This winter is very likely to be a record breaker. Provisional Met Office statistics show that the UK has had its sunniest winter in records dating back to 1929.
While the figures for temperature and rainfall are fairly average, it has been one of, if not the sunniest winter in UK records dating back to 1929.
By 25 February the UK had already seen 189 hours of sunshine, equalling the 2001 record, but with 3 more days left to the end of the meteorological winter we are likely to beat that record by about 7 hours.
This is in stark contrast to last winter, which was...
Households in Exeter estimate that they spend more than £850 per year on heating bills, yet nearly three quarters of adults still feel cold at home according to new research from Barratt Homes.
Spending patterns on heating vary significantly across the country, the Scots are the biggest spenders paying £171 more than those in the South West.
According to research, the biggest influence on heating bills is the age of the property.
Typical new-build homeowners save on average £600 per year when it comes to heating bills. And the gap between old and new is growing – a...
A unique charity appeal which helps older and vulnerable people across Devon living in fuel poverty, has received a welcome boost from some famous faces this week.
The Surviving Winter campaign sees people who do not need their winter fuel payment, and others, donate what they can to be passed on to those in need, helping them stay warm and well in the colder months.
And this week the national campaign has been backed by celebrities Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Michael Parkinson and Sir Terry Wogan.
Dame Helen Mirren said: "It's hard to think of the millions of people...
Shoppers in East Devon are being offered a special all-day winter parking deal by East Devon District Council in all its car parks until the 28 February 2015.
Any £2 ticket purchased after 10am can be used in any East Devon District Council pay and display car park for the rest of the day (excluding Parkmobile payments).
The ticket will show the £2 payment, as well as the length of time for which the ticket would usually be valid. Although the winter parking offer extends to the whole day, it won't be printed on the ticket.
The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital is urging anyone who has suffered from symptoms of the highly infectious Norovirus bug to stay away from the hospital until they have been free of the symptoms for at least 48 hours. Cases of Norovirus, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea and is more common in the winter months, have been rising at the RD&E over the Christmas and New Year period, placing extra pressure on hospital bed capacity at a very busy time for the hospital. At the current time the hospital has closed Lowman and Okement wards and isolated areas in three other wards – Torridge,...
With the arrival of colder weather, the Highways Agency is urging drivers to ensure they are prepared for driving in winter weather.
Agency regional manager, Julian Strong, said: “The Highways Agency and its contractors are well-prepared for winter across the South West.
“We use detailed weather forecasts and treat the road network before road temperatures fall below freezing, often at night in preparation for peak traffic periods. But that doesn’t mean people should drive as they normally would - in severe weather drivers need to take care and plan ahead.
St David's Winter Gift Fest emphasizes local creativity and sustainable shopping
Residents of St David’s in Exeter are holding a Winter Gift Fest on Saturday 6th December,,showcasing the creative talent of the many skilled artists, craftspeople, writers and musicians who live in the area, amateur and professional. The event follows the successful ArtsFest St David’s held in October.
As well as a wide variety of art and craft, there will be books and cds by Exeter’s writers, poets and musicians for sale and gift items made by local schoolchildren. Live music, seated massage...
Staff and volunteers at Lydford Gorge are organising a Winter Fayre on Sunday 30 November between 11am and 3pm, to encourage shoppers to buy local produce and gifts for the forthcoming Christmas season.
Sarah Hortop, Retail Manager at Lydford Gorge, says: "It’s very exciting – I have worked at Lydford Gorge for 27 years and this is the first time we have held an event like this. We hope it will encourage everyone to not only buy locally-grown seasonal produce that will add real quality to their Christmas, but also get out and about in the beautiful winter countryside."
As winter approaches, the Environment Agency is urging people across Devon to be prepared for possible flooding.
Last winter was the wettest for nearly 250 years and around 6,000 properties flooded across the country. Among the worst hit was Somerset, where, in some areas, people were evacuated from their homes and whole communities suffered major flood damage and disruption.
One in six properties in England is at risk of flooding. This figure is only going to increase with climate change. Many people think flooding will never happen to them, but it could. Now is the time...
New research from British Gas suggests that, unsurprisingly, many people in the South West (49%) are not looking forward to winter. People in the South West are most likely to dread increased transport problems (61%), shorter days (70%), the cold weather (62%), and the possibility of no heating or hot water (58%). Winter worries about homes were highlighted in the UK wide research findings with 41% of those in the South West region saying they worry about the heating or hot water failing during the colder months, whilst 8% had worries about flooding because of burst pipes. A further 8%...
