Exeter

The UK's largest racecourse group attracted record numbers of people to enjoy a day at the races during the last year, according to new figures published today by Jockey Club Racecourses which show in 2015 its total attendances surpassed 1.9 million for the first time ever. Exeter Racecourse, which is part of Jockey Club Racecourses, saw attendances increase by 6,653. Its flagship racedays include the Haldon Gold Cup, New Year’s Day, Devon Day and its popular Super Sunday meeting in February while Jockey Club Racecourses runs the likes of the Cheltenham Festival, the Crabbie’s Grand...

GAIN, the South West Growth, Acceleration and Investment Network is looking for all start-ups, innovators, disruptors to invest £30,000 as matchfunding to help business growth.

GAIN has partnered with the UK's #1 rewards crowdfunding platform, Crowdfunder, to find brilliant businesses based in Devon, Cornwall, Isles of Scilly or Somerset who have a product, service or approach that is unique or different in some way.

They will offer 10 businesses that meet their criteria, up to £3,000 of match funding each, if they crowdfund on Crowdfunder, from January 10, 2016. Each...

An NHS team in Exeter has helped to produce a series of educational videos about bladder and bowel care for children and young people.

Fiona Boorman, a paediatric nurse specialist in the integrated bladder and bowel care team based at Franklyn House, was selected to be the face of the podcasts.

The videos were a joint venture between the service, which is managed by the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, and Virgin Care’s public health nursing team in the Crediton area.

The three videos are entitled ‘The importance of fluid intake for children and young people’, ‘...

A private dental centre in Exeter is hoping to fill a cavity by recruiting a new dentist to join the growing team.

The Exeter Dental Centre, situated on Castle Street in the city centre, will be welcoming a new dentist this month, following a huge investment and considerable expansion. The last six months have seen the centre grow to seven surgeries and a skin treatment suite, over six floors, after taking over the former Michael Spiers Jewellers retail space on the ground floor.

This is the second large investment in the practice since its launch as The Exeter Dental...

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service is asking residents to heed warnings not to enter floodwater, as it could put themselves and others at risk.

Fire crews were called to several incidents where vehicles were stuck in floodwater to carry out rescues over the festive period. On 3 January, a cyclist was rescued in Newton Abbot after getting into difficulty near a swollen river.

A yellow weather warning for rain covering parts of Devon and Somerset has been issued by the Met Office as heavy rain showers are expected until Tuesday lunchtime.

The Environment...

Leading local advice charity, Exeter Citizens Advice Bureau, today publishes its advice trend statistics for the period 1 April – 30 November 2015.

Clients with urgent, or priority debts, owed an average of £5,383.64 to their creditors, an increase this financial year of 80%, or £2,405.60 per client. Urgent debts include things like mortgage, rent and council tax.

The increase in the amounts owed to urgent, or priority, creditors is a real worry. Coupled with increases in enquires about things such as housing benefit, council tax arrears, and tax credits this is a clear...

Stagecoach South West today launched a new fleet of buses for its busiest Exeter Park & Ride route.

Staff were ready and waiting to greet commuters with a fresh chocolate chip cookie on what is, for many, the first day back to work after the Christmas break.

Commuters could then relax and travel in style on the four brand new buses, an £800,000 investment in the service. All feature free Wi-Fi, allowing customers to connect, share and play on the move. The Red Park and Ride route runs from Honiton Road to the city centre up to every 12 minutes, 7 days a week.

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Gilbert Stephens’ Young Professionals Network (YPN) got into the festive spirit last month with not one but two Christmas meet-ups, making sure no one missed out on the festivities.

Gilbert Stephens’ Exeter office opened its doors to members for mulled wine and nibbles, as well as some Christmas tunes to get people in the mood. For anyone who missed out on the first event, there was a second opportunity for YPN members to meet at the ski lodge on Cathedral Green for drinks before the Christmas break. The gathering was well attended and it was a great opportunity to catch up on...