Regional finance company SWIG Finance has passed the £10 million milestone for loans given to new businesses around the South West under the government’s Start Up Loans scheme.
The organisation has supported 1,245 entrepreneurs throughout the region since the national scheme started in September 2012.
The total includes 149 loans to Devon start-ups, worth £1.12 million.
Among them are business partners Kalkidan Legesse and Vidmantas Markevius, who took a £10,000 loan to help them start up their Scarves For Sustainability business, which has a store in Fore Street in...
An initiative to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Exeter has been recognised with a top national award. Wellbeing Exeter has won a prestigious National Health Service Journal award at a ceremony in London – the largest of its type in the world. The Integrated Care Exeter (ICE) initiative was successful in the ‘Most effective adoption and diffusion of existing best practice’ category. For 36 years the HSJ Awards have promoted the finest achievements in the NHS, and showcased them to the service’s most influential leaders and the wider public. Wellbeing Exeter explores better...
Bicton Arena in East Devon has announced a roster of new sponsors for the 2018 season with April’s International competition and its July grassroots– both run under the British Eventing banner – already full. Long term partners have agreed to carry on their support and new sponsors coming on board.
Plans are afoot to double prize money in some BE classes, and increase it to 15th place in April’s open intermediate, in order to draw more competitors to the Westcountry.
Sponsorship manager Beccy Barrett said: “We’re delighted that Bicton Arena is attracting a range of...
The Donkey Sanctuary will be holding its popular Carols by Candlelight event on Friday 8 December. The carol service takes place alongside adorable donkeys making this a truly memorable evening. When: Friday 8 December, 4pm - 7pm. Where: The Donkey Sanctuary, Slade House Farm, Sidmouth, EX10 0NU What: As darkness falls there will be a truly magical feel to The Donkey Sanctuary as thousands of candles illuminate the centre for the Carols by Candlelight evening. The event opens with local jazz band Saxminster providing a host of merry tunes followed at 5pm by the Christmas carol service. The...
Chilcotts Auctioneers recently received medals belonging to two Awliscombe brothers that have unearthed a story of unequal commemoration.
Brothers George and James Hine were both born in Awliscombe and both fought in the First World War.
Tragically, Private George Hine of the 8th Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment, was killed on 14 July 2016 during the early days of the Battle of the Somme. He is commemorated on the Awliscombe War Memorial.
George’s brother James served in India with the Volunteer unit 1/4th Battalion, also of the Devonshire Regiment. He survived...
Gritters will be out across the county this evening with a forecast of widespread ice possibly affecting roads overnight and into tomorrow morning.
Road surface temperatures are expected to fall to the lowest of the season so far, dropping below zero countywide and reaching around -3C on Dartmoor and East Devon. Devon County Council is advising people to take extra care as temperatures aren’t likely to rise until after 9am tomorrow morning, and icy patches may be a problem. Devon’s 37 frontline gritters will be treating all of Devon’s primary salting routes this evening and most...
Exeter University Concert Band invites you to their annual Christmas Concert on Saturday 2nd December at 7pm in St Margaret's Church, Topsham.
The band will be performing a variety of pieces, including lots of well-known scores from stage and screen, some classical wind band numbers, and of course some festive tunes to get everyone in the spirit of Christmas.
Tickets are £5 and £3 for concessions, available to purchase on the door.
Refreshments will also be provided during the interval of mulled wine and mince pies!
Your Neighbourhood Police Teams are always looking at the best ways to engage with our residents.
After trying 'Have Your Say' meetings with limited success we're now going to hold a Community Meeting.
This meeting will be for all residents who live on the 'West Side' of the river including Alphington and Marsh Barton, Cowick and St Thomas and also Exwick.
You'll be able to meet all the Police Teams who manage these area as well as the local Councillors and other partner agency colleagues.
We're currently looking at the agenda to try and cover most topics...
Christmas is a time of year when we all get involved with certain traditions. Hanging the mistletoe, brussels sprouts, mince pies, Christmas trees, office parties, so the list goes on…. And it’s no different for retired police officer Barry Frost, 59, from Exeter. However one of Barry’s festive traditions is a tad more unusual than most.
For the last 14 years Barry has gathered a group of colleagues and friends together who take off their clothes in the great outdoors to feature on the front of Barry’s light-hearted Christmas cards.
An Exmouth-based painter who likes to have fun is bringing something new to Devon
in March 2018. Artist Anna FitzGerald is launching ‘WooHoo’, an exhibition focussed on art and performance which she describes as a 'week-long giggle'.
Anna is funding this non-profit-making exhibition herself and hopes the week willbring delight to everyone who visits. She is looking for artists and performers keen to raise a smile.
Anna explains, "This world needs fun, art and community and I think WooHoo ticks a lot of these boxes. So many people think galleries are dull and dreary...
