Charity asks: What would YOU wish for?

Exeter-based charity CEDA is highlighting some of the things that disabled people find difficult, not just because of their disability but because of the systems designed to help them.

What Would YOU Wish For? is a campaign which asks people what they would wish for if they could have anything. Many people dream of sailing round the world, becoming famous or flying to the moon. In a short video, CEDA asks some of its members what they would like to do. The answers include going to a nightclub, seeing a rugby match and wandering along the beach – things which most people would take...

Special award for Hampton by Hilton Exeter

Staff at Exeter’s Hampton by Hilton are over the moon after receiving a special award from Hampton Hotels.

The ‘Spirit of Hampton’ award, the first of its kind awarded to a hotel, was given in recognition of the engagement of the team, which not only came first in the EMEA Hilton ‘HHonors Challenge’ for the third quarter of the year, but also achieved an outstanding revenue and audit performance for 2015 so far. The hotel was chosen over more than 700 Hampton Hotels in the EMEA region.

Richard Martin, General Manager said: “We were delighted to receive a call from the...

Blog: Pilgrims in the Way

Authored by Martyn Goss
Posted: Tue, 11/10/2015 - 11:03am

It is estimated that over 250 million people make pilgrimage every year across the world. Whether from Buddhist, Christian, Islamic, Jewish or other traditions (or none), women, men and children set out to journey towards a special place, with the most popular destinations including Mecca, Jerusalem, Santiago de Compostela, Bodh Gaya, Amritsar and the Ganges and Jordan rivers.

Pilgrims use the travelling (traditionally made on foot or by animal) as a time of reviewing themselves and their beliefs, to reconnect with the natural rhythms of life, to meet others and to refresh their...

Exeter computer firm expands

Exeter-based Bluegrass Computer Services has expanded and moved offices following a huge increase in business.

The company which offers 24/7 computer support 365 days per year, has won substantial business with the Rigby Group, an international parent company for a £1.8 billion portfolio of highly successful businesses operating across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, including SCC, Europe’s biggest independent technology solutions provider.

As a result, Bluegrass has taken on 2 new engineers plus 2 staff and moved offices to Courtenay House at Pynes Hill. From...

World premiere for Exeter Symphony Orchestra

ESO will be the first orchestra to perform 'Voices of Remembrance' by Laura Rossi at a concert in Exeter on the 7th November.

A former member of ESO, Laura Rossi is a critically acclaimed composer who has written extensively for film and television. Voices of Remembrance invokes the thoughts and fears of the soldiers who fought in the First World War, by the skilful combination of orchestra, choir and poetry. The ESO will be joined by St David’s Singers and narrators Felicity Cawthra and Kenneth Parry for this performance.

ESO Chairman Miles Leonard said: “we are...

Proposals to give police more control of firefighters

Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) currently oversee the work of police forces while separate bodies made up of councillors, called Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs), oversee firefighters. The Government is consulting on allowing PCCs to take over control of firefighters, replacing FRAs.

In a detailed response to the consultation, the Local Government Association, which represents all 46 fire authorities in England, says firefighters carry out almost annual 700,000 home safety visits. Firefighters are working with a range of health partners and schools to prevent poor health,...

Dying mum's 62,000 reasons to say thank you

Authored by Marc Astley
Posted: Mon, 11/09/2015 - 8:36pm

Generous friends, family and strangers have raised an incredible £62,000 for a dying Exeter mum - in a matter of weeks.

Jo Smith is currently travelling with her best friend Sarah Lacey to Arizona by sea and land in a desperate bid to find a cure for her two terminal conditions.

She needs £70,000 for the trip and her treatment and her YOUCARING site is now close to the target.

A friend of Jo told the Exeter Daily she would be bowled over by the amount raised.

The friend added: "The kindness of people who don't even know Jo has been incredible. This trip...

Waist fat can double mortality risk

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 11/09/2015 - 7:08pm

Researchers at the Annals of Internal Medicine, have published new findings exploring the relationship between BMI and waist-to-hip ratio, and waist circumference, and increased cardiovascular mortality.

The study looked at 15,184 adults aged 18-90 years old and showed that those with a healthy BMI but with excess weight around their middle were up to twice as likely to die early as people with high BMI but with normal fat distribution.

Christopher Allen, Senior Cardiac Nurse at British Heart Foundation said: “We all know that watching our weight is important, but often it’...

Funding formula review withdrawal delights Hogg's team

Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Hogg has spoken of his delight after Policing Minister Mike Penning withdrew the Home Office review into the police funding formula. In answer to a question by MP Keith Vaz, Mr Penning said the withdrawal came as a direct result of the mistakes discovered by the Devon and Cornwall OPCC and highlighted in the media last week. “The funding formula was descending into chaos, and the Government’s decision to delay is the right one,” said Mr Hogg. “My excellent team has worked on the Government’s proposals for the past five months. They have submitted two...

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