If you’re in the market to buy or sell a home, you may have noticed that the housing market in the South West has cooled over the past year. Homes are still selling, but it’s taking longer, and sellers aren’t seeing the same rush of offers that appeared during the post-lockdown boom. Higher mortgage rates and fewer people relocating from big cities mean buyers are being more cautious, and many are waiting to see what happens next. So what does this mean for sellers across Devon? Essentially it means timing and strategy matter more than before. When the property market feels slow and unpredictable, you really need to think about what you need from the sale – that means looking at your motivation and prioritising what’s important to you. Is it important that you get a quick sale for example, or is getting the best price the thing? People do still want to move to Devon Just not as quickly! The South West is always going to be popular because of its coast, countryside and slower pace of life. That hasn’t changed and isn’t about to any time soon. 
12 Beautiful Villages in Devon You Should Move To…

As the festive season rolls around, you might find yourself falling into the same old routines year after year. There’s comfort in tradition but sometimes it can feel like the magic has worn off a little. Switching up your festive traditions can bring fresh excitement and make this year’s celebrations feel extra special. There are plenty of ways to inject a little novelty into the season without losing the essence of what you love. Introduce a new twist on a tradition Maybe you’re all about the family game night or watching that one classic film on Christmas Eve. Why not add a quirky twist to keep things lively? If you’ve always done a big family dinner, consider swapping the traditional menu for something a little unexpected such as a fondue night, where everyone dips their favourite ingredients into melted cheese or chocolate. You can also modernise some old favourites. If you love your daily dose of festive countdown, why not explore new flavours with a tea advent calendar and create a moment of calm amidst the busy season? Mix up the location or timing If you’re used to celebrating Christmas Day in your home,…

Second-hand. It’s an excellent opportunity for car-buying for a wide range of reasons. As such, rather than always buying new, many of us opt for a used vehicle instead. However, while there are many awesome benefits of this strategy, it also comes with unique risks. Being aware of these is crucial to help you make the right choice for your next car purchase, too. Important Factors to Check When Buying a Second-Hand Car Purchasing a used car isn’t a two minute decision. Indeed, while we all like to hope that our chosen cars will be legit, this isn’t always the case. And, as the old saying goes: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. To this end, if you’re thinking of going down the second-hand route, always do your due diligence; that applies both to glaring external faults and more subtle factors that often get overlooked. And remember, used cars often don’t have warranties, and they may need repair work. The following are just some of the most common hidden costs you could incur with second-hand. Look at the Brakes! One of the biggest early costs many people will have with…

The global market for laser welding machines is on a steep growth trajectory, projected to rise from $2.8 billion in 2025 to nearly $4.7 billion by 2035. This growth is fueled by demands for higher precision, increased automation, and the ability to work with new and challenging materials. For manufacturers, the stakes are clear: adapt and innovate, or risk being left behind. From smarter optics and AI-powered monitoring to compact, mobile systems, laser welding machine manufacturers are reshaping what’s possible in precision joining. This article explores the key innovations driving that change and what they mean for the future of manufacturing. Enhanced Beam & Optics Control Adaptive Beam Shaping & Variable Optics Modern systems now feature real-time beam shaping—the ability to dynamically alter the beam profile to suit different materials or geometries. With deformable optics correcting distortions, manufacturers can achieve more uniform focus and consistent weld quality. Multi-Focus, Multi-Spot & Line Beams Splitting one laser into multiple focal points or line beams allows welders to increase throughput without sacrificing precision. Switching between spot and line modes also adds flexibility in handling different joint configurations. Smarter Process Control & AI Integration Reinforcement Learning…

Leading South West building services engineering company EX2 Group has welcomed three new apprentices this week, as they begin their professional training in Electrical Installation with Exeter College. Christian, Alfie, and Harvey were welcomed to the Exeter offices by James Rayner (right), Project Manager. The apprentices will combine on-site experience with classroom learning as they work towards their Level 3 Electrical Installation qualifications. Under the guidance of EX2’s experienced team, they will gain practical skills on projects ranging from decarbonisation and energy efficiency upgrades to electrical works in schools, healthcare facilities, leisure centres, and commercial buildings across the region. The apprentices have already completed Level 2 studies at Exeter College’s Construction Skills Centre. As part of their progression, they will continue attending college one day per week while gaining valuable hands-on training at EX2. Their apprenticeship will run for four years, after which they gain a professional qualification as accredited Electricians. Apprenticeships are an established part of EX2 Group’s business. The company has been supporting apprenticeships for over ten years and, with the addition of Christian, Alfie, and Harvey, will have ten apprentices in its team for the upcoming academic year. EX2 Group is committed to nurturing new talent in the electrical sector. The…

Ali Hepher has been appointed to an academy performance coach role within Exeter Chiefs’ development pathway. With 16 years of experience at Chiefs, Hepher brings valuable knowledge of both the club and the sport to the role, which will be crucial to developing future Chiefs players and guiding pathway coaches. Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “Personally, I’m really pleased to have Ali on board in this new role which encompasses him working on the coaching and skills development of our young players from aged 16 onwards. “Ali will also have input on the talent identification for our pre-16 academy cohort. He’ll work alongside our academy coaches to ensure the development of those players through our system and create a smooth transition for them into our senior set-up. “It’s a role I am very keen for Ali to take up this season. I think it allows us to get some top quality, very experienced coaching into our academy group, both for coach education and to keep a close eye on our best young players coming through. “We want them to get attention in all the key fundamentals of how to play. Not just the…