Lifestyle

What Consumer Reviews Actually Tell Us About Product Quality

High star ratings aren't everything. Here's how to read consumer reviews properly and spot what actually reflects product quality before you buy.

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Kicking off 2026 - Barnstaple charities invited to apply for funding

Kicking off 2026 with a commitment to local communities, Allison Homes South West is inviting charities and community organisations in Barnstaple to apply for a share of £1,000 funding to support local projects.

The initiative is part of the housebuilder’s ongoing commitment to support communities near its developments. Local groups working in areas such as mental health, wellbeing,...

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Allison Homes South West

Devon

Exmouth woman to run TCS London Marathon for cancer charity

A Devon woman will take on the TCS London Marathon 2026 to raise money for Dame Ellen MacArthur’s cancer charity for young people, which supported her after she was diagnosed with cancer in 2022.

Freya Sampson, 23, from Exmouth joined one of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust’s transformational sailing adventures in 2024, having been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma two years prior, and...

What to Consider Before Adding Colour to Your Home

Choosing a new colour for your home is much more than just picking something that looks good in isolation. You need a tone that reflects your style and complements the architecture. Before you start splashing paint on the walls, there are a few factors to think about that can help you make an informed choice.

The impact of natural and artificial lighting

Lighting is one of...

How to make your Spanish holiday unforgettable

Spain offers familiar comforts that draw UK travellers year after year, but it becomes far more rewarding when you explore its culture, food and landscapes with genuine intention instead of just treating it as a sun-and-sand destination.

Accommodation as a Foundation

Your accommodation choice shapes the entire rhythm of your holiday. Hotels keep you tethered to set meal...

What Makes a Gift Feel Timeless?

Many people want to choose gifts that feel meaningful and not just momentary. The type of presents that carry emotional value long after the occasion has passed. Creating this lasting impact needs a bit more thought than just purchasing something expensive.

Emotional Meaning

Personal touches often make a stronger impression than price tags. Choosing something that connects...

Celebrating Devon’s best: Entries open for the 2026 Food Drink Devon Awards

The countdown has begun as entries officially open for the highly anticipated 2026 Food Drink Devon Awards. Following the resounding success of last year’s event, the awards once again promise to celebrate the very best food and drink Devon has to offer, from artisan producers and innovative brands to much-loved cafés, pubs, restaurants, bars, takeaways and retailers.

Widely...

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2026 Food Drink Devon Awards

Plymouth schoolgirl donates hair to charity to help other children

A kind-hearted schoolgirl is donating her hair to charity because she wants to help children who experience hair loss. 10-year-old Esme, from Ivybridge, was inspired by a relative to support The Little Princess Trust.

“After knowing that Nanny had lost her hair during cancer treatment and needed a wig, I wanted to help other people,” said Esme. “I asked about where wigs come from and...

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The Little Princess Trust

How Much Does a New Bathtub Installation Cost in the UK? (2026 Price Breakdown)

The average cost to supply and install a standard bathtub in the UK ranges from £350+ to £2,500+. However, the total can reach £5,000+ for premium options like cast iron or stone freestanding baths requiring significant plumbing and structural work. Labour typically accounts for 40-50% of the cost, with rates in London and the South East being 15-25% higher than the rest of the UK.

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South Devon UTC Community Comes Together to Support Local Foodbank

Staff and families at South Devon UTC in Newton Abbot, part of Education South West , have once again demonstrated their commitment to supporting the local community through a successful foodbank collection.

Since October, the UTC community has been donating essential items to support Teignbridge Homeless Action Today (THAT). The annual collection has become a well established...

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South Devon UTC

Devon

Drake Primary Pupils Learn About Food at Eden Project Visit

Pupils at Drake Primary Academy, part of the Reach South Academy Trust, visited the Eden Project to learn more about where food comes from and how it reaches our plates.

Before entering the biomes, pupils planned their best packed lunch, thinking about the ingredients needed to create a balanced meal.

During a guided tour, pupils identified the ingredients and learned where...

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Drake Primary

Devon