Easy ways to unwind after work without leaving the house

Authored by Val Watson
Posted: Tue, 09/16/2025 - 9:50am

After you’ve had a long day of emails, deadlines, and commuting, the prospect of unwinding after work at home can feel like just another task, and before you know it, your evening is gone. But you don’t need to buy fancy equipment, book lengthy spa appointments, or even step outside to decompress if you don’t want to do so. From the old standby of comfort TV to quick bursts of creativity, read on to discover eight low-effort ways to ease into your evening with intention – and none of them involve leaving the comfort of your house.

Create rituals to mark the end of the workday...

Escot House

Discover local creative talent at Escot’s Autumn craft fair

Authored by Sue Cade
Posted: Mon, 09/15/2025 - 10:01am

Escot House will once again play host to a celebration of creativity this October, as the Artisans at Escot Autumn Fair returns with a handpicked line-up of talented makers from across the region.

Around 30 makers will be showcasing everything from textiles, glass and jewellery to pottery, original artwork and tempting treats including small-batch rum and artisan chocolate: there’s something for everyone.

With Christmas just around the corner, it’s the perfect place to discover unusual, one-of-a-kind gifts not available on the high street.

Organiser Gill Melly of...

Walking the extra mile for Westbank to celebrate 21 years of Health Walks

Authored by Sharon Goble
Posted: Sun, 09/14/2025 - 12:07pm

A team of staff and volunteers from local charity Westbank Community Health and Care, who took on a fundraising challenge this month to collectively walk 360 miles - a distance equivalent to the circumference of Devon - have already exceeded their goal by walking more than 600 miles so far.

This month, Westbank is celebrating the 21st anniversary of its extensive Health Walks programme and Project Lead Debbie Hutchinson came up with the idea of linking all of the different routes by organising her ‘Walk for Westbank’ challenge. She has been joined on the various stages of her...

Help pets graduate to their forever homes this autumn as a Blue Cross foster carer

Authored by Daisy Hall
Posted: Sat, 09/13/2025 - 6:57pm

As the new school year begins, it's not just students who benefit from a fresh start, animals in need do too. Fostering offers pets a chance to learn, grow, and thrive in a safe, supportive environment, much like children settling into a new classroom. Blue Cross Devon is appealing to animal lovers to become foster carers, offering temporary homes and comfort to homeless pets.

Foster care offers a supportive home environment where pets can learn to interact and develop positive behaviours. Consistent human contact helps animals become more confident, friendly, and ready to thrive...

7 Popular Bathroom Styles in the UK and Ireland

Authored by Val Watson
Posted: Thu, 09/11/2025 - 4:37pm

Steam rising from a hot shower. The soft tap of flooring beneath bare feet. You want more than a functional washroom. You want a space that reflects a sense of renewal. Maybe you are planning a full renovation. Or you are looking for finishes that make cleaning easier. Or perhaps you simply need a fresh layout that works better for your routine. Exploring the different popular bathroom styles in the UK and Ireland is the first step to shaping a space that matches how you want to live.

Across Ireland and the UK, bathroom design is not only about fixtures. It is about creating a...

Ski Transfers on a Budget: Why Shared Shuttles May Be the Smarter Choice

Authored by Val Watson
Posted: Thu, 09/11/2025 - 4:13pm

For many skiers, the cost of transportation from airport to resort is an ancillary fee that can make or break the vacation. Private transfers are quick and efficient; however, they tend to be more expensive and not fit within the travel budget at times. Shared shuttles, on the other hand, are just that shared; the costs are less because so many people are splitting the fare and using the service at the same time. However, cost savings are only part of the benefit. Exploring why shared shuttles are better options for a ski transfer involves commonality of need, convenience, group size and...

TK Maxx presents Live At Powderham 2026

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 09/10/2025 - 3:34pm

Live music fans are set for another celebration of amazing entertainment in the Devon countryside as TK Maxx presents Live At Powderham confirms its return for 2026.

Following its debut outing at the historic country estate this July, which saw headline performances from Duran Duran and Basement Jaxx, Live Nation’s Cuffe and Taylor are now planning for a bigger and better event next summer with plans to unveil the first 2026 headliner in the coming weeks.

Cuffe and Taylor have already invested heavily in the venue’s infrastructure, redesigning the site and introducing a...

Steve Pailthorpe

How to future-proof your marketing: Steve Pailthorpe comes to Exeter

Authored by Al Gibson
Posted: Wed, 09/10/2025 - 12:17pm

Businesses across Devon will have the chance to hear from one of the UK’s leading digital marketing experts this weekend, when Steve Pailthorpe, founder and CEO of Iconic Digital, comes to Exeter to present his proven 7 Step Marketing Chassis.

Steve has built a reputation as a results-driven strategist, helping organisations of all sizes develop scalable systems for growth. His upcoming talk at Rediscover Business 2025 (12–13 September) will focus on how companies can adapt their marketing to stay competitive in an era of rapid change.

“Digital marketing is evolving faster...

Composite. Left: Scott Williams takes aim with bow and arrow. Right: headshot of Scott.

Scott Williams targets first Green Party seat in Teignbridge in the Kenn Valley by-election

Local publisher, community activist and competitive archer Scott Williams is standing for the Green Party in the Kenn Valley by-election on Thursday 9 October.

Scott publishes South Devon’s Reconnect magazine. He is a parish councillor in Dawlish, and is a volunteer wildlife warden and carbon cutting co-ordinator for Action on Climate in Teignbridge. He oversaw the Our Green Futures project, which gave advice and funding to community projects in Teignbridge, and is the co-founder of the annual Turn the Tide festival in Dawlish.

Scott wants to bring that same energy and...

Why global manufacturing is shifting to reshoring and nearshoring

Authored by Simon Wells
Posted: Wed, 09/10/2025 - 7:04am

Offshoring (decentralizing operations in different, cheaper countries) has been the norm for manufacturing companies for decades. Asian countries have been chosen the most, thanks to the low-budget labor and large-scale production capabilities. Yet in recent years, reshoring and nearshoring have emerged as compelling alternatives , reshaping global supply chains and offering new opportunities to countries, companies and workers.

What’s the problem with offshoring?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the difficulties of a completely offshore-relying strategy have emerged. For months and...

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