Homes & Gardens

Be flood aware this Christmas

People who are set to be away for the festive period are urged to check the flood risk for their local area and, if necessary, take steps to protect valuable items left at home.

Drivers are also urged to check the latest flood updates ahead of their journey - and urged not to drive through dangerous floodwater. The warning comes after a joint Environment Agency and AA survey found more...

House prices forecast to keep rising in 2014

House prices in the South West are set to rise again as demand continues to exceed supply, surveyors have forecasted.

According to new figures released today by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) house prices in the South West will increase by a further 7% over the next year.

Rental costs are also set to rise by a further 2% which will carry over into the cost of...

Christmas recycling tips and bin collections over the holidays

Shoppers can pick up some top tips about recycling over Christmas at roadshow that takes place on Thursday 19 December.

Council staff will be giving guidance on how and what to recycle at a roadshow outside Drake Circus Shopping Centre, on the Marks and Spencer side.

There will be information on how to cut waste, a quiz with a hamper as a prize and information from the Love...

20,000 homes in Plymouth are eligible for home heating assistance

Alison Seabeck, MP for Plymouth Moor View, calls out to local residents to prepare for winter

As British households prepare to face the cold winter, new research reveals that 20,000 households in Plymouth are eligible for assistance from their energy supplier with heating their homes. The findings from Home Heat Helpline show that a total of 3.6 million households across Great Britain...

Make sure your chimneys are safe before lighting fires

With more cold weather predicted over the next few days, Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service remind you to make sure your chimneys are safe and secure as possible, especially when lighting up fires that haven't been used for a while.

This advice comes after fourteen chimney fires have taken place in Devon and Somerset over the last week.

Fire Investigation Officer,...

E.ON raise prices by £48 per bill

E.ON energy has announced that they are raising their gas and electricity prices by around £48 per customer.

The changes will see around four million UK energy customers pay more

The price represents an average rise of 3.7% on dual gas and electricity bills and will come into effect from 18 January 2014.

Electricity only bills will also rise by 3.7% (£20) while Gas only...

Free community composting courses for growers of Local Food taking place in Devon

Seize the Moment, a not for profit registered company, have teamed up with the Community Composting Network to deliver a course aimed specifically at local food growers to get them composting as well as growing.

The courses, which take place in a variety of locations across the UK, aim to get food growers to capture the nutrients and organic matter in local food and garden waste,and...

Recycling rates remain high in Devon but still more to do to meet targets

Devon is in the top three performing counties in the country when it comes to recycling its waste, thanks to many of you who make the effort on a daily basis.

With a recycling rate of 55%, it remains slightly behind Oxfordshire and Leicestershire in the recycling league tables.

Residents in West Devon have the best recycling rate in the county at 57%, followed closely by...

Plymouth is being asked to say Yes to Homes!

In a motion to be debated by full Council on Monday 25 November, Councillor Mark Lowry is warning that the city is facing a housing crisis and asking for support for the Yes to Homes campaign.

Councillor Lowry, Cabinet member for Finance whose portfolio includes housing delivery said: “By supporting the National Housing Federation’s Yes to Homes campaign we show that we are committed...

Winter health event offers advice on on staying warm and healthy this winter

Drop in at Southway Library on Friday 29 November for advice on how to stay healthy this winter, avoid debt and save money on your fuel bills.

The Winter Health event will run from 11am to 2pm.

Experts will be on hand with information on finding the best energy deal and you’ll be able to sign up to a free scheme that will search out the best tariff for you, regardless of how...

advert, hotel room, hotel front and beach in Icmeler, turkey
Family Law Company - Specialists have an advantage, the same is true in family law.