Have a musical Museum Valentine's to remember

The young and young at heart are in for a memorable night at Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) and the Cavern Club on Friday 15th February when the nine-piece band Smerin’s Anti-Social Club will be performing.

The Valentines’ ball will feature ElectroSwing music and have a 1920s theme. The 6.30-10pm session at RAMM is suitable for all ages but only over 18s can go on to the Cavern Club from 10pm to 2am. Novice dancers are welcome as there’ll be swing dancing lessons in RAMM’s central courtyard.

It will be a smart occasion with DJs playing ElectroSwing music as...

Findus beef lasagne products found with horse meat

As part of its ongoing investigation into mislabelled meat, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed that the meat content of beef lasagne products recalled by Findus has tested positive for more than 60% horse meat.

Findus withdrew the beef lasagne products after its French supplier, Comigel, raised concerns about the type of meat used in the lasagne.

The FSA has said "We have no evidence to suggest that this is a food safety risk. However, the FSA has ordered Findus to test the lasagne for the veterinary drug phenylbutazone, or 'bute'. Animals treated with...

Appenticeship starts up 13.5 per cent in Devon

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.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “...

Word of warning to thatched cottage owners

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...

Special assembly for church schools at the Cathedral

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...

"Lungs of the planet" reveal sensitivity to global warming

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.

Lead author...

Sign up today for Exeter Chiefs' February Camp

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...

Vote for your favourite Exeter City goal of 2012

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 attend pro-gun ownership rally in Annapolis

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...

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