The Big Issue across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset has received an early Christmas present of smart new tabards for its vendors, thanks to support from the Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise (PDSE).
PDSE and the Big Issue have a long standing relationship. The main mission of PDSE is to increase oral health awareness and address oral care inequalities for members of the community who are disadvantaged or at risk.
The organisation arranges interaction with Big Issue vendors via its Community Engagement Team, advising them how to look after their oral health and also providing...
House prices in the UK will see an average increase of three percent over the course of next year, bolstered by recent changes to Stamp Duty, continuing demand and lack of supply of property, according to the RICS housing forecast for 2015. The forecast looks ahead to the next 12 months, across all parts of the housing market, from house prices, sales, rents and housing starts and repossession levels.
Across the UK, RICS expect all parts of the country to see modest price rises during 2015, at an average of three percent. Meanwhile, the South West, Wales and London will experience...
A local charity is offering people ideas for a wild Christmas with a difference.
Leading conservation charity Devon Wildlife Trust has developed a series of ideas for ‘wild Christmas escapes’ and is urging people to spend just a small part of the festive season and get away from the excesses and stresses of this time of year.
Devon Wildlife Trust’s Steve Hussey explained the idea: "Despite all the merry making Christmas can bring with it a series of challenges to our health and well-being. And if this seems a bit Scrooge-like then which of us can really say that we haven’t...
Christmas has come early at Teignbridge Leisure Centres with the opportunity for customers to take advantage of a festive promotion to help make getting fit fun.
Broadmeadow Sports Centre, Teignmouth, and Dawlish and Newton Abbot leisure centres are offering festive thank you promotions between 27th – 31st December to help encourage people to get fit and active.
The offers are:
* Buy one get one free body analysis * Free swimming for children under 8 at Dawlish and Newton Abbot leisure centres * Half price badminton at all three centres and half price squash at...
Devon County Council’s Library Service has been upheld as an example of good practice in a national report on how England’s libraries could work best in the future.
Commissioned by the Department for Culture Media & Sport, the independent report highlights how the County Council has been exploring ways in which innovation can maximise the potential of its libraries to support happy, vibrant communities.
Over the past four years the Council has successfully expanded the role of Devon’s libraries into ‘community hubs’ providing a greater range of activities; extending...
Schools in some of the least fairly funded areas across the South West will soon benefit from a £68 million cash boost in the biggest step towards fairer schools funding in a decade, Schools Minister David Laws has announced.
A vital part of the Government’s plan for education is ensuring schools are properly funded, so that all pupils regardless of background can reach their full potential.
In July, the Government published estimates of how an extra £390 million would be allocated to increase the budgets of the least fairly funded areas across the country, while ensuring...
Police are investigating a theft of an original Caroline Shotton painting from Castle Gallery in Exeter's Cathedral Yard on Saturday 13 December.
This was an original painting valued at £1,250 and was glazed in a white frame, approximately 40cm X 40cm in size, although it may have been removed from the frame or reframed.
If anyone recognises this picture, has bought it recently or seen it advertised for sale in any way, please contact the police on 101 quoting crime reference CR/130108/14, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
82% of Exeter’s research has been rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in the Research Excellence Framework (REF2014).
This is the first national evaluation of research quality in the UK since 2008 and looked at the economic and societal impact of research for the very first time. Exeter has made a huge rise since 2008 (from 56% to 82% world-leading/internationally excellent research) and now ranks first in the South West (BBC region), equal 19th nationally and 18th in the Russell Group on this measure. Exeter performed extremely well in humanities and social...
Devon Community Foundation is encouraging local groups and organisations who have great ideas to make their communities an even better place to live, to apply for funding to turn their ideas into reality.
The charity is supporting groups to apply to a funding programme Active Communities launched by the People’s Health Trust for the South West. The funding programme is aimed at local people and groups wanting to create fairer places to grow, live, work and age.
Using money raised by HealthContact through The Health Lottery, People’s Health Trust is looking to invest in...
A new swimming pool and leisure centre for Exeter took a step closer last night (Tuesday 16 December) with the approval of £19.4 million to cover the cost of the project.
The funds were signed off at a meeting of Exeter City Council and along with the appointment of a design company due to be announced soon, represents real momentum as the project drives forward alongside the Bus Station redevelopment by Crown Estates and TIAA Henderson Real Estate.
Council Leader Pete Edwards said that getting the financial commitment was a landmark in the delivery of the project....
