Exeter University academics help to create hay fever map of Britain

A hay fever map of Britain – with the first ever guide to the location of plants in the UK that can trigger the allergy - has been produced to help sufferers cope, and warn them which ‘hotspots’ to avoid.

Academics at the University of Exeter’s Medical School have produced new, highly-detailed maps http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969717309749 of the UK containing the location of key plants and trees known to produce pollen that triggers allergies and asthma.

The maps, produced in collaboration with the Met Office, may help acute hay-fever or asthma...

Wellbeing Reading win for Cranbrook Library

Residents of Cranbrook can now borrow a range of new books that support adult mental wellbeing from the town’s library, all of which have been paid for by the Cranbrook Healthy Town scheme.

The thirty new ‘Reading Well Books’ have been bought by Cranbrook Healthy Town and are part of a national scheme run by the Reading Agency to help support mental wellbeing.

The books valued at around £360 are on topics including common mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, phobias and some eating disorders and have been funded by NHS England’s Healthy New Town programme...

Rain fails to dampen show spirit

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 05/19/2017 - 8:58pm

It was another busy day (FRIDAY) at the Devon County Show as the crowds flocked to enjoy the very best of Devon food and drink, spectacular action in the main arena and see the prize winning animals.

It was also another royal day at Westpoint with a second visit from HRH the Countess of Wessex, who is this year’s president of the Devon County Agricultural Association.

She visited one of the show’s star attractions Devon Remembers in the Craft and Garden feature where she was presented with gifts by Sophie Moore aged 11, George Morrison, aged nine and Charlie Moore who’s...

Equiniti expands Exeter presence with brand new SW Hub

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 05/19/2017 - 3:14pm

Equiniti Group PLC, the FTSE listed FinTech and regulatory services business has opened its latest regional technology hub, Ada House, in Exeter’s Pynes Hill business park.

The opening expands Equiniti’s footprint in the South West and Wales, with over 200 employees currently based in Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter and Stroud.

The new centre was opened in a ceremony today (Friday 19 May) by Sir Hugo Swire, Conservative candidate for East Devon, alongside Equiniti Group’s Chief Executive, Guy Wakeley. They were joined by Stuart Robb, the CEO of EQ Data (formerly Marketing Source)...

Key roles confirmed at East Devon District Council Annual Meeting

A senior councillor with a wealth of experience in local government has been elected as the new Chairman for East Devon District Council for the next year.

Councillor Andrew Moulding, who represents Axminster Town ward, has served in local government for more than thirty years with the district and Axminster town councils. He has also represented Axminster – the town where he was born – as a Devon County councillor for eight years and was its Chairman for a year before standing down earlier this month.

Cllr Moulding was elected at East Devon District Council’s annual...

Co-op tackles death taboo at Devon County show

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 05/19/2017 - 2:37pm

Figures published by Co-op Funeralcare reveal a worrying gap in end of life planning across Devon, with as many as 91% of adults in the region yet to create a funeral plan and almost a quarter (21%) yet to communicate their funeral wishes to anyone. The findings come as Co-op embarks on its annual tour of the UK’s County Shows, kicking off with Devon County Show, which takes place at Westpoint until Saturday (20th May). Seeking to close the gap in end of life planning, Co-op Funeralcare’s stand will feature an alternative tandem cycle hearse, a picture coffin and a range of other funeral...

Time's up for 'branded' tobacco sales

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 05/19/2017 - 12:07pm

Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards Service are reminding tobacco retailers that the time is up for old stocks of branded products.

When the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 came into force last year – introducing “plain packaging” for cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco – retailers were given 12 months to sell old stock.

That deadline expires tonight and from 20 May 2017 it will be illegal to sell packs that do not comply with the new rules.

Other changes in relation to tobacco are:

• The health warnings are increased in size • Packs...

Ottery Food & Families Festival launches

Authored by Sue Cade
Posted: Fri, 05/19/2017 - 12:02pm

The 2017 Ottery St Mary Food & Families Festival has been officially launched with an event at Tickety-Boo in the town centre.

Festival organisers, sponsors and friends gathered to toast the fifth annual festival, to be held on Saturday, June 3.

Each year, the town becomes a melting pot of producers, traders, chefs, young cooks, real ale fans, locals and visitors, enjoying a day of celebration of all that is good about East Devon food.

This year, the festival features cookery demonstrations from The Deer Park Hotel, The Pig at Combe, Exeter Cookery School, Tina...

May half-term fun at Castle Drogo

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 05/19/2017 - 11:47am

This half-term there are lots of family events on at Castle Drogo including crafty castle capers, a bird detective trail and meet the builder’s day. On Saturday 3 June from 11am-4pm Castle Drogo will be giving visitors the chance to get hands on and learn more about the ongoing building work to make the castle water tight.

In 2013 one of the largest projects ever undertaken by the National Trust began at Castle Drogo. The castle has suffered major structural problems ever since completion which has resulted in serious leaks and water penetration throughout the building. If...

Exeter healthcare worker says research changed her life

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Fri, 05/19/2017 - 11:38am

An Exeter healthcare worker says her life has been positively transformed since she took part herself in a clinical research study into high blood pressure treatment.

As well as pro-actively identifying patients of St Thomas Health Centre who were eligible to take part in the DASHER clinical research study, Health Care Assistant Julie Main has also discovered first-hand the benefits of taking part in this trial for her own health.

Julie, aged 57, said: “I cannot tell you how amazing this study has been for me. I have had the most thorough check-up which I would otherwise...

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