The custom of making resolutions for the New Year goes back to the Medieval period. As the year end approaches, a University of Exeter historian has shed light on how the future was predicted centuries ago.
The research shows how the Christian clergy supported agricultural superstitions but condemned what they perceived as magic rituals. The day of the week on which Christmas or New Year fell was used as an indicator to tell how the year would turn out.
According to one set of predictions, if Christmas Day fell on a Sunday, then Lent would be windy, summer would be dry,...
2013 is Dream-A-Way's 20th Birthday! To celebrate, they are planning a wide range of events and trips and Events Co-ordinator Gill Freeman would love to see you at some of these.
Or maybe you've got a bit of time spare, and have been thinking about getting involved with a charity for a while but you've never quite known how...
Gill says, "Here's a perfect opportunity for you to get involved and help us to really make a difference to our very special clients.
"We've got loads planned for 2013 including three fantastic Golf Days to suit all handicaps and budgets;...
Devon County Council Lib Dem Leader Brian Greenslade has announced he is stepping aside as Group Leader ahead of County elections in May 2013 after 23 years in the post.
He will be succeeded by Tiverton East County Councillor Des Hannon (pictured) with effect from the new year.
Councillor Greenslade will continue as Chairman of the Corporate Services Scrutiny and as leader of North Devon Council.
It has been a big year for the English health service, but for the wrong reasons, writes Alex Nunns of the NHS Support Federation. Here Alex pulls together the strands to explain what is really going on in the NHS.
Devon County Council is warning walkers, cyclists and horse riders to take extra care when using paths close to rivers and cliffs over the next few days.
Persistent rain means the ground is saturated and river levels are high, so there is an increased risk of surface water and river flooding as well as the potential for fallen trees and landslips.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said:
“Between Christmas and New Year is a popular time for walking and getting outside for some fresh air, but I would...
It’s that time of year again. Christmas is fast approaching. The shops are all playing jolly festive jingles that irritate shoppers but can send shop workers insane by the end of their shifts.
But listen to the seasonal soundtrack and note that, more than ever, we now celebrate Christmas in non-religious ways. References to the birth of Jesus have become rare as Christianity fades from our Christmas festivities.
Some may argue that this decline in the religious meaning of Christmas isn’t important.
However, even for non-believers, an awareness of Christian beliefs...
With the festive season upon us, which traditionally sees an increase in incidents of domestic abuse, support agencies would like to raise awareness of the services and help available to those who are at risk, or suffering domestic abuse across the region this Christmas.
Figures from Devon and Cornwall Police show that in December 2011, a total of 231 domestic abuse incidents were recorded in the period between Christmas Day and New Year 2011 – a 48% increase on the average number of incidents during the rest of the year.
Rachel Martin from adva (against domestic violence...
Update: Roads are now open between Stoke Canon and Bickleigh and Stagecoach services are operating as normal.
Stagecoach have announced that all its services are operating normally apart from 55 and 155, which are currently unable to serve Stoke Canon and Bickleigh and are diverting down the motorway.
Wreaths come in many different styles and colours, but what exactly do they represent? The Exeter Daily finds out...
In ancient Rome, people used decorative wreaths as a sign of victory. Some believe that this is where the hanging of wreaths on doors came from.
The origins of the Advent wreath are found in the folk practices of the pre-Christian Germanic peoples who, during the cold December darkness of Eastern Europe, gathered wreaths of evergreen and lighted fires as signs of hope in a coming spring and renewed light.
On the morning of 22nd December, Devon & Somerset fire crews attended the following flooding incidents:
1.41 Bretonside, Plymouth 1.57 two people in vehicle pushed to safety, Heybrook Bay, Plymouth 2.18 Colebrook inn, Colebrook Road, Colebrook, Plympton 2.39 Vicarage Lane, West Alvington, Kingsbridge 2.46 Rosewood Close, Goosewell, Plymstock 2.50 Stray Park, Yealmpton 3.03 Charles Street, Dartmouth 3.08 Coleridge Lane Cottages, Chilington, Kingsbridge 3.11 Newnham, Plympton 3.20 Bickleigh, Plymouth 3.28 Movice Street, Devonport, Plymouth 3.30 two men rescued from a car, Haye...
