RMT strike: 'Mood is united'

Rail services are severely affected after last-minute talks to avert a 48-hour strike on First Great Western (FGW) services failed.

Services between London, the west of England and Wales are hit by the walk-out which staeted at 18:30 BST yesterday.

The industrial action is also likely to affect fans heading to the first Ashes test match in Cardiff.

The dispute centres on plans to axe guards and buffet cars on FGW's new Hitachi Inter City Express trains.

General Secretary Mick Cash said: "RMT members across First Great Western are solidly supporting the 48...

Cranbrook homes to trial smart home heating

The Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) has awarded a £598,860 grant to PassivSystems to develop a new heating platform with WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff that will lead to a reduction in energy demand, heat network operating costs and, ultimately, cut consumer heating bills.

The PassivSystems-designed smart home heating platform will be field tested in association with E.ON.

The new technology will introduce a direct digital link between homes and the energy centres that supply them with heat. This will be done through an in-home hub that collects data on heat...

Appeal to trace missing Swindon man

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 07/09/2015 - 8:21am

Wiltshire Police are appealing for information regarding the whereabouts of Phillip Minshall, aged 23, from Swindon.

Mr Minshall was last seen at his home address in Toothill on the morning of 30th June when he left to go into the town centre. He has not been seen or heard from since.

Mr Minshall, who is originally from the Manchester area, has been living with his girlfriend in Swindon for the past three months.

He is described as white, approximately 5 ft 6 inches tall, of slim build. He has a beard and a tattoo on his neck which says ‘Jayden’ and another on the...

Advances in visual impairment technology revealed in Exeter

On 2 July 2015, Visual Impairment (VI) was put under the spotlight at a special conference hosted by the WESC Foundation in Devon, where experts from around the world came together to reveal their latest research findings and technological advancements to Special Educational Needs (SEN) and healthcare professionals, carers, local authority representatives, and specialist schools and colleges.

The day covered all the latest developments in medical technology, such as stem cell therapy, optogenetics, gene therapy and vision prosthesis (bionic eyes) to help combat retinal eye disease...

A 'Full House' for Exeter Symphony Orchestra

A varied programme, a local composer, a talented soloist and a collaboration with a Devon youth ensemble has provided the perfect mix for a sell-out concert on July 11th for the Exeter Symphony Orchestra.

The ESO will perform Vaughan Williams’ Concerto Grosso. The piece is unique, in that the orchestra is split into 3 sections - advanced, intermediate and novice which provides the perfect opportunity for the Orchestra to team up with local youth ensemble Da Capo, run by Sarah Greinig.

Composer, and ESO member, Laura Rossi will be in the audience on Saturday to see the ESO...

Brawling badgers age faster

Male badgers that spend their youth fighting tend to age more quickly than their passive counterparts according to new research from the University of Exeter.

The 35-year study revealed that male badgers living alongside a high density of other males grow old more quickly than those living with lower densities of males.

The results, which are published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, indicate that competition between males in early life accelerates ageing in later life, providing a potential explanation for why males age faster than females.

Author...

Your pet may have a drink problem!

With summer in full swing, pet owners from Exeter show a surprising lack of awareness when it comes to their pet’s hydration and are happy to let them drink puddle water, milk and even the nation’s favourite brew – tea. A survey carried out by pet product expert, PetSafe®, to raise awareness about the importance of pet hydration, has found that over 6 in 10 (60%) of Exeter pet owners are unclear about how much water to give their pets to drink. Most worryingly, the survey revealed that over half of Exeter pet owners (55%) wouldn’t know how to tell if their pet was dehydrated. Further...

Campaigners protest over bus service cuts

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 07/09/2015 - 6:53am

Devon County Councillors were met with a colourful and noisy protest by campaigners today as they met to agree £1.7m cuts to County bus services.

Councillors were greeted with a new version of the well-known children’s song, ‘The wheels on the bus’!

The protest was organised by Exeter Green Party who describe the cuts as ‘devastating’, particularly for the old, the young, job seekers and those unable to drive or who choose not to.

Diana Moore who organised the protest said: “The County’s own Equalities Impact Assessment makes clear, these cuts will have a...

Devon firm grows renewable energy team

Stephens Scown grows renewable energy team with new partner appointment

Leading South West law firm Stephens Scown has further expanded its growing renewable energy team with the appointment of a new partner. The firm has the largest dedicated renewables team in the South West, with eight specialist lawyers focussing solely on renewable energy work.

Alison Stock has joined the firm as a partner, joining from the Wellington office of Porter Dodson. Alison has over 25 years’ experience as a lawyer, based for most of her career in Cornwall.

Alison has wide-ranging...

Exeter CAB responds to summer Budget

Responding to today's budget, Steve Barriball, Chief Executive of leading local advice charity Exeter Citizens Advice Bureau, said: “Whilst this Budget provides help to the low paid, those at the sharp end of welfare cuts will really struggle. The growing economy needs to lead to a more secure future for all; whether you are starting out as self employed; a parent trying to balance work with childcare or someone who is in work but needs extra support.

“Ultimately a government serious about making significant savings to the welfare bill needs to tackle problems at the source...

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