Devon

Trust recognised for commitment to armed forces

The Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust has been recognised nationally for its commitment to the armed forces.

The Trust has received a bronze award from the Ministry of Defence under the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).

The scheme recognises UK employers that support defence personnel and inspire others to do the same.

Darryn Allcorn, director of workforce and development for the Trust, said: “We’re delighted to be recognised for our commitment to supporting serving, former and prospective defence personnel and their families.

“Our...

Exeter Chiefs v Wasps sold out

Exeter Chiefs can confirm that next week's Aviva Premiership Play-Off semi-final against Wasps is now a complete sell-out.

The few remaining tickets left after a busy few days of trading at Sandy Park were sold this morning and a means a capacity crowd of 12,600 will pack into the stadium for the fixture, which takes place on Saturday, May 21st (3:15pm).

Supporters who were unfortunate enough not to secure a ticket during the initial selling period are advised to look online, via the official website on Monday, May 16 (from 12.30pm), for any potential returns that may be...

Local business people jailed for charity

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 05/13/2016 - 12:46pm

Nine well known members of the business community have been ‘jailed’ at Exeter Castle and have to raise a bail of £999 for Children’s Hospice South West in order to be released.

Each ‘prisoner’ has been charged with a fictitious crime and they will be held at the castle until they raise their bail money - but they only have a few hours to ensure they reach their bail targets.

With access to phone and Wi-Fi they are relying on friends, family, colleagues, suppliers and customers to make donations to their online donation pages.

Exeter participants include: PR guru...

May Bank Holiday Car Boot Sale

Event Date: 
30/05/2016 - 9:30am to 1:00pm
Venue: 
Topsham Rugby Club, Exeter Road, Topsham

Topsham Rugby Club will be hosting their second 2016 Car Boot Sale on Monday 30th May (Bank Holiday) from 9:30 am to 1pm.

Public on foot free entrance, £1 donation for parking.

Sellers will be welcome to set up at 8am with fees from £6 per car and small vans, larger vehicles at £10 each.

The clubhouse will be open with hot food and drinks available all morning.

Bar will also be open towards lunchtime, with guest ales and longstanding favourites on offer.

This is a fundraising event, please support us in any way you can, volunteers needed to help with...

New Goldsmiths store opens in Exeter

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Fri, 05/13/2016 - 12:10pm

The new Goldsmiths store in Princesshay, Exeter was officially opened by Helen Rice, Store Manager today (Friday 13 May).

A special in-store event will take place on Saturday 21st May to celebrate the re-launch of the new showroom, with prosecco, canapés, mocktails and live entertainment throughout the afternoon, along with exclusive offers and prize giveaways.’

See more here .

Survey aims to understand why SW GPs are leaving their jobs

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Fri, 05/13/2016 - 11:54am

As the UK faces major challenges in sustaining the GP workforce, a new research project sets out to understand why some GPs are leaving their jobs to take early retirement or career breaks.

The ReGROUP project, led by the universities of Exeter and Bristol, is a comprehensive programme to develop strategies and policies for the NHS in seeking to support the GP workforce. It is funded by nearly £500,000 from the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR).

The Government has recognised that new approaches are needed to sustain the GP workforce over the next few years. The...

Stagecoach announces engineering apprenticeships

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Fri, 05/13/2016 - 11:37am

Stagecoach is on the lookout for future engineering stars with the launch of its 2016 engineering apprenticeship scheme.

The scheme, which was nationally recognised last year at the People 1st Apprenticeship Awards, provides an entry point to a lifetime career in engineering, with many former apprentices progressing onto managerial positions across the company.

Stagecoach recognises there is an engineering skills shortage across the country therefore a commitment to training staff is an investment in the company’s future. Currently, there are around 160 apprentices across...

Exeter Golf Club donates £8,000 to RD&E cardiac fund

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Fri, 05/13/2016 - 10:52am

Patients at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital can now recline in comfort when having a scan of their heart thanks to a £4,000 donation from the Exeter Golf and Country Club.

The donation to the RD&E’s Cardiac Fund has been used to purchase a new ‘echo couch’ for patients to lie on when having an echocardiogram, a scan using sound waves to create images of the heart and surrounding blood vessels. The new couch replaces an older and worn-out version in one of the Cardiac Unit’s three echo suites on Taw Ward, and will significantly increase patients’ comfort.

2015 Golf...

Senior police team set off on charity ride

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 05/13/2016 - 10:41am

Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer and a team of senior police riders from Devon, Cornwall and Dorset got on their bikes today to begin a 225-mile cross-border cycle challenge in aid of local charities.

The team of 20 police officers and staff from the two police forces left from Christchurch police station in Dorset this morning and are aiming to cycle to Land’s End in Cornwall in three days.

They will pedal through a county each day before reaching their destination on Sunday evening.

The route is especially tough due to the hilly nature of the route and riders will...

An explosion of floral colour at County Show

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Fri, 05/13/2016 - 10:11am

The largest temporary structure at the Devon County Show on May 19-21 at Westpoint, Exeter will house an explosion of floral colour and scent.

Measuring 11,815 sq metres, which is bigger than a Premier League football pitch, the pavilion will be bursting with the sights and smells of spring.

Deborah Custance Baker, the chief steward of the crafts and gardens feature, calls it a ‘show within a show’.

“It will be packed with floral and horticultural exhibits and local crafts makers’ she said.

“The flower section is huge with superb feature gardens, artistic...

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