New figures reveal there were 7,830 Apprenticeship starts in Devon during the academic year 2011/12 – representing growth of 13.5 per cent from the previous year. Indeed, Devon registered the highest number of Apprenticeship starts in the South West region, with starts in the county accounting for 14 per cent of the 55,950 total.
There is a similar positive picture across the country, with Apprenticeship starts in England for 2011/12 topping the half million mark. This is an overall increase of 13.9 per cent on the preceding year.
In the early hours of this morning a couple lost their home to fire. The property was a thatched cottage in North Devon. Maxine Wilcox, 68, was awoken by her cat at about 4.00am when she noticed that their thatched roof was alight. The couple immediately left the property and called Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.
Mr and Mrs Wilcox waited outside while firefighters tackled the blaze and salvaged as much of their belongings as they could. A total of 15 fire appliances attended the incident.
The roof was completely destroyed by fire, with the first floor being...
Church schools from across the county celebrated a giant assembly in Exeter Cathedral today.
The Church Schools Cathedral Service takes place once a year, although this is the first year the children have lead the worship.
Over 500 people from 24 schools attended the service for which Church of England school children played samba, prayed and role-played on the theme of Candlemas.
Afterwards, the children visited the Cathedral and enjoyed lunch in the Chapterhouse and North Transcept.
Traditionally Candlemas marks the end of the Epiphany. Candles used in...
Tropical rainforests are often called the “lungs of the planet” because they generally draw in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen. But the amount of carbon dioxide that rainforests absorb, or produce, varies hugely with year-to-year variations in the climate. In a paper published online this week (6th Feb 2013) by the journal Nature , a team of climate scientists from the University of Exeter, the Met Office-Hadley Centre and the NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, has shown that these variations reveal how vulnerable the rainforest is to climate change.
Hundreds of youngsters have benefited during their holidays from a Chiefs Rugby Camp and the first one of 2013 will take place at Sandy Park on 18th-19th February.
At a cost of £35 per day, children aged from 6-16 can learn from the professionals as they get given the opportunity to experience what rugby life is all about at a top Aviva Premiership club, as well as getting the chance to see Rob Baxter’s squad train in preparation for their upcoming top flight clash at home to London Welsh.
Campers not only learn the basic elements of the game, but at the same time improve...
After whittling down possible goals for the accolade, the shortlist is now open for votes to select Exeter City Football Club’s Goal of the Year 2012!
The goal that gets most votes will be put forward at the Football League Awards, and it’ll take on the best of the rest with the hope of winning the Mitre Goal of the Year 2012.
With five corkers to choose from, there’s little doubt that whichever goal gets the nod to represent the Grecian, it’ll put up a fair fight!
The shortlist is as follows:
11/2/12 - David Noble (H) v Sheff Wed - match-winning free-kick...
Thousands of people attended a pro-gun rally in Annapolis on Wednesday, as the Governor for the city testified in support of an assault weapons ban.
At a hearing before a Senate committee, Martin O'Malley urged state legislators to approve what he called a comprehensive approach to curbing gun violence. He called for a ban on the sale of "military-style" assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and said the state should require licensing and training for handgun buyers.
Advocates on either side of the gun-control debate attend the hearing, with hundreds more waiting in...
At just before 4am this morning, a total of 15 fire appliances from Bideford, Barnstaple, Hartland, Ilfracombe, Hatherleigh, Holsworthy, South Molton, Appledore, Torrington, and Honiton were mobilised to a thatched property on fire at Horns Cross, Bideford. Fire crews have managed to control the fire and prevent the spread to the adjoining properties.
The A39 is closed at this time.
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue report "Crews arrived at the scene and confirmed one thatched property was well alight. Crews got to work using two hose reel jets, two covering jets,...
UK and US authorities have fined Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) £390m for its part in the Libor rate-fixing scandal.
The UK's Financial Services Authority issued a fine of £87.5m, while about £300m will be paid to US regulators and the US Department of Justice. The fines are £100m more than those issued to banking rival Barclays last year for similar offences.
RBS chairman Sir Philip Hampton said it was a "sad day" for the bank.
Commenting on the announcement, Richard Ayre, chairman of the Institute of Directors in the South West, said:
The Exeter Daily, Exeter's only online newspaper powered by the people, is already a huge success - with over 35,000 unique users & 175,000 page views since launching in October 2012, and usage is increasing by almost 40% month on month!
With our unique 21st century proposition - local people publishing local news - the average user spends a great deal of time either writing articles or looking at news, events and articles on The Exeter Daily website. This presents a fantastic opportunity for advertisers and sponsors looking to reach a more engaged audience. And as we know our...
