Is paying for a homeowners warranty worth the cost?

Authored by Val Watson
Posted: Mon, 02/07/2022 - 2:02pm

So, let’s imagine that you recently bought a new home and you can’t wait to move in with your loved ones. In an ideal world, a new home should have minimal defects, and if any, they should be easily fixable. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Many individuals have invested their hard-earned money into buying a home only to move in and find serious problems such as structural issues or even missing insulation.

Ensure that you do a home inspection, especially if you are buying a previously owned home. If the home inspection reveals that some of the appliances and systems...

Donna and Paul Berry from The Swan and Spelt.

Donna and Paul dish up 15 years in Bampton

Authored by Reporters
Posted: Mon, 02/07/2022 - 10:05am

AWARD-WINNING chef-patrons Paul and Donna Berry are celebrating this month (February 2022) after dishing up 15 years of meals and hospitality in mid-Devon.

The duo opened The Swan in Bampton in 2011 and Spelt, also in Bampton, in 2019. Before that, they were at the helm at The Quarryman’s Rest in the village.

Paul said: “We believe the secret to our success and longevity in the town is offering the very best in seasonal, regional ingredients alongside top-notch customer service. It’s been proved to be a winning combination as we have received multiple awards, most recently...

Exeter Meinser Workshop

Exeter Meisner Workshop

Event Date: 
15/03/2022 - 7:00pm to 10/05/2022 - 9:00pm
Venue: 
The Mint Methodist Church Centre, Fore St, Exeter EX4 3AT

“Invent nothing, deny nothing…” (David Mamet)

These stimulating and supportive sessions will encourage you to immerse yourself in the exercises of one of acting’s most notable practitioners.

The Meisner Technique is a simple yet powerful acting system that trains actors to focus attention on that which is truly present, particularly the scene partner, enabling a truthful performance under the given dramatic circumstances.

The transformative process of these sessions is creative and fast-paced, with no limit to the depth of knowledge and self-awareness you can gain...

Local care home celebrates Chinese New Year

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Thu, 02/03/2022 - 11:02pm

Staff and residents at Cumberland Grange in Exeter welcomed in the Year of the Tiger with a day of celebrations and activities.

Inspired by Chinese cultures and traditions, residents enjoyed learning all about Chinese New Year thanks to John, Tesco’s Community Champion. John gave a fascinating talk followed by serving up a variety of different Chinese foods.

It was a brilliant afternoon linking up with Tesco to provide residents with this Themed Eats and Wine tasting session.

Michele , General Manager of Barchester’s Cumberland Grange said: “We had such a...

Discover the leader of the pack at The Donkey Sanctuary

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Thu, 02/03/2022 - 10:52pm

This February half term, head to The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth and find out which adoption donkey has the loudest bray, the longest ears, or who is the most playful, in the Adoption Donkey Top Trumps Trail.

Follow the trail around the sanctuary to find the giant Top Trumps cards and discover which adoption donkey comes out on top in each round. This exciting family activity is a great way to explore the sanctuary, combining fun, exercise and brainpower.

Set in the heart of the rolling East Devon countryside, The Donkey Sanctuary has something to keep everyone...

New city centre wedding fayre to take place in March

Exeter businesses will come together to showcase and celebrate the city’s wedding industry at a brand new wedding fayre this March.

Hosted by InExeter – the business improvement district, the fayre will take place in two of Exeter’s most iconic venues, Exeter Castle, and the Historic Guildhall.

Couples planning their upcoming partnership celebration or wedding will be treated to traditional fayre with a series of talks, stalls, stands, demonstrations, styling sessions and tasters from local businesses at Exeter Castle.

To truly imagine their big day couples can...

250,000 adults in the South West whose mental health got worse during the pandemic have not spoken to anyone about it

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 02/03/2022 - 10:28pm

Nearly one in five adults surveyed in the South West (17 per cent) who say their mental health got worse during the pandemic haven’t spoken to anyone about it during this time – equivalent to around 250,000 people – according to research published today. More than a third (38 per cent) of all respondents in the South West reported a worsening in their mental health during the pandemic. Of those who have been concerned about the mental health of someone they care about, almost one in five (19 per cent) say they haven’t tried to talk to them about it.

The poll was conducted as part...

Married emergency medicine doctors finish first out of mixed pairs in Atlantic rowing challenge

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 02/03/2022 - 9:22pm

A husband-and wife emergency medicine doctor team have landed in the Carribean after rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic as the first ever married couple to participate in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge (TWAC). Following more than seven weeks of rowing, they finished 1st in the mixed pairs ranking and have, so far, raised more than £20,000 for frontline medical charities.

“Emergensea Duo” Charlie Fleury and Adam Baker are both emergency medicine doctors in Devon and took a sabatical to embark on the “World’s toughest row” that started on 12th December last year from...

Julian House’s  Big  Exeter Sleep-Out 2022 is open for registrations!

Authored by Daffne
Posted: Thu, 02/03/2022 - 6:59pm

Julian House charity is calling the community in Exeter and the local area to join this fantastic event and invites you to sleep-out for one night in the heart of the City at Exeter City Football Club (St James Park Stadium). If sleeping in the Stadium is not for you, please join by sleeping in your garden and still be part of the big event which will take place on Friday 18th March. All the proceeds raised will create vital funds and awareness for people forced to sleep rough in the streets, this event is proudly sponsored by Knight Frank Estate Agents.

Last year, the charity...

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