Members of the rail union have started to vote in a ballot on both strike action and action short of a strike of all First Great Western members over the threat to jobs and safety from the introduction of the new Hitachi Inter-City trains. At the end of May the union confirmed that it had entered into dispute with First Great Western over the introduction of Super Express Trains on their franchise. The RMT were seeking the following assurances from management to resolve the matter:- To keep a safety competent Guard on every train. To keep safety critical station Despatch staff. To keep...

Gidleigh Park’s Head Chef Allister Barsby has been named as one of the 30 recipients of the 2015 Acorn Award. Given each year to 30 of the brightest prospects aged under 30 in the hospitality industry by leading industry title The Caterer, the award is recognised as one of the most prestigious in the hospitality world. Nominated by Brownsword Hotels, the owners of Gidleigh Park, Allister joins an illustrious group of less than 900 to have ever won an Acorn Award since their inception in 1986. Seen as recognition of flair and passion in rising stars in the hospitality industry, Allister...

To celebrate National Volunteering week, the team at A la Ronde, the quirky sixteen-sided house near Exmouth, presented three of its 200 volunteers with long service awards.

Peter Mitchell has been filling the house with music by volunteering to play piano on a regular basis, Maureen Cook has spent five years welcoming visitors and explaining about the house as a Room Guide. And Jenny George received a special certificate from the National Trust Director-General Helen Ghosh for 20 years of volunteering at A la Ronde.

Emma Kay, Volunteer Manager at A la Ronde, said: “We have...

Inspired by Doris Lessing’s 'The Memoirs of a Survivor', Beyond Cragporth Rock is a black comedy following the story of six sisters who explain differing versions of their total demise. Devised by the award-winning Haste Theatre with director Ally Cologna, the show is a witty microcosm of humdrum family life put under intolerable pressure. Ally Cologna explains: ‘I’m interested in capturing the moment when human beings permit themselves to fall off the edge of all things decent.’ Beyond the four walls of their cottage lies a nightmarish, futuristic world plunged into dystopia by economic...

A study by TopCashback.co.uk, released today, reveals barbecues are burning a hole in resident’s pockets. Between hosting and attending barbecues during the summer months, residents in the South West will spend an average of £520 on everything from burger buns to corn on the cob.

On average, the majority of residents in the South West will host four barbecues throughout the summer, spending £100 on each. They will also attend four, spending £30 on food, drink and gifts to take with them each time. A surprising 18 per cent of residents will spend up to £300 on hosting a barbecue for...