The UK is home to one of the busiest rail networks in Europe, running over hundreds of trains every day. If you've ever tried to travel long distances by train in the UK, you'll know how important they are. There aren't many forms of transport that can take you from the coast of England to the far-flung corners of the UK as efficiently as the train. But what makes the British rail system so vital to the British economy and the people who rely on it each and every day?
History of British Railways
Railways in the UK began life as a series of wooden "wagonways" as far back as the...
The countdown to Christmas has begun and the National Trust’s Killerton in Exeter welcomed a brand-new glittering illuminated trail on Friday evening.
Visitors marvelled at more than a million twinkling lights, colourful trees and amazing illuminated installations, which were choreographed to a soundtrack of much-loved seasonal music to transform Killerton’s majestic gardens into a winter wonderland.
Festive fun facts about the Killerton trail 2021:
50 metres of pea lights feature in the Tunnel of Light
The healthcare workers who we clapped on our doorsteps last year say they are increasingly being abused by the people they work so hard to care for.
Most patients continue to be polite towards staff. However, doctors, nurses, other health professionals and support teams have reported rising levels of swearing and abusive language; threatening and aggressive behaviour; and damage to property – and are asking for patience and kindness.
The NHS does not tolerate intentionally abusive behaviour, to protect the wellbeing of staff. Too often, staff across the service are being...
A new criminal offence to crack down on dog theft and put people who steal these much loved pets behind bars for up to five years has been set out in the Government’s Kept Animals Bill last week (Thursday 18th November).
The dog abduction offence, announced in September by Defra , will be added by the Government to the Kept Animals Bill, bolstering the raft of measures it already includes to further protect pets, livestock and kept wild animals.
Prior to this new offence, pet theft was treated as a loss of property to the owner. This new offence will take into account...
In August 2020, Boris Johnson visited the site of the MTX Contract Hereford County Hospital project. The project was to build 3 state-of-the-art wards offering 72 extra beds to the hospital. The PM's visit was designed to highlight the success of modular construction methods in delivering his build better, build greener, build faster agenda. The new hospital wards were delivered in just 11 months by MTX and with quality and environmental credentials that outstrip traditional brick-and-mortar construction.
The Government's Project Speed is tagged as the most radical planning...
IMP Software, specialists in Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) budgeting and financial management software, are toasting success after a flurry of new customers took them past the 1,000-school milestone – less than three years after the company was formed.
Exeter-based IMP is now working with 119 MATs, comprising 1,008 schools, which are reaping the benefits of its award-winning IMP Planner system. The MAT-led budgeting, forecasting and reporting tool is being implemented by Trusts of all sizes overseeing primary, secondary and special schools across England.
With just days to go before opening night the Connaught@Christmas team has started getting everything ready for this magical illuminated experience in Connaught Gardens, Sidmouth.
There’s masses to do to make sure this sparkling new event gives visitors the perfect start to the festive season this year.
In Manor Road car park, the 800 sqm marquee is being erected. This will provide cover for visitors while they browse the 30+ food and craft stalls manned by traders from Sidmouth and Devon. The team are busy decorating the marquee with glittering Christmas decorations, as...
Gaming at online casinos was previously a casual hobby or a way to pass time for many people. Now it’s evolved to appeal to more players, and a lot of them have other reasons for gaming.
To make money
The appeal of gaming has always been at least partly about the chance to win money, but now more people use this to supplement their incomes. The range of bonuses available to players signing up to gaming sites gives them the opportunity to test out some of the casino games and slots to see which they prefer. Although there’s no guarantee of winning, some players develop...
One in five adults in the South West could have undiagnosed liver disease, the British Liver Trust’s Love Your Liver mobile screening and scanning unit found after visiting the region in November.
The charity visited Truro, Plymouth, Exeter, Bristol and Cheltenham, and scanned passers-by who were interested in finding out more about their liver health. Of the 268 people scanned, 50 (19%) had a high reading and were sent to their doctor for further tests.
The numbers of people with a high reading varied across the region: One in four people in Truro were sent to their...
As winter approaches, doctors in Devon are reminding people that by practising self-care, they can help themselves and reduce the need to use busy NHS services.
Self-care involves helping people to better understand how to look after minor illnesses or long-term conditions, and how to prevent ill health by choosing healthy options for good physical and mental wellbeing.
Dr Alex Degan, NHS Devon’s Primary Care Medical Director, said: “It is really important to look after yourself, especially as we are getting closer to winter, with both flu and Covid-19 likely to both be...
