Exeter financial experts Old Mill has acquired Yeovil-based family accountancy firm Ivan Rendall & Co. Established in 1956 by Mr Ivan Rendall, Rendalls is one of the longest-established accountancy firms in Yeovil and services businesses of all sizes and across a wide range of sectors including agriculture, construction, manufacturing and retail.  It is currently run by Ivan’s youngest son Stephen, 61, who has been managing director since 2011. Stephen needed to find a new home for the business if he was to be able to retire and chose Old Mill because of its people-centric approach, broad range of expertise and excellent career development opportunities for staff. Kevin Whitmarsh, head of accountancy at Melksham based Old Mill, said “When you own and run a successful family firm like Rendalls, the decision to retire is not an easy one, as you are so invested in the business – both in terms of the clients and staff. You need to know that they will be as well looked after by the new business as they were with you. “At Old Mill, we are known for our personal, professional, and friendly approach and our commitment to putting our clients’ needs at the heart of everything we do. This is a philosophy we share with Rendalls and is why we are confident that this acquisition is going to be so successful.” Old Mill was formed following a buyout in 2006, but its roots go back to the 1920s. The business currently employs 300 staff across its four offices – the others are in Melksham, Wells and Yeovil, offering services to more than 5,000 clients. The Rendalls acquisition will bring around 500 accountancy and tax clients into Old Mill’s 17-strong Yeovil-based owner managed businesses team. Stuart Grimster – who is head of Old Mill’s property and construction team will lead the project, supported by Stephen, who will take on an ambassador role to help ensure a smooth transition for his staff and clients. Stuart said: “We are delighted to welcome Stephen and his team to Old Mill. I have no doubt they will seamlessly complement our existing owner managed businesses team, strengthening us to further support our growing client base here in Yeovil.” Old Mill has a number of specialist sector teams, including rural, food and drink, owner managed businesses, property and construction and wealth management, as well…

Just because you can’t meet with your friends in person right now, that doesn’t mean that a great hen night has to be forgotten. If you’re a maid of honour, chief bridesmaid, or even a bride organising her own hen party, a virtual one could be exactly what you need. You’ll have all the fun of a hen party but without any safety issues and, if you’re using Zoom or similar, you should (with everyone’s permission), be able to record the entire thing for posterity so you can relive it again and again. If a virtual hen night sounds like something you might like to do, either because of restrictions or because it means you can invite guests from around the world, read on; here are some ideas on how to do it. Send Out Party Supplies Once you’ve decided on the best date and time and those who are able to attend have confirmed, you’ll need to send everyone some fun party supplies. Essentially, whatever you would have given them if you were meeting ‘in the flesh’. This could be: Tiaras Sashes Hair accessories Mini bottles of prosecco Chocolate Confetti
You’ll want everyone to be dressed up when you get online together; it will be a good ice breaker at the very least. Organise Activities As much fun as sitting around and chatting would be, you can do that any time. Since this is a hen night, you’ll want to organise at least one fun activity you can all enjoy. Plan this well in advance as you may need to have equipment or to time things just right; plus, if you’re booking something that has a host involved, they’ll need to know which Zoom party to attend. One fantastic idea is a virtual cocktail making party. You’ll be sent cocktail packs in advance, and then, in the night, an experienced mixologist will show you how to create some fantastically fun drinks. Another idea is a virtual spa day or makeover, all of which can be found online. Food and Drink At a standard hen night, food and drink would be involved at some point, so it should be a focus on a virtual night too. You could all bake something that relates to the bride or order a takeaway to be delivered at around…

With Easter fast approaching, Devon’s NHS leaders are calling on people to take preventative measures ahead of the bank holidays and after as lockdown restrictions start to ease and ‘staycations’ start. The long Easter weekend traditionally puts extra pressure on health services when most GP practices are closed and more people are outdoors enjoying everything Devon has to offer. Most GP practices will be closed for Easter for four days from Friday 2 April to Monday 5 April, with normal opening hours resuming on Tuesday. Each Easter sees many patients calling the NHS 111 helpline because they have run out of medication, leading to unnecessary worry for themselves and increasing pressure on busy urgent care and out-of-hours NHS services. Dr Paul Johnson, GP and chair of NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Please be prepared this Easter check that you have enough of your prescription medication to get you through the long weekend and any trips away that you may take.” Many people will be looking forward to going away from 12 April, as lockdown restrictions ease, but the NHS in Devon is reminding patients to ensure they have sufficient medication to last the four day Easter bank holiday weekend and for the duration of any trips away. Self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lets are expected to be permitted to reopen from 12 April. People are being reminded that if they need to speak to their GP while away from home after the bank holiday weekend, they can contact their practice for an online consultation. This advice also applies to visitors travelling to Devon.  All GP practices now offer remote consultations, either online or by telephone, and they should be contacted for advice. For urgent advice, the message is to ‘Think 111 first’. NHS 111 can be contacted from anywhere by phone or online, at any time of day or night. If you need further care or medication, NHS 111 advisors will direct you to the most appropriate service. They can book you in for an appointment at your nearest Minor Injury Unit or Urgent Care Centre.  If you need emergency care, NHS 111 advisors will arrange for you to be seen at a local Emergency Department. They will ensure that staff in the department are expecting you and will see you as quickly as possible. They may…

This year Exeter Pride will be different. This has been – and remains – an unprecedented time for our community.  The impact of Covid-19 has been felt at every level. Exeter Pride trustees mourn with all those who have lost loved ones during this pandemic, and stand with those who have been ill and now suffer the symptoms of long Covid.  Even for those who have not had Covid, we recognise that this pandemic has had a significant impact on our community in terms of mental health, relationships, and wellbeing. An already unequal society has been further divided by those who are clinically vulnerably, and those who are not; or those furloughed and supported, and those who were not; those living with others, and those living alone.  This year, Exeter Pride acknowledges how hard these times have been, and we are adapting Pride as result: 1. There will be no Pride march  Our usual march requires a lot of commitment from local councils, the police, and emergency medical staff. We do not feel it would be responsible of us in these times to place additional unnecessary burdens on services that are already under strain. While we have considered ways to try to make a march safe and socially distanced, the community of Exeter always lines the route to watch and support the march, and as that is outside of our control, we do not feel we could guarantee the safety of spectators and well-wishers. 2. There will be no festival site, main stage, or market place  Exeter Pride regulars will know that the event in recent years has attracted up to 15,000 people in Northernhay and Rougemont Gardens for our festival site. There are high-volume pinch-points in the site management of the area, including the entrance points where there are security searches, in front of the main stage, and the bars and toilets. We do not believe it is safe or responsible this year to push our communities into crowded spaces. It also remains important that the residents of central Exeter have open green spaces to go to for their own physical and mental wellbeing while restrictions remain in place, so we do not want to monopolise the Gardens until the pandemic is over. So many members of the LGBTQ+ community have been affected negatively by the pandemic and, although we…

Television star, Caroline Quentin, received her COVID-19 vaccination at  Moorhayes Commuunity Centre in Tiverton, and urges others to do the same.  She said, “pleae GO and get your vaccination!” Everyone over the age of 50, and those in at risk groups are entitled to recieve the vaccine, either through their GP or a mass vaccination centre. If you are over 50, or at high risk of getting seriously ill from coronavirus, you can book an apointment via the National Booking Service website or by calling 119. The Exeter Daily …