Regen SW hosts Community Energy Feast

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Fri, 03/13/2015 - 10:55am

Twelve local groups meet in Exeter tonight for a locally sourced dinner using food from producers using renewable energy.

Regen SW, a centre for sustainable energy expertise based in Exeter, is tonight hosting a community energy feast to celebrate the volunteers and groups working tirelessly to establish community energy projects in the region. These projects are being set up to benefit local communities and generate income to make them more vibrant and sustainable places to live.

The evening’s food will be prepared by the Pickle Shack who are dedicated to using only the...

Workplace politics discussions hot up

New research from leading recruitment specialist Robert Half UK reveals that workplace discussions on politics are heating up in the run up to this year’s General Election. According to the study, 85% of employees are reported as discussing politics in the workplace, with one-in-seven (15%) discussing Government issues on a daily basis. The study shows that expressing a political allegiance is no longer seen as a workplace faux pas in the private sector. Just 7% of HR directors think making a political preference known can influence how an employee is treated by management or colleagues. A...

This craft can time-travel!

Re-Making the Past is a new exhibition of objects that 'commute between different times and cultures' at Devon Guild of Craftsmen.

The exhibition brings together a group of artists who share a common fascination with bygone eras. While their objects are newly-made, inspiration is based on ancient landscapes and materials from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. Mainly sculptural work is created from natural fibres, metal, resin and ceramics with wall-based installations in enamels, glass and textiles.

Helen Marton has made giant oven gloves patterned with scans of...

Apprentice recognised at House of Commons

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Fri, 03/13/2015 - 10:09am

An apprentice from Mike Rowland & Son met Skills and Equalities Minister Nick Boles as part of a unique celebration of apprenticeships at the House of Commons on Tuesday 10 March. The event, organised by the National Apprenticeship Service, showcased the products and services ‘made by apprentices’ to politicians, existing apprentice employers and business leaders. Jason Holt CBE, the government’s small business apprentice ambassador also announced the formal launch of an online peer-to-peer support platform for small business, Apprenticemakers. Apprentice Bench Joiner, Journeyman...

Devon's libraries to remain open under new plan

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Fri, 03/13/2015 - 10:05am

Devon County Council will move forward with plans to set up a new independent organisation to run the county’s libraries.

Councillors have agreed proposals to establish a community-owned ‘mutual’ which would be commissioned by the County Council to run the library service on their behalf.

It means that, despite the authority facing a £50 million reduction in its funding in the next financial year, all of the County’s libraries would remain open and continue to be managed by professional library staff.

As well as the considerable budget savings, creating a new...

Your essential guide to What's On this weekend

Your essential guide to what’s on in and around Exeter this weekend.

THEATRE

Vienna Festival Ballet's 35th Anniversary Gala Friday, 7.30pm, Exeter Corn Exchange Vienna Festival Ballet's reflection on 35 years of performing classical ballets all over the world will take you on an unforgettable journey through the best of ballet in one magical evening. Tickets £21 adults, £15 under 16s. http://www.exeter.gov.uk/cornexchange

Milked Friday & Saturday, Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter A black comedy about friendship, unemployment – and a cow called Sandy. Tickets: £12/£8...

Prestigious dinner returns to Sandy Park

Authored by sandypark
Posted: Fri, 03/13/2015 - 4:29am

A prestigious awards ceremony which honours achievements in the insurance industry will be celebrating its eighth year at Sandy Park tonight, Friday 13th March.

The Insurance Institute of Exeter Annual Dinner, which is sponsored by Browne Jacobson Solicitors, is a gathering of insurers, brokers, financial planners, loss adjusters and other companies who may have a connection or representation within the insurance industry in the South West, to recognise the achievements of members of the Institute. Nigel Hook, Secretary of the Insurance Institute of Exeter said: “We always look...

Apprentices for the construction industry

It contributes considerably to Devon’s economy in terms of job creation and economic output, but the construction industry at an entrant level has a skills problem, says a leading industry expert.

Seen as something of a litmus test for local economies, the construction industry reflects the strength and confidence of the marketplace.

In Devon, nearly 25,000 people were employed within the construction industry in 2013 – that’s 5.3% of total employment.

And looking at its supply chain, the jobs created and its contribution to economic output, and the construction...

MP to host screening of Human Rights documentary

Neil Parish, MP for Tiverton and Honiton, is hosting a special screening in the Houses of Parliament of “To Light a Candle” - a documentary on the persecution of Iran’s Bahá’í community produced by acclaimed independent Iranian journalist and filmmaker Maziar Bahari.

The film is being screened on Monday 16th March from 4 – 6pm in Parliament.

The film chronicles how Iran’s Bahá’ís continue to eschew victim status despite the bitter oppression under which they live, and documents the establishment of the Bahá’í Higher Institute of Education, an underground university which...

The inspirational story of an Exeter woman who is beating the odds... and a brain tumour

Authored by Hospiscare
Posted: Thu, 03/12/2015 - 11:51pm

Gemma Wensley is celebrating her “miraculous” survival five years on from being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

The popular former Exeter nurse, who is well known for her charity fundraising, has good news to share.

She said: “I’ve been off my chemotherapy now for six months and the scans are looking positive. There has been no change since a year ago.

"The doctors have said they do not know how to explain it. I thought it was game over. For things to have gone the way they have, it’s really miraculous.” Over the weekend Gemma celebrated her 33rd birthday with...

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