Exeter

Humanists warn Exeter families of Samaritan’s Purse

Authored by Kevin Dixon
Posted: Thu, 11/29/2012 - 11:11am

Devon’s Humanists have warned schools and parents of the American evangelical group behind the Samaritan’s Purse shoe-box initiative.

Humanist Chair Keith Denby said: “As we near Christmas children have been bringing home shoe-boxes to fill with toys and presents for children in need in Africa and Eastern Europe as part of the initiative 'Operation Christmas Child'."

“On the face of it, the Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child shoebox appeal is a benign initiative simply intending to give gifts to needy children at Christmas time. But how many...

Review concludes that care home fee levels for 2012/13 are fair

Devon County Council has today published an extended impact assessment into its decision on care home fees for 2012/13, in response to a High Court ruling that it hadn't given sufficient consideration to equalities.

The gold-plated assessment required by the Court has resulted in no change to the current fee structure or levels that gave an average 8.6 per cent increase to home owners.

However, the Council has also lodged an Appeal against the High Court ruling, in order to draw a line in the sand over future legal challenges and put a stop to “excessive, costly and...

Delays and disruptions continue on the railway lines

Recent heavy rain, flooding and high winds are causing disruption to some trains in South West England.

You can follow this incident on Twitter by using the hashtag: #ukrain

All the changes listed below are showing correctly for today in the real time Journey Planner .

The following video and images show the extent of some of the flooding:

  • Video - Devon
  • Cowley Bridge Junction, near Exeter
  • River Exe, between Exeter and Tiverton Parkway
  • Embankment slip between Parson Street and Nailsea & Backwell

...

Modern Diner to launch first restaurant in Exeter

Modern Diners Ltd is to launch its first restaurant, RUBY, in Exeter after securing the lease of a central city location.

The freehold of the Grade II Listed property at 74 Queen Street was sold to its current owners in early 2012 and Christie + Co, which completed the sale, was recently appointed to find a lessee.

The agent said there had been "much interest" for the property, which has a sub-divided basement area and an open-plan ground floor with a mezzanine level. The site formerly traded as a delicatessen and licensed restaurant.

Erin...

Council launches Exeter Housing Charity of the Year Award

To show appreciation for the exceptional work carried out by charities and voluntary organisations around the City, Exeter City Council is launching the Exeter Housing Charity of the Year Award. Prize money of £500 will be offered as part of the award to enable the organisation to continue with their good work. A trophy will be presented to the winner at the Housing Strategy Event being held at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum in January 2013. The winner will also be given the use of Exeter City Council’s logo and ‘Exeter Housing Charity of the Year 2013’ strapline for the following year....

Award-winning cafe for Museum of the Year

Winner of the Taste of the West Gold Award for Cafe-Restaurant 2012, Otterton Mill, will be providing visitors to Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) with a new menu of light meals and refreshments from Friday 30 November.

"We are delighted to have been offered this opportunity to run the RAMM Cafe" said Simon Spiller who runs Otterton Mill with wife Caroline. "As café owners, we feel lucky to operate in Devon. We are surrounded by great ingredients, wonderful growers and hard working farmers & fishermen. Our idea and ethos is to celebrate these ingredients and our...

Union ratchets up fight against SW pay cartel

UNISON, the UK's largest public service union - which represents more than 1.3 million people providing vital services to the public - is ratcheting up its campaign against the consortium of 20 NHS trusts in the South West. The group of trusts, referred to as a “pay cartel” by unions, has announced plans to break away from Agenda for Change and reduce workers’ pay, terms and conditions in a move which could affect around 88,000 NHS staff, including nurses and doctors.

The union is planning lobbies, rallies and demonstrations, inlcuding outside the Royal Devon & Exeter...

Make sure your chimney's safe for Santa

Christmas is fast approaching and with the colder weather also arriving, cosy chimney fires are being lit. Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service are encouraging you to check your chimney is clean, safe and swept for Santa’s arrival.

Chimney fires can cause serious structural damage to a home, with the risks being even greater if the property has a thatched roof. The damage is not only fire based but also the dirt and smell left from all the soot and smoke, which would affect your personal property, including all your Christmas presents.

Chimneys...

Attitudes towards security threats uncovered

New research has revealed a significant gap between what the government claims are the biggest security threats facing the UK and the fears of the population. Terrorism is not perceived as the most important threat to everyday life despite claims by policy makers.

Politics researchers at the Universities of Exeter and Warwick led detailed focus groups across the UK and conducted a nationwide survey as part of an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded project which looked at public attitudes towards security threats.

Since 2005, key objectives...

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