Exeter

Kirsten happy to remain a Chief

Jannes Kirsten knew he was joining a quality team when he swapped life at the Bulls for a new start at the Exeter Chiefs last summer.

However, the imposing South African admits his new start in England has surpassed even his own expectations and that life with the Chiefs has proved a smash hit for him, on and off he field.

Just days after agreeing to extend his stay at Sandy Park for the foreseeable future, the 26-year-old forward is already looking to the future and the part he hopes to play in helping Rob Baxter’s side when they return to competitive action.

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How to make your money stretch further during the COVID-19 pandemic

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 04/16/2020 - 11:25pm

Mortgage Advice Bureau has released its top money saving tips to help people manage their finances during these unprecedented times we’re living in.

Some of the money saving tips include potentially pausing your Sky Sports subscription (don’t worry, live sport will be back soon!), freezing your gym membership and finding cheaper energy tariffs through online tools such as Look After My Bills . You can read the top 10 tips here .

As part of the initiative, Mortgage Advice Bureau has also launched a new calculator tool to help people work out their new salary and income if...

Free meals for Exeter residents in need

EXETER Communities Together CIC is running a hardship relief project for those facing a tough time due to the Coronavirus / COVID-19 pandemic. It is delivering free meals to the elderly, vulnerable, key workers or those struggling financially. Meal requests should be made between 11am and 3pm and volunteers will deliver the food, by arrangement, the next day. Full details including type of meals available and how to get in touch can be found on the website: exetercommunitiestogether.org.uk . Alternatively, telephone Sahar or Sonia Alnaas on 07596 144 351 or Mahi Ahmed on 07403 226 668 or...

Learn Devon launches free online training in response to impact of pandemic

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 04/16/2020 - 5:58pm

A new range of free courses developed by Learn Devon in response to the coronavirus pandemic is launching today. Learn Devon, who provide adult and community learning courses on behalf of Devon County Council, is offering its full support to anyone looking to get back into work, or for those who want to improve their digital skills, and improve wellbeing. Enrolment is now underway for Learn Devon’s free online training which will start on Friday 1 May. Initially the programme will offer a range of digital courses, which will be delivered online. As it progresses, the programme will see...

Hoteliers comply with lockdown restrictions over Easter

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 04/16/2020 - 5:55pm

Almost all accommodation providers in Devon, Somerset and Torbay have stayed shut over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

On March 23 the Government announced that, with very few exceptions, all hotels, bed and breakfasts, hostels, holiday rentals, campsites and boarding houses must stay closed until further notice.

Last week Trading Standards appealed to owners to follow the lockdown rules to stem the spread of coronavirus.

And despite the weekend being one of the warmest of the year so far, trading standards officers have confirmed that most accommodation...

Big rise in children applying for a primary school place in Devon

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 04/16/2020 - 12:45pm

There has been a big increase in the number of Devon families applying for a primary school place this September.

Figures published today (Thursday 16 April) reveal that 7,580 applications were made across the county. That's 310 more than last year.

Despite the big jump in numbers, 98.3 per cent of families have been offered a place at one of their three preferred schools.

The new figures show that 94.6 per cent of the families who applied to Devon County Council for a place in a county primary have got their first preference.

Altogether, 2.9 per cent...

Wear Your Pyjamas To Work Day

FORCE Cancer Charity has designated Thursday April 16 Wear Your Pyjamas To Work Day.

The idea is to lift the spirits of its supporters and help FORCE maintain the services it is offering while the country is in lockdown and beyond.

Wear Your Pyjamas To Work Day is the brainchild of FORCE Fundraising Development Officer Olly Watts.

He explained: “It’s all about having fun while raising awareness and making a small donation to FORCE.

“Whether you work or you're retired, why not wear your PJs for the day. Or if you were planning to spend the day in your PJs...

Research to investigate impact of COVID-19 pandemic on family carers 

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 04/16/2020 - 10:34am

The experience of family carers during the COVID-19 pandemic will be explored in a series of weekly interviews conducted over the next 3 months.

The “Caring through Coronavirus” study will seek to understand how family carers are coping during the pandemic and explore whether changes in policy, legislation, and health and social care provision are impacting their wellbeing and caring responsibilities. Nearly nine million Britons provide unpaid care for family members and friends with long-term illnesses and disabilities, including those most vulnerable to the virus. Many carers...

McClure Solicitors are still raising lots of money for Charity!

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 04/16/2020 - 9:36am

As lots of businesses and services have come to a standstill, McClure Solicitors saw this coming and prepared for action. They would normally be seeing over 800 clients for face-to-face appointments per month but with the Government’s advice to stay at home that is exactly what their staff has done – gone home armed with laptops and mobile phones. Andrew Robertson, Managing Director of McClure says “We are worried like everyone else about the immediate future, but we still have clients who want to talk to us so we decided we would continue to operate as best as we could with the majority...

Persimmon launches COVID-19 volunteer scheme

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 04/15/2020 - 8:09pm

Leading housebuilder Persimmon Homes has today announced a “volunteer army” to help the NHS and local communities during the Covid-19 crisis.

The business has encouraged hundreds of staff to register for the Persimmon Voluntary Programme to help the country through the difficult weeks ahead.

In order to protect the health of its employees, Persimmon has taken the decision to undertake an orderly shut-down of work and temporarily close its sales offices across the country.

All Persimmon staff currently not working their usual pattern remain on full pay. It is...

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