...

Bicton Arena in East Devon has announced a roster of new sponsors for the 2018 season with April’s International competition and its July grassroots– both run under the British Eventing banner – already full. Long term partners have agreed to carry on their support and new sponsors coming on board.

Plans are afoot to double prize money in some BE classes, and increase it to 15th place in April’s open intermediate, in order to draw more competitors to the Westcountry.

Sponsorship manager Beccy Barrett said: “We’re delighted that Bicton Arena is attracting a range of...

The Donkey Sanctuary will be holding its popular Carols by Candlelight event on Friday 8 December. The carol service takes place alongside adorable donkeys making this a truly memorable evening. When: Friday 8 December, 4pm - 7pm. Where: The Donkey Sanctuary, Slade House Farm, Sidmouth, EX10 0NU What: As darkness falls there will be a truly magical feel to The Donkey Sanctuary as thousands of candles illuminate the centre for the Carols by Candlelight evening. The event opens with local jazz band Saxminster providing a host of merry tunes followed at 5pm by the Christmas carol service. The...

Chilcotts Auctioneers recently received medals belonging to two Awliscombe brothers that have unearthed a story of unequal commemoration.

Brothers George and James Hine were both born in Awliscombe and both fought in the First World War.

Tragically, Private George Hine of the 8th Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment, was killed on 14 July 2016 during the early days of the Battle of the Somme. He is commemorated on the Awliscombe War Memorial.

George’s brother James served in India with the Volunteer unit 1/4th Battalion, also of the Devonshire Regiment. He survived...

Gritters will be out across the county this evening with a forecast of widespread ice possibly affecting roads overnight and into tomorrow morning.

Road surface temperatures are expected to fall to the lowest of the season so far, dropping below zero countywide and reaching around -3C on Dartmoor and East Devon. Devon County Council is advising people to take extra care as temperatures aren’t likely to rise until after 9am tomorrow morning, and icy patches may be a problem. Devon’s 37 frontline gritters will be treating all of Devon’s primary salting routes this evening and most...