South West

It's the "most wonderful time of the year"

Authored by Lucie Simic
Posted: Thu, 12/06/2012 - 12:43pm

It’s official, I’ve got Christmas envy. Everywhere I go lights are twinkling and festive songs are ringing out. But, we have yet to put a single decoration up at home yet.

Now, everyone has a different opinion on when you should ‘deck the halls’ and get festive with it…but normally we will make our annual trip to a local farm, where they have mulled wine and reindeer to keep everyone happy, and pick out our Christmas tree in early December – I think if you’re splashing out on a Norwegian Fir tree you might as well get your money’s worth!

But, this is not for everyone. I...

Wrigley Exeter-minates local litter for Magdalen Road

Local retailer Clive Sheppard of Exeter has this week been crowned the winner of a national competition, launched by Wrigley in August this year, to find a convenience store retailer most worthy of a ‘Trash Team’ visit.

As well as winning £500 worth of free stock, Clive’s prize saw Wrigley’s ‘Trash Team’ of devoted litter pickers descend on his Magdalen Road Spar store on Tuesday 4th December to clean up his local area.

From litter picking outside his shop front to making sure the surrounding area looks spic and span, the ‘Trash Team’ included staff from the local...

Missing North Devon boy Neon found in Sussex

UPDATE: “Following extensive Press Coverage on 5th and 6th December 2012, the high risk missing person, 7 year old, Neon Roberts has been located by Police Officers in Sussex. Emergency protection care has been put in place and Neon’s welfare will be considered in the High Court.

Devon and Cornwall Police would like to thank the public, the media and Police colleagues in Sussex for their assistance in securing Neon’s safe recovery.”

YESTERDAY: Police are appealing for the public’s help to trace a mother and son who were last seen in the Tiverton area.

Sally...

Exeter College offers bespoke training for businesses large and small

At Business Solutions, we have the skills available to develop bespoke training solutions to companies. Bespoke training whether in-company or in our dedicated training suite here at Exeter College, can be based around individual business requirements.

Business Solutions is the integrated business and employer facing team of Exeter College, providing flexible training, advice and development solutions for business and the community incorporating a dedicated training suite in the heart of Exeter.

At Business Solutions we offer an extensive range of Continuing Professional...

New top cop appointed for Exeter, Mid and East Devon

Superintendent Chris Eastwood has been appointed as the new police commander to lead policing in Exeter, Mid and East Devon.

Supt Eastwood has assumed responsibility for crime and community policing across the geographic area, which takes in towns such as Axminster, Tiverton and Honiton plus Exeter city centre. He is supported by a 10-strong team of senior officers including one chief inspector and nine inspectors. Supt Eastwood joined Devon and Cornwall Police in 1986 and has served in Plymouth, Cornwall and Devon in various roles. He was the head of Call Management and...

An occasion for Mencap joy this Christmas

Exeter has taken on its festive cloak for Christmas, shop windows aglow with enticing displays, the Christmas market on Cathedral Green, amazing street lights, late-night shopping and a host of events to increase the growing excitement of the season. But without the birth of that so special manger-bedded baby, whose coming gifted us Christmas, we lose the reason for the season and so we celebrate the real meaning of Christmas as an opportunity for joy. One of those opportunities is the annual Exeter and District Mencap Society’s Carol service to be held at South Street Baptist Church South...

East Devon student achieves 100 per cent attendance

An East Devon sixth former is being honoured this week for what is thought to be a unique attendance record.

Mel Ayres did not miss a single day of lessons in the five years she spent in the main school at Axe Valley Community College.

Mel is now in the first year of the college’s sixth form studying for ‘A’ levels.

Attendance officers at Devon County Council cannot find another single instance of 100 per cent attendance over five years at a secondary school and so Melissa’s achievement may be unique in the county.

This Thursday (6th December) at 2pm, Mel...

Survey reveals the top five causes of Christmas injuries

Almost 20 per cent of Brits will injure themselves cooking Christmas dinner, a survey* by personal injury specialist First4lawyers has revealed.

The survey, which looked at the top Christmas related mishaps that take place in the home, discovered that preparing and serving the biggest family meal of the year is the main cause of festive foul-ups.

The top five causes of injuries at Christmas are:

1. Cooking Christmas dinner (20%)

2. Cuts from broken tree ornaments (11%)

3. Falls from ladders of roofs installing lights and decorations (11%)...

Tree donation spruces up Christmas for charity

Authored by Paigntonzoo
Posted: Tue, 12/04/2012 - 10:19am

Two large Christmas trees donated to a local wildlife charity will be given to a troop of monkeys in the New Year. Paignton Zoo has been presented with the pair of 15-foot Norway spruce by Marldon Christmas Tree Farm.

Robyn Lynes, from the farm, said: “We sell fresh, locally-grown trees to the public, but are also aware of our responsibilities to the wider community. We are donating the trees to the Zoo because it is really good for a local business to help a local charity.”

Paignton Zoo Fundraising Manager Jenny Paton said; “It is a wonderful gesture. And after the trees...

IoD delivers 10-point message to the Chancellor

The Institute of Directors (IoD) puts forward 10 points the Chancellor must consider for the Autumn Statement.

The overriding message is that he must stick to fiscal Plan A, whilst ensuring our transport and energy infrastructure and our tax system provide a firm basis for economic recovery.

Gerry Jones, chairman of the IoD in the South West , said: “George Osborne is in a difficult position. The global economy has been much rockier over the last two years than most expected; growth has been weaker and public borrowing higher than we hoped.

“Some would like The...

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