Explosion at fertiliser plant in Texas

At least three people were reportedly killed, dozens of others were injured and about six firefighters were missing after a massive blast and huge fireball tore through a Fertiliser facility in West Texas, about 20 miles north of Waco.

A huge plume of smoke - laden with toxic anhydrous ammonia - was visible for miles and was being pushed by winds blowing from the south, officials said.

Eyewitness reports say up to four blocks of houses have been destroyed . The Texas Department of Public Safety says between 50 and 75 houses have been damaged. Witnesses also reported heavy...

OFT launches market study into providers of quick, discounted house sales

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is today (18 April) launching a study into the 'quick house sale' market and is calling for people who have used, or considered using, these businesses to contact the OFT about their experiences.

Quick house sale providers offer to buy a house or find a third party buyer very quickly, usually at a discount from the full market value. While providers may offer a valuable service, the OFT is concerned that some practices might lead to homeowners receiving much less for their property than it is worth. Any losses could be very high.

The OFT is...

Former foster child celebrates Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award

Jay Passmore, a former foster child/child-in-care, is now a Support Worker with Fostering Services. Jay has been working towards his Duke of Edinburgh Award for some time, and was recently rewarded with a Gold Award.

Accompanied by Shaun Blair, his Support Worker and mentor, Jay received his Gold Award certificate at St James’ Palace.

He started his day seeing London from the London Eye, then walked to the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, explored Horse Guards, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Chinatown and Buckingham Palace, before ending up at St James’...

Discover the joy of interior design with TV's Naomi Cleaver

With more people deciding to improve rather than move as a result of the stagnant property market and the costs involved, interior designer, writer and television presenter Naomi Cleaver has added two brand new courses to her popular interior design masterclasses to help people make the most of their homes.

Entitled ‘Clever Kitchens & Beautiful Bathrooms’ and ‘Cracking Colour & Fabulous Fabrics’, the new half-day courses will be held at Combe House Hotel in Gittisham, East Devon, on Saturday 11 May and Saturday 6 July respectively and will complement Naomi’s existing ‘Be...

Cracking colour and fabulous fabrics with Naomi Cleaver

Event Date: 
06/07/2013 - 10:00am to 1:00pm
Venue: 
Combe House, Gittisham, Devon

Naomi Cleaver, interior designer, writer and television presenter, is launching a new series of design workshops - great news for the 45% of homeowners that will spend a long weekend tackling DIY jobs* (and that means everything from a splash of paint on the walls to more strenuous renovations such as replacing the bathroom, kitchen or landscaping the garden).

And, with the amount we borrow to pay for our home improvement projects going up, rising 21% over the past five years from £7,932 to £9,570, Naomi’s courses focus on how to avoid costly mistakes and getting the best out of...

Clever Kitchens & Beautiful Bathrooms with Naomi Cleaver

Event Date: 
11/05/2013 - 10:00am to 1:00pm
Venue: 
Combe House, Gittisham, Devon

Naomi Cleaver, interior designer, writer and television presenter, is launching a new series of design workshops - great news for the 45% of homeowners that will spend a long weekend tackling DIY jobs* (and that means everything from a splash of paint on the walls to more strenuous renovations such as replacing the bathroom, kitchen or landscaping the garden).

And, with the amount we borrow to pay for our home improvement projects going up, rising 21% over the past five years from £7,932 to £9,570, Naomi’s courses focus on how to avoid costly mistakes and getting the best out of...

Five South West policing areas to work more closely together

Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables from Devon and Cornwall, Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire have reinforced their determination to develop a powerful group to ensure that the region stays amongst the safest in the country, despite government cutbacks. It’ll also be a powerful voice in lobbying for resources.

The President of the Association of Chief Police Officers, Sir Hugh Orde, was a guest at their latest regional meeting. It was hosted in Exeter by Devon and Cornwall PCC Tony Hogg, alongside Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer.

The...

Magdalen Chapter Bread on the School Menu!

Smoked salmon, poached ham and olive and artichoke may not be the standard sarnie served up in school dinner halls. But local youngsters from St Peter’s Church of England Aided School in Quarry Lane, Exeter, have now got a taste for gourmet cuisine after being treated to a unique Afternoon Tea experience courtesy of Exeter’s award winning Head Chef of 2012, Ben Bulger of the Magdalen Chapter.

Aspiring young chefs, who chose to study a GCSE in Catering, were selected to take over the culinary duties for one afternoon at one of Exeter’s prestigious city sites, the luxurious boutique...

Slade's hungry for more following his first taste of Aviva Premiership action

Having been given his first taste of Aviva Premiership action at the weekend, Exeter Chiefs youngster Henry Slade says he is keen to sample more over the remaining few weeks of the season. The talented fly-half was handed his top flight debut when he came off the bench during the second half of Exeter's 27-6 home win over London Irish. It was indeed a special moment for the 20-year-old, who with his first Premiership touch came within a whisker of marking his big day with a first-ever try. Sadly, it was not to be for Slade as referee Martin Fox adjudged his charge for the line had been...

Copplestone man charged with Help for heroes charity fraud

Christopher Copeland aged 51 years from Copplestone, near Crediton has today, Wednesday 17 April been charged with 16 counts of fraud by false representation in connection with the Help for Heroes Charity.

He has been released on bail to appear before Exeter Magistrates Court on Wednesday 8 May.

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