Concerts in the West: Nicholas McCarthy (piano)

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Sun, 12/20/2015 - 10:01pm

In the entire 130-year history of the Royal College of Music (RCM), there has only been one single-handed pianist to graduate. That person is the exceptionally talented Nicholas McCarthy, whose name now resonates throughout the frequently haughty world of classical music, as not just a one-handed wonder, but a musical talent of considerable standing. Since his graduation from RCM in 2012, Nicholas has wowed audiences around the world with his mesmerising performances in top class venues ranging from The Royal Albert Hall and St Martin-in-the-Fields to The Kennedy Centre, Washington DC and...

Campaign tackling seasonal loneliness helps record numbers

Record numbers of older people worried about being alone over Christmas have already contacted older people’s housing and care charity The Abbeyfield Society as its Coping at Christmas campaign gets into full swing.

Since the campaign launch in November, Abbeyfield has handled hundreds of calls from isolated older people who face being alone over the extended Christmas period. As a result, over 400 older people who would otherwise have spent the Christmas period without company are being welcomed into Abbeyfield houses the breadth of the country to enjoy festive events ranging from...

Clermont gain revenge in Champions Cup

Around the globe this week the headlines have all been about the latest episode of the Star Wars collection ‘The Force Awakens’.

Well, here in France, star-studded Clermont Auvergne showed they had themselves awoken from their European Champions Cup slumber, ruthlessly dispatching of visiting Exeter Chiefs at the Stade Marcel Michelin.

Having had their noses blooded by Devon’s finest just the week previous, the Top 14 outfit underlined their European credentials with a simply mouth-watering display that yielded five tries.

First half tries from David Strettle and...

A Christmas Message from Bishop Robert

Millions of us will take to the roads, seas and skies over the next few days to try and get home to be with loved ones over Christmas. It can be a lengthy and stressful experience with crowded trains, coaches and airports to contend with.

Of course, we aren’t the only ones journeying. Tens of thousands of others aren’t travelling home this Christmas, but are treading perilous paths to find somewhere safe, a sanctuary for their families. Harrowing pictures of the plight of refugees have filled our television screens: the toddler washed up on a beach in Turkey or the father whose...

Outstanding researcher recognised through fellowship

A Senior Research Fellow at the University of Exeter Medical School has been awarded a Fellowship from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy in recognition of her excellence in research, education and partnership working.

Dr Victoria Goodwin works for the South West Peninsula Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Research and Health Care (PenCLARHC) and is an Honorary Physiotherapist for Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.

She was nominated for the accolade by colleagues who highlighted her commitment and achievements in advancing the physiotherapy profession...

Teign leisure centres to open bank holidays

Newton Abbot Leisure Centre, Broadmeadow Sports Centre and Dawlish Leisure Centre will open their doors on bank holidays from now on, giving people more choice about when they visit the centres to use the gym, swim or take part in fitness classes.

Cllr George Gribble, Teignbridge District Council’s Executive member for recreation and leisure, said: “We are delighted to offer the extended service which will help members stay healthy and achieve their fitness goals as well as getting even better value for money. Our memberships are reasonably priced and with a wide range on offer,...

How to quit smoking over Christmas

The negative factors associated with smoking are common knowledge – they contain over 7,000 chemical compounds including carbon monoxide, arsenic, formaldehyde, cyanide, benzene, toluene and acrolein.

However surveys from ASH show about two-thirds of the 10 million adult smokers would like to stop smoking but only about 30%-40% make an attempt to quit in a given year.

The festive season is typically not seen as the time to quit smoking – yet experts are now claiming that a change in tact is necessary. ‘Quit smoking while smoking’ – this may sound like a contradiction, but...

Chiefs side to face ASM Clermont Auvergne

Rob Baxter believes there is a growing maturity within his Exeter Chiefs squad and it was perfectly underlined during last weekend’s European Champions Cup victory over ASM Clermont Auvergne.

Despite trailing 14-3 during the opening half at a packed Sandy Park, the Chiefs refused to panic against their star-studded French opponents, responding with a four-try blast that has seen them move to the summit of Pool Two.

Tries either side of half time from No.8 Thomas Waldrom, plus further touchdowns for Don Armand and Mitch Lees, ensured Baxter’s side claimed maximum reward for...

Sanctuary staff raise thousands for charities

Staff from Sanctuary Housing in Exeter have shown their charitable spirit in 2015 by raising more than £2,000 for two national charities. Employees from the leading housing provider’s Exeter office teamed up with colleagues across the South West at a series of events to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK. Since the beginning of the summer, activities have included an auction, Macmillan Coffee Mornings and an office bake-off where staff pitted their cooking skills against each other and enjoyed some tasty treats. A team of staff also raised £600 at July’s Race...

Residents urged to 'starve their bin' over Christmas

Residents are being encouraged to ‘starve your bin’ by reducing, reusing and recycling seasonal waste wherever possible this festive season.

From plastic food and drink packaging to cardboard boxes and wrapping paper that housed gifts under the Christmas tree - there's a variety of packaging that can go into your recycling bins, boxes and sacks.

Christmas lunch, New Year’s Eve celebrations and friends and family popping round all mean one thing – fridges and cupboards stocked with food and drink.

Plastic drinks bottles and pots; tubs and trays can go straight into...

Pages