Local News

6 Mistakes People Make When Using Fireworks — and How to Avoid Them

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of fireworks lighting up the sky—whether it’s Bonfire Night, New Year’s Eve, or a big summer celebration. But behind all the sparkle and noise, there’s a serious side to fireworks too. Every year, accidents happen, and more often than not, they’re the result of simple mistakes that could have been easily avoided.

If you’re planning a fireworks display, here are five common missteps people make—and how you can stay safe while still enjoying the show.

1. Not Reading the Instructions

The Mistake:

Many people assume all...

Witches take over Exeter Guildhall

Authored by Liz Straw
Posted: Sun, 08/02/2015 - 6:25pm

Witches, a ghost and a baddie, from Terry Pratchett’s comedy play seized power for a day at the historic Exeter Guildhall.

They stormed the building, daring to sit in the Guildhall’s seats of high office, proclaiming all must see their production of Wyrd Sisters at Broadclyst Victory Hall.

Onlookers said they hadn’t seen anything like it since the Poll Tax Pasty Riot of 1990, when protestors threw pasties from the Guildhall’s public gallery, during a council meeting discussing the controversial tax.

The play’s baddie Duke Felmet, sat in the Lord Mayor’s seat of...

Explore the natural world with Devon rangers

Join the East Devon District Council Countryside rangers during the summer holidays to explore some local habitats and discover more fascinating facts about the world of rockpools and bugs.

Did you know for example that male and female crabs can be identified from the shape of their tail or that crickets have ‘ears’ on their legs?

East Devon's rangers will be leading the rockpool rambles so just turn up at the events and bring a net and bucket if you have them. Events are free but donations are welcome, and will help the team continue the events programme in the future....

Five triathlons in five days for gym manager

Authored by jenniashford
Posted: Sun, 08/02/2015 - 12:37pm

Lee Cooke, Gym Manager at Exeter Golf and Country Club has completed five triathlons in five days for charity, Combat Stress.

Raising over £440, Lee’s five-day challenge pushed his fitness to the extreme and raised awareness of Combat Stress with the club’s 4,500 members.

Taking part in the club’s gym and outdoor pool, Lee’s triathlon challenge covered over 157 miles swimming, cycling and running. Each triathlon consisted of a 750 metre swim, 40 km bike ride and 10 km run, combining the official distances of the British Triathlon Federation’s ‘Sprint’ swim and the ‘Standard...

Open air theatre comes to East Devon

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Sun, 08/02/2015 - 11:26am

Two of East Devon’s best loved parks will be the venue for several outstanding shows this summer.

Well regarded touring theatre companies will be performing at Connaught Gardens in Sidmouth and Manor Gardens in Exmouth. Choose from Much Ado about Nothing, Hamlet or Pride and Prejudice.

This is a joint project between East Devon District Council’s StreetScene and Countryside departments bringing new events to our outstanding parks and gardens.

EDDC’s Culture Champion, Cllr John O’Leary said: “It is great that these Green Flag gardens have the facilities to offer...

Starcross station is looking blooming lovely

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Sun, 08/02/2015 - 10:30am

Starcross railway station has been brightened with pretty summer flowers thanks to a partnership between Easter Hill Nursery and its owner James Murphy, First Great Western and the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership.

Mr Murphy said: ”Looking out onto the Exe Estuary from Starcross station is one of the best views in South Devon. I am delighted to be working with First Great Western and the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership to welcome passengers at Starcross with these bright new planters full of flowers.”

Three new planters were established as part of Citizens’ Rail,...

Ancient jar discovered under Roman Road

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Sun, 08/02/2015 - 6:32am

An archaeological dig in a rural Devon village is yielding more ancient secrets.

Last year experts working on a major field study at Ipplepen, Devon, excavated a Roman road, complete with ancient wheel ruts and potholes.

Now they have uncovered new insights into how the community lived, through the discovery of new archaeological features and pottery, such as a continental food storage jug that would have travelled across Europe before it was used at the site.

The team uncovered a large fragment of storage jar, known as an amphora, buried under the surface of the...

Funding awarded to develop 85 year weather forecast

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Sun, 08/02/2015 - 6:13am

Researchers have been awarded a £1m Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) grant to create a time series of predicted hourly weather from now until the end of the century, in order to better understand how building designs interact with different weather conditions.

The research project, featuring experts from the University of Exeter, the University of Bath and Newcastle University, will transform the way building scientists and engineers consider how differing weather conditions affect the built environment.

In 2003, more than 70,000 people died across...

61% of staff admit to stealing from office

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Sun, 08/02/2015 - 5:53am

Sixty-one per cent of workers have stolen items from their office ranging from toilet rolls to mugs, according to new research.

Staff who sneaked something out from work were more likely to have taken pens than any other item (80 per cent), followed by post-it notes (40 per cent), notepads (32 per cent) and highlighters (25 per cent).

One in ten admitted to stealing toilet rolls from the office toilets to take home.

Staff also confessed to unscrewing light bulbs (3 per cent) and taking tea bags home (6 per cent), according to the survey of more than 2,000 office...

Great West Run brings together charities, businesses and runners

On Sunday 18th October, hundreds of runners and spectators will flood to Exeter city centre to support the 31st annual Great West Run.

With local businesses and residents coming together to support those taking on the challenge, many local charities are benefiting from participants raising money for good causes. YMCA Exeter is one of those charities.

With a team already signed up to run, the charity – which provides supported housing for homeless young people across Exeter – is hoping that the participants will raise vital funds for their St. Davids Hill hostel.

“We...

Have your say on Exeter ward boundaries

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Sat, 08/01/2015 - 12:23pm

Time is running out for local people to tell the independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England what they think of proposals for new council ward boundaries across Exeter.

The public consultation closes on 10 August 2015.

The Commission’s draft recommendations propose that Exeter City Council should have 39 councillors in the future: one fewer than the current arrangements. The proposals mean those councillors would represent thirteen three-member wards across the city.

Max Caller, Chair of the Commission, said: “We are keen to hear local views about...

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