Exeter

SW landlords least at risk of rent arrears

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Mon, 12/22/2014 - 12:20pm

Landlords in the South West are least at risk of rent arrears, according to research from the UK’s leading landlord association*.

Those in the South West were found to be less at risk with a quarter (25 per cent) of landlords experiencing rent arrears in the last 12 months, compared to 29 per cent of landlords in the South East.

The research shows that a typical landlord in the South East with rent arrears faces £1,551 of outstanding rent, while those in the South West have £2,157 of outstanding rent, well about the UK average of £1,649.

Landlords in the North East...

Exeter police donate festive treats to Age UK

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Mon, 12/22/2014 - 11:49am

Officers and staff in Exeter have been getting in the festive spirit by donating boxes full of Christmas goodies to elderly people this Christmas.

PC Chris Pusey started a Christmas collection at Heavitree Road police station in November.

Donations of food, drink and Christmas gifts came flooding in from officers and staff from the station and the police control room.

On Monday 15 December PC Pusey delivered 15 large boxes full of goodies to Kath at Age UK in Cowick Street (pictured).

Age UK will create hampers with the items, including bottles of champagne...

Eleven new centres to lead genomics project

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Mon, 12/22/2014 - 11:47am

Eleven new centres across England have been chosen to deliver the 100,000 Genomes Project.

The three-year project, launched by the Prime Minister earlier this year, aims to improve diagnosis and treatment for patients with cancer and rare diseases.

The initiative involves collecting and decoding 100,000 human genomes – complete sets of people’s genes – that will enable scientists and doctors to understand more about specific conditions.

The project has the potential to improve our ability to predict and prevent disease. It may also lead to new and more precise...

Exeter archaeologist contributes to Roman Britain from the Air

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Mon, 12/22/2014 - 11:04am

A new TV programme telling the story of what life was like for Romans and Britons 2000 years ago involves a unique journey across Britain by helicopter with commentary from a University of Exeter archaeologist. ‘Roman Britain from the Air’ is on ITV at 8pm on 23 December. The programme is presented by Christine Bleakley and historian Dr Michael Scott, with assistance from University of Exeter archaeologist Professor Stephen Rippon, who advised on the making of ‘Roman Britain from the Air’. The Romans have left a legacy that’s lasted 1600 years. From Hadrian’s Wall to the 6000 seat...

New legislation for houses of multiple occupation

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Mon, 12/22/2014 - 10:41am

Landlords of houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) in Exeter are being reminded of new licensing requirements that are set to be introduced in February.

Exeter City Council is offering a series of discounts for landlords affected by the new legislation, to those who register their properties before 15 January, undertake a training course or are part of a recognised landlords' association.

Last month (November) Exeter City Council approved an extension of its licensing for HMOs following a lengthy period of public consultation.

The Council is broadening its licensing...

South West Schools built cheaper and faster under flagship scheme

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 12/22/2014 - 10:39am

The Government’s flagship school building initiative has cut the cost of school construction projects by more than a third and is delivering them faster than ever before – figures out today show.

A vital part of the Government’s long term plan for education is raising the standard of schools so that thousands of pupils and teachers benefit from high-quality, fit for purpose facilities. These improved facilities will help children learn, so they can reach their full potential and go on and succeed in life.

Thanks to the £2.4 billion investment in the Priority School Building...

Tom James to leave Exeter Chiefs

Authored by Mark Stevens
Posted: Mon, 12/22/2014 - 10:37am

Exeter Chiefs have confirmed that Tom James is to head back to former club Cardiff Blues. The Welsh international, who joined the Chiefs during the summer of 2013 from the Blues, has put pen to paper on a two-year deal and will rejoin the region at the end of the current campaign. Winger James has to date made 28 appearances for the Aviva Premiership club, scoring five tries in the process, the latest of which came in Exeter's recent European Challenge Cup win at home to La Rochelle. "I've enjoyed my time at the Chiefs, making not only a lot of good friends, but a lot of memories as well...

Fire crews called to building full of smoke

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 12/22/2014 - 9:28am

Fire crews were called to Exeter Airport this morning after receiving reports of a building full of smoke.

One fire appliance from Middlemoor and two fire appliances from Danes Castle were sent to the Vehicle Repair Centre at Exeter Airport shortly before 5.45am.

On arrival crews confirmed smoke inside the spray booth in a car repair centre.

There was a fire within a vehicle in the spray booth and crews used two breathing apparatus, one hose reel jet, one safety jet, a triple extension ladder and a thermal image camera to deal with the incident.

The electric...

Your guide to What's On this weekend

If you are looking for something to do or somewhere to go this weekend, there’s plenty to choose from in our guide to What's On in and around Exeter.

THEATRE

Jack and the Beanstalk Exeter Corn Exchange, Market Street, Exeter Fee fi fo fum! One minute Jack's mother is chucking his magic beans in the bin, the next thing he knows he's whisked off to a land of giants where great treasures await... unless he ends up in an enormous cooking pot! With a stellar cast, Kickline returns with the same incredible mix of magic, laughs and silly sing-alongs that made 'Cinderella' such a...

Big variation in mobile coverage in the SW

Which? has teamed up with independent mobile coverage experts OpenSignal to reveal the best and worst mobile phone networks for across the UK, and found that the South West was the second worst region we looked at for coverage and some providers were much better than others.

The analysis of the different networks in the South West found a variation of 40% between the top and bottom 3G provider:

  • Highest average time on 2G, 3G or 4G: Vodafone (94.4%)
  • Lowest average time on 2G, 3G or 4G: Three (91.8%)
  • Highest average 3G time on: Three (89.8%)
  • ...

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