Devon

Divorcees: don’t forget your pensions!

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Thu, 07/11/2013 - 11:14am

Research released by the National Office of Statistics has uncovered that only 6% of divorcing couples consider pensions within their settlement, emphasising the frightening financial state many people find themselves post-divorce.

The Prudential agree, adding that 40 per cent of those planning to retire in 2013 have been divorced. In general they are less likely to have private pensions, more likely to retire with debts, and less likely to believe they are financially well prepared for retirement.

Top South West divorce lawyer, Liz Allen, explains: “There are so many...

City MP praises success of new social enterprise pilot project

Trainees on a pilot scheme to refurbish and re-sell bicycles in Exeter have been demonstrating their skills to MP and cycling enthusiast Ben Bradshaw.

The project, run by city charity Exeter Community Initiatives (ECI), is designed to give training and skills to the unemployed as well prevent unwanted bikes from being dumped in landfill.

Mr Bradshaw said he was very impressed with what Exeter Community Bikes had achieved so far and felt it was an excellent idea for a social enterprise. “I think this is a fabulous project because it does so many different things.

“It...

Message from Ben Bradshaw MP

The Labour Party was born out of the trades union movement. As the industrial working class organised to protect itself against exploitation they needed a political party to fight for them in Parliament.

Despite the decline in mass membership of unions over the years, that relationship is as important today as it was in the past. With the scandal of zero hours contracts and a Government intent on tearing up health and safety protection and other employee rights, it is vital that the voices of ordinary working people are heard in our political debate.

In Exeter Labour Party...

Forest explorer day

Event Date: 
14/07/2013 - 10:30am
Venue: 
Killerton Estate, Broadclyst, Exeter

Learn to build campfires, climb trees, build dens, create wild art and become one with the forest. Join in with these family activities in this drop in session, 10.30am-4.30pm.

Normal admission applies.

For more information call 01392 881345 or email killerton@nationaltrust.org.uk

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton

Police puppy naming competition via Facebook

Devon and Cornwall Police are inviting members of the public to name six out of the seven puppies born to Force brood bitch, Ruby, last month. The competition will be run through the Devon and Cornwall Police Facebook page ( www.facebook.com/DevonandCornwallpolice ) from 10 to 18 July 2013. As this litter of puppies are the first litter Devon and Cornwall Police have bred they will be known as litter ‘A’ and all suggested names given on Facebook need to begin with the letter ‘A’. Anyone wishing to name the puppies can find photos of each puppy posted on the Facebook page. The first puppy...

Chartered accountants appoint new partner

Bideford-based chartered accountants, Haines Watts North Devon LLP, announce the promotion of 34-year-old Matthew Melksham to partner bringing the firm to a seven-strong partnership. Matthew started his career in his home City of Bath working in the catering and hospitality trade, which provided him with real hands-on experience in business and a strong customer focused approach. Six years based in Somerset advising both corporate and non-corporate owner-managed businesses followed before he re-located to North Devon over seven years ago.

Haines Watts is a Top 20 Firm of...

Flood risk work schedule approved

A programme of investment in flood risk management works and studies has been agreed by Devon County Council’s Cabinet.

More than 1,000 homes and businesses in the county were flooded during the unprecedented rainfall across Devon in 2012 and early 2013 and many thousands more are at risk in the future.

Devon County Council, working closely with District Councils, the Environment Agency and South West Water, carried out initial investigations of these flood events. As a direct result of this process and the feedback from flood drop-in events, Devon County Council...

Exeter Businesses launch the ARISE initiative to support community groups and projects

Three Exeter businesses have joined together to provide funding to launch the ARISE (Alliance to Reward Initiatives and Social Enterprises) initiative across the city, which will provide £10,000 annually to support projects and socially based activities that improve the lives of groups or individuals in Exeter.

Land Securities (owners of Princesshay), Norman Rourke Pryme and Kier Construction have all contributed and are committed to the ARISE project, which will manage the distribution of funds over the next 12 months to community groups, organisations or individuals that apply to...

Jazz at the Foundry

Event Date: 
21/07/2013 - 12:30pm
Venue: 
Finch Foundry, Sticklepath, near Okehampton

Jazz at the Foundry

Sit back, relax and enjoy listening to Jazz on the Lawn at Finch Foundry nestled in the heart of Sticklepath, near Okehampton, on Sunday 21 July, between 12.30 and 4.30pm.

Finch Foundry, a traditional water-powered working forge, provides the ideal setting for one of the West Country’s best jazz bands. Back by popular demand, ‘The Plough Boys’ will entertain visitors with an afternoon of traditional jazz.

Ben Shapcott, Manager at Finch Foundry, says: ‘Finch provides a beautiful setting to bring a picnic, sit back, relax and enjoy an afternoon of...

New Devon venture offers holiday breaks with a literary twist

The Reading Room Devon is running a series of one- and two-day courses that look into Devon's literary links. These reading retreats can also involve staying overnight at Greenbank, a farmhouse B&B overlooking Chagford on Dartmoor.

Set up by two English literature lecturers the reading holiday idea came about following a busy day in the classroom.

"We realised that what we loved about teaching was the endless sense of discovery," says Leah Varnell, one of the pair behind the project.

"It seemed to us that once people leave school, or perhaps university, the day...

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