Mums praise maternity services at RD&E

Maternity services at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust received a good set of results in the latest national survey.

A questionnaire was sent by the Care Quality Commission in the summer to all women who gave birth in February 2015.

Responses were received from 160 mothers who used the RD&E. Maternity services are provided by the Trust at Wonford Hospital, Okehampton, Tiverton and Honiton.

A score of 9.1, towards a maximum of 10, was given to questions about the mums’ labour and birth experiences. The RD&E staff were rated highly at 8.8, and...

Your guide to What's On this weekend

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Fri, 12/25/2015 - 11:43pm

Your essential guide to What's On in and around Exeter this weekend - 25-28 December 2015

THEATRE

Eloise and the Curse of the Golden Whisk Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter The year is 1944. In the depths of a dusty larder in the bombed ruins of an Exeter restaurant, Eloise finds a beautiful, golden whisk. But when she clutches the shimmering relic, she unleashes an ancient curse. The show runs until 9 January. Performance times and tickets: www.bikeshedtheatre.co.uk

A Christmas Carol Exeter Northcott Theatre Ebenezer Scrooge is a notoriously bitter old man who is...

Wildlife left guessing by mild winter weather

The mild weather is set to continue but as temperature records are broken and the ice rinks melt, Devon Wildlife Trust is asking us to spare a thought for our local wildlife. Winter is a tough time for wildlife. It is a time of hibernation, migration and survival. But with temperatures reaching 14 degrees in Exeter at the beginning of the week, Devon’s wildlife is not following its usual seasonal patterns. The charity Devon Wildlife Trust is reporting some strange goings on at the 50 nature reserves it cares for across the county. David Wodehouse who helps manage DWT’s Meeth Quarry nature...

Clever crows caught on camera

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Fri, 12/25/2015 - 11:35am

Scientists have been given an extraordinary glimpse into how wild New Caledonian crows make and use ‘hooked stick tools’ to hunt for insect prey.

Dr Jolyon Troscianko, from the University of Exeter, and Dr Christian Rutz, from the University of St Andrews, have captured first video recordings documenting how these tropical corvids fashion these particularly complex tools in the wild.

The pair developed tiny video ‘spy-cameras’ which were attached to the crows, to observe their natural foraging behaviour.

They discovered two instances of hooked stick tool making on...

Brits to splash out £7.6 billion in the end-of-year sales

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 12/25/2015 - 11:02am

Research reveals that more than half (55 per cent) of residents in the South West are planning to spend £185 each during this year’s winter sales.

Despite being more than a month into the frenzy of Christmas shopping, there appears to be no slowdown in bargain hunters’ thirst for a good deal. According to new research by www.TopCashback.co.uk more than half (55 per cent) of residents in the South West are planning to hit the end-of-year sales spending, on average, £185 each. This equates to a huge £7.6 billion national spend.

The love for low prices is well and truly...

The Queen gives Royal Charter to Exeter Uni

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Thu, 12/24/2015 - 11:48am

The University of Exeter has received a royal message of congratulations from Her Majesty the Queen in recognition of 60 years of heritage and success.

The message is an integral part of the celebrations to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II presenting the Royal Charter to the University - marking the official recognition of university status for Exeter, on Monday, 21 December.

Her Majesty said: “I would like to congratulate staff and students, both past and present, on what you have achieved together in the sixty years since the Royal...

Christmas proposal in Exeter's snowglobe

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Thu, 12/24/2015 - 11:25am

Love is in the air in Princesshay this festive season.

Dylan Tucker (20) from Exeter proposed to his girlfriend Amber Knee (22) also from Exeter on Sunday 20th December, in the Princesshay Snow Globe.

Dylan and Amber first met on Valentine’s Day this year and soon knew they were meant to be together. Dylan’s original plan was to propose to Amber on Christmas Eve, but after seeing the snow globe in Princesshay, he knew this was the location for his big festive surprise.

Dylan Tucker said: “It felt really magical and it was amazing to have my whole family there and...

Peter Pan

Event Date: 
24/12/2015 - 12:00pm to 01/01/2016 - 7:00pm
Venue: 
Exmouth Pavilion

Following a hugely successful Christmas pantomime "Snow White last year Trio Entertainment will be bringing their swashbuckling version of classic J.M Barrie fairytale Peter Pan to Exmouth Pavilion this Christmas. The world renowned tale has been reimagined into a wonderful fun-filled family Pantomime.

Trio Entertainment are thrilled to announce that Louis Emerick will lead the cast as the evil Captain Hook along side Hollyoaks star Beth Kingston as Wendy, Britain's Got Talent finalist Stephen Hall as Pirate Winkle and returning by popular demand after his role as Muddles in Snow...

Exeter City v Oxford Utd: Match preview

Exeter City head to high-flying Oxford United for this season's Boxing Day fixture, ko 3pm.

The game will see the Grecians meet former midfielder Liam Sercombe for the first time since he left St James Park for the Kassam Stadium in the summer.

City are looking for a fourth consecutive away win, but it is over a month since they last played away from St James Park after the match at Morecambe was rained off two weeks ago.

Read more at http://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/article/match-preview-oxford-united-v...

Vital surgical equipment donated to Tiverton Day Case Unit

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Thu, 12/24/2015 - 10:24am

£80,000 worth of state-of-the-art theatre equipment has been donated to the Day Case Unit at Tiverton Community Hospital thanks to funds from the hospital’s League of Friends.

Theatre services at the Day Case Unit are provided by the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust. The equipment, which included diagnostic tools such as gastrocopes and colonoscopes, a 3d scope guide and new stacking monitors, will enable the unit to complete more surgical services closer to home for local people.

Phil Luke, RD&E Divisional Director for Surgical Services, Said: “This valuable...

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