Devon

Dean Clarke Lofts to offer unique student living experience

If I think back to my student accommodation, luxury was certainly not a word I would have used to describe the pokey, although admittedly much-loved, student digs I inhabited during my Uni years. How times have changed! Dean Clarke Lofts, in which a couple of show apartments are ready to view by the general public from this coming Saturday (16 March), will provide students and young professionals in training the option of an altogether more refined way of life. They will also offer foreign students a very attractive prospect while studying at Exeter, with a Chinese language version of the...

And the Rural Oscar for local food goes to... Pipers Farm!

The 2012 Countryside Alliance Awards (aka the Rural Oscars) were presented to top rural businesses by the Secretary of State for Defra, Owen Paterson MP, at a ceremony at the Houses of Parliament on 13 March. The Awards are the Countryside Alliance’s annual celebration of rural produce, skills, enterprise and heritage through our small hard-working businesses. They are now in their eighth year and have become the definitive rural business award to win. Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said: “Rural businesses are vital to the country’s economic recovery. The Government is right behind...

Hays opens its doors in Exeter

Cementing its presence in Exeter, leading recruitment expert Hays has marked its ongoing commitment to the area by launching a new office in the city centre. Over 15 expert consultants will be based in the office at Dix’s Field, Exeter, EX1 1QA. The official launch on Tuesday 12 March was marked with an event where the Lord Mayor of Exeter, Councillor Rob Newby, spoke about employment in the area. Hays’ recruiting experts in Exeter cover nine disciplines including education, human resources, office support, accountancy and finance, senior finance, procurement and supply chain, social...

New personalised learning centre opens in Exeter

Devon County Council is pioneering the first sponsored academy chain in the country for its personalised learning centres.

The personalised learning service operates three centres, in Exeter, Barnstaple and Totnes.

They cater for students with specific medical or health problems and those who have been excluded from school.

The new £3.5 million centre in Exeter will be officially opened today (13 March) by the Chairman of Devon County Council, Jerry Brook.

The new Stansfield Centre on the Sowton Industrial Estate replaces the old, outdated facilities at...

Exeter car park deemed 'Best in Britain'!

Exeter's John Lewis Car Park, which recently underwent a £900,000 refurbishment and name change, has scooped a top national award.

The Car Park, which is run by Exeter City Council, was named Best Car Park Refurbishment of the Year at the British Parking Awards. The judges were so impressed with the car park they also gave it the Overall Winner award!

Previously called the King William Street Car Park, the facility was transformed in the lead up to opening of Exeter's John Lewis store last October. Refreshed and up-dated, the facility now offers motorists the freedom of...

Let a firefighter wash your car this Saturday!

Firefighters throughout Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service will be rolling up their sleeves to take part in the National Car Wash this Saturday 16 March, raising vital funds for The Fire Fighters Charity.

The event means you can have your car washed, as well as the opportunity to find out all you need to know about keeping your family and home safe from fire.

Chief Fire Officer Lee Howell said: “Monies raised through national fundraising initiatives provide a real boost to The Fire Fighters Charity. As well as being a fun and popular event for the charity, the...

Quit and get fit – Exeter leisure centre celebrates No Smoking Day

Exeter’s Riverside Leisure Centre is joining forces with Devon’s public health team to celebrate national No Smoking Day tomorrow (Wednesday, 13 March).

The celebration event will also offer free badminton and circuits, for people to have a taster of what’s on offer at their local leisure centres, many of which are offering special promotions to help smokers ditch the cigarettes for good and get into exercise. Smoking cessation advisors will also be on hand to offer advice and support to anyone thinking of quitting.

People who book their first appointment with the Devon’s...

Devon pupils to discuss waste and recycling at annual summit

Around 80 pupils from secondary schools across Devon will attend the annual Waste Summit at County Hall on Thursday (14 March).

The event is a popular, thought-provoking and free event which enables students to explore waste, recycling and related sustainability issues in the county.

Students from nine schools and colleges will take part in group activities which test and challenge their existing knowledge of how to reduce, reuse and recycle waste. There will also be talks and workshops held throughout the day from 9:30am to 3pm.

Last year in Devon, over 196,000...

Chris Huhne and Vicky Pryce both jailed for eight months

Former Energy minister Chris Huhne and his former wife Vicky Pryce have each been jailed for eight months for lying about a speeding offence committed ten years ago.

The pair, sentenced at Southwark Crown Court today (11 March), did not look at each other and remained passive as first Huhne and then Pryce learned the result of the court case.

Huhne received a 10% reduction in his sentence because he pleaded guilty.

Pryce had claimed she had taken the points for her then husband because of marital coercion, but was convicted last week. The judge, Mr Justice Sweeney,...

Over-85s are UK's fastest growing age group

Today Age UK launched a definitive report into the lives and health of people over 85, the fastest growing demographic group in the UK redefining the frontiers of human existence.

People over the age of 85 are now the fastest growing demographic group in the UK. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates there are currently 1.5 million people in the UK over the age of 85; by 2050 this will have grown to 5 million.

But in spite of the size of this social group, to date there has been a lack of comprehensive information about them.

Today Age UK hopes to...

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