Little rays of sunshine spotted at Living Coasts

Authored by Paigntonzoo
Posted: Thu, 04/04/2013 - 2:28pm

A Devon zoo and aquarium has had an unusual spring birth – two baby stingrays.

The bluespotted ribbontail rays - one male and one female - were born on Sunday 17 March at Living Coasts, in Torquay.

Clare Rugg, Living Coasts Operations Manager, said: “The female was getting bigger and bigger and we saw some movement inside her. We have been looking expectantly in the tank each morning for the last five weeks!

“Twins are not unusual – it’s thought that they can have up to five pups per litter. The babies are perfect miniatures of the parents – but they do have their...

Exeter Barman in London Marathon fundraiser for mental health

Authored by Kickline
Posted: Thu, 04/04/2013 - 2:17pm

After five years of trying to get a place on the Virgin London Marathon, Exeter barman Iain Curr, who works at the Great Western Hotel near St David's Station in Exeter, was running out of time to realise his dream before a self-imposed deadline.

He says: “One of my main aims in life was to run a marathon before the age of 40, and I celebrate that milestone on 25th July this year.” Now he’s on track to complete his ambition, having qualified for a charity place to run in the world's biggest marathon on 21 April to raise money for Mind - The Mental Health Charity.

Iain says...

Steve smashes record on charity walk

East Devon businessman Steve Hartland broke his own record by raising more than £350 in aid of charity when he took part in this year’s Hospiscare Men’s Walk.

Steve, from Drakes Avenue, Sidford, who runs Marla Custom Blinds of Sidmouth, took part in this year’s event in memory of his father-in-law Bill, who was cared for in his local hospice in his final weeks.

Last year, when Steve joined in the inaugural Men’s Walk in and around Exeter, he raised £250. This year, after he appealed for sponsors through The Exeter Daily he managed to beat that target by more than £100,...

Sporting Dinner at the Great Hall

Event Date: 
17/04/2013 - 7:00pm to 11:00pm
Venue: 
Great Hall, Exeter University

The Lord’s Taverners charity are delighted to be hosting a rugby sporting dinner on 17 April at the Great Hall, Exeter University in order to raise money to give young people a sporting chance.

The evening has a wonderful line-up of speakers taking part including Warren Gatland, Will Greenwood, Scott Quinnell and Paul Ackford and the audience will have a chance to ask questions in a unique Q&A.

Due to a late cancellation, the last two tables are now available at a cost of £500 for a table of 10. Dress code is lounge suit and start time is 7 – 7.30pm.

To book a...

RHS calls on garden lovers to take part in unique climate change study

Scientists from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and the University of Reading are asking anyone interested in gardens and gardening, whether allotment holders or those who enjoy visiting gardens, to take part in a unique survey designed to improve understanding of how climate change may affect gardens and green spaces in the future.

The information gathered will enable the RHS to gain valuable insights into gardeners’ awareness and expectations of climate change, in the light of the recent bitterly cold winters, record rainfall levels, floods, and severe droughts.

The...

Chiefs launch 2013/14 Season Tickets

Often regarded as the hottest ticket in town, today marks the official launch of the Exeter Chiefs Season Tickets for the 2013/14 campaign.

By signing up to a Season Ticket at Sandy Park, not only do you guarantee your place for another fantastic year of Aviva Premiership, Anglo-Welsh and European competition, but you will also save up to 18% on normal match-day ticket prices.

As the region’s Premier sporting club, a season ticket with the Chiefs – who were recently voted as having the best match-day experience following a survey by Premiership Rugby – will ensure you not...

SAKS Hair Salon presents more than £2,500 to Bramble Ward

Staff and patients at the children’s ward of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital enjoyed a visit from a local hair salon when they presented a cheque for more than £2,500.

SAKS Hair Salon, in Exeter’s Princesshay, raised the money for Bramble ward during their launch party. They chose the children’s oncology department at the RD&E because it is a charity close to a SAKS customer’s heart.

Eleanor Winkler, manager of SAKS Hair Salon in Princesshay said: “We’d like to thank the staff and children of Bramble Ward for a lovely afternoon. We really enjoyed the opportunity to...

Exeter Chiefs' Ewers set for the challenge ahead

Dave Ewers believes the final three games of this season’s Aviva Premiership represent a “massive challenge” to the Exeter Chiefs as they look to seal a place amongst the division’s top six sides. With important clashes against London Irish (home), London Wasps (away) and Gloucester (home) remaining for the Devon club, Ewers knows the battle for Heineken Cup qualification next season is set to go to right to the wire. However, buoyed by Saturday’s late 24-18 victory over Worcester Warriors at Sixways, Rob Baxter’s side have certainly positioned themselves nicely for the top flight’s final...

LGA calls for devolution urgency after EU funding cuts to England

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Thu, 04/04/2013 - 10:06am

Vital European Union (EU) funds are being taken away from English councils and their business partners in a blow to local growth projects.

The Local Government Association (LGA) has warned that the Government's announcement on how it distributes money across the United Kingdom will stall innovative community projects and slow down economic recovery in England.

The Department for Business and Innovation and Skills has announced how the UK's EU Structural Funds for 2014-2020 would be re-allocated across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The result is that...

Consumers in Exeter are missing out on £34.3m of financial mis-selling compensation

Exeter consumers are missing out on £34.3 million worth of compensation for the mis-selling of PPI policies simply by failing to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. If other financial products were included, such as mis-sold endowment mortgages and savings and investment products, the final amount due to consumers in the region would be even greater, warns Exeter-based EMCAS. The leading claims management company, which specialises in helping individuals to recover compensation for mis-sold products, is urging adults in the South West region to take action now to find out if they have a...

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