A Touch of the Wild canoe trips

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 02/18/2015 - 2:58pm

A day or weekend of foraging and learning Bushcraft skills on the river.

A Touch of the Wild will be joining the team at Winding River Canoe for some epic paddling on the beautiful River Dart, stopping enroute to forage for shellfish and other wild foods to cook up at lunchtime over the campfire.

There will be opportunities to learn some key bushcraft skills, including how to light a fire without matches, and have a go at some natural crafts and cordage.

During the weekend trip you'll stop in the evening at a secret spot by the water's edge to set up camp....

World Pancake Racing Championships a 'flipping' success

Crowdcube battered the opposition in the 2015 World Pancake Racing Championships held at Princesshay Square to celebrate Shrove Tuesday.

Teams of four from businesses, shops and groups all across the town were egged on by cheering crowds as they flipped it out in a knock-out relay race.

Each race involved a short sprint along South West Athletic Academy’s portable running track, interrupted with several flips along the way.

Speed was obviously the main tactic but some teams discovered that a dropped pancake undid all their good work. Eagle-eyed officials from Exeter...

Max Factor 'girl' looking good at 100!

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Wed, 02/18/2015 - 12:34pm

When she was younger, Mrs Edna Millard worked as a demonstrator for the Max Factor cosmetics company.

Looking at her this week, as she celebrated her 100th birthday at home in Budleigh Salterton, you could be forgiven for wondering if she should be the face of Max Factor 2015!

Mrs Millard has been a tenant in Moorhaven for just under 25 years and is one of many people who enjoy the comfort of these manageable council-owned homes, fitted with a Home Safeguard alarm system in case of emergency.

On Monday, Mrs Millard followed up a weekend of celebrations with family...

Help plan Exeter's new leisure complex

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Wed, 02/18/2015 - 12:04pm

The site has been identified, funding secured, the design team appointed, now Exeter City Council wants to hear people’s views as they start to prepare a planning application for a brand new leisure centre to be built on the bus station site in the centre of Exeter.

Having opened in the 1940s, Exeter’s much loved but ageing Pyramids pool is reaching the end of its lifetime. It has become very costly to run and needs substantial multi-million pound investment just to secure its continued operation, before any improvements could be made to enhance the user experience.

The...

Fire Brigades Union announces strike action

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Wed, 02/18/2015 - 11:51am

The Fire Brigades Union has decided upon a further day of strike action in England (excluding control staff) in a dispute with the Government over pension reforms, for 24 hours from 7am on Wednesday 25 February 2015.

The issue remains a matter between the Fire Brigades Union and Government. Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service has robust contingency plans in place to ensure that we continue to respond to emergency incidents throughout strike action.

Chief Fire Officer Lee Howell said: “Fire and Rescue Services have contingency plans and ours will again be put into...

Rugby World Cup Legacy Project inspires Exeter youngsters

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Wed, 02/18/2015 - 11:42am

A group of young people in Exeter looking to progress their careers have received a major boost thanks to an Exeter City Council Rugby World Cup 2015 legacy project.

Nine unemployed 17-22 year olds have completed the two-week Rugby Empowering Employment Programme, run by Motiv-8sw. Set up by Exeter City Council and the Exeter & the Heart of Devon Employment & Skills Board, he Rugby World Cup 2015 legacy scheme aims to inspire and boost the prospects of 16-24 year olds struggling to find work. The pilot programme, inspired by the values of sporting achievement – hard work,...

Staying warm comes at a price

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 02/18/2015 - 11:39am

Households in Exeter estimate that they spend more than £850 per year on heating bills, yet nearly three quarters of adults still feel cold at home according to new research from Barratt Homes.

Spending patterns on heating vary significantly across the country, the Scots are the biggest spenders paying £171 more than those in the South West.

According to research, the biggest influence on heating bills is the age of the property.

Typical new-build homeowners save on average £600 per year when it comes to heating bills. And the gap between old and new is growing – a...

Stover Park rangers celebrate tourism award

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 02/18/2015 - 11:13am

Rangers at Devon County Council’s Stover Country Park in Newton Abbot are celebrating after scooping a prestigious award last night.

The park and nature reserve won bronze in the Access & Inclusivity Award category at this year’s South West Tourism Excellence Awards.

Stover was one of only six from across the region to be shortlisted for the award which honours tourism businesses that excel in being accessible and inclusive. To qualify entrants had to demonstrate exceptional customer service to all and offer an outstanding experience for visitors, particularly those...

Crowdcube expands its team

Crowdcube, the world’s largest equity crowdfunding platform, has continued the strategic expansion of its senior team with the appointment of Dean Mayer as Head of Debt and Stuart Nicol as Growth Director.

Dean will develop Crowdcube’s new debt business, including its increasingly popular mini-bond offering. Stuart will lead the growth of Crowdcube through initiatives that include attracting more institutional and public funds to invest in businesses alongside the crowd. Stuart's new role sees him moving from being a Non-Executive to an Executive Director on the Board.

Dean...

Grand Western Canal photo competition

Budding photographers are being encouraged to capture the beauty of the Grand Western Canal for a special competition this year.

There's a £450 worth of photography vouchers up for grabs plus the chance of the pictures appearing on the website and facebook pages.

There are three categories; Canal Landscapes, Canal Activities and Canal Wildlife. Entries are welcome from anyone but limited to amateur photographers only please and 10 pictures per person.

The competition runs until 30 November 2015 so plenty of time to look for those perfect views and images. Winners...

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