winter

Winter likely to have been sunniest since 1929

This winter is very likely to be a record breaker. Provisional Met Office statistics show that the UK has had its sunniest winter in records dating back to 1929.

While the figures for temperature and rainfall are fairly average, it has been one of, if not the sunniest winter in UK records dating back to 1929.

By 25 February the UK had already seen 189 hours of sunshine,...

Ground-shaking research into the power of winter storms

The violent winter storms that rocked the country in 2014 had the power to physically shake cliffs to a degree in excess of anything recorded previously, say marine scientists.

A team at Plymouth University used seismometers, laser scanners and video cameras to evaluate the impact of the massive waves – up to 8 metres high – that struck the cliffs in Porthleven, West Cornwall, during...

Find a Winter Wonderland at your library

Plymouth libraries are counting down to Christmas with stories, crafts and puppet shows that are guaranteed to get families feeling festive.

Children aged five to 11 can snuggle up and enjoy some polar storytelling and heart-warming stories of winter, with cosy favourites such as Big Bear, Little Bear by Jane Chapmen and Oliver Jeffers’ Lost and Found.

There are cool craft...

Lack of beach recovery places coastal communities in vulnerable position

The coastal communities of South West England are in a vulnerable position because beaches that previously protected them have not recovered from the severe storms of last winter.

The unprecedented battering caused by a succession of Atlantic storms from December 2013 to February 2014 left a trail of damage along the coasts of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset.

But alongside the...

Plymouth working hard to tackle winter road damage

Recent severe weather conditions are keeping Plymouth's highways teams busy, carrying out a wide variety of road repairs alongside their regular winter services.

Amey crews have used 744 tonnes of grit on the city’s roads so far this winter but in addition to their early morning inspections and gritting runs they have also been out inspecting and repairing additional road faults caused...

Doctors in Devon encourage people to look in on the elderly

Doctors in Devon are asking people to look in on their elderly relatives, neighbours and friends now that the cold weather is setting in.

As part of the national ‘Winter Friends’ NHS Choices campaign, Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (NEW Devon CCG) has launched a short film to encourage people to keep an eye out for the elderly over the cold months....

Take care on the roads this winter

With the cold weather predicted to last for the rest of this week South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is urging motorists to slow down and ensure their vehicle is ready for winter.

A spokesman for the Trust said: "We have already received numerous call outs this week to motorists who have been involved in a collision due, in part, to the road conditions caused by the...

Devon residents saving thousands on their heating oil

Members of a scheme to tackle rising energy prices have saved a staggering £23,000 off the cost of their domestic heating oil, this year.

Devon County Council says it’s a great example of communities working together to get a better deal on their heating bills.

The Devon Oil Collective works on the principle of buying heating oil in bulk through consolidating its members’...

Devon Charities launch Surviving Winter Appeal

As forecasters predict a freezing cold winter ahead two Devon charities have linked together to help those most in need.

Hundreds of people across the county are faced with hardship and unable to heat their own homes – but the charities are offering a lifeline and they need support from local people.

The Surviving Winter Appeal, which has been launched by Devon Community...

Don’t mistake meningitis for flu during winter months

The Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) is warning the public to be aware of the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia during the winter months and not to mistake the disease for minor illnesses like colds or flu.

The risk of meningitis and septicaemia heightens as winter approaches when people’s immune systems are weakened from fighting common illnesses making them more vulnerable...

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