Churches are stepping in and filling in the gaps they see in services in their community, as the recession continues to bite.
A survey by the Church Urban Fund of projects run by Anglican churches found 54 per cent of parishes run activities like debt centres, counselling, children's groups or lunch clubs to address the needs in their communities.
And 82 per cent of parishes have been asked for help by people in the community - and have responded to that call. Parishes offer a wide range of actitivities: 69 per cent of parish churches provide support with school work for...
A scientist at a Devon wildlife charity is to take on a top national job.
Dr Kirsten Pullen, Zoo Research Officer at the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, is to become the new Chief Executive Officer at the British & Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA).
BIAZA represents the top zoological collections and promotes high standards in research, husbandry and animal welfare. The Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust runs Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts in Torquay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall, owns nature reserves and carries out conservation projects at home and...
To mark Fairtrade Fortnight 2013 (25 February-10 March), a series of events is being staged in Exeter to show people how a small change in their shopping habits can make a real difference to poverty in the developing world.
People across the city are being encouraged to take a step in the right direction by swapping their usual item for something Fairtrade.
To help people find where to buy the products, an online Exeter Fairtrade directory is available, listing over 120 shops, cafes and restaurants that sell or serve Fairtrade products.
Living Coasts is hosting a long weekend of art, nature and crafts for all the family.
The Art and Wildlife Weekend includes expert talks, free fun activities for kids and a free display of wildlife art at Torquay’s coastal zoo and aquarium over the weekend of Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd March.
On the Friday evening there will be two great talks exploring the links between art and science. Dr. Peter Smithers, Entomologist in the School of Biomedical And Biological Sciences at the University of Plymouth, will give a talk called From Darwin to Dali. Artist and ecologist John...
Three senior clergy in the Diocese of Exeter have been made prebendaries of Exeter Cathedral, in recognition of their service to the Church in Devon.
Revd Nick Martin, Karl Freeman and Andrew Jones will become prebendaries of the Cathedral - an honorary role, recognised throughout the Church of England, which makes them a part of the College of Canons, a body which advises the Cathedral on a wide variety of matters at the request of the Dean and Chapter.
They will continue in their current posts. Revd Nick Martin is chaplain at Dartmoor prison, Revd Karl Freeman is Team...
This weekend, ten national newspapers will carry the message that British farmers are leading the way in high standards for fresh, British food as the NFU launches a Buy British campaign.
Adverts encouraging consumers to buy British will run across the national press, highlighting the message that great British farmers produce great British food. And with consumer confidence leading the agenda shoppers are being reminded to look out for the Red Tractor farm assurance logo, which stands for independently inspected food, traceable from farm to pack. The campaign is in direct response...
Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell, who has been charged with child sex offences, will not be appearing in any further episodes pending the outcome of legal proceedings, a spokesperson for ITV has said.
Le Vell who plays garage owner Kevin Webster in the ITV soap is accused of 19 child sex offences, including child rape, and sexual activity with a child between 2001 and 2010, Greater Manchester Police said.
The 48-year-old father of two will appear in court charged with the offences on 27 February.
Video footage shows a series of explosions, reportedly caused by a meteor shower, took place in the sky over Chelyabinsk in Russia’s Urals region. It is reported that approximately 400 people have been injured.
Russia Today (RT) says "houses shuddered, windows were blown out and cellphones stopped working."
Two videos shared online reportedly show the explosions. Both videos show a trail of smoke followed by an explosion. The sound of the explosion is inaudible in the first video.
According to reports, the meteorite was shot down by Russian air defense unit. RT...
Board members of the Devon Music Education Hub have come together to mark its launch at a free concert in Exeter attended by thousands of school children.
The Devon Music Education Hub consists of a wide range of organisations involved with music education, and working with schools it will deliver the national Plan for Music Education on Devon County Council’s behalf.
It aims to ensure that every child in Devon aged between five and 18 has the opportunity to learn a musical instrument through whole-class ensemble teaching programmes on a weekly basis.
Farmers and co-operatives from across the EU have endorsed NFU President Peter Kendall for a further two year term as Chairman of the Copa-Cogeca Food Chain Working Party to represent all EU farming unions.
Mr Kendall, continuing in the role he started in 2010, said he was ready to push forward with the significant progress already made at the EU level and was looking forward to continuing to work with farmers and co-operatives across Europe.
“The significant issues in the food supply chain remain a personal priority for me, and indeed for the NFU as an organisation. With...
