Exeter

Firefighters to strike for 24 hours

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Thu, 06/05/2014 - 4:01pm

Firefighters in England and Wales will strike for a complete 24 hours after pensions talks between government and unions collapse.

A 24-hour strike — the longest yet in the three-year campaign — will take place from 9am on Thursday 12 June, with second shorter strike set for Saturday 21 June between 10am-5pm. Whilst the issue is a matter between the Fire Brigades Union and Government, every Fire & Rescue Service has a legal duty to maintain a level of service to local communities as best it can. In response to the strike Area Manager Phil Martin, Head of Community Safety for...

Donations keep Devon warm through Winter

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 06/05/2014 - 3:40pm

Almost £8,000 was donated to people in need in Devon over the last year thanks to the generosity of people who gave up their winter fuel payments. Devon Citizens Advice Bureau partnered with the Devon Community Foundation (DCF) to operate the Surviving Winter campaign over the winter months of 2013-2014. The campaign saw people who did not require their winter fuel payment donating it via the Devon Community Foundation. Citizens Advice Bureaux across the county then helped allocate the money to people who were most in need. A total of 78 households benefited from the scheme. The Winter...

New electric cars arrive in Exeter

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Thu, 06/05/2014 - 11:03am

Two new electric cars for use by Exeter City Council staff have arrived this morning in a push to help improve the city's air quality. The new cars will now be used in the vehicle pool by council staff to use when out and about on official duty replacing several ageing diesel-powered vans.

The authority purchased the pair of Nissan LEAF electric cars to further move away from diesel power in an attempt to reduce emissions and help improve air quality on Exeter’s streets.

Cllr Keith Owen, Lead Councillor for Environment, Health and Wellbeing, said: "We are already generating...

Exeter school choir sings for Radio 4

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 06/05/2014 - 10:36am

On Wednesday afternoon, five members of the Junior School Choir were invited to Jack Simpson House in Heavitree to take part in a recording for Radio 4's You and Yours programme, currently scheduled to be broadcast on Friday 20 June.

The children sang several songs and were interviewed by the presenter Carolyn Atkinson both individually and while chatting to the residents.

The programme will concentrate on how the charity' Kissing It Better' brings the wider community in to the home, engaging the residents with conversation and music.

Music Teacher Rachel Mitchell...

Rokk Media @ SW Blog Social

Authored by RokkMedia
Posted: Thu, 06/05/2014 - 10:26am

The Exeter Daily has previously reported on the South West Blog Social, scheduled to take place at The Oddfellows Bar on New North Rd on Saturday 7th June.

Devised by noted local bloggers Jodie Dewberry (@alajode) and Albertine Brandon (@dippywrites), the event- the first of its kind in the South West- aims to bring together the very best in local blogging talent to provide an afternoon of advice and expertise to Exeter and regional businesses and individuals, with Jodie adding “We have worked hard not only to make sure that the event is as much fun as possible- but also to give it...

Hughes deal delights Baxter

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter says he pleased to finally have got his man after today confirming the arrival of Welshman Adam Hughes to the club.

For several years Baxter has tracked the talented 24-year-old back and now he finally has he man after the Newport-born back put pen to paper on a two-year deal.

Hughes, who has played for both the Newport-Gwent Dragons and Bristol, is the latest new addition to the Chiefs ranks ahead of the 2014/15 season and Baxter is delighted to have the player on board for what promises to be a big campaign for the Devon outfit....

New Lord Mayor supports ELF

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Wed, 06/04/2014 - 5:18pm

The new lord Mayor of Exeter has said he will use his to term to help raise money for the Exeter Leukaemia Fund (ELF). The new Lord Mayor of Exeter Percy Prowse, who was elected at last night’sAnnual General Meeting, explained why he chose to support ELF as the mayor’s charity. He said: “A lady living in my ward approached me recently and asked which charity I would be supporting. “She had been through Leukaemia and when I heard they were trying to raise £350,000 for an extension to the existing Haematology unit in Wonford, I didn’t need much persuasion. “ELF is a very worthy local charity...

Partial refund for County Show stallholders

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 06/04/2014 - 4:57pm

The Devon County Show is offering trade stand holders a 25 per cent refund on their stand fees after it was forced to abandon the third day. Letters are going out this week and offer traders the choice of either applying for a refund or making a donation to the Devon County Agricultural Association, which stages the Show. Show Secretary, Ollie Allen said: “The DCAA Board of Management fully appreciate that the decision to abandon the third day on Saturday was heart breaking and although we have a ‘force majeure’ in our regulations, the Board agreed to offer trade stand exhibitors a partial...

Teacher who was drunk in school can return

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Wed, 06/04/2014 - 3:33pm

A Devon teacher who was drunk on school premises is free to return to the classroom after a professional conduct panel decided a teaching ban would not be “appropriate”.

In May a Professional Conduct Panel of the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) found that while Gillian Mary Brunt, a former teacher at Tavistock College, "fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession" they believed a prohibition order banning her from teaching “would not be an appropriate and proportionate response.”

The incident occured on 12 July 2013 when 52–year-...

Big Walk 2014 hailed a success

Over £2,000 has been added to the Exeter Foundation coffers following the highly successful Big Walk 2014 held at the weekend.

Helping to raise vital funds for theFoundation, which looks to support a minimum of 20 local charities and organisations, the 84 walkers proudly took up the challenge of working their way around the picturesque 10-mile course that started and finished at Sandy Park, home to the Exeter Chiefs rugby team.

Building on the success of previous years, once the walk was completed participants were then able to enjoy a well-earned first pint or soft drink,...

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