Homes & Gardens

Devon residents, who want to recycle their food and garden waste but don’t know how, can pick up some top tips and advice from the experts at a Compost Roadshow.

During August and September Recycle Devon, a partnership of 10 Devon councils, is holding roadshows at various locations throughout the county. Visitors to the roadshows will be able to pick up a discounted compost bin, enter a prize draw and receive some one-to-one advice. Residents who sign a pledge to compost more, use their food waste collection or sign up to the Recycle Devon e-newsletter, could win a luxury hamper....

Are you looking to find ways to upgrade your storage and get the most out of the house you have? Over time our homes get so filled up, and it can feel like we’re battling to find places to put our prized possessions. Maybe your family is expanding, or maybe you are enjoy collecting objects and hoard possessions of emotional value. Before you start over stuffing the attic, looking in to upsizing your house or tearing large clumps of your hair out, consider these ways to utilise the space in your home more effectively.

1. Organise Your Belongings

It might seem obvious, but...

A conservation charity is offering local green fingered folk the chance to have their patches honoured as a ‘wildlife-friendly garden’.

Devon wildlife Trust is launching its Wildlife Gardening Awards to encourage Exeter people to help the city’s varied and precious wildlife. The scheme is free to enter and open to individuals, private gardeners, schools, housing associations, community groups and businesses based in Exeter. The charity plans to present Wildlife Gardening Award plaques to gardens which are able to achieve six nature friendly criteria from a list of 25 that it has...

In this modern era of faltering pension funds, low interest rates and poorly performing government bonds, it can be difficult to know where to turn for a sound investment proposition. There is, however, one area that has been consistently buoyant and has out performed other investment types: the good old-fashioned concept of investing in bricks and mortar.

The buy-to-let market has proved hugely popular with those looking for a safe investment that will generate positive yields. Let’s examine why, and see if you too should consider becoming a landlord.

The perfect storm...